WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 2 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=bykPPptZAvw Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=kVSw_yvDLNs NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: bykPPptZAvw): - 00:00:00: Meeting Call to Order, Roll Call, Moment of Silence - 00:16:36: Public Comments, Town of Miami Lakes Mayor Speaks - 00:22:32: Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Public Comment on Charter - 00:31:14: Council Member Hersburg Public Comment on Language - 00:36:39: Council Member JC Fernandez Public Comment, Another Meeting - 00:38:19: Approval of Charter Revision Meeting Minutes, Attorney Report - 00:39:15: Clean Runoff Language Motion To Adopt Vote And Discussion - 00:47:10: Motion To Adopt Interference With Administration Language - 00:58:54: Motion Switch The Word City For Town, Continued Language Debate - 02:11:57: Resign to Run Statute and Filling Vacancies - 02:15:59: Motion to Amend Ballot Summary with New Language - 02:16:13: Public Comment: Commissioner Fernandez Regarding Amendment - 02:19:47: Further Discussion: Resignation Letter Date - 02:22:46: Approval of Amended Ballot Summary Language - 02:23:09: Ballot Summary: Filling Council Vacancies, Forfeiture Procedures - 02:24:19: Public Comment: Vice Chairman Concerns about Confusion - 02:26:15: Introduction of Motion to Split Up Questions - 02:27:34: Further Discussion: Council Attendance, Telepresence - 02:39:30: Further Discussion: Member Must Bring Up Absence - 02:49:23: Revisiting Subsection Two for Ballot Language - 02:52:28: Town Attorney Seeks Direction to Rewrite Question - 02:53:02: Motion to Table: Suggestions for Splitting Questions - 02:55:58: Council Member: Revisit the Special Election Item - 02:59:15: Incorporating Durales Language into Section Three - 03:03:56: Language Change: Election/Seat Filled in Special Election - 03:07:01: Further Discussion: Question One and Two - 03:09:02: Ballot Title: Two-Term Lifetime Limit - 03:10:08: Defining 'Term' and Clarifications on Elected Terms - 03:14:00: Motion to Amend: Two Full Terms vs. Four-Year - 03:16:21: Approval: Striking 'Four-Year' Term Language - 03:16:59: Ballot Title: Reduction of Council from Seven to Five - 03:17:55: Public Comment: Questionable Reduction, Three People - 03:20:21: Concerns of Convoluted Language with Numbers - 03:21:10: Motion to Amend: Removing Numbers in Parentheses - 03:22:14: Friendly Amendment: Strike Words and Keep Numerals - 03:23:23: Motion to Amend: Define Council w/ Mayor - 03:26:21: Discussion: Update Council Voting and Meeting - 03:27:25: Council Member and Seat Number are Confusing - 03:30:31: Motion to Change Ballot Title Language - 03:32:54: Formalizing the Ballot Title and Summary - 03:33:11: Ballot Title: November Election and December Runoff - 03:34:24: Revising Runoff Language Based on Previous Discussion - 03:36:33: Motion to Table: Runoff Language Revision Needed - 03:37:41: Ballot: Town Clerk Appointment by Town Council - 03:39:14: Ballot: Administrative Updates - Town Manager, Committees - 03:40:02: Is the Distinction Important Enough to Reach the Voters? - 03:41:33: Shall vs. May - The Question of Significance - 03:47:32: Does Section Two Need to Be Addressed? - 03:53:01: Motion to Table: Working with Town Attorneys - 03:54:45: Ballot Title: Council Voting Thresholds, Abstentions - 03:55:50: Incorporating Changes into the Reduction Number of Seats - 03:58:10: Original Goal: The Unanimous Decision on the Matter - 04:00:06: Motion to Table: Request Town Attorney Review - 04:00:53: Table: Motion Consolidate Questions Eleven and Twelve - 04:01:52: Discussion and Recommendations for Town Attorneys - 04:02:07: Ballot Title: Amending Charter Revision Process - 04:03:07: Ballot Title: Conforming Signature Requirements - 04:03:57: Concerns: One-Question Ref State Law, Too Confusing - 04:06:26: Add What Section States: Too Much Unknown - 04:07:05: Need More Time, What Is the Percent, Voters Want? - 04:11:39: Flexibility in Ballot - Adapt with State Law Numbers - 04:13:17: To Redraft More Info: Percent To Give Better Explanation - 04:13:50: Determine Next Meeting Date: Week of June First Part 2 (Video ID: kVSw_yvDLNs): - 00:02:30: Meeting Commences: Roll Call and School Principle Reports - 00:02:45: Miami Lakes Educational Center: Graduation and Achievements - 00:05:00: Barbara Goldman: Testing, Scholarships, and Student Success - 00:07:25: Miami Lakes Middle: Enrollment, Testing, and Student Competitions - 00:10:24: Bob Graham K-8: Test Scores, STEM Designation, and Recognition - 00:12:38: Miami Lakes K-8 Center: Testing, Assemblies, and Electives - 00:16:42: Ramirez HML: Testing, Graduation at Loan Depot Park - 00:19:53: Town Support & Referendum Renewal for Schools - 00:22:43: Thank You and Adjournment of Principle Reports - 00:23:27: Mario Panera: Proposal for Interschool Competition Event - 00:27:49: Discussion and Ideas for an Interschool Field Day - 00:32:29: Field Day Planning: Month, Logistics and Sponsorship - 00:36:15: Field Day Recruiting Considerations and Location - 00:38:12: Baby Interruption, Parks Discussion and Rental Concerns - 00:40:25: Field Day Approvals and Concession Stands - 00:41:16: Recap of Field Day Plan and Chest Tournament - 00:42:53: Assigning Activities, Discussion and Commitee Tasks - 00:45:14: Moving Meeting to Counsel for Park and Permits - 00:46:51: Logistics for the Date, Park, Permits and Flag Football - 00:48:12: The Field Day Is Planned With Park and Permits - 00:49:13: Approval of April Minutes and Student Report - 00:51:37: Election Nominations, Voting and Future Goals - 00:53:56: Banner Sales Update: Revenue and Profit Projections - 01:00:12: Reviewing Paint Picture Event & Book Collection Program - 01:03:58: Words of Excellence Debrief: Ticket Issues and Suspensions - 01:07:57: Words of Excellence Debrief: Microphone checks and other improvements - 01:13:03: Town Comittee Budgets: Local and State levels. - 01:14:17: Next Meeting Date: Cancelling June, Scheduling July - 01:17:57: July 27th Meeting Date, Field Day: January 22 or 29. - 01:24:49: Student Member: Application Details for this Years election - 01:30:02: Closing Remarks: Meeting Adjournment Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:15:33.040 --------- Good evening everyone. I'm going to go ahead and call our meeting to order. >> Commission member Abbad >> present. >> Commission member Bennett. Commission member Fernandez, >> present. Commission member Matoss 2 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:47.920 >> present. >> Commission member Ruano present. Vice Chairman Inguanzo >> present. >> Chairman Leoto >> present. >> Chairman you have quorum. >> Thank you very much. If we can all rise for a moment of silence and I'll ask Commissioner Fernandez to please lead 3 00:15:47.920 --> 00:16:04.639 us. >> Bow heads. Heavenly Father, please watch over us and guide us as we make decisions that will impact generations of Miami Lakers to come. Give us the strength and the wisdom to make the best 4 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:21.519 decisions possible for all 33,000 residents and generations to come. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. Now, if I could have Vice Chairman Guanza please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United 5 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:36.720 States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much, everyone. You can be seated and uh we'll start off with order of business. Are there any 6 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:54.320 deferrals, additions, or deletions, commissioners? Seeing none, uh we'll move forward with public comments. Madame Clerk, >> good evening and welcome to the meeting. Let me just state if you want to provide public comments as we always share just 7 00:16:54.320 --> 00:17:08.880 approach the podium state your name and address for the record and as well I um welcome the public that is um online I see a few participants. So as well if you want to participate just raise your 8 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:25.839 hand by clicking the reactions icon and it will allow you to speak. And if you called via phone and as well you want to participate in public comments, the only thing you need to do is raise your hand by pressing #99 and we will allow you to 9 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:45.280 speak. Again, welcome to public comments. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Josh Diegas, mayor of the town Miami Lakes. I live at 1535 Coconut Court and uh I first and foremost want to thank you all for your 10 00:17:45.280 --> 00:18:02.559 time uh on this board. Uh I served on it previously in 2016 and it was a pleasure to serve then and I'm sure you're all finding it a pleasure to serve now. It's a great way to give back and your decisions will impact the community for at least 10 years, right? If not longer. So it's very important work as well. Uh 11 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:18.640 I I'm here to speak on just a few particular items. Uh first and foremost, I wanted to address the proposal regarding uh uh the mayor's appointment uh power when there's a vacancy that is for longer than 6 months. My suggestion 12 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:34.160 would be to amend the item to keep it as it is currently but to extend the time frames that exist there. I think when you look at the way it was drafted originally, it clearly the founders and Mr. Peterman was part of that group that wrote the initial charter. I'm sure that 13 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:51.120 the idea was to try to get that vacancy filled as quickly as possible. And as council member Rorano and and former vice mayor um Tony Fernandez can tell you some when you don't have that when you have a 3-3 split potentially that just grinds business to a halt. So, I 14 00:18:51.120 --> 00:19:07.200 think and I think one of the problems that happened, for example, when Mayor Sid was proposing to fill the seat six vacancy is that when it occurred and the 30-day period that was going on at that point was in the middle of the holidays, it he was under a lot of, you know, a short amount of time to be able to name 15 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:23.919 somebody and was not able to perhaps pursue a more uh collaborative process when making that that appointment. And similar similarly when I became elected mayor with uh now Councilman Sanchez, it was also during the holiday season and so that that 30 days really just gets 16 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:41.280 even smaller if you think about it. So um again I think the goal is to fill vacancies as quickly as possible and I believe that the current process works when you have a little more time. So maybe it's 45 days that the mayor needs to put forward a nominee um and on a 17 00:19:41.280 --> 00:19:56.400 little bit of a longer time frame if the vote doesn't take place within a certain amount of time for them to have the special election. Um so that would be my my request there. With respect to the runoff elections, I'm glad to see that we're addressing that and trying to pick 18 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:13.039 a day that is not before Thanksgiving when people are traveling. The December, however, also, you know, can still involve a lot of travel with all the holiday parties going on. So, I just wanted uh to suggest perhaps uh doing the primary in August with the runoff in 19 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:29.760 November, but um as uh Commissioner Abad had pointed out, um instead of doing just, you know, top two uh people in August, if there's uh two or more or rather more than two candidates running, instead of the top two finishers going to November there, you know, even if 20 00:20:29.760 --> 00:20:47.039 they already uh gain more than 50% of the vote, just have it be uh if you if you um forget the name of the actual uh requirement but the 50% plus one right if you get that in August you're done if for whatever reason everybody the top two were below that threshold then they 21 00:20:47.039 --> 00:21:03.840 go to November you know just keep it as a true sort of runoff requirement um without a modification but you do get more turnout right and I understand um council member Rorano's point about you know wanting people that are the most knowledgeable but at the same time there 22 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:19.520 is something to be said for more participation um that you get in August um and November and you know because again even even in December we're going to have issues with holiday travel and everything else. Um the final thing I also wanted to to bring up was to ask 23 00:21:19.520 --> 00:21:35.919 you to include that there be a requirement that for special elections there be at least two days of of early voting. And I want to note also that moving to a runoff system between August and November um that resolves that issue entirely. But, you know, just in other 24 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:51.679 situations where maybe we need to call a special call, I I think that was uh, you know, something that we need to look at at addressing. And when I ran in 24 and we had the runoff election in November, there was no early voting. And, you know, so it became a big scramble to try to get people to fill out their ballots 25 00:21:51.679 --> 00:22:08.559 and submit them on time, but even then, you have a cut off. So, you know, for in cases where people did not request it on time, but maybe, you know, could and also couldn't make the Tuesday election runoff date itself, having at least those two additional days to vote in person would go a long way uh toward 26 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:32.000 making sure that we infranchise all our voters who want to vote. Uh so, with that, just wanted to thank you again for your time and I close. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's been a while since I've been on this side of the podium. Good afternoon, uh, commissioners. So, you're going to 27 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:46.640 have to bear with me a little bit. My my thoughts are still a little disorganized on this. I will do my best, uh, to organize them as we go. Um, and on this, I am using uh the the document provided to us, the the legal memorandum uh with 28 00:22:46.640 --> 00:23:02.720 all of the the items as well as the ballot language. Um, very quickly on on item number one, uh, which was, uh, proposed by, uh, C, uh, Commissioner Fernandez regarding updating the charter and getting rid of some of those, um, 29 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:19.600 unnecessary items from the the the town's incorporation. I do agree with them. I saw the reasons uh, listed by the town attorney. I frankly didn't find them uh, convincing. The only reason I do find convincing to leave this out is actually voter fatigue. uh we do already 30 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:36.480 have a lot of questions so I do think a legitimate concern is voter fatigue and that would be a legitimate reason to keep it out but the reason cited by the town attorney I don't find convincing. Um item number two I do have some opinions on uh which is defining what a 31 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:53.200 full term is. So, under the proposal, uh, it would only count as a term, as a full term, I if if it's a 4-year term, meaning my term right now would not be considered a full term and it would not 32 00:23:53.200 --> 00:24:09.120 count towards term limits. Even though, frankly, because it is over, as it stands, when my term when this term ends, I will have served uh 2 years, 7 months, two and a half, just over two and a half years. Therefore, under the current charter, it counts as a full 33 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:23.840 term for the purpose of term limits. So, just keep in mind that kind of operation is going to get affected. And obviously, I I would assume all of these would have non they would have future effect. They wouldn't necessarily affect my term, but uh I'm speaking for anyone in my 34 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:39.600 situation down the line. Um I also wanted to talk about the consecutive issue. Um I'm not necessarily in favor of this and here's why. And I know I think my opinion differs from the mayor on this. Um, but 35 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:56.559 I I think that while the town of Miami Lakes has a lot of qualified individuals, it might not always have qualified and willing individuals. We just got off of an election in November of 2024 where two of the races were uncontested and it 36 00:24:56.559 --> 00:25:13.919 was new candidates, not incumbents that no one had a chance against them or anything like that. It was two uncontested brand new rookie campaigns. Uh that tells me there's some there's some uh apathy uh from from 37 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:28.960 people in running for public office because frankly I think we've all seen the state of politics in our country. So I understand you know the hesitance. Um it could lead to a situation where we don't always have the best most qualified people who are willing to lead 38 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:45.760 in office. That being said, I am a firm believer in term limits. I am a firm believer that term limits create opportunities and doorways for new ideas. So, uh, and hate to pick on you as an example, but Councilwoman Rano, you were a phenomenal representative of 39 00:25:45.760 --> 00:26:00.240 the people, but I think that the time came and you would probably agree for fresh new ideas. But you know what? If maybe four years after you're gone, we decide, you know what, maybe we should bring her back. She had some great ideas. Let's see what she's got to say today. I think that the voters have the 40 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:17.360 right to say that. And if you did run again, as actually as it happened during my race, we had a uh former vice mayor running in in my race, uh M Mr. Rodriguez, and he was questioned at length by Mr. Panellis during the debate 41 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:36.440 on why are you running again? Why are you running again? You know, haven't you had enough of this? I I I think it's a proper question to be addressed by the voters, not necessarily to be exed out by us here. Um, one second, bear with me, 42 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:54.000 I also want to say on the vacancies, um, I I did hear, uh, as far as appointments, uh, and and whatnot, I do agree with the with the mayor. Um there is a point that I want to raise on on that though I because I think it can be 43 00:26:54.000 --> 00:27:09.679 phrased into the vacancy questions and that's again from my experience with my special election which you know was held in April. Um, I understand that that's not a situation 44 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:25.039 that comes up every day, but as legislators, we we're in charge of legislating for these kinds of scenarios and and for for providing the rules for them. And and I think that frankly having the majority requirement on a 45 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:42.000 special election that does not take place in August or or November on a traditional election day is a disservice. Uh we should change to a plurality standard. In in other words, I 46 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:57.919 if you if you have a five-way race like mine and you don't have a candidate who reached the 50% threshold, I just don't think that the town should be wasting the money on a runoff election, which is exactly what it did in mind, only to confirm the exact result that was 47 00:27:57.919 --> 00:28:14.640 already seen on the first round. And again, this is strictly limited to special elections, not happening on, you know, that these August or November countywide election dates. This is something on an completely off town of 48 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:30.000 Miami Lakeson only election cuz realistically the the the voter turnout is not the best. and and so why are we wasting money as though it were a full-fledged election when in reality uh only a fraction of the population is 49 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:46.960 coming out. Um I also want to say I do support the institution of at least 2 days of minimum early voting in all elections. Uh I I believe they come standard on on most elections but uh at least on special elections. Uh coming 50 00:28:46.960 --> 00:29:03.919 back to this, I did want to say on the item relating to an interference with administration, um I agree with what was stated in the background, meaning um I agree with council member 51 00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:20.880 or sorry, uh uh well, I'll just say former vice mayor uh Fernandez and former councilwoman uh Ruano's points mentioned in the background. I don't really agree with the proposed language. I don't think that the proposed language really tackles what was requested. Uh 52 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:36.320 this this states that except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations made in good faith, the council and any of its individual members shall deal with town employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the town manager solely through the town 53 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:51.760 manager. I find it a more confusing phrasing to be frank and I'm happy to with you. >> No, we we have that's actually coming up tonight. Hey, we have a new proposed link. >> Yeah, cuz I was going to say on the >> that wasn't voted on. So, >> on the on the new section, I didn't find 54 00:29:51.760 --> 00:30:07.600 it, so I wasn't sure if it got voted out or what it was. Okay, thank you for for letting me know. >> You're welcome. >> Uh, I did want to say I do disagree um with reducing the council from uh 7 to 5 or 55 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:25.520 uh 6 to 4, however you want to call it. Um the the the primary reason is while I understand the rationale that has been raised um for the the reduction again this becomes a an issue of 56 00:30:25.520 --> 00:30:40.559 ensuring that the residents are properly served. I'm going to be very frank. You guys all know my history. I I came from the HOA world. I came from the from being the the president of an HOA board. It is a lot easier to take over, 57 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:57.600 manipulate, and control a board of five than a board of seven. That's it. That's my objection to this item. It's that simple because I've seen it done countless times. And a matter of fact, I've led charges. Uh and so for that reason, I disagree with that item. Let 58 00:30:57.600 --> 00:31:14.240 me Other than that, I really do want to say I appreciate all of you guys for your hard work and service. All of you guys have have done a great job representing the individuals who appointed you and other than that, thank you. Keep it up. 59 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:35.520 >> Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. >> Do we have anyone else here for public comment within the chambers? Chairman, I'm going to start calling the individuals that I see online. And the first one is Council Member Steven Hersburg. Lisa, mute yourself and 60 00:31:35.520 --> 00:31:51.519 welcome to the meeting. >> Thank you, Madam Cler. Good evening, everyone. Uh, so I know you got a few of us here today. Um, first, again, thank you for your work. Uh, I know you don't have any regularly scheduled meetings yet, but I I do don't I do think your 61 00:31:51.519 --> 00:32:07.679 work is not done just yet. I know you just received the ballot language today. you guys need to read it and go over it uh and talk about having one more at least one more meeting to discuss that but also some other um language issues. I sent an email to the town attorney 62 00:32:07.679 --> 00:32:24.080 with some thoughts on just on some of the language uh to discuss, but for example, resign to run vacancy. I understand the need for it, but there's some gaps there that could potentially lead to an open seat because keep in mind, every single word of this charter 63 00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:39.760 matters. And when you have something such as next regularly scheduled town election, that council cannot have an election other than at the next regularly scheduled town election. That's another issue with with the bank vacancy language that I brought up and I believe 64 00:32:39.760 --> 00:32:55.760 we'll will hopefully be discussed today. But make sure that there's no gaps in your language. It's not just the ballot question. The ballot question of course is very important but there's some gaps in the language that need to be filled in um for and also the ballot language is important for example the current ballot 65 00:32:55.760 --> 00:33:11.840 language regarding runoff I think it's too complicated it talks about 50 plus one and regular scheduled November elections that's all in that's all in the the charter already right it should be a simple question it should be should the runoff of a regularly scheduled 66 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:28.240 election be moved from the 21st day 21 days after November to the second week of December. That's it. And there's no reason to repeat things and and talk about things because the the more complicated the question, the more likely you'll get a no. And to me, that's a very important question that 67 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:44.880 should be passed. So the, you know, you got to think a little political now with the questions. If you want them passed, you got to think about the language. And that goes down to the 14 questions. It's a lot. If there's something you can get rid of, something you can can combine, you should think about trying to do it. 68 00:33:44.880 --> 00:34:00.480 is 14 questions is a lot of questions. You get a lot of ballot fatigue. For example, something as simple as last regular schedule election, more people voted for mayor than council member, right? People skip a lot. And that also goes to the order of questions and and 69 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:16.960 think about what's most important, what's least important. Obviously, council 7 to five, I believe, is most important. The clerk being an independent charter officer is very important. Runoff election, things like that. Uh, one section I do want you guys to think about is this change the section 70 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:32.480 2.2. I think it was in ballot question 11. I don't know what you're trying to change. It says something about a committee of the council and you want to have no uh council members on as committee members. I I I think there's confusion. That's the committee of the council. I do believe the mayor should 71 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:48.960 have the ability to create a committee of the council if if there's a need to. It's not that's not the culture affairs committee or the blasting advisory board. That's a committee of the council and it's something that I don't believe I don't know if the tools ever been used but it's a tool that's there for a reason. I don't see the reason to to 72 00:34:48.960 --> 00:35:05.440 eliminate the ability to have a council create a committee right so just keep that in mind on on that issue. Um, and there's, you know, other issues regarding unexcused absences. You know, that's fine. I agree. Everyone needs to show up. But how do you decide what's 73 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:21.200 excused and unexcused, right? The ballot question can be simple. The issue can be simple, but then the ramifications could be pretty big. Uh, and then, you know, it's just about making sure that these ballot questions are concise. Obviously, you have the word limit, but even make them more 74 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:36.320 concise to to get the best possibility to get, you know, the residents to vote. Uh, I'll on a few of the questions. I I'll go back and forth with some of my my colleagues here. I think you guys got it right. I don't see a reason for an August primary. I think it makes it more 75 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:50.960 difficult for people to run. You know, I'm all I'm not about the seven to five. I understand that's moving forward. Uh, you know, I did research. I can't find many communities in South Florida did it recently. One community in Brower did 76 00:35:50.960 --> 00:36:08.079 it. Their population is 540. I I think putting that on the on the on the ballot creates the the political issue when there is none right now. Uh that's just my feeling on that. But ultimately there's uh cleanups to be done. Uh you guys have done a really 77 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:23.680 good job. The majority of these ballot questions I I think are are good work. It just my concern is there's too many. and of course the order of them and making sure you you clean up those languages, make sure there's no open-ended issues, especially regarding 78 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:39.280 vacancies, which I've discussed with a few members on the commission. So, good luck tonight, and I appreciate your work, but I do think you guys should have at least one more meeting to really uh approve the final language and and get everything moving forward. Thank 79 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:56.400 you. >> Thank you, Mr. Council Member. I believe I see council member JC Fernandez also with a hand erase. Welcome to the meeting sir. Just unmute yourself. >> Thank you. Can can you hear me? Yes. 80 00:36:56.400 --> 00:37:12.720 >> Yes, we hear you. >> Good evening everyone. Sorry I'm not able to make it. Um between family and preparing for tomorrow's meeting. Uh I have my plate is full but I certainly will be online the entire meeting. Um, I just wanted to to share I I think I I 81 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:28.800 expect that somebody will probably move to add another meeting. I think that that's probably the prudent thing uh in regards to uh getting the language right for the ballot. Um there was one thing that when we discussed I think it's still up in the air as to approaching a 82 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:44.960 manager approaching uh staff and I and we spoke about it during our um during our our um sunshine meeting, excuse me, recently. Um, and I think it's it was discussed that I think that we should have a right as long as um it's within a 83 00:37:44.960 --> 00:38:03.040 a good faith uh that we have a question or or want to speak to one of the department heads with a good faith inquiry that we should be able to do that. So, um I just wanted to to make that that known and then I'll I'll chime in as as we go this evening. Thank you. 84 00:38:03.040 --> 00:38:19.440 >> Thank you, Mr. Council Member. Madame Clerk. >> Yes. I don't see anyone else participating online. And again, if you're in the public and you want to provide public comments and you're here in council chambers, just please 85 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:42.000 approach the podium and state your name for the record. >> Chairman, I don't see anyone. >> All right. So therefore, I'll be closing public comments and we'll be moving to item number six, the approval of the minutes. I do have a motion to approve the May 4th, 2026 Charter Revision 86 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:59.119 Committing Commission meeting minutes. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> I have a motion. >> I'll second. >> And I have a second. Is there any discussion? >> Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed. The motion passes. The minutes are passed and we'll 87 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:15.760 go now to the old business, Mr. town attorney for your report. >> Okay. So, there's there's two things that remained out outstanding. Um, one is you asked me to come back with clean language on a runoff and clear language 88 00:39:15.760 --> 00:39:31.200 with interference with administration. I believe an email was sent to all of you with that language and I can read it into the record and see um if it's something that's acceptable to you and and someone wants to make a motion to accept it, amend it, what have you. Uh 89 00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:46.079 first with the runoff, may may I read them? >> Yes, please. >> Uh with regard to the runoff, an election shall be held in November of each even number year on the same day as a US congressional elections are held or if none are held in any year on the Tuesday following the first Monday of 90 00:39:46.079 --> 00:40:02.560 November of that year. A runoff election, if necessary, shall be held on the second Tuesday in December. The council shall h shall hold no meetings between the general election and the swearing in of newly elected or reelected members of the council except in case of an emergency affecting life, 91 00:40:02.560 --> 00:40:21.359 health, property, or the public peace. >> All right. >> You want to take you want me to read the second one or you want to take each of them? >> Let's take each one separately. So, um I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to adopt the language as written. Is there a second? 92 00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:37.040 >> I'll second. All right, we have second now. Open for discussion. Commissioners and Commissioner Bennett issue once again. So now as I said, >> is your microphone on? 93 00:40:37.040 --> 00:40:55.040 >> Okay, if you can bring your micro They're just asking over here. You want to make sure that they're hearing you online. >> Figure that first week after Thanksgiving was not going to be effective. Thank you. and uh because people are still traveling to get back from their families and then the second 94 00:40:55.040 --> 00:41:10.000 week and that gives us also it looks like almost a two-eek window before Christmas begins. Um I I find that to be an acceptable solution for a runoff. I don't have an issue with it. I'm just wondering if anybody else could see an issue with it beyond that. I don't see 95 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:27.440 one. >> All right. Any other commissioners have any comments? >> Sure. Commissioner Ruano, >> I have a question and it it um it goes to the comments from uh Council Member Hzburg regarding the the simplicity of 96 00:41:27.440 --> 00:41:44.960 the language where it says um or if none are held in any year, are there any years in which um there are no elections, are there any reasons for there not to be an election held? >> Yeah, if if it's if uh there's no opposition, then there would be no 97 00:41:44.960 --> 00:42:00.400 election held that year. >> Okay. >> So, Right. So if the complete slate runs out of post, there's no election. >> Okay, understood. Thank you, >> Mr. Vice. >> I'm so sorry to clarify. >> So yeah, there could be a year that 98 00:42:00.400 --> 00:42:15.280 there's no election because elections are only held here every two years for the town of Miami Lakes and for the congressional and state offices are also every two years, which are even number years. Right. So I think in the odd number years, there isn't an election 99 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:32.000 that a voter in Miami Lakes would vote for. Correct. >> Unless there would be a special election to fill a vacancy. >> Right. Held in a year. >> My question was more regarding the the elections are going to be held in November of each even numbered year on 100 00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:48.240 the same day as US congressional elections. So I guess my question was more has there been cases where there is no US congressional election held? I guess it could in theory, right? If there is no opposition 101 00:42:48.240 --> 00:43:03.839 Correct. I think it just fills a long shot potential gap. >> Yeah. I mean I mean historically it'd be interesting to see if it happened at some point during the Civil War. It it might have happened but I think we might find some more more 102 00:43:03.839 --> 00:43:19.760 recent but possibly you never know because remember it's anything locally here. >> It is Miami politics. So where it appears where it would be potentially redundant, it really isn't because there is a however slim a possibility. Is that the reason? 103 00:43:19.760 --> 00:43:35.119 >> Right. Okay. >> I'm okay with it then. >> Should we take that >> long very narrow chance? >> Hold on one second. Go ahead. Go ahead. Finish. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Commissioner, you were finishing. >> Okay. No, I'm sorry. No, because I I heard Mr. Commissioner Bennett and I didn't hear the last part of what you 104 00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:50.640 said. >> I can't. >> Well, it's off right now. Yes, Commissioner Minn. Go ahead. >> Yeah, I mean should we put in a provision and that r possibly slim chance of that occurring into the um charter? I mean, you know, is would it 105 00:43:50.640 --> 00:44:07.599 be just considered a special call meeting can be called within a certain period of time? Isn't that already been addressed even if it's an odd year? >> Well, I believe it's already captured here in this language here. that in you know it's it's for any of 106 00:44:07.599 --> 00:44:26.079 the regular elections are going to be held in in the November even numbered years and then this is only talking about the regular elections and a runoff election. >> So do we need a provision to address an odd number year special election for any 107 00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:40.800 reason? >> No, I believe there's already special elections otherwise. >> Okay. That's what I'm trying to say. I I don't I didn't see it either. I was just curious if it's if it's necessary. Councilwoman Rano brought up an interesting point that I didn't think about. >> Okay. 108 00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:56.319 Vice Chairman, did you have comments? >> Well, I think we're talking about the regular elections, right? Our regular elections in Miami Lakes are held on even number years, period. Every two years, right, depending on the seat. So, I think it's already clearly stated in the charter the way it is that there 109 00:44:56.319 --> 00:45:12.720 shall be an election in Miami Lakes every two years on an even number year. Correct. And this was the language that the town attorneys were asked to draft with regards to that aspect. >> Right. >> Commissioner Bodfresh and then Commissioner Fernandez. >> So actually I just want to 110 00:45:12.720 --> 00:45:29.119 clarification. So there's if I'm looking at this correctly, there's 14 questions you're going to bring up and these are going to be additional questions that we're going to be adding to. >> Yes. >> If we if we can't if we can't mold it into one of the current questions, yes, it would be have to be an additional 111 00:45:29.119 --> 00:45:45.280 question. But then again, we don't have to approve all 14, right? I mean, I think this is crazy. 14. >> So, all 14 have already been approved. You've already voted on. >> These are all motion. These are all >> We're going to put all 14 in a ballot. >> Well, it would be 16, but yes. >> Yeah. Depending on how we how we how we go forward. If look, when you guys read 112 00:45:45.280 --> 00:45:59.520 these, if you guys want to consolidate anything, uh, you know, >> I mean, the way I see it is I mean, talk about ballot fatigue. I mean, you know, the countyy's going to put things, the school board is bringing up. I mean, how many things are we going to vote for in November? I mean, I I don't know. I just 113 00:45:59.520 --> 00:46:18.560 think this is overkill, though. >> All right. Uh, Commissioner Fernandez. >> Right. So, I'm I'm trying to follow the uh the the process here. So, essentially what this language does is it cleans up. So, obviously, we would have an election 114 00:46:18.560 --> 00:46:35.359 every other November on an even numbered year. That that part's clear. and that would coincide with the date of the congressional election. If there is no congressional election for whatever reason, then it would be the day that congressional elections are customarily 115 00:46:35.359 --> 00:46:52.480 held. >> Correct. Which is the Tuesday following the first Monday of November then. >> Right. So that language is just in there to capture the unforeseen event that there's no congressional election for whatever reason. >> Correct. Okay. >> All right. Any other commissioners? 116 00:46:52.480 --> 00:47:10.079 Any further discussion? All right. If no further discussion is uh I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to call the vote. Is all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed. The motion passes. The language is put. 117 00:47:10.079 --> 00:47:25.760 Runoff. Mr. Town Attorney. Can you continue next with the second uh interference with administration language? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. So, with regards to the interference with administration, it would read as follows. Except for the purpose of inquirs and investigations made in good faith, the council or its members shall deal with officers and 118 00:47:25.760 --> 00:47:42.400 employees of the city who are subject to the direction supervision of the manager solely through the manager and neither the council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer employee either publicly or privately. It is the express intent of this charter that recommendations for improvements in city government operations by individual 119 00:47:42.400 --> 00:47:58.640 members of the council be made solely through and to I'm sorry, solely to and through the manager. Members of the council may discuss with the manager any matter of city business. However, no individual member of the council shall give orders to the manager. >> Right. I'm going to make a motion to 120 00:47:58.640 --> 00:48:14.960 adopt this language. Uh is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Sorry. Who was that? >> I'll second it. >> We have Commissioner Abad has seconded. Now discussion. >> Can I ask Commissioner? >> So, so how is this different than what's on the charter? I mean, currently through the chair, currently in the 121 00:48:14.960 --> 00:48:32.720 charter, it requires that any um inquir investigations have to be done through a resolution. This removes the requirement that the council has to pass a resolution in order to be able to make inquirs or investigations in good faith. >> And how does it make it any different? 122 00:48:32.720 --> 00:48:48.000 You know, so I've I've heard different council members talk about the fact that they want to have more access to staff or at least to supervisors or directors, department directors. Does this address that in any way? >> It it does. It's you we discussed last 123 00:48:48.000 --> 00:49:03.359 meeting uh this resolution that was passed which was basically creating a resolution that would just allow all council members to do uh uh inquirs in good faith and it was kind of like an an end run to to this provision. And so this is just removing that part of the 124 00:49:03.359 --> 00:49:21.839 resolution and just allowing you to do uh investigations or inquires in good faith. >> Uh Commissioner Fernandez and then Commissioner Bennett. >> So I if I remember correctly from our initial discussion on this item um and I think I may I may have made the motion 125 00:49:21.839 --> 00:49:37.680 and I may have brought up this section originally. Um, it was completely my intent to increase the council's access to to staff, not necessarily restrict it. And I'm not sure that this language accomplishes that. So, uh, I'm I'm going 126 00:49:37.680 --> 00:49:53.280 to be voting against this through the chair to answer the question. Okay. So, the current way that the language is, and I can pull it up, requires that any inquirs investigations have to be done by resolution. So it restricts the council members to have to have a resolution in order to be able to 127 00:49:53.280 --> 00:50:09.760 talk or or make an inquir investigation. Let me pull the exact language. >> You do. