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CITY OF EDGEWATER
Charter Review Committee
Friday, April 18, 2008
City Hall Conference Room
Minutes
9:00 a.m.
J. ROLL CALL
Members present were Scott Brown, Pat Card, Ferd Heeb, Bob Lott, Bob McIntosh, Acting City Manager Tracey
Barlow, Paralegal Robin Matusick and City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel.
2. CITY MANAGER REPORT
a. Committee Goals
Acting City Manager Barlow explained the reason for bringing the Committee together. There are changes suggested
by Vol usia County as to when elections would be held. Acting City Manager Barlow also stated that other areas of the
Charter may need to be cleaned up. He added that the Committee should look at the election sections first then proceed
through the rest of the Charter.
b. Timeline for Election Changes
Acting City Manager Barlow went over the timeline that the Committee has to meet the election deadlines for this year.
He stated that the proposed changes must be to the City Attorney no later than May 20, 2008.
3. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN/VICE-CHAIRMAN
MOTION by Mr. Card, second by Mr. McIntosh to appoint Robert LoU as Chairman.
Motion carried bv unanimous acclamation.
MOTION by Mr. Heeb, second by Mr. McIntosh to appoint Pat Card as Vice-Chairman.
Motion carried bv unanimous acclamation.
4.
SETTING MEETING DATES/TIMES
After much discussion the Committee decided the next meeting would be held on Monday, April 2 I, 2008 at 2:30 pm
followed by a meeting on May 2, 2008 at 8:30 am. Due to everyone's busy schedule further meetings will be scheduled
at the May 2, 2008 meeting.
5. DISCUSSION OF ELECTION ISSUES
Chairman Lott suggested the Committee read all of the documents provided and come back with suggestions for
changes. Mr. Heeb suggested they establish a protocol for their meetings.
Mr. Card stated they could deal with the elections in the first two meetings, then review the rest of the Charter and each
person make a list of ideas for the Committee to review. Mr. Heeb suggested they meet weekly for the first 4-5 weeks,
once they complete the election changes they can go through the Charter item by item and see what may need to be
fixed. He would then like to meet with the City Administration and go through the League of Cities Charter.
Chairman Lott stated they would meet weekly for the first four weeks, then meet monthly unless more meetings are
needed. Mr. Card suggested making that decision after they complete the election changes.
Chairman Lott stated that if we move to even numbered years we would have two longer terms or three shorter terms.
He stated there could be legal problems if terms are shortened. Mr. Heeb suggested having the City Attorney at the next
meeting. Chairman Lott suggested having Paralegal Matusick ask the City Attorney what the legal ramifications would
be.
Mr. Brown stated that going to even numbered years just makes practical sense. Chairman Lott stated that you get more
of a voter turnout in even years. Mr. Heeb suggested studying each of the scenarios.
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
Charter Review Committee
Friday, April 18, 2008
City Hall Conference Room
Minutes
9:00 a.m.
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Chairman Lott asked the Committee what other legal information they would like. Paralegal Matusick stated she could
see if the City Attorney would be available for the next meeting.
There was further discussion on having the City Attorney at a meeting in the near future. Mr. Heeb suggested having
Ann McFall at the next meeting. City Clerk Wenzel agreed to contact Ms. McFall.
Chairman Lott stated that at least two other cities are going with their own elections. Mr. Heeb stated they are only
making a recommendation to Council, ultimately the decision is theirs.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Bonnie Wenzel, City Clerk
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