HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2023 Agenda PacketOCOEE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
Ocoee City Hall
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
July 13, 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 29, 2023 Minutes
-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 27
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Charter Review Commission
Ocoee City Hall
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
June 29, 2023
• Call to Order
6:15 p.m.
Chair Forges called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall, located at 1 N. Bluford Avenue. He requested a moment of personal reflection
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Recording Clerk Sibbitt called roll and
declared a quorum present.
Present: Chair Forges, Vice -Chair Sills and Members Chacon, Lovejoy, and Alternate
Member McTavish (1st Alt.), Alternate Member Butler (2nd Alt.). Also present were CRC
Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller, and Recording Clerk Sibbitt.
Absent: Member Lowrie
Guests: Commissioner Hart
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Move to approve June 15, 2023, Charter Review Commission Meetinq
Minutes as presented; Moved by Member Loveiov, seconded by Vice -Chair Sills;
Motion carried 5-0.
• DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF CURRENT CITY CHARTER
Chair Forges recognized District 4 Commissioner Ages Hart who was in attendance. He
further acknowledged the items that were postponed awaiting his attendance at the
meeting.
The Board discussed the following items that were postponed and within the comparison
matrix:
• C- 20 — Signatures on Contracts
Should the Charter allow the City Manager to sign contracts within the City Manager's
purchasing power, or the contracts of contract employees?
Page 2 of 27
Charter Review Commission
June 29, 2023
Discussion ensued on the powers of the Mayor and Mayor pro tem during their
absence; and further, if the City Manager should sign contracts of contract employees.
It was decided that there is no issue with the current wording of this section of the
Charter.
Motion: Move to not make any changes to C-20 — Signatures on Contracts, and
maintain as written; Moved by Chair Forqes, seconded by Member Chacon;
Motion carried 5-0.
• C-21 — Residency of the City Manager
Should the City Manager live in the City limits?
C-21 -- ... The City Manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and
administrative qualifications and need not be a resident of the City of Ocoee or the
State of Florida at the time of appointment. Within one (1) year of commencement of
emplovment, the City Manager shall become a resident of the city and shall remain a
resident of the City while emploved as City Manager.
Discussion ensued on the residency requirement of the City Manager and if the City
Commission should have the ability to waive residency requirements. The comparison
matrix was discussed and the Board felt the City of Winter Park model provided
flexibility when there may be compelling reasons to waive the one (1) year residency
requirement by unanimous approval of the City Commission.
Motion: Move to approve that within one (1) year of commencement of
employment, the City Manaqer shall become a resident of the citv, unless such
time is reasonably extended by the unanimous approval of the Citv
Commission, and shall remain a resident of the Citv while emploved as Citv
Manager; Moved by Vice -Chair Sills, seconded by Member Loveiov; Motion
carried 5-0.
• C- 50 — Canvassing Board
Should the City Clerk be a member of the City's Canvassing Board?
§ C-50. Certification of results; canvass of returns; notification of successful
candidates. [Amended 12-1-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-030 ]
The results of the voting at each polling place when ascertained shall be certified by
return in duplicate signed by the Clerk and a majority of the inspectors of the election,
one (1) copy being delivered by the Clerk and inspectors to the Mayor and the other
to the City Clerk, both of whom shall transmit such return to a public meeting of the
Canvassinq Board, which shall consist of the Citv Clerk andndth-ree (3) two (2)
citizens appointed by the City Commission. The City Commission shall also appoint
two (2) additional citizens to serve as alternates to the Canvassina Board. The
Canvassing Board shall canvass the returns and shall declare the results of the
21 iF'
Page 3 of 27
Charter Review Commission
June 29, 2023
canvass as the results of the election in a manner provided by city ordinance or as
otherwise required by law. A majority of the Canvassing Board shall constitute a
quorum thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the agreement of the Orange
County Canvassing Board and Orange County Supervisor of Elections, the City
Commission may, by ordinance, assign and abdicate the canvassing responsibilities
of the City Canvassing Board to the Orange County Canvassing Board. In such event,
the Orange County Canvassing Board shall canvass the returns and shall declare the
results of the canvass as the results of the election in a manner provided by city
ordinance or as otherwise required by law.
At the last meeting, the Board directed CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller to draft
an amendment to C-50 placing the City Clerk on the Canvassing Board together with
two citizens and two other citizens who shall serve as alternates. A brief discussion
ensued.
Motion: Move to approve the wordinq incorporated in C-50 as presented in the
comparison matrix drafted by CRC Facilitator/Board Attornev Geller; Moved by
Member Loveiov, seconded by Member Chacon; Motion carried 5-0.
• C-17 —Successors and Vacancies
Discussion ensued on the appointment of an interim Commissioner and the filling of
vacant seats.
C. Filling of vacancies.
1. If any vacancy, other than the Office of Mayor, occurs in the City Commission,
an eligible person shall be selected by the City Commission within thirty (30)
days of the vacancy to serve as an interim Commissioner until the successor
is elected. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor, the Mayor pro tern shall
serve as an interim Mayor until the successor is elected. The City
Commission shall appoint an interim Commissioner to fill the vacancy created
by the Mayor pro tern serving as Mayor; such interim Commissioner shall
serve until such time as a Mayor is elected. The Mayor pro tern shall resume
representation of his single -member district for the remainder of the term.
2. The successor to the office of Mayor or Commissioner shall be elected at the
ommissiaeor is runRing fer
oc ac 3 saR�',,aidate for the aGated scat in the
be elected at the next regular or general city election if such election is to be
held within twelve (12) months of the vacancy. If a reqular or general city
election will not be held within twelve (12) months, the successor shall be
elected at a special election which shall be called by the City Commission within
ninety (90) days of the vacancy. The successor shall serve for the unexpired
term of the member who created the vacancy.
31
Page 4 of 27
Charter Review Commission
June 29, 2023
3. If all members of the City Commission are removed at the same time, the
Governor of the State of Florida shall appoint an interim City Commission that
shall call a special election to elect their successors within ninety (90) days of
appointment.
Further discussion ensued on adding additional language to 5-3 of the City Code on
qualifications of candidates, proof of residency, and adjusting the qualifying period.
Motion: Move to approve the wordinq incorporated in C-17 as presented in the
comparison matrix drafted by CRC Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller; and
further, in Section C-17 C (2) to include "...reqular or general city election...";
Moved by Member Lovejoy, seconded by Alt. Member McTavish; Motion carried
5-0.
Censensus of the Charter Review Commission was to request the City Clerk to
brinq back lanquaqe that chanqes the qualifvinq period.
A brief discussion ensued on the City's current Affidavit of Candidacy & Residency
Form and suggested changes were made to the form by CRC Facilitator/Board
Attorney Geller.
Recess 7:35 PM — 7:45 PM
Discussion ensued about adding the recommended definition: "A `general city election'
is any municipal election that is not a special election or regular election. "to Section
C-45, as well as adding a reference to a special election. CRC Facilitator/Board
Attorney Geller asked for direction to bring back to the next scheduled meeting the
proposed wording to Section C-45. Consensus of the Charter Review Commission
was to have CRC Facilitator/Board Attornev Geller bring back revised lanquage
to C-45.
Discussion ensued on 5-3. Qualifications of candidates.
5-3. Qualification of candidates.
A. All candidates for election to office in City government, including an incumbent,
shall qualify with the City Clerk by filing, on such form as may be required by the
City Clerk, qualification papers designating the office for which the person is a
candidate. Such qualification papers shall be accompanied by the qualifying fee
provided for in § 5-4 of the City Code.
B. A candidate for Mayor shall furnish to the City Clerk proof of at least one year of
residency in the City, and a candidate for Commissioner shall furnish to the City
Clerk proof of at least one year of residency in the District in which the candidate
41
Page 5 of 27
Charter Review Commission
June 29, 2023
is running. Such proof of residencv shall be sworn to under penalty of perjury and
shall consist of a voter registration card, a government -issued photo identification
card, in addition to at least one of the following: a deed, lease, utilitv bills, or other
clear and convincing documentary proof.
