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01-08-2001 - Regular /' '- ..., CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 8, 2001 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CENTER MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Schmidt called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the community Center. ROLL CALL Mayor Donald Schmidt Councilman James Brown Councilman Dennis Vincenzi Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes Councilwoman Judith Lichter City Manager Kenneth Hooper city Clerk Susan Wadsworth Legal Assistant Robin Matusick Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present INVOCATION. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE There was a silent invocation and pledge of allegiance to the Flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Reqular Meetinq of October 2. 2000 B. Reqular Meeting of December 4. 2000 Councilwoman Lichter made a motion to approve the october 2, 2000 and December 4, 2000 minutes, second by Councilwoman Rhodes. The motion CARRIED 5-0. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAOUES/CERTIFICATES/DONATIONS A. city Clerk to read into the record a letter in reqard to fluoridation of the City's drinkinq water supply City Clerk Wadsworth read a letter into the record from Richard Jones opposing fluoride in the City'S drinking water supply. City Manager Hooper informed Council the water bills would be going out January 16th and January 29th with the question 'Do you wish fluoride to be added to your water.' They will report that back at the February 5th meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS George Ann Keller, 3039 Unity Tree Drive, read a letter regarding the need for street lighting on unity Tree Drive. She commented on letters from other residents she gave City Clerk Wadsworth. Mayor Schmidt asked to discuss this now since it was on City Manager Hooper's list of items to be discussed. city Manager Hooper made a staff presentation. He explained it would cost $1,000 to install this power pole. Councilwoman Lichter asked why it would cost so much compared to a regular power pole. Mr. Corder commented on the power running behind the homes and having to relocate power to the front. He spoke about having to get an easement from the property owner, which the Keller's have agreed to. City Manager Hooper feels it is important to have a policy, due to other requests coming in once this is done. He spoke about new subdivisions setting up its own street lighting district and being paid for by the Homeowners Association. /' .... """" City Manager Hooper asked for direction of do they install it with the understanding there will probably be more or do they try and get a number of homeowners that will share in it and let them pay the cost of the pole and we pay the power. He suggested there be a discussion among the residents that will benefit from it and share the cost in the pole and the City pick up the power bill. The nine dollar and sixty some cents per month is about $100,000 a year the City is paying for power for street lighting. Councilwoman Lichter stated she only sees four homes benefitting. City Manager Hooper feels depending on where the pole is put, it is probably a radius of four to six. Councilwoman Lichter commented on why she feels the City has some responsibility in this due to roads the city closed which would have made easier access for these lights. Mr. Corder explained the problem area is not where the closed up roads are, it is in the middle of the block. Councilwoman Lichter feels they have to do something to help these people. It would be about $145 for the six residents plus the City to kick in. She feels that is one possible thought since they don't have money budgeted for this. Councilman Vincenzi asked how much it costs for a regular street light. City Manager Hooper stated it is $2.50 to have the pole put up and the City pays the monthly power bill of $9.64. Mayor Schmidt asked who maintains them. Mr. Corder informed him Florida Power & Light. We get calls that a street light is out and the City contacts FP & L to fix it or the residents even call them directly. City Manager Hooper stated the same thing on a pole if it ages or gets hit, FP & L comes out and does corrective action. Councilwoman Rhodes stated typically citizens do not pay any part of this except through taxes. City Manager Hooper explained it is paid for out of general fund. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the complaint the City received regarding the children in the morning when it is so dark. We were able apparently to get a street light there. She has mixed feelings on this. She feels it is a dark area and they have had a particular problem for over two years. She stated if they have ten requests it will cost $10,000 and they have not budgeted this money nor have they considered it or talked about it before. Councilwoman Rhodes feels they shouldn't wait for requests. She feels if the safety of the citizens is at risk and this alleviates that somewhat then she doesn't know why it's not across the board that whatever we do not we do it all the way down the line. City Manager Hooper explained the City doesn't have money to do that. Councilwoman Rhodes further commented on eliminating potential areas for kids who want to hang out and do damage or adults who want to hang out and do damage. She feels that benefits all of the City. Councilman vincenzi stated he is all for helping citizens and putting up street lighting. He has a street light on his corner and he also has exterior lights on his house. He feels a more effective solution and a cheaper solution in the long run is for homeowners to provide exterior lighting. Ms. Keller stated they do have lighting on the houses. She feels it would be cheaper in the long run to have street lighting than to have to call up the