2005-11-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

454 Ms. Kelley said that the statute only deals with the categories of crimes or the time period and basic process, and said the forms referred to by Dr. Brown likely come from the Governor's office. Ms. Kelley said additional priority statements in the Legislative Program includes funding for at-risk juveniles and transportation funding. She said Council may also want to consider including a statement about the nitrogen and phosphate discharge allocation percentages. Mr. Lynch agreed with focusing on the discharge allocation as a lot of pollution is not from the sewage treatment plant. He said there is also an equity argument that the City not be penalized for already doing a good job. Mr. Brown said this is a budgetary issue, but also requests legislation for an equitable type of allocation rather than using the approach DEQ is taking. No objection was expressed to including the affordable housing charter amendment request. Regarding a charter amendment request regarding a mixed ward/at large or ward system for School Board elections, Mr. Lynch said he is opposed to the idea of wards. He said we are getting ahead of ourselves. He said if the referendum passes we may want to explore a whole host of things. Ms. Hamilton said she has not made up her mind yet, and would prefer to wait for the election. Dr. Brown suggested discussing the issue at the next meeting and holding a public hearing. He suggested striking it from the Legislative Program for the time being. Mr. Brown said that if the referendum on an elected School Board passes, before the charter amendment request is submitted Council needs to advertise and hold a public hearing which could be held on November 21. Dr. Brown asked if there are objections to advertising for the public hearing. Mr. Caravati said he envisions this being a long process and any action Council takes would not be in effect until November 2007. He said Council and staff should solicit opinions and put out information. He said he supports holding a public hearing to introduce the subject. He said that even those who support an elected School Board do not mention this issue. Mr. Lynch noted that May elections for the School Board will be at large, and he would prefer to focus on the current issues rather than debate this. Ms. Hamilton said she has not heard from her neighbors, from members of organizations she is active in, or from low income residents about the issue of an elected School Board. She said she thinks the referendum will pass, and she is looking forward to soliciting opinions from residents about what they think. No objection was expressed to advertising a public hearing on a possible charter amendment for wards or mixed ward/at large elections for School Board on November 21st if the referendum passes, but it was agreed not to include the request in the Legislative Program at this time. Regarding restoration of voting rights for felons, Ms. Hamilton said she feels it makes more sense to address the categories of felons who can petition to have their voting rights restored. Ms. Kelley suggested including a general statement requesting that more persons be able to petition after serving their sentences. She asked that one or two Councilors work with her on the language, and Mr. Caravati and Ms. Hamilton volunteered.