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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Actions 07-28-97o ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING Call to Order. JULY28, 1997 7:00p. m. ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER EXHIBIT HALL 710 WILLIAMSON ROAD, N. E. AGENDA Roll Call. Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America will be led by Mayor David A. Bowers. Recognition of members of the Modified Election District Task Force. Mayor Bowers. Statement of Purpose. Mayor Bowers. Summary of proposed plan. Wilbum C. Dibling, Jr., City Attorney. Comments by citizens. 9. Adjournment. Welcome to this Public Hearing on the Modified Election District Plan presented by the Citizens' Task Force on a Modified Election District Plan. By motion made at the Council meeting of April 22, 1996, this Council created the Citizens' Task Force. City Council gave the Task Force the charge of devising the best modified election district plan for the City of Roanoke. The Task Force was not charged to recommend whether the City should have a modified election district plan. The Task Force rendered its final report to City Council on June 16, 1997. Force have complied with their charge, and The members of the Task now it is this Council's responsibility to carefully review the proposed plan and adopt the final plan to present to the voters on November 4, 1997. The Task Force required approximately one year to complete its work. Now, if we are to achieve our goal of a November referendum, this Council must complete its work by August 18, 1997. On July 15, City Council held it~first work session with respect to the recommended plan. We have been briefed on the applicable law, adopted a resolution establishing objective guidelines for our work and begun to scrutinize the plan presented to us. Tomorrow City Council will hold a second work session to continue its work. Tonight is the opportunity for citizen comment, and I know that all of City Council is anxious to receive the views of our citizens. As Council deliberates tomorrow in its work session, I know that the comments and suggestions we receive tonight will be very important to each of us. We very much appreciate the presence tonight of interested citizens, the media and members of the Task Force. At this time, I want to recognize the members of the Task Force and thank them for their important work. QUESTIONS FOR THE AUDIENCE: Those who are in favor of the proposed plan, please stand. Those who are in favor of changes to the proposed plan or another plan, please stand. Those who are against the ward system, please stand. WILBURN C. DIBLING, JR. CITY A~TORNEY CITY OF ROANOKE OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY 464 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 215 CHURCH AVENUE, SW ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1595 TELEPHONE: 540-853-2431 FACSIMILE: 540-853-1221 E-MAIL:cityatty @ci.roanoke.va.us WILLIAM X PARSONS STEVEN J. TALEVI GLADYS L. YATES GARY E. TEGENKAMP ASSISTANT CITY A~FORNEYS July 25, 1997 The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Roanoke, Virginia Re: Election Districts Dear Mayor Bowers and Council Members: At 7:00 p.m. on July 28, 1997, at the Exhibit Hall of the Civic Center, City Council will hold a public hearing with respect to the final report of the Modified Election District Task Force. Recalling that there was some discussion at Council's workshop of July 15 as to limiting the subject matter of citizen testimony, I want to recommend that citizens be given broad latitude with respect to their testimony at Monday night's public hearing. The Public Notice, which was sent to the Roa, oke Times and Roam~ke Tribune prior to Council's workshop, states that "City Council will hold a public hearing on the recommendations of the Task Force .... "The broad language of the Public Notice invites citizens to speak for or against a modified election district system, as well as to address specific issues raised by the plan. Allowing broad latitude to citizens to speak their minds will also avoid any charges that City Council is attempting to censor remarks of the speakers in violation of their First Amendment rights. Council may, of course, want to establish time limits for the remarks of speakers at Monday night's public hearing. You will also recall that, at the July 15 workshop, it was suggested that Mike Urbanski, Chairman of the Task Force, would, after recognition of the Task Force members, present a summary of the plan recommended by the Task Force. Mr. Urbanski has declined to perform this duty because he does not want to be perceived as a supporter of the recommendations of the Task Force. Unfortunately, the Vice Chairman of the Task Force, Billy Bova, was not active during the last several months of the Task Force's work. Under these circumstances, the Mayor has requested that I present the summary of the recommended plan, and, with the consent of City Council, I will attempt to perform this role succinctly and briefly. Finally, in preparation for City Council's second workshop to be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 29, I have prepared the attached list of issues that need to be resolved by City Council. I hope this list will prove useful to you as you prepare for the second workshop. The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council July 25, 1997 Page 2 If you have legal questions as you prepare for the public hearing or workshop, please do not hesitate to give me a call. With kindest personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, Wilburn C. Dibling, Jr. City Attorney WCDj:snh Enclosures cc: W/Robert Herbert, City Manager 4Vlary F. Parker, City Clerk John R. Marlles, Chief, Planning and Community Development Matt Miller, Cartographer, Fifth Planning District Commission H: \CC\L-MODIgL~. J. MARY F. PARKER, CMC/AAE City Clerk CITY OF ROANOKE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 215 Church Avenue, S.W., Room 456 Roanoke, Virginia 24011-1536 TeLephone: (540) 853-2541 Fax: (540) 853-1145 SANDRA H. EAKIN Deputy City Clerk July 25, 1997 Mr. Michael F. Urbanski, Chair Mr. William D. Bestpitch Mr. William L. Bova Mr. Farley Childress Ms. Minnie G. Jones Mr. Maynard L. Keller Mr. Tony G. Martin Ms. Jeri N. Rogers Ms. Clarice E. Walker Ms. Mary S. Allen Ms. R. Jean Bevins Mr. Robert S. Callahan Ms. Lisa W. -thing Ms. Margie k 'amper Mr. R. Matthew Kennell Mr. Jim H. Phillips Ms. Norma R. Smith Mr. Peter White Dear Task Force Members: As you know, Roanoke City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 28, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., in the Exhibit Hall of the Roanoke Civic Center, with regard to a report of the Modified Election District Task Force. On behalf of the Council, you are cordially invited to attend the public hearing at which time the Members of City Council would like to recognize you for your service. With kindest regards, I am Sincerely, Mary F. Parker, CMC/AAE City Clerk MFP:sm pc: Linda J. Ferguson, Secretary, Modified Election District Task Force, 2741 Gordon Brook Drive, S. W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 H:~PARKER.g'hMO~FIED.WPO