Good evening. Uh, welcome to the April meeting of the Valuchia County Charter Review Commission. Um, appreciate everybody being here. We'll go ahead and call the meeting to order and start off with a roll call. Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Watts >> present. >> Miss Bright >> here. >> Mr. Clayton >> here. >> Mr. Ingram
>> here. >> Mr. Johnson >> here. >> Miss Quiet here. >> Mr. Lewis >> here. >> Miss Munisy >> here. >> Mr. Parker >> here. >> Mr. Sakinovski >> here. >> Miss Triber >> here. >> Mr. Toland >> here. >> Miss Wheeler >> here. >> Miss Walford >> here. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. And Miss Nory is not with us this evening, but uh called and had a a family engagement, so she was not able to attend this evening. Um all right. Well, as I said, we're going into our April meeting. We are technically scheduled to uh meet one more time in May. We're going to see if we can get
through the remaining work tonight. Um, I don't know that there is um too much to do or too much that we'll have discussion on, but we'll see how the meeting goes. Um, but I think if uh if all goes well, then I think we will hopefully be able to get to this end of this meeting and and not necessarily
schedule a May meeting unless something else comes up between now um and that time. So, at least that's the intent. So, um moving into our action items, you've got the meeting minutes from our March meeting behind your first tab. Is there any uh changes or edits to that or
is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Got a motion and a second by M Miss Muni. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. All right. Likewise. Any any opposed? Meeting minutes are approved. We're going to move into public participation. I've got a a couple uh
public participation cards here. Um going to start with Patricia Miles. Um if you can come up and state your name and address for the record. Thank you for being here. >> Good evening. I am Patricia Miles. I live in Fort Orange, Florida.
Um I'm here representing the uh Valuchia County Cultural Alliance and once again want to thank those of you who are supporting us in our endeavors to keep adequate funding for the arts. We are in a very distressing state right
now because the rules are changing constantly and at the state level they have totally revamped so many things regarding the arts funding that we no longer know who all the players are, what their roles
are, and what they're supposed to be doing. you know, so we do advocate at our city, county, and state levels. And so we like knowing what's going on in trying to plan strategies to get the
funding. So, um, funding for the arts in Florida is not directly detailed in the state constitution, but it is established through statutory law, primarily in chapter 265 of the Florida statutes.
and that includes state of state level funding including the cultural grants endowments and the division of cultural affairs. While the constitution establishes a framework for state revenue and expenditures, the specific allocation of
funds for arts and culture is determined by the legislature through the statutes. So based on the uh the session this past year, uh things are still being amended and things are still be still being
changed uh related to the budgetary and conforming legislation. So there are going to be many significant changes to the arts and culture uh programs u and we don't know what all of those are going to be yet because they are still under
consideration. So as far as uh what we can do to move forward, we are continued we will continue to look to you for your support, your continued support and then we will continue to do all that we can
trying to encourage our local arts communities uh to band together and survive this ordeal. So again, I thank you all so very much for your support. >> Thank you, Miss Miles. Appreciate you being here tonight.
