07-25-1990
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
MERIT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, 3ULY 25, 1990
7:30 P.M.
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the Merit Board was called to order by
Chairman Harry Jones at 7:30 P.M. in the Conference Room at City
Hall.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Ms.
Mr. Harry Jones. Ms.
Patterson was excused.
Secretary.
Cece Stevens, Ms. Sondra Pengov, and
Karen Grasberger arrived later. Ms.
Also present was Lisa Miller, Recording
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the May 23, 1990 meeting were submitted for
approval. Ms. Pengov requested that there be an insertion of the
actual date of the minutes that were being changed since this had
been going on so long. It was suggested that the words as
reflected in the Minutes of 3anuary 16. 1990 be added to the
changes. Ms. Pengov moved to accept the minutes as amended.
Motion seconded by Ms. Stevens. Motion carried 3-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The draft of the Bylaws that was received from the City Attorney
concerning the swearing in of witnesses at grievance hearings was
discussed. It was suggested by Mr. Jones a sentence be added to
the wording on page four (4) after 'on the witnesses' personal
knowledge of the matters attesting to,' insert: Either of the
parties of a arievance hearinq may ask the Merit Board to request
the presence of specified persons in writing. to be present to
testify under oath of matters to which they have a personal
knowledae.
Ms. Stevens moved that the paragraph that they just went over be
sent to Mr. Alvarez via the City Manager for return to the Board.
Ms. Pengov seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Ms. Grasberger arrived at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Jones called a recess
at 7:47 P.M. to advise Ms. Grasberger as to what had happened in
the meeting to this point. He called the meeting to order at
7:49 P.M.
Mr. Jones brought up the subject of abstaining from voting
information that was furnished to the Board from the City
Manager's Office. There was discussion as to whether it should
be put into the Bylaws. Ms. Pengov moved that they incorporate
not being able to abstain from voting in the Bylaws. It should
be worded the same as in the Code Board's Bylaws. On page 3 of
the Bylaws under Votino insert: No member who is present at any
meetina at which an official decision, rulina. or other official
act is to be taken or adopted may abstain from votina in reaard
to any such decision. rulina or act: and a vote shall be recorded
or counted for each such member present. except when. with
respect to any such member. there is. or appears to be. a
possible conflict of interest under the provision of s.
112.311.s.112.313, or s. 112.3143. In such cases. said member
shall comely with the disclosure reauirements of s. 112.3143.
Ms. Stevens seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Jones presented a memorandum to Mayor Mitchum, City Council
via City Manager from the City of Edgewater Merit Board dated
July 31, 1989 in which the Board attached some corrections to the
duties of the Merit Board due to the event of the Mayor, Council,
City Manager form of government. Mr. Jones stated it came back
from the City Attorney in the form of Ordinance 89-0-30 which
read exactly the way the corrections had been submitted. The
Ordinance which finally came out as 89-0-30 had been changed.
City Council had been struck out and replaced with City Manager.
This means that any decision of the board would go to the City
Manager period.
Ms. Grasberger stated that this was the Ordinance that the City
Council signed. Mr. Jones stated that he showed this to Council
and that they were disturbed because this is not what they
thought they were signing. Ms. Pengov questioned Mr. Jones
bringing this item up before the Council. Ms. Pengov questioned
if Mr. Jones went to the Council as a representative of the Merit
Board. Mr. Jones stated that yes, he did. Ms. Pengov stated
that she found it strange that the Board did not know anything
about it. Mr. Jones stated that he didn't know about it in time
to get on the agenda. Ms. Pengov stated that the Council meets
every two weeks.
Mr. Jones stated that the City Attorney stated he had written the
original Ordinance 89-0-30 and then without his knowledge it had
been rewritten and the intent had been changed. Ordinance 89-0-30
now states that the Board's recommendations go to the City
Manager, period. It does not give the Board access to Council.
Ms. Pengov questioned who would rewrite this. Mr. Jones stated
that Mr. Johnson said that he rewrote it after talking to the
City Attorney. Ms. Pengov questioned that it was rewritten and
then the Council signed it without reading it. Ms. Grasberger
questioned whether it was assumed that they were signing what had
originally been presented to them.
Ms. Pengov questioned where the Board got the copy of the
original Ordinance 89-0-30. Mr. Jones stated that he got it
directly from the City Attorney's office. It was the only copy
that Mr. Alvarez had in his file. Mr. Jones stated that Mr.
