1979-09-26 Reconvene Regular Meeting

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• • Minutes - Reconvening September 19, 1979 4 Meeting on September 26, 1979 2. RECONVENE PUBLIC HEARING WITH CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE (CONTINUED) Mrs. Riley asked what the need to change the Charter for other than Mr. Pfeiffer's opinion that it needed to be done? There was a brief discussion regarding this and the. closed door sessions after the meetings. Mayor Meza addressed the comment'iclosed door" sessions, by stating that the only things that were discussed behind closed doors in executive sessions were personnel matters and legal matters. Mrs. Riley stated that she felt there was no need to stay and discuss the matter any further but she would do everything in her power to keep the Charter Revision from passing. Mr. Rufus Smith was recognized and asked what was the City doing? He was of the opinion that the Commission should thank the Black people for their efforts in trying to make a better working situation and felt that the Commission should not turn down the • proposed six district proposal. Mr. Kenneth. Doughty spoke to Mrs. Riley about her comment on what goes on behind "closed doors" by stating that she was judging and the Whites were judging. He also .felt there should be a Black. on the Commission so that the Black people would have representation.. Commissioner Tomerlin reminded everyone that the Charter as presented would have to be voted on by the people. Robert Smith, 734 S. BlackwelJ_, stated that after talking with the Administrator and Commissioners-felt that. we were all missing the boat and spinning. our wheels. He was upset., felt we should all quit fussing and present-the Charter. He further asked what the timetable was for submitting the proposal to the Justice Department? Ms. Hamilton stated that the Charter had already been submitted. The districting proposal should already have been sent and we were already approximately 30 days behind schedule; the Voting Rights Act states that the Justice Department must approve all things which will effect voting. Motion by Commissioner Kibodeaux, seconded by Commissioner Tomerlin to meet with the Charter Revision Committee at 6:00 P.M. on October 3, 1979, to further discuss the proposed districts.