06-15-2009 - Regular
CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 15, 2009
6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Thomas called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Michael Thomas
Councilwoman Debra Rogers
Councilwoman Gigi Bennington
Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes
Councilman Ted Cooper
City Manager Tracey Barlow
City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel
City Attorney Carolyn Ansay
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
There was a silent invocation and pledge of allegiance to
the Flag.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no minutes to be approved at this time.
3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES/DON
ATIONS
A. Presentation of Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting for Fiscal Year
2007 by Finance Director John McKinney
Finance Director John McKinney presented the Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to
Council. He also recognized Malecia Williams and Michelle
Grenham.
Councilwoman Bennington felt it was wonderful that they
could do the CAFR in-house.
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June 15, 2009
B. Presentation of the FY 2008 CAFR by Finance
Director John McKinney and McDirmit Davis
Eldon McDirmit, McDirmit Davis went over a Powerpoint
Presentation by presenting the highlights of the FY 2008
CAFR. (Attached) He elaborated on the three current year
comments included in their Management Letter. He then
highlighted what was included in the Management Discussion
and Analysis of the CAFR as well as the Fund Financial
Statements. He ended his presentation by going over the
Financial Condition of the City. He thanked Council and
staff for the opportunity to work with the City.
Councilman Cooper referred to the 81% fixed asset. He
asked how that compared in today's market and economy. Is
it better to be that high in fixed assets or are other
cities starting to learn toward keeping real cash. Mr.
McDirmit stated one of his recommendations is they should
be working towards building up the cash reserves.
Councilman Cooper asked for a City our size, where should
we be? Mr. McDirmit referred to Page 11 of the CAFR,
Bullet #4. The City has about $3.2 million in unrestricted
fund balance. The fund balance is about 26% of that. He
feels that is not bad but he has seen some 30% or 35%. He
spoke of breaking it down by how many months of reserve
they want in expenditures through the year. As the budget
increases, the reserve needs to increase also.
Mr. McDirmit commented on what they have seen in the 13 or
14 other cities they have audited this last year. There
hasn't been any building of reserves. They have had to dip
into reserves for obvious reasons. That is an excellent
reason to have reserves, for times like this.
Councilwoman Rhodes pointed out our Charter requires us to
have 15% to 25% in reserves. This is the first year in ten
years that the reserve has been what it was supposed to be.
Councilman Cooper referred to Page 106. He spoke of the
adjustment of almost a quarter of a million dollars. That
to him is a pretty big oops. He didn't understand.
City Manager Barlow assured him that has been corrected,
which was an operational issue in house. He spoke of part
of this being from the changing of the guard. Finance
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Director McKinney stated in the changing of the guards,
prior City Manager/Finance Director, when SBA fell apart at
the State level and they created all of these accounts, it
just got posted twice. The City never lost a dime. He
further commented on what was done to correct this.
Councilman Cooper asked if this deficit is in the budget
for this year. Finance Director McKinney explained we have
$3.2 million in unreserved fund balance. Last year they
spoke of targeting 60 days, which is roughly 16.7% of our
budget. Of the $3.2 million he took 16.7%, which is just
over $2 million and that was not touched. He then referred
to the mid-year budget and the extra amount over the $2
million or just over $1.1 million being added into the
budget at mid-year. He then spoke of setting aside $1.3
million going into next fiscal year. They are smoothing
our available resources into future years and not spending
it now.
Finance Director McKinney referred to Pages 46-52 of the
CAFR, which are our changes in long-term debt. He spoke of
reducing the debt in the General Fund by $1.8 million.
They only incurred $143,000 in new debt. He then spoke of
reducing the total debt by $2.8 million in the Enterprise
Funds. There is a huge reduction in our debt load from
last year to this year and they are roughly reducing our
debt every year by just over $4 million.
Councilwoman Bennington asked about the 9 inconclusive
ratios. Mr. McDirmit explained what these are for her. He
also wanted to mention the overall rating is favorable. He
then went over each of the 9 inconclusive ratios. He
highlighted there was improvement this year in those. They
are making progress.
C. Presentation by Rafael Montalvo on the Smart
Growth JPA's
Mayor Thomas stated he has sat on the VCOG Smart Growth
Committee for about three years. Rafael Montalvo has been
their top advisor and has done a lot of helpful work for
them. Edgewater and the County of Volusia are the only two
entities that have approved the ECO Map. When they
finished with the initiatives, they tried to figure out how
they were going to get the information to the other
Councilpeople that weren't there. He made mention of
holding an eastside and westside Summit. Mary Swiderski,
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Executive Director of VCOG, pointed out this would occur
after they have addressed all of the cities.
Ms. Swiderski introduced herself as well as Rafael
Montalvo, who is the representative from the Florida
Conflict Resolution Consortium.
Ms. Swiderski thanked the City's member from the TAC/PAC
from the Planning Department who was at their meetings and
participated and was one of those key individuals to make
all the final suggestions of reality.
Ms. Swiderski commented on the information provided to
Council with regard to what the Technical Advisory
Committee has recommended. The report was approved by VCOG
as well as a resolution that is going to be coming before
the June 22nd VCOG meeting.
Ms. Swiderski started going over a Powerpoint presentation
by going over the Recent Volusia Smart Growth History.
(At tached)
Rafael Montalvo continued the Powerpoint presentation by
discussing his role and explaining the Four TAC Documents
and the Conservation Development Recommendations with
regard to the Volusia Smart Growth Initiative. He then
went over the Model Conservation Development Ordinance, the
Model Smart Growth Resolution and the Model Smart Growth
JPA. He also commented on other things the TAC looked at
over the past year.
Ms. Swiderski spoke of Edgewater being two steps ahead of
every other municipality in Volusia County, due to having
already adopted the ECO map into the Comprehensive Plan and
they have already had the workshop that VCOG is requesting
each municipality to have to understand the Smart Growth
process. The next step is now it is down to everyone
taking a commitment in this. They have to indicate whether
they are going to pursue conservation development and if
they will adopt a resolution indicating the areas and or
the issues of interest in Smart Growth discussions in the
Joint Planning Agreement with our neighbors. She spoke of
this being very important. In order to make Smart Growth
work, they have to work together.
Mayor Thomas asked Ms. Swiderski how far ahead of the rest
of the State Edgewater is. Ms. Swiderski stated they are
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
miles. We are the example of people who care about their
environment and about Smart Growth. Smart Growth is about
living the way you really want to live and respecting the
world in which you live in. They need to look at things
outside of the box a little.
Mayor Thomas asked Ms. Swiderski what DCA had to say about
it. Ms. Swiderski stated at first they were not as happy
as they would imagine they would be. They have come around
and they are very pleased with what Volusia County has
done.
Mr. Montalvo commented on the next steps VCOG has asked
jurisdiction to take. He spoke of there being several
efforts to develop the joint planning agreements early.
Ms. Swiderski stated their goal is to have the JPA's in
line before the end of this year.
Mayor Thomas stated he would ask Council if they had any
questions. Then he would ask the citizens if they had any
questions. Then he would jump to Item 8H where they are
going to vote on this.
Councilman Cooper stated Smart Growth was one of the
biggest things he campaigned on. They spoke about JPA's
for Southeast Volusia County. How do they answer the
question when the public asks, the horse has already left
the barn and now they want to take the very tip of
Southeast Volusia County and stop any development?
Mr. Montalvo stated the process is not designed to stop
development; it is designed to make it compatible with the
continuing and permanent protection of environmental
resources and open space.
