HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Charter Review_9/15/2021MINUTES
CHARTER REVIEW BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Abby Brennan at 6:03 p.m. A roll call was taken by Clerk
Lori McWilliams.
Present were:
Chair Abby Brennan, Vice -Chair Kimberly Kraft, Member David Hudson, Member Marcia Nielson.
Absent were:
Member Gary Vonk
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS
There were none.
AGENDA ITEMS
Meeting Format and Process
Chair Brennan provided an explanation of the agenda and articles. She highlighted that
legal and a representative of the Clerk's office would attend the meetings noting Attorney
Mitty Barnard would attend the next meeting due to a scheduling conflict with Attorney
Davis. Chair Brennan also advised the Board Manager Allen would attend as often as
possible.
Chair Brennan handed out a draft meeting schedule to the Board.
2. Discuss Possible Schedule Adjustment
The Board agreed a consistent legal representative was important and decided to revise
the meeting schedule to the first and second Wednesdays of the month. This would allow
Attorney Davis to attend all meetings. Board Members would confirm the changes with
Member Vonk.
3. ARTICLE I - INCORPORATION; FORM OF GOVERNMENT- Section 1.01
Incorporation; 1.02 Form of Government
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The Board inquired on a Village map and requested it be added to the Charter.
Attorney Davis explained the Council -Manager form of government utilized by the Village.
He stated the Mayor had equal authority as Council Members and the Mayor was voted in
by the Council Members every year during a re -organization. The alternative form of
government was a strong Mayor form with a Mayor elected by residents and performing
administrative responsibilities. This type of government does not allow a Mayor to vote.
The City of West Palm Beach was used as an example.
Member Nielson inquired if an elected Mayor could have the same authority as a Council
Member. Attorney Davis said it was possible and provided The Town of Palm Beach
Shores as an example. He stated they did not have a Town Manager which created
difficulties with the Sunshine Laws.
The Board agreed to leave the form of government as stated and would revisit it, if needed,
as they moved along to other Articles.
Member Hudson asked for information on the Village description and when it was updated.
Attorney Davis explained as areas were annexed the description was updated by an
Ordinance. The last update was January of 2018.
4. ARTICLE IV - MUNICIPAL POWERS - Section 4.01 General Powers; Section 4.02
Annexation
Attorney Davis explained the Annexation process. Members discussed annexed areas
and agreed no changes were needed.
5. ARTICLE VII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS — Section 7.01 Constitutionality;
Section 7.02 Public Meetings; Section 7.03 Conflict of Interest; Section 7.04 Effect of
this Charter
The Board agreed to update the title of Article Seven. Attorney Davis would research an
appropriate title for the article and provide examples. Section 7.01 would be renamed from
Constitutionality to Severability Clause and Section 7.04 would be renamed to a Continuity
Clause and remain in Article Seven.
The Board agreed to move Section 7.02 to Section 2.08.
The Board discussed Section 7.03 titled Conflict of Interest and agreed to move Section
7.03 to a new section in Article Two.
The Board further discussed the content of Section 7.03 in great detail. Attorney Davis
noted once something was in the charter it was very difficult to change. The Board was
concerned with the time frame of one year after term expiration. Attorney Davis referenced
State law was two years. They agreed lobbying was covered for elected officials under the
State law. The Board also discussed including Village Staff in the language but, agreed it
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was not needed. Attorney Davis would draft lobby language memorializing State law for
the Board to review before the next meeting.
6. Any Other Matters
The Board agreed to move future meetings to the Village Hall Conference Room and
announced the next meeting was on October 6th.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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