Council appoints three to charter review committee, authorizes manager to add two resident reps

The Sebastian City Council on Dec. 17 moved forward with the city’s periodic charter review, appointing three at‑large members who applied and authorizing the city manager to add two resident employee representatives (one city employee and one police department representative).

A staff presenter told council the charter requires a periodic review and permits up to five at‑large seats. The city plans an organizational meeting Jan. 5 to cover Sunshine Law requirements and to provide committee members with copies of the charter to begin proposing changes. Staff emphasized the timeline is compressed if changes are to be placed on the November ballot and noted the committee’s findings must come back to council and be passed in time for the supervisor of elections to place questions on the ballot.

Council moved to appoint Felicia Holloman, Wanda Simmons and Nicholas Schakowsky to the three currently filled at‑large seats. Council member Nunn then amended or restated the motion to both approve the three applicants and authorize the city manager to appoint a resident city employee and a police department representative; the council confirmed all members must be Sebastian residents in accordance with the charter. The motion passed unanimously.

Council discussed schedule flexibility for weekly meeting conflicts and noted staff would provide a proposed calendar. The council also agreed that it would be permissible to have fewer than the maximum five members for manageability.

Next steps: staff will hold the organizational meeting on Jan. 5, distribute charter materials to appointees and proceed with the review process with a view toward any ballot timing needed for the November election.