Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-05 Designating Dick Rynearson as Mayor Emeritus — reading text

RESOLUTION 2025- 5 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, PROCLAIMING FORMER MAYOR DICK RYNEARSON AS MAYOR EMERITUS, TO SERVE AS GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR THE CITY WHEREAS, Mr. Richard A. " Dick" Rynearson has been a resident of the City of Fort Walton Beach for 45years; and WHEREAS, during this time, Mr. Rynearson has served the City of Fort Walton Beach as an appointed member of the Okaloosa County Transportation Cooperative, Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization, Emerald Coast Regional Council, Northwest Florida League of Cities Board of Directors, Okaloosa County League of Cities, Regional Utility Authority, Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council, and the Tri -County Community Partnership Initiative; and WHEREAS, Mr. Rynearson served the City of Fort Walton Beach as an elected official for 16 years including 8 years as a Council Member, from 2009 to 2017, and 8 years as the Mayor from 2017 to 2025; and WHEREAS, Mr. Rynearson earned the respect and admiration from fellow colleagues, the citizens, local businesses, local charities, and neighboring communities for his dedicated and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens of the City of Fort Walton Beach; WHEREAS, the City Council desires to honor Mr. Rynearson's distinguished service to the City by conferring upon him the honorary title of "Mayor Emeritus of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida;" and WHEREAS, Mayor Rynearson shall always be remembered for his efforts as a goodwill ambassador for the City of Fort Walton Beach, during both his tenure on the City Council, and more particularly his time serving as our Mayor. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA: a) The City Council hereby bestows the honorary title of "Mayor Emeritus of the City of Fort Walton Beach" on former Mayor Richard A. " Dick" Rynearson. b) The City Council requests Mayor Emeritus Rynearson to continue to function as goodwill ambassador for the City of Fort Walton Beach at events in the local community throughout Okaloosa County, and the neighboring counties. c) The Mayor Emeritus agrees not to make any oral or written communication to any person or entity which disparages, or has the effect of damaging the  RESOLUTION 2025- 5 reputation of, or otherwise working in any way to the detriment of the City. d) Neither this Section nor any other provision of this Resolution shall be interpreted or construed as granting to Mayor Emeritus any authority whatsoever to bind or commit the City to any matter or decision by verbal or written contract or by any other means. e) The Mayor Emeritus position shall not be considered, interpreted, or construed as being a member of the City Council or any other City board or committee. Thus, for Sunshine Law purposes, the Mayor Emeritus can freely communicate his view of City related issues not only at public meetings of the City Council, or other City board or committee, but he can also freely communicate his view outside of a public meeting with members of the City Council and other City board and committee members. f) For purposes of the public records laws, the Mayor Emeritus shall be treated like any other member of the general public with no additional duties. g) The City does not consider the Mayor Emeritus position an office subjected to any legal prohibitions against dual office holding. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the City Council, signature of the Mayor, and acceptance by Mr. Rynearson by execution of this Resolution. Adopted: Nic Attest: Approved as t'fro-f6fmand sufficiency for the City f Walton Beach, only. ano Kopp, City Attorney