Stuart screening committee names chair, votes to invite seven candidates to interview for environmental attorney post

The Environmental Attorney Screening Committee for the City of Stuart appointed Max Stuckey chair and voted to invite seven applicants for in-person interviews as it moves to fill a new, full-time environmental attorney position.

The panel, meeting March 13, 2025, also received procedural guidance from City Attorney Lee Baggett and set conditions for interviews, including a request that at least one candidate clarify how quickly they could reinstate active Florida Bar membership if needed. Baggett told the committee he would serve as legal counsel to the group rather than as a voting member. "I was asked by the commission to be on the board, but I resigned quickly thereafter so that I could act as legal counsel for this committee slash board," Baggett said.

The selection of Stuckey as chair was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried without opposition. After the committee discussed candidates’ resumes, backgrounds and relative strengths, commissioners moved and approved an invitation to interview seven applicants; the motion included a condition that one candidate who currently lists inactive Florida Bar status must be able to reinstate active Florida Bar membership within 60 days to remain eligible for interview.

Why it matters

The city created the position to give Stuart a dedicated, in-house environmental lawyer to pursue long-term legal strategy on water-quality issues affecting the St. Lucie River and surrounding estuaries. Committee members repeatedly framed the opening as a role that will require litigation readiness, scientific literacy and persistent advocacy. "We need to find a solution," committee member Max Stuckey said during a wide-ranging description of the river damage the committee is meant to address.

What the committee did

- Appointed Max Stuckey to serve as chair. The motion was seconded and approved with no recorded opposition. (See "Votes at a glance" below.) - Agreed to invite seven applicants for in-person interviews; members said they preferred live interviews rather than Zoom for richer assessment and to ensure an even playing field. The committee noted interviews should follow the job description and that all candidates should receive the same core questions. - Made the invitation to one applicant (identified in the meeting as Mark Davis on paper) conditional on the applicant being able to activate Florida Bar membership within 60 days, given the job requirement that the environmental attorney be able to practice in Florida. - Discussed logistics: HR vetting and background checks, interview timelines (the committee recommended the week of the 20th of the month as the earliest feasible window), interview format (in-person preferred), and the existing salary range listed in the job announcement ($150,000–$175,000).

Who the committee highlighted

Committee members repeatedly recommended and cross-checked names from the applicant pool. Across members’ shortlists the applicants most frequently mentioned for interviews were Simon Serrano, Mark Davis, Ruth Holmes, Keith Williams and Deanna Khalil; other names discussed included Allison (Allison Kelly on the application materials), Jason (withdrawn) and Harvey Sheldon. Committee members said roughly 15 people had applied and that 10 met minimum qualifications on paper.

Discussion highlights and follow-up

Members emphasized the job will be "a warrior, not a bureaucrat," repeatedly saying they want someone who will litigate, press agencies and develop creative strategies rather than act as a routine agency lawyer. Candidate concerns raised in open discussion included: whether applicants have current Florida Bar standing or can reinstate it quickly; whether applicants have sufficient energy and bandwidth to take on a long-term, full-time campaign; and possible conflicts if a candidate’s prior work included representing upstream agencies or regulated parties.

City Paralegal Ryan Powers Favo and staff said HR would perform background checks and vet social-media or public records issues raised during the committee’s review. Committee members asked that staff prepare a short memo summarizing the social-media concerns and other dossier items (publicly visible posts, court records) for any candidate the committee decides to interview.

The committee also took the oath required of advisory board members and discussed sunshine-law limits on contacting other committee members about candidates outside of public meetings.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Appoint Max Stuckey as chair. Outcome: approved; no recorded opposition. (Moved and seconded; roll-call not recorded on the public record.) - Motion: Invite seven applicants to interview in person, with the invitation to one applicant conditional on activating Florida Bar membership within 60 days. Outcome: approved; no recorded opposition.

What’s next

Staff will prepare interview invitations and candidate memos, verify Florida Bar status where needed, and schedule in-person interviews. The committee expects the interviews to be held on a date in the week originally suggested by staff (the week of the 20th was discussed), though staff cautioned dates could shift. Following interviews, each city commissioner will interview candidates individually in public sessions and then reconvene to discuss and make the final recommendation to the City Commission.

Ending

The committee adjourned after confirming the interview list and procedural steps. Members were reminded they remain subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law until the City Commission disbands the panel or releases it from further duties.