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City Administrator Hagen asked if the Council would be opposed to the League of Women Voters <br /> hosting another open forum on the City's terms. <br /> Councilmember Howell stated that she would support this if the League of Women Voters changed <br /> their policies and dropped their statement. She said she does not care who hosts the forum, she just <br /> wanted it to be open and accessible to residents. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff suggested talking to the League of Women Voters and asking them <br /> to adjust their policies around candidate forums. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove shared that she does not think they would need to have this done by the <br /> first day of early voting as a lot of people do not vote early on the first day available. She said she <br /> would be okay with them hosting this forum after early voting had opened. <br /> Mayor Kuzma said it would not be fair to host a forum after people could have already voted. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff suggested that City Attorney Knaak speak to the League of Women <br /> Voters to see if they would be willing to adjust their policies on this. <br /> Councilmember Howell reiterated her main issues with the way the first forum was done was that <br /> the public and their engagement was cut out entirely. <br /> City Administrator Hagen asked how well attended these forums have been in the past. <br /> Councilmember Specht said they have been rather full. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove added that they have been so full in the past that they had to have <br /> people wait in the lobby for their race. <br /> Councilmember Howell said she does not see an issue with hosting a forum after early voting has <br /> opened as candidates will continue to campaign up to election day. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove shared that candidates will likely want the opportunity to speak to their <br /> constituents in these types of scenarios. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff noted that there is nothing stopping anyone from the public from <br /> holding a forum on their own. He reiterated that he does not feel comfortable with the City being <br /> involved in this. <br /> Councilmember Howell said they can invite an outside organization to host the forum and use City <br /> facilities so the City is not the host of the event. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove disagreed with Councilmember Woestehoff and noted that they are <br /> trying to find out more about the candidates that are running for Council, and they want more <br /> opportunities for people to see the candidates. <br /> City Council Work Session/ September 10, 2024 <br /> Page 11 of 13 <br />