Loading...
10-21-1991 - Regular W' .'W" CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21, 1991 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wessler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Mayor Tanya Wessler Councilman Kirk Jones Councilperson Louise Martin Councilperson NoraJane Gillespie Councilman Michael Hays City Attorney Krista Storey Acting City Manager Fred Munoz City Clerk Susan Wadsworth Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present INVOCATION. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Reverend Dr. Tee, Edgewater Union Church, delivered the invocation. There was a pledge of allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Workshop of September 23. 1991 - Councilman Hays moved to approve the workshop of September 23. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Special Meeting of September 23. 1991 - Councilman Jones moved to accept the minutes of September 23, 1991. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Special Meeting/Public Hearing of September 25. 1991 - Councilman Hays moved for approval. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. ReQular Meeting of October 7. 1991 - Councilperson Martin moved to approve. Councilman Hays seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments at this time. CONSENT AGENDA Ratification of bargaining unit agreements for Public Employees Association and Supervisors Public Employees Association and Police Benevolent Association: Agreement with Robert A. Murray to provide inspection services for water treatment plant - Mayor Wessler stated they just received the contracts on item A today and the City Manager and City Attorney asked to postpone this for November 4th so only item B is on the consent agenda. Councilperson Gillespie moved to accept consent agenda minus item A. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. NEW BUSINESS Public Works Director's request to buy 120 custom block for incinerator from Superior Brick and Refractories for $4.980 - Councilman Hays moved for approval. Councilperson Gillespie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Request for analysis of electric power configuration by Pure Power (Sure Pure) due to damages to computer operations caused by power surges and spikes at estimated cost of $700 - Councilperson Gillespie moved to accept the request. Councilman Hays seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. ORDINANCES. PUBLIC HEARINGS. AND RESOLUTIONS FIRST READING: (None) SECOND READING: (PUBLIC HEARING) (None) ....,. ."" UNFINISHED BUSINESS Meadow Lake - Gate across Pine Breeze Drive Mayor Wessler stated she was asked to table this for 30 days and asked if there was an objection to tabling. Councilman Hays asked if there will be any changes in current status in the next 30 days. Ms. Storey explained there's been no change to the situation with the gate since the special meeting and her recommendation is to leave things as is for the 30 days and asked if it would be until the second meeting in November. Council consensus was it could be the second meeting in November. Councilperson Gillespie asked if everything can be cleared up by then. Ms. Storey replied she thinks so and the issue is the Homeowners requested time to meet. Mayor Wessler asked Mr. Art Wheeler if that is okay and Mr. Wheeler indicated yes. Employment agreement with George E. McMahon as City Manager Councilperson Gillespie moved to accept. Councilman Hays seconded the motion. Ms. Storey stated there's a blank for the term and Mr. McMahon said subject to everything going forward tonight held expect to be on board the first full week in November, so it will be the week of November 4th, and after she confirms with him she'll put the appropriate date in. She added that section 7, benefits, has a blank in section B relating to dues for City Manager memberships and she wasn't sure what the associations were, and they are International City Managers Association and Florida County City Managers Association. Councilperson Gillespie stated that's the same as they always did. Ms. Storey stated the other item under benefits was insurance and whether Council would allow Mr. McMahon to be covered by the insurance package on his initial date of employment. She explained she received information through the City's Insurance Clerk and Principal Mutual stated it's possible, at Council's pleasure, for Mr. McMahon to be covered the day he begins employment and it's Council's choice to make. Councilman Hays asked the financial impact. Ms. Storey replied they'd start paying his premiums that month opposed to the next month. Mr. Munoz pointed out it's budgeted for the whole year. Councilman Jones asked what the normal is. Ms. Storey replied 30 days. Councilman Jones stated they should stay with 30 days because he's an employee like anybody else. Ms. Storey explained there's a provision for Department Heads, supervisors, on down the line, to have a 30 day period, but under the current package if you were an elected official or attorney, there was not a wa i t i ng per i od. She noted she I s not on board now because the Insurance Clerk thought it was 30 days but the City Manager doesn't seem to fa 11 into either slot. Mayor Wess 1 er asked why he wants it to take effect right away. Ms. Storey replied he requested that as one of his benefits. Councilperson Gillespie replied possibly his wife is carrying coverage now and will leave her position to come here, and he has a daughter in high school and her insurance is non-transferrable to Volusia County and she'll have to pick it up here. Councilperson Martin stated under the circumstances, she sees no reason not to make this exception for this coverage. Councilman Jones said he doesn't see any problem after this information. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Request to reconsider amount budaeted to Volusia Council of Governments Mayor Wess ler stated 1 ike the Chamber and VCARD, she thought that what was budgeted was VCOGls request, but it wasnlt. Councilperson Gillespie pointed out Edgewater was the only one that didn't do it correctly. Mayor Wessler requested Council pay the additional amount of $1,753.72. Councilman Hays stated VCOG is an administrative arm of government and does provide a service to various munici- palities but in looking for areas to cut, he wonders how much welve saved this year and how it directly benefits the City. He noted a hand out said it keeps tax rates down and held like an example of that. Mayor Wessler stated VCOG does a number of different studies we don't have to pay for. Councilman Hays noted we have to justify the money and be sure taxpayers get their money.s worth. Roy Schleicher, Director of VCOG, stated they haven I t increased the member assessments going into the third year and none of the employees received a pay raise this year and were told that as they began the budget process. He added they recently took on one new contract with the Water Co-Op and in the future they hope to save on everyone's tax bills and be administrators of these programs. He explained in the past year they had a study on liability and comprehensive insurance and the idea was to pool insurance to save money but after they did the study, that wasn't the case, and they recommended the cities maintain the insurance they have. He said they're working on a group health insurance study especially for cities the size of Deland, Edgewater, and smaller cities and feel there's some potential for pooling health insurance of all the employees. He said the City through membership that would cost about $500 as 2 Council Regular Meeting October 21, 1991 ...,. ..." UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Continued) Request to reconsider amount budaeted to Volusia Council of Governments (Continued) - an individual city belongs to NAEIR and receives quarterly catalogs on contributed items and you can request different items and pay nothing but shipping. He noted many times through Fire and Public Works Departments they've received items they'd have had to pay for but with VCOG membership you don't and Edgewater's taken advantage of it. He continued that they've done studies on parks and recreation and impact fees and the Green Ribbon Committee and they have a staff level economic committee and are looking at things that have potential money savings. He said if in years to come they can maintain the contracts they have they can save a great deal more money. Councilperson Gillespie referred to the bicycle/pedestrian program. Mr. Schleicher noted the County Council turned them down for funding. Mayor Wessler stated everything she's received from VCOG or MPO is on file in her office and can be reviewed. Councilperson Gillespie stated they're working on warehousing, mass transit transportation, and bicycle/pedestrian programs. Mr. Munoz pointed out the City has a resolution on loaning and leasing equipment and took advantage of it with Port Orange. Councilman Hays stated it's important they publicly know what they're getting for the money and the public deserves an explanation. Mr. Schleicher stated participation from Edgewater members has been encouraging and during the meetings the members of the various cities and the County have interaction and information that flows back and forth which justifies most of the money paid to VCOG. He pointed out all cities, the County, and the School Board are members, and recently DBCC, Embry-Riddle, Deltona Fire Control District, and now some non-profit organizations are talking about joining. Mayor Wessler requested a motion to approve the $1,753.72. Councilperson Martin so moved. Councilperson Gillespie seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. COUNCIL/OFFICERS REPORTS City Attorney Ms. Storey stated she distributed a memo regarding settlement of litigation in the case of Reny versus City of Edgewater which is a personnel matter and the City is represented by Baker and Hostetler, Nikki Clayton and James Etscorn. She said there's a proposed settlement of $23,500 and a recommendation of Baker and Hostetler, and after discussing it with them she's recommending the City approve a proposed settlement agreement with the addition of a couple of items in regard to the public records that this agreement must be available in the public records and for payment of that sum Mr. Reny would dismiss the current lawsuit and release the City from any and all claims. She added she requested Mr. Etscorn place in that agreement this would include any unemployment compensation claims. She recommended Council approve the agreement subject to pub 1 i c records changes she i nd i cated and author i ze the Mayor to execute the document when they have the final document in hand. She explained Mr. Munoz indicated the Self-Insurance Committee has approved that amount of the claim. Council person Gillespie moved to accept her recommendation. Councilman Hays seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Ms. Storey stated Council received a report by David Colee regarding the automated services situation of the City and he recommended in view of the number of departments on the current system and the status of that system that it would be appropriate if the City Attorney's office were on a stand alone system. She said she's not trying to pressure them but would like to talk with Mr. Colee about a system and bring her legal secretary on board and start producing for Council. Councilperson Gillespie said she has no problem, he's working to get her an exceptional deal, and it's budgeted. Councilman Hays stated inasmuch as it's budgeted and if she orders now it won't be here until November, he doesn't have a problem. Ms. Storey explained she brought this up because Council placed those items on hold during budget hearings. Councilperson Gillespie moved to allow the City Attorney to purchase her stand alone equipment necessary for her office. Councilperson Martin seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 5-0. Actina City Manaaer Mr. Munoz stated Florida Statutes allow the City to waive ad valorem taxes to encourage development and increase jobs and he distributed information on it. He explained this is a concept to discuss and at a future date take action on it. He reviewed the schedule that showed for undeveloped land $160 a year into the City's tax roll and if that value increases at 4-1/2% it would accumulate 3 Council Regular Meeting October 21, 1991 ...... .., COUNCIL/OFFICERS REPORTS (Continued) Acting City Manager (Continued) to $2,216 in the year 2002 compared