City Council weighs library vote options in Aberdeen
By Elisa Sand, American News, Aberdeen, S.D. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Residents looking to call for a public vote on the public library project need to carefully evaluate what they are asking the public to vote for.
During an open discussion about what actions are subject to a referendum or what question could be considered in an initiated measure, city attorney Ron Wager stopped short of providing specific information on whether action so far could be referred.
"Without a petition filed, I can't provide information on what can be referred," Wager said.
Wager and Finance Officer
Wager did say there are two options the public can take -- a referendum based on legislative action by the council -- for example, the appropriation of money -- or an initiated measure.
Asked by Councilman
Wager then said Bunsness was also correct in stating that an initiated measure could not change the context of a project currently being considered.
When Councilman
Wager said if an action by the council is referred, it must be done so by a member of the public and not a public official. That referendum must be submitted within 20 days of the action's publication.
"In the event of a public library building, and depending on how it's financed, it might be subject to the vote of the people," Wager said. Sixty percent of the voters would have to approve that ballot question.
Alberts said a general obligation bond has to be put to the public for a vote, but a sales tax ordinance would be something the public could refer to a public vote.
While there is no official timeline on how long a group has to submit an initiated measure, Wager said, signatures on a petition have to be collected in less than six months. Either petition requires at least 857 signatures of registered voters in
"A private citizen has to be careful in drafting the referendum," Wager said. "It would be very difficult without an attorney."
Coventry building
According to a letter obtained by the
That letter indicates a 10-year lease option with
The Coventry building, at
The building was last occupied by
"We want to get the building filled or sold. That means development will take place," he said.
Train whistles
Remily said he's received questions about what it would take to eliminate the need for train whistles at the railroad crossings in
City Manager
Levsen said he has been asked if the railroad whistles violated the allowed decibel level, and Police Chief
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