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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Materials for June 22 Meeting MEMORANDUM TO : CHARTER COMMISSION FROM : Julie Trude , Secretary DATE : June 3 , 1993 RE : ENCLOSURES Hopefully , everyone has done their homework and the staff at City Hall will be able to enclose all of the re-drafts for sections 7 - 12 , except for 8 . Several of these have been previously submitted to you , such as chapters 11 & 12 . The Agendas for the remaining two scheduled meetings are contained on pg . 4 of the Minutes . Note : proponents of major charter changes need to draft proposed language to be mailed out before the June 22 meeting . I will not be at that meeting . Michelle , at City Hall , will facilitate these mailings . I ' m enclosing the correction on p . 1 of the Minutes of 5/11/93 for you to insert in your notebook , replacing the original version . APPROVED 5/25/93 MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 11 , 1993 I . Call to Order • The meeting was called to order by Chair Len Burgers at 7 : 10 p . m . in the Mounds View City Hall . II . Roll Call Present : Len Burgers , Jerry Linke , Dave Long , Richard Oman , Pat Rickaby , Laurie Schley , Bob Toborg , Julie Trude , Arlene Werdien and Ruth White . Absent : Lloyd Bardwell ( excused ) , Virgil Beyer (excused ) , Sue Hankner ( excused ) , Duane McCarty ( excused ) , and Ray Vandeveer (excused ) . III . Approval of Minutes Motion by Laurie Schley , second by Jerry Linke , to approve the Minutes of the April 27 , 1993 meeting as amended . Passed with 6 ayes and 3 abstentions . IV . New Business - Review of Set Asides , Chapter 4 §4 . 02 - Filing for Office The commissioners unanimously agreed to follow Mr . Kennedy ' s memorandum in re-writing this section . The entire existing charter language will be deleted and replaced with the following : "An eligible voter of the city may file for election in the manner prescribed by law . " §4 . ?? - Should Charter Determine Precincts : Jerry Linke exlained the City Council ' s basis for reducing the city ' s precincts to only one precinct for the entire city. The main motivation was savings in election judges . The commissioners discussed the election process and whether the number of precincts affected the time in announcing election results . Other points were raised by commissioners who preferred the city be divided into a number of precincts . The majority of commissioners present considered the issues raised ( such as tracking how voters vote in various sectors , organizing political caucus meetings and analyzing election results ) MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 25 , 1993 I . Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Sue Hankner at 7 : 05 p .m. in the Mounds View City Hall . II . Roll Call Present : Lloyd Bardwell , Virgil Beyer , Sue Hankner , Jerry Linke , Duane McCarty , Richard Oman , Pat Rickaby , Laurie Schley , Julie Trude , Arlene Werdien and Ruth White . Absent (excused ) : Len Burgers , Dave Long , Bob Toborg and Ray Vandeveer . III . Approval of Minutes Motion by Duane McCarty , second by Virgil Beyer , to excuse those who were unexcused at the previous meeting . Motion passed with 10 ayes and 1 nay . Motion by Jerry Linke , second by Duane McCarty , to approve the Minutes of the May 11 , 1993 meeting as amended by the previous motion . Passed unanimously . IV . New Business - Review of Charter Set Asides §5 . 01 - Initiative , Referendum & Recall The consensus of the commission was to delete the word "resolutions" from this section as advised by Mr . Kennedy . After discussion , the commission also agreed by consensus to include the " city budget ordinance " language in this section such as that found in the Model Charter and in Mr . Kennedy ' s memorandum ( insert : "excepting an ordinance relating to the annual city budget " ) . Many commissioners also considered it important to cross reference §3 . 04 , subd . 2 of the charter in this §5 . 01 because §3 . 04 requires the council to legislate only through ordinances . §5 . 02 Petition Provisions After discussing whether petitioners should be required to state the full text of any petition on any page with signatures , the commissioners decided instead to include a requirement that the certificate , verified by oath by each circulator of the petition include a clause that each person signing -2- 5/25/93 the petition was presented with the full text of the petition . The advantages and disadvantages of including a sample petition in the charter as done in Crystal was discussed . Sue Hankner volunteered to draft the language of Chapter 5 and offered to include a sample petition in her draft for the commission to review. The decision on whether to keep a sample petition would be reserved until the draft was reviewed by the commission . §5 . 03 - Threshold of Petitioners to Cause an Election After discussing the actual numbers of petitioners required to cause an election for a voter initiative or referendum, the commission agreed to adopt the new standard of "20% who voted for mayor in the last preceding general election . " There was no discussion of recall petitions . The 10 days review time for the Clerk-Administrator to examine the petitions will be clarified by the language " 10 working days . " §5 . 