The Des Moines City Council is looking at a resolution to amend the council rules. One council member proposing changes to the powers of the mayor, and how the mayor is elected.

A committee, consisting of Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler and Councilmembers Scott Thomasson and Carmen Scott, was created in April to review council rules and propose amendments.

In the proposed amendments made by the committee a council member would have to have served two years to be considered for mayor.

The mayor would be elected by a majority vote by the council.

Also suggested by the committee were amendments that would make the mayor the voice of the council and the city. The mayor would inform the city staff and the public about issues affecting the city.

The mayor would have the power to make proclamations for the council and act as the lead in representing Des Moines to organizations and local and foreign governments who are interested in joint ventures to bring economic development and investments to the city.

Any action, or committing of the city must receive majority approval by the rest of the council.

No action could be taken on the amendments beyond passing it to a second reading until the next council meeting, which will be Sept. 23.

Most Councilmembers chose to wait for their discussion until then. Councilman Dan Sherman did speak out against several of the changes, and suggested some changes of his own.

Sherman wanted all of the added language making the mayor the voice of the city taken out. Specifically with regards to issuing proclamations for the council and representing the council to investors, Sherman said he wants the council to be able provide input.

Sherman proposes to do away with the elected mayor completely and move to a rotating scale so every councilmember has an opportunity to become mayor.

Sherman's suggestion would require at least one year instead of two years on the council to serve as the mayor. The Mayor Pro-Tem would be the next councilmember up next to become mayor.

"I don't know why we would want to tie the hands of the Council," Sherman said. "We can decide for ourselves."

While the other council members remained quiet during this meeting, it is likely there will be a lively discussion when this issue is brought up again on Sept. 23.