Loading...
01-09-2012 - Regular CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 9, 2012 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL 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 Councilman Justin Kennedy Present Councilwoman Gigi Bennington Excused Councilman Michael Ignasiak Present Council Seat District 4 Vacant City Manager Tracey Barlow Present City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel Present City Attorney Aaron Wolfe Present City Clerk Wenzel recognized Council Seat District 4 was vacant due to the passing of Councilman Ted Cooper. INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE There was a silent invocation and pledge of allegiance to the Flag. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting of October 17, 2011 Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve the October 17, 2011 minutes, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. B. Regular Meeting of November 7, 2011 Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve the November 7, 2011 minutes, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. 3. PRESENTATIONS /PROCLAMATIONS /PLAQUES /CERTIFICATES /DONATIONS There were no Presentations at this time. 1 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 4. CITIZEN COMMENTS The following citizen spoke: Ellen Weller, 619 Faulkner Street, New Smyrna Beach, requested Council's assistance to help save New Smyrna Beach Kmart. Mayor Thomas informed Ms. Weller that item was on the agenda under Item 8E and asked her to speak at that time. Dominic Capria, 606 Topside Circle, thanked City Manager Barlow and Environmental Services Director Brenda Dewees for working on the problem with the retention ponds in Edgewater Landing. 5. APPROVAL OR CHANGES /MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA Mayor Thomas announced they would be adding Resolution 2012 -R -03 as Item 8E and they would add Item 10D the Wastewater Annual Fee. 6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilman Kennedy reported on working on the Scholarship Committee and described the details of "The Princess Ball" they would be holding on February 11 at the YMCA. Councilman Kennedy also reported he was working on the sign holiday and he hoped to get that on the agenda in the next meeting or two. Councilman Ignasiak had nothing at this time. Mayor Thomas reported on being invited to a meeting with DOT and City Staff today regarding the median changes in Edgewater to enhance the safety on U.S. #1. He was very proud of City Staff. They made a lot of compromises. He identified because of the persistence of Staff they will have beautification. They emphasized it would affect the businesses along U.S. #1. He was very pleased with the meeting today. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Authorization of the purchase of a Kenworth T370 Garbage Truck from Kenworth of Central Florida in the amount of $131,620, piggybacking the Florida Sheriffs Bid 11 -19 -0907 B. Authorization to purchase a Kenworth Semi Tractor in the amount of $130,544 using the Florida Sheriffs Bid 11 -19 -0907 C. Authorization for the City Manager to execute the Sub Recipient Agreement for the FY 2010 /2011 Amendment and FY 2011/2012 and to authorize the necessary budget amendment 2 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 D. Authorization for the City Manager to renew the contract with D &A Building Services for Janitorial Services (Contract Addendum No. 2) Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. 2 Reading, Ordinance No. 2011 -0 -17 - Amending and Restating Article III (Permitted, Conditional, Accessory & Prohibited Uses), Section 21.37.05 (Special Activity Permit Criteria) of Chapter 21 (Land Development Code) City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance 2011 -0 -17 into the record. City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation and recommended approval. Due to there being no Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Kennedy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2011 -0 -17, second by Councilman Ignasiak. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. B. 2 Reading, Ordinance No. 2011 -0 -18 - Chapter 12.5 (Parks and Recreation), Article I (In General) of the City of Edgewater Code of Ordinances City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance 2011 -0 -18 into the record. City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation and recommended approval. Due to there being no Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Kennedy made a motion to approve Ordinance 2011 -0 -18, second by Councilman Ignasiak. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. C. Resolution No. 2012 -R -01 - Electing to use the uniform method of collecting non -ad valorem special assessments 3 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 City Attorney Wolfe read Resolution 2012 -R -01 into the record. City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation with regard to transitioning with the tenant billing and consider the opportunity to place the recycling, refuse and stormwater as an assessment associated with the annual tax bill. It is not an increase in fees; it is just how it is paid. He further spoke of the tenant only being responsible for the consumption of water and sewer. He further commented on the requirement of advertising for four consecutive weeks and identified the advertising began the week of December 18 which they complied with. He spoke of the request for an extension with the Property Appraiser, which they had received favorable permission for, since they didn't meet the January 1" timeline with the resolution. Councilman Ignasiak clarified there would be no additional cost to the taxpayer and that it would be added to the tax bill. City Manager Barlow informed him that was correct and commented on helping changing the stigma that Edgewater has always had that Edgewater has the highest water bill, which they hear on a regular basis. The City is actually the third lowest as it relates to the water portion of the bill. He also mentioned the misconception because of everything being included on the water bill. We are one of only a few cities that does it this way. Mayor Thomas asked how many cities were using this way of payment. Finance Director McKinney identified New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, Deland, Orange City and Deltona. Pretty much every City has a portion of something as a non - ad valorem special assessment. There was further discussion regarding this creating the opportunity to make the decisions in the future based on what to include on the tax bill. Mayor Thomas asked Councilman Kennedy which direction would be better for the tenant /landlord. Councilman Kennedy felt the real reason they were doing this was because it removed some of the liability that rests upon being paid by the tenant. By putting it on the tax bill ultimately it will get paid because the tax assessor pays us and then they collect from the homeowner. He further identified it reduces the risk to the City not getting paid because they are actually putting less on the bill. Councilman Kennedy felt if someone was going to be living in a house and they create recycling and refuse they should be responsible for paying to have it removed. He then presented an example where sometimes it isn't so black and white and removes some of the confusion. 4 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 Mayor Thomas asked how much the tax bill would go up. Mr. McKinney informed him it would go up $369, which was the same $369 that they pay currently. City Manager Barlow also identified the water bill would decrease by the $369 in a one year period as well. Currently today, if the bill isn't paid the previous month, the garbage truck drivers have a list they use and they do not pick up that garbage. By placing it on the tax bill, the refuse driver will pick it up if it is on the curb. Mayor Thomas confirmed the property owner would pay the tax bill and the tenant would pay the water bill. Councilman Kennedy identified he would have to go back to the tenant and raise the rent $30 a month if as a landlord he wanted to come out with a zero gain or loss. He further spoke of the additional cost to the landlord and offsetting the cost by having the tenant pay the landlord the additional $30 per month and the landlord would pay for the garbage on the tenant's behalf, which he felt removed the entire risk of the tenant not paying a water bill. Councilman Kennedy disclosed he was no longer a landlord and that this was a fairness issue for him. He spoke of wanting to know what the costs are with any business as opposed to it being a giant what if. He felt a $200 deposit would help and the policy being what it would be would curtail a lot of the abuse. The easy fix was to have the landlord raise the bill $30 a month. Mayor Thomas asked what the assurance was of the City getting the money over the old way and if it was better. City Manager Barlow informed him it would be better. Mayor Thomas felt if this passed the property owners' needed to be notified that they would see it on their tax bill. City Manager Barlow commented on several things having to occur to transition the tenant billing and to the assessment which would occur between January 9 and October 1, 2012 with regard to a timeline. Mayor Thomas asked for Citizen Comment. The following citizens spoke: NoraJane Gillespie, 2263 Candlewood Lane, New Smyrna Beach, commented on her refuse and stormwater being included on her tax bill when she lived in the unincorporated County and being very happy with it. Robert Overton, 631 Starboard Avenue, spoke of the people who are retired and on a fixed income. He spoke of the increases to his taxes. It is easier for him to pay that on a monthly basis than it is to come up with that amount of money at one point in time during the 5 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 year. There are a lot of retirees in the community that are on fixed incomes that may concerned about that same issue. Agnes Witter, 223 Flagler Avenue, asked how much it would cost them additionally to have the County collect this for us over and above what they have been paying the County to collect our taxes. Mr. McKinney informed her per Becky Jones, Property Appraiser, there would be no increase. Gene Emter, 513 Portside Lane, identified if that amount of money was put on the local tax