06/08/1994 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
June 8, 1994
The Charter Review Committee met at the Clearwater Main Library, Adler Room, on Wednesday, June 8, 1994, at 8:43 a.m. with the following members present:
Gerald Figurski, Chairman
Anne Garris
Kenneth Hamilton
Al Lijewski
Curlee Rivers
Tony Salmon
Absent:
Joe Evich
Jerry Lancaster
Karen Seel
Les Smout
Also present:
Mary K. Diana, Assistant City Clerk
The Chairman called the meeting of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) to order.
Section 2.08. Procedure. - (a) Meetings.
Concern was expressed that sufficient notice is not always provided regarding major items to be placed on the commission agenda. It was noted commission policy specifies items cannot
be added to the agenda unless there is a 72-hour notice with the exception of emergency items.
A suggestion was made to add language under the section on limitations regarding non-capitalized and non-emergency expenditures in excess of $X.
Member Lijewski moved to amend Section 2.09(a) after the end of the first sentence by adding "A written agenda for any regular meeting shall be available to the public no later than
72 hours prior to the scheduled commencement of such meeting; provided, however, an item(s) may be added thereafter to any agenda upon a declaration of emergency by an affirmative vote
of 80 percent of the commission members." The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Section 6.05. Petitions. - (d) Time for filing referendum petitions.
Member Salmon moved to amend Section 6.05(d) in the first sentence by changing the word "signed" which was a previous amendment to the word "completed." The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
Term limits.
Discussion ensued in regard to establishing term limits and a 3-year break in service before being able to run again.
Member Garris moved to amend Section 2.03 after the first paragraph by adding "No person shall serve more than six consecutive years as a city commissioner after which such person shall
not hold any city commission seat, other than mayor-commissioner, for a minimum of three years. No person shall serve more than six consecutive years as mayor-commissioner after which
such person shall not serve as mayor-commissioner or hold any city commission seat for a minimum of three years. The motion was duly seconded and upon the vote being taken, Members
Garris, Lijewski, Rivers, Salmon and Figurski voted "aye;" Member Hamilton voted "nay." Motion carried.
Section 3.03. Powers and duties of the city manager. - (h)
A question was raised regarding the 3 year financial forecast. The Assistant City Clerk indicated she reviewed the tape and the final motion did not reference that the forecast be
used as a planning tool in the formulation of the coming year's budget; however, this was discussed prior to the motion being made.
Member Salmon moved to amend Section 3.03(h) by adding after the words "of the city," the word "annually." The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Section 10.05. Schedule. - (a) Effective date.
Discussion ensued in regard to the effective date of the term limits.
Member Garris moved to amend Section 10.05(a) after the first sentence by adding "Term limits as specified in Section 2.03 shall not be retroactive and shall become effective at the
next date of the election for that seat." The motion was duly seconded and upon the vote being taken, Members Garris, Lijewski, Rivers, Salmon and Figurski voted "aye;" Member Hamilton
voted "nay." Motion carried.
Section 2.06. Prohibitions. (c) Holding other office.
Discussion ensued in regard to whether a member of the commission running for a
higher public office should be required to resign his seat on the commission.
An opinion was expressed if a commission member qualifies for a higher office, he/she should give up their seat at that time.
Member Salmon moved to amend Section 2.06(c) by adding after the first sentence "No commission members shall hold any other elected public office during the term for which the member
was elected to the commission." The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Non-capitalized and non-emergency expenditures.
Concern was expressed large expenditures are being made by the commission without sufficient notice to the public and the $22 million municipal services/police facility was cited.
A suggestion was made to address this concern in the limitation section of the charter.
Member Salmon moved to amend Section 2.01(d) by adding a new subsection (8) Non-capitalized and non-emergency expenditures in excess of $5 million must be approved by a majority vote
of the commission in two separate sessions held at least two weeks apart and an advertised notice of a public hearing must be given at least five days prior to the second session. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Concern was expressed the way Article IX was amended did not limit the commission from issuing revenue bonds supported by non-ad valorem revenue in the general fund.
Discussion ensued in regard to coming up with language to address this concern. This item will be discussed at the June 22, 1994, meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Attest: Chairman
Assistant City Clerk