HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-1985 MOUNDS VIE,' CHARTER Coir1ISSION PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING
JANUARY 9 , 1985
I . Meeting called to order by Chairman Doty at 7 : 35 P .M.
II . Roll Call
Absent : I:ilan Illig
Walter Skiba
William Werner
III, The chairman stated that the purpose of the hearing was to obtain
input from the public regarding two proposed amendments to the City
Charter by the Charter Commission:
(a) Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Sec . 4 . 01 - The Regular
Municipal Election.
1. Amend date and/or year, as to whether or not even or odd
numbered.
(b) Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Sec. 4 . 05 - Vacancy of
Municipal Elected Office.
1. Add new Subdivision 7 to read:
"Should a councilmember or mayor seek another elected
office, and still have (1) or more years to serve on
their present term of office, that person must resign
from their present office in time to allow their council
seat to be added to the General or Special Election. "
IV. Public Attendees
Barbara Haake Sue Hankner
Kolleen Olsen William Frits
Russell Pahl Alice Frits
Bob Schmitt 0. W. Adair
Jerry Blanchard Edward Smith
Phyllis Blanchard Jerry Linke
Peg Mountin
News Correspondent = - New Brighton Bulletin
,"Minutes of January 9 , 1955 (cont 'd. ) Page (2)
V. Comments - Pros and Coris - regarding the issues :
a) Favor November elections - greater voter turnout - public
more used to voting in November due to Federal, State and
County elections - more election publicity - with low voter
turnout in Spring, a chance for special interest groups to
elect write-in candidates .
b) Favor Even-Year Elections - greater voter turnout due to
Federal, State and County elections - city elections held
in "odd" years result in candidates being elected by a small
minority of eligible voters - city ' s election expenses would
be reduced.
c) Favor Odd-Year Elections - voters at odd-year election are
more likely to be better informed regarding the candidates and
city issues - voters voting in general elections are more
interested in state and federal offices, and vote for city
candidates just for the sake of voting and not always fully
informed on city problems or the merits of the candidates .
Getting the attention of the people to city problems is much
easier when the city election is held separately. Having city
elections at the general electionencourages partisanship which
should not be involved in local politics, as local issues and
problems have little or no relationship to national and state
party platforms. At separate city elections, counting can be
completed in a shorter period of time.
Public Hearing ended at : 8: 40 P.M.
VI. Special Meeting of the Mounds View Charter Commission called to
order by the chairman at 8: 50 P.M. to consider and vote on the
proposed amendments to the City Charter.
Minutes of January 9, 1985 (cont 'd) Page (3)
VII . Motion made by Duane McCarty that both proposed amendments to
the city charter be dropped from further consideration at this
time. Seconded by Phil Johnson.
Substitute motion made by Russ Warren that the Charter Commission
oppose proposed amendments (1) and (2) . Seconded by Judy Rowley.
Vote: (4) in favor: Warren, Rowley, Beutel, Hodges
(8) opposed
Motion failed.
The chairman called for a vote on McCarty ' s main motion.
Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
VIII . Motion made by D. McCarty to adjourn, seconded by Jean Miller.
Carried unanimously.
Time: 9 : 00 P.M.
/ L
/Ruth J. .White, Secretary