General Policy Committee

1 General Policy Committee Meeting MINUTES March 12, 2026, 1:00 p.m. City Hall Auditorium 200 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Commissioner Book, Desmon Duncan- Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Ingle, Mayor Ward, Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Members Absent: Commissioner Chestnut _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 1:03 p.m. B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Motion: The General Policy Committee adopt the agenda. Aye (5): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Chestnut, and Desmon Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. Approval of Minutes from the February 26, 2026 General Policy Committee Meeting (B) Moved by Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Seconded by Commissioner Ingle 2 Recommendation: The General Policy Committee approve the minutes from the February 26, 2026 meeting. Motion: Approve as recommended. Aye (5): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Chestnut, and Desmon Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) D. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2026-170 Charter Referendum, Interns for the City Commission (B) Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the charter provision and policies that limit the City Commission from directing city employees, and distinguished between directing staff and task fulfillment. Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, spoke to the item related to current interns and appointed positions. Kristen Bryant, City Clerk, spoke to the item related to the former policy research program; her direction to staff; and the need to review the City Clerk Executive Assistant job description. Commissioner Duncan-Walker joined the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Laura Graetz, Director of Human Resources, addressed the item regarding Executive Assistant job descriptions and noted that interns are temporary and not part of a bargaining unit. Public Comment: Jenn Powell, Brett Buell, Scott Hesch, Kali Blount Recommendation: The General Policy Committee discuss and take any action deemed necessary. Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Desmon Duncan-Walker 3 Motion: Direct city staff to bring back a framework for an internship program for the City Commission, operated and supervised by the City Clerk's Office. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Desmon Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Chestnut Approved (6 to 0) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Motion: Direct the City Attorney to review City Charter language and provide a narrow exception to the provision related to the City Commission's ability to direct staff. Aye (3): Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Nay (3): Commissioner Book, Desmon Duncan-Walker, and Commissioner Ingle Absent (1): Commissioner Chestnut Failed (3 to 3) Moved by Desmon Duncan-Walker Seconded by Commissioner Book Motion: Direct the City Clerk to review the job description of the City Clerk Executive Assistant. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Desmon Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Chestnut Approved (6 to 0) 4 E. MEMBER COMMENT Commissioner Duncan-Walker: mentioned the School Board Meeting tonight, and that she is celebrating her grandfather’s 100th birthday. Commissioner Book: Gave thanks to the Interim City Manager for meeting with the Gainesville Opportunity Center; and mentioned the Rosa B. Williams Celebration of Life at 11:00 am at Lincoln Middle School on Saturday. Mayor Ward: First Magnitude to present the Key to the City to the band Less Than Jake on Saturday afternoon; the City Hall Plaza is closer to completion; the groundbreaking for the Streatery is in early April; the Spring Market ongoing downtown on the weekend; and next Friday March 21, Free Friday concerts begin. Commissioner Eastman: Mentioned Yvonne Hinson gave her farewell address and thanked her for her service. Mayor Pro Tempore Willits: Mentioned that Representative Hinson should have a proclamation. Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, spoke to the comment related to thanking Representative Hinson for her service and is happy to help work on a proclamation. F. NEXT MEETING DATE - April 9, 2026 G. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. _________________________ Kristen J. Bryant, JD, CMC City Clerk