Minutes - Charter Commission - 10/10/1996

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Motion carded. Voting Yes: Chairperson Steffen, Anderson, Donovan, Netzloff and Spain Brist. Voting No: and Roff. Commissioners None. Absent: Swokowski, Kiefer, Commissioners Marn Case g2: Discuss Charter Commission Role Regarding Mayor's Term Question on Ballot Chairperson Steffen reported that the question of lengthening the Mayor's term is on the ballot for November. As background, he stated that the Commission proposed the term of the Mayor be lengthened. We felt it was non-con~'oversial but discussion proved differently. The Commission then discussed putting in on the ballot for the General Election in November. City Attorney Goodrich had said the City Council could put it on in the form of an advisory question but the Charter Commission could put it on without it being as an advisory. The Commission felt the question should go on to take action. He reminded the Commission that if this passes, it would be beginning with the year 2000. Mr. Steffen stated this issue is absolutely not talked about any place that he knew of. He asked if the Commission wanted to do any kind of campaigning. Commissioner Spain Brist felt it would be a good idea for the Charter Commission to come up with pros for a four-year mayor's term. Chairperson Steffen quoted reasons as follows: 1) largely on how expensive it is to run in an election. The mayor has the same coverage of the City and the same expenditure for a two-year term that a Councilmember has for a four-year term; 2) If our mayor is our leader, why is that the least amount of term. The only ostensible reason for saying do not do this is that the citizens now have the opportunity to vote for three members every three years. That was an issue raised by Mr. Terry Hendriksen. Tom Gamec, running for Mayor, said he was not in favor of a four-year term because the way it is now gives people a chance to review every two years. The only one that had any vie voting was the statement by Mr. Hendriksen that maybe we should have the opportunity to turn out the majority of the City Council. He felt it really depends on what the mix of the Council is. He also felt that the mayor should be voted for when the City would expect its biggest turnout. If this year is any indicator, it's clear that people are running for City Council seats and not the mayor since there were only two candidates for the one seat. Why? Do they not want to run for mayor or not do they want to run for a four-year term. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Commission knew why it was written that way (two year term for the Mayor). Chairperson Steffen replied he did not know. Commissioner Kiefer thought it was written after a draft from the League of Minnesota Cities as they have a model charter. Chairperson Steffen stated that the model charter does not mandate a two-year term for mayor - it allows choices. Commissioner Anderson felt that there should be a presidential election one year and the cities should have an election in the off-year. Chairperson Steffen responded that the voter turn-out is better in the presidential election year. Commissioner Anderson suggested that the history of the charter would be helpful. Charter Commission/October 10, 1996 Page 3 of 5