04-15-2002 - Regular
'-'
'""'-'
.
CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 15, 2002
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
City Attorney Scott Cookson
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
There were no minutes to be approved at this time.
PRESENTATIONS I PROCLAMATIONS IPLAQUES ICERTIFICATES I DONATIO NS
A. Mike Pattillo. Ernst & Younq. to present CAFR for fiscal year
ended September 30. 2001
Mike Pattillo, Ernst & Young, went over the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report and Financial Overview for FY 2000/2001.
Councilman Vincenzi asked so overall how does the City look. Mr.
Pattillo stated he would focus on the unreserved fund balance in
the general fund. They are also talking about establishing a
separate fund called a Capital Projects fund to use for the debt
money that the City brings in will go into that specific fund.
Mr. Pattillo feels there is no recommended level of an unreserved
fund balance but from what he has seen it would be somewhere in
the area of 15 to 20% of the City's operating budget.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated it is defined in our Charter. City
Manager Hooper stated he thought it was 15 to 25%.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked where the City is at. Mr. Pattillo
stated the City is about 9.78%. city Manager Hooper explained
what has occurred. The City is very close to 19 or 20% today
after they have done the reimbursements that they had back in
place.
Mayor Schmidt asked where the impact fee money from Police and
Fire end up. City Manager Hooper stated it ends up in a separate
fund that is tracked for capital expenditures for Police and
Fire.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Dominic Capria, 606 Topside Circle, said it was stated by Mr.
Pattillo that $376,000 under approved budget, which he feels is
very good. To him that is suggesting that possibly with the new
taxes coming in and the $276,000 they might be looking forward to
a millage rate drop, he hopes.
~
....,
.
Doug Davis, 238 Quay Assisi, New Symrna Beach, News Journal
Corporation, introduced people that were present from area
newspapers. He received a call from Code Enforcement stating
they had to remove all of their news racks from any visible
location within the city. Their concern is obvious in the fact
that they feel they have a First Amendment right and they have a
protection by the First Amendment to have their news racks being
in the community and being visible within the community. He also
feels it is a convenience issue for the residents of Edgewater.
They sell about 1,000 newspapers a week in this community. He
spoke about a business not having the space to have an
accommodation for the newsstand inside their business. They have
worked with the City of New Smyrna Beach where they volunteer to
be the point person for the City and to work with them to address
any concerns they may have. Their desire is to not create a
safety hazard or have racks that do not look well maintained or
that are not good in their appearance. They would like to work
out a solution. They were not notified prior to the ordinance
being passed. They feel this is something they can not comply
with and to ask the Council for help to work out a solution to
resolving it.
City Manager Hooper informed the Council this was approved in the
Land Development Code update. He feels they are in agreement
they would like to meet and talk of what to do. This started as
a means to help clean up. He spoke about there being a large
number located by Eckerds.
city Manager Hooper spoke about Code Enforcement looking at SR
442 and the commercial areas. They would be glad to meet and
talk and see how they can make this work better. Mr. Davis said
they want to work with the City in every way possible.
city Manager Hooper stated he would speak to Code Enforcement and
get with Mr. Davis tomorrow and they will set that up.
Councilwoman Lichter asked if in the widening of SR 442, will
those stands be taken out. City Manager Hooper stated they will
move the stands back 20 feet. He further explained the goal is
to do an overlay zoning to protect u.S. #1, SR 442 and Park
Avenue.
Mayor Schmidt spoke about the curb and sidewalk that will be on
SR 442 and the stands being useless there because people won't be
able to pull up to them.
Patty Morgan, 171 Slash pine Court, New Smyrna Beach, stated she
is the publisher and owner of Homes and Land of New Smyrna Beach,
Edgewater and Oak Hill. She would like to be the liaison between
the free publication if that would be alright. She has a
personal interest in making sure those racks stay out. She
agrees SR 442 is an eyesore. They instruct their distributors to
make sure if there is an unsightly rack and trash around, to
clean it up.
City Manager Hooper asked Ms. Morgan to give her name and
telephone number to city Clerk Wadsworth. Councilwoman Lichter
spoke about trying to contact the owner of that property in the
past to ask him to clean up that spot and not being able to get a
hold of him. city Manager Hooper stated there are several small
spots throughout the City where that has occurred. Ms. Morgan
stated in regards to the First Amendment right, if you allow a
paid publication like a newspaper, she has a Supreme Court case
where you also have to allow free publications.
Councilman Vincenzi stated he doesn't see where the First
Amendment comes in with this at all. It has to do with selling
or giving away papers and information.
Page -2-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
~
~
Mayor Schmidt stated the publix Shopping Center and the Post
Office have a community set of boxes. He asked who owns those
boxes. City Manager Hooper wasn't sure and stated that is
something they are going to look into.
Mr. Davis stated they are all owned by the News Journal
Corporation and they provide those at no charge to their other
newspapers publications. Mayor Schmidt feels that is a good
system and a good convenience. Mr. Davis stated they can discuss
that too.
Dick Jones, 1530 Sabal Palm Drive, stated he was very happy to
hear City Manager Hooper say something about Eckerds because the
eyesore they had at that corner and Eckerds kind of cleaned it
up. He doesn't see this as being a First Amendment right
violation. They are talking about a form of distribution.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Rhodes stated she was glad to see the real estate
signs were cleaned up.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated she was glad to see the Community
Services update. She thinks there needs to be some way that this
is made public. She stated these are all the Code Enforcement
check ups and results of things that have been brought forth in
Council meetings and other places. She would like these made
available to the public. City Manager Hooper stated they could
put them here or there is also a place in City Hall as well as
the Code Enforcement office.
Councilman Vincenzi feels the names and addresses should be
deleted. City Manager Hooper stated it is all public.
Councilman Vincenzi feels the people that own the properties
would have a problem with it. Councilwoman Rhodes suggested just
listing the address. City Manager Hoper stated they would work
on it. City Attorney Cookson feels the Underline Report is a
public record. They could put the summary in whatever form they
want. It would be Council's direction to City Staff as to how
they think that report ought to be formatted. Councilwoman
Rhodes suggested they try it this way and if there is a problem
with it they can revamp it. Mayor Schmidt suggested using a
block number and street. Councilwoman Rhodes also agreed to use
the block number and street. She wants the information available
to everyone that has Code Enforcement issues.
Councilwoman Lichter updated the Council on CleanScene Day. She
thanked George Ann Keller and her husband Jerry, Darren Lear for
the maps, and the newspapers for their coverage. She feels it
was successful and that the City is cleaner than it was a year
ago.
Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the latest letter they received
from DOT in response to a letter sent to them from the City
regarding the speed limit on U.S. #1 having language that is the
exact same type of refusal to letters sent in the past.
Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the need for street lighting on
U.S. #1. The County and the State do not feel lighting is
warranted, however if Edgewater wants to pay for it they will
give us the permit.
Councilwoman Lichter stated she would like to know the status of
the Stormwater Management Master Plan - Phase I. She is getting
calls from businesses that are swimming when we have heavy rain.
Page -3-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
"'-'
....,
City Manager Hooper stated the design and survey work has been
done. They are to a point when the improvements are listed,
prioritized and their problem is a funding mechanism. We don't
have one at this point. They have looked at a few grant
opportunities and made application.
Councilwoman Lichter spoke about the Anniversary she attended at
the Edgewater Union Church.
Councilwoman Lichter stated three of them went to the Sanford
Airport to meet with Congressman John Mica to discuss what is
going to happen about the traffic on 1-4 and the possibility and
definiteness if they can all agree on widening SR 415 and that is
where SR 442 will possibly kick in as a feeder.
Mayor Schmidt asked Police Chief Ignasiak if they can start
gathering some information by putting the speed machine out in
the Roberts Road area, u.S. #1 area, and Indian River Blvd. area
to get some speed analysis. He spoke about a workshop that will
be held after the MPO meeting this month on transportation issues
and that is where he will bring this up again. He isn't going to
let the lighting or the speed limit die because there are too
many possibilities for accidents and injuries.
Police Chief Ignasiak stated they had the cart out in front of
Edgewater Landing this morning. He commented on last year when
they first did their counts out there. The traffic was as high
as it was on Indian River Blvd.
Mayor Schmidt commented on their meeting with Congressman Mica.
He was there to give them information on how the process works
and how they can tap into some of the money he has available.
The biggest thing he stressed was cooperation between all the
parties involved. He needs to see big support from the MPO and
all the areas that will be affected by feeder roads and the
widening of SR 415 and anything that has to do with that general
area. They know they have the support they need it is just a
matter of getting resolutions in place, written as strong as they
can. He then commented on how the process works.
Mayor Schmidt reminded everyone about Saturday night at the Ball
Park. It is Edgewater night. Parks and Recreation has tickets
for $1. This will be at the Jackie Robinson Ball Park in
Daytona.
