03-15-2010 - Regular
CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 15, 2010
6:00 P.M.
CONCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
1.CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Thomas called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Michael Thomas Present
Councilwoman Debra Rogers Present
Councilwoman Gigi Bennington Present
Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes Present
Councilman Ted Cooper Present
City Manager Tracey Barlow Present
City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel Present
City Attorney Carolyn Ansay Present
INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
There was a silent invocation and pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.Regular Meeting of January 25, 2010
Councilman Cooper moved to approve the January 25, 2010 minutes,
second by Councilwoman Rogers
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
B.Regular Meeting of February 8, 2010
Councilman Cooper moved to approve the February 8, 2010 minutes,
second by Councilwoman Bennington
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
3.PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES/DONATIONS
A.Presentation of a plaque to Kathy Cornelius for her retirement
after 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Edgewater
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Council Regular Meeting
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Mayor Thomas asked Kathy Cornelius to come to the podium. He was very
proud to know Ms. Cornelius. He has known her for quite some time.
He knows the whole family. He got to work with her husband as well as
her brother. How many people stay with an organization for 30 years
in these days? He asked for a round of applause for her for 30 years
of service. He then read the plaque and presented it to her.
B.Proclamation declaring March 25, 2010 as Mike & Dana Thompson
Day
Mayor Thomas read the proclamation for Mike & Dana Thompson Day.
4.CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no Citizen Comments at this time.
5.APPROVAL OR CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
There were no Changes/Modifications to be made to the agenda at this
time.
6.CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Rogers had nothing at this time.
Councilwoman Bennington had nothing at this time.
Councilwoman Rhodes had nothing at this time.
Councilman Cooper had nothing at this time.
Mayor Thomas had nothing at this time.
7.CONSENT AGENDA
A.Award of contract for establishing a procurement card program
with FIA Card Services N.A., Bank of America Company
B.Request to approve Disposal of Fixed Assets
C.Authorization for East Volusia Mosquito Control District to
make low level aerial inspection and spray flights
D.Consideration of approval of a contribution in the amount of
$6,000 to be used towards the cost of the fireworks display
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for the annual 4 of July event
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve the Consent Agenda, second by
Councilwoman Bennington
.
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The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
8.PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
st
A.1 Reading, Ordinance No. 2010-O-04; CSC Properties Inc.,
requesting annexation of 2.15+ acres of land located at 2798
S. Ridgewood Avenue
City Attorney Ansay read Ordinance 2010-O-04 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Due to there being no Council or citizen comments, Mayor Thomas
entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ordinance 2010-O-04, second by
Councilman Cooper
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
st
B.1 Reading, Ordinance No. 2010-O-05; CSC Properties Inc.,
requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land
Use Map to include 2.15+ acres of land located at 2798 S.
Ridgewood Avenue
City Attorney Ansay read Ordinance 2010-O-05 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Councilwoman Bennington asked if they owned the property behind it
that is going to stay. City Manager Barlow informed her they did and
that they were in the process of going through a lot split with the
County. He believed the County would hear that on Thursday as well so
that would be completed prior to their second reading here.
Councilwoman Bennington asked if they were planning on bringing that
other piece in. City Manager Barlow informed her down the road
because of the Stipulation Settlement Agreement with Restoration they
cannot increase their residential densities at this point in time.
That is zoned residential and that could change later. Councilwoman
Rhodes thought they could if they were small and in the enclaves.
City Manager Barlow commented on when they land on the final of that
negotiation. He then questioned if it could be any small scale
residential. City Attorney Ansay informed him yes, small scale
enclaves. City Manager Barlow stated that may be later down the road.
Mr. Lear stated if they were bringing the whole thing it would have
been a large scale. City Manager Barlow stated that is why they had
it subdivided. It’s just over 10 acres.
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Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing. Due to there being no further
Council or citizen comments, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion.
Councilman Cooper moved to approve Ordinance 2010-O-05, second by
Councilwoman Rogers
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
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C.1 Reading, Ordinance No. 2010-O-06; CSC Properties Inc.,
requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to include
2.15+ acres of land located at 2798 S. Ridgewood Avenue as B-3
(Highway Commercial)
City Attorney Ansay read Ordinance 2010-O-06 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing. Due to there being no Council
or citizen comments, Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing and
entertained a motion.