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Okay. So the way that it's currently written, it says except for the purpose of inquirs investigations made in good faith and in accordance with a 128 00:50:09.760 --> 00:50:24.720 resolution adopted by the council. So this is what it's doing is it's removing and in accordance with the resolution adopted by the council. removing that restriction and allowing investigations to be made in good faith without that requirement. That's that's the purpose 129 00:50:24.720 --> 00:50:42.720 of the change. So currently, if you want to make an inquir investigation of anything going here down particular staff or whatnot, the council has to meet, pass a resolution, and then they go forward. So I'm going to read exactly what it says verbatim. Except for the purpose of 130 00:50:42.720 --> 00:50:58.079 inquirs, investigations made in good faith and in accordance with the resolution adopted by the council, the council and any of its individual members shall deal with town employees who are subject to the direction supervision of the town manager solely through the town manager. 131 00:50:58.079 --> 00:51:13.200 So what the changes is to remove the requirement for there to be a resolution. >> Mr. Chair, so so sorry I'm commissioner Bennett's first and then have >> to the chair to our attorney. Give me an example of a bad faith abuse of this 132 00:51:13.200 --> 00:51:31.559 particular provision. I mean this is as you know I'm when you're saying good faith and bad faith who determines there's no judge involved in the middle in this. So what would be a bad faith abuse of this particular um a amendment? I I I mean 133 00:51:31.760 --> 00:51:47.520 thinking out loud, um a particular council member has some sort of personal vendetta with a particular department in in the town and or the manager. Uh well, they can they can hire and fire the manager. So managers, you got to deal with them no matter what, but u but 134 00:51:47.520 --> 00:52:03.359 maybe yeah, you want to use one of the the the staff members to get to the manager, right? Or annoy the manager. And so it's abused in that in that fashion, you know, that that's that's one thing that I could see. >> Okay. And who determines if it's good faith or bad faith? The manager? 135 00:52:03.359 --> 00:52:20.480 >> No, the the council council is is their own. >> Do we need a provision in order to say that if a bad faith claim has been uh initiated that the that the has to be what an ordinance or a resolution brought before the uh >> my humble opinion, Commissioner, I don't 136 00:52:20.480 --> 00:52:36.160 think anything should be in bad faith. I understand that I once again I always look for you know what what happens if I've always done all that you know what what what is the limits of this and how is it enforceable other than being a it's very nice 137 00:52:36.160 --> 00:52:51.760 >> so so one of one of the things and I'm I'm thinking out loud is in that same scenario that that I that I mentioned is you you also have other employment laws and federal rules uh that require that you know you don't create a hostile work 138 00:52:51.760 --> 00:53:07.280 environment ment uh that there's no type of discrimination. I mean there there are laws to protect the employee. So if this were to go beyond the scope of what it's meant to be and goes into that realm of bad faith, then the one concern that I would have as an attorney is that 139 00:53:07.280 --> 00:53:23.760 yeah, you open up because of maybe this rogue council member that has this personal vendetta and now you you've potentially have a a litigation. Now I mean that's the off chance that something like that. Once again, I was just asking for kind of an example just so that I have an idea of what's 140 00:53:23.760 --> 00:53:40.000 considered bad faith when a councilman wishes to at least ask a staff member a question. I want to make sure that I mean that wouldn't be considered a bad faith uh act. I'm assuming Mr. Peterman, please. >> I don't. >> Mr. Tan, manager, if you'd like to 141 00:53:40.000 --> 00:53:55.760 interject an item. >> Yeah. You know, having sat on the original charter commission in the year 2000, the intent of the original language was for this to be an extraordinary measure. In other words, this was meant to be uh some kind of an 142 00:53:55.760 --> 00:54:11.520 investigation. There's something going on. There's uh maybe that the manager is involved and this that's why the requirement for it to be as a result of a resolution that it's a joint thing. the entire council has debated it and says, "Hey, we're not sure what's going 143 00:54:11.520 --> 00:54:26.160 on, but something's going on. We're going to conduct an investigation." So, um, that was the the original intent of the original charter commission was to make sure that anything and everything that dealt with staff that members of 144 00:54:26.160 --> 00:54:42.720 the elected body, the town council went through the manager and that was the the mechanism. This was meant as an extraordinary measure like an exception, right? And that's why it was worded the way it was worded. >> Okay. So I'm sorry just finishing up my thought. I'll be done. So the thought 145 00:54:42.720 --> 00:54:58.800 process then was basically it just gives u a conduit in which these inquiries can be made through the manager but the the new uh language would circumvent the manager from the from these inquiries. Is that that's what I'm that's what I that's the gist I'm getting. Correct. 146 00:54:58.800 --> 00:55:16.160 >> That that that's I think that is the the outcome of it. the intent and you know obviously you know with the whole management practices there's a concept that a principle that's called unity of a command and when staff members then think that not only do they have a 147 00:55:16.160 --> 00:55:32.559 single person that they report to that now they have seven more people you know it puts them in a very compromising position and that and that's that's the challenge that I have with it is not necessarily what it's doing to me you know I'm a big boy I can handle it I'll find a way around it but the the the 148 00:55:32.559 --> 00:55:49.680 impact on staff members the and and really it it could be with no ill intent, right? But staff members will always be intimidated by the seven members of the town council and they're going to say, "Oh, what's going on? Is you going to be they're going to feel intimidated by that no matter how well 149 00:55:49.680 --> 00:56:05.760 they know the individuals on a personal basis." >> Yeah. So, >> and Commissioner Ben, I want to also just just for clarification purposes, remember the purpose of the inquiries or investigations are made in good faith is has always been accepted from requiring to go through the town manager. So, there was no change in that aspect of 150 00:56:05.760 --> 00:56:21.200 it. The good faith would obviously be determined by the council members. one of the council members believes that one of their one of their colleagues has gone beyond good faith or has has engaged in these purpose of inquiries is not not in good faith they would hold that they would hold something amongst themselves and they would find a 151 00:56:21.200 --> 00:56:37.119 resolution finding that council member to be in violation of the charter and they would go through that process. Um what from you know reading and from the explanation from the town attorney here what this is doing is that it is further expanding the ability of the council members in certain situations to be able 152 00:56:37.119 --> 00:56:53.200 to speak with uh town staff without having to propose a resolution. That's the simple change that this was done is just eliminating that requirement that a uh resolution be drafted before they can otherwise speak to them. Obviously like I said purpose of inquiries and 153 00:56:53.200 --> 00:57:08.960 investigations has always been an accepted piece. Commissioner Fernandez. >> Okay. >> So my my question is the the sentence that reads it is the express intent of this charter that recommendations for improvement in city government operations by individual members of the council be made solely and through the 154 00:57:08.960 --> 00:57:25.920 manager that's in the current charter. >> Yes. Well, what whatever similar thing is in there is better than this. I I don't like this. >> Um it's it's a little different. You want me to read it again 155 00:57:25.920 --> 00:57:42.079 >> as it is in the current charter? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations made in good faith and in accordance with a resolution adopted by the council, the council and any of its individual 156 00:57:42.079 --> 00:57:58.480 members shall deal with town employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the town manager solely through the town manager, and neither the council nor its members 157 00:57:58.480 --> 00:58:15.200 ers shall give orders to any such employee comma either publicly or privately. It is the pre express intent of this charter that recommendations for improvement in town government operations by individual council members 158 00:58:15.200 --> 00:58:29.680 are made solely to and through the town manager. Council members may discuss with a town manager any matter of town business. However, no individual council member shall give orders to the town 159 00:58:29.680 --> 00:58:54.079 manager. That is as it is in the current town charter. >> Right. While you're pondering that, Commissioner, I there's one thing that I do I I do want to make an intervening motion real quick that just as we're reading it. I just realized is I'm going to make a motion to switch the word city 160 00:58:54.079 --> 00:59:11.760 for town. >> I I just noticed that as well. >> Second. >> All right. Uh is there any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? None opposition. Motion passes. So we're replacing the word town 161 00:59:11.760 --> 00:59:28.799 for city. So again, just to be clear, there's only one word which is resolution that we're were striking. Everything else is the same >> and the resolution was the one that we read in the record last uh meeting. >> And we had previously voted on changing 162 00:59:28.799 --> 00:59:46.640 council members to members of the council. >> Just that little those wording I believe are the only two changes. >> May I through the chair? Who's OJ? Okay. Yes. Go ahead, council members. 163 00:59:46.640 --> 01:00:02.160 >> May I Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to speak. Um, so I I think um Chair Chair Sto, you you said it pretty well. I mean, you spelled it out pretty well. I do think that if we're going to change the language, you know, we I think it's 164 01:00:02.160 --> 01:00:17.520 should always be it should always uh include the manager being um for him to be notified if we are communicating. But I just think for efficiency, it does make sense that we have some accessibility to the directors. And and 165 01:00:17.520 --> 01:00:34.559 again, in good faith, I I think that things um can may be able to get sped up a little bit if we don't always have to go. Although, and I'll say this, and not because Ed is there, I think he does an amazing job. I I I can't tell you how many times I text him and constantly in 166 01:00:34.559 --> 01:00:50.960 the mornings and so he's always responding and you know but I I think that for the sake of efficiency I do think that we should be able to speak to um to the directors and and include him just you know he should be notified of any communication. I just I just wanted 167 01:00:50.960 --> 01:01:05.440 to add that >> Mr. Chair. >> Sure. Commissioner Fernandez. So the the issue the issue that I have with this and and it it very much is in the original language, but the issue that I have with this is this language 168 01:01:05.440 --> 01:01:23.040 essentially gives the council members less of an ability and less access to interface with a regular town staffer in terms of giving them recommendations for improving service. A John Q citizen can 169 01:01:23.040 --> 01:01:38.400 come and speaks. So, one of the things that the town of Miami Lakes has always prided itself in is how accessible and how approachable the government is to the people. So, for a council member to have to tell a resident that they need to come and speak to the public works 170 01:01:38.400 --> 01:01:54.160 director because they're unable to speak to the public works director and the only way that their message may or may not get to the public works director is if it's delivered through the manager and the manager sees fit that it be delivered to the public works director. I don't like that process whatsoever. I 171 01:01:54.160 --> 01:02:10.400 think that um handcuffs the council members and restricts their ability that any other citizen would have, right, to to be able to interface with town staff and and makes it a charter violation, right, which is essentially only 172 01:02:10.400 --> 01:02:27.040 enforcable to the members of the council. Those are, you know, the it's very difficult for anyone else to run a file of of the charter, right? And so I don't I I I don't like it. I would prefer being that we're planning on changing the section, 173 01:02:27.040 --> 01:02:42.079 I would prefer to take this back and change this section a little bit more comprehensively. Thank you. >> The the through the chair, >> the the rub um commissioner is you the purpose for this is to make sure 174 01:02:42.079 --> 01:02:58.319 that not any single council member or the mayor is telling the manager how to do his job. He needs to be independent. That's why the form of government is manager council. Um the question is then how much to what extent can then the council 175 01:02:58.319 --> 01:03:15.200 member do and act in the function of what you're saying, right? Because you you have your items you want to prepare. For instance, you you you want to find out, you know, what's going on with the storm drain projects. Uh and you want to be able to prepare an item for the next meeting. Uh because several of your residents have have come to you. You 176 01:03:15.200 --> 01:03:31.039 don't want to go to the manager. You want to be able to have that access to the director. So, you don't want to come up with a resolution first to then do the investigation. You want to be able to do it on your own. Currently, the way that it is, you would have to do that resolution and pass it before you could ever speak to, you know, M Mr. Omar uh 177 01:03:31.039 --> 01:03:46.880 and and find out. If you remove the resolution part, then you can you can uh talk to to Omar. The problem is if you loosen it up even further, then you run the risk of now you're telling Omar what to do and how to do his job. And so to what extent can you ask questions and to 178 01:03:46.880 --> 01:04:03.200 what extent do those questions then become uh directions and and we got to be careful not to go to that part of the directions. I think that's that's the slippery slope. >> Yeah. And I think there's there's a distinction between orders and recommendations and recommendations is really the what what I have a problem 179 01:04:03.200 --> 01:04:19.599 with. >> So what do you mean by recommendations? >> The word recommendations. So the express intent of the charter that recommendations for improvement in city uh government or now town government 180 01:04:19.599 --> 01:04:36.520 operations by individual members of the council be made solely to and through the manager. So if I'm at an event and I think that there is too much trash on the floor and I say we have to do better at picking up the trash, that's a charter violation. Sure. 181 01:04:43.520 --> 01:05:00.079 >> Commissioner Bennett. >> Yeah. What what I see going what's going to happen here is we're going to have a logistical nightmare because what happened a commission or council member will go to a staff member, give the recommendation. He's going to have to report back to the manager before he acts on any of it. So, it's just 182 01:05:00.079 --> 01:05:16.319 basically going around back to him. And then at that point, it's still up to the manager to make the decision as to what's going to be done. We we haven't taken that away. I have to the language is too convoluted for me to vote for this. I have to I'll vote no only because it it sets up an extra uh 183 01:05:16.319 --> 01:05:33.039 logistical problem for the manager to try and get things done. So I have to I that's how I stand. >> One sec. But just I I was just trying to figure out because this was just eliminated language. It hasn't added any type of language to what the current charter provides. Like if we don't move 184 01:05:33.039 --> 01:05:49.760 forward with this at all and we just leave it as it is, it's going to be the same exact language except buy through a resolution. So it's not like that we've added anything where we've actually subtracted language from what is currently in the charter. >> Well, is there any reason why we can't just strike the word resolution and you 185 01:05:49.760 --> 01:06:05.680 that just they still have to go through the manager? >> That's what that's what we did. >> But is that the gist of it without changing anything? I once again by removing the resolution they still have to go through the manager to get to the department head otherwise. >> Well I I think what what what you're talking about is what's going to operationally happen anyways. 186 01:06:05.680 --> 01:06:21.440 >> Yes. >> It's just from what happens what what probably wouldn't happen on the ground. I don't think it's necessarily what needs to be in the I don't think we don't have to be as prescriptive in the charter unless that's really what you guys want to propose. Well, well, yeah. See, once again, um I want I want clear 187 01:06:21.440 --> 01:06:38.400 direction to our staff members and preferably through the manager in order to accomplish things. And you know if a you know if a staff member comes in hey look you know this is a recommendation I got um you know I have to go through the town manager to implement it you know it 188 01:06:38.400 --> 01:06:53.680 becomes an issue because then the manager has to go ahead and figure out what what it was and then perhaps go back to the uh commissioner or council member I'm sorry in order to understand what the original intent was. It just it's just adding it. Um I like I said I 189 01:06:53.680 --> 01:07:10.000 think functionally the charter is okay the way it is um just just so the manager can take care can you know carry out his duties. So that's that's my feeling. >> Thank you. Commissioner Ruana. >> Thank you so much. Um and this is exactly what we asked for at the last 190 01:07:10.000 --> 01:07:26.480 meeting. I have it written down in my notes. Just remove this one phrase that says in accordance with a resolution adopted by a council. That's exactly what we asked for. So, the legal department came back with exactly what we asked for. However, there's like two groups of people up here. Those of us that have served on 191 01:07:26.480 --> 01:07:43.599 the council and those of us that have not. And I don't know if those of you that have not served on the council can feel the frustration from those of us that have served on the council. Cuz these are words on a piece of paper. But when you put them into practice, it's a whole different ballgame. So when as a council member you cannot walk into an 192 01:07:43.599 --> 01:08:00.799 office and ask about why is it the trash picked up on 87th Avenue and that person cannot tell you well because this week the litter crew is sick. That needs to be able to happen because if everything has to go through the manager then logistically there's a 193 01:08:00.799 --> 01:08:16.799 bottleneck. And it's not that he it's not that he's not responsive or the manager before him. I worked with with Alex Ray as a manager as well. It's not that they're not responsive, is that there's everything gets funneled through one point of view, through one information source. So, you will always 194 01:08:16.799 --> 01:08:32.880 see everything through the manager's colored lenses, whether good or bad. It could be an excellent manager or it could be a not excellent manager, but you're always going to see things through their point of view, through the manager's point of view. You're never going to get information outside of that 195 01:08:32.880 --> 01:08:49.440 realm. And I think that for me, that was the frustration. Not that I there was never any information that was kept away from me. There was never I mean the manager neither manager ever said to an employee, "Do not give the council woman this information, but there were it was all given to the manager and then the 196 01:08:49.440 --> 01:09:06.799 manager got to read it and look at it and see what was going to be given to me." And I don't like that as a council member. I don't like I I I want to just do a public records request like any individual on this in this community. And I want a piece of paper that no one has looked at or or or analyzed or maybe 197 01:09:06.799 --> 01:09:23.440 this is not the right piece of paper that you need to give the council member. Maybe you should give the council member this other piece of paper because this other piece of paper looks better than this piece of paper. And and again, these are words on a on on the charter and at plain sight, they look fine. But we are here to correct things 198 01:09:23.440 --> 01:09:39.520 that haven't worked in the past. So at least for me, this is exactly what I asked for. So, I don't want the legal department in any way, shape, or form to feel like they didn't do what we asked to do. But I agree. It's the wording the wording just doesn't I guess just 199 01:09:39.520 --> 01:09:55.360 doesn't make me feel comfortable that what I experienced and council members that I've spoken to have experienced. Maybe even council members now are experiencing. I I don't know. This is not this is not going to handle that that situation. And so I feel that 200 01:09:55.360 --> 01:10:12.400 obviously direction, giving direction not allowed. You should never be able to tell an employee starting tomorrow I want you to come in at 10:00 in the morning. That cannot happen. However, I should be able to walk into the building department and tell them I would like a list of all the building permits that were pulled today. That is a public 201 01:10:12.400 --> 01:10:28.560 record. If you can do it, why can't a council member do it? So that's that's where I don't want I I wouldn't like to see everything funneled through the office of the manager because just like you can have a rogue council member, you can have a rogue manager and it could be a problem or you can have a manager 202 01:10:28.560 --> 01:10:45.520 that's only working with a select group of council members and then there's other council members that aren't going to receive the same information. And politics is involved in all of this and we can we can pretend that it's not, but this is politics. So there are voting blocks. There are moments where even the 203 01:10:45.520 --> 01:11:00.719 manager can be politicized. So that's what at least for me that's something important because I lived it. I didn't enjoy it. I've been on both sides of it. You know, I've been the golden child that the mayor loves and I've been enemy number one for the C town mayor. I've 204 01:11:00.719 --> 01:11:17.840 live council commission member Fernandez has lived it too. So there's there's definitely cycles here that maybe some people don't understand and that's why we're nitpicking at very specific words that don't make it easy for a council member then to be responsive to the 205 01:11:17.840 --> 01:11:32.800 community because as a council member your job is to be responsive to your community. So you cannot walk to up to a resident's home and say well you have a question about your street but I can't give you that answer because I have to wait to be able to talk to the manager. I can't pick up the phone and call 206 01:11:32.800 --> 01:11:48.000 public works with, you know, John Doe from 87th Avenue and say, you know, mister, I'm here with Mr. Doe and he would like to know what is the estimated time of completion of his street. If you can't do that, then that is a problem because it hinders your ability to to do 207 01:11:48.000 --> 01:12:03.120 your job. I don't I'm not sure that this language is is actually tackling that particular situation. >> Vice Chairman Inguanza, >> thank you. You know, I've not served as a council person here, but I'm not quite sure what I'm missing because the first sentence of this phrase says, except for 208 01:12:03.120 --> 01:12:18.560 the purposes of inquiries, right? So, going to your point, you have a question. I'll give you an example. My neighbor had a pothole. He's 92 years old. He drives. He asked me, he's like, "Hey, can you please help me figure out how we can fix this pothole?" I texted 209 01:12:18.560 --> 01:12:34.239 the public works director. He texted me right back and they took care of it like in a day. That's like, isn't that an inquiry? That is, but who decides when you're a count? You can do that because you are a resident, right? >> But when you're a council member, >> you can't do that. >> You can't always Well, it depends on who 210 01:12:34.239 --> 01:12:50.239 decides whether your inquiry is in good faith or not. >> I'm inquiring. There's a >> It depends. >> At 8836 Northwest 162nd Street, >> when is it going to be fixed? >> So, but who makes who determines whether that's in good faith? >> Well, you're right. >> So, as a council as a council member, 211 01:12:50.239 --> 01:13:06.640 you are supposed to send a text message to the manager. Yeah. And the manager is supposed to send a text message to the public works director and the public works director gets back to the manager and the manager gets back to you. >> But what does the word accept mean? >> I never experienced it, so I don't know. All of my inquiries, 212 01:13:06.640 --> 01:13:21.600 >> yeah, >> were in that fashion. >> Let's defer to the town attorney real quick on that question. >> But really quick, in the case of the town, any of those inquirs, investigations require a resolution to be passed in order to be able to make 213 01:13:21.600 --> 01:13:37.360 it. without the resolution, you can't the way that it currently stands. >> No, I I and I completely understand that what's before us here in this paragraph is an improvement over what's currently in the in the charter. I just don't like 214 01:13:37.360 --> 01:13:51.760 either version. >> Yeah. >> So, so you as a regular resident and and it depends also how the manager wants to interpret this, right? or how he wants to, you know, different managers have had different styles and I've been here when Alex Ray was 215 01:13:51.760 --> 01:14:08.400 here and with with Mr. Peterman. So, one interpretation if you strictly look at it, it means that anything unless the council passes that you want to find out about any like the pothole, you've got to call the manager. The manager then calls Omar and then Omar gives you the answer. As a regular resident, that restriction doesn't apply to you. So, go 216 01:14:08.400 --> 01:14:24.800 ahead and make >> it that says except for the purposes of inquiries in good faith. You're making an >> resolution neighbor who's inquiring when his fixed. >> No, he's talking Mr. Town attorney. What he's referencing is in the current the proposed language 217 01:14:24.800 --> 01:14:40.640 are are >> he believes that in the proposed language it'll allow the going forward with except for the purpose of inquiries investigations made in good. >> So quick question is is your question with regards to the proposed language or the existing language? >> Well, both because it does have to 218 01:14:40.640 --> 01:14:55.760 change. It's the same. The only thing that's changed in the proposed language is the elimination of a resolution. >> So, so let's talk about how it how it currently reads. Except for the purpose of inquirs and investigations, >> except for the purpose of inquiries. So, former council woman's neighbor says, 219 01:14:55.760 --> 01:15:12.480 "Hey, I have a pothole. Can you help me figure out when it's going to be fixed?" >> She's in good faith on behalf of her neighbor, she's going to reach out to she could reach out to the manager, but I don't bother the manager with that. I reached out directly to because he's going to just have to call the public works director. Yeah, but you're you're not 100% you're not an elected official. 220 01:15:12.480 --> 01:15:28.480 So you don't come in with the same level of aura that an elected official does to our staff members. That that that's >> But Mr. Manager, but it says accepts for the purposes of inquiries. What does accept mean? Help somebody define that for me. 221 01:15:28.480 --> 01:15:45.440 >> Yeah, except you can do it. >> You can do it. >> It's an exception only if it's adopted through a resolution. That's what I meant earlier when I said that it's it's meant to be an extraordinary circumstance. But we're going to eliminate resolutions. So, Councilman Fernandez, who's on the Zoom call here. This passes, there's no more reference 222 01:15:45.440 --> 01:16:01.600 to resolution. So, Councilman Fernandez should be able to in good faith on behalf of his 92-y old neighbor say, "Hey, when's this pothole going to be fixed?" Either through the manager if he wants or the public works director. >> Yes. >> Right. >> And then if he doesn't get an answer or 223 01:16:01.600 --> 01:16:17.920 he's given bad information, then what? >> Your public works director is going to give him bad information. If the if let's say if the public works director doesn't answer the question that the council member whether it be council member Dwano former council member Dwano former council member Fernandez what if 224 01:16:17.920 --> 01:16:33.120 they don't get what they're looking for they cannot hold the public works director accountable >> all right the Mr. attorney, we got to change the language. You got to eliminate accept because otherwise it's given the council the ability to do it. >> Eliminate accept. Because for me, if I 225 01:16:33.120 --> 01:16:47.840 were a council person sitting up here, I would say, "Hey, in good faith, I'm calling on behalf of my 92-y old neighbor asking when the pothole is going to be fixed. I'm not violating the charter. So, if we want to do what you want to do, Mr. Manager, or what it's being proposed, what the intent is, you got to get rid of the accept." 226 01:16:47.840 --> 01:17:04.080 >> But the Well, the pro Mr. Chair, I mean, Mr. Mr. Vice Chair, the problem is through the chair that the remainder of the paragraph discusses the actual administration of the town. So the exception is creating that just window. You can do this and talk to the 227 01:17:04.080 --> 01:17:20.560 employees, but for anything else you can't. >> Correct. Okay. >> Yeah. So if we take off except and let me go and and I hate to go into this aspect of it, but except is the beginning of the prepositional phrase. If you take off that entire phrase, the sentence what the the charter is going to read is the council or its members 228 01:17:20.560 --> 01:17:36.960 shall deal with officers and employees of the town who are subject to the direction of supervision of the manager solely through the manager. >> Right? >> So you can't do anything except through the manager, >> right? That's what we're saying happens now. >> So get rid of the except because for me no hold on one second. No, no. Because 229 01:17:36.960 --> 01:17:52.080 because remember what you're reading here isn't what's currently. What the way it reads now is that except for the purpose of inquiries, investigations made in good faith and in accordance with a resolution adopted by the council. That's now the prepositional phase that's currently. So the exception is not only that for the except for 230 01:17:52.080 --> 01:18:07.920 those purposes, but you also have to be in accordance with the resolution. Okay. what we're doing here with this language by taking out and in accordance with the resolution adopted by the council you're just simply saying you don't need to have the that that resolution in order 231 01:18:07.920 --> 01:18:24.400 to be accepted from the requirement that you go through the manager >> yeah that that first part of the sentence >> the effect of it what it's going to do >> that first part of the sentence was meant for what I mentioned earlier the extraordinary circumstance that something's going on the council thinks that there's a problem they're not 232 01:18:24.400 --> 01:18:41.199 really sure if the manager's involved not involved. So that this is they pass a resolution and says there's something going on. We want to conduct an inquiry and investigation and then that kind of gives the members of the council the ability to inquire on that investigation that's based on the parameters listed in 233 01:18:41.199 --> 01:18:57.520 the uh resolution. That's what it's that was the original intent of this that that beginning part. And so what I want to further say is that the way I'm reading this and the way I'm interpreting it is that by removing and in accordance with a resolution adopted by the council, the way that is being 234 01:18:57.520 --> 01:19:12.880 proposed in the language here allows it to have what commissioner Ruano has been describing that she wants to be able to say do those inquiries as you were saying. So this language would provide it, but the way the current charter does it requires the additional of an 235 01:19:12.880 --> 01:19:28.719 resolution. I agree. What I'm saying to to Commission Member Fernandez and Commission Member Rano is that once you eliminate the resolution portion, you should in good faith, if you're doing something in good faith, you should have the ability to This tells you you can 236 01:19:28.719 --> 01:19:45.199 reach out to anybody other than the manager. >> No, including the manager. >> Including the manager. You can reach out to the manager or anybody because the accept is an important provision in this clause. It's creating that exception. If it's in good faith, you can go to the building department, say, "Hey, my 237 01:19:45.199 --> 01:20:02.000 neighbor's roofing permit. He applied three months ago and he still hasn't gotten a response. Do you know when he might get a response?" >> It it just seems like it's a solution looking for a problem because the two me former members of the council on here, council member Fernandez, they all have stated it has never been a problem. 238 01:20:02.000 --> 01:20:17.760 They've always gotten any information quickly. You know, I've called, you know, I've come whenever they want, they get it almost instantly. It's not with with all due respect, it's not the it's not a solution looking for a problem. It's the experience of members that have served on this council that have had a 239 01:20:17.760 --> 01:20:33.679 problem that have had to jump through hoops to ask a simple question that have had to copy you on every single question because you are become a secondass citizen when you are a council member and you cannot walk into a building 240 01:20:33.679 --> 01:20:49.760 office and ask for a piece of paper that any other person can ask for. So this is my experience and it's and it's been the experience of others and I even extended it further when I was on the council and I said if I cannot walk into the building department to ask for a piece 241 01:20:49.760 --> 01:21:06.960 of paper then I will send my husband to walk into the building department to ask for a piece of paper because he is a regular resident and he can have access to information that I cannot. These are things that I lived on this council. I'm not looking for a problem. I experienced the problem and I'm looking to avoid it 242 01:21:06.960 --> 01:21:22.640 for future elected officials because it is embarrassing as an elected official when a resident asks you a question and you have to tell them I don't know I got to ask the town manager even though you voted for me and that's what they tell you I didn't vote for the manager I voted for >> but you have to ask somebody because you're not going to have the answer 243 01:21:22.640 --> 01:21:39.600 right so >> somebody other than the manager that's what I would like I would like to have that option >> because anybody else can have that option so I as an elected official I think that that option should be available because I do not want I once asked for invoices for air conditioning 244 01:21:39.600 --> 01:21:56.480 repairs. I didn't get invoices. I got a spreadsheet that was prepared for me. I didn't want a spreadsheet. I wanted actual invoices. I went back and forth and back and forth. I never got what I asked for because it was information that was prepared for me to receive. It 245 01:21:56.480 --> 01:22:12.320 wasn't raw data. It wasn't what I was looking for because I didn't get it from the department. I got it from the manager's office that prepared it in a certain way to give it to me as an elected official. And it may have been exactly what was in the invoices or it may not have been. And I just want I 246 01:22:12.320 --> 01:22:28.239 want to avoid that question. Like I said, I'm speaking from my experience. I wouldn't be wasting my time on this. There's other sections of the charter that I haven't wasted my time on um that I haven't looked for a problem with. Trying to resolve issues that are real issues. >> Right. Commissioner Bennett and then on 247 01:22:28.239 --> 01:22:43.199 Commissioner B. Just point of clarification, any and all documents have to go through the town clerk. Am I correct? I mean, you you you know, you're saying like public records versus um you know, like for example, invoices, that's public records. Wouldn't it have to go through the >> Yeah, there's a public records process 248 01:22:43.199 --> 01:22:58.080 and Gina is obviously much more familiar with that. But anybody who walks through the front door and says, for instance, I want these invoices, the the clerk would handle it and the department that handles it would be the one to supply it. And that's never been, you know, denied to anybody. Obviously 249 01:22:58.080 --> 01:23:13.440 with there's state law there's there's there's restrictions that we have. We have to provide documents what any document that somebody requests we have to provide it within a reasonable amount of time. >> That's exactly that's what I'm trying to say. So um her her point is is that she 250 01:23:13.440 --> 01:23:30.239 couldn't get the the the original invoices. The original invoices are considered public records. >> Yeah. Absolutely. They were not denied her. Um, we probably tried to provide her information that was make it easier for her. We for sure I can guarantee you 251 01:23:30.239 --> 01:23:46.080 I'll put my head over the g guillotine on it. We were not denying her any information or trying to massage or trying to filter information. We if she asked for something, we probably provided something that we thought complied with her request. >> Yeah. Ju just only because I'm probably the only one here that's made public 252 01:23:46.080 --> 01:24:02.560 records requests over the years. And it was very interesting with the judge rule. See, I had asked for a list of uh contacts that the previous mayor had made and they said the following. They said, "No, they don't have to prepare any list for you." And so we modified to 253 01:24:02.560 --> 01:24:18.000 say, "I'd like to see the original email that wasn't that without that where the BCC was no longer removed and that was denied also because that would require some type of change to the original document." >> Yeah. The public records law does not 254 01:24:18.000 --> 01:24:35.120 require us to create a new document. If there's a document that satisfies what you're looking for, then that document is is provided. >> All right, guys. Let's let's let's not go too much into the public records aspect of it because that's not what I understand you were using as example, but it was getting too much into >> Yeah. Well, no, I just wanted to say is once again, if Councilwoman Ron or 255 01:24:35.120 --> 01:24:51.120 Commissioner Ron wanted some basically the the raw data, the invoices, I don't know why they wouldn't just provide that. So that was that was that was before and what we're dealing with now I believe in with with the proposed language would make it much easier for 256 01:24:51.120 --> 01:25:08.639 >> commissioner Rano then councilwoman Rano would have been able to get those documents in a way without having to deal with going before the council to get a resolution or anything. I think this proposed language will effecture effectuate that commissioner uh about >> all right so listen to everybody you 257 01:25:08.639 --> 01:25:24.880 know opine on this issue it seems to me that most of the current sitting council the two that sat on the council in the past feel that their concerns have not been addressed I personally did not feel comfortable voting on something that the people who sit here are expressing 258 01:25:24.880 --> 01:25:41.280 concern about I mean we've heard their concerns I don't know what language we could use to you to remedy that. I guess that's that's why you make the money, right? But uh so at this point, listen, you know what? I'm comfortable. I I got a feeling we're going to have that another meeting coming up. I was hoping 259 01:25:41.280 --> 01:25:57.440 it would be tonight. So, I would like to make a motion that we table this item until the town attorney can clear up that. >> I don't think I can. I'll be honest with you. I don't think I can more than what I've done. >> I mean, unless you guys give me some suggestions, I don't know how. >> Yeah. because anything else I do is 260 01:25:57.440 --> 01:26:12.480 passes that exception like the the vice chairman says and then goes into actual interference with administration. >> Okay. So, hold on one second. So, we we have a we have a motion on the floor. >> I second it >> to table. We have a second on there. Is there any discussion on tableabling the item 261 01:26:12.480 --> 01:26:29.040 >> and having the town attorney go back and rewriting another proposed language? Is there any discussion? Commissioner Fernandez, >> can we table if we don't have a date certain for another meeting? That'll be that'll well I have it as an 262 01:26:29.040 --> 01:26:45.600 item because I thought we there's a possibility we might have to extend. So I have it as an item that we'll discuss then if we decide not to then I guess it it would be a motion that would die if we don't set another meeting for it or we just stay here till however long until we tableabling it till later in the meeting. >> That works necessary. >> Commissioner Ronaldo gives some 263 01:26:45.600 --> 01:27:00.639 direction to our town attorney as how she might see the language >> that would fulfill. >> That is a question for Commissioner Rana. if he wants to give that type. >> Well, yeah, that's precisely I just thought I'd throw that out there. >> Thank you. I was just going to ask, do we have to vote? We have to vote on 264 01:27:00.639 --> 01:27:17.280 tableabling this first before I can suggest language. >> Well, no, because part of it is like if you want to go into what you would suggest, I think you would do it at this time. So that way, you know, we you'd have that direction because remember there's no other formal uh motion to to to take this language to the attorneys. 