City Commission Frequently Asked Questions

Q - When and where does the City Commission meet?
A - The City Commission meets in regular session on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the City Commission Auditorium, City Hall, 200 East University Avenue. These meetings are broadcast live on Cox Communications Government Access Channel 12 and replayed at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday after the Regular City Commission meetings.

Q - How can the public find out what issues are before the City Commission?
A - The Clerk of the Commission maintains the notices of all scheduled meetings. The internet is also an excellent resource.

• Information about City Commission Meetings, city commission standing committees, and community redevelopment agency (CRA) .. agendas, minutes and backup are now available in the Legislative Files, Agendas and Minutes through the City's web page: www.cityofgainesville.org - under: City Commission Information.
• Agendas for City Commission meetings are available on Wednesday afternoons before the meeting on the Internet. Agendas are also available at the Office of the Clerk of Commission and at the meeting.
• Information about Citizens' Advisory Boards and Committees, meetings, agendas, minutes, etc. are also available through the City's web page: www.cityofgainesville.org - under: City Commission Information
• The City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances is available on-line from the Municipal Code Corporation.

Q - How can I find out who my City Commission district representative is?
A - Call the main City Commission number (352-334-5015) and give your home address. The City Commission consists of seven members: four Commissioners elected from single member districts, two Commissioners elected At-Large, and the Mayor elected At-Large. City Commission information is available at www.cityofgainesville.org - under: Government Information, select: Mayor and City Commission, or Alachua County's web page www.elections.alachua.fl.us - select Supervisor of Elections.

Q - What is the difference between an ordinance, a resolution, City Commission action, and consent items?
A - Official action by the Gainesville City Commission may take one of the following four forms:

1. Ordinance - a municipal law that can be amended or repealed by adoption of another ordinance. Ordinances are prepared by the City Attorney, advertised, and read at the City Commission meeting before adoption, generally by title only;
2. Resolution - an expression of a governing body concerning matters of administration, an expression of a temporary character, or a provision for the disposition of a particular item of the administrative business of the governing body, and may be introduced and adopted at the same meeting, and direct certain administrative or legal actions;
3. City Commission Motion - adopted by majority vote may be used for the same purpose. A resolution is considered more formal action.
4. Consent Agenda - many of the official actions the Gainesville City Commission considers routine business matters. These items are clustered into a single agenda. The Consent Agenda may be passed with a single motion. If a question arises regarding any item, the item may be removed from the Consent Agenda by a City Commissioner and placed on the Regular Agenda for a separate discussion and action.

Q - What is the order of business at a City Commission meeting?
A - The Business of the Commission shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the following order except as changed by the Mayor or by the Commission during the Adoption of the Agenda:

1:00 p.m.

1. Invocation
2. Adoption of the Consent Agenda (Including Committee Reports)
3. Adoption of the Agenda (Read if any, each item added or modified)
4. Charter Officer Updates
5. Clerk of the Commission
6. City Manager
7. General Manager for Utilities
8. City Attorney
9. City Auditor
10. Equal Opportunity Director
11. Committee Reports (Pulled from Consent
12. Advisory Board/Committees (Appointments/Waivers/Reports). Committee Reports must placed on the agenda by the Charter Officer through the Staff Liaison after approval by Board/Committee.
13. Outside Agencies. Must be submitted by a Charter Officer. Update limited to ten (10) minutes.
14. Members of the City Commission.
15. Commission Comments (if time available)
16. Recess
17. Citizen Comment
18. Commission Comments (if time available)

5:30 p.m.

19. Pledge of Allegiance
20. Proclamations/Special Recognitions. Placed on Agenda by Commissioner or Charter Officer.
21. Citizen Comment
22. Public Hearings:
    1. General Public Hearings
    2. Ordinances
    3. Resolutions
23. Plan Board Petitions
24. Development Review Board
25. Scheduled Evening Agenda Items
26. Unfinished Business
27. Commission comments
28. Citizen Comments (If Time Permits)

Adjournment no later than 11:00 p.m. Mayor to schedule date and time to continue meeting.

Q - How can the public participate in City Commission meetings?
A - There are two official "citizen comment" sections at every regular City Commission meeting - one at 6:00 p.m., the other at the end of the meeting. These sections are specifically for items not listed on the agenda. Those wishing to address the Commission are normally limited to three minutes.

Citizens wishing to speak to an item on the agenda are called to the podium when the public hearing portion of that item is opened. Each speaker should first identify himself or herself. Comments must be limited to the subject of the item. There may be times when those wishing to address the Commission will be asked to fill out speaker's request cards (name, date, address, legistar number or subject).

Q - How does a person with special needs request assistance for a City Commission meeting?
A - Persons with disabilities who require assistance to participate in the meetings are requested to notify the Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 334-5051 or call the TDD phone line at (352) 334-2069 at least two (2) business days in advance.

Q - How may a person obtain a copy of an ordinance or resolution?
A - Contact the Office of the Clerk of the Commission at (352) 334-5015 or e-mail clerks@cityofgainesville.org .