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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 />