01/28/2003CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 28, 2003
Present: Thomas D. Calhoun Committee Member
Katherine Elliott Cole Committee Member
Daniel Dennehy Committee Member
John Doran Committee Member
Melody W. Figurski Committee Member
William Joe Fisher Committee Member
Nicholas C. Fritsch Committee Member
Isay M. Gulley Committee Member
Timothy A. Johnson, Jr. Committee Member
Jay F. Keyes Committee Member
Jay Edwin Polglaze Committee Member
Lawrence (Duke) Tieman Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The meeting was called 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.
ITEM #3 – Sunshine Law Review
The City Attorney reviewed the Sunshine Laws, Public Records requirements, and the City Charter document. All Charter Review Committee meetings will be advertised.
ITEM #4 – Set Meeting Schedule
It was agreed the Charter Review Committee will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 4:30 p.m. The next meeting was scheduled for February 11, 2003. It later was
determined meetings will be held in the City Hall Training Room.
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau reported the Charter Review Committee needs to finish its work by October and present a final report to the City Commission in time for public meetings to
be held and pertinent issues placed on the ballot prior to the March 2004 election. At the committee’s request, staff can make presentations or recruit presenters to report on issues
of concern.
ITEM #5 – Select Chair and Vice-Chair
Consensus was to appoint Daniel Dennehy as Chair and Melody W. Figurski as Vice-Chair.
ITEM #6 – Direction from the City Commission
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau reviewed direction from City Commission, requesting the Charter Review Committee review: 1) Form of Government: a) Strong Mayor vs. Council/Manager; b) Manager
Authority vs. Commission Prohibitions; and c) Commission – misnomer for current body; 2) Commission: a) number of members; b) at-large vs. districts; c) length of term; and d) forfeiture
for excessive absences; and 3) Limitations; a) allow transfer/ donation of residential and/or any property of limited economic value; b) relieve or clarify 60-year lease term language;
and c) merge sections regarding limitations on City owned bluff/ waterfront property.
Committee discussions and review are not limited to these issues.
ITEM #7 - Questions
It was requested staff provide the committee: 1) history of previous significant changes; 2) copy of a model charter; 3) last Charter Review Committee report; 4) notebooks with tabs;
5) citizen requests for changes; 6) previous Charter Review Committee recommendations rejected by the City Commission and/or referendum; 7) rules used by the previous Charter Review
Committee; and 8) recommended background information to read prior to presentations.
It was recommended the Charter be reviewed section by section, when possible. Rules of procedure, addressing a quorum, required number of votes and other procedural matters will be
determined. A minority report may be issued if some members disagree on an issue in the final report. It was recommended if the committee decides to support a change in the form of
government, the City Commission be approached for input.
Rules of Procedure and other process related issues will be considered at the February 11, 2003 meeting.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.