The Apopka City Council, at its August 2nd meeting, has taken unprecedented action to censure Mayor Bryan Nelson for misleading statements made about the employment status of former city attorney Michael Rodriguez.
By a vote of 3-1, the Council "formally censured Nelson for misleading the City Council, and by the same actions, the people of Apopka through untruthful public comments regarding the employment status of the former City Attorney," according to the resolution.
Vice Mayor/Commissioner Kyle Becker made the presentation and voted in favor, along with Commissioners Nick Nesta and Diane Velazquez. Nelson voted against the resolution. Commissioner Alexander Smith was not present at the meeting.
A censure is a formal statement of disapproval in the form of a resolution that is adopted by a majority vote. There is no penalty or punishment attached to a censure.
This is the first time an Apopka mayor has been censured by its City Council.
Here is the revised resolution:
Revised Resolution to Formally Censure Mayor Bryan Nelson
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APOPKA, FLORIDA, CENSURING MAYOR BRYAN NELSON
WHEREAS, a core tenant of serving in elected office is transparency and truthfulness to ensure public trust; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Bryan Nelson, by Charter, serves as the chief executive officer of the city and shall be responsible to the electorate for the administration of all city affairs placed in his charge; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday June 21, 2023, in a public hearing within the City of Apopka Council Chambers, Mayor Nelson made public comments that demonstrated his prior public comments about the employment status of the now former City Attorney were untrue; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday May 3, 2023, the former City Attorney did voluntarily resign during a public hearing within the City of Apopka Council Chambers, as recorded and approved in minutes; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Nelson, on Wednesday June 7, 2023, did on the record inform City Council the former City Attorney was no longer employed as of that day June 7, 2023, as recorded, and approved in minutes; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday June 21, 2023, when asked by City Council about the employment status of the former City Attorney, Mayor Nelson indicated he was still employed as of that date June 21, 2023, and receiving pay, as recorded, and approved in minutes.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APOPKA, FLORIDA THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing “Whereas” clauses are incorporated herein, and the City Council of Apopka formally censures Mayor Bryan Nelson for misleading the City Council, and by the same actions, the people of Apopka through untruthful public comments regarding the employment status of the former City Attorney.
SECTION 2: This resolution is effective upon adoption by the City Council, with or without the signature of the Mayor.
A censure is a formal statement of disapproval in the form of a resolution that is adopted by a majority vote. The term “censure” is not found in the Constitution, and the word does not have to appear in the resolution.
This is breaking news and will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
