02-01-2021 - Regular104 N. Riverside Drive
Edgewater, FL 32132City of Edgewater
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Mike Thomas, Mayor
Christine Power, District 1
Gigi Bennington, District 2
Megan O'Keefe, District 3
Jonah Powers, District 4
6:00 PM Council ChambersMonday, February 1, 2021
1. CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, INVOCATION
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Mayor Mike Thomas, Councilwoman Christine Power, Councilwoman Gigi Bennington,
Councilwoman Megan O'Keefe, and Councilman Jonah Powers
Present:5 -
City Manager Glenn Irby, City Attorney Aaron Wolfe, and City Clerk Bonnie BrownAlso Present:3 -
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None at this time.
3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES/DONATIONS
None at this time.
4. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None at this time.
5. APPROVAL OR CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Thomas stated that Mr. Irby requested Item 7(a) to be moved to 10(b).
6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Bennington had nothing at this time.
Councilwoman O'Keefe had nothing at this time.
Councilman Powers provided an update from the Team Volusia Executive Committee meeting;
Councilman Powers stated that staff from Team Volusia and other private companies had praised
the City of Edgewater staff and that he appreciates everyone's hard work.
Councilwoman Power gave an update on the recent TPO meeting, stating that Park Avenue is on the
priority list for design.
Mayor Thomas acknowledged the Quarterly Reports, commending the detail included in it; he
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inquired about the time consumption required for such a report to which Bridgette Vaissiere, Finance
Director, assured Council that it was worth the time and effort to produce the report quarterly.
Mayor Thomas commented on the $14.7 million grant received for drainage improvements and asked
Mr. Irby to provide a report on the permitted uses for the money. Mr. Irby explained that the
improvements are to the "spine" of the drainage system for the City to help mitigate flooding issues.
Mayor Thomas brought attention to a complimentary letter he had gotten from a citizen towards a
Police Officer, something he'd never received before; He expressed pride for the Police Departments
efforts to be more community friendly.
Mayor Thomas gave praise to the Fire Department on a quick response to a recent fire.
a.Discussion of the City Manager’s 2020 evaluation, progress and Council direction.
Councilwoman Bennington stated that she would like the Council to speak individually about the job
of the City Manager and how it has affected the city and its people. Councilwoman Bennington
began by outlining the issues she had with the Aldi situation; the Marina and how it was handled; Mr.
Irby's lack of engagement towards City Staff; an insufficient amount of information from the City
Manager during council meetings and how comments have been made to Councilwoman Bennington
regarding a lack of progress in the City. Councilwoman Bennington ended by stating she was unsure
if the City could continue on with the current City Manager.
Councilwoman O'Keefe addressed the Aldi project and stated that she felt it had been handled
accordingly; Councilwoman Power stated that perhaps at the time of meetings, all parties had been
satisfied but feelings do change. Councilwoman O'Keefe proposed that Councilwoman Bennington
give Mr. Irby more time to fix issues.
Councilman Powers declined to make a comment based on his lack of experience with the City
Manager.
Councilwoman Powers discussed the details of the Marina situation; the City Managers relationship
with the City Staff, stating that she had previously advised him on it; the lack of detail during staff
reports; and the issues surrounding the citizens relationship with the City and its progressiveness.
Mayor Thomas stated that he had spoken to and resolved his issues with the City Manager already
and that he felt City Manager Irby had made good decisions, expressing his pride for him and the rest
of the staff.
Further conversations ensued about the City Manager and his stance in the city; Councilwoman
Bennington proposed that Council rehire a former City Manager and was met with contention.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Bennington second by Councilwoman Power, that we
do not terminate Mr. Irby at this time. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following
vote:
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February 1, 2021City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes:Mayor Thomas, Councilwoman Power, Councilwoman Bennington, Councilwoman O'Keefe
and Councilman Powers
5 -
7. CONSENT AGENDA
None at this time.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
a.Second Reading Ordinance 2021-O-01 Chapter 12 Offense Section 12-2
Trespassing
City Attorney Wolfe read the Ordinance into the record.
City Manager Irby provided a staff report and recommendation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
Mayor Thomas commented that he thought the girls who had trespassed had learned their lesson and
Mr. Irby welcomed the girls back to the parks.
Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Power, second by Councilwoman O'Keefe, to adopt
Ordinance No. 2021-O-01. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes:Mayor Thomas, Councilwoman Power, Councilwoman Bennington, Councilwoman O'Keefe
and Councilman Powers
5 -
9. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
a.Police Pension Board - Ratification of Charles Geiger’s appointment.
City Manager Irby provided a staff report and recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Bennington, second by Councilwoman Power, to
Confirm Motion. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes:Mayor Thomas, Councilwoman Power, Councilwoman Bennington, Councilwoman O'Keefe
and Councilman Powers
5 -
10. OTHER BUSINESS
a.SA-2101: Carol Ann Jeronimo requesting approval of the waiving of the associated
fees and requirements regarding alcohol sales and /or consumption for the Rotary Club
of Edgewater and Edgewater Family Fest Kickoff Event Special Activity Permit to be
held on February 4, 2021 at Hawks Park.
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City Manager Irby provided a staff report and recommendation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
Councilwoman Power asked for clarification on the difference between the event proposed and an
event previously discussed during the March 6th meeting; Councilman Powers answered that the
event proposed is a precursor to the family event, therefore it shouldn't be as kid-focused. There was
additional discussion regarding the time and nature of the event.
Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Bennington, second by Councilwoman Power, to
Confirm Motion. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes:Councilwoman Power, Councilwoman Bennington, Councilwoman O'Keefe and Councilman
Powers
4 -
No:Mayor Thomas1 -
b.Award of Contract for YMCA Retro Fit Project (ITB 21-PR-001and authorization
for associated budget amendment
City Manager Irby provided a brief history and update on the request, recommending that Council
dismiss all bids and re-bid the project altogether.
Councilwoman Power suggested that encouragement should be made for inspectors to check the roof
of the building; Mr. Irby stated that it had been but there had been a lack of follow through.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Power, second by Councilwoman O'Keefe, to confirm
motion. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes:Mayor Thomas, Councilwoman Power, Councilwoman Bennington, Councilwoman O'Keefe
and Councilman Powers
5 -
11. OFFICER REPORTS
a.City Clerk
Ms. Brown provided an update on the group photo and reminded Council about their shirt orders.
b.City Attorney
City Attorney Wolfe provided an update on the Fire Association Litigation; the Marina Litigation;
the Shaffer Case; the Wallace Hopper v. The City of Edgewater Case; and the Debra Richards v. The
City of Edgewater Case.
c.City Manager
Mr. Irby stated that the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce Economic Development
Committee is entertaining the possibility of putting on an Economic Development Summit that
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February 1, 2021City Council Meeting Minutes
Council could participate in. Council expressed interest in joining.
Councilwoman Power inquired about ethics training, Ms. Brown informed Council that it was
available online and that it had to be done by the end of the year. Ms. Brown advised that she had
reached out to The Institute for Elected Municipal Officials as well the League of Cities in question
about future events.
12. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ella Rawlins, 1515 Travelers Palm Drive and Alexis Mundell, 1418 Pine Tree Dr, stated their
gratitude for being allowed back into the park.
Corrie Sapp, 2630 Travelers Palm Drive, discussed her displeasure over the initial nature of the
meeting and her thoughts towards the City Manager discussion.
14. ADJOURN
Mayor Thomas commended the Council on being polite and working together.
Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
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