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SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 – CHARTER REVIEW BOARD

The Charter Review Board (CRB), Hillsborough County, Florida, met in Regular

Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., held

telephonically.

The following members were present:

Edwin Narain, Chairman Ernest Mueller

Belinthia Berry James Scarola

Tammy Briant Sean Shaw

Robin DeLaVergne Edith Stewart

Mary Figg Mitchell Thrower III

Liana Fernandez Fox Art Wood

Eric Johnson Stacy Yates

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Narain called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led in the pledge

of allegiance.

II. ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE

The Deputy Clerk called the roll and noted a quorum was present.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. James Brewer, Digital Media Services, confirmed no public comments.

IV. APPROVAL OF CLERK’S OFFICIAL MINUTES – JULY 21, 2020

Following remarks, Chairman Narain entertained a motion to approve the minutes

from the July 21, 2020, CRB meeting. Mr. Johnson moved to approve the minutes,

seconded by Ms. Yates, and carried unanimously by members present.

V. CIVIL SERVICE DISCUSSION

Chairman Narain introduced Deputy County Attorney/General Counsel Mary

Helen Farris, who summarized the item. Ms. Stewart conferred with Attorney

Farris on the final order regarding the Civil Service Board and inquired if any

cases had come through the County civil service hearing process. Attorney

Farris deferred to Ms. Ivey Marten, Director, Human Resources, who engaged

in dialogue on the County civil appeals process. Mr. Shaw sought clarification

on the employee/employer representative arbitrators and requested data on civil

service cases won by employees. Mr. Mueller asked where the County civil service

processes were documented, to which Mses. Martin and Jennifer Castro, Human

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Resources, responded. Ms. Yates expressed curiosity on attorneys being

present for the current scheduled hearings and how COVID-19 impacted the hearing

process. Dialogue occurred.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Yates requested to hear from former County Administrator Mike Merrill,

to which Chairman Narain noted Mr. Merrill had declined to address the CRB but

would relay the request. Mr. Shaw wanted an expert with a historical perspective

if Mr. Merrill declined again. Chairman Narain announced County Administrator

Bonnie Wise would be present at the October 2020 CRB meeting. Mr. Shaw

considered potential conflicts between various municipal groups during emergency

situations. Ms. Stewart suggested Florida Association of Counties

representative as possible experts. Chairman Narain asked staff to

investigate term limits in other State counties.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT

Attorney Ryan Barack argued the CRB was empowered to amend the charter

regarding civil service, opined on the current County civil service process,

urged a motion to allow Attorney Barack to address the CRB, and responded to

Mr. Shaw on the comments/costs reported by the County representatives. Mr.

Shaw favored having Attorney Barack back at a future meeting. Ms. Yates desired

an explanation on Attorney Barack’s interpretation of the charter and the

contingent provisions. Mr. Johnson requested another County representative

to balance Attorney Barack’s presentation. Responding to Ms. Stewart, Attorney

Barack relayed how Pinellas County managed their civil service hearings.

Mr. Shaw moved to have Mr. Barack come back and address the CRB; and to Mr.

Johnson’s concern, would certainly want the same amount of time given to the County to discuss how they feel about the current situation as the CRB gave to

Mr. Barack to address the CRB on the same agenda. Chairman Narain clarified

the motion would be to have Mr. Barack come back to the next CRB meeting and

give a presentation, but also have someone from the County to balance out the

County’s position. Mr. Shaw agreed. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion.

Upon roll call vote, the motion carried eleven to two; Members Scarola and

Wood voted no. (Ms. Figg was out of the room.)

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VIII. ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

READ AND APPROVED: _________________________

CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

PAT FRANK, CLERK

By: _______________________

Deputy Clerk

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I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEII. ROLL CALL ATTENDANCEIII. PUBLIC COMMENTIV. APPROVAL OF CLERK’S OFFICIAL MINUTES – JULY 21, 2020V. CIVIL SERVICE DISCUSSIONPlay 9Play 11Play 14Play 15VI. NEW BUSINESSPlay 20VII. PUBLIC COMMENTPlay 23Play 25Play 27Play 27Play 28Play 29VIII. ADJOURN

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