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12-01-1998 . , ~, <.) <.) PROPOSED CHARTER REVISIONS CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETINGS AS NOTED IN MARGIN ARTICLE I - POWERS Section 1.01 - General Powers The city shall have all governmental, corporate and proprietary powers to enable it to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions and render municipal services, and may exercise any power for municipal purposes except as otherwise provided by law. Section 1.02 - Construction The powers of the city shall be construed liberally in favor of the city, limited only by the constitution, general law and specific limitations contained herein. ARTICLE II - CORPORATE LIMITS Section 2.01 - Description of corporate limits The corporate limits ofthe City of Edgewater shall be as set forth in that certain document entitled "Description of City of Edgewater Corporate Limits" as it appears on the effective date of this Charter and as that document may from time to time be amended through adoption of annexation and deannexation ordinances. The original of that document shall at all times be maintained as a record of the city by the city clerk. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) Strue:k tnr6ugn passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 1 " ., o o 06/09/98 Section 2.02 - Limitations on Annexation The corporate limits of the City of Edgewater may not be increased more than two hundred fifty (250) acres in anyone (1) year unless such annexation is approved by a referendum of the eligible voters of the city ina general election. . ARTICLE III - CITY COUNCIL Section 3.01 - Composition There shall be a city council consisting of a mayor and four (4) council members elected at large by the qualified electors of the City. One (1) council member shall be elected from each of four (4) voting districts. Section 3.02 - Districts The city council shall by ordinance apportion the city into four (4) voting districts numbered one (1) through four (4) which shall be as nearly equal in population as possible. Within six (6) months after official publication of the decennial census, the city council shall be ordinance adjust the district boundaries as required to provide for four (4) districts as nearly equal in population as possible. 06/23/98 Section 3.03 - Qualifications (a) The mayor must be a qualified elector of the city and shall have resided within the city for no less than one (1) year on the date that person qualifies to run for office. The mayor shall continuously reside within the city limits during the mayor's term of office. (b) Each council member must be a qualified elector of the city and shall have resided within the city for no less than one (1) year and shall be VvTIO is a resident of the district from which the person seeks to be elected on the date that person qualifies to run for office. Each council member elected from a district shall continuously reside in the district during the council member's term of office, except that any council member who is removed from a district by redistricting may continue to serve during the remainder of the council member's term of office. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December1,1998) Strtle:k thretlgh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 2 " , \ -, o o Section 3.04 - Elections and terms Beginning in 1997, the regular election of the city council shall be held in each odd- numbered year on the date that would be established by the Florida Code for the second primary if it were an even-numbered year in the manner prescribed in Article V of this Charter. The term of office shall be for two (2) years, beginrting at the next regular council meeting after the election. . Section 3.05 - Compensation 04/21/98 Council members shall receive as compensation the sum of four thousand eight hundred dollars ($4,800.00) annually, payable monthly. The mayor shall receive as compensation the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000.00), annually, payable monthly. The city council is authorized to adjust the annual salary for the mayor and council members by ordinance, but the 00 ordinance shall not become effective until the date of commencement of the term of those members of the city council elected at the next regular election, provided that such election follows the adoption of the ordinance by at least six (6) months. Section 3.06 - Mayor 02/17/98 The mayor shall be a member of the city council and preside at meetings of the council. The mayor shall be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes, by the governor for purposes of military law, for service of process, and execution of contracts, deeds and other documents, but shall have no administrative duties. Any additional powers and duties of the mayor shall be such as are conferred upon the mayor by the council. At the first council meeting after each regular city election, the council shall elect one of its members as vice mayor. The vice mayor shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. Section 3.07 - General powers and duties All legislative powers ofthe city shall be vested in the city council, except as provided by law or this charter, and the city council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law. Section 3.08 - Prohibitions (a) Holding other office. No former member of the city council shall hold any compensated appointive city office or employment with the city until one year after the expiration of the term for which the member was elected. (CharterRevi ewCommi ttee/Charter- Revi sed- December I ,1998) Stf'l:lck through passages are deleted. . Underlined passages are added. 3 .- .