2015.11.10 CC and WS Combined - Laserfiche WebLink

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IhAffON the city that works for you Council Worksession October 27, 2015 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Dave Jacobsen Councilmember Gina Bauman Councilmember Brian Strub Councilmember Paul Jacobsen Councilmember Mary Burg Absent: Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Terri Haarstad, Trevor Hamdorf Guests in Attendance: Elections Haarstad discussed the steps that would have to be followed to change the election cycle. She indicated the City currently holds municipal elections in odd numbered years. If the Council wished to change this to even numbered years, State Statute would have to be followed, an Ordinance would have to be drafted, approved and Ramsey County would have to be notified of the change. She explained the Ordinance would not take effect until 240 days after approval by the City Council. She then provided comment on the petitioning process noting voters would have 180 days to petition the Ordinance. She noted how the Council terms would be addressed if the Council were to make a change. She reviewed the cost per voter for general, State and municipal elections. Further discussion ensued regarding the costs for City, State, federal and school district elections. Councilmember Bauman discussed the voter turnout from 2010 to 2014. She noted there was a difference in the numbers between odd and even numbered years. However, she believed that the City would have no way of predicting how many additional voters would come out on even numbered years. She was in favor of keeping the municipal elections on odd numbered years. Councilmember Burg believed that well educated voters participated in elections. She supported the cost savings of moving municipal elections to even numbered years. She asked who would be managing the school board election in the odd numbered years. Haarstad reported that Ramsey County would be responsible for running this election. Mayor Jacobsen feared that voters were not as well informed today due to social media. He questioned how the City could get an additional 10,000 residents interested in voting in local elections. Councilmember Burg noted that a portion of the New Brighton population were apartment dwellers and may not be interested in local elections. Councilmember Bauman wanted to continue to hear from informed and educated voters for the local municipal elections. She commented that it was much easier now to vote than ever, with absentee voting process.