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Forfeiture of office amendment goes to voters
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 |
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Two City Commissioners have been challenged in recent months for having allegedly violated provisions of the city charter regarding residency in the city (Commissioner David Shimkus) and attendance at city commission meetings (Commissioner Troy Krotz).
The challenges were turned down by the commission, but members agreed that the current charter wording regarding forfeiture of office for failure to attend meetings is unclear.
Voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot for proposed changes that would clear up ambiguities in the current law. The charter amendment will be on the March 11, 2008 ballot.
The city charter currently states that “A member of the city commission … shall forfeit the member’s office if the member fails to attend four (4) regular meetings during any 12-month period whether excused or not.”
Krotz missed four meetings in 12 months during 2006-2007, which would be sufficient grounds for his removal from office, according to City Attorney Thomas Trask. Krotz said that one of the meetings he missed had occurred since his reelection in March, and he maintained that the absence count should begin again with the start of a new term.
The commission had agreed with Krotz’s interpretation, but also decided that the charter wording needed clarification.
The proposed amendment clarifies “term of office” to mean “current term of office” and changes “any 12-month period” to “any consecutive 12-month period.”
Under the revised wording, Krotz would have been correct in his interpretation that the absence count of missed meetings would start over with a new commission term.
The new wording would also make clear that absences must occur during a consecutive 12-month period, not “any” 12 months.
Commission protests Bright House plan
A resolution protesting Bright House Networks decision to move government access channels to a less accessible and more expensive digital tier was questioned by Commissioner Shimkus. Shimkus said the action could be construed as government interference with private enterprise.
“Pinellas County does not own the (Bright House) cable system. We are telling a private business how to run and where to place their channels,” he said.
Cable TV is a government regulated business and subject to government oversight, Commissioner Hunt Brand responded. “We absolutely have a responsibility to tell (Bright House) that what they are doing is rotten and they should not be doing it,” Brand said.
A number of cities are discussing whether to file suit against Bright House over their intended actions, Trask said.
Mayor Chris Arbutine said he was not in favor of a lawsuit, but felt the commission should pass the resolution letting the cable company know they oppose the channel move.
The resolution passed unanimously. Trask said after the meeting that the cable TV company’s proposed action could have “a chilling effect” on freedom of speech.
Firefighter pension increase to be discussed
The Firefighters Pension Board will take up the issue of whether to make enhancements to the pension fund. The subject aroused considerable discussion and debate at the last commission workshop session. A meeting on the issue will be held at City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.
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Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
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