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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />November 14, 2017 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Gina Bauman <br />Councilmember Brian Strub <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Mary Burg <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Devin Massopust <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />Eagles Nest Ribbon Cutting at NBCC 5:00 p.m. <br />The City Council held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Eagles Nest at the New Brighton Community Center <br />at 5:00 p.m. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson invited all New Brighton residents to visit the Community Center on Saturday, November 18th <br />for the official grand opening of the Eagles Nest from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. She reported this would be a <br />free event open to the public. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson commented on a letter she sent to the State and local representatives regarding MNLARS, the <br />software program being used by the license bureau. She reported the City’s frustrations were expressed in this <br />letter. <br /> <br />Election Law Change <br />Mayor Johnson explained City Clerk Spangrud was dealing with some health issues and could not be at the <br />evening tonight. For this reason, Lotter would be presenting this item to Council. <br /> <br />Lotter reviewed the staff memo with the Council and commented further on the election law change. He <br />discussed a chart in detail that addressed the legislative changes and noted what action the City would have to <br />take in order to change from odd to even year elections. Staff described the timeline for these actions and <br />asked if the Council wanted staff to move forward with an Ordinance to make an election change. He reported <br />the Council would have to take action by January 23, 2018. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bauman believed this information should have been provided to the public prior to the <br />election or at a Town Hall meeting. She discussed the options available and did not support the Council <br />increasing or decreasing terms. She supported the Council holding on this topic for the time being in order to <br />allow for further discussion with the public. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strub stated he was of the opinion it would benefit the City to move elections from odd to <br />even numbered years, both for voter turnout purposes and to reduce City expenses. He explained he was not <br />certain how he would vote on the best course of action for the City, but recommended discussions continue <br />regarding this matter.