Motion: Move to approve the suggested language for the proposed ordinance
to Section 5-3 of the Code; Moved by Member Lovejoy, seconded by Member
Chacon; Motion carried 5-0.
Chair Forges recommended a recap of the Charter matrix in its entirety. CRC
Facilitator/Board Attorney Geller provided a brief overview.
Discussion ensued on C-8 Powers of the City and preemption followed by discussion
on Section (B) in C-8 and allowing the exchange of property.
Chair Forges requested the Board review the City Charter again to have more in-
depth discussions on the City's Powers at the next meeting. It was further requested
by Member Lovejoy that the matrix could be color coded to indicate what has already
been reviewed.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
• ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Chair
51F..
Page 6 of 27
CITY CHARTER COMPARISON MATRIX
WORKING DRAFT - 7/10/23
C-8: POWERS OF THE CITY
Discussion: Allow liberal construction of the
City's powers without restriction to particular
powers?
Discussion: Preemption of Municipal
Powers:
Federal law can preempt and supersede
state law under the Supremacy Clause of the
United States Constitution. The State of
Florida and Orange County can preempt and
supersede municipal law.
On a case by case basis, municipalities can
draft legislation narrowly to avoid
contradicting state law and preemption
challenges.
Proposed language:
be construed as narrowly as required to
avoid or minimize preemption by County,
State, or Federal law. Any provision or
portion of a City ordinance that is
preempted by County, State, or Federal
law shall be severed from the ordinance,
provided ordinance,
provisionsthereby preserving the validity of the
remaining ,
Language could be added to City Code
instead of Charter.
ELECTIONS
ARTICLE III
CITY COMMISSION
DISCUSSION: The Orange County
Supervisor of Elections proposes that
OCOEE
§ C-8. Powers of the city.
The City of Ocoee shall have all
governmental, corporate and
proprietary powers and all other
powers possible for a city to have
under the Constitution and the laws
of Florida as fully and completely as
though they were specifically
enumerated in this Charter. Except
as otherwise provided herein, the
following powers of the city shall
be construed liberally and in
favor of the city, and the specific
mention of particular powers in the
Charter shall not be construed as
limiting, in any way, the powers
granted to the city under the
Constitution and the laws of Florida:
NTA1,1111140 ,14ZI
Article IV — Powers of the
Town
The Town shall have all
governmental, corporate and
proprietary powers and authority
to enable it to: 1) conduct
municipal government, 2)
perform municipal functions and
3) render municipal services.
The Town may exercise any
power for municipal purposes
except as otherwise provided by
law. The powers of the Town
shall be construed liberally in
favor of the municipality,
limited only by the
Constitution, the laws of
Florida, and specific
limitations contained herein.
The specific mention of
particular powers in this Charter
shall not be construed as limiting
in any way the general power
granted in this article.
Sec. 1.03. - General powers of
city.
The city shall have all
governmental, corporate, and
proprietary powers possible for a
city to have under the constitution
and laws of the State of Florida as
though they were specifically
enumerated in this Charter to
enable it to conduct municipal
government, perform municipal
functions and render municipal
services, and the city may exercise
any power for municipal purposes
except as expressly prohibited by
law or this Charter.
Sec. 1.04. - Construction
The powers of the city shall be
construed liberally in favor of
the city, limited only by the
constitution and general and
special laws of the State of Florida
and specific limitations in this
Charter.
LTINIi!11i14 Zey-ll07:4 Z
Sec. 3. - Powers of city;
general.
The City of Winter Garden hereby
created, established and
organized, shall have all
governmental, corporate, and
proprietary powers and authority
to enable it to conduct municipal
government; perform municipal
functions; and render municipal
services, and may exercise any
power for municipal purposes
except as otherwise provided by
law. The powers of the City of
Winter Garden shall be
construed liberally in favor of
the municipality, limited only
by the Constitution, general
law, and specific limitations
contained herein. The specific
mention of particular powers in
the charter shall not be construed
as limiting in any way the general
power granted in this section.
1ITI1'111i4:7J1 ZI:/
Sec. 1.01. - Creation, powers,
and construction.
The City of Winter Park is created
which shall have all
governmental, corporate, and
proprietary powers to enable it to
conduct municipal government,
perform municipal functions and
render municipal services, and
may exercise any power for
municipal purposes except as
otherwise provided by law. The
powers of the city under this
Charter shall be construed
liberally in favor of the city,
and the specific mention of
particular powers in the
Charter shall not be construed
as limiting in anyway the
general power granted in this
article.
Page 7 of 27
municipalities eliminate run-off elections and
allow victory by plurality instead of majority.
CRC decision: Unanimous rejection of
the Supervisor of Elections' proposal.
RELATED: C-46
C-11: Eligibility. Residency Requirement
and Proof.
(What does Statute require?)
Discussion: City Commissioners
discussed adding a 1 year residency
requirement for candidates for the
Commission.
CRC Decision: Unanimous approval to
add 1 year residency requirement for
candidates for Mayor or Commissioner, in
the Charter, and to recommend requiring
proof of residency in section 5-3 of the
City Code, as follows:
"Each candidate for the office of Mayor shall,
efor at least one near hafore
qualifying as a candidate for such office, be a
bona fide resident of the city. The Mayor
shall, during the entire term of office, be a
bona fide resident of the city. Each candidate
for the office of Commissioner shall,
t for at least one veer hpfore
qualifying as a candidate for such office, be a
bona fide resident of the single -member
district which such candidate seeks to
represent. A candidate for M2vnr or
Commissioner shall furnish such proof of
eein the one ear real enc
re airs ant as a be rescri e
ordinance."
OCOEE
Only qualified electors of the city
shall be eligible to qualify for and to
hold the offices of Mayor and
Commissioner. Each candidate for
the office of Mayor shall, at the time
of qualifying as a candidate for such
office, be a bona fide resident of the
city. The Mayor shall, during the
entire term of office, be a bona fide
resident of the city. Each candidate
for the office of Commissioner
shall, at the time of quali,fyLna as
a candidate for such office, be a
bona fide resident of the single -
member district which such
candidate seeks to represent.
Each Commissioner shall, during
the entire term of office, be a
bona fide resident of the single -
member district which such
Commissioner represents.
Effective with each first full term
commencing following January 1,
2022, the Mayor or a
commissioner who has held the
same district office for two full
terms is prohibited from
appearing on the ballot for
election to that office.
(3) Qualifying period is set by
ordinance, not by the Charter:
WINDERMERE
Section 5.02. - Qualifications
to Hold Office.
Any person shall be eligible to
hold the office of Town Council
member provided the person
shall have attained the age of
eighteen (18) years prior to
election or appointment, is a
citizen of the United States, and
will have been a permanent
resident of the Town for
twelve (12) consecutive
months immediately prior to
the resident's election or
appointment. For the purpose
of qualifying for membership on
the Town Council, persons
residing within any area at the
time of the annexation of that
area to the Town shall be
deemed to have been residents
of the Town for such period of
time as such persons have been
residents of such annexed area
of the Town.
Page 2 of 21
APOPKA
Sec. 4.03. - Qualifying.
Candidates for the offices of mayor
and city commissioner shall qualify
by filing a written notice of
candidacy with the city clerk at
such time and in such manner as
may be prescribed by ordinance.
Each member of the city council,
which includes the mayor, shall
be a resident of the City of
Apopka, Florida, for a period of
one vear next precedinq his or
her election to office and shall be
a registered voter pursuant to
Florida law.
WINTER GARDEN
Sec. 12. - Qualifications.
