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12-1-15 Special Called Meeting MINUTES OF SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD ON DECEMBER 1, 2015 PRESENT: Mayor Mitchell E. Reeves Commissioner Jimmy Hill Commissioner John Stinson Commissioner M. Blythe Waters (arrived at 6:40) ALSO: Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk Nancy E. Bailey, Recording Secretary Pledge to the flag Call to order: Mayor Reeves stated before he calls the meeting to order they are going to put a call into Commissioner Waters to see if she may be stuck in traffic or something. He announced that if people were going to speak tonight that they need to fill out the yellow form and turn it in to the City Clerk. Following the call to Commissioner Waters, Mayor Reeves stated they would wait for her arrival before calling the meeting to order. Mayor Reeves called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. City Clerk Bartle called the roll. Mayor Reeves explained the proposed format of the meeting, including limiting speakers during Courtesy of the Floor to 2 minutes, and asked the other Commissioners for their comments. Commissioner Stinson stated he did not believe two minutes would be long enough for the Courtesy of the Floor. It was the consensus of the Commission to allow 5 minutes. Mayor Reeves announced the City Manager asked to be excused tonight due to a family event. He also stated he received a call from the City Attorney who requested to be excused due to a family emergency. 1. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors. Mayor Reeves opened the Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors. He explained the process for public comments. Tim Anderson,824 Sherry Drive, spoke in support of Mitch Harding. Lenny Jevic, 239 Seminole Rd., stated he and his wife wanted to congratulate Commissioners Waters and Stinson and Mayor Reeves for their recent election wins and thanked the candidates who were here tonight. He spoke in support of Mitch Harding. Mike Borno,233 Ocean Forest Dr., spoke in support of Mitch Harding. Brittany Norris, 1183 Violet St., spoke in support of Mike Townsend. Tracy Gebeaux, 72 W. 8th St., spoke in support of Mike Townsend. Joe Vieira,945 Main St., spoke in support of Mike Townsend. Chris Jorgensen, 92 W. 3" St., spoke in support of Mitch Harding. He also thanked Commissioners Stinson and Waters for being the voice of the people. Mat Bunnell,2002 Lakeview Ct.,spoke in support of Mike Townsend. Mark Tomaski,448 Snapping Turtle Court West, spoke in support of Mitch Harding. No one else from the audience spoke so Mayor Reeves closed the Courtesy of the Floor. 2. Election for Vacancy on the City Commission. Mayor Reeves invited the candidates to sit at the tables in front. The City Clerk handed out numbers for the candidates to pick from to determine the order of speaking. Each of the candidates (Michael Hoffman, Mike Townsend, Brea Paul and Mitch Harding) to be considered for the vacancy was allowed to speak before the Commission, explaining their personal accomplishments, experience, goals and interests in the community and answered questions from the Commission. Commission discussion ensued. Mayor Reeves asked each of the candidates to confirm that they are qualified to hold office under our Charter in Atlantic Beach. Each candidate responded positively. Mayor Reeves gave each of the candidates the opportunity for closing comments. Each candidate responded with their closing comments. Discussion ensued. Mayor Reeves declared he has received calls from three of the candidates and returned calls to two of these candidates and has received 14 emails supporting different candidates. Commissioner Waters stated she also received several calls and emails. Mayor Reeves closed the floor and explained the process for voting. He opened the floor for nominations. Motion: Nominate Mitch Harding to fill the vacancy for Commissioner Seat 5. Moved by Stinson, Seconded Hill -2- Discussion ensued about the process of voting. Mayor Reeves called for the vote. Roll Call Votes: Aye: 4—Hill, Stinson,Waters,Reeves Nay: 0 MOTION CARRIED Mayor Reeves recessed the meeting at 8:16 pm. 3. Oath of Office for New Commissioner City Clerk Bartle administered the Oath of Office to Mitchell R. Harding, Commissioner Seat 5. The signed Oath of Office is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A. Mayor Reeves reconvened the meeting at 8:23 pm and Commissioner Harding took a seat at the dais. Mayor Reeves opened the floor to comments from the Commission. Commissioner Stinson welcomed and congratulated Commissioner Harding stating he was looking forward to working with him. He further stated, to the ones who were unsuccessful tonight he believes they will continue their contributions to the City and looks forward to a very cohesive unit here for our City. Commissioner Hill congratulated and thanked Commissioner Harding for his service. Commissioner Waters stated, well done; get ready, it can be a wild ride. Commissioner Harding thanked the Commission and the citizens who took their time to speak tonight and stated he was humbled to be selected. He stated he will do the job he has been elected to do and will represent the people. He stated he will do the best job he knows how to do. He thanked the Commission and his supporters for their confidence. Mayor Reeves congratulated Commissioner Harding stating he knows he will do well. Related to Commissioner Waters comment about the voting, he stated he would look into the process to see if there may be a better way to vote. Mayor Reeves announced that the Tree Lighting will be this Saturday in Town Center and he wanted to invite everyone. He also stated the Florida League of Cities dinner is this Thursday at Mayport. He announced that the Captain of the Mayport Naval Station will be inviting each Commissioner to have a tour of the base in the near future. Mayor Reeves expressed concern regarding emails that are sent to all Elected Officials. He stated he has found people saying they never got a reply back from a Commissioner. He suggested that they should be answered by the Commissioner in that district. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Hill stated he is having a hard time finding a focal point to send people who are seeking help, so he is reaching out with a public request that they identify a non-profit, church, etc. to provide -3- help to those citizens who had loss from the past flood. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Stinson stated he will check with the Rotary Club. Mayor Reeves stated he will reach out to Habitat and the Salvation Army. Commissioner Waters stated she will reach out to Beam. Further discussion ensued. Mayor Reeves stated, for the record, there is not one Commissioner sitting up here tonight who has not visited those houses, along with the Police and Staff. He commended the City Manager to have staff do a fast track for permitting for those people. Commissioner Stinson asked that everyone keep Mr. Komando and his family in their prayers and also the family who lost their home and belongings. Mayor Reeves announced the City Manager will be gone this Friday through the weekend and Chief Deal will stand in during his absence. Adjournment There being no further discussion by the City Commission, Mayor Reeves declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. ATTEST Mitchell E. Reeves 04440. 0164i6 Mayor Donna L. Bartle, CMC City Clerk -4- ATTACHMENT A r 4-401i 91'4 December 1, 2015 I, Mitchell R. Harding, solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United States and of the State of Florida, that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Atlantic Beach, and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Commissioner-Seat 5. A al P 1744.411 re 10 itchell • . Harding Commissioner— Seat 5 Oath of office administered by: 411414 1[611S7& Donna L. Bartle City Clerk