HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRC 11/24/2008
City of Ocoee
Minutes of the Charter Review Commission
Meeting Held November 24, 2008
Call to Order
Chairperson Grafton called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m., in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall, located at 150 N. Lakeshore Drive. Chairperson Grafton gave
the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. City Clerk Eikenberry called
roll and declared a quorum to be present.
Roll Call
Present: Chairperson Grafton, Vice-Chair McKey, Members Arney and Barnes
(arrived at 6:14 p.m.). Also present were City Clerk Eikenberry and City Attorney
Palmer.
Absent:
Member Howell (excused)
Approval of Minutes of November 19. 2008.
Vice-Chair McKev. seconded bv Member Amev. moved to avvrove the Charter Review
Commission minutes of November 19.2008. Motion carried unanimouslv.
Review and Discuss Final Draft of Charter
The members read over the final draft of their proposed changes to the Charter, as
amended by the City Attorney.
Rosemary Wilsen, 1019 Shady Maple Circle, inquired about the amendments made to
the Initiative and Referendum section of the Charter. She asked if the board could
recommend that if they do not get a supermajority vote by City Commission that the
Charter amendments would go straight to referendum. City Clerk Eikenberry said they
could make that recommendation if the City Commission denies the current proposition.
Consensus of the board was that allvrovosed amendments made to the Charter were
satisfactory: and that if the board's recommendation to flO straiflht to referendum does
not vass that thev recommend that a suver maiority vote be necessarv to den v future
recommendations of the Charter Review Board.
Chairperson Grafton stated Orange County requires that a judge be part of their
Canvassing Board and asked if Ocoee's Canvassing Board should have the same type of
requirements. City Attorney Palmer said it was up to the Charter Review Board as to
what type of make up would be required for the Canvassing Board, whether it be three
citizens in general that are appointed by City Commission, or whether such citizens
should hold specified professions. Vice-Chair McKey and Member Amey agreed that
three citizens appointed by City Commission was acceptable.
City Clerk Eikenberry asked if the wording was clear in the Election Section 45-A that
the reader would understand that there would be a stand alone election every two years,
and a piggyback with the County during the Presidential Election. A lengthy discussion
ensued.
Charter Review Commission
November 24, 2008
City Attorney Palmer was under the impression, after speaking with Orange County's
attorney, that Ocoee could piggyback on the County elections for EVERY election, not
just the presidential one, even if that meant the elections may have to be moved to August
In some years.
Consensus of the board was to confirm information with Supervisor of Elections. Bill
Cowles. and have the Citv Attornev and City Clerk reword that section accordinglv.
City Clerk Eikenberry asked if anyone has the date that Mr. Cowles appeared before
the board, she could pull up the section with regard to piggybacking elections. She found
and listened to the previous recording and reported that Mr. Cowles stated that the City
would save money with four year terms by piggybacking with the County every other
election, when there was a presidential preference primary. He stated that in the year of
the gubernatorial elections, the City would still have to have the regular municipal
election.
Consensus of the board was to pigf!Vback with Orange Countv when authorized. and
when not authorized thev would revert back to holding a municipal election the first
Tuesdav in March.
City Clerk Eikenberry said she would send the new wording to the board for their
review; to be included in an agenda item that is due tomorrow. The agenda item will be
for the report that goes to the Commission for discussion on the December 2nd Meeting.
Vice-Chair McKev. seconded bv Member Barnes. moved to adovt the report as
presented. sub;ect to include the changes to be made regarding elections. Motion carried
4-0. with Member Howell absent.
Chairperson Grafton emphasized the importance of educating the citizens and asked
about sending notices in the water bills, newsletters, and notifying the homeowner's
associations. She stated that if City Commission buys into what the board has proposed,
then the West Orange Times will assist in advertising the information clearly to the
public.
City Clerk Eikenberry said the board should reconvene after the Commission decides
what goes on the ballot, to see what the ballot questions will look like, and to be sure it is
worded so that voters will understand their intent.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
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