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Minutes for the Nominating and Rules Committee meeting on June 20, 2006.
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Nominating & Rules Committee Minutes
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
12:00 p.m.
Members present were: Tim McCall, Chris Moore, Cecil Province and Alec Farmer.
MAYOR’S OFFICE
Discussion concerning Council members on the boards and commissions: Councilman Farmer discussed Council members serving on the various boards and committees. He noted City Attorney Phillip Crego has not looked over the information yet. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Farmer, recommending to the City Council appointing Council members to the boards and commissions with the conditions Mr. Crego approves and find out if a Council member can serve as a voting member on the Airport Commission; if so, then add a Council member to the Airport Commission. All voted aye.
CDBG board appointments resolution: Ms. Gayle Vickers explained the resolutions approved at the last meeting concerning appointments to the CDBG board were not submitted in time to make it on the Council agenda. Chairman McCall questioned why she did not amend the existing resolution on the agenda concerning other appointments to include the CDBG appointments. Ms. Vickers stated Mr. Brian Wadley put together the other resolution and he is currently out of town. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Farmer, to bring the resolution up under new business at the June 20th Council meeting. All voted aye.
By-ward voting: Chairman McCall discussed the public hearing regarding by-ward voting that was held earlier this year. He added his main concern over ward voting is the amount of accountability each Council member would have to people outside their ward, especially in situations such as rezonings. Councilman Farmer also discussed whether Council members would still make the best decision for the whole city if they are only elected by one ward. Chairman McCall added a lot of Council members spend a lot of personal time looking at things around town, but it’s unknown how future Council members will act. Dr Charles Coleman stated he thinks a hybrid system is the best option, but they don’t have anyone keeping them up to date on what is going on in the city. Dr. Coleman added they are going to form a committee to keep in contact with the City Council. He explained he’s most troubled about the lack of communication between some of the Council members and their wards. He stated the Council may not be able to control everything that goes on the city concerning businesses, but they can ask questions. Dr. Coleman added Councilman Moore was very helpful explaining how some things worked with the City and he answered several questions. Chairman McCall stated he thinks there’s a lack of understanding of how processes and procedures work in city government. City Clerk Donna Jackson added when new aldermen come into office, they’re faced with the problem of learning how city government works like everyone else. Councilman Farmer stated when he came into office he thought ward voting was a good idea. He added he now thinks at-large voting is the best solution because of the way things are set up now. Councilman Farmer explained there still needs to be some responsibility from people who don’t think they’re being represented. Councilman Farmer noted there were only 25 people at the public hearing to discuss ward voting. Mr. Everett Fair stated people may see by-ward voting as a way to get increased representation. He added a lot of people in Jonesboro don’t know who represent them and haven’t had a chance to speak with their representatives. Mr. Fair further stated some people are not comfortable speaking with Council members, even if they have an issue to discuss. Dr. Coleman discussed an incident about a year ago when he went to a committee to discuss sidewalks and was met with a rude remark. Councilman Moore stated at-large voting allows the whole city to vote on Council members and makes every Council member accountable to everyone in the City, not just the people in their ward. He added the loss of accountability to every voted could create a system of self-interest and a lack of accountability of the Council to work as a whole on matters of the City as a whole. He further added there should be evidence supporting a change and the burden of proof should lie on the people wanting the change, not the Council. He recommended the supporters of by-ward voting to submit a written plan and arguments to be reviewed. Chairman McCall stated he’s only had two people contact him that were for by-ward voting. He added he’s had more comments regarding going towards a city manager form of government than by-ward voting. Councilman Province stated that one of the reasons Jonesboro has grown and has the personality it does is because the system works and has worked in the past. Dr. Coleman questioned the stop signs on Burke Street between Fisher and Elm. Mr. Fair stated most citizens will not come up and talk to a Council member. He added that the majority of people don’t know the Council members in person unless they’ve seen them in the paper. Dr. Coleman stated some people don’t listen to the radio, don’t watch the news and can’t read so they have a harder time keeping up with events. Chairman questioned whether there were other options rather than changing the system to accommodate the outcome that’s needed in many areas of town. Dr. Coleman said that’s a possibility, but it’s also the citizen’s responsibility to try to be informed as well. Chairman McCall explained holding public meetings has been discussed to stay in contact with citizens. Mr. Fair stated it’s also a matter of staying in contact with and building relationships with constituents. He added the citizens have to feel comfortable talking with the Council members, even if they don’t agree with them.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. All voted aye.