01/27/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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L. Council Legislative Subcommittee appointed by Mayor - Councilwoman Beal, chairman, and Councilmen Williams and Haws. e M. Procedure for Filling Council Vacancies - Mayor Anderson suggested a Charter change to provide for filling Council vacancies by special election rather than by vote of the remaining council members. Lacking objections, he said, he would 'ask staff to prepare a document as a basis for Charter revision to be brought to the Council for consideration. He thought that since the city wards now number eight instead of four, the cost of campaigning would not be prohibitive. Councilman Haws wondered if other aspects of the election process could be con- sidered at the same time. He was interested in a limitation on campaign spend- ing. Mr. AnderSOn answered that the process for filling Council vacancies, would entail a Charter revision whereas other election processes could be handled by ordinance. He liked the idea of limitation on spending and added that it might also be advisable to consider primary elections for Council members. He said the number interested in serving as evidenced by those applying for the recent vacancy in Ward 8 seemed to be increasing and could resul t in a per- son's being elected by a very small plurality. He suggested turning concerns of that nature over to a Council subconunlttee for development of an ordinance. e In response to question from Counilman Haws whether EWEB elections would be affected, Manager said it would depend upon the wording of the measure. Hayor Anderson said it could be checked out in staff research which was being requested now, before subcommittee consideration. CQuncilwoman Beal thought EWEB might want to join in. And she thought it would be better to have subcommittee con- sideration before staff work was done. Councilman Murray strongly supported filling Council vacancies by election, but he expressed reservations about con- ducting a primary election. Councilman Hamel thought referral of the matter to staff for preparation of a document on which to base discussion was the proper action. There were no objections and it was understood staff would be asked' to draft a Charter amendment to provide for filling Council vacancies by election, after which a Council subcommittee would be appointed to consider the measure as well as look at other election procedures. O. Orientation Session, Council - Set for Thursday, February 6, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. in the McNutt Room (since changed to Council Office 1/2 because of conflict). P. 'Edna Shirey, new Council member representing Ward 8, was welcomed by Mayor Andersol. She was chosen by the Council to replace Robert Wood, resigned, for the balance of the term ending January J, 1977. Council President Murray commented on the high caliber of candidates and the number (12) applying for the position. He also called attention to the previous Council service of H. C. McDonald who applied for the posi~ion in Ward 8, saying that the selection of someone else was in no way intended to ignore the service of Mr. McDonald or fail to give him the recognition and appreciation he deserued. Q. Metropolitan Sewer Commission vacancy was noted and appointment requested to replace former Councilman James Hershner. ~ R. Community Development Task Force questionnaire published in local newspapers was noted by Councilman Murray with the announcement that over 300 had been returned. Questionnaires also were distributed through community centers and neighborhood groups, he said, and were to be returned by January 24. Mr. Murray called atten- tion to hearing this evening (January 15) in the Council Chamber where work of the Task Force would be explained and suggestions received from citizens with regard to allocation of community development funds. ~s 1/27/75 - 19 Conun 1/15/75 Affirm Comm 1/22/75 Affirm Conun 1/15/75 File Comm 1/15/75 File Conun 1/15/75 File COnull 1/15/75 File