03-11-2004 CITY OF EDGEWATER
Charter Review Committee
Thursday, March 11, 2004
3:00 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Members present were Pat Card, Donna Wagner, and Bob Lott, Bill Miller was absent and Ferd
Heeb was excused. Also present were City Manager Ken Hooper, Assistant City Manager Liz
McBride, and Committee Secretary Bonnie Wenzel.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Card stated that the votes from February 26, 2004 should be 4 -0, not 3 -0 as stated.
MOTION by Ms. Wagner to approve the minutes of February 26, 2004 with the correction
of votes being 4 -0, SECOND by Mr. Lott.
MOTION 3 -0.
3. OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Card suggested that as part of setting the agenda at each meeting, the committee
should determine if there will be a quorum at the next meeting, if not they can change the
meeting date. Mr. Hooper stated they should be consistent with the meeting times and days.
Chairman Card stated they would leave the meetings on Thursday at 3:00.
Mr. Card stated there was a letter from Jeff Lariscy regarding the Charter, each member was
provided a copy.
Section 4.07 — Assistant City Clerk
Mr. Lott suggested deferring talk of this Section until Mr. Heeb was available. The committee
agreed.
Chairman Card discussed the City Comprehensive Plan, adding that some would like to see the
City's growth effectively controlled. He stated the Plan should be reviewed at least every five
(5) years, and added that any zoning changes (i.e. residential to commercial) should be by
Referendum, if the zoning would stay the same (i.e. residential) the Planning and Zoning Board
could approve the change.
Mr. Hooper stated there was an amendment to the State Constitution being proposed for this.
Chairman Card stated he has seen this work in other areas.
Mr. Lott stated this would not work, the public could not be informed enough to make the
decisions, he added that this was why we have elected officials. He stated he felt it was a bad
idea. Ms. Wagner agreed with Mr. Lott. Mr. Lott added that he felt the current system was
good.
3 -11 -04 minutes 1
CITY OF EDGEWATER
Charter Review Committee
Thursday, March 11, 2004
3:00 p.m.
4. NEW BUSINESS
MEMBERS REPORTS
None at this time.
DISCUSSION
Chairman Card brought up the letter submitted by Jeff Lariscy. He asked if there was any way
this could be put into the Charter and make it more difficult for the County to control the cities.
Mr. Hooper stated the Level of Service Standards could be set in the Charter, i.e. five (5) minute
response time, then the City would have to abide by that. He added that having the Fire
Department under the County does not seem to work. Mr. Lott added that the fear is the County
will force cities to consolidate under one umbrella.
Mr. Hooper stated that adding the Fire Department to the Charter would not protect them from
the County.
Chairman Card suggested discussing the questions the committee would like to ask the guest
speakers.
Section 3.01
Mr. Lott stated that everyone gets to vote for all Council members, but some people think it is
time to add two (2) council people and have them at large with four (4) members to be voted by
district only.
Discussion ensued regarding the benefits and disadvantages of the voting districts.
Mr. Lott suggested asking what the advantages and disadvantages of single district voting. Ms.
Wagner agreed.
Chairman Card read a letter submitted to the committee from Mr. Bill Hill dated 12 -4 -04. There
was further discussion regarding single member versus at large districts.
Questions for the guest speakers are as follows:
What problems are there with single member district voting?
How many Council members do you have?
Section 3.05
Questions for the guest speakers are as follows:
3 -11 -04 minutes 2
CITY OF EDGEWATER
Charter Review Committee
Thursday, March 11, 2004
3:00 p.m.
How do you compensate, including any benefits, City Council members, and how do you
come up with the philosophy?
Are Council members eligible for full employee benefits?
Section 3.02
Questions for the guest speakers are as follows:
How many districts in your City?
When do you add districts?
How do you handle inconsistent voting patterns?
Section 3.04
There was discussion regarding term limits and whether the current limits are acceptable. Mr.
Hooper stated voters decide when terms are up. Councilman Vincenzi stated he was in favor of
term limits. Ms. Wagner stated that maybe two (2) terms are not enough. Mr. Card asked if four
(4) terms was too long. Mr. Hooper stated most cities are a mix of two (2) and four (4) year
terms.
Questions for the guest speakers are as follows:
Are there any problems in your City with term limits?
Is there a problem getting residents to run for Council?
Are term limits and the number of years for a term a problem?
Section 3.06
Ms. Wagner stated the way the Vice -Mayor is chosen is fine. Chairman Card suggested having a
rotation. Mr. Lott stated it was hard to rotate with staggered terms. Mr. Hooper stated he has not
seen any City use a rotation.
Chairman Card set the agenda for the March 25, 2004 meeting, as having Mr. Fritz Behring, City
Manager from Deltona present to speak and answer any questions the committee may have.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Bonnie Wenzel
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