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7 the north side better represented. He said the residential district scheme would balance this out, yet all voters would get to vote for all members. He noted that historically in Charlottesville African American School Board members have not lived in traditional African American neighborhoods. He said there are less voting rights implications in residential districts. He said some favor a ward system because there would be a smaller area in which to campaign. Mr. Snook said that there is currently a problem with ward boundary lines, and he feels that something should be done. Dr. Brown said he anticipates Council having a full discussion on what to do next. He said the report will be put on the City’s website. Mr. Taliaferro said he hopes the community will give their opinion. Mr. Norris said there was a feeling after the first School Board election in May that things went well, but some voters said they did not feel they knew enough about the candidates and issues. He asked if the Task Force discussed that. Mr. Snook said that Charles Weber, Task Force member, advocated for a ward system because it would allow people to more easily go door to door when campaigning, but in general the Task Force attempted to limit their discussion to the charge. He said they did discuss the possibility of the City paying for a mailing from candidates. He said jurisdictions have handled this differently, and said there is a group in Albemarle County that has helped with information to the public about their School Board elections. Mr. Lynch noted that the Quality Community Council and League of Women Voters published a guide for Council elections which was a real public service. He said we should figure out a way to give support to help with public information. He said he is a little concerned that we should do something for the sake of doing something. He said he thinks the last election was successful and most citizens were satisfied. He said he would like to see the results of the November election before making changes. He said when he thinks of all the types of diversity such as racial, economic, background, etc., all those rank higher than geographic diversity. He said he is not sure we are doing a service to the school system to restrict candidates to certain wards. He said the issue is really candidate recruitment. Mr. Snook said that public participation is generally a luxury item which can prevent socio-economic diversity. Dr. Brown said he does think it matters to have geographic diversity. He said he appreciates the Task Force fleshing out the issue of residential districts. He said that in localities with ward systems, people often run unopposed. He said the item will be put on a future Council agenda for discussion. PUBLIC HEARING : PRIORITIES FOR CDBG/HOME FUNDS FOR FY 2008 Ms. Amy Kilroy, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said that the recommended priorities for next year are similar to those in the past few years: workforce development, economic development, homeownership, homeowner rehabilitation, and rental rehabilitation. She said the CDBG Task Force would like to focus on new programs to help residents remain in their homes and to expand the RFP mailing list of organizations which are eligible to apply for funding. She asked Council to also determine if a priority neighborhood should be designated. She said the Task Force recommends that funds be set aside, but would like the City to do further research into where those funds are most needed as the Task Force feels that there are pockets of each target neighborhood that are not thriving. She said Council is also being asked to set the percentage for social programs at 15%, and to decide if other funds should be explored to pay the Weed and Seed Director’s half time salary which would free up funding for social programs. The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed.