Committee receives Sunshine Law and quasi‑judicial training; staff proposes reducing meeting frequency

Alexander Friend, the board recorder, led a training session for the Burnt Star Isles Canal Advisory Committee on April 7 that reviewed meeting procedures, Sunshine Law obligations, quasi‑judicial hearing rules and public records requirements.

"One person speaking at a time and we need you to speak directly into the microphone so that you're picked up on the recording and so that I can provide a clear and accurate record of what occurred during the meeting," Friend told members, stressing the need to avoid sidebar conversations that could risk Sunshine Law violations.

The training covered how quasi‑judicial canal construction special permits (CCSPs) would be handled: staff presents, applicants and any intervenors give sworn testimony, ex parte communications must be disclosed on the record, and decisions must be based on preset criteria such as harmony with the waterway and safe navigation. Friend also reviewed recusal procedures, the form 8B financial disclosure process, and the city's public‑records retention practices.

During staff comments, Mark Storm of Punta Gorda City public works said land acquisition and corner‑widening remain the top capital improvement priorities for the committee and proposed changing the meeting cadence to every other month or quarterly. Storm asked the committee for consensus to place the scheduling proposal on a future agenda for formal discussion and possible vote. Several members agreed to discuss the change at a subsequent meeting; former committee member Rick Dardy urged keeping monthly meetings until the U.S. 41 lot acquisition is resolved, calling acquisition the committee's top issue.

The committee reached consensus to include the meeting‑frequency proposal on a future agenda and adjourned. Staff said it would prepare materials on the scheduling question and continue to prioritize CIP items for the upcoming budget cycle.