MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF JANUARY 9, 2018 PRESENT: Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie, Vice Mayor Liz Alpert, and Commissioners Hagen Brody, Jen Ahearn-Koch, and Willie Charles Shaw, City Manager Thomas Barwin, City Attorney Robert Fournier, and City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini ABSENT: None The meeting was called to order by Mayor Freeland Eddie at 3:00 p.m. 1. AGENDA ITEMS (AGENDA ITEM I) 1) DISCUSSION RE: THE INSTITUTE FOR ELECTED MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS (IEMO) OFFERED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES (FLC) (AGENDA ITEM 1.1.) Commissioner Shaw stated that educational opportunities and programs the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO) are specifically designed for elected officials; that the IEMO is primarily designed to provide continuous educational opportunities to elected officials to better understand their roles through the Florida League of Cities (FLC); that the EMO primarily offers a three-day program providing high leveis of comprehensive training sessions conducted by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members of the FLC. The following items were discussed: Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO) Three-day course offered by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Florida League of Cities (FLC) Florida Association of Counties - all the County officials participate Courses may depend upon participation FLC course regarding Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) Benefits of the FLC website Courses regarding media relations, press releases, and social media Mayor Freeland Eddie thanked Commissioner Shaw for bringing the topic to the Commission. 2) DISCUSSION RE: HONORING PAST SARASOTA CITY COMMISSIONERS (AGENDA ITEM I.2.) Commissioner Shaw stated that many items on current Commission Agendas were initiated by previous elected officials who shouid be honored. The following items were discussed: Use previous elected officials as a sounding board Inviting previous elected officials to conversations List previous elected officials in a directory Sarasota Bay Planning Organization (SBPO) invited all previous Mayors to a planning session to address the Bayfront Contact information provided through the website Acknowledgment of former elected officials Use of technology in the Commission Office Digital monitors in the lobby of City Hall Display of the location of various meetings Annual event for former elected officials Mayor Freeland Eddie thanked Commissioner Shaw for bringing the topic to the Commission. 3) DISCUSSION RE: VARIETY TOPICS OF (AGENDA ITEM 1.3.) Mayor Freeland Eddie stated that all Informal Meetings will be held in accordance with Florida's Gowemmen-n-heSumnne Laws; that future Quarterly Informal City Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Tuesday, October 9, 2018 The following items were discussed: Timing of receipt of Agenda packets Developing a regular schedule for production of Agenda packets Challenges of production of Agenda packets Delays in presenting Agenda items Deadlines for advertising public hearings Production of action minutes Time-sensitive Agenda material Commission input into Agenda review Placement of items on the Agenda by Commissioners Debate of issues at Commission meetings Commissioners' right to ask questions and seek clarification Commission's Rules of Procedure Review of Best Practices Sensitivity to members of the public who work Additionally, the following items were discussed: Furniture in the Chambers Convocation of City Governments (COG) Start time for Commission meetings Public Hearings for land use issues Importance to the public of speaking at Commission meetings Removal of Consent Agenda items for discussion Tabling of Consent Agenda items until the next meeting Move New Business items to the afternoon session Budget amendment process Quarterly budget review Increased flexibility and modernization Digital communication Advancing the start time of the afternoon session Benefits of electronic communication Further, the following items were discussed: Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws The opportunity to debate issues Balance between discussion and moving the meeting forward Reading of Ordinances at the commencement of presentation of items Order of presentation Introduction of Agenda items Toxic tone in the Country which may infiltrate Commission meetings Reading of the Pledge of Public Conduct In addition, the following items were discussed: The number of additional Commission meetings Completion of the Form-Based Code Receipt of the total budget in advance of Budget Workshops Importance to the community of the Form-Based Code Scheduling of important meetings during the summer Timing of meetings regarding the Form-Based Code Original and Revised Schedule for the Form-Based Code Presentation of the budget two weeks in advance Combining Agenda items in additional meetings Meeting for discussion concerning priorities for the budget The City's seven Strategic Goals Accomplishment of specific goals The connection of the Capital Improvement Plan with the Strategic Plan Discussion of the Commission's vision for the budget State Legislative and Constitutional Issues County divestiture of City parks Two- to three-year projections The following additional items were discussed: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Relationship with Sarasota County County's performance concerning stormwater and fire/rescue Options for affordable housing Double taxation of City residents Individual City Commissioner's relationships with County Commissioners Control over City parks Notice by the County of City park divestiture The City's previous successes through collaboration Significant collaboration regarding the Bayfront Depoliticization of major issues The vital importance of the City to the region County development of amenities Progress regarding the homeless issue Higher expectations regarding stormwater management Balancing with equity The development of Newtown Estates and Kensington Park Potential location of homeless facility Generational housing Siting of facilities in North Sarasota Employment of Sarasota, Florida residents by developers Development of skill sets for the workforce Extending relationships beyond the surface Connection of housing, ownership, and annexation Increase of the tax base Annexation into the City Legislative issue with local impact such as tree regulation The following items were also discussed: Preemption by the State Legislature Connection of the Legacy Trail into the City Role of the Commissioners in the realization of the Legacy Trail Mayor Freeland Eddie thanked Staff for their efforts. 2. ADJOURN (AGENDAI ITEM II) The Commission adjourned at 5:00 p.m.