Resolution No. 06-14RESOLUTION NO.06-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH FLORIDA
CREATING A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE POSSmILITY OF
ELECTING CITY COMMISSIONERS FROM DISTRICTS,PROVIDING
FOR A PURPOSE,MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSmILITIES OF
THE COMMITTEE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS,the City Commission wants to determine if the City would be better served
by electing some,or all,of the commissioners on a district basis rather than at large,and
WHEREAS,the City Commission has identified the study of district representation as
one of the strategic goals for the 2006-07 year and has included this in the strategic plan for the
City of Atlantic Beach dated March 2006,and
WHEREAS,any change to the way commissioners are elected in Atlantic Beach would
require a change to the City Charter which must be approved by the citizens through a
referendum,and
WHEREAS,proper investigation of this important issue will require several months of
study and should be considered from the viewpoints of citizens living in each geographic area of
the city,and
WHEREAS,the City Commission has determined that the creation of a committee of
citizens to study district election alternatives and make a recommendation as to possible charter
changes would be the best way to consider the issue.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY TIlE CITY COMMISSION OF TIlE
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH:
SECTION 1.Creation:There is hereby created and established a District Representation
Study Committee (the Committee).
SECTION 2.Purpose:The purpose of the Committee is to consider whether the citizens
of Atlantic Beach should change the method of electing city commissioners,and possibly the
number of commissioners,from the present at large basis for all commissioners to a different
form where some or all of the commissioners are elected to represent individual districts.The
Committee should come to a conclusion and make a written recommendation to the City
Commission in time for an item to be included on the October 2007 ballot for the City of
Atlantic Beach primary election.
SECTION 3.Membership:There will be a total of fifteen (15)members.The Chairman
of the Committee will be appointed by the Mayor.All other members will be appointed by the
Mayor and Commission.Committee members should be appointed to represent various
geographic areas in Atlantic Beach and all should bring an open mind to the discussion without
having made any conclusions as to whether or not district elections are appropriate in Atlantic
Beach.The terms of each of the committee members shall extend until the written
recommendation is made to the City Commission in the summer of 2007.Committee members
will automatically be removed :fi:omthe Committee if they miss three consecutive meetings
unless their absence is excused by the Chairman.A member can also choose to resign :fi:omthe
Committee anytime by giving written notice to the City Clerk.A quorum of eight (8)will be
required to conduct business.A majority of members present will be able to take actions or make
recommendations.
SECTION 4.Duties and Resuonsibilities:
(a)Become familiar with various options for district representation in Atlantic Beach.
These may include,but not be limited to,having all commissioners except the Mayor being
elected :fi:omsingle member districts (Mayor and four or more district elected members)to a
combination of single member and at large districts (for example a Mayor and two or four
district based commissioners and two at-large commissioners),whether the district
representatives will be required to live in the districts,whether they would be voted on only by
citizens of those districts or on a city-wide basis,or whether the existing,at large manner of
electing the Mayor and commissioners should be retained.The Committee should also evaluate
the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative for electing city commissioners with
particular focus on the needs of the citizens of Atlantic Beach.
(b)The Committee should meet as a group to become educated about the alternatives
and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages by using resources available :fi:omseveral sources
including,but not limited to,the Florida League of Cities,the National Urban League,and
representatives :fi:omother cities or counties that have various forms of district or at large
elections.
(c)After considering all the alternatives and the advantages and disadvantages of each,
the Committee should come to a conclusion as to which would be best for the citizens of Atlantic
Beach.That consensus should be reflected in a written report that will be presented to the City
Commission.
(d)The Committee should work with the City Manager and/or staff assigned by the City
Manager to set up a series of meetings and handle any other business that may be necessary to
complete the duties and responsibilities assigned herein.
SECTION 5.Time table.A written report should be presented to the City Commission
no later than June 30,2007.This will allow the Commission time to consider the report and,if
appropriate,to call for a referendum to be placed on the ballot for the October 2,2007 primary
election in the City of Atlantic Beach.
SECTION 6.Sunset This Committee will cease to exist upon the presentation of the
final written report to the City Commission as described above.
SECTION 7.Expenses.Any expenses incurred while conducting the business of this
Committee must be approved by the City Manager or his designee prior to the obligation of any
city funds.
SECTION 8.Liaison.Staffwill be assigned by the City Manager to provide technical
and administrative support.Staff will prepare the minutes of all committee meetings and handle
all their administrative and technical services as needed.
SECTION 9.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and
adoption.
.PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach,this l3M day of November
f 2006.
Q~M.W
DONALD M.WOLFSON
Mayor
Resolution 06-14 Page 3 of3