Councilwoman Bennington moved to approve Ordinance 2010-O-06, second
by Councilwoman Rhodes
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
9.BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A.Councilwoman Rhodes’ appointment to the Recreation/Cultural
Services Board
Councilwoman Rhodes moved to appoint Walt Zakaluzny to the
Recreation/Cultural Services Board, second by Councilwoman Bennington
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
B.Mayor Thomas’ appointment to the Volusia Growth Management
Commission due to the resignation of Sandy Jones
Mayor Thomas nominated Jason Floyd to be appointed to the Volusia
Growth Management Commission. He had an opportunity to interview and
talk to Jason a couple of weeks ago. This is a very important
commission and it’s all about the Comp Plan amendments and the Comp
Plan and the comp plans of other cities and where they go together.
It was very hard to find somebody that has this knowledge. After
talking to him he realized with his various job experiences he does
have this knowledge.
Councilwoman Rhodes made a motion to approve the Mayor’s nomination of
Jason Floyd, second by Councilwoman Bennington
.
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Council Regular Meeting
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The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
10.OTHER BUSINESS
A.Request of the New Smyrna Beach Barracuda Band for donations to
purchase new band uniforms
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Councilman Cooper asked City Manager Barlow if he had any
recommendation. City Manager Barlow informed him within the budget
there is an area for promotional activities. They had $100 budgeted
for Score, $100 for Project Graduation, $100 for plaques, $200 for
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miscellaneous and $6,000 for the 4 of July fireworks, which they had
just contributed. They had about $500 left in Promotional Activities.
City Clerk Wenzel stated minus plaques. He then figured they had $300
within Promotional Activities. Councilman Cooper stated they didn’t
have enough to buy a whole uniform for a child. Councilwoman Rhodes
stated they could buy a pair of pants. Councilman Cooper felt it was
kind of embarrassing.
Councilman Cooper made a motion to donate $100 to the cause.
Councilwoman Bennington questioned there being a way to get some money
from someone else’s budget to at least buy one uniform. City Manager
Barlow stated if they wanted to buy one uniform he could certainly
work with the Finance Director to make appropriate budget amendments
to allow that to happen.
Councilman Cooer withdrew his motion.
Councilman Cooper made a motion to purchase one band uniform at the
cost of $400 for the High School, second by Councilwoman Bennington
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
Councilwoman Bennington was sorry they couldn’t do more.
B.Request for consideration in reducing annexation/development fees
for property located at 3515 US Highway 1, Indian River Self
Storage
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. Staff recommended the
Council consider reducing the annexation/development fees by $10,000.
Councilman Cooper stated their regular taxes once they do the building
improvement would increase. He asked if they have been good stewards
to the City. Councilwoman Bennington informed him they aren’t in the
City. City Manager Barlow informed him they were in the County. He
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didn’t know and could only assume they were and if not liens are there
and it’s a very nice project.
Councilwoman Bennington asked why they wanted to come into the City.
Daniel Johns
, 3869 South Nova Road, Port Orange, felt the fees seemed
a little high priced when they consider the neighbors to the north.
In New Smyrna Beach they had a project similar to this where the fees
were a total of $3,500. He spoke of New Smyrna Beach creating a
discount in their fees when they do projects all at once. His clients
would rather do business in the City of Edgewater. They already get
their water from the City. They would rather work with the City’s
Development Review Staff than with Volusia County. They aren’t as
easy to get along with.
Councilman Cooper made a motion to reduce the annexation/development
fees by $10,000. Councilwoman Rhodes asked him to wait because they
had to hear from the public.
Councilman Cooper restated his
Due to there being no Citizen Comments,
motion to reduce the annexation/development fees by $10,000 for the
annexation of property located at 3515 US Highway 1, second by
Councilwoman Rhodes
.
Councilwoman Bennington wanted to ask a question before they voted.
Councilwoman Bennington stated this ad valorem tax base of $10,000.
Is that after they add the 38,000 square feet or if that was as it
sits right now? City Manager Barlow informed her it was as it sits
right now based on last year’s assessment and their last year’s
millage rate. Councilwoman Bennington stated if they put in the
38,000 square feet it is going to go up. City Manager Barlow informed
her that was correct. They weren’t sure where the property value was
going to come in this year. He tried to estimate as close as he
could.
