LTC 021-2025 CITY OF SANFORD RESOLUTION NO. 2025-3331MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
No.
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Rafael E.Granado,City Clerk ~
DATE:January 16,2025
SUBJECT:CITY OF SANFORD RESOLUTION NO.2025-3331
Attached for your information is Resolution No.2025-3331,adopted by the Mayor and City
Commission of City of Sanford on January 13,2025.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANFORD,
FLORIDA 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.
The City of Sanford Clerk has requested that a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Miami
Beach Mayor and Commissioners.
If you have any questions,please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 305.673.7411.
REG/le
Attachment
F:\CLER\$ALL\LILIA\LTC's -Transmittal's\Sanford\Resolution 2025-3331 City of Sanford.docx
021-2025
Resolution No.2025-3331
A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sanford,
Florida 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
1{Page
public on a daily basis and are,oftentimes,the first contact of citizens with cities;
and
Whereas,the City of Sanford has complied with all requirements and
procedures of Florida law in processing and adopting this Resolution.
Now,Therefore,Be it Resolved By the City Commission of the City
Of Sanford,Florida as follows:
(1).The City Commission of the City of Sanford hereby adopts the
recitals set forth in this Resolution (whereas clauses)as the legislative findings of
the City Commission.
(2).The Mayor and City Commission of the City of Sanford,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).The Mayor and City Commission of the City of Sanford,Florida
express a profound appreciation for the actions in support of the City in past
years and look forward to a continuing and productive relationship with regard to
the needs of the citizens of the City of Sanford as well as those who conduct
business or own property within the City.
(4).The City Clerk is hereby directed and authorized to send a certified
copy of this Resolution to Governor Ron Desantis and each State
Representative and State Senator serving in the Seminole County Legislative
Delegation.
(4).This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted this 13th day of January,2025.
Attest:
4khan •coier ciy a«omevD''jaw '&iv
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3[Page
S CITY OF
I ANFORD
FLORIDA
CITY COMMISSION MEMORANDUM 25-01 1
JANUARY 13,2025 AGENDA
WS RM X
JtemNo~
To:
PREPARED BY:.
SUBMITTED BY:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Traci Houchin,City Clerk,MMC,FCRM
And Lonnie N.Groot,Assistant City Attome
Norton N.Bonaparte Jr.,ICMA-CM,"nage
Legislation Providing Public Records Protection or Municipal Clerks;City
Commission Support;Resolution No.2025-333
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
D Unify Downtown &the Waterfront
[]Promote the City's Distinct Culture
L]Update Regulatory Framework
E]Redevelop and Revitalize Disadvantaged Communities
SYNOPSIS:
Requesting to approve,Resolution No.2025-3331,urging and encouraging the Florida 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.
FISCAL.'STAFFING STATEMENT:
No fiscal impact,however,the safety and security of City employees is a prime concern of the City
and ensuring such safety and security is a positive action relative to the risk management programs
of the City.
BACKGROUND:
Many municipal staff who perform duties that include,or result in,investigations into complaints
regarding election fraud,legal enforcement of hearings,or other activities that could lead to a
criminal prosecution or code enforcement action are exposed to threats and other acts of violence.
Indeed,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.Similarly,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.
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 staff fall within the need for a window for greater
protection.
The Florida Association of City Clerks is very concerned about the safety and well-being of the
municipal clerks and their staff who serve the public daily and are,oftentimes,the first contact of
citizens with cities.
LEGAL.REVIEW:
The Assistant City Attorney has assisted in this matter and very much supports the proposed
action,having dealt with several situations when City staff had every reasonable belief that they
were being threatened,including a recent incident specifically relating to the City Clerk and her
personnel.
RECOMMENDATION:
City staffrecommends that the City Commission adopt Resolution No.2025-3331.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
"I move to adopt Resolution No.2025-3331 as proposed."
Attachment:Resolution No.2025-3331.