Council directs staff to draft ordinance to move elder/alderperson terms to three years

At a recent City Council meeting, members directed staff to draft a charter ordinance that would change elder/alderperson term lengths from two years to three and create a staggered election schedule so roughly three seats come up each year.

Staff said the state statute currently sets two-year terms for alder positions and that a charter ordinance could allow the city to set its own terms; staff told the council that a two-thirds vote would be required to enact the change. "So 3, yeah, 3 elders up for election every 3 years instead of the 2 year terms," the staff member said when outlining the proposal.

Council members supported the idea’s goal of limiting simultaneous turnover. "I like the idea of saying where you don't have a bunch of new ones at 1 time," the Chair said. Supporters said three-year terms could provide continuity and reduce the prospect of a large portion of the council turning over in a single election.

Members also raised concerns about the effect on recruiting. One committee member cautioned that committing to a longer term might discourage prospective candidates; another noted members sometimes leave before terms end, which could increase vacancy appointments. Staff acknowledged those trade-offs and recommended attorney review of transition language. Staff identified Attorney Barthoff and Mead as resources to draft options for phasing implementation.

There was no formal vote on the ordinance language at the meeting. The council agreed to have staff and the city attorney draft ordinance language and return to the council with transition options and recommended text for future action.