COMMENTARY
“The Vero Beach City Council last year considered changing its agenda, but caved after several of its regular court jesters threw fits. Meanwhile, consideration of the public’s business comes second and the tail continues to wag the dog.”
MARK SCHUMANN
Non-profit organizations interested in 15 minutes of free television time to promote their cause need only request to be placed on the City Council agenda under public comment, ahead of the Council’s business agenda. The television time is free, and best of all, the subjects to be addressed need not be directly related to City business.
That, at least, is what the new Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce has done. According to a request submitted to City Clerk Tammy Vock by Charlie Wilson, the new Chamber wants 15 minutes under public comment this evening to report on its 2014 accomplishments and to announce its events for 2015.
In a full agenda, the Vero Beach City Council is also scheduled to consider an ordinance banning the use of electronic cigarettes wherever tobacco cigarettes are already prohibited by law. The Council will also take up a resolution further clarifying the necessary qualifications for persons seeking election to the City Council.
Under City Manager’s matters, Jim O’Connor has asked to discuss the Solid Waste Department’s equipment purchases. He also plans to discuss the speed limit on 14th Avenue in downtown Vero Beach and improvements the Youth Sailing League proposes to make on land it is leasing from the City adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant. O’Connor is also to present an engagement letter between the City and attorney Frost Ven den Boom, who will work with special counsel Schef Wright in defending Vero Beach against a lawsuit filed by the Town of Indian River Shores.
Under public comment, before the Council deals with its business agenda, it will hear from several persons addressing matters directly related to City business, including a 2014 review from the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association. The Council is to hear from businessman, Tim Burklew, who is concerned with Enterprise Zone issues affecting his business. Herb Whittall, a representative of the Vero Isles Association, has asked to raise code enforcement issues with a home in the Isles neighborhood. Tobacco prevention specialist, Leslie Spurlock, is to give a presentation of the effects of electronic cigarettes in advance of the Council’s consideration of an ordinance banning the use of electronic cigarettes in public places.
The only agenda item scheduled before the Vero Beach Chamber’s presentation will be a report from special counsel Wright, who is to outline the City’s options in renegotiating its power purchase agreement with the Orlando Utilities Commission. Mercifully for Wright, and for taxpayers who are paying him, he will not have to sit through 15 minutes of showboating before giving his report. Everyone else, though, who attends the Vero Beach City Council meeting this evening will have to get in line behind Dan Stump and three other members of the new Chamber’s board as they give their 15 minutes dog a pony show.
Unlike the Town of Indian River Shores Town Council, the Indian River County Commission and the Sebastian City Council, the Vero Beach City Council schedules public comment in advance of its business meeting, and it allows organizations such as the Vero Beach Chamber or Commerce up to 15 minutes to promote their cause.
Below is the Indian River Shores Town Council’s agenda from its Dec. 18 meeting. Notice the “Call to Audience” is scheduled after non-acttion items and immediately before adjournment. The Vero Beach City Council last year considered changing its agenda, but caved after several of its regular court jesters threw fits. Meanwhile, consideration of the public’s business comes second and the tail continues to wag the dog.
Indian River Guardian 
There is a limit to “free” speech – especially when all of us ends up paying for it.
Free speech is ok but not free advertising…..And, Mark is correct….This kind of dog and pony show should not be allowed before the real business of the council takes place, if at all. Me thinks this past council and the current council has no spine when it comes to solving this matter.
The gadflies reign supreme in the City of Vero Beach.
All government entities are at risk in appearing to have endorsed a specific non-profit who appears at a public meeting. It may be appropriate for the stock car drivers at a race in Daytona to wear advertisements as their fashion wardrobe but it is inappropriate for government leaders to do so.
Other issuses that warrant attention are if the City Clerk will make decisions based in regard to where the non-profit has its headquarters, where the head of the organization lives or where the bulk of those in need of the non-profits services reside.
This will certainly be Charlie Wilson’s “kickoff” speech for his next attempt at public office.
I was under the impression that everything that goes in and out of the clerk’s office is available to the public under the sunshine law.
So now everyone will be allowed their 15 minutes….of fame. If you allow one you must allow all.