Minutes - 2006/07/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 24, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 15 and referred to the City Attorney for review and comment. Assistant to the City Administrator Crane stated that the City Attorney has provided his comments to the Charter Commission and will meet with them to discuss the language amendment to Chapter 7. She explained that attached are the attorney's comments on the proposed change to the Charter. Assistant to the City Administrator Crane stated the Charter Commission has requested the Council's response within 30 days on any questions or clarification to any item as presented in the modification of language. Assistant to the City Administrator Crane stated that the City Attorney has indicated that while the Council shall fix the form of the ballot question, the Charter Commission has the authority to have the question on the ballot. Assistant to the City Administrator Crane explained that the upcoming General Election would obviously be the most cost-effective election to address this ballot question. She explained that a special election, if it were necessary, would cost approximately $10,000. She state to make the general election deadline, the question must be certified to the County by September 15`". She stated that Staff recommends final action on the question be taken by the Council no later than the August 28~' regular meeting. Councilmember Flaherty asked about the changes in language from the City Attorney. He asked if the recommendations City Attorney Riggs made do not change the content or intent of changing the Charter. Riggs stated that is correct. City Attorney Riggs explained that he met with the Charter Commission last Thursday and the Commission made a number of revisions and at the end of the meeting they agreed to the language. Councilmember Gunn stated she did not understand language in Subdivision Two B, which reads "hold a public hearing upon at least 10 days posted and published notice in the City's official publication." Councilmember Thomas stated it is not necessarily the normal grammatical. Councilmember Gunn asked if it means notice must be given 10 days in advance. Mr. Jonathan Thomas, 8040 Groveland Road, Chair of the Charter Commission, pointed out that Mr. Riggs made the changes. Mr. Thomas stated that if the Council wants to direct Staff to make changes, it is within the Council's scope. He stated that the public hearing will be held, will be posted 10-days prior, and will be published in the standard way the Charter has determined. He stated the language is difficult and he believes that the intent has been captured, but it may be able to be said more clearly. Councilmember Gunn stated her problem is with the word "upon." City Attorney Riggs stated that there was no time frame for notice and that was the goal of the added language.