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204 Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the principles, Mr. Lynch seconded the motion, and they were approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Mr. Caravati noted that staff will begin to develop a request for proposals. PUBLIC HEARING: MOVFNG CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER Mr. O'Connell explained that the Council elections are now held in May of even years, and new State law allows Council to change the elections so that they are held in November. Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said that Council does not need to take any action to keep the elections in May, but must adopt an ordinance by the end of the year if they want to move the elections to November. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Virginia Roy, 511 North l~t Street, said she does know why we even have elections in May, and thinks they should be moved to November. Ms. Roy said it is hard to recruit volunteers to work the polls, and voter turnout will increase. Ms. Roy said she thinks local issues could be heard simultaneously with other elections as she thinks they are all related. Ms. Roy recommended that the change be made in two years if not done now. Mr. John Pfaltz said there are many masons to move the elections to November, including low voter turnout. Mr. Pfaltz said that while the argument about issues being lost has some validity, he does not think it has much. Mr. Pfaltz noted that only 28% of registered voters voted in the last Council election versus 75% in the last presidential election. Mr. Pfaltz said that he believes with a small turnout, a small block can control the elections. Mr. Pfaltz said that the move will also save money, and feels that it is reckless government not to save money where we can. Mr. David Repass, 227 E. Jefferson Street, said that one reasons we have so many elections is primaries, and he feels we should look at stopping those rather than move the local elections. If held in November, he said the voice of people on local issues will be undecipherable. Mr. Repass noted that only half of the elections would be in presidential elections years, and pointed out that only 19% of registered voters voted in the last Congressional election~ Mr. Repass said they are two very different kind of elections. Mr. Respass questioned what kind of a world class city cannot afford it own electiorr Ms. Alexandra Searls, Chesapeake Street, supported keeping Council elections in May. She said she is riveted by the chance to meet candidates and deal with local issues. Ms. Searls said we need to look at the real issue of why we have not motivated voters, and suggested that high school students be reach out to. Mr. Joseph Bishop, 15th Street, N.W. said he favors moving the elections to November because it will save money, help staffing of the polls, and create a longer election cycle and campaign period. Mr. Bishop urged Council to look into moving the elections to odd numbered years to coincide with state elections since local and state issues are intimately tied together. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said he thinks it would be best for Council to take no action. Mr. Kleeman asked if moving the elections would have any implications on the issue of the direct election of the mayor. Mr. Francis Fife, 501 9th Street, S.W., asked if Council feels that recent Councilors are not representative of the people; do they think we have poor government; and do they think that those who vote would not confuse issues if the elections were moved. Mr. Fife said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Mr. Fife said getting volunteers to staff the polls is not an unsuxmountable problem and said he feels local issues would get lost. He said it is disappointing that people do not vote, but that is their privilege. Mr.