HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII (A) First Reading of Ordinance No. 2001-05, Relating to Referendum Item Amending City Charter to have the Mayor Elected by the City Commission Agenda 01-16-2001
Item VII A
FOLEY & LARDNER
MEMORANDUM
CLIENT-MATTER NUMBER
020377-0107
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of Ocoee
FROM: Paul E. Rosenthal, Esq.. City Attorney
DATE: January 10, 2001
RE: Ordinance Amending City Charter
Pursuant to the direction of the City Commission at the January 4, 2001 City
Commission meeting, we are in the process of preparing a proposed Ordinance which would call
for referendum at the March 13. 2001 General Municipal Election to consider a Charter
amendment which would increase the number of City Commissioners from four to five
Commissioners and provide for the Mayor to he appointed from among the membership of the
City Commission rather than being elected Citywide. The Ordinance will be provided to you
under separate cover by the end of the week.
Since a person will be elected to the position of Mayor for a three year term
during this Municipal Election cycle, it was necessary to provide transitioning language in the
proposed Charter amendment. The proposed Ordinance would provide for implementation
commencing on June I. 2001 at which time the person elected Mayor in the current election
cycle would become a City Commissioner at large and the City Commission would then elect a
Mayor from among its membership. At such time as redistricting occurs based on the 2000
Census, the individual elected Mayor in this election cycle would become a Commissioner for
the new district without regard to any residency requirements. The election for the new- Fifth
District would occur at the conclusion of the three year term and the single member district
residency requirements would be applicable. There are other transitioning approaches which
would push the transition out until a later date. One alternative approach would be to provide for
the person elected Mayor during the current election cycle to serve the three year term as Mayor
and provide for the transition to the appointed Mayor at the conclusion of the three year term.
The City Commission may want to give us further direction if a different transitioning approach
is preferred.
Attachment(s) Ibrthcoming
006 205445 2