Agenda Packets - 2000/06/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council June 5, 2000 Special Meeting Page 6 Amending Chapter 2, Section 2.03 of the Charter as to Council Composition and Election in the City. Council Member Stigney stated this ordinance proposes to change the Mayor’s term from two to four years. He advised that one of the checks and balances set forth in the Charter is that the Mayor is elected to a two-year term, to provide that if he does not do a good job, he must answer to the residents within a two-year time-frame, rather than in four years. He stated a Mayor has the potential to do significant damage in two years, let alone, in four, and therefore, he believed they should continue to utilize a two-year term of office, as set forth in the Charter. Council Member Stigney stated if the Council desires to proceed with this proposal, it should be submitted to the Charter Commission for review. He explained that as the item is proposed, it would go to the Charter Commission for review, and the Charter Commission could make recommendations, however, the Council was not required to listen to those recommendations, but could send the matter to the ballot on a vote of three individuals. He stated this might be a legally acceptable process, however, he believed it circumvents something, and therefore, he was opposed to the measure. Mayor Coughlin stated the citizens have the opportunity at the ballot box to determine whether they approve or disapprove, and he believes that is where such decisions lie. Council Member Stigney stated he was also a citizen and would vote on the ballot, however, at this time, he would be voting as a Council Member as to the direction the Council was taking. He reiterated that he did not support this measure. Council Member Marty advised that the Mayor has no special powers in the City or the Charter. He explained that the Mayor’s vote is just one vote out of five on the Council, and he was simply another Council Member who presides over the meetings. He indicated the Mayor was required to attend a significant number of additional meetings, however, he simply presides over the meetings and has no special powers. Mayor Coughlin noted there was an exception, in that the Mayor, through consultation with the Governor, was authorized to declare a state of emergency. Mayor Coughlin stated although it would probably not specifically pertain to him, he would request to abstain from the vote on this matter, in that it pertains to the position he presently holds. Council Member Stigney stated at the previous meeting, the City Attorney advised that the Mayor’s abstention would count with the affirmative vote in this situation, therefore, Mayor Coughlin would essentially be voting in the affirmative. Mayor Coughlin stated of the options for voting, this was really the only option available to him. Council Member Stigney stated Mayor Coughlin could vote yes or no.