to developed with exemptions and giving them a tax holiday of a number of years would be $3,046 cumulative ad valorem in 2002. He noted after those years the City would start realizing some ad valorems. He said the City could explore the concept to encourage development on property where nothing is being done. Councilperson Gillespie asked if he wants them to look it over. Mr. Munoz explained Joe Martin has been working with it. Councilperson Gillespie asked if this came from our Industrial Development Board and if other cities do this. Mr. Munoz said it's in Florida Statutes so he assumes other cities and jurisdictions do it. Joe Martin stated this did not come from Industrial Development Board, it's an agenda item for their next meeting, and a recommendation will come from the Board, but this comes from him privately at this time. He explained this spread sheet shows cash flow in terms of ad valorem taxes on real property and improvements thereon. He said it gives an idea of what not developing industrial type property would cost you. He stated this is authorized and the City Attorney would want to check this out but the Statutes make a provision for economic development ad valorem exemptions for municipalities and counties. He said this will come back to Council with specific language. City Counei 1 Councilman Jones stated he enjoyed his vacation in North Carolina and just returned today. He said he hasn't had a chance to read Mr. Colee1s report yet but will do so tonight. Councilperson Gillespie stated Mr. Colee said he enjoyed doing it and if Council wants him on agenda helll do that or they can get with him individually. She suggested a letter of thanks be sent as normally he gets paid. She stated it's an excellent report on all the computer systems. Council person Gi 11espie thanked Council for letting her chair the Student Government Week, she had a lot of fun and realized she misses teaching. She added she hopes to make it bigger and better with the City Clerk's help. Counc il person Gill esp i e thanked the Fire Department for the fire prevent ion program, adding that it was very nice and was educational and enjoyable. Councilman Hays congratulated the Fire Department and said it was a great day, the kids learned a lot with the smoke room and trailer, and it was fun. He said everyone did a wonderful job and it was good p.r. Councilman Hays stated he read the memo that welve acquired the 26 acre property and he congratulated Jack Corder and canlt wait to see it going. Councilman Hays stated he's been going to the Florida League Environmental Quality Committee meetings and they'll be taking proposals for the next legislative session to Tallahassee in November and helll distribute the final draft on that. He said the issue of voter control for taxes came out of this and it will be presented at the legislative level and they hope to have action on it. He gave Mayor Wessler a booklet for her review and then to be circulated amongst Council members. Councilman Hays stated it's important to look at personnel matters and when the new Manager comes on board they need to look at in service from a management point of view on dealing with personnel and look at the personnel manual that practically doesn't exist and that should be priority in the near future. Councilman Hays stated at the end of the budget hearing there were comments about the money spent last year versus this year's budget regarding attorneys. He said he researched this as he doesn't like the public to feel that the concept of a full time attorney would cost money because it will save money and they won't have to keep hiring some of these other firms. He reviewed some of the figures for telephone bills, transportation, etc., and noted the total charges were over $99,000. He said he hopes the people who pay taxes and supported them with the full time City Attorney will see these savings. He added Krista Storey is here to do the full time job and he feels they're getting a bargain. Councilperson Gillespie stated the candy bag stuffing is 9 a.m. next Tuesday, a week from tomorrow, on the stage. 4 Council Regular Meeting October 21, 1991 " . .... ....", COUNCIL/OFFICERS REPORTS (Continued) City Council (Continued) Mayor Wessler stated they got a memo on paving Turgot with three options. Mr. Munoz explained that item is more for staff but would appreciate Council's input. Mayor Wessler asked to get it going. Mr. Munoz said he'll keep them informed. Mayor Wess ler asked about the Internat iona 1 Internship Program. Mr. Munoz replied he mailed the application and one City employee is interested in being a sponsor and providing housing and she'll get $150 a month for meals. He added she has experience on the student exchange program and would be an excellent person for the host. He noted the application has to go to Tokyo so they should hear something within the month and they'll have to decide if they want someone in Finance, Parks and Recreation, Police, or where, and it will be a learning experience for both. Mayor Wessler asked if they'll work for nothing. Mr. Munoz replied yes, they pick up more of the American language and get to interact with a family and learn what we like and don't like and can go back and do a better job economically. Council person Gillespie noted her son-in-law did this in Germany. Mayor Wess ler congratu 1 ated Jack Corder on the park and said the footba 11 association is meeting across the street now and they're looking forward to the football field on that property. She requested an award of recognition at the November 4th meeting to one of the firefighters who donates his time on the football program and has no children. No Council member objected. QUESTIONS FROM PRESS There were no questions from the press. CITIZEN COMMENTS Art Wheeler, 211 Meadow Lake Drive, asked if the date is November 18th for the gate. Mayor Wessler replied yes, to give them additional time. ADJOURN Councilman Hays moved to adjourn. Councilperson Gillespie seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lura Sue Koser ATTEST: ~i~~ CITY CLERI{ Ap%;'oved th i s 'I day of ~ , 1991-. iF \, <::- -\ ^: '. ~'j i . I j'1 / ~c <:"~"" '-'0,,', (' --.'w'-'~l'~ j \J. )lu~f:1Y-.,;""'""--,., .,- MAYOR . ,_"j '-' 5 Council Regular Meeting October 21, 1991