01-23-1995 - Regular
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CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 23, 1995
7:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Hayman called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in
the community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Jack Hayman
Councilman Danny Hatfield
Councilwoman Louise Martin
Councilman Michael Hays
Councilman David Mitchum
City Attorney Krista storey
City Manager George McMahon
City Clerk Susan Wadsworth
Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker
Present
Present
Present
Present
Arrived at 7:08 p.m.
Present
Present
Present
Present
INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was delivered by Reverend Roger Miracle,
Friendship Baptist Church. There was a pledge of allegiance to
the Flag.
Mayor Hayman asked that Items 8A & 8B be reversed. There was no
objection from Council.
Proclamations presented by Mayor
A. Police Employee of the Year 1994
Mayor Hayman called on Chief Schumaker to give remarks regarding
the Police Employee of the Year 1994. The people considered for
the award were Diana Floyd, Danny Richardson, Amy Stewart, Mark
Stone, and Robert Hazelwood.
Police Chief Schumaker commented on the tragedies in the Police
Department during 1994.
Mayor Hayman read the proclamation announcing the Police Employee
of the Year for 1994 as being Rev. Roger Miracle.
A plaque was presented to Rev. Miracle by Mr. Houghton from the
American Legion Post 285.
Rev. Miracle expressed his thanks for this award.
B. Fire and Rescue Employee of the Year 1994
Mayor Hayman called on Chief Vola to give remarks regarding the
Fire and Rescue Employee of the Year 1994. He spoke about how
the levels of service have increased because of the efforts of
Jill Landreville.
Mayor Hayman read the proclamation announcing the Fire and Rescue
Employee of the Year 1994 as being Jill Landreville.
A plaque was presented to Ms. Landreville by Mr. Houghton from
the American Legion Post 285.
Mayor Hayman spoke about the animation club students at Edgewater
Elementary winning international recognition for their efforts on
an animated film they wrote.
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Mayor Hayman recognized the following teachers and counselors:
Nancy Brown, Cathy VanLancker, Lillian Welenc, and Earnest
Tucker, Principal of the School.
Earnest Tucker, Principal of Edgewater Elementary, recognized
Steve Hardock who was behind the whole thing and got them
started.
Mr. Tucker recognized the following students of the Animation
Club for the wonderful job they did with their animated video:
Jamie England, Zachary Fanelli, Holly Couchman, Brandon
Scarborough, Ashley Steele, Chelsea Wood, Sean Wagner, Tiffany
Yeomans, Ian Anderson, Tessa Hardock, Ashley Hatfield, Robert
Jackson, Hans VanLancker, and Tina Lane.
Mr. Hardock explained the ins and outs of the competition. Mr.
Hardock spoke about having a banquet to help the children
celebrate their achievement. He spoke about placing signs around
the City.
The video made by the students, "A Fish Out of Water," was shown
to the Council.
Mr. Tucker thanked Council for allowing them the time to be on
the agenda and he stated any consideration would be appreciated.
Councilman Hatfield stated at the last meeting, a decision was
made to have a sign erected at each one of the city limits. He
stated they are going to let the kids design their sign.
Councilman Hays made a motion to donate $500 for the banquet for
the children, second by Councilman Mitchum. The motion CARRIED
5-0.
Mr. Tucker once again thanked the Mayor and the Council for their
generous offer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no minutes to be approved.
CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
(Other than Dublic hearinqs)
George Spofford, Executive Vice President, S & E Contractors,
made a presentation at this time. This item was done verbatim by
the City Attorney's office. (Exhibit #1)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Mavor Havman
Mayor Hayman spoke about correspondence he received from the
Volusia Growth Management Commission regarding Mr. Spengler being
unable to continue service.
Mayor Hayman asked Mr. Karet for help from the LDRA in nominating
someone to serve on the VGMC.
Councilman Hatfield
Councilman Hatfield commented on paperwork that was presented to
the Council from Parks and Recreation Director Jack Corder
regarding the lot purchase for the fund raiser Tour of Home.
Mr. Corder stated he spoke to a real estate company and they have
looked at lots and they found a lot that they particularly like
and they have negotiated a price of $10,000 plus closing costs
and payment of the sewer assessment.
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Council Regular Meeting
January 23, 1995
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Mayor Hayman asked if this property was located at the west end
of Indian River Blvd and Mr. Corder informed him it was.
Councilman Hatfield made a motion to purchase this property
subject to certification and verification there are no
encumbrances on the title, second by Councilman Mitchum.
Councilman Hays questioned whether or not the sewer assessment on
this property can be waived. City Manager McMahon informed him
the assessment must be paid.
City Manager McMahon asked Council to reconsider the cost of the
tickets from $20 to $10.
City Attorney storey stated subject to verification that there
are no encumbrances on the title, she requested Council make this
sale conditioned on that.
The motion CARRIED 5-0.
Councilman Hays made a motion to lower the cost of the tickets
for the Tour of Homes from $20 to $10, second by Councilman
Mitchum. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
Councilwoman Martin
Councilwoman Martin had nothing at this time.
Councilman Hays
Councilman Hays passed information called "Pay As You Throw
Refuse Plan" to city Clerk Wadsworth and asked to have copies
made for the Council for their consideration before the upcoming
budget review.
Councilman Hays asked to have an update on what is going on with
the new recording system at the next meeting.
Councilman Mitchum
Councilman Mitchum had nothing at this time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There were no public hearings, ordinances or resolutions to be
discussed.
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no items to be discussed on the consent agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Final pay reauest for Phases 3 & 4 of Florida Shores Capital
Improvement proiect
This item was done verbatim and is attached as Exhibit #1.
Councilman Hays made a motion to approve and process the pay
request through the state to receive reimbursement of SRF funds
under the condition such funds will not be disbursed to S & E
Contractors, Inc. until S & E agrees to, or a mechanism is
established, to satisfactorily correct premature asphaltic
pavement failures, second by Councilwoman Martin. The motion
CARRIED 5-0.
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Council Regular Meeting
January 23, 1995
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Councilman Hays made a motion to retain the firm of Foley and
Lardner to represent the City's interest in this matter, second
by Councilwoman Martin. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
Councilman Mitchum made a motion to get direction from staff on
what other problems exist, second by Councilman Hatfield. The
motion CARRIED 5-0.
There was a five-minute recess at this time.
B. Dick Clark to hiqhliqht findinqs and make recommendations on
Business Climate Analysis and Natural Linkaqe study
Mayor Hayman presented the background on this request.
Philip Fong, Chairman, Economic Development Board, commented on
the interviews that have been held with Mr. Clark.
Dick Clark, Right Associates, made a presentation regarding the
Business Climate Analysis and Natural Linkage study. He
explained why he feels this is a positive report. He went over
the summary of recommendations.
Mr. Fong stated it has been an encouraging experience to listen
to the companies that are ready to expand that speak highly of
the City.
Mayor Hayman presented an overview and executive summation of the
presentation made by Mr. Clark.
Councilman Hatfield made a motion to accept this report, second
by Councilwoman Martin.
Councilman Hatfield thanked Mr. Clark for his time and effort on
this report.
The motion CARRIED 5-0.
C. Confirm appointment of Glenn Barnhill to Board of Trustees
for Police Retirement Plan (fifth member chosen by Board members)
Councilwoman Martin made a motion to confirm the appointment of
Glenn Barnhill to the Board of Trustees for Police Retirement
Plan, second by Councilman Hays. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
D. Confirm ap~ointment of Nancy Williams to Board of Trustees
for Firefiqhters Pension Plan (fifth member chosen by Board
members)
Councilman Hays made a motion to confirm the appointment of Nancy
Williams to the Board of Trustees for Firefighters Pension Plan,
second by Councilman Hatfield. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
E. Cancellinq or reschedulinq reqular meetinq of Monday. Feb.
20. 1995. due to Presidents Day holiday
city Manager McMahon spoke about the topic of the February 6,
1995 meeting being the road improvement program.
Councilman Mitchum made a motion to cancel the February 20, 1995
meeting and call a special meeting if it is needed, second by
Councilman Hatfield. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
F. Discussion of process for implementation of standard unsafe
buildinq abatement code
Mayor Hayman referred to the Land Development Regulations and one
element of that being the legal mechanism to address derelict
buildings.
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Mark Karet, Director of Community Development, spoke about the
issue of community appearance. He spoke about the process that
staff has been working on to respond to since Councilmembers have
expressed an interest in seeing some of the derelict buildings
properly maintained or removed.
Mr. Karet explained Chapter 9 of the Land Development Regulations
entitled Construction and Technical Codes section 901J adopts the
standard unsafe building abatement code.
Mr. Karet explained the process in order to implement the
standard unsafe building abatement code.
There was a discussion regarding the Construction Regulation
Board.
Mayor HaYman stated the people that are currently serving on the
Building Trades Regulatory and Appeals Board meet the
qualifications of that board. He stated that board has not been
changed although there is a need to redesign and redirect the
board based on the new criteria. Mr. Karet explained the
technical aspects of what has occurred.
There was a discussion regarding the Building Trades Regulatory
and Appeals Board being replaced by the Construction Regulation
Board.
Mayor HaYman stated the BTRAB have asked numerous times to speak
to the Council about this transition and he feels the Council
needs to do that. He expressed concern about the transition of
the BTRAB being done with all due respect and dignity to the
people who have served this City so well for so long.
There was a discussion regarding the people serving on the BTRAB
being able to reapply to serve on the Construction Regulation
Board.
City Manager McMahon recommended the Council with urgency conduct
whatever meetings they believe are beneficial between the Council
and the BTRAB and extend an invitation to have them serve on the
new board simply by indicating an interest in doing that. He
stated the Council needs to have an appeals board established
quickly. He urged Council to schedule this in the very near
future.
Councilman Hays commented on the members of the CRB being
residents of the City unless no qualified candidate complies. He
feels it is important for the Council to decide if that is the
way they want that. He feels it is important to have residents
involved in this and he asked that the section unless no
qualified candidate complies be struck out. Mr. Karet elaborated
on the reason why unless no qualified candidate complies is
stated.
Councilman Hays made a motion to implement the standard unsafe
building abatement code, second by Councilwoman Martin.
Councilman Hatfield asked the time frame on the development of
the Construction Regulation Board. Mr. Karet stated he hoped to
have enough applications at the next meeting.
Councilman Hatfield asked about the time table on the zone by
zone enforcement. Mr. Karet stated they want to have the board
in place and essentially they can begin that week but they won't
hear any cases right away.
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Council Regular Meeting
January 23, 1995
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City Attorney storey explained one of the reasons Mr. Karet
recommended the zone concept is because we do not need to be
targeting particular buildings. She stated we need to have a
systematic approach to the process.
Councilman Hays commented on the image of the City and how the
City looks and he commented on some of the buildings along u.s.
#1. City Attorney Storey explained Mark has structured his zones
to accommodate that.
The motion CARRIED 5-0.
G. Status report regardinq vacation of allevwav and portion of
Guava Drive. Ord. No. 88-0-29
City Attorney Storey presented a background and status report on
this vacation. She spoke about rescinding this vacation. She
explained she and Mr. Karet are attempting to pursue some
potential compromises.
Jackie Levine, 1818 Fern Palm Drive, stated she understands there
are some other innocent people that got involved but at the time
when the City gave this land free to Perry Barrett it was never
supposed to be used for building. It was supposed to be used for
retention of the site plan that was originally passed for Perry
Barrett's store.
Mr. Karet stated he has spoken to Helen Lovell who represents the
property owner along with Mr. Boyd DeLoach. He stated they have
discussed some type of compromise in terms of an easement over a
portion of Lot 500 and they are considering it.
There was a discussion regarding Mr. Barrett's letter.
Councilman Hays stated if we don't get the right-of-way across
the back of that property in the proposed alleyway, then the only
other option we have is to take it back to where it originally
was before the agreement with Mr. Barrett. Mr. Karet explained
the city's options.
