The Charter Review Board (CRB), Hillsborough County, Florida, met in Regular Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 28, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., in the Boardroom, County Center, Tampa, Florida.
The following members were present:

The following members were absent:
Jan Smith, Chairman (prior commitment) Danny L. Wilkes (prior commitment)
Vice Chairman Hurley called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Mr. Bedke led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The Deputy Clerk called the roll and noted a quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Williams moved approval of the September 14, 2000, minutes, seconded by Mr. Beltran. In reply to Mr. Bedke, Mr. LaBour clarified the intent about the maximum amount of years in which a person could serve in a seat on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) without jumping to another seat. The motion carried twelve to zero. Mr. White moved to approve the minutes of August 24, 2000, seconded by Ms. Tuttle, and carried twelve to zero.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Bart Siegel, 6107 South Elkins Avenue, supported term limits for appointed and elected officers, prohibiting elected officials from accepting campaign contributions from employees, and discussed the initiative to create an internal performance auditor. Mr. Mark Schonbrun, 1802 North Morgan Street, approved positive change in government. Mr. Neil Cosentino, 708 South Davis Boulevard, president, Bay World Public Trust, opposed bundling two issues on a voter referendum, such as the Community Investment Tax, and suggested that equal money and time be spent advertising the opposing view on a referendum. Mr. Francis Cape, 3404 South Beach Drive, felt the charter should include safeguards to prevent unnecessary expense for land and property transactions between publicly owned entities and all government agencies. In answer to Ms. Tuttle, Mr. Cape clarified that he was speaking about the Tampa Airport Authority's recent purchase.

Mr. Ron Wolfe, 1414 Deirdre Drive, discussed fair government representation and how that applied to the current government structure. He suggested keeping the same number of County commissioners to avoid impacting the County budget; creating seven single-member districts, each representing 150,000 people; making it mandatory for each Commissioner to reside within the district represented; eliminating the three at-large districts; and placing the issue on the ballot as a referendum. Vice Chairman Hurley said an article had been distributed last month that had incorrect appointments regarding representation on the CRB; four CRB members were from District 4, and Ms. Waldron was appointed by Commissioner Hart. Mr. Wolfe thanked Vice Chairman Hurley for correcting that error.

Mr. Bill Penrose, 1309 North Ferrell Street, recommended separating the financial information from the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office and supported eight-year term limits and placing a referendum on the fall ballot. Mr. Kevin Wright, 1100 North 50th Street, supported term limits for County officials, eliminating employee campaign contributions, and a cap on property tax tied to the gross domestic product of the County; he opposed an internal performance auditor. Ms. Tuttle understood the Tax Collector could only collect property tax on the Property Appraiser's appraised value of a home. Mr. Penrose explained the cap would be for the County budget, not for the appraisal of the property.

Mr. Ralph Hughes, Tampa, recommended the CRB consider reaching a decision on the elected County mayor/administrator/chairman and setting a date to vote on that issue before moving to other issues. People had brought forth recommendations that had not been considered by the CRB. Mr. White noted that the CRB had expressed an interest in 23 items, and he hoped the CRB would take the necessary time to complete the assigned task. Mr. Carl Warren, 1710 East North Bay Street, wanted the CRB to produce something for the ballot, explained the Hatch Act governed restricting political activities, and he did not feel the community was ready for an executive person. The community needed to expand the present number of County commissioners to represent all constituents.

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REPORT

Senior Assistant County Attorney Mary Helen Campbell reported she had forwarded documents regarding political activity, Florida Law, and Administrative directives to Ms. Barbara Merritt, CRB Executive Director, for distribution to CRB members. Attorney Campbell had also sent the executed oath of office change to the BOCC resolution to the BOCC chairman and to Mr. Al Davis, with a letter, thanking him for his efforts in that. A memorandum had been submitted to CRB members regarding an issue that had come up regarding the citizen's initiative process. Based on the last presidential election numbers, 25,000 signatures would be required, of which a little less than half would have to be in two certain districts. The figures could change after the 2000 presidential election. The County Attorney's Office would not lend legal advice or represent someone as a private citizen.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Ms. Merritt said nine CRB meetings remained. Since some CRB members could not attend the December 28, 2000, meeting, Ms. Merritt needed to know the schedule of other CRB members so she could advise Facilities Management Department. Two meetings in January and the last meeting in February were tentatively scheduled for the 26th floor. She asked CRB members for any change of address or telephone numbers. The next meeting would be on October 12, 2000, at 6:00 p.m.; Mayor Dick Greco, city of Tampa (City), was scheduled as the guest speaker.