(1) Candidates. Candidates for
the city commission shall have
been residents of the city and of
the district in which they run for
one (1) year immediately prior to
the end of the qualifying period
for the office and shall be
registered voters in their district
for said period, and shall maintain
residency and voter registration
in such district. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event a
qualified candidate for
commissioner fails to meet the
residency and voter registration
requirements for holding office
solely as the result of a
redistricting that occurs after the
qualifying period for the election
of such office, such qualified
candidate for commissioner may
continue to run for the office
which he/she qualified and if
elected, serve without forfeiture
under section 15 for the
remainder of his/her term
provided the qualified candidate
maintains his/her residency and
voter registration existing at the
time of redistricting while running
for office and, if elected, while
serving as commissioner.
(2)
Members. Members of the city
commission must maintain the
WINTER PARK
Sec. 3.02. - Qualifications.
Candidates for the office of city
commissioner or mayor shall
qualify for such office by filing a
written notice of candidacy with
the city clerk at such time and in
such manner as may be
prescribed by ordinance.
Page 8 of 27
(1) Add proof of I year residency by
ordinance
The CRC unanimously approved
recommending to the City Commission a
proposed Ordinance amending section 5-3
of the City Code as follows:
§ 5-3. Qualification of candidates.
A. All candidates for election to office in
City government, including an
incumbent, shall qualify with the City
Clerk by filing, on such form as may
be required by the City Clerk,
qualification papers designating the
office for which the person is a
candidate. Such qualification papers
shall be accompanied by the
qualifying fee provided for in § 5-4 of
the City Code.
C. Such qualification papers shall be filed
and the qualifying fee paid at any time
after 12:00 noon on the day which is
five business days (excluding
weekends and holidays) prior to the
date which is 46 90 calendar days
prior to the scheduled date of the
regular municipal election of the year
in which the election for such office is
OCOEE I WINDERMERE IAPOPKA I WINTER GARDEN I WINTER PARK
Page 3 of 21
foregoing qualifications in
subsection (1) during their term of
office. In the event a
commissioner fails to meet the
residency and voter registration
requirements for holding office
solely as the result of a
redistricting or charter revision
that occurs during the term of
office, such commissioner shall
not be deemed to have forfeited
such office and may continue to
serve in office for the remainder
of the commissioner's term
provided the commissioner
maintains his/her residency and
voter registration existing at the
time of redistricting.
Page 9 of 27
scheduled, but not later than 12:00
noon on the date which is 46 90
calendar days prior to the scheduled
date of the regular municipal election
of the year in which the election for
such office is scheduled, or such
other 5 lousiness a ualif in
Derio for a regular,. s eciai. or
general election as ay e
establjjtRgjay the ity
Co fission resolution. Should
the last day upon which said
qualification papers may be filed fail
on a weekend or another day upon
which the City Clerk's office is not
open for business, then the deadline
for said person to file qualification
papers shall be extended to 12:00
noon on the next day on which the
City Clerk's office is open for
business.
The CRC directed the City Clerk to review
the implications of moving the standard
qualifying period from 46 to 90 days
before an election. The CRC is interested
in allowing sufficient time so that voters
could elect the successor to a resigning
mayor or commissioner at the same
election the resigning mayor or
commissioner is seeking another office.
QUALIFYING PERIOD:
DISCUSSION:
Increase qualifying period to allow criminal
background check?
Argument: Someone will always qualify on
the last day, leaving insufficient time for a
background check.
CRC Decision: Motion to leave qualifying
period as one week in duration approved
unanimously.
OCOEE
§ 5-3. Qualification of candidates.
All candidates for election to office
in City government, including an
incumbent, shall qualify with the City
Clerk by filing, on such form as may
be required by the City Clerk,
qualification papers designating the
office for which the person is a
candidate. Such qualification papers
shall be accompanied by the
qualifying fee provided for in § 5-4 of
the City Code. Such qualification
papers shall be filed and the
qualifying fee paid at any time
after 12:00 noon on the day which
WINDERMERE
Section 10.02. - Nominations.
(a) Candidates for the office of
Town Council and Mayor shall
be nominated by the petition of
not less than twenty-five (25)
qualified electors. Electors may
sign more than one candidate's
petition. The signatures of the
electors on the petition shall be
executed in ink. Each signer
shall state their residence
address next to their signature.
The signed petition shall be filed
with the Town Clerk no earlier
than ninety (90) days and not
Page 4 of 21
APOPKA
Sec. 30-21. - Election date;
qualifying period; early voting.
(a) The general elections within the
city shall be held on the second
Tuesday of March, and all run-off
elections shall be held on the
second Tuesday in April, in those
years when required for the
election of a city official, or as
amended by ordinance or law at
least six months prior to the city
general election.
(b) The qualifying period for the city
general elections shall be in
WINTER GARDEN
Sec. 2-256. - Registration of
candidates.
(a) Registration period. The
period within which registration of
all candidates for the offices of
mayor -commissioner and
commissioner for the districts for
which the general election is to
be held shall commence on noon
of the third Tuesday in January
of the year of election. The
registration of candidates shall
terminate at noon on the
seventh day after the date of
commencement of registration.
WINTER PARK
Sec. 3.02. - Qualifications.
Candidates for the office of city
commissioner or mayor
shall qualify for such office by
filing a written notice of candidacy
with the city clerk at such time
and in such manner as may be
prescribed by ordinance.
Page 10 of 27
Facilitator Recommendation: Give the City
Commission authority to schedule the
qualifying period by resolution, including to
accommodate requirements of the Supervisor
of Elections.
Fla. Stat. § 99.061 Method of qualifying
for nomination or election to federal, state,
county, or district office.—
(1) The provisions of any special act to the
contrary notwithstanding, each person
seeking to qualify for nomination or
election to a federal, state, or multicounty
district office, other than election to a
judicial office as defined in chapter 105 or
the office of school board member, shall file
his or her qualification papers with, and pay
the qualifying fee, which shall consist of the
filing fee and election assessment, and party
assessment, if any has been levied, to, the
Department of State, or qualify by the petition
process pursuant to s. 99.095 with the
Department of State, at any time after noon
of the 1st day for qualifying, which shall
be as follows: the 120th day prior to the
primary election, but not later than noon
of the 116th day prior to the date of the
primary election, for persons seeking to
qualify for nomination or election to
federal office or to the office of the state
attorney or the public defender; and noon
of the 71st day prior to the primary
election, but not later than noon of the
67th day prior to the date of the primary
election, for persons seeking to qualify for
nomination or election to a state or
multicounty district office, other than the office
of the state attorney or the public defender.
(2) The provisions of any special act to the
contrary notwithstanding, each person
seeking to qualify for nomination or
election to a county office, or district office
not covered by subsection (1), shall file his or
her qualification papers with, and pay the
qualifying fee, which shall consist of the filing
fee and election assessment, and party
OCOEE
is five business days (excluding
weekends and holidays) prior to
the date which is 46 calendar
days prior to the scheduled date
of the regular municipal election
of the year in which the election
for such office is scheduled, but
not later than 12:00 noon on the
date which is 46 calendar days
prior to the scheduled date of the
regular municipal election of the
year in which the election for
such office is scheduled. Should
the last day upon which said
qualification papers may be filed fall
on a weekend or another day upon
which the City Clerk's office is not
open for business, then the deadline
for said person to file qualification
papers shall be extended to 12:00
noon on the next day on which the
City Clerk's office is open for
business.
WINDERMERE
later than sixty (60) days before
the election to vote upon the
nominees.
(b) No nominating petition shall
be accepted unless
accompanied by a signed
acceptance of the nomination, a
sworn statement of residency,
and a qualifying fee of twenty-
five dollars ($25.00).
(c) Within five (5) working days
after the filing of a nomination
petition, the Town Clerk shall
notify the candidate and the
person who filed the petition
whether or not the nomination
petition satisfies the
requirements prescribed by this
Charter. If the petition is found
insufficient, the Town Clerk shall
return it forthwith to the person
who filed it with a statement
certifying why it is insufficient.
