8.11. SR 03-21-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rei ----\.J ( )j ~lk AGENDA ITEM 8.11. - MEMORANDUM FROM: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL PAT KLAERS, CITY ~TRATOR MARCH 17, 1994 \1/ ,- TO: DATE: SUBJECT: MAYOR TERM OF OFFICE Ever since the January, 1994, League of Minnesota Cities magazine included an article on the duties and powers of a statutory Mayor (see attachment), there has been periodic City Council discussion on the Mayor's term of office changing to four years. I am in the process of researching this issue and have received some material from the League of Minnesota Cities on this topic. Attached for your review is the relevant section of the letter I received from the League on this issue and a copy of the State Statutes section that discusses a four year term of office for the Mayor. e If the City is not still governed by the 1881 special law, then the City can simply change the Mayor's term to four years by adopting an ordinance. This change should take place by approximately June 1, 1994 in order for the November election to be for a four year Mayor term of office. The filing for the Council and Mayor positions closes on July 19, 1994. It should be noted that City ordinances are not effective until they are published so the actual ordinance has to be adopted and published prior to mid June so that everything is completed four weeks in advance of the closing date for the filing of the Mayor's office. While a public hearing on this ordinance is not required by law, it may be appropriate. It seems that the main issue for the City Council is the fact that a Mayor cannot do an adequate job on many work projects in only two years, and really, four years is needed for the Mayor to take the lead on issues and see the completion of projects. Offsetting this concern, is the right of the public to have the opportunity to elect a new City Council majority every two years. This currently takes place with the Mayor and two Councilmembers terms expiring every two years. I believe that these two offsetting issues are the main topics of the debate for a four year Mayor term of office. e The City Attorney will be doing some research on how the City can change to a four year Mayor term of office (if at all possible without special legislation) and should have an update for the Council either on 3/21 or in the very near future. P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425