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