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Session 1532, Minutes Page 4 November 19, 1990 (me larger population. This inequity was brought to the attention of the League membership by Mayor Majerus, who also requested that Council take a position on these issues. Mayor Majerus noted that University City recently proposed a change in the League bylaws that would base the voting structure on the population of cities rather than on their assessed valuation. The League responded to this propos- al by sending a survey to member cities, asking for an opinion on how things should be changed or if there should be any change. Included was a new sug- gested dues structure that would take into consideration the assessed valua- tion and population of a city. She asked that Council fill out the survey to- gether, and also make any comments they felt appropriate. Mr. Adams said it was appalling that the League is going through this involved process when the Supreme Court long ago ruled "one man-one vote". He said the present structure effectively disenfranchises those in less-wealthy cities, and the League Board apparently does not want to change what has been very beneficial for richer cities. He would prefer to see a change only in the voting structure, but if it is necessary to have a dues change in order to ob- tain that, he would reluctantly go along. He said he was very upset that de- bate was cut off at the last meeting so these issues could not be discussed. Mr. Schoomer said the survey was a means to create a false dilemma by coupling a proposal for change of the obviously unfair voting structure with a change in the dues structure. He said it may not be necessary to change the dues structure, but it certainly should be considered separately. He moved that the University City representative at the next League meeting be instructed to vote in favor of the change in the voting structure, and of continuing the discussion of changes in the dues structure. Mr. Wagner agreed that the dues change proposal was a red herring and ballot subterfuge to split the vote of those who want a change. He felt it was a reprehensible trick by the Municipal League Board, and he seconded Mr. Schoom- er's motion. Responding to Mrs. Thompson, Mayor Majerus said University City had nothing to gain if the voting structure is changed because it is at the top both in num- ber of votes allotted and dues paid. She said the League's stated purpose is to present a united voice for St. Louis County municipalities to the State Legislature; however, University City's voice seems only to have been heard recently when the City sent a separate representative to state its case. The theory of a league is advantageous, but in its present form it is a travesty since it disenfranchises the cities with law assessed valuation. Mr. Price said it was ironic that the current League system is in total con- tradiction to the political foundation in this country, and that a small group of individuals is allowed to control the voting pattern. He said his prefer- ence would be for a change in the voting structure only, based on population. (me Mrs. Schuman said she would only add that the Mayor's ca mients at the last League meeting were very apropos, that is, city officials who favor keeping the present League voting structure would be run out of office if a similar