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HomeMy WebLinkAbout31142 - MINUTES - City Commission 0 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA, HELD JANUARY 23, 1967. The City Commission of the City of Dania, Florida, met in Special Session in the Commission Room at the City Hall. Present were: MAYOR-COMMISSIONER RICHARD MARANT COMMISSIONERS JAMES G. ADAMS GUS S. BRICE ROBERT KELLY ® BOISY N. WAITERS CHARTER REVISION BOARD- A. M. BLACK JAMES J. McMILLAN CITY ATTORNEY CLARKE WALDEN CITY MANAGER STANLEY GOLDBERG BUILDING INSPECTOR ARMAND WELLS CITY CLERK MARY THORNHILL The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Marant, after which Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were'�held, for the purpose of discussing the proposed charter changes. Mayor Marant turned the meeting over to Commissioner Brice, as Chair- man of the Charter Revision Committee. Commissioner Brice asked that, if anyone has something to say, they should limit their talk to 2 minutes in order to give others a chance. ® Attorney Walden advised that all the City can do is recommend to the Florida Legislature that these changes be made. If the Legis- lature sees fit to make the changes, they will do so by adopting special acts that pertain solely to the City of Dania. He advised that the Legislature likes to know that all available publicity was given to the charter changes, and that is the reason for the Public ® Hearing. Commissioner Brice advised that, due to the heavy agenda tonight on Charter revision, the annexation of the three'areas that have been advertised will not be discussed tonight. There will be public meet- ings regarding the annexation, however. He advised that they will ® publish the proposals of what the City of Dania has to offer the people in the area of the proposed annexation. City Attorney Walden presented the proposed changes as follows: (2) Terms of City Commission and Election dates. • Commissioner Brice stated that two years ago there was a straw vote taken on this subject. At that time, it cazried, by majority for the 4-year term. Mayor Marant asked, since he was not here at the time, was it a vote ® by cards, which had been reported: to him, or was it by straw vote. City Attorney Walden stated that his recollection is that they actually had an election where they pulled a lever whether they were for or against 4-year terms, and it passed. (' City Clerk Thornhill replied that there were 2400 votes cast; 550 voted yes and 464 voted no. She stated that one of the Civic associ.otions c!id pass around some cards. Mrs . Blackwelder stated that over 1200 cards were turned in from the solicitation and an average of 900, she thought, voted that they would tj prefer a two year term; and the majority voted that they would like to elect a mayor rather than have him picked from the Commission. -1- :wit City Attorney Walden stated that he would like to then report to the delegation that there was only one possible opponent to the 4-year Fw term, everyone else was silent. = ' ® Charles DeMuzzio stated that he was president of the Betterment Com- mittee at the time that the cards were circulated, and there was a ` majority of 7 to 1 against the 4-year term; and a majority for the 2-year elected term for the Mayor. It was asked if it was considered electing the Commissioners by dis- trict . Commissioner Brice stated that it was not considered, but they would s accept the suggestion in writing. Y' (3) Forfeiture of office by a City Commissioner having interest '1 ® in a business firm which contracts with the City. No questions or objections. x (4) Office of City Attorney, giving the City Attorney the authority to name assistants to work under the City attorney, to be compensated by the City Attorney. No objections. (5) City Manager: Residency requirement and entering into a contract with City Manager. The right to purchase supplies ® up to $1,000; Commission approval over $1,000. (6) City Manager: Taking out of charter concerning removal of department heads. Mr. Eager stated that he read in the newspaper that the Commission was ignoring that portion of the charter which requires that the City Man- ager live in Dania. If they choose to ignore it, why should they change the charter. (7) Giving City Manager the right to purchase supplies up to $1,000; Above $1,000 must be approved by Commission. No questions or objections. (8) Give the City the right to give a money purchase mortgage. No questions or objections. ® (9) Residence and voting requirement be removed for Assistant Judge, also the right to appoint an Associate Judge where the local judges have disqualified themselves. No questions or objections. ® (10) City Commission to employ Chief of Fire Department; but all subordinate firemen to be employed by the Chief, bubject to the approval of the City Manager. No questions or objections. °9 (11) Recommendation by Municipal Judge that an appearance bond limitation be raised to $1,000. City Clerk Thornhill re- commended a change so that a Police officer can serve as Clerk of the Court. iio questions or objections. (12) Provides for advisory referendum: elections concerning con- tracts in excess of $100,000.00. -2- City Attorney Walden explained that with this one, they would hold a referendum election to allow the citizens to express their approval or disapproval of letting all contracts in excess of $109,000.00. p However, the Commission would not be obligated to take the recommen- dation of the results of that election. Mrs. Blackwelder asked what was the use of the election then if the Commission can still do what they want. 6 Chester Byrd suggested that it be raised to a million dollars instead of $100,000.00. There was quite a lengthy discussion pro and con on this recommendation, After which City Attorney Walden suggested that they ought to give this lengthy and thorough consideration before taking any action. 0 City Commissioner Waiters suggested that since so many people are against this, they ought to delete it. (1) Urban Renewal. City Attorney Walden advised that this change, if adopted by the legis- lation, simply gives the City the right to enter into Urban Renewal program for Federal aid; it does not authorize the City to enter into Urban Renewal. Mr. Milton Jones presented a petition for Urban Renewal, bearing the signatures of 435 citizens of Dania who would be directly effected by Urban Renewal. Chester Byrd suggested that if these people would take a tour of the West side area they might change their minds and vote for Urban Re- newal. A Commissioner Brice stated that they are neither pro nor con on Urban Renewal; but they want to first find out what the need is before they take action on it. He stated that they are not questioning tonight whether to go for or against urban renewal. They can askgfor this to be added to the charter at a later date. Mayor Marant stated that the Committee recommended by a 6 to 2 vote not to put it (urban renewal) in the Charter. Now it has to be voted nn by the City Commission. At that time, the five of them (Commis- sioners) will vote on whether or not to put it in. Commissioner Brice stated that the Commission will review the minutes of this meeting and will vote as to whether to give these recommenda- tions presented tonight to the legislative committee, and then the people will still have an opportunity to voice their opinion when the legislators hold public hearings. Commissioner Brice stated that if anyone has any further suggestions, they should put them in writing and present them to any one of the five commissioners for them to consider before the final draft. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.Mary ornhill City Clerk-Auditor y Richard Marant Nayor-Commissioner -3-