TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Faust, MMC, City Clerk
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Commission Policy on Commission Retreats.
Recommended Action
Commission directs the City Clerk to draft a Resolution amending City Commission Policy No. 2021-05 to add language regarding Commission Retreats to include (Commission to insert language).
Background Information
Commissioner Luke requested an agenda item regarding policy and procedure for Commission Retreats to include Florida Statutes that deal with Public Meetings, an overview of what a retreat can consist of, and options for different types of retreats.
The City Attorney provided the following Florida Statutes:
1. F.S. 286.011 - This includes the general public meeting requirements. For purposes of your agenda item, subsections (1)-(3) are relevant. Subsection (1) states that all meetings where "official acts are to be taken are declared to be public meetings..."
2. F.S. 286.0113 - This states the general exemptions from public meetings. None of the exemptions apply to the retreat scenario, but I wanted to provide you the statute for your information. There are some other provisions throughout the statutes that address specific scenarios, such as a provision in the collective bargaining statutes.
3. F.S. 286.0114 - This provides the public's right to give public comment at a public meeting "on a proposition before a board or commission."
Upon research with other municipalities within Florida, there are typically two types of retreats:
1. Strategic Planning Retreats - Workshop type retreat that may be held at City Hall or off-site for a more relaxed atmosphere; always publicly noticed with agenda; minutes taken; sometimes recorded; department heads involved
2. Teambuilding Retreat - Typically held off-site; focused on teambuilding activities; no City business discussion or action; not publicly noticed, no agenda, minutes, or recording; d...
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