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CHARTER ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
APRIL 11, 2002

MINUTES

Volusia County Library Support Center
1290 Indian Lake Road
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124
5:30 p.m.

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Jon Kaney at 5:35 p.m. Those present were Jack Ascherl, Maryam Ghyabi, Senta Goudy, James Huger, Charles Matousek, Allen Watts, Linda White, Matt Greeson and Dona DeMarsh from the County Manager’s Office, and Dan Eckert, Deputy County Attorney. Also present was Summer Clayton, Joie Alexander, Lyda Longa, Krys Fluker, and Pamela Hasterok. Member Doug Daniels was absent.

Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of April 4, 2002

Jimmy Huger moved approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by Senta Goudy and was approved unanimously.

Discussion Regarding the Position of Chair of the Volusia County Council

Matt Greeson asked Dona DeMarsh to give an overview of the chart presented at the meeting. Ms. DeMarsh gave a brief explanation of the information.

The Committee discussed further the role of the Council Chair in setting the agenda. Allen Watts made a motion that the County Manager will propose the necessary agenda, the Council Chair will supplement the agenda, and the Council will control the agenda when in session. Jimmy Huger seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Jack Ascherl stated that he thought that on #7 of the items previously approved, that the words, "and failure" be removed and "major" be added prior to accomplishments. The Committee agreed.

The next issue of discussion was the appointment of members to committees by the Council Chair. Jimmy Huger stated that he believes district members should appoint members to committees.

Matt Greeson suggested that the committee refer to the three options already determined in the minutes from the previous meeting. After much discussion, the following recommendation was made in two parts.

• The Chair will make external appointments without the advice and consent of the County Council. This was approved 6 to 2 with Jimmy Huger and Maryam Ghayabi dissenting.
• All other appointments will be made by the chair and confirmed with the advice and consent of the County Council. This power can be delegated to other Council members. This was approved unanimously.

Maryam Ghyabi asked what else could be done to increase the authority of the Chair. Jon Kaney asked that the Committee and/or staff come back with any areas they thought could increase the authority of the Chair.

Senta Goudy made a motion to add an additional staff member for the Chair. The motion was seconded by Maryam Ghyabi. Jon Kaney expressed the opinions shared with him by Joe Yarborough and Dr. Tom Kelly regarding political appointments. The consensus of the group was that no political or direct hires be made and that language would not be added to the charter regarding additional staff. Further, it was the consensus of the committee that any staff supporting the Council would fall under the next merit system and be the County Manager's staff, but assigned to support the Council. Instead, a recommendation could be made that it would take the Chair’s initiative to make additional staff part of the budget.

Charles Matousek made a motion that the salary of the Chair be set a 100% of the state guidelines for County Commissioners. The motion passed 4 to 3 with Jack Ascherl, Jimmy Huger, and Jon Kaney voting no. Jon Kaney expressed his opinion that if the Council Chair is going to be fulltime, they should be paid a larger salary.

Public Participation

Joie Alexander asked about item number 7 on the draft summary of decisions made by the Committee. She suggested that when the State of County Address is five that progress on all goals outlined in the prior year be addressed and adequate progress be given with an indication that the goal is carried over until the next year. The committee concurred.

Adjournment

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

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