HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-21 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
-- SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez called the Special Commission Meeting of
the City Commission to order at 9:01 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2014 in City Commission
Chambers, Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88t" Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321.
ROLL CALL: Vice Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Commissioner Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner
Diane Glasser and Commissioner Harry Dressler were in attendance.
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael Cernech, City Attorney Samuel Goren and
City Clerk Patricia Teufel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Glasser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vice Mayor Gomez turned the meeting over to City Attorney Goren to go over the purpose of
the Special Commission Meeting. City Attorney Goren said that today's meeting was properly
advertised and posted as a Special Meeting of the City Commission which will enable the
Commission to make several important decisions regarding the temporary vacancy in the
Mayor's position. City Attorney Goren said that the Vice Mayor, as a matter of Charter, will
be acting as the Acting Mayor. City Attorney Goren said that on January 17, 2014 Governor
Scott entered Executive Order 14-14 that suspended Beth Talabisco as the Mayor of
Tamarac. This was effective immediately and provides that the Mayor stand down in the
context of her position and that all requirements of the City Charter, Code and State Law
would be applicable in filling the temporary vacancy. City Attorney Goren went over the
primary options and obligations the Commission had in order to fill the vacancy on a
temporary basis. City Attorney Goren said in the event the Commission takes action this
morning, the person selected would fill the position until either a removal occurs or some
other situation which would change that position. City Attorney Goren noted that this is a
process that has been used before and one that needs to be implemented this morning as
the Charter requires that you appoint an Acting Mayor and anyone on the Commission is
legally qualified to fill that position.
Vice Mayor Gomez said she understands that there is the assumption that the person who is
serving as Vice Mayor will assume the position of the Mayor. Vice Mayor Gomez thanked
everyone and her colleagues for their support. Vice Mayor Gomez said she made a
commitment to represent District 2 for the rest of this term and enjoys serving her district.
Vice Mayor Gomez said she believes Commissioner Dressler should be appointed as Mayor.
Commissioner Bushnell seconded by Commissioner Glasser nominated Commissioner
Dressler to serve as Mayor. Motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Vice Mayor Gomez passed the gavel to Mayor Dressler. City Manager Cernech gave the
oath of office to Mayor Dressler.
Mayor Dressler asked City Attorney Goren to go over the process for filling the temporary
vacancy for District 4. City Attorney Goren went over in great detail the process for filing the
Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING January 21, 2014
temporary vacancy for District 4 and said this process is an adoptive policy. City Attorney
Goren said staff can begin the process to fill the temporary vacancy. Mayor Dressler said the
Commission should instruct senior staff to evaluate the time frame and report back to the
Commission with a time certain. Commissioner Glasser, Vice Mayor Gomez and
Commissioner Bushnell were in agreement to move forward as soon as possible. City
Manager Cernech said staff will put together a time line and report back to the Commission
tomorrow. City Attorney Goren said several things have occurred this morning; Mayor
Dressler was voted in by his colleagues, he is legally qualified to hold office, he has taken the
oath of office and there is no further legal business required of the City Commission
regarding the filling of the temporary mayoral vacancy.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Dressler
adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Harty ressler, Mayor
��l.6%/;
1City Clerk
Page 2 of 2 SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING January 21, 2014