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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION be t is, tot a CITY OF LINO LAKES EXCERPT OF MINUTES DATE MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT October 4, 2010 : October 4, 2010 : Councilmember Gallup, O'Donnell, Reinert, Roeser and Mayor Bergeson : None Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development Director Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety Kent Strege; City Engineer Jim Studenski, City Clerk Julie Bartell The following is an excerpt of the minutes of the above date relating only to Item 6 on the meeting agenda. 6. Odd Year Elections — City Clerk Bartell explained that the concept of the city changing from an odd to even year election cycle for municipal elections is being brought forward at the request of two council members who presented it as an efficiency and cost saving possibility. Of the eighty plus cities in Anoka County, only two cities have their municipal elections in odd years (Lino Lakes and Circle Pines). She explained that the requirement for the current practice of odd -year city elections is included in the city charter so a charter amendment would be required for a change. The process for charter amendments (as set forth by state statute) was reviewed. Ms. Bartell noted the biyearly costs associated with holding an exclusive municipal election; the costs would be saved entirely along with staff's work and time associated with the election process. She also noted that any change to the election cycle would obviously result in an impact to terms of office for the council and mayor positions. It is advisable that any change in terms be determined and included in the enacting ordinance so it is clear up front. Staff is seeking direction from the council on their interest in further discussion or moving forward on a change and, if appropriate, on what type of amendment the council would seek. The council discussed possible scenarios of enacting a change, including how long a process would take. There was recognition that if the charter commission were to make the recommendation to the council, the process would be shorter and the savings would come quicker. The charter commission meets quarterly and has a meeting in October. The mayor remarked that municipal officials are at the bottom of the totem pole and the reason he sees for having off year elections is to give necessary attention to local questions. Joining with the larger election world would also mean some loss of the non- partisan nature of the municipal elections perhaps just by association (campaign signed displayed together). A council member noted that the savings are not extensive and they are actually saved only biyearly. Another council member suggested that the concept is worth exploring. 1