04 Disposition of Petition The commission agreed it was necessary to make two changes in this section : ( 1 ) allow the petition to be presented to the "Clerk-Administrator or their designee , " and ( 2 ) clarify the time for presenting a recall petition to the council as " five working days . " $5 . 05 - Initiative The words " or resolution " need to be deleted to conform with §5 . 01 . §5 . 07 & §5 . 08 Referendum & Recall These sections need to be conformed to the preceding sections , deleting "or resolution . " §5 . 08 - Recall After discussing the use of the recall section and whether to delete "misfeasance " the commission decided to make no changes . §6 . 02 Administrative Organization The consensus is to include a statement authorizing the clerk- administrator to delegate duties . The commission ' s goal is to authorize the clerk-administrator to delegate duties while remaining accountable for the performance of. subordinates . Richard Oman volunteered to re-write Chapter 6 incorporating these goals and following the second alternative he proposed for §6 . 03 . (One other small change to be included is to add the word "office " at the end of §6 . 02 , subd . 1 . No changes were made to §6 . 04 . -3- 5/25/93 V . Agenda for Meeting of June 8 The following agenda for the meeting of 6/8/93 at 7 p . m. was agreed upon : I . Review proposed re-drafts of Chapters 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 & 12 II . Review Don Brager ' s comments on Chapter 8 (when available , he has not been contacted yet) The secretary offered to contact Don Brager , City Treasurer , to ask for his input on Chapter 8, Public Improvements and Special Assessments . The June 22nd meeting agenda will include old business , discussion of mayor ' s term, term limits and primaries . Proponents of change are requested to submit potential language to be considered by the commission . V . Future Agendas AGENDA JUNE 8 , 1993 , 7 p . m . I . Review proposed re-drafts of Chapters 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 & 12 II . Review Don Brager ' s comments on Chapter 8 ( when available , he has not been contacted yet ) AGENDA JUNE 22 , 1993 , 7 p .m. I . Finish business remaining from 6/8/93 II . Discuss Mayor ' s Term III . Discuss term limits (need proposal to consider ) IV . Discuss proposed primary language V . Discuss any other proposed language . Proponents of change ( i . e . on mayor ' s term , term limits , primaries , other ) are requested to submit potential language to be considered by the commission . =4- 5/25/93 V . Future Agendas AGENDA JUNE 8 , 1993 , 7 p .m. 1 . Review proposed re-drafts of Chapters 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 & 12 2 . Review Don Brager ' s comments on Chapter 8 ( when available ; he has not been contacted yet ) AGENDA JUNE 22 , 1993 , 7 p .m . 1 . Finish business from 6/8/93 2 . Discuss mayor ' s term 3 . Discuss term limits (need proposal to consider ) 4 . Discuss proposed primary language 5 . Discuss other re-drafts ( Chapters 1 - 6 , 8) Proponents of change ( i . e . on mayor ' s term, term limits , primaries ) are requested to submit potential language to be considered by the commission . VI . Adjournment Upon the motion of Richard Oman , seconded by Virgil Beyer , the commission members voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 14 p .m . Respectfully submitted Julie Trude Secretary Revised by L. Schley June 2, 1993 CHAPTER 1 NAME, BOUNDARIES, POWERS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1.01 Name and Boundaries. The City of Mounds View, Ramsey County, Minnesota be is a municipal corporation with the same boundaries as are now aro or horoaftor may be established. •- - - --•' '• - - --e ' '• •- •-- - - --e.: - ' -•- - • Current copies of the charter, amendments, and boundary descriptions-shall must be available for public inspection anytime during regular office hours at City Hall. Section 1.02. Powers of the City. The city shall have has all powers which it may now or horoaftor bo possible for a municipal corporation in this state to exercise in accordance with this charter and with the constitutions of this state and of the United States. This charter intends to confer upon the city every power which it would have+#-it•were it specifically mentioned, unless otherwise provided in this charter. The charter salt will be construed liberally in favor of the city, and the specific mention of particular municipal powers in other sections of this charter does not limit the powers of the city to those thus mentioned. Unless granted to some other officer or body, all powers are vested in the city council. Sec. 1.03. Charter a Public Act. This charter shall be is a public act and need not be pleaded or proved in any case. Revised by L. Schley June 2, 1993 CHAPTER 3 COUNCIL PROCEDURE Sec. 3.01. Council Meetings. The council shall will meet regularly at least twice oach monthly at such times and places as the council designates by