Item 1B- Draft Minutes 11-15-17CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
MINUTES OF THE ROUNDTABLE MEETING
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBER
NOVEMBER 15, 2017
IN ATTENDANCE
Mayor Ellen Glasser City Attorney Brenna Durden
Commissioner Candace Kelly City Manager Joe Gerrity
Commissioner Brittany Norris (arrived 4:38 p.m.) City Clerk Donna Bartle
Commissioner John Stinson Recording Secretary J. Bowman
Commissioner M. Blythe Waters (arrived 4:57 p.m.)
Call to Order
Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. and explained this is a continuation of the
previous Roundtable Meeting held on November 1, 2017. This is an administrative meeting to talk
about the rules and streamlining the operations of the Commission.
City Clerk Bartle called the roll and Mayor Glasser noted that a quorum was present.
Mayor Glasser explained there will be not be Courtesy of the Floor for this meeting, but people can
speak at the Workshop following this meeting.
1) Discussion on the following topics:
A. Regular Meeting Schedule for Workshops/Meetings
Mayor Glasser stated she has received correspondence with recommendations from the past
Commission. City Attorney Durden has provided correspondence relating to an agenda item.
Discussion ensued about setting a placeholder on the calendar for roundtable and workshop meetings,
scheduling a specific time, having an agenda, and other requirements. City Attorney (CA) Durden
stated an agenda is required and the meeting notice and agenda must be published. The entire agenda
could be an open discussion item and/or have specific items.
Commissioner Norris arrived at 4:38 p.m.
Discussion ensued and consensus was reached to have a placeholder on the City Calendar for the
second Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. for roundtable and workshop meetings. We will continue
to have quarterly Town Hall meetings, required by Resolution. The first Town Hall will be in January.
B. Invocation
Mayor Glasser stated the invocation, which is not part of the meeting, takes place before the Call to
Order. In the past, the Commission has done the invocation on a rotation basis. Mayor Glasser
suggested other people could be invited to give the invocation. Ms. Glasser stated she is not
comfortable leading people in the invocation. She wanted to have discussion about having prayer in a
city meeting.
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November 15, 2017 ROUNDTABLE MEETING
CA Durden stated the fact that the invocation is prior to beginning of the meeting is not relevant to the
issue at hand. When a Commissioner gives the invocation that is (non -)secular, there is some case law
that finds that not acceptable. She stated that some communities are reaching out to religious groups in
their communities and rotating the invocation amongst these different religious groups. Other
communities have a moment of silence. CA Durden stated that the Commission has some flexibility
with keeping the invocation prior to the start of the meeting. The issue has been when a Commissioner
gives the invocation there is a sense of the government giving that prayer. CA Durden informed the
Commission that Jacksonville has different religious organizations give the invocation on a rotation.
Green Cove Springs has reached out to several religious organizations outside of their city boundaries,
and sometimes a citizen, to give the invocation. She stated both these options have worked well.
CA Durden suggested the Commission be pro -active regarding the invocation rather than wait until
there is a confirmed opposition. Some comments have been received by the City about the secular
nature of some of the prayers offered by Commission members.
Mayor Glasser stated she has received some correspondence and inquired if the Commission exposes
themselves, from a legal standpoint, by continuing to do the invocation the way it has been done in the
past.
CA Durden responded yes.
Mayor Glasser stated this is a government body and believes the invocations should be non-sectarian.
She stated there are a lot of people in our faith community that would welcome the opportunity to be a
part of what the Commission does.
Commissioner Stinson suggested continuing the rotation of the invocation through the Commissioners,
but have each Commissioner seek out and schedule a person to give the invocation. With this process
a Commissioner will not give the invocation.
CA Durden explained the objective is to have a variety of faiths represented. If each Commissioner
chose the same person or the same faith then there may be the perception of a (non -)secular objective.
Mayor Glasser inquired if that would be the case even if it is a non-sectarian invocation. Ms. Glasser
stated there is not that much diversity in Atlantic Beach.
CA Durden explained, for an example, if a Parish priest or Episcopalian priest gives the invocation it
probably will not be non -secular. Green Cove Springs reached out to a variety of different religious
organizations in order to allow for variety.
Commissioner Norris inquired if the safest option would be to remove the invocation completely.
CA Durden responded the safest option would be to either remove the invocation or have a moment of
silence.
Commissioner Norris suggested reaching out to compile a list of a variety of religious organizations
for the invocation.
CA Durden responded yes, and with a schedule.
Mayor Glasser expressed concern about this becoming an administrative burden. There are about
fifteen churches in Atlantic Beach and most of them are Christian based. We want to respect the
November 15, 2017 ROUNDTABLE MEETING
separation of church and state, and we value what the faith community does. Mayor Glasser stated she
is not in favor of removing the invocation but wants people to feel welcome.