Police. Mayor Schmidt feels this location has a rough history. They have heard that the Chief thought it would be a good idea and Parks and Recreation thought it would be a good idea. He feels this is one that shouldn't wait. Page -2- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 '-' ..., city Manager Hooper asked if it was consensus to place the street light. He asked Council if they wanted to develop a policy or handle them as they come up. Councilwoman Lichter stated there may be unique circumstances with different things. She spoke about someone asking for a street light and neighbors not wanting it because it would shine in their eyes. She wouldn't recommend a street light except that two police officers have said that might help deter crime. She feels this is a unique situation and maybe they need more time to think of a generalized policy. Councilman Brown feels installing a light right now would be his thinking on it also until they can develop a policy. Mayor Schmidt spoke about beefing up patrols. Acting Chief Bennett stated they put out extra patrols for the area. His opinion on lighting is any time you have additional light anywhere that is going to be some deterrent. Councilman Brown asked to have CAPS run by there on a more regular basis. Acting Chief Bennett stated they are put on the extra patrol list so the patrol officers and CAPS are aware of it. Councilwoman Rhodes feels once you solve it here then it is moving somewhere else where there is no light. Councilwoman Lichter made a motion to install a light at this location, beef up patrols and also getting something out in terms of informing people to put on extra spot lights or install alarm systems. She again stated she would like to make a motion to put the street light in and pay for it and not have that as a generalized policy. Councilwoman Rhodes stated when you do this, you have to do this for everybody. When you do this, you have made a policy whether you realize you want to or not. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the way the roads were paid in Florida Shores. She feels there is an immediate problem in this area. City Manager Hooper stated this tells him he will bring each request back to Council unless they develop a policy. It sets a precedent so that other people would expect very similar results. Councilwoman Rhodes seconded the motion. Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, spoke about 125,000 Cubans coming into Miami during the Carter administration. He spoke about these people being thieves, cut-throats and murderers. He put lights all around his house and yard so you couldn't approach his house without being seen. Len Valentino, 2830 Orange Tree Drive, spoke about the new homes going up in Florida Shores. He feels with all the new taxes coming into Florida Shores, he doesn't see why residents have to payout of their own pocket to put a light up. He feels some of the lights are so dim and need to be upgraded. He feels the people that don't want lights should close their shades. He feels light deters crime. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Schmidt stated it would be a workshop topic. Councilman vincenzi feels they need to talk about what to do with future lights. Page -3- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 '-" ..., Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, spoke about an article on December 29th in the News Journal about Edgewater moving closer to a golf course. He feels golf courses require a lot of water. This area has been a drought area for 25 years and it is worse now than it has ever been. He asked Council to consider the need for water for this golf course. Doris Hill, 112 Lincoln Road, stated in New Smyrna Beach they have four golf courses. They also have one in Oak Hill. They don't have a water plant or anything down there. They are going to buy our water. She would think the water put on a golf course would be going back into the aquifer. She doesn't know why a shortage of water has anything to do with a golf course. Mike Thompson, 1089 Volco Road, asked the Council to bury the golf course. He spoke about the grass getting green because of the Chem-Lawn people and everyone out there being on well water. They have panthers, bald eagles and gopher turtles. He spoke about putting a rabbit on the ground at a golf course and it dying because of the chemicals. When you poison the food chain, you systematically wipe it out. He is also going to speak to Jim Ward of the County Council about this. He has been on Volco Road for twenty years and has never been robbed, held up and nobody has ever slipped around in the middle of the night. He doesn't want their housing developments. He is safe and sound where he is at. He informed Council they will be receiving certified letters from him with the names and phone numbers of the individuals that have seen panthers. Doris Griffiths, Volco Road, stated she has owls, eagles, hawks and turtles that come to her property. She asked Council not to kill them off. Everyone keeps getting rid of the trees and the land and killing our native animals off. Tammy BaIley, 785 Volco Road, stated her son plans to be a game and fresh water game warden and he discussed with her if they put this golf course in, where will he be able to hunt and save animals. He spoke of a Florida Brown Panther in their area. They also have Sand Hill Whooping Cranes which are very endangered. She has been fortunate to see a panther. If they keep developing, she is not sure her children will be able to see panthers. Mildred Lipscomb, 3950 Liza Clinton Road, stated she has seen a panther. They have tortoises and wild turkeys. If this goes in, not only is the water situation going to go down because of the chemicals and usage, the swamp is dry. This is the first time she can recall the swamp completely dry. When you start putting in more development