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01-05-1998 - Regular ~ ",., CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 5, 1998 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CENTER MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Allman called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the community Center. ROLL CALL Mayor Randy Allman councilman James Gornto Councilman Myron Hammond Councilman Gary Roberts Councilwoman Judith Lichter Interim city Attorney Nikki Clayton Interim City Manager Kenneth Hooper city Clerk Susan Wadsworth Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker Lieutenant William Britain Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present INVOCATION. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The invocation was delivered by Reverend Acheson, First Nazarene Church of New Smyrna Beach. There was a pledge of allegiance to the Flag. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES A. Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting Ms. Rickelman could not be present so this item was postponed until the next meeting. B. Councilman Gary Roberts for completion of 1997 Institute for Elected Municipal Officials Mayor Allman read a letter from Florida State University and presented Councilman Roberts with a certificate. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Special meeting of December 10. 1997 B. Regular meeting of December 15, 1997 C. Special meeting of December 17. 1997 D. Special meeting of December 22, 1997. recessed and reconvened December 23, 1997 Councilwoman Lichter stated on December 15th she talked to the point of what they call safe place and she thinks they need to put in the minutes the safe place for teenagers in Edgewater is the fire station. councilman Hammond made a motion to approve the above minutes, second by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5-0. ~ ..., CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (This is the time for the public to come forward with any comments they may have on any agenda items other than public hearings. Please state your name and address. and please limit your comments to five minutes or less.) John Moore, 2354 Fern Palm Drive, addressed Item 8B - Discussion - Methodology to appoint members to all advisory boards. He asked Council to not make any appointments until each individual board could review all applications, interview the applicants and to make their recommendations to Council as to who should be appointed. At a workshop on October 29th, he got the impression the Council was going to allow the boards to make recommendations to Council and that they would weigh the recommendation and possibly interview the people recommended before Council makes a final appointment. Mr. Moore stated at the November 6th Economic Development Board meeting, they sat down and made a list of some of the things that define who they are and who should sit on their board. They also came up with an addendum to the application, which was a list of questions they felt would help get a little more information about a person's background and what goals they have in mind for the City. At their December 11th meeting, they invited several of the applicants and interviewed them. It was his intention on January 8th to get a final vote on who they would recommend to Council. He hopes Council continues on with what was discussed at the workshop and at least give the boards a chance to make recommendations. If Council doesn't choose the applicants the board chooses, he feels it would be nice for Council to give some type of justification. Mr. Moore spoke about the group of people the Economic Development Board consists of and the board is not all from one district. They haven't even mentioned who is in what district. He is afraid that by politicizing these boards the Council is going to taint the results of the recommendations to Council. Ronald Harrison, Royal Palm Drive, spoke about two duplexes he owns being on 16th street and there not being any sewers on 16th street. He was wondering when and if sewers are ever going to be in on 16th street and why was it not put in when the whole plan was drawn up. Mayor Allman informed Mr. Harrison this is the time for agenda items only and at the end of the meeting they would address that. He informed Mr. Harrison they could also place it on the next agenda. Interim City Manager Hooper stated that is what they should do so they could research this. He asked Mr. Harrison to leave his name with City Clerk Wadsworth and he would contact him and place it on the agenda for the next meeting. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Allman had nothing at this time. Councilman Gornto had nothing at this time. Councilman Hammond had nothing at this time. Councilman Roberts brought up the school program he mentioned at the last meeting. He asked if the other Councilmembers have had time to consider it and whether they should endorse that program as a Council to help support the Edgewater Public. Councilwoman Lichter stated there is a gentleman in the audience that showed her from the same Elementary School a card that can be purchased for $10 where you get discounts at about ten establishments in town. Page -2- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 ,... , ..." Councilwoman Lichter stated if anyone has a having trouble reading, without cost to the help them in her house. She will tutor any reading free. first grader that is parents, she will child that needs help Councilman Roberts asked Council to show support for this program at least in the form of a letter signed by Councilmembers. He would like Principal Tucker to know he has some support. Councilman Roberts made a motion to send a letter letting Principal Tucker know the Council has received information on the program and that they support it and will do what they can to help them out, second by Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Councilman Hammond spoke about the article that was put in the newspaper by Bill Hill, News Journal. Councilman Roberts would like Council to consider possibly changing the name of the Land Development & Regulatory Agency. Most communities just identify it as a Planning & zoning Board. They also may want to consider reviewing its duties since it is a critical board in this community with the potential growth we have. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about Planning & Zoning commissions she has served on over the years. She feels when the new city Manager comes on board, that might be the time to look at that. She is not sure zoning and Planning, if he restructures, will be under the same department exactly. It might be an umbrella and two spokes of it. Mayor Allman suggested bringing that up after the new City Manager starts. Interim City Manager Hooper asked if Council wanted him to place this on the agenda for the first or second meeting in February. Mayor Allman stated the second meeting would be fine. Councilwoman Lichter stated she contacted Congressman Mica's office and asked them to send information on the heritage designation of the st. John's Waterway. She contacted Mike visconti to see if he would mind if she also got information for Keep America Beautiful. She would share this information with Council when it is received. She would like to see if there may be something concrete that they could go pursue some help for the Beautification & Tree Committee. PUBLIC HEARINGS. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS :. ~~:. ~~. ,98-R-01,Authorizing City Manager or his designee to _xec___ p__ilC deposltor reports to State of Florida Department of Insurance and Treasurer Mayor Allman read Res. No. 98-R-01. Interim city Attorney Clayton presented an explanation regarding the rules changing and now for cities or counties to supply deposits to the state they want a resolution authorizing the person's signature for the transfer to the state depository. This is merely a formality, a piece of paperwork that we are doing to comply. This is done maybe once a year. Councilman Gornto made a motion to approve Res. No. 98-R-01, second by Councilman Hammond. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Page -3- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 ~ ~ CONSENT AGENDA A. Request of Fire/Rescue Services to purchase 20 Draeger self- contained breathing apparatus upgrades at cost of $8,501.80 and dispose of outdated air packs by sale B. Appointment of Volunteer Deputy Fire/Rescue Chief Joseph Daly to serve as City's representative on Volusia 2020 Steering Committee Councilwoman Lichter made a motion to accept the consent agenda, second by Councilman Gornto. The motion CARRIED 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS A. Amendment No. 1 to Interim City Manager agreement Interim City Manager Hooper explained the addendum is to extend the current agreement for an additional eight weeks creating a new expiration date of February 27, 1998 for the Interim City Manager. Councilwoman Lichter made a motion to accept Amendment No.1, second by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5-0. B. Discussion - methodology to appoint members to all advisory boards Interim City Manager Hooper went over discussion regarding advisory board appointments on a rotation basis. He feels this will enable the Council to spread across the community and be able to select so you have a good balance across the community. He has seen this work in other entities as a smooth transition to work with the advisory boards. Councilwoman Lichter feels the rotation of appointments by the Council shows a representative type of government. She thinks a consensus of Council before appointing someone should be in order. She feels balancing the different districts should not be the main criteria but that qualifications should be. Councilman Gornto stated when you ask a committee of volunteers to spend the time they are spending, like the EDB, they have interviewed and gone to great lengths to try to be impartial and to bring someone on that advisory board that has the best interest of the City and the interest of that committee as a high priority. When this was discussed before, it was his feeling that was the way this Council was going to receive input from the community about appointments. If it was his appointment, he would yield to the committee probably unless he had some reason to believe there was something amiss, then he would feel obligated to state why he disagreed with their pick. He isn't really concerned that it takes a little longer to appoint someone if we get the right person for the committee and we get it from a group of people that understand the functioning of that committee. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about when it was her opportunity to make appointment, she would weigh heavily on what the board says. She feels it is distasteful to vote no to have someone appointed which is something she has done in the past. Page -4- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 ..... ..." Mayor Allman agreed with Councilwoman Lichter. He feels to say no to any volunteer is like slapping him in the face. Unfortunately, they are put in a position where they may have to do that now and again. He feels if they are going to ask for the board or committee's opinion, they should use their opinion to weigh their decision, not sway their decision. The final appointment falls with the Council. He feels on the rotating basis that would probably be the easiest way to solve it with the recommendation from the individual boards. Councilman Roberts feels it is good to get input from the board, but the members on the board at the time, it is not their responsibility to make appointments. We will take input, but it comes down to Council having to take responsibility of the people that sit on that board. He has no problem with the rotating of appointments scenario. Councilman Roberts asked if all the appointments over the years or at least since the Charter has been established have been done through voting or have there been appointments in the past. Interim City Manager Hooper commented on the procedure for board appointments in the past. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the City having so many different boards with so many various terms. She spoke about every board being inconsistent. She thinks what has been proposed could get us through in a fair manner such as listening to the boards, giving that good weight and having a rotating basis. Councilman Roberts again spoke about getting board recommendations from those that are sitting on the board. Some of these people are from other administrations and may have been sitting on the board for several years. That is good in some ways because then you have someone who has been established on the board and understands it, but on the other hand you can have people that have a totally different philosophy from the now sitting Council that wants to see the City go in a different direction. Interim City Manager Hooper stated if the consensus is to do this in a rotating form, he would place this on an agenda as a formal item and then list each board and do a random drawing that would start the order in which the selections would be made. He agreed to place this on the February 2nd agenda. C. Capital Improvement Projects FY-1997/98 Interim City Manager Hooper presented the background information for Capital Improvement Projects for FY 97/98 such as the Parks and Recreation facility - gymnasium complex, the Fire Station expansion, and the road resurfacing program. Interim City Manager Hooper is requesting approval of the gymnasium complex and the Fire station expansion. Councilwoman Lichter asked if she should bring up questions about the design of the gymnasium complex. Interim City Manager Hooper explained what they have in here is schematic. It isn't going to define anything other than it is 30,000 square feet. He briefly elaborated on what will be included in the complex. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about not having a place where large groups of people can have a wedding or a funeral, such as a hall. She feels a hall could be used as fundraising. She feels a kitchen should be included. She sees this more as a community center than just a gym. She envisions this hall to be upstairs, above the gym. Page -5- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 .... ..., Interim City Manager Hooper suggested when they have presentations from the engineers, that would be the time to let them know what they want done. Councilman Roberts stated where there will be different functions going on at the rec center, would they want to see a projected amount of money that would come in as user fees or rental fees. Interim City Manager Hooper stated Mr. Corder has made a prediction over what he thinks anticipated revenue would be. Councilman Roberts asked how they can establish a real number on revenue for this. Interim City Manager Hooper explained once they know the size of the gym, the components that will be there, and what types of uses are going to be allowed to be rented, he thinks they will be able to do that. Councilman Roberts spoke about revenue generated offsetting the cost and the total budget. Councilman Roberts listed some items he believes are included in the $1.16 million. Councilman Gornto questioned the budget including the effect of the withdrawal of $1.4 from the investable funds. If that is true surplus and is in cash form, then the surplus is invested on a daily basis. If you put it in a building you are going to lose the daily investment rate. Interim City Manager Hooper explained it is about 7% and it does take that into account. There was a brief discussion regarding the revenues going down because the interest earnings will be invested. Interim City Manager Hooper explained it is included in the $1.4 million. Councilman Roberts questioned the hiring of the architect and engineers going out for bids for proposals. Interim City Manager Hooper stated they have been advertised and there is a pre- proposal meeting on Friday. The actual presentation will be made to the City Council. Councilman Roberts stated since they are taking on not only the recreation program but the fire house, would they be wise to consider using the same engineering and architectural firm for both projects. Interim City Manager Hooper explained staff had talked of that but his reservation was there are very good architects/engineers for Fire stations and there are very good ones for planning a recreational facility but very rarely are they the same firm. We have suggested to Council that they advertise separately and hire someone who specializes in fire stations and someone that specializes in development of master plans, parks and permitting. Councilman Hammond made a motion to accept the gymnasium complex and fire station recommendations, second by Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0. D. Contract with Gee and Jensen for services related to new fire station Interim City Manager Hooper went over the background information pertaining to the fire station to be constructed at Hibiscus Drive and 27th street. Interim City Manager Hooper elaborated on the professional services agreement for design, permitting and construction phase services associated with the new fire station. Paul Herwig, Gee and Jensen, explained his firm is currently under construction with two fire stations in the City of Ocoee and they have designed at least twenty-five stations. He spoke about additional value added services that come with working with his firm. He agreed to