2002 Communication on Charter Commission

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Senator John Marty November 18, 2002 Roseville Charter Commission Robert C. Bell, Chair c/o City Hall 2660 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55113 Dear Charter Commission Members: Senate State of IVtiiuiesotn. We are writing to encourage the Charter Commission to consider discharging itself now that Roseville voters have rejected the proposed charter on two separate occasions. We have heard from several Roseville residents who have asked us to carry legislation modifying the state law on home rule charter commissions. As you may know, the law allows a charter conunission to remain in existence, even if voters reject the proposed charter, and has no limit to the number of times a charter commission may try again (MN Statutes 410.10 Subd. 4). However, in doing so, a charter commission would be ignoring the will of the voters. State law also allows a charter conunission to discharge itself by a vote ofthree-fourths of its members (MN Statutes 410.05 Subd. 5). We share the concerns of the Roseville residents who have contacted us, about the fundamental unfairness of a charter commission continuing to propose charters after the voters have rejected such a charter. Voters can express their opposition to a charter at the polls, but they have no means to abolish the commission. Rather than going through the time, cost, and uncertainty of trying to amend state law to address this issue, we believe it would be more sensible for the commission to consider simply voting itself out of existence. This should riot be an issue that divides those who supported a home rule charter and those that opposed one -- it is a situation in which both sides can agree that the voters have had two opportunities to speak on the issue. We appreciate your consideration of this request. Since~ely~ Jon arty Mindy Gr ing Senator Representative R 10 ~;^„~~,,.,, r,",~~,~ c..,t„ ro,.:r,.1 cr n:,..i nnnr .,i ,~.irnr, rr,~i~ 2~r,_~rn~ h»;,YYVCn~CPn~te.IeO.C~nte.mn.us ._;;;,,,,..,,_,.