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Panel tables proposed referendum requirement for sale or transfer of waterfront, downtown and airport property
Summary
The committee debated and then tabled a proposal that would require a referendum before the city could sell or otherwise dispose of waterfront parks, downtown parcels or airport property. Members asked staff to research Lake Worth and other municipal charters for model language.
The Charter Review Committee on April 22 debated whether future sales, exchanges or long-term leases of certain city-owned property — specifically waterfront parks, downtown parcels and airport property — should require a voter referendum. After extended discussion about reverter clauses, past property swaps and possible conflicts with state law, the committee voted to table the proposal pending further research.
Members who supported the idea said citizen oversight is appropriate for high-value or publicly sensitive parcels, especially riverfront parks and downtown land. One committee member noted that some donated parcels include reverter clauses that return property to donors if the land is not used for the intended public purpose. Supporters suggested adding airport property to the proposed list because of recent swaps involving airport parcels.
Opponents and some legal observers warned that requiring referenda for broad categories of property could hinder regular municipal business, delay routine transactions and be administratively impractical when the city holds many small parcels, easements or rights-of-way. City counsel and other members recommended examining model language from other Florida charters that carve exceptions and set thresholds, including limits on lease terms to trigger a voter vote.
The committee approved a motion to obtain and review example charter language, including the Lake Worth charter example cited in discussion, and to return with recommended wording. The motion to table and research passed by voice vote; the committee will bring its findings back to a future meeting.