Several CRB members who had submitted a suggestion sheet had mentioned an elected chairman and increasing BOCC districts. In reply to Mr. White, Ms. Merritt explained she had been unable to schedule Sheriff Cal Henderson to address the CRB; however, deputy sheriffs attended the meetings and reported to Sheriff Henderson. Ms. Williams asked if a tally had been made on the responses to inquiries sent with water bills. Ms. Merritt reported that more than 200 responses had been received; she was compiling that information. Mr. White asked about a tally on how many hits the CRB web site received. Ms. Merritt would report that information at the next meeting.

DISCUSSION ON GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Vice Chairman Hurley recalled the CRB had set a date on October 12, 2000, to discuss and take a straw vote on real term limits and nonpartisan elections. Mr. Ambler had read the proposals on the structure of government from Mr. LaBour, Mr. Bales, Ms. Tuttle, Vice Chairman Hurley, and Mr. Bedke. A common theme in those proposals was nine County commissioners. Mr. Ambler proposed considering one of those additional seats being at-large and one being a single-member district. Mr. LaBour outlined his proposal. Mr. Bedke said his proposal was nearly identical to the concept presented by Mr. LaBour. Discussion included four at-large districts, designating one at-large district as the chairman; minority representation; residency requirements; the position of County commissioner considered as a part-time job; and adding staff for County commissioners.

Mr. Ambler wanted to see the figures of the Mayor's budget, for the executive branch for the City as compared to City Council, and what the executive branch of government cost counties that had gone to the elected mayor/chairman system. Vice Chairman Hurley discussed eight single-member districts and one at-large district, as a way to encourage people to run for office and provide political leadership, with the at-large district serving as the mayor/chairman. Mr. Bedke was not sure that providing additional staff to County commissioners would be helpful. Increasing or expanding the BOCC would provide accountability and make it easier for someone to run for office. Mr. Bedke's first reaction was not to increase the size of the BOCC, but expanding the BOCC made sense for a county as diverse and populated as Hillsborough County.

Ms. Lasher pointed out that the County commissioners could consider additional staff during the budget discussions. Adding more commissioners would involve more cost for staff and office space. Therefore, Ms. Lasher wanted to know the initial cost and long-term cost, on an annualized basis, for two more commissioners, before she voted on increasing the number of commissioners. A larger BOCC would have more difficulty reaching a consensus; more single-member districts would create more single-minded commissioners. Ms. Lasher would consider an elected chairman and geographic residency requirements, with the elected chairman position open to any commissioner.

Ms. Waldron thought the purpose of the exercise was to narrow the CRB's focus. She asked CRB members to consider discussing whether to put the elected chairman position on the ballot. Mr. White supported five single-member districts and four at-large districts; the question of term limits needed to be answered. Ms. Williams liked the current structure, but commissioners had to serve on too many boards. She suggested the chairman might serve for two years instead of one year. Mr. Ambler preferred a nine-member commission, five single-member and four regional districts, which gave citizens the right to vote for a majority of the BOCC. Mr. Ambler supported a BOCC-elected chairman serving two years.

Vice Chairman Hurley called a recess at 7:41 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Bales supported the people electing the chairman, a nine-member BOCC, and better representation; he opposed more bureaucracy. In response to Mr. Ballard, Attorney Campbell explained the BOCC reapportioned district lines, but used the Planning Commission and Supervisor of Elections offices to make sure that the district populations were nearly equal. The CRB would not draw the lines.

In answer to Vice Chairman Hurley, Attorney Campbell explained, for preclearance, the Justice Department considered the proposed change and compared that to what was currently in place. Ms. Merritt reported Mr. Jim Hosler, Planning Commission staff, would provide information when he had better census figures. To speak to one issue and in the spirit of decision-making, Ms. Waldron moved to place on the ballot the elected County chairperson position, with the duties to be defined. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bales. Mr. Ambler asked clarification of the motion. Ms. Waldron clarified her intent was a defined leadership position as an elected County chairman of the BOCC, with duties to be defined. Mr. Bales said the chairman was part of the legislative branch; the County Administrator was the executive branch. An elected chairman from a single-member district would have more difficulty carrying out single-member district duties. While everyone voted at BOCC meetings, Mr. Bales wanted the chairman to have a broader view.

Attorney Campbell clarified for Ms. Lasher that Ms. Charlotte Emrick, Aide to the Chairman, provided extra assistance to the BOCC chairman. Ms. Lasher wanted to know what duties were to be determined later. She noted Vice Chairman Hurley had suggested the concept of going to a committee; the CRB would vote on the concept, and the committee would draft the duties, which would return to the CRB for revisions. Ms. Lasher would support that. Mr. White supported forming a committee and giving direction to the committee relating to the duties of the BOCC chairman.

