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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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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
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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