\ \i o u (b) Appointments and removals. Neither the city council nor any of its members shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any city administrative officer or employee whom the city manager or any subordinate of the city manager is empowered to appoint, but the city council may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the city manager anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees. (c) Interference with administration. Except for the purpose of inquiries and information gathering, t~e city councilor its members shall not deal with city officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the manager except through the city manager. Neither the city council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately. Nothing in the foregoing is to be construed to prohibit individual members of the city council from closely scrutinizing through questions and personal observation all aspects of city operations as to obtain independent information to assist the members in the formulation of sound policies to be considered by the city council. It is the express intent of this charter, however, that recommendations for improvements in the city operations by individual council members be made to and through the city manager, so that the city manager may coordinate efforts of all city departments to achieve the greatest possible savings through the most efficient and sound means available. 06/16/98 11/16/98 @ Limitations on borrowing. The City of Edgewater shall not incur additional debt of more than 0.75% of the total assessments net taxable value during any forward moving five (5) year period unless such debt is approved by a referendum of the eligible voters of the city in a general election. 11/16/98 W Reserves. The city is required to maintain reserves at a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) with a maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the general fund. Section 3.09 Vacancies; forfeiture of office; recall; filling of vacancies (a) Vacancies. The office ofa member of the city council shall become vacant upon his death, resignation, entry upon the office of mayor, or removal from office or forfeiture of office in any manner provided by law. (b) Forfeiture of office. A member of the city council shall forfeit that office if the member: (1) Is absent from three (3) consecutive regular council meetings without being excused by the council, (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) Struck threugh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 4 I ~ ' >l o o (2) Violates any standard of conduct or code of ethics established by law for public officials, (3) Lacks at any time during the term of office for which the member was elected any qualification for the office prescribed by this charter or by law, or (4) Violates any express prohibition of this charter. (c) Recall" City co~cil~e~bers shail be subject to th~ municipal recall pr~~i~ions of Section 100.361, Florida Statutes. (d) Filling a/vacancies. Except as otherwise prescribed by law, a vacancy on the city council shall be filled as follows: 06/16/98 (1) In the case ofa vacancy in the office of mayor, ifless than six (6) months remain in the unexpired term or until the next regular city election. the council by a vote of three (3) or more members shall appoint a successor who is eligible for the office under Section 3.03 ofthis charter. Such successor shall serve until the next regular city election at which time a mayor shall be elected in the manner prescribed in Artiele V of this Charter the vi~e mayor shall servc as mayor for the unexpired tcrm of thc mayor and assume all dutics of the mayor. A vacancy" in the office of council member shall thcn be created for the district from which thc 'vice mayor was elected and shall be filled as sct forth below. Once the 'vaeancy in thc office of council membcr is :filled, a new 'vi~e mayor shall be electcd by thc city council. 06/16/98 ill In the case of a vacancy in the office of mayor. if more than six (6) months remain in the unexpired term or until the next regular city election. a special election shall be called to fill such vacancy. The special election shall be scheduled not sooner than sixty (60) days. nor more than ninety (90) days following the occurrence of the vacancy and if a primary is necessary it shall be held as required by the election laws ofthe State of Florida. The person elected to fill the vacancy must be eligible for the office of mayor under Section 3.03 of this charter and shall serve until the next regular city election at which time a mayor shall be elected in the manner prescribed in Article V of this Charter. (Z!-l) In the case of a vacancy in the office of council member, if less than six (6) months remain in the unexpired term or until the next regular city election, the council by a vote of three (3) or more members shall appoint a successor, who is eligible for the (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December1,1998) Stwek throllgh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 5 .: o o office under Section 3.03 of this charter. Such successor shall serve until the next regular city election at which time a council member shall be elected in the manner prescribed in Article V of this Charter. (~.4) In the case ofa vacancy in the office of council member, if more than six (6) months remain in the unexpired term or until the next regular city election a special election shall be called to fill such vacancy. The special election shall be scheduled not sooner than sixty (60) days, nor mo.re than ninety (90) days followirig the occurrence of the vacancy and if a primary is necessary, it shall be held as required by the election laws of the State of Florida. The person elected to fill the vacancy must be eligible for the office under Section 3.03 ofthis charter and shall serve until the next regular city election in the manner prescribed in Article V of this Charter. (e) Extraordinary vacancies. In the event that all members of the council are removed by death, disability, forfeiture of office, or if at any time the membership of the Council is reduced to less than a quorum, the Governor shall appoint the number of interim council members necessary to constitute a quorum. That interim city council shall call a special election which shall be conducted in the same manner as if it were the first election under this charter pursuant to Section 3.04. The council members elected during the special election shall serve until the next regular city election at which time council members shall be elected in the manner prescribed in Article V of this Charter. Section 3.10 Judge of qualifications The city council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture of their office. A member charged with conduct constituting grounds for forfeiture of office shall be entitled to a public hearing on demand, and notice of such hearing shall be published at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. Section 3.11 Procedure (a) Meetings. The city council shall meet regularly at least once a month at such times and places are determined by the city council. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor, vice mayor, or majority of the members and, whenever practicable, upon no less than twenty-four (24) hours notice to each member and the public. Except as provided by law, all meetings shall be open to the public. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) Stmek thr6tlgh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 6 ", ',' u o 06/06/98 (b) Rules and journal. The city council shall determine its own rules and order of business except that the agenda for regular council meetings shall include "Citizen Comments" at the beginning of the meeting and directly prior to adjournment of the meeting and council shall include an opportunity for citizen comments relating to an agenda matter at the time the matter is before council. The city council shall provide for the keeping of a journal of its proceedings. This journal shall be a public record. (c) Voting. Voting on ordinances and resolutions shall be by roll call and shall be recorded in the journal. Three (3) members of the city council shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by the rules of the council. Except in the case of an emergency, unless otherwise provided in this charter or by law, a motion is adopted when approved by the votes of a majority of the members present and an ordinance or resolution is adopted when approved by the votes ofthree (3) or more members of the city council. An emergency shall mean an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Edgewater. Section 3.12 - Ordinances and resolutions Ordinances and resolutions shall be adopted by the city council in accordance with general law. Section 3.13 - Initiative and referendum ill Initiative. The qualified voters ofthe city shall have the power to propose ordinances to the council and. if the council fails to adopt an ordinance so proposed without any change in substance. to adopt or reiect it at a city election. provided that such power shall not extend to the budget or capital program or any ordinance relating to appropriation of money. levy of taxes or salaries of city officers or employees. ill ill Referendum. The qualified voters of the city shall have power to require reconsideration by the counci I of any adopted ordinance and. if the council fails to repeal an ordinance so reconsidered. to approve or reiect it at a city election. provided that such power shall not extend to the budget or capital program or any emergency ordinance or ordinance relating to appropriation of money. levy of taxes or salaries of city officers or employees. D2l Commencement of oroceedings. Any five (5) qualified voters may commence ill (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) Struck through passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 7 .'. o o initiative referendum proceedings by filing with the city clerk or other official desi gnated by the council an affidavit stating they will constitute the petitioners' committee and be responsible for circulating the petition and filing it in proper form. stating their names and addresses and specifying the address to which all notices to the committee are to be sent. and setting out in full the proposed initiative ordinance or citing the ordinance sought to be reconsidered. Promptly after the affidavit of the petitioners' committee is filed. the clerk or other official designated by the council may. at the committee's request. issue the appropriate petition blanks to the petitioners' committee at the committee's expense. W Petitions. ill Number of signatures. Initiative and referendum petitions must be signed by qualified voters of the city equal in number to at least twenty percent (20%) of the total number of qualified voters registered to vote at the last regular city election. ill Form and content. All papers of a petition shall be uniform in size and style and shall be assembled as one instrument for filing. Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the address of the person signing. Petitions shall contain or have attached thereto throughout their circulation the full text of the ordinance proposed or sough to be reconsidered. ill Affidavit of circulator. Each paper of a petition shall have attached to it when filed an affidavit executed by the circulator thereof stating that he personally circulated the paper. the number of signatures thereon. that all the signatures were affixed in his presence. that he believes them to be the genuine signature of the persons whose names they purport to be and that each signer had an opportunity before signing to read the full text of the ordinance proposed or sought to be reconsidered. ill Time for filing referendum vetitions. Referendum petitions must be filed within thirty (30) days after adoption by the council of the ordinance sought to be reconsidered. @ Procedure for filing. ill Certificate of clerk.: amendment. Within twenty (20) days after the initiative petition is filed and five (5) days for a reference petition. the city clerk or other official designated by the council shall complete a certificate as to its sufficiency. specifying. if it is insufficient. the particulars wherein it is defective and shall promptly send a copy of the certificate to the petitioner's committee by certified mail. return receipt (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) Struck throu);h passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 8 " ,~ <.) o requested. Grounds for insufficiency are only those specified in subsection (c). A petition certified insufficient for lack ofthe required number of valid signatures may be amended once if the petitioners' committee files a notice of intention to amend it with the clerk or other official designated by the council within two (2) days after