in an area that is already suffering, it is going to ruin it for the animals, the people and the City. Paul Jenkins, willow Oak Drive, stated he was disappointed with what was in the newsletter regarding fluoride. He stated it refers people to websites or their dentist, or where they will get more pro information on the benefits and not the facts on the risks. It bothers him that they are going to have a vote on this issue by a lot of people who do not have the information on it. Gail Wells, 2503 Woodland Drive, asked if Edgewater is planning on using any taxpayer money on the golf course. She was informed no. City Manager Hooper commented on the golf course. The only purpose on the agenda tonight was to inform Council that the developer, Tim Howard, has requested a joint work session with the Planning & Zoning Board and Council on January 22nd. His purpose is to have staff show them the plan, the boundaries, the size lots, where things are located, and the golf course and get feedback before he starts the process. Page -4- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 ,.... ~ City Manager Hooper went on to explain there are many public hearings he has to go through. It is on the agenda just to have Council approve that as a work session item. It will come back in the way of formal annexation agreements, developer agreements, Comp Plan amendments, and re-zones. All those are publicly advertised public hearings they will go through. The purpose tonight simply is that on January 22nd, it is one of two work session items and it is on here just for Council to approve it as a work session, which is open to the public but it is really the Council and Planning & Zoning Board to direct staff over their concerns and what they want to hear. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about nothing being a given deal. Four hundred and fifty houses aren't a given deal. They haven't been approved by any environmental group at this moment. City Manager Hooper stated right now they are still doing the studies. They are doing environmental studies and they will have to share those. Most of the animals described they have identified and located. The panther part is not in their study but he is most curious about this. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about seeing panthers in Edgewater Landing. Ms. BaIley stated they have a rare black panther. Mayor Schmidt asked City Manager Hooper if he needed any direction from Council. City Manager Hooper stated they are going to have it unless Council tells him otherwise. The developer will be here and will make a short presentation. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilwoman Lichter informed the Council the Halifax Indian River Task Force met on January 2nd. steve Ketner from the County talked about the ECHO program and Volusia Forver. She spoke about the ECHO program, the monies and what might come to Edgewater. There will be a workshop meeting January 20th at 2:00 p.m. between County staff and County Council to make recommendations to the Advisory Board. Staff is recommending there be two small boards. All cities will be considered for ECHO grants. The Advisory Boards will involve elected officials. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about Clean Scene Day on February 17th. Councilwoman Lichter talked about park. She feels they should only moment and that they shouldn't be this is under control. She feels communication with the children. Committee composed of youth or a officers and youth. She doesn't open if this continues and feels the skating ramp. Mayor Schmidt spoke about a letter the Council decided to write to VCOG asking them to take a leading role in the ECHO and Florida Forever initiatives that were just passed. At the VCOG meeting the other night, they decided as an executive board to rewrite the letter Council sent and ask the County to put them in a role where they can help them in any way. VCOG is representative of all the cities. He was glad to see the enthusiasm from them. He feels this is going to be a good thing. vandalism at the skateboard have one skate ramp at the discussing a second one until there has to be proper She suggested a Youth Services PAL program with the police think they should keep something they should have a week off from Mayor Schmidt read a press release from Ava Kierney, 16 Cedar Dunes Drive, regarding Assisted Living Facilities programs at the Brannon Center on January 20th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Page -5- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 ~ ...., Mayor Schmidt spoke about the School Advisory Committee meeting at Indian River Elementary. The Principal wanted to pass on a thank you to the City for some of the work that has been done behind the school. They also asked him to ask the City if in one of the upcoming newsletters we could put a little information about a program on box tops and labels with regard to a fund raising program. Mayor Schmidt spoke about seeing a lot of kids at Burger King when school is out on scooters and skateboards. He spoke about kids skateboarding in the parking lot and in Burger King. He feels this is an issue that needs to be addressed such as kind reminders and education through the PTA's and the schools. He feels they need to take a role in this. Councilwoman Rhodes feels once the new Police Chief is on board they should have a workshop. City Manager Hooper stated Acting Chief Bennett is looking and implementing more and more all the time, enforcement. He feels they need to do some things with education such as newsletters to parents. He spoke about Community Policing. Mayor Schmidt wants to be a City that leads a role in educating and teaching the children. Councilwoman Lichter stated when she was talking about the park she realizes that 98% of the children are doing what they are supposed to but that 