Councilman Cooper referred to Mr. Montalvo's comments
regarding mixed use. He commented on having an issue for
two elections with regard to 35-foot buildings and the
scare was out to the public. None of them want high-rise
buildings scattered around our City or on Riverside Drive
but where theY can be mandated, those types of buildings
where it keeps the sprawl down and they have a business
opportunity for that, is that what they were professing?
Ms. Swiderski presented examples of what mixed uses can be.
She pointed out they weren't talking about 35 floors; they
were talking maybe two or three floors.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
She spoke of what happens when they have mixed uses and
this cutting down on transportation. That is what
sustainability is all about.
Mr. Montalvo commented on height being up to the local
jurisdiction.
Councilman Cooper commented on being a bedroom community
and paying the highest taxes and having very limited
industry. He asked how they feel their Smart Growth plan
addresses a City's problem like that?
Mr. Montalvo spoke of exploring early on making specific
recommendations about uses and relative mixtures of uses
for particular places. He spoke of the Committee leaving
this up to the JPA process and the planning process
generally and this being left to the local jurisdictions to
consider and decide whether to include and how to include
in the JPA process.
Councilman Cooper stated we have a large area and we are
trying to protect this water right and our basin all the
way down through. It only works if Port Orange, New Smyrna
and Oak Hill help where they are talking about the JPA. He
was hoping they would be coming out with recommendations or
plans where how that can be connected with federal type
development such as fish hatcheries, colleges and
universities with specific laboratories about our
conservation. He further spoke about bringing high paying
jobs to our area.
Mr. Montalvo explained this is a process going back seven
years. To a remarkable degree all of that earlier work has
been carried forward and not lost. He referred to the
Implementation Committee's report from 2005 where they
focused in part on economic development that is appropriate
to each community and allows it to keep its character while
developing mixed uses developing in the ways it wants to.
He then stated the TAC and Smart Growth Committee based its
work really very directly on that report. The TAC tried to
develop the vehicles for implementation.
Councilman Cooper thought if they had more of that and more
input on the federal level where those type of entities can
be acquired, they get their JPA's a lot easier for four or
five cities because that would take in a massive land mass
area and yet it brings prosperity to the entire community.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Councilwoman Rhodes felt sustainability is the key. At
some point in time, people are going to need to be able to
go to school, work, worship, grocery shop and go to the
doctor near to where they live. There is no getting around
that. The only issue she has with Smart Growth is she
doesn't necessarily think they have to give away density to
make it happen. She is absolutely in favor of this. She
thinks it is very important that these communities are
developed this way and that they partner with those around
them to preserve our resources. It took a long time to get
here but she is glad they are here.
Councilwoman Bennington stated when they talk about Smart
Growth, Edgewater hasn't been very smart with the strip
malls and shopping centers that we have. We have several
that are approved just waiting to be built. With the way
it's zoned, they have commercial and the residential behind
and to her that is not Smart Growth.
Ms. Swiderski spoke about beautiful concepts out there that
they can change a little and they would have a village in
our community that is sustainable.
Councilwoman Bennington commented on planning for the
future and Smart Growth. She spoke about the large
blighted areas in Edgewater and asked how they incorporate
that into Smart Growth to correct those blighted areas.
Ms. Swiderski suggested looking at mixed use and looking at
changing. She commented on what Deland did to correct
their blighted areas.
City Manager Barlow commented on the Visioning Session
where they talked about some of the blighted areas. A lot
of things incorporated in the vision were the Smart Growth
initiatives. Today they advertised for a Planning
Consultant to help establish the CRA districts to talk
about the blighted areas. One of the goals is an overlay
district in some of the older parts of town such as
Ridgewood and they incorporate those Smart Growth
Initiatives in the overlay district. As businesses change,
then they bring it up to the standards identified in the
overlay district and they can also use CRA funding that
they save over time to make the changes within that
district. A lot of the initiatives they have heard on
Smart Growth are exactly what staff has been working with
on the Restoration development.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Councilwoman Bennington commented on a lot of it being
geared towards Restoration but they have to look at what
they have now and there are some real serious problems.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated as they go forward. They can't
just willy nilly tear down buildings because they don't
like them and make something different there. They can
make ordinances and agreements for when those things are
turned over.
Councilwoman Bennington stated her point was what she was
getting from them was future development of Smart Growth.
City Manager Barlow commented on also applying those same
philosophies in redevelopment.
Mayor Thomas stated they are instituting a set of rules and
standards countywide. What the resolution that they are
going to vote on today says is their intentions are to be
good neighbors with the other. The next thing they are
going to approve is VCOG is going to come up with a model
resolution that adopts the rules and if they don't like the
exact verbiage it can be changed.
Ms. Swiderski informed Mayor Thomas they had the model JPA
already. City Manager Barlow informed Mayor Thomas it was
part of their packet.
Ms. Swiderski commented on part of smart development being
green development and looking at how they can go forward in
more of an environmentally sensitive way.
Mayor Thomas felt if this would have been done twenty years
ago we would look totally different. He is all for more
green.
Mr. Montalvo explained the TAC was charged for the past
year pretty specifically with finding ways to protect the
existing natural areas and open space.
Mayor Thomas asked if any citizens had any questions for
Mr. Montalvo or Ms. Swiderski.
The following citizens spoke:
Mike Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, asked if the County
overrides the City when the City makes the decision on
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
development. He was speaking about west of 1-95. We have
development going right now and reading in the paper a
little while back the County has denied that and they
cannot build. He asked if that was dead?
Ms. Swiderski explained that is why they are approaching
each municipality. She spoke of the County property, the
way they have that overlay is within their Comp Plan. It
is within their jurisdiction. When the land comes into a
municipality, it will normally take on that city's land use
and zoning. They are asking that every municipality
recognize that overlay when they take it in so that land
doesn't become high-end commercial or extensive sprawl
without conservation subdivisions being considered. She
spoke of the sensitive lands, NORMA, which is a majority of
the land in the center of the County, that have been lost.
They don't want to lose anymore of it. They are asking for
complete cooperation between the County and the
municipalities to work together in agreeing the land that
is left can be preserved through proper development. She
spoke of offering incentives.
Mr. Visconti stated according to the developer of
Restoration he is taking ~ of that land to develop and
leaving % for conservation and green. Mr. Montalvo stated
his understanding was the County has chosen not to
challenge that. City Manager Barlow informed him that was
correct. Councilwoman Rhodes stated the State has a
problem with it but the County doesn't. City Manager
Barlow stated the County hasn't expressed any additional
concerns as it relates to the development of Restoration.
Agnes Witter, 223 Flagler Avenue, asked if the dark areas
on the map were what they hoped to retain as conservation
properties. Ms. Swiderski pointed out the property they
want to keep as the ECO area.
Ms. Witter commented on the statement where they said they
can't tell people what to do with their land because that
would be an unlawful taking. Her personal opinion is if a
person buys a piece of property that is zoned agriculture,
since they pay taxes for the amount of years they have
owned it, they should be entitled to do something with
their property. There is no guarantee that just because
they want to sell their piece of property as an RPUD that
that is what they are going to get. She feels the
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
assumption should be for the benefit of the entire
population rather than an individual.
Ms. Witter feels any place that you construct a new
community, she doesn't care how ecologically friendly it
might be unless there is employment within that community
so those people don't have to travel outside of that
community to another county for a job. It is not
sustainable growth. For any sustainable growth to occur
within Volusia County there has to be an emphasis on
economic development first and then residential growth is
to infill around that economic development. Otherwise they
are going to be doing a feel good thing. They are going to
be building these fancy communities that they can drive
golf carts around.
Mayor Thomas then went to Item 8H.
