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MIlVUTES Page 11 <br />City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-December 7, 2009 <br />Judy Belcher, Oakland League of Women Voters, addressed the City Council, <br />commenting on San Francisco's experience with RCV. Ms. Belcher commented that <br />the League has been in contact with Berkeley Councilmembers, and those contacted are <br />enthusiastic about using RCV. <br />Helen Hutchison, Oakland League of Women Voters, addressed the City Council, <br />commenting that the City of Oakland is moving ahead with RCV. Ms. Hutchison <br />commented on the League of Women Voters' strong support of RCV, and stated that <br />she looks forward to an active education campaign involving the League and other <br />community groups. <br />Suzanne Barba, League of Women Voters of the Eden Area, addressed the City <br />Council, commenting on the League's study of RCV, which showed that RCV would <br />increase voter participation. Ms. Barba offered the Eden Area League's assistance with <br />San Leandro's RCV voter education. <br />Lou Filipovich, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, requesting that the <br />Council read the document he had previously distributed, and commenting on various <br />other topics. <br />Blair Bobier, New America Foundation, addressed the City Council, commenting on <br />the jurisdictions that have been, or will be, using RCV. Mr. Bobier commented that <br />RCV would boost voter turnout, save money, and make election campaigns more <br />cooperative. He provided the Council with educational material on RCV used by San <br />Francisco. <br />Steven Hill, New America Foundation, addressed the City Council, commenting that <br />RCV would allow more voters to weigh in on the outcome of Council elections. Mr. <br />Hill commented that there are pros and cons to any voting method, and the Council <br />must decide whether RCV is right for San Leandro. <br />Councilmember Prola commented that RCV would result in staff time savings <br />equivalent to approximately $16,000, and that after two elections the City would break <br />even on its election costs. He inquired about the requirement for mailed notification of <br />the election date change. City Attorney Jayne Williams would look into the legal <br />requirement for mailed notification to voters. Councilmember Prola remarked that <br />having more voters decide the outcome of the election is what democracy is all about. <br />Councilmember Souza. clarified that the full 200 hours of staff time savings would not <br />be realized unti12012, due to the required RCV voter outreach and education that would <br />need to be performed. <br />Councilmember Stephens commented that rather than just having more voters <br />participate, he would prefer to have informed voters. While he recognized the economic <br />benefits of RCV, and the benefit to candidates with fewer resources, he expressed <br />concern that voters would be disenfranchised if all three of their candidates were <br />