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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 846-25 Public Records ExemptionRESOLUTION NO. 846-25 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLOMDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS URGING THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION FOR MUNICIPAL CLERKS AND EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WORK OR HAVE ANY PART IN CODE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS OF A CITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, many municipal staff who perform duties that include, or result in, investigations into complaints regarding election fraud, legal enforcement of hearings that could lead to a criminal prosecution or code enforcement actions are exposed to threats and other acts of violence; and WHEREAS, municipal clerks often administer elections and some election workers have been targeted for threats and violence due to the nature of materials they are responsible for WHEREAS, municipal clerks are often involved in legal enforcement proceedings in actions related to violations of codes and ordinances and, occasionally, these proceedings have led to retaliation and threats by defendants; and WHEREAS, currently public records exemptions in Florida include those for local personnel who either investigate, enforce or otherwise provide a service that can result in contentious interactions when action is taken and municipal clerks and their staffs fall within the need for a window for greater protection; and WHEREAS, the Florida Association of City Clerks is very concerned for the safety and well-being of the municipal clerks and their staffs who serve the public on a daily basis and are, oftentimes, the first contact of citizens with cities; and WHEREAS, the City ofZephyrhills has complied with all requirements and procedures of Florida law in processing and adopting this Resolution. Now, Therefore, be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida as follows: (1). The City Council of the City of Zephyrhills hereby adopts the recitals set forth in this Resolution (whereas clauses) as the legislative findings of the City Council. (2). The Mayor and City Council of th City of Zephyrhills, Florida, hereby urges and encourages the Florida State Legislature to enact legislation to provide a public records exemption for municipal clerks and employees who perform municipal elections work or have any part in code enforcement functions of a municipality. (3)._Th^City Clerk isjiereby directed and authorized to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Danny Burgess and Representative Randy Maggard, and the Florida League of Cities (FLC). (4). This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. 1 I Page ,.y;^^2IP^^ . *,^pt C'''foregiom^Resolution No. 846-25 was passed in an open and regular m eting of the ^^undr-ofthe City^fZephyrhills, Florida, on this 1 th day ofFebruary,"2025 C:'4ir^...s "' ' "c "^Attest '". T^jL .^.Ric^o^^UmQrie-^ City Clerk eth M. Burges , ., cil President ^u^.^' The foregoing Resolution No. 846-25 was approved by me this 10th day of February, 2025 aJJL h^-^ Me ome Bahr Monson, Mayor Approved as to legal form and legal content '"."""" ."^"'z- " Matthew E. Maggar , ity Attorney 2 | Page