City Commission Special Meeting

APPROVED:5/2/2019 MINUTES Special City Commission Meeting 6:00 PM - Thursday, April 11, 2019 - City Hall CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE 1. APPOINTMENTS 1.1 Selection of Interim City Commissioner, Seat #5 Mary Montez, City Clerk, explained the process to be used noting the appointment would be for a partial term to serve until whomever is elected in November 2020 is sworn in. She indicated that once the nominee was selected, the Commission would approve Resolution No. 19-42 after which she would administer the Oath of Office. Derek Schroth, City Attorney, explained public comment would be allowed prior to Commission deliberations. Mayor Holland encouraged the Commissioners to ask all the questions they need to and take all the time they need for deliberations. Each candidate was then allowed three minutes to give a presentation and answer any questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Aliberti questioned each applicant on how they would balance their Commission duties. Commissioner Morin asked each applicant how they would include the African-American community, their stance on future growth, their use of social media and whether or not the City needs additional programming for young people. Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith asked specific questions about each applicant's experience and Mayor Holland encouraged each applicant to stay active with the City whether they are selected or not. The following applicants addressed the Commission: Leah Braswell, Tamie Chamy, Nan Cobb, Christine Cruz, Timothy W. Gladman Jr., Willie L. Hawkins, Alan Holden, Emily A. Lee, Carole Jean Martin, Nicie Allen Parks, Leonard Wheeler and Erica Wilson. Mayor Holland announced the Commission would take a recess until 8: 15 p.m. He asked the Commissioners to not speak with the applicants during the break. He stated that when the Commission reconvenes he would open the floor to public comment. Recess: 8:07 p.m. Reconvene: 8:16 p.m.  Mayor Holland opened the floor to public comment. He asked anyone speaking to limit comments to two or three minutes. He explained that the City Charter mandates that the Commission make the selection. Daniel DiVenanzo thanked the applicants noting that he had read all of the applications. He cited the quality of the group of applicants, expressed support for the selection of Willie Hawkins and cited the need for more black and white male role models in the community. Lawrence Lucas stated he is a new resident to the City and a minister. He expressed concern regarding the lack of sidewalks to the schools and the need for more streetlighting. Darius Kerrison expressed support for selecting a black representative but noted color doesn't matter as long as they listen. He expressed support for the Commissioners coming to the community so the residents and children see them and so they know what's going on. He stated whoever is selected needs to do the job. With no further public coming forward, Mayor Holland closed the floor to public comment and opened the floor to nominations. He noted that it is a temporary appointment for a little over two years after which three seats will be up for election. He cited the quality of the applicants. Commissioner Morin nominated Emily Lee and Willie Hawkins. Commissioner Aliberti nominated Carole Martin and Nicie Allen Parks. Mayor Holland nominated Nan Cobb. Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith expressed her support for the nominations presented. There being no further nominations, Ms. Montez recommended that she call the roll call on each name in alphabetical order and the Commission concurred. On the nomination of Nan Cobb, the vote was 2 to 2 as follows: Aye: 2 - Vice Mayor LeHeup Smith, Mayor Holland Nay: 2 - Commissioner Aliberti, Commissioner Morin On the nomination of Willie Hawkins, the vote was 2 to 2 as follows: Aye: 2 - Commissioner Aliberti, Commissioner Morin Nay: 2 - Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, Mayor Holland City of Eustis, Florida Page 2 of 4 April 11, 2019  On the nomination of Emily Lee, the vote was 4 to 4 as follows: Aye: 4 - Commissioner Aliberti, Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, Commissioner Morin, Mayor Holland On the nomination of Carole Martin, the vote was 2 to 2 as follows: Aye: 2 - Commissioner Aliberti, Commissioner Morin Nay: 2 - Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, Mayor Holland On the nomination of Nicie Allen Parks, the vote was 2 to 2 as follows: Aye: 2 - Commissioner Aliberti, Mayor Holland Nay: 2 - Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, Commissioner Morin Ms. Montez announced all the votes were 2 to 2 except for Emily Lee who received a unanimous vote. 2. ORDINANCES, PUBLIC HEARINGS & QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS 2.1 Resolution No. 19-42: Appointment of Interim Commissioner, Seat #5 Mr. Schroth read Resolution No. 19-42 by title: A Resolution by the City Commission of the City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida, appointing a qualified elector (voter) and resident of the City of Eustis to fill a vacancy created on the Eustis City Commission through the death of one of its members; such appointment to be made on an interim basis until a newly elected City Commission member is qualified. Moved by Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, seconded by Commissioner Aliberti, to approve Resolution No. 19-42 with the appointment of Emily Lee as the Interim Commissioner for Seat #5. Motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: Commissioner Aliberti, Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith, Commissioner Morin, and Mayor Holland 3. SWEARING-IN OF INTERIM COMMISSIONER 3.1 Swearing-in of Interim Commissioner, Seat #5 Ms. Montez administered the Oath of Office to Emily Lee who then assumed her seat on the dais. Mayor Holland commented on local government being the closest to the people. He encouraged residents to contact their representatives in City of Eustis, Florida Page 3 of 4 April 11, 2019  Tallahassee and ask them to quit encroaching on local government authority. 4. ADJOURNMENT - 8:36 p.m. ~~~= Michael L. Holland J Mayor/Commissioner Mary~Montez City Clerk *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Page 4 of 4 April 11, 2019  City of Eustis, Florida April 11, 2019 OATH OF OFFICE , do solemnly swear that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Florida and the Charter of the City of Eustis; and that I will faithfully perform all the duties of the office of City Commissioner, Seat #5, on which I am now about to enter, so help me God. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11 th day of April, 2019, by (:::<n·1I'{ p.. . Lee . who is personally known to me. f Eustis, Florida