HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-09-2000 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Plymouth Charter Commission and
Plymouth City Council
March 9, 2000
CHARTER COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Robert Sipkins, Commissioners David
Pauba, Mary McKee, James Willis, Larry Marofsky, Jeffrey Johnson, Thomas Murphy, Christian
Preus, Christopher Walling, Sam Garst, Jeffrey Thompson, Dharam Bobra, and Lori Schwartz
ABSENT: Commissioners Terry Donovan and Scott Martin
CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Joy Tierney, Judy Johnson, Scott Harstad, Ginny Black,
Kelly Slavik, and Brad Brown
ABSENT: Tim Bildsoe
OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager Dwight Johnson, Park Director Eric Blank, Assistant City
Manager Laurie Ahrens, and Sheila Langer
Mayor Tierney called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Public Safety Training Room, 3400
Plymouth Blvd. Mayor Tierney stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the issue of
special elections and mail ballots and to discuss a possible charter amendment changing the
Mayor's term of office from two to four years.
SPECIAL ELECTION MAIL BALLOT
Commissioner McKee pointed out an error in the minutes from the last Charter Commission
meeting. she clarified that the mail ballot election cost the City $2.29 per voter, while the
Activity Center election cost $7.92 per voter.
Commissioner Thompson expressed concern about the feedback he had received after the
Special Election on the Activity Center. Some voters believed there was impropriety with this
election, or that the election results were manipulated through the timing of the election.
Councihnember Johnson clarified that in no way had the Council manipulated the election on the
Activity Center. She had strongly supported sending the issue to the voters, and she cited the
bond issue timing and good interest rates as the reason for the May election. She was
disappointed with the low voter turnout.
Councilmember Black said she is neutral on the mail ballot issue, but she expressed concern
about the results of a mail election being challenged. She thought that the mail process would
also be more cumbersome and allow more potential for error.
Chairman Sipkins suggested that the Charter Commission and City Council attempt to remedy
the problem of low voter turn -out in order to provide good government to residents. He
explained that while this issue was precipitated by the low voter turnout at the Activity Center
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Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000
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election, there has been a wide discrepancy in voter turnout over the past 20 years between
regular and special elections in Plymouth.
Commissioner Marofsky explained that a mail election is similar to the absentee ballot process.
He noted that there would also be voting locations available on election day. He believed that
the intent of a mail election was so word could get out and voter turnout could increase. He said
that weekend voting, multiple day voting, and required percentages for passage of questions
were also considered by the Charter Commission.
Commissioner McKee indicated that according to research, the mail voting method clearly
resulted in greater voter turnouts than traditional voting in the polls. She said there was very
little information to research on the other voting options.
Councilmember Slavik commented that the July 6, 1998 letter from Christian Preus also
suggested a super majority vote requirement for passage of a question.
Commissioner Preus requested a better understanding of the City Councilmembers' opinions on
the mail ballot proposal.
Councilmember Black reiterated that she is neutral on the mail ballot issue. Although she is
unclear about the whole process, she would likely support a mail election. She does not favor
internet voting at this time.
Councilmember Harstad said he favors a requirement for mail balloting. He believes that special
elections should wait to be included with a regular November election, and other special
elections should be used only for emergencies. He believes the important issue is voter turnout.
Councilmember Harstad believes that internet voting is coming soon.
Councilmember Johnson said that she doesn't disagree with the mail election process, and she
would like to consider that option for future special elections. However, she believes it is unwise
to put a mail requirement into the Charter without knowing how election technology may change
in the near future. She believes that elected officials need to be accountable. If the electorate has
concerns about the Council, then they have the power to change members through an election.
Councilmember Slavik said she originally was in favor of the mail ballot proposal for special
elections and remains neutral on the issue. She said that if many people questioned the special
election on the activity center issue, a mall ballot may the way to regain trust, although the
process is cumbersome.
Councilmember Brown stated that he believes the decline in voter turnout is a citizenship issue
which cannot be fully addressed by a different voting method. He would oppose requiring that
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Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000
Page 3 of 5
special elections be held only at general elections. He does not oppose mail ballot elections,
although he believe it would have negligible impact on turnout.
Councilmember Harstad said that a fourth fire station is currently being considered, and this
could possibly be included in a future general election. He believes that if the planning process
is done correctly, there should be very few issues, other than emergencies, that result in a special
election.
