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07/20/1998 (2). - .E . � ; !. . . ' .� -_ � , , ' � . ' � , , ' ;"f=.. . ....�. ... _ ' . . .. - . , - , . ,. ' . : .� � • � . . � ,, ' , � , t�, . , , . . . � , , � �. � . � , , .. �.. ,, .. .. ;. ,. . . : �. . . ,, . , . . ... , -y' � . .1 . ' .. . , , . . .�: .i. t "'� ' , . : � ' ' , , . ' .. . . � . ,r, .. . , - , . � . . . � ' s�' : E.,, .''.-,'' 1 . . . {;._ � _ '[ .• , ' ' . :';:�� . �;: , , . . . : : : , ,. . . , � , IVIII'��TT�� . � � � - . ;� - � . . . 4�.. • . , . , . , �. � ' � � . 1•. ' . ' . � + ,s. . - ' � ' . .� >, , . . � . . � . � ' . j , . ' . . ; � � , ` � 1 : � D ate � L� . � . � �. � � � , �,� . - , - � .1 . . . �f' . • ' I , ' • . . . L', ' -�' . � • � ' . , . . . . , . . . ' ' • ' � ' . l.�. , . . ' . . ` . . . . �, . . � , . ' , ' . . ' . . . . � ` � ' � ., ' . ' . . . �' , . . . ' , ' . � . ' � ' , , : . . . . . • i � . . . ... .. . � � . ' . . 1 ' , ' � ' " i' . , : ` ' � � - \ � I � ,� :� � S�! �1 i�� Present; Absent: � CHART�R R�Vl�W C�MMITTE� CITY OF CLEARWAT�R JUly 20, 1998 Douglas Hilkert , Richard Fitzg��ald William .3ustice Pat Greer Judy Mitchell Carolyn Warren Jackie Tobin Mayme Hoc�ges Grant Petersen Rita Garvey �d Hooper Margie Simmnns Cyndie Goudeau Brenda Moses Timathy A. Johnson, Jr. Viae Chair � Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member (arri�ed 4;10 p.m.} Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member (arrived 4: i 0 p.m.j Mayor (departed 5:34 �.m.] City Cammissioner Finance Director �departed 5:03 p,m.j City Clerk Baard Reporter Cf�air Vice Chair Hilkert ca!!ed ths meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at City Hafl, To pra�ide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not �ecessarily discussed in that arder. � ltem 2- An�rave Minutes fram Meetinn_of_June 29. 7 998 � Memb�r Fitzgerald requested the first word ❑f the first paragraph in Section � 2.0'I (c} be changed ta "Discussion..." MitchelI moved #o approve the minutes as aorrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried �nanimously. � Item 3- Continuina Discussian re Article II A. 2.01Sdj(1j Indebtedness and Bonding (Margie Simmons} In response to a questian, Finance Dir�ctor Margie S�rr�mans said the 2�% figure �used to calcu�ate the City's totaC indebtedness relative to refunding and impra�ements bands as indicated in this section af the Charter has been used for many years. She said the City has a Y�eaithy legal i�debtedness margin. Revenue bonds are guaranteed by the.revenue stream. (t is an advantage when bonding. Tf�e Ciiy C�erk said she will research where the 20°� figure came from and what is customary in other cities. . Mamber Tobin moved not to change to Sectian 2.0� id�(� i. The motion was duly secanded and carrie� unanimousfy. B. Article IX �iscal Management Procedure {Margie Simmons) mch0798 1 0712Q198 ;� ��t � � � � .� i i ,�� Ms. Simmons said the S1 millfon limitatit�n on revenua bands in tha Charter fs .. rather unusual. General obCigation ba�tds require a State rsferendum, Rever�us bonds used for public �ealth and safety do not require a referendum. Bonds that ha�e �ot been determined by the caurts to be for public healt� and safety require a validatior� Hearing., ln response to a question, she said revenue bands #or refunding are similar to refinanc�ng martgages fo� a lawer interest �ate. In response to a a{uestion, Ms. Simmons said in the last 16 years there has never 6een an item taken forward for bonciing that was not agreed to he public health and safety. She said this section of the Charter wauld restrict bonding for projects such as a new main library that are not public health and safety items. Iri response to a question, she said libraries and i�istorical museums are not considered hsaE#� and public safety ., projects, briclges are. In response to a question, she said validatian hearings in�alve �iring autside legal aauncil for a#ee, a�d a lot of extra work for staff, and add approximately 6 months to the bond process, Member