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<br />Administrative Reports <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />“When a vacancy in an elected office of the City occurs with 365 days or more remaining in <br />the term of the vacated office, there shall be a special election held within ninety days after <br />the vacancy occurs to elect a successor to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of <br />the office vacated.” <br /> <br />The election of Council member Carol Mueller to the position of mayor resulted in a <br />vacancy as she had two years remaining of her four-year Council term. In accordance <br />with the Charter, notice was published regarding the vacancy and that a subsequent <br />special election would be held on March 7, 2017. The City Council member asked if the <br />Charter Commission could look at amending Section 4.05 of the City Charter to allow for <br />an appointment process by the Council for vacancies of two years or less, rather than the <br />one year threshold as is presently the case. <br /> <br />At their last meeting on January 12, 2017, the Charter Commission discussed the request <br />and asked that the Council respond to a few questions to clarify the request, which are as <br />follows: <br /> <br /> 1. Provide in writing the language for the amendment specifically being requested. <br /> 2. Provide the Commission with specific reason for the requested change. <br /> 3. Identify the pro's and con's of the requested amendment. <br /> 4. Represent both the "why to make the change" and "why not to make the change". 5. In particular it would be helpful for the Council to discuss the original reason the <br />community approved the current language rather than just the financial aspect. <br /> 6. Is the Council as a whole body asking for this change or just one or two members? <br /> <br />Staff requests that the Council address the preceding questions to help the Charter <br />Commission respond. Draft amendment language is attached for Council consideration. <br /> <br /> <br />4. Special Election Costs <br /> The City Council approved Resolution 8681 on December 12, 2016, regarding the Special <br />Election to fill the remaining two years of Mayor Mueller’s council seat. Ramsey County <br />indicated the anticipated cost for the special election will be $8,700, plus an additional <br />$1,500 if the County provides staff to deal with early voting requirements. Given the <br />troubles we experienced during the general election, I am suggesting that we take <br />advantage of County staff during the special election, if the Council consents. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />________________________ <br />James Ericson <br />City Administrator <br /> <br />