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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-2023 Agenda Packet OCOEE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION Ocoee City Hall 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida June 15, 2023 AGENDA 6:15 PM • CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence Roll Call and Determination of Quorum • APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 8, 2023 Minutes • DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF CURRENT CITY CHARTER AND PROPOSED REVISIONS • PUBLIC COMMENTS • ADJOURNMENT Notice: Any person who desires to appeal any decision at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings and for this purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with Florida Statute 286.26: Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the Office of the City Clerk, 1 N. Bluford Avenue, Ocoee FL 34761, (407) 905-3105, 48 hours in advance of the meeting. More than one Commissioner may participate or hear discussions regarding a matter which will come before the Commission for action. Page 1 of 4 Charter Review Commission Ocoee City Hall 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida June 6, 2023 MINUTES 6:15 p.m. • Call to Order CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of City Hall, located at 1 N. Bluford Avenue. He briefly introduced himself to the Board; and further, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of personal reflection. Recording Clerk Sibbitt called roll and declared a quorum present. Present: Members Lovejoy, Lowrie, Forges, Sills, and Alternate Members McTavish (1st Alt.) and Butler (2nd Alt.). Also present were CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller, and Recording Clerk Sibbitt. Absent: Member Chacon Guests: Mayor Johnson • BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS Members briefly introduced themselves. • ELECTION OF OFFICERS CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller quoted section C-63 of the Charter regarding Election of Officers, and recommended a selection of Chair and Vice-Chair as required pursuant to the Charter. He opined that the Alternate Members not be considered. Motion: Move to nominate Member Forges as Chair; Moved by Member Sills, seconded by Member Lowrie; Motion carried 5-0. Motion: Move to nominate Member Sills as Vice-Chair; Moved by Member Lowrie, seconded by Member Lovejoy; Motion carried 5-0. Recording Clerk Sibbitt informed the Board that due to the absence of Member Chacon, Alt. Member McTavish is able to vote and the motions made this evening would reflect her response; however, Alt. Member Butler is able to participate in board discussions, but would not need to vote. Page 2 of 4 Charter Review Commission June 6, 2023 2 | Page Chair Forges recognized Mayor Johnson who briefly introduced himself and thanked the members for volunteering to be on the Charter Review Commission. • PURPOSE, PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller summarized the purposes of a Municipal Charter, the powers and duties of the Charter Review Commission, and explained the procedures and timeline for the Board. He further addressed any questions from the members. • SUNSHINE LAW / PUBLIC RECORDS LAW OVERVIEW CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller provided Ethics Training which covered Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Law in Florida. He further addressed any questions from the members. • DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF CURRENT CITY CHARTER CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller explained the City Charter comparison matrix he provided in their packet which provides Charter information from the neighboring cities of Windermere, Apopka, Winter Garden, and Winter Park; and further, advised he welcomes the Board requesting information from other cities, if needed. The Board discussed time management and how they would like to commence with the review of the Charter. CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller briefly explained how he compiled some of the proposed working points within the matrix. The board was reminded of their five (5) tentative meeting dates, and advised that additional dates could be added, if needed. The Board discussed the following items within the comparison matrix (pages 1-6): • C-8 Powers of the City and preemption of municipal powers. • Resign to Run Statute 99.012 (3) (a) and C-17 Vacancies; forfeiture of office; filling of vacancies - Should the CRC propose to amend C-17 to require the vacated seat to be placed on the same election ballot in which the vacating Commissioner or Mayor is running? Consensus of the Board was to have CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller review and formulate proposed language to amend C-17 that would require the vacated seat to be placed on the same election ballot in which the vacating Commissioner or Mayor is running. Recess 8:22 PM - 8:28 PM • C-9 Run-off Election – The Orange County Supervisor of Elections proposes that municipalities eliminate run-off elections and allow victory by plurality instead of majority. Page 3 of 4 Charter Review Commission June 6, 2023 3 | Page Motion: Move to reject the suggested proposal by Orange County Supervisor of Elections that municipalities eliminate run-off elections; and further, remove from the comparison matrix; Moved by Member Lovejoy, seconded by Member Lowrie; Motion carried 5-0. • C-11 Eligibility – Should a one-year residency requirement be added and require proof? Additionally, should proof of residency requirements be placed in the City code? Motion: Move to add a residency requirement for at least one year before qualifying as a candidate for such office of Mayor or single-member district; Moved by Vice- Chair Sills, seconded by Member Lovejoy; After a brief discussion the Motion was withdrawn by Vice -Chair Sills. Consensus was to have CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Richard Geller review and formulate proposed language to amend C-11 that would establish a one-year residency requirement for qualifying and include proof of residency by ordinance. • PUBLIC COMMENTS Brad Lomneck, Ocoee Resident, thanked the members for doing a great job and shared a suggestion on C-11 Eligibility to consider a residency requirement of 18 months on the first day of qualifying. • ADJOURNMENT Member Lowrie, seconded by Member Lovejoy, moved to adjourn the meeting; Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m. ________________________________ ______________________________ Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Chair Page 4 of 4