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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 Adopted City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000 Page 2 of 5 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 Adopted City Council Minutes 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. Adopted City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000 Page 4 of 5 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. Adopted City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of March 9, 2000 Page 5 of 5 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. w - w-mvW10, andra R. Paulson,