Minutes - Charter Commission - 10/10/1996

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Chairperson Steffen thought he may have it. He recalled that 18 out of 25 charter cities now have a mayoral terms of four years - that's from the 1990 statistics. He added that the cost of campaigning is really an issue. Commissioner Swokowski felt that you just "get your feet wet" the first year and the next year you are done. Chairperson Steffen talked about getting people out to vote and added that the Commission will be revisiting the issue of precincts and wards after another election. The cost of running a City-wide election is too expensive. Commissioner Kiefer felt that a four-year term for mayor adds stability. Commissioner Anderson suggested presenting both sides of a four-year tenn. Commissioner Swokowski wondered if giving both sides is really the duty and obligation of the Charter. Chairperson Steffen felt it's better to say I do not see any good reasons not to. Commissioner Swokowski added that the adverse positions are not the positions of the Charter Commission. Chairperson Steffen asked if anyone sees validity in doing this. Commissioner Anderson stated she sees validity to turn out three members at a time; however, we see our mayor as the weakest position because it's up in two years. Chairperson Steffen stated he does not have a problem giving both sides but the ones against this will not see this as fair. Mr. Schroeder commented when are the City Council an active, decision-making body and what causes them to be less able to make decisions in certain majority-minority issues. He suggested the City Council is the board of this organization and it's a business organization that spends between 6 and 15 million dollars a year. A management entity can be a fairly reasonable operating board and one in disarray. Chairperson Steffen stated there's a fairly large amount of our population who want less government. Commissioner Anderson recalled that Chairperson Steffen mentioned that most of our neighboring cities have a four-year mayor's term. Chairperson Steffen repeated that 18 out of 25 cities have a four-year mayoral term and he asked that the Charter Commission really support this. Case #3: Accept Resignation of Judy Roff The Charter Commission received a letter from Judy Roff stating that due to an immediate change of hours, she will no longer be able to make her obligation as a Charter Commissioner. Motion by Commissioner Swokowski and seconded by Commissioner Netzloff to accept Ms. Roff's resignation and advertise to fill the vacancy. Charter Commission/October 10, 1996 Page 4 of 5