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Mounds View City Council May 22, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 14 • in Minnesota to draw upon in this regard, and this is currently under examination. He stated the theory was that if the Charter Commission was to agree with the Council that the language was acceptable, there would not be the need for a ballot question, and the question would be whether or not they could still pull it off of the ballot at that point, to avoid a vote on it. He indicated that if the Charter Commission were to disagree with the Council, the question could still go to the ballot as proposed. Mayor Coughlin inquired if there would be sufficient time between the second reading and the potential 150-day review period to place the matter on the ballot for the general election. City Attorney Long advised that if the matter involves the 150-day review period, they would be dealing with the question of whether or not they could overlap in that time frame. He reiterated there was no clear-cut case law, and having examined the Attorney General's opinion, there was nothing to answer this question, and therefore, further examination would be necessary. He explained that if the Charter Commission completed their work in the 60-day review period, there would be no issue, however, if the Commission required the additiona190 days, staff would have to examine this. He pointed out that although the Council did not desire the cost, they could hold a special election to consider a Charter amendment question, should that become the only alternative. He stated staff would like to give the Council the option to place the question on the ballot in November. Mayor Coughlin stated in an attempt to save money on a special election, the Council might wish to consider this matter at the next Council Work Session. He stated the timing consideration was his only concern, and therefore, he would offer for Council consideration that if the timing was indeed an issue, they consider calling to order at the Work Session for the second reading of the ordinances, in order to save taxpayer dollars. City Attorney Long stated the first Council Work Session in June would be held in fourteen days, and this would meet the requirement. Mayor Coughlin advised that in keeping with Council rules, a motion and second would be required prior to discussion. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Thomason. To Waive the Reading and Approve the First Reading of Ordinance No. 661, an Ordinance Proposing Amendments to the Mounds View Charter by Amending Various Chapters of the Charter of the City of Mounds View as to the Administration of City Affairs by City Manager in the City. Council Member Marty inquired if the language of this ordinance was in keeping with State Statutes. City Attorney Long stated yes. He indicated State Statutes set up several different means to make Charter amendments. He advised that one method, which was previously utilized, is that • the Charter Commission initiates the amendment, and the Council, by unanimous vote, approves those changes to the Charter by ordinance. He explained that in this instance, State Statutes provide for the City Council to make a proposal directly to the voters by ballot, however, this