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CHARTER ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
May 16, 2002
5:30 p.m.

DRAFT
MINUTES

Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center
Training Rooms, First Floor
123 W. Indiana Ave.
DeLand, FL

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Jon Kaney at 5:31 p.m. Those present were Jon Kaney, Maryam Ghyabi, Senta Goudy, Dr. James Huger, Charles Matousek, Dona DeMarsh, and Matt Greeson from the County Manager’s Office, Dan Eckert, County Attorney and Frank Gummey, Deputy County Attorney. Also present was Dr. T. Wayne Bailey. Members Jack Ascherl, Doug Daniels, Allen Watts, and Linda White were absent. Council Members Patricia Northey and Joe Jaynes were present. Members of the public included Jim Cameron, George Ann McDaniel, and Summer Clayton.

Guest Speaker

Chairman Kaney introduced the two speakers for the meeting: Mayor Bill Frederick, former mayor for the City of Orlando and Mr. Howard Tipton, former City Manager of Daytona Beach and former Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Orlando.

Mayor Frederick stated that he had read the Interim Report and felt that good recommendations had been made. In his role as a strong mayor for the City of Orlando, the Chief Administrative Officer worked at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Mayor was responsible for submitting the budget to the rest of the commission. As Mayor, he had veto powers over the Commission. However, he stated that in the twelve years that he served as Mayor, he never chose to use the veto power. In addition, he stated that the appointed officials were made at the pleasure of the Mayor. He felt that an elected chair or Mayor derives a sense of authority from being elected by the citizens.

Mayor Frederick suggested one change to the current recommendation regarding districting. He felt that the Chair should have the only At-Large position and that all others should be elected from districts. Mayor Frederick also indicated that he supported the Chair making the external appointments to boards and committees. When questioned by the committee about the exclusion of the other members in the appointment process, the Mayor indicated that a wise Chair would review and attempt to include, where possible, the recommendations of the Council in making his/her appointments. In addition, he stated that the annual, "State of the County" report was a very useful tool for the Chair. Discussion ensued on the issue of compensation for the Mayor and members of the City Commission. He stated that in Orlando, currently the Mayor receives $125,000 and the commissioners receive $20,000 - $30,000. His concern in making the determination of salary level increases would be tied to whether the voters would approve the increase. Discussion ensued on the issue of numbers of districts.

Mr. Tipton began with presenting a handout on a comparison between the Strong Mayor and Council Manager forms of government. After reviewing the handout he made a suggestion to further strengthen the role of the Chair in the Council-Manager form of government. Mr. Tipton stated that he felt that the veto power gives the chair greater strength without stripping the manger of any power. He stated that it equips the chair in the policy area. The Mayor concurred that this was an extremely valuable tool for the Chair to have – however in the City of Orlando, he did not think that it had been exercised in over 30 years. Mr. Tipton further stated that he does not recommend that the Chair appoint the County Manager, as the Chair loses the allegiance of the other Council members if that occurs.

The guest speakers entertained questions from the members of the committee regarding issues such as staff and salary for Council members. On the issue of staff for the elected officials, both speakers recommended merit system appointments rather than political appointments under the Council Manager form of government.

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting will be on May 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building. The speaker will be Lance DeHaven Smith.

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