4 Change Mayor's Term to 4 Yrs
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax 952.227..1110
Building Inspections
Phone 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
Fax 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
RecreationCenler
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone 952.227.1130
Fax 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.lJs
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor & City Council
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The City of Chanhassen . A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming down!own, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place 10 live, work, and play
FROM:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
oW'
DATE:
December 8, 2004
SUBJ:
Public Hearing to Consider Changing the Term of the Mayor
from Two to Four Years
The City Council requested staff to review changing the term of the Mayor from
2 years to 4 years. Attached you will find the procedures necessary to make this
change. In summary, the following procedures are required:
1. The mayor's term is established by the City Council by ordinance.
2. The ordinance change must be adopted at least 4 weeks prior to the
closing date for filing for candidacy (August 2006).
3. This change will not affect the current term of the Mayor. If this is
adopted, it would take effect for the term beginning in 2007.
DISCUSSION POINTS
· Should the Mayor's term coincide with the terms of other Council
members (4 years)?
·
Currently, we have a majority of the City Council up for election every
two years.
·
A two-year term allows for more frequent citizen input on current
issues facing the city.
·
A four-year term allows more stability on the Council.
·
A four-year term allows the mayoral term to be less political, less
frequentl y.
· Under a two-year term, issues are subject to being politicized out of
proportion.
Mayor & Cüy Council
December 8, 2004
Page 2
· Mayoral campaign is too frequent.
· Instability on the Council based on turnover-the learning curve takes
a substantial amount of time.
· Could discourage candidates if they have to run every two years.
Message
Page 1 of 1
Gerhardt, Todd
From: Roger Knutson [rknutson@ck-Iaw.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 20048:36 AM
To: Gerhardt, Todd
Subject: four year mayoral term.
Todd,
Changing the term of the mayor from a two to a four year term is done by ordinance. The ordinance must be
adopted at least four weeks before the closing date for the filing of affidavits of candidacy for the election. The
ordinance could therefore be adopted anytime during the next two years as long as it is done at least four weeks
before filings are closed for the next election. The procedure is set forth in M.S. 4t2.022:
Subdivision 1. Procedure. The council may, by
ordinance, establish a four-year term or reestablish a two-year
term for the office of mayor commencing with the ensuing term,
except that in a standard plan city which establishes a
four-year term for mayor, the first mayor to serve a four-year
term shall be elected at the first election when the clerk is
not to be elected. In any case the ordinance shall not affect
the term of the mayor elected in the year in which it is adopted
unless it is adopted at least four weeks before the closing date
for the filing of affidavits of candidacy for such election.
If you need anything else let me know.
10/29/2004