bill, they could deduct it on their federal. They would end up saving 15% - 25% depending on your tax bracket, which he felt was a plus. Dominic Capria, 606 Topside Circle, felt it was a confusing issue. There has been a lot of talk on the road, especially in Edgewater Landing and they don't like the fact that it would be a once a year payment. He was sure there were a lot of people in Edgewater who live on fixed incomes and pay monthly and if they let it go to yearly they wouldn't have the money to do it. People in Edgewater Landing asked him to bring this up due to being very concerned. Jim Fisher, 2941 Mango Tree Drive, stated he spoke with 35 homeowner occupants and they all said they would much rather pay monthly than once a year. He felt the same way. He spoke of not getting the City newsletter because he signed up for e- billing. He felt there were other ways to do this that the City hadn't looked at. He wanted to help the Council come up with a different way to do this and suggested having two different types of deposits. Dave Kneiszler, 2319 Unity Tree Drive, stated the only thing he has heard talked about were landlords and he looks around in Edgewater and sees mostly single family homes. He asked if there were that many landlords. Councilman Kennedy informed him 25% of our homes were rented. Mr. Eissler pointed out that meant 75% of the people were not represented by the comments. He further spoke against putting this on the taxes. David Ross, 2803 Needle Palm Drive, agreed paying this annually in one lump sum was going to be tough for a lot of the 75% of non landlords. He could pay $30 a month but he couldn't pay $360 a year because he would blow the $30 and so would most of the residents. He has heard the main reason is because they have a stigma and that it would make it easier for the City to collect the money. He felt there were other ways to do this. He remembered Mayor Thomas saying on more than one occasion they would have to find new sources of revenue. He read from the display ad that was published for four consecutive weeks and stated this was a resolution they were going to vote on that said "this is for the provision of capital infrastructure, essential municipal services and related services, facilities and programs 6 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 including "but not limited to" stormwater, refuse, and recycling. He asked why it said it was not limited to those issues and asked if this was an intent to raise new revenues. If it wasn't he felt each person voting on this needed to say that tonight. He spoke of the rates being raised 20% in the last four years way above the inflation rate. He asked if they were going to raise rates. Councilman Kennedy explained this was not a way to raise rates or put a bunch of money in the bank. He is no longer a landlord and hasn't been for three years. He spoke of what has happened in Edgewater for a long time with regard to landlords having to pay the bill for tenants who fail to pay it. The City currently liens those properties. This new way will not change that. His gripe was the landlords had to pay these bills and that the City could change the policy by accepting a better deposit. He is against this. This was a compromise he felt would be a way to negate risk and meet in the middle. He agreed that $30 a month was easier than $360 a year. There was no other motivation for him other than to do things that are good for this City. Making the landlords responsible for somebody else's water bill was not good for the City. Shifting the charge from a monthly bill to an annual bill does not change the amount they charge for the water, garbage, refuse or stormwater. It boils down to a cash flow issue. He spoke of the added risk to the City by doing business with tenants who have no ownership to be liened. He felt this was a compromise and a way to balance risk. Councilman Ignasiak stated they were talking about collection method. The plan the City was proposing would streamline it administratively, make it easier to collect the money in one tax bill, take a burden administratively off of the inside here and probably lower our risk. He spoke of hearing comments that people would rather have a smaller bite every month than one big bite at the end of the year. Government exists for the sole reason of providing services to its citizens. He felt if the citizens decide they would rather have smaller bites taken out every month than one big bite at the end of the year than that is where they need to go and that is what they need to do because it is all about budgeting. Mayor Thomas commented on the way they collect the water bill and the landlord /tenant thing being probably the biggest complaint he has heard since becoming Mayor in 2005. They have had workshops and experts come in and assess the situation and tell them which way to go. This is a compromise. It isn't a new source of revenue. You would pay the same amount in one big bite at the end of the year or in smaller bites every month. It would be easier for him to pay it every month. Councilman Kennedy suggested they explore doing some and not all. The stormwater was a no brainer. The refuse and recycling are bigger line items and there is