MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION,CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA, HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014, AT 4:00 P.M., COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 400 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, HALLANDALE BEACH, FL 33009

  1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Cooper called the meeting to order at 4:10 P.M.

  1. ROLL CALL

Commissioners Julian, Lazarow and Sanders, Mayor Cooper, Assistant City Attorney McKenney and City Manager Miller – All Present

  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  1. CITY BUSINESS
  1. CANDIDATE PRESENTATIONS FOR CITY COMMISSION SEAT NO. 2 VACANCY. (SEE BACKUP) (PRESENTATIONS WILL BE LIMITED TO FOUR MINUTES PER CANDIDATE)

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF CANDIDATES/APPLICANTS RECEIVED AS OF THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 AT 5:00 P.M. (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

  • Carlo, Steven
  • Chiaravelle, Albert J.
  • Correa, Susie- advised the City Clerk on 5/20/2014 that she is unable to attend.
  • Garson, Howard
  • Ginsberg, Harriet
  • Grachow, Leo
  • Henigson, Ann
  • Johnson, Keenan Z.
  • Kleinman, Samantha
  • Kulin, Csaba (Chuck)
  • Lincoln, Charles
  • Lyon Wead, Diane
  • Natelson, Sheryl S.
  • Pickett, Edward – application withdrawn as of 5/19/2014.
  • Romano, Anthony H.
  • Sands, Thomas
  • Sims, Etty
  • Thomas, Von
  • Washington, Phil

CITY COMMISSION QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WILL FOLLOW CANDIDATE PRESENTATIONS.

Mayor Cooper provided an overview of the evening’s proceedings.

Commissioner Lazarow stated that since the predetermined questions were not provided to all the candidatesand the public simultaneously, she did not believe the process was fair.

Additionally, Commissioner Lazarow stated that she would like to propose additional questions and asked her colleagues if they were interested in discussing her recommendations.

There was no consensus reached.

Round #1

Each of the following candidates made a 4-minute presentationbefore the City Commission:

  • Carlo, Steven
  • Chiaravelle, Albert J.
  • Garson, Howard
  • Ginsberg, Harriet
  • Grachow, Leo
  • Henigson, Ann
  • Johnson, Keenan Z.
  • Kleinman, Samantha
  • Kulin, Csaba (Chuck)
  • Lincoln, Charles
  • Lyon Wead, Diane
  • Natelson, Sheryl S.
  • Romano, Anthony H.
  • Sands, Thomas
  • Sims, Etty
  • Thomas, Von
  • Washington, Phil

Mayor Cooper and the City Commission thanked the candidates for their presentations.

Commissioner Lazarow stated that she is disappointed that she will not get the opportunity to ask individual questions of all of the applicants.

The City Commission handed over their ranking sheets to the City Clerk for tabulation.

Mayor Cooper recessed the meeting at 5:33 P.M.

Mayor Cooper reconvened the meeting 5:42 P.M.

  1. DISCUSSION AND APPOINTMENT FOR CITY COMMISSION SEAT NO. 2 VACANCY

Round #2

Sheena D. James, City Clerk, announced the following eight (8) candidates as the Short List of candidates:

  • Grachow, Leo
  • Johnson, Keenan Z.
  • Kulin, Csaba (Chuck)
  • Lincoln, Charles
  • Natelson, Sheryl S.
  • Romano, Anthony H.
  • Sims, Etty
  • Thomas, Von

City Clerk James asked each candidate on the short list the following predetermined questions:

Community Involvement: Q. Describe any community based or civic activities in which you have been involved within Hallandale Beach.

Civility: Q. What is your definition of civil and respectful government, and what do you believe is your role as a Commissioner in maintaining civility among your colleagues?

Leadership: Q. In your experiences tell us about instances where you have exhibited a leadership role on a project or task?

Vision: Q. What do you believe is the most important challenge facing the City of Hallandale Beach, and how do you plan on solving this issue?

Motivation: Q. Why are you seeking elected office? Should you be appointed, do you plan on seeking reelection in November 2014?

Each member of the City Commission ranked each applicant’s response on a scale of 1(lowest) to 5 (highest).

Each Commissioner provided their ranking sheets to the City Clerk for tabulation.

Mayor Cooper recessed the meeting at 6:26 P.M.

Mayor Cooper reconvened the meeting at 6:40 P.M.

Round #3

City Clerk James announced the following candidates with the three (3) highest scores:

  • Grachow, Leo
  • Natelson, Sheryl S.
  • Sims, Etty

Each member of the City Commission asked individual questions of each of the top three (3) candidates.

The City Commission discussed whether or not the final selection process should be by way of casting votes or through nominations.

Consensus:

-Each member of the City Commission will indicate their selected candidate on paper and provide to the City Clerk.

The City Commission provided their selections to the City Clerk.

City Clerk James announced the following selections per Commissioner:

Mayor Cooper – Leo Grachow

Commissioner Sanders – Leo Grachow

Commissioner Julian – Sheryl Natelson

Michelle Lazarow – Etty Sims

The City Commission deliberated on the selections.

MOTIONBY COMMISSIONER JULIAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANDERS, TO APPOINT LEO GRACHOW TO FILL THE COMMISSION SEAT NO. 2 VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF ALEXANDER LEWY. The Motion carried on a 4/0 Voice vote.

  1. ADJOURN

There being no further business before the City Commission, Mayor Cooper adjourned the Meeting at 7:09 P.M.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:Joy F. Cooper, Mayor

RECORDING SECRETARY:Sheena D. James, City Clerk

APPROVED BY COMMISSION:June 4, 2014

May 20, 2014

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