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Filing # 82720846 F-Filed 0102/2019 11:02:25 AM IN The CIRCUIT COUR OF LHE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCULL AN AND FOR LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA, DR. ERWIND. JACKSOK, CASENO. __2019 GA 200003 ine, CITY OF TALLAHASSEE: a Florida muncipel corporation; JOMK DAILY. in his wl ciel capacity as Mayor: JEREMY MATLOW, in his oLicil capacity as Cy Commissionet: CURTIS RICTARDSOR, in his of eis] capacity as City Cormmissionsr DIANE WILLIAMS-COX, in ee ciVisial capacity as City Commissioner TIATNERVANT, in her poeponed official capaci Commissicar city Defends ‘SERIFIED COVPLAIVT TOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEE ‘ir Frvin TD Jackson cs the City of Tallahassee wd Tala City Commission snemors Joke, Daily steeny Matlne, Cuatis Rishaalson, Diane Williams-Cios. and Laie Tyan ate 1 tntrodaetion ‘Florida's Coscamment in the Sums:ine Lave, Section 286.011, Hlovidy Stauulss. requites that local govecaments ey the ailact business in public at properly noticed meetiags. tn thi ‘cussion, made decisioas to whitis City of Lallshessce, acting thucugh tke Talahassce City ‘aver 0 appicalions to Fla sucuney on ike City Commission wito.c tling a public waseting, Deciding which spplicants to keep and which ssicet Toe a public ollie isa quintessential ever unital Fane. Ties pul bl righ sur Bice he Cems Sasonnos aban hie reasoning and to affercomncent on ke applisans befor the Cy Commission neerowod the spon pool tou sul group of Finlists, ivludng le public from his prowess we Sceshine Law violation MJurisdietion and venue 1. This Court tas subject mater jinditin under Article V, Section 5 of te Pl Constiturin, 2. Chapter $6, Phivkla Stutuues gives this Court jurslision ts cansider wil ius the elie soughe. 3. Venus fir thie uotion is proper in Tosa Casmty, Floris undlsr Sselion 47.911, Floris Stes. Parties 4. Paiva Dr. Prwsin 3. fucksan (avkssm") is resident ol Telszanaee, Leon County ‘Florida and, 98. citizen and member of ths peblic, kas rights under the Hlotids Constintion and Florida's Glaesrmment in the Sunshine Tsay S._Defendane city of Tallahassee ("Cry") is a Florida municipal earporatian te Tellebugge City Chur vent tke yori sewers of the City im thy Tallshassey City Commision, Camrission) which eur sins WF ive eects lhe City. The Ci ai fs ‘Commmissiot. sans fallosr Florida's Government an the Suushine Law 6. Fol Daily is Cte Magara Talibsonee, a nuermber of Ue Covnissiem, and sus lasida's Government inthe S wine Law He is sued in his official eapacity only. Joremey Mallow is» men her of the Cornmigsion and subjoet ta Florida's Glavermnent in the Sunshine [as Cle i sud in his ollfial espasity amy. 8. Curlls Richardson is member of the Commision ana suhjce 1¢ Flevidh’s Gayemment in Ge Sur shine Fan, Ve i sued fis lita easily ly 9. Dianne Williamns-Cox isa member of tke Commission and subjext ta Elavida’s Government in ky Sunshine Taye, She fs sued in her oficial capacity only 10. Elaine Beyant Bryant") is'8 purported member ofthe Commission and sukjeet 10 Florida's Gregrmment in the Sunsbing Law. Shs x gusel im her fla upucity only IW. General Allegation 11, This is mn action to satieee Flevica’s Government in the Su Taow") § 286.011, Tha. Stat: Ad Fp 24¢hy, Pl. Const 12, On Decomer 12, 2018, Hlarida’s Governor suspended Score Maslax tram the Commission fte-the federal smi inelhim on pablo carnypion ebungos. Ser Exhibit ACTH) 18-365 13, Muckloe's suspension grate ermponiry’ sneunay oF the Comision during the period da anpee ion. § 112.51), Tl. Slat The lempuricy vacimey is ie hy tenprary