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02-28-1991 NWe 1 400 CITY OF EDGEWATER CITIZENS COUNCIL ADVISORY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28,1991 900 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ray Waserhaley called the meeting of the Citizens Council Advisory Committee t order at 505 P.M. on Thursday, February 28, 1991, in the City Hall Conference Roofre ROLL CALL Members present were: Chairman Wasarhaley, Mr. James 'Inman, Mr. James Mackie, Mr- Edward Janus, Ms. Janet Ptaszek, Mrs. Phyllis Woodard, Mr. Stanley Carlson was excused. Also present were: Mr. Dave McCallister, Ms. Stacey Coffee, Mr. Wallace Trickey, Mr. George Barlow, Lt. Larry Carson, Mark Miller from the New Journal and Debbie Sigler, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTEP; Mr. Janus had a correction to make on page 10 of the minutes. He had asked if the addition of the paid firemen and the chief was done for thra safty of thP citi7ens of Chia City. Ms. Ptaszek had a correction to make on page 6. It dosn't seem to be clear that the subject of this conversation was stormwater - f e e s and sh• 's not sure the word "character" is the right word. Mr. Inman made a motien to approve the minutes as corrected. Mrs. Woodard seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED •-0. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Janus submitted a for and suggested it be used as a standard for whenever the board needs to address a matter to the Mayor or City Manager, instead of using a memo. The board members reviewed this for Mr. Mackie stated it has always been o.k. to send a memo or letter to the City Council, etc- Chairman Wasarhaley said he would get the opinions on the use of this form. At this tire Ms. Ptaszek and Mr. Wasarhaley began discussing a list of items. The other board members did not know what they were talking about. Ms. Ptaszek explained that Mrs. Gillespie gave her this Iist and asked that the board look into these things. Mr. Inman and Mr. Mackie explained that the proper way to handle lists or items like this is to have the secretary give copies to each board member. Mr. Janus suggested this be tahled until the entire board coulg researnh. Chairman Wa•arhaley gave the list to the secretary and asked that copies be made for all board members. NM, NMI AGENDA ITEMS: There was no discussion on items 5A, E1, C, D, E. item 5F: Status of paid firefighters and volunteer fire members. Mr. Janus stated this board discussed this matter last meeting. 1 t was approved by the last budget, and three firemen have already been put on. Mrs. Woodard stated she wasn't at the last meeting but she wants to say she is 100% behind the volunteer firemen. She asked what is going to happen to the morale of the volunteers with some paid firemen and some volunteers? Mr. Seorge Barlow, President of the Volunteer Fire Department spoke to the board. He explained the need for the paid Fire Department and the need will prow as the town grows. We have to look forward. So far the paid firemen started out as volunteers, except for the last three and it just happened that there were no qualified volunteers at the time. The volunteers are still needed and there is a strong working relationship between the paid and volunteer firemen. Ms. Ptaszek explained most people are concerned about the financial situation. Trickey asked Mr. Barlow about the low water pressure in the Florida Shores area. No matter how many firemen you have, you need the water to put out the fires, shouldn't we wait until the water pressure is better before we hire all these firemen? Fire Lt. Larry Carson answered this question by explaining the difference between the residential water lines and the main grid system, which is where the fire trucks would hook up, and that the Water Plant can increase the pressure for an emergency situation. Mr. Janus repeated his original question; have the paid firemen and the chief been put on for the safety of the citizesn? Mr. Barinw and Lt. Carson both answered Yes. There was more discussion between the board members and the firemen present regarding the functioning of the present departments. One very good reason for a full strength paid fire force is that all the equipment is kept at the station. The fire rig goes home with the volunteers, when paged out to a fire the volunteer now has to go to the station for the equipment. lf the station was manned around the clock, one of the paid firemen would bring the equipment with him, while the volunteer could drive the rig straight to the fire. Mr. Dave McCallister asked a number of questions at this time regarding the available water to fight fires, mutual aid and the possibility of the volunteers not being needed. Lt. Carson explained there is approximately 5,000 gallons of water available and the mutual aid is certainly available with more. Mrs. Ptaszek explained that as a volunteer she doesn't believe there will be that many calls where the volunteers won't be needed. -2- Citizens Council Advisory February 2 8, 1991 %111 Mr. McCallister summed up his conversation by saying we seem to be suffering from growing pains and there doesn't seem to be much risk of the volunteers being eliminated. The Fire Department needs to grow; you insure yourself by putting the men on around the clock. You do ask a lot out of your volunteers, and perhaps a volunteer incentive program should be looked into if nothing else but as an insurance policy. Lt. Carson exp/ained that the volunteers are covered under insurance by the City. Mr. MCallister closed by stating we owe our volunteers more than this. Mr. Janus asked Mr. Barlow for a forecast on future increase. Mr. Barlow said you have to look at the number of people in the City, tnere is no way to really answer this. There was no discussion regarding 56. 6A: R. 91-R-10 Adopting two military units through the American Supporting Americans" program. Mr. Janus suggested the board voice their support for this action by the City Manager. There was a brief discussion about how the men returning from Viet Nam were treated. Mr. Janus made a motion that we recommend to the Council that they adopt the City Manager's recommendation of Alternate 1. Mrs. Woodard seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED -0. There was no further discussion regarding the Agenda items. DI BUSINESS Mr. 1nman reported regarding stormwater management: Daytona Beach, no charge for vacant lots, $1.75 a month for residents. South Daytona, no charge for vacant lots $1.00 a month for residents. Holly Hill, no charge for vacant lots, $1.50 a month for residents. Chairman Wasarhaley reported that New Smyrna Beach does not charge at all and Port Orange charges $3.00 for residents. There was much discussion regarding the "no charge" for vacant - 1ots. Chairman Wasarhaley mentioned that actually the City does more work near a lot not being kept up. If someone - lives there, they are probably doing some clearing and working around the lot themselves. Mr. Inman said it seems discriminatory that the vacant lot owners don't pay. Mr. Mackie stated they should pay. We should also find out if this money is being contributed to where they say it's going. Mr. Janus reminded the board the Council asked for their opinion. Citi2ens Council Advisory February 28, 1991 Chairman Wasarhaley recommended we let the know we feel the vacant tot owners should pay also. Mrs. Woodard made a motion to recommend to the Council that the vacant lot owners pay the stormwater management charge. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 6-0. Mr. Mackie began a discussion regarding Riverside Drive. He found out from the County that the City does on the street. Mrs. Woodard aoreed, saying the City Clerk gave her the same information. Mr. Janus added, in that case we should see about getting the striping done. He also mentioned to the board that the property which use to be the City landfill is a prime piece of property. He would Iike to talk to someone about the ownership and so forth,. He estoned the maintenance of the abandoned property on Route 1. Chairman Wasarhaley said we have a new Code Enforcement Officer row . we should talk to her about her plans in that area. Mr. 3anus made a motion that we invite the Code Enforcement Officer to attend our next meeting. Mr. Mackie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 6-0. AD3 OURNMEN7 Mrs. Woodard made a motion to adjourn. M. Ptaszek seconded the motion. Mr. Mackie did not her the motion and had something else to discuss. He asked about the City doing something about the junk on the side of the roads, especially Riverside Drive, and about the people speeding down Riverside Drive. Mr. McCallister suggested someone speak to the Police Chief. All police officers have reports to fill out perhaps they could locate their police cars along Riverside Drive to complete reports other words, the scarecrow effect. It was agreed this would be a good idea. Meeting adjourned 63 P.M. Minutes submitted by: Debbie Sigler -4- Citizens Council Advisory February 28, 1991 •