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AGENDA ITEM # 6A
NOVEMBER 13, 2006
RESOLUTION N0.06-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH FLORIDA
'" CREATING A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF
ELECTING CITY COMMISSIONERS FROM DISTRICTS, PROVIDING
FOR A PURPOSE, MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES 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
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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 THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH:
SECTION 1. Creation: There is hereby created and established a District Election
Committee (the Committee).
SECTION 2. Purpose: The purpose of the Committee is to consider whether the citizens
of Atlantic Beach should vote on a referendum to 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 aze 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 members. The Chairman of
the Committee will be appointed by the Mayor. All other members will be appointed by the-City
""'' Commission. Committee members should be appointed to represent various geographic azeas in
Atlantic Beach and all should bring an open mind to the discussion without having made any
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AGENDA ITEM # 6A
NOVMEBER 13, 2006
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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
from the Committee if they miss three consecutive meetings unless their absence is excused by
the Chairman. A member can also choose to resign from the Committee anytime by giving
~'" written notice to the City Clerk. Replacement members for anyone who is removed or resigns
shall be appointed by the City Commission.
SECTION 4. Duties and Responsibilities:
(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 from single member districts (Mayor and four or more district elected members) to a
combination of single member and at lazge districts (for example a Mayor and two or four
district based commissioners and two at-lazge 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
,~, particulaz 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 from several sources
including, but not limited, the Florida League of Cities, the National Urban League, and
representatives from other cities or counties that have various forms of district or at lazge
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.
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AGENDA ITEM # 6A
NOVMEBER 13, 2006
SECTION 8. Liaison. Staff will 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 day of November
6, 2006.
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Approved as to form and correctness:
'~' ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
~. DONNA L. BUSSEY
City Clerk
DONALD M. WOLFSON
Mayor
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