Terra good. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you uh this evening. Uh I have a few prepared remarks. Um I'd like to express my sincere appreciation um for the council for supporting the
cultural initiatives through the county's grant program. We're truly grateful to be a recipient of funding for Art House um in Port Orange. As a volunteer and a board member, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the
impact of Art House uh on our community and the children of our community. Uh we have seen individuals of all ages discover creativity, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging through the arts um and experiences that truly
change lives. Uh in addition to this personal impact, there is also a meaningful financial benefit. Programs like Art House attract visitors, support local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic vitality of our area. Uh your commitment
to supporting the arts creates opportunities for connection, education, and growth. And we commend the council for your insight in recognizing the value that these cultural organizations bring to our community. So, thank you again for your continued support of the
arts and the opportunity to speak tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Good. Appreciate it. Katherine Pente. >> Good evening, Commission. I'm here tonight to ask you to withdraw the charter amendment you approved for the Baluchia Forever and replace it with one that mirrors exactly the amendment
adopted in Elatchua County. During your public listening sessions, a resident, including myself, asked for a charter amendment to protect Blush for Forever Conservation Lands. We made this request because we have seen sitting Councilman Don Dempsey actively undermining the program during council meetings and
making public videos and statements. At nearly every meeting, I have asked this commission to adopt the Elatchua County model. Instead, we've been given a series of reasons not to do so. First, we were told it might not withstand a legal challenge, referencing issues with Sarasota amendment, but those comparisons were misleading. The
Sarasota amendment was fundamentally different as it included a strict prohibition in violation of state law. This does not exist in Elatchua version. Then we heard concerns about tying the hands of future councils or hypothetical situations like needing land for a fire station. The Elatcha amendment does not
tie anyone's hands. It allows the council by a majority plus one vote to add or remove land from the registry. That is flexibility and accountability which gives residents a voice and a vote on land purchased with their tax dollars. As for infrastructure like fire stations, those needs should be
addressed during proper planning and development, not by weakening protections on cons conservation land that taxpayers already paid to preserve. What the community is hearing are excuses and that raises a serious question. If this commission is not going to put forward what residents have
clearly asked for to fully protect conservation land purchased with their tax dollars, then why hold public input sessions at all? Why have a charter review commission? At that point, the council simply could direct staff to draft whatever amendments they prefer, saving taxpayer dollars, community time,
and staff resources. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall a single suggestion from a resident that the charter review commission actually voted to place on the ballot. Whether it was cultural arts, east side of the county meetings, there sure are a lot of things we did not ask for. If the commission cannot support giving the Valuchia
Forever program, a program that 75.6% 6% of voters approved the strongest possible protection by placing the Elatcha style amendment on the ballot, then I respectfully ask you to withdraw the current amendment this commission voted on because I would rather have no amendment than one that fails to adequately notify the public and leaves
the door wide open for the sale of conservation land. Let's not pretend to protect the program, either protect it fully or not at all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Pansy. Appreciate your time. Um, Cameron Cameron Vincent Vincent.
>> Good evening, commissioners. My name is Cameron Vincent, executive director of Art House Foundation, vice president of the Valuja County Cultural Alliance, and I sit on the advisory committee for the Valuja County Echo Gallery at the Ocean Center. Um, I'm here today just to respectfully urge you and to thank you
for doing so um, thus far to include the arts and culture as a core responsibility of the Valuja County Charter. Um, arts and culture are not an accessory to our community. They are part of its foundation. People may come to Valuja County for our beaches or for the race, but they stay and return
because of the richness of our cultural identity. Our galleries, festivals, performances, murals, youth programming create a sense of place that defines who we are as a community. Beyond tourism, the arts play a critical role in education and youth development, economic growth, and small business
support, community health and well-being, workforce attraction and retention. When we invest in the arts, we invest in people, creativity, and long-term sustainability. Including arts and culture in the charter ensures that this vital sector is recognized, protected, and
prioritized for future generations. This is not about funding. It is about affirming the value of creativity in shaping a thriving, connected, and resilient Valuja County. I encourage you to take the opportunity to formally recognize the arts and culture as an essential aspect to our county's mission
and future. Thank you. >> All right. Thank Thank you, Miss Vincent. And then finally, Katie Tapen. >> Hi, I'm Katie Tapen. Um I'm here as a representative with Art House, um board member, but also a Florida virtual art teacher and a former Valuchia County art
teacher. Um taught in many different areas, taught the arts K through 12. And I'm also here to ask that we consider the arts a vital part of our county government, something that we can continue to see in our county, especially in Florida. when I was um
getting my degree from the University of Tennessee. Go balls. Not popular, I know. But I came to Florida not just because my family history is here, but because I had heard, and this was in the early 2000s, that Florida was a huge supporter of the arts where many states
were starting to remove art funding or not protect the arts or keep them into our in our school systems, um, in our cultural programs that Florida was steadfast and was keeping those things going. And I'd like us to keep that reputation because that's something that reached all the way up to Tennessee
where a lot of us that were graduating from that program were like maybe this is where we need to go because at that time Tennessee was starting to slowly chip away. Um so I'd like to just encourage y'all to include this in protecting the arts in the culture that we have here. As Cameron said, people come down here for our beaches, for the
races, for all the fun, you know, the the mouse's house and all of that, but they stay because of our culture. We're such a unique state and the arts is definitely part of that. So, thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you. Appreciate your time. Okay. Um,
I have a couple of comments that I'll offer when we get to kind of the right point about some of the stuff that you've talked about because I think um if you were here um during the early parts of our meetings, we talked a lot about what the charter is and you know kind of what's appropriate to be in the charter versus what's not. But we also
are charged with creating some recommendations to the council. And so we're going to be going through the final report that includes those recommendations as part of our agenda this evening as well. So, um, we'll be talking about that and I think that's where you'll see some of the stuff that we've heard from, you know, the listening sessions and everything else
reflected in what's going to be going to the the county council from here. Um, so with that, um, I'm going to move on to we have one subcommittee report. I'll recognize Mr. Saknowski to, uh, give a report on the recommend. Oh, hold on.
