11-16-2010Charter Recision Commission Meeting
November 16, 2010 - 10 AM
5th Floor Executive Conference Room
19200 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180
AGENDA
1. Selection of Commission Chair
2. Procedures
3. Meeting Schedule
4. Issues /Revisions
5. Adjournment
This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are
disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the
Office of the City Clerk, 305- 466 -8901, not later than two days prior to such proceeding. One or more members of the
City of Aventura Commission and/or Advisory Boards may be in attendance.
PART I
CHARTER*
Article 1. Corporate Existence, Form of Government, Boundary and Powers
Sec.
1.01.
Corporate existence.
Sec.
LOT
Form of government.
Sec.
1.03,
Corporate boundary.
Sec.
1.04.
Powers.
see.
1;05.
Construction.
Article U. City Commission; Mayor
Sec, 2.01..
Sec. 2.02 -
Sec. 2.03.
Sec. 2.04.
Sec. 2.05.
Sec. 2.06,
Sec. 3.01,
Sec. 3.02,
Sec. 3.03.
Sec. 3.04.
Sec_ 3.05.
Sec: 3.06,
Sec. 3.07.
Sec. 308.
Sec, 3:09.
Sec. 3.10.
Sec. 3.11.
City Commission.
Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Election and terra of office.
Qualifications.
Vacancies; forfeiture of office; falling of vacancies.
Compensation; reimbursement for expenses.
Article M. Administrative
City Manager.
Appointment; removal; compensation [of City Manager].
Powers and duties of the City Manager.
Absence or disability of City Manager.
Bond of City Manager.
City Clerk.
City Attorney,
Removal procedure.
Expenditure of City funds.
Competitive bid requirement.
City boards and agencies.
*Editor's note -- Printed herein is the Charter of the city, as adopted by referendum on
November 7, 1995, and effective on November 7, 1995. Amendments to the Charter are
indicated by parenthetical history notes following amended provisions. The absence of a
history note indicates that the provision remains unchanged from the original Charter.
Obvious misspellings have been corrected without notation. For stylistic purposes, a uniform
system of headings, catchl nes and citations to state statutes has been used. Additions made
for clarity are indicated by brackets.
In April 1995, the Metropolitan Dade County Board of County Commissioners appointed the
following- residents as members of the Aventura Charter Commission: Burton Young, Esq.,
Chairman; Leonard Brenner, Vice Chairman; Irene J. Barouh; George Feffer and Dr. Mary L.
Pankowski. Teresa M. Smith, CMC, served as Acting Cleric for the Charter Commission and
Richard J. Weiss, Esq., served as Attorney. The Charter Commission met during the months of
May, June and July 1995 to draft the Charter for the City of Aventura. The Charter was
approved by the electorate on November 7, 1995.
State law reference Municipal home rule powers. F.S. ch. 166.
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AVENTURA CODE
Article IV. Legislative
Sec, 4,01. Commission meeting procedure.
See. 4,01 Prohibitions.
Sec. 4.01 Action requiring an ordinance.
Sec. 4.04. Emergency ordinances.
Sec, 4.05, Annual budget adoption.
Sec. 4.06. Fiscal year.
Sec. 4.07. Appropriation amendments during the fiscal year.
Sec. 4.08. Authentication, recording and disposition of ordinances; resolutions and Char-
ter amendments.
Sec. 4A9. Tax levy and assessments.
Sec. 4.10. Borrowing.
Sec. 4.11. Independent audit.
Article V. Elections
See. 5.01. Elections,
Sec. 5.02. Initiative and referendum.
Article V1. Charter Amendments
Sec. 6.01. Charter amendments.
See. 6.02. Procedure to amend.
Article VIL General Provisions
[Sec. 7.01.
Reserved.]
See. 7M.
Severability,
Sec 7.03.
Conflicts of interest; ethical standards,
Sec, 7:04.
City personnel system.
Sec. 705.
Charitable contributions.
Sec. 7.06.
Charter revision.
Sec. 7.07.
Variation of pronouns.
Sec. 7,06.
Style and capitalization.
Sec. 7.09.
No discrimination.
Sec. 710.
Fire rescue services.
See. 7.11.
Deferred compensation; pensions.
See. 7.12.
Calendar day.
Article V11L Transition Provisions
Sec. 8.01.
Temporary nature of Article.
[Sec. 8.02.
Reserved-]
Sm. 8.03.
Interim adoption of codes and ordinances,
See. 8.04.
Taxes and fees.
[Sees. 8.05, 8.06. Reserved.]
Sec. 8.07.
Initial election of Commission and Mayor.
[Sec. 8.08'
Reserved.]
Supp, No. 2 CHT:2
CHARTER § 1,03
ARTICLE I. CORPORATE EXISTENCE, FORM OF GOVERNMENT, BOUNDARY
AND POWERS
Section 1.01. Corporate existence.
A municipal corporation known as the City of Aventurs, (the "City") is hereby created
pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Florida (the "State") and the Home Rule Charter
of Metropolitan Dade County (the "County"). The corporate existence of the City Shan
commence upon the adoption of this Charter.
Section 1.02. Form of government.
The City Shan have a "Commission-Manager" form of government.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 1.03. Corporate boundary.
