Agenda Packets - 1987/04/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: CLERK-ADMINISTRATO DATE: APRIL 7, 1987 SUBJECT: 1987 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS Up to this time, the issues being considered by the 1987 Legislature have appeared to be essentially harmless because many of the items were in formative stages and reacting to them would have been extremely difficult. That is no longer the case and there are four issues currently before the Legislature which I feel require your attention and direction to City Staff regarding a City position to be communicated to our legislative representatives. The items are as follows: 1) Senator Luther has introduced legislation that would establish a local government election day for all county, city and school district elections excluding townships. The Bill would set the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each odd -numbered year as the local government election day. The proposed legislation would supersede all Charter provisions and all general and special laws to the extent inconsistent with the intent of the legislation with the first local government election day occurring on November 6, 199S. My concern regarding this item is that our election days have been set by the City Charter which the people of Mounds View decided upon. Also, having local elections in the odd -numbered years would cause for an additional expense to be incurred by the City of Mounds View for these elections as well as a significant amount of Staff time dedicated to setting up for and conducting elections. As many of you know, it is my personal position that local elections conducted separate from state and national elections do not attract significant voter attention and the turn -outs are extremely low and/or allow for the influencing of an election by small, single issue oriented groups. It would be my recommendation that the City Council oppose this legislation on the basis that the City's Charter established our election and that Charter was adopted by the residents of this community as well as the fact that having a separate local election day would add an additional expense to the City's budget at a time when state and federal subsidies are being reduced.