265 01:27:17.280 --> 01:27:33.360 I think it's, you know, part of this discussion, you know, it was two parts. when tableabling so that way the attorney can readress the language issues. >> So, one of the one of the things that I that I think is is a gray area is the phrase in good faith. There's no one that really determines when it's in good 266 01:27:33.360 --> 01:27:49.679 faith and when it's not. I think that an inquiry should should be made. If you if you're asking, you know, why isn't the grass cut and you're doing that in bad faith, you should still know why the grass hasn't been cut. So, I don't think that whether it's in good faith or bad faith is really 267 01:27:49.679 --> 01:28:05.679 relevant. You should be able to inquire and I'm not sure how the rest of the commission feels about about that particular phrase. Can I jump in real quick before you go in the, you know, in thinking about that because I've heard it a lot of times and just to give an 268 01:28:05.679 --> 01:28:21.440 example and again this is just me coming off the top of my head where I could see where a bad faith issue is. If a council member has taken issue with the building department member and then 10 times a day asks them the same exact question for no other purpose but to make sure 269 01:28:21.440 --> 01:28:36.880 that that building manager now cannot do their job. Says, "Okay, what about this pothole? What's going on with this pothole? this pothole that's right out in front of here. 10 minutes later sends him another question. What about that pothole? Tell me about this pothole that's over there. Okay, tell me about the pothole that's over in that corner, but does it consecutively because it's 270 01:28:36.880 --> 01:28:53.520 in bad faith. My whole entire purpose as a council member, I don't like that building manager and I want to make sure that he can't even do his job. I want to show that his building, his area is failing and he's not doing it. And it's all because, you know, I'm just taking up his time asking me to do these inquiries that I want to ask of him. And that would be a bad fate. You know, I 271 01:28:53.520 --> 01:29:08.719 think the other council members are the ones that are going to be the ones that'll make that determination. Be like, "Hey, look, you know, you're going overboard in this." That's not in good faith. And we're gonna we're going to tell you either you need to stop or we're going to get a resolution, prevent you from from speaking at that point with with the town people. I think those 272 01:29:08.719 --> 01:29:24.000 those that's just one little example where you could use it as a bad faith purposes. I don't think I would like to believe that most of our elected officials would never get to that point, but anything is possible. We've se we've seen crazier stuff happen in in today's 273 01:29:24.000 --> 01:29:41.280 in previous council members of things people do and I think that's where I think having that good faith gives you a little bit of cushion to the council members to make that discretion and it would be with that. So I don't know if that helps address a little bit. >> It does. It does. I wouldn't I would have never envisioned asking backtoback 274 01:29:41.280 --> 01:29:56.159 questions like that just to waste someone's time. But I guess it could it could inevitably happen. I don't think that there's a time frame that you make an inquiry and they and and the staff member has to respond to you. That isn't really written anywhere. So maybe for 275 01:29:56.159 --> 01:30:11.760 purposes of that of something that's more harassment than an inquiry, um that would be addressed as you know, I'll get back to you when I get back to you. Um, I'm just trying to trying to find a way where someone can determine either someone 276 01:30:11.760 --> 01:30:28.639 determines what's in good faith or inquiries are just allowed. And maybe because I wasn't a council member that lived in this building walking office to office. I can't envision that. But maybe I mean our council positions are not full-time work positions. Like everybody has a job. So council members are not in 277 01:30:28.639 --> 01:30:43.199 this building all the time. But I guess I could see a situation where where they would want to do something like that. I don't know what other language can be proposed, but I do feel that the way that it's written now, I I've just I'm still yet to to figure out who's going 278 01:30:43.199 --> 01:31:00.400 to determine what is in good faith. If if at some point there's information that's not furnished, who gets to determine what's in good faith? Is it the manager? Is it the council? Is it the legal department? Where where is that line? >> Mr. Chair, if >> I may see, I think the good faith 279 01:31:00.400 --> 01:31:15.679 reference is an important one, right? Because to me what that first line means is I'm going to use the you know you use the example um Commissioner Fernandez of you're at an event and you see I'll give you this example. Your neighbor wants to know what time a 280 01:31:15.679 --> 01:31:30.800 ballet class is in your youth center, right? You should be able to call the parks director and say, "Hey, Mr. Parks director, what time is a ballet class?" That's in good faith, right? Good faith is defined as an as acting with honest intent, sincerity, and fair dealing without the purpose of deceit. Versus 281 01:31:30.800 --> 01:31:46.880 bad faith, which is the direct opposite, being dishonest, fraudulent, or malicious behavior driven by a hidden motive or an intent to mislead or deliberate, refusal to fulfill obligations. So that first line of this provision to me is like it should give the council person the ability to if 282 01:31:46.880 --> 01:32:03.360 you're asking a question in good faith on behalf of a constituent, you know, what time does town hall open or what time is this special event or what time will the fireworks go off on 4th of July or what time is the ballet class or when is that pothole going to be fixed? Those 283 01:32:03.360 --> 01:32:18.880 are good thing. You know, they're things that are you're asking on behalf of a constituent. You could go through the manager. the manager is going to have to call the parks director or the public works director or somebody else. But I do believe in the cities I've worked in, I've worked in two cities, we've always given our department directors, our 284 01:32:18.880 --> 01:32:35.920 executive staff the ability to communicate with the elected officials on those type of things. You know, they're not allowed to give a directive or an order or to solicit their opinion on, hey, if you had to vote this way on this issue, how Mr. public works director, should I vote or would I vote? 285 01:32:35.920 --> 01:32:52.320 But if you're asking what's the timeline for this road repair or when is this pothole going to be fixed? Those are things that a department director or senior staff person should be able to have the ability to communicate with an elected official. And I really believe that's the intent of that first line is 286 01:32:52.320 --> 01:33:07.679 that it gives the council the ability to ask those kind of questions, right? Not give directives, not give orders, but ask simple questions that should be a factual answer. What time does the ballet class begin? 6:00. When's the pothole going to be fixed? In a week. 287 01:33:07.679 --> 01:33:24.239 That's how I interpret that first line. >> How is it written in other charters? If I if I made through the through the >> to to this one. Um, we did that exercise and we went through several charters and several of them either have the word with resolution or without resolution. 288 01:33:24.239 --> 01:33:38.800 So in other words, it either makes it that the individual council members can act independently outside of the body or requires that if any even inquires have to be done with approval of the body. >> Commissioner or M 289 01:33:38.800 --> 01:33:57.199 >> when I read staying on I think so when I read this the language to me the word accept allows you to ask those questions. How many times has it been an issue in the last 25 290 01:33:57.199 --> 01:34:13.280 years? How many times has it been where this has been an issue where you haven't been able to to make those inquiries and it's been a problem? Good faith. And thank you for reading that because I think that that's important. Is that a 291 01:34:13.280 --> 01:34:29.840 legal definition of good faith? >> It's the Webster's definition, >> right? But is this >> But my >> generally I would say courts rely on Webster. Is there a legal definition of good faith? >> You look it up. >> Does it matter the exception? It says 292 01:34:29.840 --> 01:34:45.600 except that means if I call you and say, "What is the status of my permit?" I want to know in good faith you call Danny Angel and say, "What is the status of Lin Matoss's permit? She doesn't know 293 01:34:45.600 --> 01:35:10.960 how to do ET track." It doesn't this language allow for that? I think it does. The way I'm reading it contractually, I think that that's what it says. >> All right. Any other commissioners? >> All right. I did a quick AI search as to 294 01:35:10.960 --> 01:35:28.159 how courts have defined good faith in Florida cuz courts in different places will have it defined very differently. So, I kept it to Florida. Um, and it starts off with there isn't a one-sizefits-all rule. They say it's 295 01:35:28.159 --> 01:35:49.199 it's defined as based on the specific context of the legal dispute in general areas of either contract law, insurance law, or commercial transactions. Um see >> so if I can it's presumed then that we 296 01:35:49.199 --> 01:36:09.920 understand what good faith means. So an inquiry about my roof was certainly a good faith inquiry. >> It should be >> Mr. Chair. Good commissioner. So I I think I think there might be a way to to 297 01:36:09.920 --> 01:36:25.920 accomplish what we all want. So the next to last sentence, which is the one that's been causing indigestion on my side, the one that starts it is the express intent of this charter, right? How would you guys feel about 298 01:36:25.920 --> 01:36:49.280 eliminating that entire sentence? All right. I'll start off. I I I don't feel I I wouldn't vote to eliminate that language. And the reason why is because I think it's it's setting the boundaries of what an inquiry would be to being you 299 01:36:49.280 --> 01:37:05.119 can't have recommendations for improvement of city. That that's not going to be what would be considered an inquiry that you could make of it. Because if you take that out, I think a council member would be like, "Look, now you know what? I'm gone." before just asking you, hey, look, how's that how 300 01:37:05.119 --> 01:37:22.320 how far is that pothole coming along as the vice chairman had used as an example to saying I don't like how you're using that P or or the material you're using for that pothole. You need to now start using this other type of material because that's subpar or that's not by a company that I think is is of an owner 301 01:37:22.320 --> 01:37:37.840 that lives here in the town of Miami Blakes. So, and I think and that's and and you know, just to give my my my thoughts, that's where I think that the recommendation of improvement kind of gives a little bit of guard rails on what constitutes a inquiry. >> So, my my uh my opinion is that those 302 01:37:37.840 --> 01:37:53.920 guardrails exist in the sentence before it, which says that you're not to give orders. And so, in the sentence that you just said, the the part after the comma was you must bah, right? So, the you must bah is an order. I recommend that 303 01:37:53.920 --> 01:38:09.679 you start using town attorney people's and you make it more of it's a recommendation but it's and you see what I'm saying slippery slope that's all I'm saying >> and staff will generally uh tell you that they'll take uh your recommendation under advisement and they'll discuss it with the manager and that's fine 304 01:38:09.679 --> 01:38:25.840 >> sometimes >> but in my particular case I would rather the the elected officials be able to give that recommendation directly to staff rather than have to have it curated by the manager that's Did any other commissioners want to 305 01:38:25.840 --> 01:38:42.880 opine on that? Anything else there? So, just real quick, uh, as kind of summary from what the report was saying on that question that I asked about courts, it's it's really about honesty and fact, faithful faithfulness to an agreed common purpose, and reasonleness of discretion 306 01:38:42.880 --> 01:38:59.040 is kind of what guides the, you know, guidelines with regards to good faith. But there's nothing set directly. It's just it in more of the context. >> So, but this the vote that we're going on is the vote to table it, send it back to the attorney for revision. That's that is that what's on the floor now? 307 01:38:59.040 --> 01:39:15.440 >> That is what is on the floor right now and providing the town attorney with guidance on how exactly we would want that tailored and I know that one one of the suggestions was eliminating that sentence. Uh I don't know if there's any other suggestions from anyone else other 308 01:39:15.440 --> 01:39:32.400 than that because that's something I don't think we necessarily need to table. We could just strike it if people feel great. Don't need think we need to revise it unless uh you know we have more guidance. I don't know Mr. Town attorney I don't know if you need more assistance in >> to be able to draft something 309 01:39:32.400 --> 01:39:49.440 >> based on what I've seen other cities approve versus this language is very similar to I think Centura has it dural it's so it's it's language that's in many charters without the word um resolution. Uh I I don't based on what 310 01:39:49.440 --> 01:40:05.760 you basically say about the the issue of recommendations, it's it's a slippery slope. The the problem that we have is you you want and the frustration I hear from uh Commissioner Ronaldo and and Commissioner Fernandez is that you want to take the manager out as a middleman. 311 01:40:05.760 --> 01:40:21.440 You want to be able to get the direction from the source or the I'm sorry, information from the source. Um, and so I think removing that resolution accomplishes that. I'm not sure how to better accomplish that or what additional words to make that part 312 01:40:21.440 --> 01:40:37.840 clear. I I don't know that it exists and if it does, please let me know. I don't know everything, right? Um, if we remove and start removing things from here and water it down, then we start going to that slippery slope where there could be that interference between and and direction between the the council member 313 01:40:37.840 --> 01:40:53.679 telling the uh director or the employee how to do his job uh what what to do. I mean, we we've seen other cities get themselves into trouble. Let's let's take the city of Miami as an example. when a commissioner is telling a code enforcement officer how to do his job 314 01:40:53.679 --> 01:41:09.440 and it comes back to to bite them and and it's not what the city wants, right? So, I think that that's what I I don't know how far you as a body want to go in diluting um that authority that the manager has 315 01:41:09.440 --> 01:41:26.800 over administration because anything more is to dilute that. That's that's my opinion. >> Mr. Sure. I seek clarification from the uh town attorney. >> So in your opinion, because I agree the striking of the resolution, I think we're all in agreement with that, right? 316 01:41:26.800 --> 01:41:42.400 >> In your opinion, once that's stricken, then would that give the ability of a council person to ask those simple type of questions. What time is this event? When is the pothole going to be fixed? You know, those kind of things. The council people will have the ability to do that. Of doesn't say, so it could 317 01:41:42.400 --> 01:41:56.960 really be whomever. I really think it should be a department director, but it could be a permit clerk or a park recreation leader or >> Yeah. So, so this says officers and employees. So, officers, I I take those to be directors, employees, the staff. 318 01:41:56.960 --> 01:42:13.040 If you want to make it more strict >> and just limit it to directors, we we can certainly do that. But to answer your question, yes. I believe based on this language and and how I've seen it operate in other cities that have similar language would give the council members that author uh ability to be 319 01:42:13.040 --> 01:42:27.920 able to have that interaction. So, I'll ask Commissioners Fernandez and Rorano, would that satisfy would if you could turn the clock back and this was amended five years ago in your case or a few years ago in your case, you know that you would have the ability to reach 320 01:42:27.920 --> 01:42:43.520 out to the building department to ask a simple question about my neighbor's permit or something like that. I think that if that is the strict legal interpretation that any council member can make an inquiry of any staff member 321 01:42:43.520 --> 01:42:58.480 in good faith and that that satisfies me. This is one of those things that you have to take for a test drive >> and see what happens. >> Commissioner Fernandez, did you have any thoughts on that? >> Look, I think we can we can try it for 322 01:42:58.480 --> 01:43:15.600 10 years and see how it goes. And um or we can we can talk about it for 10 years and then you know let let's just do it. I >> I'll keep in mind I I'll keep this remind everyone uh first we have to get over the hurdle of it getting voted on. So if it doesn't get voted on approved 323 01:43:15.600 --> 01:43:30.719 on this whole entire discussion was just more of an educational roundtrip and then we can wait 10 years to figure it out to see what we've been doing the same is it changed at all. >> Mr. Chair, just one last comment on my behalf. If it if it does get approved, then I think what would be really 324 01:43:30.719 --> 01:43:47.600 relevant is when a new council person comes on board is that the town attorney explain what this means and what they can and cannot do. Right? You can ask what time an event begins of a park recreation leader, but you can't direct that person to go implement this new program for 5-year-old kids. Right? So, 325 01:43:47.600 --> 01:44:04.000 it's simple inquiries versus, you know, which are permissible versus giving direction or orders or anything of that. >> Sure. And and I'll tell you is you know just you know obviously I'm sitting here on on this commission. I'm not on the council but I but I think what it also gives the ability is to the town manager in the event that he believes any 326 01:44:04.000 --> 01:44:20.639 council member is exceeding that authority and is going beyond just doing simple inquiries to bring it before the council be like hey look council members I'd like to address this issue. uh you know, one of your members has been going what I believe is is beyond what it's provided for for purpose of inquiries or investigations or that is not in good 327 01:44:20.639 --> 01:44:36.560 faith and say, "Hey, council members, can you guys please, you know, I'd like you guys to address this. You know, tell me whether or not this is going to be uh is this constitute an inquiry or is are they now not doing this in good faith?" And I think the town manager would be in their in their position would be the one 328 01:44:36.560 --> 01:44:52.400 to bring that up and have that before the council at that point. Commissioner Bennon, and I'm going to be wrapping it up. Yeah. Go in. Remember, we're on the motion to table, >> right? And one last thing. Yeah. Um taking it for test right for 10 years um through the chair. M Mr. Attorney, can this have been handled with an ordinance 329 01:44:52.400 --> 01:45:10.800 or a resolution instead of having to change the um the the chart? >> Not really. >> Okay. >> Because the charter is what supersedes the ordinance. So if it says you have to do it by resolution then it's 330 01:45:10.800 --> 01:45:27.440 prescribing the method by where which you can make the inquiries. I mean >> I mean I mean the general issue yeah just for the the council members to make their inquiries you know in good faith. I mean I figured that would be something like a resolution or an ordinance. 331 01:45:27.440 --> 01:45:42.159 >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. So, as just to restate the motion, we're the mo pending motion right now is to table and to give direction to the town attorney to draft new language. That is the current motion we are voting on. So, I'm going to go 332 01:45:42.159 --> 01:45:58.480 ahead and call it. All in favor say I. >> All oppose say nay. >> Nay. Nay. >> The nays have it. The motion fails. And now going to the main motion now is to adopting the language as proposed with 333 01:45:58.480 --> 01:46:15.440 the amended language of replacing the word town for the word city as it appears throughout uh the paragraph. Any further discussion on that before we move forward to a vote? All right. Uh going to go ahead and call the vote. All in favor say I. 334 01:46:15.440 --> 01:46:31.760 >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing no opposition. Motion passes. We have the approved language for interference with the administration. >> Mr. Chair, may I ask a question? So, the the ballot question on this item, 335 01:46:31.760 --> 01:46:47.600 will it be just referencing the striking of the resolution? >> So, that's what I was just going to get into. >> Of course you were. Go ahead. >> Of course I It's cuz I was reading your mind. Don't worry, it wasn't me. There's no no credit here. Um, none. I was going to ask the town attorneys if while we're talking about this if we can look into 336 01:46:47.600 --> 01:47:03.360 see whether or not uh both of these questions are items that we can add on to a current question that has been proposed or whether or not there is lang or we're going to need to do a separate language uh for an additional ballot question and we can get it if you know if you have a little bit of time now as 337 01:47:03.360 --> 01:47:19.199 we're starting to go through the rest of these questions we can address it at the end. Is that fine Mr. Town attorney? >> Yeah. Yeah. And and and the other thing too is as I was hearing from some of you um is that you feel that there's too many questions here. So even though 338 01:47:19.199 --> 01:47:35.520 we've we've gone through all the language and we've kind of decided what we want to clean up. I mean if there's something here that you all feel that should be I don't know reworked or eliminated or something then I mean that's that's appropriate. I mean you 339 01:47:35.520 --> 01:47:51.520 you've just have this from today. So obviously I I think we're going to be talking about having another meeting, but you know, just want to put that out there. >> Yeah. And so now that we're finishing, Mr. Town attorney, your report is complete. >> Uh yes, Mr. Chair, I think so. >> Just to make sure we stick with the 340 01:47:51.520 --> 01:48:06.400 order of business, >> Mr. Chair, just >> give me one second real quick. Is it on old business on the time? >> On this particular one, as far as the qu how the questions are going to be on for the charter questions, they cannot be compound questions, can they? Can they be compound questions? Okay, we'll get 341 01:48:06.400 --> 01:48:21.920 to that part because we're right now just on the town attorney report which was on those two questions. >> That's I just want from order of business and then let me get to AA officially. >> And so now we're on 8A. >> No, but we're closing out the town attorney report. Nothing else. Correct, Mr. Town attorney. >> Nothing else except the questions that 342 01:48:21.920 --> 01:48:36.639 are before you. >> All right. So now we're going to go to items for discussion. Uh 8A new business. First one is review of questions. I'll start with Commissioner Bennett. You were inquiring about the questions. >> Correct. of the charter questions. They they can't be compound questions, can they? They have to be they have to stand 343 01:48:36.639 --> 01:48:53.440 on their own merits as I understood. >> Mr. Town attorney, >> they they can be single questions. Yes. >> Okay. >> They can be or they must be. >> No, no, I'm I'm sorry. >> Sorry, guys. No, they can be compound questions. >> They can be compounds. 344 01:48:53.440 --> 01:49:10.400 >> They can be several questions in in one. >> The only ones that have to have single subject are constitutional amendments. >> Yes. So, as you guys see here on the first page of what the town attorney provided us is the statutory framework that concerns the ballot questions that'll be submitted. And the as I 345 01:49:10.400 --> 01:49:26.480 understand it is under this section. The two requirements are that the battle the ballot title uh contain no more than 15 words and that the ballot summary language contain no more than 75 words. And that obviously there the summary must be clear and ambiguous unambiguous 346 01:49:26.480 --> 01:49:42.480 language and styled as a yes vote indicates approval and a no vote indicates rejection and the each charter amendment must stand alone. The failure of one ballot question must not invalidate the remaining provisions. So when we drafted uh or when the the town 347 01:49:42.480 --> 01:49:59.920 attorneys drafted this and we met to discuss in working out it um we you know adhering to both of those two requirements including you know the word counts for the both the ballot and the ballot summary um you know they try to com they work to combine several of our 348 01:49:59.920 --> 01:50:15.600 motions that we've made throughout uh and obviously is you know it's bring it to you guys as to what your opinions are on each of the ballot questions. question. And what the way I intend on going is going question by question rather than jumping around. And the way I'd like to see this is uh as we go 349 01:50:15.600 --> 01:50:31.199 through each of the questions, if we have an agreement in the language and we're fine with it, at least from an initial goaround, let's find out the ones that we're all completely in agree with that where we have no issues with the language, we're fine with with how it states and what it covers. And then so that way we can focus on the ones 350 01:50:31.199 --> 01:50:45.760 that we have a little bit less disagree or we have some disagreement on. So we can, you know, and then we can come back and revisit those a little. Well, uh, so we don't have to address those and those will be ready to go on a final vote, which I think, you know, depending on 351 01:50:45.760 --> 01:51:00.719 how late we go today, we may have to go to on a on the final, you know, maybe have a shorter meeting uh that we set forth. Uh, so that way we can finally say, okay, these are going to be the final questions. Uh, but let's figure out which ones we're fine with, that 352 01:51:00.719 --> 01:51:16.719 we're okay with, and then those that we're not okay with, if we want to have reddrafts or we want to have rewrites to the extent we can do it today, we can do it today. If we not, we can push it out to the next one to get that final aspect of it. Commissioner Bennett, >> just quickly, since the town attorney has said that compound questions are 353 01:51:16.719 --> 01:51:32.400 allowed, it comes back down to the summary must be a yes or no. What if the first part is yes and the second part is no in people's minds? >> That's what I'm trying to say. That's that's why I mean you can't I didn't think you could have compound questions because one question could be a yes and the other part of the question could be a no, 354 01:51:32.400 --> 01:51:48.239 >> right? So if you approve there's there's certain questions when you go through here that combine different subjects and we try to eliminate those type of situations and combine those that naturally have to go together. But if if you do something like that what you're saying which you know part of the question could be yes and part of the 355 01:51:48.239 --> 01:52:03.599 question could be no. Yeah. You you could have that result. >> Yeah. All right. So let's start off with question number one. Uh I'll go ahead and I'll read it is about the question number one ballot title is charter 356 01:52:03.599 --> 01:52:20.239 technical amendments updated terminology and grammatical cleanup. The ballot summary reads, "Shall the town charter be amended to one, replace council members with members of the council throughout clarifying that council members refer to at large council 357 01:52:20.239 --> 01:52:35.119 members and members of the council includes the mayor. Two, replace hearing with meeting in the citizens bill of rights. Three, correct cross references from article to the bill of right to 358 01:52:35.119 --> 01:52:53.199 bill of rights. Four, remove disability from section 2.5 to conform to Florida statutes. Five, update the town map. And six, make conforming nons substantive technical corrections. And that is the current title and ballot 359 01:52:53.199 --> 01:53:09.520 summary. And so I'm going to make a motion to approve it and then we can continue on with discussions afterwards. So that's my motion is to adopt this language as stated. >> I'll second. >> We have a second. So, I'll open up for discussion. I'll start with Vice Chairman Inguanzo. 360 01:53:09.520 --> 01:53:24.880 >> I was just gonna say I'm impressed that they got that to be exactly 75 words. So, perfect. So, good job. >> Thank MCC's uh council, Miss Madame Morales Castillia worked on 361 01:53:24.880 --> 01:53:41.520 us with us to make sure that these numbers, these word counts were very specific because we needed to get it there. Is there any discussion on this one? All right, there's no discussion. Is all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. 362 01:53:41.520 --> 01:53:57.199 >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the motion passes. Question one, guys, we're we're on our way. >> One down, 13 to go. >> Yes. >> Mhm. That's not too bad, though. I thought 13 questions was actually a lot. Not that many. Um, so question two is 363 01:53:57.199 --> 01:54:12.000 the ballot title January term commencement and annual vice mayor election. The ballot summary reads, "Shall the town charter be amended to provide that one, the term of office of all elected officials shall commence at 364 01:54:12.000 --> 01:54:27.840 12 noon on the second Tuesday of January following the general election, and two, effective with the election to be held in November 2028, the council shall elect one of its members as vice member vice mayor at the first January regular 365 01:54:27.840 --> 01:54:43.840 council meeting and each year thereafter." And so I'm going to be making a motion to adopt the language of question ballot question two again with discussion uh afterwards is second >> for discussion. >> Say we have a second and I'll open up 366 01:54:43.840 --> 01:55:00.159 for discussion commissioners. >> So I just want to ask a question. I I know we discussed at one point how to appoint the vice mayor but that's not going to come into this right into this item. >> Yes. It's the it's the second two is that the council shall elect one of its members as vice mayor. 367 01:55:00.159 --> 01:55:16.800 >> Right. not the mechanism as to how we would elect it. >> Remember we talked about either rotating or >> yes it would be elected by the council. Yeah. I I don't think we changed we didn't have the the amendment the motion that we had passed in reviewing this 368 01:55:16.800 --> 01:55:33.040 piece wasn't concerning how the election was going to be rather when it was going to be. And so that and we we bundled these two because obviously we would need to have the germ term January term commencing in January in order for the January for the mayor to be we just 369 01:55:33.040 --> 01:55:48.159 reasonably felt that they'd be tied together rather than having two separate ones. >> Any further discussion? >> I have two question. >> Question one is what would happen to the terms of the existing council members? 370 01:55:48.159 --> 01:56:03.119 So these would be the terms for newly elected council members. What would happen to the existing council member terms? >> Mr. Town attorney, >> the transition, right? >> Yeah, that's why you had that transition where just they phase out. 371 01:56:03.119 --> 01:56:18.320 >> No, but anyway, through the new slang. >> Correct. So, ballot question two deals with moving the the term of the council members from November essentially from election day, which is what the charter currently says, to January. So would 372 01:56:18.320 --> 01:56:34.880 that create a period between November where the existing council members office has terminated and January where the new council members >> basically what you have is a lame duck type situation where you have an election that's already passed. You have somebody that's a council member elect 373 01:56:34.880 --> 01:56:50.880 and then the council member just stays there for the remainder of that term and until January. Yeah. So if if this passes in January in uh November of 26, I think those people who have terms that would end in 28, their term would get 374 01:56:50.880 --> 01:57:07.599 would be extended from November until January. >> I I think it would behoove us to put that in here >> in the ballot question. >> Well, >> or >> but there's two things. One is the redline version that we've gone through which we've approved and the other one 375 01:57:07.599 --> 01:57:25.440 is a ballot question. >> Is it address >> is it addressed in the redline version? >> Yes. >> Okay then I'm fine. >> The second um question you see it's it is a it's a compound question. Um the the second part of the question um and 376 01:57:25.440 --> 01:57:41.119 and this one is more to Councilwoman uh Ruano. I I know when we discussed this um the the last time and obviously both both of us have extensive experience in the in the matter of you know how to elect and 377 01:57:41.119 --> 01:57:57.599 how to nominate uh vice mayors and I remember one of the things that you mentioned was that that there was some value in the vice mayor being somebody that the mayor felt they should you know that could carry out their agenda or 378 01:57:57.599 --> 01:58:13.280 that they could delegate certain things too. Would you be open to maybe the mayor nominating some one of the council members for vice mayor and then that being ratified rather than the way that we do it now 379 01:58:13.280 --> 01:58:29.599 where it's an atlarge all council members vote blindly? Um, would it would it be do you think it would be advantageous for the the mayor to profer uh somebody that they would like to appoint for that 380 01:58:29.599 --> 01:58:44.719 position and then the council to ratify? >> I I don't I don't see any harm in it. I mean, the council has to vote anyways. Um, it's definitely hasn't been done before, but I don't see any harm in it as long as if that person doesn't get doesn't receive the votes that there's 381 01:58:44.719 --> 01:59:01.599 maybe an option to, you know, accept nominations from the floor or something to that effect. But yeah, I would be I I did um I I'll say it again. I' I've always said it. I I saw a seamless transition when uh Vice Mayor uh Jeffrey Rodriguez was serving and Mayor Manny 382 01:59:01.599 --> 01:59:17.840 Sid had a complicated year and it was it was great for the town that that there was not a beat that was skipped because they were working in sync and it was it was seamless. I'm sure that it was seamless for the staff as well. So, I do see a lot of value in that. >> Commissioner Fernandez. Okay. 383 01:59:17.840 --> 01:59:35.599 >> So, uh through through the chair, Mr. attorney. Is that a a change that you would um be able to give us new ballot language >> on? I mean, obviously we have to we have to vote on it, but I think we should vote on language. Or do you want us to I 384 01:59:35.599 --> 01:59:52.000 guess to the chair should I'll make a motion to that effect. >> Well, if you you'll make a motion to what? Sorry. I'll make a motion to change uh the section where it says the council shall elect one of the uh one of its members 385 01:59:52.000 --> 02:00:07.520 as vice mayor at the first January regular council meeting to add the mayor shall appoint and the council shall confirm ratify >> the question right before you make your motion just kind of in thinking about it 386 02:00:07.520 --> 02:00:22.719 is do we want to be that prescriptive in the ballot question to begin with because you could I I think you can make the change to the charter question and it still would read shall select one of its members as vice mayor and not necessarily have that additional language there. I think you would be changing that in the charter or even 387 02:00:22.719 --> 02:00:39.280 just leave it to council council's ability to address it internally. Um because I think it because remember once you put it in the charter you can't change it. You know they're going to have the council is going to have to follow that process regardless of what they like. >> Yeah. I I I would prefer to do that just 388 02:00:39.280 --> 02:00:56.239 to remove any ambiguity and to remove it changing you know from council to council or change I I would rather memorialize it >> quick. So I think to the town attorney my question would be is if we make the lang change to the language in the charter to add what council or 389 02:00:56.239 --> 02:01:19.760 commissioner uh Fernandez is asking would that re charter language do you think it's what the current balance summary language is sufficient or would we have to modify to add that specificity of what was being changed in the charter I think you would have to change it in 390 02:01:19.760 --> 02:01:37.440 the in the actual charter only because the way that it currently reads in the charter is that the council votes for the vice mayor. Now you're saying that the council no longer really votes for it. It's an appointment of the mayor subject to ratification by the 391 02:01:37.440 --> 02:01:59.560 council. What's the current language? >> Yeah. What section are what's I I can't seem to find the charter where it references the election of the mayor. >> The vice mayor. >> I'm sorry, the vice mayor. >> 2.2. At the first council meeting, 392 02:02:01.280 --> 02:02:17.040 the council shall elect one of its members as vice mayor. >> Yes. So, I'll read it real quick into the record. Under 2.2 B, your vice mayor, halfway through the paragraph is at the first council 393 02:02:17.040 --> 02:02:33.119 meeting of after each regular town election or in any calendar year in which there is no regular town election, at the first council meeting in the month of November, the council shall elect one of its members as vice mayor. That's the current language and I don't 394 02:02:33.119 --> 02:02:47.920 have what we're what red line we may have done to that. Uh let me see 2.2 >> point of clarification. So as it is now anyone can nominate anyone as vice mayor but you want specific language that the 395 02:02:47.920 --> 02:03:05.440 me that the mayor will will basically nominate somebody as vice mayor. >> Yeah. So the the way that the way that it works now there is no nomination. It's just a vote, right? So you go you go directly to a to to a vo to a vote and you can vote for you know council 396 02:03:05.440 --> 02:03:22.560 members can vote for any council member >> uh that that's sitting on the council that time or or themselves. Yes. >> Okay. And so now I have the modified language that we had voted on and approved at the January 22nd 2026 commission meeting uh that was 397 02:03:22.560 --> 02:03:39.199 uh the language was effective with the election to be held in November 20. The the language that I just read was shricken to be replaced with effective with the election to be held in November 2028 at the subse at the subsequent January regular council meeting and each year 398 02:03:39.199 --> 02:03:56.000 thereafter the council shall elect one of its members as vice mayor. That's how I currently that's that's the motion that that was approved at that time. >> Right. So my my motion at this time would be to add the the language that 399 02:03:56.000 --> 02:04:14.159 the mayor shall appoint and the council shall ratify. Mr. Town attorney just uh I just want just from a port and order aspect of it given that we had a notice on the agenda is just going over the ballot questions not going back into specific language of 400 02:04:14.159 --> 02:04:29.440 the charter. Uh how should we address it? Can we reopen to have that? How I just want to make sure that procedurally we're following it correctly. Not to say that we don't want to go down. >> Yeah. I mean, whoever was on the prevailing party of that motion with 401 02:04:29.440 --> 02:04:51.119 regards to this question can reopen and and amend it. I mean, it's it's to the to the ballot question. Um, >> everyone party. >> Yes. At least based on the notes that I have here. All right. Then I guess somebody else if if somebody else wants 402 02:04:51.119 --> 02:05:13.920 to make that motion >> if I may if I may through the chair to the attorney. We would have to we would have to add language with respect to if if the nomination fails if the if the vote is not if the council does not ratify. 403 02:05:13.920 --> 02:05:29.920 >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And then also take into consideration is if it's not ratified, right, and then the mayor nominates the same person again. I I lived in the city of Miami when the city manager was fired on one night 404 02:05:29.920 --> 02:05:46.719 three times by the mayor. >> In nine words or less, by the way. So >> yeah, >> three times. >> Mr. Chair, so Mr. Vice Chair, >> point of clarification. So currently at that meeting where the vice mayor is elected, what happens? Is there a council person that's nominated by 405 02:05:46.719 --> 02:06:01.040 somebody? >> No. >> No. >> Attorney blind. >> Okay. >> How how is that election? It's just a blind vote. >> It's it's basically a blind vote. So basically someone just makes a nomination and then you know somebody 406 02:06:01.040 --> 02:06:16.400 seconds it as a motion and then there's a somebody else you know there's there's basically a vote. >> So I'm sorry Mr. the town attorney. >> No no I'm sorry. No no no. Everybody makes their own vote. >> You get a piece of paper. >> Yeah. Exactly. It's blind at the beginning, but then she reads them off and says so and so. 407 02:06:16.400 --> 02:06:32.239 >> The town clerk provides like what I call a ballot, the piece of paper saying I, >> you write your name. I'm going to use the example of if she allows me, council member Ruano. She would write I, Council Member Ruano, nominate, 408 02:06:32.239 --> 02:06:48.719 and then you write the person that your colleague that you're nominating. And um yeah, and then I count them and whoever gets four is the new vice mayor. And is that defined by a resolution or something? How did the town get to that process? That's just the way you always did it. >> I think yes, that's how it has been 409 02:06:48.719 --> 02:07:03.920 done. >> There's nothing in the charter that defines it as Commissioner Fernandez is suggesting, but >> I think that's that's a change. >> Yeah. >> No, that's a change. >> Yeah. Which is why I was asking whether 410 02:07:03.920 --> 02:07:19.599 from a procedural standpoint we can go and change other portions of the charter at this point given that we're now discussing ballot items and we only discussed on the chart that we have on the agenda was that we agend put on the agenda that we're going to discuss only agenda the ballot questions. >> Okay. So 411 02:07:19.599 --> 02:07:36.079 >> that's just one from a procedural standpoint or do we need to take a motion to reopen to allow this? >> The way that I think we should we should probably proceed is let's go question by question. if there are things that you want to I'm trying to think of how to how to do 412 02:07:36.079 --> 02:07:53.520 this now. Uh that that we've pretty much gone through the whole process of going through the charter and we're now at the end looking at the questions. I mean certainly I'm not going to tell you you don't have the right to to to amend uh previously approved language. Um, now if 413 02:07:53.520 --> 02:08:09.280 you do want to do that and it was based on a motion, then definitely you do have to be on the prevailing side according to Robert's rules in order to bring that item back up. Um, so is it what's on the agenda for tonight? No, it's going through the questions, but it's 414 02:08:09.280 --> 02:08:25.520 germanine to the question. So I can't say that it would be completely improper to do that. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. Just may >> further clarification to the town attorney. Would the council have the ability to determine how they want to 415 02:08:25.520 --> 02:08:40.320 select the vice mayor? Could they put in place, hey, we'll do it through a nomination process and one person is nominated or two people are nominated, then you vote or >> could they draft a resolution? >> Yeah. Yeah. So that that's a that's a 416 02:08:40.320 --> 02:08:57.280 great question and I would say yes. uh in many instances when the charter is not prescriptive then an ordinance or resolution is adopted prescribing the actual method um you had that happen with uh the manager selection the attorney selection and it 417 02:08:57.280 --> 02:09:13.840 was let further defined by ordinance so yes >> well but in that case though the charter does specifically reference at least for the manager that there shall be an ordinance to put into effect >> the one for the manager yes it did >> but so my question is >> but if it doesn't and it's silent then you you >> then the council has the ability to do 418 02:09:13.840 --> 02:09:30.480 that by resolution. >> Okay. I mean, I, you know, I don't know that I would want to go down the road to change the process, but if the council has the ability, if they determine that they want to do it, then it sounds like they have the ability to make that determination. 