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Regular Session <br />June 26, 2006 <br /> <br /> <br />Council’s procedure of replacing a Councilmember began. <br /> <br />Ed Schmidt, 819 N. Jackson <br />Mr. Schmidt addressed the Council on the filling of the vacancy of Councilmember in Ward <br />all <br />Two. He said that the Council should have meetings only when members could be <br />present on such a critical issue and that the meetings be in a public session. Mr. Schmidt <br />also would like to see citizens of Ward Two be able to have some input into the selection. He <br />felt that the citizens elected Ms. Brungardt and would like to see her replacement possess <br />many of the same goals. <br /> <br />Council was given the precise reading of the Charter, Article II. The Council and City Officers <br />Generally, Sec 10. Vacanacies in council. Vacancies in the council including that of mayor <br />shall be filled within sixty days by the council. Said appointment shall run to the next April <br />election at which time a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term. In the event the <br />council is unable to agree within sixty days, then a special election shall be held to fill the <br />vacancy until the next regular municipal election. <br /> <br />Ms. Brot explained that an employee of the St. Louis County Election Commission told her <br />that the cost of have an election in April 2007 might be as high as $20,000. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner said his interpretation would be to appoint a member for the unexpired term, <br />which would then run until April, 2008. <br /> <br />Mayor Adams said the precedent had been to appoint a member until the following April <br />election at which time the appointed member would have to run for the remaining term of the <br />vacated office. <br /> <br />Mr. Mulligan, City’s attorney, was asked for his interpretation of the Charter and he was <br />asked what the consequence would be if challenged. Mr. Mulligan said his interpretation was <br />the election would be the following April election, which would be 2007. Mr. Mulligan stated <br />that he also asked for a second opinion and this opinion was in agreement with his <br />interpretation. Mr. Mulligan went on to explain the consequence could be, if challenged and <br />found in error, that all the Council votes in that period of time would no longer be official. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner said that he thought the Charter was sufficiently vague and favored an April 2008 <br />election. Mr. Wagner moved that the Council appoint a new member for the remainder of the <br />term, which would be till April 2008. <br /> <br />Mr. Price said that he agreed with the attorney that as he reads it as it, the appointment by <br />the Council would be till the next April election, which would be April 2007. <br /> <br />CITIZENS COMMENTS: <br /> <br />Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel <br />Ms. Glickert said she was appalled that the Council would not follow the City’s Charter. She <br />felt the Charter clearly said that the Council’s appointment was until the next election, which <br />would be April 2007. <br /> <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />