Ordinance #25-09 Amending the City Charter

The purpose of this case is to review and discuss Section 2.5 of the Charter, specifically in regard to the provisions governing vacancies within the elected body. Additionally, the Commission will address the two items that were tabled during the previous Charter Commission meeting for further consideration.

Overview of changes to section 2.5 based on Council direction to draft language that refers to temporary living situations outside the elected Ward:  
Vacancies for a city council seat currently do not establish a vacancy when a member moves outside their ward but remains in the City of Ramsey.  Staff proposes to recognize that a councilmember elected to a ward seat is expected to represent residents who live within their ward.  Moving to a new house within Ramsey but in a different ward would not allow this direct representation as a ward resident. Upon review by the City Council, they agreed with this provision, but desired to recognize cases where temporary residency may be required.  i.e. in an emergency situation where substantial damage to their home occurs, thus rendering the home temporarily uninhabitable until repairs occur.

Brief overview of changes tabled at the previous meeting: 

Charter Section 3.1
Council meetings and the noticing process are proposed to be updated to mirror state statute and to better clarify the noticing requirement between a normal special council meeting and an emergency meeting.  During the last dicussion, some commission members desired clear definitions. However, state statute does not provide this detail.  

Charter Section 7.6.1 
A past practice related to the budget and levy adoption has been to adopt the budget and levy at the same meeting as the public hearing.  The charter requires the adoption to occur at the meeting following the public hearing.  Though a public hearing is required by charter and state statute, it is rare that public input is provided that is relevant to the budget and levy.  Staff proposes to allow for the final budget and levy to be adopted at the same meeting as the public hearing.  This would not prevent the city council from delaying the adoption to implement public input into the final budget should input be received.  Language in the charter is proposed to be amended, to emphasize that the budget and levy shall be adopted following the required public hearing to ensure council considers any public input on the budget.

With an amendment proposed by the Charter Commission, the City Council may amend the charter by ordinance.  Within one month of receiving a recommendation to amend, the City must publish notice of a public hearing of the proposal.  Within one month of the public hearing, the City Council must vote on the proposed charter amendment.  If approved unanimously, the ordinance goes into effect 90 days after passage subject to no petition being submitted by voters forcing a referendum.

Alternative 1: Approve the ordinance as presented. 
Alternative 2: Approve the ordinance with desired modifications.
Alternative 3: Provide direction on amendments, but table to a subsequent Charter Commission meeting for further discussion.
Alternative 4: Do nothing, leaving the charter as it is today.

Staff recommends adoption of Ordinance #25-09. 

Motion to recommend adoption of Ordinance #25-09 to the City Council.