Bill Riggle, owner of the property to the west of the properties
being discussed, commented on having five duplexes adjacent to
the piece of property. He spoke about coming before Council back
in 1989 regarding special exceptions for development of that
property and it was granted a special exception to develop that
property to Mr. Barrett. He expressed concern with the traffic
in and out of that property.
Mayor Hayman explained where they are at this point.
City Attorney Storey stated the Council could make the ultimate
decision to rescind that vacation and the mechanism for
consideration of that would have to be a public hearing. She
explained staff can try to work with all of the affected parties
and try to come to a compromise and if ultimately they can not,
then rescinding the vacation could be a last resort.
Ms. Levine stated when the site plan was approved for the Jiffy
Store, Lot 500 was part of that parcel. She stated that is no
longer in existence. She stated she doesn't understand how Kenny
is going on with his plan when the site plan has been changed.
Mr. Karet elaborated on if they were to declare the site plan
null and void.
Councilman Mitchum asked how the Walsh Trust wound up with this
property. Mr. Karet explained there are two successors in
titleship to Mr. Barrett, Sides and Mr. Hamel. When Mr. Hamel
died, Walsh ended up with it.
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January 23, 1995
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Councilman Mitchum feels a compromise can be accomplished.
Councilwoman Martin asked for a map with the property on it.
city Attorney storey informed her a map was included the last
time this was discussed.
Councilman Hays feels we need to notify the parties involved and
invite them to a meeting with staff to resolve this and if there
is no response, Council should have a couple of options. He
feels they owe something to the people who have been trying to
resolve this and work this out.
Mayor Hayman expressed concern for the senior citizens who reside
in the area being discussed.
Mr. Riggle feels any time changes are made to a site plan, it
should be required the site plan be reapplied for.
Mayor Hayman stated this would be continued until staff comes
back with more detailed information.
GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Judith Lichter, 826 Navigators Way, commented about the general
appearance of Edgewater. She feels zoning situations need to be
addressed. Ms. Lichter commented about beautification awards.
Ms. Lichter spoke about a small parcel of land at Indian River
Blvd. and u.s. #1 on the southwest side. She spoke about the
newspaper boxes being placed on that property and the newspapers
not paying Edgewater for the privilege of selling them at that
location. She spoke about the bench advertising a funeral home.
She feels this particular spot could be a beautiful spot. She
asked Council to consider looking into this as a potential
beautification focus.
Doris Sanders, 1817 Edgewater Canal Road, spoke about the water
line to DBCC that crosses her property. She stated she has had
no word as of yet.
city Attorney Storey stated she contacted the County Right-of-Way
Department and when this was permitted it was determined that
this is County right-of-way. She doesn't feel the City should be
in a position of making a decision. She informed Mrs. Sanders
she needs to contact the County. She recommended Council stay
out of this issue.
City Attorney Storey stated Mr. Wadsworth has recommended against
allowing hookups without the payment of fees to the water line.
Ms. Sanders stated two trees were removed from her property and
she doesn't believe the trees were in the right-of-way. She
stated she would like to know who issued the permit for them to
run the water line in the first place. City Attorney Storey
stated she would be happy to provide her with that information.
Mario DiOrio, 1823 Evergreen Drive, commented on the roads. He
feels the city is headed down the road to disaster especially if
they get an inch and a quarter of road and six inches of shell
mix. Mayor Hayman elaborated on Mr. DiOrio's concerns.
Mr. DiOrio commented on the elderly people not being able to
afford the paving.
Mr. DiOrio spoke about when he had his problem with his roof,
city Manager McMahon was instructed to write a letter to the
regulatory board and the letter never went out.
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Council Regular Meeting
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Mr. DiOrio spoke about replacing the BTRAB with the new CRB.
Mr. DiOrio feels citizen comments should be earlier in the
meeting.
Mr. Karet addressed the matter of city Manager McMahon forwarding
information to the BTRAB. He explained at that time, the BTRAB
was not constituted to be a disciplinary body for the
contractors.
Mr. DiOrio expressed concern about why he was never told of the
BTRAB not being a disciplinary body.
Charles Gebelein, 1730 Umbrella Tree Drive, commented on citizen
comment and citizens input. He commented about the changing of
the Council allowing citizen input immediately after a
presentation.
Mayor Hayman elaborated on Dr. Gebelein's concerns.
councilman Hays stated the Council is there because they were
elected by the community to make decisions. He spoke about
citizen input confusing some of the issues discussed. He agreed
with the changes made to the agenda. He wants to see how this
works for a while.
Councilwoman Martin stated they can't ponder on everything on the
agenda because it would take entirely too long.
Dr. Gebelein doesn't feel changing the agenda is the solution to
this problem.
city Manager McMahon spoke about the availability of the agenda.
Mayor Hayman commented about public involvement.
Dr. Gebelein suggested the Council have an agenda regarding
"simple items." Councilwoman Martin stated she doesn't find
anything on the agenda that comes up simple other than the
consent agenda.
OFFICERS REPORTS
city Attorney
City Attorney storey had nothing at this time.
city Manaqer
City Manager McMahon had nothing at this time.
Roger Harnack, News and Observer, commented about the issue of
derelict buildings and the issue of public safety and children
playing in some of these places. He stated he heard that having
a priority list for some of these places may have some legal
ramifications but he also heard that these districts were carved
in order to meet some priorities and rid of some of the more
obvious structures. He asked why is a random lottery process not
being used rather than carving districts and prioritizing
projects under the guides of carving districts.
Mr. Harnack asked if this is truly an issue of public safety, why
are derelict buildings in residential districts being addressed
prior to a business district. Mr. Karet stated the districts
that we have will include residences as well.
Mayor Hayman informed Mr. Harnack there were no hidden agendas
and they are trying to get rid of derelict buildings because of
the obvious safety impact and the image the impact has on our
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council Regular Meeting
January 23, 1995
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CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Hays
Councilman Hays commented on community appearance being addressed
through Code Enforcement. He asked to have this matter
revisited. He asked Mr. Karet to put together his thoughts on
this matter. He asked this to be brought back at one of the next
couple of meetings.
Councilman Hays commented about the Beach Trust commission. He
questioned if it might not be appropriate for the Council to
withdraw from the Beach Commission and give New Smyrna Beach our
proxy vote.