Mayor Schmidt further explained one of the things mentioned by
Congressman Mica when he was talking about feeder roads. The
roads have to connect to somewhere. He mentioned they should
connect to 1-95. That was great news because when you want to
connect it to 1-95, that calls for SR 442 to come over.
Councilman Brown commented on how beautiful U.S. #1 is starting
to look. The medians by the cemetery are just about completed.
Our City is really starting to shine.
Councilman Brown stated he had two compliments from citizens to
the Police Department. They were stopped, got tickets but were
still satisfied with the way they were treated and the
professionalism.
Councilman Vincenzi commented on CleanScene Day. He thinks that
is a great effort that Ms. Keller and Councilwoman Lichter
supported and organized. He still feels the City needs to get
more involved in that.
Page -4-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
'-'
..""
Councilman Vincenzi spoke about complaints he received about
contractors that are building houses and clearing lots and
leaving the roads very messy. He would like to know if something
can be done about that. He received a lot of complaints this
past week on Fern Palm Drive. City Manager Hooper agreed to find
where there are problem areas and go from there. Councilman
Vincenzi feel something needs to be said to everybody.
Councilwoman Rhodes suggested using the permitting process.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated today she was going down Indian River
Blvd. and one of the trucks being used for the road widening was
full of dirt and the dirt was flying off the truck. She asked
City Manager Hooper to mention to those people to put some type
of tarp over the dirt. City Manager Hooper stated they are
supposed to have that and agreed to let them know.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. 2nd Readinq. Ord. No. 2002-0-04. repealinq Article II (Noise)
of Chapter 10 (Health and Sanitation) in its entiretv and
adoptinq a new Article II (Noise)
City Manager Hooper made a staff presentation regarding the
changes made to Ord. 2002-0-04.
City Attorney Cookson read Ord. 2002-0-04 into the record.
Councilwoman Lichter stated a comment was made by Mary Hansen
that some of this is not enforceable. She asked City Attorney
Cookson's opinion on that. He went over the provisions she
discussed with City Manager Hooper and Legal Assistant Matusick
and it is his opinion that almost any of the language in those
provisions could be argued which way is better that this
ordinance in its entirety is enforceable.
Due to there being no comments, Mayor Schmidt opened and closed
the public hearing.
Councilman Brown moved to approve Ord. 2002-0-04, second by
Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
B. 2nd Readinq. Ord. No. 2002-0-05. amendinq Article III
(Permitted. Conditional. Accessorv and Prohibited Uses) Section
21-37 (Special Activitv/Permit Requirements) of the Land
Development Code
city Manager Hooper made a staff presentation with regard to
changes made to Ord. 2002-0-05. He made mention of a comment he
received from Doris Hill since the last draft was mailed out.
City Attorney Cookson felt the word shall doesn't refer to the
granting of the special activity permit. The word shall refers
to the time periods.
City Attorney Cookson read Ord. 2002-0-05 into the record.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated under the charitable event activity
definition mention is made that all profits, net difference of
gross revenues less expenses, must be given to the charity and
questioned how that is enforceable. How can you guarantee that
that occurs and if you can't enforce that why have it in the
Code. City Manager Hooper stated the guarantee part is they are
going to present the Council data that says, this is the event,
this is the charitable organization and here is the follow up
that says I earned this amount and this is my expenses. It's as
close as you are going to get in asking for that financial
information short of it being an audited function, you are
relying on the data being provided being in truthful format.
Page -5-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 200
...,.
...""
City Manager Hooper stated Mary Hansen pointed out that on some
of the events, it's not only the charitable event that gets some
of the proceeds, it can be an individual if an individual is
sponsoring it. He feels that is still covered in this
definition.
City Attorney Cookson explained they tried
subjectivity that the Council might have.
get something the Council could look at to
the requirements or doesn't.
to remove the
They were hoping to
determine if it meets
Councilwoman Rhodes feels individual should also be included in
the definition. City Attorney Cookson stated Councilman Vincenzi
mentioned the importance of the City to require that the permit
be from the place and not from the individual or group sponsoring
it to prevent five or six charities all holding their event at
the same place but because it is under a different organization
that the City be consistent in insisting that is the place or
location that applies for the permit. They could address that,
put it explicitly in there or just through practice of doing it
the same way. He hasn't spoken to City Manager Hooper about
that. Councilman Vincenzi feels that needs to be spelled out.
Mayor Schmidt would rather see it in writing. When a motion is
made, they could amend it to have that language put in.
Councilman Vincenzi feels this is important and has to be worded
properly.
