Laserfiche WebLink
V. NEW BUSINESS - REVIEW OF "SET ASIDES" <br /> Section 2.03 - 2 Year Vs. 4 Year - Mayor <br /> A lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of changing the Mayor's <br /> term from a 2 year term to a 4 year term was held. These comments <br /> were stated: <br /> (1) The Council rotates every two years, there's the <br /> possibility of changing the Council majority every <br /> two years. <br /> (2) Campaigning every two years causes the Mayor to keep in <br /> touch with and remain responsive to the electorate. <br /> (3) There's not enough reason to change the Charter; a <br /> conservative attitude towards change is prudent. <br /> (4) A shorter term maintains the Charter's intent to establish a <br /> weak Mayor form of government. <br /> (5) .If the electorate makes a bad decision, the community can <br /> get relief in two years. <br /> Advantages of 4-Year Mayor: <br /> (1) A 4-year Mayor has more time to accomplish an agenda. <br /> A 2-year Mayor spends nearly half of his/her term <br /> campaigning which makes it more difficult to complete <br /> long-term projects. <br /> (2) Less time and money need to be devoted to campaigning. <br /> (3) More continuity - a Mayor needs time to develop a <br /> leadership role and a term shorter than the <br /> Councilmembers makes this difficult. <br /> (4) Other cities have changed from 2-year to 4-year terms <br /> including Blaine. <br /> (5) A Mayor keeps in touch with constituents by being <br /> involved in the community, not by campaigning. <br /> No consensus was reached by the Commission. <br /> Approximately equal numbers of commissioners preferred a two-year <br /> Mayor and a four-year Mayor, or remained undecided. <br />