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03-14-1991 1100 %100 CITY OF EDGEWATER CITIZENS COUNCIL ADVISORY THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Carlson called the meeting of the Citizens Council Advisory Committee to order at 5:05 P.M. on Thursday, March 14, 1991, in the City Hall conference room. (during roll call, Chair- man Wasarhaley arrived). ROLL CALL: Members present were: Ray Wasarhaley, James Inman, James Mackie, Stanley Carlson, Edward Janus, Phyllis Woodard and Janet Ptaszek. Also present were: Perry Barret APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Mackie began discussing the copies of the list furnished by Mrs. Gillespie. He also added there should be an amount suggested by this committee on the stormwater charges to vacant lot owners. Mrs. Woodard said she thought she made it as part of her motion. If she didn't though, she meant the $3.00 should be charged for all. There was more discussion about the vacant lots and the question came up as to how many lots make up a residence. Mr. Janus explained this has already been established with the CIP program. Mr. Janus made a motion to approve the minutes. Mrs. Woodard seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 7 -0. The discussion on the stormwater charges continued. Mr. Janus explained they are looking at building lots in order to determine the charges. There was a question about where the money is going that is being collected; he explained the money is spent on cleaning the canals and drainage ditches. Mrs. Woodard said the people want to know where the money is going. There was discussion about the conditions in the Wildwood area when it rains a lot, and about the sewers and septic tanks in the Florida Shores area. Mrs. Platszek suggested we look into how much it costs to run the program before we make a recommendation on how much should be charged. Mrs. Woodard said she has asked for some figures from Mrs. Rickelman in the Finance Department; she agreed that we wait until we get these figures before making a recommendation. Chairman Wasarhaley commented about the CIP program and he believes there are two different funds involved. Mr. Janus commented that we need to start preparing ourselves for the futu - re needs, money will be needed to keep up with the City's growth. Mr. Inman explained the City auditors will make certain recommendations regarding items like this. I0, 11110 Chairman Wasarhaley reported that he gave the proposed form to the Mayor and she is going to get Council's opinion. Mr. Janus asked if a memo was given to the Council regarding this committee's feelings about the soldiers? Mrs. Sigler informed that no particular memo was written, but the Council received copies of the minutes, so they were aware of the committee's wishes. At this time Chairman Wasarhaley began reviewing the list given to them by Mrs. Gillespie. There was much discussion regarding the Christmas decorations; the costs, the liability to the City in the event an employee was to be hurt while putting them up, etc. Mrs. Ptaszek pointed out that the committee is being asked to do the research and see whether we feel it would be more feasible to go to a private company and have them do this. Chairman Wasarhaley said he would contact Jack Corder and start looking into this. Mr. Mackie questioned whether this committee has the right to do something like this. He asked why we have not had a read out of what our business is; these things are not on the Council agenda. Chairman Wasarhaley explained that right now we are seeing on- going items. Before long this committee will be discussing items before they get on the Council agenda, like these items Mrs. Gillespie is trying to get information on ahead of time. The subject of the Fire Department is a good example; we gave our input, and then the Council took action. Mr. Mackie said he didn't know why the Fire people were at our last committee meeting. He feels the board should know before people just come to the meetings. Mrs. Ptaszek explained that the question she brought to the board got misunderstood. People just wanted to know what was happening with the hired department, and how much it was going to cost, especially with all the concerns right now about the cost of the CIP program. Chairman Wasarhaley explained that our minutes go to the different departments, and when the Firemen read the questions about them, they came to clear up any questions we might still have; which is a good thing. Mr. Janus said this is a public meeting, anyone can come and discuss issues with them. He added, the issue was resolved, we should move on. At this time it was suggested that the secretary prepare an agenda for this committee to follow at our meetings. Mrs. Woodard informed the board of a newspaper article and a few questions that were brought to her attention regarding the City always buying out these contracts. People do not understand why the City Managers and City Attorneys have to have contracts, then when they are terminated it costs so much. Mr. Mackie and Mr. Inman agreed, they also question this. Mr. Janus said he believes the new charter will have something to speak to this. -2- Citizens Council Advisory March 14, 1991 Chairman Wasarhaley brought up the question of billing vacant houses for water, sewer, refuse, recycling, etc. Should these charges exist, if the water is turned off? Mr. Janus said the recycling should not be paid, but the rest of the charges should. Mr. Mackie added they are still customers of the service and it is only fair to charge them. Mr. Inman explained that the City use to charge each renter a deposit, now an ordinance was passed, which put the burden on the owners. Before tenants would run up large bills and leave. Mr. Carlson brought up the subject as a new property owner in Florida Shores, he would not have built there if he had been aware of what was happening. He feels some laws should be passed to require the sellers to let the potential buyer know what they are going to face as far as upcoming expenses are concerned. Since eventually the buyer's anger is expressed to the Council, it would be to their benefit also to enforce something. There was quite a bit of discussion among the board members about no one knowing what is going to happen in the future when they buy property. The "Buyer Beware" attitude was discussed, as well as the building boom which took place a few years age in that area. Chairman Wasarhaley assured the members that there are laws that Real Estate agencies have to abide by. Cities can not be more forceful than the D.E.R. He added that the City has nothing to do with closings on properties. Mrs. Woodard commented that a lot of renters don't take pride in the homes they rent. They should be made to take care of the places they rent, inside and outside. At this the subject came up again to ask the Code Enforcement Officer to attend the next meeting. Perhaps this committee can help her get some codes passed so she can enforce the cleaning of certain areas. COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS 6A - Members reviewed this information, no comments for Council. It was not clear as to the parking allowance for semi trucks. 6B Police Chief's request to enter into Voluntary Cooperation Agreement with State Attorney's office for joint investigating of routine law office enforcement matters across jurisdictional lines. Mr. Inman made a motion that we recommend the Council approve this request. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 7- 0. Members reviewed the rest of the agenda, and there were no further comments. The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 28,1991. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Woodard made a motion to adjourn. Mrs. Ptaszek seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 7 -0. Meeting adjourned 6:40 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler -3- Citizens Council Advisory March 14, 1991