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06-15-1998 - Regular CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 1998 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CENTER MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Allman called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Mayor Randy Allman Councilman James Gornto Councilman Myron Hammond Councilman Gary Roberts Councilwoman Judith Lichter City Attorney Nikki Clayton Acting City Manager Terry Wadsworth City Clerk Susan Wadsworth Police Chief Lawrence Schumaker Lieutenant William Britain Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The invocation was delivered by Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tee, Edgewater Union Church. There was a pledge of allegiance to the Flag. Mayor Allman explained the meeting procedure. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES/PROCLAMATIONS/CERTIFICATES A. Mavor's Award of Excellence for June 1998 Mayor Allman presented Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. Tee with the Mayor's Award of Excellence. B. Certificate of Recoanition for students of Discovery Days Dan Lewis, Discovery Days, commented on the CNBC-MCI Stock Investing Tournament the following students of Discovery Days participated in: Jonathan Warren, Cory Miles, Josh Reny, James Pollock, Daniel Lewis, Zachary Hooks and J.C. Krall. These students were also presented with Certificates of Recognition from Mayor Allman. C. Plaaues for retirina employees Sue Koser and Charles Chamberlin Mayor Allman presented plaques and watches to Ms. Koser and Mr. Chamberlin for their years of service with the City. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Regular Meetina of June 1, 1998 Councilman Roberts made a motion to approve the June 1, 1998 minutes, second by Councilwoman Lichter. The motion CARRIED 5-0. B. Special Meetina of June 9, 1998 Councilman Roberts made a motion to approve the June 9, 1998 minutes, second by Councilman Hammond. The motion CARRIED 5-0. CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ONLY Dick Jones, 1530 Sabal Palm Drive, commented on Item 80 - Interim City Manager Professional Services Contract. He feels they seem to be going the wrong way in fulfilling the campaign promise made last October about reducing expenditures and bringing things into line. The frequent manipulations of our City government and possible Charter violations have left the citizens paying for more than one City Manager at a time. Mr. Jones stated Mayor Allman told them in a Council meeting one night that he does support the City Manager form of government. As a result of Mr. Grace's forced resignation, Mr. Hooper is back again. Nothing personal, he is talking about use of resources and nothing else. He spoke about having a half-time City Manager, half-time City Attorney and asked if they are trying to make it into a half-time City. He feels the continued actions are costing the City very dearly. Mr. Jones stated many people who own homes in Edgewater find it hard to pay their taxes from the minimum wages of the retirement incomes. We need stability in our City and that can only come from Council leadership. He asked for Council's resignations. Mayor Allman spoke about nothing being done on the boat sitting in the river, the FIND project, the fire house or the recreation center. He stated a forced resignation, no sir. He can't comment on the reasons why Mr. Grace resigned. He is not going to resign and is going to lead this City forward. We've come forward and will continue to go forward. Mr. Jones feels they are taking two steps forward and one step back. He realizes they are doing things and getting some things done. He spoke about there being a conflict as to who is running the City, the Councilor the City Manager. Mayor Allman stated during the time that Mr. Hooper was here as Interim City Manager Hooper, they got the FIND project started, the fire station started and the recreation center started. There were a lot of good things started under the guidance of Mr. Hooper that were never followed through on. Mayor Allman stated he is proud of what they have done and he feels if they are allowed to continued to do without all the negativity that they will put Edgewater on the map. Mr. Jones hopes they don't have to have their taxes raised again. He asked if they have an emergency fund to take care of a disaster. Mayor Allman stated no City has a hurricane disaster fund the type of Andrew. Mr. Jones commented on the reserve fund and asked if there is any of that money left. He never understood where the $1.4 million was found. Mayor Allman informed him that could be explained after citizen comments. Councilwoman Lichter does not see the situation exactly as Mayor Allman does. She worked with Mr. Grace for five months. She feels he was an excellent, efficient manager. She will not go into details of where or why she thinks problems lay. In good conscience she does not believe Mr. Grace was the total problem. He was an excellent, fine, straight as an arrow, integrity filled manager. She doesn't believe they should lay the blame on him. Mr. Jones asked about why the secrecy on why Mr. Grace left. Why don't they know why he left. He feels the citizens of this City have a right to know what is going on. Mayor Allman stated it is up to Mr. Grace to let you know that. The Council is bound by a legal agreement. 