apesinuntnt in tar samc wamicr as permanent appoiitment, J. Flora law inserts mnnieipaltics to supply pre ures for ing eames the Sia charters or by ordinance, § 166,03 M6, 14. Seetion 14 of ts City's Charter sets forth the provedure tor iling a vaeaney on the Commission “Any sacangy in thy concmnission, including the elfiee oP mayor, shall he Tiled hy sppointment wil the Following regular municipal cloetion, Any saemey oegurring alae thy elise et qatifying For rogular municipal clestiou in which no candidate bas qualities, shall ‘eilled by appoicimect until the nest sgeulasly schodu.cd biennial vloetian, The fern of cote niissigners elsele tp FT a eacaney shell fe Tor the wmexpie term of the position vated Any yrFrey rosnltig trom a recall cect shall be filled in cho manncr proviced Farin such eater by dhe Tori’ Sat. tes, leony wacanzy is nt loa within remy (201 days after ieshall have ‘soured. an appo.ninent 19 Hill die vaeaney shatd be nade by the See Exhibit: B (See. 14, City Chanen. 15. The City has adosred a method for implementing Sosri 14 of the Charter through Commission Patioy MH (Paligy”). See Fahiit C Pligg HN, 16. The Policy inst 6 the City’s Trexsurer Clerk to “place in newapaperisy of genceal cireulation af publish on talgow-cqm an udvertigement sucking applieatigns fren Cita inevested im Gilling the open seu.” 12, fermphasis in original), 17. On Det ber 12, 2012, the City published 3 pross release announcing, “City Coummisior. Seeking Applicants fo Vacant Soa.” und pur instrustions sin tulgs cum eaplarniny, shows co apply for che position, Sze Exhibie D (COU 12-12-18 Pre ch Releasst, 4 diligent dig Fine on ee yerlggement in the Tallahassee Demmoorar or amy ether newspaper a ysmenal iveulation in he city Ue Paley inst, 18, Acouriing ia the Ci D4 ope aaalisd forthe ‘gant seul, Soe Pxibil HLCOL Website Printout of Applicant nares)! 19, Without having a public mecting. ech Commissioner weeded throu the applications snd prajaroa a lisl yanking the Covamssiemer’s tap Unree appicamts to il the amy 21, Atfor receiving the sankings fram the individnal Comnmissionces. again withour holding 3 siblie meting, thy City nbulated the oven esas, T us 1 formula that gees ach uppligant sone pi wlan a Crneashiner Ise ean ver tp vee ist ann peep wet Tot oF jk nine applicants whitisd coven trom 93 21, On Mrecersner 26, 2015, the Cily published a press release erxilled "Cty Cimnisnion ‘Names Nine Ficalists for Vavaat Soa,” staciug ~Commissioucrs have completed tic indivsiust reciews of appligulions ram citizens scokng ly serve. OF thy 93 appligntions submit. nine "Phe City's website lists the names of 92 apglicants rather than 2. To avoid confusion. this Complaint uses the mumbo 93, citizens aro on tae fined list for he full coramission to consider..." Sue text F (COT 12-266 18 Poss Release} 22. Ata special mating on December #7, 2019, ths Commiss.on considered only the sine sagplignnts 69 tho shor! lis, Sew Fchibi 3 (12-31-18 Special Mect-ng Agenda 23, Al Ihe Pecen ber 31° meeting, the Cunnnnipsinn di -w. recorsider ar reexamine ils pre sfocision on the oxher 84 2270 31s and acted only pon the shor list. 24, The Comuminsiom seloctes Bryant ta Gil the vacancy unl swore Tor i office, See Exhibit H (07 12-31-18 Press Release All vongltions reese. Unig woton has been satisfied ge waived 26, All elements nevessigy le muppue a cause al action Ror ecaratiry ree ae presen in This eas: 8) ‘hore isa bona fide, actus) present need for a deelatstion that Ths City Wola the Suan Tas aml Cae f"2c tense b}. The declaration sous deals with a presets controversy a8 "0 un ascertninable wet of els 6) ‘he stulutory sad