§ 106-54. Technical management committee.

There shall be created a technical management committee consisting of 13 members, serving and selected as provided in this section.

(1)

Two members shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners; two members shall be appointed by the city commission of St. Petersburg; one member shall be appointed by and for each of the respective city commissions for Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg Beach, and Tarpon Springs. Each of the above members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing body.

Further, one member shall be appointed by the combined city commissions of Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Oldsmar and Safety Harbor; one member shall be appointed by the combined city commissions of Seminole, Kenneth City, Gulfport, and South Pasadena; and one member shall be appointed by the combined city commissions of Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shores, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach. Each appointed member serving for the combined municipalities shall hold office for a term of two years and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. A vacancy occurring during a term of any such member shall be filled only for the balance of the unexpired term.

A selection to fill a vacancy or select a successor shall be made within 60 days after the occurrence of the vacancy or before expiration of the term, whichever is applicable. If any selection is not made by a municipality or by the combined city commissions of the municipalities as provided herein, the county commission shall appoint an eligible person from the area to be represented with like effect as if the selection were made by the municipality or municipalities. Any member of the committee shall be eligible for reappointment.

(2)

Each appointed member of the committee shall be a qualified professional person having experience in the field of solid waste collection and disposal, utility management, health, public administration, engineering, accounting, economics, auditing, or environmental resources; however, the committee shall be so composed that no field of specialization shall have more than three members on the committee. The committee may determine, and such determination shall be final, as to the fields of specialization that are available to fill any vacancy.

(3)

The committee shall elect one of its members as chairman and one as a vice-chairman to serve for one year in that capacity or until their successors are elected. Seven members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of the conduct of any of its responsibilities under this division. Should any member fail to attend a meeting of the committee for three consecutive meetings, then such position shall be deemed vacant and the vacancy shall be filled as herein provided.

(4)

The committee shall meet periodically to review and make recommendations to the governing body concerning rates, formation, implementation and revision of policies and programs; location and establishment of solid waste disposal and resource recovery system facilities; introduction and integration of new technologies, major equipment acquisition; selection of consultants; approval and submission of grant applications; and any other management or operational policies. The committee shall, within 30 days from receipt of the annual certified audit, recommend to the governing body a schedule of rates, fees, and charges for users of the facilities and services furnished by the solid waste disposal and resource recovery system. The committee shall submit its recommendations in writing to the governing body through the county administrator.

(5)

The governing body shall have ultimate decision-making authority; however, in the event that it elects not to adopt a recommendation of the committee, the county administrator shall so advise the committee, specifying the reasons therefor. Thereafter, the committee shall, within 90 days from the date of the administrator's notification, either respond in writing as to the reasons why the original recommendation was made or provide an alternate recommendation of the committee after the expiration of the 90-day waiting period. Upon request by the committee, the governing body shall establish a public hearing date for the purpose of taking testimony and the receipt of evidence as to determination of an appropriate decision; provided, however, that if the committee states in any recommendation to the governing body that time is of the essence, and that such recommendation should be considered by the governing body as soon as possible, the governing body may establish a public hearing date prior to expiration of the 90-day waiting period. At any such public hearing, the public, including the municipalities listed in this section, shall be afforded an opportunity to present witnesses in evidence and the recommendation made by the committee may be submitted in evidence at such hearing. In those matters relating to the rate structures, the governing body shall present the rate structure it proposes to adopt and evidence in support of such rate structure. Following any such hearing, the governing body shall make whatever decision it deems appropriate in the matter based upon competent and substantial evidence presented at the hearing.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 75-487, § 5; Laws of Fla. ch. 80-589, § 4)

Cross reference

Boards, commissions, councils and authorities, § 2-226 et seq.