Subject:
Title
Re-Appointment of Members and Alternates to the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee and Permission to Advertise for Volunteers to Fill Vacant Seats.
End
Fiscal Impact:
No Cost
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners: (1) Review meeting attendance records, resumes and applications of Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee (COC) members seeking re-appointment; (2) Reappoint COC alternates recommended by the Space Coast League of Cities; (3) Consider reappointing voting members and alternates previously ranked and appointed by the County Commission and willing to continue their service; (4) Consider waiving term limits by a supermajority vote to appoint two non-voting emeritus members; and (5) Authorize staff to advertise for new applicants for all remaining vacant fields of expertise on the COC.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On August 23, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 16-15 for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan and Trust Fund. The Ordinance called for establishment of a Citizen Oversight Committee (Committee) to make recommendations to the County Commission regarding annual updates to the Save Our Indian River Project Plan that is funded by the half cent Save Our Indian River Lagoon sales tax.
The Committee structure consists of 7 members and 7 alternates representing 7 fields of expertise: Science, Technology, Economics/Finance, Real Estate, Education/Outreach, Tourism, and Lagoon Advocacy. Terms are for 2 years, after which members and alternates can be re-appointed or replaced. Half of the Committee is nominated by the Space Coast League of Cities and half the Committee is selected by the County Commission, with all seats appointed by the County Commission.
On October 14, 2024, the Space Coast League of Cities met and recommended reappointment of 3 alternates (Laurilee Thompson, Eric Mannes and Don Deis) to League seats. These citizen volunteers, their expertise, roles and time served on the Committee are provided below.
|
Citizen Volunteer |
Expertise |
Role |
Time on Committee |
|
Laurilee Thompson |
Tourism |
Alternate |
Since March 2019 |
|
Don Deis |
Technology |
Alternate |
Since March 2023 |
|
Eric Mannes |
Real Estate |
Alternate |
Since March 2022 |
The County Commission is also requested to consider reappointment of the following members and alternates ranked and appointed by the County Commission, who are willing to serve for the next two-year term:
|
Citizen Volunteer |
Expertise |
Role |
Time on Committee |
|
Barbara Wall-Scanlon |
Real Estate |
Member |
Since March 2023 |
|
Kimberly Newton |
Education |
Alternate |
Since August 2020 |
|
Curt Smith |
Finance |
Alternate |
Since March 2023 |
Staff requests permission to advertise vacancies not filled through term renewals. Applications for vacant League of City seats will be provided to the Space Coast League of Cities to review, and their selection would be brought to the County Commission for approval. Applicants for the Board’s vacant seats will be brought directly to the County Commission for ranking and appointment.
On August 27, 2024, the County Commission approved legislative intent and permission to advertise changes to the structure of the Citizen Oversight Committee. Changes could include the addition of non-voting emeritus positions, one to be selected by the County Commission and one to be selected by the League of Cities. There are three current, but term limited members who are interested in being considered for the potential emeritus role:
• Stephany Eley (appointed in 2016 to represent Education, 2018 Chair, 2021 Vice Chair),
• John Windsor (appointed in 2016 for Lagoon Advocacy, 2019 Vice Chair, 2020 Chair),
• Charlie Venuto (appointed in 2016 as the alternate for Science).
|
|
Meetings |
Total |
Percent |
|
Overall Attendance |
Attended |
Meetings |
Attended |
|
Stephany Eley |
70 |
76 |
92% |
|
Charles Venuto |
69 |
76 |
91% |
|
John Windsor |
73 |
76 |
96% |
If the Board approves adding emeritus roles to the committee and waiving term limits for emeritus seats by a supermajority vote, the League of Cities recommends Charles Venuto for their emeritus seat and the Board is requested to select either Stephany Eley or John Windsor for the Board’s emeritus seat.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None