06/07/2011
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 7, 2011
Present:
Jack Geller Vice-Chair
Norma Carlough Committee Member
Bud Elias Committee Member
Nicholas Fritsch Committee Member
Keith Protonentis Committee Member
Ana Tuzzo Committee Member
Stan Vittetoe Committee Member –
departed at 5:39 p.m.
Howard Warshauer Committee Member
Sara Weber Committee Member
Douglas Williams Committee Member
Olin Wright Committee Member
Absent: Cyndie Goudeau Chair
Donald van Weezel Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the May 24, 2011 Charter Review Meeting as submitted in
written summation by the City Clerk,
Committee Member Carlough moved to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2011
Charter Review Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. New Business
3.1 Dr. Scott Paine, Professor of Government and World Affairs, University of Tampa -
Presentation on Districting.
Charter Review 2011-06-07 1
Dr. Paine provided a power point presentation. He reviewed forms of government and
options for electing councils. In at-large councils, elected officials are concerned with
keeping all city-wide constituents happy. In single member districts, the elected official
is concerned with support of the dominant interests in the district. It was noted that a
minority group will be better represented in a single member district council.
In response to questions, Dr. Paine said the larger the Council, the larger the decision
making body the harder the work becomes. If everyone on council is to be heard, there
is a lot of time to take for each member to have their say. A smaller council, in his
opinion, makes a more powerful City Manager; the City Manager only needs to keep 3
councilmembers happy. Regarding holding a municipal election in November, Dr. Paine
said there would be a lower cost of conducting the election, greater voter participation,
and the elections/terms of service would be in line with other elected bodies. He also
noted that there would be a higher cost of campaigning, a greater competition for media
attention, and a higher percentage of less informed voters. Dr. Paine noted municipal
elections are the last on a ballot, increasing voter drop-off.
Staff was requested to invite Mayor Hibbard to the next meeting to discuss his thoughts
on districting.
4. Citizens to be Heard - None.
5. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
L
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Attest:
City Clerk
Charter Review 2011-06-07