It's all good. We got time. Have one more public participation. Come on up. >> Just uh give us your name and address for the record. >> Hi, I'm Stephanie Mason Teague representing the Orman Memorial Art Museum at 78 East Granada Boulevard in
Orman Beach in Valuchia County. I too am here to encourage the continuation of the arts funding and your recommendation to continue at the county level and I did read the memorandum of of language and
I'm I'm supportive of it and thankful very much for that. Um the Orand Museum actually this year is celebrating our 80th anniversary. For many, many of those years, we have been supported by the county. And so, it's it's a little
heartbreaking to me personally as well as the director of the art museum, but I've also served on the echo committee and also on the cultural council. And there was a time when the county and the cultural arts were working so well together. We're able to present so many
programs together as United Cultural Organizations and the County of Valuchia that we wouldn't be able to present otherwise. I know for us at our museum, it's often the free things that have to go first because as we know, free is not free. And with the support of the county
a little bit to each of the organizations, we're able to just multiply that impact throughout the county at such an incredible rate. I just urge you to maybe even strengthen that language as um not a mandate, but
if that were possible, that'd be great. But thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Appreciate you being here. >> Okay. And now we'll go to Mr. Saknavowski. I think you've got a couple of rounds of minutes to uh get approved for your subcommittee.
>> Yes. Thanks, um Mark. Um just uh we're under 5B. Uh there's B1 and B2 which are the last two meetings um that have been prepared um minutes wise the March 2nd
and March 13th. Any members of the subcommittee were there any changes or recommendations? I didn't see any. >> I didn't see any. >> So if someone would like to um move the approval of the March 2nd meeting >> I move approval. >> Second.
>> Any any other discussion? All in favor of that? >> I I >> Okay. Any >> Just reminder, this is the committee members. >> Yeah. Any committee? >> The subcommittee members. >> I'll make it quick for the rest of you. Um any opposed? Okay. So, that passes
and then same um for March 16 uh it was a very brief meeting. Um basically we just um put the order of the proposed amendments in the order basically that they appear in the charter so that it would have some logic to it and then we
basically moved along the forward the draft of which you all have a copy tonight as well of the final report. >> So moved. >> Uh so any well let's see if there's any changes to the minutes for >> or adjustments. Okay. So then >> so moved. Okay.
>> Second. Good. Okay. Uh any uh well any further discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Thanks very much. That's where we stand and we'll have the rest tonight. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Senowski.
>> Okay. Um, at our March meeting, uh, you may recall, um, that Miss Nory, as the chair of the, um, subcommittee that was looking at the environmental, um, issues and initiatives and looked at the language for the conservation lands amendment, um, offered an amendment to
that, um, proposed amendment to incorporate additional language to track um, kind of how state law has been updated. Um so we at that meeting approved uh that change and asked the uh staff to prepare the updated language
and bring that forward to us this evening. That's under 5C um of your agenda. So I want to just start out by opening it up for any discussion on the updated language. >> Mr. Mr. Saknowski,
>> do is it okay uh in order to because we left some other discussions to what for example adding the word lease um there may be additional amendments and in addition to this one. So in order to just follow the since I was on the um
winning side, could I just um move to reconsider um this ballot proposal? We're going to call it ballot proposal five and then that way we can open it up for normal discussion. There's a motion to reconsider. Is there a second? >> A second.
