Governance Committee Notes - October 1, 2008
University Area Commission – Governance Committee
Meeting Notes – October 1, 2008
Present: Members: Grayson Atha (Arrived 6:30), Justin Pinsker, Sharon Young, Stephen Volkmann and David Hegley (Chair) Absent: Nick Uhas Guest(s): Doreen Uhas-SauerMeeting called to order @ 6:02 PM1. Discussed possible by law change regarding the ability of the Commission to rescind a vote made by the full CommissionØ Commissioner Hegley presented the technical differences between Reconsidering a vote (which is allowed in UAC by laws Article I, Section 4 paragraph e) and Rescinding a vote (which includes amending something previously adopted) since there has been some confusion on what the Commission is currently allowed to do. v Under current UAC by laws Rescinding and Amending Something Previously Adopted are not allowed per Article I, Section 4 Paragraph a) The second page of these notes includes some highlights of the differences discussed.Ø Motion: Remove Article I section 4 paragraph a from UAC by laws pending City Attorney Office review. Motion by Volkman, Seconded by Pinsker. v Discussion: Background on why this may have been included in the past and how removing it would allow the Commission to have another tool at it’s disposal when new information is brought to light after a vote provided conditions to reconsider a vote are still met. v Based on these discussions it was felt the City Attorney’s office should at least review this request before the by law change is presented to the full Commission. Hegley will contact Steve Dunbar and report back to Committee. v VOTE: Yes: Pinsker, Young, Volkman, Hegley, Uhas-Sauer. Motion passed unanimously. v Next Step: Review with City Attorney Office, if OK, bring to full Commission for a vote this Commission year.2. Reviewed Columbus City Code Chapter 3109 and the Columbus Area Commission/Civic Association working group report for items Governance can take on this year that are both beneficial to the all Area Commissions and something City Council would be willing to consider changing.Ø The Committee reviewed the initial information and selected a few areas for consideration including: v Section 3109.14 Functions and duties (more details will be flushed out at November meeting) v Graphics policy – Allow Area Commissions to review graphics issues v Standardization of city wide Area Commission voting v Creation of a policy on Area Commission boundary changes and Planning area changes v Ensure Civic Associations and Civic advisory bodies recognized by the City follow Ohio Sunshine Laws v Consider allowing people as young as 16 to run for and vote in Area Commission electionsØ Additional time was requested to review the documents provided and to think about other possibilities. Therefore, no vote was taken to choose the top 2-4 items the Committee will take on this year. Those items will be selected at the November meeting.Ø The Committee also strongly encourages any Commissioner or member of the public to come to the November meeting if they have ideas related to this topic they would like considered. Meeting adjourned @ 7:00 PMNext Meeting November 5, 2008 at Northwood and High Building, Room 100 Background to help understand differences between Reconsidering and Rescind a vote: RECONSIDER (Allowed in UAC by laws - Article I, Section 4, paragraph e) • Purpose: To reconsider the vote on a motion.• Only a member who voted on the prevailing side can make the motion.• Motion should be made on the same day as the motion that is being requested to be reconsidered.• Needs a second.• Debatable if the motion it reconsiders is debatable.• Majority vote to adopt.• Cannot be reconsidered.• Can be made but not considered when other business is pending.• Result: If adopted, the motion is again before the assembly as if it had not been voted on. RESCIND AND AMEND SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED(Not allowed in UAC by laws - Article I, Section 4 Paragraph a) • Purpose: To change something previously adopted either by striking out the entire action or by changing part of it.• Any member regardless of how they voted on the previous motion can make this motion.• There is no time limit on when this motion can be made.• Needs a second.• Is debatable.• Majority vote with previous notice. (Previous notice includes either notice given at the meeting previous to considering this motion or written on the meeting agenda issued prior to the meeting in which this motion will be considered.• Negative vote only can be reconsidered.*• Two-thirds vote or majority vote of the entire membership without previous notice. (The reason for such a high vote is to protect the rights of the absent members.)• Result: If this motion is adopted, the previously adopted motion is reversed or changed.