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CHM 09/24/1974 d {r ' • • CHARTER COMMISSION September 24, 1974 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Sheridan, Elaine Knoff, Robert O'Neill , Roy McPherson, Jackie Johnson, Herbert Bacon, Edythe Collins, Ole Bjerkesett, and Jerry Ratcliffe MEMBERS ABSENT: Peg McChesney, Donald Wegler, Francis Casey, Harry Crowder, Jack Kirkham, and Clifford Ash Chairman Ray Sheridan opened the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Sheridan explained that it was not his intent to call a special meeting, but because of the Council 's position not to act upon the Ordinance, in which one of the Council members objected to the 55% vote, it was necessary to call a special meeting. Of the 24 proposed changes, there was one objection. And this had to be a unanimous vote by the Council . Mr. Sheridan said it was his understanding from previous action when Council - did not act upon the change in the primary, they wanted to act on everything all at the same time. Mr. Sheridan presented some options to the Commission. Mr. Sheridan said he had received a copy of a memo sent to Nasim Qureshi from Marvin Brunsell , indicating that our voting machines have twelve pages and the County will be using six or seven of these pages, leaving 5 or 6 pages the City can use. The City will be taking up three of those pages by the Mayor and Councilman at Large, the North Park and liquor issue, and the North Suburban Hospital District, which would leave 4 pages left. Also, an amendment to the Constitution of Minnesota which would possibly be on one page of the ballot. That would leave the Charter Commission having the option of using the ballot by grouping the amendment, voting on all amendments as one, a revised Charter, or break them down into groups. Mr. Sheridan said prior to this letter, he and Marvin Brunsell had come up with around 6 ideas. Another option was to not put it on the November ballot, and hold it over until 1975, or a special or general election. Mr. Sheridan gave a few examples of how these ballots could be set up. Mr. Sheridan expressed his own opinion. He thought because of the action of the Council last Monday night, he would personally prefer to see the amendments to the Charter not be on the ballot in the 1974 November election, and either hold it over to 1975 on the general election or call a special election in the spring of 1975 to vote just on the adoption of the revisions of the Charter. He felt the Charter Commission had tried to get this through an Ordinance adoption, thus saving the taxpayers a sum of money. Those that could not be handled in that manner chose to go on the ballot and be handled at a general election. Mr. Sheridan said in their deliberations for the past year and a half, now they did not have sufficient time to fully appraise the electorate as to what these things were. Page 2 Mr. Sheridan said the Commission has the authority to put each amendment as a separate ballot. There could be 24 amendments to the Charter. If it were to go this way, it would be a hand ballot, not by a voting machine. Mr. Sheridan felt the Charter amendments had become too much of a political issue. He stated they would not have time from now till November 15 to properly hold a public or series of public hearings to explain to those interested parties what the reasons are and why the proposed changes are being made. Mr. Bjerkesett asked if it would be possible to present this as a revised Charter on one ballot, whether they vote yes or no. Mr. Sheridan said they could do this, putting all the amendments on one ballot as a total package. It would then stand or fall under the yes or no vote. Mr. Sheridan said in areas where the Charter is being concurred with the state statutes, these could all be grouped together, if they chose to do it in more than one ballot. The amendment could be in general terms and could be posted in the polling places, a complete verbatum of what the changes would be. Mr. Sheridan suggested getting this out of the political atmosphere. By that time, maybe some or all of the proposed changes could be handled by an ordinance. The balance could be publicized and explained and go on a special or general election. Mr. Bjerkesett felt they were mislead somewhat last spring when they anticipated action upon the primary from the City Council , and they tabled it until all the rest of the changes would be submitted. Mr. Bjerkesett said it was his implication that the Council fully intended to act upon it as approved. He said presently they do not have enough time to organize and present a representative explanation to the public by the 28th of this month. Mr. Bjerkesett felt they should pull the Ordinance and give them- selves some time. MOTION BY HERB BACON THAT THE CHARTER COMMISSION TABLE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND THAT THE AMENDMENTS NOT BE PUT ON THE BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER 1974 ELECTION. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Further discussion was held on the motion. Mr. Sheridan explained they could go back to the Council in the spring and present the proposed amendments and if they do not choose to act upon them, a special election will be called. They would set up some times for public hearings prior to the special election, or put it on the general election. Mr. Sheridan said there was no way this matter could be dropped and buried. Mr. Sheridan stated it had been moved from the November 74' election and would be put before the electorate if the Council in early 75' chose not to act upon these amendments by Ordinance. Mr. Sheridan said he would be willing to push it all the way. He honestly felt the Commission had gone about it in the proper manner. There had been published notices on all legal postings. Various people had attended the meetings suggesting what they felt was .-� needed for changes in the Charter. Page 3 Mr. Sheridan said a comment had been made at a previous meeting, that someone had started a petition with regard to filling the vacancy on the Council , requiring that a special election be held. Mr. Sheridan said he had no objection to that. These people were apparently misinformed. As far as the Chairman was concerned, it would be the intent of the Commission to reevaluate it's position, re-submit the proposed amendments to the City Council and ask them to act upon them and handle those that can be handled by Ordinance early in 1975, and if the amendments are not satisfactorily acted upon, the Commission will then elect to put it on a future ballot, either a special election or general election in 1975. Mr. Sheridan said he would inform the City administration of the action moved upon by the Charter Commission, choosing not to put the amendments on the November election, since they do not have the time to do the justice of the work of the past eighteen months. • Mr. Sheridan asked the Commission members if they would like him to contact the paper explaining on behalf of the Commission. The Commission thought this was an excellent idea. • Mr. McPherson asked the chairman if he thought things would change a lot between now and next spring? Mr. Sheridan said there will be an election behind them. Mr. Bacon thought they would have problems, but theywill have time to explain the Commission's stand. r-� Mr. Bjerkesett asked if it could be possible to have a printed sheet made up explaining the Charter Commission, how it functions, what it's purpose is, and explain the changes. Mr. McPherson suggested including something like this in one of the City mailings to all occupants. Mr. Sheridan said they could have it condensed into a couple of sheets. Mr. Sheridan said this same type of information could be posted in every polling place, if it went to the ballot. Mr. Bjerkesett said he had requested copies of the September 9, 1974 Council meeting of the public hearing held on the Charter amendments. His reason for this was to bring to the attention of the Charter Commission the type of thing you have to expect if this should be on the ballot for the election campaign. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Sheridan declared the meeting adjourned at 8: 12 p.m. The next meeting will be held November 19, which is the annual meeting. Respectfully submitted, 11ey N}orrispn . Recording Secretary