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01-15-1981 - Special ..... " ';, u u CITY OF EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 15, 1981 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Robert H. Christy called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Edgewater to order at 4:02 P.M. in the Mayor's office. ROLL CALL Mayor Robert H. Christy Councilman Jacob Lodico Councilman David C. Ledbetter Councilman Wilbert Pendleton Councilman John T. Wilbur City Attorney Clay Henderson City Clerk Nancy F. Blazi Police Chief Earl Baugh Present Present Excused Present Present Present (arrived late) Present Present The purpose of the Special Meeting was to discuss citizen input at all meetings. The Mayor reviewed the procedure the City Council had been following for audience participation. He stated the Charter did not call for this procedure and read the new Resolution 8l-R-3 which repealed former Resolution 78-R-18. This Resolution specified the proper procedures to follow for the public meetings for audience participation. He further stated two citizens were escorted from the previous meeting on Monday night and the Council had the right to allow or not to allow further participation by these citizens. Councilman Lodico stated he wanted to get the meetings organized and suggested the Council go by the book. Mayor Christy stated the Council could go by the book, but he feels the citizens do have the right to speak at the meetings. The City Attorney stated both the Council and the public should have the right to have input into City matters and their input should be balanced. He reviewed the State laws for input by the citizens, as well as those specified by the City Code. Mayor Christy read a letter from Wilma Miller supporting the effort made by the Council to maintain order and decorum at the meetings. Councilman Lodico suggested a City Manager to help organize the meetings and proceedings and not call so many special meetings and workshops. He suggested the Mayor allow the people to speak at the meetings instead of making it a "circus" atmosphere. Councilman Wilbur said :the~Council should adhere to the Resolution as adopted by the Council. Councilman Pendleton stated the Resolution adopted did not make any changes in the manner the citizens could address the Council, only specified how it was done. He said the citizens were given an opportunity to speak at the last meeting and their behavior at these meetings has to stop. He stated the accusations and yelling should cease even though he feels the citizens should be allowed to speak. Councilman Lodico said lengthy audience participation on the same subject was not necessary. He suggested a single spokesman would be beneficial. 'r .. Q o Councilman Pendleton said the audience should be allowed to speak as long as they did it in an orderly manner. He suggested giving the citizens a chance to SO speak in the future as long as they keep it orderly and within the three minute limit. The City Attorney reported on some of the surrounding cities procedures. He said items for the agenda should be submitted in time for the paper- work to be completed. The Mayor requested the Council give him some guidance as to how they want the meetings run. He stated his recommendations. The City Attorney stated his suggestions for boisterous citizens .and clarified "slanderous" statements. Mayor Christy reiterated his commitment to maintaining order at the meetings and sticking to the subjects being discussed. After the Council members discussed audience participation it was suggested the citizens be allowed their input to the subject. ? J Mr. Phinney stated the citizens, by law, require the Council allow them speak regarding ordinances that are going to be adopted. He said that sometimes specific groups brought into a debate is only a background for information, and not necessarily done so to create an "out of order" situation. Walter Gross said that most people try to have order and decorum and expects the same from others allowed to speak at meetings. He said at the last workshop he felt certain discussions were in violation of the Sunshine Law. The City Attorney said, as a matter of record, that the discussions at the last workshop were not in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law. Mr. Terry suggested at least one "closed" meeting a month to eliminate a disruptive meeting. There was further discussion from the audience with suggestions on resolving how to maintain order at the meetings. One suggestion was to approach the Councilman in the Zone you live with your input.so they can relay it to the Council. Mr. Holahan spoke on the rights of the people for free speech to be heard in a proper manner. Mrs. Terry asked the Council how people previously barred from meetings obtained the right to speak again. Mayor Christy said this was the right of the Council to allow this. The Council did not see any reason to allow the citizens escorted from the last meeting be allowed to speak at this time. Mr. Opal stated the Mayor should not disrupt the people speaking and conduct the meetings more properly. Mr. Macino spoke with his feelings on the way the meetings have been conducted. Councilman Pendleton reminded the Council of his feelings that the audience should be allowed.to speak three minutes without interruption. Councilman Lodico said the audience should be allowed to speak if kept on the subject and in the allowed time. There was no further comments from the Councilor the audience. Special Council Meeting 1/15/81 -2- - .. \ Q ~ ADJOURN Councilman Pendleton made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Lodico seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned. ~. ~ ~ ~ Minutes subroitted by: Patsy L. McCann ;;x LU.5 e.d Councilman ATTEST: I~' ~ c?-- DAY OF ~ - J~:d98L / ~/- ~~~/~~~ Mayor c1~ APPROVED 'I'HIS Special Council Meeting 1/15/81 -3-