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Minutes 09-03-25MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E OCEAN AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT. Jerry Taylor, Chair David Katz, Vice Chair Reverend Richard Dames Dr. Phyllis T. Pacilli Angela Troyanowski Call to Order Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 6 PM. Shawna Lamb, City Attorney Ian Gregorchik, Assistant City Attorney The Minutes Specialist called the roll. A quorum was present. Discussion Items A. Five Charter Review Items of Interest Each Committee Member is to discuss 5 Charter Review Items of Interest Ms. Lamb explained and clarified the memos she had sent to the members and said that she hoped the members would rank them from 1 to 18 and she would tabulate the top items. Vice Chair Katz said that he would rather talk about their top five items and come to agreement to address just the five. Dr. Pacilli commented that some of the memos came out late, due to the holiday weekend, and she did not get a chance to read them. She requested that the members discuss them or give them time to digest it. Ms. Lamb said that the first memo that came with the list was two fold: to add the word continuously versus changing it to two years or more regarding the residency requirements. She advised that if they change it to two or more years, it would likely be struck down. She reviewed other cities that have more than one year, but it is not in their Charter, rather it is via ordinance. The majority of the members(4-1) wanted one year and to use the word continuously. Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2025 Vice Chair Katz supported saying two years and letting the Commission decide and letting them know how to enact two years if that is what the Commission decided on. Ms. Lamb stated that in their report, they can explain why the members, by 4-1 poll, opted for the word continuous ,as opposed to two year's residency. She mentioned that her only caution with being too detailed is if they elect the two years residency, and that sometimes a simpler explanation is better and then she can go into details at the meeting. Ms. Lamb said that her other memo was about changing the legal age. She stated that they can change the age, which she reviewed and then announced that they need to have a rational basis, which is as long as they list the reasons for the age change, it will pass the constitutional threshold, but it can't be excessive. She did not recommend 30 or 35. She said rational would be changing the age from 20 to 25. The members discussed an appropriate age. Chair Taylor was happy with 21 and was not for combining the age with the continuously addition. He said that he would be okay with the 25 age as long as it was separate from the continuous residency provision. Ms. Lamb said that if it is one of the top five items, staff can develop language and look at other cities, but the Board does not have to make a decision today. Vice Chair Katz stated that he wanted to ensure they change the terms from three years to four years for continuity and there was agreement on this. He also wanted to change the vote to having a supermajority to hire/fire City Manager. It was noted that the City Attorney was in the same paragraph. He said that his goal was that it would apply to the City Manager and the City Commission could decide what they want to do with the City Attorney. He pointed out that they need to change all references regarding the City elections from November to March, and references to the officials to say him/her. The members discussed the definition of a term, and Section 5 regarding the four year term, what constitutes a full term and the one year sit out period. Ms. Lamb spoke about the Single Subject Rule, and stated that the more general it is, the easier it is to pass, than being more specific on each one. She suggested being less specific and if the Members wanted to change all three things, it should be lumped as one single subject. She explained that they could add language regarding the beginning date for the terms. There was agreement to have all three items in Section 5 changed together. Dr. Pacilli spoke about Section 4, Code of Conduct and Decorum, and that expectations should be spelled out. 2 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2025 Ms. Lamb suggested making the Code of Conduct more general and that it could be done via ordinance, but they shall create a Code, but it should not be one of the top five items, it can be added to the memo. There was agreement to lump Section 3, 5 and 20. Ms. Troyanowski thought that they should clarify the form of government and the duties of the Commissioners, because the people who have not served might read it and it is vague. Ms. Lamb said that they can lump them together right now. Chair Taylor thought that it was unnecessary. Vice Chair Katz asked how much time staff needed to draft the language. Ms. Lamb reviewed her schedule and said that they can start putting it together. Chair Taylor suggested meeting in two weeks and will have language. After discussion, they Committee will meet on September 25th, at 6 PM Ms. Lamb was unsure she would have the ballot questions ready and noted that they have a 75 word summary, ballot language is short and then actual language. Public Audience Chair Taylor opened to Public Audience Susan Oyer, Boynton Beach, said that her top five items were raising the age to run and residing in the elected area the entire term. She liked the idea of winning an election by 50% plus one and stated that she liked rank choice voting to avoid runoffs. She said that she was fine with three year terms and candidates can run for two years in a row. She thought the term limits were fine and that any portion of a term is considered a full term. She like the proposed language in Section 20, and clarifying the language and delineating the form of government, as it is a City Manager form and not a strong Mayor form. She thought the City Clerk needs to verify accuracy of candidate paperwork and reports and should require three forms of identification. She noted in Section 50, petitions need to be submitted in 30 days, but it does not specify when the 30 days start, and pointed out there is nothing about a recall process with rules and a timeframe. Ms. Lamb said she had sent information about how to get something on a referendum, but it is governed by State statute, as is a recall and it is not something they put in the Charter. 3 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 3, 2025 Ms. Lamb said, as to the City Clerk verification, that the job is purely ministerial and it is governed by state statute. She mentioned that if the City challenges someone trying to run and lose, they will get sued because the City is trying to take away their rights and their ability to vote, it is between the candidates Reverend Dames commented regarding the age of 25 versus 21 year olds if there is someone 21 years old who is serious about running, they won't mind waiting and serving the community. 25 is more mature and prepared. He thought 25 age range was safe. Ms. Lamb suggested saying the candidate must be 25 at the time they take office. Final Committee Comments Reverend Dames closed meeting with an Invocation. Adjournment Dr. Pacilli moved to adjourn. Vice Chair Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M. ct&TbA�,� ��Lu-v Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist M