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CITY COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR SESSION Monday, September 25, 2023 06:00 PM Midtown Plaza, 401 McLaughlin Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425

I.CALL TO ORDER

II.APPROVE AGENDA

III.APPROVE MINUTES

  1. A.09-11-23 Regular Session

IV.APPROVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE / TRANSFERS / FINANCIAL SHEETS TO REVIEW

V.VISITORS – PUBLIC ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL

NON- AGENDA AUDIENCE
Effective October 1, 2013, Florida Statute 286.0114 mandates that “members of the public shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a proposition before a Board or Commission.” Each individual shall have three (3) minutes to speak on the proposition before the Board.The City of Bonifay welcomes you to this meeting.  This is time set aside for the Citizens of Bonifay to address the City Council.  This is NOT a question and answer period.  It is NOT a political forum, nor is it a time for personal accusations and derogatory remarks to/or about City personnel.  Those who wish to speak are reminded to observe proper decorum, and to avoid the use of profane or vulgar language.  If you would like to address the City Council please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record, 

  1. A.Richard Willsey

  2. B.Ryan Martin

VI.PLANNING & ENGINEERING

  1. A.City Planner

  2. B.Mott MacDonald

  3. C.DHM Melvin Engineering

  4. D.Dewberry Engineers

    Timeline on Memorial Field and Etheridge Street Projects

    Dewberry Termination of Agreements Letter

VII.OLD BUSINESS

  1. A.Resolution 2023-45 Personnel Handbook

  2. B.Adopt Pay Scale

  3. C.Adopt Organizational Chart

  4. D.Charter Review Committee meeting 10-12-23 at 5pm (Executive Assistant Smith will contact charter review members to confirm their willingness to continue to serve)

VIII.NEW BUSINESS

  1. A.Approve appointment of Interim Police Chief Johnny Whitaker to the position of Chief of Police, Bonifay, Florida

    Note from City Attorney:  Since Mr. Macon's statutory time to appeal his termination has passed, the Council can safely proceed with approving the permanent employment of Chief Whitaker following his emergency interim appointment by the Mayor. Based on my review of the applications, Whitaker was a well-qualified applicant from the last advertisement. Based on the short amount of time that passed since the advertisement, I see no legal concerns with proceeding with his permanent employment rather than re-advertising for the position. Now that we have fully complied with the new statute regarding termination of police chiefs (Sec. 166.0494, Fla. Stat.), we should revert to following our charter which calls for the Council to appoint the police chief. I would recommend doing so sooner rather than later, as the emergency situation following Mr. Macon's termination and appeal period has passed and the Mayor's emergency authority should not extend beyond the state of the emergency.

  2. B.Swear in Chief Whitaker (if appointed)

  3. C.Review and Consider Appointment Process Action

    Note from City Attorney:  I strongly recommend that the Council consider an application process for filling open Council seats. I have attached several sample applications from other communities for review and consideration. Some are very simple and some are quite in-depth.   

IX.COUNCIL / DEPARTMENT SUPERVISORS / CITY ATTORNEY DISCUSSION
Items not listed on Formal Agenda.  

  1. A.Personnel Updates

  2. B.Department Updates

  3. C.Employee Spotlight

    Recognize Officer Betty Sims, Bonifay Police Department, in creating a public records request receipt (including dates and signatures) and tracking system. This was enormously helpful in preparing a response to a public records request this week, per Attorney Jordan.

X.ADJOURN