Greer maved to remove Article !X from the Charter entirely. The matian was duly seconded. Discussion ensu�d regarding entrusting the elected officials to make � appropriate decisions. Ms. Simmons �aid each time t�ie City issues a bond, an ardinance req�iring 2 readings and a sales resoiutian is required. In response ta a q�estion, she said normally the Ci#y bonds projects over S 1 millian. The City went through the validatio� hearing process for the Sar�d Key paw�r lines 6ecause it was _ slightly over $ � milliflr�. Member Greer amencfed her motion #o remnve the second sen#ence of the first paragraph of Article 1X. The motion was duly seconded. Upon #he vote being taken, Memt�ers Hilkert, Mitchell, Warren, Tobin, Hodges, and Petersen voted "Aye"; Memhers Fitzgerald and Justice voted "Nay." Motian carr�Qd. Other Business 2.�1 fd)(61 in response to a questian, this section was placed in the C�ar#er due ta cancern regarding past projeats such as the Har6orview Center and the MSB. it was commented that this provisian rsquires #he Cammission to F�old �wo separate sessions and �n ad�ertised notice of a public hearing regarding non-budgeted expenditures i� excess af 55 million. Membar Justice mo�ed to leave this sectian as is, The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Ms. Simmons requested clarifiicalian of the committee's motion at the last meeting regarding Article [I, 2.01(di421. At the last meeti�g, merribers had appro�ed a change to the dollar limitatian fo� purchases in excess af $75,000, even for budge#ed items. Discussio� ensued regarding how #o i�corporate language that ��°} addresses nncessary purchases such as waste dispasal end fire trucks, and �—� contr�cts fnr parts that exceed S75,000. �# was noted cancerr� had been expressed mch0798 2 ' 07/20/98 i .�� at a previous meeting regerding ths faar af establishing "buddy" relat�onships wEth vendars, prampting the $76,000 �imitat�on. Concern v��as expressed there is a limited purchase window for police vehicles and other items. Cancem was expressed dollar amounts not speci#ied in the Cherter atiow tF�e Commission f�ee . reign. A suggestion was made t�at budgeted items be addressed in ordinance farm, and any non-budgeted items be reviewed for appra�ai by tha Commissinn. It was suggested incorporating this sectian closer to sec#ions addressing purchasing items. ft was suggested removing #he 575,A00 limitatian for purchases, and including language requiring nan-budgeted purchases of a certain limit r�quirEng Commissian review and appro�al. The City Clerk w�ll c�nsult with the City Attorney regarding appropriate language far this sectian. Ms, Simmons said ir� answer ta a question at a previaus meeting regarding Section 2.01 (dj(2}, an anr�ual independent audit is r�quired by State iaw. There is no requirement regarding hiring a firm far no mvre tF�an 5 years, however, the Auditor General of the State recommends the l.egislature consider a requirement t�at cities f�av� multi-year audits in order to save mon�y. 5ha sair! dispensing with a tirm's ser�ices that has done a good job tor the City is r�ot a good idea. She noted many�audit firms are merging and ti�e City`s negatia#�ng abili#y is hecoming iimited. It was remarked a firm can 6ecame too comfartable and lax in their performance if there is na campetition. In respanse t� a question, the City Clerk said issues regarding surplus .� , property are addressed with an ordinance, nat the C�ar#er. She said the iss�e of } selling slivers of property #hat are maintained by adjacent property nwners will be "' addressed by Ha�sing and Urban Development Director Alan Ferri at the next meeting. 2.02 (2ualifications It was commented it is important for a canci�da#e to li�e in the City far a minimum af one year befare eiected, and the Cammission shauld he the judge af their own elections. � 2.