The corporate boundary of the City Shan be as follows:
BEGIN at the intersection of the centerline of the Florida East Coast Railway Company's
(FEC) one hundred (100) foot wide right-of-way (R)W) with the 'North line of Section 34,
Township 51 South, Range 42 East, also being the North county line of Dade County,
Florida; thence run Easterly, along the North line of said Section 34, to the Northeast comer
lk�v of said Section 34; thence run Southerly, along the West line of Section 35, Township 51
South, Range 42 East, for 230 feet, more or less, to the point of intersection with the South
line of the North 230 feet of said Section 35; thence run Easterly, along the South line of the
North 230 feet of said Section 35, to the point of intersection with the centerline of the
Intracoastal Waterway, the previous three courses being along the said North county line;
thence run Southerly and Southwesterly, along the centerline of the Intracoastal Waterway,
through Dumfoundling Bay, to the point of intersection with the Easterly extension of the
North line of the SE 1 /4 of Section 10, Township 52 South, Range 42 East; thence run
Westerly, along the Easterly extension of the North line of the SE 1 A of said Section 10, to
the Northeast corner of the SE V4 of said Section 10; thence continue Westerly, along the
North line of the SE 1 14 of said Section 10, to the center of said Section 10; thence continue
Westerly, along the North line of the SW 1 14 of said Section 10, for 200 feet, more or less,
thence- run in a Southwesterly direction to a point of intersection with the West line of the
SW Y4 of said Section 10 and being 400 feet, more or less, North of the Southwest corner of
said Section 10; thence run Northerly, along the West line of the SW 1 14 of said Section 10,
to the Northeast comer of the SE V4 of Section 9, Township 52 South, Range 42 East; thence
run Westerly, along the North line of the SE V4 of said Section 9, to the most Easterly corner
of Tract "A" of "THAYER TRACT," according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 100
at Page 99 of the Public Records of Dade County, Florida-, thence run Northwesterly, along
the Northeasterly line of said Tract "A," to the most Northerly corner of said Tract "A";
thence run Southwesterly, along the Northwesterly line of said Tract "A," to the Southwest
corner of said Tract "A" and a point on the North line of the SE 1 14 of said Section 9; thence
run Westerly, along the North line of the SE 1 /4 of said Section 9, to the point of intersection
Supp, No. 6
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AVENTURA, CODE
with the centerline of the one hundred (100) foot wide FEC R/W, the previous eight courses
being along the city limit line of the City of North Miami Beach; thence run Northeasterly
and Northerly, along the said centerline of the one hundred (100) foot wide FEC R/W, to the
point of intersection with the North county line and the POINT OF BEGINNT ING.
State law reference—Annexation procedures, F.S. ch. 171.
Section 1.04. Powers.
The City shall have all available governmental, corporate and proprietary powers and may
exercise them except when prohibited by law. Through the adoption of this Charter, it is the
intent of the electors of the City that the municipal government established herein have the
broadest exercise of home rule powers permitted under the Constitution and laws of the State.
Section 1.05. Construction.
This Charter and the powers of the City shall be construed liberally in favor of the City.
ARTICLE 11. CITY COMMISSION; MAYOR
Section 2.01. City Commission.
There shall be a City Commission (the "Commission") vested with all legislative powers of
the City, consisting of six members ("Commissioners") and the Mayor. Commissioners shall
occupy seats numbered 1 through 6. References in this Charter to Commissioners shall include
the Mayor unless the context dictates otherwise,
i0rd. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 2.02. Mayor and Vice Mayor.
(a) Mayor The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Commission, and be a voting member
of the Commission. The Mayor shall be recognized as head of City government for all
ceremonial purposes and for purposes of military law, for service of process, execution of duly
authorized contracts, deeds and other documents, and as the City official designated to
represent the City in all dealings with other governmental entities. The Mayor shall annually
present a state of the City message.
(b) Vice-Mayor During the absence or incapacity of the Mayor, the Vice-Mayor shall have all
the powers, authority; duties and responsibilities of the Mayor. Semi - annually at such times as
established by ordinance of the City, the Commission shall elect one of its members as
Vice-Mayor,
(Ord. No. 97-30, §§ 1, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001-15,
§ Upt. A), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
$upp. No, 6 CHTA
CHARTER § 2.03
N
Section 2.03. Election and term of office.
(a) Election and term of office, Each Commissioner and the Mayor shall be elected at-large
for four year term by the electors of the City in the manner provided in Article V of this
Charter. The four-year term length which is provided for in this paragraph (a), shall be
extended as necessary to accomplish the election date revision made pursuant to Charter
Section 5.01 (c)(ii) of the City Charter, as applicable. Accordingly, the term of office of the
Mayor and Commission Seats 2, 4, and 6 which would otherwise expire in March of 2009 shall
instead expire in November 2010, and the term of office of Commission Seats 1, 3 and 5 which
would otherwise expire in March of 2011, shall instead expire in November 2012.
(b) Residential Areas. The City shall be divided by the William Lehman Causeway into two
residence areas: the north area consisting of those portions of the City lying north of the
William Lehman Causeway (the "Northern Area") and the south area consisting of those
portions of the City lying south of the William Lehman Causeway (the 'Southern Area").
Collectively the Northern Area and the Southern Area are "Residential Areas"; individually,
each is a "Residential Area." Two Commissioners shalt reside in the Northern Area (Seats 1
and 2), two Commissioners shall reside in the Southern Area (Seats 3 and 4), and two
Commissioners shall be elected without regard to residence in any particular Residential Area
(Seats 5 and 6). Persons running from a particular Residential Area must be a resident of the
Residential Area which s/he proposes to represent on the Commission at the time of quahfjing,
at the time of histher election and must continue to reside in such Residential Area during
his/her term of office. The Commissioners from Residential Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 are collectively
the "Residential Area Commissioners;" individually, each is a "Residential Area Commission-
er." The Commissioners holding seats 5 and 6 are collectively the "At-Large Conmissioners";
individually, each is an "At-Large Commissioner."
(c) Limitations on lengths of service. No person shall serve as Mayor for more than two
consecutive elected terms. N person may serve on the Commission for more than two
consecutive terms, No person may serve as a combination of Mayor and Commissioner for
more than eight consecutive years, except for the additional length of service as Mayor and/or
Commissioner described in paragraph (a) above, which results from the extension of the term
of office of Mayor and/or Commissioner as produced by the election date change provided by
Charter Section 5.01 (cXii). Service shall be deemed to be consecutive unless there is an
intervening four-year period during which the individual does not serve as a Commissioner or
Mayor (the "Break in Service"). Any person serving the maximum amount of time as Mayor
mast have a four year Break in Service before serving as a Commissioner. Any person serving
the maximum amount of time as a Commissioner must have a four year Break in Service
before serving as Mayor. Any person serving the maximum amount of time as a combination
of Mayor and Commissioner must have a four year Break in Service before serving as Mayor
or Commissioner. This Break in Service requirement shall be applicable only prospectively and
shall apply to any person who after the effective date of this Break in Service provision reaches
the maximum limitation on length of service which is provided herein. No candidate may run
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question shall be entitled to a public hearing(s) on request regarding an alleged
forfeiture of office. If a public hearing is requested, notice thereof shall be published in
one or more newspapers of general circulation in the City at least one week in advance
o f the hearing. Any final determination b th c om mission that a Commissioner has
forfeited his/her office shall be made by resolution. All votes and other acts of the
Commissioner in question prior to the effective date of such resolution shall be valid
regardless of the grounds of forfeiture.