H. Resolution No. 2009-R-13, City of Edgewater's
intention to continue to cooperate with Volusia
jurisdictions to achieve smart growth and to
consider participating in a process to develop Smart
Growth Joint Planning Agreements
City Attorney Ansay read Res. 2009-R-13 into the record.
Due to the previous discussion, there were no additional
comments to be made for the staff report.
Mayor Thomas asked if they are incorporating the VCOG
resolution when they vote for this. City Manager Barlow
informed him no. The City's resolution states that they
are going to adopt some of those initiatives to create
JPA's with neighboring jurisdictions. If they adopt the
resolution now, down the road they will draft a JPA that
they can use and model and mold what is applicable to
Edgewater and they can affect those with neighboring
Volusia County. They started many years ago and have a
draft JPA that didn't seem to go anywhere. The goal would
be to do one with our immediate adjacent neighbors, Volusia
County and New Smyrna.
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas opened
and closed the public hearing and entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Res. 2009-R-13, second
by Councilwoman Bennington.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
Mayor Thomas called a fifteen-minute recess at this time.
The meeting recessed at 7:29 p.m. and reconvened at 7:45
p.m.
4. CITIZEN COMMENTS
The following citizens spoke:
Agnes Witter, 223 Flagler Avenue, commented on the
presentation the Council just heard about sustainable
development and smart growth. She spoke of Councilwoman
Bennington's comments regarding areas in the City where it
would be appropriate to have some type of a mixed use
development in and Councilwoman Bennington also commented
on how our zoning is set up so we have a strip mall or
strip shopping center and then all residential development
behind it. She mentioned the Council having the power to
change the zoning and suggested they do it.
Bill Glaser, 1703 Needle Palm Drive, asked if there is any
City/county or State organization or agency that is
responsible for picking up discarded tires around the City.
City Manager Barlow stated if it is littered tires, it is
abandoned and that Public Works would pick them up. Mr.
Glaser stated they have been laying out in front of
somebody's house for six months and now the Mosquito
Control people are telling them to clean up their tires so
they don't have water standing in tires. He wondered if
there was somebody responsible for picking this stuff up.
Environmental Services Director Brenda Dewees commented on
the City having a limit of four per year per household.
City Manager Barlow explained if they exceed that, it stays
at the curb and they notify Code Enforcement.
City Manager Barlow asked for a specific address and he
would look at it. Mr. Glaser informed him 1611 Royal Palm
Drive. He also informed him of one laying down on Hibiscus
Drive north of the Boulevard that is kind of in the weeds.
Mr. Glaser stated back in February there were some folks
from MGM/ParkTowne that came before Council asking if they
could postpone their final payment on the ParkTowne
property until June. He asked if they had or had not paid.
Finance Director McKinney stated the payment is due June
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
30th. Today he sent their attorney the principal amount
plus they did the extension of $3[046. He gave him a total
amount due of one million one hundred ninety something
thousand dollars.
City Manager Barlow stated they have met with him on
another subject earlier and he has assured them he is going
to make the payment.
5. APPROVAL OR CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Thomas wanted the record to reflect that Item 8H was
moved to coincide with the presentation by Rafael Montalvo
about Smart Growth.
6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Rhodes had nothing at this time.
Councilman Cooper summarized his written report.
(Attached)
Mayor Thomas needed someone to attend the WAV meeting.
Councilman Cooper agreed to attend for Mayor Thomas.
Mayor Thomas commented on issues brought to his attention
with the boat ramps at Kennedy Park by a local businessman.
He spoke of having design flaws with the launching and
retrieving of boats. He suggested changes to the parking
and adding trailer parking only signs. He also mentioned
having two lanes[ one pickup and one pullout or have a
reserve officer sitting there on the weekends during prime
hours directing traffic and eliminating fights. He spoke
about a guide who pulled in at 11:30 with two clients on
the boat and he laid out about 30 fish and started cleaning
them for thirty minutes clogging the boat ramp. A citizen
went up and started ragging on him. He told the gentleman
that he was a guide and should have known better. When he
got done he threw the carcasses in the water and left all
the blood[ guts and slime on the dock. He spoke about the
slime being slippery. He feels they need to make some type
of ordinance.
Police Chief Bennett spoke with Jack Corder a little bit
about making two lanes but since he has talked to Darren he
doesn't think the area is wide enough. A pickup and drop-
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
off lane might not work. He also mentioned speaking to
Darren and we are maxed out on what we can pave.
Leisure Services Director Jack Corder spoke to David King,
the engineer for the job, and we do have enough stormwater,
we could add a little bit to one side or the other if
needed on the asphalt. Police Chief Bennett presented
potential problems with that suggestion and provided
another suggestion. He spoke of changing the arrows but
they would have to change the parking spaces as well.
Mayor Thomas thought the design
There are just a few flaws that
wanted to bring it to Council's
any complaints.
looked good on paper.
they need to correct.
attention in case they
He
get
City Manager Barlow stated they are going to continue to
wrap their minds around this and come up with some
economical solutions for long term to resolve.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked if there was a way they could
have on the south side a holding pattern there. She spoke
of there being a point that they can't go past.
City Manager Barlow stated the problem with stacking them
there is they can't get the empty trailers in there to get
the boats out of the water.
Leisure Services Director Corder was viewing the situation
on Saturday. They are going to do some adjustments as they
go. He thinks some property signage with right verbiage
will help the situation. They will adjust it as they go to
make it work.
Councilman Cooper asked if there is presently anything
limiting the length of the boat. He could never put his
boat in there because it just wasn't deep enough. Leisure
Services Director Corder stated there really wouldn't be
anything they would be able to do to limit the size. That
would be up to the individual if they had a large boat
whether they wanted to take a chance or not and launch it
there.
Leisure Services Director Corder agreed to continue to
monitor the situation.
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There was a brief discussion about a boat wash and a fish
cleaning area being in prior plans for Kennedy Park. City
Manager Barlow commented on the ordinance that talks about
parks, which is one of the ones they want to refresh which
they have to refresh anyway to work on some of the language
that allows animals in the park as well. When they open up
that ordinance, they could talk about some language about
where you can and can't clean fish.
Councilwoman Bennington thanked Councilwoman Rhodes for the
Pension Board. She went to her first meeting and she felt
a little lost at first and then it started all coming
together. It was very interesting and she could see why
she would want to get off of it. They are moving forward.
They are in the process of unbundling and hopefully within
three to six months they will be out of the fund we are in
if everything goes all right.
7 . CONSENT AGENDA
A. Authorization to permit the Department of
Children and Families (DCF) use of available
office space in the Criminal Investigations
Building
B. Agreement with the Florida Department of Health,
Volusia County Health Department for Rabies
Control Activities
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve the Consent Agenda,
second by Councilwoman Bennington.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No. 2009-R-14, Approving the Mid Year
Amended Budget for the City for Fiscal Year 2008-
2009
City Attorney Ansay read Res. 2009-R-14 into the record.
Finance Director McKinney made a staff presentation by
going over the amendments to the budget. They are reducing
the overall budget by $638,391.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2 009
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas
entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Bennington moved to approve Res. 2009-R-14,
second by Counci~woman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
B. 2nd Reading, Ordinance No. 2009-0-01, City of
Edgewater requesting an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan to include the Water Supply
Plan
City Attorney Ansay read Ord. 2009-0-01 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. He
explained after the first reading, they transmitted to DCA
and St. Johns. They make comments and come back. They
affect those comments in there. Since they published this
one, Darren received a few more comments from St. Johns.
He asked him to come to the microphone and put those on
record and for Council to make those part of the motion to
adopt this.
Development Services Director Darren Lear informed Council
Peter Brown from St. Johns contacted him late Thursday and
said they had more things for the City to do. The first
one is from Figure 1 of the Water Supply Plan itself it is
showing Utility Service Area. They asked for them to also
show the County's Utility Service Area, which is what is
shown in the lower right of the hatched area. In the
tables, also in the Water Supply Plan itself, in the far
right on the upper table, the CUP allocation, they had just
transposed some numbers so they asked them to fix those as
well as a footnote because there was a conflict with the
footnote below it. Next is from the Quentin Hampton
document, which is the City's backup for the Water supply
Plan, the far right, the CUP allocations, they fixed those
as well. They asked for in the potable water element in
Policy 1.2.4 about four lines down. He read "The City
shall require the Restoration developer to participate in
the development of facilities currently anticipated to be
the addition of four Floridan aquifer wells, storage tank
and pump station." They asked them to add the words raw
water transmission lines. They did that as well. He asked
for these to be identified in the motion.
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Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas
entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ord. 2009-0-01
in clouding the changes made by Darren Lear for St. Johns
River Water Management District, second by Councilman
Cooper.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
C. 2nd Reading, Ordinance No. 2009-0-02, Amending
Chapter 5 (Animals and Fowl) of the Code of
Ordinances
City Attorney Ansay read Ord. 2009-0-02 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation regarding
changes made between the first and second reading of the
ordinance with regard to venomous snakes.
Councilman Cooper questioned if the owner or the City would
be held accountable to make sure they have anti-venom
available. City Manager Barlow informed him there was
nothing he was aware of that requires any responsible
organization including hospitals to have certain quantities
or enough anti-venom if they know that type of venomous
snake is in the City. Councilman Cooper feels if they know
they have and are going to allow venomous snakes that it
would behoove them to have the anti-venom. City Manager
Barlow stated most anti-venoms can only be administered by
the doctor any how. Mayor Thomas stated and that has to be
updated every so often. Councilwoman Rhodes commented on
the liability to the City. City Manager Barlow was pretty
sure hospitals have policies and they know where the anti-
venom is and is stored. Jack Corder had the State send a
list of those animals that must be registered with the
State to us and we don't have any within the City of
Edgewater. We have one pretty far west of town but it
doesn't say what type of animal it is. Mayor Thomas asked
if we had any poisonous venomous reptile owners in the
City. City Manager Barlow stated not that they are aware
of.
Mayor Thomas asked City Attorney Ansay when the State makes
those rules its sort of like a guideline. He wanted to
know why they are backing off on being more restrictive
than the State is. City Attorney Ansay commented on
Page 16 of 16
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
comparing the City's relationship and regulating with the
State. It is different than a voluntary private club
verses a State regulation. When it comes to local
governments in particular cities and their ability to
regulate, there is a legal concept called preemption which
means there are some subjects where essentially a higher
power, be it in this case the State government, and
sometimes this comes in with Federal law as well where the
law comes in at the State level and specifically regulates
a subject and therefore takes the ability of the local
governments' authority to regulate that away. She further
commented on there being two types of preemption, express
preemption and implied preemption. She is unable to find
any cities that have gone further. Her advice to the City
Manager was there is no clear-cut answer on whether they
can or can't regulate it. Her opinion to Council is unless
this is a real problem she doesn't think Edgewater wants to
be the test case to run up through the court system on
whether or not they can ban reptiles when they have no
problem when the cities that do have a problem said they
aren't willing to do it.
Councilwoman Bennington stated with the State controlling
they know who has what animals where supposedly. Mayor
Thomas stated if they are registered.
Councilwoman Bennington stated any time the City wants to
find out if there is any type of venomous or dangerous
animal, they can contact the State and they will provide
the City with that information. City Manager Barlow
informed her that was correct and that the City is also
going to require the venomous snakes be registered locally
as well.
Councilwoman Bennington asked about the snakes that are
non-venomous. City Manager Barlow informed her the only
ones that are required to register are venomous. Any
animals in the various classifications have to be
registered with the State and we can get that list.
someone from the City of Edgewater comes up on that
they can make an effort to talk to them to find out
type within that classification of animal they have
knowledge purposes. They can't regulate beyond what
State has already regulated essentially.
When
list
what
for
the
Page 17 of 17
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Councilman Cooper asked if they know if the State
regulation mandates that they have the anti-venom. Mayor
Thomas stated they don't have to.
Councilwoman Bennington commented on a pet store that was
on Canal Street years ago west of the railroad tracks that
were selling cougar cubs. All they said was you pay the
money and take it home. Mayor Thomas stated those have to
be regulated also. Councilwoman Bennington stated they
were supposed to but back then they didn't care. They were
thinking about getting one and started looking into it and
decided against it.
Mayor Thomas spoke of a lady in Florida Shores who owned
two cougars and she let them go once in a while and they
responded often.
Councilwoman Bennington stated even though it was supposed
to be state regulated this was a shop that was selling them
and not telling the people what is required. She was sure
that happened with the reptiles.
Leisure Services Director Corder stated currently we have
one pet store in town. The owner was present tonight. He
had conversations with the owner. The reptiles of concern,
he thought there were six, she isn't licensed to sell and
does not sell those. She is also educating the public that
anybody that does have one does need to have a permit.
They are going to start an aggressive educational campaign
with Animal Control that they need to be permitted so they
can find out if anyone has anything in town or not.
City Manager Barlow continued his presentation by referring
to Page 3-2(e) regarding an animal being leashed and
controlled when it is off the property. Councilman Cooper
had recommended they include "physically" controlled at all
times when it is not secured on the property. He spoke of
an instance in Pelican Cove West where a lady was concerned
with someone tying a dog to a bike and riding around and
not physically controlling the dog and the dog could break
free before they could react. He asked Councilman Cooper
if he thought this would address that complaint.
Councilman Cooper didn't know and would have to ask the
City Attorney. He doesn't know what the legalize was.
City Manager Barlow recommended if they put physically
controlled they would actually have to hold the leash.
Page 18 of 18
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Councilwoman Rhodes felt that the dog would knock the
person off the bike long before Animal Control every gets
anywhere near it.
Councilwoman Bennington felt if they just put in physically
controlled they are taking away the dogs that are very well
trained that can be controlled verbally. They are being
prejudicial against those dogs and people that have those
dogs. City Manager Barlow stated they have a leash law now
anyhow. Councilwoman Rhodes stated they have always had a
leash law. City Manager Barlow stated they have always had
the leash law. They have to be on a leash even if they are
being obedient. Councilwoman Bennington questioned why
they have to say physically controlled if they have a leash
law. Councilwoman Rhodes thinks if they are being
physically controlled they don't have to have the word
leash in there.
City Attorney Ansay stated if the goal is to prevent
anybody from having a dog tied to their bike and riding,
she would say there is a way to address that. The issue is
once the dog goes out of control she thinks it is covered
now. She didn't think they needed the word physically.
Once the dog takes off and knocks the bike over and bites
someone or bites another dog he is no longer controlled.
If they want somebody to have a leash in their hand at all
times, that is a different issue.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated they could have a leash in your
hand and ride a bike. There is no way to legislate.
Mayor Thomas asked for citizens comments.
Kelly Pyle, 126 wildwood Avenue, owner of Animal Aholic Pet
Store at 2115 S. Ridgewood Avenue, had a petition signed by
89 Edgewater citizens who own non-venomous, non-indigenous,
not reptiles of concern, small reptiles. Ms. Pyle read the
petition. She then referred to Page 5 of the Florida Fish
& Wildlife Office of General Counsel Memorandum dated May
17, 2007 regarding local ordinances and the regulation of
captive wildlife. She understands the Council's issue with
safety for public officials. She thinks it would hinder
normal people who have little lizards and little pythons.
