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CASE # <br /> <br /> WARD SYSTEM DISCUSSION <br />By: Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />In March, the Charter Commission met to discuss precinct liaison meetings. During the <br />discussion, the Commission briefly talked to the issue of ward systems for elections versus <br />thc current at largc system. When the precinct liaison issue got to the Council table it was <br />suggested that the Charter Commi.~sion review the issue of an electoral system on the ward <br />and precinct basis versus an at large system. While there was not a position taken by the <br />Council for or against either of the two systems, it was suggested that this issue is certainly <br />within the purview of the Charter Commission and should be addressed by this <br />Commission. <br /> <br />A discussion regarding the ward system was again held at the June meeting of the Charter <br />Commission. It was felt that Council membership is fairly well spread around the City but <br />none of the members live in the urban service area. It appears, however, that there are no <br />complaints about representation from the trrban service area. <br /> <br />A discussion also took place regarding enlarging the Council, however, it was the <br />consensus of the Commission that there would be no reason to increase the number of <br />Couneilmembers until the citizenry feels they are not being well represented. <br /> <br />The Commission suggested it would be interesting to hear from Council candidates <br />whether they considered campaigning expensive, if citizens expressed more concern about <br />City-wide issues or neighborhood issues, and if the citizens feel they are well represented. <br />An invitation to attend the Charter Commission meeting to have this discussion will be <br />extended to Councilmernbers at their meeting on Tuesday night <br /> <br />The Commission directed Staff to prepare a color coded map showing where the current <br />Councilmembers, past Councilmembers and most-recent past Council candidates reside. <br />That map is included (separate from your agenda) in your packet. <br /> <br />The Commission also felt that it would have merit to receive input on this subject from the <br />new Charter members <br /> <br />Commission Action: <br /> <br />Discussion only - no action necessary. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br /> <br />Charter. 09/16/93 <br /> <br />Copies distributed to: <br /> <br />Mayor and Councilmembers <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br /> <br />