Councilwoman Bennington asked if that was why he was suggesting
reducing it by $10,000. City Manager Barlow informed her that was
correct.
Councilwoman Bennington stated they seemed extremely high to her when
she was looking at them.
City Manager Barlow explained a couple of years ago, around 2007 or
2008 they did a pretty thorough review of a lot of their development
fees and what it costs them to do the process as far as man-hours and
that was how those were established. Councilwoman Bennington asked
about this being based on what it actually costs the City. City
Manager Barlow informed her yes.
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The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
C.Request for consideration in reducing impact fees for a new 5,200
square foot animal clinic located at the southwest corner of the
intersection of Ranken Drive and South Ridgewood Avenue
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. He mentioned this
creating some additional jobs. It was staff’s recommendation that the
City Council consider a reduction of 50% in Sidewalks, Fire/EMS,
Police and Transportation/Road Impact Fees. The 50% reduction would
provide a savings of $7,713.52 reducing the total to $17,483.35. It
wasn’t his recommendation that they do any impact fee reduction in
anything related to Utilities because of the bonds pledged against
those.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked how many additional staff.
Kenneth Bohanan
, 221 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, stated they
were looking at approximately six new jobs. They were going to have
at least twenty contractors come in. They were looking at twenty part
time jobs but they were looking at six career paths. This was a
little different than the restaurant they approved previously but the
quality of jobs are quite different. They were looking at
professionals and were looking to add one more veterinarian. They
were looking for consideration of that as well. They were looking at
five staffers who are all going to be above minimum wage jobs.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked how far above minimum wage. Mr. Bohanan
didn’t know off of the top of his head but stated his client was
there. The client in the audience informed her several dollars.
Councilman Cooper asked if they would be expanding the pets they are
now going to be servicing and taking care of. Mr. Bohanan informed
him they were looking hopefully at a two part project, the
Veterinarian Clinic as well as a feed store down the road. He spoke
of expanding their services and their area. He felt the new project
should be a benefit to the City of Edgewater. In addition, his
clients have suggested to him and to the City that if the City is to
get K-9 units for the law enforcement officers that they would work
with the City in order to take care of those animals.
Councilwoman Bennington stated in the letter Mr. Bohanan sent he was
actually asking for a 2/3 reduction of all of the impact fees. She
asked him how he determined 2/3. Mr. Bohanan stated in his
conversations with Mr. Barlow he understood what they were looking for
primarily was the production of jobs and their job production is not
as high as the restaurant would be. They are looking at a lesser
number of jobs but a higher quality of jobs for the community.
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Councilwoman Bennington stated she spoke to City Manager Barlow
earlier about the Sidewalk impact fee. It’s going to be a long time
before they put sidewalks down there. City Manager Barlow stated it
depends. They were that close to a grant earlier this year that would
have taken sidewalks clear to Volco Road. He spoke of having to pull
the grant but he was going to try again for the grant next year.
Councilman Cooper stated the only concern he had was in reference to
the 2/3 versus the 50% recommended by the City Manager. He was
assuming they would accept this as recommended. Mr. Bohanan informed
him they would and that every little bit helps. Times are tough right
now. The City is looking for economic development and they are trying
to help in that goal. Unfortunately in bending one way they have had
to push another way and in doing so they have incurred some additional
costs they are going to have to adjust for.
Councilman Cooper wanted to make sure it wasn’t a deal breaker. Mr.
Bohanan stated the difference between the two, he didn’t think it was
a deal breaker. It would certainly motivate them a bit quicker if
they were able to get the 2/3 but he knows this is a new undertaking
in the City in doing this type of impact fee reduction. He will push
as hard as he can for his clients but he didn’t think this particular
portion was going to be an absolute deal breaker.
Councilwoman Bennington stated she knows they need to have this money
for the sidewalks. Councilwoman Rhodes stated but they need jobs for
people more. Councilwoman Bennington suggested they cut the sidewalks
by 2/3 and the other impact fees that City Manager Barlow suggested by
50%.
Councilwoman Rhodes would suggest cut Sidewalks, Fire/EMS and Police
out altogether and then they are at the 2/3 figure and leave the rest
the way it is. She feels it is important because the people in this
City need jobs.
Councilwoman Bennington mentioned Dr. Castro contributing a lot to the
Animal Shelter, which saved the City a lot of money.
