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Home My WebLink About1985 10-23 CHCA BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION OCTOBER 2 1 8 3. 9 5 8:00 F..r. City Fall ACENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes of March 27, 1985 4. Old Business A. Sub- Committee 'deport on Elections S. New Business A. Year 2000 Committee Report E. Adjournment 3 c BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COPT "RI0QTCN ELECTIONS SUB -C Ord1ITTEE SEPTEMBER 23, 1 7:30 P.M. Members present Dennis Kuen (Chair), Edward Commers, Jean Schiebel Vembers absent: Barbara Swart (ill) REVIE'�� AL OFUESTIOR' RESPONSES Bennis Kueng reported that 1 54 questionnaires were sent back to him; 5 or 6 of them were blank or had little information on them. A breakdown of responses showed: 28 Council members responded who presently serve 4 year terms 18 Mayors responded who presently serve 4 year terms 13 Council members responded who presently serve 3 year terms 11 Mayors responded who presently serve 3 year terms 6 Council members responded Wo presently serve 2 year terms 18 Mayors responded who presently serve 2 year terms 28 total people who responded favored even year elections 20 total people who responded favored odd year elections Cf the total responses: 19 have 4 year l e y Council terms and 4 year Mayor terms 8 have 3 year Council terms and year Mayor terms 5 have 3 year Council terms and 2 year Mayor terms 3 have 2 year Council terms and 3 year Mayor terms 2 have 2 year Council terms and 2 year T =Jayor terms and 10 have 4 year Council terms and 2 year Mayor terms. Richfield responded that they are moving gradually from a 2 year Council term and 3 year 14ayor term to a 4 year term for both Council members and the Mayor. Main reasons respondents favored odd year elections were: Keeps local politics separate from national politics Cost factors nR M a i n reasons respondents favored even year elections were. Iligher percentage of people voting Saves money Elections reflect the community better RECOMMENDPTIGINS TO THE CHARTER CO.IIMISSSIOPT, FROM THIS SUI3C`OMVITTEE: 1. That the City of Brooklyn Center change from odd. year elections to even year elections. 2. That Council members' terms be changed from 3 years to 4 years. 3. That the ?'Mayor's term be changed from 2 years to 4 years. 4. That the people of this City vote on this issue at the general election in lJovember of 1986. Many of the respondents to the survey asked for a copy of these results and they will be sent to them soon as possible. Submitted by: T Carole BlowersC.P.S. Sec Asst BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE SUB COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE ELECTIONS ISSUE April 25, 1985 Manager's Conference Room City Hall 8:00 P.M. Members present: Dennis Kueng (Chair), Jean Schiebel, Barbara Swart, Edward Commers, Michael Beauchane Members absent: None The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kueng at 8:00 P.M. Chairman Kueng briefly outlined the four things this sub committee should accomplish: 1. What do we want to change and why? 2. Do we want any input from the community and /or groups on this issue? 3. What will be actually recommended? 4. Prepare a report containing this committee's recommendation by the October meeting. After discussion, it was decided to prepare a questionnaire to be sent to elected officials who are presently serving as a mayor or city council member in various metro suburbs, including Brooklyn Center. It was decided that the following questions be asked: -What is their present position? What is the current length of term for that position in that city? -Are city elections for these terms held in odd or even years or both? -Do they find this satisfactory? If so, why; if not, what would they prefer? As an office holder, what is their preference and reasons on holding elections in odd years or even years and why? -As a citizen, do they believe odd or even year elections are more beneficial to the community and why? -If the terms of office or election year (odd, even) has recently changed (within the last 10 years) in their City, what are their opinions as to the benefits, reasons, and detriments this change incurred? -What, if any, problems arose during the transition period? -Any additional comments or remarks? The secretarial assistant will type up a cover sheet to go along with a questionnaire which contains the above questions and send same to the sub committee members for their review. If any changes or additions should be made, Dennis Kueng should be contacted. As soon as a mailing list is comprised, the letter and questionnaire will be sent. It was decided that a follow -up letter and question- naire should be sent to those who do not respond in 2 -3 weeks from first mailing. All Charter Commission members will be sent copies of the sub committee minutes, the cover letter,and questionnaire so they will be kept abreast of this committee's actions. i The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. R spectfully submi to� Carole J. lowers, C.P.S. Secretarial Assistant MEMORANDUM TO: Dennis Kueng Barbara Swart Jean Schiebel M ichael Beauchane 1, dward Commers FROM: Carole Blowers DATE: April 26, 1985 Attached to this memo is a copy of the proposed cover letter and questionnaire as discussed at last night's sub- committee meeting. Please review as soon as possible. If you feel there should be any additions or corrections, please contact Dennis at 566 -1038 (home) or 627 -2897 (work). Thanks. Attachments P.S. Also attached are copies of the minutes from the March 27, 1985, Charter Commission meeting. CC: Chairman Donn Escher j CITY OF 6301 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY B ROOKLYN BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA 55430 TELEPHONE 561 -5440 CENTER M ay 9; 1985 Dear The Charter Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center is seeking information and your opinion on the length of office term of elected city officials. As you are an elected official, we are soliciting your opinions in this matter and ask your hlep in answering the following questions on the attached sheet. Your reply is to be strictly confidential. Please do not identify yourself by name. Use the enclosed addressed envelope for your reply. Your reply by June 15, 1985, would be appre- ciated. Thank you for your valuable time and assistance. If you would like to receive a copy of this survey result, please indicate this in the appropriate space on the attached sheet. Sincerely, !0 Dennis Kueng J Vice Chairman BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION cb Attachments "?e_ ti 44wf �1 one L QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Are you presently: Mayor Council Member What is the current length of office term in your city? Mayor: Years Council Member: Years 3. Are your city elections for these terms held in odd or even years, or both? Odd Years Even Years Both 4. In our opinion, is this Y p satisfactory. Yes No 5. If you answered "Yes" to #4, please explain reasons. This is important. 6. If you answered "No" to #4, what would you prefer the terms to be? Mayor: Years Council Member: Years 7. As an office holder, what is your preference and reasons on holding elections in Odd Years Even Years Reasons: 8. As a citizen, do you believe odd or even year elections are more bene- ficial to the community? Odd Year Even Year Reasons: 9. If terms of office or election year (odd, even) has recently changed (within the last 10 years) in your City, please give your opinions as to the benefits, reasons, and detriments this change incurred. What, if any, problems arose during the transition period? 10. Your following additional comments and remarks will be appreciated. I would like to receive a copy of this survey result. Yes No l for the ballot to effect the Commission's action in Sections 2.03 and 4.01 of the Charter. Respectfully submitted, Donn H. Escher, Chair BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION c am' i i