South Pasadena to support municipal‑clerk records exemption; staff gives FEMA/permit update

City staff asked the commission to adopt a resolution urging the Florida state legislature to create a public‑records exemption that would protect home addresses and certain personal information for municipal clerks and employees involved in municipal elections or code enforcement.

The draft (Resolution 20253) would request lawmakers to modify existing law (the discussion cited Senate Bill 268 as related) so that city clerks and election workers receive the same public‑records exemptions available to some other public‑safety employees. Staff said the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of City Clerks requested local resolutions in support.

On recovery and permitting, staff reported FEMA recently met with city staff and praised the city's pre‑permit inspection process. Since Jan. 1 staff recorded 193 permit applications, with about a dozen awaiting payment and 92 in active review. Staff said roughly 26 letters remain to be sent to property owners and that five to six refunds had been processed; two pre‑permit inspections found property owners had already replaced drywall without permits. The city has added temporary phone staff provided by a state‑sent workforce group to keep the front counter moving and improve customer service.

Commissioners discussed whether South Pasadena should join a coalition of beach communities (referred to in the workshop as "The Big C") that is drafting a joint letter to Washington seeking expedited FEMA procedures; staff will participate in an afternoon call and report back on whether the city can sign the coalition letter or whether it should send its own letter.