[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Jamestown 9-20-1971; amended in its entirety 9-15-2003.
Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Commission, to
be known as the "Commission on Reapportionment." Such Commission shall
be constituted whenever a reapportionment or redefinition of the ward
boundaries of the City of Jamestown is to be made concerning the appropriate
number of ward and at-large City Council seats for the election of
City Council members and shall have the powers, duties and obligations
as provided herein.
A.
No later than January 1, 2012, and each 10 years thereafter
following completion of the decennial census and whenever a reapportionment
or redefinition of ward boundaries of the City of Jamestown is to
be made concerning the appropriate number of ward and at-large City
Council seats for the election of City Council members, the City Clerk/Treasurer
shall solicit nominations from the President of the Jamestown Bar
Association, the Chairpersons of the three political parties receiving
the largest votes in the most recent gubernatorial election through
their City Committees, the President of the City Council and the Mayor
of the City of Jamestown the names of individuals to be considered
for appointment to the Commission of Reapportionment.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
B.
No later than February 1, 2012, and each 10 years
thereafter following completion of the decennial census and whenever
a reapportionment or redefinition of ward boundaries of the City of
Jamestown is to be made concerning the appropriate number of ward
and at-large City Council seats for the election of City Council members,
the City Clerk/Treasurer shall forward to the Mayor and the President
of the City Council the names of the individuals to be considered
for appointment to the Commission on Reapportionment.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
C.
No later than March 1, 2012, and each 10 years thereafter
following completion of the decennial census and whenever a reapportionment
or redefinition of ward boundaries of the City of Jamestown is to
be made concerning the appropriate number of ward and at-large City
Council seats for the election of City Council members, such appointments,
except the elected or appointed officers of the City, shall be confirmed
by a majority vote of the entire City Council.
D.
No later than April 1, 2012, and each 10 years thereafter
following completion of the decennial census and whenever a reapportionment
or redefinition of ward boundaries of the City of Jamestown is to
be made concerning the appropriate number of ward and at-large City
Council seats for the election of City Council members, the City Clerk/Treasurer
shall notify the individuals appointed to the Commission on Reapportionment
of the date of the first meeting which shall be held no later than
May 1st.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
E.
The Commission shall consist of 11 members, to be
appointed as follows: one attorney recommended by the Jamestown Bar
Association; one citizen recommended by each of the three political
parties receiving the largest votes in the last gubernatorial election
through their City Committees; two Councilpersons designated by the
Council President; the Corporation Counsel; the City Clerk/Treasurer;
and three citizens nominated by the Mayor.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
F.
In the event of a vacancy by death, resignation, expiration
of elective or appointive office or otherwise, the vacancy shall be
filled by a nomination of the body which nominated the member whose
absence created the vacancy, subject to confirmation by the City Council.
A.
The Commission shall choose from its membership at
its initial meeting a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. The City Clerk/Treasurer
shall act as Secretary to the Commission.
[Amended 2-10-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006; 8-28-2017; 11-25-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
B.
All resolutions and motions shall be adopted upon
the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum present, except the
election of officers and the confirmation of the final report, which
shall be adopted upon the affirmation vote of a majority of the entire
authorized membership of the Commission.
C.
A member shall lose his or her voting privilege if
not present for a majority of meetings.
A.
The Commission shall have such powers as are necessary
to carry out its functions, including the power to hold public hearings
as it deems necessary and advisable. The Commission shall meet no
later than May 1, 2012, and each 10 years thereafter following completion
of the decennial census and whenever a reapportionment or redefinition
of ward boundaries of the City of Jamestown is to be made concerning
the appropriate number of ward and at-large City Council seats for
the election of City Council members at least twice in each month
until such time as it has rendered its final report. The Commission
shall be reactivated every 10 years after completion of the census
and shall meet at least twice in each month until such time as it
has rendered its final report which shall be presented to the Mayor
and City Council of the City of Jamestown no later than September
1, 2012, and each 10 years thereafter following the completion of
the decennial census.
B.
The Commission shall investigate, consider and determine
the compliance or noncompliance of the present ward and district boundaries
of the City with the United States Supreme Court's mandate popularly
referred to as the one-man, one-vote doctrine. If the Commission shall
determine that such ward and district boundaries and the mode of election
of the City Councilperson is not in full compliance therewith, the
Commission shall determine and report to the City Council its determination
of the most advantageous redistricting of the City to comply with
such one-man, one-vote rule, together with its recommendation for
implementation of the same.
C.
The Commission shall make such further recommendations,
as it may deem advisable with regard to the necessity of a comprehensive
Charter revision, election of County Legislators for the City and
such other matters as it may deem appropriate and proper within its
overall function.
No change in the boundary of any ward and no
other provision of a redistricting plan shall operate to abolish or
terminate the term of office of any City Council member prior to the
expiration of the term of office for which the member was elected.
