Ordinance No. 33-24-30 (Question 4)ORDINANCE NO. 33-24-30
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
ATLANTIC BEACH ARTICLE XVIII, WHEN ACT TAKES EFFECT AND
PERIODIC REVIEW, SEC. 81 — PERIODIC REVIEW; SUBMITTING
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER FOR CONSIDERATION BY
THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL;
PROVIDING FOR THE APPEARANCE OF THE CHARTER
AMENDMENTS 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 amendments 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 Amendments to Charter. The City Commission of the City of
Atlantic Beach, Florida hereby proposes the following amendments to the City Charter:
Article XVIII — When Act Takes Effect and Periodic Review
Sec. 81 — Periodic review, to: (i) clarify that the placement of any charter
amendments that are generated through this process are voted on in the general
election (rather than the primary election), (ii) change the appointment of the
charter review committee to February (rather than January) to allow newly elected
Commissioners time to plan, and (iii) change resolution to ordinance since the
Commission places amendments on the ballot by ordinance (not resolution),
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 provisions of Section 81
of the City Charter.
SECTION 2. Submission of Charter Amendments to Public Referendum. The
amendments 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.
Ordinance No. 33-24-30 Page 1 of 3
SECTION 3. Appearance of Charter Amendments on Ballot.
a. The ballot title to be used in said election shall be as follows:
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY CHARTER
TO MODIFY CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
b. The ballot summary shall be as follows:
Shall the City Commission charter review committee procedures set forth in
Section 81 of the Atlantic Beach City Charter be modified to clarify that the
placement of any charter amendments are voted on in the general election (rather
than the primary election), to change the appointment timing of the charter review
committee members to February (rather than January), and to change the legislative
manner in which the City Commission considers charter amendments from
resolution to ordinance, be adopted?
Below the summary shall appear the following:
YES NO
SECTION 4. Effective Date. The proposed amendments 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 21/14 -day of June, 2024.
PASSED by the City Commission on second and final reading, this ll'day of July, 2024.
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
LdM
/vi.
Curtis Ford, Mayor
ATTEST:
449if,
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
Jaso
, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 33-24-30
Page 2 of 3
EXHIBIT A
Proposed Amendments to Section 81 of Article XVIII of the City Charter
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CHARTER
ARTICLE XVIII. — WHEN ACT TAKES EFFECT AND PERIODIC REVIEW
Sec. 81. Periodic review
A Charter Review Committee consisting of at least nine (9) and no more than fifteen (15)
electors of the City shall be appointed by the City Commission every eight (8) years to review the
City Charter and propose any amendments or revisions, which may be advisable for placement on
the regular general municipal election ballot.
The City Commission shall appoint the Charter Review Committee in January February of
the year immediately preceding the election with a definite and specific charge. The Charter
Review Committee shall meet for the purpose of organization within thirty (30) days after the
appointments have been made. The Charter Review Committee shall elect a chair and vice chair
from among its membership. Further meetings of the Charter Review Committee shall be held
upon the call of the chair or a majority of the members of the Charter Review Committee. All
meetings shall be open to the public. No Charter amendment or revision shall be submitted to the
electorate for adoption unless favorably voted upon by a majority of the entire membership of the
Charter Review Committee.
No later than one -hundred and eighty (180) days prior to the regular general municipal
election, the Charter Review Committee shall deliver to the City Commission the proposed
amendments or revisions, if any, to the City Charter. Each proposed amendment shall embrace but
one subject and matter directly connected therewith. The City Commission may by resolution
ordinance place such amendments or revisions as approved by the Charter Review Committee on
the next regular municipal election ballot. If a majority of the electors voting on the amendments
or revisions favor adoption, such amendments or revisions shall become effective on January 1 of
the succeeding year or such other time as the amendment or revision shall provide.
Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Ordinance No. 33-24-30 Page 3 of 3