Councilman Cooper questioned when they expect to start construction.
City Manager Barlow asked Councilwoman Rhodes if he could get her to
clarify what she would suggest they cut. Councilwoman Rhodes informed
him Sidewalks, Fire/EMS, Police and Transportation impact fees to just
zero them out and that would be about $15,000, which would be almost
2/3 of the total. Councilwoman Bennington stated and then just leave
all of the capital improvements.
Mr. Bohanan informed Council his clients advised him the latest to
break ground would be October. Councilwoman Rhodes felt it was
incumbent upon them to be business friendly as much as possible.
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March 15, 2010
Councilwoman Bennington pointed out this is an established business
wanting to expand so she really thought they should too. Councilwoman
Rhodes felt they should be doing every single thing they can do and
she thinks $15,000 is cheap for jobs.
Due to there being no Citizen Comments, Mayor Thomas entertained a
motion.
Councilwoman Rhodes made a motion to eliminate the Sidewalks,
Fire/EMS, Police and Transportation/Road impact fees from the total
amount of impact fees, second by Councilman Cooper
.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0
.
11.OFFICER REPORTS
A.City Clerk
City Clerk Wenzel had nothing at this time.
B.City Attorney Ansay
City Attorney Ansay had nothing at this time.
C.City Manager
City Manager Barlow informed Council that City Clerk Wenzel had put
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informational packets in their boxes regarding the March 11
Cooperative Workshop Meeting between the cities of Edgewater, New
Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Oak Hill. He then commented on the
topics that were discussed such as the Regional Communications Center,
Fire Services, Economic Development, Southeast Volusia Transportation
Study, and the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex.
i.Direction on Code Enforcement Liens
City Manager Barlow needed direction on Code Enforcement liens as they
relate to foreclosures. They have some non-homesteaded properties out
there that are starting to mount some pretty significant code
enforcement liens where other cities foreclose on their properties and
recoup their money out of them. He had one particular property that
had over $14,000 worth of liens in Florida Shores and he didn’t want
to get to the point where the liens exceed the value of the property
because nobody will buy it. If Council was good with it he could
start to work with City Attorney Ansay.
Mayor Thomas asked what the average cost would be on a foreclosure.
City Attorney Ansay informed him they would have filing fees and
attorney fees which would be the two largest costs. In terms of
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March 15, 2010
foreclosure the Statute provides that they are able to recover those
costs against the equity. If there is enough equity in the property
hopefully once it is foreclosed on covers the amount of the lien as
well as all the costs the City incurs. To gauge what the level of
costs would ultimately be is hard. She spoke of the costs not coming
out of the amount of the lien being recoverable, they are added on to
it. The first thing they would do is analyze where the City stands in
terms of priority and make sure there are no other liens ahead of the
Code Enforcement liens, make sure that there is sufficient equity. It
is a business decision. This is all non-homestead property due to not
being able to foreclose on homestead property. It will typically be
commercial and vacant lots and that type of thing. There is also a
requirement in the law that they wait a certain amount of time after
the Code Enforcement lien is put in place so that if anyone appeals,
etc. the underlying lien that has been resolved. Once all those
things are done they can move forward with it.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked if the property was for sale. City Manager
Barlow informed her the first one he was looking at wasn’t.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated if they are for sale and any interested
buyer than they can deal with them to pull those liens if they are
going to buy the property to clean it up. What they want is
compliance but if it’s not for sale then they don’t have that option.
City Manager Barlow commented on a lot of times scaring the potential
buyer off prior to having the opportunity to get them before the
Council to negotiate a reduction in those liens. City Attorney Ansay
commented on dealing with this all the time.
Councilwoman Rhodes felt if it was for sale through a realtor they can
tell the realtor the City was willing to deal with anyone willing to
buy that property. If they don’t have that option there is no point
discussing it.
Councilman Cooper wanted clarification and stated it sounds like,
reading between the lines, that City Attorney Ansay was saying on any
property of this nature she would rather assess each obligation or
each property before they would make a recommendation on to go forward
with foreclosure. He asked if this was correct.
