RulesCommunications Highlights 2009 1027

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City Council Rules and Communications Committee October 27, 2009 Page ~2 Chair Santos asked about the possibility of holding an RCV election by all-mail ballot. Mr. Macdonald indicated that an all-mail ballot election would be less expensive than a traditional election. Ms. Handa noted that due to the extensive outreach necessary to educate voters about how to vote an RCV ballot, it would be better to have voters go to the polls the first time RCV is used. Chair Santos commented on the cost to the candidates of running two campaigns. Committee Member Souza expressed concern about the cost to the City than to the candidates. Committee Member Stephens asked whether RCV could be used for other elections-Federal, State, or County races. Mr. Macdonald replied that RCV would only be used for local races, and the Board of Supervisors has not expressed interest in using it for their own elections. The Committee discussed the cost of the RCV system and the requirement for a second ballot. Judy Cox, member of the Oakland IRV campaign, commented that RCV could yield savings to the City over the long run, would promote a wider range of candidates because they would need to raise less money, and would result in a larger voter turnout in November than in June. Judy Belcher, member of the Oakland IRV campaign, urged San Leandro to assist Berkeley and Oakland by using RCV too. Committee Recommendation Bring the matter to the full Council for discussion at the December 7 City Council meeting. 2. Continued Discussion Regarding Proposed Smoking Ordinance Community Relations Representative Kathy Ornelas provided an update to the Committee of the changes made to the proposed Smoking Ordinance based on the input received from stakeholders. Ms. Ornelas handed out a proposed revision to Section 4-12-405 of the Ordinance, increasing the required distance from a school from 300 feet to 1,000 feet. She noted that this change was requested by the School District Superintendents, to be consistent with the Crime Free and Drug Free zones, and that Police Chief Willis had no objection to the change. Committee Member Souza commented that while she supports smoking regulations, she would also like to hear from the teachers. She expressed concern that school employees would simply go onto private property to smoke, rather than move 1,000 feet from school property. Chair Santos expressed support for any change that would ban smoking in and around schools. Committee Member Stephens agreed with Committee Member Souza's comments, and stated that 1,000 feet maybe too far to extend the ban at the beginning.