Within the regular time for filing
a petition, a replacement petition
may be filed for the same
candidate. The Town Clerk shall
keep on file all petitions found
sufficient at least until the
expiration of the term for which
the candidates are nominated in
those petitions
Page 5 of 21
APOPKA
accordance with the provisions of
the Florida Election Code, unless
amended by ordinance. If any
portion of that period falls on a
weekend or legal holiday, the
qualifying period shall be extended
by one day for each day during the
specified interval which falls on a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday
WINTER GARDEN
If any city recognized holiday falls
within the seven-day registration
period, the registration period
shall be extended by the same
number of holiday(s).
WINTER PARK
Page 11 of 27
assessment, if any has been levied, to, the
supervisor of elections of the county, or shall
qualify by the petition process pursuant to s.
99.095 with the supervisor of elections, at
any time after noon of the 1st day for
qualifying, which shall be the 71st day
prior to the primary election, but not later
than noon of the 67th day prior to the date
of the primary election. Within 30 days after
the closing of qualifying time, the supervisor
of elections shall remit to the secretary of the
state executive committee of the political
party to which the candidate belongs the
amount of the filing fee, two-thirds of which
shall be used to promote the candidacy of
candidates for county offices and the
candidacy of members of the Legislature.
Question: Can ex -felon run? Answer: Only if
rights are restored via application of
clemency to the Governor.
C-17: Successors
The CRC unanimously approved of the
following language:
C. Filling of vacancies.
If any vacancy, other than the
Office of Mayor, occurs in the City
Commission, an eligible person
shall be selected by the City
Commission within thirty (30) days
of the vacancy to serve
interim Commis i r until the
successor is elected. If a vacancy
occurs in the office of Mayor, the
Mayor pro tem shall serve as an
interim Mayor until the successor
is elected. The City Commission
shall appoint an interim
Commissioner to fill the vacancy
created by the Mayor pro tem
serving as Mayor; such interim
OCOEE
The successor to the office of Mayor
or Commissioner shall be elected at
the next general city election if
such election is to be held within
twelve (12) months of the
vacancy. If a general city election
will not be held within twelve (12)
months, the successor shall be
elected at a special election which
shall be called by the City
Commission within ninety (90) days
of the vacancy. The successor shall
serve for the unexpired term of the
member who created the vacancy.
WINDERMERE
• Section 5.03. -
Vacancies.
(a) The office of a Town Council
member shall become vacant
upon the member's death,
resignation, disability,
suspension, forfeiture or
removal from office in any
manner authorized by law or this
Charter.
(b) If less than a majority of the
Town Council is vacant, the
Town Council shall appoint a
qualified resident to fill any
vacancies until the next
regular election by the
affirmative votes of not less than
a majority of the remaining
members. If any vacancies are
not filled within forty-five (45)
days after the seat becomes
Page 6 of 21
APOPKA
WINTER GARDEN
• Sec. 17. - Vacancies in
commission.
(1) The office of mayor -
commissioner or commissioner
shall become vacant upon the
death, resignation, forfeiture or
removal from office in any
manner prescribed by law or this
charter.
(2) Unless otherwise
prescribed by general law, a
vacancy on the commission shall
be filled in the following manner:
(a) If there are six (6)
months or less remaining in
the unexpired term of the
vacant office, within thirty (30)
days of the occurrence of the
vacancy, the commission by
majority vote of its remaining
members shall appoint a
WINTER PARK
Sec. 2.07. - Vacancies;
forfeiture of office; filling of
vacancies.
(a) Vacancies. The office of a
commissioner or the mayor shall
become vacant upon the death,
resignation, removal from office
in any manner authorized by law
or forfeiture of the office, such
forfeiture to be declared by the
remaining members of the
commission.
(b) Forfeiture of office. A
commissioner or the mayor shall
forfeit his/her office if he/she
lacks at any time during his/her
term of office any qualification for
the office prescribed by this
Charter or by law.
Page 12 of 27
3
Commissioner shall serve until
such time as a Mayor is elected.
The Mayor pro tem shall resume
representation of his single -
member district for the remainder
of the term.
The successor to the office of
Mayor or Commissioner shall be
elected at the next r2_qqlar or
general city election if such
election is to be held within twelve
(12) months of the vacancy. If a
general city election will not be
held within twelve (12) months,
the successor shall be elected at a
special election which shall be
called by the City Commission
within ninety (90) days of the
vacancy. The successor shall
serve for the unexpired term of the
member who created the vacancy.
If all members of the City
Commission are removed at the
same time, the Governor of the
State of Florida shall appoint an
interim City Commission that shall
call a special election to elect
,theit successors within ninety
(90) days of appointment.
OCOEE
WINDERMERE
vacant, the Governor of Florida
shall fill any existing vacancies
by appointment of a qualified
resident. Any appointment
under this section shall be to
fill any vacancies until the
next regular election, at which
time the office shall be filled
for the remainder of the term.
(c) In the event that the majority
of the Town Council is vacant,
the Governor of Florida shall
appoint qualified residents as
interim Town Council
members who shall call a
special election not less than
sixty (60) calendar days nor
more than one hundred
twenty (120) calendar days
after such appointment. If
there are less than six (6)
months remaining in a vacant
member's unexpired term, the
interim Town Council appointee
for that vacancy shall serve out
the remainder of the unexpired
term.
Section 6.05. - Vacancy.
The office of Mayor shall
become vacant upon his or her
death, resignation, disability,
suspension, forfeiture or
removal from office in any
manner authorized by general
law or this Charter. If the office
of Mayor becomes vacant, the
duties of the Mayor shall be
discharged by a member of the
Town Council, as designated by
the Mayor or by a majority of
Town Council members in the
absence of such designation. If
there are more than twelve
(12) months remaining in the
Mayor's unexpired term, the
Town Council shall call a
Page 7 of 21
APOPKA
WINTER GARDEN
qualified person to fill the
vacant office to serve the
remainder of the term. Within
fifteen (15) days of the
occurrence of the vacancy, those
persons interested in qualifying
for appointment to the vacant
office shall submit to the city clerk
their name and other such
information showing that they
meet the qualifications for holding
office pursuant to Section 12 of
this charter. After the fifteen (15)
day qualifying period, but before
the expiration of thirty (30) days
after the occurrence of the
vacancy, the commission shall
hold a special meeting for the
purpose of filling the vacancy and
at such meeting allow public
comment on the matter. If the
commission does not appoint a
qualified person by the expiration
of thirty (30) days after the
occurrence of the vacancy, the
vacant office shall be filled by
drawing lots among the qualified
persons receiving at least two (2)
votes from the remaining
commission members.
(b) If there are more than
six (6) months remaining in the
unexpired term of the vacant
office, the commission shall
schedule a special election to
fill the vacancy and such election
shall be held not sooner than
forty-five (45) days and not
later than sixty (60) days
following the occurrence of the
vacancy.
WINTER PARK
(c) Filling vacancies. If a vacancy
occurs in the seat of a
commissioner sixty (60) days or
less before the next general
election, the remaining members
of the commission may appoint,
by majority vote, a qualified
person to fill the vacancy until the
next general election. If the
vacancy occurs more than
sixty (60) days before the next
general election, the remaining
members of the commission
shall appoint, by majority vote,
a qualified person to fill the
vacancy until the next general
election at which time a
successor will be elected to serve
the remainder of the unexpired
term. In the event the remaining
members are deadlocked and
unable to choose a successor by
a majority vote, then the
remaining commissioners,
excluding the mayor, shall each
submit the name of a proposed
successor, and the mayor shall
appoint the successor from those
names submitted.
Notwithstanding any quorum
requirements established herein,
if at any time the membership of
the commission is reduced to
less than a quorum, the
remaining members of the
commission may by majority
vote, appoint additional
members.
