08-24-1998 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River City Council Minutes Page 2 August 24, 1998 COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.1. Council Response and Review of Petitions Received from Cecilia Scheel City Clerk Sandra Peine informed the City Council that they had received three petitions on August 17, 1998, from Cecilia Scheel. The city clerk addressed each petition. Petition #1 - It is the wish of the undersiqned to chanqe the charter of the City of Ell< River, Minnesota. We therefore petition for a referendum vote that all voters of the City may vote for the Chief of Police. The City Clerk indicated that there is no provision in state statute to allow the police chief to be an elected position. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO DENY THE REQUEST TO VOTE ON THE POSITION OF POLICE CHIEF. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Petition #2 - It is the wish of the undersiqned, that the Charter of the City of Ell< River be chan.qed permittin.q all voters to vote for all Council Members. Not only the one from their ward. Therefore, we petition the city for a referendum vote. The City Clerk indicated that there is no provision in state law that allows a city to submit a question to the voters regarding elimination of the ward system. She indicated that Elk River's ward system was put into effect at the time of consolidation in 1978. Mayor Duitsman stated that at the time of consolidation, representation by ward was a crucial issue. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO DENY THE PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER ELIMINATE THE WARD SYSTEM. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Petition #3 - That the City of Ell< River shall not allow non-residents of the City of Ell< River to serve on any commission, committee, or board of advisory settin.q policy for the City of Elk River, Minnesota, i.e. Plannin.q, Utility, HRA, EDA, Park, Zonin.q, or any other policy and/or spendin.cl board, committee, or commission which may organize at a future date for the purpose of determininq and influencinq the life of any citizen of the City of Elk River, Minnesota. The City of Elk River, Minnesota may hire a consultant to advise a board, commission, or committee. He/she may not cast a vote with the group being advised. The City Clerk indicated membership on boards and commissions are set either by state law, city ordinance, or bylaws of the commission or board. She further indicated that it would be a decision of the Council to amend either the ordinance and/or bylaws to address the situation. Councilmember Farber stated that the ice arena is used by the entire School District and indicated he felt representation should be by those using the facility.