Charter Review Agenda Item 4-14-2014- FINALCITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA ITEM: Charter Review Committee
SUBMITTED BY: Carolyn Woods, Mayor
DATE: March 13, 2014
BACKGROUND: The City's Charter serves as the City's fundamental governing document
and outlines certain authority and restrictions the City has over municipal
affairs. A review of the State laws, regulations and considerations for City
Charter reviews has been prepared by our City Attorney and is included
as reference.
Our City Charter was last reviewed and updated by vote, as required, in
August of 1993. There have been a few changes to certain sections over
the years, of note to our voting districts and timing of the election cycle.
However, there have been many societal, economic and technological
changes in the past two decades that warrant new consideration of how
we govern and are governed.
This concern has been echoed during the past few years in Town Hall
Meetings, Commission meetings and during the election cycles. A variety
of citizens have expressed an interest in having a review preformed with
specific items of concern mentioned including, but not limited to, the
need for a City Mission Statement, incorporation of more open
government policies, and protections of our neighborhood parks.
Please note that no changes can be made to the City's Charter
without the vote of the people. To this end is a proposal for the
formation of a Citizen Charter Review Committee.
Charge:
The Committee is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the City's
Charter. The purpose of the Committee is to evaluate The Charter and make
recommendations to the Commission. The Committee is authorized and empowered
to conduct a comprehensive study of any or all phases of the City Government. The
Committee will be as self sufficient as possible performing their own research and
dictating their own schedule, with aid and guidance provided by the City Attorney and
insight from all department heads. Each member shall first review completely the
current Charter before the first Committee Meeting.
Membership:
Size 9 members
• Appointments The following citizens are known to be very thoughtful, studied
and of serious intent for the task at hand and shall be appointed to the
Committee.
Dr. Joan Carver Tom Goodrich
David Vincent Dr. Mark Tomaski
Kathy Carithers
Sally Clemens
Each Commissioner shall appoint one other member for a total of 9 members.
Additional members shall be chosen from applications received by the City
Clerk as of April 4, 2014.
• Committee Structure The members will elect among themselves a
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. All members must be Atlantic Beach
residents. The Committee shall determine its own schedule.
Referendum:
By ordinance, the recommendations adopted by the City Commission in accordance
with Florida Statute will be placed on an upcoming ballot for voter approval. Based
upon this ballot requirement, the City Commission may decide to propose one
amended Charter, or propose individual amendments, which ask the citizens of the
City of Atlantic Beach to approve or reject each amendment. Either method of
amending the Charter requires ballot language to be submitted to the Duval County
Supervisor of Elections in accordance with the following deadlines for the 2015
elections: a.) May 18th, 2015 for the August 25th Primary Election; or b.) August 28th for
the November 3rd General Election.
Committee Meetings:
Charter Review Committee meetings are required to allow for public comment and
input from the community at each publically noticed meeting. Considerations should
be viewed in the context of protecting and promoting the general health, safety and
well-being of the citizens of Atlantic Beach. Meetings should follow Robert's Rules of
Order.
The Charter Review Committee shall ask for input from each of the City's Department
Heads, including the Chief of Police. Time should be allowed for the department heads
to do their own research and present to the Committee separately.
Timetable and Sunset Provision:
• Meetings — The dates and times of the meetings are to be determined by the
committee with the first meeting to take place within 2 (two) weeks of the Committee
approval.
• Sunset Date — This Committee must make a report six (6) months after its first
meeting. Committee duration may be extended up to two (2) months as needed.
Sunset will be automatic with the Committee's Final Report to the Commission.
BUDGET: Any anticipated costs are comprised of staff time.
RECOMMENDATION: Appoint the Charter Review Committee as charged.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Charter Review Memorandum by Richard Komando March 11, 2014.
2. Board / Committee Member Applications