the argument that the tenant should be responsible 7 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 for those items because they are a consumable type of thing. City Manager Barlow explained even by passing the resolution tonight doesn't mean tomorrow they run off and put everything on the assessment. It means they complied with the four readings and it gives them that option. If they decide they don't want to exercise that option at least they have the ability to make that decision. It all comes down to the tenant billing and that level of risk. They could keep it as it is, still do the tenant billing and increase the deposit for the renters but be prepared if the utility deposit is twice as much as a neighboring community, they will deal with that from the landlords of why is the utility deposit so much. Councilman Ignasiak asked if it was possible to table this resolution tonight instead of voting on it. He wanted to get some more public feedback. City Manager Barlow informed him they could continue it to a date certain or if they continue to a not date certain, they would again have to pay for advertising. Councilman Ignasiak wanted to keep the options open. Councilman Kennedy felt there was a large portion of the City that pays escrow on a mortgage monthly and their escrow would be adjusted. There was a brief discussion regarding there being only one reading for resolutions as opposed to two readings for an ordinance. Wayne Knicker, 801 Egret Court, questioned if they would pay in advance or pay at the end. Councilman Ignasiak informed him they hadn't decided that. Councilman Kennedy informed him if it goes on the tax bill they would pay at the end of the year. Mr. Knicker felt they should all be able to save up for this and it shouldn't be a problem. Councilman Kennedy questioned where the responsibility lied. Does it rely on government to make sure you save your money or is it an individual responsibility? Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve Resolution 2012 -R -01, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. D. Resolution No. 2012 -R-02 - An amendment to the purchase & sale agreement between American Architectural Graphics and the City for property located in the ParkTowne Industrial Center City Attorney Wolfe read Resolution 2012 -R -02 into the record. City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation and recommended approval. 8 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 Councilman Ignasiak asked about the $1,950 that was still owed by Samuel Sydeski. City Manager Barlow explained that would be adjusted at the closing. The following citizen spoke: Dominic Capria, 606 Topside Circle, asked how much the property was worth that they were talking about and what they were going for. City Manager Barlow explained at the time the contract done it was $50,000 an acre and it was 1.7 acres, which was the market value at the time the property was selling. It is much lower than that now. There was a brief discussion regarding the City gaining money because of the value of the property being higher when the contract was signed as opposed to being lower now. Mr. Capria wanted to know how much the City paid for the property when the City originally bought it. City Manager Barlow wasn't sure because that was prior to him. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Ignasiak move to approve Resolution 2012 -R -02, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. E. Resolution No. 2012 -R -03 - Expressing support from the City Council to keep the Kmart Store in New Smyrna Beach open City Attorney Wolfe read Resolution 2012 -R -03 into the record. City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation with regard to the Kmart in New Smyrna Beach closing. Councilman Kennedy felt it was a good idea to ask Sears Holding Corporation to reconsider but he felt they needed to prepare for the eventual closing. Mayor Thomas commented on being here since 1972 and having to go to South Daytona to Zayres. He spoke of being excited when McDonalds and Kmart came to New Smyrna. He felt this was a shame and identified he would be supporting it. The following citizens spoke: Ellen Weller, 619 Faulkner Street, New Smyrna Beach, requested the Council's assistance to help keep Kmart open. She addressed four 9 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 areas that increased business. She estimated over 50 jobs would be lost. They believe 12 of them were Edgewater residents, 5 were Daytona State College students, 1 was a high school student and one employee was 85 years old. They have a petition signed by 5,200 customers, 1,200 of whom are Edgewater residents. She further commented on this being a severe hardship in many cases for some people to go elsewhere. She then commented on the economic effect on other businesses and the increase to the business since Walmart left. They have been making many phone calls and are getting positive feedback. She then referred to a petition of 27 signatures done by the Friendly Shores Mobile Home Park. Wayne Knicker, 801 Egret Court, spoke to a lot of people that hate to drive all the way out to Walmart. He felt the Council's support would help. Mike Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, felt