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Minutes 10-10-11 MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2011 AT 6:00 P.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM A BOYNTON BEACH CITY LIBRARY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jeannie Taylor, Chair James Brake, Vice Chair Brian Edwards David Katz ABSENT: Paula Melley Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. It was announced Ms. Melley and Attorney Cherof could not attend the meeting. The members discussed the readability changes they had already made. Board member Melley had made most of the changes. Mr. Edwards did not see anything else that he thought should be changed as the Committee made many changes last month to help make the document readable. The Committee had covered everything in their mandate except the rest of the readability issues, and then the redistricting report. There was one change to the minutes on page 5, Section 59. Mr. Edwards had raised the issue of a yearly review and why the City Attorney does not receive a yearly review. The Charter refers to the City Manager and the City Attorney equally, but the City Attorney was employed through the original contract. Accordingly, Mr. Edwards clarified his comment as follows: "Mr. Edwards inquired of Attorney Cherof why there was never discussion on a review for him aM the City Mon3ger." Mr. Edwards explained with the focus on ethics and issues for the Commission, the person guiding the Commission should be evaluated for his own performance. Motion Mr. Edwards moved to approve the minutes with the change. Mr. Katz seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The members studied the redistricting report and viewed the various Commission district alternatives provided, comparing the proposed districts with the current districts. After careful consideration, there was agreement to recommend the City Commission consider Alternative Districts A or B. 1 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, FL October 10, 2011 Motion Mr. Katz moved to recommend Alternative Districts A or B to the City Commission. Mr. Edwards seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Edwards reviewed the mission of the Charter Review Committee. The Committee was to: ~ Review the form and content of each article of the Charter for possible changes or modifications. The Committee had the one member who addressed some of the readability issues; however, it was anticipated there were others forthcoming. ~ Give special attention to the timeline and methodology for establishing City Commission district boundaries. The Committee addressed this task in the second or third meeting. Specifically, the current Charter required this be done every four years using a university. This item was also discussed. ~ Because detailed census data (block data) was available only once every ten years, the four-year cycle may be unrealistic. The Committee had discussed this item and made a recommendation. ~ The Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee should address the pros and cons of requiring the use of an outside university to conduct the study. The Committee had addressed this item. For 2011, there was no issue because the 2010 Census information would be available in April 2011. ~ As to how the review would affect service programs and/or what impact it would have, with the exception of the readability and Ms. Melley's comments, they fulfilled their mission. The Attorney was working on a preliminary report of what the Committee changed. He was going to present it to the members as soon as it was finished to ensure the Committee agreed with all the changes. The members discussed they could finish their mandate at the next meeting. It was thought the City Commission would be asking for information from the Charter Review Committee. Mr. Edwards asked if the members wanted to wait a full month for the next meeting, when they only had a few items to address, when the City Commission would address it on October 18, 2011. Motion Mr. Brake moved to meet next Monday at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Katz seconded the motion. Mr. Brake amended his motion to include only if it was okay with the City Clerk and the Committee could fulfill the notice requirements. Mr. Katz seconded the amendment and the motion unanimously passed. 2 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, FL October 10, 2011 Chair Taylor noted at the last City Commission meeting, there was discussion a super majority vote was needed to hire a City Manager. She reviewed the City Charter to see where that provision was contained, and more specifically, she reviewed Section 18. Mr. Katz commented he was surprised to hear it was needed to hire a City Manager, as he was aware it was needed to terminate one. Mr. Katz thought the requirement might have been imposed via ordinance. The question will be posed to the City Attorney, where it was written and if it was enacted via Ordinance, why it was not in the Charter. After further discussion, the members requested the City Clerk email the ordinance to the Charter Review Committee members. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was properly adjourned at 6:57 p.m. (l[U)-VLUtO- QjciVl~ Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 101111 3