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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM031902CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session March 19, 2002 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ATTENDEES Mayor: Bill Walton Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, and Bill Stults were present. Dennis Richardson and Dave Gilmour were absent. City Administrator Jim Bennett and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Election Wards/Precincts City Administrator Jim Bennett presented a map of Precincts from the Jackson County Elections office. He stated that the amount of registered voters in each precinct has prompted the County to adjust precincts according to population. The Central Point Municipal Code states that Wards are set according to voting precincts. In order to adjust the City Wards it is necessary to redesign the boundary's by Council Resolution. Discussion Topics: There was discussion about doing away with Wards all together and having all Council Members at-large. It was suggested that they try At-Large positions for a few years and if that does not work they could change back to Wards. It was stated that there are challenges trying to get citizens involved enough in certain areas of the City and that some Wards will not have a representative run for office. Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of specific wards. They are concerned that citizens would like to have a Council member who represents the area they live in. It was suggested that the Council redesign the Wards of the City to match the boundaries of the County precincts, and keep a CounciV representative in each Ward and continue having two At-large positions. However, the Council suggested that all Council be voted on by the citizens of Central Point like an At-large position and the Mayor. Mr. Bennett explained that Wards I, II, and III, and the Mayor positions will be up for election in November, 2002. The filing periods for these positions will be August 7, 2002 to August 27, 2002. If the Council wishes to change the boundaries of the Wards it will need to be done in a timely manner. Conclusion: Staff will prepare an Ordinance and hold a Public Hearing to implement the change to boundaries of the Wards for the City of Central Point to agree with the boundaries of Jackson County Precincts. IV. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for March 19, 2002, was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session March 19, 2002 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ATTENDEES Mayor: Bill Walton Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, and Bill Stults were present. Dennis Richardson and Dave Gilmour were absent. City Administrator Jim Bennett and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. IV BUSINESS A. Election Wards/Precincts City Administrator Jim Bennett presented a map of Precincts from the Jackson County Elections office. He stated that the amount of registered voters in each precinct has prompted the County to adjust precincts according to population. The Central Point Municipal Code states that Wards are set according to voting precincts. In order to adjust the City Wards it is necessary to redesign the boundary's by Council Resolution. Discussion Topics: There was discussion about doing away with Wards all together and having all Council Members at-large. It was suggested that they try At-Large positions for a few years and if that does not work they could change back to Wards. It was stated that there are challenges trying to get citizens involved enough in certain areas of the City and that some Wards will not have a representative run for office. Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of specific wards. They are concerned that citizens would like to have a Council member who represents the area they live in. It was suggested that the Council redesign the Wards of the City to match the boundaries of the County precincts, and keep a Council representative in each Ward and continue having two At-large positions. However, the Council suggested that all Council be voted on by the citizens of Central Point like an At-large position and the Mayor. Mr. Bennett explained that Wards I, II, and III, and the Mayor positions will be up for election in November, 2002. The filing periods for these positions will be August 7, 2002 to August 27, 2002. If the Council wishes to change the boundaries of the Wards it will need to be done in a timely manner. Conclusion: Staff will prepare an Ordinance and hold a Public Hearing to implement the change to boundaries of the Wards for the City of Central Point to agree with the boundaries of Jackson County Precincts. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for March 19, 2002, was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.