answer any questions for Council. Page -6- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 ..... ....." Councilwoman Lichter asked about the ownership of documents. Mr. Herwig explained they would be able to use these plans again if they decided to build another fire station. Interim city Manager Hooper explained the plans we are getting reduce the expenses and cost because they are reused plans or plans very similar in other entities that they have provided drawings for. He spoke about all cities using the same plan saving money. Councilman Roberts asked if they have worked out the land acquisition situation with the land on Hibiscus Drive. He asked what is going on what that. Interim City Manager Hooper explained the Volunteers Association are talking to the realtors of the particular site. What is going to happen out of here is approval of the contract. The notice to proceed will only be issued once those particular four lots are acquired by the volunteers. The volunteers have indicated a willingness also to give the City the property in exchange for developing the entire site including drainage and parking of their site. Councilman Roberts asked if when those sites are acquired, it will encompass the whole block from 26th to 27th or will there be vacant lots left on that block. Fire Chief Bill Vola stated he is not sure. If there are any lots south of that they are under a different ownership. Interim City Manager Hooper stated he doesn't think it is the entire block. Councilwoman Lichter stated in other words, if we enter into this agreement this evening and make the motion, it is contingent upon the fact that we work out the agreement with the volunteer fire department. Interim City Manager Hooper stated that is correct. This authorizes the engineer to do work but only after we send them a notice to proceed that says now officially start. Councilwoman Lichter made a motion to enter into an agreement with the architectural firm of Gee and Jensen, Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc. for the building of the fire house on Hibiscus Drive to be contingent on the final agreement with the volunteer fire department, second by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Councilwoman Lichter stated she hopes there is a kitchen. E. Recommendation to appoint two members to Library Board due to expiration of terms of Jean Haughwout and Lilian Bond-Nelson Interim city Manager Hooper suggested this item be continued until the February 2nd meeting. This will be part of the rotating list. Councilwoman Lichter stated she contacted Robert W. Schmidt and he has already been placed on the Animal Control Board. F. Proposed contract with Kevin Grace for city Manager position (Draft to be provided at meeting) Interim City Manager Hooper stated they have negotiated on several occasions with Mr. Grace and he thinks they have come up with a contract that is for Council's consideration. It is basically a look alike of the one Mr. McMahon had. He stated Interim City Attorney Clayton has been involved in all of the negotiations and has prepared a list that would define those items that are similar and if there are any changes, those are underlined or underscored on this listing of contract conditions. Interim city Attorney Clayton stated the underlined sections vary from the prior contract. otherwise all the terms are identical to the prior City Manager's contract. Interim city Attorney Clayton outlined the terms of the contract. Page -7- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 '-' ...", Councilwoman Lichter stated in terms of compensation she thought Mr. McMahon was making $66,000. Interim City Manager Hooper stated that was a rounded figure. The figure is $65,187. Councilwoman Lichter asked if it is customary to give a 5% increase after a short period. Interim City Manager Hooper stated it is customary as far as coming off a probationary period. At the end of the six months, if everyone is happy, it is a request that he be rewarded if he moves in the City within 120 days from that point. Councilwoman Lichter stated one of the criticisms of George McMahon's role in this community was the pay that he was getting compared to the average wage in our community. She spoke about the total compensation package for Mr. Grace being over $95,000 which is what Mr. McMahon was making and that being one of the complaints. She feels the whole thing may be a little high for our community. Councilman Roberts feels the contributions for the retirement plan are less than Mr. McMahon but it still seems a little high. He asked what the average employee get in their contributions. Interim City Manager Hooper stated the average current City employees are the same, 17.25%. Interim City Attorney Clayton explained it is less than the amount that the State Retirement System requires which is a 22% contribution. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about moving expenses. She thought the cost would not be as much due to him only coming over from Longwood. She didn't know they were going to give $2,000 for moving expenses. Interim City Attorney Clayton stated they took a base contract and two amendments to Mr. McMahon's contract and used those as a basis for items to be covered. Each of the items were included in Mr. McMahon's contract that was negotiated seven or so years ago. Mr. Grace to his credit came prepared with a form contract that is recommended by the ICMA. He negotiated from his side as to what was industry standard. His position was higher standard and our position was tending to a lower standard. This was the deal we struck in the middle. Interim City Attorney Clayton stated if Council has any comment they wish to make or reservations, that is their prerogative. He hasn't signed and neither has Council. She stated she and Mr. Hooper are there to tell Council what industry standards are as best as