City committee forwards decision on term limits without recommendation

By Brandi Makuski

Committee members made no decision Monday on a proposal to change the city ordinance by imposing term limits, forwarding the issue without a recommendation to the full City Council on April 17.

During the 30-minute discussion on April 10, members of the Stevens Point Public Policy and General Government Committee gave the issue mixed reviews.

The proposal, initiated by outgoing Councilwoman Polly Dalton (D9), would limit members of the Council, also known as alders, to four two-year terms in office. Anyone serving in the role as mayor would be limited to three terms.

The proposal calls for terms to be counted cumulatively, not consecutively.

Dalton said for citizens considering a run, it would be beneficial “knowing that there are parameters for people who are making the commitment,” arguing a term limit would help those “shape the motivation” for anyone considering a run.

Councilwoman Ginger Keymer, who represents District 3, claims to have heard from about 25 people on the issue and fewer than one-third were in favor of term limits.

“A number people felt that Stevens Point was too small of a city to limit involvement. I think a lot of people were kind of grey on this, and that’s where I kind of am,” Keymer said, adding many in her district felt the issue should be decided by voters via referendum.

Councilwoman Mary Kneebone (D7), said she believes the current system is working just fine.

“We just had [an election] and there was an opportunity for districts to chose who they want to represent,” Kneebone said. “I think that’s enough. If a district really likes their alder, why should thy lose that opportunity?”

District 1 Alderman Marc Christianson agreed, adding, that “elections basically function as a term limit,” and that the public has a chance to weigh in every two years.

District 4 Councilwoman Mykeerah Zarazua said there was a steep learning curve for serving on the Council — and nothing is standing in the way of new people running for office. She said the majority of voters she heard from where in not in favor of term limits.

Committee chair, Keely Fishler of District 10, said she also had mixed feelings.

“I think [a term limit] makes more sense at the state or federal level because people can sometimes be serving for decades and sometimes be out of touch with their voters,” she said.

Councilman Shaun Morrow of D1 said he didn’t think there were any barriers to running for local office — in fact, most elected positions don’t see challengers at all.

“What’s nice about the city is, we don’t have people who are here for 20, 30 years; we cycle through pretty evenly. Alder Kneebone and I have eight years, and we’re the senior [members] here. And I’m still learning, each year I learn more and more. People come into this position thinking thy know what it is, and they really don’t.”

Morrow also pointed out that approving the Hoover Ave. overpass took about 15 years, and encouraging more frequent turnover in city positions would put most projects in a similar position.

The City Council meets on April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Stevens Point Police Department, 933 Michigan Ave. The public is welcome to attend.