(d) Extraordinary vacancies. In
the event that all members of the
commission are removed by
death, disability, law or forfeiture
of office, the governor shall
appoint an interim commission
that shall serve until the next
general city election, at which
time such vacancies shall be
Page 13 of 27
OCOEE
C-18 Independent Audit
Finance Director recommendation:
The City Commission shall provide for an
independent annual audit of all city accounts
in conformancei the auditorselection
r r ri tts
and may provide for more frequent audits as
it deems necessary. Audits shall be made by
a certified public accountant or firm of
accountants who or which has no personal
interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs
of the city government or any of its officers.
The City Commission may designate such
accountant or firm annually or for a period
Ls -
determined t it i i If the
state makes such an audit, the City
Commission may accept it as satisfying the
requirements of this section.
C-17 and C-19 - Call versus holding an
election
"Called" versus "holding" an election
Express intent: minimize the need for
special elections for efficiency
Compare to C-19 (ordinance by
referendeum): "Within six (6) weeks after
filing of such petition, the City Commission
may pass said ordinance, or shall call a
special election to be held within ninety (90)
days, at which the adoption or rejection of
such ordinance shall be submitted to the
qualified voters of the City."
Resign to Run Statute
Fla. Stat. § 99.012(3)(a):
WINDERMERE
special election as soon as
practicable to fill the vacancy.
Page 8 of 21
APOPKA
WINTER GARDEN
WINTER PARK
filled for the balance of the
unexpired terms.
Page 14 of 27
OCOEE
I WINDERMERE
J APOPKA WINTER GARDEN
WINTER PARK
No officer may qualify as a candidate for
another state, district, county, or municipal
public office if the terms or any part thereof
run concurrently with each other without
resigning from the office he or she presently
holds.
(b) The resignation is irrevocable.
(c) The written resignation must be submitted
at least 10 days prior to the first day of
qualifying for the office he or she intends to
seek.
(d) The resignation must be effective no later
than the earlier of the following dates:
1. The date the officer would take office, if
elected; or
2. The date the officer's successor is required
to take office.
The Mayor suggested that the resign -to -run
statute has been applied differently for
different races.
C-20: MAYOR
C-20 - Signatures on Contracts
C-20: The Mayor shall sign all
Section 6.03. - Duties of the
Strong -mayor form of government ARTICLE 11. - THE CITY
Sec. 2.06. - Functions of
deeds, contracts, agreements,
Mayor.
COMMISSION
mayor; vice mayor.
Discussion: Should the Charter allow the City
bonds, notes, obligations and other
Manager to sign contracts within the City
legal documents of the city.
The Mayor shall preside at all
Sec. 11. - Number, selection,
The mayor shall be a voting
Manager's purchasing power, or the contracts
meetings of the Town Council,
term, compensation.
member of the commission. At
of contract employees?
but without vote, except only in
the first regular commission
the limited circumstance to
(3) The mayor -commissioner
meeting after certification of all
CRC Decision: Item is tabled by unanimous
break an existing tie vote of the
shall preside as chairperson of
city election results in years when
vote.
Town Council. The Mayor shall
meetings of the commission,
there is a city election or in April
be recognized as the head of
represent the city in
in a year when there is no city
715123: City's Finance Director is asking the
Town government 1) for all
intergovernmental relationships,
election, the commission shall
CRC to give the City Manager signatory
ceremonial purposes, 2) by the
present an annual state of the
elect one (1) of its members as
powers.
Governor of Florida for the
city message, and perform other
vice mayor. The mayor shall
purposes of military law and 3)
duties as specified by the
preside at meetings of the
Finance, Director Recommendation.
for service of process; but shall
commission. The mayor-
commission, shall be recognized
have no regular administrative
commissioner shall be
as head of city government for all
§ C-20. Duties and emergency powers of the
duties.
recognized as head of the city
ceremonial purposes, by the
Mayor.
government for all ceremonial
governor for purposes of military
Page 9 of 21
Page 15 of 27
The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the
City Commission and shall be recognized as
the head of the city government for all
ceremonial purposes and by the Governor of
the State of Florida for the purposes of
military law, civil law and service of process
but shall have no regular administrative
duties. The Mayor shall sign a44-the deeds,
contracts, agreements, bonds, notes,
obligations and other legal documents of the
city that haveapproved the City
Commission. The Mayor shall prepare and
present to the city an annual state of the city
message in the month of January of each
year in which the Mayor holds office. In time
of insurrection, general conflagrations,
catastrophe or great or widespread public
emergency, the Mayor shall become the head
of the government and shall exercise those
powers delegated to the Mayor under the
laws of Florida. In the absence or disability of
the Mayor, the functions of the Mayor shall be
discharged by the Mayor pro tem.
See C-24 below.
Sole manager of personnel
ARTICLE IV - CITY MANAGER
C-21
Discussion: Residency of the City
Manager —
Pro: The City Manager has "skin in the
game" by residing in the City.
Accessibility of the City Manager, especially
outside of business hours.
Con: Could limit candidates for City Manager,
especially in a tight job market.
City commission could waive the residency
requirement and allow the City Manager to
live outside city limits by majority vote due to
market conditions.
The Charter previously allowed such a
waiver.
OCOEE
C-21 -- ... The City Manager shall
be appointed solely on the basis of
executive and administrative
qualifications and need not be a
resident of the City of Ocoee or the
State of Florida at the time of
appointment. Within one (1) year
of commencement of
employment, the City Manager
shall become a resident of the
city and shall remain a resident of
the City while employed as City
Manager.
WINDERMERE
APOPKA
Section 8.01. - Town Manager. No residency requirement
The Town Council shall hire an
officer of the Town, who shall
have the title of Town Manager,
and who shall have the powers
and perform the duties provided
in this Charter. The Town
Council may hire the Town
Manager for an indefinite period
and may remove him or her.
Once hired, the Town
Manager may reside outside
the Town while in office only
with the approval of the Town
Council.
Page 10 of 21
WINTER GARDEN
purposes and by the governor for
purposes of military law but shall
have no administrative duties.
The mayor -commissioner as a
city commission member shall
have a voice and a vote in the
proceedings of the commission;
but no veto power.
Sec. 28. - Qualifications
The city manager shall be chosen
by the city commission solely on
the basis of executive and
administrative qualifications, with
special reference to actual
experience in, or knowledge of,
accepted practice in respect to
the duties of the office as
hereinafter set forth. At the time
of the city manager's
appointment, and for a period of
ninety (90) days thereafter, the
city manager need not be a
resident of the city, but during
the city manager's tenure of
office the city manager shall
reside within the city. The city
commission may extend the
WINTER PARK
laws, for execution of contracts,
deeds and other documents and
as the city official designated to
represent the city in all
agreements with other
governmental entities or
certifications to other
governmental entities. The
mayor shall have no other
administrative duties except as
required to carry out the
responsibilities herein.
Sec. 4.01. - City manager.
There shall be a city manager
who shall be the administrative
head of the city. The city
manager shall be responsible to
the city commission for the
administration of all city affairs
placed in the city manager's
charge by or under this Charter
or by direction of the city
commission. The manager must
take up residence in the City of
Winter Park within one (1) year
after the appointment unless
otherwise waived by the
unanimous approval of the city
commission.
Page 16 of 27
CRC Decision: Item is tabled by
unanimous vote.
CRC Decision 2: Unanimous approval of
the following language:
C-21 -- ... The City Manager shall be
appointed solely on the basis of executive
and administrative qualifications and need
not be a resident of the City of Ocoee or
the State of Florida at the time of
appointment. Within one (1) year of
commencement of employment, the City
Manager shall become a resident of the
city yriless suchi is reasonably
extendedthe unanimous approval of
the City. _Q9_ . iss ion, and thereafter shall
remain a resident of the City while
employed as City Manager.
Contract Employees
Discussion: Should the City Manager
require the Mayor's signature on contracts of
contract employees?
CRC Decision: Item is tabled by
unanimous vote, included in the Motion
on other contracts.
_Finance Director recommendation:
Authorize City Manager to sign contracts
within purchasing power.
