07-21-2014 - Regular of a 104 N.Riverside Drive
• .... City O1 Edgewater Edgewater,FL 32132
I.EDqYiATER/ Meeting Minutes
City Council
Michael Thomas,Mayor
Christine Power,District 1
Gigi Bennington,District 2
Mike Ignasiak,District 3
Gene Emter,District 4
Monday,July 21,2014 6:00 PM Council Chambers
1. CALL TO ORDER,ROLL CALL,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,INVOCATION
Mayor Thomas called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
There was an Invocation by Pastor Judson Douglass, Indian River Baptist Church and pledge of
allegiance to the Flag.
Present: 5- Councilman Mike Ignasiak,Councilman Gene Emter,Councilwoman Gigi Bennington,
Councilwoman Christine Power,and Mayor Michael Thomas
Also Present-City Manager Tracey Barlow;City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel and City Attorney Aaron
Wolfe.
• 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No minutes to approve at this time.
3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES/DONATIONS
a. AR-2014-195 Introduction of Naomi Weiss, District Representative for Congressman Ron
DeSantis.
Naomi Weiss, District Representative for Congressman Ron DeSantis thanked the Council for their
public service and all that do for the City of Edgewater; provided their office contact information;
and made a presentation discussing services available from their Congressional office located in
Port Orange, which serves Volusia County for Congressman DeSantis.
This Presentation was read into the record.
b. AR-2014-176 Presentation by the Volusia County School Board
Russell Tysinger, Director of Maintenance and Operations, Volusia County School District (VCSD)
introduced himself and other representatives from the Volusia County School District; discussed the
positive impact of the original 10 year 1/2 Cent Sales Tax program; that a citizen committee had
developed the project priority list for the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Extension; and provided a brief
overview of the three (3) major areas identified for funding by the extension being; Security,
Technology, and infrastructure.
• Ms. Jennifer Dietz, a product of Edgewater and teacher at Westside Elementary, stated that the
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Volusia County PTA as well as all of the PTAs across the District stand in support of the 1/2 Cent
Sales Tax Extension; discussed the impact of the tax extension as it relates to the classroom,
technology, and student requirements due to current technology needs and State mandates; and
asked the Council to endorse and support the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax extension.
Dan Blazi, Edgewater resident, parent and Vice President of the Edgewater Elementary School PTA
discussed Title 1 school needs; the importance of children having access to technology; and asked
the Council to officially endorse and support the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax extension.
Mayor Thomas stated that he is in support of the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax extension and gave accolades to
teachers.
The Council discussed the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax extension not being a new tax but merely an extension
of the current 1/2 Cent Sales Tax program; entrusting teachers with our children; and the
availability and details of the facilities project list.
This Presentation was read into the record.
4. CITIZEN COMMENTS
The following citizens spoke:
Michael Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive discussed recognizing Memorial Day and Veterans Day;
suggested setting aside a day to recognize Pearl Harbor with an annual concert at the amphitheater; •
discussed organizations that want to be involved in the concert; and volunteered to further pursue the
idea for the City of Edgewater.
Liz Kammer, from the South East Volusia County YMCA located at 148 W. Turgot Avenue thanked
the Council for all of their support over the years; provided an update on the YMCA expansion
project;and stated that she hand delivered the YMCA annual report for 2013 to the City.
Dan Blazi, 220 Oak Branch Drive discussed the overall millage rate that was suggested in the City of
Edgewater budget workshop, gave accolades to Councilman Emter for being the first to recommend
perhaps having a little higher millage rate; addressed the Economic Development Board (EDB) line
item request and suggested providing the opportunity for the EDB to explain why they feel
membership in the Team Volusia Economic Development Committee (TVEDC) would be a good
endorsement for the City of Edgewater. He also stated that the Edgewater Fall Festival would be
held on October 18, 2014 and that he would be coming back to the Council with more details as the
event draws closer.
