Boards and Commissions

 Board of Supervisors of Elections

Meeting Minutes
City of Rockville Board of Supervisors of Elections
June 3, 2004

The Board of Supervisors of Elections of the City of Rockville met in the City Manager’s Conference Room on Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 5:10 p.m.

Members present: Doris Ecelbarger, Chair, Linda Aksamit, and Margaretta Tutson
Staff present: City Clerk Claire Funkhouser.
Also present: Assistant City Attorney Sondra Harans Block

Re:  Opening Comments

It was mentioned that the Board had not met in a while due to the illness and subsequent death of Doris Ecelbarger’s husband, Frank.  Ms. Ecelbarger thanked everyone for their kindness to her during a very difficult time.

Re:    Discussion of possible changes in Rockville’s Sign Ordinance 

City Clerk Claire Funkhouser introduced Assistant City Attorney Sondra Harans Block who wished to discuss possible changes in the City’s sign ordinance, which would have an impact on the current laws regarding election signs.  The changes would affect the size, number, and duration of time that signs could be erected.  Ms. Block said she wanted to speak directly with the Board of Elections as well as some of the other commissions that deal directly with sign issues.  Ms. Block reviewed the issues she felt were especially pertinent to the elections process.

The members present expressed concerns about some aspects of the proposed changes, primarily dealing with the duration that a sign could be erected.  Currently, election signs can only be erected for thirty days prior to an election.  The changes would allow election signs to go up any time during the election cycle.  The signs would still require an authority line for the candidate’s campaign treasurer and would have to be removed soon after the election.  The signs would also be subject to the same conditions as other signs in terms of being properly maintained.  Those present discussed how the expansion might negatively affect the election process.  However, after Ms. Block explained the rationale for the changes, stressing the need for the signs to continue to conform to other areas of the law, the members said they understood and agreed that the changes were reasonable.

The members agreed to send a memo from Board Chair Ecelbarger to Chair of the Planning Commission Frank Hilton prior to the Planning Commission’s Meeting on June 9th expressing their support.  Ms. Block will also attempt to speak with the members of the Board, who were absent (Mr. Celeste and Mr. Gottlieb).  A Public Hearing is scheduled for July 12 regarding the changes in the ordinance.

Re: Next meeting date

A time for the next meeting was discussed and it was decided that a meeting should probably take place in September.

Re: Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

NOTE: Although a memo to the Planning Commission was drafted and distributed to Board members, it was not sent.  That memo as well as a follow-up memo from Ms. Block to Board after this meeting is attached to these minutes.