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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE <br />HELD ON Thursday, March 10, 2005 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference <br />Room. <br /> <br />THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: <br /> <br />Work Session: Elections Study Task Force Report <br /> <br />BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR <br /> <br />BY Jeanne Cox <br /> <br />BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 10, 2005 <br /> <br /> Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: <br />Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. <br /> <br /> Councilors discussed the major areas discussed by the Elections Study Task <br />Force. <br /> <br />Alternative Voting Systems <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that of all of the alternative voting systems discussed, he thinks <br />the only one worth pursuing would be instant run-off voting. He said it may have <br />advantages, but it would take a lot of work to fight for in the General Assembly. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Sean O'Brien, Chairman of the <br />Task Force, said that a member of the public advocated for alternative voting systems <br />because she felt her vote did not count because she did not vote for the winners. She had <br />suggested that people have only one vote, but then supported the idea of a weighted vote. <br />He said proportionate voting had merit, but it was felt it needed more study. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he does not see the need to radically change the way people have <br />voted for 100 years. <br /> <br />Empower Neighborhood Associations <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that staff planners have been aligned with every neighborhood <br />associations, with the primary focus having been around development issues. He said <br />that he meets with the Federation of Neighborhood Associations and has neighborhood <br />walks. He said an e-mail listing was developed as a result of Comprehensive Plan <br />meetings which is used to notify citizens, and the City messaging system is used to notify <br />citizens as well. He said staff will continue to see what works. He said the idea of <br />empowering neighborhood associations relies on having active neighborhood <br />associations and presidents. He said that the Assistant City Manager also meets with the <br />Federation. <br /> Mr. Lynch said Council could offer to meet with the Federation monthly. He said <br />he thinks Neighborhood Development Services is doing a better job of communicating <br />with neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton noted that planners have stopped going to regular neighborhood <br />association meetings because they had too many meetings to attend. She said <br />neighborhoods felt they had a direct link to the City with the planners. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he thinks it would be better to meet with neighborhood <br />associations rather than the Federal because they have competing interests. He said this <br />would be a way to reach out. He said we could offer to have at least one Councilos <br />attend neighborhood association meetings. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said that while neighborhood associations serve a good purpose, it is <br />important not to overvalue or undervalue them. He said he is not any more responsive to <br />neighborhood association presidents than to individuals. He said many people do not fit <br /> <br /> <br />