07/26/2007
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 26, 2007
Present: Jay E. Polglaze Chair
Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair
William Blackwood Committee Member
Frank L. Dame Committee Member
Elizabeth Drayer Committee Member
Joseph Harra Committee Member
Joshua Magidson Committee Member
Kathy Milam Committee Member
William Wallace Committee Member
Absent: Candace Gardner Committee Member
Alex Plisko, Jr. Committee Member
Also Present: Pam Akin City Attorney
Rosemarie Call Management Analyst
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:30 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 July 12, 2007 Minutes
Member Magidson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 12,
2007, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each member. The
motioncarried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
3. Review Initial List of Possible Changes
The City Attorney will provide revised language for each item on the list after Committee
discussion and vote.
Section 2.01(d)(7)
– Council; composition; powers. Recommend allow underground public
utility easements.
Member Milam moved to approve proposed language for Section 2.01(d)(7) to allow
motioncarried
underground public utility easements. The was duly seconded and
unanimously.
Section 2.01((d)(5)(i)
- Real property. Recommend reduce restriction on the transfer of real
property for workforce housing and governmental entities.
In response to questions, the City Attorney said this section does not address
uneconomic remainders, which are too small to use for housing. The City would like to be able
to transfer property for less than fair market value to causes such as Habitat for Humanity. She
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will provide the definition of workforce housing. The Council determines if property is surplus
and no longer needed for a municipal purpose.
It was stated as “and governmental entities” already is in this section, it does not need to
be incorporated into proposed language.
Consensus was to add the proposed change to the list.
Section 2.01(d)(5)(v)
– Real property. Recommend no municipally owned real property
identified as OS/R may be sold, donated, leased, or transferred without prior unanimous
consent by Council.
Discussion ensued.
Member Warshauer moved to approve proposed language to Section 2.01(d)(5)(v) that
no municipally owned real property identified as OS/R may be sold, donated, leased, or
transferred without prior unanimous vote by Council or subject to referendum approval. The
motion
was duly seconded. Members Warshauer, Blackwood, Dame, Harra, Magidson, Milam,
carried.
Wallace and Chair Polglaze voted “Aye”; Member Drayer voted “Nay.” Motion
Section 2.01(d)(6)
– Real property. Recommend eliminate restriction regarding Coachman
Park enhancements.
It was stated that the Charter Review Committee had approved a motion to delete this
section on May 10, 2007.
Discussion ensued. It was commented that citizens have the right to open debate and
referendums may slow the process but affords the public time to research the issue. It was
suggested that deleting this section would not cause a doomsday situation.
Member Warshauer moved that the recommendation to delete Section 2.01(d)(6) stand.
motion
The was duly seconded. Members Warshauer, Blackwood, Dame, Harra, Magidson,
and Chair Polglaze voted “Aye”; Members Drayer, Milam, and Wallace voted “Nay.” Motion
carried.
Section 2.03
– Election and terms. Recommend to take office on the first business day after
certification of City election returns.
Discussion ensued.
Member Dame moved to increase term limits to four years and limit terms to two
motioncarried
consecutive terms. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
motion
Member Magidson moved to approve proposed language in Section 2.03. The
carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
Section 2.04
- Compensation and expenses. Recommend annual review of City Council
salary.
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Discussion ensued regarding compensation with concern expressed that low pay limits
the candidate pool. It was commented that adjusting salaries is not a valid method to raising
involvement.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said Councilmembers receive a salary
including a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), mileage allowance, health insurance, and ability
to participate in a 401 a.
Member Warshauer moved that the first sentence of Section 2.04 be changed to "The
council shall determine the annual salary of council members..."
Member Dame moved to amend the motion to read, "The Council shall review the annual
salary of council members and the mayor by ordinance" and add sentence "In any event, the
council and mayor pay will be adjusted according to the core headline inflation rate." Member
Warshauer did not accept the amendment. The motion was duly seconded. It was noted that
the first motion should have had a second before being amended.
Discussion ensued regarding basis for annual increases. It was felt that this year is the
wrong time to propose the change in Councilmembers' salary computations.
Member Dame withdrew his motion.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Section 2.05 - Mayor, functions, and powers. Recommend process to create City Manager
goals/objectives in annual evaluation.
It was stated this recommendation was defeated at the last meeting. It was suggested
the Committee review the topic as discussion was postponed until a decision was made
regarding form of government.
4. Set Aqenda for Auqust g. 2007
Continue review of proposed changes, Article 111- Administration.
The City Attorney will request an outline of City Manager duties.
Discussion ensued. It was recommended that the public hearing be scheduled after the
Committee compiles its final recommendations.
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
5. Adiourn
Attest:
~ Om
f1i City Clerk
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