[13 �leation and terms It was noted this section is not being followed as written. The City Clerk said when the City went to 3 year terms, it affected this section of the Charter. Discussion ensued regarding �ow to ir�prove voter turrtout and if municipal elections can bs hsld in conjunction with #all primaries. T�e City Clerk said by Statute, the Super�:isor of Elections is r�ot rea+�iced to support a mur�icipal slsctian. Some muniaipalities i�a�e resisted sched�ling uniform munici�al elections. 5he suggested the best way #a increase voter turriou# is t� perrr�it rnaii-in ballots. However, the mail-in ba1lat pr�cess is a State issue. Concern was expressed putting a municipal election during gerteral elections or primaries will cause City electioris to be lost, It was nated the City Attorney will provide suggasted language to correct the first paragrap� of Section 2.03. � mcY�0798 3 07/20/98 . -� � it was nated this sectian assumes Cammissianers wi11 be swarn in the f�rst Thursday in Aprii af each year. lt was suggesteci to inc�ude lang�tage that newly elected Commissioners be sworn in aC the next regularly scheduled Commissinn meeting, rather than the first Thursday in April.� Tt�e City Clerk referred to Section 8.O�a[b}� �lections, which states "Regular City elections shall be held on the second Tuesday in March o'f each year in which a Commissian term expires." The Charter requires the Cammission to meet at least once a mont�. The Commissian regulates ' the frequet�ay of ineatings, and has sched�led #hem for the first and third Thursdays for the iast 20 years. ' . Member MitcheEl moved tha last paragraph of �F�is sectinn be changed to read: "Newly elected Commissianers shail take office and be swarn in at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting after the alection." The motion was duly secanded. � � Discussion ensued regarding the Commission-eEect being placed in a positian of vnting at a meeting in which they did not particip�te. It was remarked Commission-elects are invited, and are e�couraged, to be part of Worksessian discussions prior ta being sworn in at Cammission meetings. Upan the vo#e being taken, the motion carrisd u�ar�imously. '� DiscUSSed ensued regarding the second paragraph regarding term limi#s. It � �� was noted aacording ta this provisian, since Commissioner Clark took affice as a �� result of a special eiectian, he is permitted to run far rs-elsction the next time his � � seat comes up for election, but wa�id anly be permitted to serve 60 or 90 days, ' ther� be remaved. It was suggested chaEiging the ianguage in this section to reflect a person cannot serve more tha� two fuij consecutive terms, delete the language � prohibiting serving no more than 6 consecutive years, and counting partia� terms as one compfe#e term. It was remarkec! the intent of this section was to ensure no person serves mare than 6 consecutive years. It was requested the City Attorney : suggest apprapriate language to this e#fect, and continuing t�iis discussion to the � next meeting. �� Item 4- Set A enda for A� ust 10 1998 meetin The City Clerk said there is a need to schedule additiona! meetings in order to complete review of the Charter before early October. She requested members bring their aalendars to the next mseting. mch0798 4 07/20/98 :�,;� . :. •. . ' � .. , . � . . , , ; ' . ; _ . . , ' . � ' , ��,} • : . . , . � ' , . . . , , , , v ., , . , .. ; ,, . " . � - . , re _u,r;;' ,,,.:; `�' •� 4' . � • ;�,�, y� :...7;r.,.� a�'.f�'!. .� .�,�• :I {.�. :f' ' ' . . . . .. � , . � . .� ,-41�.`Ser,i.' y.•...�y.I �.,. ._ir � e , � � ' . . . . . � � ., ry�.i�6�:t.i;,�t%r�=y�i.� `L�:i,i.:�t 't.': ,�r� . • „�`,', . . � • ' � ' . . - � ' , ' . :� . � . ' ' �+�� ,�:� , . . ,? ' ��. ... , � � .. �� . . � �F . . � , � . . , . . ,.1,, , , � • . i y;� �:'ia.'; ' � ' . ' . ' . . . i ��vs �£�'� �8 7 . ' , . � .. � � ' � t � ' r �1 � : � . . . � � . . � . ' ' � � . f ��`•�_ •�'`j1� ,,,'�' `. I , � � �, . � ' . �. , 1 ' I � . . ' . � • • � , (:.Y�� S � 1 : ' �i' � 1 . . . � . , i t1�''y�i. ,.n.,�t8Cii1U = Adiaurr� � � � . � � � � . ' � , < ��,,� . . . � � . ; , . � '�' • ' ' . 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