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amendment votes are unique in that they are the singular action, a council takes; that requires a unanimous vote of the City Council. After the hearing, the timeline continues in adoption and petition. Opponents to the ordinance have the right to file a petition by a date certain with a requisite number of signatures detailed in statute. In this case, that day is February 22, 2022. Upon receipt the City must determine sufficiency of the petition. Depending on the circumstances of when the petition is submitted, if determined insufficient, petioners may have time remaining to file an amended petition or, they have the ability to submit an entirely new petition. If a sufficient petition is filed in accordance with statutory timelines, the ordinance is returned to the Council for further action which includes placing it on the ballot at the next general election, calling for a special election, or they could determine to go in a different direction. If no valid petition is received, the ordinance then becomes effective. In this case, that day is March 22nd, 2022. Opponents of the change still have the right to file a petition in future elections based on statutory guidelines that set forth the timing, number of signatures, and details required. To date, since the first meeting in 2021, over $13,000 in legal expenses have been incurred with our legal counsel, Kennedy and Graven; to guide the council and the commission in ensuring the legal requirements in state statue and clarified by the courts, including those related to filing and reviewing petitions, are being followed. January 26, 2021 – Charter Commission minutes – consensus to take up Chapter 7. Set February 23rd and March 23rd meetings to talk about. March 23, 2021 – Presentation by Finance Director Mark Beer. Motion to meet again on April 27, 2021 April 27, 2021 – Discussion on Chapter 7 and three motions on levy modifications. First motion passed 7-2, second motion passed 8-1, and third motion passed 6-2 June 2021 – Informal workshop between Council and Commission with consensus on easing levy up to 8% with 4/5 majority – modeling what the City of Fridley had done. August 17, 2021 – Discussion on Chapter 7 with motion that was tabled until next meeting. September 21, 2021 – Discussion and numerous motions resulting in final language proposed in Ordinance 984. Final vote was 6-3 November 16, 2021 - Chair reports Council will hear Ordinance 984 at their December 13, 2021 Councl meeting.