The council unanimously approved a motion to define the role of alternate members, a topic that has raised questions due to a lack of explicit guidelines in the town’s current charter and ordinances. Suggestions were made to either create a resolution or an emergency ordinance to provide clarity on the responsibilities and voting rights of alternates. The urgency of this matter was highlighted, with the liaison tasked with ensuring the rapid codification of these roles to allow for flexibility in governance without awaiting the charter review commission’s conclusions.

In tandem with this discussion, the council considered budgetary constraints and community feedback mechanisms, particularly in light of upcoming initiatives. One proposal under consideration involved commissioning a survey to gather community feedback, especially from seasonal residents or remote voters. The idea sparked mixed reactions among council members, with some advocating for engaging a consultant to ensure statistical validity, while others emphasized fiscal responsibility and the importance of managing feedback internally. Concerns were raised about the demographics of survey respondents, stressing the need to accurately reflect the views of residents rather than non-resident opinions.

Further, the council explored the possibility of collaborating with Florida Gulf Coast University for a student research project focused on municipal partnerships and charter improvements. This initiative aims to establish a formal relationship with the university, enabling students to research practices from other communities regarding charter revisions. The proposal seeks to create a mutually beneficial partnership, providing valuable insights for the council while offering practical experience for students. However, questions about potential costs and the need for town authority to formalize this relationship were noted, prompting discussions about a detailed proposal and the next steps.

The meeting also highlighted the need for clear communication and transparency in the governance process. An email was created specifically for charter review communications to facilitate the submission of items for consideration. This email will be included on a forthcoming committee webpage, set to launch within a week, serving as a centralized resource for information, including minutes and relevant documents from past meetings.

Additionally, past work products related to the town’s charter were discussed, with inquiries about the availability of materials generated during previous committee meetings. The importance of Sunshine Law and public records training for committee members was emphasized, with a scheduled session aiming to clarify these legal requirements. The training will address the nuances of public meetings, private discussions, and ex parte communications.

As the meeting concluded, members reviewed the anticipated agenda for the next meeting, which will cover discussions on the budget, the role of alternates, and the establishment of a running list of definitions for terms within the charter. There was also a focus on clarifying the hierarchy of policy resolutions and ordinances, as well as the scope of the charter commission’s responsibilities.