they should support this 100% to give Kmart a chance to compete against Walmart. Walmart has taken all of the small businesses away. Muriel Lamee, 914 Faulkner Street, was speaking for the employees because they aren't allowed to come to the meetings or speak. She spoke of Kmart being here since the 1980's. When Walmart came in everybody went there because it was convenient. Some people are set in their ways and they still stayed with Kmart. People don't want to drive out by I -95. She spoke of the employees being ones who are losing the most and their dedication. She felt the Council should stand behind the voters that are before them asking for their help. She encouraged the Council to do whatever they have to do to get Corporate to hold their store where it is which she felt would get Council more votes. Regina Hewitt, 2009 Debbie Street, New Smyrna Beach, wanted to reiterate what everybody else was saying. She felt all of the cities needed to pull together. She had a copy of the petition if Council wanted to look at it. Janet Nolan, 127 E. Ocean Avenue, has shopped at Kmart since 1988. She was wondering if it would be possible to give them a tax break so their store could make more money if they were paying less taxes or a time limit to see if they will be more profitable since Walmart has moved. She felt the business has tripled since Walmart moved out by I -95. City Manager Barlow informed Ms. Nolan they were located in the City of New Smyrna Beach so this Council was not able to give them a tax break or anything else. Councilman Kennedy stated he was here when they built Kmart and remembered his mom driving them to Bealls. He hopes it does stay. He 10 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 further spoke of Kmart as a corporation being stuck in its way and what got Kmart to this point being Kmart and its management. Now it is owned by one man and that one man has made these decisions. No matter how much they band together as a community, the ultimate decision is up to that one man. They can continue to not change and take the path that Kmart has taken into non existence or if they are lucky enough to band together and get an extension of life for our Kmart would be awesome. He would fully support that and do whatever he could to support it but he felt they needed to look into the future and be prepared when the day does come that they ultimately do close Kmart. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve Resolution 2012 -R -03, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. 9. BOARD APPOINTMENTS A. General Employees' Pension Board - Council affirmation of the reappointment of Councilwoman Gigi Bennington to a three -year term, expiring on February 5, 2015 Councilman Ignasiak made a motion to affirm the reappointment of Councilwoman Bennington for a three -year term to the General Employees' Pension Board, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. B. General Employees' Pension Board - Council affirmation of the City Manager's representative Tim Sopko to a three -year term, expiring on February 5, 2015 Councilman Ignasiak made a motion to affirm the reappointment of Tim Sopko for a three -year term to the General Employees' Pension Board, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. C. General Employees' Pension Board - Council affirmation of the SPEA representative Robert Laramore to a three -year term, expiring on February 5, 2015 Councilman Kennedy made a motion to affirm the reappointment of Robert Laramore for a three -year term to the General Employees' Pension Board, second by Councilman Ignasiak. 11 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. D. Citizen Code Enforcement Board - Councilman Ignasiak's appointment due to the expired term of Linda Johnson, who seeks reappointment Councilman Ignasiak moved to reappoint Linda Johnson to the Citizen Code Enforcement Board, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. E. Citizen Code Enforcement Board - Mayor Thomas' appointment due to the expired term of Alice Haldeman, who seeks reappointment Mayor Thomas nominated Alice Haldeman to be reappointed to the Citizen Code Enforcement Board. Councilman Ignasiak moved to reappoint Alice Haldeman to the Citizen Code Enforcement Board, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. 10. OTHER BUSINESS A. Purchase of 104 N. Park Place - Authorization for the Mayor to execute an agreement for purchase and the appropriate closing documents and authorize the appropriate budget amendment City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. Councilman Ignasiak confirmed there was another bid on this besides the City's. City Manager Barlow further commented on the other bid. Councilman Ignasiak felt this fit in with their future plans. City Manager Barlow further commented on future plans of that property. Councilman Kennedy felt their offer was not bona fide due to it being tough to get a loan on the house if not impossible. He wouldn't counter the $31,500 based on a loan. Mayor Thomas wanted to give City Manager Barlow the power to negotiate. City Manager Barlow spoke of staff continuing to negotiate and Council knowing what the maximum is and not having to negotiate that on public record. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Ignasiak moved to approve the City Manager executing an agreement for the purchase of 104 N. Park Place, second by Councilman Kennedy. 12 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 City Manager Barlow pointed out they needed to include a budget amendment with that. Councilman Ignasiak stated not to exceed. City Manager Barlow stated a budget amendment and a cost not to exceed $50,000, which would take care of everything. Councilman Kennedy stated they would love to have that piece of property but they don't have to have it today. He wasn't sure he was comfortable paying more than the appraised value. Councilman Ignasiak informed him they could walk away. City Manager Barlow informed Councilman Kennedy they could approve the purchase of the property now and he could come back with the costs for demolition. City Manager Barlow confirmed the price of the residence would be no more than $34,900, which was the asking list price now. Councilman Kennedy asked if when they execute the purchase if they had to come back for final approval. City Manager Barlow informed him he would just bring the contract back. Councilman Ignasiak restated the motion to approve the purchase of 104 N. Park Place, authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement and the appropriate closing documents with a not to exceed price of $50,000, second by Councilman Kennedy. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. B. Approval of Work Order No. 2007 -04 with CPH Engineers Inc., to provide environmental monitoring of the wetlands identified in the City's Consumptive Use Permit and authorization for the City Manager to execute the document City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation and recommended approval for them to continue that monitoring. City Manager Barlow addressed concerns identified by Councilman Ignasiak, Mayor Thomas and Councilman Kennedy. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Kennedy moved to approve Work Order No. 2007 -04 with CPH Engineers, second by Councilman Ignasiak. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. C. Authorization for the City Manager to perform due diligence research in the amount not to exceed $20,360 for the potential purchase of an existing marina located at 2001 S. Riverside Drive and authorize the necessary budget amendment 13 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. Councilman Ignasiak explained they were paying for experts to take a look at that and give their opinion on the status of that situation. He asked if they would give their opinion of the value. City Manager Barlow informed him yes, they would have an appraiser do that as well plus a consultant that would talk about the condition of the docks. He spoke of being able to put together a business plan and needing the experts to identify the costs associated with anything that has to do with the marina as they go to put this business together before they make the final decision to purchase or not. Mayor Thomas asked how much property was there. City Manager Barlow presented the details of the property with regard to size, permitting, dock spaces and the buildings that are currently on the property. He further identified the Comprehensive Plan, part of the Coastal Element which talks about public access, that any time there is an opportunity to secure additional public access into the Indian River that they should research those opportunities. It was also addressed in the Vision Plan and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Councilman Kennedy talked to a lot of people around town about this and everybody was positive about the idea that they would have that marina for public use. He was excited about it and felt it would be a good asset for Edgewater. Councilman Ignasiak liked the idea and the concept but was concerned with what the experts would come back with. He felt this was a good investment. Mayor Thomas felt they had to do something and was really excited about it. Mayor Thomas asked for public comment. The following citizens spoke: Mike Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, asked if they wanted to hire someone for $20,000 to oversee the buying of this piece of property. City Manager Barlow identified the surveys, inspections and appraisals that would be done for the $20,000. Mr. Visconti questioned having anybody in -house that would know about this. City Manager Barlow explained these are marine engineers. There was a brief discussion regarding FIND pledging a percentage of assistance with purchase and they would probably be able to get some additional grants. 