they can. A city of this size is paying about this same amount of money. Councilwoman Lichter doesn't feel the problem is size, but income. She doesn't doubt that Mr. Grace isn't worth the money but she is concerned with backlash and public opinion. Councilman Roberts asked if evaluations are usually done on a yearly basis and wouldn't the five percent be more appropriate at one full year of employment. Mayor Allman stated the five percent is more or less a bonus for making the probationary period. Interim city Manager Hooper explained it is the incentive at the end of six months. Councilman Roberts spoke about health insurance costs. He spoke about it being almost $9,000 a year on Mr. McMahon's compensation package for his insurance. Interim City Manager Hooper stated we know it is going to be considerably less, but he does not know how much less. He spoke about Mr. McMahon paying high premiums due to health reasons. That is one of the reasons he has requested twice the annual salary for life insurance is because he is coming in at about half the price the city was paying for health insurance. It is very similar in total cost to Mr. McMahon. Page -8- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 ........ ..." Interim city Manager Hooper commented on other contracts he has looked at from other comparable cities. councilwoman Lichter asked how much more the car allowance is for Mr. Grace than Mr. McMahon. Interim City Attorney Clayton stated $100 a month. Councilwoman Lichter asked if that is because of the transport back and forth from his residence to here. Interim City Manager Hooper stated that is an averaging of looking at what other entites are paying for car allowance. Councilwoman Lichter questioned when they told Mr. Grace they would get back in touch with him. She wanted to know if he is expecting this to be wrapped up tonight. Interim City Manager Hooper explained it is optional. If Council is ready to vote on it, certainly he is. If Council is not, then he is not. Mayor Allman stated any time you take over a company with the number of employees and the size of responsiblity the City of Edgewater has, you are going to have to pay. He feels the compensation package offered to Mr. Grace is very fair. The only problem he would have would be the severance agreement concerning the 90 days notice. What is the sense, in six months you have 90 days to make up your mind if you want to stay or not. He doesn't agree with a probationary period because he is on probation from the time he starts until he leaves anyway. He can be terminated at any time. He feels they should remove the probationary period and add 2 1/2% more compensation and forget the 5% for probation. Councilwoman Lichter is for this. Councilman Roberts stated the probationary period was set up so that if he wasn't going to be kept there would be no severance in that six months. If you eliminate the probationary period and put him right on contract then he immediately begins working on the contract with severance pay. Mayor Allman suggested putting in the contract he has 120 days to move within the City limits. If severance pay is the only part of the probation, then that is not probation in his opinion. The probation will start 90 days after he starts here or 120 days. He doesn't like the 90 days severance. Councilman Roberts stated 90 days is in the City's Administrative Code. Mayor Allman stated hurry up Charter Review. Councilman Roberts spoke about being stuck with it due to a previous Council putting the 90 days severance in the City's Administrative Code back in 1992. Councilwoman Lichter asked what Council thought about eliminating the 5% and start it a little higher. Councilwoman Roberts asked if he would be willing to start with the $65,187 and not receive an increase for a year. Interim City Manager Hooper stated if Council wishes they could make that a counter offer. Councilwoman Lichter asked if the contract is rock bottom. Interim City Manager Hooper doesn't believe it is. Mayor Allman asked if he would be adverse to a special meeting Thursday evening to come in and talk to Council. Interim City Manager Hooper thinks he would be open to that. He asked if that is the only issue Council has with the contract. Councilwoman Lichter stated if this isn't rock bottom, they should look at it themselves. She suggested maybe pulling in a little tighter on the moving expenses and the car allowance if they don't think he is going to walk. Mayor Allman stated he doesn't want to nickel and dime the guy away from us. They went through a lot of resumes to get Mr. Grace. Page -9- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 .... ...." Interim City Manager Hooper stated he thinks the offer is to go back and say there is no probationary period and start working with the contract on Day 1 with a 90 day severance. The initial salary is what we describe and at the end of the six months it is open to whatever Council feels comfortable doing at the end of six months. Councilwoman Lichter feels that is fair. Interim City Manager Hooper stated what Council could do tonight, if they are inclined to do that, is make the offer. If he accepts the offer, then authorize the Mayor for signature authority for only that offer and then they wouldn't have to have a special meeting. If he doesn't agree, then you come back with a special meeting. Councilman Roberts asked for comments from Councilman Hammond and Councilman Gornto. Councilman Hammond is looking at the total compensation package. He thought it would be lower. Councilman Gornto agreed with Councilwoman Lichter that the number appears to be out of line with the average salary of families in Edgewater. If you hire a person with these credentials and this background, you will pay this salary and close to these benefits to get anyone that has got a resume similar to Mr. Grace. He spoke about this being an issue