Town of Fort White Town Council Special Meeting March 3, 2025 Town Hall

Approved 5/1/25 TOWN OF FORT WHITE, FLORIDA TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DATE: March 3, 2025 TIME: 6:00 PM ALL AGENDA BACKUP MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE ON THE TOWN WEBSITE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT TAB/TOWN COUNCIL AT www.fortwhitefl.com. INVOCATION CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL MEMBERS: OTHERS: Mayor, George Jacob Thomas - Present (Filling for) Town Clerk, Brook Mishoe – Present Councilmember, Kathryn Terry - Present Town Attorney, Lindsey Lander - Present Councilmember, Dennis Rivera - Present Councilmember, Monica Merricks - Present Councilmember, Bill Koon - Present ITEM 1 - ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, CHANGES, AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Councilmember Terry motioned to amend agenda to perfectly match the wording on a witnessed special meeting request signed by herself and Councilmember Koon. Motion to change the agenda seconded by council member Koon. Motion failed with Mayor Thomas, Councilmember Merricks and Councilmember Rivera voting against. ITEM 2 - PUBLIC COMMENTS Lonnie Harrell - Issue with voting appointment process. Stew Lilker - Issues with how envelopes and score cards were handled. Jane Matzerado - Score card voting issue. Rocky Ford - Voting card issue and proposed method of voting. Dianna Cook - Questions about voting appointment process and how Councilmember Terry was appointed. Alex Viega - Voting appointment process issues with Councilmember Terry, she was voted in using the same process as for Dennis Rivera. Shelly Brown - Had issue with vote process. Ronnie Jackson - Questions and issues about voting and scoring. Karen Harrell - Did not understand why the mayor filled out his scorecard the way he did. ITEM 3 - NEW BUSINESS 1. Review Council Member appointments for compliance with Town Charter, R2022-27 and The Florida Government in the Sunshine Laws – Councilmember Terry made a motion to officially appoint Councilmember Rivera to the “vacant” district two council seat. The town attorney Mr. Lander informed Councilmember Terry that Councilmember Rivera has already been appointed and sworn in as the district two Councilmember and nothing in the town charter says that he can be removed. Motion died. Councilmember Merricks made a motion that the town council remove all candidates that were appointed through the same process that Councilmember Rivera was voted in under, and that the vacant seats then be filled by vote of the council. Mayor Thomas seconded the motion. Motion passed with Councilmembers Merricks, Councilmember Rivera and Mayor Thomas voting for. The town attorney said that the council cannot remove other Councilmembers in that way. Councilmember Dennis Rivera resigned his council seat and stated that it was embarrassing how certain Councilmembers were communicating and slinging mud and making accusations. 2. Review and establish an appointment process for vacant Town Council seats so that fair and legal appointments can be made with the Town Council - Motion by council member Koon - and seconded by Councilmember Terry to extend the 60-day appointment process another 60 days. Passed unanimously. Another motion was made to table the proposed voting process to the March 17, 2025 town council meeting - passed unanimously. ITEM 4 – ADJOURNMENT Council member Koon motioned to adjourn, seconded by council member Merricks. Motion passed unanimously. Minutes of the Town Council meeting may be obtained from the Town Clerk's office. The minutes are recorded, but not transcribed verbatim. Persons requiring a verbatim transcript may make arrangements with the Town Clerk to duplicate the recordings or arrange to have a court reporter present at the meeting. The cost of duplication and/or court reporter will be borne by the requesting party. In accordance with Sect. 286.0105 Florida Statutes. notice is given that if a person wishes to appeal a decision made by the Town Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact the Mayor through the Town Clerk's office no later than 4:00 PM on the Friday prior to the meeting.