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MARCO ISLAND — Marco City Council powers, responsibilities are under review. The charter review committee plans to begin discussing the legislative powers of the city charter at their next meeting. These sections set out the powers and responsibilities of the City Council. The city charter, written 11 years ago, is ready to be revised because it’s typical to do so after 10 years, committee member Monte Lazarus has said.
March 6, the Marco Eagle asked if there were any readers who helped draft the charter 11 years ago who would be willing to share their first-hand, historical perspective.
Fiddler's Creek resident Nick Carsillo answered.
“I was on the review sub-committee under Monte (Lazarus.) I will be at the meeting (Monday) to watch and listen to see if the public is getting the straight story,” Carsillo said.
He added that “most times (the facts) get lost in the shuffle".
Carsillo said he supported resident Russ Colombo’s comments on the charter.
Colombo wrote in a recent guest commentary that “some form of the city manager’s direct accountability to voters should be provided, i.e. public vote of confidence concurrent with council elections with commensurate reward or consequence.”
“Russ Colombo’s comments appear to me as an effort to get the charter control back in the hands of the people where it was intended,” Carsillo said.
City Council terms, seats, compensation, meetings, procedures and other Council-related issues will be addressed.
The committee set aside about one hour to interview City Councilors on their wishes for charter changes and noted that two or more Councilors may be present Monday. The seven councilmen are expected to each get about 10 minutes to share their views, said Council Chairman Bill Trotter.
Other Florida cities’ charters may also be discussed for comparison and background.
The Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee meets 2 p.m. Monday in the Fire Station Training Room, 1280 San Marco Road.
Read Faye Biles’ thoughts on the charter in Friday’s Island Voices section.
Catch of the Day: May 23, 2013
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 2
happy6 writes:
let's see....monte/trotter andplease don't forget tucker....and ed issler....monte wants to eliminate the eagle and make some $$ off tract k....if this is done properly i'll bet there will be some startling facts.
Fossil writes:
How about requiring a super majority of 6 votes to spend on projects costing more than 1 million dollars?
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