What: Electoral Advisory Committee Community Meeting
When: Monday, September 12, 2011, 5pm
Where: Castroville Branch Library, 11160 Speegle Street
What: Electoral Advisory Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 4pm
Where: Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Downing Resource Center Conference Room, 450 East Romie Lane, Salinas
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System’s (SVMHS) Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) will hold a community meeting in Castroville next Monday, September 12th to gather input on the way members of the Board of Directors are elected in the future. The Committee will also hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
The Boards of Directors of Public District Hospitals like Salinas Valley Memorial’s are elected by residents of the District in one of two ways —at-large or representing specific “zones” of the District. In accordance with the law governing healthcare districts, SVMHS has long used the at-large method to elect Board members. The SVMHS Board formed an Electoral Advisory Committee to study the way members of the SVMHS Board are chosen and if the number of members should be increased from five to seven.
The first phase of the EAC’s work includes a formal study of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital District. The committee engaged an independent, professional research firm to gather demographic information. The results will show if voter polarization exists, and if so, to what degree.
When phase one is completed in early October, the EAC will have the information it needs to make initial recommendations to the Board about whether or not to move to phase two. If the EAC moves forward with the second phase, the Board will provide a budget of up to $50,000 to hire additional experts as needed. These experts would assist the committee to determine the number and geographic/population bases for proposed zones and advice on whether a seven-member Board would better serve the needs of the District. This phase, if needed, will be completed by February 1, 2012 to allow access to the June 2012 ballot.
An informal review of 20 California Hospital Districts, varying in size and geographic concentration of population, two had electoral zones, one is in the process of examining the issue, and the remainder uses the at-large approach.
Schedule of upcoming EAC meetings
Monday, September 12, 2011, 5pm
Castroville Branch Library
11160 Speegle Street, Castroville
Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 4pm
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital
Downing Resource Center Conference Room
Monday, September 19, 2011, 5pm
5 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey
Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 5:30pm
Everett Alvarez High School
Little Theater/Multi-Purpose Room
1900 Independence Boulevard, Salinas
Thursday, September 29, 2011, 5:30pm
Alisal High School
Little Theater
777 Williams Road, Salinas
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