Chuck Martin, 205 Cherrywood Lane stated that he is in support of the 1/2 cent sales tax extension;
in favor of Edgewater having an annual concert to recognize Pearl Harbor; and suggested Council
meetings start a little later to allow the opportunity for more working residents to attend.
5. APPROVAL OR CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
None at this time.
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6. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Bennington stated October 18, 2014 is the date set for the Fall Festival and Haunted
Forest due to the annual homecoming events and need for participation from high school students;
and stated that funding and volunteer requests will start coming out within the next week. She also
discussed Bright House telephone service procedures in Edgewater; the City not having a Bright
House government representative assigned to them; discussed the concept of having a Bright House
service representative assigned to the City; and suggested that the City Manager send some type of
letter to Bright House for a response.
The Council and staff discussed both positive and negative Bright House service calls; FPL having a
government representative assigned to take calls from the City; the possible benefit of Bright House
having an assigned representative; the City not being the go-between for 21,000 residents; the
concept of having a City assigned government representative that can be called for City wide issues;
next time the Bright House contract is negotiated discuss the service provided to the City for City
wide problems; agreed that the ,City cannot be a mediator between Bright House and residents; and
discussed the possibility of putting a question in the Newsletter asking for resident comments on
Bright House service so their issues can be discussed during the next contract negotiation.
Councilman Ignasiak stated that he has no problems with Bright House; he attended a Chamber
luncheon where Florida House of Representatives Dave Hood and Dorothy Hukill provided
• Legislative updates; attended an Edgewater Town Hall meeting with the Home Owners Associations
where updates were provided, including an update on the Ed g ewater CRA• he attended the last
YMCA Board meeting; encouraged everyone to go over and take a look at the progress being made
on the YMCA expansion; residents, especially soccer families are looking forward to the improved
parking at the YMCA; that recreational programs are continuing to grow; and the YMCA expansion
will alleviate a lot of the parking problems for the community.
Councilman Emter discussed attending a June 6, 2014 County Appraiser meeting where Mr.
Gilreath provided updated tax information; and that he also heard a presentation from the Director
of "One Daytona" where they reviewed their whole project, which is going to be a fantastic
development over the years. He was appointed as the River to Sea TPO representative to the Central
Florida MPO group, the group monitors transportation issues all over Central Florida from Polk
County to the Atlantic ocean; on June 12, 2014 he attended a meeting reviewing transportation plans
and projects across the area, and he stated that transportation projects are booming in this part of
Florida. He spoke to members of the Elks Lodge on Flag Day during their annual program to honor
the flag; attended the meeting where Representatives Hood and Hukill provided a Legislative update;
went to Edgewater Lakes that evening where he and staff members had the opportunity to make a
presentation to residents on the Edgewater CRA; they received a lot of CRA questions and hopefully
cleared up a lot of misconceptions; feels that their was a lot of CRA support generated from the
residents who attended the meeting; and that he also attended the TPO meeting which was pretty
much standard with nothing significant to report.
Councilwoman Powers asked Councilman Emter if there was any discussions over the past weekends
• concerning Sunrail and Councilman Emter replied "no". Councilwoman Powers discussed a petition
that has been started concerning Sunrail running on weekends; that she has received calls from
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Edgewater Lakes residents concerning the CRA and tax abatement and that she feels she, along with
• City Manager Barlow's input, helped clear up some of the resident's concerns and questions. She
also answered quite a few questions from residents concerning Code enforcement, and what is, and
what is not, considered to be a carport.
Mayor Thomas stated that at the VCOG meeting there was a presentation from Deannie Lowe and
Frank Bruno about the Volusia Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), their
organization, functions and that they are available to provide assistance for disaster response; and
reasons for VCOG and the Volusia League of Cities to merge into one entity. He stated that the 1500
block of Riverside Drive has really bad drainage and asked City Manager Barlow if the situation was
being addressed and if there was anything the City could do to improve the drainage.
