HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Cover letter for proposed ordinance /5
City Attorney's Office
Caring People 515 Clark Avenue,P. O.Box 811
Q-ahty Nog a— Ames,lA 50010
Exceptional Semice
Phone: 515-239-5146 9 Fax: 515-239-5142
July 6, 2006
The Honorable Ann Campbell, Mayor,
and Members of the City Council
of the City of Ames, Iowa
Re: Procedures for Filling a Vacancy in Elected Office
Dear Mayor Campbell and Council Members:
The current Municipal Code procedure for filling vacancies in elected office is inconsistent with the
procedure prescribed in the Iowa Code. The proposed amendment to Municipal Code section 2.19
would update the procedure and make it conform with the Iowa Code.
Under the terms of the current Code, the Council must fill a vacancy by appointment within
thirty days. The proposed amendment gives the Council the authority to fill a vacancy by appointment
within forty days or,alternatively,by calling for a special election at the earliest practicable date. The
proposal increases the number of signatures required on a petition calling for a special election from
2% to 10% of the voters for the office at the preceding regular election.
I recommend that the Council suspend the three passages rule,as authorized by Code section 2.21,so
that the amended ordinance can be in effect before the next vacancy in elected office is filled.
Yours truly,
'0—� P-OU4
Douglas R. Marek
City Attorney
Attachment
c: Diane Voss
From: Doug Marek/COA
Recipients: Diane R Voss/COA@COA
Subject: Publication of Ordinance with State Code Reference
Date: 10:31:17 AM Today
This requirement in 380.10 does not apply to the ordinance amendment passed on first reading last night.
Doug Marek
Ames City Attorney
515 Clark Avenue
P.O. Box 811
Ames, Iowa 50010
Tel: 515-239-5146
Fax: 515-239-5142
E-mail: dmarek@city.ames.ia.us