HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20110304 Special Meeting Aspen City Council March 4, 2011
Mayor Ireland called the meeting to order at 3 PM with Councilmembers Torre, Skadron and Johnson
present.
COUNCIL VACANCY
Mayor Ireland noted that Howie Mallory withdrew his application so there are 7 good candidates from
which to choose. Mayor Ireland stated the city attorney has advised Council they may vote by secret
ballot; at the conclusion of the proceedings, Council may or may not disclose the ballots.
Council voted on paper ballots. Jim True, special counsel, announced the tally - 2, 1, 1 with no majority
for any candidate. Council voted again. True announced the tally -1, 1, 1, 1 with no majority for any
candidate. Council voted again on paper ballots. True announced the tally — 1, 1, 1, 1 with no majority
for any candidate.
Marilyn Marks suggested approval voting. Council voted again the tally was 2, 1, 1, with no majority.
Councilman Skadron suggested eliminating the candidates who received no votes. Ms. Marks
suggested putting yes /no each to every candidate and eliminating those with no yeses. Councilman
Johnson agreed he would like to mark all the candidates on a ballot that are acceptable. John
Worcester, city attorney, asked Council how many candidates should be eliminated /round. Councilman
Johnson said any candidate with unanimous "no" should be eliminated. Rob Ittner suggested any
candidate with two no votes should be eliminated, as that candidate would not have a chance of getting
3 votes. Mayor Ireland suggested circling 3 per ballot that each Council finds best. Staff can tally these
and then there will be a ballot among the top 3 vote getters.
Worcester announced 4 candidates — Ruth Kruger, Catherine Markle, Cliff Weiss and Jag Pagnucco.
Council voted for their top two out of this list. Worcester announced the 3 remaining candidates - Ruth
Kruger, Catherine Markle and Jag Pagnucco. Council voted for one candidate. Worcester said the tally is
2, 1, 1. Mayor Ireland suggested Council vote for 2 of these candidates and the candidate with the most
votes wins. Worcester announced the final ballot is Ruth Kruger and Catherine Markle. Worcester
showed Council the final ballot so they could certify the ballots. Mayor Ireland and Council agreed the
final result is Ruth Kruger.
Worcester told Council there has been a request to release the ballots to the public. Worcester opined
the ballots are not necessarily subject to the public records. Worcester said if Council decides to release
the ballots, they will be shuffled. Councilman Skadron said he would prefer not to release the ballots;
the other Council said the ballots could be released.
Councilman Johnson moved to adjourn at 3:35 PM; seconded by Councilman Torre. All in favor,
motion carried.
� �
Kathryn Koch, City Clerk
1