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Council sends revised charter amendments to ballot language, strikes two proposed disqualifiers
Summary
The council directed staff to prepare ballot language for four charter amendments from the Charter Review Committee, agreed to keep residency/domicile changes but struck proposed paragraphs 2.2(b) and 2.2(c) (candidate ineligibility language). The council also asked that language be added so the council can meet to consider requesting the governor suspend a member.
The Sebastian City Council reviewed four proposed charter amendments from the Charter Review Committee and directed staff to prepare statutory ballot language for the November cycle, with first and second readings tentatively scheduled for June 24 and July 8.
Council members agreed to retain a CRC recommendation that adjusts residency and domicile requirements (extending continuous domicile to two years and specifying presence requirements) but voted to strike two proposed additions labeled 2.2(b) and 2.2(c), which would have created new disqualifiers for candidacy related to convictions and conduct. Councilors expressed concern that those added provisions were overly broad and could invite legal challenges during tight qualifying deadlines.
Council also asked staff to restore language in the charter that would have the council hold a meeting, with city‑attorney advice, to decide whether to request the governor suspend or remove a member — clarifying that only the governor has suspension/removal authority but that the council should have a formal process to consider and refer such matters.
Members debated a moral‑turpitude standard and whether it can be usefully defined in charter text; legal staff said courts typically resolve such questions and that some jurisdictions include similar clauses. The council also discussed modest compensation changes recommended by the CRC, with some members underscoring the role is public service while others said modest reimbursement is standard practice.
Council directed the attorney to draft ballot language (statutory form, 75‑word summary where required) reflecting the agreed edits and return it at the June 24 meeting for consideration.
