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03-28-1991 40 CITY OF EDGEWATER CITIZENS COUNCIL ADVISORY THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1991 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ray Wasarhaley called the meeting of the Citizens Council Advisory Committee to order at 5:05 P.M., Thursday, March 28, 1991, in the City Hall conference room. ROLL CALL: Members present were: Ray Wasarhaley, James Mackie, Stanley Carlson, Phyllis Woodard, Janet Ptaszek Also present: Councilwoman Gillespie APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mrs. Woodard made a motion to accept the minutes. Chairman Wasarhaley asked Mrs. Ptaszek if she would look on page 2 where she was explaining the question brought to her. The word "hired" department shouldn't this be Fire Department? It was agreed that the word should be "Fire" Department. Mr. Carlson added that he would like to clarify his comment about building in Edgewater, on page 3. He wants to clarify that he would have built elsewhere in Edgewater, other than Florida Shores. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion, including the changes. Motion CARRIED 5 -0. Mrs. Gillespie introduced Charlane Runge, Code Enforcement Officer. She would like the board to have their discussion with Charlane, because she cannot attend the entire meeting. Chairman Wasarhaley said the board just wanted to know if they could do anything to help her. He explained the board was discussing U.S. 1, and the unsightly conditions of the buildings on the main highway, also the buildings on the corner of Park Avenue. Ms. Runge explained she can not sight anything under the Building Department area. There is nothing as far as codes that she can enforce at this time. The main problem right now are boats that are parked in front of houses, which should he moved to the rear or side yards. Cars without current tags, or that are inoperable sitting up on blocks. Now, the grass is growing and some have to be sited. She explained she gets calls, and she also finds violations while she is out, and takes care of them on her own. Mr. Mackie told the board of some of the violations he has known of, such as, the grass growing ton high and the cars sitting in the yards without current tags, etc. Chairman Wasarhaley asked if there was anything specific that she sees while she is out that she would like to take care of, but she can't enforce. He is addressing beautification of the City. Mrs. Gillespie informed the committee that the City Planner is going to draft something that would address the exterior of buildings.This will have to go through channels and so forth. There was some discussion regarding the upcoming problems with the grass conditions, especially when people leave for a period of time on vacations. Mrs. Gillespie's suggestion was that the lawncaring services leave notices that "this lawn is cared for by whoever ". Mr. Carlson told Ms. Runge the discussion that came up when the committee decided to invite her was regarding the cars parked along Indian River Boulevard. Ms. Runge stated usually when there are cars that are for sale there is a phone number on the car. She comes back to the office and gives the secretary the phone number. They are called and usually the cars are moved that day. She gives them 24 -hour notice to move the vehicle. Some of these cars are on private property, so she is working with the President of the Florida Shores Homeowners Association to site the owners of the vehicles if they don't have permission to park the cars or trucks there. There was discussion about people working, painting and selling their on cars in their front yards. Ms. Runge informed the committee that one more officer is going to be hired to help with the work load. She is also involved with safety, which takes up a lot of her time. Also, a lot of her violations which she needs to site, people are not home while she is working; this other officer's hours may be scheduled so that more people will be contacted sooner. She added a lot of her problems are with the vacant lots, corresponding with the people who live out of state - -it takes time to get these taken care of. Mr. Mackie brought up the question about virgin land, and whether it can be sited. It was explained that if it has never been cut, they can not be required to mow, however, cleaning it up because of trash, etc., this can and is being taken care of. Mrs. Gillespie asked if this committee has any questions about the Ordinance that the Mayor has called back for reconsideration regarding semi trucks and heavy vehicles. Chairman Wasarhaley said the committee read the information given to them and there didn't seem to be any mention of semi trucks in it. Ms. Runge stated currently she is unahle to site these vehicles; the Planner is working on the wording for this code, so that she has something to enforce. Mrs. Gillespie asked if everyone would remind people about the watering restrictions. There was discussion among the hoard about these restrictions. The committee thanked Ms. Runge for her attendance and input. Chairman Wasarhaley asked the members to look over the proposed agenda that is included in their packages, and if agreed they would follow it tonight. He explained the numbering of each memo and as action is taken, it will be noted accordingly, so they can keep up with the items still pending. Mr. Carlson made a motion to accept this agenda form. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5 -0. -2- Citizens Council Advisory March 28, 1991 Mrs. Gillespie asked to address the board. She requested a motion that the committee not be given the following packet information: Council minutes, appointments to boards and agencies should be left out. Mrs. Woodard made a motion to that affect. Mr. Carlson seconded the motion. It was agreed that a set of minutes would be available for the entire board to review, if they wish. Chairman Wasarhaley commented that there is a lot of interesting information in the Council agenda package, but a lot of the material does not need to be supplied to this committee. Most of the items have already gone to other boards, and this committee has no business doing it again. Mrs. Woodard brought to the committee's attention that Mr. Inman's resignation is on the Council's agenda. She feels he is an asset to this committee and since his reason was because he can not attend at the time of our meeting, is there any other day or time they can meet? Chairman Wasarhaley pointed out that one of his reasons was that he does not have time to look over the material before the Council's meeting. He added that the only reason he sees all of this information being necessary, is that down the road they will see things on the agenda that they have done research on. There was discussion about the time of the meeting, and it was remembered that the members had a hard time coming up with a time that would satisfy everyone. Mrs. Gillespie explained that the reason Thursday was picked for this meeting was so the agenda package can be available. OLD BUSINESS: Chairman Wasarhaley went over each memo that was sent out after the last committee meeting. Mr. Mackie said he contacted Jack Corder about the Christmas decorations. The members agreed to look over the material supplied and to discuss this at the next meeting. Mr. Mackie will get back to Mr. Corder about cost figures. Mrs. Gillespie brought the subject of mobile phone use up to the committee for research. She wants to make sure they are utilizing the phones to the max, are we getting the most for our money? Mr. Carlson went over the information that he will ask for from the Finance Director. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Carlson reminded the members that they need a job description for this committee. The Mayor emphasized that they are not suppose to be a watch -dog committee, they are here to advise the Council. They are to make the Council aware of things brought to their attention and assist individual Councilmembers when needed. The Council as a whole would call upon them to advise them of certain issues that come before them. Personal opinions are going to be the case sometimes, however, some of their comments do not have a place at this meeting. He would like to get each member's thoughts on what they should be doing. The citizens do not understand what this committee's function is. They need a plan. -3- Citizen Council Advisory March 28, 1991 460 4i1 Mrs. Woodard expressed her opinion that she felt they were to be lobbyists for the citizens; inform the Council of what ideas are brought to them. Chairman Wasarhaley reiterated to the members his idea about numbering each memo, so when matters are sent to the Council and when action is taken they will know. Mrs. Gillespie told the members they need to get the calender that Jack Corder puts out the beginning of each month. Mr. Mackie spoke about his feelings on what this board's function is. He repeated the package given to the memhers just a few days before the Council meeting is really unnecessary; they can't act on it. Perhaps the Council will send items to them to do research and work on. Chairman Wasarhaley restated the functions as three part: one, citizens complaints; second is the Council's projects and or assistance with items and third is their own projects, areas that they see themselves that need to be done. Mr. Carlson reviewed this committee's purposes: Citizens complaints...getting them answers. Council's projects...getting information for them. Committee initiated projects; and a fourth assisting individual Council members when requested, either as individuals themselves or as a committee. Chairman Wasarhaley, with Mrs. Gillespie's agreement suggested that even an individual Council member's requests should come before the entire committee, and then they would assign it among themselves considering the expertise. Mrs. Gillespie added that as chairman Mr. Wasarhaley should be aware of anything anyone is working on on behalf of this committee. Mr. Carlson went over what the committee members actually do: make and receive phone calls, estahlish a forum for citizens complaints, review and present a reason, together with recom- mendations. They accept written questions, citizens comments at their meetings, they listen and assist. Mrs. Ptaszek commented that part of her research will include comparisons with how other cities handle things. Mr. Mackie suggested inviting chairmen of other boards to their committee meeting to give them input and ask for their services if there is any area they can help with. Mr. Carlson added, especially if a certain board feels they do not have the hest rapport with the Council, they may he a go between for them. Mrs. Gillespie agreed, adding that this committee is the "direct pipeline to the Council ". Mrs. Gillespie announced her next "Breakfast with the Citizens ", the fourth Wednesday in April, 8:30 A.M. at the Eatery. This committee's next meeting will be April lath. Mrs. Woodard made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED. Meeting adjourned 6:00 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Councilperson Gillespie Debbie Sigler -4- Citizens Council Advisory March 28, 1991