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Home My WebLink About2010 05 24 Regular 600 Seminole League of Women Voters - Candidate Forum COMMISSION AGENDA Informational Consent ITEM 600 Public Hearings Regular X May 24, 2010 Regular Meeting Mgr. / Dept. Authorization REQUEST: The City Manager requests that the City Commission consider a request from the Seminole League of Women Voters asking that the City of Winter Springs host a Candidate Forum in the City. If the City Commission agrees to this, this Agenda Item is then also requesting the City Commission agree on a date for a Candidate Forum. SYNOPSIS: Mayor John F. Bush received a request from Seminole League of Women Voters asking that a Candidate Forum be held in the City. Mayor Bush asked that this be brought up at the May 17 2010 City Commission Meeting for discussion. This matter was brought up to the City Commission for discussion on May 17 2010 and the Consensus was that this matter be placed on the May 24 City Commission Regular Meeting Agenda. CONSIDERATIONS: The Seminole League of Women Voters submitted a request to Mayor Bush asking the City to host a Candidate Forum. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MAY 24, 2010 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM "600" PAGE 2 OF 4 The following is an excerpt from an email to the Chair of Voter Services for the Seminole League of Women Voters requesting further information: "The letter was in reference to whether there was any interest in Winter Springs hosting panel forums for local candidate races. We would ask Winter Springs to provide a location and `spread the word' among its residents, and the League would facilitate and moderate the actual forum. We do invite all qualified candidates to take part as we continue our efforts to provide voter education so each citizen can make an informed decision. Should the City Commission wish to hold a Candidate Forum in the City, possible locations are: - City Hall - Senior Center - Civic Center If this referenced Candidate Forum is for Winter Springs Candidates, then such a Candidate Forum would need to be held from early September 2010 up until November 2, 2010. FISCAL IMPACT: If the City Commission agrees to the City of Winter Springs hosting a Candidate Forum, the related Fiscal Impact would involve Staff time while the building where the Candidate Forum is being held is open, along with other basic facility operational charges. Depending on where a Candidate Forum is held, such costs could be up to approximately $350.00 and would come out of the Office of the City Clerk Line Code 1210 -51214 (Overtime Salaries) if City Hall is used; or from Parks and Recreation Line Code 7250 -51214 should the Senior Center or the Civic Center be the selected venue. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: Ms. Carole Gilbert with the Seminole League of Women Voters has been contacted on this matter and was also invited to attend the May 24, 2010 City Commission Meeting. Additionally, this Agenda Item has been distributed to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager, and City Attorney; placed in Press Packets; placed in the Lobby binder; and will be available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MAY 24, 2010 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM "600" PAGE 3 OF 4 Future Communication Efforts if the City Commission wishes to proceed with a Candidate Forum — The Mayor and City Commission may select all or any of their following preferences: 1. Electronic Sign in front of City Hall 2. Website (Home Page) 3. Upcoming "Insider" Newsletter 4. eAlerts /eCitizen 5. Press Release from Mayor and City Manager 6. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation sent out to all Businesses 7. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation emailed to the Oviedo - Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce businesses 8. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation emailed to the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce businesses 9. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation emailed to all Homeowner's Associations 10. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation emailed to Local Schools/PTA (with assistance from Commissioner Hovey) 11. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation emailed to all local publications: a. Tuscawilla Today b. Oak Forest c. Highlands Herald d. Seminole Chronicle e. Oviedo Voice f. Orlando Sentinel 12. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation available at/posted: a. City Hall Building (Outside Bulletin Board) b. City Hall Lobby c. Tuscawilla Country Club Golf Club Pro Shop Bulletin Board d. Highlands Clubhouse Bulletin Board e. Hacienda Village Bulletin Board (2 Locations) f. Tennis Villas Club House Bulletin Board g. Parks and Recreation Office h. Police Station i. Utility Office j. Area Businesses 13. Flyer/Postcard/invitation emailed/mailed to all Advisory Board and Committee Members 14. Flyer/Postcard/Invitation mailed out in all utility bills a. Cycle 1 b. Cycle 2 c. Cycle 3 d. Cycle 4 15. Information included at bottom of all Utility Bills 16. Banner at corner of State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - MAY 24, 2010 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM "600" PAGE 4 OF 4 RECOMMENDATION: The Mayor and City Commission are being asked to consider whether they would like the City to assist the Seminole League of Women Voters in hosting a Candidate Forum? If this is agreed to, the City Commission is asked to note their choice for a location, and any date preferences. ATTACHMENT: Attachment A: Letter dated May 6, 2010 from the Seminole League of Women Voters. ATTACHMENT "A" RECEIVED 1! League of Women Voters MAY 2 2010 of Seminole County P. 0. Box 160394 COY OP WINTER SPRINGS