05/24/2011
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 24, 2011
Present: Cyndie Goudeau Chair
Jack Geller Vice-Chair
Norma Carlough Committee Member
Bud Elias Committee Member
Nicholas Fritsch Committee Member
Keith Protonentis Committee Member
Howard Warshauer Committee Member
Donald van Weezel Committee Member
Stan Vittetoe Committee Member
Douglas Williams Committee Member
Olin Wright Committee Member
Absent: Ana Tuzzo Committee Member
Sara Weber Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the May 10, 2011 Charter Review Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Committee Member Fritsch noted page one referenced Mr. Geller as a Committee Member
rather than Vice Chair and requested the minutes be amended.
Vice Chair Geller moved to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2011 Charter Review
Committee meeting as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. New Business
3.1 Discuss Section 2.01(d)1 – Total Indebtedness.
Finance Director Jay Ravins provided information regarding debt limitation. Many Florida
municipalities, such as the City of Largo, do not have a debt limit. Those that institute a debt
limit use a percentage of the assessed taxable value. The City of St. Petersburg does not allow
general obligation debt to exceed 12.5% of the taxable assessed value. The City of Tampa
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limits the general obligation debt to 15% of the total assessed value. The City of Clearwater
limits total indebtedness to 20% of non-exempt real estate. Clearwater’s total indebtedness
includes revenue bonds, which are backed by a specific revenue stream (i.e., Clearwater Gas
System). Revenue bonds are issued based on the rate projections and do not involve property
taxes.
In response to questions, Mr. Ravins said debt is managed through the budget. Debt service is
expensive and must be planned. Governments in the state of Florida generally do not issue
general obligation debt. Mr. Ravins said no changes were needed in this section of the charter.
Consensus was not to pursue any changes.
3.2 Discuss Section 2.04 – Compensation and Expenses
In response to questions, the City Attorney said Councilmembers may seek a $75- monthly
allowance for cell phone use if choosing not to use a city issued cell phone. The Mayor does
not use a city issued cell phone. The current mileage reimbursement rate is $ 0.51 per mile.
Councilmembers may file a mileage reimbursement if traveling locally and not staying overnight.
Council requested the Committee to consider a stipend because Councilmembers attend many
charitable events they are not reimbursed for and a stipend may assist to defray some of those
costs. A stipend would be taxable and would increase Council’s salaries.
Discussion ensued. It was suggested the charter be amended to allow Councilmembers a
choice between a fixed stipend and travel reimbursement.
Vice Chair Geller moved to amend Section 2.04, last sentence, to read: “Councilmembers shall
be reimbursed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties
of office or councilmembers may by ordinance create a stipend or reimbursement allowance for
designated expenses.” The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3.3 Discuss Section 7.02 – Charter Review Advisory Committee.
It was stated the city charter currently requires Council to appoint a charter review advisory
committee in January of a year preceding a city election, requiring the committee to meet every
four years.
Committee Member Williams moved to recommend the charter be reviewed at least every eight
years. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3.4 Discuss if Assistant City Managers, Police Chief and Fire Chief should be required to reside
in the city limits.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that a residency requirement may limit pool of
candidates.
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Chair Goudeau said currently the city manager is required by charter to reside within city limits.
The City Attorney is required by contract.
Consensus was not to pursue any action.
3.5 Set Agenda for next meeting.
The City Clerk said there is a council meeting on Tuesday, June 14 and requested
consideration to schedule a meeting on June 7. Dr. Scott Paine is available to address the
Committee regarding districting.
In response to a question, the City Clerk said the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary is
scheduled for January 31, 2011. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has informed all
municipal clerks that the State has until October 1, 2011 to change the election date. Staff will
be preparing for a January 31, 2012 election. The City Attorney suggested the Committee finish
reviewing the charter by September.
Staff was requested to provide information regarding expected qualifying dates and ballot
language deadlines.
Consensus was to schedule the presentation on districting by Dr. Paine on June 7, 2011 at 4:30
p.m. Staff was requested to forward the following discussion points to Dr. Paine: opinion on
how districting represents the community as a whole; thoughts on expanding the number of
council members; thoughts on coordinating a local election with the county's election; and
thoughts on expanding the role of the mayor in a council-manager form of government. It was
suggested Dr. Paine provide a brief description on forms of government.
4. Citizens to be Heard - None.
5. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
OF rHF
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Attest:
Chair, h r eview Committee
City Clerk
Charter Review 2011-05-24