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RATWIIC, ROSZAK & MALONEY, P.A. <br />Attorneys at Law <br />Paul C. ltwik <br />John M. Roszak <br />Patricia A. Maloney* <br />Terrence J. Foy* <br />Stephen G. Andersen ** <br />Scott T. Anderson <br />Kevin J, Rupp <br />Jay T. Squircs *t <br />Ann R. Goering <br />Nancy E. Blunistein* <br />Joseph J. Langel <br />Michael J. aldspurger* <br />Margaret A. Skelton <br />Amy E. Mace <br />Erin K. Munson <br />300 U.S. Trust Building <br />730 Second Avenue south <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 <br />(6 1 2) 339 -0060 <br />Fax (612) 339 -0038 <br />www.ratwlklaw.com <br />November 12, 2003 <br />. Neal Beets <br />City Manager <br />City of Roseville <br />2660 Civic Center Drive <br />Roseville, MST 55113-1899 <br />I: Filling Council Vacancies <br />Our File No. 4002(1) -0019 <br />Dear Mr. Beets: <br />Date: 11 / 17103 <br />Item: V1. B. <br />Public Hearings <br />Filling Council vacancy <br />Isaac &aummn <br />Mark J. Giruuard <br />Erie J. Quirmg <br />Stacey L. Wilson <br />Eric L. Hedtke <br />Sonya J. Guggemos <br />Jennifer L. Wolf <br />* Also admitted in Wisconsin <br />** Civil Trial Specialist <br />Certified by the Minnesota <br />State Bar Assmiation <br />Real Property Law Specialist <br />Certified by the Minnesota <br />State Bar Association <br />Attached to this letter is the ordinance requested by the City Council requiring a special <br />election to fill a vacancy only if the vacancy occurs because the office holder was elected to a <br />"higher office." <br />In drafting the attached ordinance, we have operated under some basic assumptions. <br />One is that the Council believes that it is important that the residents have a direct voice in <br />filling the vacancy. Another is that the Council wants to adhere to the same election standards <br />that it has set for general elections. We are also unclear what the Council intended by the use <br />of the terra "'higher' office. To avoid fixture controversies regarding when an election has been <br />to a "higher" office, we have also drafted an alternate version of the ordinance that uses the <br />term "incompatible" office because there are existing legal standards regarding offices that are <br />incompatible with city council. If the Council does not like this language, � be necessary it will <br />to further define the term "higher off ce." <br />Under Minnesota Statutes, the soonest the City could hold a special election to fill a <br />vacancy is 70 days after the vacancy is declared. It is likely to be later than that because of the <br />practicalities discussed below and the possibility of a primary election. Minnesota Statute <br />§205,13 requires that notice of the dates for filing affidavits of candidacy be published at least <br />two weeks before the first day to file. Therefore, the filing period for affidavits of candidacy <br />