>> Got a motion and a second. All right. Um, all in favor of the motion for reconsideration. I think this would just be those on the prevailing side. >> Everybody can vote on this. >> Everybody. >> Yeah. >> Um, all in favor signified by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed?
>> All right. You want to do a roll call on that? >> Can I can I get a cl >> I think I think Mr. If if I understand Mr. Saknowski's request. We have the updated language in here. >> He has a proposal to add a word or two to it or make some revision to it.
>> Right. Additional amendments >> because this was brought up at the last meeting and approved as an as amended language, but this is the first time we're seeing the actual language. >> Correct. >> So to do tonight, was that considered by the subcommittee for tonight? >> It was voted on by the full commission
at the last meeting. >> Correct. Uh I I think the in well the the effect of the mo the motion would be basically to undo the approval of it so you then can discuss changes to it >> to the language.
>> What new information have we received or data that didn't change what we voted on? >> We haven't we hadn't seen the actual language and so I think this this would open it up so we can discuss the actual wording of the changes that were made by staff. >> I think you that's being raised by Mr.
correct because there's and we had and it's in the minutes from the last meeting about other potential changes like adding the word leasing. So I'm just as an example so the proper procedure would be to open it up for reconsideration and that's what the motion does.
>> Can clarification on who is voting because everyone was kind of talking at the same time then if you could just clarify who's allowed to vote Mr. Dyer. >> Everybody. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So this would be the full board. >> Correct. The full commission. So, we've got a motion to reconsider for the purpose of looking at the language and
being able to make any adjustments to the language that we're seeing now for the first time this evening. And then we'll make a vote on whether or not to approve the language as presented or as any revisions are proposed. Make sense for everybody? >> I think a simple way to look at is do you want to consider additional changes
to the proposal or not? >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we've got a motion to reconsider and a second uh to open up the language to be able to discuss any potential revisions to it. Um, let's do a roll call just to make sure we get everybody here. Get the count.
>> Miss Bright, >> yes. >> Mr. Clayton, >> no. >> Mr. Ingram, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> no. >> Mr. Miss Quiet, >> no. >> Mr. Lewis, >> no. >> Missy,
>> no. >> Miss Nor is not here. Mr. Parker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sakinovski. >> Yes. >> Miss Shriber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Toland. >> No. >> Mr. Watts. >> Uh, yes. >> Miss Wheeler. >> Yes. >> Miss Walford?
>> No. >> Three, four, five, six, seven, seven, four against. Tie. >> So that's a tie. The motion to rehear fails. So we go back to the actual consideration of the language that's been presented. Mr. Dyer, am I correct
in that? Okay. So, um before you you have the language that staff prepared as a result of the vote that was taken at the last meeting. Um and I think the primary changes um Mr. Dyer, you or somebody on your staff want to kind of walk through Mr. GIF.
>> Yeah, your primary changes are that you have to have 30 days prior. The big thing I think is the legal description of the property that's being delisted and what Ms. Nory had focused on was a statement explaining why the property is no longer necessary for conservation purposes
>> and I think those were the things that were added in to track the the changes to state law as well. >> Yeah, the state law would require similar notice of the >> which isn't binding on the county but which incorporates in similar standards. >> Yeah, because the uh state law uh if it goes into effect would only affect the
uh state properties that are under the board of trustees and >> Okay. >> state agencies. Are there Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, any members of the commission have questions with regard to the updated language? I think we do need to have a motion to
approve the final language. So, is there a motion to approve the language as presented? >> Second. >> Got a motion from Mr. Mizzy. >> Approve. >> Second from Mr. Ingram. Any discussion on the motion? I would like to just express that this does not support perpetuity which is what the
public voted on and that was expressed on March 17th in the county agenda packet and I'm just making that point. >> Yep. >> Any further discussion? So I'll just offer a couple of the thoughts and I know Miss Pante you spoke
to at a number of our meetings the the Gainesville and Elatchua County example versus what we've come up with and and I think just for those who may be listening reiterate I think what we attempted to do with the language was operate within what we think is defensible. Um, I think based on the
advice that the commission received, we had concerns about whether there was a challenge, and I understand there hasn't ever been a challenge on the Elatcha County language, but if there was a challenge, would it succeed? And the specific issue, I think, was creating a structure that provided more protection
