02/22/2023 Charter Review Committee Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
4:00 PM
Organizational Meeting
Main Library - 2nd Floor Board Room
Charter Review Committee
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City of Clearwater
Charter Review Committee Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023
Roll Call
Present:9 - Committee Member Gladys Andrews, Committee Member Bill Jonson,
Committee Member Travis Norton, Committee Member Mike Riordon,
Committee Member Karen Cunningham, Committee Member Cory
Chase, Committee Member Jonathan Wade, Committee Member Ryan
Cotton, and Committee Member Kathy Milam
Participated Remotely:1 - Committee Member Nathan Hightower
Absent:1 - Committee MemberPatricia Rodriguez
Also Present: — David Margolis — City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk and Nicole
Sprague — Deputy City Clerk
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
2. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda: None.
3. New Business
3.1 Introductions.
Individuals introduced themselves to the committee. The City Clerk said
committee members received a binder at their seat and information will
be provided at each meeting.
3.2 Sunshine Law Review.
The City Attorney will review the Sunshine Law.
City Attorney David Margolis reviewed the Sunshine Laws and public
records requirements and said in person quorum is required.
In response to a question, Mr. Margolis said two committee members
who serve on the Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition (CNC) Executive
Board should establish a liaison to report any Charter Review Committee
information to the CNC. He suggested that the other member not be in
the room when the liaison is presenting Charter information to the CNC.
3.3 Elect Chair and Vice-Chair.
The Chair shall be the presiding officer of the Committee.
In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall assume those responsibilities.
Mike Riordon moved to appoint Nathan Hightower as Chair. The
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City of Clearwater
Charter Review Committee Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Karen Cunningham moved to appoint Bill Jonson as Vice-Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3.4 Establish Meeting Schedule.
Discussion ensued regarding the meeting time with consensus to
hold the meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month,
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Jonathan Wade moved to establish the meeting schedule on the
second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30
p.m. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 4:00
p.m.
3.5 Set agenda for next meeting.
The City Clerk said the Rules of Procedures will be an item on the next
agenda for the committee to review and adopt. The committee will begin
reviewing the charter at the next meeting as well.
Mr. Margolis said it may be easier to review the charter by topic rather
than by section.
In response to questions, the City Clerk said no formal direction was
given by Council, they individually discussed topics but there was no
consensus to provide any topics for the committee to consider. It was
suggested the committee watch the Council discussion during the
February 2, 2023, Council meeting. She said she would provide the
committee the final report of the previous Charter Review Committee for
their reference. She said the goal is to complete the charter review by
September to allow the City Attorney time to draft referendum questions, if
needed.
Mr. Margolis suggested the board consider what they believe is good
policy for the city and what belongs in the charter procedurally. He said
Council has three options to consider a new rule: 1) create a council rule
which is adopted by resolution at one meeting, 2) adopt an ordinance
which must be advertised and heard at two meetings, and 3) adopt a
charter revision which must be advertised, heard at two meetings, and
passed by the voters.
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City of Clearwater
Charter Review Committee
4. Adjournment
Attest:
Meeting Minutes February 22, 2023
In response to a question, Mr. Margolis said Florida law is archaic as it
relates to remote attendance and physical quorum is required to hold a
meeting. He said remote attendance will be at the Chair's discretion and
nobody may vote remotely.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
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Chair, Charter Re ew Committee
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City of Clearwater