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<br />Rules and Communications Committee <br />March 1, 2007 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />a change on local elections. It was noted that City Charter Section 600 requires that the City's <br />general municipal election be held in April of even-numbered years, or in consolidation with the <br />statewide direct primary or statewide general election. <br /> <br />Committee Member Gregory commented on the effect of a prolonged election season on <br />campaign fmances. City Manager Jermanis pointed out that reducing the number of elections <br />would also likely reduce the amount of money raised by candidates. <br /> <br />Committee Recommendation: <br />The Committee recommends that the City Council schedule a work session on Instant Runoff <br />Voting. <br /> <br />3. Discussion Regarding Term Limits for Elected Officials <br /> <br />Committee Member Santos recalled that term limits were fIrst proposed by homeowner <br />associations and came into effect in 1974. The Committee discussed various options, such as a <br />two-term limit for Mayor and a three-term limit then lifetime ban for Councilmembers, and also <br />how it might affect those currently serving on the Council. <br /> <br />Committee Recommendation: <br />The Committee recommends that the City Council schedule a work session to discuss <br />modifIcation of the term limits for elected offIcials. <br /> <br />4. Discussion Regarding Requiring a Councilmember to Resign His/Her Seat Upon Declaring <br />Intention to Run for Another Office <br /> <br />Committee members discussed this idea. Committee Member Santos stated that he did not feel a <br />counciImember should be forced to resign his/her seat in order to seek another offIce. He also <br />commented that a candidate should not be able to raise funds for one offIce and then transfer <br />those funds to another race unless they have fIrst announced their intention to seek another offIce. <br /> <br />Mr. Jermanis pointed out that incumbents in Council Districts 2, 4 and 6 are currently at an <br />advantage in that they can run from a "safe seat." <br /> <br />Committee Member Gregory commented that requiring a counciImember to resign their current <br />seat prior to seeking another would level the playing fIeld. He suggested that the matter be <br />scheduled as part of a work session to discuss election matters and that visuals on the various <br />scenarios be provided to the Council. <br />