City Manager Barlow and staff stated that the area has always been a challenge; there is some new
development occurring in that area; some exfiltration has already been done but unfortunately if the
tide is up the drainage in the area is effected; the Storm Water Master plan has various projects
identified along US 1 to the river; once the City gets to that point the drainage in the area can be
further evaluated, drainage problems are the nature of living near the river; that new construction in
the area will have to be required to incorporate new drainage features in their design; and they
discussed vested right of way and construction companies being required to fix any damage done
during completion of their projects.
Mayor Thomas also stated that Edgewater is known as the"Hospitality City"; he has been riding •
around the City on his bicycle enjoying the Riverside Drive trail; he was really pleased to see that
everybody takes the time to say hello to you and that 99% of the people in the "Hospitality City" are
very very friendly!
7. CONSENT AGENDA
None at this time.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS,ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
a. 2014-0-13 1st Reading Ordinance No.2014-0-13
Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to include
property located at 2203 S. Ridgewood Avenue as Commercial (1.12± acres)
and Low Density Residential(1.19±acres).
City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance No. 2014-0-13 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public Hearing.
The Council and staff discussed the request not receiving a majority vote from the Planning &
Zoning (P&Z) Board members; looking into the future in regards to where piece of property would
go from here; the unusual size of the property; what kind of house or business could actually go on •
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the property; numerous variances that would be required to build on the property, there would
• probably be very serious objections to some variance requests, the City having the right to turn down
variance requests; having to have very creative ideas to build on the property; the ordinance just
cleaning up things that have already been done;and taking the P&Z board's recommendation.
Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Power, second by Councilman Emter, to approve
Ordinance No.2014-0-13.The MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
b. 2014-0-14 1st Reading-Ordinance No.2014-0-14
Amendment to the Official Zoning Map to include 2.31± acres of property
located at 2203 S. Ridgewood Ave. as B-3(Highway Commercial)[1.12± acres]
and R-1 (Single-Family Residential)[1.19±acres].
City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance No. 2014-0-14 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearin g.
• The Council and staff discussed how it was determined what area would be residential; the width of
the lot by the river; a residential plan being somewhat of a different style than what they are used to
seeing; reasons to have the front portion of the property as commercial; and the plan having to meet
code.
Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilman Ignasiak, seconded by Councilwoman Bennington, to
approve Ordinance No.2014-0-14.The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
c. 2014-0-15 Ordinance No. 2014-015; Land Development Code (LDC) text amendments to
Article III (Permitted, Conditional, Accessory and Prohibited Uses), Article V
(Site Design Criteria), Article VI (Sign Regulations) and Article VII
(Non-Conforming Uses).
City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance No. 2014-0-15 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
The Council and staff discussed current structures being "grandfathered in" and the ordinance not
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having any conflicts with the CRA on US 1.
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• Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Power, seconded by Councilwoman Bennington, to
approve Ordianance No.2014-0-15.The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
d. 2014-0-16 1st Reading - Ordinance No. 2014-0-16: Amending Chapter 12(Offenses and
Miscellaneous Provisions),Article III(Alarm Systems).
City Attorney Wolfe read Ordinance No. 2014-0-16 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
The Council and staff discussed the current alarm registration and decal renewal process not
bringing a benefit to the City or to residents; the costs savings to the City in man-hours and
revenue/expenditures; there not being a registration fee if a resident registers their alarm system
within the first 30 days after the system was installed; and the intent of the alarm system registration
as a means to provide the City and police department with alarm information in case the police
department needs to contact the alarm owner if an alarm activates with no one at home and for
excessive false alarm occurrences and charges. •
Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Bennington, seconded by Councilman Emter, to
approve Ordinance No.2014-0-16.The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
e. 2014-R-I4 Resolution#2014-R-14
Supporting the School Board of Volusia County's Referendum to Extend the
One-Half Cent Sales Surtax
City Attorney Wolfe read Resolution No. 2014-R-14 into the record.