(c) Riling of vacancies. A vacancy on the Commission including the Mayor's position shall,
be filled as follows:
(i) If the vacancy occurs on the Commission and no more than six months remain in the
unexpired term, the vacancy shall, be filled by vote of the Commission. If the vacancy
occurs in the office of Mayor and no more than six months remain in the unexpired
term, the vacancy shall be filled as provided by subparagraph (iii) below.
(ii) If mo re than six months remains in the unexpired term of the Mayor Or Commissioner
the vacancy shall be filled by a special election to be held not sooner than 45 days or
more than 90 days following the occurrence of the vacancy, unless there is a City,
County, State or a national election scheduled to take place on any date(s) within 60
days beyond such 90 day period, in which case the vacancy shall, be filled by special
election on the first such election date.
(iii) If the Mayor's position becomes vacant, and no more than six months remain in the
unexpired term of Mayor, the Vice-Mayor shall complete the term of Mayor. The
Stipp. No. 14
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CHARTER § 101
vacancy thus created on the Commission shall be filled in the manner that the vacancy
of a Commissioner is generally filled under this Charter. The Commission shall then
appoint a new Vice-Mayor.
60 Vacancies in Northern Area seats t I and 2) shall be filled by qualified persons residing
in the Northern Area and vacancies in the Southern Area seats (3 and 4) shall be filled
by qualified persons residing in the Southern Area. Vacancies in At-Large seats (5 and
6) shall be filled by a qualified elector of the City.
(v) Persons filling vacancies shall meet the qualifications specified in this Article 11.
(vi) If no candidate for a vacancy meets the qualifications under this Article for that
vacancy; the Commission shall appoint a person qualified under this Article to fill the
vacancy.
{vii) Notwithstanding any quorum requirements established herein, if at any time the full
membership of the Commission is reduced to less than a quorum, the remaining
members may, by majority vote, appoint additional members to the extent otherwise
permitted or required under this subsection (c).
(viii) In the event that all the members of the Commission are removed by death, disability,
recall, forfeiture of office and/or resignation, the Governor shall appoint interim
Commissioners who shall calla special election within note less than 30 days or more
than 60 days after such appointment. Such election shall be held in the same manner
as the first elections under this Charter; provided, however, that if there are less than
six months remaining in the unexpired terms, the interim Commission appointed by
the Governor shall serve out the unexpired terms. Appointees must meet all require-
ments for candidates provided for in Article 11.
(Ord. No. 97-30, 0 2, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 2.06. Compensation; reimbursement for expenses.
Commissioners shall receive compensation in the amount of $7,500 per fiscal year. The
Mayor shall receive compensation in the amount of $10,000 per fiscal year. The Mayor and
Commission shall also receive reimbursement in accordance with applicable law, or as may be
otherwise provided by ordinance, for authorized travel and per them expenses incurred in the
performance of their official duties.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Re& No. 2001-15, § Upt.
B), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
ARTICLE 111. ADMINISTRATIVE
Section 3.01. City Manager.
There shall be a City Manager (the "Manager") who shall be the chief administrative officer
of the City. The Manager shall be responsible to the Commission for the administration of all
City affairs.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
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3,02 AVENTURA CODE
Section 3.02. Appointment; removal; compensation [of City Manager].
The Commission shall appoint the Manager for an indefinite term. The Commission may
remove the Manager at any time, as provided for in Section 3.08, The compensation and
benefits of the Manager shall be fixed by the Commission.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 3.03. Powers and duties of the City Manager.
The Manager shall:
(1) Be responsible for the hiring, supervision and removal of all City employees;
(2) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments and offices but not City
boards or agencies, unless so directed by the Commission from time to time;
(3) Attend all Commission meetings and have the right to take part in discussion but not
the right to vote;
(4) Ensure that all laws, provisions of this Charter and acts of the Commission, subject to
enforcement and/or administration by him/her or by officers subject to his/her direction
and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(5) Prepare and submit to the Commission a proposed annual budget and capital program,
(6) Submit to the Commission and make available to the public an annual report on the
finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year;
(7) Prepare such other reports as the Commission may require concerning the operations
of City departments, offices, boards and agencies;
(8) Keep the Commission fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the
City and make such recommendations to the Commission concerning the affairs of the
City as she deems to be in the best interests of the City;
(9) Execute contracts, deeds and other documents on behalf of the City as authorized by
the Commission;
(10) Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or as may be required by the
Commission.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 3.04. Absence or disability of City Manager.
To perform his/her duties during his/her temporary absence or disability, the Manager may
designate by letter filed with the City Clerk, a qualified administrative officer of the City. In
the event of failure of the Manager to make such designation, or should the person so
designated by the City Manager be unsatisfactory to the Commission, the Commission may by
resolution appoint an officer of the City to perform the duties of the Manager until s/he shall
return or his/her disability shall cease.
((ard. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Supp, No, 6 CHT:8
CHARTER § 3.09
Section 3.05. Bond of City Manager.
Th Cit Commission may provide by ordinance for the City Manager to furnish a fidelity
bond to be approved by the 'Commission, and in such amount as the Commission may fix. The
premium of the bond shall be paid by the City.
(Ord, No. 97-30, §§ 3, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 3.06. City Clerk.
(a) (Duties.] The Commission shall appoint a City Clerk (the "Clerk"). The Clerk shall give
notice o f Commission meetings to its members and the public, shall keep minutes of its
proceedings and shall perform such other duties as the Commission may prescribe from time
to time. The Clerk shall report to the Commission.
(b) Appointment; removal, compensation. The Commission shall appoint the Clerk for an
indefinite term. The Commission may remove the Clerk at any time as provided for in Section
3.08. The compensation and benefits of the Clerk shall be fixed by the Commission.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
section 3A7. City Attorney.