Altamonte Springs, FL 32716 -0394 OFFICE OP THE LINIC (407) 339-9266 Fax (407) 772.6673 a- . � hftp://lwvseminole.org May 6, 2010 Honorable John Bush City of Winter Springs 1126 East S. R. 434 Winter Springs FL 32708 Dear Mayor Bush, Expectations we that turnout in this fall's elections will continue to rise, following the trends begun in 2006 and 2008. Florida's high profile race for the U. S. Senate is already attracting national attention and no doubt the gubernatorial race will as well as November approaches. Unfortunately, local races can be overshadowed by these up -ballot contests. Voters can fend it difficult to cast an informed vote without an active outreach effort. In an effort to promote more informed voting at the local level, the level which impacts people's lives most directly, the Seminole League of Women Votes is offering to facilitate candidate forums in all seven cities. This latter is to ask if Winter Springs is interested. The League will staff the forum and cooperate in publicizing it The city will provide the venue, encourage participation and cooperate in publicizing it Attached is the format we propose to use, which has been developed over several years of doing forams. If the city does wish to sponsor a forum, we would like to set a date as soon as possible, since we anticipate a busy election season and a crowded fall calendar. Please let us know your preferred date by May 24 (Memorial Day) if your city wishes us to provide this service, replying to carolpj,gilinail.com or by phone to 407 - 339 -9266. As you know, the League of Women Voters' core mission is "to promote political responsibility through encouraging informed and active participation" and we look forward to working toward this goal with the City of Winter Springs. Sincerely, Carole Gilbert Chair, Voters Service Leapt of Wean Vo an .f Samba, Camay A a.a parlrtsa ergsni;ati.a promoting political responsibility threat lafertar.d end afire parIki) lhtea of dti Ist asas aw st. • moderator. [d] Questions will rotate through the candidates in seated order. Each question will be asked of each candidate. [el Each candidate will have 2 tninutes to respond to the question. A yellow caution card will be flashed at the 1 minute mark, at the 30- second mark and a red STOP card will be flashed at end of the 2 minutes. Timekeeping and cards will be handled by LWV members. This format will allow for approximately 10 to 12 questions, depending on transition times. The question period will end at the moderator's discretion for the forum to end on time. • (Doors open 30 minutes early for candidate meet & greet, literature tables etc. ] FORMAT: Meet the Candidates Candidate Forum Prior to starting the Candidate Forum: Selection of candidate to speak first in the introduction statement and selection of candidate to speak last in the closing statement; League will prepare beforehand "X" "straws ", one that says first opening statement, one that says last closing statement, and "x" will be blank Each candidate will draw one straw for the determination of the two positions. Subsequently the remaining candidates will be called on in the alphabetical seated order. 1. Welcome by the host — approx 2 minutes 2. Introduction LWV-Seminole President, ration about LWV Seminole - County and introduction of League moderator. 3. Explanation of Forum procedure and introduction of candidates — League moderator (approx 3 minutes). The audience will be asked to not to applaud in the interest of time. 4. Candidate response format: [a] Candidates will seated in alphabetical order. [b] Please see above regarding selection of the candidate to speak first. Each candidate will have 1.5 minutes to introduce himself and identify his qualifications. League respectfully asks that the candidates NOT use this time to thank the host, the audience, or us in the interest of effective use of time. [c] Questions from the audience will be solicited in the half -hour preceding and during the forum and will be turned over to League members (2) to be screened. The purpose of screening is primarily to avoid repetition but questions directed to a single person will also be screened out Questions will be sorted according to topic and the best-phrased, most succinct question on a topic will be passed to the moderator. [d] Questions will rotate through the candidates in seated order. Each question will be asked of each candidate. [e] Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to the question. A yellow caution card will be flashed at the 1 minute mark, at the 30- second mark and a red STOP card will be flashed at end of the 2 minutes. Timekeeping and cards will be handled by LWV members. This format will allow for approximately 10 to 12 questions, depending on transition times. The question period will end at the moderator's discretion for the forum to end on time. [f] Please see above regarding the selection of the candidate to speak last in the closing statement section. Each candidate will then have 1.5 minutes for closing remarks. 4. Fortin will end promptly at "x" p.m. (or slightly earlier). The host will thank and dismiss the audience. Candidates are asked to pack up their materials promptly so the building can be closed for the night as soon as possible. Additional information: Candidates will be seated in alphabetical order beginning on the audience' far left on the dais. Placards for each. candidate's name will be provided. LWV will have an information table. Candidates should take all information away with them immediately following the forum. If you have any questions or concerns, or you feel that a potential issue has not been addressed, please contact me as soon as possible. Carole J. Gilbert carolej.gilbert@gmail.com office 407 -260 -2409 cell 407-221-5096 Chair Voter Service League of Women Voters of Seminole County •