PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Groveland will be accepting applications beginning October 7, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. and ending October 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., for the impending vacant City Council District Seat 4 to serve the remainder of the term.
District Seat 4 becomes vacant on November 20, 2022. The remaining term ends November 20, 2023.
To qualify for the vacant seat, any registered elector of the City of Groveland who has established primary residency within the City limits twenty-four months prior to the first day of the qualifying period and who resides within the boundaries of District 4 shall be eligible to seek qualification for the elected office of city councilmember. Primary residency shall mean the dwelling, in which the person eats, sleeps and receives regular postal delivery.
Please reference the City of Groveland Charter Article III Legislative as included with this public notice for additional information and required duties.
Those interested in applying may obtain an application by accessing the City’s website at www.groveland-fl.gov, and accessing Government, City Clerk and clicking on the link “Application District Seat 4”; or an application may be requested via the City Clerk at virginia.wright@groveland-fl.gov, (352) 730-9285. Applications must be completed and returned to the City Clerk at City Hall, 156 S. Lake Avenue, Groveland, Florida 34736.
Virginia Wright, CMC
City Clerk
City of Groveland
Posted 10-05-2022
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News media release; City Hall display board.
CITY OF GROVELAND CHARTER - ARTICLE III. - LEGISLATIVE
- Sec. 3.01. - City council: Powers and composition.
There shall be a city council with all legislative powers of the city vested therein consisting of five (5) members who shall be electors of the city.
- Sec. 3.02. - Qualifications.
Any registered elector of the City of Groveland who has established primary residency within the City limits twenty-four months prior to the first day of the qualifying period shall be eligible to seek qualification for the elected office of city councilmember. Primary residency shall mean the dwelling, in which the person eats, sleeps and receives regular postal delivery.
- Sec. 3.03. - Election and terms.
The regular election of city councilmembers shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Councilmembers shall be elected to one of five seats with one of the five seats being reserved for the mayor. The mayor shall be elected on a city wide basis by the electors of the City of Groveland and is not required to reside in a particular political district. There shall be four city council political districts as nearly equal in population as practicable. There shall be four councilmembers one for each of the four city council political districts established and they shall be elected by district by the voters in that district. At the time of qualifying or appointment the city council candidate must reside in the political district in which he or she seeks to hold office, except that if no one qualifies for or seeks appointment for a political district, then the seat for that term and political district may be filled in accordance with Article III, Section 3.06 by a resident not residing in that political district. Each councilmember, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.03, shall reside in the political district for which he or she qualifies at the time of election and throughout the term of office, provided that any councilmember who is removed from a district by redistricting may continue to serve the balance of the term of office. The boundaries of the four political districts shall be as shown on the map attached as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof. However, the city council may by ordinance adopted by a majority vote of the councilmembers change the boundaries of the districts from time to time in accordance with law. Three councilmembers shall be elected at the general election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November in even-numbered years. The councilmembers shall be qualified and entered upon the ballot as Districts (1), (3) and (5). Of these districts, District 1 shall be that seat reserved for the mayoral candidate and the person elected to District 1 shall serve as mayor for a two-year term. He or she shall be a member of the council and will preside over the meeting of the council. There shall be elected at the general election held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November in odd-numbered years two councilmembers and candidates for such offices shall be designated as candidates from Districts (2) and (4) and shall be elected for a two-year term. Each candidate for city council may qualify in one District only and at all subsequent elections candidates or councilmembers shall be elected for a two-year term. All councilmembers, including the mayor, shall be elected to begin office at the first regular city council meeting following their election.
In the event there are more than two candidates who qualify for any one seat, there shall be a primary election held concurrently with the statewide primary election provided for in § 100.061, Florida Statutes, as may be amended from time to time, or as set forth by the city council. The two candidates for whom the highest number of votes are cast shall stand for election at the general election. As a result, a prevailing candidate at a general election must receive more than fifty percent of the votes cast.
- Sec. 3.04. - Duties of mayor and election of vice-mayor.
The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council and shall be a member of the council and shall be recognized as head of city government for all ceremonial purposes, by the governor for purposes of military law; for service of process; execution of contracts, deeds and other documents and as the city official designated to represent the city in all agreements with other entities. The mayor shall have no other administrative duties except as required to carry out the responsibilities herein. At the first council meeting after each regular city election, the council shall elect one of its members as a vice-mayor. The vice-mayor shall act as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor. In case of the death, resignation, or removal of the mayor, the vice-mayor shall vacate the office of councilmember and serve as mayor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
- Sec. 3.05. - Limitations.
a) Appointment and removal. Neither the council nor any of its members shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any city officer or employee whom the manager or any of the manager's subordinates are empowered to appoint, but the council may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the manager anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees. Appointment and removal of department heads and other employees shall be by the city manager who will advise councilmembers in writing of this action within seventy-two (72) hours.
(b) Interference with administration. Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations, the council or its members shall deal with city officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the manager solely through the manager; neither the council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately. Nothing in the foregoing is to be construed to prohibit individual members of the council from closely scrutinizing by personal observation, all aspects of city government operations so as to obtain independent information in the formulation of sound policies to be considered by the council. It is the express intent of this Charter, however, that recommendations for improvement in city government operations by individual councilmembers be made to and through the city manager, so that the manager may coordinate efforts of all city departments to achieve the greatest possible savings through the most efficient and sound means available.
(c) Holding other office. No former elected city official shall hold any compensated, appointive city office or employment until one (1) year after the expiration of the term for which he or she was elected.
- Sec. 3.06. - Vacancies; forfeiture of office; filling of vacancies.
(a) Vacancies. The office of a councilmember shall become vacant upon the member's death, resignation, removal from office or any manner authorized by law or forfeiture of office, such forfeiture to be declared by the remaining members of the council.
(b) Forfeiture of office. A councilmember shall forfeit that office if the councilmember lacks at any time during the term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or law.
(c) Absenteeism. A councilmember shall forfeit that office if the member fails to attend four (4) consecutive regular meetings of the council without being excused by the council.
(d) Filling of vacancies. A vacancy in the council shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining council members appointing a successor to serve the unexpired term.
Notwithstanding any quorum requirements established herein, if at any time the membership of the council is reduced to less than a quorum, the remaining members may by majority vote appoint additional members in the manner provided above.
(e) Extraordinary vacancies. In the event that all members of the council are removed by death, disability, law or forfeiture of office, the governor shall appoint an interim council that shall serve until the next regular city election. If the next regular city election occurs in an even-numbered year, then three councilmembers, Districts (1), (3) and (5) shall be elected to serve a two-year term, and two councilmembers, Districts (2) and (4) shall be elected to serve an initial one-year term. If the next regular city election occurs in an odd-numbered year, then two councilmembers, Districts (2) and (4) shall be elected to serve in a two-year term, and three councilmembers, Districts (1), (3) and (5) shall be elected to serve an initial one-year term.
(a) Meetings. The council shall meet regularly twice monthly at such time and places as the council may prescribe by rule. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or of a majority of the members and, whenever practicable, upon no less than twenty-four (24) hours' notice to each member and the public.
(b) Rules and minutes. The council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for the keeping of minutes of its proceedings.
(c) Voting. Voting, on ordinances and resolutions, shall be by roll call vote on final action and shall be recorded in the minutes. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum; but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and subject to penalties prescribed by the rules of the council. No action of the council except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence and in section 3.06 shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of a quorum present.
(d) Compensation. The council may determine the compensation of councilmembers by ordinance, but no ordinance increasing such compensation shall become effective until the next regular election.