The Commission may from time to time appoint an individual attorney or a law firm to act
as the City Attorney under such terms, conditions and compensation as are consistent with
this Charter and as may be established by the Commission from time to time. The City
Attorney shall report to the Commission. The City Attorney may be removed by the
Commission at any time.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98►
Section 30L Removal procedure.
The City Manager and the City Clerk (each is a "Commission Appointee") maybe suspended
w ith pay pending removal by a resolution approved by the majority of the total membership of
th Cit Commission which shall set forth the reasons for suspension and proposed removal.
A copy of such resolution shall be served immediately upon the affected Commission
Appointee. The afteted Commission Appointee shall have 15 days in which to reply thereto in
writing, and upon request, shall be afforded a public hearing, which shall occur not earlier
than ten days nor later than 15 days after such hearing is requested. After the public hearing,
if one be requested, and after full consideration, the City Commission by a majority vote of its
total membership may adopt a final resolution of removal. The affected Commission Appointee
shall continue to receive full compensation until the effective date of a final resolution of
removal.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 3.09. Expenditure of City funds.
No funds of the City shall be expended except pursuant to duly approved appropriation&
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Section 3.10. Competitive bid requirement.
Except as otherwise provided by law, contracts for public improvements and purchases of
supplies, materials or services shall be awarded or made on the basis of clearly drawn
specifications and. competitive bids or proposals, except in cases where the Commission
specifically determines that it is impracticable to do so by the affirmative vote of five
Commissioners.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Editor's note—The following are notes issued by the Aventura Charter Commission for
inclusion in the Charter:
1. The public opening of bids is essential to the integrity of the process and should be
instituted by Ordinance.
2, By Ordinance, the City Manager should be granted purchasing authority without
competitive bidding within certain dollar amounts.
Section 3.11. City boards and agencies.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Commission shall establish or terminate such
boards and agencies as it may deem advisable from time to time. The boards and agencies shall
report to the Commission. Members of boards and agencies shall be appointed by the Mayor
subject to the approval of the Commission. The City Commission by aflumative vote of a
majority of its members may remove members of boards and agencies appointed by the Mayor.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001-15, § Vpt.
C), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 6-15-01)
ARTICLE IV. LEGISLATIVE*
Section 4.01. Commission meeting procedure.
(a) Meetings. The Commission shall hold at least 11 regular monthly meetings in each
calendar year, at such times and places as the Commission may prescribe by rule. Special
meetings may be held on the call of the Mayor or City Manager or upon the call of four
members of the Commission and upon no less than 24 hours' notice to each member and the
public, or such shorter time as a majority of the Commission shall deem necessary in case of
an emergency affecting life, health, property or the public peace.
(b) Rules and journal. The Commission shall determine its awn rules of procedure and
order of business and shall keep a journal open for public inspection.
(c) Quorum and voting. Any four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but
a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent
members in a manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by the rules of the Commission.
Voting on ordinances shall be by roll call on final reading. Except as otherwise specially
*State law references—Minimum mandatory requirements for adoption of ordinances
and resolutions, F.S. § 166.041; open meetings law, F.S. § 286.011.
Supp. No. 6 CHT.10
CHARTER 4.03
provided in this Charter, no action of the Commission shall be valid or binding unless adopted
by the affu-mative votes of at least four Commissioners. In the event that four or more
members of the Commission are ineligible to vote on a particular matter due to required
abstention pursuant to Florida law, then the remaining members of the Commission may vote
and approve such matter by unanimous vote.
(d) Meeting time limits. No meeting of the Commission shall extend later than midnight
except upon the of vote of five Commissioners present at the meeting.
fOrd. No, 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98, Res. No. 2001-15, § 1(pt.
D), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01.)
Section 4.02. Prohibitions.
(a) Appointments and removals. Neither the Commission nor any of its members shall in
any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any City administrative officers or
employees whom the Manager or any of his/her subordinates is empowered to appoint, but the
Commission may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the Manager anything
pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees.
(b) Interference with administration. Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations
made in good faith, the Commission or its members shall deal with City officers and employees
who are subject to the direction and supervision of the Manager solely through the Manager,
and neither the Commission nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee,
either publicly or privately. It is the express intent of this Charter that recommendations for
improvement in City government operations by individual Commissioners be made solely to
and through the Manager. Commissioners may discuss with the Manager any matter of City
business; however, no individual Commissioner shall give orders to the Manager.
(c) Holding other office. No elected City official shall hold any appointive City office or
employment while in office. No former elected City official shall hold any compensated
appointive City office or employment until one year after the expiration of his/her term.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 4.03. Action requiring an ordinance.
In addition to other acts required by law or by specific provision of this Charter to be effected
or authorized by ordinance, those acts of the City Commission shall be by ordinance which:
(1) Adopt or amend an administrative regulation or establish, alter or abolish any City
office, department, board or agency;
(2) Establish a rule or regulation the violation of which carries a penalty
(3) Levy taxes or appropriate funds;
(4) Grant, renew or extend a franchise;
(5) Set service or user charges for municipal services or grant administrative authority to
set such charges;
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§ 4.03 AVENTURA CODE
(6) Authorize the borrowing of money;
(7) Convey or lease or authorize by administrative action the conveyance or lease of any
lands owned by the City; or
(8) Amend or repeal any ordinance previously adopted, except as otherwise provided in
this Charter.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 4.04. Emergency ordinances.
( a) Aut1torization; form. To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or the
public peace, the Commission may adopt, in the manner provided in this Section, one or more
emergency ordinances, but such ordinances may not enact or amend a land use plan or rezone
private property; levy taxes; grant, renew or extend any municipal franchise; set service or
user charges for any municipal services; or authorize the borrowing of money except as
provided under the emergency appropriations provisions of this Charter if applicable. An
emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances
generally, except that it shall be plainly designated in a preamble as an emergency ordinance
and shall contain, after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and
describing it in clear and specific terms.
