Ordinance No. 33-24-25 (Question 3)ORDINANCE NO. 33-24-25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
ATLANTIC BEACH ARTICLE II, THE COMMISSION, SEC. 6 —
POWERS; SUBMITTING THE AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR
CONSIDERATION BY THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY FOR APPROVAL
OR DISAPPROVAL; PROVIDING FOR THE APPEARANCE OF THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida, after receiving input from the Charter
Review Committee and from its citizens, finds that the proposed amendment to the City Charter
as attached to this Ordinance should be submitted to the qualified electors of the City of Atlantic
Beach for consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach, appreciates the diligent efforts of the Charter
Review Committee comprised of: Bruce Andrews, Debbie Buckland, Charles "Chip" Drysdale,
Kelly Elmore, Ellen Golombek, Kirk Hansen, Mitchell Reeves, Suzanne Shaughnessy, Jennifer
Lagner, Dawn Scott, Steve Swann, and Donald Young pursuant to and under the Chairmanship
of William "Bill" Gulliford; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida finds that the
adoption of this Ordinance is in the best interest of Atlantic Beach, Florida and its citizens.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the City Commission on behalf of the people
of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida:
SECTION 1. Proposed Amendment to Charter. The City Commission of the City of
Atlantic Beach, Florida hereby proposes the following amendment to the City Charter:
Article II — The Commission
Sec. 6 — Qualifications and disqualifications, to modify the number of years that a
full-time resident and elector must reside in the City in order to qualify for running
for city commission from two (2) years to four (4) years prior to qualifying,
all as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, which, if
approved by the qualified electors of the City, would replace the former provision of Section 6 of
the City Charter.
SECTION 2. Submission of Charter Amendment to Public Referendum. The
amendment to the Charter of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida set forth in the attached Exhibit
A shall be submitted to public referendum at the next general election held in the City of Atlantic
Beach, Florida for approval or disapproval by the qualified electors of the City.
SECTION 3. Appearance of Charter Amendments on Ballot.
a. The ballot title to be used in said election shall be as follows:
Ordinance No. 33-24-25 Page 1 of 3
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY CHARTER
MODIFYING THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR CITY COMMISSION
b. The ballot summary shall be'as follows:
Shall the qualifications provisions set forth in Section 6 of the Atlantic Beach City
Charter be modified to require that a full-time resident and elector seeking to run
for city commission must reside in the City of Atlantic Beach for at least four (4)
years (instead of two (2) years) prior to qualification, be adopted?
Below the summary shall appear the following:
YES NO
SECTION 4. Effective Date. The proposed amendment to the Charter of the City of
Atlantic Beach shall become effective upon approval by the electors of the City and shall be filed
with the Florida Department of State as required by law.
PASSED by the City Commission on first reading, this 2 ' }4day of June, 2024.
PASSED by the City Commission on second and final reading, this cd day of July, 2024.
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
is Ford, Mayor
ATTEST:
J24
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
riel, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 33-24-25
Page 2 of 3
EXHIBIT A
Proposed Amendment to Section 6 of Article II
of the City Charter
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CHARTER
ARTICLE II. — THE COMMISSION
***
Sec. 6. Qualifications and disqualifications.
Members of the city commission shall have been full-time residents and electors of the city for at
least two four years immediately prior to qualifying. They Alai be electors in the city. Full-time
residency shall be defined as the person's principal place of abode during the year. Members of the
city commission shall not hold any other elective office. Any member of the city commission
ceasing to possess the foregoing qualifications or who shall have been convicted of a crime
punishable by more than one (1) year of imprisonment or a crime involving moral turpitude, shall
forfeit the seat prior to the next meeting of the city commission. Absence from four consecutive
regular meetings of the city commission shall operate to vacate the seat of a member, unless the
member's absence is excused by the city commission by a resolution setting forth the fact of such
excuse duly entered upon the minutes.
Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Ordinance No. 33-24-25 Page 3 of 3