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Observations/Alternatives: <br />Observations: The Charter Commission reviewed Chapter 4 in its entirety and determined the amendments <br />suggested would clarify and simplify the elections process and come into compliance with the State election law. <br />Not having a primary will expedite the process of filing seats with a duly elected Council member, plus the <br />provision that allows immediate appointment by the Council of an interim Council Member keeps vacancy periods <br />at a minimum. On the other hand, a primary election serves as a method to ensure that the final candidate receives a <br />majority of the votes cast. Without a primary, a candidate may be elected with the most votes among multiple <br />candidates, but it may be less than a majority of votes cast. For example, among 5 candidates, a candidate could <br />prevail with less than 50% of the votes cast. <br />Alternatives: The Council must unanimously vote in favor of the ordinance for this amendment to pass. If Council <br />does not agree with the amendments, they may make suggestions and send back to the Charter Commission for <br />further review. Previous primary elections have suffered low voter turnout, which is even lower during a special <br />primary election. The City Council may also consider pursuing changes to state law that would change dates and <br />waiting period, but this is generally more difficult that making charter revisions. The Council may also consider <br />different procedures for special elections versus general elections as recommendations back to the Charter <br />Commission. <br />Funding Source: <br />N/A <br />Recommendation: <br />Staff is recommending the Council adopt the ordinance as drafted by the Charter Commission and the City <br />Attorney. <br />Action: <br />Motion to adopt Ordinance # 19-15 An Ordinance Amending the City Charter by Repealing and Replacing Chapter <br />4 - Nominations and Elections. <br />Roll Call Vote: <br />Councilmember Riley <br />Councilmember Kuzma <br />Councilmember Musgrove <br />Councilmember Heinrich <br />Councilmember Menth <br />Councilmember Specht <br />Mayor LeTourneau <br />Ordinance 19 15 <br />Attachments <br />Form Review <br />Inbox Reviewed By Date <br />Colleen Lasher Colleen Lasher 12/03/2019 02:15 PM <br />Jo Thieling Jo Thieling 12/03/2019 03:15 PM <br />Kurt Ulrich Kurt Ulrich 12/05/2019 01:46 PM <br />Form Started By: Katie Schmidt Started On: 12/02/2019 08:27 AM <br />Final Approval Date: 12/05/2019 <br />