HomeMy WebLinkAbout91-058 CITY OF LAKEVILLE
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION
Date April 24, 1991 Resolution No. 91-5~
Motion by Ruhmann Seconded by Harvey
RESOLUTION OPPOSING S.F. 1169, A BILL
THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL CITIES
OVER 20, 000 POPIIl.,ATION TO ESTABLISH SINGLE-1~ffi~B3ER WARDS
FOR THE ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL rSEL~ERS BY 1994
WHEREAS, the Senate of the State of Minnesota is
considering S.F. 1169, a bill that would require all cities over
20,000 population to establish single-member wards for the
election of City Council members by 1994; and
~I~iBREAS, imposing such a uniform mandate on the structure
of city government is a serious intrusion on local
self-government; and
WHEREAS, proponents have suggested that the amendment
• would help increase the possibility that members of a racial or
language minority population would be elected to local offfice
as a result of redistricting; and
WHEREAS, such a requirement may actually weaken the
opportunity for minority candidates to be elected to office
because minority populations are often dispersed through the
community and could benefit from wider support in a citywide
election; and
WHEREAS, many cities do not have sufficiently large
concentrations of minority populations to make it possible to
accomplish such an outcome by redrawing ward boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the overall interests of the community are more
effectively represented through the at-large method of election;
and
WHEREAS, in cities of high population growth, such ward
boundaries would soon be out of compliance with the standard for
deviation from equal population; and
WHEREAS, a ward system would be imposed for all school
districts of 20,000 population or more, with the result that
local elections would become increasingly complex, producing
• difficulties that could discourage voter turnout; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the
City of Lakeville that the City of Lakeville opposes the
aforementioned provision of S.F. 1169.
ADOPTED this 24th day of April ~ 1991, by the City
Council of the City of Lakeville.
CITY OF EVILLE
BY:
Du ne Zaun, M r
ATTEST:
Charlene Friedges, 'ty Clerk
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