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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-88 CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD MAY 5, 1988 Sew Chairman Beatty called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and asked everyone to observe a moment of silent meditation then led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. PRESENT: Chairman, Beatty, Board Members Pounds, Switzer and Hendrix, Attorneys Rosenthal, Mlsna and Creasman, and City Clerk Catron. ABSENT: Board Member Mitchell was absent because he was out of town due to a prior commitment. APPROVALS Edwin Pounds moved to approve the minutes of the April 21, 1988 Meeting, Harold Switzer seconded and the motion, carried unanimously. REVIEW OF ARTICLE III OF THE CHARTER A recap of Article III had been provided to the committee with changes that had been requested to be rnade after the last meeting. Attorney Rosenthal asked if they approved of the wording on the section pertaining to the Districting Commission and the board members were in agreement with the exception of several minor changes. One change rnade was regarding Item E in the memo to the Charter Commission dated 5 -4 -88. The last sentence was to be deleted because if the city commission failed to act, the initiative and referendum section could be u t i l i z e d . Attorney Mlsna asked if Section 10(b) was worded to their satisfaction. Chairman Beatty stated that their intention was that they did not want a member of the commission to serve while under indictment. Attorney Rosenthal stated that under State Statute the Governor of the State of Florida had the authority to suspend a member of the city commission if they were under indictment. The committee agreed to the wording as presented. Chairman Beatty stated that the only issue he had was with Section, 9 dealing with the compensation, of the city commission and he felt it was very low. Attorneys Mlsna and Rosenthal explained that most charters provided for increases by way of an ordinance and none had specific amounts in the charter. Terms of Office Most of the board members agreed they could go either way on this issue. They supported the concept of 4 year terns, but if the citizens were opposed, they would not have a problem with 2 year terms. Chairman Beatty asked that staff look at the percentage of voters that voted in a regular election, when the county, state and /or federal offices were involved versus a stand alone city election. He also asked that an outline of the major changes to the charter, that were being 1 Page 2 Charter Revision Committee .0141w May 5, 1988 recommended, be done so the citizens would be informed when the public hearings were held. He asked that a date be considered for a public hearing. REVIEW OF ARTICLE VI OF THE CHARTER Attorney Rosenthal stated that most of this article could be deleted since it was addressed in the State Statute. He said that most other cities did not address the issue and our charter addressed it in more detail. He also stated that Attorney Creasman had reviewed this article. Article VI was reviewed with the following recommendations. Section 1 - No change as the date was set by State Statute. Section 2 - Insert "city" before manager and commission. Section 3 - No changes were made. Section 4 - Chairman Beatty suggested the addition of the provision that the city commission be required to take steps to reduce expenditures. This wording was included in the Casselberry Charter. 4 11w Section 5 - No changes were made. Section 6 - Deleted as it was handled under State Statute. Section 7 - State Statutes and other charters to be reviewed in order to determine what was needed. Section 8 - It was recommended by the attorney that Section 8 (b) be deleted because they were concerned that the emergency appropriations included a tax levy. The board agreed to delete Section 8 (b). Section 9 - This section was not changed except the board requested the time frame be left at the 3 years but tie the captial expenditure appropriation to the five year plan. Section 10 - Since the city required 100% collateralization of their funds, wording was added so the city could require higher amounts than those required by law. Section 11 - The word "clerk" was to be deleted and the requirements of State Statute were to be inserted. Section 12 - This section was deleted as it was %ror inconsistent with State Law. 2 Page 3 Charter Revision Committee %ay May 5, 1988 Section 13 - This section was not changed. Section 14 - The only change made is this section provided for the investing of funds as allowed by the Laws of Florida. COMMENTS Items for the agenda for the next meeing will be the items relating to finance in Article II and all of Article IV which relates to the City Manager. The Charter Revision Committee will meet again on May 12, and May 26, 1988. Chairman Beatty again commended the attorneys on the great job they were doing in putting the recommended alternatives and changes together. Harold Switzer moved to adjourn, Ed Pounds seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. 41:w CHAIRMAN BEATTY ATTEST: HELEN CATRON, CITY CLERK *ow 3