City Council - Rules & Government Relations Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1400, ext. 460 Fax #: (413) 529-1417 MINUTES RULES AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Meeting 08/29/23 Attendees: R&GR Members: Remote Attendance Councilor Dan Rist, Chair Councilor Koni Denham, Clerk Councilor - J.P. Kwiecinski President Homar Gomez Remote Attendance: Additional Barbara Labombard Councilor Tom Peake Wallace Rapalus Paula Rapalus Meeting Called to Order at 5:30 pm. The meeting was video recorded. Minutes approved Councilor Denham moved. Chair Rist 2nd - Vote approved (2-0), Abstention (1). Public Speak - Sierra project is best addressed with the Planning Board 1. Old Business 1. Proposal for non-binding policy question on city ballot – multi-winner ranked choice voting  Chair Peake noted that the last time Council did a Charter amendment for RCV, state legislature was inaccessible, and their timeline does not coincide with the city’s timeline. This process allows for the Council to demonstrate to the legislature that the Council has already deliberated the issue and gone to the voters ask their opinion on the matter though a nonbinding ballot question to gauge their support for the issue. Therefore, if the legislature demands that Council present the issue to the voters, the Council can confirm that that process has already taken place. Additionally, there is no cost to the city.  Expressed concerns including wanting to make sure that the public understands what the issue is with RCV before it is a question on the ballot.  It was seen in operation to fill the vacancies in the School Committee election. The process seems straightforward for (5) people vying for one position, how is it different when (11) people are vying for (2) positions.  Deadline is September 20th Council Meeting for approval by Council, which is more than (35) days before the election. It is incumbent of the Council to educate the voters on all details of the RCV process to ensure understanding of the election method – although this is not the question at hand.  City Attorney provided suggested language for the changes with summary.  The advantage of this Charter change is that all elected positions will be voted on the same. There will not be one process for the Mayoral election and one for the Council election. Instructions will be the same for single winner races as it will be for multi-winner races. There is no expectation that there has to be a majority.  Expressed about how RCV might be manipulated, which has the potential of undermining results.  Proposed summary on the ballot. Request for Councilor Peake to prepare a summary for the committee to approve and send to the full Council for a vote.  There is expressed concern for low voter turnout for a municipal election.  Question about the procedure of the question. Should the question include the procedure of petitioning the state legislature or limit it to approval an RCV for all elections. However, as an alternative include the procedural aspect in summary to the voters.  The City Clerk confirmed language and timing to be able to include on the ballot. Effort to mirror language of the Secretary of State to include a “Yes vote means” and a “No vote means.” Provide a simple clarification for voters to understand the outcome of their vote.  Summary to include “Yes vote means” and “No vote means,” how does this help the voter, and if this is vote is affirmed by the voters the city will procede to petition the legislature. Educating the voters is paramount to our role as councilors.  Next meeting Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 pm 6:10 pm - Motion to adjourn – Councilor Denham, Councilor Kwiecinski– 2nd. Vote unanimous (3-0)