1-24-24 CRC Adopted MinutesMINUTES
Charter Review Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Commission Chamber, City Hall
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Present: William "Bill" Gulliford, Chair
Jennifer Lagner, Secretary
Bruce Andrews, Member
Charles "Chip" Drysdale, Member
Kelly Elmore, Member
Ellen Golombek, Member
Kirk Hansen, Member
Mitchell Reeves, Member
Dawn Scott, Member
Steve Swann, Member
Absent: Suzanne Shaughnessy, Vice Chair
Debbie Buckland, Member
Donald Young, Member
Also Present:
Jason Gabriel, City Attorney (CA)
Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC)
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Gulliford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Secretary Lagner called the roll.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
I.A. Approve minutes of the December 18, 2023 Charter Review Committee meeting.
MOTION. Approve minutes of the December 18, 2023 Charter Review Committee meeting.
Motion: Mitchell Reeves
Second: Kirk Hansen
William "Bill" Gulliford
For
Jennifer Lagner
For
Bruce Andrews
For
Charles "Chip" Drysdale
For
Kelly Elmore
For
Ellen Golombek
For
Kirk Hansen (Seconded By)
For
Mitchell Reeves (Moved By)
For
Dawn Scott
For
Steve Swann
For
Motion passed 10 to 0.
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024
3.B. Environmental Stewardship Committee's Recommendation (Bruce Andrews)
MOTION: Add a new section to Article 1 entitled Sec. 5: Environmental Leadership that includes
the following language: To ensure the health and safety of its citizens and enhance property values, high
quality of life, and healthy environment, the City of Atlantic Beach shall continually improve its
leadership and preparation for sustainability, resilience, environmental stewardship, and protection of
tree canopy.
Motion: Bruce Andrews
Second. Ellen Golombek
General discussion ensued regarding the motion. Chair Gulliford opened the floor to public comment.
Sarah Boren, Atlantic Beach voiced support for motion presented by Member Bruce Andrews;
environmental responsibility is everyone's role. Property value enhancement is a benefit; environmental
stewardship is a Commission priority and is a fundamental part of our city.
Ellen Glasser, Atlantic Beach shared the ESC has become part of city operations; motion terms are not
nebulous. ESC and AB Preservation voted unanimously for the motion and are supportive of it to be
presented as a Charter amendment. Ms. Glasser pointed out Scrivener error that comma needed between
"citizens" and "property values" to be grammatically correct.
Michael Hoffmann, Atlantic Beach stated he believes the present electoral system dilutes the vote of
the west side of town and quality of life has suffered. Propose CRC set up a separate item on ballot to
ask voter if direct election, precinct rep or current system. Vote dilution is the problem; pointed out when
flyover vote was taken, there was no representation from the westside. He would like the voters to make
the choice. Referenced handout provided to CRC.
Amy Palmer, Atlantic Beach is supportive of motion presented by Bruce Andrews. A core value that
AB values is our environment and urges the CRC to include in the Charter.
Further discussion ensued regarding the motion and are alternatives to this is Commission setting
ordinances that are specific and have a call to action.
William "Bill" Gulliford
Against
Jennifer Lagner
Against
Bruce Andrews (Moved By)
For
Charles "Chip" Drysdale
Against
Kelly Elmore
Against
Ellen Golombek (Seconded By)
For
Kirk Hansen
Against
Mitchell Reeves
Against
Dawn Scott
Against
Steve Swann
For
Motion failed 3 to 7.
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no additional public comment.
3. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
A.
AGENDAITEMS
ARTICLE IX. — ELECTIONS - Sec. 41. - Elections: General.
General reminder to change plurality throughout the section
Sec. 42. - Elections: Absentee voting.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 43. - Elections: Canvassing board, duties.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE X. - INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM - Sec. 44. - Po -*N er of initiative.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 45. - Power of referendum.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 46. - Form of petitions; committee of petitioners.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 47. - Filing, examination and certification of petitions.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 48. - Amendment of petitions.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 49. - Effect of certification of referendum petition.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 50. - Consideration by city commission.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 51. - Submission to electors.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 52. - Form of ballot for initiated and referred ordinances.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 53. - Availability of list of qualified electors.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 54. - Results of election.
NO CHANGES
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024
Sec. 55. - Reserved.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XI. - RECALL ELECTIONS - Sec. 56. - Procedures.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XII. — FRANCHISES - Sec. 57. - Granting of franchises.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XIII. - TAX ADMINISTRATION - Sec. 58. - Tax administration.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XIV. — ZONING - Sec. 59. - Zoning, land development regulations and
maximum building height.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XV. - MUNICIPAL BORROWING - Sec. 60. - Authority to borrow.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XVI. - SUITS AGAINST THE CITY - Sec. 61. - Suits.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XVII. - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - Sec. 62. -
Removal of officers and employees.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 63. - Removal of members of boards, commissions, or agencies.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 64. - Investigations.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 65. - Publicity of records.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 66. - Personal interest.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 67. - Official bonds.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 68. - Oath of office.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 69. - Effect of this charter on existing law.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 70. - Rights of officers and employees preserved.
NO CHANGES
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024
Sec. 71. - Continuance of present officers.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 72. - Continuity of offices, boards, commissions or agencies.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 73. - Transfer of records and propert-.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 74. - Title to property reserved.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 75. - Continuance of contracts and public improvements.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 76. - Pending actions and proceedings.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 77. - Short title.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 78. - Severability clause.
NO CHANGES
ARTICLE XVIII. - WHEN ACT TAKES EFFECT AND PERIODIC REVIEW - Sec. 79.
- Effective date of Act.;
NO CHANGES
Sec. 80. - Effect of changes in state law.
NO CHANGES
Sec. 81. - Periodic review
Discussion regarding a Scrivener change in the third paragraph to change "resolution" to
"ordinance" and the timing of when CRC members are selected. This is to be added to the list of
deliverables City Attorney Gabriel to address.
There was consensus for the CRC to make a recommendation to the Commission regarding the
process to how the CRC members are selected.
and other sections of the charter
General discussion ensued regarding review of proposed Charter amendments. Member Bruce
Andrews will review prior Charter Review Committee reports for suggestion to the CRC.
Carolyn Zisser, Atlantic Beach requests that any proposed language change to Section 41 be
distributed to all at least one week prior to the meeting.
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024
B. Environmental Stewardship Committee's Recommendation (Bruce Andrews) Motion
requested by ESC
(This item was taken out of sequence and acted on earlier in the meeting.)
C. Future Meetings
• Review of proposed charter amendments and other sections of the charter
• Schedule (previously set as Feb. 28, Mar. 27, and Apr. 24 at 6 p.m.)
• Review of deliverable dates
• Topics for next meeting
• City staff attendance
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Chair Gulliford declared the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Attest:
Date Approved: IAI
Charter Review Committee
January 24, 2024