than what current state law does with allowing uh a majority vote of the council to um dispose of any land that's owned, whether it's for conservation purposes or otherwise. And I think that this language, while maybe not perfect, I think it does create more protection than what currently exists. Um, any
other thoughts or discussion, Miss Mazy? >> Um, in talking with Brad Burbal, Dr. Burbal about this, he said the language in perpetuity is mostly a legal term like what you would have with the mortgage saying you're going to pay back in 30 years. You might do it in 15
years, you might have to refinance, but in perpetuity is just legal language and it has to be in there. And that's why that was part of what we voted on. So it's sort of a given that in perpetuity is part of the legal language. And we also know that Valuchia County Council
already has the right and the ability to vote to sell conservation lands if there's a greater good. So I feel like we've hit a place in the middle that as you say is defensible. >> Right. Okay. Any other comments or
discussion? Mr. Sakinowski. So I just want to know the implication of this vote. So if an affirmative vote obviously would replace the language that we previously approved, but a negative vote, does it just put the language does it leave the language
there alone or not? >> GIF or Mr. Dyer, do you want to weigh in on that? I think the question is the original approval of the language that came out of the subcommittee before the amendment was adopted at the March meeting. Does that come back into effect
if this doesn't pass or does the entire amendment go away? >> Yeah. So, you voted at the last meeting to make this change. If you're not satisfied with the language, I think you could revert back to the prior version
or make changes to the point where you think it reflects your intent. reason why we bring it back is >> I'm really uncomfortable with making changes that you direct I want you to see it >> right >> if there's a that way we're fully
reflecting what this body has asked for >> understood >> so just a point of order my recollection of it and that's why I want to refer to the minutes because my recollection was exactly what we normally have done which is to see the proposal this is what we've done in the past anyway that the
revis revised language and then vote on that. That's we did as far as I know we could not possibly have approved language we didn't see and we've not done that in the past on any of the other amendments. So I I don't think that's an accurate recollection of what
the we actually did. We actually asked staff to come back with the proposed language in keeping with this. So, we would consider it and that's the only question. And again, I just don't think that we approved it already because we didn't have it in
front of us already. >> There you go. So, that's what I'm saying is so therefore if we don't approve the language now, does it revert back to what we previously proved? That's the only question. It's not a question of what we decided to do last time because we didn't do anything but put it on the
agenda for tonight. >> Correct. that >> could have that effect. So, it may revert back to the to the prior language that was approved without the um notice and the findings. >> Okay.
>> This is this is why I made me the only reason I made the motion is because that's actually the proper way is to reconsider, >> right? >> I would still stand by that. So I think at this point though we've got at the last meeting the amendment and the
directive to staff to bring the language forward was made and passed. That language is reflected here. There hasn't been an approval for a motion for reconsideration to get in and change the language that's now presented. I understand your your point on that. But
I think the that failed and so the the motion on the floor now is approve the language as presented. Yeah. >> Can I just And my only point of order was what is the implication of a negative vote? >> Correct. And I think I still don't >> Well, let's make it clear. >> So, I think staff and Mr. Dyer, correct me if if I'm misstating what your your
recommendation was. But if the current language that's proposed is not approved, then the prior amendment that was approved previously by the full commission would be still in effect unless this commission takes further action >> unless you decide to. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> That makes sense to me.
>> Yeah. That vote already failed, >> which we already voted not to. Correct. But it can be brought up again after this vote. >> Yes. Could be brought up again after this vote. But at the moment, we have a motion on the floor to approve the language as has been presented and that's been second. >> But if it fails, we've already voted it
down once >> and then would you just bring it back until we all vote again and agree? >> What was voted down was the motion to rehear the motion that was at the March meeting so that you could open it up and change this language potentially. Miss Miy, correct me if I'm wrong. We have a
motion to approve this language currently. >> That's the motion that's on the table currently. >> Just want to make sure we're clear. >> Yeah. So, the motion on the floor, just for everybody's make sure everybody's clear, the language that's in your packet, there's been a motion to approve it as presented and it's been seconded. There any further discussion on that?
