Satellite Beach Youth Council sworn in; Alex LaFortune elected chair, Charlotte Barnes vice chair

The Satellite Beach Youth Council held its first official meeting Oct. 28, 2019, at approximately 7 p.m., where new members took an oath and elected leadership for the coming term.

Webb Pierce, the city clerk, administered training for the group on how to run meetings and on open-government requirements. “I am Webb Pierce. I’m the city clerk, and I’m here to talk to you a little bit today about ... how to run a successful meeting and Florida Sunshine Law,” Pierce told the council. He emphasized that “no communication between board members on items under the board’s purview are allowed,” warning members that emails, texts and social-media messages about council business may be public records.

During an open nomination process, McKenzie Parson moved to nominate Alex LaFortune for chair. A second was recorded, and the council voted to approve the nomination. After the vote was announced, LaFortune assumed responsibility for steering the meeting’s agenda. Later in the same session the council nominated and approved Charlotte Barnes as vice chair.

The meeting followed standard parliamentary steps: nomination by others (not self-nomination), a motion, a second and a vote. Facilitators told members they may withdraw, amend or table motions if additional information is needed before a vote.

Next steps for the newly elected leadership include organizing the council’s agenda and coordinating follow-up items discussed at the meeting, including preparation of mission-statement drafts and plans for outreach and projects to be reviewed at the November meeting. The meeting adjourned after the newly elected officers took control of the session.