Alvarez had no knowledge of the conversation with Mr. Johnson or
of the change. Ms. Pengov stated that Mr. Alvarez signed the
final draft of the Ordinance. Ms. Pengov questioned what the
Board was trying to do with this. Mr. Jones stated that he was
trying to get this back so that the Merit Board would have access
to the City Council. Mr. Jones stated that he wanted to asl~ the
Council to correct the Ordinance.
Ms. Pengov stated that the Merit Board should have been consulted
before Mr. Jones took the problem before the City Council and
represented himself as the Chairman of the Merit Board on their
behalf. Mr. Jones stated that he would have probably handled it
differently, but he thought the Board would have been unhappy if
he had called a Special Meeting to discuss this. Ms. Pengov
stated that no, it would have been fine.
Mr. Jones stated to let the record show that the Merit Board has
castigated him for not coming to the Board first before going to
Council regarding Ordinance 89-0-30.
Ms. Pengov moved that Mr. Jones to send a memo to the Mayor and
City Council via the City Manager's office requesting that Mr.
Jones be removed from the agenda of August 6, 1990 City Council
meeting. The memo should also say that correspondence regarding
Ordinance 89-0-30 will be forthcoming. Ms. Stevens seconded.
Motion carried 4-0.
Page 2
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Ms. Grasberger moved to propose to Council three corrections to
Ordinance 89-0-30,: Chapter 13, #2, Strike through the word-Et.y
eoonct~--, and after the word City Manager include and City
Council. Numbers 3 and 6 to read, and City Council after
underlined City Manager. Ms. Stevens seconded. Motion carried
4-0.
Ms. Pengov moved to prepare a memo listing three proposed
changes to Ordinance 89-0-30: Chapter 13, #2, Strike through the
word-E~ty-Eotlne~r, and after the word City Manager include and
City Council; numbers 3 and 6 to read and City Council after
underlined City Manager. Ms. Pengov stated the memo should be
addressed to Jose' Alvarez via the City Manager. Ms. Stevens
seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
Ms. Pengov moved that the Bylaws be changed to read to start the
Merit Board meeting from 7:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Ms. Stevens
seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
There was some discussion regarding the Merit lncrease Report
that is provided to the Board for their information.
Ms. Pengov moved to adjourn. Ms. Grasberger seconded.
Meeting adjourned 9:20 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Lisa R. Miller
Recording Secretary
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
MERIT BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
7:30 P.M.
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
The Regular Meeting of the Merit Board was called to order by
Chairman Harry Jones at 7:30 P.M. in the Conference Room at City
Hall.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were Ms.
Mr. Harry Jones. Ms.
Patterson was excused.
Secretary.
Cece Stevens, Ms. Sondra Pengov, and
Karen Grasberger arrived later. Ms.
Also present was Lisa Miller, Recording
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the May 23, 1990 meeting were submitted for
approval. Ms. Pengov requested that there be an insertion of the
actual date of the minutes that were being changed since this had
been going on so long. It was suggested that the words as
reflected in the Minutes of January 16. 1990 be added to the
changes. Ms. Pengov moved to accept the minutes as amended.
Motion seconded by Ms. Stevens. Motion carried 3-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The draft of the Bylaws that was received from the City Attorney
concerning the swearing in of witnesses at grievance hearings was
discussed. It was suggested by Mr. Jones a sentence be added to
the wording on page four (4) after 'on the witnesses' personal
knowledge of the matters attesting to,' insert: Either of the
parties of a orievance hearino may ask the Merit Board to reouest
the oresence of soecified oersons in writino. to be oresent to
testify under oath of matters to which they have a personal
knowledoe.
Ms. Stevens moved that the paragraph that they just went over be
sent to Mr. Alvarez via the City Manager for return to the Board.
Ms. Pengov seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Ms. Grasberger arrived at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Jones called a recess
at 7:47 P.M. to advise Ms. Grasberger as to what had happened in
the meeting to this point. He called the meeting to order at
7:49 P.M.
Mr. Jones brought up the subject of abstaining from voting
information that was furnished to the Board from the City
Manager's Office. There was discussion as to whether it should
be put into the Bylaws. Ms. Pengov moved that they incorporate
not being able to abstain from voting in the Bylaws. It should
be worded the same as in the Code Board's Bylaws. On page 3 of
the Bylaws under Votinq insert: No member who is oresent at any
meetino at which an official decision. rulino. or other official
act is to be taken or adooted may abstain from voting in reaard
to any such decision, rulina or act: and a vote shall be recorded
or counted for each such member oresent. exceot when. with
respect to any such member. there is. or aooears to be. a
oossible conflict of interest under the orovision of s.