Councilwoman Lichter stated she sees it in an amendment. She
feels their intent should be made clear to City Attorney Cookson
and that the insert it as an amendment.
Councilman Vincenzi feels it shouldn't be passed pending a
modification.
Mayor Schmidt opened the public hearing.
Doris Hill, 112 Lincoln Road, stated her concern is that the
Council is going to be the judge and jury. Before it went to
staff and the public had no input and if they met all the
requirements it was permitted. Now they have to come to Council
after the Police, Fire and Code Enforcement signs off. She
thinks that whether or not they approve it, they should be
approving the entertainment, the type of entertainment, the type
of music they are going to have and listening to the wishes of
the people around there.
Councilman Vincenzi spoke about one of the reasons they are
changing this around so it comes before the Council. There is
nothing that says they have to approve it if there is problems
with previous events.
City Manager Hooper stated especially if they violated the last
permit. If you have given them a permit and they have fallen
down on those reasons, those become clear and easy reasons.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated we can't just say no if they have
followed all the guidelines the Council has set.
Ms. Hill stated what about the input from the people who live
within 500 feet and what about the different kinds of outdoor
entertainment they might want to have.
Councilwoman Lichter stated they have certain decency codes.
Ms. Hill doesn't feel the Council should be the judge of that.
Whenever they have come before this body before they have always
been permitted. She feels if the Council passes it this way,
there is no telling what they will end up with.
Page -6-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
'-'
...."
city Manager Hooper stated with the noise ordinance coordinated
with this, that is what they are eliminating. You can't get into
the issue of saying I like rock-n-roll but I don't like jazz.
Ms. Hill feels they are opening a keg of worms. She stated they
talked about the ambiguities before. There was nothing wrong
before but she feels they are leaving it wide open again. If the
Council would change the word shall to may she would feel better.
City Attorney Cookson stated if the sentence read a special
activity shall be permitted only at the following times and days,
he feels that would work. Councilman Brown suggested using can
be permitted. He feels it is up to them to decide on shall.
City Attorney Cookson stated they aren't talking about
discretion, they are talking about the times. Councilman
Vincenzi stated the intent of it is to outline a time frame
during which they can have outdoor entertainment and amplified
sound. He liked City Attorney Cookson's suggestion.
Ms. Hill feels it would be much easier to just say may.
Councilwoman Rhodes feels then you are leaving it open to be
other times other than 9 p.m.
City Attorney Cookson referred to Section 2 where it talks about
the number of special activities. That sentence will read the
number of special activities at any given location or address
shall not exceed. If they are holding it at that event and they
have already exceeded their number, that location can't hold
another one.
Mayor Schmidt stated Ms. Hill was talking about what they are
able to permit. Not so much what kind of music but what
functions and different things like that. He feels this is going
to allow them to start developing a track record that if
consistently there is nudity or something like that, thye address
that at the time, if there is a point when they know the traffic
on the last two events has been heavy, they would require a few
more officers.
Ms. Hill stated she is only asking that it be put in the
Council's hands.
Councilwoman Lichter referred to section 7 under special Activity
Permit criteria opens up to letting them add other conditions to
protect the health, safety and welfare. That is open ended.
City Attorney Cookson stated that is where they go if they have
someone who violates it the first time, if they impose stricter
conditions on them the next time.
Wolfgang Unger, 1820 Kumquat Drive, stated he is becoming
concerned that if they have to try and be that responsible
government means they give the broadest, widest, net possible to
cover every possible situation, that makes their job easier.
That might be true but when he hears the comments and what the
Council has talked about, it seems to him that the concern is
about these big events. He referred to Page 3-28 where it says
any public or private activity held within the City of Edgewater
in which it can be reasonably anticipated that the number of
persons attending the activity will exceed the on-site parking,
seating or sanitary facilities. He feels the parking is going to
the hurtful one. He spoke about Home Bible Studies, kids'
birthday parties, elderly people's bridge games and garage sales.
All of those things fall under that.
Page -7-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
'-'
....""
Councilwoman Rhodes stated what they are saying is if you want to
have a Home Bible study for 400 people in your house, you better
provide parking for them. The same goes across the board for
everything. They aren't saying don't have those events. What
they are saying is to provide the facilities to have those
events. Mr. Unger stated he understands that but this is so
broadly worded. He feels this law could create headaches for all
sorts of people and it doesn't need to be so broad stroked.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated this is the letter of the law for
special activities. What Mr. Unger is talking about, he wouldn't
need a special activity permit for a Bible study. He feels in
the special activity clause where it defines it, by the way it is
defined he believes it is problematic. He feels they are setting
themselves up to be persecuting people for having their kid's
birthday parties. He is concerned they are getting so concerned
over little everyday things. Councilwoman Rhodes again stated
this does not apply to that. Mr. Unger is bothered by the fact
that inconveniences now are being turned into a violation of
someone's rights.