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
The Council and staff discussed the needs of Volusia County schools; having more detailed
information; the positive aspects of visitors helping to take care of our children's educational needs;
projects completed so far; the need for the revenue being there; the rapid changes of technology;
schools and students keeping up and being competitive; and hoping the public also sees the need for
the approval of the half cent sales tax extension.
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Chuck Martin, 205 Cherrywood Lane stated that he is for the half cent sales tax extension.
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Mayor Thomas closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Councilman Ignasiak, seconded by Councilwoman Bennington, to
approve Resoultion No.2014-R-14.The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
9. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
None at this time.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
a. AR-2014-058 Maximum Millage 2015
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
Finance Director McKinney read the following State Statute required verbiage into the minutes: In
conjunction with the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notice) pursuant to section 200.069,
F.S., the Council must authorize advertisement of the maximum millage rate for the upcoming budget
year. The current operating millage rate is $6.876 per $1,000.00 assessed value; the current taxable
• value is $653,347,511. The current year rolled-back millage rate is $6.5071 per $1,000 assessed
value. With the current year rolled-back rate, the preliminary ad valorem taxes for the Fiscal year
2015 would be$4,251,398.
The current Voted Debt Service millage rate is $0.058 per $1,000 assessed value. For Fiscal year
2015 the millage rate levy should be $0.053 per $1,000 assessed value based on the sale of the
Limited General Obligation Note Payable of 2005. The revenues for the Fiscal year 2015 would be
budgeted in the amount of$33,946.
Councilman Emter suggested setting a Maximum millage rate of 6.65 percent.
The Council discussed various aspects of setting a maximum millage rate; last year's maximum
millage rate; various percentages of a maximum millage rate; all budget estimates being in and
known; staff being conservative in developing and suggesting a maximum millage rate; the very
small difference in costs to the average tax payer between a 6.65 and 6.7 percent millage rate;
property values going up; setting the maximum millage rate at 6.7% and working down from that
amount; difference in revenue going into a budget stabilization account line; adjusting salaries and
the step plan;and possible mid year adjustments to the budget.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Power, seconded by Councilwoman Bennington,to
approve the maximum millage rate of 6.70.The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
• The Council and staff discussed the voter debt service millage rate of 0.053; how long the City has
the debt; aspects of paying the debt off; the City being able to pay the debt off at anytime; having
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staff research the possibility of paying the debt service off early; raising the debt service tax by just a
• small amount to pay the debt off early; aspects of retiring the debt early; once the bond debt is paid
off the debt service tax would end; the current interest rate of the debt service bond; whether or not
the residents would need to vote on the issue; just coming out of a recession and an increase in debt
service tax being financially detrimental to residents; incurring closing costs would offset the
payback benefit of refinancing the debt service bond; and having the Finance Director research the
costs of refinancing the debt service bond.
Finance Director McKinney stated that he needed a motion of $0.053 per $1,000 assessed value for
the voted millage rate.
A motion by Councilman Emter, second by Councilwoman Bennington, to approve the
voter debt service millage rate of 0.053. The MOTION was APPROVED by the following
vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
b. AR-2014-189 West Turgot Avenue Reclaimed Water Line contract
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
The Council and staff discussed some of the cost differences in contracts that were submitted for
consideration; coming out of a recession and construction picking up in the area; and the project •
being beyond the ability of the City public works department.
Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing.
A motion by Councilman Emter, second by Councilwoman Bennington, to approve the
West Turgot Avenue Reclaimed Water line contract. The MOTION was APPROVED by
the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
c. AR-2014-192 Combining of Volusia Council of Governments (VCOG) and the Volusia
League of Cities(VLOC).