Councilman Cooper asked Ms. Pyle if there is anything in
the ordinance or the licensuring that they are required to
have the anti-venom. Ms. Pyle informed him she doesn't
Page 19 of 19
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
have a venomous license. It isn't something she would
never do but it's not what she has right now. She doesn't
sell venomous and doesn't have venomous. Gene Lamier does
and he would know more about the venomous regulations.
Gene Lamier, 1728 Willow Oak Drive, stated they are not
required to have anti-venom on site if they have venomous
reptiles in their possession. Councilman Cooper asked if
he notifies the particular EVAC and hospitals of those
reptiles and would they automatically fill the void. Mr.
Lamier informed him there is a place in Ft. Lauderdale that
has all the anti-venom necessary for all venomous reptiles
that are known to man to this day. Usually they can get
them anywhere in the country within a couple of hours.
There are some times when you don't have a couple of hours.
Councilman Cooper stated an indigenous coral snake gives
you seven minutes. Mr. Lamier pointed out it depends on
the size, weight and health at the time. There are so many
determining factors as far as time is concerned.
Bill Glaser, 1703 Needle Palm Drive, commented on a few
years ago when a house across the street from him had an
eight foot constrictor and one day the snake decided it
would try and make a great escape and was coming towards
his house. He asked if he shot somebody's pet if he would
be in trouble. Mayor Thomas informed him they couldn't
discharge a firearm in the City limits. Mr. Glaser asked
about a shovel or a pick or whatever. City Manager Barlow
informed him it would be a civil matter at that point and
there could be animal cruelty charges as well from the
City. It depends on the situation. It is hard to
hypothetically say.
Mayor Thomas stated he knows the Fish & Wildlife has the
regulatory powers over wildlife and fresh water aquatic
life. He thinks what the intention of the law was to not
let a City say they could have all they want. He respects
City Attorney Ansay and the way she put it, it's different
than that and he will have to go with her.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to adopt Ord. 2009-0-02, second
by Councilman Cooper.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
Page 20 of 20
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
D. 2nd Reading, Ordinance No. 2009-0-03, Amending
Chapter 10 (Health and Sanitation) of the Code of
Ordinances
City Attorney Ansay read Ord. 2009-0-03 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Councilwoman Bennington stated the agenda package weighs a
ton. 99% of what they have is duplication of what they
already have. She doesn't need to be reading this allover
again and doesn't need to be carrying it around allover
again. It is a waste of time, money and paper. Why can't
they have a summary of just the ordinance or resolution
that they are approving and a summary from staff without
all of the added paper, especially on second reading?
Councilwoman Rhodes could understand getting it on first
reading but also didn't find it necessary for the second
reading.
City Attorney Ansay explained on this particular one there
have been some slight modifications and that is often times
the case. Councilwoman Bennington asked to just get a
summary of the changes. City Attorney Ansay guessed a
separate document could be created that would outline the
changes.
Councilwoman Bennington then asked when they have bids, do
they have to have a whole copy of the whole package of the
bid that went out and all of the answers. Why can't they
just have a summary? If they as individual Councilmembers
want more they can ask for it.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated that is the way it used to be.
When new Councilmembers came on they asked that it be like
this.
City Manager Barlow stated they could be flexible. He
asked Council to direct himself and City Clerk Wenzel and
they can put together the agenda packages the way Council
wants them. He supports going more green and being more
efficient because it also saves staff time as well.
City Attorney Ansay felt it was important to distinguish
between whether everybody is given a piece of paper verses
whether they actually are provided it and read it. A lot
Page 21 of 21
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
of this stuff is posted electronically. Councilwoman
Rhodes felt then they could go online and read it. City
Attorney Ansay felt they needed to be careful when they
reach a point where they are boiling everything down to a
one-page summary and Council has to make decisions on it
that is when they start getting into issues. She also
mentioned other cities being provided their agenda packet
on a CD.
Councilwoman Bennington stated she was particularly aiming
at second readings of stuff and bids.
City Manager Barlow stated each Councilperson is different
and unique in their own way as far as whether they have
computers or not. He asked Council to communicate to the
City Clerk exactly what they would like to see in their
particular agenda packet. They will aim to please and make
that happen.
City Manager Barlow also informed Council their ultimate
goal is they will either have a monitor or laptop at the
dais that will help reduce the paper reduction. They have
some of the infrastructure but don't have all of it yet.
He is hoping to have it all in place before the end of this
year.
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas opened
and closed the public hearing and entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper moved to approve Ord. 2009-0-03, second
by Councilwoman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
E. 2nd Reading, Ordinance No. 2009-0-04, Amending
Chapter 21 (Land Development Code) of the Code of
Ordinances
City Attorney Ansay read Ord. 2009-0-04 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas opened
and closed the public hearing and entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ord. 2009-0-04, second
by Councilwoman Bennington.
Page 22 of 22
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
The MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
F. Resolution No. 2009-R-ll, Adopting a Water System
Business plan for the Alan R. Thomas Water
Treatment Plant New Water Supply Wells as
required by the Department of Environmental
Protection
City Attorney Ansay read Res. 2009-R-ll into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas opened
and closed the public hearing and entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper moved to approve Res. 2009-R-ll, second
by Counci~ woman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
G. Resolution No. 2009-R-12, Adopting a Water System
Business Plan for the Southeast Water Storage and
Pump Station as required by the Department of
Environmental Protection
City Attorney Ansay read Res. 2009-R-12 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no further comments, Mayor Thomas opened
and closed the public hearing and entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Res. 2009-R-12, second
by Counci~n Cooper.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
H. Resolution No. 2009-R-13, City of Edgewater's
intention to continue to cooperate with Volusia
jurisdictions to achieve smart growth and to
consider participating in a process to develop
Smart Growth Joint Planning Agreements
This item was discussed earlier on the agenda.
9. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Page 23 of 23
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
A. Planning and Zoning Board - Councilwoman Rhodes'
appointment due to the expired term of William
Miller, who seeks reappointment
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to reappoint William Miller to
the P~anning and Zoning Board, second by Counci~woman
Bennington.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
B. Citizen Code Enforcement Board - Councilwoman
Rogers' appointment due to the resignation of
Lawrence Leaf
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to continue this until the July
meeting due to Counci~woman Rogers not being present,
second by Counci~n Cooper.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
10. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Bid Award for 09-FR-001, Authorization to award
and purchase a transport capable rescue vehicle
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no Councilor public comment, Mayor
Thomas entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper made a motion to authorize the City
Manager to execute the vehic~e bid award to Ten-8 Fire
Equipment ror the amount or $204,980, second by
Counci~woman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
B. Bid Award for 09-CM-001, Award Bid Proposal for
Wrecker/Towing Services
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
City Attorney Ansay pointed out for the record there was an
add on document that is before Council that had some
revisions to the contract that she incorporated in there
included in the document that staff had placed before them.
Page 24 of 24
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
She asked Council to include in the motion any changes that
are contained within the revised agreement.
Due to there being no Councilor public comment, Mayor
Thomas entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Bennington made a motion to approve the bid to
Edgewater Garage Inc. with the amendment that the City
Attorney has given them, second by Councilwoman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
C. Road Resurfacing - Approval to resurface roads as
budgeted, piggybacking Volusia County's Bid in
the amount of $124,500.00
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no Councilor public comment, Mayor
Thomas entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper moved to approve the use of budgeted
funds to pave roads and piggyback the Volusia County bid in
an amount not to exceed $124,500, second by Councilwoman
Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
D. 4th of July Parking - Event License Agreements for
the use of vacant property located at the corner
of Lamont and North Ridgewood Avenue and property
within the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery for the
4th of July fireworks
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no Councilor public comment, Mayor
Thomas entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper moved to approved attached agreement and
authorize Mayor to execute, second by Councilwoman
Bennington.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 - 0 .
