#083 09-26-77 Recommend Conduct City ElectionsResolution No. 83
September 26, 1977
Member Swartz introduced and read the following written resolution:
RESOLUTION
(Recommendations Regarding Conduct of City Elections)
WHEREAS, following the 1975 election for City Council inquiries
were received regarding the adequacy of laws and ordinances governing local
election compaigns and the necessity for ethical rules of "fair play" in the
conduct of campaigns; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these inquiries and the failure of the 1976
Minnesota Legislature to enact new laws governing the subject, the City Council
appointed an ad hoc committee to study the matter of campaign ethics, survey the
applicable laws and regulations, interview government officials and interested
citizens and advertise for public comment; and
WHEREAS, on September 6, 1977, the committee reported that, while laws
existed governing certain aspects of local election campaigns, no rules or
regulations existed pertaining specifically to considerations of "ethics"
and "fair play" and that the subject of campaign ethics was not one of great
concern to neighboring communities or (based upon the lack of response to its
advertising) to the citizens of Golden Valley, but that affirmative suggestions
had been made by former candidates for city office; and
WHEREAS, despite the apparent absence of any significant problem,
and recognizing that the Council lacks enforcement authority, the committee
recommended that the City Council prepare and distribute explanatory material
and recommended guidelines to all candidates for city office; and
WHEREAS, after condisering the report of the ad hoc Committee the City
Council desires to adopt its recommendations in full, NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council for the City of Golden -Valley as
follows:
A. The City Clerk shall distribute to each candidate for city office
a copy of the summary of the pertinent provisions of the
Minnesota Statutes applicable to municipal elections prepared by
the ad hoc Committee.
B. The City Clerk shall distribute to each candidate for City Office
a copy of the following guidelines:
1. Candidates should be familiar with and adhere to the
applicable provisions of the Minnesota Statutes governing local
elections.
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Resolution No. 83 con't September 26, 1977
2. Candidates should give serious consideration to voluntary
disclosure of all campaign contributions, regardless of the
nature of the committee to whom they are given.
3. Candidates have a responsibility to insure that in those cases
where campaign literature or mailings are either approved by or
financed in whole or in part by a candidate or any of his or
her committees such fact be clearly disclosed on such materials.
4. Candidates should give prime attention to considerations of
"fair play", paritcularly as related to the timeliness of
campaign literature. Specifically, campaign literature
commenting on other candidates should allow sufficient time
for response.
5. Candidates should assume ultimate responsibility for the
distribution, maintenance and removal of all campaign signs and
campaign material.
6. Candidates should urge compliance with the guidelines by
all supporting committees and workers.
Robert R. Hoover, Mayor
ATTEST:
John Murphy, Y.1ily Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by
Member Johnson and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor
thereof: Anderson, Hoover, Johnson, Swartz and Thorsen; and the following voted
against the same: none, whereupon said resolution decalred duly passed and
adopted, signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Clerk.
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