Minutes: Common Council: January 2006

Common Council
Special Meeting
Friday, January 6, 2006, 5:30 PM
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

Mayor Ringhand called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Present were: Mayor Ringhand and Aldpersons Aikman, Cothard, Roberts, Hammann, Juergens, Anderson, Sornson, and Wessels. Staff present: Bill Connors, City Administrator and Jim Beilke, Clerk/Treasurer.

Approval of Agenda.
The agenda was approved as printed.

Approval of Minutes.
Motion Cothard, seconded by Hammann, to defer the reading of the December 13, 2005 minutes until the next regular Common Council meeting. Motion passed.

Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None

Unfinished Business. None

New Business.
Ald. Aikman left the table before the discussion regarding holding a primary election for the mayor position.

Mr. Connors reported that three candidates filed nomination papers for the mayor position on Tuesday. The three candidates are Ald. Karen Lea Aikman, Ms. Sandy Decker, and Mr. Michael T. Anderson. The Wisconsin State Statutes (§ 8.11) state that cities do not have a spring primary unless the majority of all the members of the Common Council decide upon an election. The decision must be made within three days after the deadline of filing nomination papers. The last time three candidates ran for the mayor position, the clerk conducted a primary election, even though we can find no evidence that the Council voted to authorize a primary. This meeting was called to give the Council the opportunity to authorize a primary election. Mr. Beilke reported the cost of a spring primary would be for the printing of the ballots, paying for postage of absentee envelopes, programming of voting machines, and paying the election workers. The total cost would be approximately $500 to $800. Ald. Roberts and Sornson questioned if the participation in February would truly reflect the intent of all residents, because usually, the February election has a low voter turn out. Ald. Wessels, Juergens, and Cothard favor the primary election in February to reduce the number of candidates to two. Narrowing the field to two candidates would make it very likely that the new mayor would win the April election by a majority, whereas three candidates might split the vote and cause the winner fall short of a majority. Ald. Juergens suggested that the city should look into using instant run-off voting in the future, and Mr. Connors said he would find out if state law would allow the city to do so. Ald. Hammann asked the three candidates for their views regarding the February primary. Ms. Decker, Ald. Aikman, and Mr. Anderson stated initially they were against a primary in an effort to save money, but after listening to Council, they agreed that the mayor should win by a majority of votes in April election. They all pledged to work hard to produce a good turnout of voters for the primary election.

Motion by Cothard, seconded by Hammann, to hold a spring primary election on February 21, 2006 for the mayor position. There were no more than two candidates for any other city officer on the April ballot, so there is no need for a primary for any city officer other than mayor. On a roll call vote, passed unanimously (with Ald. Aikman not voting).

Ald. Aikman returned to the Council table.

Adjournment.
Motion by Cothard, seconded by Wessels, to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 PM. Motion carried.


Prepared by:
James Beilke
City Clerk/Treasurer

The Common Council Minutes are not official until approved by Common Council.