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5-21-07 Minutes vMINUTES DISTRICT REPRESENTATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING May 21, 2007 CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD Attendance IN ATTENDANCE: Chairman Lyman Fletcher Ms. Carol Anderson Mr. Reed Beaubouef Ms. Kathy Carithers Ms. Joan Carver Mr. John Fletcher Ms. Joyce Freeman Mr. Steve Litton Ms. Maureen Shaughnessy Mr. Norm Thompson City Manager/Liaison Jim Hanson Administrative Assistant Nancy Bailey ABSENT: Ms. Gail Baker Mr. Bob Ballow Mr. Johnny Bass Ms. Ann Bowers Mr. Jack Robbins Call to Order Lyman Fletcher called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Review of questions 1. Review draft "Facts Identified by District Representation Study Committee" Lyman Fletcher opened the discussion and requested Steve Litton review the draft. John Fletcher stated he was not notified of the second meeting of the Subcommittee held on May 16, which was set at the Subcommittee's first meeting on May 9, which he was unable to attend. Although the meeting was posted outside of City Hall, Chairman Fletcher stated they need to notify staff so staff can send a notice to members of the committee. The committee members discussed several points making changes and suggestions. Norm Thompson suggested the Committee move ahead and get to the recommendation discussion. He moved that the Committee adopt the draft as is. Motion• Adoat Draft "Facts Identified by District Representation Study Committee" Moved by Norm Thompson, seconded by Kathy Carithers Motion carried unanimously. Joan Carver, Chairman of the Writing Subcommittee, reviewed the one paragraph recommendation from the Subcommittee, with a special emphasis on the logic behind it. Among other things, she discussed their recommendation to redraw the precinct lines to make them more equal in population size. She also noted a concern that the Committee had that most past elected officials in Atlantic Beach came from three of the four districts. Ms. Carver expressed a desire to see a change in the election process so Mav 2l 200'7 DISTRICT REPRESENTATION STUDY COMMITTEE Page 2 different people could be elected. The Committee further discussed the recommendation presented by Ms. Carver but no definitive answers were given as to how to further amend the districts. Norm Thompson questioned what will happen if no candidates run from a district. Reed Beaubouef stated what they cannot do is make their decision based on what ifs. Chairman Fletcher reminded the Committee that the districts have to be equal as faz as population. Kathy Carithers left the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Kathy Carithers returned at 7:54 p.m. A motion was made by Joan Carver and seconded by Kathy Carithers to adopt the wording in the Recommendation paragraph of the Subcommittee, but without any reference to the Subcommittee itself. Motion• Amend Charter to adopt four districts to be established, that commission candidates be required to live in the districts from which then run, and that the candidates be voted on city wide. To implement this proposal. it will be necessary to establish the districtJprecinct boundaries, ensuring that the four districts are approximately equal in population. Moved by Joan Carver, seconded by Kathy Carithers Considerable discussion followed. Chairman Fletcher stated he wanted an education component to be included in the final report because public education would be needed prior to any referendum so the voters would better understand the issues. The Committee was in general consensus on this point. Members then discussed the downside of coming to a final recommendation at the meeting tonight, citing there were five members absent. After this discussion, the motion and second to adopt the Subcommittee's recommendation were withdrawn by the makers. Committee Report 2. Discussion of final committee report, next step Chairman Fletcher indicated he would like to see several important components in the final report including education mentioned earlier, the implementation strategy (which commission seats would be voted by district and when), a list of data presented to the Committee, and a list of speakers. He asked Joan Carver and Kathy Carithers to work together to draft some of these items. Jim Hanson stated this should be put in the form of an executive summary. John Fletcher stated he would like to help Joan Carver and Kathy Carithers in writing the executive summary. After discussion, they concluded that no additional drafting work would be done until after the meeting on May 30. Set dates, times and 3. Set dates, times and subjects for future meetings subjects for next meetings Future meetings of the Committee are scheduled for the following dates: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 7:00 pm -formation meeting, go through options, Lyman Fletcher will not attend, Steve Litton will serve as Chairman. Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7:00 pm -Vote -Steve Litton and Carol Anderson will not attend. Mav 21 2007 DISTRICT REPRESENTATION STUDY COMMITTEE Paae 3 Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 7:00 pm -Steve Litton will not attend. Approval of Minutes 4. Review and approval of the minutes of April 30, 2007. Motion: Annrove minutes of April 30, 2007 meeting as written. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment There being no further discussion, Chairman Fletcher declared the meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. _----- ._ _ _~~~~_-:r---- Lyman Fletcher, Chairman