M E M O R A N D U M  08-75

 

TO:              MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

FROM:           DENNIS NOVAK, MAYOR PRO TEMPORE

 

DATE:           MAY 21, 2008

 

SUBJECT:      ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO DESIGNATED SEATS

 

The question has been raised about what would happen if no one filed for one of the designated seats during the election filing period. 

 

Candidates have until the close of the filing period to sign up for a seat and they also have until the close of the filing period to withdraw their name as a candidate.  Therefore, as the end of the filing period approaches a candidate could withdraw their name from a designated seat and re-file for another designated seat.  It should also be noted that this year there will be a two year seat on the ballot and if a candidate wants a two year term they will have to file for this designated seat, and they will only be running against those who chose to file for this seat.

 

Should no one choose to file for a designated seat Alaska Statute 29.20.150 states that the person currently in the seat in question would continue to serve in that seat until a successor is determined. This could be until the next election, or until the City Council declared the seat to be vacant.  At which time the City Council could determine how the seat would be filled until the next election.  Alaska Title 29 Statutes would apply since City Code 1.24.030 doesn’t address a successor when a seat is vacant.