ordinance. The mayor or any two members of the council may call special meetings of the council men with at least twenty-four hours notice to each member, and such reasonable public notice as may bo prescribed by council rule in compliance with the-laws-el Minnesota law. The twenty-four hours notice shall is not.be required in an emergency. To the extent provided by law, all meetings of the council and its committees shall must be public, and any citizen shall may have access to the minutes and records of the council at all reasonable times. During any of its public meetings, the council shall cannot prohibit, but may place reasonable restrictions upon citizen's comments and questions. Sec. 3.02. Liaison Function. Councilmembers shall will be assigned as liaison to city departments. Their assignments shall be will rotated periodically and shall involve no administrative responsibility. Sec. 3.03. Rules of Procedure and Quorum. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, the council shall determines its own rules and order of business. A majority of all members shall constitutes a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time. The council may by rule provide means by whish A minority may compel the attendance of absent members in accordance with state law. Sec. 3.04. Ordinances, Resolutions and Motions. Subdivision 1. Except as otherwise provided in this charter or state law, an affirmative vote of three or more members of the council shall be is required for the adoption of all ordinances, resolutions and motions. The votes of councilmembers on any action taken shall be recorded in accordance with state law. Subd. 2. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, all legislation shall must be by ordinance. The _ _ _• _ _ _ _ -_ _ e: _ _ _- _ :. A roll call vote is required on all ordinances. Subd. 3. The general administrative business of the council shall must be conducted by resolution or motion. Sec. 3.05. Procedure on Ordinances. Every proposed ordinance shall must be presented in writing and read in full before adoption, unless the reading is dispensed with by unanimous consent of the council. No ordinance shad may contain more than one subject. Such subject shall should be clearly expressed in its title. The enacting clause shall be, "The City of Mounds View ordains". No ordinance, except an emergency ordinance, sly may be adopted at the meeting at which it is introduced and at least fourteen days shall must elapse between its introduction and final adoption. Sec. 3.06. Emergency Ordinances. An emergency ordinance is an ordinance necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, safety or welfare , in which The ordinance the- :— _ __•- ' __ ••:e _ _ ___ _ __ •_ _ e __ _ _ •_ _ e must define the emergency in its preamble. An emergency ordinance must be approved by a majority of available members of the city council. An emergency ordinance must be in writing but may be enacted without previous filing or voting, and may be adopted finally at the meeting at which it is first introduced and voted upon by the council. An emergency ordinance shall remains in effect for the duration of the emergency. No prosecution shall may be based upon the provisions of an emergency ordinance until twenty-four hours after the ordinance has been adopted, filed with the clerk- administrator, and has either been posted in three conspicuous places in the city, or published as provided for in this charter, sr unless the person charged with violating the emergency ordinance had actual notice of the ordinancepriorto before the act or omission which resulted in the violation resultinge prosecution. Sec. 3.07. Signing and Publication of Ordinances. Every ordinance adopted by the council shall must be signed by the mayor, and attested to, filed and preserved by the clerk-administrator. Every ordinance shall must be published at least once in the official newspaper as soon as practicable, and shall must be preceded by a summary of ifs-contents the ordinance. To the oxtont and In the manner provided by law, an ordinance may incorporate by reference, in whole or part, the following published material without publishing the material in full: (a) state laws, (b) state administrative rules or regulations, (c) state or municipal codes, or (d) municipal ordinances. Sec. 3.08. Procedure on Resolutions. Every resolution shall must be presented in writing and read in full before adoption, unless the reading is dispensed with by unanimous consent of the council. Sec. 3.09. When Ordinances and Resolutions take Effect. Every resolution and emergency ordinance shall takes effect immediately upon its adoption or at such later date as it specifics the specified date. Every other ordinance shall takes effect thirty days after its publication or at such later date as it specifies the specified date. Sec. 3.10. Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances and Resolutions. Subdivision 1. An ordinance or resolution which repeals all or any part of a previous ordinance or resolution shall must give the number, if any, and the title of the ordinance or resolution to be repealed in whsle or in part. No ordinance or resolution s4 all• may be amended by reference to the title alone, but an ordinance or resolution which amends such an ordinance or resolution shall set forth in full must indicate each omission or addition :. ':• _ -e e' . • e e: - • - --- -•e •- ••e•-. : by appropriate type or symbols matter to be Amendment or repeal of an ordinance shall requires a majority vote of all tho members of #fie councilmembers, unless otherwise provided in this charter or by state law. Subd. 2. An ordinance or resolution passed under the initiative power e#af} may not be repealed or amended by the council except by submission of the question to the voters men by the council at a regular municipal or special election. Sec. 3.11. Review and Revision of Ordinances and Indexing of Resolutions. The city shall must review, revise and rearrange its ordinance code and its resolution index with such additions and deletions as may-be deemed necessary by the council at least once every Ma five years. ••_ e: ___ __ • ___ , __ _• : , : _ _ _ __ e • , . : Copies of the ordinance code and the resolution index shall must be made available by the council at •- -• - - •: - - -- • • - e city hall for general distribution to the public for a reasonable charge. Incorporation in such a code shall be a sufficient publication-of Any ordinance provision not previously published may be incorporated into the code;if a notice is placed in the official newspaper for at least two successive weeks that copies of the codification are available at •_ _ '__ _ •_ _ _ __ • •• _ _ city hall. ti Revised by L. Schley June 2, 1993 CHAPTER 7 TAXATION AND FINANCES Sec. 7.01. Council to Control finances. The council shall have has full authority over the financial affairs of the city except as limited or prohibited by the state constitution, state laws, or this charter. It shall provides for the collection of all revenues and other assets, and the auditing and settlement of accounts. It shall further also provides for the safekeeping and disbursement of public moneys monies by the city treasurer. Sec. 7.02. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the city shall be is the calendar year. Sec. 7.03. System of Taxation. --e•:- - - _ -e• - -•, -•- - --- - - -•---• - ' - -law;The council shall have has full power to provide by ordinance for a system of local taxation as permitted by law. This authority includes the power by ordinance to assess, levy, and collect taxes on all subjects or objects of taxation except as limited or prohibited by the state constitution., by this charter or by state laws imposing Sec. 7.04. Submission of Budget. Subdivision 1. Am ally The clerk-administrator-s 1,must submit annual budget estimates to the council the budgot estimates in accordance with a budget calendar le-be established by resolution. The budget eball must provide a complete financial plan for all city funds and activities for the ensuing fiscal year aro except as required by state law or this charter, shall be in such form as the council may require in a form as prescribed by ordinance and state law. It shall includes a summary and show in details all estimated income and all proposed expenditures, including debt service and comparative figures for the current fiscal year, actual and estimated, and the preceding year. • --- - - - --- -- - --•-• - - - - -• --- - •-• , It ehalf must also show proposed capital expendituresduring for the year and their proposed method of financing each such capital expenditure. The total proposed operating budget to be provided from the property tax shall may not exceed the amounts authorized by state law and this charter. Consistent with these aaw Subd. 2. - -- - --- - -- - - --- - -- - - -- __•_• _ _ •• _ _ •_ - e: - ---- - - -- -- - - --- -'__ . An annual budget must be prepared for each utility operated by the city. Each budget must include estimated revenues, expenses, and net income or net loss. Sec. 7.05. Long-term Financial Plan. Subdivision 1. The city councilh^'�rrctll have must prepared a long-term financial plan commencing in the calendar year 1980. The city council shall must hold a public hearing on the long-term financial plan and adopt it by ordinance with or without amendment. The financial plan shall consists of#sty three elements as specified in subdivisions 2-44 which follow. Subd. 2. The Public Service Program. The program shall bo is a continuing five-year plan for all public services, estimating future needs for the public health, safety and welfare of the city. It sf-ia# measures the objectives and needs for each city department, •- -•e- - - - •-- e: • :e indicates expected outcomes of services provided, and indicates the impact of each mel}service on the annual operating budget. Subd. 3. The Capital Improvement Plan. This program all-consists of projects and facilities that are or will be needed by the city in carrying out the anticipated program of public services. It shalt includes a list of all capital improvements proposed for the next five fiscal years, with appropriate supporting information as to the necessity for such improvements; cost estimate, method of