Councilman Hatfield stated he doesn't feel they have the
authority to give someone else our proxy vote.
Mayor Hayman commented about Mayor Musson's reputation on the
Beach Trust commission as a person who is representing his City.
There were no comments from any other Councilmembers.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Councilwoman Martin
made a motion to adjourn, second by Councilman Hatfield. The
meeting adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Kruckmeyer
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Council Regular Meeting
January 23, 1995
George Spofford
Mayor
Spofford
Mayor
Agenda Item 8A:
Mayor
Fegley
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Exhibit fI1
City Council Meeting
January 23, 1995
Citizen Comments:
Executive Vice President with S&E Contractors,
I don't know if you would like to hear from me
now under item #4 or when we get to other
business down below regarding our pay request,
its ah your preference.
Ladies & gentleman of the council we can defer
his presentation until that time if you like,
he is affiliated with the company and is one
of the executives; sir if you don't mind, we
would appreciate it if at that time you would
Not at all, okay
Thank you
Other Business
Final pay request for Phases 3&4 of Florida
Shores Capital Improvement Project (originally
listed as item #8B on agenda but moved to item
#8A)
...The final pay request for phases 3&4 of the
Florida Shores Capital Improvement Program we
also have a speaker representing S&E
Construction with us here tonight, (cough)
excuse me. In your packet you have the
recommendation approve and process the pay
request through the State to receive
reimbursement of SRF funds under condition -
such funds will not be disbursed to S&E
Contractors, Inc until S&E agrees to or a
mechanism is established to satisfy correct
premature asphaltic pavement failures.
Mr. Fegley you are the staff person
responsible, do you for do you have a quick
presentation on this and sir you might want to
remain~at the podium during the time our guest
makes his presentation as well.
Kyle
Mayor
Fegley, City Engineer.
and council persons.
Good evening
Councilman
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Hatfield I would like to talk to your daughter
a couple of minutes tomorrow. I have a couple
of letters I have to manuscript and use her
literary skills.
Hatfield
For a price.
Fegley
Get business at hand, as you mayor may not be
aware, one of the stipulations in the contract
once we have received the pay request is the
city must render a decision within 30 days
after receipt of such pay request from the
engineer. We received the final pay request
for phases 3&4, the amounts respectively
$187,769.17 and $252,780.97, as such the city
must respond positively or negatively in some
manner to S&E to make sure we fulfill our
obligations.
At this point in time it has been my
observation that the city has realized as you
probably all are aware of all the numerous
phone calls. Some some pavement deficiencies
particularly with the asphaltic concrete
roadways and at this point in time we have not
had a commitment to restore these roadways to
equal or better condition as they were at
substantial completion.
As such, I do not believe that we are
justified as a city to release these funds at
this time and I think that we should retain
these funds until a decision is made on who is
going to restore our roadways. But also at
this time I also recommend that we submit
these final pay requests to the state for
reimbursement from the SRF state revolving
fund loan such that we do have these monies in
case we have to fall back and utilize them for
correction measures.
At this point in time that's my
recommendation. These funds would not be
issued to any further parties unless they have
councils blessings and at this time that is my
position and I also want to expound upon any
other 30mments regarding this issue.
Mayor
Thank you. Mr. Stoffor
Fegley
Spofford, George Spofford.
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Mayor I'm sorry, sir it would be appropriate now if
you would like to present your remarks and
feelings.
Spofford Thank you.
Mayor Once again, kindly preface your remarks with
identification of who you are and who you
represent.
Spofford Again, my name is George Spofford. I am
executive vice president with S&E Contractors
in Clearwater, Florida, and to start with I've
got some information I'd like to hand to the
council if that's acceptable?
Mayor
Yes it is.
Spofford
I want you to bear with m~, some of these, I
didn't know how many copies to make. I think
I've got enough to go around.
Hays
Thank you.
Mayor
Thank you, ah let the record reflect that
S&E's representative is passing copies of a
document establishing that the City of
Edgewater knowingly purchased road
improvements with a design service life of 1
to 3 years, ah this addresses phases 2, 3 & 4
of the capital improvements project.
Spofford
Is there a time limit or how much time?
Mayor
Sir, normally we ask during citizens comments
that they be very direct and although we have
a provision for three minutes what I would ask
that you do is essentially this, your
presentation I understand is really this ah
Spofford
No.
Mayor
Substance of it, okay?
Spofford
No.
Mayor
Then what I would like for you to do sir is,
ah we are interested in what you have to say -
this is not a court of law, where we is - we
are proceeding with the necessary paperwork
with the state as you know to have the funds
from the SRF loan released to us and we are
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also upon receipt of that we will proceed
through our staff working with your staff to
resolve these differences, we are not here to
try the case, we are not here to argue ... any
information you give us would be for mostly
appreciated.
Spofford
I understand, that's that's the intent of my
presentation this evening.
Mayor
Okay, my last guideline to you is just as
directly as possible we would encourage you to
just to come right to the point with an
executive summary if you could for us.
Spofford
Absolutely, that's all I attempt to do.
Mayor
We would appreciate that, thank you.
Spofford
Really, the purpose of of my presentation
tonight is to get paid. The work has been
done for a long time. You have got close to a
half million dollars of our money and uh we
have complied with the contract and what I am
doing here tonight is trying to show you that
we are in the right and that we are entitled
to be paid as quickly as possible. The uh to
get to the crux of the matter - we built this
project pursuant to the City's design. The
City gave us, the City Engineer gave us the
plans and specifications and thats exactly
what we built for the city. The city council
made a decision to buy that design. They the
documents in this booklet you can see, I'll
walk you through some of them, you can see
where the city council, your predecessors had
the option of buying a better product than
what you ultimately decided to buy. There was
a lot of debate back and forth ultimately you
went with a product that was not going to last
as long as apparently ya'll thought it would.
But that was a decision that ya'll made with
recommendation of the city council uh I mean
the city engineer's office so that's the
bottom line. That we built the project that
you asked us to build. The problem you have
is if we're not paid, then we are going to be
in a fire fight and that's what we are trying
to avoid.