419 02:09:30.480 --> 02:09:46.320 >> They would. Yes, sir. >> All right. So, if anyone wants to make a motion uh to amend the charter language, you know, we'll go ahead and I'll accept it as per the town attorney's germaine to this ballot question. All right, seeing none. 420 02:09:46.320 --> 02:10:06.480 Sorry, Commissioner Fernandez. All right, now back to the ballot question itself. Any further discussion on the ballot question two. All right, seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and call the vote on ballot 421 02:10:06.480 --> 02:10:22.239 question two. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? We have one no and six yeses. Is that correct, town clerk? >> Confirmed. Only one no. >> Did you want to poll or it doesn't 422 02:10:22.239 --> 02:10:38.400 really matter? >> No, I understand. I understand. >> It got pulled. >> All right. So, now we're going to go to ballot question number three. I'll read the ballot title is resign to run vacancies filled at next regularly 423 02:10:38.400 --> 02:10:54.960 scheduled town election. The ballot summary reads shall the town charter be amended to provide that when a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member arises from a resignation submitted pursuant to section 99.012 012 Florida 424 02:10:54.960 --> 02:11:12.000 statutes parentheses resign to run in parenthesis. The vacancy shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled election of the town with the town cur town clerk promptly notifying the Miami Dade County Supervisor of elections and opening a 425 02:11:12.000 --> 02:11:28.000 qualifying period for the vacated seat. Question mark. I'll make a motion to adopt this language. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a second and discussion. Yeah, I I would like your butt. You want to? >> Sorry. I just want to maybe get 426 02:11:28.000 --> 02:11:42.880 clarification. I I saw council member Hzburg talk about a gap that could lead to an open seat. Do you foresee that happening with that language? No, one thing that I I discussed with the chair um prior to the meeting starting uh 427 02:11:42.880 --> 02:12:00.320 based on uh hers council hersburg's concern would be to add language that would say um the vacancy shall be at filled at the next regular election of the town or earlier as provided by the council with the town clerk uh prompt. So what that 428 02:12:00.320 --> 02:12:15.199 would do is that it's either at the next regular scheduled or it could be earlier if the council town council so decides and give that flexibility >> by a special election or just appointment >> but no yeah it would be election I think this is referring specifically to resign 429 02:12:15.199 --> 02:12:31.760 to run during a normal election process >> right >> oh yeah this this vacancies >> this is not a vacancy that somebody in the middle of a term un un you know resigns for no other some other reason >> yes yeah that language yeah thank town. Yeah, that yeah, that language you 430 02:12:31.760 --> 02:12:47.040 were talking about was with regards to vacancies, not on the resign to run because the resign to run would be generally happening. It it potentially has the aspect I guess hypothetically there some scenario I'm sure you could get where someone's running for another seat that's outside 431 02:12:47.040 --> 02:13:04.719 of the town that might resign to run. So just again so that for clarification purposes, how is the the language now proposed the vacancy shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled election of 432 02:13:04.719 --> 02:13:21.040 the town, or earlier if the what? >> No, that was with regards to >> No, it's it's with regards to this regards to this one as well. >> Just want to make sure that it's also well this would create a vacancy. >> Read it again if you can. >> Sure. 433 02:13:21.040 --> 02:13:36.159 So, >> shall the town charter be amended to provide that when a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member arises from a resignation submitted pursuant to section 99.012, Florida statutes, resigned to run, comma, the vacancy shall be filled at 434 02:13:36.159 --> 02:13:51.679 the next regularly scheduled election of the town or earlier as provided by the council with the town clerk promptly notifying the Miami date county supervisor of election and opening opening a qualifying period for the vacated seat. because you you could have the the issue where you do have the 435 02:13:51.679 --> 02:14:07.920 person resigning to run someplace else uh and that creates the vacancy and it stays open for you know for a long period of time. >> Okay. So just from a procedural standpoint because I know we had drafted this language so it's in in connection with this and I'm about to make an a motion to amend this into the original 436 02:14:07.920 --> 02:14:24.079 motion but just to ask uh from a procedural standpoint then we have to go also then amend back the charter provision to add this language as well. Yes, we would. >> Okay. Which one do you think we need to do first? The first the charter language or >> the charter language might have already 437 02:14:24.079 --> 02:15:25.760 been. Can you can you double check Mus? So I don't believe the charter can't remember I mean for for sake of time. >> Sure. One one thing that you may want to consider if you want to do this is you can go ahead and approve that you want 438 02:15:25.760 --> 02:15:42.400 that u specificity or earlier as provided by the council and we'll go back and amend the redline version. Give us that instruction and we'll come back when it's fully approved. I have the feeling we're probably going to have another meeting. >> Got it. Okay. I understand. All right. 439 02:15:42.400 --> 02:15:59.920 So then on that suggestion I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to make so we can move at least the ballot summary is to a inter motion to add in the language following the town comma is or as earlier as provided by the council 440 02:15:59.920 --> 02:16:13.760 add that language in there. That's my motion. >> So I I'll second for discussion Mr. >> We have a dis second for discussion and I'll start commissioner Fernandez. >> All right. So, um th this uh this item was very much uh something that I 441 02:16:13.760 --> 02:16:30.480 brought forward originally and the the intent behind doing this was to maximize the amount of people that would be voting on this vacancy and to eliminate the need for a special election. So I I 442 02:16:30.480 --> 02:16:46.319 can't be supportive of the language that's being um suggested now because that would create a mechanism to hold the special election which is contrary to the to the uh to the spirit of my original item. Um, I think the the the 443 02:16:46.319 --> 02:17:01.920 point is you would know because of resigning to run and and I'm going through different, you know, elected offices that some, you know, somebody could aspire to hold that would cause there to be an issue for it to be out of 444 02:17:01.920 --> 02:17:19.200 cycle. And the the only other one that uh a resident of the town that sits on this council would be able to do would be some sort of county position, which could foreseeably have an election in August, right? And I think even if that 445 02:17:19.200 --> 02:17:34.240 resignation is tendered effective August, whatever, um which it may not necessarily have to because those positions don't >> until January until January. county, state, all of those other positions, 446 02:17:34.240 --> 02:17:50.960 they don't uh even if they are held in August, they don't take effect. The ter the start of that those terms don't start until uh January. >> Yes. >> January what? >> The the the subsequent the January. >> No, no. I I understand. But is is there 447 02:17:50.960 --> 02:18:08.399 is there a date certain in January? I think the state and the county uh stipulated and I think it's like the second uh it's similar to the language that we put in second Tuesday of the commencement of terms, >> right? And so it it may or may not be 448 02:18:08.399 --> 02:18:25.280 moot because if we change our terms in the event that the item that that we're taking to the voters to change when our terms begin coincides with that January term then that then the possibility of 449 02:18:25.280 --> 02:18:40.800 this happening is zero. >> Yeah. And the only thing that would be some office I got elected in odd years or >> well Mr. Mr. Town Manager in listening to uh Councilman Herszburg when he discussed it, I think he used the example um as well is that the 450 02:18:40.800 --> 02:18:57.439 possibility of a special, you know, say a congressman something happens that they come off their seat early and they hold a a special election to fill that congressional seat or even a state seat that is completely off cycle to fill 451 02:18:57.439 --> 02:19:15.439 that in that that seat. and a count then sitting council member then decides hey look I'm going to run for that seat has to file the resign to run it's going to be let's say it's in happens in January of 2027 which is an off cycle we're not going to have an election until uh August of 2028 452 02:19:15.439 --> 02:19:31.280 and then you know so that resign to run is going to effectuate and if the election is going to be held in March of 2027 you would effectively have now almost a full year before you would have the election so there would be circumstances on offsite cycle on those special type of appointment type of 453 02:19:31.280 --> 02:19:47.840 positions. Um where I believe and I and and that's where I listened and I and I looked at my notes is when I took from when council member Herszburg was talking about that resigned of vacancy is why I had noted that aspect of it. So that was that was the circumstance that I thought. 454 02:19:47.840 --> 02:20:04.640 >> I'm I'm fine with it. >> Okay. Any other discussion on the addition of this language? >> Mr. Chair. Yes. Just for clarification on my end. So, cuz I know when we discussed this and I remember when Commissioner Fernandez brought it up and we discussed it at great length. So, if 455 02:20:04.640 --> 02:20:20.080 someone is going to run for another office and they submit their letter of resignation and it's dated effective election day, right? Whatever that date is, November 3rd, does that mean that per this language 456 02:20:20.080 --> 02:20:34.560 somebody could run for their seat for the November 3rd election? >> Yes. >> Yes. That was the intent of uh Commissioner Fernandez is the way that the language is and it would require the town clerk then if if if let's say if it was just keeping it to a town council one which was I think the example that we used when we were having the main 457 02:20:34.560 --> 02:20:51.040 discussion um that person files in whenever is in June or July for the within the qualifying period for the town. They say hey I'm going to be running for mayor or some other type of seat that'll cause me to do the resign to run. I file it. It'll then obviously that's going to close it out for our 458 02:20:51.040 --> 02:21:06.160 terms, but then it's directing now the clerk to notify the special elections, open up a a special qualifying period quickly so that way we can get it back on uh the November ballot based on >> Okay. >> the proposal here. >> Perfect. 459 02:21:06.160 --> 02:21:21.520 >> So that way there wouldn't be that aspect of trying to fill the vacancy or anything like that. It's just go straight into that. >> Great. Good fix. >> Yeah. And it also with the language it'll since they'll it avoids dual office holding because it'll end the 460 02:21:21.520 --> 02:21:37.680 resign to run is effective at the end of the term which is their next term is they're going to start they'd have to it'd be effective anyways at that point. >> Okay. All right. If no further discussion uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none the motion passes to add this language. Now we're 461 02:21:37.680 --> 02:21:54.479 back on the main ballot summary language uh including uh I'll restate in the record. Shall the town charter be amended to provide that when a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member arises from a resignation submitted pursuant to section 99.012 012 Florida 462 02:21:54.479 --> 02:22:10.960 statutes resigned to run. The vacant uh the vacancy shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled election of the town or as earlier provided by the council with the town clerk pro promptly notifying the Miami Dade County Supervisor of elections and opening a 463 02:22:10.960 --> 02:22:27.040 qualifying period for the vacated seat. That is the current language of as amended. Any further discussion? >> Is that 75 words or less? It was 66 plus one two three four five six seven eight. 464 02:22:27.040 --> 02:22:46.560 >> Okay, you're you're on to the wire. >> An extra word system. >> Yay. >> All right. Yes, I know we had counted that when we were when we were looking at it earlier. All right. Uh if no further discussion is all in favor say I. I. 465 02:22:46.560 --> 02:23:09.920 >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the B the amend language as amended is approved. All right. Now, question number four. Um, the ballot title is filling council vacancies and forfeite of office procedures. The ballot summary reads, 466 02:23:09.920 --> 02:23:24.960 "Shall the town charter be amended to revise vacancy and forfeit forefeite procedures by one providing that forfeiture for unexcused absence from three meetings shall occur by operation of law. Two, revising the procedure for 467 02:23:24.960 --> 02:23:41.760 filling vacancies with less than 6 months remaining." Mayor nomination within 30 days of with council confirmation. Three, requiring a special election for vacancies with six or more months remaining. And four, 468 02:23:41.760 --> 02:24:03.120 addressing simultaneous mayor and vice mayor vacancies. And then this item three is pending the discussion to be held. That isn't that last part is not part of the question by the way. >> You need a motion to discuss. Uh yeah, 469 02:24:03.120 --> 02:24:19.359 we need a motion to move forward with discussion. >> All right, I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we have a motion to approve this language. We have second to open for discussions. I'm going to go first with the vice chairman and then we're going to go to Commissioner Bennett. >> Yeah, I understand what all this is 470 02:24:19.359 --> 02:24:36.720 doing, but it's really really confusing and I think there's a lot of important stuff here and I think when it's this confusing, people are just going to either skip it or vote no because they don't understand what it does. And I know it's tough to craft in 75 words, but this stuff is important. So, 471 02:24:36.720 --> 02:24:52.319 we got to figure out what the right words are because the way it reads right now, I think people I would it it took me a minute to really understand everything, but I had to refer back to my notes and people aren't going to do that when they're in the voting booth and they're either going to skip it or vote no >> through the chair to the minister attorney. 472 02:24:52.319 --> 02:25:08.160 >> I mean, this is a challenge that we had with a lot of the changes we've done and what we've tried to do is consolidate, but but I agree with you. It's not it's as the best that we could with what we have, but we can we can split this up into two questions, >> two or more questions. And just keeping in mind it's adding questions. We try to 473 02:25:08.160 --> 02:25:23.280 minimize the number of questions. But look, you guys are, you know, we're all here to take a look at it. And if we feel feel it's too complicated, we also need to uncomplicate it even if it just means more questions because more simpler questions like you guys said, you know, as you guys know, might be 474 02:25:23.280 --> 02:25:41.600 easier to read and understand and vote upon. Okay. So, yeah, that that comes back again to a compound question. I'm sorry to say, but yeah, it is too confusing because you can say yes to the top part, which is already there, and then no to the bottom part, in which case I don't know how that you can't even you can't 475 02:25:41.600 --> 02:25:58.960 do that. So, you leave it blank. So yeah, the the other issue of course is if we go from seven council members to five council members and we have our mayor and vice mayor resign, then we have the last three that's going to be appointing the void meer mayor and vice mayor. As commissioner Abad stated, it 476 02:25:58.960 --> 02:26:15.359 really becomes convoluted issue. So I think it needs to be split up. >> All right. So we have a motion right now on this language. Do we have I would take it as an intro motion to split these questions up and if so please give 477 02:26:15.359 --> 02:26:29.840 a suggestion of how you would like to have it split not just say they were going to split it up. >> Well uh you know for me I'm sorry. >> Yep. The question regarding the filling the vacancies with less than six months 478 02:26:29.840 --> 02:26:46.080 remaining. Well I think >> two and three. >> Well this is less than six months but what if it's more than six months? Is that a question? >> That's question. There's two and three. >> Oh, two and three. >> Two is less than three is more than. >> Okay. Yeah. Honestly, I think that 479 02:26:46.080 --> 02:27:03.359 warrants more. I I think that should be a question by itself really to kind of make sure people really understand what happens if there's less than 6 months and more than 6 months. And there to me there isn't there isn't enough information as a voter if I just simply read the question to know what would 480 02:27:03.359 --> 02:27:18.399 happen, right? And I know the voter guide will provide that level of detail, but I think the question has to have enough substance for a voter that we would assume that they're not going to see the voter guide and they'd still be able to vote on that. >> Correct. Basically, a simple yay or nay 481 02:27:18.399 --> 02:27:34.080 is is what we need on these questions. Also, do we need to address the time period of 30 days as Mayor Diegas requested to go to 45 days? Anything like that? >> Well, yes. If we're going to be amending those types of things, those are things that can be addressed at this time, you 482 02:27:34.080 --> 02:27:49.840 know, in amending that because that's also going to be something that'll take two votes to not only amend here, but also the underlying charter. >> Okay. I'll I'll I'll yield to your procedural knowledge on this then. >> Oh, no. That's why I defer to the town attorney on procedural matters. 483 02:27:49.840 --> 02:28:06.479 >> Um I think Commissioner Fernandez or Commissioner B. I forgot. I saw a hand over there. >> I I mean I do have a question. I when you talk about forfeite for unexcused absence, I mean, who's going to determine unexcused? Are we going to have to the council going to have to bring a note when they're absent or 484 02:28:06.479 --> 02:28:23.439 doctor's note? I I don't get that. And they shall occur by operation of law. I mean, can you just explain that to me though? >> Yes, that Well, the operation of law is the language that we amended into that into that provision we took out. I 485 02:28:23.439 --> 02:28:40.080 forgot. I'd have to look back real quick. >> It removed the discretion of the council and just made it automatic. You You're absent automatically out. >> So you're absent three times, you're out. Automatically, >> no need to take a vote. >> Nobody needs to bring >> nothing up. 486 02:28:40.080 --> 02:29:08.240 >> Section 2.5. >> That's what you voted. I believe this was the discussion we had at the last meeting. >> Can I ch here? Can I ask a question? >> Sure. Madam clerk, >> just to make sure refresh my memory because I know um I did the minutes but 487 02:29:08.240 --> 02:29:24.240 I don't remember that was a this is like a few months ago. providing for unexcused absence. What I just want to make sure what is the definition of unexcused absence and who will make that determination. 488 02:29:24.240 --> 02:29:40.399 >> I think I I'm trying to remember the discussion but I have a sense that it was the discussion is that we were leaving it to the council to determine that amongst themselves. That's what I recall from our discussions and if anybody else has a better recollection. So if this passes, 489 02:29:40.399 --> 02:29:56.560 Lorenzo, it means that >> we would have to or you would have to draft an ordinance to clarify. >> Correct. >> I just want to make sure because >> right what is >> also um does is teleresence considered an attention or do you actually have to 490 02:29:56.560 --> 02:30:12.240 be physically here as opposed to watching it in by teleresence? So, is that considered an excused absence or is that not considered an absence at all as long as you're participating by television? >> I think that would be for the council to to decide. 491 02:30:12.240 --> 02:30:29.600 >> Yes. So, I'm looking at the motion that was or I'm looking at the language that was modified. This is section 2.5 vacancies subsection B Roman Small 2. And the only change that was made in that section was changing of the phrase 492 02:30:29.600 --> 02:30:45.600 council member to members of the council. So it reads a member of the council shall be subject to the forfeiture of his or her office. We struck the language in the discretion of the remaining council members and left the rest of the charter language which was if he she or she he is absent 493 02:30:45.600 --> 02:31:01.600 without good cause from any three regular meetings of the council during any calendar year or if she he is absent without good cause from any three consecutive regular council meetings or regular meetings of the council whether 494 02:31:01.600 --> 02:31:18.080 or not during the same calendar year. So all that was changed was the change of council member to member of the council and the striking of the language in the discretion of the remaining council members as to >> whether they'll be subject to forfeite. 495 02:31:18.080 --> 02:31:34.240 So it would just be automatic that's why it was by operation of law. So if that is being eliminated, who then decides what is good cause because you just eliminated I think you just read that the council members are not going to decide. 496 02:31:34.240 --> 02:31:50.080 >> I what I think what I think the way I read it that it will and from what I'm recalling what is eliminated at the discretion is whether or not it's subject to forfeite. If the council members, I believe, make a determination, no, those are not with good cause, then I think it just automatically happens forfeite. And the 497 02:31:50.080 --> 02:32:06.560 way it currently reads, if they're if they determine, hey, look, it it it does or doesn't have good cause, I think they still have the discretion to determine whether or not it's going to be subject them to forfeite of their office. I think it's two-step process versus the way the current language is proposed where there's only a one-step process 498 02:32:06.560 --> 02:32:24.479 where the council is going to determine, yes, this met good cause, this did not make good cause. And if they say it doesn't make good cause, then it automatically it's going to subject of a forfeite. >> So again, just to clarify, the decision will be made by the elected 499 02:32:24.479 --> 02:32:42.160 officials. They will decide >> what's good cause. That's my interpretation of how I read and from what I recall in our discussions when we had this one. >> And it's going to have to be created by ordinance. >> Well, they could or they couldn't. It's up to them. I just need clarification 500 02:32:42.160 --> 02:32:59.359 because at the end of the day it's going to come to me. I'm the one who does the minutes and I need I'm just saying now that we have the time the meeting of of the minds and you're all intelligent people. I just want to make sure that when I start taking the minutes and I say hm this person has been absent three 501 02:32:59.359 --> 02:33:15.680 times. Maybe that person is going to come to me and say hey you know I was in the hospital due to work I was traveling. I need to know is it me making the termination or will I get some guidance from the governing body >> through the chair? >> Go ahead, Mr. 502 02:33:15.680 --> 02:33:31.120 >> Um that that's a policy decision for the council for them to make as to who is going to make the determination. It can be adopted formally into the code. It could be done by by policy by doing a resolution. They already have their own rules of procedure and the charter also does provide that they can create their 503 02:33:31.120 --> 02:33:46.800 own rules of procedure. So the a good faith determination could be just an a step that's incorporated into those rules of procedure. What the issue is here and what the the I think the charter uh changes is what the remedy is once they've made that 504 02:33:46.800 --> 02:34:03.520 determination and the remedy is forfeite automatic. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Chair, further clarification to what the town attorney just said, and I know you read it, but the current provision in the charter that relates to the forfeite 505 02:34:03.520 --> 02:34:19.200 >> makes reference to if you miss three meetings without good cause, you will be removed, right? >> In which established >> absent good cause >> absent good cause, but then the procedures are established in the 506 02:34:19.200 --> 02:34:35.760 charter. So there's a whole paragraph that talks about how they make that determination. So to clarify for me again, I'll ask the town attorney. The change is what exactly? Again, >> the change that's being proposed in 507 02:34:35.760 --> 02:34:50.880 >> the forfeite >> the for and the procedures don't currently call for that. >> I can read into the record. I have the current town charter if you want to. A council member shall be subject to 508 02:34:50.880 --> 02:35:10.000 forfeiture of his her office in the discretion of the remaining council members. >> Stop there because that's what's being struck. Yes. >> So that I'm reading how it is right now. Do I continue or not? Okay. So in the discretion of the remaining council 509 02:35:10.000 --> 02:35:28.319 members, if she he is absent without good cause from three regular meetings of the council during any calendar year or if she he is absent without good cause from any three consecutive regular 510 02:35:28.319 --> 02:35:44.080 meetings of the council whether or not during the same calendar year. My understanding is that what is being eliminated is in the discretion of the remaining council members. I think that got approved. I remember. >> Yeah. >> So, does that mean the discretion goes 511 02:35:44.080 --> 02:35:59.120 to you then? >> No, I don't have any discretion. That's why I asked five minutes ago. >> That that that >> who makes that determination? >> Yeah. The way I read that section, the the deletion and from what I recall from our conversation, the discretion that 512 02:35:59.120 --> 02:36:16.640 was being removed was as to whether or not it would constitute forfeite. Well, so section 2.5B3 establishes the procedures for the council. And it says, "The council shall be the sole judge of the qualifications 513 02:36:16.640 --> 02:36:31.520 of its members and shall hear all questions relating to forfeite of a council member's office, including whether or not good cause for absence has been or may be established." And then it goes on to define the burden of establishing good cause shall be blah blah blah blah. I mean, there's a whole 514 02:36:31.520 --> 02:36:48.800 section on that. So my my understanding and please somebody correct me if I'm not understanding this correctly um is that the way that it reads now and the way that it sits now whether or not the council determines that there's good cause the the council could determine 515 02:36:48.800 --> 02:37:07.600 that there is no um good cause right but still decide to keep the council member this eliminates the possibility I I could say you know Councilman Ronaldo hasn't been here for 6 months, but I I like her and I want to keep her on the council. Um, they have the discretion to 516 02:37:07.600 --> 02:37:22.960 do that. This would eliminate that discretion so that if if they don't show up, they would automatically be removed. Now, it the council still has the discretion to determine whether or not it was for good cause or not good cause. 517 02:37:22.960 --> 02:37:39.359 They maintain that. they just don't have they they can no longer exercise the discretion of whether or not they want to keep them if the absences were not for good cause. >> That's correct. >> Mr. Attorney, uh quick question. So, and once again, because I know we started 518 02:37:39.359 --> 02:37:55.520 the telepresence thing, if a commission, excuse me, if a council member, can he vote from a remote location and be counted? >> Yes, it's quorum. >> Okay. Okay. So, in other words, as long as his presence is is is in the in the chamber, he has his is full of voting. 519 02:37:55.520 --> 02:38:11.920 It's not considered an absence. Correct. >> And we're going to we accept that teleresence is is basically not a reason, a good cause. >> Under the law, it is. Now, each government body can decide to adopt their own rules and whether they want to count it as a presence or not presence, 520 02:38:11.920 --> 02:38:27.280 that's up to each governing body. But under the law, it's allowed. >> Okay. I'm just trying to say discretionary. Let's assume we have as long as commissioner Rano council is still here. Somebody doesn't like her, you know, or say uh the mayor needs to appoint somebody new to that seat. So 521 02:38:27.280 --> 02:38:41.359 they convince three other council members to remove uh her because of she had a few absences or a couple of teleresents and then she would be removed and then the mayor gets to appoint whoever he chooses. That scenario can happen. This can be abused. 522 02:38:41.359 --> 02:38:57.840 In other words, am I reading that right? I mean the way it exists right now that can happen. So the only change that I see here is is just the actual remedy itself. So the council what's going to decide is whether it's good cause or or 523 02:38:57.840 --> 02:39:13.200 not good cause the absences. If the if the absences add up and it's not good cause then the decision is is not by the council. Council's already >> So I guess my question to the commission is should we address that scenario? Should should we the language of this 524 02:39:13.200 --> 02:39:30.240 address that scenario? Is that something that is important enough? And I'm asking the members who did serve on the council, you know, that if this would be a significant um thing that should be a part of our commission, our our um charter. 525 02:39:30.240 --> 02:39:46.479 >> Sure. >> Through the chair. Um, I think that the question the the way the way that I read it in the past, the only way that a person would be subject to this is if someone on the council brought the item to say, "Council member John Doe has 526 02:39:46.479 --> 02:40:01.920 been absent for three meetings and I want to bring this up. Otherwise, it wouldn't happen." So in years past there were council members that were absent frequently but no one ever brought it up because it's not collegial and it's it's not a pleasant thing to do. So this 527 02:40:01.920 --> 02:40:18.880 removes that. It just makes it automatic. Right? If you're not here for three meetings then by the charter you have to be removed. The only discretion that's left is for the council members to decide whether or not in this hearing process that's that's written here 528 02:40:18.880 --> 02:40:34.399 whether or not the absences are excused. And then I guess the council can decide, you know, whether you were sick or whether you had surgery or whether you were on vacation or or whatnot, right? That that that's how I read it. I understand your concern. I think that 529 02:40:34.399 --> 02:40:50.319 when we discussed it originally, as long as you vote, whether you're on Zoom or you're physically in the room, as long as you're voting, to me, you're present. You're you are fulfilling your duties. the the bigger question for me at that moment and I don't think that we were 530 02:40:50.319 --> 02:41:05.520 ever able to really address it. I don't think that there's a solution to it is a council members that that come to a meeting for 30 minutes and leave or a council member that comes to a meeting for an hour and let's say there's an hour of public comments but they have to leave so they didn't actually vote on 531 02:41:05.520 --> 02:41:20.800 anything. Is that still considered present or not? Because attendance is taken at the beginning of the meeting but many times there's council members that that have that have to leave. Sometimes you have to leave, you know, at 11:30 at night and you've already voted for 90% of the agenda, but 532 02:41:20.800 --> 02:41:37.439 sometimes, you know, you only come and you establish your presence and then you go. So I I know I understand that your concern is with the tele participation. I'm not as concerned with that as long as they're voting through the entire meeting as I'm more concerned with those 533 02:41:37.439 --> 02:41:52.800 and I don't think that it's happening now and it hasn't happened in a long time, but I think that my tenure was one in which everything happened. So there were there were moments where you know there was attendance that that was taken and then the council member was no longer in the chambers. So does that 534 02:41:52.800 --> 02:42:09.200 constitute presence or not? It was that that was my biggest concern. >> And >> yeah so one second I just want to point so I I don't think that you had you had explained the process. I don't think the process of determining whether or not good cause is there I don't think that's an automatically it just gets put on the 535 02:42:09.200 --> 02:42:24.160 agenda. I still believe that a council member would still need to bring it up. um because it's still within the process. I don't know if the council currently has in their procedures that they've adopted whether they have a process for this, you know, does the council member bring it up, does the 536 02:42:24.160 --> 02:42:39.280 town clerk bring it up or whatnot. I don't think it just automatically if someone's missed those time periods that it would then jump automatically onto the agenda to be addressed as to whether or not I don't know, Mr. Town attorney. >> No, there's nothing really that 537 02:42:39.280 --> 02:42:55.120 prescriptive in in the in the town rules. uh in the town policies for for council members, the special rules that addresses this. Um in the past, as u the commissioner has has alluded, it's just been brought up uh and and discussed, 538 02:42:55.120 --> 02:43:11.920 and that's as far as it's gotten. >> Yeah, >> maybe I interpret it wrong. The way that I interpreted this hearing process, it it reads to me as that council member that's going to be removed would request this hearing. If they don't then they're just removed by >> No, because I because I because the way 539 02:43:11.920 --> 02:43:26.960 the reads is still that a member of council shall be subject to forfeite is not that they will be that they will forfeit but they're subject to the forfeite which to me the when I read it is that that penalty is there but someone has to raise it as an issue 540 02:43:26.960 --> 02:43:42.720 which would then bring it up a hey look you know what I think you know commissioner Javier if I was a council member and I'll use myself an example if I've missed more than if I've missed those these meetings and you know and you know town attorney Goella says hey look I think we need to 541 02:43:42.720 --> 02:43:59.439 bring this up on the agenda because he's missed whatever these time periods then we hold the hearing and then I'd have to explain why uh my absences establish good cause hopefully with my c my fellow council members voting in agreement and if they don't and they say no those are those are without cause you know I was 542 02:43:59.439 --> 02:44:15.040 just taking out vacation and I I just decided I didn't feel like coming here and then they say no that's without good cause then automatically it'd I'd be forfeiting the office the way that this without taking out the discretion when or taking out the language as we have proposed then they would have just you 543 02:44:15.040 --> 02:44:30.319 guys determined hey look you have no good cause so you're done so they don't have any choice it's taking away the ability of the council to say okay well you know what you didn't have good cause but we still want to keep you you know you've been great otherwise we want to keep you up onto the council it's taking 544 02:44:30.319 --> 02:44:46.000 away that discretion the moment that they've decided that that's not good cause is now that they've now is the forfeite has to happen by operational law, >> right? So, but but someone has to I mean it has to be brought I guess administratively it would be brought to a council meeting 545 02:44:46.000 --> 02:45:02.319 >> I believe so well putting it up as an item to be addressed at the at the next council meeting or call a special >> but through the clerk or through administration not through the council >> because I I think that the >> vote I don't know if Mr. town attorney if you have any thoughts on that specificity. I think you know I think 546 02:45:02.319 --> 02:45:18.080 that I I'm thinking the town the council could probably adopt their own procedures of how it would come about or if not it's just it could be just by anybody's decision bringing it up. >> Yep. I things of of that nature of procedure and um is is something that is usually 547 02:45:18.080 --> 02:45:34.479 brought up in the rule special rules of procedure for the council which is adopted by resolution. So if they wanted to be prescriptive as to this situation happens and this is how you you would handle it, that's where it it would be in that document. >> Okay. And and my then my question is 548 02:45:34.479 --> 02:45:51.359 will it then he you brought it up. He tries to defend his absences. It it goes to a vote of the council and obviously a three or whatever it is a majority to remove him then would be on the table as a vote of the council. Am I correct? 549 02:45:51.359 --> 02:46:06.080 >> Yes. >> Yes. Well, yeah, it'll be Yeah, because he'd be subject to a public hearing that's under the procedures >> pro. And so once again, if he had seven absences, but the council decides not to carry a majority vote to remove him. He remains. >> No, they would they would they're under 550 02:46:06.080 --> 02:46:23.279 the proposed language, they're not carrying a vote as to whether or not to remove him. They would be taking a vote as to whether or not the absences constituted good cause or not. >> Okay, that's be the only thing that same thing. >> Well, no, not really. >> Same thing. Same result. 551 02:46:23.600 --> 02:46:37.760 All right. >> But again, nothing determines what's an excuse. It's just the council. So, so let's say commission member for one, it's tax season. She couldn't make it. No, no, I'm going to. So, hey, it's workrelated. We can decide if it's 552 02:46:37.760 --> 02:46:53.439 excused or not. However, commission member Fernandez is in Vegas. You know, we don't know if it's on vacation or working. We still have, you know what I'm saying? Are we going to be deciding the same way or what's excused, what's not excused? I mean, I know in the school system, hey, bring me that 553 02:46:53.439 --> 02:47:10.160 medical note, but we're not going to ask >> a commission member to bring a note. I mean, >> you know, I can defer to the town attorney, but I think it's it's just going to depend on the council members. They're they're the ones that are responsible for holding each other accountable. >> And if they don't hold the accountable, who is it? The town the town folks, >> but but that's exactly what we have 554 02:47:10.160 --> 02:47:26.000 right now. So, what's the point of making the change? Well, the change what it does is that it makes it in the discretion as to whether or not subject them to forfeite the way that it currently is. They could find, hey, look, you know, you don't have good cause. You know, Commissioner Fernandez doesn't have good cause to be in Vegas. That's not that that doesn't we're not 555 02:47:26.000 --> 02:47:41.200 going to say that's good cause because we don't want other people going out to Vegas and missing meetings, but you know what? We're going to keep them on the board. What the elimination of at the discretion of would just mean we say, you know what, you don't have good cause in going to Vegas. Okay, you're done. It's operational law. They don't have to 556 02:47:41.200 --> 02:47:56.160 decide whether or not you're going to forfeiture subject to forfeite rather it's just going to be they determine whether or not it was good cause or not and then it just happens at that point. >> The the way that I see it is that it forces the council to have that conversation because in the past there 557 02:47:56.160 --> 02:48:12.880 was nothing that would force the council members to even discuss it. It was happening but no one would bring it up. So it was like it wasn't happening here because it's going to because the charter calls for that conversation to be had. The conversation is going to be about the validity of the absences but 558 02:48:12.880 --> 02:48:30.560 not about we're going to pretend that you know council member X is not here is here when when they're not here. It forces that conversation >> and without giving any specific criteria what's going to be absent what's going to be acceptable and unacceptable assuming so it's still discretionary of 559 02:48:30.560 --> 02:48:46.880 the council then agree. >> All right. >> Okay. So now going back to the I >> if if I can chime in. I I think one of the things that would be a very likely outcome in that situation if there is disagreement about that it would probably end up in a lawsuit. It would 560 02:48:46.880 --> 02:49:02.960 probably be that if if a council member is removed um from office, chances are that that ends up in a lawsuit >> boarding the will of the people and during an election. >> Well, anything can end up in a lawsuit. You know, the validity of the lawsuit is a whole another question. 561 02:49:02.960 --> 02:49:23.279 So going back to the original motion right now that we have currently pending is to approve ballot question number four in its totality. I know that there's been discussions of trying to split that up is you know I don't know if there's a motion to sorry Mr. Chair I have questions um 562 02:49:23.279 --> 02:49:39.279 relate that might be gerine to >> I wasn't going to call a vote just yet. I just was kind of reminding everybody where we're back because I know we went a little bit of far in just getting into like the specifics of the forefeite process question, but I just want to remind where we're at is in determining whether we're going to vote on this in 563 02:49:39.279 --> 02:49:54.960 complete or whether someone's going to amend to remove some of the questions to possibly put into a separate questions or whatnot. >> Correct. >> Go ahead, Commissioner Fernandez. if I can to that uh to that point through the chair to the uh to the attorney. 