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07/12/2007 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER July 12, 2007 Present: Jay E. Polglaze Chair William Blackwood Committee Member Frank L. Dame Committee Member Elizabeth Drayer Committee Member Candace Gardner Committee Member – arrived 4:33 p.m. Joseph Harra Committee Member Joshua Magidson Committee Member Vacant Seat Committee Member Kathy Milam Committee Member- arrived 4:35 p.m. Alex Plisko, Jr. Committee Member William Wallace Committee Member Absent: Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair Also Present: Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Rosemarie Call Management Analyst Brenda Moses Board Reporter 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 June 28, 2007 Minutes Member Harra moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 28, 2007, as motioncarried submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The was duly seconded and unanimously. 3. Presentation – Sam Holter, International City/County Management Association and Beth Rawlins, Florida City and County Management Association Mr. Sam Holter, ICMA (International City/County Management Association), provided information regarding council-manager form of government. He reviewed his background and services provided by ICMA. In response to questions, Mr. Holter said in council-manager form of government, a good city manager will recommend policy to city council. In strong mayor form of government, the mayor makes those recommendations. In his experience, strong mayors do a better job getting contentious projects underway. Discussion ensued. In response to comments, Mr. Holter said constituents can go to their councilmembers regarding their concerns. If there is a good relationship, the councilmembers then meet with the city manager to address those concerns. Charter Review 2007-07-12 1 Beth Rawlins reviewed her involvement with converting forms of government in various Florida cities. She said there are three primary considerations with strong-mayor form of government: 1) Most voters do not understand a politician versus a professional. The professional administrator must have the knowledge, experience, and the education to run a large city. She said citizens should be careful about individuals with political agendas who seek office; 2) Accountability. The city manager is not protected by civil service rules and can be fired by the council. However, in a strong mayor form of government, the mayor is only accountable once every 4 years and has the power of incumbency; and 3) In cities that have ineffective strong mayors, there is the potential for harm. 4. Determine Recommendation re Form of Government Discussion ensued. It was stated that there is no group of proponents advocating a strong mayor form of government. It was suggested that consideration be given to increasing Councilmembers’ pay. One committee member reported he spoke to Mayor Hibbard regarding a strong mayor form of government. Mayor Hibbard indicated he is frustrated in not being able to get large projects done quickly at times and felt now is not a good time to make a change in the form of government, but that it might be a possibility in the future. Discussion ensued regarding the City Manager’s role. It was stated that specific annual objectives in writing at the beginning of the year would make the City Manager more accountable to the City Council. Member Dame moved to recommend to Council, in addition to the City’s budget, the City Manager will be accountable to the Council for a minimum of eight written City Manager goals and/or objectives, to include at least 4 quantitative and qualitative goals or objectives. It is recommended these goals or objectives be derived through an independent consultant with input from each Councilmember and shall be reviewed with the City Manager at the beginning and end of each fiscal year as a part of his/her annual evaluation. Discussion ensued. The motion was withdrawn. Member Milam moved that the Charter Review Committee recommend no change to the motion carried city’s current form of government. The was duly seconded and unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding inviting Mayor Baker to speak on behalf of a strong mayor form of government. Consensus was not to invite Mayor Baker. In response to a question, Member Dame revised his motion. Member Dame moved to recommend to Council, in addition to the City budget, the City Manager will be accountable to the Council for a minimum of six written City Manager goals and/or objectives. It is recommended these goals or objectives be derived with input from each Councilmember and shall be reviewed with the City Manager at the beginning and end of each motion fiscal year as a part of his/her annual evaluation. The was duly seconded. Discussion ensued. It was stated the Charter already requires the City Manager to report to Council and that Council can require the City Manager to report daily if desired. Charter Review 2007-07-12 2 In response to a question, Ms. Akin said although the City Manager may not have a checklist regarding annual objectives, Council establishes his goals through the annual budget and visioning process. Upon the vote being taken, Members Dame, Milam, and Wallace voted "Aye". Members Blackwood, Drayer, Gardner, Harra, Magidson, Plisko, and Chair Polglaze voted "Nay". Motion failed. In response to a question, City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau said when the City Manager produces the annual budget, he states how the City is moving the Vision forward. Whenever a new initiative is brought forth, the corresponding strategy is referenced. Discussion ensued regarding the Mayor's ability to make a motion. It was stated that Robert's Rules of Order do not allow the Mayor to step aside and refrain from presiding at Council meetings. Ms. Akin said the Mayor would no longer preside over the meeting if he were to step down in order to make a motion. Currently, the Mayor has the ability to present information and ask for discussion and/or a motion. Consensus was to discuss this topic in more depth at a future meeting. 5. Set Aqenda for Julv 26. 2007 Discuss initial list of possible changes. 6. Adiourn The meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Attest: 10()jUX~ (Jafi-/ / City Clerk Charter Review 2007-07-12 3