The problem on a construction basis that you
have is that you have one of asphalt eight
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inches of just compacted shell and then you
have non stabilized subgrade. And the best
analogy I can give to you, that's the design
you asked for and that's exactly what we built
you. The best analogy I can give you is like
building a house on a foundation built on
sand. If you know your Bible, you know those
things don't last very long and that's exactly
what you have here. You have non stabilized
sub base compacted shell and one inch of
asphalt, that's a recipe for disaster in these
site conditions.
We first became aware of this problem in
November of 1993 when we first started
building the roads and the roads started
failing as we were still building them. We
raised concern and we told the city at that
point this design won't work under these
conditions, the city looked at it and I'll
show you the documentation, the city looked at
it at that time and rather than spend the
money at that point which would have been less
money at the time to fix it they made the
decision at time again, no we don't want to go
with the correct fix, we are going to go with
a bandaid and get the job done and try to get
these roads underway so that we can do the
assessments against or towards the citizens.
We first became aware of it in November of
1993, the City, which I found in the city's
own records, I spent four days four and a half
days going through the city's own records, I
found that the City was first aware of this in
December of 1990, five years ago, four and a
half years ago the City knew that the product
they were asked that they were telling us to
build, hopefully were going to tell us to
build wasn't going to work, nonetheless they
made the decision let's go with that product
anyway and get the job done.
If you look to the first red tab in the
booklet you have and we'll just go through
these real quickly. I'm not going to go
through every document in this package trust
me.
The first document is dated May 8, 1990, its
from your designer. That designer is saying
you can see the highlighted points, its saying
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there is not sufficient space within the right
of ways to prepare typical roadway sections
that meet all of todays DOT standards and
attached to that they give you some typical
roadway standards they're referring to those
cross sections they say that these sections
provide a better paving drainage and safety
design than that currently used by the City
and are consistent with budgetary guidelines.
Again the designer was giving you a design and
asking you is this what you are willing to
pay. And if you look at the next page the
typical cross section they're all relatively
the same but the key parts are you have one
inch of asphalt on the first one is six inches
of cemented shell base on top of twelve inches
of compacted subgrade that would have probably
worked in these site conditions. The
difference between this what the designer was
originally specifying and what you told us to
build, you did away with the cemented shell
base. What you have out there is one inch of
asphalt non cemented shell base on just
compacted subgrade.
The next document in the package, well let me
jump forward, that was in October of 1990, the
records I found show that Mr. Fegley and Mr.
McMahon were aware of this by at least
September of 1993 if not before. We haven't
finished our review and we will find who knew
what when eventually.
The next document is the Florida Shores
Wastewater Collection System Final Value
Engineering Report you'll see that one its the
next red tab. Going back to page 3 of that
report, the report is I engthy I didn' t give
you copies of the whole thing, you got it in
your own file. On page 3 of that and what
this document is is the City requested their
own design engineer go back find out if there
is a way we can save some money this is too
expensive and you look at your own city
minutes and there's a lot of debate on that
issue trying to find a way to pay for this
thing, and you were getting a lot of pressure
from your citizens, they didn't want to pay
for the expensive product that you were
initially proposing.
Anyway, Dyer Riddle commissioned a Value
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Engineering Report to find a way to save
money. They came up with eleven different
proposed solutions, ways to save money on this
project, item #2 use it says completed but it
should say compacted use compacted shell base
in lieu of cemented shell base in pavement
restoration potentially save $433,000.00. If
you look at that the response by the VECP
Committee was rejected bad idea that's not a
way to save money it's it's penny wise and
pound foolish. If you institute that solution
in the long run you are going to end up
replacing your roads quicker than you'd like
to. That's exactly what we have now, because
that's exactly what happened on this project.
Somewhere between this point with the VECP
report and the specifications that you gave us
to build someone made the decision to depart
from cemented shell base and use just
compacted shell base. Your own engineers back
in 1990 were telling you don't do that that's
not a wise way to spend the citizens money but
someone made the decision to do it anyway.
Page 5 of that same report they give you a
detailed explanation of why that's such a bad
idea and I've given you the highlighted
portions it states the idea is rejected the
ground water elevations recorded during
studies conducted by the geotechnical engineer
indicate that the ground water will during wet
season periods saturate the road sub base.
The proposed CIP drainage improvements are not
expected to significantly alter this
condition. Pavement performance is increased
using a rigid (cement) treated base instead of
flexible base given this condition.
They are telling you that point you have got
to use cemented you got to use soil cement in
your base like we've showing you in those
drawings, don't go away from that or it's
gonna fail. Continuing existing sub base
materials will require further stabilization
if flexible base is used at that point they
are telling you, your own engineers are
telling you you can do away with the soil
cement base but if you do that you better
stabilize the sub base in order to provide
that foundation. What happened was not only
did you do away with the soil cement but you
didn't add any stabilization. So you took
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away from the stabilization at the top and you
didn't make up for it anywhere else.
Next document I would like to refer you to is
an October 14, 1993 memorandum from Mr. Fegley
to Mr. McMahon, that's the third red tab in
your book. Now in that report its several
pages long but in that memorandum rather he
Mr. Fegley states discussing the design and
the problems encountered out there, this in
combination with my analysis of the roadway
conversation with design technicians and FDOT
design engineer leads me to believe the City
needs to consider alternate roadway designs.
Now this is 93, the problems are already
arising we've already found we've already
raised the flag that this design is not going
to work under these conditions.
Continuing down the report Mr. Fegley also
states, I also recommend constructing the
remaining roads with a two inch type 83
asphal t course in lieu of the specified one
inch. What that does is he's recommending in
order to provide the stability that the
roadways need add another inch of asphalt, if
you are going to leave the roadways the way
they are at a minimum add another inch of
asphalt.
The next doc, lets see, the next document the
next red tab, that's a memorandum from Mr.
