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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-84 SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION HELD APRIL 11. 1984 I PRESENT: Mayor Ison, Commissioners Hager, Lyle, Cook, Rodgers: Ci ty Manager Burgess; and City Attorney Rhodes ABSENT: None CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ison called the Special Session, of the City Commission, of April 12, 1984, to order at 7:30 p.m.. Mayor Ison led those present in prayer and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. SUBJECT MATTER OF THE SESSION IS THE EMPLOYEMENT OF THE CITY MANAGER Mayor Ison opened the meeting by giving the subject that was being brought forth on this night. The mayor gave a summary. to the aud- ience, of the events. that led up to the Special Session being cal- led. The Mayor then opened the floor to the Commissioners for any comments that they might have. He then reitereated that the floor was open to only the Commissioners. I Commissioner Rodgers was the first COIIUllissioner to speak. He thank- ed the Board for the opportunity to speak first. He stated he want- ed to thank the Board for postponing the Special Session, the pre- vious night, in order to give him a chance to be represented. He stated that there were basically three subjects that he wanted to discuss with all the Commissioners. First a short story; metaphor that he felt appropriate for the subject matter at hand. Second and Third was the responsibility of the Commissioners and the re- sponsibility of the Citizens of Ocoee. Commissioner Rodgers opened with a short story of a man that lived Two Thousand Years ago. liThe conclusion of the story is one that all humanity knows today, because we are fixing to enter into one of perhaps the darkest periods of modern civilization. Only three days later to come out of it in one of the lightest and brightest and happiest moments civilization could experience. liThe responsibility of the Commission is basically to make deci- sions that affect all individuals, that affect this city, that affects all the citizens. And you know when we make decisions I can1t help but think of several basic responsibilities the Commissioners have. Our decisions must be objective, must be intelligent, must be without malice. or spite. They must be without prejudice or without personal emotions. We must conduct ourselves professionally. We were elected to represent all the people; not a few; not the ones that necessarily scream the loudest. We were elected to speak for the maises of the people. And it was also our job to address the few that screamed the loudest, and try to get them to conform; to try to get them to understand the basic Objective of this Commission and the basic objectives of our City Manager. It is up to us as Camilli ss i oners to represent him; we are the pillars of this community and every thing that we say within our community represents the entire Board; it represents the feel ings, and it should not be personal. If we should want I page 2 I to address our personal feelings we do it in private. When we address feelings on the Commission it should be to represent the entire City. Our decisions must be based on the population of Ten Thousand plus within the City of Ocoee, not Twenty or Thirty individuals. We must follow some basic guide lines. Is it fair to all concerned? Is it an isolated problem? Is it based on prejudice or malice or morals or ethics? And most importantly have we as Commissioners; have we attempted to solve these problems and if we did was the problem solved adequately, sufficiently? Have we Objectively looked at the good things that our City Manager has done? Have we helped him in building positive images for the City? Have we, one hundred percent, supported our City manager and overcome objectives of a few? Because I am reminded of one thing that my Dad taught me many years ago, and live tried to live by one little rule, and it was very simply this: When you point a finger therels always three pointing back at you. liThe Citizens. The Citizens playa very, very important role in government. Citizens are basically passive. The masses are basically passive. The minorities are usually the active and are usually the ones that are most vocal and are usually the ones that create crises. And itls only when the crises develop that the motivation of the masses are seen because when a crises develops that affects people either domestically or socially affects their government, will they corne forward and speak. That1s when the passive of the masses becomes the active masses and that's when the true feeling of the conYllunity is heard. That's when we as Commissioners must vote our concious, we must objectively look at our moral and ethical obligations. We must do what we feel is right and we must do what the trUE vocal masses ask of us. That is what makes this job so difficult. So I appeal to you tonight, my fellow Commissioners, to vote your conscience. If your1re scared, just stop, think about it. Let no personalities, malice, vindictiveness or grudges interfere with your better judgement. And at this time I would like for you all to join me in a form of a motion to unanimously throw our support behind our City Manager and a vote of confidence so we can proceed with dealing with other major crises within the City that will effect all Citizens in the imrnient future. Thank You Mr. Mayorll. The Mayor then asked Con@issioner Rodgers if the ~oard could take the last statement made to be a motion and the Conunissioner stated that he II certainly may, Your Honorll. The Mayor asked if there was a second to the motion. Commissioner Cook seconded the Motion. The Mayor then asked for any discussion, starting with Commissioner Hager. Commissioner Hager stated twice that he had nothing for discussion. Commissioner Lyle called for the question. Mayor called for a vote on the Motion. Motion car- ried with Con@issioners Rodgers, Hager, and Cook voting yea and Commissioner Lyle voting nea. I I Commissioner Rodgers motioned to adjourn and Commissioner Cook seconded. The vote was Carried. ___J 1 I I ( " page 3 The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.. ATTEST: ~~/ ?l~<- CITY CL~frR :$~ e LvJ MAYOR -. .-'"" :-: -- . Correction to minutes of Special Meeting of the City of Ocoee Board of Commiss~oners that was held April 11, 1984. The Meeting was adjourned at 8~43 7:42 pm. ~ ' 0{!flrJfiU'; ~ Deputy erk Corrected by motion of the Commission at the regular meeting on April 17, 1984. . -