City of Fernandina Beach Charter Review Committee Report Summary and Overview November 8, 2007

Background CRC authorized by resolution Members appointed by City Commission: –Dick Bradford (elected Vice Chair) –Burton Bright (appointed 2/07) –Amy Bryan –Jerry Greeson (elected Chair) –Bill Holmes –Bob Rogers (resigned 2/07) –Suanne Thamm –Melvin Usery

CRC met twice monthly beginning in January 2007 Received input from –City Commissioners –Lynn Tipton, Florida League of Cities –Vicki Cannon, Supervisor of Elections –City Manager Michael Czymbor –City Clerk Mary Mercer –City Attorneys Debra Braga & Tony Leggio –Members of the Public –AIFBY Chamber of Commerce

CRC Objectives To foster leadership in government To enhance citizen participation in the election process and in seeking elected office To promote partnership between elected and appointed city officials

General Areas of Revision Outdated Charter language Provisions controlled by state or federal law Provisions more effectively covered in city ordinances, resolutions or in contracts with Charter Officers Additions to strengthen the bond between the citizens and their government

Major Recommendations New Charter Sections –Preamble –Citizens Bill of Rights –Mandate to create City Code of Ethics Retain commission-manager form of government with some changes to the role of Mayor

City Commission –Extend term of commissioner to 4 years –Eliminate term limits –Require 2 commissioners to live in each of two legally created residential districts based on population Mayor –Directly elected –2 year term –More leadership responsibilities, although continues to vote and function as member of the commission

Elections –Commissioners and Mayor elected at large –Time of elections to coincide with state & federal elections: 2 Commissioners and Mayor to be elected in November every 2 years –Run-off elections eliminated: plurality of votes determines winner

Separation of powers strengthened –Includes City Clerk and City Attorney, in addition to City Manager –Prohibits former elected officials from holding compensated, appointed city employment for one year following expiration of elected term City Manager –Identified as Chief Executive of city –Terms and conditions of employment removed from Charter to be included in a mandated contract

Charter Officer Sections rewritten to reflect parallel language for appointment, duties, qualifications and employment contract City Attorney and City Clerk given full supervisory authority over their staffs Charter mandate for 2 monthly meetings removed Title change: City controller to City Comptroller

Community Redevelopment Areas section and Municipal Recall section deleted because they are covered in state law. Language delineating city boundaries removed from charter and recommended for enactment in ordinances.

Final Points Existing Charter consists of 144 numbered sections, 69 of which are reserved. Revised Charter is shorter, consisting of 51 sections: 3 new, 12 unchanged and 36 revised. Revised Charter will be renumbered or reformatted after City Commission takes action and voters approve changes.