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5 Mr. Cox said he appreciates the range of issues raised by Mr. Schilling. He said Council has discussed moving the elections for three years and doing so will a lways affect people on Council. Mr. Cox said he is reluctant to saddle this group with these additional issues. He said he feels it is acceptable to give the Task Force an addition four weeks to make their recommendation. Mr. Cox said that most of the i nformation already exists. He said he thinks a representative from the U. Va. Center for Politics could help. Mr. Lynch said he agrees with the extra time and feels the idea of moving the elections ought to be considered. He said he thinks getting medi a attention is a challenge candidates need to deal with. Mr. Lynch agreed that the charge of this Task Force should be focused as presented. Regarding Mr. Schilling's suggestion, Mr. Lynch said he has concerns about a directly elected Mayor, noting that progress is made only when the Mayor is the same party as the majority of Council. He said when the Mayor is elected by the Council progress is made. He said he thinks it is important for all Councilors to represent all of the City, and he would not wan t to add additional Councilors. Mr. Schilling said he does not intend to solve these issues, but thinks we should have a discussion of them. Ms. Richards said she agrees they merit discussion. She noted that in the early 1980's there was extensive dis cussion of a ward system and a referendum held on it which showed support, but Council did not support it. Ms. Richards noted that Richmond changed to a strong Mayor form of government and said they are struggling with that. Mr. Cox said these are highl y complex issues. Mr. Schilling said if Mr. Cox would like his support of the Task Force then he would like him to commit to support studying the issues he raised. Mr. Cox said he is not able to make that commitment at this time, but would like to talk further about these issues. He said he does not want to derail the topic at hand. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Caravati, the charge and membership of the Task Force, amended to study media coverage, adding a representative from the U. Va. Ce nter for Politics, and extending the reporting date to March 1 was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards. Noes: Mr. Schilling. Ms. Richards suggested that the Task Force also discuss the issue of impleme nting any change in November of 2007. Mr. Cox said that Council can evaluate when to implement the change. REPORT : ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION RE: EASEMENT FOR MEADOWCREEK PARKWAY Mr. Cox said he thinks it will be helpful for Council to use its guiding principles to structure this discussion and suggested that the discussion be limited to 30 minutes, allowing three minutes of comment for each Councilors. Mr. Brown said he has provided Council with a draft letter to Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. He s aid the request is made in the form of an opinion, as required, and asks three questions: 1) Is an affirmative vote of three fourths of all members elected to the Charlottesville City Council required for the sale of municipal park property to the Commonw ealth for construction of a public road? Mr. Brown said in his opinion the answer to this question is yes.; 2) Is an affirmative vote of three fourths of all members elected to the Charlottesville City Council required for the conveyance of an easement of less than 40 years duration across municipal park property to the Commonwealth for construction of a public road? Mr. Brown said that in his opinion, the answer is no; and 3) If the answer to Question 2 is in the negative and the easement in question can be authorized by a simple majority vote of the Charlottesville City Council, is the City