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06-09-1992 CITIZENS COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING June 9, 1992 Minutes ROLL CALL Richard Jones Present Harry Jones Present James Mackie Excused Janet Ptaszek Present Sandra Smith Absent Charlene Dennis Excused Michael Nattress Present INTRODUCTION OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE Mr. C.E. (Cliff) Clark, 1818 Evergreen Drive. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Janet Ptaszek moved to accept the minutes. Michael Nattress seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0. Chairman Jones reminded that this committee sent a request to Council to have a member replace Sandra Smith. At the present time there are no applications to serve on this committee. This will be advertised. He also reminded that this is the Citizens Council Advisory Committee and he feels we should try to attend the Council meetings at least once a month so that we are abreast of what is happening. He explained he only calls Harry Jones to get items for the agenda, but he would like the other members to call him with items also. OLD BUSINESS Impact Fees on New Home Construction Chairman Jones reported that the proposed $2,200.00 impact fee on the construction of new houses may become a $500.00 fee and then a 1% increase in the County sales tax. He has a problem with the politicians in this state wanting to correct all the problems by adding more fees. He added there is no action for this committee to take, except have the information available for the public when they ask questions about it. The members discussed the assessment process and voiced their opinions in objection to the current system. The message to the Council should be there is much concern about these impact fees and taxes. At this time there was discussion regarding the C.I.P. assessment fee the citizens are paying. Florida Shores Shopping Center Safety_ Chairman Jones reported that he spoke with the Police Chief and the bottom line is where ever the public has right of access then the police have jurisdiction. Michael Nattress stated that according to the State there is no legal speed limit inside the shopping center. Chairman Jones clarified the importance of making correct statements. Someone attended one of our meetings and stated he did not get his money back when he appealed his tax assessment. Chairman Jones read the information he received from the tax assessment office regarding this fee and its refund. He sug- gested forwarding this information to the Council. We need to be careful about the statements made and be sure they are correct. Harry Jones stated he had brought up the bicycle riding inside the shopping center. There is a sign designating no bike riding on the sidewalks, but they still ride there. Chairman Jones referred to Resolution 92 -R -09 regarding absenteeism from board meetings. He wants everyone to be aware of this. Chairman Jones reported the $500.00 for water testing was approved by the Council. He went over the discussion which took place during this decision. Chairman Jones reported the master plan for the bicycle path was approved. NEW BUSINESS Library Impact Fees Chairman Jones explained this is for all the libraries in the County and they are talking about 8 1/2 cents per $1,000.00 of taxable value. There was further discussion about the citizens being tax poor and this is another example of taxing. There was also discussion about the salaries of the Mayor, Council members and the top management positions within the City. Michael Nattress brought up the subject of the current sewer assessment and the increase in the expense of this. He stated this is enough. Mr. Clark spoke in opposition of the Library Impact Fee. Harry Jones agreed this City does not need to be involved in this overall program. Self -Rule Taxes Chairman Jones stated several people have taken steps to try to pull the self rule back to the City and he would like to encourage this. Michael Nattress stated his concern with the City handling taxation, referring to the way the sewer assessment was handled. Fluoride in Drinking Water Chairman Jones referred to the recent controversy regarding this subject. He does not agree with going to the expense of putting the fluoride in the water. Janet Ptaszek explained the petitions that were being circulated have stopped for the time being, however, once the dollar figure is established for this, the petitions will start up again. There was discussion about the expert opinions on this subject. New City Charter Chairman Jones reported when he and Harry Jones met with the Mayor, she stated it was too bad our committee had not been able to give them more input regarding the proposed Charter. With this in mind, we should give Council input on the New City Charter. Harry Jones showed the members a copy of the Old City Charter. He agreed there is a lot of unnecessary material in this old document, but the Charter we now have is junk. He commented that 50% of the votes on the Charter came from Edgewater Landing and he wonders why? He asked approval from the committee to visit that area and ask them why so many of those