(b) Piveedure. Upon the affirmative vote of five Commissioners, an emergency ordinance
may be adopted with or without amendment or rejected at the meeting at which it is
introduced. After its adoption, the ordinance shall, be advertised and printed as prescribed for
other ordinances.
W Effective date. Emergency ordinances shall become effective upon adoption or at such
other date as may be specified in the ordinance.
(d) Repeal. Every emergency ordinance except emergency appropriation ordinances shall
automatically be repealed as of the 61st day following its effective date, but this shall not
prevent re-enactment of the ordinance under regular procedures, or if the emergency still
exists, in the manner specified in this Section. An emergency ordinance may also be repealed
by adoption of a repealing ordinance in the same manner specified in this Section, for adoption
of emergency ordinances.
(e) Emergency appropriations. The Commission may make emergency appropriations in
the manner provided in this Section, To the extent that there are no available unappropriated
revenues to meet such appropriations, the Commission may, by affirmative vote of five
members, enact an emergency ordinance authorizing the issuance of emergency notes, which
may be renewed from time to time, but the emergency notes, including renewals thereof, shall
be payable not later than the last day of the fiscal year next succeeding the fiscal year in which
the emergency appropriation ordinance was originally adopted.
tOrd. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-983
Supp. No. 6 CHT:12
CHARTER
Section 4.05. Annual budget adoption.
RM
(a) Balanced budget. Each annual budget adopted by the Commission shall be a balanced
budget.
(b) Budget adoption. The Commission shall by ordinance adopt the annual budget on or
before the last day of September of each year. If it fails to adopt the annual budget by this date,
the Commission may by resolution direct that the amounts appropriated for current opera-
tions for the then ending fiscal year be deemed appropriate for the ensuing fiscal year for a
period of 15 days and may be renewed by resolution each 15 days, with all items in it prorated
accordingly, until such time as the Commission adopts an annual budget for the ensuing fiscal
year. An ordinance adopting an annual budget shall constitute appropriations of the amounts
specified therein.
(c) Specific appropriation, The budget shall be specific as to the nature of each category of
appropriations. Reasonable appropriations may be made for contingencies, but only within
defined spending categories.
(Ord. No. 9"730, § 7, adopted 12-16-197, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
(a) Supplemental appropriations, If, during any fiscal year, revenues in excess of those
estimated in the annual budget are available for appropriation, the Commission may by
ordinance make supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year up to the amount of such
excess.
(b) Reduction of appropriations, If, at any time during the fiscal year, it appears probable
to the Manager that the revenues available will be insufficient to meet the amounts
appropriated, st'he shall report to the Commission without delay, indicating the estimated
amount of the deficit, and his/her recommendations as to the remedial action to be taken, The
Commission shall then take such action as it deems appropriate to prevent any deficit
spending not covered by adequate reserves.
(Ord. No. 97-30, §'7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 4.09. Authentication, recording and disposition of ordinances; resolutions
and Charter amendments.
(a) Authentication. The Mayor or the Clerk shall authenticate by his/her signature all
ordinances and resolutions adopted by the Commission. In addition, when Charter amend-
ments have been approved by the electors, the Mayor and the Clerk shall authenticate by their
signatures the Charter amendment, such authentication to reflect the approval of the Ch arter
amendment by the electorate.
Supp. No, 6 CHT. 13
§ 4.08 AVTNTURA CODE
(b) Recording. The Clerk shall keep properly indexed books in which shall be recorded, in
full, all ordinances and resolutions enacted or passed by the Commission. Ordinances shall, at
the direction of the Commission, be periodically codified. The Clerk shall also maintain the
City Charter in current form as to all amendments.
(c) Printing. The Commission shall, by ordinance, establish procedures for making all
resolutions, ordinances, technical codes adopted by reference, and this Charter available for
public inspection and available for purchase at a reasonable price.
State law reference—Charter amendments, FS. § 166.031.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 4.09. Tax levy and assessments.
The City shall have the right to levy, assess and collect all such taxes and assessments as
are permitted by law, including without limitation ad valorem, excise, franchise or privilege
taxes and taxes on services and utilities.
State law referenee—Municipal finance and taxation, F.S. § 166.201 et seq.
Section 4.10. Borrowing.
Except as provided in Section 4.04(e), the City shall, incur no debt unless approved by five
Commissioners and provided the Commission has first received and reviewed a feasibility
study from the Manager and Chief Financial Officer of the City concluding that sufficient
revenues are available to repay the indebtedness and that the funds are being bbrrowed fora
valid public purpose,
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
State law reference—Municipal borrowing, F.S. § 166.101 et seq.
Section 4.11. Independent audit.
The City Commission shall provide for an independent annual audit of all City accounts and
may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Such audits shall be made by a
certified public accountant or firm of such accountants who have no personal interest, direct
or indirect, in the fiscal A%irs of the City government or any of its officers, and shall be rotated
at least every five years to a new certified public accountant or firm, of such accountants,
(Ord. No, 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001 -15, § 1(pt.
E), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
State low reference—Annual audits, F.S. ff 166.241, 218.32.
ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS*
Section 5.01. Elections.
(a) Electors. Any person who is a resident of the City, has qualified as an elector of the State
and registers to vote in the manner prescribed by law shall be an elector of the City.
*State law reference—Florida election code, F.S. ch. 97 et seq.
Stipp. No. 6 CHT:14
CHARTER § 5.02
(b) Nonpartisan elections. All elections for the offices of Commissioner and Mayor shall be
conducted on a nonpartisan basis.
(c) Election dates. A general election shall be held in each odd-numbered year, on the first
Tuesday in Marla.
W A general election shall be held in each odd-numbered year, on the first Tuesday in
March. However, this subparagraph (i) shall not be applicable subsequent to the
general election held in March 2007. After March 2007, general elections shall be held
as provided in subparagraph (ii) below.
(ii) The general election date is hereby revised so that a general election shall be held in
2010 and thereafter in each even-numbered year, on the first Tuesday following the
first Monday of November of that year.