112.311.s.112.313, or s. 112.3143. In such cases, said member
shall comolv with the disclosure reauirements of s. 112.3143.
Ms. Stevens seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
o
o
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Jones presented a memorandum to Mayor Mitchum, City Council
via City Manager from the City of Edgewater Merit Board dated
July 31, 1989 in which the Board attached some corrections to the
duties of the Merit Board due to the event of the Mayor, Council,
City Manager form of government. Mr. Jones stated it came back
from the City Attorney' in the form of Ordinance 89-0-30 which
read exactly the way the corrections had been submitted. The
Ordinance which finally came out as 89-0-30 had been changed.
City Council had been struck out and replaced with City Manager.
This means that any decision of the board would go to the City
Manager period.
Ms. Grasberger stated that this was the Ordinance that the City
Council signed. Mr. Jones stated that he showed this to Council
and that they were disturbed because this is not what they
thought they were signing. Ms. Pengov questioned Mr. Jones
bringing this item up before the Council. Ms. Pengov questioned
if Mr. Jones went to the Council as a representative of the Merit
Board. Mr. Jones stated that yes, he did. Ms. Pengov stated
that she found it strange that the Board did not know anything
about it. Mr. Jones stated that he didn't know about it in time
to get on the agenda. Ms. Pengov stated that the Council meets
every two weeks.
Mr. Jones stated that the City Attorney stated he had written the
original Ordinance 89-0-30 and then without his knowledge it had
been rewritten and the intent had been changed. Ordinance 89-0-30
now states that the Board's recommendations go to the City
Manager, period. It does not give the Board access to Council.
Ms. Pengov questioned who would rewrite this. Mr. Jones stated
that Mr. Johnson said that he rewrote it after talking to the
City Attorney. Ms. 'Pengov questioned that it was rewritten and
then the Council signed it without reading it. Ms. Grasberger
questioned whether it was assumed that they were signing what had
originally been presented to them.
Ms. Pengov questioned where the Board got the copy of the
original Ordinance 89-0-30. Mr. Jones stated that he got it
directly from the City Attorney's office. It was the only copy
that Mr. Alvarez had in his file. Mr. Jones stated that Mr.
Alvarez had no knowledge of the conversation with Mr. Johnson or
of the change. Ms. Pengov stated that Mr. Alvarez signed the
final draft of the Ordinance. Ms. Pengov questioned what the
Board was trying to do with this. Mr. Jones stated that he was
trying to get this back so that the Merit Board would have access
to the City Council. Mr. Jones stated that he wanted to ask the
Council to correct the Ordinance.
Ms. Pengov stated that the Merit Board should have been consulted
before Mr. Jones took the problem before the City Council and
represented himself as the Chairman of the Merit Board on their
behalf. Mr. Jones stated that he would have probably handled it
differently, but he thought the Board would have been unhappy if
he had called a Special Meeting to discuss this. Ms. Pengov
stated that no, it would have been fine.
Mr. Jones stated to let the record show that the Merit Board has
castigated him for not coming to the Board first before going to
Council regarding Ordinance 89-0-30.
Ms. Pengov moved that Mr. Jones to send a memo to the Mayor and
City Council via the City Manager's office requesting that Mr.
Jones be removed from the agenda of August 6, 1990 City Council
meeting. The memo should also say that correspondence regarding
Ordinance 89-0-30 will be forthcoming. Ms. Stevens seconded.
Motion carried 4-0.
Page 2
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Ms. Grasberger moved to propose to Council three corrections to
Ordinance 89-0-30,: Chapter 13, #2, Strike through the word-E~ty
Eoaneit--, and after the word City Manager include and City
Council. Numbers 3 and 6 to read, and City Council after
underlined City Manager. Ms. Stevens seconded. Motion carried
4-0.
Ms. Pengov moved to prepare a memo listing three proposed
changes to Ordinance 89-0-30: Chapter 13, #2, Strike through the
word-e~ty-eo~ne~T, and after the word City Manager include and
City Council; numbers 3 and 6 to read and City Council after
undel-lined City Manager. Ms. Pengov stated the memo should be
addressed to Jose' Alvarez via the City Manager. Ms. Stevens
seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
Ms. Pengov moved that the Bylaws be changed to read to start the
Merit Board meeting from 7:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Ms. Stevens
seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
There was some discussion regarding the Merit lncrease Report
that is provided to the Board for their information.
Ms. Pengov moved to adjourn. Ms. Grasberger seconded.
Meeting adjourned 9:20 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Lisa R. Mi ller
Recording Secretary
Page 3