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October'~24,,~g95 <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER'S REPORT <br /> <br />95-475 - Letter from the Acting City Manager recommending <br />adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to <br />submit an application to the United StatesDepartment of <br />Justice for pre-clearance of the at-large election of the <br />School Board. ~ <br /> <br /> "On August 8, 1995, you held a public hearing to obtain <br />comment on the merits of a district versus an at-large method <br />of electing the Portsmouth School Board. On September 12, <br />1995, you discussed this issueat a public work session. The <br />consensus of the Council at that time was that the Council <br />favored an at-large system. On October 9, 1995, you held <br />another public hearing 'to obtain comments on your state <br />preference. <br /> <br /> Based on the consensus of the Council, it will be <br />necessary to submit a request to the United States Department <br />of Justice for pre-clearance, as required by the Federal Voting <br />Rights Act. Accordingly, I recommend that you adopt a <br />resolution authorizing the City Attorney to submit the required <br />information to the United States Department of Justice for <br />pre-clearance of the at-large method of electing the School <br />Board." <br /> <br />1. John Hill, 2906 Mapleton Avenue, spoke in support of <br />election of the School Board by districts. <br /> <br />2. Sheila Joseph, 1376 Band Street, spoke in support of <br />election of the School Board by districts. <br /> <br />3. Chester Moody, 283 Choate Street, spoke in support of <br />election of the School Board by wards. <br /> <br />4. Dottie Wyatt, 99 Channing Avenue, read a letter from Keith <br />Nance in support of election of the School Board using half <br />ward/half at-large seats. <br /> <br />5. Frank Thomson, 303 Marlboro Road, did not speak in favor of <br />a particular method of electing the School Board, but requested <br />that City Council make a final decision this evening. <br /> <br />6. Gloria Ford, 1116 Holladay Street, spoke in support of <br />election of the School Board by districts and wards. <br /> <br />7. Shirley Hines, 1016 Blair Street, spoke in support of <br />election of the School Board by single me-~ber districts. <br /> <br /> Motion by Mr. Clemons, and seconded by Mr. <br />have elections of the School Board on the basis <br />districts and (4) at-large seats. <br /> <br />Griffin, to <br />of (5) single <br /> <br /> Substitute motion by Mr. Hawks, and seconded by Mr. <br />Robinett, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by <br />the following vote: <br /> <br /> "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO MAKE A <br />SUBMISSION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR PRECLEARANCE <br />OF THE ELECTION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS; AND AUTHORIZING THE <br />CITY ATTORNEY TO SUBMIT ALL INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR SUCH <br />SUBMISSION. <br /> <br /> WHEREAS~ the General Assembly of Virginia has provided for <br />the popular election of school boards, Section 22.1-57.1 et <br />seq. of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of permitting <br />localities to have elected school board members rather than <br />appointed school board members; and <br /> <br /> <br />