Agenda - Charter Commission - 10/17/2019

Home

stated that he would support removal of primaries certainly for special elections but did not see the need to have a primary election in any City election. He stated that having special and advisory in the same sentence just makes language confusing and he would support clarifying that language. Commissioner Anderson stated that appointments are made to fill vacancies in every other level of government, explaining that someone is appointed to fill that vacancy until the next election is held. City Administrator Ulrich asked for clarification on whether to keep the ability to appoint within only less than 365 days or follow the State Statute of two years remaining in the term. Commissioner Sivertson asked the number of Councilmembers that are needed to pass an action. City Administrator Ulrich stated that there was a point in the last year when the Council only had five members and four Councilmembers are needed to pass an action. City Clerk Thieling explained that there is nothing that can be done at this time to speed up this special election date because of the timeline that must be followed for the special election. She stated that it is unknown as to whether a primary would be needed until the filing date has passed, and therefore that has to be planned for regardless of whether it will be needed. She explained that any changes that are going to be made to the Charter will still not impact this special election process because of the lengthy process required to amend the Charter. Commissioner Bendtsen stated that he would favor appointment with only less than 365 days remaining in a term. Commissioner Sivertson stated that he would favor following the State Statute requirement of allowing appointments with less than two years remaining on a term. Commissioner Leistico stated that she would support allowing appointment with two years remaining, and if less than one year is chosen, she would recommend removing the provision for a primary election. Commissioner Fuhreck stated that he would favor leaving the less than 365 days period for appointment. Chairperson Field stated that he would support leaving the appointments to terms less than 365 days. City Attorney Langel stated that he can bring back language that would be consistent with removing the need for a primary in a special election and allowing appointments with terms less than 365 days remaining. City Clerk Thieling stated that for the special elections in February and April of 2018, for the special primary there were 15,491 registered voters and a total of 213 people voted and for the Charter Commission/February 13, 2019 Page 6 of 11