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Council schedules ballot items for upcoming election, limits staff advocacy on public education
Summary
The council confirmed two referendum items for the ballot — a parking-lot question and the sale of roughly 0.16 acres of parkland — approved hiring election workers and discussed limits on city-funded voter education and how the city will provide informational maps and ballot language.
The City Council confirmed two items that will appear on an upcoming ballot — a question about the Aspen parking lot vs. Ironwood and a proposal to sell about 0.16 acres of parkland — and approved hiring election workers to staff the vote.
The council approved hiring election workers, with pay set at $350 for superintendents and $300 for deputies for the day. The council also discussed how information about the ballot items will be provided to voters without the city advocating for or against the measures.
Council members and staff said the city cannot use municipal funds to advocate for or against ballot measures. A staff member told the council, “the city itself can't spend any money on it, on any boats, education. We cannot spend any money. Not lobby. We can't lobby.” The council said it will direct people to the city’s election webpage, which contains the city attorney–approved ballot language and maps showing the specific parcels under consideration.
City staff said the webpage will include a map labeled to make clear the sale covers a small strip of parkland — “we don't want people to perceive it's the whole park. It's just 20 or 25 feet,” a staff member said — and maps of the Aspen and Ironwood parking areas. The council also noted local media coverage; the newspaper is preparing a multi-part series on the Ironwood parking-lot proposal.
Council members said petitions to place candidates on the ballot remain possible; Ward 2 is open and will depend on how many petitions are filed. When asked about the petition deadline, a staff member said petitions are due at the end of the month and added, “I think it's the 28th, that Friday.”
The council motion to hire election workers passed by voice vote.
Looking ahead, staff described plans to post information and maps on the city website and to answer phone calls for additional information. Council members reiterated that while individual councilors may express opinions, city staff must remain neutral and may only provide the attorney-approved factual materials.
Ending: The council approved the election staffing and confirmed the two ballot items will appear as described; the council will provide informational maps and the city attorney’s ballot language on the election webpage and will not use city funds to advocate for either side.