McMahon to the Mayor and City Council, it's
dated October 20, 1993, third paragraph he
states it becomes very clear to me at this
time it becomes very clear at this time to me
that the City should take remedial action to
stabilize streets and increase longevity of
pavement this will involve change orders to
the original contract and is estimated at
approximately one hundred thousand dollars per
phase to take care of the problem. That was
rejected but at that point Mr. McMahon was
recognizing if you want to solve the problem
its going to cost more money. It's not our
prob, its not the contractors problem we're
building it the way you asked us to build it
but they can increase the design by adding
more asphalt but it'll cost more money.
On the second page of his report he states and
this is critical this is October 20, 1993, he
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states "should the project be completed in
compliance with the contract and original
contract specifications I predict the City
will experience rapid deterioration of roads
in costs much greater than change orders now."
In October 1993, he was predicting the roads
were going to fail prematurely, thats exactly
what we are encountering now only now, S&E is
being asked to bear the burden of it.
The next red tab in your report its a report
from Universal Engineering Services it looks
like that, this is a testing lab that the city
hired to inspect that project the bottom line
on this report is they've inspected S&E's work
and as far as they're concerned our work is in
compliance with the specifications.
On the first page the testing lab states and
these are registered professional engineers
quote our sub base and base in place density
tests and retests as well as our LBR tests and
retests on the base met minimum project
requirements at those locations tested.
Second page "it is our professional opinion
that the asphaltic concrete generally meets
the intent of the project specifications"
continuing down under the section entitled
shell base, when he's the engineers
discussing should give you cemented shell base
or just non cemented shell base just
compacted shell base. The engineers final
ultimate position is the final decision of
which base to utilize is a function of both
serviceability and cost. Cost benefit
analysis you need to decide if you want to pay
for a cadillac or a ford.
Later on in the report the engineer makes
several recommendations - what would they do
in this situation if they were designing the
project Item # 1 maintain a minimum
separation of 18 inches between the bottom of
the shell base and the estimated seasonal high
water table. That's not what was provided for
in our contact. Our contract provided one
foot and that's a departure from what this
engineer recommended.
Item #4 of the recommendations, we recommend
confined pavement edges to minimize edge
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distress. In laymens terms curbs and gutters,
what you have out there is asphalt and grass
or asphalt and dirt. There is nothing to
support to keep the edges of the asphalt from
breaking away from when the mailman runs on it
I've been out there - I've seen him out
there, you can see his tracks. There is
nothing there to keep the water away from the
edges keep the water from percolating up
underneath the pavement. There are no
confined pavement, there's no curbs and
gutters on this project.
Item #6 we recommend pavement section design
in accordance with the FDOT flexible pavement
design manual. Your own engineer is
recommending at a minimum follow the DOT
standards, do what they do, their roads
typically work, they have had a lot of
experience at this. I've been through the
reports, I've seen over and over where Mr.
Fegley and other state, they assert our design
is fine it meets DOT standards except we don't
have a stabilized sub grade.
Every report I've seen they start out with the
assertion our design is find it complies with
DOT standards, buried below there's a catch
phrase a loophole that says except we don't
have stabilized subgrade. Remember those that
phrase stabilized subgrade thats the one
thats going to come back to haunt the city if
this thing is not resolved cause you don' t
have a stabilized subgrade we told you in '93
that that was the problem the city new it at
the same time or prior but didn't do anything
about it.
Your own engineer Universal Engineering
Services recognized that problem also.
The next red tab is a memorandum from Mr.
McMahon to the Mayor and Council dated
November 18, 1993, now these are all documents
I ferreted out in your own files. I spent
four and a half days going through those
thing~ and found these things.
In that memorandum on the second page Mr.
McMahon states finally I wish to bring to your
attention my professional opinion based on
road paving and city manager experience this
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is that I firmly believe the original
engineering specifications lacked the quality
of design intended or expected by the city.
Continuing down addressing Dyer, Riddle, Mills
& Precourt, at the same time he requests that
they no longer do consulting engineering for
the city on future projects.
At that time November 18, 1993, Mr. McMahon
recognized there was something seriously wrong
with the specifications that we were being
required to perform to.
The last document in this package that I've
highlighted is a January 10, 1994, memorandum
from Mr. McMahon to the Mayor and the Council.
Its one page long the critical iss... the
critical text on that page is the last
paragraph and that goes to who decided to go
with a ford instead of a cadillac. Who
decided to depart from that specification with
a cemented a soil cement base and stabilized
subgrade, who made that decision. Mr. McMahon
writes "the contract conditions and
specifications were presented by the
consul ting engineers Dyer, Riddle, Mills &
Precourt and approved by the city council at
that time to minimize costs". I haven't found
the meeting minutes or the written record
where the city council debated this issue and
made the decision to depart from recognized
road building standards and go with something
lesser. Eventually we'll ferret that out -
we'll find out who was involved in that
decision and who made the decision, the
ultimate decision to save a buck then in order
to get these roads approved by the citizens so
that you'd get your assessments in place. But
the bottom line on that statement is the City
chose the design they wanted to build - they
made the cost benefit analysis, spend the
money then or spend it in 1 to 3 years.
There is one other report - I don't know if
its highlighted or not, its the December 22,
1993, engineering report from Mr. Fegley to
Mr. McMahon. It's a lengthy report - in depth
report but the end result of that report is
what was driving that report was tell us how
long these roads are going to last the way
they are designed. His conclusion is anywhere
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from less than a year to 3.2 years.
You can't have something that will last less
than a year. There is no longevity at all to
that but that is based on the design that we
were handed. Its not a 10 year road its not a
20 year road because that would have been much
more expensive and if you'll take the time and
go through the memoranda and documents that
are in this package you'll see that the city
governing body made the decision not to buy a
10 year road not to buy a 20 year road but to
buy something to improve the conditions that
were out there made it better than hopefully
better than what it was.
And probably the bigger concern if I was a
citizen of Edgewater would not be potential
litigation with S&E Contractors over a half
million dollars debt that we feel we are
entitled to. The bigger concern as far as I'm
concerned if I was a citizen would be what
about this new road that's going in out there.