financing and recommended time schedule for each sush.improvement; and the estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining the facilities to be constructed or acquired. It includes a capital budget which summarizes the capital requirements of the public service program and the capital improvement pain for the next five years and prioritizes anticipated investments in community facilities in consideration of expected revenues. This information shall be revised and extended each year for capital improvements still pending or in process. Subd. 4. A long-term Revenue Program. This program elf consists of a tentative revenue policy which describes long-term plans for financing public services and capital improvements. Subd. 5. The Capital Budget. This program shall be a summary on the basis of a five year period of revenues. Subd. 6 5. A summary of the long-term financial plan-s#aU must be published in the city newsletter annually. Sec. 7.06. Council Action on Budget. Subdivision 1. •- - --- - -- - •-- -- - - • --- - ••e• • -- • - - --- ___ :••e: _ _ _ __ ____ __ _ _ - - --- . ____ -_ _ •_ _• __ . The council must, by budget resolution, adopt the budget at the time required by law. The budget is the principal item of business at regular council meetings at the time required by law and at subsequent meetings until the budget is adopted. _ ••:: •-e __ _ _. ___ __ _ _• o Interested citizens must be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The council may revise the proposed budget but no an amendment to the budget shall may not increase the authorized expenditures to an amount greater than the estimated inseme revenues. The council shall adopt the budget by a resolution that shall set forth The budget resolution must show the total for each budgeted fund and each department with such segregation as to objects and purposes of expenditures as the council deems necessary for purposes of budget control. The council shall must also adopt a resolution levying the amount of taxes necessary to provide the revenues for the budgeted expenditures in the ensuing fiscal year. The clerk-administrator shall must certify the tax resolution to the county auditor in accordance with state law. *e-- -• - - - --- - - - - - -e• • - - --- - - - --- " •- - - • -. -- - •- -•• • -- •- - - - - - - - - -- -- - •- --. The sums fixed in the budget resolution are appropriated for the purposes identified in the budget resolution. Subd. 2. _- . __ -- _ _ •_ - --- ' --_- _- _ •_ - _ -. _. , Prior to adoption of the budget a summary •- e: -• - - - :• : , - - - ••, of the budget must be published in the city newsletter or the official newspaper. Such The summary shall bo set forth must be in language and form designed to be readily understood by the layperson taxpayers., and shall The summary must provide appropriate supporting information as to the necessity for any increase in the total budget over the total for the current fiscal year_ a Failure to publish the summary will not invalidate the budget. Sec. 7.07. Enforcement of the Budget. The city council shall enforces strictly the provisions of the budget. It shat}cannot authorize any payment or the incurring of any obligation by the city;unless an appropriation has been made in the budget resolution, and there is a sufficient unexpended balance after deducting the total past expenditures and encumbrances against the appropriation. No officer or employee of the city •- - --- - e: - ••- - - - • - -- - - -- -- - - - - -••e-• may spend any funds unless authorized in the budget resolution. Any obligation incurred by any employee person in the en ploy of the city for any purpose not authorized in the budget resolution, or for any amount in excess of the amount authorized, shall will be a personal obligation incurred by the employee obligation. No check shall may be issued or transfer made to any account other than one owned by the city until the claim to which it relates has been supported by an itemized bill, payroll, or time sheet or other document approved and signed by the responsible city officer. •- e--•: - ' -e -- •- - - ceaseRalgeResse Sec. 7.08. Alterations in the Budget. After the budget resolution has been adopted, the council shall not increase the amounts fixed in the resolution beyond the estimated receipts except to the extent that actual receipts exceed the estimate. At anytime the council may, by resolution approved by a majority of its members, reduce the sums appropriated for any purpose by the budget resolution, or authorize the transfer of sums from unencumbered balances of appropriations in the budget resolution to other purposes. Sec. 7.09. Funds. There shall bo maintained in tho city troasury The city treasury maintains a general fund and such other funds as may be required by state law, ordinance, or resolution. The council may, by resolution or ordinance, make inter-fund loans, except from trust and agency funds, as it may deems necessary and appropriate. Sec. 7.10. City Indebtedness. Subdivision 1. Except as provided in sections 7.11 and 7.12, no obligation ^' f may be issued to pay current expenses, but the council may issue and sell obligations for any other municipal purpose in accordance with state law. .