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
The Council and staff discussed the history of the two organizations self examination decision and
process; the uniqueness of Volusia County; the importance of Cities meeting to communicate and to
take a unified stance on certain issues; the current sharing of staff and the redundancy of the two
organizations; determining the new organization membership dues; combining the two organizations
providing a balance against issues that are not in the best interest of all cities; making sure the new
organization does not have a weighted vote system like the TPO; and that combining the two
organizations would probably make for a more coordinated effort.
Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing.
A motion by Councilwoman Bennington, second by Councilwoman Power, to support the •
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combining of Volusia Council of Governments and Volusia League of Cities. The
• MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
d. AR-2014-155 Interlocal Agreement for Creation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
The Council and staff discussed the two documents that are attached to the TPO reorganization
agreement; which document is required to be voted on; discussed the fact that TPO and MPO are
synonymous;and that the Volusia/Flagler TPO is known as the "River to Sea TPO".
A motion by Councilman Emter, second by Councilwoman Bennington, to support the
creation of the Metropolitan Planning Orgainzation. The MOTION was APPROVED by
the following vote:
1 es: 5- Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilman Ignasiak,Mayor Thomas,
and Councilwoman Power
e. AR-2014-204 Second Amended Consent Order with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection
City Manager Barlow made a staff presentation.
• Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing.
A motion by Councilman Emter, second by Councilwoman Bennington, to approve. The
MOTION was APPROVED by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Councilman Ignasiak,Councilman Emter,Councilwoman Bennington,Councilwoman
Power,and Mayor Thomas
11. OFFICER REPORTS
a. City Clerk.
City Clerk Wenzel introduced the new Deputy City Clerk Mitch Honaker who started last Wednesday,
July 16, 2014; stated that he would attend a few meetings to observe procedures; would then attend a
few meetings on his own; and that she has only missed one meeting in the last six years so not
attending a meeting will be a new experience for her.
The Council and staff discussed options and benefits to having a half door between the City Clerks
office and the front of the City Clerks office area; a half door needing to meet ADA requirements;
and re-evaluating whether or not there is still a need for a half door now that there are two people on
the City Clerk's staff
Ms Wenzel also discussed last month's election qualfing period; the City of Edgewater positions
only being on the the General election ballot on November 4, 2014; recently attending a Records
• Management class; Budget workshop on August 4, 2014 at 2:00p.m.; the agenda used for the
meeting was produced using the new paperless, automated system, which for the most part went very
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well.
City Manager Barlow complimented City Clerk Wenzel on the phenomenal job that she did
implementing the new system and the staff efficiencies cost savings for the City by going to the new
system; and stated that the City is starting to implement a new paperless electronic plans processing
system.
b. City Attorney
None at this time.
c. City Manager
City Manager Barlow stated that he was approached by one of the Council members about possibly
putting an Edgewater timeline mural on the wall along Park Avenue across from the entrance to the
City Clerks office and the Planning and Building office; he had a local artist, Mr. Steve Hardock (at
no cost) work up a rough rendition and put a cost to it; and that if the Council is in favor of the idea
that he and the Finance Director would look to see if they could find budget dollars to make the idea
come to fruition next year.
The Council and staff discussed the wall not being owned by the City but the owner allowing the City
to paint the wall in the past.
City Manager Barlow also discussed Economic Development technician, Janet Shira resigning and
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the City advertising the vacancy in the near future; the City's building official retiring and the City
being in the hiring process for that position; Environmental Services Deputy Director Mike Tenney
retiring after 31 years of service to the City of Edgewater; staff working to develop an engineer job
description that would be both the Environmental Services Deputy Director and Engineer; which
would save on engineering costs on some of the City's smaller jobs, and that the new position is
projected in the 2014-2015 budget.
After discussion, the Council concurred for staff to proceed with the wall mural idea.
12. CITIZEN COMMENTS
13. ADJOURN
There being no further business to discuss,Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
_-'=
Mitch,Honaker, Deputy City Cler
1
ATTEST.: A ' ' 'I I\ED: 1
cnnie Wenzel 0 Mich,el Thomas
City Clerk May,'r
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