On Friday, the Boulder Creek Room at the public library was packed with people eager to learn a little more about five of the 22 candidates vying for seven open seats on the Boulder City Council.

Seth Brigham, Shawn Coleman, Susan Peterson, Ken Wilson and Tom Riley spoke at the first of four lunchtime discussions organized this month by PLAN-Boulder County to meet the candidates in the November election.

Brigham, 42, expressed frustration over the way Boulder's government works, including a lack of transparency in the way decisions are made, questions over where the revenue from a wealthy tax base is going and disappointment with the lack of diversity on government advisory boards.

"The years I've lived here, I've discovered corruption within the city," he said. "I became very frustrated and thought, 'I'm going to run for Council.'"

He also openly discussed his mental illness, which he described as manic depression, but noted he has an "intelligent mind" and can make rational decisions. He also said that living on disability payments from Social Security would allow him to focus all of his energy and time on City Council work if he is elected.

Coleman, 29, talked about the need for balance on the City Council and the "need to actually listen to someone you might disagree with."

Coleman said he was generally against housing developments or building on land that is protected by Area III of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, but that in all cases hewould want to hear the other side and work toward a solution.

"The inefficiency I see in the Boulder city government is that, frequently, people on either side of a debate aren't able to compromise," he said.

Peterson, 51, attributed her initial desire to run for the council to frustration over a development near a trail on which she likes to run.

"I can't think of any plans that would justify building in the area," Peterson responded to a question about building in Area III of the comprehensive plan.

She also said the focus of her campaign is to "redefine progress" and not simply equate building with moving forward as a city.

Wilson, 57, was the only incumbent at Friday's event. He talked about his commitment to open space and limiting urban sprawl, and he promised to continue to use his analytical skills to find efficiencies in the city's budget.

"I am enjoying being on Council ÷ it's a heck of a lot of work," he said. "But I'm willing to put the time in. You can't make good decisions without good information."

Riley, 39, said he wants to get down to the "real issues" of how policies made by the City Council affect people in the community. If elected, he promised to bring his experience working with nonprofits to the council and hopes to bring more vision and purpose.

Riley was also "hesitant" to recommend building outside of the current city boundaries and was an advocate for honest, straightforward governing.

"I have a pretty high standard for transparency," he said. "Deals should not be made in the back room."

ON THE BALLOT

Besides filling the seven vacant seats on the City Council, Boulder voters will be asked to decide on four ballot questions in the November election that would amend the city's charter.

Question 2A

This measure would allow the City Council to grant leases of public streets or places for up to 40 years. The current charter sets a maximum lease period of 20 years.

Question 2B

This measure would provide a $500 compensation to City Council members per meeting attended, not to exceed $1,000 per month. Now, members receive $169.89 per meeting.

Question 2C

This measure would remove members from the City Council if they are convicted of a felony.

Question 2D

This measure addresses how vacancies are filled on the City Council. If one or two vacancies occur between the first of the year and July 1, an election to fill the seats will happen on the first Tuesday in November of that year. If the vacancy occurs after July 1, then the seat won't be filled until November of the following year. The vacancy may be filled earlier only if another city election is already scheduled at an earlier date and it is feasible to fill the vacancy at the same time.

If three or more vacancies occur, a special election will be held within 90 days or as soon thereafter as possible. If more than four vacancies exist, prior to the special election to fill those vacancies, the majority of the remaining council shall comprise a quorum.