Post in City Council vacancies - special elections?

Jul 03 17:10 UTC

During the recent appointment process resulting from the passing of
councilmember Tom Kough, there were several expressions of concern that we fill
vacancies on the city council as "democratically" as possible.

One preference expressed was for the use of special elections in more instances
than state law currently requires.  State law requires special elections with
more than 2 years left on a vacant term, and allows cities to require special
elections in other instances.

Right now, our city code requires a special election only in the "other
instance" of a councilmember assuming an "incompatible office" (one that you
can't hold at the same time as being a councilmember).

I have brought forward a proposed ordinance to liberalize our use of special
elections in 2 ways:  First, to use special elections for all types of
vacancies (not just incompatible office), and second to use them for all
vacancies except those that occur late enough in a term where there will be a
regular election already going on for that seat (up to approximately May of the
last year of the term).

The city council will hear comments from the public on that proposed ordinance
at our 6 PM July 14th meeting.

Some discussion topics related to council special elections include:
-Is it preferable to have councilmembers that are appointed by the council who
serve for as much as nearly 2 years without having faced the voters, versus
elected councilmembers whenever possible? (Is it necessary to be elected rather
than appointed to have "legitimacy" or accountability?)
-Should the cost (estimated by city staff to be $20,000 per special election)
enter into the discussion?  If so, how important of a factor should it be?
-Should a special election for a vacancy be going on at the same time as a
general election for the same seat?  (If so, how much overlap in the schedules
of the 2 elections is acceptable?)

The city council would appreciate input from the community as we consider this
proposed ordinance.

More background information can be found here:
http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/DocumentView.asp?DID=2000