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<br />raised issues on what affects the initiative would have on the future General Plan in that <br />changes to the plan which included specified areas in the initiative would require a two- <br />thirds vote, in the event that the initiative passed. <br /> <br />Planning Manager, Jill Ekas, gave a summary of the proposed amendment's possible <br />impact on the General Plan process. She stated they have been looking into this with the <br />consulting team for the new General Plan. Mayor Foust asked if the initial analysis of how <br />to proceed with the 20-month General Plan process could include the costs associated with <br />any additional costs posed by the initiative passing. Ms. Ekas stated understanding of the <br />schedule, the scope of work and the budget already in place for the new General plan and <br />stated the intention was to bring things in within that schedule, but that it was difficult to <br />estimate the costs if the initiative passed. <br /> <br />Council Discussion <br />Council noted again the heated nature of discussions regarding this initiative and the <br />difficulty in staying educated on the issues while at the same time going through the <br />election process. One Council Member repeated that Council and the City Clerk were <br />following due process and were not in complete control of the signature verification process <br />and had the responsibility to place all items on the agenda in a timely fashion as they had <br />been doing. Council said that the Cargill lands repeatedly arise in the initiative discussion <br />as a key area, but that other areas of concern arose as unintended consequences. Council <br />suggested an alternative might be some specific language related to the Cargill property <br />and have this be the real focus, rather than a larger more cluttered initiative. Council <br />looked to Mr. Willis for continued clarification on the two-thirds vote ramifications. <br /> <br />Council cited philosophical problems with the two-thirds voting initiative and putting into <br />place a super-majority process and stressed again better understanding and more clear <br />language on what effects this initiative has on the General Plan and current City processes. <br />Council repeated that the dialogue between proponents and opponents needs to stay open, <br />even to the extent of withdrawing the initiative and working together on coming up with a <br />more equitable solution. Council noted the importance of getting to the real concerns and <br />then coming up with something workable for all involved, advisory committees as an <br />example, and continued dialogue on real interests and viable solutions. Council also noted <br />City government was an iterative process. <br /> <br />The City Attorney stated the situation was such that they would want to take a. good hard <br />look at tonight's additional questions and return on July 7, 2008 with a specific set of <br />responses. Council stated this would also give proponents and Council time to think about <br />how to go forward, and in what way. Council again stressed the unintended consequences <br />involved in this initiative and the need for time to further study and understand them, which <br />would be allowed if the measure was removed from the ballot at this time by the <br />proponents. Council thanked everyone for their interest and passion but wished for a more <br />clear understanding so that everyone could be educated and move forward meeting the <br />needs of the community on the whole. The Vice Mayor asked for clarification on mis- <br />statements regarding signature gatherers credentials, and the law on the books regarding <br />how to proceed in such matters. The City Attorney spoke to this process and what election <br />law states. <br /> <br />SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />JUNE 30, 2008 <br />PAGE 6 <br />