4-12-07 Minutes v MINUTES
DISTRICT REPRESENTATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING
April 12, 2007
CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD
Attendance IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms. Carol Anderson Ms. Joyce Freeman
Mr. Johnny Bass Mr. Steve Litton
Mr. Reed Beaubouef Mr. Norm Thompson
Ms. Kathy Carithers Ms. Maureen Shaughnessy
Ms. Joan Carver City Manager/Liaison Jim Hanson
City Clerk Donna L. Bussey
ABSENT:
Ms. Gail Baker Mr. John Fletcher
Mr. Bob Ballow Chairman Lyman Fletcher
Ms. Ann Bowers Mr. Jack Robbins
Call to Order Norm Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. explaining that Chairman
Fletcher was unable to attend this evening.
Approval of Minutes Motion: Approve minutes of February 19,2007 meeting as written. Motion
carried unanimously.
Public Works City Manager/Liaison Jim Hanson introduced Public Works Director Rick Carper. Mr.
Carper presented a slide show giving an overview of the Public Works Department, the
geographical allocation of public spending of capital funds, pavement resurfacing
management, sanitation complaints, and fix-it complaints received from the city's
website.
Reports Joyce Freeman reported on the Adele Grage meeting and stated there were nine people
at the meeting. Reed Beaubouef reported one of the points that was brought up was if
we split Atlantic Beach into districts we would not have qualified candidates run for
office.
Carol Anderson reported on the Donner meeting and stated there was only one family
that showed up plus Michael Hoffman. This family was in favor of districting because
it might help in their neighborhood with better streetlights and more police
involvement.
Kathy Carithers and Steve Litton reported on the third meeting at Jordan Park that there
were three people in attendance
Mr. Thompson questioned the Committee if they had to make a recommendation
tonight what would the response be.
April 12,2007 DISTRICT REPRESENTATION STUDY COMMITTEE Page 2
Kathy Carithers stated she wanted to give her report before he asks that question. She
stated Mr. Hanson provided her with five cities that had populations close in size to
Atlantic Beach and she contacted the Mayors or City Managers and asked what type of
election system they have. She stated four of the five cities have some sort of single
member districts and one of the five had the same system we have. Of particular
interest was Lake Wales, which just had a referendum on this very subject that failed.
She suggested the Committee look at the Lake Wales website to review the
amendment.
After further discussion, in response to Mr. Thompson's request for a recommendation,
the majority of the committee was still unsure of where they stand on districting. It was
requested that they focus on coming up with a recommendation at the next meeting
when all committee members can be present. Mr. Thompson suggested they vote at the
next meeting on April 30, 2007 to see where they stand. Several committee members
asked that a list of questions be distributed prior to the next meeting that would help
them think through their positions. Mr. Hanson agreed to get that done. Mr. Hanson
pointed out they are 10 weeks from the deadline of June 30 and stated the Commission
needs an answer by then so they will have time to make a decision to put it on the ballot
for the next election.
Mr. Hanson stated he would provide Ms. Carithers with a list of other cities,not just
those with districts, if she wants to speak with them before the next meeting. She stated
she would like him to do that.
Set dates,times and Additional meetings of the Committee were scheduled for the following dates:
iubjects for next
meetings. April 30, 2007 (appoint a committee at this meeting to write a recommendation)
Johnny Bass and Norm Thompson stated they will not be able to attend that meeting.
May 21, 2007
Adjournment There being no further discussion, Mr. Thompson declared the meeting adjourned at
9:12 p.m.
Lyman Fletcher, Chairman