people were interested enough to vote. -2- Citizens Council Advisory June 9, 1992 Chairman Jones questioned why we don't have a more professional document that covers all bases with minimum words. He feels we have a Charter that makes the City government all powerful and the citizens are not considered. Harry Jones spoke on several points of concern to him; terms of office, residency, emergency situations. Chairman Jones listed conflict of interest, the preamble should mention something regarding the welfare of the citizens, vice mayor acting as mayor, qualified resident to run for office, and basically language that would make the Charter understandable to anyone reading it. Harry Jones continued with his concerns regarding ethics. Anyone who authorizes payment should be bonded. Michael Nattress questioned where the concern is. Chairman Jones pointed out that the vote did not show a mandate that this Charter is outstanding. The residency issue is a mandate. He is proposing that a workshop be held by this com- mittee to review the New City Charter and we recommend to the Council. Mr. and Mrs. Les Haughwout arrived at this time. Harry Jones moved to hold a workshop to review the New City Charter and make decided recommendation to the Council. Chairman Jones asked this to include a minimum of three workshops. Harry Jones included this wording. Michael Nattress seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0. A time table was discussed. Chairman Jones informed that the U.T.E. will be making a presentation at the Council meeting next Monday regarding the C.I.P. He suggests we try to attend. It was agreed to look into the week of June 22nd for the first workshop. Moratorium on Riverside Construction Chairman Jones referred to a newspaper article regarding the building on the east side of Riverside Drive. He determined that the integrity of the building code is being questioned as to whether or not the enforcers of the code are really conforming to the requirements. He compared the allowable building lot sizes in different areas of town. Harry Jones reported his experience regarding set backs and bulk heads on riverfront property. Mr. Haughwout, 204 North Riverside, spoke of his concern in the moratorium. He feels you are taking away ownership, because if he wants to build, he should have the right to. He explained all the owners have different specifics pertaining to their property. He believes in complying with the requirements, but if the City takes the right away from him to build on his property, perhaps the City should purchase that property. His point being there are restrictions on the books currently that will probably more than take care of any problems; and a moratorium should not be the way to handle this. There was discussion among the committee members and the Haughwouts about this situation. The question is whether government should get involved with individual property owners' rights. -3- Citizens Council Advisory June 9, 1992 Mrs. Haughwout explained that the people who own the land on the east side of Riverside Drive are not in favor of this moratorium. Those who live on the west side and don't own across the street are the ones who don't want building done. There was more discussion regarding the impact fees, taxes, etc. This is also another burden that will place some people in a situation where they will not be able to sell their land, which they may have to do in order to pay their taxes. This subject will be discussed at the L.D.R.A. meeting this week. Chairman Jones recommended Council should be advised about the concern that people should not be allowed to build on under -sized land. They should only be given bonafide variances. It was the consensus that a moratorium will not be necessary if the codes are enforced. County Government in City Affairs Chairman Jones reported that the Mayor spoke at the last Council meeting regarding the position of Water Czar. He commended her for standing up and bringing this to everyone's attention. He received a vote of confidence for the Mayor and her position on that matter. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Clark spoke of his concern about no restrictions on how close someone can plant a tree or shrub to your lot line. He explained his particular situation and asked if there is anything this committee can do. The committee members discussed his situation. Mr. Clark also discussed the grass height restriction. He referred to the County's restriction being more stringent than the City's. Janet Ptaszek questioned why we have to depend on neighbors reporting each other for these violations, when we have City vehicles driving all over the City. Chairman Jones explained that certain employees have certain responsibilities and this may not be in their duty description. He also explained the Code Enforcement Officer's job was dis- cussed at a recent Council meeting and she now has to rely on calls from individuals. ADJOURNMENT Harry Jones moved to adjourn. Michael Nattress seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned 8:27 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler -4- Citizens Council Advisory June 9, 1992