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<br />Commissioner Sherman stated this makes some sense and it's good to feel represented; <br />however, she commented that if she has concerns, she calls City Hall - she has never <br />contacted the Mayor or her Councilmember. <br /> <br />Commissioner Field did not necessarily feel that any changes should be made; however, <br />in referring to softening the language, he suggested the following: "At the same time as <br />the resolution declaring the vacancy is adopted, the 'at large' Councilmembers shall serve <br />the residents represented by the then vacant Councilmember seat but they shall not have <br />any additional voting strength on the Council as a result of this assignment. 'At large' <br />Councilmembers shall alternate their service on a monthly basis until the vacancy is <br />filled." If the vacancy involves an 'at large' Councilmember seat then the remaining 'at <br />large' Councilmember shall serve the residents but shall not have any additional voting <br />strength on the Council." This would be alternating the liaison among the current <br />Council, but you are directing the residents to someone. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated we can present this discussion to the Council. He stated that the City <br />Council does have final say. If they vote for it unanimously, it becomes law subject to <br />the 90-day period. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer stated that we have tried very hard to keep from having special <br />elections. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland stated that the Charter language needs to be really clear if it <br />goes to a vote. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sherman asked if there is some alternative to this - such as appointing? <br /> <br />Commissioner Cleveland stated she has a real negative attitude toward appointing. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that legally there is an alternative, the City Council can appoint <br />someone as soon as there is a vacancy. <br /> <br />Commissioner Field stated that the debate is what do we consider more important - that <br />the resident has a voting member on the Council or that the Council could be skewed for <br />a short time. He stated he would be more concerned about having a vote then accessing a <br />Councilmember. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer stated there really isn't much to change. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that the other examples are not tied up in all this - they are rather <br />simple - the City Council just appoints. He wondered if all this complexity is necessary. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer referred to 4.5.5 and stated that now we have a primary election- <br />when this was drafted we did not. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - May 19,2009 <br />Page 5 of8 <br />