Title
Resolution Establish A Public Hearing on the Establishment of Regular City Elections in November of Each Even Year Commencing with the City Election in November 2016
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution establishing the date for a Public Hearing to solicit comment on the establishment of regular city elections in November of each even-year commencing with the City election in November 2016 for the election of Council members.
Currently Ann Arbor holds annual elections for the election of City Council with five (5) member of Council being elected in odd-year elections and five (5) members of Council being elected in even-year elections as provided for in Sections 13.1(a) and (b) of the Ann Arbor City Charter.
Section 642a(4) of the Michigan Election Code, MCL 168.642a(4), as added by 2012 PA 523, authorizes a city council of a city that holds elections for city officers annually to change its regular election schedule for future years to even-year city November elections by the adoption of a resolution in compliance with the requirements of Section 642 of the Michigan Election Code, MCL 168.642, provided that the terms of the city’s elective officers elected at the last odd-year November city election are not shortened, and that those terms of elective city officers continue until their successors are elected and qualified at the next regular city election (MCL 168.644g (1))
It is proposed that should City Council elect to make this change, that it be subject to the following conditions:
1. The change from annual elections to even-year elections (thereby consolidating odd-year elections with even-year elections) not take effect in 2016 unless the ballot proposals for the non-partisan nomination and election of Mayor and City Council and to increase the term of office for the Mayor from a two-year term to a four-year term and City Council members from staggered two-year terms to staggered four-year terms is adopted by the voters of the City of Ann Arbor on November 3, 2015.
2. That the term of five (5) Council Members duly elected at the odd-year November election in 2015 which would otherwise expire in November 2017 under the existing language of Section 12.4 of the Ann Arbor City Charter would, if the ballot proposal for non-partisan nomination and election of the Mayor and City Council and to increase the term of office for the Mayor from two years to four years and City Council members from staggered two-year terms to staggered four-year terms was adopted, continue until their successors are elected and qualified in November 2018;
The law was enacted as a potential cost savings measure available to cities. The City Clerk has indicated a potential saving of approximately $105,000.00 if only even-year elections were held (see attached City Clerk analysis previously provided to Council at its work session on 7/6/15).
State law requires that a public hearing be held to receive public comment before approval of a Resolution Establishing the new Even Year election cycle.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Sponsored by Council member Westphal
Body
Whereas, City Council intends to consider a new election cycle for members of City Council which would establish regular City Elections in November of Each Even Year commencing with the City Election in November 2016; and
Whereas, It is proposed that should City Council elect to make this change, that be subject to the following conditions:
1. The change from annual elections to even-year elections (thereby consolidating odd-year elections with even-year elections) not take effect in 2016 unless the ballot proposals for non-partisan nomination and election of the Mayor and City Council members and to increase the term of office for the Mayor from a two-year term to a four-year term and City Council members from staggered two-year terms to staggered four-year terms is adopted by the voters of the City of Ann Arbor on November 3, 2015.
2. That the term of five (5) Council Members duly elected at the odd-year November election in 2015 which would otherwise expire in November 2017 under the existing language of Section 12.4 of the Ann Arbor City Charter would, if the ballot proposals for non-partisan nomination and election of Mayor and City Council and to increase the term of office for the Mayor from two years to four years and City Council members from staggered two-year terms to staggered four-year terms was adopted, continue until their successors are elected and qualified in November 2018; and
Whereas, Michigan Election Law requires that a public hearing be held to receive public comment on the proposed changes before consideration of the matter by City Council;
RESOLVED, That City Council of the City of Ann Arbor hereby sets a public hearing for Augusts 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as it may be convened in the City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Guy Larcom Municipal Building, 301 E. Huron St. to receive public comment on the proposed establishment of Regular City Elections in November of Each Even Year Commencing with the City Election in November 2016; and
RESOLVED, That notice of the date, time and purpose of the public hearing shall be published by the City Clerk in the Washtenaw County Legal News, and posted to the City website in substantially the following attached form.