Ward & Boundary Commission

WARD & BOUNDARY COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:00 a.m. City Hall – Council Chambers PRESENT: Chairman Alan Donaldson, Commission members: Don West, David Huffman 2nd wards vacancy, Steve Carpenter, William Ryan, Roger Banks (absent) Clerk Linda Tucker, and Assistant City Engineer Damien Davis. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Donaldson at 10:10 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Commissioner Ryan, second by Commissioner Carpenter to approve the minutes from November 12, 2014 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. (Roger Banks, Third Ward/Absent; David Huffman, Second Ward/Vacancy). PUBLIC PORTION: Jenny Selin, 1224 Fairlawn Avenue, requested that the Commission check a recent Court Case to make sure the Commission is doing everything legally. Chair Alan Donaldson suspended the rules to open the floor for dialogue between Jenny Selin and members. After discussion, motion by Ryan, second by West requesting that the City Attorney research the Court Case and have a ruling by the next meeting. Motion carried 5-0. (Roger Banks, Third Ward/Absent; David Huffman, Second Ward/Vacancy). Wes Nugent, 126 Willowdale Road, thanked the Commission for their work on the process of updating ward boundaries over the past year. He also offered background information regarding the importance of updating definitions of ward boundaries, as well as equalizing wards based on the number of registered voters to adhere to the City Charter. He spoke to other comments previously offered during the public portion, and offered his personal opinions regarding the process by which the Commission has conducted its work. He implored the Commission to validate and consider any applicable information in a timely fashion so as to report to City Council at the November Committee of the Whole meeting when the Commission's official report is due; and thanked the Commission for their continued service. There being no more appearances, Chairman Donaldson declared the Public Portion closed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  A. Review voter registration data from November 4th General Election: City Clerk, Linda Tucker informed the Commission that the voter registration numbers are not ready yet at the County Clerk will send to City Clerk as soon as she has the numbers. Mrs. Tucker will continue to contact the County Clerk and try to have the Voter Registration numbers by the next meeting. B. Review and edit ordinance to present to Council: After discussion, the Commissioners then asked that a new map be provided for the next meeting to assist in the preparation of the Ordinance. The new map should illustrate all the boundary adjustments made in the last two meetings of the Commission, including precinct boundaries and annexations. Damien Davis, Interim City Engineer said he would prepare the description for the 2nd Ward Commissioner, since there is a vacancy there. They also requested updated Voter Registration Numbers from the County Clerk. By consensus next meeting will be on November 19th, 2014 from 10am to noon. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, meeting adjourned by unanimous consent. Time: 10:55am Prepared by: _________________________ Chair Linda Tucker Date Approved: _________________