1988-01-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I ~ Council Meeting Minutes January 12, 1988 Gunderman stated some communities have been negligent in their re- sponsibility; would agree with Benke. Williams will be talking with the Ramsey County League members re- garding how the question was interpreted and why that specific an- swer was given. Benke stated he would not want the Commission to have the percep- tion that members of the League endorse the county charter; hasn't seen justification for the creation of a charter and, at this point, would vote against a charter; did not believe any council has gone on record as supporting a Charter nor did he believe the League itself had gone on record; and suggested Williams pursue that discussion. Williams stated he is on the Executive Committee of the League and the Committee met with past presidents at which time the Commis- sion was discussed; Milt Noel (White Bear Lake) clearly came away noting the League had not endorsed the Charter; thought the dis- cussion would be a healthy one, but was not committed to anything at this point; if additional delegations from the League testify they should give the testimony of the entire League, not just their view. Brandt stated the Commission has been hearing from a variety of experts and getting a lot of different perspectives on how this might work (effective, necessary, desireable) and the purpose for inviting the League was to flush out what concerns, if any, local municipalities would have at the prospect of a Ramsey County Char- ter. After the representatives left the Commission1s meeting, the Chair commented that he was pleased at how there seemed to be no real concerns on the parts of the cities. Brandt believes there are concerns and indicated they have to be brought before the Ram- sey County Charter Commission. Benke also requested Brandt to make that point precisely clear. Williams stated the members of the Executive Committee, in discus- sing this issue with past presidents, were not sure to what they were supposed to react; both are in an information-gathering phase; the more information-sharing that can go on over the next months would benefit both bodies; one of the Leaguels meetings could feature the Commission which would give people an opportu- nity to question where the Commission is headed and what some of its thoughts were at the point; and there needs to be opportuni- ties for all types of information-sharing. Brandt stated the Commission itself has not reached a consensus and is still in an information gathering mode, although some in- dividual views are beginning to surface. Benke felt if it is the presumption there is no opposition to a county charter, it is very easy to conclude there should be one. Page 17