Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Legal Services Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Toni Wheeler, Director of Legal Services
CC:	Jonathan M. Douglass, City Clerk
Date:	August 18, 2010
RE:	Primary Election for Office of City Commissioner

Please place the attached Charter Ordinance No. 41 on a future City Commission agenda for consideration. 

Background

On July 13, 2010, staff presented a report to the City Commission on primary elections for the office of city commissioner.  The Commission directed staff to seek input on the appropriate or preferred number of candidates filing for office that would cause a primary election to be held.  Staff sent the attached correspondence to organizations interested in local elections. 

Tom Kern, on behalf of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, commented that the Chamber supports the primary election process because it provides citizens an opportunity for more involvement in the election process and greater knowledge of the candidates for office.  Other than Mr. Kern’s comments, the City Manager’s Office received no other communications on the topic.    

Attached is Charter Ordinance No. 41 exempting the City from the non-uniform state statute on primary elections for the office of city commissioner.  The charter ordinance will require a primary election if seven (7) or more candidates file for the office of city commissioner.  Four commissioners must vote in favor of the ordinance for it to pass.  The charter ordinance must be published in the newspaper for two consecutive weeks.  It will be effective 61 days after final publication unless a sufficient petition for a referendum is filed. 

Action Requested:  Adopt Charter Ordinance No. 41, if appropriate.