564 02:49:54.960 --> 02:50:10.160 Is is subsection two really necessary in the ballot language? Because subsection two talks essentially references the procedures that we already have. 565 02:50:10.160 --> 02:50:27.600 So subsection 3 says that special elections are required when there's six or or more months remaining. But subsection 2 is essentially the same procedures that we already have. >> There were >> less than six months 566 02:50:27.600 --> 02:50:44.160 >> for less than 6 months there was we made pretty substantive type of changes though. >> Did make changes? >> Yeah. We we change the way that it'll be communicated uh that when it would the nomination 567 02:50:44.160 --> 02:51:07.840 would occur. We set a date certain and what happens in the mayor fails to nominate a person within the 30-day and what happens if the nominee is not confirmed by the council. >> I guess say it again Mr. sure what happens if less than 6 months remain in the 568 02:51:07.840 --> 02:51:23.520 unexpired term. >> So just based on the ed the the amendments that we've made to that section from what I recall I'm going off this is that it would be uh for less than 6 months is that it'll be communicated to 569 02:51:23.520 --> 02:51:38.800 the town clerk by formal written communication was added language. There was added language that the confirmation vote of the name mayor's nomination shall be conducted at the next regular council meeting following the nomination. We added language if the mayor fails to nominate a person within 570 02:51:38.800 --> 02:51:55.120 30 calendar days following the occurrence of the vacancy any member of the council may nominate a person for consideration at the next regular council meeting. And we added language if a nominee is not confirmed by the council the vacancy shall remain unfilled until the next regularly 571 02:51:55.120 --> 02:52:13.359 scheduled election. And that was a language that was approved at the January 22, 2026 meeting. >> Is the is the section of subsection 2 between the parentheses? Is that necessary or can that language be removed? 572 02:52:13.359 --> 02:52:28.960 >> That can be removed. And and again, what I'd ask is that you allow me to to work on splitting this up and back. So then you'd like to so you want to rewrite this into multiple questions and present it to us 573 02:52:28.960 --> 02:52:45.359 >> from what I understand and and the vice chair mentioned that it's kind of convoluted. So >> sure, but are you asking more for direction on how we want to split up or are you asking cuz I just want to know are you just going to take a stab on how you >> No, no. I I mean the direction you can give me is is better so we have a better conversation the next time. 574 02:52:45.359 --> 02:53:02.080 >> Okay. So, um, I'll do this as I'm, you know, given that I'm going to make a motion to table and we're going to have a discussion about trying to give suggestions on how to split up if anybody has, >> but a motion to table, uh, the discussion to give the mayor or the town attorney an opportunity to revise 575 02:53:02.080 --> 02:53:18.399 >> the ballot question, whether it's going to be splitting up or reworking the questions. And we have a second. >> Second, >> Commissioner Bennett. And so open for discussion if anyone has any suggestions to the directions to the town attorney of how they would like to have it split 576 02:53:18.399 --> 02:53:33.680 up. You know, if you say, you know, sections one and then two and three into another one, one and four can stay together. >> Question, Mr. Chair. >> Sure. >> So it says, this says item three is still pending discussion. Item three is the one about special election with more 577 02:53:33.680 --> 02:53:49.520 than six months. So to me, what would make sense is numbers two and three, right? because they relate to the vacancy portion. Um, so I think that if you address what happens if there's less than six months, which is what you just read, and then what happens if there's 578 02:53:49.520 --> 02:54:05.359 more than six months, which I guess according to this we still need to have discussion. So that would be my recommendation is that um two and three be a question and then we can determine one and actually it's just one, right? That's there's only three. There's only 579 02:54:05.359 --> 02:54:20.560 three parts. >> Oh, okay. >> Mr. Mr. Town attorney, can you just clarify what's the pending discussion we had? I I I don't recall or if miss madame clerk you recall. >> Yeah. >> What we were going to discuss? >> I'm sorry, chair. What is the question? >> Question here is that there was an 580 02:54:20.560 --> 02:54:35.520 annotation by the town attorneys that the item three is pending discussion to be had at the at today's charter re view commission meeting. I'm just trying to recall. I I don't recall exactly what we were going to discuss. >> I would have to look at the minutes. Let 581 02:54:35.520 --> 02:54:52.640 me give me just one second. I believe from from what I remember chair >> was that at the sunshine meeting the council had mentioned that they were going to bring some comments on this >> which I I don't really believe that they did much but that's that's why we 582 02:54:52.640 --> 02:55:09.359 >> we put that that's why that's why that comment is there >> correct >> okay >> if I if I recall in the sunshine meeting and I I only caught the tail end of it but I think that in the in the summary that I that I heard I want to say that they that the council 583 02:55:09.359 --> 02:55:27.200 wanted us to revisit this to to just leave it as it was with a nomination and not and not address a special election. And I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly that they there was some discussion about it not being necessary to have a 584 02:55:27.200 --> 02:55:42.160 special election if there was more than 6 months remaining on the term or that it could cause a vacant seat for an extended period of time. That's what I recall from from the sunshine meeting. I don't I don't think we have any more council members with us, do we? 585 02:55:42.160 --> 02:55:58.680 >> No. >> We do have council member >> Hi to the chair. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yes. What what uh commission member Ruano is stating is correct. Yes. 586 02:55:58.960 --> 02:56:16.800 >> Does that answer that? >> Yes. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Mr. Chair, can you or someone remind us what our intent was? What What did we Where did we land a blind? >> I don't know. Do you have the Do you 587 02:56:16.800 --> 02:56:34.240 have it before you first quick Mr. Town attorney? >> What what the language was that we've revised in this one? >> I know at this at the sunshine meeting the council spoke about it, but what is it that they based on us or >> I don't remember when we finalized 588 02:56:34.240 --> 02:56:50.399 at at the sunshine meeting. What did the council look at? Like what did they what was their I >> I wasn't there for >> Okay. May I have the language from the minutes of last >> regarding section 2.5 589 02:56:50.399 --> 02:57:06.319 C 2 and three which is um 6 months or more remain and um the language also of mayor and vice mayor's position becoming both at the same time um vacant 590 02:57:06.319 --> 02:57:21.439 and both motions were approved unanimously. So all of you have a right to bring this discussion forth. I can read what was approved by all of you just to refresh the memory regarding the 591 02:57:21.439 --> 02:57:35.760 filling of vacancies. This is what was read into the record. Right? If six months or more remain in the unexpired term, the vacancy shall be filled by a special election. If the 592 02:57:35.760 --> 02:57:51.920 qualifying period for the next regularly scheduled election of the town is less than 12 months, the special election shall be held concurrently with the next regularly scheduled election of the 593 02:57:51.920 --> 02:58:08.479 town. If the qualifying period of the next regularly scheduled election of the town is more than 12 months, a special election shall be held as soon as possible and the town clerk shall coordinate the scheduling of the election with Miami Day County 594 02:58:08.479 --> 02:58:24.479 Supervisor of elections in accordance with applicable law. The person elected at such elections serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If my memory is correct and I think both of us, the the two attorneys were in that meeting, the 595 02:58:24.479 --> 02:58:39.359 Sunshine meeting, I believe it was brought to our attention by council member Hersburg and I think he has stated several times, but I even think he spoke >> he did >> with you, >> but from my memory was that he finds it 596 02:58:39.359 --> 02:58:55.520 unacceptable that we might have a vacancy >> for such a long period of time. And I think from memory he did state that even if maybe the intention was to save money 597 02:58:55.520 --> 02:59:15.840 that he finds it unreasonable unacceptable I think was the word he used too. >> So to confirm the concern that was raised at the sunshine meeting was the potential length of time that may occur >> seat. All right. So what 598 02:59:15.840 --> 02:59:31.200 what they asked I guess that's an appropriate way to say it. What they asked is that we consider that concern and see if we can address it to make sure that the intent is captured. >> Well that you don't have a a vacancy for such a long period of time. 599 02:59:31.200 --> 02:59:49.359 >> And so you guys so I'm looking at the current language of Yeah. The current language as it states is that if six or more or six months or more remain in the 600 02:59:49.359 --> 03:00:05.120 unexpired term, the vacancy shall be filled by a nomination of the mayor made within 30 calendar day calendar days following the occurrence of the vacancy subject to confirmation by the council. The nominee shall fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled election in 601 03:00:05.120 --> 03:00:20.880 Miami date county at which time an election shall be held to fill the vacancy. However, if the council is unable to confirm a nominee, a special election to fill that vacancy shall be held no later than 90 calendar days following the occurrence of the vacancy. 602 03:00:20.880 --> 03:00:36.800 That's the current language. >> Mr. Chair, >> yes. Yeah. I I think that you guys have resolved the majority of the times that you're going to have a vacancy, which is when somebody has to resign to run to run for a different office or a higher 603 03:00:36.800 --> 03:00:53.600 office or whatever. This is going to happen not too often. So maybe something for the uh commission to consider would be if there's a vacancy or something uh vacancy for longer than 6 months, just a special election as soon as possible and then that uh that 604 03:00:53.600 --> 03:01:16.160 limits it right there. Mr. man, just to add to that, I I don't disagree with that, but what we had spoken about and I think sorry what we had spoken about was but if there's a regularly scheduled election in the horizon that it go to the regularly 605 03:01:16.160 --> 03:01:31.840 scheduled election, >> right? But what is what is that >> on the horizon? What is how do you define that? You know, >> Mr. Sheriff, if I may, because I I did also like Commissioner Ruano just catch a portion of the Sunshine meeting and I 606 03:01:31.840 --> 03:01:47.760 did have a conversation with um Councilman Hzburg. I I kind of started just checking to see what other cities did. Um I pulled a couple. Dural I think actually captures the language that I think our intent if would you mind if I 607 03:01:47.760 --> 03:02:04.560 read it just to see if it works for everybody >> the intent that we've the intent that we've proposed or the intent that we're or the what you're discussing >> both I think it's the intent of what we proposed but also capturing the concerns that were raised at the sunshine meeting 608 03:02:04.560 --> 03:02:20.399 >> and what the manager just said addressing both a special election but if there is a election on the horizon what happen. So, here's what the route is. Says, "If more than 6 months remain in the unexpired term of a council member, the vacancy shall be filled by a special 609 03:02:20.399 --> 03:02:36.560 election to be held no later than 90 days following the occurrence of the vacancy unless there is a city, county, state, or national election scheduled to take place within 150 days, in which case the vacancy shall be filled by special election on that scheduled 610 03:02:36.560 --> 03:02:53.680 regular election date." So, what this is saying is, hey, you'll have a special election within 90 days, but if there's a regular election, whether it's city, county, state, federal, within what's 150 days? Is that like 5 months? I guess >> just about. Yeah, >> about 5 months. Then it'll go to that 611 03:02:53.680 --> 03:03:08.880 election so that the town doesn't have to incur the expense of scheduling the special election. It'll just go on the ballot of what's going to come within five months anyway. >> I like that. But do we go five months 612 03:03:08.880 --> 03:03:25.600 >> missing a council member >> with a six or or four? >> Can I add something else to your plate? >> Sure. No, right after commissioner button. >> Good. >> No, no. Like I said, my my concern is I mean I'm I'm fine with the language, but again, we're talking about five months without a council member. Are we talking 613 03:03:25.600 --> 03:03:41.200 about appointing somebody >> three months? >> Five months because you can't have an election within 30 days. >> Yes. >> You need the qualifying. So it's it's whether it's three months or five months. So three months at the short end, five months at the long end. >> I I Commissioner Fernandez, hold on one 614 03:03:41.200 --> 03:03:56.000 second. Command time manager, I get back to you. >> Yeah. With the change in language dealing with commencement of terms. It really only takes into account elections that are term or offices that 615 03:03:56.000 --> 03:04:11.200 are filled on a normal cycle. You're going to have to have insert some language in here when an election or a seat is filled in a special election. When does the term commence? So, you may need to add a couple sentences dealing 616 03:04:11.200 --> 03:04:30.560 with that scenario. >> Okay. >> So, once again, so the motion >> Commissioner Fernandez and then Commissioner Benner. >> I'm I'm sorry. They just shortcircuited my entire electronics. Um, >> impossible. 617 03:04:30.560 --> 03:04:48.960 >> Yeah. No. Whoa. Um, all right. We're uh Yes. So I I think the decision that that we would have to make is whether or not the the difference between an election 90 days out or an election 150 days out 618 03:04:48.960 --> 03:05:06.800 that extra two months. the the benefit that we get from having that. Number one, not having to pay for a special election, but number two, and much more importantly, the fact that that election would happen during a much larger election that would have much 619 03:05:06.800 --> 03:05:23.920 higher turnout. And to me, waiting 60 more days to get a council person is definitely worth um you know, the the delay is justified um by 620 03:05:23.920 --> 03:05:40.000 putting that in front of the voters in a in an election that's going to have a lot more turnout than than a standalone special election would. So, I I really like Dal's language. Mr. Vice Chair, thank you for bringing that because I, you know, I I wish we would have had it sooner. I, you know, I think some of 621 03:05:40.000 --> 03:05:55.840 this might have been uh resolved a long time ago, but um yeah, if if we can incorporate that in, I would be um very supportive. >> Okay. Commissioner Bennett. >> Yeah. Then we run into the two split. Nothing gets done for five months. 622 03:05:55.840 --> 03:06:12.240 That's another thing. You know, if I mean, I'm not saying that our our council won't work together under these extreme situations, but it could be a two two split for five months, which means nothing gets done. >> Assuming it goes to five member council, >> right? >> Well, or three three, but but let's 623 03:06:12.240 --> 03:06:27.680 let's assume. >> So, that's uh once again, I don't see a remedy other than what we had. So, um I um I think maybe we can get some new language, you know, and maybe brought before us again to look at But um the 624 03:06:27.680 --> 03:06:44.080 the dural proposal I mean it's it's fine. I mean it's just we're going to we could have a problem for a period of five months on the council if that happens. >> But you could have it for a period of three months. >> I understand but once again five months is additional more than three. So any rate that's that's where we're at. 625 03:06:44.080 --> 03:07:01.359 >> All right. So based on our you know we have the guidance to incorporate the languages to Durales to number three. Um I think is further guidance that I'd like to have is probably separating out one from two three and four. Two, three and four because those are specifically going to vacancies whereas one is the dealing with forfeitures 626 03:07:01.359 --> 03:07:17.359 and that'll give a little bit more room to be able to add additional words to each of those questions. So we're still within the 75 >> friendly amendment. Do do we want to change the the the amount of time from 30 to 45 days? 627 03:07:17.359 --> 03:07:34.800 >> I'm sorry. 30 to 45 days with regards to >> yeah the mayor nomination within 30 days given 45 days to make the nomination for that. I mean that that was it was brought up during uh public comments. So I thought I'd >> sure um >> I just want to know if that's a friendly amendment we should address now or later. 628 03:07:34.800 --> 03:07:48.960 >> Thank you. >> Well, right now it's to table and to provide guidance. So as to Mr. town attorney. Let me ask cuz I want to know if that would that motion to amend the charter language should be within that type of vote cuz we're you know he we're 629 03:07:48.960 --> 03:08:09.200 in the middle of a motion pending to table and to provide guidance on bringing back ballot language. Okay. Understand in thinking I mean talking it through. I think what he's asking then is to provide we're giving you guidance to just come up back with language of how you would propose that charter language then 630 03:08:09.200 --> 03:08:25.600 >> to change it from 45 from 30 to 45. That's fine. >> I think that that's way we handle it together now >> and you guys can formally vote on it. Yes. >> Yeah. That that's basically it is part of the guidance because we're we've the vote on is on the floor is to table this and then get new language. So thank you. 631 03:08:25.600 --> 03:08:43.200 >> Took me a second. And I was a little bit I was a little more fried than uh Commissioner Fernandez was there. >> Yeah. >> And we're on four. Thank you guys. >> All right. So, uh any further discussion on the on tableabling? I don't think 632 03:08:43.200 --> 03:09:02.080 there's any in the discussion. So, all in favor say I. >> I. I. I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the motion passes. It's going to be tabled. And if the town attorney if you can bring us back that language as on those two items. Taking notes here. All right. Let's go 633 03:09:02.080 --> 03:09:17.680 to question number five. Question five five. The ballot title is two-term lifetime limit for mayor and council members. Ballot summary. Shall the town charter be amended to limit the mayor and the members of the council to no more than two four-year terms in each 634 03:09:17.680 --> 03:09:35.359 office during their lifetime rather than two consecutive terms with terms as council member and mayor counted separately. Provide that service exceeding two years of an unexpired term counts as a term and apply these limits 635 03:09:35.359 --> 03:09:51.520 retroactively such that prior terms count toward the two-term limit. That is I will make the motion to adopt this language. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second from Commissioner Abad. Any discussion? >> Yeah. I mean, I just wanted to address I 636 03:09:51.520 --> 03:10:08.399 saw Vice Mayor Moretta come up and and talk about what is considered, >> you know, like in his case, right? Is that a full term? It's if he serves two and a half, is that considered four? Is it mean? >> Mhm. >> The way that it's 637 03:10:08.399 --> 03:10:24.800 >> I believe the way that it's written now. Yes. Two years is considered a full term. >> But the way it's word it says two fouryear terms, not full terms, >> right? >> Right. Well, remember this is the ballot summary. I 638 03:10:24.800 --> 03:10:44.800 want to look at to see what 23 Anderson says. >> The members of the council to no more than two four-year terms in each office. >> Yes. But then there's the language that is it there is provide that service 639 03:10:44.800 --> 03:11:19.240 exceeding two years of an unexpired term counseling of term. So I'm just looking to see what was the specific language that we changed in section 2.3 to how it read. I believe it's 2.3. Mr. Town attorney term of office. Here we go. D. 640 03:11:19.840 --> 03:11:37.680 So we had the language was we no person shall serve as mayor or as a and then we add this l we struck the rest of the provision the section and added uh no person shall serve as a 641 03:11:37.680 --> 03:11:53.359 mayor or as a member of the council for more than two four-year terms. For purposes of this section a term shall mean a 4-year term to which a person was elected. service in office pursuant to an appointment to fill a vacancy shall not 642 03:11:53.359 --> 03:12:09.920 constitute a term. Provided, however, that if a person appointed to fill a vacancy serves more than 2 years of an unexpired term, such service shall be deemed a term for purposes of this section. Terms as a served as a council 643 03:12:09.920 --> 03:12:24.880 member and terms served as a member shall be counted separately and independently. These term limits shall apply retroactively such that previously served terms shall count towards the two-term limit upon adoption of this provision. So as I read it here is that 644 03:12:24.880 --> 03:12:41.279 you had to have been elected to a 4-year term or appointed to a vacancy where there was more than two years left. So those each would count as a term and that's what we voted on. that was at 645 03:12:41.279 --> 03:13:00.880 the uh initial January 22nd commission meeting and then confirmed at the April 23rd uh 2026 meeting. >> Commissioner Rouano, >> thank you through the chair. If we if 646 03:13:00.880 --> 03:13:18.319 this language is voted down, does that mean that this does not get placed on the ballot? If the language if we vote down >> if we vote down this language it was >> well the thing is is that we have the motion >> the motion is there we would have to revise the language to reflect the motion that was already approved 647 03:13:18.319 --> 03:13:35.600 >> right so this question so the question goes on the ballot no matter what in some way shape or form >> yes well unless a member of the prevailing party you voted for brings it up again >> the vice chairman 648 03:13:35.600 --> 03:14:00.399 With your luck, you probably weren't on the prevailing side anyway. So, it's a good point. >> No, she was not. >> Yes, you were. 61. But right now, we're voting on the ballot question. >> So, remember there is in the previous language. I'll just say that I don't 649 03:14:00.399 --> 03:14:21.399 believe there was a definition of what a term is. So, Mr. Chair, for clarification to Commissioner's point, if this language is voted down, it just means that we need to >> come up with new language. Yes. >> Okay. 650 03:14:22.880 --> 03:14:37.520 >> That's why I've been trying to separate between this ballot language and changing charter language in the votes and the motions. >> Mr. here. Um, so the way I interpret this obviously with the lifetime limit, um, we're saying that now the 651 03:14:37.520 --> 03:14:53.279 consecutive like once again scenarios, he's elected for four, he takes off for four years, and then he can't come back for another term. >> He can't come back. >> If he's only done one, and then he comes back and he comes does another term. Yes, he could. >> And Okay. And then he takes another time 652 03:14:53.279 --> 03:15:09.200 off for two or four years, then he can't Well, he's permanently taking a time off. >> So that that's what I mean. So that's so that means he can't come back for a third term unless he goes for the mayor versus a council. >> Correct. >> Interesting. Okay. >> If I may. >> Yes. 653 03:15:09.200 --> 03:15:24.560 >> Commissioner, >> I I I disagree with the question and I wish that it wasn't on the ballot. That being said, I don't like that it says two four-year terms because all these scenarios where council members have not served full four-year 654 03:15:24.560 --> 03:15:40.399 terms that are described in the charter or addressed in the charter are not in the question. So, I think that the question should just read two terms or two full terms as as described in the charter or something that's not two 655 03:15:40.399 --> 03:15:55.600 fouryear terms because I think that it's a little confusing. I would I would think that someone that served let's say seven years can still come back. >> I I'll second that if that was a motion. >> Yes, >> it was. >> So what's the So what's the motion? >> Just >> the motion would be to reward this to 656 03:15:55.600 --> 03:16:21.680 two full terms instead of two four year >> full terms rather than just two terms >> or two terms or two terms. >> And there's a second Yeah. >> All right. Any discussion? All right. Seeing no discussion, I'll 657 03:16:21.680 --> 03:16:38.120 take a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing no opposition, motion passes to amend the language from the strike two four-year terms to be two terms. So just striking fouryear. 658 03:16:41.359 --> 03:16:59.279 All right. Now we're back on the main motion as amended uh to approve the language with the amended. Any further discussion on the ballot question? All right, I'm going to call the vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. 659 03:16:59.279 --> 03:17:23.040 >> Any opposed? Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. All right, we'll go to ballot question number six. Ballot title reads, reduction of town council from seven to five members. The ballot summary. Shall the town charter 660 03:17:23.040 --> 03:17:39.279 be amended to reduce the size of the town council from seven members to five members, the mayor and four at large council members by one electing the council member to seat number five in 2028 to a 2-year term after which seat 661 03:17:39.279 --> 03:17:55.040 number five shall be abolished in 2030. and two, abolishing seat number six upon expiration of the current term in 2030 with no further election for seat number six. I'll make the motion to adopt this language. >> I'll second. >> Second. 662 03:17:55.040 --> 03:18:10.800 >> We have a second. Any discussion? >> I'm going to vote no because I just don't like anything about this particular amendment. So, I'm just letting you know that I think the whole language is wrong. It's not it we it prevents proper representation of our people. I think it causes too much 663 03:18:10.800 --> 03:18:27.680 problem downstream. If we have a mayor and the vice mayor resign, we only have three people left. >> It's wrong. That's that's that's it. So I I I disagree with the entire language of it. >> You disagree with the language or the concept of the lang of the of the >> language of it. You take the concept. 664 03:18:27.680 --> 03:18:42.720 >> So if if you disagree with the language, what language would you propose instead that captures the motion that was passed? >> That's a good one. Okay. >> That's not a good one. It's what you're doing. Yeah, >> I'm just trying to clarify. >> No, I understand. >> We understand your discussion. >> I understand. Unfortunately, I'm not 665 03:18:42.720 --> 03:18:58.880 part of the prevailing party. >> Yeah. >> So, I can't change it. >> Okay. >> No. >> Right. >> So, Commissioner, so I I agree with Dr. Bennett. I mean, I I don't think we should be even considering this. I know that it's there. I know it's going to go to the voters, but in principle, I will 666 03:18:58.880 --> 03:19:17.200 also be voting no. >> All right. Do you have same question to you then? What language would you propose? No, there is no language. I mean, I >> Well, you're voting down the vote the ballot question. >> I mean, but I can't bring it up. >> The concept itself of going to five, >> I I don't think, you know, it's 667 03:19:17.200 --> 03:19:33.359 something we should have considered. Even the the person who brought it up is questioning whether that was a great decision. Yeah, >> we like I said, everybody who stood up for public comment has opposed it. >> So, but then again, I mean, again, I wasn't part of the prevailing party. Yeah, 668 03:19:33.359 --> 03:19:49.840 >> I'm just going to vote no. It's a the principle of it. >> Okay. >> I don't think it should be in the B. >> Look, I I want to remind you guys, we're not making the decision to move it down from 7 to 5. You know, if the rest of the town, a majority of the town, let me put it this way, of the voting portion of the town is in is in agreement with 669 03:19:49.840 --> 03:20:05.200 you guys, it's going to be voted down. So, it's it'll it'll kill it out. And you know, and as I'll describe is as you guys see is we bundled together the uh attrition model that we had with regards to the langu with the seat. So, that way it it it's all tied together in one language. So obviously if it if it's 670 03:20:05.200 --> 03:20:21.760 going to die, it's going to die together because you can't have those different >> that's the way it should go. I'm okay with >> now that I'm opposing the way you want. >> So then you should be in favor of the ballot question. >> No man, >> I not the concept of underlying it. I understand that. So, Commissioner, 671 03:20:21.760 --> 03:20:38.000 >> so so my my comment is is on the actual way that the that the question reads for for as much as they say that attorneys don't like numbers, there's a lot of numbers going on in this in this question, right? Um, so I guess first 672 03:20:38.000 --> 03:20:54.399 question where it says seven and then seven in parenthes, is that required in the in the ballot language that the numbers be restated? >> No, it's not. Okay. Um, just because the years are in there and the seat numbers are in there and there's there's a lot of other 673 03:20:54.399 --> 03:21:10.399 numbers in there, I would prefer to remove um, especially where it says from seven members to five members. I don't think those numbers in those parentheses need to be there. >> So, are you making a motion? >> Yes. 674 03:21:10.399 --> 03:21:26.880 >> We have we have a second from the vice chairman. Now, we have this interim motion. Is any discussion on the removal of the references to parentheses and the the numeral 7 and the parenthesis and numeral 5? >> I I would like to 675 03:21:26.880 --> 03:21:43.359 >> and then go to the vice chairman. I'll come over to you, commissioner. >> Yeah, I I I agree. I actually have some recommendations. I have a lot of recommendations for the language because to me it's super confusing and the numbers were part of that. But is it appropriate to talk about those now or just only the discussion is on the 676 03:21:43.359 --> 03:21:58.000 parenthesis? Well, let's keep it to this and if we want to do a subsequent to address the other issues, we can do that as well. I want to try to keep it simpler so it's easier to read. All right, my comments are no, I agree with Commissioner Fernandez. It I think it there's a lot going on here, so I 677 03:21:58.000 --> 03:22:14.640 support removing at least the numbers, not the the wording. >> Yeah, the numerals. The numerals in parenthesis. Commissioner Ruano, >> thank you. Um, I would propose just because I'm a numbers person and I think that numbers stand out more than words. Um, and it's impactful because I don't 678 03:22:14.640 --> 03:22:32.000 want it to pass. So, >> it's more impactful to see the number seven and to see the number five than to have the words in there. I do agree that the parenthesis and the word and the number is maybe a little redundant and confusing, but I would prefer to have the number in there rather than the word 679 03:22:32.000 --> 03:22:49.120 because I I feel like it's more visual. People will understand it a little bit more. >> I'm not opposed to that. >> Thank you. >> So, >> so Mr. Town attorney is >> I'm sorry. >> How do you take it as a friendly amendment? >> No, that's fine. It's a friendly amendment. Okay. >> I'm okay with it. >> So, a friendly movement to rather than 680 03:22:49.120 --> 03:23:07.920 strike the numerals to strike the words and keep the numerals without the parenthesis. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Now, on the friendly amended motion, uh is there any further discussion? 681 03:23:07.920 --> 03:23:23.359 Okay. Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I.ly. Exactly. >> Any oppose? Seeing none, the motion passes. Now on the main motion again, Vice Chairman Guanzo, >> so this is discussion, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. 682 03:23:23.359 --> 03:23:39.600 So, a couple of comments. So, we define the seven member um well actually we don't define this. We we define the five member council as a mayor and four at large council members but we don't do that for the seven member council 683 03:23:39.600 --> 03:23:55.120 saying it's a mayor and six at large council members so I think we should be consistent if we define it for the five for clarification it should be defined for the seven as well um >> and just to comment on that that I think 684 03:23:55.120 --> 03:24:13.520 was limitations. Oh, sure. Yeah. But of course >> it'd be either removing it, not having it all, >> right? >> Yeah. Then I would I would say then you remove it because for me it creates confusion. So it's you know you're going from 7 to 5. So I 685 03:24:13.520 --> 03:24:30.640 don't know that you need it then. >> So is that your motion? >> Yes. >> Second. >> So there's a motion to remove the parentheses the mayor and the four atlarge council members closed parenthesis. All right. Any discussion? >> So, so just let me ask you this. So, by 686 03:24:30.640 --> 03:24:52.960 removing the word seven and five gives us extra words, right? Doesn't it add up? >> Two words. >> Yeah. But you >> I don't know whether or not they got counted in >> the question do numbers count. We're striking the word, not the number. Right. 687 03:24:52.960 --> 03:25:14.000 >> Well, if someone wants to go through look. >> So, we had four. We we add we took away two. We had there's six on the other. >> I'm going to ch it. Says no more than 15 words, not numbers. >> And vice chairman, can you restate your motion, 688 03:25:14.000 --> 03:25:33.040 >> your amendment? >> Yes. The motion is to remove the parentheses and the words the mayor and for at large council members close parenthesis. That's the current phraseology. Okay. All right. So, let's stick on that real quick and then we'll go back to the 689 03:25:33.040 --> 03:25:48.000 counting. Well, we'll definitely be under 75 by if if this this moves. So, any discussion further on removing this language? See none. All right. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none. Motion passes. 690 03:25:48.000 --> 03:26:05.359 Bless you. All right. So now back to the main motion as amended. Um do we still have questions as to whether or not the ro the numerals count as numbers or not? Do we want to have someone count the words 691 03:26:05.359 --> 03:26:21.760 that we because then the question is going to be does 28 208 count and >> I I'd like to Mr. Town attorney >> I believe that the numbers count. Yes. Numbers characters. I'd like I'd like to propose another change. 692 03:26:21.760 --> 03:26:36.319 >> Sure. >> All right. Um, so I know we've we've gone back and forth with the definition of of uh town council and council members and and uh done this like six different ways, but 693 03:26:36.319 --> 03:26:52.800 for the purposes of this question, we're not we're not touching the mayor and we're not touching the mayor's position, right? So I think it would be more clear if instead of shall be amended to reduce the the size 694 03:26:52.800 --> 03:27:09.359 of the town council from seven members to five members, it should be shall reduce the amount of council members from six to four. That to me is less confusing, especially 695 03:27:09.359 --> 03:27:25.920 because then you reference seat number five and seat number six and then well what what is seat number seven and why aren't we that that's that's my thought process, right? If we're talking specifically about council members, then the the 696 03:27:25.920 --> 03:27:43.520 wordage should follow. >> Yeah. Well, you would change then it's not reducing the sightings of the town council because the town council refers to everybody. >> Correct. be the amount of council members. >> So, as a friendly amendment, >> right, >> remove the don't use the word seat, but 697 03:27:43.520 --> 03:27:59.520 use um at large an atlarge representative >> instead of using seat numbers. Is that possible? >> Needs to be specific. >> So, what what are you proposing if anything? Councilman, >> what I just want to make sure I'm catching. 698 03:27:59.520 --> 03:28:15.600 >> Yes. So my my motion is um to replace the size of the town council with the number of council members and then thereafter 699 03:28:15.600 --> 03:28:31.600 changing 7 to six and five to four. Okay. Is there a second? >> What second? >> Second >> place the number of Okay. So we have a second. Give me one second. I just make sure I capture this. Let me replace size 700 03:28:31.600 --> 03:29:00.880 of the town council the number of council members from six to four spelled out six. >> Yes. And do you want it to be just six to four or six members to four? 701 03:29:00.880 --> 03:29:16.479 >> Well, no. We said we said the numbers. We to >> No. No. But yes, but to say six me. >> Don't get me in trouble over here. We said the numbers. Huh? Yes. >> From six members to four members or you just want >> from six members. >> Yeah. From from >> I'm wondering whether or not your motion 702 03:29:16.479 --> 03:29:32.560 is going to include the words members following each of the written out number. Yeah. >> Members to say council members because that's how we defined it earlier. Yeah, >> I'm just asking about large council >> council members is uh yes, >> but that implies the mayor's not a part 703 03:29:32.560 --> 03:29:53.840 of the of the council. >> Correct. In the new definitions, the way we have it that it is not. He would be a member of the council, not a council member. >> Oh boy. >> Yes. Okay. Any further discussion on changing 704 03:29:53.840 --> 03:30:11.920 of that language? Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. No. >> All opposed. Is it Is it a no? >> It's a no. >> Okay. No, I'm just making sure cuz I hadn't called the no. >> I know. I'm sorry. >> Are you really? 705 03:30:11.920 --> 03:30:31.680 All right. Passes 61. All right. Any other further language on the motion as amended? >> The ballot title needs to be changed as well. >> Okay. So motion to ballot title to 706 03:30:31.680 --> 03:30:55.120 reduction of the council members from six to four members. >> Yep. >> Is it six to four? >> Yes. Right. There's a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. 707 03:30:55.120 --> 03:31:19.960 >> We have a second. Any discussion? >> All right. Is all in favor say I. I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I'm just >> Yeah, I I'll go no, but or just on principle. All right. So, passes 64. 708 03:31:20.399 --> 03:31:36.080 Any further uh 61, I'm sorry, passes. Uh any other questions? Uh or any other dis motions. All right. So, let me read the new ballot title as I have it written down that we're going to be finally voting 709 03:31:36.080 --> 03:31:49.600 on. The main motion is the ballot title be the reduction of the council members from six to four members. The ballot summary shall read, "Shall the town charter be amended to reduce the size or 710 03:31:49.600 --> 03:32:07.120 the number of council members from six council members to four council members by one electing council member electing the council member to seat number five in 2028 to a two-year term after which seat number five shall be abolished in 711 03:32:07.120 --> 03:32:23.760 2030 and two abolishing seat number six upon expiration of the current term. term in 2030 with no further election for seat number six. That is the main motion. Is uh any further discussion? None. I'll call the vote. All in favor say I. 712 03:32:23.760 --> 03:32:38.640 >> I. >> I. Any opposed? >> No. >> All right. Can we pull? >> I just wanted to double check. I don't know. I heard. >> Council member Abad. >> No. >> Council member Bennett. >> No. 713 03:32:38.640 --> 03:32:54.239 >> Council I mean I'm sorry. Commission Member Fernandez, and I'm sorry. Commission Member Fernandez. >> Uh, yes. >> Commission Member Matoss. >> Yes. >> Commission Member Ruano. >> Yes. 714 03:32:54.239 --> 03:33:11.120 >> Vice Chairman Inguanso. >> Yes. >> Chairman Leoto. >> Yes. >> The motion passes. >> Thank you. All right. Question number seven. The ballot title is election procedure. November general election with December 715 03:33:11.120 --> 03:33:26.720 runoff. Ballot summary reads, "Shall the town charter be amended to revise the election procedure so that one, a general election is held in November as the regular town election? Two, if no candidate receives more than 50% plus 716 03:33:26.720 --> 03:33:43.600 one of the votes cast for any office, a runoff election shall be held on the second Tuesday of December between the two candidates receiving the highest votes. And three, the existing 21-day provision is repealed. 717 03:33:43.600 --> 03:34:02.880 >> I make a motion to adopt the language. >> Hold on one second. What I would ask before you make the the language, I'm just reading it now. And I think in number two, we need to strike the word more because then it would require 50% plus 718 03:34:02.880 --> 03:34:24.239 two of the votes. So just to strike that that's so >> correct. Yeah, I see it now. I'm Mr. >> I think it's more than right. No, because if you receive 50% plus one of the votes, you win. 719 03:34:24.239 --> 03:34:40.880 But it but the way that this reads is no candidate receives more than 50% plus one of the votes. Then a runoff will be held which means you need to have 50% plus two to win. >> If you have more than >> right so if no county break it 50%. 720 03:34:40.880 --> 03:34:56.160 >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Again, I'm having a little uh >> Yeah, it should. So question, should we strike more than or should we strike plus uh plus one of the votes? >> Okay. 721 03:34:56.160 --> 03:35:13.200 >> Because if it's more than 50%, then I think you can do it either way. I think either one is fine because if no candidate receives 50% plus one of the votes for any office, a runoff election shall be held. or if you read it and if no candidate receives more than 50 722 03:35:13.200 --> 03:35:29.920 receives more than 50% of the votes cast in any for any office a runoff election shall be held. I think they mean the same. So it's just >> they definitely mean the same. I'm I'm just thinking which one is simpler for a voter to understand. I >> think getting rid of the plus one because it just says if no candidate 723 03:35:29.920 --> 03:35:45.200 receives more than 50% of the vote, you don't have to do the plus one. It doesn't that it's it's irrelevant at that point. I can tell you I I'm I'm have no preference either way. >> Mr. Chair, can I ask a clarifying question? >> Sure. 724 03:35:45.200 --> 03:36:17.439 >> We started the meeting with a discussion about the runoff language. How is how is that different than this? Excuse. Can you come up to the microphone so we can capture? Sorry. Just to add to that, I think the chair 725 03:36:17.439 --> 03:36:33.359 had suggested that the attorneys bring back language based on what was voted on with the runoff. >> Okay. >> So, I don't know if you want to table that ball of question. >> Okay, we can do that and then you can come back and that'll be another tabled one. She'll she'll revise it. 726 03:36:33.359 --> 03:36:49.200 >> Was that the clarification based on >> what she's saying is that runoff language. Yeah. Is she's asked and I think she what she's saying is she can propose language on this into seven to address. >> Okay. But help me out. How is what we discussed earlier different than this? Isn't is it the same thing? 727 03:36:49.200 --> 03:37:04.640 >> I think that has something extra on there. No. >> What we started the meeting with the first item that we discussed regarding the >> the entire item. >> Yeah. Do you want to show it to you? Yeah, that that was the proposed language that we we had. >> So, 728 03:37:04.640 --> 03:37:20.960 >> but it's different. >> Yeah. >> I mean, slightly different. It's the same intent, but just >> Yeah, that Well, that's why I think she's asking to table it so that way they can come back and revise the question. >> Okay, then. >> Okay, >> I'll make the motion to table. >> Motion. Sorry. >> Table it. 729 03:37:20.960 --> 03:37:38.439 >> Okay, I couldn't hear you. Okay, we got a motion at the table. >> Any discussion? See none. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Uh, >> motion passes. clarification who second the motion to table I know it was commission >> perfect thank you 730 03:37:41.279 --> 03:38:01.120 okay so they'll come back on that one question eight ballot title replacing town manager appointment of the town clerk with appointment by town council ballot summary reads shall the town charter be amended to one provide that the town clerk shall be appointed by and 731 03:38:01.120 --> 03:38:17.040 report directly to the town council rather than by the town manager subject to council approval with terms and conditions established by the council and may be removed by majority council vote. Um I'm going to make a motion to approve the language however striking 732 03:38:17.040 --> 03:38:35.120 rather than what's in the parenthesis there is just have it on that without the parenthesis because I think we've done that in the other provisions >> questions as well. All right, we have a first and we have a motion and second. Any discussion? 733 03:38:35.120 --> 03:38:50.000 All right, seeing no discussions. Uh, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? See no oppositions? Motion passes. >> Mr. Chair, just for the record, I recuse myself from the vote consistent with the discussion that was had on this item. 734 03:38:50.000 --> 03:39:14.000 >> All right. The record is noted. So, it uh passes 6 with the abstension. All right, going to question number uh question ballot question number nine is ballot title administrative updates 735 03:39:14.000 --> 03:39:30.880 town manager removal acting manager and town committees ballot summary. Shall the town charter be amended to one? Modify the town manager removal provision so the town manager may be removed by a majority of the council vote rather than shall and 736 03:39:30.880 --> 03:39:47.439 comprehensively revise the procedure for designation of an acting town manager during temporary absence or disability of the man town manager. And three provide that the council may rather than shall establish or terminate town committees as it deems advisable. I 737 03:39:47.439 --> 03:40:02.560 would make a motion to approve and not to strike the language in it but just strike the parenthesis because I don't believe uh the parenthesis are needed but I think the language is necessary to just kind of clarify what is the change in that language. That's >> second. 738 03:40:02.560 --> 03:40:21.120 >> We have a second. Is there any discussion? >> Yeah, I mean >> commissioner about it. >> Yeah. I mean I mean if I'm counting I think we're up to like 17 items right we're going to putting on the ball ballot. So what's 739 03:40:21.120 --> 03:40:37.040 the difference between May and Sha? If the the majority of the council votes to fire the town manager what do you mean it's may or shall they voted it's fired? Isn't that how it works? So so I mean why are we even addressing 740 03:40:37.040 --> 03:40:52.880 >> Well it was a change that we had made to the charter. So, we have to address it through a type of a question and it's and it's more of a substantive because it's changing from a shall to a may. I don't recall the specific discussions that we had when we when that one came up, but I know that we had it. Um, 741 03:40:52.880 --> 03:41:08.080 >> but but again, I mean, doesn't it mean the same thing? A majority of the council votes to fire the town manager. There's no mayor, there's no sh the town manager. >> No, it wasn't it wasn't whether or not it was a majority voted to. It was whether I I I'm trying to remember what 742 03:41:08.080 --> 03:41:33.359 that that language was and that maybe let me see if I can go back to my as I remember that was one of the concerns that I had converting from shall because may wasn't as authoritative as shall because then it could be may or may not you know as 743 03:41:33.359 --> 03:41:49.520 opposed to shall means it's it's immediate mediately done. And that was the language that I was concerned about because uh our attorneys here always like to um you use fine-tuning on the language to get across what we're trying to do. Um I have to vote no on that. 744 03:41:49.520 --> 03:42:04.319 >> Yeah. So the the language was it for in section 3.2 and the sole language was to change from shall to may. uh that was again, you know, as Commissioner Bennett had stated, he was the sole opposition 745 03:42:04.319 --> 03:42:21.200 in that motion and uh it was 61 passed and is that the town manager may be removed by a majority vote of the council and I don't recall the the full discussion that we had at the time. Obviously, we can go back and see the video, but I think it was just the way 746 03:42:21.200 --> 03:42:36.960 that the language was uh stated. We were saying it may be removed because it's not it it's an independent sentence. It's just saying >> the town manager shall be removed by a majority of the vote. It's just rather it's may be removed. >> Right. But but if it does not 747 03:42:36.960 --> 03:42:51.840 substantially change the charter. I mean and I know I know early on we discussed about punctuation and a little word and the meaning. But again, like I said earlier, I think we're looking already at 17 items to place on a ballot. >> You know what I'm talking about? 748 03:42:51.840 --> 03:43:08.880 Attorney Yeah. We had our discussions and we believe that it was a substantive change and that's what we believe. But I'll defer to the town attorney. >> No maim is you could shall as you have to. So it is different but again but the majority of the council votes to fire the manager. There's no may 749 03:43:08.880 --> 03:43:24.880 >> right. If if I if I may maybe I'll maybe it'll it'll the way that I understood it. >> I shall if I may you shall tell us. >> If I may the way that I understood it is that shall is something that has to happen and a manager doesn't have to get fired. They may You're welcome. 750 03:43:24.880 --> 03:43:41.600 >> It's on the record. >> They they may get fired if the majority of the coun if that's the will of the majority of the council, but it's not always going to happen. So the word shall the way that I interpreted was putting that word in there meant that every manager is going to get fired at some point. >> So that's why substantive 751 03:43:41.600 --> 03:43:58.080 >> that was the discussion you're saying. >> It it gives them the >> it gives them the discretion to not fire the manager which you know >> every single time. >> Exactly. every single time that it that it comes >> nicely end the contract without having to 752 03:43:58.080 --> 03:44:13.120 >> but then the contradiction you're you you voted for him to be removed and they decided eh we don't care about the vote we're not going to remove him >> no >> what what that's what I interpreted that's the that's what it looks like >> no no no shall shall means that it will 753 03:44:13.120 --> 03:44:29.199 always happen like that every manager will be fired at some point in time >> but only if there's a vote to remove him >> but then that the the proper word she uses may it may or may not happen. So that that's why that's why the change is that's why I interpret it as being 754 03:44:29.199 --> 03:44:44.800 necessary. >> So the town manager may be removed by majority council vote. It it says that there was a council vote. >> Correct. >> And the majority majority of the council voted to remove the town manager. And you're saying that we're going to ignore what the majority voted. But if it says 755 03:44:44.800 --> 03:45:01.439 shall that means that the if it says shall be removed then it means that the council that every council has to vote to fire the manager whether they want to or not. It's like mandated because it's something that has to happen and action >> is united. >> Meaning that he couldn't just terminate 756 03:45:01.439 --> 03:45:17.120 his contract and be like, "Hey, look, you know, my contract is done December 31st and at the end of 31st." No, you'd have to have the town council come back and say, "Hey, look, we have to fire you." >> It says here in the terminate, >> we shall fire you. So, >> right. So, >> you're fired. 757 03:45:17.120 --> 03:45:33.279 >> Right. >> So, so I I I will say this. Um, I I understand I completely 100% after the the explanation the first time at Nauseium understand the difference between May and Shiao and why it's a substantive 758 03:45:33.279 --> 03:45:49.600 change and all of that. I can't help but look through the extensive and growing number of of items and have an internal debate with myself as to is this 759 03:45:49.600 --> 03:46:07.279 if we have to cut something is this significant enough to make it in front of the voters. Um, and for as much as, you know, the the town's been around for 25 years and and we haven't, you know, 760 03:46:07.279 --> 03:46:23.120 stuck to having to fire the manager because we shall, right? Uh, I I I don't necessarily think um it's it's not one of my priorities to get in front of the voters, right? I I understand the the 761 03:46:23.120 --> 03:46:39.359 need to do it, but I think if we have to cut something, this one and and one of the ones coming up would be one of the ones that I would prefer cutting over something more substantive. >> So for the chair to >> Yes, Commissioner Moss. 762 03:46:39.359 --> 03:46:56.319 >> Um so we're going to let 10 years test this one. >> M Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Mr. Attorney. Another important part to this is not only the maid to sha but it was also of who was going to or or how the designation of the acting 763 03:46:56.319 --> 03:47:16.960 town manager was going to occur and how that was going to be reported. Yeah. Yeah. So there there's still going to be a question that's going to what you're saying is there's still going to be a question no matter what. It's how do we utilize the question and combine it with these amazing shells. 764 03:47:16.960 --> 03:47:32.640 >> Correct. because that question is still going to be there. >> Mhm. >> Which is a question number two. >> Going back to my original question and I I can some of these be removed at this point or since we already voted to change the language, do they have to go on the ballot? Because that was my 765 03:47:32.640 --> 03:47:47.439 question earlier. And I agree this may not be the most important thing to ask the voters, but can we at this point say I don't want to include question number nine? If you were on the prevailing side, >> if you're on the prevailing on the prevailing, >> you would have you would have to move to 766 03:47:47.439 --> 03:48:03.520 um to >> uh reverse the reverse the the original motion that >> correct >> precipitated the ballot question. >> Right. So then that's that's to your to your comments uh commissioner about we 767 03:48:03.520 --> 03:48:20.560 we have to reverse the original vote. Yes. >> In order to eliminate one of these I agree with you completely. >> What was that vote by the way? the town attorney said is that even if we eliminate this May versus shall that's in one and number three that we're still going to be stuck with or we still have 768 03:48:20.560 --> 03:48:35.920 to address the number two which is comprehensively revise the pro procedure for designating or the designation of a acting town at manager during temporary absence or disability of the town manager. So that question still has to be addressed somewhere unless we're 769 03:48:35.920 --> 03:48:54.239 going to also be moving to undo. Yes. >> To completely take out this question tonight. >> Right. So if I may, if we're going to have them ask a question anyway, >> the clarification of may and shall could 770 03:48:54.239 --> 03:49:11.199 certainly become very important down the line at some point. It hasn't been, but you're going to ask a question anyway. There has to be a question if so I would propose that we leave the mayor shell in 771 03:49:11.199 --> 03:49:26.640 if there's going to be a ballot question regarding this anyway. Perhaps the language could be more clear. >> Right, Mr. Chair? >> I don't have a proposal on the language. >> Okay, vice chairman. Yeah, you may have 772 03:49:26.640 --> 03:49:43.040 said it and I may have missed it, but the number two here in regards to the appointment of the acting town manager, what was that about? What's her intent here? That's the revision that we had. That was another extensive discussion that I recall 773 03:49:43.040 --> 03:50:02.479 that we had that is section 3.4 acting town manager. >> What are we hoping to >> So we we struck the language that was there. The language that was there was to perform his or her duties during his or her temporary absence or disability. The town manager may designate by letter 774 03:50:02.479 --> 03:50:17.680 filed with the council a qualified employee of the town. In the event of failure of the town manager to make such a designation or should the person so designated be unacceptable, the town council may revoke such designation and appoint by majority vote another town 775 03:50:17.680 --> 03:50:32.720 another employee of the town to serve until the town manager shall return to his or her disability or his or her disability shall cease. That was the language current as is currently in the charter. We replace it with this language. In the event of his or her 776 03:50:32.720 --> 03:50:47.520 temporary absence or disability, the town manager may designate a qualified employee of the town to serve as acting town manager to perform the duties of town manager. The town manager shall make this designation by filing a formal written communication with the town 777 03:50:47.520 --> 03:51:02.800 council. In the event the town manager does not make this designation is un unable to make this designation due to the nature of the temporary absence or disability or if the person so designated is unacceptable to a majority of the council. The council may by 778 03:51:02.800 --> 03:51:19.680 majority vote of the council appoint or redesate if appropriate another qualified town employee. the acting town manager shall serve until the town manager returns from such temporary absence the temporary disability ceases or as otherwise determined by the 779 03:51:19.680 --> 03:51:37.600 council that was approved on February 12th, 2026. >> You did a great job reading, but what's the difference between existing and what do we change? What what what's the difference? >> If the manager is unable >> I'm sorry. If the manager is unable to designate because he his the reason for 780 03:51:37.600 --> 03:51:53.040 his absence is an is an accident or something that doesn't allow him to designate someone, then the council can designate or if the manager designates someone that the council doesn't agree with, the council can vote to change that. Yeah, it went into more detail on 781 03:51:53.040 --> 03:52:10.160 the process of designating a temporary uh or an acting manager, >> but currently the language allows the council to the first point that you raised, Commissioner Verono, the council currently if the manager can't the 782 03:52:10.160 --> 03:52:26.640 council can, right? I think it's >> well the way that it currently reads it's in the event of a failure of the town manager to make such a designation or should designated the person designated be unacceptable. It didn't take into consideration where the town manager is unable to because of their 783 03:52:26.640 --> 03:52:42.160 temporary disability or situation to appoint one because then neither situation could occur. There's not a failure of the town manager um because that a failure is actually an action that you have to take >> and then there's also there's there's no person designated. So it can't be 784 03:52:42.160 --> 03:53:01.359 unacceptable to the council. So that captures that in between. Yeah. >> In the event that he's unable to make that appointment temporary, acting appointment, >> is there um is there a way to consolidate may rather than shall so 785 03:53:01.359 --> 03:53:40.960 that it's only in the question once rather than twice? >> Mr. town attorney. I see what you're saying. Um things. Yeah, they're they're they're discussing two different subjects. Let me let me word smith it a little bit 786 03:53:40.960 --> 03:53:57.520 more and come back. >> So motion to table. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none. The motion passes. >> And Mr. share to the attorney. Maybe the 787 03:53:57.520 --> 03:54:14.080 made a shallow can be addressed in the first language when you're making some you know um >> question number one I think that had those some of those changes. >> Yeah. >> When you're replacing hearing with 788 03:54:14.080 --> 03:54:30.479 meeting although then that would be consistent throughout right then you'd have to check the entire charter to make sure that it's only in those two places. Yeah. >> Yeah. We had we had looked at that and it was part of it is that that question number one is right at 75 words. >> Oh, it was true move which is perfect. Yeah, good job over there. Forget it 789 03:54:30.479 --> 03:54:45.680 that way. >> We know I had thought about that. I I still specifically remember seeing that and and uh Madame Castillia clearly told me no that we're at 75 words. >> All right. Ballot question number 10. Ballot title reads council voting 790 03:54:45.680 --> 03:55:01.359 thresholds, special meetings, abstensions, and emergency ordinances. Ballot summary reads, "Shall the town charter be amended to update count or update council voting and meeting requirements by replacing fixed numerical requirements with proportional 791 03:55:01.359 --> 03:55:18.160 thresholds. So that one, special meetings may be called upon a request of a majority of the council instead of four council members. Two, when a majority of the members must abstain under state law, the remaining members may approve a matter by unanimous vote. 792 03:55:18.160 --> 03:55:33.920 and three emergency ordinance require 2/3 vote instead of five members. Make a motion to adopt without the parentheses around uh the instead of four council members and instead of five members and just keep the language. 793 03:55:33.920 --> 03:55:50.239 >> Second for discussion. >> All right, we have a discussion. Go ahead, commissioner. >> Is there any way that we can with two or three words incorporate this into the language about reducing the number of seats 794 03:55:50.239 --> 03:56:08.080 because this this is 99% of this only is only necessary if the number of seats are reduced. So, I'm not I'm not worried about having two questions at odds with each other. I I think all of these changes 795 03:56:08.080 --> 03:56:25.279 would only need to happen if the reduction in seats is passed. >> Mr. Town attorney. Yeah, I'm I'm okay with that. I think I think that would be possible. >> Well, >> Mr. Chair, >> on that note though, >> we're making assumptions here because we 796 03:56:25.279 --> 03:56:40.000 say, you know, majority of the council meaning four council members, but that could be confusing because if we change to a five >> member council, then it would be three. Same thing with emergency ordinances required two/3s vote, which you say here 797 03:56:40.000 --> 03:56:57.120 five members, but if we change to five member council, then it would be three. Well, if he's going to modify it and combine it, he's definitely going to have he can't use the same exact language to begin with. >> Sure. >> Because we're already at that 798 03:56:57.120 --> 03:57:14.680 >> 71 question 71 word. Well, >> in the other one, >> Mr. Chair, does >> Oh, that one we're tableabling anyways. He still has to amend the language. >> Mr. Chair, >> so Commissioner Bennett, >> does it need to be does do we need to have unanimous vote? Can it be majority vote? Does it have to be unanimous? 799 03:57:15.760 --> 03:57:37.760 or just a majority vote. >> Well, this is what we decided on the language. Look, I can take a look at it. >> I don't remember unanimous on any of our any of our discussions. There's always majority. >> And Mr. Chair, while you're checking 800 03:57:37.760 --> 03:57:54.239 that, I would to the attorney. I I think it's really confusing to talk about fixed numerical requirements with proportional thresholds. I don't even know what that means. I don't know that anybody would know what that really means. Again, I know we'll have a voter guide which will explain it, but if you 801 03:57:54.239 --> 03:58:10.800 don't see the voter guide, I don't know that anybody would understand that. >> Okay. All right. Real quick. So approving of such matters by unanimous vote is actually the current language that's in the current charter. So there was no change of that. 802 03:58:10.800 --> 03:58:26.880 So that was more clarification. That was just a cl from what I from what I'm reading here that was just clarifying language which is obviously would be just changed. But the well requiring unanimous vote is what's already in the charter and we didn't change that. And I believe that was C Commissioner 803 03:58:26.880 --> 03:58:40.960 Bennett's question about whether or not it required unanimous vote. So I think then uh we I don't uh we have the motion. Yes. Motion to table requesting the town attorney to >> second 804 03:58:40.960 --> 03:58:57.760 >> uh consolidate this with if possible if possible with question number six >> and then we have a second. Any further discussion? >> Yeah, further discussion. And if it's not possible because that one is an important question and it's got almost 805 03:58:57.760 --> 03:59:14.800 75 words already, then you would come back with updated language as a standalone question. Okay. Uh any further questions and discussions on this one? All right. All in favor say I. >> I. 806 03:59:14.800 --> 03:59:34.479 >> Any opposed? Motion passes to table uh to potentially consolidate with number six or if not to update with uh updated language. All right. Question 11. Ballot title, mayor's duties, state of 807 03:59:34.479 --> 03:59:51.199 town address, committees and intergovernmental relations. Uh ballot summary. Shall the town charter be amended to revise the mayor's powers and duties by one providing that committees of the council shall not include members of the council and two clarifying that the mayor's role representing the town 808 03:59:51.199 --> 04:00:06.000 does not preclude administration and staff from communicating with other governmental entities. I will move to adopt this language. >> Move um for discussion. Second for discussion. Sorry. >> Second for discussion. Go ahead 809 04:00:06.000 --> 04:00:22.880 Commissioner Fernandez. So um can we entertain consolidating question 11 and question 12 together since question 12 just asks about including the budget address and question 11 is gerine to the mayor's 810 04:00:22.880 --> 04:00:38.720 duties the state of the town address committees and intergovernmental regulations >> I can add >> Mr. town attorney. >> Yeah, we can do that certainly. >> And I think you could do it. We have 50 words and 28 words, but even 28 words 811 04:00:38.720 --> 04:00:53.840 can even take it. I think you're going to have the challenges in the ballot title. >> Yes. >> So, okay. So, move to table to consolidate with question 12. >> I'll second. >> We have a second on that. Any further 812 04:00:53.840 --> 04:01:15.840 discussion? >> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none, the motion passes. 12. I think that takes care of also question number 12 that we're going to consolidate. Did you guys have any discussion items that you or any 813 04:01:15.840 --> 04:01:32.080 direction you just want to give the town attorney as to question number 12 since he's going to work to consolidate it? >> So, so I just want a clarification. All we're asking in 12 is to remove the need for him to present the budget. That's all we're doing in that quest. >> Yeah, we took it off because it it the 814 04:01:32.080 --> 04:01:52.319 the generally the mayor does not do the presentation that comes from I believe it we said it was the the town manager and staff budget. Yeah. >> Yeah. They do it separately. That's why we're just taking it out there. >> All right. Last question that we have at least on 815 04:01:52.319 --> 04:02:07.600 the pages here is ballot title amending the charter revision commission process ballot summary. Shall the TAN charter be amended to update the charter revision commission process by one appointing the charter revision commission at the final regular meeting of the calendar year 816 04:02:07.600 --> 04:02:22.399 every 10th year. Uh and two extending the commencement period from 45 to 60 calendar days after appointment. Three, requiring the mayor to appoint a sitting council member if no secondterm council member is available. And four, advancing 817 04:02:22.399 --> 04:02:43.920 the charter question submission. I think it's supposed to include deadline and I would strike uh every 10th year because I think that's already incorporated. >> Second. >> So that's my motion. 818 04:02:43.920 --> 04:03:07.439 We have a second. Any discussion? All right. Uh seeing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the motion passes. All right. Number 14. Ballot title. Conforming the recall petition signature 819 04:03:07.439 --> 04:03:23.439 requirement with state law. Ballot summary reads, "Shall the town charter be amended to align the recall petition signature requirement with state law? >> I think it's currently >> provided for in section 100.361 Florida 820 04:03:23.439 --> 04:03:40.399 statutes." >> That is the motion to adopt that language. >> I'll second for discussion. >> Right. A second. Go ahead, Commissioner Fernandez. Th this one was the other one that I in some world could live without because state law is going to preempt 821 04:03:40.399 --> 04:03:57.760 the charter anyway. Um if if we're trying to reduce voter fatigue, I would be okay with eliminating the question, but um want to hear what everybody else has to say. >> Um I once again uh don't like having one 822 04:03:57.760 --> 04:04:13.840 question reference something that's not on the ballot. uh section 100.361 I took the liberty of downloading it and it sets up you know the rules I think it is redundant if if the if the uh uh commission if the charter uh has to 823 04:04:13.840 --> 04:04:29.760 reference the question has to reference another section I don't think anybody's going to bother to look up what the other section is so they would it wouldn't be a moot question they wouldn't understand what it what the what it references so I think I agree with um commissioner Fernandez that this 824 04:04:29.760 --> 04:04:45.359 is unnecessary question that it would just fall back to the state uh laws. >> Well, it doesn't fall back to the state law because this this was the discussion about whether or not we keep 10% or we just had it per applicable law and we decided to remove the 10% number to keep 825 04:04:45.359 --> 04:05:02.239 it with to align with applicable law. So, it's not just referring back to the there there's a specific reason. I think you know I thought where you were going to go is to to just as provided for in state law rather than the specific reference. I thought that's where you're going to go. Well, well, that's the thing because it's 10% to get the 826 04:05:02.239 --> 04:05:18.319 question validated and then you get a the person who's being recalled gets to do a rebuttal and then you need 15%. That's how state law is written currently. >> Yes. Oh, I'm assuming I haven't looked at it. >> Well, yeah. I mean, I I downloaded it. 827 04:05:18.319 --> 04:05:34.080 I'd be happy to share it if anybody wants it. >> No, that's >> So, I don't think that does the uh what what was intended in our charter commission, which was just 10%. There wasn't that secondary provision. >> We removed the reference to specifically 10% and we just deferred to state law. 828 04:05:34.080 --> 04:05:50.479 So it aligned with whatever state law. Currently it's at 10%. State law could always change and they could say it could be down to 5%. They could increase it to 15%. >> Also through the chair the the statute it it varies on the size of the of the the local government. So if the local government is greater than certain 829 04:05:50.479 --> 04:06:09.600 amount then the percentage changes as well. >> Yeah. Because I believe the county is what 3% or something like that I believe. >> Yeah. This section is for municipal counties have have are in a completely different section. >> I think that I think the question is going to be too confusing. I'm I'm not 830 04:06:09.600 --> 04:06:26.479 going to support it. >> Do you have language you'd recommend? >> Yeah, I'd like to We got an extra 50 words here. Let's go ahead and delineate some of what what section 100 is.361 so that people know what the what the proced if we're going to change it to 831 04:06:26.479 --> 04:06:46.080 bring it to the let's let's go ahead and let them know what the change is otherwise just leave it the way it is >> do you would you like to make a motion to that effect to add more to the language >> yes that yes that would that would have to be my my motion on this particular question because it leaves too much in 832 04:06:46.080 --> 04:07:05.840 the unknown So, yes, I'm going to make that motion. >> I will I will second that. >> Okay. It's motion to modify. Do either of you have language that you would like to propose? >> We'd have to go ahead and actually kind 833 04:07:05.840 --> 04:07:22.160 of compress what the entire um Florida statute says. I think um I would need more time to figure out what are the relevant sections that would apply here. Obviously, you we don't we might not have to repeat uh repeat the legally authorized grounds of malfeasants and 834 04:07:22.160 --> 04:07:37.279 misfeasants. That's kind of be implied in some way. That'll be the defense statement. So, we'd have to go down basically and place the language that is more relevant to what our the voters would want to be able to vote on. >> I I think what's important is to add the 835 04:07:37.279 --> 04:07:54.239 the municipality size and the percentage of of uh signatures that's required. I think that's the what we were trying to >> correct. >> Mhm. >> So if we can add language that >> sure >> that reflects that then >> yeah percent a percentage that would 836 04:07:54.239 --> 04:08:10.640 initiate the recall for this for our our town. >> You can't put the percentage because then you're you're you know if we're going to follow the statute that's the reason that we refer back to the statute because depending on the size of the municipality and our city does well continue to grow then the percentage will change. >> And the question is I mean how how narrow is that? that I mean we have what 837 04:08:10.640 --> 04:08:25.840 30,000 well we have 24,000 electors and 30,000 population the last um >> I believe our population is around 32,000 okay >> but we have quite a few buildings going up >> so >> is there any way to add language that 838 04:08:25.840 --> 04:08:41.840 says um 10% if if the if our municipality remains below x amount of just I guess what you mean is that it could change right the state could change it I understand what you mean >> well not it could change But our population keeps on growing. So the population grow, 839 04:08:41.840 --> 04:08:58.080 >> right? I understand that. But there's room in the question, I think, to add those two scenarios that it would be at 10% if we remain below, >> let's say, 35,000 residents. And I'm not looking at it, so I don't know >> the number and maybe that >> I could I can tell you right now. I'm looking at the statute right now. And so 840 04:08:58.080 --> 04:09:13.199 that and this and now I'm recalling why we had discussed it with that because uh it says in a municipality or district of 10,000 or more but fewer than 25,000 registered elections which is where we're at now it's a 10% threshold. And 841 04:09:13.199 --> 04:09:32.800 then in a municipality or district of 25,000 or more registered the uh it shall go down to at least 1,000 electors or by 5% of the total number. So, we're really close to reaching that electors. Electors. Yeah. And and from 842 04:09:32.800 --> 04:09:48.160 from our last 24 election, I believe you said we were at 22,000 close to almost 23,000. >> Right. From memory, if memory is not mistaken, last election, we were 21,000. But that changes because I received an 843 04:09:48.160 --> 04:10:04.800 email from the elections department. I want to say three weeks ago that registered voters we had 18. And I said, "How come?" I questioned how come? I thought we were at 21. And the elections department stated that we have like 3,000 right now as of a week ago or two 844 04:10:04.800 --> 04:10:21.199 that have become inactive. They were active registered voters in 2024 in the last election. That's why I stated for the record back then that we had 21,000 registered voters, but as of two weeks ago, we have 18. But the elections 845 04:10:21.199 --> 04:10:37.760 department told told me via email. That can go up again easily throughout the year because a lot of the inactive um registered voters are going to become active again because they have to amend, they have to provide some. So, it 846 04:10:37.760 --> 04:10:52.800 changes. >> Yeah. and and and with as I think the town attorney was alluding to is that with all the new development that's going on there's definitely going to be an increase and remember this is going to cover for the next 10 years and I remember this was the discussion why we just wanted to refer to applicable law 847 04:10:52.800 --> 04:11:08.239 >> um you know whether or not we've referred to specifically 100.361 you it doesn't doesn't matter to me either way but I think it's uh you know we do the applicable to give us that ability to just change without having to have to now do a referendum to change or 848 04:11:08.239 --> 04:11:24.319 charter because it wouldn't be in compliance then uh if if Mr. Mr. >> assuming this is voted down what what's the procedure now? I mean it's still is this a specific 10% or is it now change with the law? >> Right now it's 10%. 849 04:11:24.319 --> 04:11:39.199 >> Okay. So and this will allow it to change with the law is what you're saying. >> Correct. Yes. And that was that was the underlying vote that we had for it. Commissioner Fernandez. So the the point that I was going to make is the ballot question doesn't have to age as well as 850 04:11:39.199 --> 04:11:55.760 the charter language does. So the the ballot question can include whatever state law is now, but the charter language has to be flexible enough that it can adapt with state law. If if that makes sense. So, 851 04:11:55.760 --> 04:12:11.920 we can reference in the in the ballot question if we want to provide more insight and information to the voter and educate the voter a little bit when they're making the decision, we can provide what the the numbers are now. So long as we don't put those numbers in 852 04:12:11.920 --> 04:12:27.600 the charter because if and when those numbers change, we don't want to be in the same situation that we're in now where the the charter is out of compliance with state law. >> Yeah. So, can I make an amendment then that we just remove section 100.361 and 853 04:12:27.600 --> 04:12:43.920 just says provided for in Florida statutes? Just get rid of that particular se just in case a new section comes becomes to fruition. >> Well, I I think what Commissioner Fernandez was was suggesting was to include the percentages based on the registered voters that we have right now 854 04:12:43.920 --> 04:13:01.279 to give the voter an idea of what they're voting for because otherwise they're going to read that and have no clue what it even means. But if we include those numbers, if if there's enough space, enough words left that we can include at the very least 10% of the registered voters as of today, then 855 04:13:01.279 --> 04:13:17.600 they'll at least understand what the question is about. >> Would you like the numbers written out or just numerical? >> Just numerical, please. in listening I you know I want in just thinking about it I think what we do is table table this and allow the town attorneys to 856 04:13:17.600 --> 04:13:33.840 again just reddraft this with that type of guidance I think it's I don't think we need to get into too many specifics but to just give a little bit better explanation to address maybe the growing nature of the of the electorate of of the town is that fine with everyone I see 857 04:13:33.840 --> 04:13:50.640 >> right so there's motion to >> friendly amendment to your motion to just table and allow the town attorneys All right. All in favor for that motion to say I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the motion passes. >> Okay. 858 04:13:50.640 --> 04:14:06.479 >> All right. Those are the ones that are provided. Uh the town attorneys are definitely going to be working and I'll be working with them um to go over with the remaining ones that we discussed of changes to the ballot language so we can uh focus on those limited maybe about 859 04:14:06.479 --> 04:14:23.120 four or five of them. um with the potential of you know reduce definitely reducing the number of questions that we have that are going to be coming out on the ballot. >> Um so with that >> chair do we have a date certain for the next yeah that's the next that's the 860 04:14:23.120 --> 04:14:39.040 next agenda item. >> Thank you. Okay >> so action or item 82 discussion of potential meeting dates. we can all look at our calendars. first of all is obviously from the town clerk to see the availability of chambers 861 04:14:39.040 --> 04:14:55.199 uh in >> I um >> I would say the first week of June to give two weeks >> cuz I know and I'll and I'll tell you this cuz with the when we had the last meeting where it was just backto-back weeks it was a little difficult and I know you guys the the clerks have they 862 04:14:55.199 --> 04:15:14.399 have their council meeting tomorrow >> so it's going to be two main things this week so I wouldn't want to do it just next week um if we can look at the week of June 1st. >> I have I'm just going to throw out some dates for all of you to consider. 863 04:15:14.399 --> 04:15:30.319 I had reserved the date back in January of June 2nd in anticipation of needing it. So, Tuesday, June 2nd is available. Wednesday, June 3rd, 864 04:15:30.319 --> 04:15:48.239 Chambers is available. Um, the fourth I can because we're going to be working here on the budget. I can also propose if you want Monday, June 8th. 865 04:15:48.239 --> 04:16:03.680 That would give more time for the attorneys to bring back perfect language. But again, it's really short notice because to include all this information in the council meeting 866 04:16:03.680 --> 04:16:18.640 agenda, we stitch the agenda on the 10th. >> Yeah. And we also have the memorial day break this weekend. >> No, but I'm saying whatever you want. I'm >> I just I just want to remind everybody we have the Memorial Day break, 867 04:16:18.640 --> 04:16:34.800 >> right? So June 2nd, June 3rd, and June 8th are available. >> So I I just looked at my calendar. I can tell you June 2nd or June 3rd works for me. June 8th or that entire week does not. 868 04:16:34.800 --> 04:16:53.040 >> So we're going to have June 8th. >> And I'm fine with June 2nd or third. Either way, >> I'm available on the second and third as well. >> I'm only available. >> Would I be available? Would I be allowed to do this by teleresence because I'll be in Houston that week. >> Not on a cruise. 869 04:16:53.040 --> 04:17:09.840 >> Not on a cruise this time. That was that was difficult. >> I can do the first week in June without issue. >> Chair, you you're available? >> Yes, I'm available. >> Chair, I I'm available for >> You're available. Thank you. >> Yeah, for the second 870 04:17:09.840 --> 04:17:24.560 >> member Fernandez. >> Yes. >> I believe everyone is available for the second with Commissioner Bennett. Um >> I'm sorry. >> With Commissioner Bennett uh appearing telephone or via Zoom. >> Perfect. >> Correct. 871 04:17:24.560 --> 04:17:41.520 >> So June 2nd at 6:30 p.m. >> Right. Is that good with everybody? Mr. Management, Mr. Attorney, >> I will not I'm going to be on a cruise that week, but more importantly, the seven of you. >> Commissioner Bennett showed up. I'm kidding. No, don't no worries. As as 872 04:17:41.520 --> 04:17:57.120 you know, it's a very limited number of items that we'll have right there. And you know, if we need to if you need to speak with any of us beforehand, please let us know. So, June 2nd, 6:30 p.m. everyone for our next meeting. >> Um, Mr. Attorney, can we get these out? 873 04:17:57.120 --> 04:18:13.359 They more than a day or the same day so we can kind of review them. >> Yeah. I mean, the issue is we we got to look at the minutes first and then we meet and then we come up with them. So, yeah, as soon as we get the minutes, we'll we'll be working on them. >> I appreciate that. >> And work with the clerk to get that 874 04:18:13.359 --> 04:18:30.080 finalized. uh when they get that chance and then and thankfully it's and and just keep in mind is that obviously there was a lot more to do with these bigger questions. Uh so that took a little bit of heavy lifting and you know we spend a bunch of hours and going through and just getting 875 04:18:30.080 --> 04:18:47.040 it down to this. So I really appreciate everybody's time and effort and I'll see everyone on June 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Thank you very much. Yeah, we we were in in the office yesterday till what to like from 8:00 early or 8:30 to No, 9:30 to like 1:30 something. >> It was about Yeah. 1:30. Yeah. Go. Trust 876 04:18:47.040 --> 04:19:18.600 me cuz I heard it when I got home. >> Thank you. We're adjourned. All right. All right. Part: 2 1 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:45.040 Okay. >> Good afternoon everyone. Good afternoon. >> Thank you for coming. I'm going to call this meeting to order at 4:31. Um, if you could do the roll call, please. Prito, she's on her way. Is that right? 2 00:02:45.040 --> 00:03:08.560 M on her way. Jessica president and then >> just present. >> Okay. So, I'm going to start uh with the public comments with the principles visiting us from the the schools within 3 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:24.159 the town if they could give their report. I guess we'll start. We'll we'll start >> we'll start here. Go ahead. >> Okay. So with u four school days until graduation, 100% of our seniors will be graduating on the morning of May 26. 100% have earned an acceleration point 4 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:38.959 for the school's grading formula with via an ACE dual enrollment or AP exam. Uh 9% of our senior class has already secured their associates degree through Miami Day College. That was cool. Uh we have three going into the military and two graduating 5 00:03:38.959 --> 00:03:55.680 with 13 years of perfect attendance. Um the amount of scholarships 13 years of perfect. >> They were retained one year. That's why it's 15. >> No, kindergarten. I don't >> And and if they count preK, probably 14 years. So >> that's amazing. 6 00:03:55.680 --> 00:04:10.959 >> Yeah, it is. It's a it's a like having my own kids, I can see how that's like huge. >> Um the amount of scholar scholarship dollars continues to grow with students being accepted into schools like MIT, Polytech, FIU, UF, FSU, every day 7 00:04:10.959 --> 00:04:28.080 honors. Um 100% of next year seniors have already passed all exams required for graduation and that's exciting. Our enrollment is currently at 1094. We're graduating 216 seniors. Uh we're bringing in approximately 300 freshmen. 