(d) General election. The ballot for the general election shall contain the names of all
qualified candidates for Mayor if the Mayor's term is expiring and for each of the throe
Commission seats which are to be filled as a result of three Commissioners' terms expiring,
and shall instruct electors to cast one vote for Mayor, if applicable, and one vote for each
Commission seat, with a maximum of one vote per candidate. The candidate for Mayor
receiving the most votes shall be the duly elected Mayor. The candidate for each Commission
seat receiving the most votes shall be duly elected to that Commission seat.
_4 (e) Special elections. Special elections, when required, shall be scheduled by the Commis-
sion at such times and in such manner as shall be consistent with this Charter.
(f) Single candidates. No election for Mayor or any Commission seat shall be required in
any election if there is only one duly qualified candidate for Mayor or for any Commission seat.
(g) Absentee votes. Absentee voting will be permitted as provided by the laws of the State
and under such conditions as may be prescribed by ordinance from time to time; provided,
however, that no ordinarwe shall limit the right to vote by absentee ballot available under
State law.
(h) Commencement of terms. The term of office of any elected official will commence
following the election for such elected office, as provided by ordinance of the City.
(Ord. No. 97-30, §§ 4, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res, No. 2006-06,
§ 1(pt. B), adopted 1-10-06, passed at referendum 3-21-06; Ord. No. 2008-05, § 2B, adopted
2-5-08, passed at referendum 4-22-08)
Section 5.02. Initiative and. referendum.
(a) Power to initiate and reconsider ordinances.
(i) Initiative. The electors of the City shall have power to propose ordinances to the
Commission and, if the Commission fails to adopt an ordinance so proposed without
any change in substance, to adopt or reject it at a City election, provided that such
power shall not extend to the annual budget or capital program or any ordinance
appropriating money, levying taxes or setting salaries of City officers or employees.
Supp, No. 1 4 CHT: 15
�M
0_ ! ffl
GO Referendum. The electors of the City shall have power to require reconsideration by
the Commission of any adopted ordinance and, if the Commission fails to repeal an
ordinance so reconsidered, to approve or reject it at a City election, provided that such
power shall not extend to the annual budget or capital program or any ordinance
appropriating money, levying taxes or setting salaries of City officers or employees.
(b) Commencement of proceedings" A minimum of ten electors may commence initiative or
referendum proceedings by filing with the Clerk or other official designated by the Commission
an affidavit stating they will constitute the petitioners' committee and be responsible for
circulating the petition and filing it in proper form, stating their names and addresses and
speci6ring the address to which an notices to the committee are to be sent, and setting out in
full the proposed initiative ordinance or citing the ordinance sought to be reconsidered.
Promptly after the affidavit of the petitioners! committee is filed, the Clerk may, at the
committee's request, issue the appropriate petition blanks to the petitioners' committee at the
committee's expense. Petitioners' proposed ordinance shall be approved as to legal sufficiency
by the City Attorney prior to circulation.
(c) Petitions.
(i) Number of signatures. Initiative and referendum petitions must be signed by electors
of the City equal in number to at least 10% of the total number of electors registered
to vote at the last regular City election.
(ii) Form and content. All papers of a petition shall be assembled as one instrument of
filing. Each signature shall be executed in ink and shall be followed by the printed
name and address of the person signing. Petitions shall contain or have attached
thereto throughout their circulation the full text of the ordinance proposed or sought
to be reconsidered.
'iii) Affidavit of circulator. Each paper of a petition shall have attached to it when filed an
affidavit executed by the circulator thereof stating that s/he personally circulated the
paper, the number of signatures thereon, that all the signatures were affixed in his/her
presence, that s/he believes them to be the genuine signatures of the persons whose
names they purport to be and that each signer had an opportunity before signing to
read the full text 4 the ordinance proposed or sought to be reconsidered.
(iv) Mling deadline. All initiative and referendum petitions must be filed within 60 days of
the date on which proceedings with respect to such initiative or referendum are
commenced.
(d) Procedure for filing,
(i) Certificate of Clerk; amendment, Within 20 days after [an] initiative petition is filed or
within five days after a referendum petition is filed, the Clerk shall complete a
M
MI
Supp. No. 14 CHTU6
CHARTER § 5.02
certificate as to its sufficiency (the "Certificate!'), If insufficient, the Certificate shall
specify the particulars of the deficiency. A copy of the Certificate shall be promptly sent
to the petitioners' committee by registered mail. Grounds for insufficiency are only
those specified in subsection (c) of this Section. A petition certified insufficient for lack
of the required number of valid signatures may be amended once if the petitioners'
committee files a notice of intention to amend it with the Clerk or other official
designated by the Commission within two business days after receiving the copy of the
Certificate and files a supplementary petition upon additional papers within ten days
after receiving the copy of the Certificate. Such supplementary petition shall comply
with the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section. Within five days after a
supplementary petition is filed, the Clerk or other official designated by the Commis-
sion shall complete a Certificate as to the sufficiency of the petition as amended and
promptly send a copy of such Certificate to the petitioners` committee by registered
mail as in the case of an original petition. If a petition or amended petition is certified
sufficient, or if a petition or amended petition is certified insufficient and the
petitioners' committee does not elect to amend or request Commission review under
paragraph (ii) of this subsection (d) within the time required, the Clerk or other official
designated by the Commission shall promptly present the Certificate to the Commis-
sion and such Certificate shall then be a final determination as to the sufficiency of the
petition.
(ii) Commission review. If a petition has been certified insufficient and the petitioners'
committee does not file notice of intention to amend it or if an amended petition has
been certified insufficient, the committee may, within two business days after, receiving
the copy of such Certificate, file a request that it be reviewed by the Conunission. The
Commission shall review the Certificate at its next meeting following the filing of such
request and approve or disapprove it, and the Commission's determination shall then
be a final determination as to the sufficiency of the petition.
(e) Action on petitions.
(i) Action by Commission. When an initiative or referendum petition has been finally
determined sufficient, the Commission shall promptly consider the proposed initiative
ordinance or reconsider the referred ordinance by voting its repeal, all in the manner
provided in Article TV. If the Commission fails to adopt a proposed initiative ordinance
without any change in substance within 45 days or fails to repeal the referred
ordinance within 30 days, it shall submit the proposed or referred ordinance to the
electors of the City. If the Commission fails to act on a proposed initiative ordinance or
a referred ordinance within the time period contained in paragraph (i) of subsection (e)
of this Section, the Commission shall be deemed to have failed to adopt the proposed
initiative ordinance or failed to repeal the referred ordinance on the last day that the
Commission was authorized to act on such matter.