14 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 Dominic Capria, 606 Topside Circle, felt $20,000 was not bad for what they are going to check. He felt they should check further such as with New Smyrna and their marina, which he heard was almost a flop. He spoke of not doing badly with ParkTowne but they didn't do well either. He then commented on the money the City lost with Edgewater Harbor. He commented on the slips they would have had there if that went through, which would have taken care of what they are talking about. He then expressed concern with the costs of building it and dredging, which he felt needed to be looked at before they make these decisions. Councilman Ignasiak informed Mr. Capria of the grants and funding identified by City Manager Barlow that they as a government agency may be eligible for from the State and various organizations which are not open to private enterprise. Councilman Kennedy commented on needing more public access to the water. Agnes Witter, 223 Flagler Avenue, asked if they were planning on earning income by renting slips. She had a 24' pontoon boat there in the 1990's which she couldn't launch there. She commented on the launch there being very problematic. She felt they should not only look at the price to purchase it but also the cost to improve the property so it could be used by the public. Mayor Thomas stated even if they went with the existing they could still launch jet skis, kayaks and canoes, which would take the traffic away from Kennedy Park. City Manager Barlow identified there were a lot of options and presented some examples. He further commented on the amount of research they have been doing. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Kennedy made a motion to authorize the City Manager to perform due diligence research in the amount not to exceed $20,360 for the potential purchase of an existing marina located at 2001 South Riverside Drive and authorize the necessary budget amendments, second by Councilman Ignasiak. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. D. Certification that the cost of the Wastewater Annual Fee is a Fiscal Hardship due to the Per Capita Taxable Value being less than the statewide average City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation. 15 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 Councilman Ignasiak stated he liked it. Anything you can save money on especially in the permitting area is a positive. Due to there being no further Council or public comment, Mayor Thomas entertained a motion. Councilman Kennedy made a motion to approve the certification that the cost of the Wastewater Annual Fee is a Fiscal Hardship due to the Per Capita Taxable value being less than the statewide average, second by Councilman Ignasiak. The MOTION CARRIED 3 -0. 11. OFFICER REPORTS A. City Clerk City Clerk Wenzel informed Council qualifying for the Special Election for Council Seat 4 ended Friday at noon. They had two candidates qualify therefore they would not be having the Primary Election on February 7 They would only have the General Election on February 28 to fill that seat. There was a brief discussion regarding the savings associated with not having to have a Primary and General Election. City Clerk Wenzel commented on having a City of Edgewater Facebook page up and running to provide information to the citizens. She was not able to actually show them the page due to problems with her keyboard and not being able to log in but agreed to show them next month. B. City Attorney City Attorney Wolfe had nothing at this time. C. City Manager City Manager Barlow referred to a memorandum from Finance Director McKinney with regard to the timeline for the transition to the water bill tenant. City Manager Barlow then referred to the 2012 Project Goals. City Manager Barlow informed Council tomorrow in the Council Chambers at 6 p.m. the Economic Development Board would be holding a workshop for the businesses of Edgewater entitled "How Can We Make Things Better ". 16 Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2012 City Manager Barlow informed Council on January 21 was the New Smyrna Beach Home Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Canal Street. City Manager Barlow also reminded Council Edgewater's Expo would be held March 30 which would be a three day event with a carnival and entertainment. 12. CITIZEN COMMENTS The following citizen spoke: Jim Fisher, 2941 Mango Tree Drive, commented on the perception people have about certain things, such as the water bill being the highest in the area. He has lived in Edgewater six months. He wanted to volunteer his assistance and wanted to meet with the City Manager to discuss ideas of how they can accomplish some of the things they want to accomplish without it being too onerous on anybody. He mentioned being through this before due to being the Mayor of Port Orange for 10 years. Mr. Fisher then commented on Port Orange having a minimum bill for homeowners for utilities but they didn't call it a minimum usage bill, it was an availability charge. He spoke of the money lost by not charging someone that has a vacation home that isn't here for six months. City Manager Barlow expressed he would love the opportunity to meet with Mr. Fisher and encouraged him to give him a call. Mr. Fisher thought maybe he could help them save some of the $20,000 due to being a licensed real estate broker who has handled many commercial properties and also has appraisal experience. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 7 :50 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Bloomer, CMC Attest: APPROVED: City of Edgewater, Florida . .s�,�, o °11W Bonnie Wenzel, City Clerk Gigi :ennington, Vic- Ma p 17 Council "- -gular Meeting January 9, 2012