Minutes - Council - 09/11/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council. The following is the proposed language of the advisory question: "By vote of the electorate in 1996, the Mayor's term was increased from two years to four years. Pursuant to an advisory question in 2000, the electorate recommended that a majority of the City Council be elected every two years. Do you now favor reducing the Mayor's term to two years in order that the majority of the City Council be elected every two years?" Councilmember Anderson stated that residents do not understand that current law requires a Councilmembers term to be four years and that a Mayors terms can be two or four years. Councilmember Hendriksen suggested adding language after the words "every two years" the only way to accomplish this under state law is to change the Mayors term back to two years. City Attorney Goodrich recommended the following language be included: "Under State law Councilmember terms can only be four years, however the Mayors term could be reduced to two years." Motion by Councilmember Hendriksen, seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman, to approve the advisory question to be placed on the ballot fOr the November 6, 2001 election as amended by the City Attorney. Motion withdrawn. Councilmember Anderson noted that the Mayors term could be two years or four years. City Attorney Goodrich replied that the question already stated that the term is presently four years. Councilmember Anderson stated that State Statute states that the Mayors term could be two years or four years. She wanted to make sure that they don't lead a person in one direction. Mr. Kieffer stated that less than a year ago when he asked Mr. Hendriksen if it was his intent to change the Mayors term back to a two year term he replied no. Mr. Kieffer felt that if Mr. Hendriksen had been successful in his Mayors run they would not be having this discussion. Mr. Kieffer felt that a Mayors term is important and should be four years. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that he took great offense to the comments made by Mr. Kieffer. He explained that at the Charter Commission he presented an alternative that the Mayors term be changed to two years after the current Mayors term is up. Consensus of the Council was to amend the advisory question to read as follows: "By vote of the electorate in 1996, the Mayor's term was increased from two years to four years. Pursuant to an advisory question in 2000, the electorate recommended that a majority of the City Council be elected every two years. Under State law, Councilmembers terms can only be four years; however, the Mayors term can either be two years or four years. Do you now favor reducing the City Council/September 11, 2001 Page 17 of 23