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<br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />- . - _ -:::_--=-::- _ -::::==:::-':"-:'-:"=-_7- ":.:: . -= :::::: - - _":.. -~"";:.::- _ -::._=-:: 7'_ _--;"-;.::::=-==- _=- _ ---:_.-::'.'::::==:::"-::::--:::::.:::'.::::::.7_-:::'::'-:: =_.::. -..::::::::::::::::::.-::::::;::::::-.::::::.:=:::::::::::::::::::::::._:::: <br /> <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />MEMBERS OF THE ROSEVILLE CITY COUNCIL <br /> <br />AMY IHLAN <br /> <br />DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE REQUIRING PUBLIC <br />DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS IN CITY <br />ELECTIONS <br /> <br />NOVEMBER 15, 2004 <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />I am proposing a city ordinance that would require public disclosure of the identity of <br />campaign contributors in city elections. Some key points of the proposed ordinance are <br />summarized below: <br /> <br />· The ordinance would apply to candidates for city office and their campaign <br />committees, and also to political committees formed to support or defeat candidates <br />for city office, or city ballot questions. <br /> <br />· The proposed draft ordinance is based on the City ofSt. Paul's campaign <br />contribution disclosure ordinance. <br /> <br />· The names and addresses of persons or organizations who make campaign <br />contributions or contributions in kind of more than $50.00 must be disclosed, as part <br />of campaign finance reports already required under state law. The $50.00 amount is <br />borrowed from St. Paul's disclosure ordinance. Another possible disclosure <br />threshold would be contributions over $100.00 (this is the limit applicable for <br />Minneapolis and Hennepin County offices, as well as state legislative offices). <br /> <br />· The filing schedule for disclosure reports is parallel to the schedule for filing <br />campaign finance reports under Minnesota Statutes. <br /> <br />· Disclosures are certified under oath by person filing campaign finance reports. <br />Intentional violation of the disclosure requirement is a misdemeanor. <br /> <br />Some policy reasons for adopting a campaign contribution disclosure ordinance include: <br /> <br />· Encouraging greater openness and freedom of information in the campaign process; <br />· Allowing the public to know which individuals and organizations are supporting or <br />opposing candidates and ballot questions in city elections; <br />· Providing information to monitor and evaluate influences on elections or possible <br />conflicts of interest on council votes. <br />