The Alachua County 2020 Charter Review Commission (CRC) will meet on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 3 p.m., and Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. On April 21, the CRC will proceed through as much of the agenda as possible until they adjourn. The April 22, agenda will resume at the April 21, stopping point.
These are virtual meetings as permitted by the Florida Governor’s Executive Order No. 2020-69. The public may attend virtually through Cox Cable Channel 12,
Facebook, the County’s
Video on Demand website, or by calling 301-715-8592 (for audio only). Meeting ID 670 695 3024.
There will be one public comment session during each meeting, immediately following The Chair’s introduction. Once public comment is opened, please immediately call 352-418-0705, and follow the instructions to leave your recorded message for the CRC. Callers should leave their name and limit comment to three minutes. During this comment period, the public may call in and comment on any items on the agenda or any matters related to the Charter Review Commission. Prior to the meeting, the public may submit comments and any written or photographic documents to the Commission through e-mail at
CharterReview@alachuacounty.us. Any questions regarding participation should be directed to the Alachua County Communications Office at 352-264-6923 or 352-264-6693.
The meeting agenda includes:
1. Public Comments
2. Review remaining submittals for advancement or elimination
Covid-19 Pandemic - current issues
74 – business (Fades and Fros) closing issue re: Covid-19 pandemic (referred to County Commission by email 3/20/20; must still be formerly considered by CRC for advancement/elimination.
Similar submittals previously considered by CRC for advancement or elimination
72, 75 County Commission districts – single member
65 and 66 pro-rate taxes based on cost
68 Citizen Standing for Environmental Suits Arising Under County Law – may be like alternative language to be provided by Attorney.)
60 - stop buying property
61 - sell property County has no business owning
Charter – Racial, ethnic and gender equity
58 - racial, ethnic and gender equity
Charter – Amendment Procedures
64 - require financial impact of proposed County Charter Amendments
67 - require 60% Voter Approval for Charter Amendments
Charter - County Charter Officers
59 - Alachua County Public County Counsel for Utility Services
79 - County Manager – add language that qualifications for the County Manager position shall include a Public Administration Degree and a minimum of three years of Public Administration experience
80 - County Commission approval of department heads - specify that County Commission approval of department heads requires a vote to confirm or deny
Charter - CRC Appointments
69 - CRC appointment procedure: specify 13 members & 18-24 months prior to 2030 general election & thereafter
Charter – Non-interference clause
77 - as the bedrock of commission-manager form of government, a non-interference clause should be included in the Charter
Land Use – land development
70 - all new development and refurbished county-owned landscapes will be at least 80% Florida native plants; lawns can be no more than 10% of this landscape
71 - all new development proposals must be designed using “Building for Birds Evaluation Tool”
76 – Countywide impact fees - County ordinances imposing impact fees shall apply both within the Alachua County unincorporated area and within municipal boundaries
78 - Scenic Road and Corridors proposed Charter Amendment - set minimum protections for designated scenic roads and scenic corridors; and create an advisory committee
3. Legal analysis re: CRC-advanced proposals – received April 8 and 13, 2020 – Wade Vose
• Removal of Unconstitutional Provisions — Proposals 20, 21, and 50
• Removal of Requirement for Paper Candidate Treasurer Reports — Proposal 24
• Establishment of a County Land Use Regulation Area — Proposal 1
• Alternatives to Rights of Nature Proposals — Proposals 37 and 41
• Creation of an Environmental Protection Officer - Proposal 177
4. Advanced proposals to date – discussion and action (if any)
5. Invoice – Vose Law Firm
6. Member Comments
In 1986, the electorate established a home rule charter for Alachua County. This gave the County the full local home rule benefits afforded by the Constitution of the State of Florida. Every ten years, the CRC reviews the Charter and proposes amendments or revisions for placement on the general election ballot, which in the case of this CRC would be the November 2020 ballot.
The members of the 2020 CRC are Penny Wheat (Chair), Joe Little (Vice-Chair), Douglas Bernal, K. Richard Blount, Scott Camil, James Ingle, Nicholas Klein, Pradeep Kumar, Erroll “Stanley” Richardson, Tamara Robbins, James Thompson, and Kristen Young.
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