Mr. LaBour thought the motion could be expanded. He expressed concern about having a public hearing on the entire structure, not just a piece. Mr. Ambler said nothing had been proposed about altering the existing seven member BOCC structure or that the chairman had to be from an at-large district. Ms. Waldron said she could include in the motion that the chairman had to be from an at-large district.

Ms. Tuttle asked to separate the issues, to vote on the elected County chairman and have a subcommittee work on that, and to vote on the structure and have a subcommittee work on that. Rather than be too limited, Mr. Bales thought a subcommittee would primarily discuss the makeup of the districts and decide whether to expand the BOCC. Mr. LaBour offered a substitute motion, that the chairman appoint a committee to meet between then and the next meeting, to discuss the logistics of putting together a structure that would include an elected mayor/chairman, a structure that would include at-large and single-member districts, a number to be discussed and considered by the next meeting for CRB to look at and ultimately make a final decision. The motion was seconded by Mr. White.

Ms. Waldron asked Mr. LaBour to consider placing a number in the substitute motion, to define that the committee would talk about nine or ten single-member districts and at-large member districts. Mr. LaBour would do that; however, he had tried, in the spirit of compromise, to let the committee decide. Mr. LaBour would include a total of nine commissioners, with five single-member and four at-large districts. Ms. Waldron accepted the substitute motion, with the number. Mr. LaBour amended the substitute motion and Mr. White accepted the amendment. Assistant County Attorney Ken Tinkler clarified that the substitute motion became the original motion, if the maker of the original motion accepted the substitute motion, assuming the person who seconded the original motion accepted the substitute motion. Mr. Bales agreed. Ms. Waldron said the motion was to go to a committee with the County-elected chairman position, duties to be defined, with a total of nine commissioners, with at-large and single-member districts to be determined.

Mr. LaBour clarified that five commissioners would be single-member districts, four commissioners would be at-large. Ms. Waldron did not accept that amendment. Mr. LaBour said the chairman would appoint a committee that would meet between then and the next meeting, to discuss the structure--being that there would be nine elected County commissioners made up of both at-large and single-member districts, with a number of the composition specifically to be brought back to the CRB. Ms. Waldron and Mr. Bales accepted the substitute motion.

Ms. Lasher said the motion was too specific to support; she supported going to committee to look at an elected chairman, with duties to be determined by committee, and returning to the CRB for a decision. Mr. White supported the motion on the floor and called the question, which failed three to nine; members Ambler, Bales, Ballard, Bedke, Beltran, Hurley, LaBour, Lasher, and Williams voted no.

Ms. Williams did not support the motion, because the subcommittee should decide how many districts were in the structure, and that number should not be limited to nine before going to a committee. Mr. Bales suggested not to set the number at nine at that time. Ms. Waldron agreed and called the question. Mr. Ambler said the motion was to refer to a committee the issue of structure, which included whether to leave it alone or change the number of County commissioners, and also to discuss the composition of at-large and single-member districts, and that the subcommittee would consider the issues of the duties pertaining to an elected chairman of the BOCC. The CRB agreed that was the motion. The motion to call the question carried twelve to zero. The motion carried eleven to one; Mr. Ballard voted no.

Vice Chairman Hurley asked for volunteers to serve on the committee; members Ambler, Bales, Bedke, LaBour, Tuttle, Waldron, and White volunteered. Ms. Waldron would serve as chairman. Attorney Campbell clarified the committee would meet in the sunshine; Ms. Merritt would coordinate schedules for that. The last subcommittee meeting was held in the County Attorney's Office conference room.

Mr. White thanked the Florida Sentinel for the article on the CRB. Ms. Waldron said satellite meetings in the community would be a good gesture. Mr. LaBour suggested that issue be placed on the next CRB agenda for discussion.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Ella Coffee, County resident, thanked the CRB members for serving the County, and said all citizens were not indifferent. Mr. Mike Carducci, Valrico, said the structure of government could be settled by the BOCC or by a federal judge if a decision was not reached before February. He pointed out problems with the numbers and the Civil Act for District 3. County Administrator Daniel A. Kleman reported the BOCC had adopted the County's annual budget on September 27, 2000. In doing so, the BOCC adopted a property tax rate reduction for the sixth year in a row. Mr. Kleman submitted a one-page summary that identified the savings accrued over ten years--the past six years and future four years. The budget was unanimously adopted.

Ms. Williams moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Ambler, and carried twelve to zero.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

READ AND APPROVED:
CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:
RICHARD AKE, CLERK

By:
Deputy Clerk

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