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.
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Lyman Fletcher, Chairman