MEMBERS PRESENT:

K. Blount, H. Budd, P. Denton, M. Glaeser, P. Hanrahan, C. Martin, J. Massey, F. Peterkin, M. Stowe, B. Thomas, J. Wootten and S. Wright

DJ Williams (Staff Liaison)

Joe Little (University of Florida Law Professor), Commissioners Robert Hutchinson and Dave Newport, Doris Bardon and State Representative Bob Casey

After confirming a quorum, the meeting was called to order at approximately 5:05 p.m. by Chair Wootten. After making several amendments to the August 24, 1999 minutes, the minutes were approved unanimously. The amended minutes are attached. Additionally, the August 30, 1999 Web Site Subcommittee meeting minutes were approved unanimously after one amendment.

Chair Wootten recognized Joe Little who was invited to provide a presentation on charter government. Mr. Little began by distributing a handout containing segments of the State of Florida's Constitution and segments from State Statutes. He stated that the CRC is limited in its work because the CRC can not do anything about taxes, does not have the power to influence municipalities nor can the CRC change the powers, duties, compensation and method of payment of state and county officers as fixed by law. He explained that the CRC can proposed changes related to the following: 1) form of government (including term limits); 2) constitutional/charter officers (tax collector, property appraiser, sheriff, supervisor of elections and clerk of the court); and 3) conflict between county and municipal ordinances.

A number of questions were raised including County Commissioners residing in specified districts, frequency of empaneling a charter review commission and campaign financing. The issue of having separate legal counsel was raised. Mr. Little advised that this matter should at least be considered by the CRC. There was consensus to have Mr. Little attend the CRC's December meeting and he was agreeablee would attend. The issue of a presentation from Jon Mills was raised and Ms. Williams advised that she would follow-up with Mr. Mills to determine when he could attend a CRC meeting.

Member Wright provided the report on the website. A motion was made by Peterkin/Hanrahan to authorize the implementation of the web page to include providing as many links as possible. The motion passed unanimously.

There was discussion related to citizens having the means to contact individual CRC members. Based upon this discussion, a motion was made by Blount/Martin to invite the public to make individual contact with CRC members via e-mail, telephone or U.S. mail. The motion passed by a vote of 10 - 2.

The following reports were given:

Alachua: one citizen suggested that term limits be considered;

Archer: single member districts and salaries were suggested;

Hawthorne: single member districts and cities maintaining the ability to exercise home rule were suggested;

High Springs: no suggestions were provided

LaCrosse: presentation needs to be rescheduled;

Micanopy: presentation scheduled for September 28;

Newberry: extensive discussion regarding Section 1.4 (Relation to municipal ordinance) of Charter and reduction of County Commission salaries.

Gainesville: single member districts and high costs of county wide campaigns; referred to the Legislative Committee;

Alachua County: residing in districts and keep the issue list short were suggested;

Waldo: presentation rescheduled for October 12, 1999.

During the report on the City of Newberry, the CRC was advised that the League of Cities was scheduled to conduct a meeting sometime in October. Ms. Williams was requested to confirm the date and time of the meeting; and coordinate scheduling the CRC on the League's agenda. The results are to be provided to the CRC. Member Glaeser volunteered to attend this meeting.

Additionally, a question was raised regarding CRC members attending the Alachua County School Board meeting. The staff liaison was requested to coordinate scheduling CRC members on the School Board's agenda.

A motion was made to begin the CRC meetings at 5:30 p.m. The motion passed 9 - l. Additionally, a motion was made by Budd/Massey to invite to each CRC meeting at least one of the Constitutional Officers to explain the duties and responsibilities of the elected office. The motion passed unanimously.

The CRC discussed the three community meetings, which would be conducted on October 13 @ Millhopper Branch Library, October 18 @ Tower Road Branch Library and October 20 @ T. B. McPherson Community Center. The following members volunteered to attend these sessions:

October 13 - Members Peterkin, Glaeser and Massey

October 18 - Members Thomas and Glaeser; and

October 20 - Members Blount, Thomas and Martin

Based upon the discussion related to advertising these meeting, the following efforts would be made:

1. Chairman Wootten is to contact Ron Cunningham and Paula Rausch regarding an editorial and story. Carla Banks of TV20 is to be contacted;
2. Member Peterkin will contact Mahogany Revue about a story;
3. Member Glaeser will contact KTK and Sky Radio regarding public service announcements; and
4. DJ Williams will contact Cox Cable officials about including these community meetings on the scroll which lists various governmental meetings. A press release will also be prepared and disseminated and a flyer will be developed and posted at appropriate locations.

The CRC discussed its interest in receiving a presentation from Kurt Spitzer (KSA Governmental Consultants). Based upon this discussion, a motion was made by Peterkin/Hanrahan to receive the presentation. The motion passed 9 - 1. Ms. Williams will coordinate scheduling Mr. Spitzer attendance at the October 12 meeting.

Member Blount requested that the CRC approve purchasing the transcript of "Going Local" which was presented by Michael Schulman on or around August 29, 1999. The transcript is related to economic development. Concern was expressed about whether this document was related to the CRC's work. Member Hanrahan stated that she would attempt to obtain this document from the Internet.

There was consensus to include on the October 12, 1999 agenda discussion of obtaining independent counsel, presentations from Kurt Spitzer and at least one of the Constitutional Officers.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m.

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This is a personal page belonging to Susan Barfield Wright.
Homepage URL: www.susanwright.org
Email: swright@ufl.edu
Last updated: 10/13/1999