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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION <br />Minutes of January 27, 2025 — Regular Meeting <br />Page 4 of 11 <br />8. DISCUSSION ITEMS <br />A. Future Agenda Items <br />Commissioner Kirk suggested that the Commission should have some discussion on a future agenda related <br />to code enforcement and where those duties should be placed, noting that his research showed that in many <br />cities code enforcement was under the Police Department. Both Mayor Henson and City Manager Randy <br />Newlon advised that in the past code enforcement had been part of the Police Department but at some point, <br />it had been deemed more appropriate to place it back under the Community Development Department <br />where it is currently administered. After a brief discussion, Mr. Newlon advised that he could speak later <br />in more detail with Commissioner Kirk to see if lie had any specific concerns with how code enforcement <br />was currently being handled, and then, if it was the will of the Commission, the issue could be brought back <br />for discussion as a future agenda item. <br />9. RESOLUTIONS <br />A. Resolution 25-3480 — Invocation Policy <br />The City Clerk read Resolution 25-3480 by title, as follows: <br />"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA, REPEALING RESOLUTION <br />15-2808 WHICH ESTABLISHED THE CITY COMMISSION POLICY AND PROCEDURES <br />REGARDING OPENING INVOCATIONS BEFORE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COMMISSION; <br />PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE." <br />Staff Presentation: At the December 16, 2024 City Commission meeting, a request was made to bring a <br />discussion on the City's Invocation policy forward as a future agenda item. Discussion on the policy was <br />held at the January 13, 2025 meeting, and Commission consensus was to repeal the existing policy which <br />has been in place since 2015. Resolution 25-3480 repeals in its entirety Resolution 15-2808 which <br />established the City Commission policy and procedures regarding opening invocations before meetings of <br />the City Commission and also incorporates several legislative findings and expresses the City <br />Commission's intent to observe a moment of silence at the beginning of Commission meetings rather than <br />an invocation. Recent case law characterizes invocations as "government speech" which is not protected <br />by the First Amendment. Therefore, the City Commission may repeal the existing invocation policy <br />without infringing upon First Amendment rights of speakers. <br />Budget Impact: This item has no impact on the City Budget. <br />Recommendation: The City Manager and the City Attorney recommended approval of Resolution 25- <br />3480, which provides for the repeal of Resolution 15-2808 and the existing invocation policy in its entirety. <br />Audience Participation: No one came forward to address Resolution 25-3480. <br />