receiving the copy of the certificate and files a supplementary petition upon additional papers within ten (10) days after receiving the copy of such certificate. Such supplementary petition shall comply with the requirements of subsections (c )(2) and (c)(3) ofsection3.13. and within five(5) da:ys after it is filed. the clerk or other official designated by the council shall complete a certificate as to the sufficiency of the petition as amended and promptly send a copy of such certificate to the petitioners' committee by certified mail. return receipt requested as in the case of an original petition. If a petition or amended petition is certified sufficient. or if a petition or amended petition is certified insufficient and the petitioners' committee does not elect to amend or request council review under subsection (2) of this section. within the time required. the clerk or other official designated by the council shall promptly present his certificate [which] shall then be a final determination as to the sufficiency of the petition. ill Council review. If a petition has been certified insufficient and the petitioners' committee does not file notice of intention to amend it or if an amended petition has been certified insufficient. the committee may. within two (2) days after receiving the copy of such certificate. file a request that it be reviewed by the council. The council shall review the certificate at its next meeting following the filing of such request and approve or disapprove it. and the council's determination shall then be a final determination as to the sufficiency of the petition. W Referendum vetitions: susvension of effect of ordinance. When a referendum petition is filed with the city clerk or other official designated by the council. the ordinance sought to be reconsidered shall be suspended from taking effect. Such a suspension shall terminate when: ill There is a final determination of insufficiency of the petition: or ill The petitioners' committee withdraws the petition: or ill The council repeals the ordinance: or ill After a vote of the city on the ordinance has been certified. ill Action on vetitions. ill Action bv council. When an initiative or referendum petition has been finally determined sufficient. the council shall promptly consider the proposed initiative ordinance in the manner provided in Article III or reconsider the referred ordinance (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) Struck through passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 9 '1 o o by voting its repeal. If the council fails to adopt a proposed initiative ordinance without any change in substance within sixty (60) days or fails to repeal the referred ordinance within thirty (30) days. it shall submit the proposed or referred ordinance to the voters of the city. ill Submission to voters. The vote ofthe city on a proposed or referred ordinance shall be ~eld not less than thirty (30) days and not later than sixty (60) days from the date the petition was determined sufficient. If no regular city election is to be held within the period described in this subsection. the council shall provide for a special election. except that the council may. in its discretion. provide for a special election at an earlier date within the described period. Copies of the proposed or referred ordinance shall be made available at the polls. ill Withdrawal of oetitions. An initiative or referendum petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the fifteenth (lSth) day preceding the day scheduled for a vote of the city by filing with the city clerk or other official designated by the council a request for withdrawal signed by at least four (4) members of the petitioners' committee. Upon the filing of such request the petition shall have no further force or effect and all proceedings thereon shall be terminated. (g} Results of election. ill Initiative. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on a proposed initiative ordinance vote in its favor. it shall be considered adopted upon certification of the election results and shall be treated in all respects in the same manner as ordinances of the same kind adopted by the council. If conflicting ordinances are approved at the same election. the one receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall prevail to the extent of such conflict. . ill Referendum. If a maiority of the qualified electors voting on a referred ordinance vote against it. it shall be considered repealed upon certification of the election results. ARTICLE IV - ADMINISTRATION Section 4.01 - Appointment and qualifications of the city manager The city council shall by a majority vote of its total membership appoint a city manager and establish the terms of employment and fix the level of compensation. The city manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) Struek thr6ugh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 10 .: o o Section 4.02 - Powers and duties of the city manager The city manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the city and shall be responsible to the city council for the administration of all city affairs placed in the city manager's charge under this charter. The city manager shall: (1) Appoint, and when necessary, suspend or remove, all officers and employees of the ci ty except ~ othe~ise provi4~d by law, this charter,. or personnel rules .adopted pursuant to this charter. The city manager may authorize any officer subject to the city manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department or agency; (2) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the city except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law; (3) Attend all city council meetings. The city manager shall have the right to take part in the discussion but shall not vote; (4) See that all laws, provisions of this charter and acts of the city council, subject to enforcement by the city manager or by officers subject to the manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed; (5) Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the city council; (6) Submit to the city council a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the city as of