City Attorney Ansay stated clearly before any foreclosure action would
take place there would need to be equity there or they ultimately
would be wasting their money. Councilman Cooper stated they look for
equity, they look for problems, opposing attorneys and that was what
he was getting to. With the proper assessment then to come back and
say did you want to give City Manager Barlow direction they would be
better armed to answer that question. City Attorney Ansay stated she
wasn’t suggesting any foreclosure would need to come before Council to
make that decision. There are probably 20-25 cases the City is
actively litigating in foreclosure cases. Not because we filed them
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March 15, 2010
but because banks have filed them and they have named the City because
the City had existing liens. So then the City gets dragged into those
cases. In 90% of those cases the first thing she does when the City
gets served with a lawsuit is she looks to see what the total amount
of the liens are on the property and what essentially is the ballpark
value of the property based on what the Property Appraiser’s website
says. Unless there is any equity of a significant nature they don’t
even answer the lawsuits. The City defaults. They do that analysis
every day now. The analysis is no different. The difference is here
the City stands in first position. The thing to do would be on non-
homestead properties where there is a significant lien and there is
equity there and it makes sense to pursue it otherwise it doesn’t
happen.
Councilman Cooper asked if any of these people have come to him asking
for regress in any way. City Manager Barlow stated because they
handle many different Code Enforcement cases. He assured the Council
their number one goal is compliance. These properties either don’t
get compliance and the City has to go in there at the Code Board’s
direction and bring compliance and continue to maintain the
properties. Their number one goal will remain compliance. These are
just those handful of cases where they continue to mount up code
enforcement violation fines and maintain the properties that start to
encroach on exceeding the value of those properties.
Mayor Thomas stated City Manager Barlow was looking for consensus and
he felt he did his due diligence and good judgments in the past so he
is all for giving it to him. Councilwoman Rhodes stated she was too.
City Manager Barlow stated as City Attorney Ansay said it’s no
different than a majority of their other cities have done and she
represents many other cities as it relates to Code Enforcement.
City Manager Barlow agreed to continue to work with City Attorney
Ansay and they will jointly do those due diligence and make the
decision on which ones they move forward on.
Councilwoman Rogers stated the homes that are in foreclosure in
Florida Shores. The utility bills are being billed out at a minimum.
She is getting phone calls from people that are in foreclosure and
they are asking her why they are getting bills. Have they had anyone
come to them requesting to have any of that abated or to have help and
assistance? These people are in foreclosure and have moved out of the
homes and the properties are just mounting with these utility bills.
Finance Director McKinney explained if an account gets above $400 they
are pretty aggressive of filing liens with the County. Once they file
them, they have a pretty good track record of collecting on it.
Unfortunately they have to go through that effort to file but they are
finding that they are being pretty successful in recouping what they
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March 15, 2010
file. As soon as they receive the certified letter of a County lien
they are pretty much in City Hall asking to see what they can do to
get it off the books. In a lot of cases it is people within the
community that have rentals they can’t rent and they are coming in and
paying their bills because they do have the minimum bill requirement.
City Manager Barlow asked Finance Director McKinney if he was aware
of, he knows the County has various programs and they have to trip
some of those thresholds before they can get relief from the County.
He asked if he was aware of any of our customers that are taken
advantage of some of those County programs and that is what is
helping. Finance Director McKinney stated they do send a lot of
people to Canal Street to the County’s Human Services Department for
that one time help on their utility bill. They also have the church
around the corner here and the Alliance Church that helps the people
that are unemployed or underemployed with assistance for their utility
bills.
Councilwoman Rogers stated from her understanding the Council On Aging
also has something within their procedures where they are helping
seniors and those that need help with the bills. Finance Director
McKinney commented on the Council On Aging helping a gentleman in
Edgewater who didn’t have utilities for two years and they came in and
paid up his entire utility bill to get him back going. The biggest
thing they find is people don’t look at their consumption. They do
educate the public as well on ways to reduce their water bill. He
spoke of people filling pools every weekend. Councilwoman Bennington
asked if the people notify him prior to filling the pools. Finance
Director McKinney stated no but they sure do notify them promptly when
they get that bill. Councilwoman Bennington asked him if they waive
the sewer bill. Finance Director McKinney informed her no.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated they do waive the sewer bill if someone
fills their pool. Finance Director McKinney was talking about kid
pools. He further commented on a call he received where someone
requested the fire trucks be sent out there to fill their pool. He
politely declined. Kathy informed him in the old days that was done
when we had a Volunteer Fire Department.
