Holmes Beach elected officials were at odds before their Dec. 14 meeting even began.
Less than 10 minutes before the meeting was gaveled to order, Mayor Judy Titsworth, Commission Chair Carol Soustek and Commissioner Jayne Christenson were sparring over the new chair’s seating arrangements.
Previously, Commission Chair Jim Kihm, no longer on the board, was seated with the mayor and city attorney to his right and other commissioners — Soustek, Kim Rash, Terry Schaefer and Christenson — to his left.
Soustek rearranged the seating, putting herself in Kihm’s seat, with Schaefer, Rash, Pat Morton and Christenson in order to her left.
However, upon entering the commission chamber, according to Titsworth, Christenson approached the dais and moved her placard from its assigned position and placed it next to Rash’s seat.
Christenson told Titsworth, “I’m not a child,” followed by a retort from Titsworth, “Then act like it.”
Christenson demanded Soustek share her reasoning behind the new seating arrangement.
Soustek responded, “Because you and Mr. Rash get into some stuff … and, if it takes splitting two people apart to stop rumors, that’s what I’m going to do.”
The spat ended with Titsworth’s comment, “This is going to be a long year.”
Soustek told The Islander Dec. 16 that she “hates” putting her foot down, but hopes she sent a message.
“I can try to work with people but, I’ll be honest with you, I really don’t have tolerance for stupidity,” Soustek said. “I’m hoping that the message was sent that we don’t need to go there anymore.”
Christenson did not respond to a Dec. 17 call and message left by The Islander.
But seating wasn’t the only sparring topic at the meeting, as Christenson and Rash found issue with Soustek’s new rules of conduct.
The “Code of Core Values for Civility and Ethics” introduced by Soustek includes maintaining integrity, upholding ethics and improving stewardship by prohibiting some attire and denying food at the dais.
The code states in its stewardship clause, “While in the commission chambers, clothing with slogans or words, political or otherwise, shall not be worn. No food is allowed in the chambers. The smell, noise or transfer to documents when eating food can be disruptive. Drinks will be allowed by the city commission and staff but, when not in use, the container needs to be capped securely and not placed on the dais.”
The code requires acceptance by signature.
Soustek said the code would serve as a guideline for commissioners and remind them of their mission as public officials.
“I wanted this on here so we start off the new year very clean, with a clear understanding of rules,” Soustek said. “We can move forward and make great progress. But last year I saw us going backwards.”
“I don’t want people to start laughing at my commission. I want people to respect our commission,” she added.
Morton and Schaefer voiced support for the code, even suggesting it should apply to all city employees since they also represent the municipality.
Christenson called the rules for attire inappropriate and asked that they be removed from the document. She also proposed adding bullet points removed from the original code, which was adopted from a statement in use in Dunedin.
Rash, wearing a shirt with the message “GOOD GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS RESIDENTS,” said the stewardship clause and its rules of attire violate the First Amendment by depriving freedom of speech and expression. He said his shirts are not “destructive or vulgar” and the rule was aimed at “silencing certain commissioners.”
City attorney Patricia Petruff, also seated at the dais, said she was unprepared to determine the legality of dress codes but believed it would be fine to implement for city officials.
Soustek called Rash’s shirts inappropriate, saying it creates a perception that he is the only person on the dais representing the citizens, when all five were elected to serve the city.
“Everyone up here is for them,” Soustek said.
Christenson said, “Not true.”
Rash moved to adopt the city of Dunedin’s code instead of the revised code as presented by Soustek.
Christenson seconded the motion, which failed 2-3 with Christenson and Rash as the only “yes” votes.
Schaefer then moved to approve Soustek’s code.
Morton seconded and it was approved 3-2 with Christenson and Rash as the only “no” votes.
City commissioners also adopted a resolution recognizing June 19 as “Juneteenth,” a holiday honoring the emancipation of enslaved black people in the United States.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, and masks are recommended.