the end of each fiscal year; (7) Make such other reports as the city council may require concerning the operations of city departments, offices, agencies; (8) Keep the city council advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the city; (9) Make recommendations to the city council concerning the affairs of the city; (10) Provide staff support services for the city council; (11) Sign contracts, agreements, or leases on behalf city to the extent authorized by ordinance; and (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December1,1998) Struck through passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 11 .... ~ , , o o (12) Perform such other duties as are specified in this charter or may be required by the city council. Section 4.03 - Acting city manager By memorandum submitted to the city council, 'the city manager shall desigriate a qualified city administrative officer to exercise the powers and perform the duties of city manager during the city man~ger's tempo~aryabsence or disability. _ The council may revoke suchdesi~ation at any, time and appoint another administrative officer of the city to serve until the city manager returns. Section 4.04 - Creation of departments The city council may establish city departments, offices, or agencies in addition to those created by the charter and may prescribe the functions of all departments, offices and agencies, except that no function assigned by this charter to a particular department, office, or agency may be discontinued or, unless this charter specifically provides, assigned to any other. Section 4.05 - City attorney The city council shall appoint a city attorney and establish the terms of employment and fix the level of compensation. The city attorney must be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Florida. The city attorney shall be the chief legal advisor to, and attorney for, the city council, city manager, city clerk, and all city departments, offices, and agencies and shall perform any other duties prescribed by this charter or as may be required by the city council. The city attorney shall report directly to the city council and shall not be under the supervision and direction of the city manager. Section 4.06 - City Clerk The city council shall appoint a city clerk and establish the terms of employment and fix the levelof compensation. The city clerk shall keep the journal of city council proceedings and be the official custodian of public records. The city clerk shall serve as the elections clerk and shall perform any other duties prescribed by general law, this charter, or as may be required by the city council. The city clerk shall report directly to the city council and shall not be under the supervision and direction of the city manager. Section 4.07 - Personnel system 03/03/98 & 03/1 7/98 (a) All appointments and promotions of city officers and employees shall be made solely on the basis of merit, fitness, and demonstrated ability. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December1,1998) Struck through passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added, 12 '\ ~ <.) o : (b) Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, the city council shall provide for the establishment, regulation, and maintenance of a personnel system including a personnel advisory committee. Section 4.08 - Financial and purchasing procedures and regulations Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, the city council shall establish procedures and regulati().n~ .governing the financial management of the city and the city's purchasing system. Section 4.09 - Administrative code The city council shall adopt an administrative code setting forth the administrative procedures of each department and the relationship between the city council and the city officers. Section 4.10 - Code of ethics Members of the city council, all appointed officers, and all city employees shall be bound by the requirements ofthe Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, Part III, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes which includes, but is not limited to: standards of conduct for public officers and employees; restriction on the employment of relatives; regulation of voting conflicts; requirements for disclosure of financial interests and clients represented before agencies; requirements regarding the reporting and prohibited receipt of gifts; regulations regarding the solicitation and disclosure of honoraria; and the provision of penalties. Section 4.11 - Resident requirements for certain city employees 06/09/98 The city manager, city attorney, city clerk, and all department heads shall reside within the corporate limits of the city within six (6) months after the compl~tion of the probationary period unless the requirement is waived by the city council. Except as to the city manager. the =Fhe city council may waive the residency requirement if the waiver is deemed to be in the best interests of procuring the services of the most qualified professional applicant. Council shall only grant waivers under extraordinary circumstance and may impose reasonable conditions. such as. for example: limits on the time of the waiver. This section shall not apply to any department head or city officer hired prior to the effective date of this section unless the residency requirement found in Chapter 27532, Laws of Florida, Special Acts of 1951, as amended, was applicable to such department head or officer. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) Strue:k tlmH:lgn passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 13 ..l .. o o ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS Section 5.01 - Electors Any person who is a resident of the city, who has qualified as an elector of this state, and who registers in the manner prescribed by general law and ordinance ofthe city, shall be an elector of the city. . Section 5.02 - Nonpartisan elections All city council elections shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis without designation of political party affiliation. Section 5.03 - Qualification of candidates (a) Any person seeking to become a candidate for city council shall file a notice of intention to become a candidate with the city clerk. Any person seeking to become a candidate must be in compliance with the requirements of Section 3.03 at the time of filing the notice of intention. In addition to information required by the elections laws of the State of Florida, such notice of intention shall include the following information. (I) The candidates name and address (2) A declaration that the candidate is a qualified elector of the city (3) A declaration as to which office the candidate is seeking election and in the case of a council member, the district from which the candidate seeks to be elected. No person shall be a candidate for mayor and council member at the same time and no . person shall be a candidate for more than one council seat in the same election. (b) Each notice of intention shall be signed by the person seeking to become a candidate and shall include a sworn affidavit attesting to the accuracy of the information contained therein. (c) Such notice of intention shall be filed with the city clerk any time after noon of the first day of qualifYing, which shall be the fiftieth day prior to the first primary election, but not later than noon of the forty-sixth day prior to the date of the first primary. The city clerk shall post in city hall notification of the date of the first primary election no later than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the first primary. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) Strttek threttgh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 14 -, "i' <.) o (d) At the time of filing such notice of intention to become a candidate, the candidate shall also comply with all other requirements of the election laws of the State of Florida applicable to candidates for municipal office. Section 5.04 - Conduct of elections Except as provided in this. charter and by ordinance, all elections shall be conducted in accordance with the ~lections laws of the S'tate of Florida. Section 5.05 - Regular and primary elections (a) Regular city election. If only two (2) candidates qualify for the office of mayor or for the office of council member from anyone district, then the candidate receiving the highest number of votes at the regular city election shall be declared elected. (b) Primary election. If more than two (2) candidates qualify for the office of mayor or for the office of council member from anyone district, then there shall be a primary election held at the time required by the election laws of the State of Florida. If any candidate in the primary election receives a majority ofthe votes cast for that office, such candidate shall be declared elected without the necessity of running in the regular city election. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for that office, the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the primary election shall be declared candidates for that office and shall run in the regular city election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the regular election shall be declared elected. In the case of a tie vote in the primary election the candidates shall be determined pursuant to the election laws of the State of Florida. 11/16/98 Section 5.06 - Public Information Dissemination of information and education of the public regarding City issues shall be deemed a public purpose for which City funds may be expended. Principles of fairness and the Code of Ethics shall govern the form and content of such efforts. ARTICLE VI - TRANSITION SCHEDULE 03/17/98 Section 6.01 - Continuation of former charter provisions All provisions of the charter of the City of Edgewater in effect immediately prior to the (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) Struck thr5ugh passages are deleted. Underlined passages arc added. 15 -.. .. o o effective date of this charter which are not contained herein and which are not inconsistent with this charter shall become ordinances of the city subject to modification or repeal in the same manner as other ordinances of the city. Section 6.02 - Ordinances and resolutions preserved All ordinances and resolutions in effect immediately prior to the effective date ofthis charter shall remain in full force and effect to the extent not inconsistent or in conflict with this charter until repealed or changed as provided by law. Section 6.03 - Rights of officers, employees and the city council Nothing in this charter except as otherwise specifically provided shall affect or impair the rights or privileges of persons who were city officers or employees immediately prior to the effective date of this charter. Members of the city council shall continue to hold office until the expiration of their terms. Section 6.04 - Pending matters All rights, claims, actions, orders, contracts and legal or administrative proceedings involving the city immediately prior to the effective date of this charter shall continue except as modified pursuant to the provisions of this charter. Section 6.05 - Severability and applicability If any portion of this charter is for any reason held or declared to be unconstitutional, inoperative, or void, such holding shall not affect the remaining portions of this charter. If this charter or any provisions thereof shall be held to be inapplicable to any person, property, or circumstances, such holding shall not affect its applicability to any other person, property, or circumstance. Section 6.06 - Effective date This charter shall take effect upon approval by a majority ofthe electors voting in the special election upon this charter. Section 6.07 - Charter review to approve Every five (5) years after the adoption of this charter. the city council shall appoint a charter review committee to review the city charter and recommend additions. deletions. or changes to the (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-Decemberl,1998) StTtlek thT8t1gh passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 16 ~ .. , Q o \ city council for its consideration. Section 6.08 - Charter amendment to approve This charter may be amended in accordance with general law. (CharterReviewCommittee/Charter-Revised-December 1,1998) StftJe;k tlmnlgk passages are deleted. Underlined passages are added. 17