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Commissioner Swanson stated that based on the past discussion they have had, and some of the <br />arguments made for and against a two-year councilmember term they have had some very <br />involved debates. That gives him the mind set that a two-year term is a significant term and <br />should be placed to the voters. A one-year term, he feels, would be reasonable, and so leave <br />things as they are. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere stated that she understands the costs to the City and residents for special <br />elections, but she did not see a need to make the change at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Hendriksen stated that Ms. Bertzyk had appeared before the Council stating that the election <br />cost $10,000. After that meeting he researched that information and it was less than half that <br />amount. He stated that he did not think there was anything wrong with informed interested <br />voters making a selection and those are the people that come out during special elections. When <br />they have 100 senators one more or less is very insignificant to 100 senators making a decision. <br />When there is a board of 5 to 7 members you can craft things to seize power in a less than <br />honorable way. He noted that a person who takes office can do so on various days, which could <br />have an impact on a term and the predecessor is in office up until the point the new candidate <br />takes office. He stated that he did not have a real strong feeling of making it much more than a <br />year, but would hope that they don't have a way of ensuring a power base. <br /> <br />Mr. Raygor stated that they are talking about special interest. Seven hundred people voted at the <br />special election so those 700 people chose to go out and vote. If it is left up to the City Council <br />and tomorrow someone decides to resign and quit their Council position, right now there are a <br />total of five people on the Council. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated to the Chair that Mr. Raygor's statements were ridiculous <br />because they are five elected representatives of the community. That is the current form of <br />government. <br /> <br />Mr. Raygor inquired why it should it be up to the Council to make the decision on another <br />elected position. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied because that is our constitution, they are elected. It is a <br />republic form of government. <br /> <br />Mr. Raygor replied that it is also their right as a citizen to vote for an elected official. <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt noted that if the Commission were to forward the recommendation it would go <br />before the Council and then to the citizens to vote on the issue. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer stated that anything the Charter acts on is always voted on by the citizens <br />and elected officials. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere stated that things are put before the citizens as long as the Charter <br />Commission makes the decision to forward an issue. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/July 18, 2002 <br /> Page 11 of 22 <br /> <br /> <br />