Mr. Johnson? >> Mr. Chair, we we bought this and brought this up and we made something in here to make this a stronger language than was in it previously something to protect our lands more and we keep kicking it around. I think it's time we go ahead
and call the question and and you know we go back to what it was before. It's it takes it makes it a lot harder. People saying they want the elatcha that's not going to pass. We've already seen that and additional amendments aren't going to pass. It just tried. But this is something that does make it
stronger. It protects our lands more. And I feel like it's a it's a good resolution for what we need. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any further comments? Mr. Saknowski? >> I as far as that goes, I don't disagree. But the issue has to do with the
underlying amendment and the strength thereof. And I would just suggest, for example, by not including the word lease in there, you're opening yourselves up for 99-year leases, which other counties have routinely done, and there's no protection on that. So that's not really
that much stronger. Simple change, which was requested at the last meeting, by the way. Another one potentially would be that what the threshold for putting these properties onto the list is so high
that if there was any consideration of not wanting it on the list, the supermajority requirement would, you know, it's not a higher protection. And the last thing is that even though I think
it's quite clear as as the county attorney and staff have indicated that there are potential issues with having the public say yay or nay and having final say, let's say there isn't anything at all wrong with the public
having an advisory vote prior to the disposal of any conservation lands. that would be a true strengthening without violating any laws. And I would just suggest to the to the members here that if they're serious about having
something that does have some significance um that they would have to reject this language as written and amend it. Thank you. >> Okay. I appreciate that. Any other commission members have comments? >> All right. With that, um Madam Secretary, can I ask you to give us a
roll call on this one as well? This is to approve the language as has been presented in your package this evening. >> Miss Bright, >> no. >> Mr. Clayton, >> yes. >> Mr. Ingram, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Miss Quiet,
>> yes. >> Mr. Lewis, >> yes. >> Miss Muzzy, >> yes. >> Miss De Parker, >> no. >> Mr. Sakenovski, >> no. >> Miss Shriber, >> no. >> Mr. Toland, >> yes. >> Mr. Watts, >> yes. Miss Wheeler?
>> Yes. >> Miss Walford? >> Yes. >> Okay. By my tally, I think that passed. >> Not at the not right now. >> Um, >> what's the result? >> What was that result? >> 4 to 10.
>> Four to 10. Okay. All right. So, um, that language passes. Um, any further comments or questions from members of the commission on that? I think we are clear with what the effect of that was. This language will be included in the final um proposal that's presented um to
the council and then ultimately on the ballots. Um so moving on um we've got the review of the final report and I want to thank uh Mr. Saknowski for the work that um his committee did in
working with staff to put together the final report. Um, you know, I think that, um, Nick, do you want to go through any of this or or kind of walk through the overview of the final report? >> Well, just to be honest, uh, the only thing that was left was your part, which was the, uh, staff to be recognized. So,
it can't be approved tonight unless you do put that amendment in there. >> You are correct that I did not include that unless the commission wants to simply >> approve. We can't approve the blank page with draft on it or something like that.
if you unless you want to meet in March May which is I have no problem with but I'm just saying you can't finalize it tonight unless we have that language >> let's see what the >> well I you have you just voted to approve it so >> no this is we're talking about the final
report >> the final report >> we're on the final report >> we have we have not approved the final report >> no you approve the final report but the amendment five the conservation lands registry there's a placeholder to reflect >> and what do you We're talking about the part that he was responsible for, which
is recognition of staff. >> You don't have a >> You don't have to have that in Mr. Mr. Clayton, >> why don't we allow people to finish talking before you interrupt them? >> I second that. >> Okay.
>> With the exception of the the uh the issues to be added or the list to be added to the the final page. Do you want to present the balance of the final report? It's it's as the draft presents and as you as the county attorney mentioned, five amendment five has been taken care of. But what I'm saying is so before we
move to final approval, we either need to delete the last part or or fill it in. >> The report is the draft that's here presented. I have no problem with it in so far as it goes. >> Any other members of the commission have thoughts, comments, or questions about
the uh draft report? I have one quick question, Mr. Chair. >> Mr. Eng, >> the uh in amendment one, I think it is, or I'm sorry, in the staff recommendation on uh page five, item two, removal of
charter limitations. Just want to be clear, the recommendation to or the uh proposal there is to increase salaries for council members. There's some discussion on removing the language and modifying the expense, but I was a little unclear on whether or not we're
actually going to improve the salary for council members or not. >> And my reason being is coming from HR, I understand the concept of paying a livable wage to people who are working >> and just wanted to to be sure that that
was in there. >> Or is it not? >> I'm sorry. Could I just know the page number we're on? Yeah. Which page was that? >> Page five. >> Okay. >> Item two, removal of charter limitations regarding reimbursement of workrelated expenses.
