05/28/2015 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 28, 2015
Present: Brian J. Aungst, Jr. Chair
Bud Elias Vice Chair
Nino Accetta Committee Member
David E. Allbritton Committee Member
Karen Cunningham Committee Member
Dirk A. Curls Committee Member
David Loyd Committee Member
Rosemarie Kibitlewski Committee Member
George Mantzaris Committee Member
William Sturtevant Committee Member
Absent Jane D. Bongo Committee Member
Leann J. DuPont Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call City Clerk
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 5:47 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 28, 2015 Charter Review Committee Meeting as submitted
in written summation by the City Clerk.
Committee Member Sturtevant moved to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2015
Charter Review Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously
3. New Business
3.1 Strong Mayor Form of Government Presentation by Former Clearwater Mayor Frank
Hibbard.
Mr. Hibbard reviewed his tenure on the City Council. He said that any changes made to
the form of government is not about the people currently on Council. The Tampa Bay Times
has never supported a change in form of government in Clearwater as they believe the City is
too small for strong mayor form of government. He pointed out a substantial difference between
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elected officials versus an administrator is that the elected official is responsible to the citizens
and has more interaction with citizens than an administrator would. Mr. Hibbard said the
majority of citizens think the City already has a strong mayor form of government, and when he
was mayor, people were shocked to find out he had a full time job. A city manager is not going
to take as many risks as a strong mayor, who has a vision and drive for specific changes. A city
manager answers to members of council and has to keep members of council happy to keep his
job. A strong mayor answers to the citizens and has to keep a community happy. A city
manager does not have term-limits which is good if you have a good city manager, which
provides the city with institutional knowledge.
Mr. Hibbard said that for Clearwater to become a major "player" in the region, a strong
mayor's voice would weigh more on regional boards than a weak mayor. As Mayor, he sat on
the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) with Tampa Mayor Pam
lorio, and when she spoke, there was authority behind what she was saying as she could make
things happen. As Mayor in a council-manager government, he could not speak on behalf of
the City unless a vote by Council has occurred.
In regards to moving to a strong mayor form of government, he suggested the question
be posed to voters in the future, ensuring candidates are prepared to run as a strong mayor.
The same person may be right for both types of positions, but the salary will draw different types
of candidates. He expressed concern regarding districting as he didn't feel Clearwater needed
to go in that direction. He has felt that all past Councils have taken the entire city into
consideration when making decisions. He also discouraged the City becoming partisan as the
issues dealt with by Council are not partisan issues.
In response to questions, Mr. Hibbard said that he does not think a change in form of
government to strong mayor would pass in Clearwater. He said that most cities who put form of
government changes on the ballot do not pass the first time. Placing the question on the ballot
raises debate, conversation and education. He said typically the catalyst for change is crisis.
In response to a suggestion that putting a change in form of government on the ballot
would cause more harm than good, Mr. Hibbard said it would get a conversation going in the
community. He said a strong mayor will have more leverage on regional boards. He said he
would applaud a change that would give Council more input in hiring and firing of the Police
Chief, Fire Chief and Assistant City Managers.
Discussion ensued regarding a formal discussion by the Committee on the form of
government. There was consensus to defer discussion until after all speakers have addressed
the Committee.
3.2 Continue discussion f Section 2.01(d), Limitations, and review potential suggested changes..
No discussion occurred.
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4. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda: None
The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Attest:
City Clerk
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