031102 CC WS Min
.
.
.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2002
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Love called the meeting to order at 6:08 P.M.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Love; Councilmembers Garfunkel, Lizee, Turgeon, and Zerby (arrived at 6:20
P.M.); Administrator Dawson; Attorney Keane; and Deputy Clerk Panchyshyn
Absent:
Engineer Brown; Finance Director Burton; and Planning Director Nielsen
B.
Review Agenda
Without objection from Council, Mayor Love proceeded to the only item on the Agenda for this evening.
2. DISCUSSION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF WARDS AND STAGGERING OF COUNCIL
MEMBER TERMS
Administrator Dawson explained Council had reviewed and discussed options for implementing a ward
system of representation within the City at the February 11,2002, Work Session Meeting. At that time,
Council had indicated a preference for implementation of ward elections in 2002, development of
alternatives allowing current Council members to complete their terms; and having odd-numberedleven-
numbered ward elections. He then briefly reviewed a number of options for implementing the ward
system for the 2002 election.
Administrator Dawson next explained two potential ward plan maps. The first ward plan showed ward
representation within a five-percent population deviation system. The second ward plan showed ward
representation within a 10 percent population deviation system. He also explained it was likely that all
four current Councilmembers would live in two wards of the City.
Administrator Dawson then thanked Deputy Clerk Panchyshyn for her efforts in creating the ward plan
maps. Deputy Clerk Panchyshyn explained that census blocks are used to create the individual wards. It
was noted that three potential polling sites are being considered for Ward 3. Administrator Dawson stated
that polling sites must be located within 3000 feet of the precinct boundary, and that two of the three
potential polling sites are within the City of Excelsior. Councilmember Turgeon stated it would help to
keep the polling sites within the City of Shorewood limits to avoid confusion with elections of other
municipalities. Mayor Love noted that the most centrally located polling site is in the City of Excelsior,
and may be the most convenient location for the Ward.
Mayor Love stated he preferred utilization of the ward map plan with 10 percent deviation, as it would be
difficult to maintain stability in wards with only a five-percent deviation allowed.
Attorney Keane explained there were no exact standards to abide by when developing a ward system in a
statutory city; however, there were guiding principles needing to be applied. The first principle was to try
to have wards "as equal in population as practicable" and to have each ward "composed of compact,
contiguous territory." He also explained it was not uncommon practice for a charter city to establish a
-'
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
March 11, 2002
Page 2 of2
. percentage of deviation in population for ward boundaries within ordinances or establish as a policy
statement in a resolution pertaining to the matter.
Councilmember Zerby arrived at 6:20 P.M.
Mayor Love stated he liked the 10 percent ward map plan because the borders were easily understandable
and would allow for stability within wards to be maintained. Council indicated consensus for the 10
percent ward map plan.
Deputy Clerk Panchyshyn stated, in response to Councilmember Garfunkel' s question, the ward map
plans did not show voting precinct boundaries. Ward I would have two voting precincts, one on the island
and one on the mainland. Wards 2, 3 and 4 would each have one voting precinct.
A discussion regarding the possible options for implementing a ward system within the City ensued.
Councilmember Garfunkel stated he thought it important for true ward representation to be established as
soon as possible. Mayor Love stated the most expedient method of doing so would include an option for
election of all Councilmembers in the November 2002 election.
Councilmember Lizee stated she thought it important to have ward representation soon, but cautioned
against immediate implementation, as stability in representation for the Council could be lost.
Councilmember Turgeon agreed, noting there were projects occurring within the community in the
remainder of the year that would make it imperative to have continuity in Council representation.
.
Councilmember Zerby stated he was a bit concerned for utilization of two-year terms on the Council, as
he believed it was difficult to accomplish a variety of tasks in such a short period of time, and he believed
it would be frustrating for those councilmembers.
Mayor Love stated he could see the merits of implementation as soon as possible as well as the merits of
phasing a ward system into place with full ward representation in place by 2006. He stated a variety of
possibilities had been discussed, and he thought it important to give the issue further consideration at a
later date.
Administrator Dawson noted a Public Hearing was scheduled for April 8, 2002, regarding this matter. In
addition to a notice in the Newsletter and legal paper, individual notices would be sent to all City
residents regarding this public hearing.
Lizee moved, Zerby seconded, adjourning the Work Session Meeting of March 11,2002, at 6:53
P.M. Motion passed 5/0.
Sally Keefe,
Recording Secretary
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
ATTEST:
.