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Chairperson Field stated that a mailer would be more cost effective. <br />Commissioner Deemer stated he preferred to keep it simple and use other methods of getting <br />voters' opinions. <br />City Attorney Langel pointed out that Options 1 and 4 are similar, except Option 4 explicitly <br />refers to the City using State Election processes. <br />Commissioner Leistico asked if there was a downside to leaving Advisory Elections in Chapter <br />4. <br />Commissioner Bendtsen stated that holding an Advisory Election on a day other than a General <br />Election seems like a waste of time and money. <br />Chairperson Field asked the City Attorney to further explain Option 4. <br />City Attorney Langel stated the Council can order a Special Election on a variety of things, <br />including Advisory Elections. He stated the reason the City refers to State Election Law is that <br />Advisory Elections are unique to Charter Cities and using State Election Law reduces ambiguity <br />and sets the process for the election. <br />Chairperson Field referred to a typo in Option 4 where the word "Special" should be replaced by <br />"Advisory". <br />Commissioner Anderson asked if the City has looked into mail ballots and said it seems cheaper <br />than in person voting. <br />City Clerk Thieling replied that in some outstate rural areas mail ballots are used and receive a <br />good turnout. She stated the City has talked about mail balloting and using it for Special <br />Elections and have been told they shouldn't use that process. <br />City Attorney Langel explained that there is a separate State Statue which applies to mail ballots <br />and can only be used under certain circumstances. He stated mail ballots do not have bearing on <br />the issue before the Commission at this time. <br />Chairperson Field asked the Commission their preliminary opinion on which option they prefer. <br />Commissioners Leistico, Deemer, Fuhreck, Sivertson stated they prefer Option 4. <br />Commissioner Anderson passed. <br />Commissioner Bendtsen stated he prefers Option 2 or 3 and doesn't see the point of an Advisory <br />Election if it has no authority. <br />Chairperson Field stated it may provide political cover to gather the public's input prior to <br />making a major decision. <br />Charter Commission/ October 17, 2019 <br />Page 6 of 10 <br />