Mayor Tierney said she was dismayed by the low voter turnout in the special election on the
activity center. However, she believes it is premature to add an amendment to the charter
requiring mail special elections. She is concerned about the extra cost and impact on staff of a
mail ballot election. She supports mail elections as an option and said the Council should
consider the option whenever a special election is initiated. She also believes that on-line voting
will soon occur, which may make mail ballot elections obsolete.
Commissioner Thompson said it is the purpose of the Charter to tie the Council's hands when
appropriate, and he and other residents have suspicions about the Council's motives in
scheduling the activity center special election. He said residents feel the same about School
District 284 special elections. He said the Charter should either require that special elections be
held with regular general elections or require a voting method so the Council cannot control the
outcome.
Commissioner Marofsky said the Charter Commission is trying to increase voter turnout and
decrease voter apathy. He believes the City needs to do everything possible to get residents to
vote. He does not support waiting until internet or electronic voting becomes available. It may
be a long time before a system is competent and secure, and available voting methods should be
used now to attempt to increase voter turnout.
Commissioner Garst questioned whether this issue would be under debate if the activity center
issue would have been defeated in the special election. He believes that voting trends are down
due to voter apathy, and many voters will decide not to vote no matter how easy the City makes
it to vote.
Councilmember Johnson suggested that another way to increase voter awareness is to install
signs throughout the community announcing an upcoming election. She supports efforts to get -
people interested in their government.
Mayor Tierney questioned whether the Charter Commission was only interested in mail ballots
or whether they would consider other means to increase voter turnout.
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Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000
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Councilmember Slavik stated that the Council should support mail elections if it is an important
issue to the community and the Charter Commission.
Councilmember Preus said that one argument against mail ballot elections is that some of the
projects for which special elections were held could have been funded from reserve funds. He
said that it is not responsible for the Council to deplete the City's reserve funds.
Mayor Tierney said that with internet voting on the horizon, required mail ballot for special
elections should not be placed in the Charter. She explained that the Charter was originally
developed to be lean and concise. She also believes the distrust of the Council is not warranted.
Commissioner McKee said that mail balloting has been effective in 12 other states, but she is
willing to wait on the issue.
Commissioner Willis questioned whether the Council opposed the mail ballot issue going to the
voters for the decision.
Discussion was held on the 41 percent turnout achieved in the prior mail ballot election in
Plymouth. Some felt that the turnout was substantial due to the method of voting being mail
ballot, while others felt the larger impact was the controversial issue on the ballot.
Councilmember Harstad pledged to use mail voting if a special election issue is proposed.
Mayor Tierney said that the City Council has heard the concerns of the Charter Commission, but
the issue should remain dormant for a time.
Chairman Sipkins stated the Charter Commission had wanted to understand the Council's
opinions on mail ballot elections. The Charter Commission will consider the issue at a future
meeting.
MAYOR TERM OF OFFICE
Mayor Tierney spoke to the issue of a possible change in the Mayor term of office from two to
four years. She stated that the position of Mayor is basically a volunteer position with a stipend.
It is usually done in retirement or in conjunction with a full-time job. She said that mayoral
candidates must give up their entire fall every two years in order to campaign, although the
frequent community contact is positive. She supports a four-year term for mayor. She said this
is not self-serving, as she does not plan to run for re-election. Mayor Tierney said that
historically most mayors have served at least four years, even though elections are held every
two years.
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Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000
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Commissioner Johnson asked if Mayor Tierney sees any advantage to a two-year term, adding
that it seemed to be a forced way to make the Mayor visible in the community.
Mayor Tierney said there is some advantage. She noted that the recent Citizen Survey indicated
that 45 percent of residents could name the Plymouth Mayor, which is far higher than other
metro communities. However, if a mayor is active in the community, they will be known
whether or not they are campaigning every two years. She also said a four-year term is a benefit
with respect to the learning curve for a new mayor.
Councilmember Harstad asked how reapportionment would be handled.
Assistant City Manager Ahrens responded that the Charter provides that reapportionment is done
by the City Council through ordinance adoption.
Commissioner Garst added that the Charter provides that any Councilmember reapportioned out
of their district, may complete the term of office to which they were elected.
Councilmember Harstad explained the reasons he brought this issue to the Charter Commission.
First, the mayor has powers equal to the councilmembers. Therefore, the mayor should also have
a similar four-year term. He also believes that the two-year term could scare off some potential
mayoral candidates because of the campaign expense and time, as well as the issue of
campaigning just when they have "learned the ropes." He noted that even with a four-year term,
a member could opt to resign after two years.
Commissioner Pauba noted that it is difficult to raise money for a local campaign every two
years.
Councilmember Black said she is very supportive of the Charter Commission studying this issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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