§ C-24. Powers and duties of City
Manager.
The City Manager shall be the chief
administrative officer of the city and shall be
responsible for the administration of all city
affairs for which the City Manager is given
responsibility under this Charter. The powers
and duties of the City Manager shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
A. To appoint and, when deemed
necessary for the good of the city, to suspend
or remove any city employees or appointive
administrative officers unless otherwise
OCOEE
§ C-24. - Powers and duties
of City Manager.
The City Manager shall be the chief
administrative officer of the city and
shall be responsible for the
administration of all city affairs for
which the City Manager is given
responsibility under this Charter.
The powers and duties of the City
Manager shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
A. To appoint and, when deemed
necessary for the good of the city, to
suspend or remove any city
employees or appointive
administrative officers unless
otherwise provided under this
Charter, the laws of Florida or any
personnel rules and regulations
adopted by the city. The City
Manager may authorize any
administrative officer who is subject
to the City Manager's direction and
supervision to exercise these
powers with respect to subordinates
WINDERMERE
Page 11 of 21
APOPKA
Apopka has a strong -mayor form of
government...
Sec. 2.04. - Mayor.
The mayor shall be the chief
executive officer of the city and
shall be responsible to the
electorate for the administration of
all city affairs placed in his/her
charge by or under this Charter.
The mayor shall:
(a) Appoint, and, when the mayor
deems it necessary for the good of
the city, suspend or terminate all
city employees and appointive
administrative officers provided for
by or under this Charter.
Department heads shall be
appointed by the mayor and ratified
by the city council. The mayor may
authorize any administrative officer
who is subject to the mayor's
direction and supervision to
exercise these powers with respect
to subordinates in that officer's
department, office, or agency.
WINTER GARDEN
residency requirement for good
cause shown.
Sec. 14. - Prohibitions.
(1) Appointments and Removals.
Neither the city commission nor
any of its members shall control,
demand, direct or request the
appointment or removal of any
city administrative officer or
employee whom the city manager
or any of the city manager's
subordinates is empowered to
appoint or hire.
Sec. 30. - Powers and duties.
The city manager shall be the
chief executive officer of the city
and responsible to the city
commission for the management
of all city affairs placed in the city
manager's charge by or under
this charter. Subject to Florida
Statutes as from time to time
amended, the city manager shall:
(1) Appoint, suspend and
remove all city employees and
WINTER PARK
Page 17 of 27
provided under this Charter, the laws of
Florida or any personnel rules and
regulations adopted by the city. The City
Manager may authorize any administrative
officer who is subject to the City Manager's
direction and supervision to exercise these
powers with respect to subordinates in such
officer's department, office or agency.
B. To direct and supervise the
administration of all departments, offices and
agencies of the city, except as otherwise
provided under this Charter or the laws of
Florida.
C. To attend all City Commission
meetings and take part in any discussion at
such meetings. This shall not be construed to
include the right to vote at such meetings.
D. To ensure, to the extent possible, that
all provisions of this Charter and all laws and
acts of the City Commission that are subject
to enforcement by the City Manager or by
officers subject to the direction and
supervision of the City Manager are faithfully
executed.
E. To prepare and submit to the City
Commission the annual budget and capital
program for the city.
F. To prepare and submit to the City
Commission a complete report on the
finances and administrative activities of the
city as of the end of each fiscal year. Such
report shall also be made available to the
public.
G. To prepare and submit to the City
Commission such other reports as the City
Commission may require concerning the
operation of city departments, offices and
agencies subject to the direction and
supervision of the City Manager,
H. To prepare and submit to the City
Commission on a quarterly basis a complete
report on the financial conditions and future
needs of the city and to make
recommendations relating thereto.
OCOEE
in such officer's department, office
or agency.
B. To direct and supervise the
administration of all departments,
offices and agencies of the city,
except as otherwise provided under
this Charter or the laws of Florida.
J. To recommend to the City
Commission the salary and wage
scale of officers and employees of
the city.
WINDERMERE
Page 12 of 21
APOPKA
(b) Direct and supervise the
administration of all departments,
offices, and agencies of the city,
except as otherwise provided by
this Charter or by law.
Sec. 3.02. - Appointment and
duties of city administrator.
The city administrator shall be
appointed by the mayor and be
responsible for coordinating and
integrating the administrative and
executive functions of the city as
directed by the mayor and
consistent with the policy approved
by the city council.
WINTER GARDEN
appointive administrative officers,
except as otherwise provided by
law, this charter, or city
ordinances. The city manager
may authorize any administrative
officer to exercise these powers
with respect to city employees
and officers that are within, or
subordinates of that
administrative officer's
department, office, or agency,
subject to the city manager's
direction and supervision;
(2) Direct and supervise the
administration of all departments,
offices and agencies of the city,
except as otherwise provided by
this charter or law;
WINTER PARK
Page 18 of 27
1. To perform such other duties as may
be required under this Charter or as may be
required by the City Commission.
J. To recommend to the City
Commission the salary and wage scale of
officers and employees of the city.
C-28 CITY CLERK
Discussion: The City Commission approves
of the City Clerk's salary in the budget. In
practice, there is no separate approval,
CRC Decision: Unanimous approval of the
following revision:
C-28 A. There shall be a City Clerk who
shall be appointed by the City Manager.
The City Clerk shall be under the direction
and supervision of the City Manager. The
salary of the City Clerk shall be
determined by the City Manager, subject
to the kydget approval of the City
Commission.
Finance Director recommendation: Add to
the City Clerk's duties as follows:
§ C-28. City Clerk.
A. Appointment; powers and duties.
There shall be a City Clerk who shall be
appointed by the City Manager. The City
Clerk shall be under the direction and
supervision of the City Manager. The salary
of the City Clerk shall be determined by the
City Manager, subject to the approval of the
City Commission. The powers and duties of
the City Clerk shall be in accordance with this
Charter, the laws of Florida and the
ordinances of the city and shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
(1) Giving notice of City Commission
meetings.
OCOEE
C-28 A. There shall be a City Clerk
who shall be appointed by the City
Manager. The City Clerk shall be
under the direction and supervision
of the City Manager. The salary of
the City Clerk shall be determined
by the City Manager, subject to the
approval of the City Commission.
WINDERMERE
Section 8.04. - Town Clerk.
The Town Manager shall
appoint an officer of the Town,
with the approval of the Town
Council, who shall have the title
of Town Clerk. The Town Clerk
shall be under the direction and
supervision of the Town
Manager, and shall receive a
salary established by the Town
Manager.
Page 13 of 21
APOPKA
Sec. 3.01. - Appointment and
duties of clerk and city attorney.
The city clerk and city attorney
shall be appointed by the mayor
and ratified by the city council. The
city clerk and city attorney shall
serve at the pleasure of the mayor
and the city council.
WINTER GARDEN
WINTER PARK
Sec. 4.05. - Powers and duties.
The city manager shall:
(b) Appoint department heads
and the city clerk subject to the
confirmation by the city
commission.
(c)Remove department heads
and the city clerk subject to the
right of those individuals to
appeal such removal to the city
commission. In the case of civil
service employees, such
removed department heads must
first exhaust their remedies under
the Civil Service Code. This
provision is not intended to
modify or repeal the Civil Service
Code.
Page 19 of 27
(2) Attending all City Commission
meetings and keeping minutes of such
meetings to be signed by the Mayor of the
city and attested by the City Clerk.
(3) Acting as custodian of the City Seal,
ordinances, resolutions and all papers and
other documentation pertaining to the affairs
of the city.
(4) Preserving and filing all contracts and
agreements to which the city is a party.
(5) Posting all ordinances when required
to do so.
(6) Attesting to the Mayor's signature on
ordinances, resolutions, contracts,
agreements and other documents.
sionature on contracts and awt.
Preserving and maintaining an
Ordinance Book and a Resolution Book.
