MEMBERS PRESENT:

K. Blount, H. Budd, E. Crapo, P. Denton, R. Estes, M. Glaeser, P. Hanrahan, G. Hawkins, C. Martin, B. Thomas, J. Wootten and S. Wright

DJ Williams (Staff Liaison) and Terri Hutchinson

Ron Cunningham (Gainesville Sun)

Summary:

After confirming a quorum, the meeting was called to order at approximately 5:35 p.m. by Chair Wootten. The agenda was approved (Member Estes/Glaeser making the motion) unanimously after changing the sequence of items under "Old Business". A motion was made by Member Estes/Glaeser to approve the minutes after several revisions were made to paragraph three. The motion passed unanimously.

The Chair recognized Regina Hawkins who was appointed to the CRC by the County Commission at its January 11, 2000 meeting. Members and staff were asked to introduced themselves. DJ Williams also introduced Terri Hutchinson to the CRC and advised that Ms. Hutchinson would be temporarily assisting with some of the administrative tasks associated with the work of the CRC.

The CRC was advised that the January 19, 2000 meeting had been confirmed with the presenter, Jon Mills. The workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and is to be conducted in the Grace Knight Conference Room.

Member Wright made a brief presentation on the issue selection procedure. After discussion the following two changes were made to the procedures document:

1. Idea Exploration - eliminate the section number (i.e. 1a); and
2. Selection of Proposed Ballot Items - delete the language "placement on the ballot and" from Section 3.b.2.

The procedures document was approved unanimously after these changes were made. A question was raised regarding attendance requirements for the CRC. The question was resolved by reading the language in the Charter.

The CRC reviewed the proposed study issues which had been received from elected officials and citizens. The following issues were added to the list which was included in the meeting packet:

1. independent auditor
2. conflicts (i.e. glitches) in the Charter
3. elected officials should serve as the governing body for special districts;
4. law enforcement review board comprised of citizens and officers
5. annexation regulations
6. assure the appropriate level of of funding and staffing for the Environmental Protection Department

The Chair inquired about the status of the County Attorney identifying those areas in the Charter which were inconsistent with state law. Ms. Williams advised that the County Attorney had informed her that he was working on this tasks but that she would follow-up with him to determine the time line for providing the information to the CRC.

A motion was made to close input solicitation and forward to Legal at the earliest possible date. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Williams asked whether the study issues should be forwarded to the County Attorney, the CRC's independent counsel or both for this review. A motion was made that the legal review is to be conducted by the County Attorney's Office. The motion passed unanimously.

The CRC proceeded to clarify some of the issues which appeared to require more explanation. The issues which were clarified follow:

1. term limits;
2. non partisan elections; and
3. autonomy of the Sheriff.

Concern was expressed regarding the consistent presence of a representative from the County Attorney's Office. The CRC desires to have the County Attorney (or designee) attend all meetings in their entirety. Ms. Williams was requested to share this request with the County Attorney.

There was discussion about making the issues list accessible on the Internet with a disclaimer that some issues may not be under the purview of the CRC's authority.

The CRC requested that the January 19, 2000 meeting be advertised as a workshop.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.