8 00:04:28.080 --> 00:04:44.320 So our projected enrollment for next year is around 1150. We have a few more exams left on the testing calendar, but we can say with 100% certainty that Miami Lakes Educational Center will continue to be an A school. Um, we have a few teachers, very few teachers that are retiring next 9 00:04:44.320 --> 00:05:00.320 year this year and and we're expected to have maybe three or four vacancies next year. Uh, this summer, many of our students will partake in the summer youth internship program. And last but not least, we are in the planning phases of a senior a rising senior uh boot camp 10 00:05:00.320 --> 00:05:17.680 with our CAP advisor. Um, and we begin that I think the second week of June. Okay, thank you. >> Good afternoon. We're finishing up testing. Uh we had over 4,000 AP tests and 3,800 EOCC, fast pass, and 11 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:33.680 everything. Uh we are currently clearing our seniors for graduation. We're going to have a 99% graduation rate. That 1% was students that transferred to other schools that we can't find. I think one of them is Colombia. We're looking for them. Um we have our captain's assembly tonight where we unveil the banners of 12 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:50.080 all our our captains. We have our honors dinner on May 21st, which is Thursday night. And then graduation will be at M on May 29th. We have currently over 21 million in scholarship money and growing. We have Christopher Profett was a National Merit Scholar will attend Purdue. Gabriel Diaz, first ever MIT 13 00:05:50.080 --> 00:06:05.039 acceptance in school history, and he'll be attending there on a full ride as well. Anthony Perez will be at Colombia, the school, not the country. I know he's saying it gets a little confused sometimes. He's got a gate scholarship and a Quest scholarship. So he's got two double pay everything scholarships. Uh 14 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:21.520 Britney Cintas is our Posi scholar. She'll be a Franklin Marshall. Frank Bampamp was a Carnival Cruise Scholar. He's going to FAMU. And Isabel Dosada, you know her well. Uh she's a M trial national champion. She'll be going to Brown University. Uh first time in school history, we have two students 15 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:37.039 attending an FBS school for football with Trey Bell at FSU and Adrien Morales at Air Force. And we have a young lady, Jaylen Jackson, FBS. uh FPS is like the highest level college uh athletics and she'll be at track and field at the University of Pittsburgh. Uh we are 16 00:06:37.039 --> 00:06:51.680 still registering stu students. We're currently have about 626 incoming freshmen. We're projecting about 2900 to 2910 students for next year. Um over the summer we do have the internship program as well. A lot of our kids do various 17 00:06:51.680 --> 00:07:08.800 different jobs. We're also having camp at Barbara Goldman for 6th to 12th graders. uh camp somewhere between 60 I'll talk directly to them do a little commercial for them um but it's wrestling volleyball football softball 18 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:25.199 camp this summer throughout the summer it's relatively inexpensive $60 to $80 get a chance to get >> get to see the school play have fun kind of see the coaches and um kind of you know do like a little uh orientation for the next school year and that's Barbara 19 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:41.199 Goldman >> thank Hi, good afternoon everyone. Miami Lakes Middle um at this time is at 9 at 9:37 um which is about 20 students below what 20 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:58.319 we opened um the summer with um last school year. But we do feel that over the summer and at the beginning of the school year, we should go ahead and pick up those students. Um, we are testing and we should be done by Friday hopefully. Um, then we'll do a few of 21 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:13.680 the makeup tests that we need. Right now, we're cleaning up data, uh, working on the master schedule to make sure that all that data is correct. We're involved in a civics boot camp. Um, we will be doing civics EOCC testing on Wednesday. 22 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:29.599 So, we're doing the boot camp today and tomorrow so that the kids have fresh information um going into the test. On Friday, we do algebra and geometry. We will be doing a geometry boot camp on Thursday um as well so that they can go 23 00:08:29.599 --> 00:08:45.680 in fresh. Um our legal studies did extremely well this year in their competitions. They posted first place in the We the People um again which is great. Our band performed at MPA. They did a jazz perform a jazz band 24 00:08:45.680 --> 00:09:03.200 performance at um in o in March in Orlando and came with superiors excellent and superiors from there. Um the band as well um you know participated in the town of Miami links uh veterans parade the uh cars for cure. 25 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:18.399 Our dance team also competed and won first place in team palm chess team did phenomenal this um school year. We even went to Spokane, Washington um for national competition and we came home with seventh place out of 38 middle 26 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:34.480 schools that participated there. Uh academically, we are still planning to have our chemistry, our algebra 2, we were working on trying to get a dual enrollment um course um uh during the regular school year because it's a little difficult for our kids to go to 27 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:50.480 like Miami Dade in the summer. So, we wanted to bring it here so it'd be more um accessible to them. Um we are going to be doing an inter session um for our eighth grade students now during the summer so that they don't have to actually go to summer school. We 28 00:09:50.480 --> 00:10:07.600 can do it inhouse and make sure that they're getting um that they need. Um our girls participated today um in regional competition for basketball. Um they lost but they got to uh go to regional. Um and looking towards the 29 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:24.640 ending of school, we'll have awards assembly next week. Um our drama students are going to be performing Foot Loose. >> Um we too are going to be having an internship. Two juniors are going to be coming to the school and work um with us on an internship. And our end of the 30 00:10:24.640 --> 00:10:46.000 year dance is on Friday the 29th. And that's it. We're done. Good afternoon. Principal Bob scores are looking really really good. Um our percentage of students so far we've tested elementary. We began with 31 00:10:46.000 --> 00:11:01.760 middle school this week but we have increased from 5 8 10 12 17% increases in ELA math and science. Um because we're a K8 our testing window is very long as I mentioned. So we will continue with EOCC's and middle school 32 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:17.600 this year but the data is looking really really good with off the charts inclusive. Um we completed our second year we're completing our second year of ste uh being a designated school which has allowed our students to participate in many activities and competitions 33 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:34.800 throughout. Um the students have been recognized with many um awards and and accolades. They brought home a lot of prizes and we've been able to highlight also our elementary which our second year which is less spearheaded over here. Um and they're doing really good. 34 00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:49.600 They've gone to competitions. They brought first and second first and second grade prizes home. So they've done really good and with science our robotics teams team they final and they went to nationals and they traveled to 35 00:11:49.600 --> 00:12:05.279 Nebraska and they also also came back home with awards. So, they've been doing really well in science. Um, our dance team continues to excel and be recognized at the district and state levels. Our band has performed and been uh recognized at the 36 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:21.680 superintendence honors uh festival. And they've also shown amazing improvement. And now this is the season where we're doing awards, we're doing recognitions, we're doing assemblies, concerts, recital, banquetss, end of year trips, and of course our annual blastings that 37 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:38.639 the PTSCA um spearheads. We celebrated this year our 20th A, our consecutive 20th A. We're one of only two schools in the school district. I always say that that has been able to maintain that steady A. Um, our board member, Mr. Alonzo Sal with us early in 38 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:55.839 the year and we are striving for our 21st a and the data is democ um we feel very confident that we will close >> good afternooner Miami K8 center we are in the middle of our you know closing 39 00:12:55.839 --> 00:13:11.920 and of our school operations testing is going well we will be done this Thursday with our ELC's and the rest of our testing um we are seeing some increases as well in our data. So, that's promising, especially in our ELA, which we finalized already. The other ones were still, you know, we tested some 40 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:28.240 students and then we still have some more to go. Um, we're in the middle also of our awards assemblies. We started last week because we do awards assemblies for all of all of our grade levels and we invite all students. So, it's very very intense. Um, so we have awards assemblies every single day. Um, 41 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:43.519 but that's going well. Students are being recognized as they should. Um PTSA is also hosting our end of the year funday activities and you know students are excited about that. We also reward all students that go up um that the ones that stay proficient or or attain 42 00:13:43.519 --> 00:14:00.399 proficiency and also the ones that increase their learning gain. So we include those and we provide them with special activities during their funday as well. Um we um we were our their students took the PC the PST again this year and they did you know very very 43 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:18.399 well as well. Um we've utilized some of the funds also for the steam competitions and steam supplies for the lab activities and teachers. So thank you so much for that continued support that you continue to offer. Our electives continue to grow. We were able to offer 24 elective offerings in our 44 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:34.000 middle school year, which is great for our students because it does keep our enrollment um because traditional middle schools obviously are able to uh times offer more electives than we are. So, it does keep us competitive. Um our school participated in many competitions. So, 45 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:49.040 our students did have an opportunity to rank and and participate in the different contests and they did very well. our law academy was able to participate in the four different competitions they had at three of the neighboring schools um HML Goldman and 46 00:14:49.040 --> 00:15:05.440 um Hia Gardens and also at the Miami date and they placed you know um top school we had honorable mentions we had outstanding delegates so we had different um accolades in those areas as well and FBA as well we placed in the 47 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:20.800 leaders district leadership conference this year and students involved other two was in in addition to the digital literacy, we also had a second place um winner there. We also had a student place first in the Miami Day uh fair and 48 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:37.279 exposition piano competition. He did very well there. And we also in our esports, our computer technology, our robotics, we had students place first in esports, the VR coding. We also had a first place two first place winners and 49 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:52.639 also in the Minecraft as well. Our photography also did very well. Um they received first place in special awards and we had first place winners in the home contest 50 00:15:52.639 --> 00:16:10.399 this school year as well. And also we had three other state winners in the AI challenge, presidential AI challenge. So that is very very nice um of the recognition. Our enrollment is currently our future enrollment is currently at 10:45. Um we're down about 48 kids, but 51 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:25.519 that's usually the kindergarten students that haven't registered yet. Um so I anticipate that we're going to be more or less at the same that we were at our October FT, which was around 1093. And we are I'm excited about bringing another prek unit this school year. Um 52 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:41.800 the district has, you know, reached out to us um and we were able to find the space to be able to bring another prek unit. It's already packed as well. So we have two full prek units already for next year so that she definitely can help us as well with our enrollment. 53 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:57.360 >> Thank you. >> I am representing um Ramirez HML. Um like everybody else, testing is ongoing. We wrapped up ELA and pretty much um we have met our proficiency goals and learning gains. We're still 54 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:13.280 testing in math. Um we're going to be testing US history and biology this week. Our graduation will be May 26 for the first time at Lone Depot Park. So that will be very interesting for us. Um 55 00:17:13.280 --> 00:17:28.400 >> cool. >> It's going to be open. We're trying to figure out how to do our practices right now. There's a baseball field in my school if you want to use it. >> Not only not only are you is it your first time there, but you're the first one to go. >> Yes. So there's no question. No. 56 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:43.600 Um so like we had a meeting today where literally >> AF I don't know how that's going to um accolades. Our robotics is doing very well under our teacher Caster. Um we've 57 00:17:43.600 --> 00:18:01.200 won innovative um challenge MDC Wolfson mini camera drones first place Miami date county youth mini camera drones first place FBA has done well this year in innovate challenge DC um speaking first place district finalist business 58 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:17.360 ethics and digital animation first place Miami day county youth fair for technology special award and our law program is really thriving Um they went to Harvard they didn't place but all during the year they've won awards 59 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:32.960 student law group policy debate tournament first place Billen Stoneberg policy debate tourn tournament first place Miami date urban debate league alumni classic policy debate first place and Stern Weaver Miller policy debate 60 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:49.679 tournament first place and white and case 2026 policy debate nationals qualify for first place. Um, we've won a lot of art accolades. Winners in this year's art of um, found objects art contest, Allison Bernales H, um, high 61 00:18:49.679 --> 00:19:05.360 school award of merit, Angel Pledo, um, honorable mention. Um, we're going to really be really starting our space program next year. Um so we're looking forward to 62 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:20.720 seeing how we do with um our space hub certification programs that will start. We started with um our ninth grade students. We're now going to be going into the 10th grade. But again, that is our biggest thing next year is the space program. Um volleyball made it to 63 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:37.440 regionals. Um we have um one of our students um Zachary Webb who is going to get a full scholarship at Barry University for volleyball. Um during the town Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board annual award meeting um of 64 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:53.600 excellence um we won some accolades fine arts Anastasia Riley again athletic Zachary Webb and local activism Lucia Bling and we have two teachers retiring this year Queen Summers and Aidah Nunes who were 65 00:19:53.600 --> 00:20:10.880 also recognized at the top. >> Thank you so much. So, thank you all for coming today and for giving us updates on how your year went. Um, we wanted to definitely thank you for having more nominees this year for the end of the year awards of excellence. We had a lot of nominees um from from almost all the 66 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:27.919 schools. Um, so that was wonderful and congratulations to Miami Lakes Middle School for the spelling be your school won the spelling. >> So, congrats on that. Um, is there anything we can help you all with that you think maybe you would like some support from the town and then specific area or anything 67 00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:47.679 >> that we can help? Don't be afraid. >> For something, but I mean I don't know. >> I can let Rodriguez Diaz with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. First and foremost, shame you. It's great to be part of this conversation and hear about 68 00:20:47.679 --> 00:21:04.799 the successes of the students. And we know that behind every student there is a teacher and teachers who are holding themselves accountable as well as the commitment from the town itself. So we appreciate your support. With that in mind, our school board just passed a 69 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:20.720 resolution at last month's school board meeting for the referendum renewal. This is going to go out to the voters and this is a renewal. It went out in 2018 in 2022. 70 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:36.559 It is expected to go in front of the board of county commissioners tomorrow. >> It will be sponsored by Commissioner Renee Garcia, but this referendum renewal helps with instructional personnel, teacher compensation, 71 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:52.400 as well as school safety and security. So again, this will go out to the voters for November 3rd, but we are spreading the word. Eventually, our our schoolboard members will have town hall meetings just to inform the community 72 00:21:52.400 --> 00:22:09.440 about what this referendum does. It's not an increase. It does include charter schools, public charter schools as well. Um, so we want >> So, so it does include public charter schools, but it is um it's a renewal. 73 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:25.200 It's not an increase. It is to continue to improve compensation for teachers, instructional personnel, and to cons continue to secure all of our schools uh safety, school resource officers, everybody benefits. And if all kids win, 74 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:43.039 you know, education is priority of for all of us. >> So, ensuring their their high quality education and their safety is the utmost priority for us. So, we wanted to share that with them. >> Thank you. So, I want that too. Well, I know that your time is very 75 00:22:43.039 --> 00:23:26.200 valuable. So again, we appreciate you coming by. And with that, I hope you have a wonderful end of the school year and we'll see you at the beginning of the school year in August. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for your time. lunch. >> Hello Let me move over. 76 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:45.679 >> Oh yeah. Oh um >> let's go ahead and for the record note that my and Jessica are >> and and I'm gonna uh we're still on public comment so perfect timing. So I 77 00:23:45.679 --> 00:24:02.000 wanted to invite Mario Per in. He was going into our meeting. is going to talk a little bit about his idea that he had emailed me about for an end of the year. Um what what you >> uh Mario Panera 8825 Northwest on the 78 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:18.480 fifth floor. Um so I reached out to Anna about uh just promoting something to promote our schools and basically the uh uh high schools and the middle schools. So, uh, the idea came from, I'm sure, I'm not sure if everybody's seen the 79 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:36.000 movie Old School, >> right? Where they have to stay in the frat, they have to compete in three different things. >> So, scalgic sport and some kind of talent, some kind of show. So, the idea was like that we could put together the three um high schools would be HML, 80 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:52.799 um, Bob Barbara Goldman, and the Miami League's uh, educational set. And then we could do it for the middle schools as well, the K through eights, right? The idea is we get a sponsor, we showcase the schools. There's a lot of ways we could show them, not just wise, uh, 81 00:24:52.799 --> 00:25:09.200 theater, um, some kind of talent show, you might say. And then we have like a civic bowl or educational bowl or something like that or a, uh, what was it? A debate, you know. So, we have those three avenues. Not sure what you guys think. I mean, I'm sure the town 82 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:23.360 will will could find sponsors for it. There's plenty of, you know, businesses that would love to sponsor. We could give a trophy. We could have an annual kind of thing. It showcases a school and not in just one area is what I'm trying to get at. So, >> that's my question. Where would we do 83 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:40.320 it? Every year we change locations or >> depends on what it is. So, we could if it's a sport, we only have a couple venues that we could use. So we do volleyball, basketball, we can only use, you know, the educational center, HML or 84 00:25:40.320 --> 00:25:57.039 or Goldman, you know, we don't only have to do basketball. We could do basketball, volleyball, we could do co-ed. >> So is it like um one sport per day or we have to set it up one day like kind of >> we could do a weekday or a weekend? It 85 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:12.480 all depends how we could set it up because again it's not you I'm think do it in one day. intram mural has like different sports going on at the same time like an event that you can have like a >> you could have some people here some 86 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:29.679 people there and then each one is doing like a different like maybe like a volleyball >> um indoor basketball >> they kind of have the teams going on and then people are there >> if let's say we hold it at at Goldman 87 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:45.440 you could have you have the auditorium so you could do the theater, you have the uh gymnasium, and then you have the cafeteria. You could do all three >> or you you have the debate where you have the the courtroom in. So, you have all those. You could also do it at HML 88 00:26:45.440 --> 00:27:03.039 >> or like maybe do like a a schedule like visit this place. So, you can see the different programs, different programs maybe. >> I mean, we could host it. We could host one thing at one school, one thing at another. So maybe one could be sports, the other one could be like theater, 89 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:18.320 debate, law, >> just to keep it even between the >> three schools. And then we could do it through the K through eight as well because there's there's three now. So >> So it' be something ongoing maybe for like a month >> or a month is too much every weekend. I 90 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:34.080 think it was the other week would be >> we could do the week where you get the preliminary you know >> teams and then the final weekend is where you say hey these are the winners or >> come visit the schools or something so not so the preliminary rounds wouldn't be open to the public 91 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:49.760 >> do you have a sponsorship if we >> if the idea >> a structure like an outline >> I can get you the structure just my point to you guys was to see if it's something that you guys would want to do >> I I like the idea of it because I like anything that's going to highlight 92 00:27:49.760 --> 00:28:05.679 public schools and bring attention to the schools and get people to come and visit the schools and hopefully bring their kids there. So, I love >> HML needs help. There's a lot of schools that need help that are under under populated and I think understood populated. I think this would help and then it also helps us because we could 93 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:22.720 we can maybe start for like food or something that we we sell and then those funds come straight to our house and we we can make money that way for more of our programs and initiatives. So, I think it's a win-win for everybody. It'll be a lot of work >> and it's something we have to plan. And if you're talking about doing one at 94 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:38.760 each school in a different weekend, you know, a minimum you're looking at six weekends in the year. >> I know that all three schools have the uh the uh um courtroom law study, right? I know 95 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:56.480 >> they all >> and they all compete on. >> So there we could do that as one >> something like that in January anyway. We're doing I'm in the worst planning that but that's going to happen. So I could the three high schools will be there so I can I'm already that's done. 96 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:12.159 >> So maybe the sports one I think would be the next one. >> The next one. So I doubt what one sport that they all have. I mean I know that Miami education doesn't have sports. >> I have to say like above Graham we do a something for robotics that all these 97 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:28.880 schools come and then people can see the robotics tournament that we have and that that's a place where a lot of people come. It's not only with the with the schools from the town though >> other schools too. Yeah. >> Yeah. But like the schools from the town usually participate. >> Well because my education center has no 98 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:45.200 sports. No, that was one of No, that was one of their deals for them to be a high school for them not to be competing in sports. But I don't >> Yeah, they don't have >> Okay, so let's >> They have a gymnasium, so I don't know what they do the gymnasium or I would have to find out. 99 00:29:45.200 --> 00:30:05.440 >> Maybe they have a club. >> If they have a club or something. >> So our our feeder pattern school is HML. If you don't sign up for your magnet school, you're going to >> Okay. So, if we don't do a sport and we only have one trial, which is one thing, what was another thing you could do? You 100 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:22.799 could do college. >> But why can't they do that like a >> field day kind of feel where it's not your sports? >> We could bring that back. Threelegged race. Yeah. Get to school athletic competition, but not like the feel. 101 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:38.799 >> I like the field. It's not like you have different. It's like everybody, you know, >> yeah, you could compete in, you know, exactly. Three-legged race, the sack potato race. >> Yeah. Back in the day. Back in the day. Take the trainers in high school don't get to 102 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:53.520 do anymore. >> Exactly. They don't do that anymore. >> So, I think a field day would be great for that. >> Do you want to do anything else academic or just do a field day and then >> the academic one? There is a lot of we could do the civic bowl 103 00:30:53.520 --> 00:31:09.919 >> but virtual popo. Don't they already have? >> They already have one. >> Do the law do the field day. Maybe you could do a theater arts and >> the thing I know all three schools have the law the law. So that would be good. >> Well that's already being done. 104 00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:26.960 or maybe we do like a debate team >> and then we involve you know >> now at the middle school level there's nothing for those three for those programs at the the K through the Bob Graham the K through8 and Miami middle they don't there's nothing that I know of where they're competing against each 105 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:41.919 other >> musical performance arts >> I think that's more >> you have to come up with a you could come up with a theater an act you got to come come up of an act. >> My thing is that for music, dance and drama, 106 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:58.320 >> all three can be involved in that. >> I think for our first year, having a field day, I think having a field day and then like a drama day would might be better for the first year. Or if we if we don't want to bite too much off, let's just do the field day for the first year. We could do the field day for high schools and field day for 107 00:31:58.320 --> 00:32:13.840 middle schools and see how that goes. >> And we do it when the weather's nice. >> We have to be in the winter time. Yes. So I think let's start with the field and then we can add other stuff later on because it's a lot to take on from >> and then we do where your your school wins 108 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:29.360 >> you know if you trophy correct yeah not a single sport not a single sport you know >> you come to us for the spelling be it was like years ago >> it was like forever ago right >> he's got great ideas okay great ideas so for the field day what month are you 109 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:45.039 guys thinking of let's think of >> January too crazy. >> Yeah, we're too crazy. >> January, February, January, February is good. >> Super Bowl and you can like >> end the January, early February. >> We already have these. >> We have the spelling be at the end of January. Remember that. We do have the 110 00:32:45.039 --> 00:33:01.440 spelling at the end, but that's not a big thing. Like that's not >> that weekend before the the the the conference finals and there's like no sports and people are bored. Bam. >> What week is that? What week is that? What week is that? Right after the Super Bowl here in the very beginning. >> Okay. So, let's right before >> end of January and beginning of of 111 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:16.000 February. Let's let's go and we'll pick a day closer to >> so we get to focus on do >> Yeah, that's perfect. And that'll be on a Saturday is what we're thinking, right? >> On a Saturday so it doesn't interfere at all with any school activities or whatever. >> Um and then we have to tell the schools 112 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:32.399 to create teams to be ready. So we have to let give them notice of this. Um we need a sponsor. >> We need a sponsor. >> Sponsor. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Can you help us with >> I'll help you with a sponsor. >> I need a sponsor. Okay. Or sponsors. just create me um >> like a brand new I'm going to create like a 113 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:48.320 >> no a proposal like a package like top title sponsor and then you know maybe a silver and a bronze >> they have options >> we have we don't have that we don't have that for any >> I think we do but I'm not sure what the price levels are >> for words of so we just have to tweak it 114 00:33:48.320 --> 00:34:05.919 for for this so we'll be tweaking it for for three levels of sponsorship >> and then we need to like have a list of the actual >> now here's the problem that we're going to encounter From what I know, maybe you guys could help with teachers watch >> facility. If we do this on a Saturday, 115 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:22.720 right, we're going to have to get a facilities request, right? >> If we do it at school. Yeah. >> If we do it at school. >> At school. >> We can do it at one of our parks. >> Well, the thing the whole thing the whole purpose behind this was to get people into the schools. >> Go to go visit the schools. 116 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:38.639 >> We have to pick it the most >> HL right now. >> It's not Barbara M. It would be HML. HML would be the school that needs it the most, I think. >> Mhm. >> So, it would have to be on their campus. They have a track. They have a big track. They have a big track where you could do stuff. >> Oh, we need a field. >> They have a field. 117 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:55.280 >> Yeah. The exact date would be the 7th of February. Just sign. >> Oh, okay. That's a >> That's a That's a No, my bad. That's a Sunday. So, it would be the sixth. >> The 6th of February. >> Now, everybody's okay with BH Health having Yeah, because they're the school that it's your school. 118 00:34:55.280 --> 00:35:11.119 Yeah, >> it's the school that needs the most, you know, help. >> They're the ones that are hurting the most. >> So, doing it there would be nice. >> Remember, the charter schools are going to be there next that year. >> What's the um in that time? Are we are are we looking are you guys doing the uh 119 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:27.599 looking for kids for for next year around that time then we can invite the K through eights to come out and you know >> go and visit the schools. >> Yes. So, the m Okay. So the applications >> what are they still open >> programs >> uh closed in uh actually January the 120 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:44.240 application January early January >> um too late >> but in January Jan >> I think it was January 12th >> that's another thought just just in case opens in October it closes in January 121 00:35:44.240 --> 00:36:00.240 >> everybody's trying to proof so it's not about >> so we would have to move it up Then between November and December, >> but you don't have to move it all up. You can move one or two events up. >> No, we're only doing one. >> We're only one one day. We're >> only doing 122 00:36:00.240 --> 00:36:15.760 >> beginning of Thanksgiving and then Christmas. >> It has to It would have to be early November, like right at the beginning of November. >> But here's the thing. A school like HML typically the question is a good one, but for a school like HML, it typically doesn't 123 00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:32.400 matter. Why? because if they have infin seats that that application doesn't matter. You know what I'm saying? >> No, but they're not magnet. >> They're not magnet. >> They have a magnet program, right? So the kids, right? But they're not a whole magnet. So it's not like you can't go to HML. You can still do a parent choice 124 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:47.760 transfer. >> They're probably under um under enroll. No, they are under enroll. >> So you can still do it in February and parents could still register. It's not like that. >> Right. They're not just Right. Right. Right. Right. They we just need to have 125 00:36:47.760 --> 00:37:04.720 people look and see what they have, >> right? >> What you know, the campus, the school, >> and would the school be willing to do like tours while this is going on? >> And we'd have to have um the school board office go as well so that they 126 00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:21.599 >> you have to you have to be careful how you do this as well because I know that the high school principles, right? If we host something on HML and then you're going to do that recruiting thing, they're not going to be right. So, we have to worry differently in saying that gonna be a competition to showcase your 127 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:36.560 school. >> Yes. >> In a sense. >> Correct. You know, because I know how they are with each other, they don't even want to step on each other's territories because >> if we do it outside of a school, we do it at one of our parks, one of our 128 00:37:36.560 --> 00:37:53.680 parks, which we have beautiful parks in the town, they could bring all the more neutral >> and it would be neutral territory. >> But I think >> that might be something. >> It is more feasible. Park is huge. rentals. You we have to 129 00:37:53.680 --> 00:38:10.760 make sure there's no like Saturday. >> They just don't have no tracks >> or veterans tracks. >> There's no tracks. >> It's not a leg. It's not a like a >> Oh, like a parts have >> none of the parks have. 130 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:37.680 >> Yeah. >> I mean, the only thing we won't have is like a relay. We could have a relay race. two hours into the room. >> Hi, baby. >> Delicious. Deliciousness. I need to see. Hello. I need to see I need to see the 131 00:38:37.680 --> 00:39:19.520 baby. >> Oh, wait. Oh my god. >> Ready? Wow, how time flies. They grow into lawyer. >> Nobody's here. 132 00:39:19.520 --> 00:39:50.480 I saw that >> backpart if it's at a park neutral territory >> that they can bring stuff and showcase, you know, but like I said, we're not we're not going to be doing like track and field events. So no, >> you can do it and as long as you have a grassy area 133 00:39:50.480 --> 00:40:08.079 >> on the on the >> you could do it at veterans park. It has enough to do like a relay on the >> it could be the park is smaller. I think >> I think the grass area is smaller >> and I think that like the whole area feels a little bit more congested. I 134 00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:25.680 feel like Royal Oaks Park is a little open and like the parking situation would be horrendous even for the mom. It was very It seems like very crowded. >> Yeah, >> it's a lot going more towards a rental 135 00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:42.400 more airy, more space. >> Okay. So, you're going to help out with the sponsor. We're going to create a list of events and what we want the schools to do. >> Um and the schools can come bring their tables. >> We first got to get approved. Well, >> obviously. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We need something. 136 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:58.520 >> We have to put something together to create a proof. And then we can sell we can be the ones selling all of the the refreshments or stuff or whatever and those funds will go to to to our programs >> cuz we don't want to charge tickets for this. No 137 00:40:59.440 --> 00:41:16.800 >> we'll just sell it. >> If you sell you soda cans, whatever. Yeah. So soda >> like a concession stand. >> Concession stand. We'll have a concession stand. So, those of you that came in late in the meeting, which note down that did arrive, >> Mario came to us with the idea of having 138 00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:32.680 like a field day kind of a thing, a competition between the schools. So, we're going to do this uh in we're thinking what day did you say? February 6th. >> February 6th. That's Saturday. It's between February 6th. >> So, after the Super Bowl when there's like some time available 139 00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:50.160 >> so the idea is to showcase the schools. You ever seen ultra? No, she's watching the movie. Okay. The idea is they have to compete into three different categories. Uh a sport, a knowledge bowl, and some kind of theater or um act or anything. So, the idea is we kind of 140 00:41:50.160 --> 00:42:05.440 compete with the three high schools and the three K2A just to showcase them just so everybody shows their different talents and years and things like that. So, the idea is to start with something small and be like a field day kind of thing. >> That's where we're at. Oh, and then Roberto also centered the community 141 00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:21.200 center on the inside. We could have the tables of the display so they can walk around a showcase on the inside. So we need a lot. >> We need both areas. >> We have to request that. >> And there is a concession stand there. There is a concession inside the little 142 00:42:21.200 --> 00:42:38.000 building. I think you can. >> So that'll be perfect. >> This is going to be a big big event. This will be a very big. And the question is, do we have the high schools at one time and the middle schools or is all going on? You have them both, right? You they're going to have more people show up. >> Yeah. So, >> and then the the middle school looks at 143 00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:53.200 the high school. >> Correct. Okay. So, we have to do them both at the same time. Okay. >> Every needs to display all these ports and then somebody in charge of each of each field activity like assign someone to that field activity. >> Yes. >> Like kind of like a 144 00:42:53.200 --> 00:43:08.800 >> somebody to manage that. >> Yeah. We >> do. We know if we want to do something inside. Don't we know if everybody has a chest? does chess. >> A student had asked me about that a couple weeks ago about I remember the 145 00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:24.400 mayor had a chess uh competition tournament and he was asking hey they're going to ever bring that back. I don't maybe we could do that as well because a lot of them and a lot of them were talking about their chess program. So I wouldn't mind bringing that back but then 146 00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:40.560 >> that gives you two different kind of students you know. >> Yeah. out the art and drama too. >> That's >> so that's why I think we stick to field day. >> Just field day for day this year for >> and then we can expand. >> But the but the chest thing wasn't that led by the mayor not sure but does the 147 00:43:40.560 --> 00:43:55.359 current mayor want to do that? That's something that >> I have not sure with our help or something like >> it doesn't matter with the weather if we just >> wouldn't be big for us to do. It wouldn't be bad for us to do. We can also sell stuff like the chesting in here but the chesting they 148 00:43:55.359 --> 00:44:11.520 >> cuz chesting is all ages as well. Yeah, it's all ages and all all groups and I I I don't I don't see why we couldn't do both. If we don't want if we don't want to bite off too much, let's just do the field day for this year, >> but one at a time. But we could do the chest thing. I don't see why not. But that's something that has to come from him. I think he doesn't want us to go 149 00:44:11.520 --> 00:44:27.520 >> or you guys take both of the chest. >> We could raise money with that cuz >> we do the spelling be already. The spelling be is a great program and I think the chess would be another a great like another great thing I think that we could do. It's academic and here I kind of like I don't know you ladies tell me but I think if it's too much let's just 150 00:44:27.520 --> 00:44:42.960 focus on the field this year. >> I think we do field it's a lot >> at the same time we're also starting the work >> during this time too little by little baby steps. So let's look on the >> and the banners for this year. Somebody else will take that off. >> Survive the 151 00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:58.720 >> Yeah, let's survive. So let's do field day. like the building. Um, so we can plan this and and we're going to go through our agenda today, but I know we're not going to get everything done today and and I would like to actually definitely be here for that. So maybe at our next meeting, we're in May now or one of our next meetings we can start to 152 00:44:58.720 --> 00:45:14.319 already but we need to put something together. Huh? >> But we're not talking. >> We're going to talk about them. Yes. But okay. But so you'll get us a sponsor. We'll put together and we have to send it to you so that you can send it to intergovernmental >> to get permission. We got to see how we 153 00:45:14.319 --> 00:45:47.440 try to see. >> Oh yeah. >> We have to wait. We have a meeting. That's what kills if your if your if your if your room get something to go before council but now council I 154 00:45:47.440 --> 00:46:03.680 special call for the budget it's not the usual meeting >> why do I have to have council You're doing everything and then you're not >> fairly the school is not for you. It's 155 00:46:03.680 --> 00:46:19.040 not fair. I would, >> you know, I get it. Everybody's got >> for example, is the advanced academics money. They can't touch that because that's not there to touch. >> Okay, ladies, just logistics for a 156 00:46:19.040 --> 00:46:34.560 minute. We're we're scheduled um Isabella was just reminding me we're scheduled to go >> no no no the we're scheduled to no for to go before council in August is our report to council because we have to get permission from the council to do this >> then once the council approves then we would have to go through 157 00:46:34.560 --> 00:46:51.440 intergovernmental make sure the schools >> right they have to >> they have to also >> um and then so so it's a lot of baby steps that we have to do there so we we would have time now in the summer to or whenever our next meeting is plan is a little bit more before we would present 158 00:46:51.440 --> 00:47:07.359 it to council >> and then and then ask for intergovernmental and then it's just a matter of then making sure we can get the date to have the park all to ourselves because we require >> the the building the community center and >> that day both >> that's an entire day on a Saturday so 159 00:47:07.359 --> 00:47:22.880 that would take a lot to make sure we get that my question to you is if that was to happen in September if everything everybody says both sides say okay how hard would it be to get that park in February closed for that day. >> I think there's enough time where it shouldn't be an issue, but parts we need 160 00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:38.800 to know like as soon as possible. There's a lot of clubs that have games and there's football leagues and stuff like that like the flag. >> Is there any way to kind of get like an idea? I shall break everything. They can kind of maybe reserve it once we get everything approved. Is there a 161 00:47:38.800 --> 00:47:53.520 way to get that going or >> Well, we would work with them to reserve it, but once it's confirmed, we can get it confirmed. But um >> No, but I want to tell them that date and then it ends the thing. Right. >> Could you at least find out for them when uh the flag football ends? 162 00:47:53.520 --> 00:48:09.599 >> Yeah, because we we don't want >> No, they're not in season >> and soccer as well. >> If we can get like a Don't they have like a calendar of events and stuff that >> I know there's a period where the the fields are empty and they have to do uh like maintenance on them. Maybe we could 163 00:48:09.599 --> 00:48:25.359 have a week of We're not going to use the whole field. I'm not I'm not sure we're going to use every single >> field. We're going to do if we're going to do high school in middle school, then Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I think we're going to use a whole. >> So, you got to talk to Jeremy. >> But we can get a schedule at least that week when we can plan. If we have a 164 00:48:25.359 --> 00:48:41.280 schedule, we know, okay, these are the weeks when this is happening, then we can plan around. But I like it. I think it'll be a win-win for everybody. I think it'll be good for the town. I think it'll be good for the schools. It'll be good for us. It's good. It's a win-win. >> Thank you, Mom. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. So, you just got to guess the sponsor. >> I'll get the trophy. I'll put the big 165 00:48:41.280 --> 00:48:56.160 trophy, but we'll get a big sponsor so we can do the everything >> just let me know that what levels you need and then we'll work on that. >> Okay. >> All right, guys. >> You can ask ladies, right? >> You can ask the coaches. 166 00:48:56.160 --> 00:49:13.280 >> No, I have to I just don't want to date because we have to we're missing. >> Yeah, this is what we've been doing. >> But you know what? going to combine because they clean that decide that we should raise money for programs that might come up with the money that we needed to come out with something we can 167 00:49:13.280 --> 00:49:29.520 donate for more programs for us. We could even do special needs section >> special needs committee. >> Yeah, >> like the Oh, you mean special needs to help us? Oh, >> see they want to be we could be inclusive and you know >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm not discriminating. 168 00:49:29.520 --> 00:50:13.040 Anybody can join. >> Yeah. Okay. We'll talk about that. Okay. So with that I want to close public comments. Uh let's have the approval of the minutes from the last somebody ready to accept them. >> I put some Mother's Day in the new business because I typed this up extra 169 00:50:13.040 --> 00:50:33.839 early just to make sure. >> So that's why it's there, but that turned out where it is. >> I motion to approve the minutes of April 20th second. Second, >> nine and seconds. All in favor? 170 00:50:33.839 --> 00:50:48.960 >> I again have been approved. Okay. Um the student member report. Um >> yeah, just the same thing that uh just for the ladies that can come to the mother's day event that I was never able 171 00:50:48.960 --> 00:51:05.760 to actually get number from the like student government sponsors or anything. I did have two people kind of like redirecting me towards who was like running that in perfect. Please let me know exactly who it is so that I can contact specifically. And then whoever that person was, they just nothing. 172 00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:20.880 Nobody gave me a single number of books donated. >> No, we didn't. We didn't get any. I mean, other than my school. >> I'm okay. >> Oh, there was some people. >> That's it. So, Barb, I'm okay. Out of like what? Like one, two, three, four, 173 00:51:20.880 --> 00:51:37.440 five, like five, six. Wow. >> Are you meeting with them again? When's your end of the year meeting? >> Wednesday. >> Okay. So this Wednesday you're going to meet with them and see if you can get some information on what happened and what's going on. >> So what's the what the cons? Their schools didn't donate. >> Yeah, that's a little disappointing. 174 00:51:37.440 --> 00:51:55.119 >> I had uh I think it was Emily CS told me that they didn't receive or at least the lady specifically that she didn't know it was happening. So maybe either I think it was just specifically she wasn't aware. Probably the school was aware. Maybe they just thought it was like optional or they just didn't. Maybe next year we say like new books, brand 175 00:51:55.119 --> 00:52:11.599 new books because we had to throw away some old. >> So new books and then maybe just like every week send a reminder once potential already >> push it >> like we did for the awards and just be nag every week just send it >> and you might have to you might have to 176 00:52:11.599 --> 00:52:28.720 visit the schools and and talk to the schools and and be like hey or whoever the contact is the sponsor not the students. Are you senior? >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We have to keep like vote again 177 00:52:28.720 --> 00:52:48.240 next year if anybody >> supposed to be this meeting. >> I think so. >> I don't think >> Yeah. >> I don't know. >> It was my guest. I think I just honest for 178 00:52:48.240 --> 00:53:07.040 >> No, we never opened it. Like we were the the timeline put out there. It was never put out there. >> We didn't like we just slipped our minds for the first time. >> Let us know. >> I know that we open it. If anybody put their applications 179 00:53:07.040 --> 00:53:22.400 down. Yeah, >> we're gonna I need to I'm gonna um motion to add them a couple of >> um so >> ladies, I'm going to a motion to add 180 00:53:22.400 --> 00:53:40.720 under 8D. I guess we need we need to discuss the next meeting and the meeting date and then discuss um >> what are we moving >> when are we going to setting 8 right now? Oh, so you guys, I have to reopen the reorder of business. 181 00:53:40.720 --> 00:53:56.480 >> I need to reopen the order of business. Okay, motion first. >> So, a motion to reorder the uh >> reopen >> reopen the order order of business. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Yeah. All in favor? 182 00:53:56.480 --> 00:54:12.000 >> I. >> Okay. So, it passes. Okay. So, I'm going to add 8D. I'm going to put that we have to to discuss the next meeting date and discuss when we're going to have the the student member elections >> because DN >> yeah I guess 183 00:54:12.000 --> 00:54:29.440 >> so would be student >> next meeting date and then student student >> for election day >> election >> okay >> and then I don't know if we also have to set a date for the principles meeting in 184 00:54:29.440 --> 00:54:46.160 August as well because they meet in We wouldn't move in August or September. We think September. >> I think it's September. I was making sure. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Going back to 78. Okay. Let's go back to 78. 185 00:54:46.160 --> 00:55:02.079 >> Okay. Update on graduation banners. How many did we finally sell you seven? >> 60. >> So, we sold 60. And what's the projected revenue? >> Uh, it was the original MAC that was done. It was that same invoice. Let me pull that up. So we sold it at 185, right? 186 00:55:02.079 --> 00:55:19.920 >> It was 18. It ended up being 183. >> That's how much it cost. >> Yeah. >> No, the profit. >> The profit was the 183. >> We made 18. >> 183 cuz you wanted to make it was the 185 that you charged. Let me pull up the 187 00:55:19.920 --> 00:55:34.480 invoice. >> Huh? >> So how much was each banner made? >> Was it 183 and change? >> That's okay. So $1.99 plus some change for the person paying minus the the fees 188 00:55:34.480 --> 00:55:54.079 that the um >> Okay, how much >> and how much they pay? >> Yeah. >> And the difference is ups. >> Yeah. >> So, those two I'm sorry, what was um 7? >> We haven't got seven. >> No, I'm saying like writing down. 189 00:55:54.079 --> 00:56:15.000 No, I 8 the next meeting date and then 80 is the student limit. >> So the invoice the balance was $9,148.50 for the installation the removal and the printing of the banners. 190 00:56:27.359 --> 00:56:44.480 183 and.76 cents per banner >> is what they paid. >> No, they paid the 189. That's what >> Mhm. >> the um the there was additional fees. >> You're still making a profit, just a 191 00:56:44.480 --> 00:57:02.640 little less. It's like a dollar. >> How much should I make? Yeah, >> it's the one N. >> Sorry, I'm just >> Okay, so 91 was the invoice and how much was the total that was >> we sold 60 at how many 18950 you said 192 00:57:02.640 --> 00:57:16.480 was each soldus? >> So last 11,370 >> minus what? >> No, that's the fees. It's >> like subtractions. Okay. So 183 193 00:57:16.480 --> 00:57:34.160 per per is what we're got. Okay. So 183 >> equals 10 980 minus >> 9148 914 >> 9148 >> 91415. So the profit should be 8,800 194 00:57:34.160 --> 00:57:55.520 >> 18002 cuz this is financing. This isn't I don't have this number on me. >> If we sold them at 183 and we sold 60 that means the total was 108 and then we subtract whatever we paid for it which said was 9100 more or less >> 9148 195 00:57:55.520 --> 00:58:12.000 >> right? Okay. So yeah about 1,800. I think that's the number you told me, but I can confirm this for you all. Um, and I don't know when it will go in because it's through PayPal, so I'm not sure when it will eventually make your money. >> Well, my question is when does that get put into our budget that >> that's the part I have to ask you this? 196 00:58:12.000 --> 00:58:27.760 >> Oh, so we will have out of this 1832. Are you taking out is PayPal charges when you take the money out? And >> that's the fees already. Oh, that's already with the paid. Okay. Okay. I didn't know where I didn't I didn't even 197 00:58:27.760 --> 00:58:48.240 >> I thought the fees were from the company. >> So, I made about $1,800. It will have in the funds maybe by August. >> Yeah. I'll I'll try to get that. >> Hey, that's $1,800. >> Question. Would we need to use that before the budget here ends or would it 198 00:58:48.240 --> 00:59:03.839 just roll over? >> Oh, don't caution. about this less. >> That's what I'm saying. >> And from the banners, I believe it'll roll over, but I'll double check that for you as well. >> I hope they're making profit, so why didn't you give this? >> Well, my understanding from the council was that we should do things like this 199 00:59:03.839 --> 00:59:22.400 to improve our own funds so that we don't have to ask for any funds from the council, but our our budget shouldn't be cut because of this. I'm not >> Oh, you're you're you're making your own money. Let me move away from here. You don't need that much anymore. 200 00:59:22.400 --> 00:59:39.680 >> That's what I don't want anymore. I don't want that happening. You know, >> that better not happen. >> We're sucking it. >> We're trying. And the thing the reason we're raising this is for our program that we already have and now we want to do the field day that's going to help with the field day. >> I think what when they advised that the 201 00:59:39.680 --> 00:59:55.839 time that we went to the meeting is that what they said is that because we have the cat that we have for the other programs at the school that we will get money like this for that. But I don't think they're going to do any more >> cuts. No, I hope not. >> I think they meant that. >> But look like they also says that the 202 00:59:55.839 --> 01:00:12.319 team programs they love and that was with the money that they got from the town. So >> I just always think the worst and >> you know the Yes. Yes. You know I've always >> uh next I'm going to move on. I'm going to move on to seven 7B. Paint a picture 203 01:00:12.319 --> 01:00:28.960 with mom so we can discuss how that went. Anybody want to talk about a little bit? It was um >> I think it went off. >> Yeah, we had a good turnout. We gave up. Okay. The the main thing we discovered is that there are a lot of used books. So, there's two boxes right now still of 204 01:00:28.960 --> 01:00:45.119 used books that we need to get rid of. >> So, we we thought of as a when we were thinking while we were there that we're going to start distributing to the little libraries book distribution. Uh my idea I'm going to contact I contacted my school's literary society but I don't know if Miami Lakes Educational Center 205 01:00:45.119 --> 01:01:01.920 or HML or any of the other schools this is something that are you going to add to see if their literary societies will be willing to come also and help with this endeavor because it's a lot of books and to take them around the town. We're going to we said this summer ladies what we agreed is that we're going to go put the books in the little 206 01:01:01.920 --> 01:01:17.760 libraries. Correct. We're going to still go around >> collecting those books. >> I can get I can contact the FDA. We have an MBA in our school now. >> Uhhuh. >> They might want to >> help with that. >> Also help with the books. >> The only thing they have to do is to get access to the books, they have to have somebody open up the shed to give them 207 01:01:17.760 --> 01:01:34.559 access to those books so that they can then like every kid can grab maybe 10 books and drop it off at a little library, you know, to alternate these books >> during the summer. And this I think would be a great like I don't know even a silver night project or a community service project. >> It would be nice. So it's good. It would 208 01:01:34.559 --> 01:01:51.520 be a great summer night for someone to take on like a freshman. >> Yeah. >> Or even an eighth grade. >> I think it I like the idea of us supplying the little libraries with the books that we collect. I think that's a great We're giving these books back to the community. The nicer books will keep for our events and all the 209 01:01:51.520 --> 01:02:07.119 girl who came to the meeting who said that she was like building her own little library. I guess >> you remember >> I don't remember. >> Oh, she came with her mom. >> She came with her mom and she was >> temple. But if anybody I haven't seen any 210 01:02:07.119 --> 01:02:22.880 like her like >> like work off of this too where she has like a little program. >> So when you reach to when you reach out to us we will see if they can also would be any any so if anybody's listening any literary societies any book clubs that would like to students that would like to take this on as a project. We want to 211 01:02:22.880 --> 01:02:38.799 get the used books that are in the town in the Mary Collins uh center and have them put in the little libraries around town. Yeah. >> And that's what we all did that day by the way. >> Um We ended up this like a monthly of service events either like the key clubs 212 01:02:38.799 --> 01:02:55.280 or the National Honor Society >> and any club that should take this on. I'm open to it like FBA. >> So it's not us doing it all the time. I'm going to do it a few times this summer. I'm just going to go in, grab books, and start putting them in the little libraries. I happen to be in town. I'm not traveling that much, >> but I don't think it should fall on us. 213 01:02:55.280 --> 01:03:11.839 I think the kids should be doing this. >> Oh, that'd be great. So if some kids can do that if any of you want to do it during the summer with me, let me know and we can coordinate and just drive around town and drop off the little books like >> I enjoy doing actually you enjoy it too. You said that when we're doing it >> with all the family coming in and 214 01:03:11.839 --> 01:03:27.920 looking grabbing to have the little kids getting books and >> but you're absolutely right. I mean I think Florida education advisory board we should be kids >> the parents the kids to do that. >> Yeah. not just us doing it. >> So, let's let's please I need you to, 215 01:03:27.920 --> 01:03:43.920 you know, r the troops up >> and if you can all maybe reach out in your schools, those of you that are in schools, if you have, you know, um anybody that's interested in doing that, let's try and get somebody to take that on for us. >> Okay. Next, um anything else with paint a picture with mom? But I thought it 216 01:03:43.920 --> 01:03:58.400 went well. >> It went well. Okay. >> And it was cozy. I mean, >> it was nice. It was It was nice. Okay. Uh the Words of Excellence debrief. Is there anything we want to say about the words of excellence you briefly? >> I think it was great 217 01:03:58.400 --> 01:04:13.920 things to say. Let me see. >> I'm happy to speak right now. >> I feel like we said something at the end of the night and know I don't remember getting >> Oh, are you a lot going on? 218 01:04:13.920 --> 01:04:29.680 >> Yeah, she does. >> I thought everything went well. I can't remember like everything that was like that went wrong. Oh, wait. >> From the arch. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Oh, for the balloon. For me, there were so many people coming that did not that 219 01:04:29.680 --> 01:04:46.240 brought more than two people. >> Oh, yeah. >> There was someone that brought like 12 people >> and I had to accommodate them luckily. And there were still two tables of people not there. And that was another thing. Retirees did not show up from my educational center and from HML. I know HML had grabbed whatever, but my 220 01:04:46.240 --> 01:05:03.520 educational center um they >> that's unacceptable. They list they should have at least like given us a heads up. >> Yeah. None of them >> that was all the retirees from Educational Center and HML. >> So Miami Educational Center had no retirees show up and they had no nominations for any category. Correct. 221 01:05:03.520 --> 01:05:20.000 >> I don't recall. >> Yeah, they No, they didn't. They didn't >> show up at No, they did. They did. >> They did have nominations >> and they had a winner. >> They had a winner. One of the AP HML had HML had a winner. Yes. So then everybody 222 01:05:20.000 --> 01:05:38.559 participated. It was just that >> and that's not >> Did he say he had any work there? But I missed his >> this time. He didn't send it. >> So we have like two optional two. >> No. No. But they called out and they >> Yes. There was two tables that were completely empty like the retirees from 223 01:05:38.559 --> 01:05:55.760 this educational center. >> Yeah. >> How did Yeah. >> Tickets >> are going to help other expense but no not sell. But issue tickets for for people coming. >> And they were saying, "Well, I was not told that." And I'm like, "Oh, okay. 224 01:05:55.760 --> 01:06:11.359 >> Did intergovernmental settlement bring two people that they like?" And like those little children. No. No. Like it's okay. What >> do you remember? I think you were next to me, were you? No. >> They like, "Oh, look in the car." In the 225 01:06:11.359 --> 01:06:32.079 car and I was like, "No." No. And then you have this group of eight that's waiting like where where's my seat? Where's my seat? Where's my seat? I was like, okay, well done. Well, half of you guys didn't already sit up there. >> You know who the winners are. You issue them whatever. If it's two guests, you issue that person two tickets 226 01:06:32.079 --> 01:06:46.720 >> physically. They have to give them two tickets >> physically. They have to come here at the hotel. >> And if they need more, well, just like graduation, right? You have a process in place. If they need more, >> they can request >> then they can request. You put them on a 227 01:06:46.720 --> 01:07:07.920 list and as people decline, you go to that >> because they receive three tickets and two others. >> Oh yeah. Oh my goodness. 228 01:07:07.920 --> 01:07:24.079 >> Oh, maybe we can do it. No, we still have too many people maybe. >> Okay, so that that was a big thing. The >> suspensions where at my school, >> but for what? >> We're blowing up test. No, they're 229 01:07:24.079 --> 01:07:41.920 cheating on the test. Oh, that's that's dis that's unfortunately that's >> but you know what >> and they're not like >> that's that's huge EOC and just like >> they're all everything suspended. That's 230 01:07:41.920 --> 01:07:57.520 like the first step suspension and after that they're like talk with the parents >> let them know because that way they won't do it again. >> Oh cheating is no because that's going to affect the school >> of course. Then the spool gets >> bad all kinds of stuff gone where a couple 231 01:07:57.520 --> 01:08:15.039 >> did we want to say anything about >> Yeah, the balloon. Thank you. >> We need to make sure we have 20 minutes. >> Make sure we have the poll. >> Okay. Wait. So So we we don't have um I had bought I bought last year. >> Oh yeah, I have the IVM. >> I bought last year the um the 232 01:08:15.039 --> 01:08:31.120 >> the stand or the banner and that went missing. It was in it was left in that little room with the banner itself and that went missing. Somebody took it scond with it. I don't know. So 233 01:08:31.120 --> 01:08:48.000 when what do we do here? We're ordering another one for next year. >> You don't order with our funds or >> I'm going to order with our funds. Yeah. Because if you're running to an emergency, we need to So make sure I'll order it again from our funds and then I'll keep it at home. I'm not trusting it to stay on. 234 01:08:48.000 --> 01:09:02.960 Um, and I'll make sure make sure that we was but other than that, was there something else? >> She has a list. >> Oh, you have a list. >> Yeah. I was like, where's my list? I'm like, we know. Yeah. Okay. So, first to make sure there's enough plates. I think we were good. Uh, we like messed with things around last minute, but it was I think that was fine. But just make sure 235 01:09:02.960 --> 01:09:18.640 there's Yeah, she >> because of you. >> Yeah. But I think that we were going based off the number from the previous year. That's what it was. The number >> packaging, I think. So, two boxes ordered. So, whatever the Amazon was, it just needs to be up. We were just looking for the items, not the like amount 236 01:09:18.640 --> 01:09:34.560 >> the amount. So, we have to make sure our amounts are correct. >> And then piggy back off that the food just to order a little bit more cuz there was only one 200 from Vicki Bakery, which is like a little bit kind of like low in comparison to the amount of like people we actually had attending. 237 01:09:34.560 --> 01:09:51.600 >> Were there were they empty? Like did they >> was there? >> Cuz from what I saw, there was still some stuff left. >> A little bit. Yeah, just >> Yeah, I saw some saw. >> I think we placed it before the actual event cuz we were looking >> uh I have the en sure all parts of the 238 01:09:51.600 --> 01:10:08.080 lunar are here. Um and the communication uh to notify the winners to come to make sure that they're like >> yeah like they already uh to bring the table class the day before to set up instead of like in the moment. >> Okay. >> Um >> the reason I wanted to do that but you 239 01:10:08.080 --> 01:10:23.120 guys said not to do that. It's true. And I and I Yeah, that's something I I think that it will be a good idea maybe to drop at least to drop everything off because the students did a great job job setting everything up the day off. >> But maybe we can drop the everything off 240 01:10:23.120 --> 01:10:39.199 the day before if we want. What was the problem that wasn't stopped? Is it because there's nowhere or we're afraid of things being taken? >> Well, the flowers we can't drop off. That's what it was. And then >> the flowers can drop off on but >> we didn't want to go both days but now 241 01:10:39.199 --> 01:10:55.199 seeing it like most people we voted I think that if I remember correctly even Jackie said we will set up the day off but now looking back I I think that it will be a good idea to go the day before at least to drop a few things just to make sure just because we can't start like tables without the tablecloths that 242 01:10:55.199 --> 01:11:10.880 you set up. >> That's the most important thing. We have enough cake. Was there enough cake or godless? Two two. Yeah, two. >> Two cake. >> Two. >> Yeah, I had no problem going there the day before. So, we'll do that. We'll go the day before. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> Uh just to make sure like always check the mic before. 243 01:11:10.880 --> 01:11:27.600 >> Um and the music the music we finally there was somebody. >> Oh, no. I didn't but it was it was nice. um for intergovernmental to call every principal before to ask if they're coming or if they're sending a representative just so we don't have like these important tables with just like empty seats and just kind of 244 01:11:27.600 --> 01:11:43.760 waiting for them to come. >> They were missing. >> No, because I called them morning but I'm like, "Oh, next time let's put a note to like call a little before." >> Way before. >> Yeah. >> Wait, a lot of them they were coming before you called. >> No, I just reminded them cuz you never know. >> Yeah. >> And just Yeah. Not that they were in 245 01:11:43.760 --> 01:11:59.679 tears for next year. There's public just kind of sitting around. Um, but honestly, they were very helpful. I want to say they were like were used were used. >> No, no, like for setting up before, not for 246 01:11:59.679 --> 01:12:18.000 >> fabulous. My parents saw like the little kids were >> rather >> I think there was too many volunteers both sides and the the culinary and like your kid the kids >> my kids. I think cuz I was like trying 247 01:12:18.000 --> 01:12:33.040 to give them stuff to do and they were just like staying there which like it's fine. >> So maybe since now we already know what it entails maybe predetermine >> how many and how many you need for each sign. So they're not they have to serve and they got to serve all the table. 248 01:12:33.040 --> 01:12:48.320 >> Yeah. So the thing with that was the only like criticism I guess I have for that is that they kept on asking the same people do you want food and like people kept on saying like no I'm good like no I'm good. No I'm good. They kept on going up to like the same people. >> Oh for the tables. >> For the tables. So maybe she has to assign >> she has to come up with like you have 249 01:12:48.320 --> 01:13:03.520 these two tables. You have these two table assign them tape. >> And the same thing with the other volunteers. Hey you guys are going to do the balloon arch. I need three people for that. You guys are and then when you know how many you need exactly >> you want to have a few backups on here just working. 250 01:13:03.520 --> 01:13:23.199 >> That was a full days. >> So I think it's getting better and better ladies. >> Okay. Okay, I'm going to move on now to new business. Um, so there's a special call meeting on proposed town committee budgets. That's for June, what is it? June June 4th, which I which I will be 251 01:13:23.199 --> 01:13:38.640 at. Um, what day of the week is that? By the way, >> the last Thursday. That's the last day of school. Correct. I believe that's the last day of school. So, yeah, I'll be there at that meeting. >> Um, and then you what we need to do for that meeting is we have to fill out um 252 01:13:38.640 --> 01:13:54.400 what's form. Do you have the form or your >> I have it on. I didn't print out send it to me >> because we have to fill out those sections. I don't know somebody. >> Hey, do you have do you have in your laptop? Can you bring Can you open it up? 253 01:13:54.400 --> 01:14:17.679 >> Ignore the >> so that we can so that we can or are you going to put it up there? >> Uh I have it in my bag. >> Oh, you do have it. I think I should get out >> because we have to decide how much those announce >> AB is already talked about 254 01:14:17.679 --> 01:14:33.199 today. >> Yeah, B. We already talked >> we already talked about B and C kind of like we just need dates. We need while she's doing this, can you please look in your calendar and see when are we meeting in June? And there's one meeting we're not having. I think we don't have one in June or July. We're not 255 01:14:33.199 --> 01:14:49.520 >> here. >> But do we meet Did we meet last summer? >> Yeah. >> I don't remember. >> That first week of June is brutal. And >> I don't think we meet. I don't think we meet in We don't meet in June. When is it that we don't meet? >> I don't think June or July. >> I don't think we meet in either, Mom. 256 01:14:49.520 --> 01:15:05.199 >> We don't meet in June or July. >> Yeah, we don't meet in June. >> So, we would be meeting in August. But we have our in August. We have our meeting in August. We can meet in August. We just meet report before council in 257 01:15:05.199 --> 01:15:29.120 August. You don't want to meet before. >> Then we'd have to meet in July. >> Week before the week before >> the third week or the second. >> You mean uh let's see. So the meeting is >> the 4th 258 01:15:29.120 --> 01:15:45.280 >> for August 18th. So the actual like the report is due on the 4th of August. >> Okay. So the fourth but the meeting is on Oh the board is >> we have to meet before the board 18th. >> Exactly. We have a meeting June 15th on here on the calendar. >> We do 259 01:15:45.280 --> 01:16:02.400 >> June 15th 26 advisory board. >> Your your meetings are scheduled every night. So if you're canceling, you're rescheduling and I have to adjust the calendar and then we update the website. >> No, we're not doing that. We're not July 27th. We're not doing 260 01:16:02.400 --> 01:16:20.480 >> So cancel I would do the I I would run August is crazy. >> Yeah. So July 27th is everybody in town. >> I should be >> everybody July 27th meeting Monday. >> Monday, July 27th. >> Yes. Can we do it early? 261 01:16:20.480 --> 01:16:36.239 >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Can we do we can we do it earlier to do it like in the in the evening? >> I mean I do but yeah >> what >> I'll be in the office >> July what? >> July 27th. >> That's a Monday you said. >> Yeah. >> And class. >> What day can we have class? >> Where? >> And work. 262 01:16:36.239 --> 01:16:51.440 >> Where? >> Oh no. This is summer. >> July 27. >> Yeah. We can have it in the morning or we can't. >> Already in class. I started last week. >> Okay. What time is in the morning do you want to have it? You said you didn't want to have it at night in the 263 01:16:51.440 --> 01:17:08.480 afternoon. What time do you want to >> I have class from 1 to 3:30? >> Can you do it in the morning before your class? >> 10 11 12 There's something in here from 10 to 11 12. 264 01:17:08.480 --> 01:17:25.520 >> I'm online but really strict. >> Can she do it in 10? They have somebody >> 11:30. >> Yeah, we do 11:30. They're done at 11:30. >> It says it ends at 11:30. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. 11:30. >> 11:30. And your class starts at what's it? >> 1. 265 01:17:25.520 --> 01:17:41.760 >> Oh, no. That's fine. That's fine. 11:30 to 12:30. Yeah, that's fine. Okay. So, 11:30. >> That's computers. >> Um, >> no. 11:30. >> I'm going to put it 11:30 to 4:30. >> You're not late. You're back. 266 01:17:41.760 --> 01:17:57.199 >> Okay. So, ladies, make sure July 27th, 11:30. >> Yeah. >> Everybody got that? July 27th 7:30. >> You can't open it yet. >> You didn't find it in the papers. You didn't find it in the papers. No. 267 01:17:57.199 --> 01:18:13.280 >> Um, no. I didn't look. >> Well, I'll look at it here. I'll look at it here. Okay. So, July 27 in July 27th, 11:30. >> Yeah. >> And at that meeting is when we'll discuss the Greek games, those Greek style games, inter school competition. >> We can have too much cuz we only have an 268 01:18:13.280 --> 01:18:28.560 hour, an hour and a half >> that day. >> Yeah. No, that's fine. We That's all we're going to talk about right here. >> Okay. >> Because the budget, we're going to figure this out now. >> Oh, yeah. This is due at the end of the on Friday. >> This is Friday. Okay. 269 01:18:28.560 --> 01:18:44.400 >> What do you mean? >> Sorry. >> I think at 6:30 I am recording this >> because we have to go before the council ending at 6. We're doing 270 01:18:44.400 --> 01:19:05.600 the money. I mean, there's two options. There's one that says local. >> Exactly. because last time he was recording on the cloud and it was that video >> just so you 271 01:19:05.600 --> 01:19:32.480 know. >> So this proposed budget. So it's just how you want to say January and all were like so this was your budget. >> You had a thousand events. 272 01:19:32.480 --> 01:19:52.480 >> Imagine Nation Library that grant money leaning toward >> they're actually 1000 packing events is the main thing that the committee has to discuss. >> There's other stuff you know. >> Well, you can put it in a different line item if you didn't want it. None of 273 01:19:52.480 --> 01:20:25.199 those items are applicable anymore program. They voted the council voted not to give them any of that. >> I'm sorry. >> I have to see if it goes directly I don't want to read your book there and then they'll get into your event. >> But yeah, none of these things really 274 01:20:25.199 --> 01:20:41.199 apply to us because they voted that we can't give any money to the schools for anything. >> Okay. So, you're moving the $1,000 gives you into events for >> Yeah. That's the only thing we can use it for because none of the things none of these courses were assigned were approved by them for us to get. That's pretty simple. The same thing. Yeah. So 275 01:20:41.199 --> 01:20:57.360 then the other part of the report is the events you have for this year, the proposed event dates, uh if we have any new requests and then the estimated attendance last year for your events. >> Okay. So the the only events we have right now we have the spelling be we have to we have to give them the date 276 01:20:57.360 --> 01:21:12.880 now to for the spelling be. But you're saying >> he's looking at different banners we have awards. >> The spelling be is in January. Well, we can't put the field day there because we have to ask for permission. 277 01:21:12.880 --> 01:21:28.320 >> So, it can't be in there, right? >> We can't say like tentative. >> Put tentative and then when you're going to report, you can be like we go up in August. >> We're going to explain it in August. Maybe >> you put the tentative proposed date in. 278 01:21:28.320 --> 01:21:44.800 >> So, for the for the spelling because the spelling be first in January. What date do you titly want to do? Do you want to do January 29th again? >> You cannot do January 29th. >> Oh, okay. What? What? >> You have the mock trial thing. >> Oh yes. Okay. I cannot >> You have personal assistant too. >> I just know her from calendar. 279 01:21:44.800 --> 01:22:00.239 >> Oh my god. >> But I don't have a date because >> Oh, that's right. I need to do that. >> How many dogs do you have, child? >> Um like a fish. I had two part-time jobs in normally on a Friday, right? 280 01:22:00.239 --> 01:22:19.920 >> Yeah. 20 seconds. just because you love her. >> Do not do January the 15th >> and it's available to opt and then that's a long weekend. >> January 22nd. January 22 on a Friday >> because then we don't have to wake up 281 01:22:19.920 --> 01:22:38.080 early the next day. Yeah. >> Friday takes up a lot of time. >> Yeah. >> So on Friday 22nd, everybody's good with that? >> Put it in my calendar. Sorry. >> No, for real. 282 01:22:38.080 --> 01:22:55.360 >> If you want to send me the info, I can fill it. Okay. So, Friday, >> I just need the list. >> So, it's Friday, January 22 is the spelling date. Okay. >> And then we said tentative for the um day. For the field day, we said February 6th, right? That's the is the staff. 283 01:22:55.360 --> 01:23:11.600 >> So, we have those two things. Um and then the awards of excellence would be in May. No, sorry. Well, we did April. We have to. Yeah, >> it was April. Last year, this year we did April 30th. No. >> But we didn't want to do a Friday for that. We said a Thursday for >> Or do we want to keep it on a or we want to do it on a Friday? 284 01:23:11.600 --> 01:23:27.679 >> No. Thursday 29th. We did it on a Thursday. >> On a Thursday. We want to keep it on a Thursday or we want to move it to a Friday. >> I think Thursday was perfect. >> Yeah. Because you're bing on attendance for that. >> Okay. Okay. Thursday the 29th. Thursday, April. >> I'll put in my calendar. >> Was is the is the um the EAB awards. 285 01:23:27.679 --> 01:23:44.639 >> EAB awards. put on your calendar. >> I'm writing it down. I'm gonna email her >> April what? April 29th. >> Not like April what 29th. >> Sorry, mama. April 29th, Thursday is the EA award. Yes. 286 01:23:44.639 --> 01:24:01.040 >> Okay. >> We don't have to put the banners there or we do. >> That's an event. That's an event. >> Um Okay. So, estimated attendance for last year's spelling bee. >> Uh last How many people do you guys spelling be? >> 100? Yeah, give or take. That's what I 287 01:24:01.040 --> 01:24:17.960 would say about right. >> Pop our figure on. >> Okay. And awards. >> Awards. How many people for this year? >> 15. >> We had 15 exact number. >> You can continue. I'll >> call 150. 288 01:24:18.080 --> 01:24:33.520 >> Am I emailing you this even though you're writing it down? >> I'm writing it down. >> Okay. says the three events per report and then 1,00 event line item. >> Yeah. And that's it. It doesn't change. >> No, it's between 289 01:24:33.520 --> 01:24:49.040 >> So, is there any are you requesting any additional like a wish list? >> Well, no fun our own events. We'll be fine. I'm not they're not going to give me any money. >> I don't think they're asking for >> for the field day. We don't have to give an estimate. We haven't done it. We haven't done it. >> It's a new request. >> Sensitive. Yeah. 290 01:24:49.040 --> 01:25:04.239 >> Okay. Okay. So, just to confirm, June, no meeting. July, no meeting, August, we're having the meeting in um >> Well, you're meeting July. July, >> sorry, July. Yeah, June meeting, but July 27th. No, >> July 27th from 11:30. >> July 27th is our meeting. And then in 291 01:25:04.239 --> 01:25:21.840 August, I have to report August 4th. No, August 4th, I have to submit the paperwork. So no, the actual meeting is August 18th, which is >> August 18th is the actual meeting >> and the report is due >> report to council. 292 01:25:21.840 --> 01:25:40.239 Report to council. >> Oh, and there was like are awards like there was like people know >> that we didn't invite you or do I just send it to you. It could be because >> well you would send it to because I'm sure she'll be back. 293 01:25:40.239 --> 01:25:56.480 >> Yeah. Like that that'll be the one that's >> off to request a new item newly. It's that template that you have in the you have the budget in there any new initiatives the upcoming events. >> Um >> but I think that's everything. 294 01:25:56.480 --> 01:26:11.920 >> The student member election I think you guys jumped around. >> Oh so that's the one that we Okay. So the meeting so okay so now we have moving to D because B we kind of already discussed with Mario and C we already discussed so D is the next meeting we already sorry D is the next meeting 295 01:26:11.920 --> 01:26:28.880 which we already said the student member election okay so how are we doing this the student member election >> what when do we have to move this again we have to >> well that we had 121 people >> which is pretty for last year's awards 296 01:26:28.880 --> 01:26:45.360 this year for this year oh wow >> this year there was more That's how many tables are empty or that number is for this year. Oh, I need last year. >> Oh, last year. >> That's what I was saying. Prior year. Yeah. >> Okay. For the student, the last thing we 297 01:26:45.360 --> 01:27:01.760 need ladies before we leave the student member election. Student member election. >> Um Oh my goodness. >> So, how that works is Thank you. >> Basically, it's an application that goes um on the town's website. We open it for about 298 01:27:01.760 --> 01:27:18.880 three months give it give or take. >> Okay. >> Um and then from there anyone can apply. Um the only um some of the qualifications are um >> you have to have a 3.0 average I believe GPA. You have to 299 01:27:18.880 --> 01:27:35.040 >> um >> live in the town. >> No, not live in the town. >> Uhhuh. >> And those are like the >> Yeah. 3.0. And then they both through intergovernmental as well. So like let let everyone know. And then after that um we just vote. 300 01:27:35.040 --> 01:27:50.960 >> Well, since we're doing it late now, can we have it all of June? I mean, we can have it open all of June, all of July cuz our meeting is in late July and we would then vote for a me a new member there in late July >> and then that's it. We hit the ground running. Will that work? >> We play. >> Yeah. Okay. So, let's do that. 301 01:27:50.960 --> 01:28:07.440 >> So, you have to put a fly look for it. There must be a consent. There must be something there where they said they said something. So open it for June and July. >> All of June. So yeah, no mean. You can open it now. You can open it next week. You can open it next week. You have to reapply. >> Yeah. If you had to reapply, you have to 302 01:28:07.440 --> 01:28:24.480 reapply. Yeah. >> So May I have whatever you did into the time of July? >> So the last week of Well, our meeting is July 27th. So July 24th July 303 01:28:24.480 --> 01:28:42.600 >> July >> 24th public um >> we would then discuss it on the 27th and our meeting will vote >> but that meeting we have to vote for me for put in there 304 01:28:45.600 --> 01:29:03.920 >> July meeting you go to the bills >> so what's She's good. >> I'll get it and then I'll send it to you and there's just form that you plan. >> Okay. So, she's going to Isabella is going to find the flyer wherever it is 305 01:29:03.920 --> 01:29:20.080 and it's going to get sent to intergovernmental sentence schools. Yeah. For next week. So, it's going to be opened up next week in May. The last week of May. It's gonna stay open all of June, all of July till July >> and and open through May through July >> and to to uh July 24th, the Friday 306 01:29:20.080 --> 01:29:36.239 before our meeting >> since now >> from next week Monday to July 24th. Yes, it'll be open and then we will vote July 27th at our next meeting for the November. >> So time from Monday to what date? >> So it'll be from May next week, May 307 01:29:36.239 --> 01:29:51.600 25th. It's Memorial Day. So if you want to do May 26th, May 26 to July 24th, it'll stay open. >> Okay. >> And then we will vote on it July 27th. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And that is it. And we're any any 308 01:29:51.600 --> 01:30:02.800 important announcement? Anything else? Okay. So with that, I want to hear >> how exciting. Uh we're all tired and exhausted. Okay. So with that, we're going to close the meeting. a