Performing all other duties appropriate
to the office of City Clerk as may be imposed
by law, required by city ordinance or directed
by the City Manager.
See C-50 below — Should the City Clerk
serve on the City's canvassing board?
C-45 ELECTION DATES
Discussion: Odd number regular elections
do not allow piggyback elections on
presidential elections.
The only way to change this timing is to
extend the terms of one or more
Commissioners and/or the Mayor.
CRC Decision: Unanimous vote not to
consider changing the timing of elections.
OCOEE
Beginning in March 2021, regular
municipal elections shall be held
annually on the second Tuesday in
March of each odd -numbered year.
WINDERMERE
Section 10.04. — Persons
Elected at All Regular
Municipal Elections.
At all regular municipal
elections held in even
numbered years, two (2) Town
Council members and a Mayor
shall be elected. At elections
held in odd numbered years,
three (3) Town Council
members shall be elected. All
Page 14 of 21
APOPKA
Section 2.02 -
Councilmembers holding seats
designated herein as seats three
and four, whose terms expire on
December 31, 1993, will face
election in 1993 for one three-year
term. Thereafter, the mayor and
city commissioners will face
election for four-year terms."
WINTER GARDEN
Sec. 2-251. - General
and runoff elections; taking
office.
(a) Election dates and terms of
office. Beginning in March 1998,
regular municipal elections shall
be held on the second Tuesday
in March of each year in which
the term of office for mayor -
commissioner or a city
commissioner expires, unless the
WINTER PARK
Page 20 of 27
OCOEE
WINDERMERE I APOPKA I WINTER GARDEN I WINTER PARK
candidates elected to office shall
be elected for a term of two (2)
years. At elections held in even
numbered years the two (2)
Town Council candidates and
the candidate for mayor
receiving the highest number of
votes shall be elected; at
elections held in odd numbered
years the three (3) Town Council
candidates receiving the highest
number of votes shall be
elected.
ARTICLE 11. - REGULAR
ELECTIONS
Sec. 10-23. - Date of elections.
Each regular municipal election
shall be held on the second
Tuesday in March of each
election year. However, in a
year in which there is a
presidential preference primary,
by resolution, the town council
may move the election date to
be concurrent with the
presidential preference primary
and set the dates to qualify for
election to the office of
councilmember in that year.
Page 15 of 21
date and time of such election is
otherwise changed by the city
commission to coincide with a
presidential preference primary in
accordance with general law. The
terms of office of the mayor and
the city commissioners shall be
as follows:
(1) The current terms for the
office of mayor -commissioner
and all seats on the city
commission shall be extended
and continue until such time as
his respective successor is sworn
in.
(2) The mayor -commissioner
shall be elected for a three-year
term at a regular municipal
election held in 2008 and shall
thereafter be elected for a three-
year term at a regular municipal
election to be held every three
years thereafter.
(3) One city commissioner shall
be elected for a three-year term
at a regular municipal election to
be held in 2008 and shall
thereafter be elected for three-
year terms at a regular municipal
election to be held every three
years thereafter. Such city
commissioner shall be elected to
District No. 1.
(4) Three city commissioners
shall be elected for a three-year
term at a regular municipal
election to be held in 2009 and
shall thereafter be elected for
three-year terms at a regular
municipal election to be held
every three years thereafter.
Such city commissioners shall be
elected to District No. 2, District
No. 3 and District No. 4.
Page 21 of 27
Discussion:
Remove swearing -in time and replace with
"immediately prior to the next regularly
scheduled meeting."
City Commission meetings begin at 6:15 PM
and the Commission should have flexibility to
establish its meeting times.
CRC Decision: Unanimous approval of the
following revision:
C-45 B. Any person elected to the office of
Mayor or the office of City Commissioner
shall be sworn into office at 740-p-.m..or the
immediately pri r t
commencement f the next regularly
scheduled City Commission meeting held
after the results of the election are declared
by the Canvassing Board as set forth in
_section C-50 of this charter.
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO C-45:
§ C-45. Election dates and terms of office.
[Amended 4-2-1996 by Ord. No.
96-05; 10-7-1997 by Ord. No. 97-
20; 1-5-1999 by Ord. No. 99-071;
10-3-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-0254 ]
A.. RgqgLar I i `r __ r
election' is an electionl t
r l ri It I t i
f
Beginning in March 2021, regular
municipal elections shall be held
annually on the second Tuesday in
March of each odd -numbered year.
The terms of office of the Mayor
and City Commissioners shall be as
follows:
(1) The Mayor shall be elected for
a four-year term at a regular
municipal election to be held in
OCOEE
CRC Decision: Unanimous
approval of the following
revision:
C-45 B. Any person elected to the
office of Mayor or the office of City
Commissioner shall be sworn into
office p.m. on t
immediately prior to
commencement of the next
regularly scheduled City
Commission meeting held after the
results of the election are declared
by the Canvassing Board as set
forth in section C-50 of this charter.
WINDERMERE
APOPKA
'Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved by the electorate of the City of Ocoee by referendum 3-9-1999. Said ordinance also provided for an effective date of 6-1-1999.
Editor's Note: This ordinance was approved by the electorate of the City of Ocoee by referendum 3-13-2018. Said ordinance also provided for an effective date of 6-1-2018.
Page 16 of 21
WINTER GARDEN
WINTER PARK
Page 22 of 27
March 2019 and shall
thereafter be elected for a four-
year term at a regular
municipal election to be held
every four (4) years thereafter.
(2) Two (2) City Commissioners
shall be elected for four-year
terms at a regular municipal
election to be held in March
2021 and shall thereafter be
elected for four-year terms at a
regular municipal election to
be held every four (4) years
thereafter. Such City
Commissioners shall be
elected to Seat No. 2 and Seat
No. 4.
(3) Two (2) City Commissioners
shall be elected for four-year
terms at a regular municipal
election to be held in March
2019 and shall thereafter be
elected for four-year terms at a
regular municipal election to
be held every four (4) years
thereafter. Such City
Commissioners shall be
elected to Seat No. 1 and Seat
No. 3.
Special Elections. A'special
election' is an Wlection thaLMay
be held to fill ayg2qngL2n_jhe
Pi �ionu�rsqant �to
C-1 L2L!2-r v�
ordiiti tv r r I
an ordinance
t)ursuant to 4 C-19.
C. General Elections. A'qeneral
election that is not a sDecial
election or reaular election.
DNotwithstanding the above the term
of office of any person elected to
the office of Mayor or the office of
City Commissioner shall commence
upon being sworn into office and
continue until such time as his or
OCOEE I WINDERMERE IAPOPKA I WINTER GARDEN I WINTER PARK
Page 17 of 21
Page 23 of 27
her respective successor is sworn
into office. Any person elected to
the office of Mayor or the office
of City Commissioner shall be
sworn into office
ay i ediately prior to
commencement of the next
regularly scheduled City
Commission meeting held after
the results of the election are
declared by the Canvassing
Board as set forth in section C-50
of this charter. The incumbent
Mayor and City Commissioners in
office on the date of approval of this
provision by the voters of the City
shall continue to hold their
respective offices until their
successors are sworn into office.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event that no candidate qualifies
for the office of Mayor or a specific
seat on the City Commission, then
such office or seat shall be declared
vacant by the Canvassing Board at
its meeting following the regular
municipal election.
Discussion:
Should the Charter expressly allow the
setting of elections by resolution or
ordinance?
Setting an election is a legislative act under
Florida law. An ordinance is the usual form of
a legislative act.
Fla. Stat. § 100.3605(2): A City Commission
"may, by ordinance, change the dates for
qualifying and for the election of members of
the governing body of the municipality."
OCOEE
§ C-49. - Conduct of elections.
[Amended 12-1-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-030][241
The City Commission shall
designate the places of polling for all
city elections and shall give notice of
all city elections in accordance with
the laws of Florida. Except as
otherwise set forth herein, the City
Commission shall by ordinance
provide for the printing of ballots, the
conduct of elections, including
absentee procedures, the canvass
of returns, and all similar election
details. Such ordinance shall, to the
extent possible, ensure the secrecy
of the ballot and the integrity of the
poll.
