HomeMy WebLinkAbout19970717 MemoVIII-C-6
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator
DATE: July 17, 1997
SUBJECT: Charter Commission Amendment
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
It is recommended the City Council take action approving the first reading of the
enclosed ordinance amending the City Charter regarding the schedule for filing
petitions for municipal election, and scheduling a public hearing for August 4, 1997.
BACKGROUND
At its meeting on Thursday July 10, 1997 the City Charter Commission approved the
enclosed Resolution regarding an amendment to the City Charter relating to the time
pez-iod in which a person must submit a petition for election to be on the ballot for a
municipal election.
Currently, Section 2.05 of the City Charter reads in part as follows: "Not more than
ten nor less than eight weeks before the municipal primary, or before the municipal
general election, if there is no municipal primary, an individual who is eligible and
desires to become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the election, shall file an
Affidavit of Candidacy with the Czty Cleric of the City of Hastings." Staff has
attached a calendar which attempts to illustrate the situation that could develop in
the event the Charter is not changed. Technically, there could be two time periods in
which a person could file for elective office: one in July, 8-10 weeks prior to the
"potential" primazy election, or in August, 8-10 weeks prior to the regular general
election.
With the adoption of the attached Resolution, the City Charter is suggesting the City
Council make the change in the Charter by ordinance adoption. With the change,
there would be only one period of time to file for office, in July, 8- X O weeks pz-ior to
the scheduled Primary Election. if na City primary election were conducted, there
would X11 remain only o~filing date.
David M. Osberg, Ci