HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-95 SS
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING BETWEEN COMMISSIONER GLASS AND
COMMISSIONER GLEASON ON MARCH 14, 1995
This meeting between Commissioner Glass and Commissioner Gleason was called by
Commissioner Gleason for the purpose of discussing the Senior Citizens Program and City
Personnel Matters. Although scheduled to be held in the commission chambers conference
room, due to the large number of citizens in attendance the meeting was moved to the
commission chambers. The meeting was scheduled to begin at noon and, while waiting for
Commissioner Glass to arrive, Commissioner Gleason explained to the 27 citizens present that
this method of communicating had been employed to accommodate the Government in the
Sunshine law and still provide a means for two commissioners to exchange ideas on matters
important to them. In response to questions from the audience, Commissioner Gleason
explained that the same method of noticing this meeting had been used as that used for the
regular Commission meetings: the press had been advised regarding the participants, the time
and the place, and an agenda had been posted on the City Clerk's official bulletin board at least
twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting. He explained further that the meeting would be
recorded, the minutes would be transcribed for the permanent record, and then would be placed
on an upcoming Commission agenda for full Commission information.
Commissioner Glass arrived at 12: 10 p.m. and Commissioner Gleason informed him that he had
advised the public about the procedure of this meeting.
Commissioner Gleason reviewed the history of the Senior Program (Over 65 Program) and said
~ that he has never advocated taking anyone off the program, but he did feel that some method
should be devised to draw the program to a close. The most obvious method seemed to be
putting an ending date for the period when new applications are taken.
Commissioner Glass echoed Commissioner Gleason's remarks about not wanting to take anyone
off the program. He stated that it is a very expensive program and that in reviewing the packet
he had learned that the program tripled in cost the first ten years and again the second ten years.
He said he felt that the young people who would be supporting the program 10 years from now
would not be able to afford it. Commissioner Glass also advocated setting a cut off date for
new applications and talked about the possibility of being sued by someone who is old enough
to receive the benefits but who has not lived here 10 years.
In summary, Commissioner Glass said that, as a lawsuit is a potential problem and that rebating
ad valorem taxes is violating the Florida Constitution, he would be in favor of restructuring the
program to provide the same benefits but in a different manner. He said further that he may
move for a committee (made up of an attorney, several seniors, and several young people) to
review the program.
Commissioner Gleason noted that the minutes reflect that the Senior Program Committee was
to remain active but there was no evidence that has happened. He said he wants to see this
matter on a future agenda (possibly April) to debate putting a committee back together to review
and recommend action to Commission.
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Commissioner Gleason then announced that the City Personnel matter he wished to discuss had
\...- to do with a letter he had written to City Manager Shapiro expressing his concerns about the
current administration. Mr. Shapiro had advised him that he had distributed both Commissioner
Gleason's letter and his written response to the Commission, and the reason this item was on
the agenda was to give him an opportunity to ask Commissioner Glass if he had received both
documents. Commissioner Glass responded that he had received the letters and that Mr. Shapiro
had suggested a senior staff/commission workshop. Commissioner Gleason said that the role
of Commission is to make policy and the role of staff is to carry it out and that time will tell
whether his concerns will continue to be addressed by Mr. Shapiro.
Commissioner Glass handed Commissioner Gleason a card with the name and telephone number
of the man who makes his golf clubs and explained that he had promised this information when
they were attending a function and were discussing their golf games.
Commissioner Gleason announced the end of the meeting at 12:55 p.m., thanked those in the
audience for attending and then said he would be available to answer any questions following
the close of the meeting.
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