Division 3. Appointed Boards, Commissions And Committees


§ 2-15. Meeting schedule, quorum and attendance requirements.
Latest version.

(a) Regular meetings. Meetings shall be scheduled in accordance with the ordinance or resolution authorizing the establishment of a particular citizen board, commission or committee. A schedule showing time and place of meeting for each citizen board, commission or committee shall be maintained by the city clerk and shall be available at all times for public review. Where applicable, public notice of the meeting shall be provided in accordance with Florida Statutes. Where special public notice is not required by Florida Statutes, notice of the regular meeting shall specify the day, hour and subject of the meeting and shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall where other official notices are posted at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting.

(b) Special meetings. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by the city manager or his designee. Special meetings shall require no less than twelve (12) hours notice to each member of the board, commission or committee and to the public. Notice of the special meeting shall specify the day, hour and subject of the meeting and shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall where other official notices are posted.

(c) Workshops. Informal meetings to discuss particular issues to be considered by the board, commission or committee may be held as provided in section 2-6(c) of this article.

(d) Quorum. A majority of all members appointed to the board, commission or committee shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business unless otherwise required by the ordinance or resolution authorizing the establishment of a particular citizen board, commission or committee. The inability to hold a scheduled meeting due to lack of a quorum shall be recorded in the official record of the board, commission or committee.

(e) Attendance. Absence from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of a board, commission or committee shall automatically operate to vacate the seat of a member unless such absence is excused by the board, commission, or committee by motion duly passed and recorded in the official minutes.

(Ord. No. 98-02, § 1, 1-20-98)

§ 2-16. Agenda.
Latest version.

(a) Publication. No later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to each regular meeting of an appointed board, commission or committee, an agenda which contains all items that shall be acted upon at the meeting shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall where other official notices are posted. Posting of the agenda shall be in addition to any public notice of the meeting which may be required by Florida Statutes or other applicable regulations. A packet containing the agenda and information pertaining to items included on the agenda shall be forwarded to members of the appointed board, commission or committee no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting.

(b) Agenda deadline. Any person may have an item placed on the agenda by submitting a request to the recording secretary no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to publication of the agenda. Such request shall be in writing, shall fully explain the nature of the item to be included, and shall provide sufficient detail as to inform the members about the action to be taken on the item, if any. A request received after the deadline shall be held by the recording secretary for inclusion on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting. The city manager may, at his discretion, waive the deadline requirement for requests of an emergency nature.

(c) Withdrawal of agenda item. The person requesting placement of an item on the agenda may withdraw the item prior to the meeting by notifying the recording secretary.

(d) Record. A copy of each agenda packet (i.e., the agenda and all information submitted to an appointed board, commission or committee) shall become part of the official record of the city and shall be permanently retained by the city clerk. Any information provided to the board, commission or committee during consideration of an item on the agenda shall be added to the record and retained with the agenda packet.

(Ord. No. 98-02, § 1, 1-20-98)

§ 2-17. Meeting procedures.
Latest version.

(a) Quorum. The recording secretary shall determine the presence of a quorum as required by law and these rules.

(b) Call to order. The chairman shall call the meeting to order at the appointed time. In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall call the meeting to order. In the absence of the chairman and vice-chairman, the most senior member present shall call the meeting to order.

(c) Presiding officer. The chairman shall be the presiding officer at all meetings. In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall be the presiding officer. In the absence of the chairman and vice-chairman, the most senior member present shall be the presiding officer.

(d) Control of discussion. The presiding officer shall control discussion on each agenda item to ensure full participation in accordance with these rules.

(e) Order of consideration. Each agenda item shall be considered in the order as shown on the published agenda. With the consent of the members, however, any agenda item may be considered out of order at the request of a member, the city manager or the city manager's designee.

(f) Public hearing. Public hearings shall be held as required by Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, or other applicable legislation. A public hearing shall commence when declared open by the presiding officer and shall conclude when declared closed by the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall-close the public hearing after all citizens have been given the opportunity to speak on the matter under consideration.

(g) Motion required. All actions requiring a vote shall be moved and seconded by members of the board, commission or committee.

(h) Motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider may be made by a member and shall require a majority vote of the board, commission or committee unless a greater number was required for the original action.

(i) Closing discussion on matters not requiring a public hearing. Discussion on matters not requiring a public hearing shall be closed by the presiding officer with a call for a vote. A call for a vote shall not close discussion if any member still wishes to be heard except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section. If discussion has preceded the making of a motion, discussion shall be closed with a call for a motion.

(j) Call for a vote. At the conclusion of discussion, the presiding officer shall call for a vote, however, a majority of the board, commission or committee may require a vote at any time.

(k) Recording of motion and vote. The city clerk shall record the name of the member making each motion, the second, and the vote of each member. All votes shall be cast verbally by roll call of the members with the exception that the presiding officer may waive a roll call vote for approval of the minutes of a prior meeting.

(l) Consideration of matters not on the agenda. At the close of the regular agenda, any member may bring a matter not on the agenda to the attention of the board, commission or committee, however no official action shall be taken on the matter. Upon the request of a member, the matter may be included on a later agenda.

(m) Adjournment. The presiding officer shall adjourn the meeting when there are no further matters to be discussed.

(Ord. No. 98-02, § 1, 1-20-98)

§ 2-18. Citizen participation.
Latest version.

Meetings of all appointed boards, commissions and committees are open to the public. Citizen participation shall comply with section 2-9 herein.

(Ord. No. 98-02, § 1, 1-20-98)