Robbinsdale Considers Changes To Fill Vacant Council Seats
The Robbinsdale City Council is considering changing its election procedures in the city charter, giving the council the power to appoint members to vacant seats.
The charter currently requires a special election be held if the balance of the unexpired term is longer than eight months.
But due to provisions in state law, special elections can only be scheduled for a handful of dates in a year.
As a result, the Robbinsdale council has had long vacancies after recent resignations.
For instance, the seat previously held by Sheila Webb has been vacant since her resignation in October of last year.
The proposed charter amendment would require the council to appoint a new member within 30 days of a vacancy.
The charter amendment reads as follows:
If the vacancy occurs before the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the next regular City election and more than two years remain in the unexpired term, an election will be held at the next regular City election and the appointed person will serve until the qualification of a successor is elected. If the vacancy occurs on or after the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the regular City election or when less than two years remain in the unexpired term the appointed person will serve until the qualification of a successor. A person appointed to fill a vacant position can file an affidavit of candidacy to seek election to the position.”
The Robbinsdale City Council is considering changing its election procedures in the city charter, giving the council the power to appoint members to vacant seats.
Recall Policy
The charter amendment also includes a provision related to recalling a council member from their seat.
The new provision lists malfeasance, nonfeasance and the commission of a serious crime as eligible conditions for a recall.
Robbinsdale Mayor Bill Blonigan said he was concerned the language related to criminal actions could be challenged in court.
“I do think you should be thrown out of office for something that’s a crime, but there’s a big difference between a conviction and a commission, which is just basically an allegation,” he said.
Council Member Aaron Wagner said he didn’t share Blonigan’s concerns.
“I’m more sympathetic to the notion of having the ability to recall elected officials, I mean, almost at any time,” he said. “I mean, there has to be a threshold for how many signatures you need, how much support you need to trigger an election because that costs money and time from various organizations. But it should be the ability of the constituents to take the time and gather enough signatures and support to have an election.”
The council would have to vote unanimously to support the amendment in August for it to take effect.
Previously, a group of Robbinsdale voters submitted a recall petition for former Council Member Tyler Kline after a drunken driving incident. He eventually resigned and his seat was filled by special election.
