Agenda - Council - 04/11/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CC Regular Session 6.2. Meeting Date: 04/ 11 /2023 By: Katie Schmidt, Administrative Services Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING - Introduce Ordinance #23-07 to Amend Chapter 4 of the Charter - Nominations and Elections Purpose/Background: The Charter Commission met on February 2, 2023 and is recommending the City Council amend the charter by Ordinance #23-07 under M.S. 410.12, subdivision 7. The recommended ordinance is to amend parts of section 4.5 of Chapter 4 of the City Charter. Those changes include updating the appointment process in the case of a vacancy and how we handle appointments when no one files an affidavit of candidacy for an open council seat. BACKGROUND: Changes to State Election Law The State Legislation previously set uniform election dates for special elections, which prompted a complete review of Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, of the City's Charter. The current Charter language does not include these dates, is not entirely consistent with State law, and causes problems in administering City elections. Charter Commission Actions - To Date The Charter Commission started its work on updating Chapter 4 in February 2019. In cooperation with former City Attorney Langel, a draft ordinance (#19-15 " An Ordinance Amending the Charter by Repealing and Replacing Chapter 4 - Nominations and Elections") was drafted and then reviewed by the City Council on December 10, 2019, but it did not pass. In order for the ordinance to pass, all Councilmembers must motion in favor of the Ordinance. • Section 4.1 and 4.2 Changes were approved by the Charter Commission on November 17, 2021 • Slight revisions to Section 4.1 and 4.2 were approved by the Charter Commission on February 2, 2023 • Section 4.4 Changes were approved by the Charter Commission on October 26, 2022 • Section 4.5 Changes were approved by the Charter Commission on February 2, 2023 Within one month of receiving a recommendation to amend the charter by ordinance, the city must publish notice of a public hearing of the proposal. The city must hold the public hearing on the proposed charter amendment at least two weeks, but not more than one month after the notice is published. Within one month of the public hearing, the city council must vote on the proposed charter amendment ordinance. Under M.S. 410.12, subdivision 7, if the City Council unanimously approves the ordinance then the ordinance is enacted 90 days after passage and publication. Notification: The City Council met on March 14, 2023 to receive the recommendations from the Charter Commission. The Public Hearing was advertised in the City's Official Newspaper, the Anoka County UnionHerald. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: