Charter Revision Commission
Special Meeting
April 21, 2010
Commission Members Present: Commissioners Dave Balthazar, John Tuttle, and Vice Chairperson Julie Ciucias
Also Present: Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe and Town Clerk Sandi Wieleba
Absent: Commissioner Melissa Engel and Chairperson Terry Concannon
Meeting Called to Order
The special meeting of the Charter Revision Commission was called to order at 9:17 a.m.
Approval of the Minutes of April 15, 2010 was tabled until the meeting of May 6, 2010.
Approval of the Minutes of April 19, 2010 Public Hearing
Motion: Commissioner Balthazar made a motion to approve the minutes of April 19, 2010, as amended, seconded by Commissioner Tuttle.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 -0-0.
Approval of the Minutes of April19, 2010 Special Meeting
Motion: Commissioner Tuttle made a motion to approve the minutes of April 19, 2010, as amended, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 -0-0.
Public Remarks
None.
Vice Chairman Ciucias closed the Public Remarks portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Tuttle moved to accept the changes to Section 2.1 as recommended by the Town Attorney, which was to replace all the committees that a member can serve on with the words “all entities”, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 0.
Section 2.1.
ELECTION. The Town Council hereinafter referred to as the “council”, shall consist of seven members who shall serve without compensation. Not more than five of the members shall be of the same political party. At the biennial election in 2011, four candidates shall be elected to a four-year term of office and three candidates shall be elected to a two-year term of office. For each biennial election after 2011, the number of members to be elected will be determined by the number of members whose terms are expiring and each candidate will be elected for a four-year term of office. No member shall hold any position of profit under the government of the Town of East Hampton, during the term of office for which he or she is elected, and for two years thereafter. Additionally, no member shall serve
in another elected or appointed office under the government of the Town of East Hampton during the term of office for which he or she is elected, except for all entities appointed by the council
Vice Chairperson Ciucias read an email from Town Attorney D’Aquila confirming that an ordinance was adopted by the Town Council concerning term limits for the Board of Education and Board of Finance.
Commissioner Tuttle wished for all three boards to be similar with regard to appointments, staggered terms and no term limits. He felt that the election process established term limits.
Vice Chairperson read an email from Chairperson Concannon confirming her support to remove the exemption for the Board of Education in Section 6.3 of the Charter.
Commissioner Tuttle moved to remove the exemption for the Board of Education concerning the appointment of members in Section 6.3, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
Section 6.3.
VACANCIES IN ELECTIVE OFFICES. When a person vacating an office was elected as a member of a political party, said political party shall appoint his or her successor who shall serve until the sooner of either the expiration of the term or the next biennial election, and his or her successor is elected and qualified. When a person vacating an office was not elected as a member of a political party, the council shall appoint his or her successor who shall serve until the sooner of either the expiration of the term or the next biennial election, and his or her successor is elected and qualified. Should the next biennial election occur before the expiration of the term, then the electors shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 0.
Commissioner Tuttle moved to reword Section 6.8 as recommended by the Town Attorney, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
Section 6.8.
EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendment to this charter shall become effective immediately upon ratification by the electors of the Town on November 2, 2010 in the manner prescribed by section 7-191 of the General Statutes.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 0.
The Commission agreed that the question on the ballot should be one question as opposed to several separate questions. It was also discussed that the Commission should speak at various organization meetings such as the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, etc. and educate the public on the proposed changes to the Charter.
A new section in the final report should include a recommendation from the Charter Revision Commission explaining their reasons for having one question on the ballot as opposed to several questions.
Commissioner Balthazar moved to add a new section to the Final Report of the Charter Revision Commission entitled ‘Final Recommendation by the Charter Revision Commission Concerning the Question on the November 2, 2010 Ballot’ which would recommend one question on the ballot, seconded by Commissioner Tuttle.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 0.
Commissioner Tuttle moved to accept the Final Report of the 2010 Charter Revision Commission with amendments made at this meeting and at previous meetings, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 0.
Adjournment
The meeting adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Tuttle and seconded by Commissioner Balthazar to adjourn at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Sandra M. Wieleba, Town Clerk
Approved by vote of the Commission,
As amended, May 13, 2010
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