City Manager Barlow stated they just completed the budget calendar.
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He then commented on some highlights of interest. July 12 is a
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preliminary budget workshop. July 19 Council sets tentative millage
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date. August 16 is a budget workshop. August 30 is a tentative
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budget workshop. September 13 would be the first public hearing on
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proposed millage rate, September 27 will be their second public
hearing.
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ii.Brownfield Area Workshop March 23 at 5:00 p.m.
City Manager Barlow reminded Council of the Brownfield/Redevelopment
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Area Workshop on March 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
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12.CITIZEN COMMENTS
The following citizen spoke:
Mike Visconti
, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, stated at the request of the
City Manager they are going to resume the Beautification Committee for
beautifying the homes. It would probably start taking place late May,
early June to start off. He asked the City Clerk if she would put a
coupon in with the monthly bills to nominate your neighbor for
Beautification Awards.
City Manager Barlow stated the other request he had was not only to
select a residential property but make sure they select a commercial
property as well. Mr. Visconti informed him they did and the last
commercial property they did was Carter’s Motel.
Mr. Visconti then commented on not having a senior center in
Edgewater. He remembered a while back when the YMCA was proposed it
was supposed to be with the idea of having a senior center there. He
remembered when the plans were drawn up and the City donated $1
million towards the YMCA. If he remembered correctly, that was
supposed to be a part to coincide with the YMCA for a senior center.
When they made the plans out there was no kitchen and they decided to
put in a kitchen in so they could have a kitchen facility there for
senior citizens. Why aren’t they using part of the YMCA as a senior
center?
Mayor Thomas asked Councilman Cooper to respond and mentioned the YMCA
having a Silver Sneakers program. Councilman Cooper further commented
on the Silver Sneakers program for seniors. He asked Mr. Visconti
what he would like to see as a senior center.
Mr. Visconti commented on the Brannon Center having an afternoon
luncheon, bingo and dances. Why can’t they do that at the YMCA?
Councilwoman Rhodes asked who puts on those programs at the Brannon
Center. Councilman Cooper thought it was the Council on Aging.
Councilwoman Rhodes suggested maybe the Council on Aging could get
with the YMCA and produce some of those things. Mr. Visconti asked if
the City of Edgewater had anything to do with the YMCA.
Mayor Thomas stated they do and Councilman Cooper is their
representative on the Board. Councilman Cooper further commented on
the way the YMCA is set up currently. He didn’t think there was room
at the YMCA to do what Mr. Visconti was asking for right now. He
thinks a consorted effort needed to be applied to maybe grab a piece
of property in cooperation with one of their places in the town where
they could do what he is asking for. He further spoke of funding
being a big part of it. He mentioned the Florida Shores Clubhouse
possibly being an excellent location to look for something of this
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March 15, 2010
nature. They need to sit down and figure out how they are going to
fund this if they wanted to look into this and do it.
City Manager Barlow commented on when the YMCA was before Council
asking for an extension a couple of months ago. Part of asking for
the extension in time was because the entire YMCA Board oversees all
of the Volusia/Flagler YMCAs were getting together and putting
together their long range plans and doing the assessments of which
activities were needed for each community so they can realign their
future direction and their business plan going forward. Some of that
may come out of that. He spoke of the economy changing the money to
do those capital projects is where they are struggling as well. This
YMCA has changed directors with some new ideas and some new blood
there they seem to be going gangbusters as far as attracting more
members. Councilwoman Bennington mentioned senior citizens being a
majority of the people that are at the gym. He spoke of there being a
lot that the new director has gotten going again.
Mayor Thomas commented on when he was on the Board they talked about
having a youth center and a Friday night dance. He asked if they were
still talking about that. Councilman Cooper commented on some of the
things they do now for the youth. They are doing more now than they
have ever done but because now they are consolidated everything is a
permission thing so it takes a little longer to do something. He then
spoke of the larger YMCAs being very profitable.
Mayor Thomas feels they are very fortunate to have the YMCA located
here in Edgewater.
13.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Councilwoman Rhodes moved
to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Bloomer
Attest: APPROVED:
City of Edgewater, Florida
___________________________
Bonnie Wenzel, City Clerk Michael L. Thomas, Mayor
14
Council Regular Meeting
March 15, 2010