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CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2011 — 5:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
1 Chairperson Louise Kautenburg called the Charter Review Meeting to order at
5:30 p.m.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. ROLL CALL
Bob Daberkow (arrived 5:36 pm)
John Danise
Linda DeSanctis
Jeanne Hill
Louise Kautenburg, Chair
Janet Kennedy
Mary McGee
Bob McPartlan
Bob Zomok, Vice Chair
Absent:
Ed Dodd (excused)
Dan Dragonetti (excused)
Carolyn Sartain- Anderson (excused)
Ruth Sullivan (excused)
Resigned:
Adrina Davis
Donna Keys
Staff Present:
Robert A. Ginsburg, City Attorney
Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary
4. Approval of May 26, 2011 Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Mr. Zomok and SECOND by Ms. McGee to approve the May 26,
2011 minutes passed on a voice vote of 9 -0.
Charter Review Committee
August 10, 2010
Page Two
5. Final Comments on Proposed Charter Amendments and Formally Dissolve
Committee in Accordance with Code Section 2 -232 (Ballot Questions 1 -8 With
Attached Proposed Amendments)
Ms. Kautenburg thanked everyone for such a diligent job. Ms. DeSanctis
commended Ms. Kautenburg's presentation to City Council.
Mr. Zomok said in his experience, this team worked tremendously well;
suggested a meeting afterwards to look for ways to improve the process, prepare
an operation manual for the next team so they are more effective and efficient.
He would have liked to have more dialogue with Council on the crucial issues
such as term limits; and suggested a detailed orientation of the process up to the
presentation before Council.
Ms. Kautenburg said she is familiar with advisory committees and because of
government in the sunshine it is difficult to have dialogue unless done in public,
Council was invited to attend the meeting but it would have been inappropriate to
give feedback at the meeting because the Committee is supposed to make up
their mind independent of Council. She said Council reads the minutes and the
product of the Committee are presented as advice to the Council. She said she
did like the idea of presenting a brief guide to new members as to the exact
process.
The City Attorney said he tried to cover some of this orally at the first meeting but
it could be done in writing along with the agenda /Council meeting rules.
Ms. Kautenburg said that would be a plus for the committees that only meet
periodically and she hoped all felt there was a free exchange of ideas.
Mr. Danise said he agreed there should be more than five minutes anytime
because this is how we are going to run our community.
Mr. Zomok said he heard Council Member Wolff reads the minutes but to get an
appreciation of the debate Council would have to listen to the whole tape, which
is impractical but if Council could come to one of the two public hearings, they
could hear the recommendations and rationale.
The City Attorney advised the best way to relay and debate the rationale is
informally. Ms. Kautenburg asked if the informal gathering of people who have
reached a consensus could go to the Council member of their choice to advise
them of the decision. The City Attorney said that was correct.
Ms. Zomok asked if the City Clerk could still be used to pass e-mails back and
forth on an informal basis. The City Attorney advised there would be no use of
City staff. Mr. Zomok said he would prepare a draft and obtain everyone's e-
mails.
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Charter Review Committee
August 10, 2010
Page Three
Mr. Danise asked if it is better not to discuss this now. The City Attorney said as
long as it's informal that's fine. He noted there will be five years until the next
committee and reminded them that work done now will long be forgotten by
August 2016.
Ms. Kennedy asked if Council can extend speaking time at Council meetings.
Ms. Kautenburg said that was correct and speakers could request additional
time. Ms. Kennedy responded that if Council didn't take what was recommended
that was part of their job. Mr. Zomok said that was correct but there were two
critical elements he wanted to speak longer on. He said he would prepare a
draft of his thoughts and submit them privately while it is fresh.
Ms. Kautenburg said he could contact her and encouraged him to contact other
non-committee residents that might an interest as well.
The City Attorney confirmed for Ms. DeSanctis that they can discuss everything
now in private citizen status.
Mr. Danise said he felt comfortable with this group; he complimented everyone
and enjoyed his stay on committee.
Ms. Kautenburg said serving was a pure joy with the open minds and hereby
disbanded the Committee.
6. Being no further business, Chairperson Kautenburg adjourned the meeting at
5:55 p.m.
By: � 3/7)//6
20 6nCharter Review Chairman Fred Jones Date
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