03/27/1995 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

i� -6 COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 27, 1995 and allow such petition to be placed on the next scheduled election ballot. At least 582 signatures are required to allow an initiative or referendum petition to be placed on a ballot at a special election. The petition titled, "Conflict of Interest" has 201 qualifying signatures. This is not sufficient to require that the matter be placed on a ballot. Mrs. Anderson offered an apology to the committee who sponsored the petition. She explained that although she had read the Charter many, many times, she thought a petition required five percent (5%) of the voters in the last Municipal Election when in fact they need five percent (5%) of the registered voters to make the petition sufficient. Mrs. Anderson recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 95 - 38 Determining that the Petition Entitled, "Conflict of Interest" is insufficient and direct the Clerk -Treasurer to deliver a copy of the petition together with a written statement of its defects to the sponsoring committee. Council Member Neal asked if the petition is "good" or "no good". Mrs. Anderson explained that she should be directed to return the petition to the sponsors and let them know that there are not enough signatures to require an election. The committee has 30 days to get the required signatures. Council Member Bergeson asked if the City Council returned the petition to the sponsors, will this action inhibit the right of the sponsors to bring the petition back with the sufficient number of signatures. Mrs. Anderson said that action of the City Council this evening would return the petition to the sponsors and they would have 30 days to gather additional signatures. Mayor Reinert asked for clarification regarding the number of signatures required for an election. Mrs. Anderson explained that since there were 5,824 registered voters at the last Municipal Election, 292 signatures would be required to place the matter on the regular November election ballot. At least 582 signatures would be required to place the matter on a ballot at a special election. Council Member Elliott moved to adopt Resolution No. 95 - 38. Council Member Bergeson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 95 - 38 can be found at the end of these minutes. PAGE 6