We're asking a lot of time out of folks and paying them a very minimal nominal salary for the hours of work required. I'm trying to go to the actual text amendment. Give me just a second. >> Gift, do you want to weigh in on that? I
think we left it at just the expenses >> if my recollection was >> we're not gonna change. >> This is correct. >> We're still at 50% of this. Okay. >> Yeah, that didn't change. Uh the the amendment itself can be found on page 11 if you want to read it in context, but all it does is eliminate the um allout
prohibition >> against uh incount reimbursement for incounty expenses. that presumably would then be left to uh the council itself to either include council members as part of the I mean we do currently have a
travel policy for employees that might kick in depending on how the council decides to deal with that >> but the 50 and 60 still remain 50 and 60 still remain and I and I think the basis of that discussion if I remember correctly going back to Mr. Parker's subcommittee and and what came out of
that was in part related to the likelihood of of amendments passing um and and looking at you know I think if you're looking at both increasing you know salaries and reimbursing travel expenses >> sure there was a little bit of a
>> you know kind of weighing of you know what was more likely >> to be in support >> and we are presenting a lot to the citizens >> we are >> chairman Mr. >> Any further question Mr. Lewis, >> their salaries go up every year based on population. So it's not just a fixed
salary. They get an increase every year as our population increases >> from the state. >> Yeah. So Mr. Chair, if I uh if you want to keep page 48, which is the in recognition,
uh I know Mr. Booker has a list of the staff names if you would like him to read those if you want those incorporated tonight. >> Yes. Yes. >> Are you ready? >> That sound good for everybody? >> Yes. Read it into the record. And >> Mr. Booker, can you present that list for us? >> Certainly.
We've got our AV folks, Daryl Hill, Patrick Kelman, Jason Whitmer, Trimman Rexy, um Michael Ryan, uh Kelsey, uh came up with Kelsey Seal
came up with a lot of the documents that you're looking at right now. Pat Cune, Miriam, obviously, uh, Mike Dyer, Russ GIF, Sabrina Slack, Paula, Sorora, uh, George Rectenwald, Suzanne
Konchin, and Gus Zambrano. >> Did you read your own name on there? >> And John Booker. >> John Booker. >> The only thing I know John had asked is if the font size of his name could be a little bit larger than everybody else's. >> Second. Well, and I wanted to put a an
asterisk next to Miriam's name for special hazard duty and showing up for a subcommittee meeting on her birthday. Um, but no, I I think that that covers the intent. The only other um thing that I wanted to and I apologize, I did not get a chance to follow back up with Mr. Booker when he reached out to me late
last week on going through that that list. Um, but I think the only other we did have some staff members like um Mr. um Burba and his team that were here, they came out and presented um to the commission. I would like to make sure we include them as well in that department.
Um probably structure presenter. It was the the lady that the lady that presented for the government structure. >> Uh Ken, your um speaker that came and talked to us about government structure. >> Yeah.
>> Who's not technically an employee, but I think was instrumental in being one of the presenters that um gave us an overview. So, thank you. I I appreciate that. Um is the commission comfortable with incorporating that list into the final page of the report and moving
forward on that basis? Okay. So, is there a motion to approve the final report with that those revisions? >> Um, so move is including the revisions that we made this evening on five and the revisions as outlined by Mr. Watts and Mr. Booker.
