Loading...
Minutes 09-25-25 MINUTES OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025, AT 6:00 PM IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBER, 100 E OCEAN AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jerry Taylor, Chair Shawna B. Lamb, City Attorney David Katz, Vice Chair Stacey Weinger, Deputy City Attorney Angela Troyanowski Ian Gregorachik, Assistant City Attorney Dr. Phyliss Pacilli (Arrived at 6:12 P.M.) ABSENT: Reverend Richard Dames 1. Call to Order Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M., followed by Roll Call, with the above members noted as present. 2. Approval of Minutes A. Meeting Minutes Approve the minutes the from August 28, 2025, and September 3, 2025, Charter Review Committee Meetings. Chair Taylor moved to approve the minutes from August 28, 2025, and September 3, 2025. Vice Chair Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion Items A. Discussion of Charter Review Proposed Amendments. Committee Members to discuss Charter Review Proposed Amendments. Chair Taylor read Attachment A, a proposed ordinance, pertaining to increasing the age to run for elective office from 21 to 25 years of age and to require continuous residency for one year prior to filing by title only. Ms. Lamb explained the difference between filing and qualifying on page two of the ordinance was filing was in November and qualifying was when they had to submit their petitions. Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 25, 2025 Vice Chair Katz liked the one year continuous residency prior to filing, as did Ms. Troyanowski. Chair Taylor supported keeping the age to run at 21 and said in all his years with the City, they never had a problem with it. He referenced the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." and noted that there have been young people who have successfully started movements at the age of 18. Ms. Troyanowski also supported keeping the age at 21. Vice Chair Katz said that he likes 25. (Dr. Pacilli arrived.) Vice Chair Katz read "The Adolescent Brain" into the record, and mentioned that Professor Kaplan has pointed out that "puberty refers to the hormonal changes that occur in early youth and adolescence may well extend beyond the teenage years. In fact, there are characteristic developmental changes that almost all adolescents experience during their transition from childhood to adulthood. It is well established that the brain undergoes a rewiring process that is not complete until approximately 25 years of age." Ms. Troyanowski supported the age of 21. Dr. Pacilli agreed with the 21 year old age requirement and with continuous residency. Vice Chair Katz stated that he will speak about it at the City Commission and express his concern. Ms. Lamb advised that she would update the ordinance. Ms. Lamb requested a motion if the Committee wanted to present it as one of the Charter Amendments to the City Commission. Motion Dr. Pacilli so moved. Ms. Troyanowski seconded the motion. Vice Chair Katz stated that he was voting no, but was voting yes in favor of the portion regarding continuous residency. Motion passed 3-1 (Vice Chair Katz dissenting.) Chair Taylor inquired, since the vote was 3-1, if the part about the age would be removed from the amendment and the only recommendation going forward pertained to the continuous residence portion. 2 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 25, 2025 Ms. Lamb confirmed it would. Ms. Lamb read Attachment B, a proposed ordinance, changing the length of elected terms from three years to four years, clarifying what constitutes a term for the purposes of term limits, a mandatory sit out period, and notice and advertisement of referendums to the public, by title only. She explained that the way the ordinance is drafted is that the first election impacted would be in March 2028. Motion Vice Chair Katz so moved. Dr. Pacilli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lamb read Attachment C, a proposed ordinance pertaining to the appointment and removal of the City Manager and City Attorney, clarifying the duties of the City Manager and City Commissioners, notice and advertisement to the public of the referendum, by title only. Vice Chair Katz stated that the ordinance does not reference the 4-1 majority vote, only the procedure. Ms. Lamb said that it is in Exhibit A and they can rewrite the ballot question to make it more clear. Vice Chair Katz asked if the City Manager and City Attorney should be separate as the City Manager position is more political. He said that he is not against the City Attorney but asked if that position should be separated out. There was agreement that both positions should require a 4-1 vote. Ms. Lamb pointed out that the current Charter has them the same and they can add the positions as a and b. Motion Dr. Pacilli moved to approve that the amendment be forwarded to the Commissioners. Vice Chair Katz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lamb stated that there is no conflict with Sections 40, 41 and 42. Chair Taylor pointed out elections it references November and March elections. Ms. Troyanowski also noted it references Deputy Mayor and Vice Mayor. 3 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 25, 2025 Ms. Lamb explained that it does say November, but it references the date to file for the March Election, so there was no conflict, and she advised that there is a general cleanup, when referencing individuals holding certain positions being changed to say he/she and other antiquated language. The members agreed. Dr Pacilli commented that Tamarac had a short preamble which was beautiful. Ms. Lamb said that she will send it to the members and they can discuss it at the next meeting. Vice Chair Katz said that there will be four items on the ballot and the Committee will meet again. He suggested that the Committee focus on major things first, letting the others wait and noted that there has been a lot of discussion on the City Commission level about non-residents serving on advisory boards. He requested that the Committee members consider whether potential advisory board members should be residents or not, and if so, including it as a Charter Amendment. Ms. Lamb noted that non-residents can obtain a waiver via ordinance and there is only one Board that does not allow for it, and that this is typically accomplished via ordinance. Chair Taylor stated that if an individual owns a business in the City, the owner can serve. 4. Public Comments Susan Oyer, Boynton Beach, stated that she supports the age to serve elected office as being 25, and suggested lowering campaign donation amounts if the minimum age to hold office is 21 . She did not support extending elective terms to four years and having terms at two years or leave it at three. She liked the idea of a preamble and expressed with the right wording, it would set a nice tone, and pointed out Boynton Beach is one of the older cities in the County and should be held in a higher regard. Ms. Lamb stated that the Committee will be making a presentation to the City Commission on October 21st and asked when the Committee would meet again. She asked how the Committee wanted the information presented to the City Commission as well. Chair Taylor said that a report was fine, which will be attached to the agenda item and then a brief Power Point, and the Committee agreed. It was noted that typically the Chair makes the presentation, or a designee. Chair Taylor agreed, and the members indicated that they will attend. Ms. Lamb explained that all has to be prepared by October 14th to be on the agenda. 4 Meeting Minutes Charter Review Committee Boynton Beach, Florida September 25, 2025 After discussion, there was agreement to meet on Monday, October 6th at 6 PM. 5. Adjournment Motion Dr. Pacilli moved to adjourn. Ms. Troyanowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 P.M. LI.ittkWilki Catherine Cherrry Minutes Specialist 5