City Attorney Cookson asked to clarify that because Mr. Unger
wasn't reading the entire definition. He further read the
definition and clarified what was defined is a special activity.
Ferd Heeb, 115 N. Riverside Drive, stated at the last meeting
when they discussed the special activity permits they made some
changes. He noticed they eliminated the sunset provision during
the middle of the week relative to the time. He expressed
concern with Bike Week and Biketoberfest with regard to when
sunset is and by having a set time they have extended the time
when the event would have to be over. He suggested they go back
to sunset and describe where that time is going to come from.
The idea originally was to set it so that outdoor entertainment
during the weekdays would be limited to daylight hours. He
recommended they go back to sunset and establish criteria for it.
City Attorney Cookson stated he doesn't care what time it is but
he doesn't like sunset and doesn't feel it is practical to have
our Code Enforcement Officers walking around with a newspaper
checking what the sunset is each day. He recommended they do a
set time.
city Manager Hooper explained they got to 9 p.m. because that is
consistent with the changes in the noise ordinance.
Andy Anderson, pine Tree Drive, stated he hopes he is right in
assuming the leadership of the City is placing the needs of the
people of this City first and foremost above any business. He
further spoke about people that live in the City needing to make
a living as well as the businesses in the community. He doesn't
feel a business should interfere with the welfare of the people
at any time.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated if this does not work, they will
revisit it. She has no problem going back to it again and
eliminating outdoor entertainment if the rules can not be
complied with. Mr. Anderson stated laws aren't any good unless
they are enforceable.
Mayor Schmidt closed the public hearing.
City Attorney Cookson presented the language to be included in
the motion to be as follows: Section 21-37.03, Subsection 2 which
shall read the number of special activities at any given location
or address shall not exceed: and Subsection 3 which shall read
outdoor entertainment amplified sound in conjunction with a
special activity shall be permitted only at the following times
and days:.
Page -8-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
......
"""'"
. .
Councilwoman Lichter asked about enforcement in terms of the
interaction of phone calls where people do not leave their name.
She understands phone calls where people leave their name. will
they continue to respond to phone calls where there is no
identification. City Manager Hooper informed her yes.
Councilman Vincenzi moved to approve Ord. 2002-0-05 with the
stated amendments presented by City Attorney Cookson, second by
Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
There was a ten-minute recess at this time.
C. Res. No. 2002-R-10. desianatina appropriate city officials as
authorized aaents of the city and arant their authority to
reauest closure of a State Road for special events (FOOT Special
Use of State Road permits)
city Manager Hooper made a staff presentation.
City Attorney Cookson read Res. 2002-R-10 into the record.
Due to there being no comments, Mayor Schmidt opened and closed
the public hearing.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Res. 2002-R-10, second by
Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Police Pension Board Appointment - Mayor Schmidt to consider
Ferd Heeb's reauest for reappointment to the Board for another
two (2) year term (Council appointment)
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to pull this item from the agenda until
after the Workshop on April 22nd, second by Councilwoman Lichter.
The motion CARRIED 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Tree Permit for Removal of Historic Live Oak Tree - Paul
Lyons. 2617 vista Palm Drive. requesting a Tree Permit to remove
one 36 inch historic live oak tree from his property that is
liftina the driveway and the floor of his aaraae
city Manager Hooper made a presentation with regard to the format
for the two requests for tree removal.
Building Official Dennis Fischer informed Council Mr. Lyons could
not be present because he is a truck driver, out on the road and
unable to be here. His request was if Council needs his presence
for this request, he would request that it be postponed to
another time.
Mr. Fischer made a presentation with regard to removing a
historic Live Oak tree at 2617 vista Palm Drive.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked if Mr. Lyons had any issues. Mr.
Fischer informed her his issue is that it is his tree and he
ought to have the right to cut it. Councilwoman Rhodes asked if
Mr. Lyons built that house. Mr. Fischer informed her no.
Councilman Brown asked if it is possible to take the root out to
save the side of the house and the driveway. Mr. Fischer stated
if you did, you would probably jeopardize the tree.
