HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2026 CR MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 - 6:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
1. Call to Order — Chair Vicki Drumheller called the Charter Review Committee meeting to
order at 6:00 p.m.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
3. ROLL CALL
Present:
Chair Vicki Drumheller
Vice Chair Grace Reed
Jeanne Hill
Bill Fynn
Scott Liberatore
Charles Stadelman-Zoom (arrived at 7:18)
Richard Gillmor
Tim Borden
Sharon Herman
Susan Lorusso
Felicia Hollorman
Wanda Simmons
David Moore
Nicholas Scheskowsky
Tegpreet Singh
Also Present:
Vice Mayor McPartlan
Brian Benton, City Manager
Jim Stokes, Interim City Attorney
Cathy Testa, Acting City Clerk
Bridget Eakins, Recording Secretary
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Sec. 2.02 Eligibility
During discussion on candidate eligibility, the City Attorney advised that the city cannot add
bankruptcy as a disqualifier because it is federally protected, and cautioned that expanding
eligibility requirements beyond being a qualified elector could conflict with state law and invite
litigation. He explained arrests cannot be used for disqualification, though convictions may be
addressed within legal limits.
The Committee discussed extending residency to two years and adding disclosure
requirements. Ms. Lorusso asked whether disclosures could be handled through candidate
applications rather than the Charter. The City Attorney confirmed this would allow transparency
without restricting ballot access. Mr. Borden raised concerns about serious prior convictions,
while Mr. Gillmor noted that restoration of civil rights requalifies an individual as an elector under
state law.
The Committee voted to recommend increasing the residency requirement from one year to two
years. Other eligibility matters were tabled until the March 2 meeting for additional legal
research.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE PAGE 2
MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026 MEETING
B. Sec. 2.05 Compensation
Under Section 2.05 (Compensation), the City Attorney presented three options: fixed increases,
a percentage tied to County salaries, or a per capita formula. A motion by Mr. Gillmor to
increase salaries to $1,500 for the mayor and $1,200 for council members/vice mayor, and
seconded by Mr. Liberatore. The motion failed.
A subsequent motion made by Mr. Scheskowsky to approve fixed increases of $750 for the
mayor and $600 for council members/vice mayor, with annual percentage increases matching
general employees, was seconded by Mr. Borden. The motion passed.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Continue with Article 2: Sec. 2.07 through 2.16
In Section 2.08 (vacancies; forfeiture of office; filling of vacancies), the discussion centered on
Sunshine Law violations and suspension authority. The City Attorney explained that only the
Governor may remove elected officials under Florida law.
Ms. Reed made a motion to amend Section 2.08(C) to replace "arrested" with "charged" and
remove limiting language tying offenses to official duties. The motion, seconded by Ms. Hill,
passed on a tie -breaking vote by Mr. Stadelman.
The Committee retained the "Special Hearing" language, confirmed vacancy appointments may
occur if no candidate qualifies, and declined to amend Section 2.12 to allow the City Manager to
call special meetings after the motion was rescinded.
The Committee completed review of Article II and will revisit remaining eligibility issues at the
March 2 meeting, where Articles III and IV will also be addressed.
6. STAFF MATTERS
No staff matters were raised.
7. COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTERS
No committee matters were raised.
8. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
There will be no meeting until March 2. Committee members were asked to review and consider
Articles III and IV in advance of that meeting. The City Attorney may forward additional draft
language or suggested revisions through the City Clerk for the Committee to review, table, and
take action on as appropriate. The eligibility section will also be revisited for further discussion
and possible refinement.
9. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Moore and seconded by Mr. Scheskowsky. Being no
further business, Chair Drumheller adjourned the Charter Review Committee meeting at 7:36
p.m.
By: IL"_ Date: — o�
Chair Drumheller
STRAIGHT INCREASE WITH ELEVATOR:
The mayor, vice -mayor and each of the other council members shall be paid the
following amounts on a monthly basis:
(1) Mayor: Fps Seven hundred fifty dollars ($450 ZLO);
(2) Vice -mayor: ThFee Six hundred dollars ($'N0 6�; and
(3) Council members: wee Six hundred dollars ($300 600).
The above amounts shall increase annuallv at the same time and by the same
vercentage as the increase given to general emplovees of the city.
COMPARISON TO COUNTY:
re aMr11 La prime the
ollawing 6f/.1146146 IN f, 1113RO* basis!
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(3)-CVAMasi &%aa%k---fr. Tim, Ia huc&ed dellafs ($390y
The mavor shall be paid 15%, and each other council member shall be Paid 13%,
of the salary of an Indian River Countv Commissioner, as adiusted annually.
Commissioner Salary: $85,991.10
15% equals a monthly salary of $1,074.89
13% equals a monthly salary of $931.57
POPULATION BASED SALARY (with cap):
U%v merfai,-riaa nuryai m%d, u,ah of ika a w �uJiwa b'i�J� be paid ke
€ehtgviws 4"w"ts e� awtidy "Irvin
Qi) 1.1n7u� Paw kw�✓aaa' fgy de11a-s�$4a9}
(3�Ear��riia��facar-• m�...,,.. w.._a-..a a,.n....� iennm
The mavor shall be paid 4% per capita monthly, and the other council members
shall be Paid 3.5% per capita monthly, based upon the population of the city as reported
annually by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) of the Universitv of
Florida; however, the salary of the mavor and council members shall not increase by a
Dercentage greater than that given to the general emplovees of the city.
Population: 27,367
3.5% equals a monthly salary of $1,094.68
3% equals a monthly salary of $957.85