Agenda - Council - 04/23/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Following the adoption of Resolution #19-105 this evening, staff will publish notices of the special election as well as a candidate filing notice in the City's official newspaper, according to the Statutory timelines. As you are aware, the City's official newspaper is the Anoka County Union/Herald. The candidate filing period has to be published for two consecutive weeks, at a minimum of 14 days prior to the start of filing - publications are on Fridays. Filing would begin Tuesday, May 21 and close on Tuesday, June 4. Statutes allows for two days following the close of filing for candidate withdrawal. That period ends on Thursday, June 6. Staff will know by close of business June 6, whether or not a Primary Election will be necessary. A Primary Election is held when three or more candidates file for one seat. The City's Charter speaks about a Primary Election for regular municipal elections and states for Special Elections that the procedure at such election and assumption of duties of elected officers following such election shall conform as nearly as practicable to that prescribed for other municipal elections under this Charter. With the timeline worked out for this Special Election, it is practicable to hold a Primary Election as well. As stated above, a calendar/timeline for this Special Election process is attached. Observations/Alternatives: The City's Charter requires the City Council to declare by resolution a vacancy in the resigning Councilmember's office and schedule a Special Election to select a successor. There are no alternatives to adoption of the vacancy resolution as this is a mandatory Charter requirement. The additional cost for this special election will be minimal due to the fact that the City has already scheduled a special election in August to fill the at -large Council seat, and the Anoka -Hennepin School District has an election in November (at the Ward 3 polling locations) and the City will be able to share costs of election judges. Funding Source: Funding for Elections is taken from the City's General Fund Budget. Recommendation: Staff recommends Council adopt Resolution #19-104 to proceed with the Special Election process. Action: Motion to adopt Resolution # 19-104 Accepting Resignation of the Ward 3 Councilmember, Declaring a Vacancy in the Office of Ward 3 Councilmember and Calling for a Special Election to Fill the Vacancy. Resolution 19-104 Timeline Attachments Form Review Inbox Reviewed By Date Jo Thieling Jo Thieling 04/18/2019 05:07 PM Kurt Ulrich Kurt Ulrich 04/18/2019 05:24 PM Form Started By: Colleen Lasher Started On: 04/18/2019 03:34 PM Final Approval Date: 04/18/2019