(ii) Submission to electors. The vote of the City on a proposed or referred ordinance shall
be held not less than 30 or more than 60 days from the date the Commission acted or
sup v. No, 6 CIM.17
§ 5,02 AVENTURA CODE
was deemed to have acted pursuant to paragraph (i) of subsection (e) of this Section.
If no regular election is to be held within the period described in this paragraph, the
Commission shall provide for a special election, except that the Commission may, in its
discretion, provide for a special election at an earlier date within the described period.
Copies of the proposed or referred ordinance shall be made available at the polls.
(iii) Withdrawal of petitions. An initiative or referendum petition may be withdrawn at any
time prior to the 15th day preceding the day scheduled for a vote of the City by filing
with the Clerk or other official designated by the Commission a request for withdrawal
signed by at least eight-tenths of the members of the petitioners' committee. Upon the
filing of such request, the petition shall have no further force or effect and all
proceedings thereon shall be terminated.
(f) Results of election.
Q) Initiative. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on a proposed initiative
ordinance vote in its favor, it shall be considered adopted upon certification of the
election results. If conflicting ordinances are approved at the same election, the one
receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall prevail to the extent of such
conflict,
(ii) Re/erendum. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on a referred ordinance vote
for repeal, it shall be considered repealed upon certification of the election results.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
1413 IN z 1113 1 M z 0
Section 6.01. Charter amendments.
This Charter may be amended in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
Section 6.02. Procedure to amend.
(a) Initiation, This Charter may be amended in two ways:
(i) By ordinance. The Commission may, by ordinance, adopted by the affirmative vote of
at least five members of the City Commission, propose amendments to this Charter
and upon passage of the initiating ordinance shall submit the proposed amendment to
a vote of the electors at the next general election held within the City or at a special
election called for such purpose.
(ii) By petition. The electors of the City may propose amendments to this Charter by
petition. Each petition proposing amendments to this Charter shall be commenced, in
the form, filed, certified as to its sufficiency and/or withdrawn in the same manner and
with the same number of petitioning electors as an ordinance proposed by initiative.
*State law reference—Charter amendments, F.S. § 166.031,
Stipp. No. 6 CHT:18
CHARTER § 7.05
(b) Submission to electors. Upon certification of the sufficiency of a petition, the Commis -
sion shall submit the proposed amendment to a vote of the electors at a general election or
special election to be held not less than 60 days or more than 120 days from the date on which
the petition was certified or at a special election called for such purpose.
(c) Results of election. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on a proposed
amendment vote for its adoption, it shall be considered adopted upon certification of the
election results. If conflicting amendments are adopted at the same election, the one receiving
the greatest number of affirmative votes shall prevail to the extent of such conflict.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001-15, § 1(pC
F), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
ARTICLE VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS
[Section 7.01. Reserved.]
Section 7.02. Severability.
If any section or part of section of this Charter shall be held invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the remainder of this Charter or the context in which
such section or part of section so held invalid may appear, except to the extent that an entire
section or part of section may be inseparably connected in meaning and effect with the section
or part of section to which such holding shall directly apply.
Section 7.03. Conflicts of interest; ethical standards.
All Commissioners, officials and employees of the City shall be subject to the standards of
conduct for public officers and employees set by Federal, State, County or other applicable law.
The City Commission may adopt additional standards of conduct and code of ethics require-
ments that are not inconsistent with Federal, State, County or other applicable law.
(Ord. No. 97-30, §§ 6, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
State law reference—Code of ethics, F.S. § 112.311 et seq.
Section 7.04. City personnel system.
All new employments, appointments and promotions of City officers and employees shall be
made pursuant to personnel procedures to be established by the Manager from time to time.
Section 7.05. Charitable contributions.
The City shall not make any charitable contribution to any person or entity, except such
contributions as have been approved by six Commissioners.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Sup, o.6 CHTJ9
§ 7,06 AVENTURA CODE
Section 7.06. Charter revision.
At its first regular meeting in November of every fifth year after the adoption of this
Charter, commencing with December, 2000, the Commission shall appoint a Charter revision
commission consisting of five persons, one of whom shall have served as a member of the
previous Charter commission and four of whom shall be electors of the City, If a former Charter
commission member is not available to serve, five electors of the City; rather than four, shall
be appointed. The City Commissioners shall not be eligible for appointment to the revision
commission. The revision commission shall commence its proceedings within 15 days after
appointment by the Commission. If the revision commission determines that a revision is
needed, including but not limited to a change in the boundaries or numbers of Residential
Areas, it shall draft such amendments to this Charter as it deems appropriate and submit the
same to the Commission not later than January 1 of the following year after their appointment
by the Commission, The Commission shall, not less than 60 days or more than 150 days after
submission of the proposed amendments to the Commission, submit them to the electors of the
City in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.02, except that the provisions of subsections
(a) and (b) of such Section shall not apply,
(Ord. No. 97-30, * 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001-15, § Upt.
G), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
Section 7.07. Variation of pronouns.
All pronouns and any variation thereof used in this Charter shall be deemed to refer to
masculine, feminine, neutral, singular or plural as the identity of the person or persons shall
require and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent
of this Charter.
Section 7M. Style and capitalization.
When a defined word is enclosed in quotes and in parentheses after the definition, that word
shall be treated as a defined term in the remainder of this Charter, when capitalized.
Section 7.09. No discrimination.
The City shall not adopt any measure or policy or otherwise discriminate against any person
due to race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, creed, sexual
preference or sex. The City shall not adopt any policy regarding the use of City facilities that
would discriminate against any person due to race, religion, color, national origin, physical or
mental disability, creed, sexual preference or sex.
(Res. No. 2001-15, § Upt. H), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
Section 7.10. Fire rescue services.
The City of Aventura shall utilize the services of the Metro-Dade Fire Rescue Department
to provide fire and rescue services to the City.