Page 25 of 25
Council Regular Meeting
June IS, 2009
E. Kennedy Park Change Order - Approval of the
Change Order for $36,795.55 to Allegiance
Contracting
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Andrew Giannini, Quentin L. Hampton Associates, commented
on City Staff and his firm going back and forth on the
different surfaces. He spoke of changes in the quantities
and he just kind of left some things out.
Councilwoman Rhodes questioned if they had a final design.
Mr. Giannini informed her they did. Councilwoman Rhodes
felt they should have been able to calculate how much
asphalt they needed. Mr. Giannini stated true.
Councilwoman Rhodes informed him it was their fault and
they needed to pay. Mr. Giannini stated he would take the
blame. The quantities that are in place, they got what
they paid for. If the quantities were correct in the
beginning it would have been the same as it is now.
City Manager Barlow stated Councilwoman Rogers contacted
him this afternoon and expressed concerns with this change
order as well similar to some of the things Councilwoman
Rhodes has already addressed of whose fault and who is
funding some of that fault.
Councilman Cooper stated what he is hearing is Mr. Giannini
has accepted the mistake and is willing to pay the
additional $36,795.55. Mr. Giannini confirmed he was not
saying that.
Councilwoman Rhodes felt if they would have had a copy of
the contract it would have been helpful. City Manager
Barlow asked her if she was talking about the bid or the
contract with Quentin Hampton, which is a continuing
services agreement and wouldn't be specific on some of that
unless they talked about it. He referred to errors and
omissions.
Councilman Cooper asked if it was anything the City changed
midstream after Quentin Hampton made their estimates.
Leisure Services Director Corder stated the final plans
were done and the bid specs were put together. The final
tally that they used for the footage for the asphalt was
what everybody bid on. The odd part of this is is they had
the plans where everyone could have done their own
Page 26 of 26
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
measuring. They had the specs where they put a certain
amount in there. All of the contractors did not catch the
difference either.
Councilwoman Rhodes felt it's not the contractors'
catch it. It's Quentin Hampton's job to catch it.
were paid to do a job and didn't do it.
job to
They
Mr. Giannini stated in defense the quantities taken off are
an estimate. Sometimes people make mistakes. They have
gotten everything. They did not get shorted anything.
Even if it was correct the amount would be what it is
today.
Councilman Cooper asked what the engineering fee was for
this job. Leisure Services Director Corder informed
Council the fee was about $15,000. Councilwoman Rhodes
felt they should give them some money off the engineering
fee since we are getting the asphalt and it is our asphalt.
She feels they should give them a portion of their fee back
because they messed them up. It's their fault. She feels
to pay them to make a mistake is not fair. She feels they
should negotiate a 10% reduction on the fees they charged
the City because they made a mistake and it cost the City
money. Mayor Thomas asked if he was authorized to do that
tonight. Mr. Giannini informed him no. Councilwoman
Rhodes felt they should let City Manager Barlow handle that
if Council agrees that should occur.
City Manager Barlow suggested he could talk to the powers
to be at Quentin Hampton and he could calculate and put a
price on what kind of burden an additional staff time
including the finance to make these adjustments to the
budget and use that figure to be able to reimburse. He
stated Mr. Giannini is correct. Had the estimated
quantities been correct the final bid project would have
been the additional $36,000 so they would have been there.
The only damage done now is it is additional burden on
staff time to make those corrections in house.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated had that $36,000 been in the
original bid they might not have done the project. They
might have not been able to afford it but they never had
that option.
Councilman Cooper stated obviously a mistake was made and
he would like to hear what Quentin Hampton's people offer
back as to what they deem would be a viable fix.
Page 27 of 27
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
City Manager Barlow questioned the effect this would have
on the grants because they have grants attached to this.
Councilwoman Rhodes suggested they pay this and then
negotiate. Leisure Services Director Corder was also going
to suggest that.
City Manager Barlow agreed to negotiate with the powers to
be at Quentin Hampton for some type of reduction or credit.
Councilman Cooper moved to approve the change order for
$36,795.55 to A~~egiance Contracting Inc. under the
understanding the mistake wi~~ be negotiated with the City
Manager, second by Counci~woman Rhodes.
The MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
Mayor Thomas stated understanding the concern of the heavy
packet, he asked if they needed to go back to two meetings
a month. City Manager Barlow commented on it being the
content that was put in the agenda making it a heavy
agenda. Councilwoman Rhodes stated it wasn't that it was
such a long agenda it was just the packet was so massive.
City Manager Barlow commented on budget hearings that will
be coming up.
11. OFFICER REPORTS
A. City Clerk
City Clerk Wenzel commented on having the Florida League of
Cities Annual Conference coming up on August 13th - 15th and
asked if any of the Council would be attending. Of anybody
would be attending she needed to be told who the voting
delegate would be. She asked to be told as soon as
possible if anyone is interesting in going.
Mayor Thomas, Councilwoman Bennington and Councilman Cooper
would possibly be attending.
B. City Attorney
City Attorney Ansay had nothing at this time.
C. City Manager
Page 28 of 28
Council Regular Meeting
June IS, 2009
City Manager Barlow informed Council they advertised for a
Planning Consultant. The opening will be August 14th. He
would like Council to appoint one Councilperson to sit on
the Review Committee, which would interview the firms that
submit. Councilwoman Bennington offered to do it if nobody
else wanted to.
It was the consensus of Council to allow Councilwoman
Bennington to sit on the Review Committee for the Planning
Consultant.
City Manager Barlow also requested permission to allow him
to solicit one County Councilperson to also serve on the
Committee. He has spoken to our local rep and he would be
interested.
It was the consensus of Council for City Manager Barlow to
solicit one County Councilperson to serve on the Review
Committee for the Planning Consultant.
City Manager Barlow informed Council Development Services
Director Darren Lear would be chairing that Committee and
they would also have one representative from the Planning
and Zoning Board and Economic Development Board as well.
Councilwoman Rhodes suggested possibly having someone from
the County's Planning Department as well. City Manager
Barlow informed her when you get too big it gets too
complicated to coordinate schedules.
City Manager Barlow wanted direction from Council on
consideration of various Economic Stimulus initiatives that
they could present to businesses to attract them to
Edgewater. He mentioned some of the incentives that other
cities are offering. He asked Council to provide him with
some things they would consider.
Councilwoman Bennington would consider waiving the police
impact because it is a business and businesses don't have
the impact that residential does. She would also consider
waiving the recreation impact fee. Development Services
Director Lear informed her the recreation impact fee only
covers residential.
Councilwoman Rhodes would be willing to do whatever other
cities are doing. She feels they need to be competitive.
Page 29 of 29
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
She feels they need an edge and whatever it takes to get
that edge is what they need to do.
City Manager Barlow reminded Council they weren't giving
him permission to waive anything. He would bring each one
of those individual projects back to Council in resolution
form and they would put their fingerprints on that.
City Manager Barlow commented on having the Planning
Consultant work on looking at some economic incentives.
City Manager Barlow commented on utilizing the current
auditor for about four years. He needed direction from
Council if they wanted to go out for bids. Councilwoman
Rhodes stated go out for bids. City Manager Barlow agreed
to do that. He also informed them they could re-bid on it
as well.
