HomeMy WebLinkAbout05132019 City Council Laydown - Paquette ?o573 Zalidwvi
Notes to Council 5.13.19 6°Ctif Ue/-)
Seward Civic Engagement Report on the meeting last week about widening Seward's
voter base, or what might be better explained as Enfranchising Local Non-Seward
Residents to Vote which may or may not include an ability to serve on Council.
To recap what the whole point is: There are Sewardites - people who live inside the
city limits that would like to see the people who live in the surrounding local area
(residents) have the ability to vote in elections and serve on City Council without any
other change occurring. Getting rid of the "us" "them" situation that exists now and
increasing the population of the stewardship, the people who govern the assets,
liabilities and budget of the City. Some Sewardites want all of that, some want parts of
that statement.
The discussion Thursday was broader and wider with the point of narrowing in on this
focus. All other topics outside of this stated point: 'Is there any way surrounding local
area residents could have the ability to vote in elections and serve on City Council
without any other change occurring." - all other topics are outside this discussion.
That is the focus.
There was someone who volunteered to take this specific topic up and work with
others to flesh it out and she is here and I believe will speak on the current plans and
next steps. I just wanted to clarify what the subject truly is.
The next Seward Civic Engagement Meeting will be May 23 at 6pm the library in the
upstairs meeting room and we'll be discussing Borough Representation. We'll have
the Borough Clerk available via teleconference.
Just a reminder also for everyone to pay attention to when the Budget Work Sessions
start being held towards end of summer. I'm not sure when we'll start up the Thursday
trainings in fall and those budget work sessions might start before then.
If you want the City to do something, build something, fix something, hire someone,
whatever it may be, the budget work sessions are one of your best shots at giving
input. So be paying attention and maybe even start thinking about those things now
so you're prepared when the time comes.
Thank you.