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FGCU consultant met with Fort Myers Beach charter reviewers; paid internship and voter survey under consideration
Summary
Commission members received a briefing on a Florida Gulf Coast University consultation led by Dr. Robert Lee, who advised keeping charter language broad. FGCU offered a paid internship (about 300 hours) for research support and staff will evaluate a professional survey of registered voters and potential costs.
Commission Chair reported that Florida Gulf Coast University consultant Dr. Robert Lee — identified as a former city manager of Naples in the briefing — met by video with commission members and stressed several points: keep charter language broad to preserve council discretion; separate matters that truly belong in the charter from items better handled by policy, ordinance or resolution; and choose a form of government that best helps during periods of controversy.
Chair said FGCU offered a professional internship program that would provide research and draft recommendations. He described the program as a serious responsibility with roughly 300 hours of paid work and said FGCU would provide documentation if the commission requests the service. Will (town manager) and staff will coordinate any contracting or procurement steps if the commission pursues the offer.
The commission also discussed a professional public survey restricted to registered voters. Town staff said the town manager will review whether a survey is advisable and estimate costs; any funding would come from town budget sources if approved. The commission asked staff to return cost and scope information at the Dec. 2 meeting.
