Loading...
08-04-1994 - Workshop ..... ..." .. CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER WORKSHOP AUGUST 4, 1994 COMMUNITY CENTER Mayor Hayman called the meeting to order at 7:00 and called the roll. Mayor Hayman, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Martin, Councilman Hays, Councilman Mitchum, City Attorney Krista Storey, and City Manager George McMahon were present. City Clerk Susan Wadsworth and Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker were excused. Sergeant Larry Westfall was also in attendance. (There were approximately 60 persons in the audience.) The Mayor introduced Roy Schleicher, Director of VCCOG, as the moderator. Mr. Schleicher asked for comments from the audience. The following persons spoke regarding the subjects indicated: Dave McCallister addressed the issue of the utilities/garbage/recycling charge for houses which are vacant. Mr. McCallister said that landlords need relief from these charges. Bob Howard addressed the issue of staffing for the Building Department and the utilization of the Building Trades Regulatory and Appeals Board. Scott Clark said as a builder he had just put in $1400 worth of sod on a spec home and then was confronted with the charge for water usage and sewer treatment although no one was residing in the home. Simon Roper said that he was one of the builders who had met with Staff recently. He said that there was no need for another building inspector. It is in the Building Department office that help is needed. He also addressed the length of time it takes to issue permits. John Moore of Moore's Auto Repair said that the City is targeting businesses on Guava Drive with the parking signs. He felt that since there was no notice given that this was a violation of due process. Jerry Lee of Lee Quality Homes discussed the sewer charge for homes under construction. He said he had just received his bill and would not pay the sewer portion. He also talked about the amount of time it takes to process permits. John Nixon said Jan Morris needs help in her job as the Plans Examiner. The current setup of the Building Department doesn't give her the space or privacy she needs to do that job. Earl Wallace said part of the problem with the amount of time it takes to process permits is that plans are submitted which don't meet the requirements. It takes additional time for the Building Department to address these submittals. Dave McCallister said north/south roads are needed in the City. Jerry Lee said that the problem is not unqualified builders. He said that even if a builder uses an architect or engineer it takes too long to get a permit. Roy Schleicher then introduced Mark Karet, Director of Community Development. Mark in turn introduced the staff of the Building Department: Tonya Elliot, Staff Assistant; Janet Morris, Plans Examiner; Frank Conrey, Electrical/Mechanical Inspector; and Robert Dunn, Building Official. Mr. Karet discussed the decision to hire another building inspector to free up the time of the Building Official so he can assist with plans review and other office issues. Mr. Karet also provided 1 .." """" ... information on the construction of the evidence building which will result in the Building Department relocating to the office space utilized by the Detective Division of the Police Department. This will result in the consolidation of the Department of Community Development into one location. Next Mr. Karet discussed the permit review process. He stated that the departmental goal is 5 days. As a result of the State mandated changes associated with Hurricane Andrew the average time for review had been 6 weeks. That had been reduced to 3 weeks on average with some permits being issued in 7 to 8 days. Bob Dunn talked about the changes which had been implemented since January when he joined the Department: computer tracking of permits; tree removal permits now may be issued prior to the issuance of the building permit; pre-permit meetings are held at the construction site; an additional phone line has been added to facilitate requests for inspections; and the City is making use of the "hotline" for reporting unlicensed contractors. When Mr. Schleicher asked if there were any additional comments from the audience the following persons spoke regarding the subjects indicated: Scott Clark of Construction by Clark said help was needed for Jan Morris in the area of plans examining. He also said that the sewer inspections should have been handled by the utilities Department, not the Building Department. Edward Fahey of Riverside Electric said electricians and similar trades should be able to get certain "routine" permits right away without waiting. He said even a day was too long for a service change if the house has no power in the meantime. Don Roberts said with all the talk about being "user friendly" he couldn't understand why the Building Department door had been replaced by a small window. A counter was needed so plans could be spread out. He also said he didn't understand the need for all the detail on plans when a good builder should know what is required - in a handicap equipped bathroom for example. Charlie Becker of B&L Supply discussed the following matters: the sign ordinance should be finished so businesses can advertise better; why was he required to pay a stormwater fee when there was no stormwater management on his property; the City should not have allowed the "team" approach to sewer installation; hose bibs for reclaimed water will be a liability for the City; and police officers need to be more friendly. Gary Roberts said he wanted to talk about economic development. He is in favor of the zoning changes proposed for Guava Drive in this regard. Mr. Roberts stated that the commercial streets need to be paved and there needs to be increased code enforcement in those areas to address parking, dumpsters, and the overall appearance. He said the marina is a good idea. The river is a good resource which the City should use to its advantage. Jerry Lee said that there should be no requirement for the sodding of right-of-ways associated with new construction. John Moore stated that the paving of commercial streets is a good idea. He addressed code enforcement as well. Mr. Moore said that the community needs to get together and work together. He did not believe that the marina was a good idea. He expressed concern over the making of new laws when current laws could not be enforced. Scott Clark asked whether the 3 week average for processing building permits was under the "deemed to comply" requirements. Mayor Hayman summarized the program and comments. He said that the 2 ,... ""'" " basic issues were: How do we communicate better? and How do we get better cooperation between business, the public and the City? The Mayor thanked Roy Schleicher for his assistance and then asked the other Councilmembers for their comments. Councilwoman Martin stated that the concerns raised by the participants in terms of time problems and staffing must be balanced against the costs. She said that many people in the communi ty do not want taxes raised to pay for any additional services. Councilman Jones thanked everyone for their attendance and interest. He said that although Edgewater continues to experience growing pains, its greatest resource is it people. He stated that Edgewater is "the little community that could". Councilman Hays admitted that he had some apprehensions about the meeting, but that it had turned out very well. He said that he had made some notes regarding items he believes need to be addressed right away. He emphasized that the City needs to be "user friendly" . Councilman Mitchum thanked everyone for attending. He said he also had some apprehensions, but that the meeting had been a pleasant surprise. He said that valid points had been made, but other comments indicated strides were being made in the City becoming more "user friendly". He stated that these types of meetings should be held periodically. City Manager George McMahon commented on the following issues: balancing costs with the services rendered; input from the Building Trades Regulatory and Appeals Board; streamlining of the administrative process through the Land Development Code; providing better service to the residents; and the results of the recent Citywide survey. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. KAS 8/16/94 3