The City of Austin 2012 Charter Revision Committee voted Feb. 2 to recommend replacing the current at-large system to elect Austin City Council members with 10 single-member districts and one at-large mayor.

The committee also voted to establish an independent citizens commission to draw the new districts.

The majority of citizens present at the meeting held at City Hall displayed posters in support of the 10-1 plan, but the vote was close between 10-1 and a 10-2-1 plan, which would include two at-large members.

Committee member Nelson Linder made the motion to approve the 10-1 plan, while Committee Vice Chair Ann Kitchen proposed an amendment adding two at-large members.

Kitchen said the most important thing was to bring forth a consensus on the committee's recommendation, and that was the reason she proposed having at least two at-large members.

Committee Member Susan Moffat agreed.

"I don't feel us getting representation for all communities without a couple of at-large seats," Moffat said.

However, other members strongly disagreed, including committee member Delia Garza, who likened at-large representatives to "mayor-in-waiting" positions.

"There is an inherent imbalance in power," Garza stated.

The recommendation of the 10-1 plan passed by one vote.

This was slated to be the committee's last meeting, but the members voted to meet one last time Feb. 16 to review the final recommendations before they are turned over to City Council.

A date has not been set for City Council to discuss the recommendations, but it is expected to go before members this spring.