>> We got a motion and a second. Any further >> Sorry. Could you just tell me who that was? >> Uh, Miss Wheeler. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And the second >> she was the Mr. Denovski moved it. Do we
I'm sorry, >> Mark. Yes, ma'am. >> We need to include the red on page 47 into the motion. Uh I think the revision if you want to
the maker of the motion and the second want to make it would be the May the May 4th date depending on whether we hold it or not. I think those other dates are locked in. Mr. Mr. Rectenwald, is that accurate for the council presentations? >> So if you approve it this evening, the
last date reflected on appendix J would be the April 13th meeting. So my suggestion if if this would be good for everybody would be to um approve it with the May 4th date still included but to be removed if that meeting is ultimately canceled.
>> Correct. That was the intent. >> Maker the motion agrees. Second. >> Yes. >> Agrees. Okay. So we've got a motion and a second. Thanks for the miss for the um catching that. Um any further discussion on the final report? >> All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Any opposed? All right, we are approved. Um, thank you for that. And Mr. Booker, thanks for being on ready with that list. >> Miriam. >> And Miriam. Yeah, absolutely. Um, okay. Organizational items. I think,
um, based on the actions that we've taken, um, as I said at the beginning, I don't know that we have to have a May 4th meeting. Um, is there any member of the commission that feels differently? So, at this point, we will, um, not plan to meet. Um, we technically have that date reserved. We can use it if
something comes up that we need to, but um, unless Mr. Booker puts out the bat sign and lets us all know that we need to come back and meet to discuss anything, I think we are, um, resolved. I want to, um, at this point just offer thanks to all of you um, for going
through this process um, for spending the time listening. Um, you know, as we've heard this evening, sometimes we don't satisfy everything that that is brought to us, but I think we've done a good job of looking at those issues through the lens of what the charter is and what it isn't um and putting forth a
set of amendments that I think makes sense um and exist within that that framework. So, um I want to specifically um also thank Mr. Parker um for your time working as a subcommittee chair, Mr. Saknowski for your time doing that
and Miss Nory who um I'll thank next time I see her in person as well. Um but I think you you really all three of you um did a very good job of taking you know the the many many issues and and items that were presented to us and and helping to distill them down into the
amendments that we've approved. Miss Muny >> and I want to thank you Chairman Watts. You have been fantastic from the very beginning. Um, I think this is the way committees and and councils ought to work where you have a chairman that sets the standard high and treats everyone
with respect. We've had a lot of disagreement and discussion here. We've treated each other with respect and you've made sure that that happened and just want to thank you so much for your leadership. >> Thank you. >> Well, I appreciate it and I think again members of the commission and everything
else aside, I you know, appreciate all your work. I do appreciate all the members of the public that have come out um because you know I've I think we ended up having more public participation and I haven't g this isn't based on any actual statistical sampling but um I think we had more people show up than what I recall us seeing in 2016
just through the listening sessions and through um the public speakers that have continually come out and I think you will see that there's probably unonymity among this uh commission on things like supporting the arts and trying to create better structures. I think we've tried to do the best we can with the
understanding of the framework that we're working within. So, um, with that, um, >> Mr. Parker, >> just one question for the county attorneys. Can you remind us what our responsibility are under the public records by retaining the documents?
Yeah. >> If you if you have any records on you, and that's of course anything that uh you've done in the course of business that you've uh recorded for the purpose of sharing or perpetuating or communicating any knowledge to your fellow council
members or staff, um you can turn that over to the clerk's office if you don't want to be responsible for managing it. Otherwise, it's up to you to hold on to it as I recommend turning it over though. It's a lot easier to manage. You
don't really want to hold on to it. So, anything you have that you've, you know, >> like a text message or an email, uh, your notes in a meeting, if you don't have any, you're great. If you have some, I I would go agree with GIF. I I
would contact Miriam and just relay. That way, you don't have to worry about it anymore. our throw it away. >> I would leave your notebooks with Miriam. >> That seems like a moot point then, doesn't it, General?
>> Well, then you probably didn't write anything down that you intended to perpetuate or communicate or formalize as knowledge. >> I hope >> yes, that is not a public record. It does not communicate. Okay. Um on that note, um I don't think
we have any further business to discuss this evening. Again, my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you. Um and we will stand adjourned. Uh we'll get we've got the meetings coming up at the county council. I welcome all of you to come and attend those and be be recognized for the work that you've
done. Um I appreciate it. All right, we're adjourned.