2% can cause havoc. She spoke about relating and getting information to youngsters. Sometimes the best way to get it is through other youngsters. Mayor Schmidt stated parental involvement. Councilman Brown stated he takes his daughter to the skateboard park four times a week and he watches and the kids are very well behaved. He hasn't seen any harassment of the younger kids. He understands the fencing was tore down by parents or teenagers running into it with their cars. He feels most of the kids are good. He feels they need to figure out how to educate the children about not skating at the shopping malls but they are going to have to supply more skateboard parks for them to go to. Councilman Vincenzi also feels the kids at the skateboard park for the most part are well behaved. He asked if anything is being done about graffiti. Mr. Corder commented on some solutions they are working on. City Manager Hooper spoke about the CAP patrols going through there more frequently as well as the Community Policing Officers on bicycles. He commented on the vandalism dropping. He feels it is better but they still have a ways to go to solve and he thinks this is the way they are heading as fast as they can. Councilman vincenzi mentioned the Senior Homestead Exemption deadline being March 1st. He thinks the County is going to do a good job of publicizing that but maybe the City could do a little extra. City Manager Hooper asked if it would be in time for the next newsletter. City Clerk Wadsworth stated the next one will go out in the middle of March. city Manager Hooper suggested putting it in. He also agreed to speak to Finance Director Goins about putting it on the water bills. Councilwoman Lichter stated it isn't being mentioned on the tax bill. city Manager Hooper stated it is an application they make and they will have to file for the exemption and file to prove that they fit the category. He suggested also maybe they could get some newspaper press. Councilwoman Rhodes wanted to make sure everyone was aware of the workshop on January 22nd as far as the golf course. Page -6- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 ~ ~ Councilwoman Rhodes stated she is in full agreement with Councilwoman Lichter regarding Youth Services and forming something on that order. She stated she knows there are good kids out there that are probably just doing stuff that when mom and dad turn their back they will be doing stuff they aren't supposed to be doing. She feels it behooves them to do as much they canto see that doesn't occur. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS There were no items to be discussed at this time. CONSENT AGENDA A. Appointment to Southeast Volusia Community Board (Edgewater YMCA) Mayor Schmidt to ap?oint Councilperson to the Board Mayor Schmidt asked Councilman Brown if he would like to serve. Councilman Brown stated he would be glad to. B. Appointment to MPO citizens' Advisory Committee - Mavor Schmidt to appoint Montye Beamer to replace Donald Gillespie due to his illness C. Southeast Volusia Humane Society Aqreement - Staff requesting formal approval and execution by Mayor of the Aqreement (discussed December 18. 2000. Officer Reports) Councilman Vincenzi asked why when a citizen brings an animal to the Humane Society from Edgewater does the City get charged. City Manager Hooper stated the rationale and reason is that is historical and that is what the County does. Councilman Vincenzi spoke about accurate records of the animals being taken to the Humane Society. City Manager Hooper spoke about when a citizen takes the animal there he leaves a name and address and the City gets that back as a record to be verified. The County has been gracious so if there is an unknown, if an animal is picked up on the street and someone picks it up and takes it, those are counted now as County animals. The County is also responsible for any animals dropped off without an address. Councilman Vincenzi spoke about them extending their hours and charging the City a lot more. City Manager Hooper stated they are charging the city more per animal and they are charging in our case more because we requested the fourth and fifth day. This price is consistent across the board. They have notified the county and continue to, through VCOG and other areas, talk to the County of a shelter/animal control that would be county run and County sponsored. We have gone from a flat fee of $17,000 and now it depends on how many animals coming in. They are estimating thirty something thousand. Councilman Brown asked about the animals brought in from the county having a five-day holding period. City Manager Hooper stated the County and Deltona have a three-day. Edgewater has a five-day and New Smyrna has a seven-day and they pay additional for that. New Smyrna has asked for a copy of this contract and are considering going to this same number. Councilwoman Lichter feels it is an improvement in terms of the animals but there are other alternatives this community should look into. Councilman Brown made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda, second by Councilman Vincenzi. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Page -7- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 ~ ...", OTHER BUSINESS There were no items to be discussed at this time. OFFICER REPORTS City Clerk Wadsworth had nothing at this time. Legal Assistant Matusick had nothing at this time. City Manager - Discussion items; no final action to be taken 1) street liqhts (Unitv Tree Drive) cost of $1.000 per liqht This item was discussed earlier. 