Commissioner Norris stated she is not in favor of removing the invocation and believes it is a great
way to set intentions and come together before the meeting.
Commissioner Waters arrived at 4:57 p.m.
Commissioner Kelly stated she understands the purpose of the invocation is to invoke divine guidance
and to acknowledge the ideals and beliefs held in common. She stated she is in favor of prayer that
invokes divine guidance without the name of any particular God.
Commissioner Stinson spoke about the pledge of allegiance after the invocation, asking how is that
any different. He stated he believes in the diversity of invocation with all religions and taking the
Commission out of it. He spoke about the majority of our country being Christian -based.
CA Durden stated it (pledge) is different and not part and parcel of the issue regarding prayer. The
pledge of allegiance has been accepted under the law.
Commissioner Stinson stated that he is not advocating for removing the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Glasser stated she wants people to feel welcomed by having interfaith communities come
together to give the invocation. She asked if anyone has names of outside organizations to give the
invocation please submit them to staff.
Commissioner Waters spoke about the invocation being done by an outside guest, not a
Commissioner, approximately twenty years ago. She stated we want to include everyone, not exclude
anyone.
There was a consensus to move forward with the plan to have outside organizations give the
invocation.
CA Durden stated the goal is to set up a rotation system from members of various religious
organizations within the community to give a (secular) invocation.
C. Newsletter Schedule
Mayor Glasser stated City Manager Gerrity has suggested that each Commissioner write an article in
the newsletter twice a year. Discussion ensued about topics for the newsletter, i.e. hurricane
preparation, identifying districts within the community. Deputy City Manager (DCM) Hogencamp
stated they will make sure to get good messages out about the City and will work with the
Commission and provide a schedule.
D. Use of City Email and Constituents
Mayor Glasser spoke about the City emails and frustration about the restrictions to responding without
violating the Sunshine Laws. Discussion ensued from the Commission about emails addressed to
groups of people (including Commissioners), replying only to an individual sender and not `to all',
being responsive to emails, deciding whether or not to reply, and how to avoid duplication.
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November 15, 2017 ROUNDTABLE MEETING
A question was raised about having a general response and/or disclaimer when responding to emails.
Commissioner Waters stated she uses one and will forward it to CM Gerrity to provide to the
Commission.
CA Durden explained that the law restricts Commissioners from talking to each other about a matter
that may come before the Commission for a vote. She stated as soon as one Commissioner replies `to
all', then none of the other Commissioners can reply to that email. CA Durden suggested the best way
to handle the email is to reply only to the individual sender and avoid not replying `to all'.
E. Public Comment
Mayor Glasser tabled this item to be address at a later time.
F. Committee Liaison
Mayor Glasser spoke about having an informal liaison between Commissioners and the various
Boards/Committees. She explained the liaison would not go to every meeting, is not a voting member,
and would not supervise. They would ensure items were addressed, review the minutes, and ensure
there were regular reports. The Commissioners volunteered to liaison as follows:
Commissioner Stinson: Liaison for the Board Member Review Committee and the Parking &
Pedestrian Safety Advisory Resource Committee.
Mayor Glasser: Liaison for the Cultural Arts and Recreation Committee.
Commissioner Kelly: Liaison for the Pension Boards, and the Code Enforcement Board.
Commissioner Norris: Liaison for the Environmental Stewardship Committee, including the Tree
Committee.
Commissioner Waters: Liaison for the Community Development Board.
Commissioner Stinson suggested having a discussion about administrative resources allocated for
supporting these Boards/Committees. This adds to the City's workload, in particular the City Clerk's
Office and the City Manager's Office.
Mayor Glasser stated that discussion can be a topic for a future Roundtable meeting.
CA Durden stated the Code Enforcement Board and the Community Development Board both conduct
quasi-judicial proceedings. Sometimes appeals will go straight to the Circuit Court. She cautioned the
Commissioners about participating in any fashion involving a quasi-judicial case. For example, much
of the Community Development Board's (CDB) action is to make a recommendation, or an applicant
or affected party could make an appeal (to the CDB action) that would go before the Commission. She
cautioned any Commissioner, who may attend either of those meetings, not to participate.
Mayor Glasser asked CA Durden to provide written guidance in regards to these Boards.
Commissioner Waters stated her plan was not to attend the Community Development Board meetings,
but to follow via the live feed, and then review the minutes.
November 15, 2017 ROUNDTABLE MEETING
G. Issues of Importance in Short Term
This item was not addressed due to time constraints.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion, Mayor Glasser declared the meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
ATTEST:
Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk
DLB/njp
Ellen Glasser
Mayor/Presiding Officer