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<br />Attorney Goodrich replied that a few years ago a Councilmember was elected during a special <br />election held in July. There were very few people who turned out to vote. There was concern <br />expressed that with the poor turnout, an extremely small number of people elected a <br />Councilmember in for a two-year term. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland felt that was too long a time for an appointment - people will think that <br />person is the incumbent - there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer recalled three appointments on the City Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland inquired prior to the ward system, how many Councilmembers there <br />were. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich replied five - including the Mayor. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland stated that having not had a vacancy since we went to the ward system, <br />she felt we should leave the Charter as it is. <br /> <br />Commissioner Simenson expressed his agreement with leaving the Charter as is. The fact that <br />this just does not happen often should be considered also. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer stated he does not like special elections - period. He added he would <br />push for the November date for any election of a Councilmember having seen the results of the <br />last special election and how futile the effort was. He noted that the City did not have the ward <br />system at the time. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bertzyk shared a dislike for special elections also. With the wards and some <br />issues involved in appointing, it appears to be a wash. She suggested the process be left as it is <br />currently. <br /> <br />Chair LaMere felt that a special election does not guarantee good representation; it seems to get <br />focused toward a special interest. The two options she sees is 1) No change; or 2) All elections <br />be held in November. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich stated the Charter could bring this to a vote now or table it until a larger <br />group of Commissioners is present. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Bertzyk and seconded by Commissioner Cleveland to make no change <br />to Section 4.5.1 of the City's Charter which reads "When a vacancy in an elected office of the <br />city occurs with 365 days or more remaining in the term of the vacated office, there shall be a <br />special election held within ninety days. <br /> <br />Motion carried. All present voted in favor. <br /> <br />Attorney Goodrich stated that Charter Section 4.5.4 is what's in effect - if there's less than 365 <br />left in the term, the Council will appoint someone. We have never talked about changing that. <br /> <br />Charter CommissionlNovember 15, 2007 <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />