HomeMy WebLinkAboutVeroNews.Com ArticleProposed changes to Sebastian's charter on way to City Council
By Debbie Carson - Friday, May 27, 2011 07:17 AM
SEBASTIAN — About a dozen proposed changes to Sebastian's ruling
documents are headed to the Sebastian City Council for debate and a vote
following two public hearings that netted no public input.
The Sebastian Charter Review Committee held its second of two public hearings
Thursday evening, inviting the public to weigh in on the changes the committee
has recommended.
No Sebastian residents attended the meeting.
Despite the lack of attendance, the committee proceeded to outline each of the
changes for those who might have been watching from home on the city's TV
station.
Committee Chair Louise Kautenburg closed the public hearing and asked the
committee to formalize its recommendations to the council.
She suggested that some of the lesser issues on the list be dropped from
consideration. Such issues included removing "poor houses," "dairies" and
"slaughter houses" from the charter.
"It would be an extremely lengthy ballot," Kautenburg said if they did not limit the
number of proposed changes.
She explained that poor houses, dairies and slaughter houses no longer exist
within the city and the city's zoning handles such items.
Committee members, however, decided to leave the list of changes as it is for
the Sebastian City Council to consider.
Vice Chair Bob Zomock said the committee should at least give the council an
option to remove items from the list.
"If we start taking stuff out now, we don't give them that option," he said.
The Sebastian City Council is expected to discuss the Charter Review
Committee's suggestions at the June 8 meeting. At that time, the council could
accept, reject or modify any or all of the committee's recommendations.
Once the council approves a list of charter changes, the city attorney is expected
to write up ordinances to address placing the changes on the November ballot.
The ordinances, then, would go back before the City Council for two public
readings before being placed on the ballot.
Unless there are setbacks to the process, the council is scheduled to have its
second and final hearing on July 13.
Proposed chances to the Sebastian Citv Charter:
Section 1.02(1) Extraterritorial Power —remove `poorhouses"
Section 1.02(6) Dairies and stock — remove "dairies and slaughter
houses"
Section 2.03 Elections & Section 2.04 Terms — hold elections on even -
numbered years and set 4-year terms for council with a limit of two consecutive
terms
Section 2.08 Vacancies; forfeiture of office; filling of vacancies —
modify language to include a timeframe of 30 days in which the council should
appoint someone to fill the vacant seat; appointee to serve until next election; if
term of the appointed seat extends past the next election, then candidates
must announce they are running for the remainder of that term.
Section 2.09 Judge of qualifications — replace with language consistent
with state law that a court would be responsible for determining if a candidate
were qualified to hold office.
Section 2.10 & 2.11 City Council -employee relationship;
Investigations — modify language of sections as they are in conflict.
Essentially, 2.10 states council members are not allowed to give orders to
employees while 2.11 states employees are guilty of misdemeanor if they
disobey an order from the council.
Section 3.03 Removal of Charter Officer — delete second paragraph
(paragraph 8)
Section 4.07 Elections, How arranged; inspectors and clerks — delete
section due to redundancy; charter already requires city to follow Florida law.
Section 4.08(c) Monday special meeting — replace with language to the
effect that would change the timing for the swearing in of new council
members.
Section 4.12 Election procedures, tied vote — amend language to allow
for tied council candidates to draw lots (flip coin, draw straws, etc.) for
contested seat; would eliminate need for special election at city expense.
Section 4.13 Conduct of candidates for election office — delete section
as redundant and covered under Section 2.09.
To read the full text of the City of Sebastian Charter, click HERE.