HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal minutes of 9/9Informal Council Discussion
September 9, 1988
Informal Council Discussion: September 9, 1988, 6:30 p.m., in the Council
Chambers. Mayor John McDonald presiding. The meeting was at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: McDonald, Ambrisco, Balmer, Horowitz, Courtney,
Larson. Staff present: Atkins, Karr, Timmins, Helling. Tape-recorded
Reel 88-50, Side 2, End -406.
COUNCIL VACANCY:
McDonald stated that the purpose of this special informal Council session
is to discuss filling the Council position vacated by George Strait's
resignation. McDonald noted that there is approximately three years
remaining in Strait's term and recommended that Council call for a special
election to fill that position. McDonald said Tom Slockett has stated
that Council has the authority to call the dates to hold that election and
the County Auditor's Office would prefer that Council does not call for
the special election with the national General Election. In response to
Larson, McDonald stated it would cost the City more to hold a special
local election with the General Election than on another date. McDonald
explained the cost incurred is based on a per ballot cost, more people
vote in a national General Election than in a local election and
therefore, that would increase the cost the City would have to pay.
Larson said the actual cost to hold the special local election with the
general election should be less. Larson said the City's election costs
ought to be negotiable and the advantage of having a special local
election scheduled with the General Election is that more people vote.
McDonald raised concerns about holding a city election with a national
election because local issues would be lost and not get the recognition
they deserve. McDonald stated that a special local election should not be
called for on the national General Election date. in responap to
Courtney, Karr said to combine a special local election with the General
Election, the City needs to formally notify the Elections Office no later
than Wednesday, September 14, 1988, and the candidates' papers would need
to be filed by September 22, 1988.
Councilmembers agreed that Council should call for a special election to
fill the Council position vacated by George Strait.
Council dl -cussed schidullho of the special local election. Karr stated
that Council can petition the flections Office for the November General
Election date, but the Electiohi Office is concerned that there is not
sufficient time to notify the ballot printers, etc. Larson stated the
election should not be held during the University of Iowa'& interim and
when students are pone, Karr said State Coda provides that the Ctty
cannot hold any elections two weeks before and two weeks after the General
Election. Karr said the earliest a primary and a special could ba
scheduled would he November loth, (then allowing four weeks hotwepn a
its sold the
publicyand a will Question whyand
thets talrth electionciit not sche'ialed with the
General tlaction. Countiliwwhaei dliivasod tchod4ling the special toc41
il:ctlon with the Ger,zr:1 Mztlon. McDonald :aid lotal imrt err
different from national 111#91. *Oopold sold the focus will be pa the
national end State 11140! fni the donaral Election and local Istuot will
90 19it, tlaimer said the tpetlil local election Would becothe i eift4t0i
Informal Council Discussion
September 9, 1988
Page 2
election if it is scheduled with the General Election. Balmer said the
community wants the Council to be non-partisan. Larson noted that City
Council elections are held on non -General Election/off years.
Councilmembers agreed that a special local election should be called and
that the election should not be scheduled with the national General
Election. Councilmembers directed Karr to prepare a table of potential
dates for the election. In response to Larson, Karr said there has to be
47 days between the time the Election Office is notified of the election
and when the election occurs. Karr said other State Code provisions need
to be considered. Council agreed that the potential dates would be
discussed at informal session on September 19, 1988.
McDonald informed Council that the State Code provides that when an
individual is appointed, that person shall serve until the next election.
Timmins said the appointment shall be for the period until the next
pending election as defined in Section 69.12 of the State Code and pending
election is defined as any election at which there would be on the ballot
either the office in which the vacancy exists or any other office to be
filled or any public questions to be decided by the voters of the same
political subdivision. McDonald said Balmer will serve until the special
local election and then become a candidate in that election. Balmer
stated he will run in the special election for the remainder of Kate
Dickson's term. Karr noted that the "14 day petition," mentioned in
372.13 of the State Code, is no longer necessary and is null and void.
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
L.J 3