06/26/2019 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
JUNE 26, 2019
Present: Michael R. Mannino Chair
Darryl James Henderson Vice Chair
Kathleen Agnew Committee Member
Kelly S. Kelly Committee Member
David Lillesand Committee Member
Marita Lynch Committee Member (departed 5:22 p.m.)
Bruce Rector Committee Member
Mike Riordon Committee Member
Sean Schrader Committee Member
Absent: Michael D. Anderson Committee Member
Richard Adelson Committee Member
Marilyn Kagan Committee Member
Becca Tieder Committee Member
Also Present: Pamela Akin City Attorney
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 2nd Floor
Conference Room.
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 June 12, 2019 Charter Review Committee Meeting as submitted
in written summation by the City Clerk.
Committee Member Riordon moved to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2019
Charter Review Committee meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. New Business
3.1 Public Hearing on Form of Election and Representation.
Discussion ensued regarding the format of the meeting. Comments were made that the
committee is in a non-advisory role and that material defining the current at-large system should
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be provided. It was stated that this is the citizenry's opportunity to share opinions on what they
think should be done regarding districting.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said the committee can tell the public what
we have now, a mayor and council and no geographic districts.
Comment was made that this is not the forum to educate the public on the different
systems. Discussion ensued regarding what materials, if anything, should be provided to the
public in advance of the meeting. There was consensus to provide Dr. Scott Paine's
PowerPoint presentation on districting and voting that was given to the committee on April 10,
2019 as well as an excerpt from the National Civic League's Model City Charter, regarding
council composition alternatives.
Committee Member Riordon moved to approve the public meeting notice with the
following changes: strike the word "wide" from city-wide in the first paragraph and add the word
"alternatives" at the end of the first sentence, and strike the word "charter" in the second
paragraph and add "form of representation and elections and alternatives" in its place. The
motion was duly seconded. Chair Mannino, Vice Chair Henderson, Committee Members Kelly,
Lillesand, Lynch, Rector, Riordon and Schrader voted "Aye;" Committee Member Agnew voted
"Nay."
Motion carried.
One individual supported providing the public with basic alternative information prior to
the public meeting.
Committee Member Lillesand moved to provide a link to Dr. Paine's PowerPoint
presentation. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously.
Committee Member Lillesand moved to include the council composition alternatives
excerpt from Model City Charter and provide a disclaimer to be drafted by the City Attorney
regarding the materials provided. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously.
3.2 Council Compensation.
It was said that Council is in a difficult position to increase their salary. It was suggested
that the salary be tied to the median average wage in the local community and the position
should be full time. Concerns were expressed regarding the full time status of the position; it
was said that it should remain a part time position with the understanding that the duties take
more hours than it did years ago. There was consensus to not discuss this matter any further.
Committee Member Lillesand moved to abandon the discussion of any change in council
and mayor salary. The motion was duly seconded. Chair Mannino, Vice Chair Henderson,
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Committee Members Agnew, Lillesand, Lynch, Rector, and Schrader voted "Aye;" Committee
Members Kelly and Riordon voted "Nay."
Motion carried.
In response to a question, the City Attorney said almost all previous charter review
committees have recommended to increase council salary.
4. Public Comment
Bill Jonson said there is an issue with emails getting through to city staff.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
air, Charter Review m ee
Attest:
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