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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, Apri128, 2008 Page 5 Councilmember Ihlan opined that this is an existing policy that was good; pro- vided City Council oversight; and the system worked well for the public and City Council; further opining that no change was needed. Councilmember Roe concurred with Councilmember Ihlan's comments; outlining the number of items in 2007 that the City Council had approved and allowing for additional oversight. Councilmember Pust opined that, if the policy was not already in place, she didn't think one would need to be implemented; however, further opined that since it was in place, she was no need to change it, and approval didn't take that much meeting time. Mayor Klausing, while supporting a higher approval in accordance with MN State Statute 412.691, concurred with City Council consensus. b. Discussion on Council Vacancy Mayor Klausing updated the public on the status of filling late Councilmember Kough's Council vacancy; noting that the City was awaiting an opinion from the State's Attorney General, regarding the length and timing of the appointment. Councilmember Roe noted the a-mail update received from staff, following dis- tribution of the Council packet, outlining specific dates if a special election were held, based on changing the ordinance at the May 12, 2008 meeting, and timing of events thereafter, anticipating a special election on August 19, 2008 at the earliest. Councilmember Pust advised that she had been interested in receiving the infor- mation; however, after receipt, it had become clear that the timing of a special election would be just a few weeks before a primary election; and that given addi- tional costs, she opined that holding a special election would be problematic and an unnecessary taxpayer investment, when they would be electing someone just one month later. Councilmember Pust, while supporting the most democratic process represented by a special election, opined the need to consider all the is- sues (i.e., cost and timing) and proceed accordingly, anticipating that there would be sufficient candidates for the appointment and election processes. Councilmember Roe concurred, noting that his original point of view had been to hold a special election as well; however, with the additional information pre- sented, it seemed more prudent to proceed with the short-term appointment, fol- lowed by the election. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of amending the City's existing ordinance to accommodate special elections in the majority of situations. Councilmember Ihlan opined that the City Council needed to consider a special election under any circumstance to fill the vacancy as democratically as possible;