•- • ••• •_ ••• _ • _ _ _ •___ _ _ . Except in the case of obligations for which an election is not required by this charter or by state law, no such obligations e l may be issued and sold without the approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question at a general or special election. Subd. 2. A description of each such proposed certificates shall must be published in the city newsletter or the city newspaper, but failure to give such description, or any defect in the description,a cannot invalidate the certificate. Sec. 7.11. Anticipation Certificates. At anytime after January 1, the council may issue certificates of indebtedness in anticipation of state and federal aids and the collection of taxes levied the previous year for any fund and not yet collected. The total amount of certificates issued against any fund for any year together with interest thereon until maturity shall not exceed 90% of the total state and federal aids and current taxes due to the fund and uncollected at the time of issuance. Such certificates shall be issued on such terms and their issuance. The council determines the terms and conditions on which the certificates are issued. Certificates must come due no later than April 1 of the year following their issuance. The proceeds of the tax The full faith and credit of the city, and revenues received from tax levies and from federal and state aids which have been allocated for the fund for which the tax anticipation certificates were issued will be irrevocably pledged for the redeption of the certificates. Sec. 7.12. Emergency Debt Certificates. Subdivision 1. •• - __ •_ _ _ • .. _ _ •_ - -- •_- _ _ _ _ ::• in such manner as tho council detormines, omergency debt certificates to run not to exceed three years. A tax Emergency debt certificates may be issued by the council for purposes and in the manner prescribed by law. PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR INCLUDING PRIMARY ELECTIONS (To be included in Chapter 4 ; possibly as §4 . 03 and re-number subsequent sections ; existing §4 . 03 would become §4 . 04 . ) Section 4 . 03 Primary Elections . On a Tuesday at least four weeks in advance of the regular municipal election as determined by the council , such as concurrent with a statewide primary , there shall be a primary election for the selection of two nominees for each office to be filled at the municipal election , unless no more than four times the number of candidates to be elected file for any elective office . No primary shall be required in the event a special election is required regardless of the number of candidates filing for office . Comments : 1 . Most of the above language is from p . 6 of the comments to the Model Charter . I have added the clause " such as concurrent with a statewide primary . " Also I have added the last sentence . 2 . Our discussions emphasized a primary should only occur when the ratio of candidates to the number of vacancies exceeded a four to one ratio . I used those numbers even for the mayor ' s race . The Model Charter primary language narrows the field whenever three or more file, to a race between two people for each office . The higher ratio means primaries may not always be required . Also it presents a ballot of no more than 8 council candidates for two council seats . If ten file , a primary would reduce that number to four nominees running for two seats . When no primary is held because 8 people file for two seats , the ballot would hold 8 names . Is this acceptable to us ? 3 . One reason to support a primary is to reduce the number of candidates to a reasonable number about whom the voters can reasonably inform themselves . Another reason is to eliminate candidates with little public backing from the general election ballot . A third reason is perhaps to give voters an opportunity to replace incumbents who can barely gather a plurality of voter support but succeed because of the quantity of candidates . '!! r TERM LIMIT PROPOSALS : (Section 4 . 02 discusses filing for office , term limits could become a second subdivision of this section ) Section 4 . 02 Subdivision 2 Term Limits . No city office holder shall be allowed to file for the same position if that office holder has completed more than 12 consecutive years in that office . Discussion : 1 . Should we separately discuss mayor and council offices? 2 . What term should be used? 12 years ? 14? 16? 20? 3 . As written , this section would mean a council member would be limited to 3 consecutive terms , 12 years , as council member . A mayor would be limited to 6 consecu- tive terms or 12 years . As written , a council member who served a two year term as mayor could serve for many years but in different capacities such as 12 years or 3 terms as council member then 2 - 12 years as mayor , then another 12 year stretch as councilmember . This allows the voters to keep exceptional leaders in office . 4 . What if the term limit prevents an officeholder from filing for office and then there are insufficient candidates? Should an exception be included for this?