All this money that's being expended for this
this new project where you are paving a lot
more roads - I've seen the plans, haven't been
provided with the detailed specs yet, I've
asked for them, I haven't seen the details~
I'm not sure exactly what you're building out
there - what your planning on building but if
you don't fix this problem, if you don't build
it the way it ought to be built you are going
to be facing the same problems out there and
if I was a citizen in the City of Edgewater I
would be upset about that because you are
getting ready to buy the same problems you
have got with us.
Mayor
Thank you.
Spofford
Thank you.
Mayor
We appreciate your presentation and your
information, I will ask the council not to
address them at this time until staff can have
an opportunity to look at them and unless the
council directs otherwise I think whats most
appropriate now is for our staff to take what
you have and I am presuming that you've, what
you have said here tonight you have said
already to our representatives - our staff.
If not, then I think that's really whats in
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order for that sort of thing to take
Spofford
I've conveyed the information to them, whether
they have conveyed it any further I don' t
know.
Mayor
Ms. Storey unless I am off base would you
please advise me regarding that decision
Ms. Storey
Regarding
Mayor
I prefer not to deliberate this at this time,
I don't think that's the appropriate thing to
do.
Storey
That's what I would recommend. Mayor Hayman
and Council members at this time in reference
to this matter, sitting to my left, I would
like to introduce the Council to John Horan.
As you know under my professional services
budget, I have brought in Mr. Horan as a
Construction Consultant and he has been
working with staff and advising staff on this
matter. Mr. Horan sat in on a meeting that we
had with S&E - Mr. Spofford last week. At
this point in time in reference to the
recommendation that Mr. Fegley made to you
further recommendation would be for the
Council to pursue the direction that Mr.
Fegley recommended.
Further at this time I would like to request
that Council formally retain Mr. Horans firm
which is Foley and Lardner and authorize them
to implement all necessary legal measures to
protect the City's interest in this matter.
Spofford
Recognize as I conveyed to Ms. Storey and Mr.
Horan last week; the way this is headed - you
are headed to litigation with S&E. There is
enough documentation in your own files that I
found that shows that we are in the right in
this matter.
We built exactly what the City wanted built
and if it doesn't perform the way you thought
it was going to perform. I'm sorry, we are
entitled to be paid for the effort that we put
out that we complied with the contract. S&E
Contractors will suit the City of Edgewater if
we are not paid for the work we did.
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Mayor
Sir, you have made your point and I appreciate
this. Thank you Ms. Storey. One point of
interest here, I believe that Mr. Horan has
some reputation and repute as a mediator and I
believe that we all know that litigation is
the most costly thing that anyone can ever
attempt.
It is my hope that because of the complexity
here and as you have pointed out very clearly.
We are dealing with time going back to I think
1990, changes, interpretations, and reports
and findings and I think what is really
imperative that when we look not at a law suit
but as resolving this in an agreeable amicable
way through a collaborative effort not a
hostile, protagonistic, antagonistic effort
and I think that with the reputation of Mr.
Horan as a mediator, I would hope that we
would try to negotiate and mediate before
certainly before we went to court. And I am
not suggesting we are going to court. You may
be suggesting...
Spofford
If I can respond to that? I am telling you we
are headed to court.
Mayor
Very well sir.
Spofford
We have given you the information. The City
made the decision to build this design.
Mayor, may I address that please?
Mayor
Ladies and gentlemen, sir, would you please
introduce yourself at the microphone. Mr.
Horan, one of the things I am not interested
in doing, I don I t think it would be
appropriate as to get involved in a
preliminary hearing of sorts regarding who is
right and who is wrong.
Horan
And I certainly don 't intend to do that, I
intend to address the point that you just
made. When the City Attorney got me involved.
Honorable Mayor, Council Members, my name is
John Horan and I am with the firm of Foley and
Lardne-r.
Our firm is general counsel to the Greater
Orlando Aviation Authority, general counsel to
Ocoee, we are special counsel to St. Johns
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County, Orange City and Port Orange with
regards to annexation and construction related
matters. I have been a construction lawyer
for the last 16 - 17 years and I have a great
deal of experience in representing public
bodies concerning construction disputes of
this type.
As Mayor Hayman pointed out to you, I am also
a certified mediator in the State of Florida.
I have been involved these disputes. I
understand the costliness of them. I
understand the importance of being able to
maintain control of the dispute and to resolve
the dispute in a way that makes some sense.
The first thing I did when I got involved with
Attorney Storey and City Manager McMahon, was
explain to them the first thing I wanted to do
was meet with Mr. Spofford and his counsel to
propose to them. And we did in fact meet last
week, as a matter of fact we traveled to
Tampa, to accommodate S&E and their travel
schedule and their arrangements. So we could
meet and engage and initiate a process where
we engage in a collaborative effort to try to
resolve this matter without litigation. I
want to impress upon Council and impress upon
S&E, as a matter of fact I received a letter
from your counsel today in which he indicated
that you were ready to cooperate and
collaborate but that it shouldn't be
unilateral. We are certainly ready to engage
in a process that makes some sense other than
litigation to proceed to try to resolve this
matter and that is the way I will be
representing the City, keeping in mind the
costs involved because this is very very
costly litigation and we are attempting to
resolve the matters with the contractor in a
way that makes some sense. I just wanted to
address that particular point.
Mayor
Thank you sir. Ladies and gentlemen..
Spofford
Can I say one last thing?
Mayor
Yes sir. Briefly please.
Spofford
I'll make it as brief as I can. As I
explained to Mr. Horan and Ms. Storey last
week, the only thing that makes sense to us
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given the documents you have in front of you
and the information we have found. Pay us the
money and then lets sit down and talk about
trying to work together to solve your problem.
It is not our problem. We would be more than
happy to give you the knowledge and the
benefit of our years in the business to try
and find a solution out there. But we are
going to be hard pressed to do that when you
have got close to five hundred thousand
dollars of our money sitting in your bank
account.
Mayor
Thank you sir. Ladies and gentlemen of the
Council we have actually 2 requests before us
this evening. The fist one which was agendaed
for us was the request for approval to process
the pay request to the State to receive SRF
funds but with the caveat to that asking us
for approval to withhold disbursement to S&E
until satisfactory corrective premature
asphaltic pavement failures or remedial action
is agreed upon on that.
