Riviera Beach CRA allows mayor to sit on dais as nonvoting ex‑officio member

The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted Aug. 27 to allow Mayor Douglas Lawson to sit on the CRA dais and participate in meetings as a nonvoting ex‑officio member after a lawyer’s opinion that the agency’s bylaws do not give the mayor an automatic seat.

Attorney Chris Smith told the board the CRA bylaws are silent on mayoral participation and that, under those bylaws, the mayor “does not have by right under the bylaws of this organization the right to sit on the dais.” Smith said the chair may extend a courtesy to allow the mayor to participate as a nonvoting ex‑officio member, but granting voting rights would require an amendment to the bylaws or a charter change. “The courtesy can be extended to the mayor … as a nonvoting member,” Smith said.

Why it matters: The decision changes how the mayor may engage in CRA meetings without altering voting membership. Several commissioners said the move raises questions about precedent and transparency for future boards.

Discussion and vote: Commissioner Guyton moved to allow Mayor Douglas Lawson to participate on the dais as a nonvoting ex‑officio member; the motion was seconded and carried, 4–1. The roll call recorded Commissioner Davis Paneer, Commissioner Guyton, Vice Chair Miller Anderson and Chair Lanier voting yes; Commissioner Spiritus voted no. Commissioner Spiritus warned the board the change “opens up a can of worms” and set a bad precedent; other commissioners said the courtesy has been extended to past mayors and can be withdrawn by majority vote.

What attorneys and staff said: Smith said the charter and other city documents do not grant the mayor an automatic seat on the CRA; because the CRA is created under Florida law it is governed by state statute, and the charter’s silence means the mayor is not prohibited from participation but is not included by right.

Next steps: The board’s action allows the mayor to sit and speak at future CRA meetings but preserves the legal distinction that only a bylaws amendment or charter change could confer voting authority. The board recessed briefly to seat the mayor on the dais following the vote.

Ending note: The change took effect by vote; commissioners and staff said the board can rescind a courtesy seating by majority vote and that any vote‑granting change would require formal bylaw or charter procedures.