04-07-25 - Council Work Session Agenda

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There are two City Council seats and the office of Mayor on the municipal ballot each municipal election. Terms of office are staggered with the following current terms: • Mayor (two-year term ending 2025), • Council Member (four-year term ending 2025), • Council Member (four-year term ending 2025), • Council Member (four-year term ending 2027), and • Council Member (four-year term ending 2027). The City Attorney has stated that "One possible way to address this would be to set the effective date of the change further out in the future so that voters in the next municipal election(s) can account for a varied term length when voting on their elected officials. For example, if the change becomes effective in 2028, meaning November 2028 is the first time the City holds an even -year election, the Charter amendment could specify that Council members elected in the November 2025 election will hold their seats through 2028 (serving a three-year term — 2026-2028) and that Council members elected in the November 2027 election will hold their seats through 2030 (also serving a three-year term — 2027-2030), and that all members elected in even -year elections will hold four-year terms." Requested Council Direction 1. Decision regarding support for a city code charter amendment to move to even - year elections. 2. If there is support for amending the city code to establish even -year elections. Make a recommendation regarding the effective date of the amendment, either 2025 or a future year. 3. Provide direction regarding City Council sponsorship of the amendment and/or submitting a request to the Charter Commission to sponsor the amendment. Attachments Secretary of State — List of Cities with Odd -Year Elections (2025)