Title
Resolution to Order Election, Approve Charter Amendment of the Ann Arbor City Charter Section for Election of Mayor and City Council Members Increasing the Term Of Office for each Member of Council, Including the Mayor, from Two to Four Years and Determine the Ballot Language for this Amendment (7 Votes Required)
Memorandum
MCL 117.21 of the Home Rule City Act provides that amendment to an existing city charter may be proposed by the legislative body of a city on a 3/5 vote of the members-elect.
The proposed amendment increases the term of office for Mayor and members of City Council from two to four years. It retains the partisan nomination and election process. It also retains staggered terms for members of City Council; however, it does so, on the basis of City Council's adoption by operation of law of the elimination of annual elections, consolidating odd-year and even-year elections, so that elections for City Council are moved to even-years.
The Public Hearing and Resolution to Change to Even Year Elections is proposed for consideration by City Council at its August 6, 2015 regular meeting. Passage of that Resolution is a pre-requisite to placement of this ballot question before the voters at the November 3, 2015 general election. If both the Resolution to Change to Even Year Elections is adopted by City Council and the ballot question to increase the terms of office for the Mayor and City Council members is approved by the voters, the next local primary election would be held in August 2016 for Mayor and five Council seats. The remaining five Council seats would be up for election in 2018. However, if this ballot question fails to be adopted, the provisions of the Resolution to Change to Even Year Elections states it becomes null and void and City would continue to hold elections in odd-years.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Sponsor: CM Westphal
Body
Whereas, Section 21(1) of the Home Rule...
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