2) FIND Update - Advertisement for construction - enclosed City Manager Hooper presented an update on the FIND project. He went over the schedule for Phase I of the FIND project. He spoke about the contract being in the city's name. It is written that the FIND group is paying and it is reimbursement so we front it and they reimburse us within 45 days of each phase as the construction goes. At this time the idea is that FIND will place the infrastructure in, do the containment and then the lots will be subdivided after there is a buyer. City Manager Hooper spoke about the things going on along Air Park and Massey. That area is going to have quite a bit of industrial activity. He commented on the block crusher who has filled out an application. He will be removing the blocks out of Park Avenue by the end of the month and then he will come in with a site plan for his new site along Flagler Avenue. Councilman Vincenzi asked about the City possibly taking over the rocks to speed up permitting. City Manager Hooper spoke about discussion he has had with FIND. 3) CRA - FIND area. concept approval. schedule City Manager Hooper commented on setting up a Community Redevelopment Agency for the FIND area. They are to the point where they can implement a CRA. It would be based on the fact that there is insufficient infrastructure in the general area. This covers the FIND project, along Park Avenue and the area around the Massey annexation and airport. That freezes the assessed values for taxes in that geographic footprint of an area of FIND and the airport, and any increases in taxed value from the City or from the County says that money stays within the area to do more infrastructure, to repay the city for infrastructure and to put in new water, sewers and roads. That is how Phase II of FIND will be developed. His goal is to layout that footprint and seek direction that they are going to do this in-house. The cost from the consultant was about $60,000 which is an awful steep price. He has done a couple and he thinks with Ms. Plaskett's help they can make this and put it together. The County tentatively has agreed that they wouldn't have any objection to CRA. He further commented on this being the first in Volusia that is based on economic growth instead of redevelopment. Mayor Schmidt stated U.s. #1 has been talked about and asked if there is a way to do two at one time, such as from Park Avenue to McDonald's? Page -8- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 '-' ....., City Manager Hooper stated his theory on that is yes, they can do two but they can't do two at once. He was trying to pick the priority being which would gather the most dollars for the city. The following year they could look at a fairly narrow corridor along U.S. #1. He feels this is a Phase II because any development that occurs in this area, if you can capture the increased and depreciated property value, the money comes back here within the CRA. Councilwoman 'Lichter feels they could get a little confused until they have a little more direction about what they are going to do with City Hall. City Manager Hooper asked Council if they wanted him to put this on the next agenda and let them vote on it that that is the footprint of the area and he will outline the steps. It was the consensus of Council to place this on the next agenda. 4) Joint Meetinq Aqenda - Edqewater. NSB. Oak Hill (1/11/01) City Manager Hooper stated at the joint meeting they will be talking about joint opportunities such as joint dispatch for police and fire, which he further spoke about. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about this covering Edgewater to Port Orange and Oak Hill not being included because they had County services. City Manager Hooper stated they are now dispatching Oak Hill's police. They are interested in talking about us doing their fire. Port Orange is going to be at the meeting for this one subject. City Manager Hooper spoke about getting better service, better response time and upgraded equipment. This would put everybody on the same computer system, same dispatching and same backups. There was a brief discussion regarding Oak Hill using the County for Fire Services. 5) Joint Dispatch Options - memo enclosed City Manager Hooper covered this item under the Joint Meeting Agenda. 6) Joint Work Session - City Council and Planninq & Zoninq Board (Edqewater Lakes/Golf Course 1/22/01) This item was discussed earlier. City Manager Hooper commented on the memorandum regarding the Parks Master Plan - Capital Improvement Plan. City Manager Hooper informed Council Mr. Ignasiak will be starting the first Monday in February. He will have a contract on the next agenda for his services. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the list provided by Ms. Plaskett of the various agencies along with their respective responsibilities. CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, feels there is a little misunderstanding regarding irrigation. He spoke about losing water to evaporation. He hopes if the City gets the golf course, that the City itself will not get involved. Page -9- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001 ....... .."" Barbara Valentino, 2830 Orange Tree Drive, asked what logistics were used when it was determined that the people north of 25th street used the reclaimed water certain days and those south of that got it the other days. Was it based on the number of residents in the area? She spoke about the reclaimed water being used. City Manager Hooper informed her of the workshop on January 22nd where they will discuss reclaimed water. He didn't know what logic was used but agreed to have it by the workshop. Paul Jenkins, Willow Oak Drive, stated the Mayor mentioned the landscaping and stuff around the railroad tracks by Indian River Elementary. He asked if there is anything they can do with the visibility problem when you are going west and go to cross the tracks on Roberts Road. City Manager Hooper asked Mr. Corder to look into this. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Councilwoman Rhodes moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Bloomer Page -10- Council Regular Meeting January 8, 2001