General Counsel Commission

MINUTES GENERAL COUNSEL COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 3, 2022 Present: Council Member Carta, Chair, Council Member Blackwell, Council Member Salafia, Council Member Nocera, and Council Member Ed Ford (present by item 4A.). Staff: Deputy General Counsel Kori Wisneski Public: Republican Registrar of Voters, David Bauer; Democratic Registrar of Voters, Lisa Santangelo; Town Clerk Ashley Flynn-Natale 1. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. 2. Public Comment: None 3. Approval of March 10, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes Council Member Blackwell made a MOTION to approve the minutes. The Motion was seconded by Council Member Nocera. The Motion passed unanimously of those present and voting. 4. New Business A. Democratic Registrar’s Proposal for Voting Districts (Chapter 36): Ordinance and Map Registrar Santangelo introduced her proposal for new voting districts. She explained that redistricting happens every 10 years and she is proposing twelve districts as set forth in the map that was shared with the group during the meeting. Council Member Salafia had concerns about how the districts were separated out. Council Member Ford asked about the financial impact of her proposal. Council Members Nocera and Blackwell had concerns about changing the districts significantly now that more people will likely be going back to voting locations rather than using absentee ballots. B. Republican Registrar’s Proposal for Voting District: Ordinance and Map Council Member Nocera made a MOTION to amend the agenda to add Registrar Bauer’s proposed ordinance for consideration. The Motion was seconded by Council Member Blackwell. The Motion passed unanimously. Registrar Bauer took this opportunity to discuss his proposal of seven voting districts. During the conversation, he stated that he could propose 8 districts if they wanted to keep South Fire as a voting district. No official motion was made on this point. Discussion ensued on the viability of each proposal and how to proceed. Attorney Wisneski explained that if both registrars intended to pursue their proposals, then both options would have to be presented to the full Council as the state statute requires that the legislative body decide voting districts when the registrars disagree. Attorney Wisneski also explained that this commission could vote to recommend one over the other even though both will have to go to the Council for a vote. Council Member Nocera voted to recommend the Democratic Registrar’s proposal for voting districts and move both options to the Council. Council Member Blackwell seconded the motion. The Motion passed 4 to 1 with Council Member Salafia voting nay. 5. Other: Some discussion ensued about the appropriate way for these items to appear on the May 10, 2022 agenda pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order. Attorney Wisneski stated that she would pass these thoughts on to General Counsel Brig Smith and she would forward all the relevant materials to Council Clerk Linda Reed for inclusion on the May 10, 2022 Special Common Council Meeting. 6. Adjournment: Council Member Blackwell made a MOTION to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. The Motion was seconded by Council Member Ford. The Motion passed unanimously.