CC Minutes 03/18/2008 Joint Workshop with Charter Review Advisory Committee

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION & CIIARTER REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE MiDute8 of March 18, 2008 - JoiDt Workshop Page 4 of 13 (Committee Member Harley Parkhurst arrived at the meeting at 7:32 p.m.) Ms. Crotty stated enumeration of specific powers of the City Commission may diminish them if used by the courts to support restrictive interpretations. Ms. Crotty stated the current City Charter does not address compensation or expenses for elected officials, and the Committee felt it should be included in the Charter so the citizens are aware of the process for setting compensation, changing it, and paying expenses. The following changers were recommended by the Committee in the final report: Section 13. Powers All powers ofthe city shall be vested in the City Commission, except as otherwise provided by law or this charter, and the Commission shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law. Add a new Section entitled Compensation; Expenses The City Commission may determine the annual salary of the mayor and commissioners by ordinance, but no ordinance increasing such salary shall become effective until the date of commencement of the terms of mayor/commissioners elected at the next regular election. The mayor and commissioners shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties of office. Ms. Lipscomb stated this year the City Commission's salary was placed on the agenda and a vote was taken. Ms. Lipscomb further noted that at that time, the City Commission directed her to bring back City Commission pay during the budget workshop process. Mayor Goff inquired if the intent was to have the salary of a commissioner raised every four years or every two years. Ms. Crotty stated the intent was every two years, if the Commission wanted to discuss pay that frequently. Committee Member Gene Fry was concerned about the suggested language not being clear that the intent was to refer to the City Commission as a body in this section. It was suggested that the Attorney ensure that the language be unambiguous to mean the Commission as a body. Ms. Crotty stated a new section entitled prohibitions be included in the City Charter to clarifY the roles of the City Commission in a commission/manager form of government. Add a new Section entitled Prohibitions (a) Holding other Office. Except where authorized by law, no mayor/commissioner shall hold any other elected public office during the term for which the mayor/commissioner was elected. No mayor/commissioner shall hold any other city office or city employment during the term for which the mayor/commissioner was elected. No former mayor/commissioner shall hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the city until one year after the expiration of the term for which the member was elected to the commission. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the commission from selecting any current or former mayor/commissioner to represent the city on the governing board of any regional or other intergovernmental agency. (b) Appointments and Removals. Neither the city commission nor any of its members shall control or demand the appointment or removal of any city administrative officer