Councilwoman Rhodes thinks it is a good idea to change
auditors and better for transparency if every so often they
change auditors.
City Manager Barlow informed her they would start that
process very soon and see what they receive on proposals.
City Manager Barlow stated they are working with our
financial advisor and the representative from our bank at
looking at some different strategizing opportunities as it
relates to restructuring some of our debt based on some of
the shortfalls in revenue we have coming up. They may down
the road see a presentation and some opportunities to
restructure based on the advice of our finance advisor.
This is not adding any new debt. This is restructuring the
debt, which could yield a lower interest rate. They may
have to extend the term of some of that debt just to be
able to continue debt payments without affecting services a
great deal at the same time trying to keep our taxes
currently where they are with the millage rate.
City Manager Barlow commented on the preliminary results
from the Property Appraiser. On an estimate he thought it
was like $877,000 shortfall just in ad valorem property
taxes, which doesn't include all the other State Revenue
Funds we get that they are also expecting a reduction in.
He also spoke of not having the ParkTowne payment this year
as this year will be the last one. Next year's budgeting
process is going to be extremely challenging.
Page 30 of 30
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
City Manager Barlow stated New Smyrna Beach is currently
advertising for a federal lobbyist. They are looking to do
an RFP to do some interviews and put one on retainer for
times they need a federal lobbyist as it relates to some of
these stimulus packages and anything on a federal level.
New Smyrna Beach asked if Port Orange and Edgewater would
be interested to have them listed as part of the RFP
process. They wouldn't pay for anything unless they use
the services. If Council is interested he can give New
Smyrna Beach the nod and say to put our name on there and
that they may be interested.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated yes if it is worth their while.
City Manager Barlow thinks it would be. If they don't use
them they don't use them.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated if they use them are they going
to get them enough to pay for using them. City Manager
Barlow stated that is part of just establishing that and
knowing how much that cost is and evaluating that cost
benefit analysis out on each individual initiative they ask
them to go and start beating on the desk for.
Councilman Cooper expressed concern with there being a
conflict of interest.
City Attorney Ansay stated unfortunately with lobbyists a
lot of this stuff is not very clear. They would have to
clearly make sure the City has no exposure and then she
thinks it would be ultimately up to the City whether they
thought it would be appropriate for them to use that
lobbyist for any given engagement when they thought perhaps
they would be in competition with New Smyrna Beach, she
would say they don't use that lobbyist in that particular
case. If there is no cost at this point it's probably not
a bad idea just to have them there.
Councilman Cooper felt if City Attorney Ansay felt
confident the City wasn't obligated then in each situation
take it as it comes. He understands the lobbyist wants to
say he is controlling that large of a population. He
understands how they work.
It was the consensus of Council to include Edgewater in the
RFP process as long as they are not obligated.
Page 31 of 31
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
12. CITIZEN COMMENTS
The following citizens spoke:
Bob McIntosh, 2921 Sabal Palm Drive, feels the lobbyist is
a good idea. He urged them to be aware that it is costly
and that every grant they apply for now if they use a
lobbyist even in the remotest possibility they have to tell
the grant people they are using a lobbyist and they have to
fill out the forms for using a lobbyist and they are quite
lengthy.
Councilman Cooper clarified that if Edgewater is on this
list as a piggyback, then indirectly he is Edgewater's
lobbyist. Mr. McIntosh informed him that was correct.
Councilman Cooper felt that contradicted what he asked
previously.
City Manager Barlow agreed to do some research on that.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated if they don't pay him any money
then he isn't their lobbyist. Mr. McIntosh stated if he
has Edgewater's name on the list and they don't put their
name when they ask them and they apply for the money and
they ask them specifically are you related to any lobbyist,
it doesn't have to be federal.
City Manager Barlow stated if he is lobbying for a grant
for the City of Edgewater verses lobbying to have a
bazillion dollars put in the HMGP grant fund and we
independently compete for that as it is divvied up through
out is a different animal. Mr. McIntosh stated the only
thing he is looking at is it says relationship.
Councilman Cooper stated he could conceivably say he was
working for you too and you have no way of proving he
wasn't.
City Manager Barlow agreed to do some more research with
City Attorney Ansay on this and get the legal opinion on
that. If that is factual and that is the concern they can
back off until he comes back and brings direction.
Bill Glaser, 1703 Needle Palm Drive, was wondering if he
could get a copy of the impromptu, unbiased third party
traffic survey that was done a couple of weeks ago.
Page 32 of 32
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
City Manager Barlow asked Brenda if Rusty ever finished the
count on that street. He asked if they kept a copy of it
or if he gave everything he had to the Mayor. Mayor Thomas
stated he still had it at the house. He still thinks it
was unfair because they took his on Friday, which is a
heavy volume of traffic and they did his street on Monday,
when all of the rains came. That was the first day when
they were telling everyone to stay home and not drive. He
didn't think it was fair but he has the numbers if Mr.
Glaser wants them.
Mr. Glaser asked if there was a status of the 30-year-old
petition they turned in a couple months ago. City Manager
Barlow asked him if he was talking about the dust reduction
petition and to pave the roads to keep the dust down. Mr.
Glaser stated stop signs, something to control the traffic
on a street. They still have ten times more traffic than
anybody north of the Boulevard. City Manager Barlow didn't
have a status on that.
City Manager Barlow asked if 16th Street was one of the ones
Council just approved for repaving. Councilman Cooper
informed him yes. City Manager Barlow felt that may help
alleviate some of the traffic.
Mr. Glaser asked City Manager Barlow if he got the e-mail
he sent him asking for interpretation by the City Attorney.
City Manager Barlow stated he had just provided a copy of
his e-mail from June 10th to City Attorney Ansay today.
City Attorney Ansay stated she has to speak with the City
Manager. Typically it is the City Councilor the City
Manager that asks her to look into research questions so
she just needs to know what he needs her to do.
13 . ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Councilwoman
Rhodes moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:24
p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Bloomer
Page 33 of 33
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
Attest:
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Page 34 of 34
Council Regular Meeting
June 15, 2009
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AUDITOR
PRESENTATION
YEAR ENDED 9/30/08
MCDlRMIT III DAVIS
n.nnFO PL;m,K" An:nt)1t,,"'TA.1'rm> Ap.,;n AOVlSlJIU
)MD&A
. City's assets exceeded liabilities by $91
million, a decrease of $2.4 million.
. 81 % is investment in capital assets, net of
related debt.
. Capital assets decreased $3.6 million,
primarily because of $6 million in
depreciation. There was an increase in CIP
of $1.7 million for Parktowne Phase II.
r FUND FIN~NCIAL STATEMENTS
. Fund balance in General Fund decreased by
almost $20,000. Total expenditures and
transfers out exceeded budget by $81,000.
. Fund balances in Other Governmental Funds
decreased by $2.4 million, primarily in the
Transportation Impact Special Revenue and
General Construction Capital Projects Funds,
due to capital expenditures.
( HIGHLlG:TS
. Certificate of Achievement for 2007 report
. Independent Auditor's Report unqualified
. Audit Reports in Other Reports Section state
that City is in compliance with laws and
regulations, however there is a significant
deficiency in internal control.
. Management letter states that there were
three current year comments.
~
. Debt decreased $4 million due to required
debt payments being made.
. Comparison of revenues and expenses for
2008 and 2007 on page 15 shows $1.3
million transfer out of governmental to
business-type in 2008 to eliminate negative
cash balance in Stormwater Fund.
