02/02/1994 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
February 2, 1994
The Charter Review Committee met at City Hall, on Wednesday, February 2, 1994 at 2:00 p.m., with the following members present:
Anne Garris
Joe Evich
Gerald Figurski
Kenneth Hamilton
Jerry Lancaster
Al Lijewski
Curlee Rivers
Karen Seel
Tony Salmon
Les Smout
Also present:
Rita Garvey Mayor
Betty Deptula Interim City Manager
Denise Wilson Assistant to City Manager-Office
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Mary K. Diana Assistant City Clerk
Mayor Garvey welcomed the Charter Review Committee members. Interim City Manager Betty Deptula introduced staff members that would be assisting the Committee members. She said City
staff would be available to answer questions and perform research for the Committee. Ms. Deptula said she will be presenting a "white paper" of issues City staff would like to bring
to the Committee's attention in approximately 10 days.
Member Lijewski asked if anyone had prior experience with the Charter Review Committee and suggested appointing Member Garris as temporary chairman. She declined indicating she did
not feel she had enough experience in this area. She recommended Member Figurski.
Member Lijewski moved to appoint Gerald Figurski as Chairman. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
City Clerk Cynthia Goudeau reviewed the provisions of the Sunshine Law. She emphasized the importance of there being no private communication between members to discuss any of the
issues that would be coming before the them. Ms. Goudeau noted today is an organizational meeting for the members to decide when and how often they wish to meet.
Ms. Garris asked if committee correspondence can be handled in the same manner as Commission mail and Ms. Goudeau said all correspondence can be sent to the City Clerk Department for
distribution to all members.
Member Evich requested more detailed information regarding the Sunshine Law and a copy of F.S. Chapter 166 regarding Home Rule Powers.
Member Figurski asked if a financial disclosure form is required. The City Clerk responded this committee is not subject to filing this form as they are purely advisory and have no
fiduciary responsibilities.
Member Figurski asked when the committee's final report is due. The City Clerk responded the Commission would like the committee's recommendations by July 15, 1994. The Commission
felt this date would allow enough time for them to review the report and have ordinance readings to make the County's November ballot.
Member Hamilton found the time frame to be somewhat tight for such an important task as reviewing the charter. He indicated he would prefer putting the questions on the March 1995
ballot. Ms. Goudeau pointed out the Commission wanted to have the changes in place before the election in March. Mr. Hamilton felt the recommended charter changes should be a campaign
issue for those running for office in March.
Member Evich questioned whether the committee was bound by the deadline imposed, as a deadline was not specified in the charter.
Member Evich moved that the Committee agrees to have the Committee's recommendations to the Commission by the July 15, 1994 deadline, and if the committee review is not completed by
then, to ask the Commission for an extension. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Discussion ensued in regard to defining the issues at the next meeting and a question was raised as to how public input should be solicited.
Member Lancaster felt a brief resume of each of the committee members would be beneficial and said he would like to know what each member considers to be key issues.
Member Hamilton asked the introductions be made at today's meeting. He requested the key items of discussion by the previous Charter Review Committee. Each member presented a brief
background introduction.
Member Figurski questioned how issues should be brought to the committee. Member Evich said Commissioner Thomas had outlined his thoughts in writing and distributed them. Member Evich
suggested round table discussions to decide the approach.
Member Garris questioned whether there should be public input first. She said she would like to see ideas in writing.
Member Salmon asked if model charters on City Manager and Strong Mayor forms of government could be made available. He felt a discussion on the pros and cons of each will be helpful.
Member Figurski suggested getting charters from the Cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Discussion ensued in regard to having two professors from the University of South Florida come to a meeting and present the pros and cons of the different forms of government.
Member Rivers requested information regarding the merits and mechanics of single member districts. Member Garris recommended having a Mayor chosen annually from five elected commissioners.
Member Seel requested a survey of like size cities to Clearwater regarding what type of governments they have. Member Lancaster felt the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa should not
be used as a comparison as they are not comparable in size to the City of Clearwater.
Ms. Goudeau noted the Florida League of Cities has a model charter. She said in 1978 the City charter was formatted after the model charter indicating the City charter was very lengthy
prior to that.
Discussion ensued in regard to meetings of the Committee and consensus was to meet every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Lijewski pointed out his business
will keep him from attending the meetings most of March.
Member Evich asked if the staff's white paper would include City Attorney items. Ms. Deptula responded the City Attorney would be preparing his own.
Discussion ensued regarding what will be discussed at upcoming meetings. Ms. Deptula said she will try to schedule the presentations by the professors from USF on the two forms of
government for February 10 and staff's white paper for February 24.
Member Seel requested a survey prepared by the Florida League of Cities on cities comparable to the size of Clearwater for February 10.
Discussion ensued in regard to the time and location for the public hearing to receive citizen input and how this input would be solicited. The City Clerk said a newspaper advertisement
could be prepared asking citizens to submit their input in writing through the City Clerk Department. She said a display ad could be done informing citizens of the date of the public
hearing. Ms. Deptula felt a stuffer placed in utility bills could be used to reach the citizens.
Discussion ensued regarding when to hold the public hearing for citizen input and consensus of the Committee was to schedule it at their March 10th meeting.
Member Evich suggested appointing a Vice-Chairman. Member Hamilton moved to appoint Jerry Lancaster as Vice-Chairman. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding meeting the Commission deadline of July 15th. Member
Hamilton said he did not want to have to rush to meet that deadline. He felt the charter should be a campaign issue. Member Evich felt the objective of the Committee was not to have
a charter that would be a campaign platform and the majority of the Committee agreed.
A request was made for the meeting minutes of the previous Charter Review Committee.
Discussion ensued regarding the Supervisor of Election's deadline for receiving ballot language. The City Clerk pointed out the length of the ballot questions is limited.
Member Hamilton asked who would establish the title of the ballot questions. The City Clerk responded the City Attorney would draft the titles based on the Committee's recommendations.
In response to a question, it was indicated the Commission decides whether or not to accept what is recommended by the CRC.
Discussion ensued regarding when the Committee members should have their lists regarding charter items to be addressed and a deadline of February 17th was established to allow time
for distribution to have ready for the February 24th meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding Article IX Fiscal Management Procedure regarding $1 million projects and the need for this article to be addressed citing the City Hall project as an example.
Member Salmon asked the members to prioritize their lists and to bring forward three issues for discussion on February 10th. Concern was expressed it will be difficult for the Committee
to reach a consensus if the presentations are limited.
Discussion ensued whether the intent is to bring the issues to closure as they are discussed or leave them open until the end. Mr. Figurski felt to the extent they could be, closure
on issues would be better.
A request was made to solicit input from the City Advisory Boards. The City Clerk said she would send a memorandum to them indicating the CRC welcomes their input.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Chairman
Attest:
Assistant City Clerk