HomeMy WebLinkAbout5E - Election Years Change
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
MAY 1,2006
5E
Ralph Teschner, Finance Director
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 108 OF
PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE CHANGING CITY ELECTIONS TO EVEN YEARS
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to consider an ordinance that would
change city elections from the present odd-year format to even years.
Historv
The City Council initially conducted a public hearing on April 17 , 2006 for the
purpose of hearing public testimony regarding the proposed even year change.
Notice was also placed on the City's website plus a web column addressing
the advantages of conducting an even year election was written by the City
Manager soliciting public participation. No citizen input was received. We have
received written comments on the City's website which has been shared with
the City Council.
Current Circumstances
At the conclusion of the hearing the Council directed Staff to prepare an
ordinance that would implement the changeover from odd-year elections to
even year elections which would result in scheduling the next city election in
2008. Councilmember terms would simply follow statutory direction and be
extended by one year for all council positions.
The attached ordinance amends Section 108.100 of the Prior Lake City Code
providing for city elections to be conducted in even years. The change
becomes effective 240 days after passage of the ordinance and publication. If
within 180 days after ordinance adoption a petition equal to 10% of the total
number of votes cast in the last municipal election is filed then the City Council
would basically have the following options to consider:
1.) Re-consider the ordinance and amend the ordinance to reflect the
intent of the petition.
2.) Place the question of odd versus even-year elections on the ballot at
the next general election. If the question passed on the ballot, it would
become effective immediately.
ALTERNATIVES:
If no petition is forthcoming then the next city election would be conducted on
November 4, 2008.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve Ordinance Amending Section 108 of Prior Lake City Code
Changing City Elections to Even Years,
2. Amend ordinance per Council direction.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
H\ELECTION\Agenda election year cppj5~5129t.47.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
3. Deny approval of proposed ordinance.
Alternative 1.
ReVie(fd by:
.hi
Frank Boyles Cit
1. Ordinance Amending Section 108 of Prior Lake City Code Changing City Elections to Even
Years
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16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY ELECTION YEAR ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO.106.XX
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 108 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE CHANGING
CITY ELECTIONS TO EVEN YEARS
THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE HEREBY ORDAINS THAT:
1. Section 108 of the Prior Lake City Code is hereby amended as follows:
108.100 BIENNIAL ELECTIONS ADOPTED. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute the City hereby adopts biennial
elections; that elections will be held on every eae even numbered year beginning with the year 4-977 2008
and each eae even numbered year thereafter.
2. This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and publication.
Passed and adopted this 1 st day of May 2006,
{Seal} City Manager. City of Prior Lake
H:\ELECTION\Ordinance 106-xx (election year).doc www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245