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<br />Commissioner Erickson thought that was the concept - it was meant to be covered - <br />representation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Field felt a joint working session with the Council is a good idea to get <br />Council's viewpoint but it would also be good to consider questions that we could present <br />to them during that work session. The proposed language is "At the same time as the <br />resolution declaring the vacancy is adopted, the Council shall appoint a current <br />Councilmember to act as liaison for those residents whose Councilmembers seat is <br />vacant. The liaison so appointed shall serve until the vacancy has been filled. The <br />Councilmember appointed as liaison shall continue to have only one vote as a <br />Councilmember." Mr. Field had prepared a list of five questions about the word liaison: <br />Would you have to make a distinction between at large and ward? No other cities have <br />this liaison language as far as he could see. He thought it would be helpful to have <br />identified questions to bring to the joint work session - that may help to bring some <br />constructive thought to the intent of this provision. This all seems a bit overkill for the <br />short period of time there could be a vacancy unless this has happened where people did <br />not feel they were represented and added that it does seem a bit micromanagement. This <br />really doesn't seem like something that needs fixing. Commissioner Field reviewed his <br />questions: 1. Is word "liaison" used because this is an attempt to have a Councilmember <br />respond to resident concerns? What would be duties and responsibilities of a "liaison"? <br />2. Is word "liaison" used because there is a desire to make clear that the liaison shall not <br />have a vote on the Council? 3. Has there been a problem in the past regarding a resident <br />not having their concerns addressed during a vacancy? 4. Does this provision apply if <br />the Councilmember whose seat becomes vacant is an 'at large' Councilmember? Why <br />wouldn't the remaining 'at large' Councilmember take over this duty short term? 5. If <br />the Councilmember whose seat becomes vacant is a "ward" Councilmember, cannot the <br />other two 'at-large' Councilmembers handle these liaison duties temporarily? He <br />suggested the liaison position could be alternated among Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to if one of the positions that was left vacant was up for <br />election, people will have already filed which led to discussion relating to special <br />elections as well. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland stated she realizes that what the Commission is talking about <br />with regard to such vacancy has not happened, however, citizens need to know where to <br />go if they have a concern. <br /> <br />Commissioner Field stated that the Charter is like the Constitution - you are only <br />supposed to be altering language when you foresee a need. You can be futuristic but you <br />need to be very careful - the more restructuring, the harder it is to implement it. You <br />have to be able to foresee - but this one is diving deeper for a short period of time - and <br />an amendment must fix a current need or be proactive to fix a future problem. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland suggested maybe we need to soften the language. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - May 19, 2009 <br />Page 4 of8 <br />