Minutes for June 20, 2005
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DRAFT
Vice Chairman Al Glashauser called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Glashauser requested a moment of silent prayer in which to remember our troops overseas and at home. Amen
Mr. Glashauser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Weglein called the roll. Mr. Nunez and Mr. Bolon were excused. Mr. Bleau was absent. Mr. Malek was present as counsel.
Mr. Glashauser requested that Ms. Weglein read the Charter document. [Ordinance 84-05, Addendum I ; Synopsis of highlights: Addendum II]
Mr. Bailey commented if the Board could not work together with 5 members, it wouldn’t work with 7 members either. Mr. Carillion commented that with 5 members, the County Commissioners keep on going even when a member is ill. Mr. Glashauser polled the Board’s opinion. Four of the Trustees favored 5 board members; three Trustees favored a 7-member Board.
Ms. Weglein commented that background checks and drug tests should be completed for Trustees as they are for any employee. Mr. Glashauser did not agree with this view. Trustees are elected officials. If something serious turns up later, the misfeasance and malfeasance clause would have to be cited. Ms. Weglein cited Trustees who are behind in their assessment fees. The Board should at least provide the best example since the District liens residents who get behind in their assessments. Mr. Carillion feels a drug test should be conducted because the District is a “drug free workplace”. Mr. Glashauser reiterated that elected officials are responsible to the people who elected them; it is the voters’ responsibility to find out about the candidates before they vote for them. Mr. Hunt commented most of these issues were covered in the section under misfeasance and malfeasance. The Supervisor of Elections is the person tasked with ensuring anyone running for office is a qualified elector.
Beginning with the election held in November 2006, qualified candidates will run for the Board of Trustees with the highest vote getters filling the vacant seats. Mr. Glashauser commented that in the way the terms are set up, there would be no continuity in the Board. There would be 5 new trustees at one time in a certain year. Mr. Carillion commented that when 3 seats are filled, the residents should elect the Chairman of the Board. Ms. Weglein commented a trustee should have a minimum of 1 year’s experience before becoming eligible for the Chair or Vice Chair position. Mr. Glashauser feels the Board positions should be left up to the Board members. Mr. Glashauser polled the Board.
Trustees in favor of the Board electing their own Chairperson: Glashauser, Smith, Weglein, Bailey. Trustees in favor of residents choosing: Carillion, Helmerich.
Discussion of Organization of the Board: there will be one Vice Chairperson rather than two, and a parliamentarian. Mr. Smith commented the Board did not need a parliamentarian as it had dispensed with Robert’s Rules of Order. [Addendum III]
Article IV should read Article V : Powers of District.
Ms. Weglein clarified that “streets and lights” should be made specific to reflect that the District does not maintain County streets. She commented the County is taking over the lights along the boulevard. Mr. Hunt responded “streets and lights” should be deleted.
#9, “including” should be “includes”.
Article VI : Budget and Levy of Assessments. #2, July 31st of each year.
Article VII: Bonds and Bond Issues: “within or without the State of Florida may carry such registration privileges,”
Article VIII: Abolishment of District is IX.
Article IX: Severability is X.
Article X : Referendum and Effective Date is XI.
DONE AND ADOPTED in Regular Session this ______day of July, 2005.
Ms. Weglein commented on the “majority plus I vote” and the levy of assessments on or before July 31st. Mr. Hunt responded that what the current charter says is that the Board must set the Budget by July 1st, but you have until July 30th to set the assessment fee. You need to know what the assessment is going to be when you set the budget, which is contradictory in its nature. Mr. Hunt made both dates July 31st to provide the maximum time available to set the monthly maintenance fee as well as the budget itself. He said the process indicates there would be time to finish the budget by July 1st should the Board desire. Mr. Glashauser asked if the Board had until July 31st to do the resolution. Mr. Hunt said yes. Ms. Weglein commented on the “general circulation” notice within Barefoot Bay Recreation District, saying it should also be published at the library. The budget will be published in the Press Journal and the library.
Mr. Glashauser thanked the Charter Revision Committee for their participation.
Nancy Eisele commented that she hoped the Charter stipulated that only year round residents could become Trustees. Mr. Hunt responded the requirement for running for Trustee depends on where the person is registered to vote. How many meetings a Trustee must attend is in the Rules and Regulations of the Board. Ms. Eisele feels that to maintain consistency the Board should remain at 9.
Jeanne Osborne commented that 5 trustees are sufficient. She cited the County’s format of alternating chairmen. Ms. Osborne feels that compensation for this kind of service [on the Trustee Board] is not necessary nor required. $250 is more than many mayors of larger communities receive. Ms. Osborne asked if the disaster recovery fund money would be taken out of the assessment fee? Mr. Hunt responded that it would. The only thing the Charter does not do is set an amount for succeeding Boards to place in the fund. Ms. Osborne commented that 10% of the electorate seems high. Mr. Hunt said he would do some research on that and get back to her. Ms. Osborne clarified the revisions would not be voted on by the general public unless they have petitioned for such revisions. If the Board deems it necessary to make a Charter revision, the Board can effect the revision among themselves. Mr. Hunt responded the Board could change the Charter with a super majority vote in a regular public hearing. It must be changed by ordinance which requires two public hearings. Ms. Osborne requested that the Charter referendum take place in January rather than to coincide with the November election.
Sue McCahan said she was glad the decision to use Robert’s Rules of Order had been rescinded. Ms. McCahan asked if the Charter stipulated a mailing to the residents. Mr. Hunt responded that it was in the DOR that amendments to that document required a majority vote of the property owners.
Mr. Hunt recapped the two significant changes for which the Board was polled. He clarified that the Trustees voted for a Board of 5 members (4 –2). The Board will continue to elect its own chairman (4-2). The change was made that in November 2006 there will 5 seats up for election. The top 3 vote getters will be seated. That will result in a one year transitional Board with 7 members. The following year, the remaining 4 seats are open, and out of those seats, two will be elected. Mr. Glashauser concurred.
Mr. Glashauser entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Smith made the motion to adjourn. Second Mr. Carillion. The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m
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