HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-10-2004 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
with the Charter Commission
August 10, 2004
Mayor Johnson called a Special Joint Meeting of the Plymouth City Council and Charter
Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Lunchroom, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on August 10,
2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Black, Slavik, Hewitt, and Neset.
ABSENT: Councilmember Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, City Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Paulson.
CHARTER COMMISSION PRESENT: Chair Marofsky, Cahill, Murphy, Donovan, Bartling,
Dunn, Bobra, McKee, Schwartz, Speck, and Willis.
ABSENT: Commissioners Thompson and Preus.
Chair Marofsky stated the Charter Commission would like to discuss with the Council whether
there should be a City Charter provision or ordinance to allow for primary elections for City
offices. He explained that currently, the names of all candidates that have filed appear on the
November general election ballot.
Commissioner Willis provided copies of a study that was prepared last year on the issue of
primary elections. He stated the question is if there is public value to conducting a primary
election for City offices. Chair Marofsky added that currently, where there is no primary
election, the successful candidates could be elected to office with less than the majority of the
vote. He asked if it's true democracy for someone to be elected with, for example, only 20% of
the vote.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated whether a candidate is elected with 51% of the vote or 20% of the
vote, it wouldn't change how they would perform in that position. He stated it's all about how
well the candidates are in meeting and discussing issues with residents.
Commissioner Cahill noted the small voter turnout in primary elections. He also stated that
given the self -funding of Council seats, it could be a burden to prepare for basically two
elections. He stated receiving 51% of the voter turnout sounds good, but there's also a very low
voter turnout.
Councilmember Neset asked how many registered voters there are in the City and what the
typical percentage of turnout is for a primary election. City Clerk Paulson replied there are
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of August 9, 2004
Page 2 of 3
approximately 40,000 registered voters, and there is typically a five to eight percent voter turnout
for primary elections.
Commissioner McKee asked how often it has occurred where there are more than two candidates
that have filed for City Council. Councilmember Black replied this has occurred approximately
three times during the last 10 years.
Mayor Johnson asked if the Charter Commission has a collective opinion on this issue.
Commissioner Willis replied no.
Councilmember Black commented that if City Council seats appeared on the primary ballot,
candidates are running a lot longer, and residents would need to pay attention a lot longer. She
stated residents are just getting back from vacations, and school is starting in September.
Commissioner Speck noted the low voter turnout for the candidate forums prior to the general
elections.
Commissioner Marofsky suggested that staff contact the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) to
inquire if the percentage of voter turnout increases in primary elections where there are local
candidates on the ballot. Commissioner Willis volunteered to contact LMC.
Mayor Johnson and Councihnember Slavik spoke of the costs involved for campaign literature
and signs when running for office, and those costs are bome by the candidates.
Councilmember Slavik stated that if candidates had to essentially run twice, this could
discourage some good candidates from filing. She also commented that campaign signs would
be up for a longer periods of time.
Councilmember Hewitt agreed with the above comments and stated that this would just be
another level of process for candidates.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated one advantage of primary elections is that it gives candidates
another opportunity to address the voters. However, he would hate to see the political process
poisoned as people who file for the Council want to do the best for the community.
Councilmember Black stated it could become problematic for individuals to run for office for a
longer period of time, especially with the cost and time involved.
Mayor Johnson added that she would be willing to contact other mayors on this issue.
Commissioner Schwartz commented that if it was the desire to conduct a primary election for
city offices, it could be worded that a primary election would only be conducted for city offices
if a certain number of candidates (i.e. five or six) filed.
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Special Meeting of August 9, 2004
Page 3 of 3
Adjournment
There being no further discussion, Mayor Johnson declared thetingadj ourned at 6:40 p.m.
Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk