MEMBERS PRESENT:

K. Blount, H. Budd, E. Crapo, M. Glaeser, P. Hanrahan, J. Massey, C. Martin, F. Peterkin, B. Thomas, J. Wootten and S. Wright

DJ Williams (Staff Liaison), and Bob Ott (Litigation Attorney)

Honorable Stephen Oelrich (Sheriff), Professor Ken Wald, Patrice Boyes, David Coffey, J. Konish, G. Nickerson and J. Wershow

Summary:

After confirming a quorum, the meeting was called to order at approximately 5:32 p.m. by Chair Wootten. A motion was made by Member Peterkin/Wright to approve the agenda (after hanging the format of the agenda so that the Citizen Comment section precedes the Invited Speakers section). The motion passed unanimously.

The Chair opened the meeting for Citizen Comment. Jim Konish was recognized. He advised the CRC that he represented the Sierra Club and explained that municipalities should not be able to "opt" out of County ordinances (except to enforce more stringent regulations).

The report from the Rules Subcommittee was received. Member Wright explained the Subcommittee's proposed procedures document. There was extensive discussion about the proposal and ultimately, this item was deferred to the December 14, 1999 meeting.

The Chair recognized the Honorable Stephen Oelrich (Alachua County Sheriff) for a presentation on his office duties and responsibilities. He explained the different functions including patrol, criminal investigations, civil, warrants and corrections. A question and answer period followed.

The CRC received independent counsel presentations from Patrice Boyes, John McPherson, Jim Konish, George Nickerson and Jonathan Wershow. The ranking and selection of an independent counsel will be scheduled on the December 14, 1999 agenda. A motion was made by Member Peterkin/Hanrahan for the CRC to use a ballot method on December 14 to rank the attorneys, that each member's name will be printed on each ranking form and this completed form would be made a permanent part of the record. The motion was passed unanimously. There was brief discussion whether each member must vote on this matter. It was explained that each member is required to vote (unless there is a conflict of interest) but the Staff Liaison would confirm with the County Attorney.

Chair Wootten then recognized Ken Wald, a Political Science Professor at the University of Florida who has expertise in the area of single member districting. Mr. Wald explained that he served as a consultant to the Gainesville Charter Review Commission for its single member districting issue.

It was explained that single member districts are physical subdivisions which are used to elect representatives. Only residents living in the district can vote and only residents living in the district can run. The CRC was informed that single member district once was the most common form of election system but was attached by reformers. The single member district system began a comeback in the 1960's because of legal demands (e.g. civil rights arguments) and neighborhood forces. Most communities with the population of Alachua County (100 - 500 thousand) have a mixed election system (i.e. at-large/single member district).

Some of the advantages of single member districts include facilitating the election of minority groups that are geographically concentrated, enable minority groups to better elect representatives of their choosing, encourages candidates to have direct contact with people in the district and diminish the influence of the media. Disadvantages include diminishing the impact of minority groups, encouraging representatives to think narrowly, reducing overall voter turnout, reducing the sense of ownership and producing political paralysis.

The single member district process requires a change in the charter, the boundaries of the district are determine via an "ordinary" piece of legislation and is done every ten years. The following criteria must be satisfied: the district must be of equal size by population at the time of the census, contiguous and compact; and must respect communities of interest.

Based upon the 1993 case of Shaw -v- Reno, race can not be the predominant factor in creating districts. The CRC was advised that if it pursues single member districting, the services of expert counsel should be obtained and a non-binding map should be developed. A question and answer & period followed.

Agenda items for the December 14, 1999 meeting include a presentation from Joe Little (UF Professor) and consideration of securing independent counsel services.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.