THE CITY OF MARCO ISLAND
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting – May 14, 2001 – 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Tucker called the meeting to order and presided.
ROLL CALL
All Present
Also Present: A. William Moss, City Manager
Ken Cuyler, City Attorney
Mike Murphy, Fire Chief
Laura Litzan, Deputy City Clerk
Interested citizens and visitors
BUSINESS
(A) DISCUSSION – Public Information Program for the “Spending Cap” Charter Amendment.
Council members agreed that spending up to $20,000 on the public information program was acceptable, if deemed necessary by the City Manager.
Council members disagreed on whether the content of the mail-out proposed by the City Manager was appropriate. Some members expressed concern that the proposed mail-out reflects a bias to induce the electorate to vote in favor of removing the spending cap; other council members felt that the mail-out was not biased and reflects the fact that there are more reasons to remove the spending cap than to keep it. Following discussion, council members agreed to address their individual concerns regarding the proposed mail-out to the City Manager.
(B) DISCUSSION – Proposed Amendments to the City Charter.
Council members agreed that a number of changes to City Charter should be presented to the voters in a November referendum election, including:
· Reducing the number of Council seats from 7 to 5;
· Changing the title of Council Chairman to Mayor and Council Vice-Chair to Vice-Mayor;
· Clarifying how Council vacancies are filled;
· Eliminating redundant or unnecessary language;
· Allowing the City Manager to appoint a City Clerk;
· Fixing Council’s compensation by ordinance rather than Charter amendment;
· Requiring a super-majority vote to fire the City Manager;
· Removing the exceptions to proposing initiatives and referendums.
City of Marco Island
City Council Minutes for May 14, 2001
Page 2
Following discussion, Council agreed to postpone a decision on proposing a change to allow the City to conduct its own elections, in light of recent Florida election problems and anticipated changes to the voting process. City Attorney Cuyler will conduct additional research on the matter and report back to Council.
City Attorney Cuyler suggested that changing the Chairman/Vice-Chair titles to Mayor/Vice-Mayor and eliminating the redundant or unnecessary language may be administrative matters that could be accomplished by ordinance rather than referendum. Council directed the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare the required ordinance for Council’s consideration, if the City Attorney’s research indicates that this may be accomplished by ordinance.
Council members agreed to cancel the regular meeting scheduled for May 21, 2001.
ADJOURN
There being no public comment and no further business to come before City Council the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
____________________________
E. Glenn Tucker, Council Chairman
Date________________________
ATTEST:
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A. William Moss, City Manager/City Clerk
Date________________________
PREPARED BY:
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Laura Litzan, Deputy City Clerk
Date: _______________________
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