coustiutionsl sigtts und privlleges of n are dependeat upon the las appliceble to the (acs «fj Jacksou aud the Defendnars have an actual present question feoncemming the subject matter of this Complaing; and 6) Their goughtis nol merely the giving of legal eevee or providing che sxswer ta a question propounded fren curiosity ‘ut stem fzom an actus] sontco remy 27, Jasksou bas retained che uudersigned Law Siem aud agreed ir soc be pri reasorable Fy its survive COUNT I_ SUNSHINE LaW VIOLATION 28. Juokson row py raleronce the allegations vor and in paragraphs sand imeerporat ‘vou 28, so iT Fally esta ere 29. Under Florida law, “[5 ll meetings of any’... munieipel carparacion .. at which official eal aT mss, and ms sats ure 1 39 lke sre: delared to be publig mestinge eps le he pul sesolution, rule, o¢ Facnal action stall be considceed binding excop! a8 taken ar made at suck meeting. rhe bro or commision mist provide reascmble notice gall such meets OTL), Cla 2. The loves Lepislorme enacted the Sunshine Lave “i che publi intxsstc prot the ble tn “eas de polities mula su, Uns he ae aly esta flat ity rencedial and proscetive purpose.” Wood » Marston, 42 So, 24 YA, YBN (Fla, 1883) 1 Ryery though as wall gee 1 publis fea ae rola tp und is veihie.e seuppe his olga duties i a mnllera ule eencer; an iis he nine der done amaitag priest th lure intended ya fe! by une [Sunshine Cay Uris seis declaration wl public policy, Cre frustration a vlkich voust tales innepenible “jury bo the publi dnterost. Every seop in che de ocision itself. is a eoossn sion making process. inehuding che rstinvnry formal aston, Toll thatch suck stop coms sn follifal nel am Indispensable requisite ca ‘formal accion.’ within the eneaning of the act.” Vines Phishing Compary'v. Wiliams. 222 So. 24 170,179 (Fla. 4 DCA 19599 (emphasis in crim disapproved iv part oer yrds, Nave, Afzomé Merl Po any, 462 So. 2 821 Cag Fla, 1985), 32, Revisions hut efeetively “sereen.” weed Unc,” wr “Shon-Tst” submission at a goveanirg 2ody Inter aces ypon mus: aecur in te suushins. ow Ataystow, 442 So. 2d at 938 Coonghading ty sereering of appliger ium undisputed deetsior-rmaking funelign): itv rad Louse Trisintd Toanbees of Wiom-Pae Cermmaui Express Camgnusy 0, Diselet College, 691 So. 2d “090. “°AM Fla, 31 ICA 1997) (Hinginy a Sunshine Tas villian whey the Sconiee’s funtion eas to weet Chnvugh te vious propels, ke deter ine which ere accopnable and to rank: chon agcordingly"); Leacd- Rrelis v, Cithaf Bradenton, 734 So. 24 L168 sts Frmal asin thal was (Fly, 21 DEA 1999} {eumolading the short-sting oF upplicants sequied to occur at a publicly nou 3. Imad, Saeed BF fr clingy on psn withthe City's nein fs, In ths x, the Praleruan City Cov.cil creme a cannes io seen responses ta request fr propa ir a large sity constevion contact fi at 1169, Ths commitse was co review the proposals and reas Aho Lap hee Hirt fd, Pov finns wou han rake pronentlionst the City Cosel, whi ‘would select a winner framttbe stor let. fa, Hower, the sevcening commieice nevor eld a wile mseting rer, iLonly ynl 7 geToations ls the City Cee whe proper a shor! Fa oF the ravhitgs, fd, Zale, al he City Coun riectin ‘oly dhe three she sel Ger rade rosomtaligns, Af sk 1160-{0. rhe cour said ubat “There is me questign Uk uke sormmitis smevribers”inlivdual evaluations were lls nd ucted upon, a"heit hy the csTaueral actin the city cles, which rested in thece bidders being selested te uae prossucat.ons co the Couneil” 4é aL LIFT. Thus, ths eour eqnelded “Thal. the shoxttislirg sa lal welign that vias zequited co betaken aca public meeting” fa, Further, che coure found it-éas wel sctt.ed at Ka Ihe