The Fort Myers Beach Charter Review Commission on Nov. 4 adopted a paragraph-by-paragraph process for reviewing charter articles, unanimously approved one remote participant for the meeting and agreed to ask the Town Council to enforce a two-unexcused-absence removal policy for voting members.

Commission Chair explained the proposed process: the commission will read each paragraph aloud, invite reactions from every member (including alternates), synthesize comments, open the floor for public input and then have the voting members take a formal vote on recommended changes. The intent is to encourage full participation, capture public feedback in the moment and produce clear recommendations to Town Council.

The commission approved allowing Ed Schoonover to participate remotely after a motion and a voice vote that the chair described as unanimous. The commission also moved to accept minutes from its prior organizational meeting and to adopt a final agenda (items 1–3 today; items 4–5 on Dec. 2). Those routine motions were carried by unanimous voice votes.

Members discussed proposed attendance enforcement. The chair said he had recommended to the town attorney that a commission member who accrues two unexcused absences be removed and an alternate be promoted to the voting seat. Town attorney Nancy (role: town attorney) said the Town Council ultimately appoints and removes members but would likely take the commission’s recommendation "to heart." Staff and counsel said they would draft language and bring it to the council for formal action.

The panel also reviewed the Town Council resolution clarifying alternates’ participation: alternates will take part fully in discussion and provide recommendations, but they may only vote when formally seated to replace an absent member. The resolution includes an alphabetical rotation for seating alternates where applicable, and alternates remain subject to Sunshine and public-records laws.

The commission set its next meeting for Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and asked staff to bring follow-up information on enforceability of the absence rule for the council.