Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-22 City Commission Workshop Commission Vacancy Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF MEETING DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING —COMMISSION VACANCY MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 — 6:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Mayor Duke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Mayor: Walter B. Duke, III Vice-Mayor: Albert C. Jones Commissioners: Chickie Brandimarte Bobbie H. Grace City Manager: Robert Baldwin City Attorney: Thomas J. Ansbro City Clerk: Louise Stilson 2. Commission Applicants Mayor Duke asked each of the applicants to introduce themselves to the Commission for two minutes each and explained there would be a ranking following the introductions. Vice-Mayor Jones noted a motion should be made to accept Rich Aube's application, seeing as it was only received by the Clerk's Office today. Commissioner Grace motioned to accept the applications of Charles McElyea and Rich Aube, which were submitted before the closing date, but not received by the City Clerk's Office until after the closing date; seconded by Commissioner Brandimarte. The motion carried on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Brandimarte Yes Vice-Mayor Jones Yes Commissioner Grace Yes Mayor Duke Yes Vice-Mayor Jones said the Commission needs to agree on a process for selecting a candidate to fill the vacancy. Charles Camacho presented packets to the Commission for consideration of needed improvements he sees in the community. Robert H. Chunn, Jr. commented he was asked by the community to apply for the position. Jean Cook said she has the experience to help the Commission move forward and lives by a motto that will be carried on by what she says and does. Bryan Cowart was not present. Paul A. Fetscher commented he wants to serve because people are struggling. Bruce R. Hannover was not present. Douglas F. Hasty felt education is the center point of all progress that can be made; Dania Beach has so much potential and he would like to be a part of it. Mark V. LaRocca noted it would be an honor to serve the taxpayers of Dania Beach. Charles K. McElyea commented he is here to serve the residents. David Nuby, Jr. was not present. Ann Page commented she is deeply committed to community service and gets things done. She loves the City and its residents, has great critical thinking skills, and has a lot to offer. Terry Preuss said she is very involved with happenings in the City; this is the best city she has lived in. James Robert Ridgely, III commented he is not a politician and does not have an agenda. Luis G. Rimoli was not present. Clive Taylor spoke of his experience with budgets and consultants. He would like to see the City grow and quality of life for the residents should be a priority. Louise Velo was not present. Boisy N. Waiters, Jr. noted it would be an honor and privilege to serve the City. Theresa West commented she is a volunteer for her community and church. She is eager and would be more than happy to help and assist. Rebecca L. Yates noted she works in the private sector and has never before been interested in politics; she would like to be involved. Rich Aube said being political is something that is evolving in him and he would like to help the City grow economically. 3. Commission Discussion Minutes of Special Meeting—Commission Vacancy 2 Dania Beach City Commission Monday,July 22,2013—6:30 p.m. Mayor Duke noted there are 20 applicants and suggested the Commission pick their favorite three and submit them to the City Clerk. Then, from the resulting list of 12, each Commissioner would pick two, which the Clerk would tally and ultimately the Commission pares it down to five or six to be ranked on a point system in order to finalize the top three rankings. Commissioner Brandimarte commented she does not have three; she only has one candidate who she would recommend for the position. She does not like the point system and feels it should be a matter of either yes or no. Vice-Mayor Jones concurred the Mayor has a good suggestion; however, he would have asked the City Manager to poll the Commission and let others have input. He suggested the candidates be placed in three categories: those who served in office, those who never served in office, and those who had run for office but lost, and then the Commission could have a short list to vote on. He added there is no dire need to do something tonight, and asked that we move forward but not with a point or ranking system. He noted he is vehemently opposed to anyone appointed running for the Commission seat in 2014. The citizens will be the judge if an appointee says he or she will not run and then does; it is about people,not politics. Commissioner Grace noted all 20 people should be considered and she is not going to categorize them because they never ran for office. Some type of concessions for the people who applied for the vacancy need to be made. She added it is not about the Commission; rather, it is what the taxpayers deserve. Commissioner Brandimarte wanted everyone to remember what brought us here, and she intends to be very careful about who she selects. Mayor Duke noted the list of applicants must be pared down, and he is looking for a uniform and orderly process that does not appear political. He said his suggestion for a ranking process was acknowledged as fair and equitable by the City Manager and City Clerk. Vice-Mayor Jones noted the clerk and manager were not elected,they were hired. He felt a point system and ranking system is unfair, and agrees the Commission can shorten the list, but not necessarily tonight. He added the Commission has until August 10 to make a decision and if tonight's hurdle can be overcome, shortlisting can occur, but should include no ranking or point system. Mayor Duke noted they were all elected and they need to provide a fair process to shorten the list in order to discuss the applicants. He requested suggestions for a process to reduce the list. Commissioner Grace noted the system works in the RFP process and questioned what is different in selecting an applicant. Vice-Mayor Jones noted the Mayor has the right to set the agenda, but does not have the right to change the process. The agenda did not include the process and tonight the Mayor is coming forward with his process. He does not like receiving information at the last minute and he was Minutes of Special Meeting—Commission Vacancy 3 Dania Beach City Commission Monday,July 22,2013—6:30 p.m. not afforded the opportunity to give input. He will shorten his list, but he will not use a ranking or point system. Mayor Duke suggested paring down the list to one, two or three applicants per each Commissioner. Vice-Mayor Jones noted there will be no ranking or points, and he suggested using his process of pods and categories. He added he is not going to be forced into a corner by the Mayor and is willing to work together in order to move forward. He is tired of continuing this discussion and wants to shorten the list, but there will be no decision made tonight. Mayor Duke asked the Commission if they were willing to pare down the list tonight. Commissioner Grace said she was okay with giving a verbal or written list. Further discussion ensued. Commissioner Grace offered her choices of Robert Chunn, Jean Cook, James Ridgley, and Boisy Walters. Commissioner Brandimarte offered her choice of Paul Fetscher. Vice-Mayor Jones said he had no preferences as he does not want to participate in this agenda format;the candidates need to be in categories or else he will not select. Mayor Duke asked for a motion to shorten the list. Commissioner Grace motioned to shorten the list of applicants. Motion died for lack of a second. Vice-Mayor Jones reiterated he is not ready to make a decision and there needs to be input from all Commissioners on the process to shorten the list. He wants a process that is fair, equitable and transparent. Commissioner Grace apologized to the residents for the tone of tonight's meeting. Mayor Duke asked the Commission to shorten the list tonight because progress needs to be made. Commissioner Grace motioned to close with the five names offered. Motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Duke asked for a motion to pair the candidates as Vice-Mayor Jones suggested. Vice-Mayor Jones motioned to put the candidates in three categories as he previously suggested; seconded by Commissioner Brandimarte. The motion failed on the following 2- 2 Roll Call vote: Minutes of Special Meeting—Commission Vacancy 4 Dania Beach City Commission Monday,July 22,2013—6:30 p.m. Commissioner Brandimarte Yes Vice-Mayor Jones Yes Commissioner Grace No Mayor Duke No Mayor Duke asked to reschedule this meeting. The Commission rescheduled the Special Meeting for August 7, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. as a discussion and possible action to select an applicant to fill the Commission vacancy. 4. Adjournment Mayor Duke adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. i� ATTEST: CITY O MANIA BEACH \ r LOUISE STILSO14, C C WAL ER B. DUKE, III CITY CLERK �4p�p�'s Fa, rc�rf MAYOR Approved: August 13, 2013 Minutes of Special Meeting—Commission Vacancy 5 Dania Beach City Commission Monday,July 22,2013—6:30 p.m.