Page -9-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
~
....,
Mayor Schmidt asked Mr. Fischer if he has seen the damage. Mr.
Fischer stated there is cracking and lifting of the sidewalk and
driveway. As far as the corner of the house where the stone and
block work is, he doesn't see anything visual.
There was a brief discussion regarding the rules and regulations
emanating from the Land Development Code and having to be in
compliance with Volusia County standards. There was also
discussion regarding how the price is figured to replace a Live
Oak tree and the requirements for replacement trees.
Mr. Fischer commented on the options available for Mr. Lyons.
Councilman vincenzi questioned waiving it due to this being a
unique situation. Mr. Fischer stated they have the option of
waiving either or both requirements. Councilman Vincenzi stated
he doesn't like it when people just want to arbitrarily cut the
trees down. If there is a reason to do it, he doesn't think the
guy should be penalized. Councilwoman Rhodes agreed. She
recommended letting him cut down the tree and let him plant
another one. Mr. Fischer stated one of his arguments was that he
has a number of trees onsite but most of them are large pine
trees.
Councilman Vincenzi feels if the tree is destroying his house
they should give Mr. Lyons a break. Councilwoman Rhodes agreed.
Mayor Schmidt stated he would almost be willing first if he
wanted to plant one tree to replace that one. Councilwoman
Rhodes feels he should plant one live oak tree somewhere in his
yard and that that is reasonable.
Councilwoman Rhodes made a motion to allow Mr. Lyons to cut down
a live oak tree and he needs to replace that live oak tree with
another live oak tree measuring 2 ~" diameter, 6" above the soil
line somewhere else on his property or plant one on public
property or pay the money, second by Councilman Vincenzi. The
motion CARRIED 4-1. Councilman Brown voted NO.
Councilman Brown asked if they could have a list of what they are
calling historical trees. Mr. Fischer stated Live Oak and Bald
Cypress 36" or greater.
B. Tree Permit for Removal of Historic Live Oak Tree - Larrv
Harris. 1506 S. Riverside Drive. reauestina a Tree Permit to
remove one 43 inch historic live oak tree from his property for
the construction of a new sinale familY residence
Building Official Dennis Fischer made a staff presentation. He
commented on other Live Oak trees that currently exist on the
property.
Councilwoman Rhodes questioned the driveway being built around
another tree and it being too close to his house that at some
point it might bring up his foundation. Mr. Harris feels they
have plenty of clearance. They are also going to be building the
house up quite a bit to get stormwater to drain to the back.
Councilman Vincenzi asked Mr. Harris if he had a problem with any
of the recommendations. Mr. Harris stated he had no problem with
that. He would like to replace it if possible. If he has a
problem getting that many on the property he could take care of
the rest in a fee.
Councilman Vincenzi moved to approve this tree removal permit for
a historic Live Oak Tree with a combination of the two
recommendations, second by Councilman Brown. The motion CARRIED
5-0.
Page -10-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002
'-'
....,
City Manager Hooper stated the County is undergoing their new
rules about trees. This is subject to a lot of discussion by the
County and may change.
OFFICER REPORTS
City Clerk Wadsworth had nothing at this time.
City Attorney Cookson had nothing at this time.
City Manager Hooper commented on a letter he received from Judy
Kossuth and presented history with regard to the letter. He
looked into her allegations as far as conduct. He told her he
would put this in the public record and that is what he has done.
City Manager Hooper informed the Council of the Goal Setting Work
Session on April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
City Manager Hooper informed the Council they just finished the
Audit report. The auditors asked for a price increase. They
previously spoke about advertising this year for new auditors.
That is the position of staff to go ahead and do it.
Councilwoman Rhodes feels after Enron that is a good idea. She
thinks keeping one auditor for too long is not a good idea.
Councilwoman Lichter stated she feels when something isn't broken
you shouldn't change it. She feels they have served Edgewater
more than nobly.
Mayor Schmidt told city Manager Hooper to go ahead and advertise
so they can see what is out there.
CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE
George Ann Keller, 3039 unity Tree Drive, commented on the City's
2nd Annual CleanScene Day held on April 6th. She thanked Chief
Planner Darren Lear, Director of Environmental Services Terry
Wadsworth, City Clerk Susan Wadsworth, reporters Sylvan McElroy
and Jean Morgan for their help. She also thanked Councilman
Brown and the Committee members for the hours spent working on
this event. She also presented a special thanks to Councilwoman
Lichter.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Councilwoman Rhodes
moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Bloomer
Page -11-
Council Regular Meeting
April 15, 2002