Sebastian’s governing documents are once again undergoing review, a process that is expected to take about six months and could end with several questions on the November ballot.
Every five years, the Sebastian Charter is pulled from the shelf for debate and discussion by 15 members of the community.
This time, the committee is short three people, but the shortage is not stopping the group from proceeding.
City Clerk Sally Maio will continue to take applications until all positions are filled. “I have to think there’s three people” out there who would be willing to help, Maio said.
The only requirement to be a member of the Charter Review committee is to be a resident of Sebastian.
“I view this as the most important committee in the city,” City Attorney Bob Ginsburg said, addressing the committee members in attendance last week during their first meeting. Ginsburg explained the charter is “Sebastian’s constitution” and the document reflects the relationship between the citizens and their government.
The charter, Ginsburg continued, provides the governing body its power and sets limits to such powers.
For its part, the newly seated committee has decided to meet at least monthly and break the charter into chunks for discussion.
“I think it’s a great place to live,” said Louise Kautenburg, “and it’s up to us to make sure it remains that way.”
This is the fourth time Kautenburg has served on the Charter Review committee, which meets every five years. She said that as times change, it’s appropriate to look at the way the city operates to see if there is a need for change.
Fred Jones, who has previously served as the chair of the Substance Awareness Council among other posts, was chosen as committee chair. “This is going to be a challenge for me,” he said, adding that the charter’s review will be challenge for all.
The vice chair position fell to Beth Mitchell, president of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, after Kautenburg declined the nomination.
“I’ll be happy to serve behind you,” Mitchell said, addressing Jones.
Like all committee and board meetings in Sebastian, public input will be allowed under the same rules as that of City Council – five minutes per speaker.
The next meeting of the Charter Review committee will be Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. Meetings are televised live on Comcast Channel 25 and are rebroadcast on the City’s YouTube channel the next day.
The committee will review the first two articles of the charter at the Feb. 8 meeting – the Creation and Powers of the City, and the City Council. The first article addresses such matters as acquiring property, annexations, docks and seawalls, use of public lands, and inter-governmental relations, to name a few. The second sets forth how the City Council is established, when it’s seated following an election, how much the council members are paid, and other such matters.
