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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-16 florida Charter Review Board October 26, 2016 AGENDA 7:00 p.m. I. Call to Order Recording Clerk Sibbitt called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of City I tall, located at 150 N. Lakeshore Drive. She further called roll and declared a quorum to he present. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum Present: Chairman Hopper, Vice-Chair King. Mashers West, Murray, Griffin, and Alternate Members Bonham and Grogan. Also present were Recording Clerk Sibbitt, Charter Review Commission "CRC" Facilitator Rosenthal, and Assistant City Attorney Crosby-Collier. Absent: None. Guests: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Wilsen, and Ocoee Resident Martha Lopez- Anderson. Brief Introduction of Members CRC Facilitator Rosenthal briefly introduced himself to the hoard. Mr. Rosenthal was former City Attorney to the City of Ocoee from 1988-2012. Aller his introduction he asked each member to briefly introduce themselves. Election of Officers Consensus of the CRC Board was to elect Chair and Vice-Chair al the end of the meeting alter the presentation by the facilitator and assistant city attorney. II. Purnosc and Procedures (City Charter Facilitator) CRC Facilitator Rosenthal gave an overview of the Charter and his knowledge of the CRC, which was established in 1988 while he served as City Attorney for Ocoee. He further shared the process of past CRC meetings and how the amendments were presented before the City Commission. In 2009, Charter Amendments were drafted and an Ordinance was adopted to put eight (8) ballot questions to the voters; all eight (8) amendments passed on the ballot in 2010. One of the important ballot questions was whether the CRC should he advisory to the City Commission to decide what goes to the voter or having the CRC act as an independent body, where their questions go directly to the voters. As that ballot question was adopted, the CRC is no longer an advisory board but a decision-making body that has the powers to send charter questions directly to the voters. Charter Review Board October 26, 2016 CRC Facilitator Rosenthal briefly explained another charter amendment adopted in 2010 with regards to the appointment of alternate members to the CRC. Ile shared that alternate members arc welcome to participate in the ('RC meeting discussions and are subject to the sante sunshine laws as the regular members. but cannot vote as long as the live (5) voting members are present. If regular CRC member is absent,then an alternate member can step in. Ile further advised Member Bonham that he was selected by the Commission as the first alternate, and Member Grogan would he considered the second alternate The benefit of having the alternates is they do not have to worry about not having a quorum. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal announced that the Charter states that charter amendments will go on the next General Municipal Election. Additionally. the charter requires that everything is finalized 90 days prim' to the General Municipal Election. The next General Municipal Election will occur in March 2018. This will give the CIRC about ten (10) to (I1) eleven months to meet and finalize, if anything. as they are not obligated to send anything to the voters. They may decide the Charter is line as is. A 1997 detailed chart that was created by former CRC Member Lester Dabbs was shared with the hoard. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal also explained past CRC minutes and reports that were provided in their packets for them to review at their leisure. This will give them an idea of what was discussed in the past. Further overview was given on having public hearings for public input and method of getting input from elected officials and staff. Member West inquired how long could the CRC he in place as a committee. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal announced their terms are until September 2017, but they can keep meeting until they are done and questions are on the ballot. If needed, he could advise the City Manager that term limits need to be extended so that could be approved by the Commission. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal shared that he asked City stall to set up the tables for their meetings verses having the members up at the dais so that they could better interact and speak to each other during discussions. The board agreed that they did like the set-up of the tables. III. Sunshine Law/Public Records Law Overview (City Attorney) Assistant City Attorney Dana Crosby-Collier gave a PowerPoint presentation on Florida's Sunshine and Public Records Law. The presentation outlined the following: • Public Meetings/Sunshine law • Public Records Law After the presentation, Assistant City Attorney Crosby-Collier answered questions by the members. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal also asked the attorney to explain what discussion the members can have with City officials or stag. Additionally, it was recommended that the CRC members consider creating a separate e-mail account just for CRC e-mail communication so they are not using their personal e-mail address for hoard business. 21P Charter Review Board October 26. 2016 IV. Set Next Meeting Dates Election of Officers: Motion: Move to nominate Michael Hooper as Chairman and Cheryl King as Vice-Chair. Moved by CRC Member West, seconded by CRC Member Griffin: Motion carried 5-0. Chairman Hopper shared that he has been looking over the charter for quite some time and has highlighted areas that he felt needed to he addressed and further recommends every member do the same. He further shared how he would suggest the board go through the charter when they meet. Discussion ensued on meeting date and time. Consensus was to have monthly meetings. As they get closer to the deadline they can decide to meet twice a month. Member King said she would like to look at the deadlines. because she I cels it would be easier to work backwards. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal said the attorney or the clerk can research and contact the Supervisor of Elections Office. It was discussed having the meetings on the third Wednesday of the month. CRC Facilitator Rosenthal reminded the board that they have to work with the clerk on the availahility of the chambers. Assistant City Attorney Crosby-Collier advised that looking at the calendar it appears that Wednesdays arc available. Chairman Hopper said he would suggest they not meet in December due to the holiday schedule. Consensus of the hoard was to set the next meeting for November 16th at 7 p.m. CRC Rosenthal suggested that they think about having elected officials and staff members forward any input to the CRC as well as appear before the CRC. This will he best to have earlier in their review process than towards the end. After a brief discussion, consensus was to have the Chairman send a memorandum to the elected officials and City Manager requesting any input on the charter prior to their January meeting. V. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Art Melanie Sibbitt, Recording Clerk Michael Hopper, Chairman 3 I' ,r