several months ago. He spoke about having to go through the process again and advertise a number that they are comfortable with. They advertised at this range. Interim City Manager Hooper stated this is about the mid-point in the range. Councilman Roberts stated it doesn't seem really out of line based on other cities and other positions these people have taken. It is just kind of a shock considering what they went through with Mr. McMahon. The compensation on top of the salary scares people. He doesn't want to scare off Mr. Grace either. He feels he is a very competent man with a good background who is very familiar with Central Florida. He feels they should try to work it out with Mr. Grace. Councilwoman Lichter feels if they can do something with the 5%, she feels they represent their population by trying. She feels the probationary period should go. She feels 5% in six months is a lot because that implies in another six months another 5%. Councilman Roberts asked if the City Manager position. the range has a salary cap. he is not positive of that. it. a salary cap has been established for Interim city Manager Hooper stated He thinks it is in the mid 80's but There is a definite salary cap to Interim City Manager Hooper feels they are struggling with a total package of about $90,000 to $95,000 that they will pay no matter who it is. The object is to get the best you can get for that money. He feels Council has done that. Interim city Manager Hooper stated if Council is comfortable with the suggestions, to direct him to do the counter offer but authorize the Mayor to sign if that is something that is acceptable with Mr. Grace. If not, they could hold a special meeting and negotiate. Councilman Roberts feels if he is the right man for the job, we put him to work and look at it in a year's time and see if he deserves an increase. Interim City Attorney Clayton stated you don't have to give an increase at the end of six months but it would be useful to take the temperature and see how everything is going and see if you are on track. You want to measure productivity and motivation skills. Page -10- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 .... ...., Interim City Manager Hooper suggested doing that formally and publicly at the end of six months. Mayor Allman asked Interim City Manager Hooper if he could contact Mr. Grace to see if he would be available Thursday. Interim City Manager Hooper agreed to do that. Mayor Allman called a Special Meeting for Thursday at 3:00 p.m. It was the consensus of Council to hold this meeting. Councilwoman Lichter asked Interim City Manager Hooper if he had the other comparable contracts from other communities. She would like to look at them before the Special Meeting. Mayor Allman suggested she also look at the list of salaries for local area cities that Mr. Prekup has. GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Marcy Copenhafer, 754 Navigators Way, spoke on behalf of the Community Emergency Response Team in Edgewater Landing. She spoke about the help they have received from Fire Chief Bill Vola. They were the first CERT team in Southeast Volusia County, thanks to Chief Vola. She spoke about the help they have received from the Fire/Rescue Department with their training and drills. Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, spoke on the pay for the City Manager and City Attorney positions. He thinks a lot of people are disappointed with the salary in a City where the per capita is less than 16,000. He knows sometime you have to pay to get good help but sometimes you can get good help without overdoing it. He feels if they had to readvertise, Mr. Hooper might stay longer until they did get somebody who could do the job for less money. He asked if Mr. Grace would be willing to discuss a lower wage and be our City Manager. Ron Prekup, 1829 Lime Tree Drive, listed the salaries and compensation packages of City Managers in Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, South Daytona, Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach. He wished the newspapers would have done a comparison in the newspaper so the residents could understand it better. Mike Visconti, 316 pine Breeze Drive, stated the reason for Mr. McMahon being fired was because he was receiving $95,000 a year and we felt that he was getting too much money. When we advertised, why didn't we advertise for $75,000 a year and elevate him after the six months instead of starting from the top. He feels the City of Edgewater deserves a good City Manager but $95,000 is a lot of money. Mayor Allman stated Mr. McMahon was not fired because he was making $95,000 a year. Mr. McMahon was overpaid for what he did. That is why he was let go. He stated over $500,000 was spent on legal fees in two years. Mr. McMahon was fired for lack of production for the amount of money he was making. Councilman Roberts spoke about not hearing anyone complain about Mr. Hooper's performance for the money he is being paid. Everyone has complimented his performance on being able to get City Hall back on its feet and doing the job. Mayor Allman commented on the help the city has received from Mr. Hooper. Page -11- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 '-'" ...., Councilman Roberts stated if the new City Manager turns the City around and we get economic growth and a broader tax base, what salary we are paying him will seem petty in the overall scheme of things. Productivity will pay for itself. Paul Jenkins asked about the notice provision in the Charter for 90 days. Councilman Roberts stated it is not in the Charter, it is in the Administrative Code. Mr. Jenkins asked if that pertains to a probation period. Interim City Manager Hooper explained it describes a 90-day severance. It is not a probationary period. Mr. Jenkins spoke about Mr. Grace not serving as a City Manager yet in his career. The way the contract