12-09-2010 & 12-10-2010 - 2010 Orientation CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
COUNCIL ORIENTATION WORKSHOP
MINUTES
December 9 & 10, 2010 09:00 A.M. Council Chambers
1. CALL TO ORDER
City Manager Tracey Barlow called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., and stated that the workshop will
be very informal; and will provide the Council a gross overview on a lot of subjects.
2. PRESENTATIONS
Mr. Barlow and Council members reviewed some of the tabs in the Council binder, such as the Council
meeting schedule; discussed marketing Edgewater, both locally and regionally; marketing Edgewater on
the SR 442 Rail Trail overpass; Edgewater demographics; staff contact numbers; and that over the next
two (2) days they would review programs and policies that will take Edgewater into the future.
They discussed the rich history of Edgewater, from its humble beginnings as Hawks Park in the 1800s; to
its incorporation as a city in 1951; the original Hawks Park and clubhouse, and the City assuming the
property for restoration; and discussed Edgewater, a community of over 21,000 residents, and all that it
has become today.
Mr. Barlow discussed: business and resident demographics; the City's form of government, which is City
Manager—Council; that in the summer of 2008 the City Council directed staff to develop a road map into
the future by putting together a visioning process for the City; residents wanting Park Avenue to become
downtown Edgewater; the development of Edgewater's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
(CEDS); techniques the City has used, and can use, to market the Edgewater community; and getting the
business community involved.
He also discussed: some of Edgewater's economic development incentives; the development stages of
Edgewater's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA); Edgewater's business Expo, partnering with
the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce (SEVCC), and showcasing Edgewater; and the City
allowing SEVCC to have an office at Leisure Services.
Council and staff discussed; Edgewater working to become more business friendly; bringing Edgewater's
businesses together, and developing a business community; using the City's website to market Edgewater
businesses; the Edgewater Farmers Market; attracting tourism; holding events on the Indian River; and
event advertising techniques.
Mr. Barlow provided a staff organizational chart; and stated staff would provide an overview of each
department.
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3. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEWS:
a. Interactive department briefings were provided during the orientation course, allowing a platform
for Council members and staff to exchange ideas, ask questions, and provide comments.
b. Department overviews were provided by:
(1) Fire Rescue Chief Steve Cousins made a staff presentation on the Fire Rescue department.
He briefed their Vision, Value, and Mission statement, history, and the organizational staffing; and
provided an operational overview of their services.
(2) Captain Dave Arcieri made a staff presentation on the Edgewater Police department. He
briefed their commitment to the public; mission statement; and each department's duties and
responsibilities.
(3) Environmental Services Director Brenda Dewees made a staff presentation covering the nine
(9) departments that comprise the Environmental Services department; provided a brief history on the
department; and stated that the department currently has 82 employees, with five (5) vacancies.
(4) Leisure Services Director Jack Corder made a staff presentation covering what the
department does for the residents of Edgewater. He stated that they are more into maintenance of parks
and facilities than anything else; and that they outsource many of their programs to the YMCA and other
organizations.
(5) City Attorney Carolyn Ansay made a staff presentation on: the City Charter and recent
amendments; Sunshine law; Noticing the public; public records law; conflicts of interest and the ethics
law; Roberts Rules of Order; the City's Public Participation Policy; Ordinances and Resolutions; and the
consent agenda process.
(6) City Clerk Bonnie Wenzel made a staff presentation on: the City's committees and boards;
an overview of some of the board's duties and responsibilities; the board application process; recent
changes to board By-laws; the board appointment process; various ideas for the Council to meet board
members; and she provided a list of City boards, to include their members.
(7) Development Services Director Darren Lear made a staff presentation on: department
responsibilities; an overview of the department's organizational chart; types of applications and permits
processed; oversight and coordination of the Planning and Zoning board; field inspections, and meeting
all applicable codes; reinstituting the City's Construction Board, and their duties and responsibilities; the
building code dispute process; code enforcement officer duties and responsibilities; typical code
violations; and actions taken in response to violations.
(8) Personnel Department Director Donna Looney made a staff presentation, stating that the
personnel department's drivers are the City's 197 employees, reserve employees, volunteers, and the
public; and discussed the personnel department's responsibilities and functions.
(9) Finance Director John McKinney made a staff presentation on: the finance department's
support responsibilities; program areas that provide services and information to the City, and its citizens;
the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR); and the annual budget.
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(10) IT Director Tim Sopko made a staff presentation on IT operations, duties, and
responsibilities; and the City's new web site.
(11) Environment Services Director Brenda Dewees made a staff presentation on the Water
Supply Facilities plan, stating it is the bible for water supply planning, and for the City's infrastructure;
and that it is what the City gives to the Saint Johns River Water Management District for consumptive
use permit projections.
(12) Fire Rescue Chief Steve Cousins made a staff presentation on the Comprehensive
Emergency Management Program (CEMP), which was developed to guide emergency responses to
disasters and catastrophes; it identifies the basic emergency preparedness, response, and, recovery and
mitigation mechanisms for the City to use; and facilitates coordinated support from all City, County,
State, and Federal agencies and entities.
4. ADOURN
City Manager Barlow thanked Council for their time, and adjourned the meeting.
Minutes submitted by:
Mitch Honaker, Deputy City Clerk
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