HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Government Review Task Force - 3/14/2001 MINUTES OF THE
GOVERNMENT REVIEW TASK FORCE
COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
PUBLIC OPINION FORUM
MARCH 14, 2001
CALL TO ORDER: 7:10 p.m.
PRESENT: Paul Loomis, Chairman
Jim Kriegh, Vice-Chair
Don Dvorak
Richard Feinberg
Larry Holden
EXCUSED: Marilyn Cook
STAFF PRESENT: Susan Baczkiewicz, Civil Paralegal
Kathi Cuvelier, Town Clerk
Dan L. Dudley, Town Attorney (arrived 7:45 p.m.)
CITIZENS PRESENT: Stan Weintraub, 1320 E. Starship PI. (7 members)
Renee Weintraub, 1320 E. Starship PI. (7 members)
David Kriegh, 11676 Decatur Dr., Colorado (5 members)
Emily Sleigh, 12414 N. Copper Queen Way (7 members)
Joyce Feinberg, 1451 E. Triton Place (7 members)
Twink Monrad, Calle Concordia (5 members)
Mayor Loomis gave an overview of the Town's government structure and asked each
citizen if they preferred a 5 or 7 member Council. (Their preference is listed above).
Richard Feinberg reported on a Preliminary Cost Analysis if the Council were to
increase to 7 members and pointed out that ARS 9-231 provides that cities and towns
must incorporate with 5 members if the population is less than 1500 and 7 members if
the population is greater than 1500.
Mr. Feinberg reviewed a list of pros/cons of going to a 7 member Council vs. a 5
member Council that was compiled from various sources during the Committee's
research since August 2000.
The following comments were made from those citizens present:
Emily Sleigh felt the Cost Analysis of$59,000 for the addition of 2 new council members
was not expensive. The significant con seems to be time.
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Twink Monrad stated that many of the pros/cons can be made for either a 5 member or
a 7 member Council. She prefers to stay with a 5 member Council.
Stan & Renee Weintraub — stated they are in favor of increasing to a 7 member council.
David Kriegh pointed out that the City of Phoenix has 9 members with a population of 1
million people. He felt that 5 members would be adequate for our population of 30,000.
Vice-Chair Kriegh shared some experiences he had when he was on the Town Council
where 7 members would have been helpful in making those tough decisions. He then
read some information provided by a citizen who is in favor of staying with a 5 member
Council.
Mr. Dvorak stated that a larger Council would be valuable since Oro Valley is one of the
fastest growing towns in Arizona; the workload is enormous for the Council. Having
seven members could help spread the workload which should improve the quality of
their decisions and would better serve Oro Valley.
Mr. Holden stated that he feels five members is an adequate size for Oro Valley.
Mr. Feinberg stated that two more members would help share the burden of the current
5 member Council. He felt that we have a "strong manager/weak council" because
there is too much work and too many committees for the Council to handle, therefore
they must rely a lot on staff for assistance.
Mayor Loomis announced that the next Public Forum will be held on March 28, 2001,
then a report will be sent back to the Town Council with comments from the public made
at these 2 forums.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kath E. Cuvelier, CMC
Town Clerk