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Alternatives include the Council deciding to take an incremental approach, as on-line campaign <br />statements might be enough information before proceeding with something else. Another option <br />would be to approve the code of fair campaign practices, voluntary expenditure limits based on <br />Option 2 which is the 12 month period of the actual year, or Option 3 to approve the code of fair <br />campaign practices. With the mandatory electronic filing, this might be sufficient for now and the <br />Council can see how it goes before deciding whether a voluntary expenditure limit is necessary. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio said in some cities, the pledge appears in the candidates <br />statements. If the Council decided to do the pledge, she asked it be placed where everyone <br />could see it. Ms. Seto said then the Council would probably require the pledge to be taken <br />when nomination papers are filed. There would be disclosure for candidates but also on-line <br />disclosure in the cases where the local committees also sign it. <br />City Clerk Diaz noted that she would research the law concerning the ability to incorporate the <br />pledge into the word count for candidate statements. <br />Councilmember McGovern thought the best place to have this is by locating it at some place <br />which indicates they signed the ethics code and expenditure limit. <br />Councilmember Sullivan confirmed that staff's recommendation was to take the ethics pledge at <br />any time after nomination papers are filed up to the time of the election, similar to the State <br />Code. She recommends a voluntary expenditure limit pledge be signed at the time nomination <br />papers are filed. <br />The Mayor opened the item for public comment. <br />Marjorie Muentz, voiced concern about the last reporting period being after the election, and <br />supported on-line filing as it would be an accurate account of monies collected and spent. <br />John Carroll referred to the 200 word limit and felt the candidate would be remiss in leaving this <br />out. He supported Ms. Muentz concern about wanting to know how much is being spent and <br />what debt exists before the election. <br />Mayor Hosterman closed the public comment period. <br />Councilmember McGovern confirmed with the City Clerk that staff included having links to the <br />County and State on the City's website; that the contract for e-filing has been executed and it <br />could be start with the July 2008 filing period and training would be provided. <br />Councilmember McGovern referred to Section 3 of the ordinance for expenditure limits, and she <br />asked that the date to state "the last campaign statement before an election" as she wants the <br />public to know what was spent on all elections. She said if there is a 7 day cut-off for <br />expenditures, it would pretty much end her campaigning. <br />City Manager Fialho said if a candidate orders a newsletter to be circulated, the print house <br />does not invoice for 30 days and the cost is unknown. In this case, they might have bid at <br />$20,000 including postage, but postage may change or added costs might be applied, and it <br />might cost $21,000. This gives the opportunity for the candidate to retire the debt after the <br />election, while also adhering to the voluntary expenditure limit. <br />City Council Minutes 14 January 15, 2008 <br />