I
FINANCIAL CONDITION
. Auditor General requires financial condition
assessment procedures
. AG financial indicators look at trends in the City as
well as compare to other cities
. Edgewater has 9 inconclusive ratios out of 18 total
because trend within the City looks good but
compared to benchmark looks bad.
. There is only one unfavorable ratio which is due to
deficit of revenue over expenditures in governmental
funds.
VCOG Smart Growth Initiative
Status Report
Prepared for
City of Edgewater
June 15,2009
What is Smart Growth?
Generally recognized principles
. Mixed uses
. Compact developmenl
. Create housing opportunities and choices
. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong
sense of place
Recent Volusia Smart Growth
History
. Smal1 Growth [mplemell1atiofl Committee 2004-
2005
. Protect the environmental core
. Appropriately direct development
. Develop livable communities
. Ensure the continued existence of al,'ricuhure
. Meet the infrastructure needs of growth
. Inte!,'l'ate education
. Integrate economic development
What is Smart Growth?
Generally recognized principles
. Preserve opell space, farmlalld, IIatural beauty alld
critical ellvirollmelltal areas - FIRST
. Provide transportation options
. Strengthen existing communities and direct development
to them
. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration
Recent Volusia Smart Growth
History
· Smart Growth Summits 2003 -- 2004
Recent Volusia Smart Growth
History
City and County Resolutions
Endorsing Map A (Now ECO) 2007
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1
Recent Volusia Smart Growth
History
VCOG Smart Growth Commillee Charge to the TAC
2008 - 2009
. Develop tools to implement and protect the ECO -- initial
focus
. Plan in a smart growth way for areas outside ECO
Conservation Development
Recommendations
. Directed to all Volusiajurisdictions with
significant rural or undeveloped lands
. Intended to inform the policies and actions of
these jurisdictions with regard to rural lands
Conservation Development
Recommendations
Highlights
. Conserve all wetlands and 50% of uplands within ECO/at
least 50% oftolal parcel outside ofECO
. Permanent protection of open space by easement
. Open space may be conservation. conservation-compatible
a!,'Ticulture. or passive recreation
. Require inside ECO, allow outside ECO
Four TAC Documents
. Conservation Development Recommendations
. Model Conservation Development Ordinance
. Smart Growth lP A Resolutions
. Model Smart Growth lP A
Conservation Development
Recommendations
Issues Addressed
Purpose and character of conservation development
Applicability
Open space -- protection, management and minimum required
. Incentives -- yield and density bonuses
Design standards
Infrastructure - roads, sewer and water
Streamlined application process
Conservation Development
Recommendations
Highlights
. Calculation of yield -- gross acreage divided by minimum
lot size in underlying zoning
. Discussion of explicit density bonuses
. Design flexibility to preserve rural character
. Where allowed should be as-of-right and require only
administrative approval
2
Model Conservation Ordinance
. Illustrates Conservation Development Recommendations
in ordinance fonn.
. Notes County approaches where these differ from T AC's
. Intended for jurisdictions interested in allowing
conservation development to adapt and adopt
Model Conservation
Development Ordinance
Highlights
. Process
- Early consultation through pre-application process
- Staff input and feed back
- Conceptual plan
- Required infonnation
. Recommended Design Guidelines
. Five-step process
Model Smart Growth Resolution
. Intended to be adapted and adopted by interested
jurisdictions
Model Conservation
Development Ordinance
Highlights
. Purpose
. Where required
. Number of units
. Design standards for
- Open space
-ECO
- Conservation areas
- Development
Model Smart Growth Resolution
. States a jurisdiction's interest in:
- Initiating Smart Growth JPA development
. Continued Sman Growth discussions
. Outlines
- Purpose of subsequent Smart Growth !PA
- Issues that may be addressed
- Character of process to be used
Model Smart Growth JPA
. Provides a model outline that lists issues that may be
addressed in a Smart Growth lP A
. Provides menus of strategies that jurisdictions may use to
address the issues
. Not intended for adoption -- intended as a resource
document for jurisdictions working on Smart Growth lP As
3
I.
Model Smart Growth JPA
Issues Addressed
Joint Vision
Areas of mutual interest
Land uses and development patterns, including conservation and
agriculture
Public facilities -- infrastructure, concurrency. schools
Financial feasibility
Process for implementing
Comprehensive Plan Language
. Significant iterative review of drafts from May to October
. Sounding board for different perspectives -- city, county.
landowner, and others
Transfer of Development Rights
. Considered range of variants
County and cities (some or all) participate
County only
Designated receiving areas
All increases in density in a jurisdiction
. Preliminary feasibility analysis (comparison ofavialable
units and demand)
. Possibility of RPC assistance in developing decision-
documents. when the time comes
Other TAC Work
. Input and refinement of County Smart Growth
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
. Exploration ofTDR possibilities
Comprehensive Plan Language
Issues Addressed
. Recognition of ECO in comprehensive plan
. Approaches to managing development on ECO land
. Policy authorization for conservation development
. ECO as sending area for any future TDR program
Transfer of Development Rights
. T AC chose to defer pursuing further until there is
a some experience with lP As and/or clearer
indication of interest
4
, .
Next Steps
yeGG resolution asking each jurisdiction to:
. Schedule introductory workshops
Recognize or acknowledge ECO in comprehensive
plans
. Indicate whether it has an interest in pursuing
conservation development
. Adopt a resolution indicating areas and/or issues of
interest for a Smart Growth JP A or continuing Smart
Growth discussions
Questions?
5
June 15,2009
Edgewater City Council Meeting Report - District #4 - Ted Cooper Councilmen
YMCA - Reporting that business is still down and they are below their expectations for the
"Strong Kids Campaign". Swimming has recently opened under new management for new
programs and continued programs. Donations are greatly appreciated and new membership is
always welcome.
MPO - Continued effort to support light rail even though the state legislature voted it down
again. Many city fathers believe light rail will offer opportunities to all surrounding cities.
Presently there have been some interest from another competing area; Cocoa Beach and
Melbourne have begun investigating Light Rail for potential in their area. This causes much
concern to our county council due to the expenses already incurred by the tax payer, for
surveys, studies, engineering, and site locations.
Due to the recent flooding in V olusia County due to the rain storms the Governor managed to
get our area deems a disaster area and eligible for Federal Funds. Over $68 Million was
reported in damage to our area. Citizens should be aware that help is available and if they
sustained any damage they should keep in touch with local authorities for any applications they
may need to file. The meeting was attended by Congressman Mica and his staff showing
support of our V olusia County officials. City Manager may expand on the Flood Damage and
status as he was attending a meeting at another location going on at the same time as the MPO
meeting which the Governor Attended.
A cooperative Meeting was held this month to address the growing airport traffic and noise
problems on the rise in our communities. Mayors from most of the local cities attended
including County Council Chairman Frank Bruno. I was asked to attend along with City
Manager Tracy Barlow to represent Edgewater. A consensus of the main complaints was noted,
along with lengthy conversation offering ideas and solutions. ERAD provided information.
regarding their simulator usage and how it cut over 30% of the required flight hours that new
pilots need for licensing. Rural Location was mentioned for building a landing strip for training
flights. Before the meeting ended a request to meet with all of the involved flight schools
presently using our air space and airports to open a dialog and sort out some of the suggestions.
This will commence later this month.
I wanted to offer a special thank you to all that attended the Memorial Day services held in our
area. American Legion Post #285 continues to do an outstanding job for those services. The
following week the #285 post held their first of a monthly flag disposal burning at the Veterans
Park. A professionally built disposal unit was constructed and donated by local businessmen
and private citizen, for their use in this ceremony. Flag collection receptacle is at the American
Legion Post's front door.