In a last effort to seek public input on seven recommended amendments to the Fort Myers City Charter, the city’s charter review advisory board voted Jan. 23 to host a final meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the City Council chambers before the amendments are sent to Council for consideration.
The board’s purpose is to review and study the existing city charter for possible amendments or revisions by gathering facts and information, including public input, and by engaging in deliberations.
The board intended to approve its recommendations Jan. 23 to be placed on the Feb. 5 Council regular meeting agenda, but instead voted to have a final meeting in hopes of public involvement after what Vice Chair Sawyer Smith described as multiple failed attempts to encourage the community to participate.
“To me, what is one more meeting even if we sit here alone to say this is what we’re going to send as a final draft to our Council?” Smith said. Other board members supported a final meeting seeking public involvement but remained hesitant attendance would increase.
Of the several proposed amendments, one includes updating the language regarding the publication of notice for hearings on wards and boundaries in the city. The charter currently states that the boundary limits of the city’s six wards shall be defined by Council on its motion or own petition after public notice and hearing.
The board proposes notice of such a hearing should be given at least 14 days prior to the hearing instead of what is currently written as a five-day notice. It also recommended the notice be published on the city website and on social media pages operated by the city, in addition to a newspaper of general circulation in the city.
Another proposed amendment relates to the city manager in Section 106 of the city charter. The board proposes Council should appoint an acting city manager during the city manager’s absence in the event of the city manager’s temporary absence or disability. As the charter stands now, the city manager has the power to designate a city officer or employee during the city manager’s temporary absence or disability by letter filed with the city clerk.
Other proposed changes pertain to residency requirements for high-ranking city staff and elected officials.
The board proposed changing language to state that each City Council member should be a resident of the ward from which they are elected for a period of at least 12 consecutive months prior to the last day to qualify for office, rather than the current six-month requirement.
As for high-ranking city staff, the board recommends they reside within the city. However, those currently employed upon adoption of the amendment shall be exempt, as long as there is no break in employment.
Other proposed amendments include term limits of two consecutive full four-year terms for the mayor and City Council, no walk-on agenda items that have monetary consideration except during a governor’s declared state of emergency and removal of language of imprisonment in an event any officer, employee or witness refuses to comply with being investigated by City Council.
