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RATWIK, R4SZAK & MALONEY, P.A. <br />Attnmcys at Law <br />Paul C. Ratwik <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. squires *t <br />Aan R. Goering <br />Nancy E. E lurmtein* <br />Joseph J. Langel <br />Michael J. waldspurger* <br />Margaret A. Skelton <br />Amy E. Mace <br />Erin K. Munson <br />3 GO U.S. Tmst Building <br />730 Second Avenue South <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 <br />(612) 339 -0060 <br />Fax (6 1 2) 339-0038 <br />www.ratwiklaw.corn <br />November 12, 2003 <br />Mr. Neal Beets <br />City Manager <br />City of Roseville <br />2660 Civic Center Drive <br />Roseville, MIS 55113-1899 <br />RE: Filling Council Vacancies <br />Our File No. 4002(l) -0089 <br />Dear Mr. Beets: <br />date: 1 17/03 <br />Item: Y. B; <br />Public Hearings <br />Filling Council Vacancy <br />Isaac &auiman <br />Mark J. G irouard <br />Eric J. Quiring <br />Macey E. 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 />Mate Bar Association <br />t 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 ghat the Council intended by the use <br />of the term "higher" office. To avoid future 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, ' it will be necessary <br />to further define the terra "higher office.' <br />Under Minnesota Statutes, the soonest the City could hold a special electron 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 weeps before the first day to file. Therefore, the filing period for affidavits of candidacy <br />