North Bay Village Charter Changes:
Voting Decisions for November 6, 2012
Letting you know where I stand, Putting North Bay First and simplifying the process.
1) City or Village? The voting citizens of NBV have an opportunity to mark the beginning of a new era by voting YES to remove the word city from our official name. Is it important to be identified as a village rather than a city? I think so. A village denotes a community that cares for each other. A community that united works to improve the safety and quality of life for our residents. Many of you might ask, “How much will this cost?” According to our city manager, it will cost roughly $ 1,500.00 to change the stationary and other official documents needed. Let us be a village working together to bring NBV forward.
2) Corporate Limits of the city (Village) boundaries. Changes “time to time hereafter” to “in the future”, this is an easy YES because it makes the language clear.
3) Appointing and removal of the City Clerk. This is another easy YES because it provides consistency and clarity to the commission’s powers of appointing and removal of the city clerk.
4) Limitations on acquisition of real estate and capital improvement projects. Changing from 20% of the “annual fiscal budget” to 20% of the village “total operating budget”. This limitation already exists in the village charter, stating “total operating budget” clarifies the limitation; an easy YES.
5) Reduction of Mayor and City Commissioners compensation. This freezes the compensatory salaries for the mayor at $7,800.00 per year and for the commissioners at $ 6,300.00 per year. Which makes a lot of sense in the present economic atmosphere; another easy YES. In reality this amount of money cannot even be called compensatory for the hours and efforts that are required of any elected official that takes their position seriously and passionately.
6) Two year prohibition on paid employment of city commissioners and mayor post term. This just makes a lot of sense, an easy YES. This addition will not only prohibit elected officials from serving in a paid position while holding office as stated in the present charter , it will prohibit serving a paid position two years after ending the held elected office.
7) Outside employment by the City Manager. A no brainer…YES! While it does not prohibit the City Manager from offering his services for compensation outside the village, it provides a way for the commission to evaluate if it will interfere with the city managers responsibilities or possible conflict of interest with the village
8) Expanding existing anti nepotism policy. This also makes sense, another YES. It simply expands the blood line of any elected officials or department heads from favoring family members including spouses and their families. We may very well have to revisit this in the future because many may say it does not include significant others or partners, modern unions.
9) Filling of vacancies on the commission pertaining to Interim Vice Mayor. Simply YES, what’s good for the mayor should also apply to the vice mayor; no argument here.
10) Clarification of procedures for filing of commission vacancy and extraordinary vacancy. So far, in my opinion, I say yes to all, including clarifying and allowing the commission through the process to fill a position left vacant due to extraordinary circumstances; YES.
11) Procedure for adoption of emergency ordinance. Another yes as we are voting for a majority rule for an emergency ordinance ruling. Rather than 3 of 5 votes it will require 4 of 5 votes. Makes sense, a YES.
12) Procedure for adoption of ordinance and resolutions. Yes, yes and yes changing from 48 hours to three business days to submit written information to be reviewed by the commission of proposed ordinance and resolutions. This will allow the commission sufficient time to read such ordinances and resolutions and to come prepared to the commission meeting.
13) Increase Residency Requirements for Mayor and Commissioners from six months to one year. This makes absolutely no sense. Presently we have no one trampling over each other to serve or run for election. What’s the difference, I think if you are crazy enough, care enough and are willing to serve residing in NBV one year rather than 6 months makes no difference. Let us keep the requirements at 6 months vote NO.
14) Nomination for office of Commission and Mayor Petition. Petitions for candidacy should be in an official uniform form provided by the Village Clerk, vote YES. This amendment will specify that such petitions will be uniform, official documents provided by the city clerk.
15) Increase of filing fee for candidates for office of commissioner and Mayor. This is currently set at $ 100.00; this amendment will increase the filing fees to $ 250.00. This makes absolutely no sense in today’s economy. If the village is looking to increase their revenues, here is not the place. No is the way to go. Improve the environment and stream line the process to attract businesses to the village. Businesses that will increase services and improve the quality of life for the residents of NBV; revenues will rise.
16) City employees soliciting votes or engaging in political activity while off duty. Yes, yes and yes. This does not preclude a city employee from supporting a candidate or cause as an individual. It simply says you cannot do so while wearing any NBV uniform, emblem or in any way that represents an employee of the NBV.
17) Notice of final budget meeting. Our property owners need to be informed of any plans to increase taxes in plain and clear language. TRIM (Truth in Millage) may not be clear enough. This for now is a reluctant YES. I would like to see this revisited at a future date.
18) Bonds of officer and employees. We may have to revisit this one in the future because it does not go far enough. YES, to specify the key positions that are most vulnerable requiring posting a bond.
19) Oath of office/employment. This also makes a lot of sense. The NBV charter currently requires every officer and employee to take an oath of office. This will add to the oath that the officer or employee is a legal resident of the state of Florida and will obey the laws of the United States, the State of Florida and observe the provision of the Charter and Ordinances of the City. YES.
20) Review of zoning regulations, zoning district maps, and comprehensive master plan. YES, starting in 2013 the maximum interval to review NBV zoning regulations, comprehensive master plan and zoning district maps will be five years. This will insure that at the very least the NBV commission will review these zoning regulations, zoning district maps and master plan every five years.
21) Charter Violations. Shall the charter be amended to include a provision that NBV officials and employees shall follow the provisions of the Charter? YES, if you are a city employee or official you should follow the charter whether you are a resident of NBV or not.
Respectfully in my opinion
Mario Garcia
October 7, 2012
PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST
To review further please visit:
http://www.nbvillage.com/Pages/NorthBayFL_Calendar/S0196D842-01990BBE.4/10-9-2012%20AGENDA%20CITY%20COMM%20MTG%20PART%201%209A-12A.pdf
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