goyernmsnt’s inlonis irrelevant ina Smshine Tone ove 34, Lae in Few wade ober canes cite ulve ir Uns ene he ent hy he ‘Conunissie.o wats dawn the 9 applicants to se thice anaes, reste m ths hal show ist ca wine ames, eas cial atom th lo ake ple inthe sunbie 38. tits December Ast mecing. the Commission di not revisit tae actions the Conmissigrensiggk ouside ofthe sunshine in gaeling $4 of he 98 applicants. Rather i perluncuavily aacepted its prigg sets and evesiierad only the short ist applicants. Thus, the Commissirs spen meaty on December $1° did net “eure” Ihe prigr Sunshine Taw vig"at'on Sir Zire x. Civ of Fore Beach, 722 Sq. 22891. 903 (Pla, 4B. BCA 995) fat ‘open hearing will cure @ defect sesing trom a Sunshine Law violation. Such violatian wil. nat b> coured by a periimetory raificaion of the selon ikon qulsde 0” the sunshine” sem alse Port Evernyaes tt ft vations Lonpstremen syst. Local (922-1, 652 90, 231248, 022 (hls, BCA 13899) toons ulin “a ur ed nol gcur bes ontal hocy ded nal reconvene “in he surnine” hele the camfriet was awanled, and the yovermment did no cconduer ¢ full, open baring on the competing bickers tor the contract before ratifying the selection: ecunrillue"s reconmmenulaionsy, Sats Cardo a Partners, rw. v. Contes Sav Bank, £35 So, 24 694. 695 (Fla, 3d DCA 19N81 nding che governing body’s ratification aca ublie mexting eid the sung al mes eure thy sp ie Scrshiie La violative 236. ees thy Cily ciolatl the Sunshine Law in conducting the search pre for fit the vuearey em the Covnissinn. ibs uetcnos ane vid nit, Tansa of Pata Beach ». Qeadicon, 296 So 24 472 (Fla, 1974) (stating a “Tmnjore showing thatthe goverument tn the smashige law Thos bon violated eonetitanss an irgpanibie public injury so tha! tre orinanee s si a to™ and concluding even tanga a zening arcinance had been adopned at a public hear-ng, ftwas nea acause the zaming plan lupin whigh the yreinance wa besa) was “emulated gulsih the sunshine): sue otve Cingooke, Cea Ate fae, 31 Sw, 3 183, 206 [Fl ist DCA 20:44 (Pouchuding » ety comumssion’s approval of amnntes ut volsdion of the Sunshine Laer aull was soul urd i rt PRAYER FOR RE # WHERFFORF, beved om the fine join. Tucks dommes jument 2) Deolaring chat the City violaced che Sunshine Lawewehan it took ‘olficial action om the applicants 19 Hill the vacaney on tke Commision witli Liskin a praporky noes ublie by 6 on 8 » it Deoluring the Commission's seleetion of Bryant te Gill tke vacagey on the Commission void 2 initio duc to -he Sunshice Taw violations Deelasing the City’s swearing into offies of Bryant all and void ‘sa yoduct al Sunshine Law vielation Declaring al. of Bryant's official acts nll ond void snd cenjsining hee from taking any Jurer acs ag Coounissionce: Requiring the City to raceup amy sairry, benatits, or other compensatior said to Biya, Deluring a sugmrey Pats suit ea Fr mone Tan sem days Ror ity Commission, Soa 1, te City Purr Cl, unule~ Section 14 a Die Cy. Choate Govorar i io appeie somes hy HT the yaaney’ um ths Commission; Asvunding Tack ullemey Sous under Tord Statutes Seetiem 286.0110 Assessing all cost agains ny City us 36 081. Florida Statutes: smd or Seelions 57.014 and Piet nny other rie this Court cansidrs prop, eluding Jul no Tinted io injunctive reli Respectily submit '¥ CB, Upton Charles Bue Upton TL Plorida thir No. 27241 Upton Law itm, PL, 1400 Village Square Bisa. Sil 3.276 Tellstixgpe. Floride 32312-1950 ‘Telophoue: (85U} 792-5291 Peiray ail: churguplen tien com Seoumdary Tail [email protected] Attorney for Phinigf Dr. Ervin D. sacks EERIFRCATION 7 Heswin WD, Socks, dosti that have row 8 tthe Bost ab ty STATE OF £ county: PEACe