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CRA adopts formal rules of conduct, adds removal and suspension penalties after contentious public comments
Summary
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution formally adopting rules of conduct for CRA meetings, adding enforcement language that allows removal from meetings and multi-month suspensions for repeat violators after public commenters disrupted the meeting.
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on June 17 approved a resolution adopting rules of conduct for CRA meetings and adding explicit enforcement measures that allow the chair and a majority of commissioners to remove disruptive attendees and impose suspensions for repeat violations.
The measure, introduced as a resolution “establishing rules of conduct at CRA meetings,” adds language that authorizes removal from meetings for violations, a six-month bar for repeated removals and a further one-year suspension for continued misconduct. The resolution also specifies that the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) shall designate a deputy to serve as sergeant-at-arms at CRA meetings when requested.
Board members said the enforcement language was added after recent meetings featured personal attacks, interruptions and profanity. City staff and the city attorney said the draft mirrors language that has been in the city code for decades but places it directly in CRA policy so attendees who come specifically to CRA meetings have a clear, written notice.
During public comments before the vote, several residents urged stricter enforcement of decorum rules. Michael Skavorski criticized the use of profanity at the podium and urged removal of repeat offenders. A public commentator who identified herself as Jocelyn Jackson drew several mayoral admonitions during her remarks earlier in the meeting; commissioners discussed that exchange when debating enforcement language.
Vice Mayor Fournier, who pushed for practical enforcement, said the added language gives the mayor and a majority of commissioners “the opportunity to say this person or these people need to be removed because they are violating the rules.” City counsel noted the resolution creates a process whereby the mayor may request BSO to remove an individual and the mayor and a majority of the commission may impose suspensions.
Other commissioners supported adoption but urged consistent and transparent enforcement. Commissioner Fesick and others said the rules largely restate existing city code but said a short public summary and a verbal reminder at the start of each meeting could improve compliance.
The CRA adopted the resolution by roll-call vote. The roll call recorded: Commissioner Pheasant — No; Commissioner Perkins — No; Commissioner Sigerson Eaton — Yes; Commissioner Smith — Yes; Vice Mayor Fournier — Yes; Chair Harton — Yes. The resolution was approved and is effective immediately.
The resolution’s enforcement provisions will be available in the CRA packet and summarized at future meetings, staff said.
The action follows months of contentious public remarks at city and CRA meetings and comes as commissioners and staff said they want clearer, consistently enforced ground rules for public engagement.
