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116. Regular Meeting November 22, 2004 Page 4 Early Voting dates during the May election, but can participate in the I Tuesday voting in a November election. 6) Tom Wassenich stated he does not feel the elections should be changed to November. He stated he feels the change of an election should be voted on by the citizens. 7) Celestino Mendez inquired as to whether the election date can be changed back if it is moved to November. 8) Amy Kirwin stated she supports keeping the elections in May. She stated in other Cities where they had a lot of items on the ballot, the voters did not complete their ballot. She stated she feels this is because of voter burnout on lengthy elections. She stated she is concerned if the City moves there election the cost that would increase for the School District, which would be collected through citizens' taxes. 9) Jerry Parker stated he is the Student Body President at Texas State University. He stated the Association of Student Government voted unanimously to support the election moving to November. Mayor Narvaiz asked if anyone else wished to speak. No one did, so Mayor Narvaiz closed the public hearing. Mr. Diaz moved for approval of the Ordinance on first reading, and Mr. Guerrero seconded the motion. Mr. Diaz inquired if the election is changed to November, can it be changed again. Mr. Mark Taylor stated in his opinion the Charter Amendment process could be used to change the election date back. Mr. Mark Taylor also stated the opinion of the Secretary of State's Office is an election date change would require authorization by the Legislature. He stated it would take an Attorney General's Opinion to I know. Mr. Diaz inquired whether the election date change should be voted on by the citizens. Mr. Mark Taylor stated the Charter Commission reviewed this issue several times, and feels it can be done as a vote by the citizens. He stated the Legislature has provided the Council with an opportunity to change the election date, and this opportunity may not come again in the future. Mr. Taylor stated he feels if the election date is changed to November, the election should be done in the years there is Senatorial or presidential race. Mr. Taylor stated he feels a move to November would mean fewer elections, which will lower the cost for the City. Mr. Bose inquired as to the list of cities who vote in November. Janis Womack, City Clerk, stated this list was provided by the Secretary of State's Office, but they could not identify whether those were General or Special Elections. She stated some of these Cities could have been holding a Bond Election or other Special Election to fill a vacancy. Mr. Bose asked if the City Council changes the election date, the citizens may not have recourse to change it again. Mr. Mark Taylor stated he believes the citizens can change the election date by Charter Amendment, but the Secretary of State's Office has a different opinion. Mr. Guerrero stated he feels the most important point is the voter turnout. Mr. Thomaides stated he feels the State Legislature has provided the opportunity for City Councils to go around the Charter Amendment process. He stated he opposes the change in the election date, which if changed will extend I terms for an additional six months and causes runoff elections take held in December. He stated he feels it will be difficult for door to door