HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05 Code Amendment - Prohibiting Remote Participation by Members of Village Boards and CommitteesORDINANCE NO. 2024-05
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE I, "IN GENERAL," OF
CHAPTER 2, "ADMINISTRATION," OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES
BY AMENDING SECTION 2-1, "BOARDS AND COMMITTEES," TO PROHIBIT
REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF VILLAGE BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 2-1 of the Village Code of Ordinances governs the appointment and operation of
Village boards and committees; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council wishes to amend Section 2-1 to reinstate the prohibition against
advisory board and committee members participating as a member or voting by telephone, video
conferencing, or any other electronic means; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council determines that the adoption of this Ordinance is in the best interests
of the Village and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and correct and are incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council hereby amends Article I, "In General," of Chapter 2,
"Administration," of the Village Code of Ordinances as follows (additional language is underlined and
deleted language stricken through):
Sec. 2-1. Boards and committees.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures for village
boards and committees. Except as specifically provided by law or ordinance, all boards
and committees are advisory only and the existence of such advisory boards and
committees does not diminish or alter the statutory or constitutional authority of the
village council.
(b) Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to all village boards and
committees an shall govern the conduct of all members of such boards.
(c) Creation of advisory boards. The village council may, by ordinance,
create a board or committee in connection with any function of the village. The ordinance
creating such board shall specify the purpose, powers, and duties of the board. Nothing
set forth herein shall prevent the village council from creating ad hoc committees of
limited duration by resolution.
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(d) Records. Each board and committee shall maintain attendance records and
voting records of each member and shall forward such information to the village clerk.
The records shall include the reason given by the board or committee member for any
absence.
(e) Compensation of members. Board and committee members shall serve
without compensation except as may be provided by ordinance or resolution of the village
council.
(f) General provisions. Members of village boards and committees:
(1) Shall serve at the pleasure of the village council and may be removed with
or without cause by a vote of the village council;
(2) Shall be a resident of the village and maintain residency in the village
during the term of appointment (unless waived by the village council) and
meet such other eligibility requirements as may be established by the
village council;
(3)
Shall not hold any employment or office in village government or any
contractual relationship with the village;
(4) Shall serve on only one village board or committee where membership on
two boards or committees would violate the constitutional dual office -
holding prohibition;
(5)
Shall not appear before the board or committee on which they serve or the
village council as an agent or attorney on behalf of any person or entity;
(6) Shall not have or hold any employment or contractual relationship that
will create a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between their
private interests and the performance of their public duties or that would
impede the full and faithful discharge of their public duties; and
(7)
Shall not initiate any grievance or complaint against any person appearing
before the board or committee on which they serve without the approval
of the village manager:; and
M Shall attend all meetings in person and shall not participate as a member
of any board or committee or vote on anv matter by telephone, video
conferencing, or any other electronic means.
***
Section 3. The provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of the
Village of North Palm Beach.
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Section 4. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance is for any
reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, inoperative, or void, such holding
( shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 5. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances or resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS 11 TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.
PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING AND PASSED THIS 25TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.
ATTEST:
/VILLAG1 CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
VILLAGE ATTORNEY
MAYOR
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