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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 01-23 City Council Workshop Packet NNOOTTEE SSTTAARRTT TTIIMMEE *Times Listed Are Approximate AGENDA MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL MANAGER WORKSHOP 6:00P.M. Monday, January 23, 2012 Council Chambers, City Hall A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Discussion on Even Year Elections E. NEW BUSINESS F. ADJOURNMENT THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Item D1 MEMORANDUM TO: James Antonen, FROM: Karen Guilfoile, Director Citizen Services DATE: January 17, 2012 SUBJECT: Discussion on Odd and Even Year Elections Background In 2011 discussion was held by the city council to consider amending the city ordinance changing the year of our municipal elections from odd to even year. Staff is bringing this issue to the city council for direction as the timeline for implementing this change is a lengthy process. In the event an ordinance is passed to change the municipal election from odd to even years it would take eight months before the ordinance would be implemented. The first municipal election would then occur in 2014 and the terms of the current mayor and councilmember seats would be extended as follows: Mayor Rossbach Term extended to December 31, 2014 Councilmember Juenemann Term extended to December 31, 2014 Councilmember Llanas Term extended to December 31, 2014 The terms of councilmember’s Cardinal and Koppen that were elected in 2011 would be five year terms extended to December 31, 2016. The City of Maplewood has three School Districts within our borders. Currently School District 622 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale conducts even year elections and has 17,824 registered voters. School Districts 623 (Roseville Area Schools) and 624 (White Bear Lake Area Schools) conduct odd year elections in five precincts within Maplewood and combined have 3,755 registered voters. If the City were to change our current City Code and hold our Municipal election in even years we would still be obligated to conduct the odd year elections for School District 623 and 624. A portion of the cost, however, would be billed backed to the school districts as permitted by State Statute. State Statute 205.07 Subd. 3 states: An ordinance changing the year of the municipal election is effective 240 days after passage and publication or at a later date fixed in the ordinance. Within 180 days after passage and publication of the ordinance, a petition requesting a referendum on the ordinance may be filed with the city clerk. The petition shall be signed by eligible voters equal in number to ten percent of the total number of votes cast in the city at the last municipal general election. If the requisite petition is filed within the prescribed period, the ordinance shall not become effective until it is approved by a Packet Page Number 1 of 2 majority of the voters voting on the question at a general or special election held at least 60 days after submission of the petition. If the petition is filed, the governing body may reconsider its action in adopting the ordinance. In the 2011 Municipal General Election 5,959 voters cast votes; if a petition is filed within the prescribed period, it would need to be signed by at least 596 eligible voters. Should the council direct staff to proceed with a first reading of the ordinance, the following schedule would be implemented: First reading of the ordinance February 13, 2012 Second reading of the ordinance February 27, 2012 Publication of the ordinance in the Pioneer Press March 2, 2012 Publication of the ordinance in the Lillie Review March 7, 2012 August 29, 2012 last day to receive petition signed by at least 596 eligible voters October 29, 2012 new ordinance in effect if petition is not filed November 6, 2012 referendum on ballot if petition is appropriately filed If a qualifying petition is received requiring a referendum, the ballot Question would be on the November 6, 2012 General Election ballot and would read as follows: Should the City of Maplewood change from odd year to even year elections beginning in 2014? o Yes o No The ordinance shall not become effective until it is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the question. If a petition is filed, the city council may reconsider its action in adopting the ordinance. Respectfully submitted.   Packet Page Number 2 of 2