Supp. No, 6 CHT-20
i
CHARTER 8,01
Section 7.11. Deferred compensation; pensions.
Contributions to pension and other deferred compensation plans or arrangements for City
employees may be made under such terms and conditions as the Commission may establish
from time to time in accordance with sound actuarial principles.
(Ord. No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 7.12. Calendar day.
For the purposes of this Charter, a day shall mean a calendar day.
ARTICLE V111. TRANSITION PROVISIONS*
Section 8.01. Temporary nature of Article.
The following sections of this Article are inserted solely for the purpose of effecting the
incorporation of the City and the transition to a new municipal government. Each section of
this Article shall automatically, and without further vote or act of the electors of the City,
become ineffective and no longer a part of this Charter at such time as the implementation of
such section has been accomplished,
*Editor's note—At the request of the city, sections 8.02, 8,05, 8.06 and 8.08 of the original
Charter have been removed from the Charter as being obsolete, but are reprinted here for the
convenience of the reader:
Section 8.02. Interim governing body.
After adoption of this Charter but prior to the election and acceptance of office of the first
elected City Commission, the governing body for the City shall be the Dade County Board
of County Commissioners. In acting as the governing body for the City during this interim
period, the Dade County Board of County Commissioners shall provide all municipal
services to the City, but shall not make decisions which could reasonably be postponed until
the election of the City Commission or which would materially alter or affect the status quo
within the City boundaries.
Section 8.06. Fiscal year and first budget.
The first fiscal year of the City shall commence on the effective date of this Charter and
shall end on September 30, 1996, The first budget shall be adopted on or before June 1,
1996.
Section 8.06. Transitional ordinances and resolutions.
The Commission shall adopt ordinances and resolutions required to effect the transition.
Ordinances adopted within 60 days after the first Commission meeting may be passed as
emergency ordinances. These transitional ordinances shall be effective for no longer than 90
days after adoption, and thereafter may be readopted, renewed or otherwise continued only
in the manner normally prescribed for ordinances,
Section 8.08. Initial expenditures.
Upon receipt by the City of its first revenues, the City shall immediately pay the invoices
for expenses incurred in the drafting and production of this Charter, including but not
limited to invoices for secretarial services, photocopies, mailing and legal services as
authorized by the Aventura Charter Commission.
Supp, No. 6 CHT:21
§ 8.02 AVENTURA CODE
t8ection 8.02. Reserved.]
Section 8.03. Interim adoption of codes and ordinances.
Until otherwise modified or replaced by this Charter or the City Commission, all codes,
ordinances and resolutions in effect on the day of adoption of this Charter shall, to the extent
applicable to the City, remain in force and effect as municipal codes, ordinances and
resolutions of the City. Until otherwise determined by the City Commission, said codes,
ordinances and resolutions shall be applied, interpreted and implemented by the City in a
manner consistent with established policies of Metropolitan Dade County on the date of this
Charter.
(Ord, No. 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98)
Section 8.04. Taxes and fees.
Until otherwise modified by the City Commission, all municipal taxes and fees imposed
within the City boundaries by the County as the municipal .govern, for unincorporated
Dade County, which taxes and fees are in effect on the date of adoption of this Charter, shall
continue at the same rate and on the same conditions as if those taxes and fees had been
adopted and assessed by the City.
(Ord. No, 97-30, § 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98) 10"
[Sections 8.05, 8.06. ReservedL]
Sec. 8.07. Initial election of Commission and Mayor.
(a) Ransition. This Section shall apply to all general and run-off elections for Commission
and Mayor held on or before December 31, 1999, and any conflicting provisions of this Charter
shall not apply to such elections.
(b) Election dates. The first City general election shall be held on March 12,1996; General
elections shall also be held in 1999 on the first Tuesday of March. The first City run-off
election, if necessary, shall be held on March 26, 1996. Run-off elections shall also be held in
March o €:1999 on the third Tuesday of said month.
W 1996 elections, The general and run-off elections in 1.996 shall be held pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section 2.03 and Section 5.01(d) and (e), except as follows.
(i) only those candidates will qualify for election who have filed written notice of
candidacy for Commissioner or Mayor (but not both) with the Dade County Elections
Department, which notice is received before 5:00 p.m., January 26, 1996, and which
notice shall-
(A) indicate whether the candidate seeks the office of Commissioner or Mayor; if for
Commissioner, a particular seat 1-6 shall be designated; 10),
Sapp. TNO. 5 CHT22
a
am
(B) contain the candidate's certification that s/be is a qualified elector of the State of
Florida, is registered to vote in the City and that the person resided continuously
within the area comprising the City since January 26, 1995;
(C,► contain or be accompanied by such other information or statement, if any, as may
be required by the Dade County Elections Department;
(D) be signed by the candidate and duly notarized;
(E) he accompanied by a check payable to the Dade County Elections Department in
the amount of $1WOO;
(ii) there will be six, rather than three, Commission seats to be filled;
(iii) the Mayor will be elected to a term expiring on March 20, 2001;
(iv) Commissioners elected to seats 1, 3 and 5 will be elected to terms expiring on March
16, 1999.
(v) Commissioners elected to seats 2, 4, and 6 will be elected to terms expiring on March
20, 200L
W
(d) 1999 elections. The general and run-off elections in 1999 shall be held pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section[s] 2.03, 2.04 and Section 5.01(d) and (e), except that:
Q) There will be no election for Mayor.
W Maximum terms. Notwithstanding Section 2.03, any Commissioner (including the
Mayor) elected in the 1996 election may serve fora maximum of nine consecutive years.
Additionally, Commissioners re-elected to seats 1, 3 or 5 in both the March 1999 and March
2003 elections may serve a maximum of eleven consecutive years terminating on March 22,
2007.
(f) Induction into office. Those candidates who are elected at the first regular election shall
take office at the initial Commission meeting, which shall be held at 7 pm. on March 28, 1996
at the Biscayne Medical Arts Building.
(Ord, No, 97-30, §§ 5, 7, adopted 12-16-97, passed at referendum 3-10-98; Res. No. 2001-15,
§ l(pt. 1), adopted 2-6-01, passed at referendum 5-15-01)
[Section &0& Reserved.)