The next part coming out of this presentation
and our discussion here is recommendation from
Council to retain the firm of Foley and
Lardner to represent the City interest in this
matter. Because of obviously S&E has
indicated they have a strong interest in
possible litigation in this.
I would like to address the first request of
staff first. Is there a motion to approve the
request of our City Engineer for to submit the
request for reimbursement for SRF funds and
withholding the payment to S&E.
Mitchum
I Move to approve.
Martin
Second.
Mayor
Mr. Mitchum has moved for approval.
been seconded by Mrs. Martin.
It has
Hays
The motion was for approval of pay request?
Mitchum
No.
Mayor
Yes sir. The motion: approve the process and
process the request to the State for
reimbursement of SRF funds under the conditions.
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Martin
Was that to the State?
Mayor
Excuse me. Let me read the recommendation
again which is really the motion. They are
asking us to approve the process in process,
excuse me, the pay request through the State
Martin
To obtain the funds from the State.
Mayor
to receive reimbursement of SRF funds under
the condition that such funds will not be
disbursed to S&E Contractors until S&E agrees
to or a mechanism is established to satisfy,
correct premature asphaltic pavement
Mitchum
That's the request that I made the motion on.
It is in no way paying S&E at this point.
Mayor
Thank you for the clarification
Okay, we have a motion and second.
any other discussion?
on that.
Is there
Hays
The only discussion I have on the motion, I
understand that Ms. Storey doesn't want us to
get into much discussion on this right now,
but I do think it's important, that myself
being a part of this from the beginning if you
will, I understand what the representative
from S&E has said. The context of some of the
things I really don't you know you can take
anyone paragraph out and sometimes it's
represented a little bit differently than it
is if you read the whole story. The comment
that its not S&E's problem. There were things
that we discussed here many times that I
believe were problems created by S&E and
because of that I can't see us going with
payment until those issues are resolved and I
would hope that the representatives from S&E
will sit down and resolve this so we don' t
have to take it to court. That's the worst
way to go. The best way is to sit down and
resolve, there are some legitimate problems
and those weren't brought out here tonight.
Mayor
Any other discussion? Roll call please.
Clerk
Mayor Hayman?
Mayor
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hatfield?
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Hatfield
Yes.
Clerk
Councilwoman Martin?
Martin
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hays?
Hays
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Mitchum?
Mitchum
Yes.
Mayor
Now, ladies and gentlemen of the Council, with
respect to the suggestion from Council which
brings forth another motion to retain the firm
of Foley and Lardner to represent the Cities
interest in this matter.
Hays
So moved.
Martin
Second.
Mayor
Was that you Mr. Mitchum? Mr. Hays. Thank
you. Motion by Mr. Hays seconded by Mrs.
Martin. Any discussion. Roll Call?
Clerk
Mayor Hayman?
Mayor
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hatfield?
Hatfield
Yes.
Clerk
Councilwoman Martin?
Martin
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hays?
Hays
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Mitchum?
Mitchum
Yes.
Mayor
Is the gentleman from S&E still here? Sir, we
do appreciate your presentation and I hope you
don 't - this act of ours tonight, these 2
motions doesn't create a hostile situation
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between us. We are acting on behalf of our
constituents in the way that we think is best
at this point. There is no hostility towards
us between us and your firm. And we
appreciate your attempt to work with us and
our staff to resolve this in a amicable
manner. Thank you very much.
Spofford
Thank you for the opportunity.
Mayor
You are welcome sir.
Mitchum
Mr. Mayor, might I add something?
Mayor
Yes Slr.
Mitchum
Obviously we've all talked to Ms. Storey on
this and without getting into an adversarial
position, I happen to think that agree with
Mr. Hays, that it's all not the city problem.
I happen to think that it's part S&E's
problem. So I want to go on record as saying
that. I want to at some point get a
presentation backing this stand. I want to
know where we stand. If we don't stand on
solid ground which has been the subject that
we've had all night then there is no need
taking this further. Okay. But if the City
is on solid ground I want to know it. Right
now we have heard one side of it. I want to
know if we're standing on solid firm ground.
Spofford
Mitchum
I do happen to know that passage in the Bible.
Mayor
I think - I am not trying to put words in your
mouth sir. I believe you are asking for a
commitment or given directions to staff with
our attorney to come back after they have done
a review to tell us
Mitchum
I want to know where we stand.
Mayor
All right. Is there a second to that?
Hatfield
I'll definitely second that.
Spofford
Your Honor. That's twice now. Mr. Hays and
Mr. Mitchum have said other problems that need
to be addressed. My conversations with Mr.
Fegley and Ms. Storey lead me to believe that
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those are not hindrances to our getting paid.
The sole issue that's keeping us from getting
paid is the asphalt condition, now if there
are other problems out there that need to be
addressed, I need to know about them and
either you all need to be brought into the
loop with Mr. Fegley and Ms. Storey and myself
or I need to be brought up to speed on what
other problems are out there.
Mitchum
Well, you just heard me ask for us to brought
into the loop.
Spofford
Okay, I am asking now.
are you aware of?
What other problems
Mitchum
I am not going to discuss anything at this
point.
Mayor
Sir, I think what will happen sir. As staff
prepares this, you definitely will be informed
of what their deliberations and their perusals
suggest. And I would certainly assure you as
the Mayor of this City you will certainly have
access to the presentation as we get it
Spofford
Okay.
Mayor
We don't have secrets, we work in the Sunshine
here.
Spofford
Very good. Thanks.
Mayor
Okay. Then no further discussion.
have the roll call please.
May we
Clerk
Mayor Hayman?
Mayor
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hatfield?
Hatfield
Yes.
Clerk
Councilwoman Martin?
Martin
Yes.
Clerk
Councilman Hays?
Hays
Yes.
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.
...
Clerk
Councilman Mitchum?
Mitchum
Yes.
Mayor
Thank you. Then the 3 things that we have
deliberated on and the last - to which Ms.
Storey and Mr. McMahon we would like to work
towards a public presentation on our position.
Thank you.
The next item. Mrs. Martin, did you want to
take a 5 minute recess?
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