WINDERMERE
Sec. 10-23. - Date of elections.
Each regular
municipal election shall be held
on the second Tuesday in March
of each election year. However,
in a year in which there is a
presidential preference primary,
by resolution. the town
council may move
the election date to be
concurrent with the
presidential preference
primary and set the dates to
qualify for election to the office
of councilmember in that year.
Page 18 of 21
APOPKA
Sec. 30-21. - Election date;
qualifying period; early voting.
(a) The general elections within
the city shall be held on the second
Tuesday of March, and all run-off
elections shall be held on the
second Tuesday in April, in those
years when required for the
election of a city official, or as
amended by ordinance or law at
least six months prior to the city
general election.
WINTER GARDEN
Sec. 2-252. - Special elections
Special elections shall be held in
the same manner as a regular
election except the city
commission, by resolution,
shall fix the time of holding
such special election and the
question to be balloted and notice
shall be provided in the manner
required by Florida Statutes
governing special elections.
WINTER PARK
Sec. 42-10. - Elections in the
years of federal presidential
preference primary elections.
(a) In those years in which there
is a federal presidential
preference primary election in the
State of Florida on any date as
may be established by governing
Florida law, the city's general city
election provided for in article III
of the City Charter, in accordance
with governing Florida law, shall
be held concurrently with the
federal presidential preference
primary election. For those
general elections subject to this
section, the run-off election, if
needed, shall be held on the
second Tuesday in the month
Page 24 of 27
OCOEE
C-46: Runoff Elections
Supervisor of Elections requests that
municipalities eliminate runoff elections
CRC Decision: Supervisor of Elections'
proposal to eliminate runoff elections
rejected unanimously.
RELATED: C 9
WINDERMERE
Page 19 of 21
APOPKA
SeG.-30-25. Pane# eIeGti0n
WINTER GARDEN
WINTER PARK
following the month of such
general election or on another
date as determined by the citv
commission by resolution or
ordinance. The city clerk shall
establish an appropriate
qualifying period given these
election dates and the other
provisions of this Code.
(b) The Orange County
Canvassing Board is hereby
authorized to canvass the City of
Winter Park ballots voted in the
city general election set in
accordance with this section.
(c) Terms of office are not
affected by this section, and will
begin and end as provided by the
City Charter or other applicable
law.
Page 25 of 27
C-50 Canvassing Board
Discussion: Should the City Clerk be a
member of the City's canvassing board?
Rationale: The City Clerk is a member for
most municipal canvassing boards.
Testing and tabulation of machines require
the presence of a canvassing board member
and the City Clerk had an experience when
she was only one present for the City.
— See criteria for Orange County and State
Law on - Canvass at City Hall Who are the
inspectors?
CRC Decision: Directed the Facilitator to
draft an amendment to C-50 placing the City
Clerk on the Canvassing Board together with
two citizens and two other citizens who shall
serves as alternates.
CRC Decision 1: Unanimous approval of
the following language:
§ C-50. Certification of results; canvass of
returns; notification of successful candidates.]
The results of the voting at each polling place
when ascertained shall be certified by return
in duplicate signed by the Clerk and a
majority of the inspectors of the election, one
(1) copy being delivered by the Clerk and
inspectors to the Mayor and the other to the
City Clerk, both of whom shall transmit such
return to a public meeting of the Canvassing
which shall consist i
Clerk citizens
appointed the CityCommission.
City__Comm-is-sion shall alsoappoint two
additional citizens to serve
alternates t the Canvassinq. The
Canvassing Board shall canvass the returns
and shall declare the results of the canvass
as the results of the election in a manner
provided by city ordinance or as otherwise
required by law. A majority of the Canvassing
Board shall constitute a quorum thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the
OCOEE
§ C-50. Certification of results;
canvass of returns;
notification of
successful candidates.]
The results of the voting at each
polling place when ascertained shall
be certified by return in duplicate
signed by the Clerk and a majority
of the inspectors of the election, one
(1) copy being delivered by the
Clerk and inspectors to the Mayor
and the other to the City Clerk, both
of whom shall transmit such return
to a public meeting of the
Canvassing ard, which shall
consist of three () The
Canvassing Board shall canvass the
returns and shall declare the results
of the canvass as the results of the
election in a manner provided by
city ordinance or as otherwise
required by law. A majority of the
Canvassing Board shall constitute a
quorum thereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with the agreement of the
Orange County Canvassing Board
and Orange County Supervisor of
Elections, the City Commission
may, by ordinance, assign and
abdicate the canvassing
responsibilities of the City
Canvassing Board to the Orange
County Canvassing Board. In such
event, the Orange County
Canvassing Board shall canvass the
returns and shall declare the results
of the canvass as the results of the
election in a manner provided by
city ordinance or as otherwise
required by law.
WINDERMERE
Section 10.05 - A canvassing
board shall consist of the
Town Clerk and two incumbent
Town Council members not
running for re-election. The
Town Manager may serve as a
member of
the canvassing board if needed.
Page 20 of 21
APOPKA
Sec. 30-26. - Canvassing board;
canvass and certification of
votes.
(a) The city canvassing board shall
be composed of the city clerk
and two members of the city
council who are not candidates.
Two citizens shall be selected by
majority vote of the city council to
serve as first and second alternate
canvassing board members. The
canvassing board members and
the alternate canvassing board
members shall be appointed at
least 60 days before December 1
prior to a general election. Said
terms shall expire on May 1 of the
election year. At the close of the
polls of the city election, the board
shall meet and proceed to publicly
canvass the absentee electors'
ballots and then publicly canvass
the vote as shown by the election
clerk. In the event of provisional
ballots, the canvassing board shall
reconvene by Monday following the
election to canvass the provisional
ballots and certify the election
results. However, in years when
there may be a countywide
election, the city council may
approve the canvassing of
absentee and provisional electors'
ballots by the county canvassing
board. The city clerk shall be
designated the city's
representative. The city clerk shall
review the ballots accepted by the
county canvassing board. The city
absentee ballots are to be counted
simultaneously with the county
ballots in the presence of the city
clerk, who is to observe and report
any discrepancies to the city
council.
WINTER GARDEN
Sec. 48. - Canvassing board.
(1) A city canvassing board
shall be established for the
purposes of canvassing ballots
and election results. The
canvassing board shall be
composed of the city clerk and
two (2) citizens who shall be
selected by majority vote of the
city commission. A third and
fourth citizen shall also be
selected by majority vote of the
city commission to serve as a first
and second alternate canvassing
board member. The canvassing
board members shall be
appointed by July 1 st of each
year and shall serve a one-year
term commencing on July 1st and
ending June 30th the following
year, or until their successors are
appointed.
WINTER PARK
Sec. 3.04. - Elections.
(d) Canvassing board. For any
city election, the city commission
shall appoint three (3) of its
members to be the canvassing
board. No commissioner or
mayor shall participate in the
canvassing of the returns of an
election for which said
commissioner or mayor is a
candidate or subject to recall. For
any disqualified city
commissioner or mayor, the city
clerk shall act as the alternate
canvassing board member.
Page 26 of 27
OCOEE I WINDERMERE I APOPKA I WINTER GARDEN I WINTER PARK
agreement of the Orange County Canvassing
Board and Orange County Supervisor of
Elections, the City Commission may, by
ordinance, assign and abdicate the
canvassing responsibilities of the City
Canvassing Board to the Orange County
Canvassing Board. In such event, the Orange
County Canvassing Board shall canvass the
returns and shall declare the results of the
canvass as the results of the election in a
manner provided by city ordinance or as
otherwise required by law.
C-69 DISTRICT RESIDENCY
REQUIREMENTS — one year — redundant of
qualifying — make consistent with C-11
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