is proposed right now, if he got his 5% increase at the end of six months, he would be getting 5% more than our previous City Manager was after six or seven years. He proposed Mr. Grace start at 5% less than the previous City Manager and if everything works out during the probation, you give him the 5% which puts him even with what the prior City Manager was at after being here six or seven years. Then you put in a yearly evaluation after that six month evaluation to pertain to any future raises. John Moore, 2354 Fern Palm Drive, stated the Economic Development Board meets Thursday night at 6:30 and hopes that doesn't conflict with the Special Council Meeting. Mr. Moore stated on the agenda for that night, they had decided they would nominate their choices and bring them to Council at the February 2nd meeting. He asked if he should do an agenda request for that or if they would put it on the agenda to appoint four new members. Interim city Manager Hooper informed Mr. Moore the normal process is to submit an agenda request to his office and they would place it on the agenda. Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, stated a 5% increase would be $3,250. OFFICER REPORTS City Clerk City Clerk Wadsworth had nothing at this time. City Attorney Interim City Attorney Clayton explained the advertisement for City Attorney closed today and she informed Council they have received six applications. She suggested they all be interviewed. Interim city Manager Hooper informed Council also closing on January 7th are the engineering applicants request for proposals for the FIND project. Interim city Manager Hooper suggested interviewing the attorneys and engineers at the same meeting. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about advertising for a firm but two individuals were received. She feels there may be more individuals out there. Interim City Manager Hooper suggested if they are going to do something different than hire a contract or outsource for services, they would probably want to advertise for an in-house or individual attorney. This process only lets your hear from those that have responded to the RFP advertised. Page -12- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 '-" ,..., Councilwoman Lichter asked if when the new City Manager comes on board, if he would be looking into a hiring a new Planner. Interim City Manager Hooper stated that position, as well as the Building Official, are being advertised. Councilman Roberts stated if they are going to do an interview on these applicants for the attorney, should they just interview the firms separate from individuals. Interim City Attorney Clayton stated you might find you have an individual attorney who is capable of doing most of the representation himself or who will provide representation to the City at a price which would enable Council to economize on using other attorneys in specialty. She suggested Council doesn't have to spend a lot of time interviewing each of the applicants, but they ought to hear why each of the six have responded. Although two are sole practitioners, Council might find they can get service for the dollar in a way that fits the City's needs better than hearing from another firm. Interim City Manager Hooper informed Council of the presentations that will be made by the attorney applicants. Councilman Roberts questioned if this would be on the agenda for their next meeting. Interim City Manager Hooper would like to do a special meeting to do the interviews of the attorneys and engineers. Interim City Manager Hooper suggested holding a meeting on January 20th at 7:00 p.m. for City Attorney applicants. It was the consensus of Council to hold this meeting on January 20th. Interim City Attorney Clayton briefed Council on an investigation into the Cash and Title Loan process. Due to Chief Schumaker not being present, she asked to wait for him to come back on February 2nd to respond to Council and let them know what he has determined through the investigation. Councilwoman Lichter asked about social services we might have in the community. She feels a comprehensive list might be very good to have. Interim City Manager Hooper stated from local government they have been able to put a list together. The only part they are waiting on is some of the state agencies. He should have that by the next meeting. Councilman Roberts asked if a meeting has been set up with DOT. Interim City Manager Hooper stated he doesn't have a date but they have notified the State requesting to hold the meeting at the Library. They informed him they would get back to him after the holidays. He agreed to contact them tomorrow. Councilwoman Lichter asked about the medians on u.S. #1. She asked if permission is needed from the State in order to beautify the medians. Interim City Manager Hooper informed Councilwoman Lichter they need to obtain permits, show plans, all the way to getting approval of the plants that are going in. Councilman Roberts spoke about DOT working with New Smyrna, South Daytona and Port Orange. He feels any of the landscape architects that would be involved would just be in tune with what DOT expects. He doesn't feel there will be a problem with getting the medians beautified. Interim City Manager Hooper presented a report of the derelict boat. They have been put on official notice by the Marine Patrol giving them 30 days to remove the boat which started around December 20th. If it is not removed, the Marine Patrol has indicated they will pursue removing it and placing a lien against the owner. Page -13- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 "-" ..., ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilman Gornto made a motion to adjourn, second by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5- o. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Kruckmeyer Page -14- Council Regular Meeting January 5, 1998