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Clermont code board swears in two members, holds annual officer elections and reviews Sunshine Law duties
Summary
At the March 17 meeting two new members were sworn in, the board elected its annual chair and vice chair, and the city attorney reviewed Sunshine Law and public-records responsibilities for volunteer board members.
At the start of its March 17 meeting the City of Clermont Code Enforcement Board administered oaths to two new members, held its annual election of a chair and vice chair and received a Sunshine Law and public-records briefing from the assistant city attorney.
Why it matters: Swearing in new members and electing officers ensures the board can conduct quasi-judicial hearings; the attorney’s review reminded volunteers that communications about board business outside noticed meetings may violate Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law.
Two new members sworn Assistant City Attorney Avery Diane administered the oath to two incoming members identified in the hearing record as Mr. Makowski and Mr. Picasso; each raised a right hand, repeated the oath and signed the oath forms. Diane told the board the signed oaths would be notarized after the meeting.
Officer elections Board members nominated themselves for chair and vice chair; each nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. The meeting record does not identify the elected officers by full name in the roll-call portion of the audio; the board proceeded with agenda business after the vote.
Sunshine-law and records training Assistant City Attorney Avery Diane provided an annual overview of Sunshine Law obligations and public-records responsibilities for volunteer board members. She reminded members that the board acts in a quasi-judicial role and that communications about matters that may come before the board must occur only during properly noticed meetings or through the attorney or staff. She summarized potential consequences for willful or knowing violations — including fines and removal — and encouraged members to consult the city attorney when in doubt, noting, “When in doubt, call me, before taking an action.”
Board housekeeping The board approved minutes from its prior meeting by voice vote and completed the oath notarization logistics for the new members.
What’s next: Sworn members will participate in upcoming hearings and enforcement decisions; the attorney asked members to preserve records of board-related communications and to contact legal staff with questions about Sunshine Law compliance.