2 Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 Ron Prekup, 1829 Lime Tree Drive, feels Mr. Grace is a nice guy and has no bad comments. He spoke about the paving discussion that has gone on at the past couple meetings. He feels we are fortunate to have a Councilman that has some contracting experience. Mr. Prekup spoke about the recreation center. Mr. Prekup spoke about the employees complaining about a dress code. He has never seen anyone dress sloppy in City Hall. He feels the Council and audience shouldn't have to point this stuff out and the City Manager should be leading the City. Ed Keenan, 1905 Pine Tree Drive, spoke about letters he has read in the newspaper from Mr. Jones, Ms. Hill and Mrs. Martin. He doesn't care which government the City has as long as it is efficient, doesn't raise taxes unnecessarily, and gives us good government. He feels the Council is trying to do that. They got elected with a 2 to 1 majority to make changes. He spoke about the cost the City paid to purchase insurance. Mayor Allman informed Mr. Keenan they are discussing agenda items only. Mr. Keenan stated we now have a decent government that is trying to do something and let's let them do it. He wants to keep these people going and get the gymnasium and fire house built quickly. Ben Vasquez, 2807 Needle Palm Drive, spoke about trees that are dying. Mayor Allman informed him citizen comments right now are for agenda items only. Mayor Allman asked to move Item 80 up on the agenda due to not having a City Manager seated right now. 80. Interim City Manaaer Professional Services Contract Mayor Allman made a presentation and informed Council Mr. Hooper agreed to serve under the same terms of his prior contract through September 30, 1998. Councilman Roberts made a motion to accept, second by Councilman Hammond. The motion CARRIED 5-0. Mr. Hooper joined the Council at the table. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilman Gornto had nothing at this time. Councilman Hammond stated he is tired of being harassed and wants to get some things cleared up. He addressed Mr. Hill on a story he wrote. He spoke about an incident that happened at his shop. Mr. Karet and Mr. Green went to Mr. Hays house and had a few beers. At that point, thinking he had a private meeting at his place, they decided to drink and drive and canvass his place. He thinks this was where the story came that he had a private meeting. Mr. Hays hired a private investigator to follow him and probably Mayor Allman and Councilman Roberts. In the deposition, he can't remember how much he paid or how he paid. He is in here for the ride and is going to work as hard as he can to save everybody money. People have said and it has been stated in the -3- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 newspaper that he wants a strong Mayor form of government. Nobody has talked to him. Councilman Hammond asked if they knew that a private business was being run on City property where COL's were given to people. He spoke about the City employees being scared to talk to the Council. Councilman Hammond stated people got upset because Council voted NO on the vac truck. The City paid $130,000 for a vac truck that sits 60% of the time. He questioned if it could be rented to the other departments to offset the cost of what they are paying on this truck now. Councilman Hammond commented on the article in the newspaper that said Nikki Clayton was 85% political, 15% legal. It was said in the paper she controls what he says. She is not running his life. They have been working on a project that he is about to ask Council's approval on. Councilman New Smyrna together. once it's money. Hammond spoke about the City building a gymnasium and Beach building a YMCA and the two cities getting He doesn't see how they can afford to pay for the gym built. It has to be utilized and they have to make Councilman Hammond explained they have gotten together with Mayor Vandergrifft and would like to have a Special Meeting with New Smyrna Beach to work something out to utilize the 26-acres to its utmost potential. City Attorney Clayton stated Councilman Hammond asked if she could help in determining what steps could be taken to evaluate opportunities for talking to the Y and to New Smyrna and Volusia County for some participation in defraying the operating cost of the gymnasium/rec center. She made contact with Wayne Bostick from the Y and talked to him about meeting with Councilman Hammond which they did. They discussed the potential of the Y operating a facility which the City of Edgewater would construct. Mr. Bostick informed Councilman Hammond that Port Orange built the facility that the Y now operates. In Flagler County, the City and County there have built facilities that are operated by the Y. The Y is a non-profit activity but it doesn't cost the City or Flagler County any operating money for the continuing operation of their facilities. In the conversation with Mr. Bostick, Councilman Hammond said is there any potential to invite the City of New Smyrna to a meeting. Mr. Bostick said they are at the moment trying to make a capital campaign to raise funds for a YMCA facility to be located on five acres of property that a church is donating just outside New Smyrna city limits. Maybe that campaign could reroute its attention to a 26-acre parcel that the City of Edgewater has available for master planning. At the moment, that is what the City is charging McKim & Creed to do for the City of Edgewater. She feels it certainly would be worth conversation. Mr. Bostick, Councilman Hammond and Mayor Vandergrifft of New Smyrna got together last Thursday. Mr. Vandergrifft thought the proposal was interesting enough to invite the County to attend and to try and schedule a joint City Council meeting between Edgewater and New Smyrna. He said he had tried to do something like this in the past and prior Councils had rejected the initiative. Perhaps at this time it might be -4- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 something of interest. City Attorney Clayton informed Council they have a map in front of them showing a master plan for the 26-acre location where the gymnasium is to be placed. We are really in a talking stage and there are engineers who are going to be brought on board and it is good that the timing perhaps is such that perhaps the City Councils and engineer who is to master plan this 26-acres, they could all together discuss potential. They could also discuss what potential there would be with a YMCA operating the facility once it was completed. Mr. Bostick told Councilman Hammond that he also had a lot of money committed by a hospital that was going to create a wellness center and he felt that wellness center could be incorporated in this project as well. There is a scope here for the City to explore. You have the willingness of the Mayor of New Smyrna Beach to call his Council to a Special Meeting if invited by the City of Edgewater. Councilman Hammond asked how Council feels about it. Councilman Roberts asked if they could carry through with Council comments first. Councilman Roberts spoke about depositions and Mr. Hays did hire a private investigator to invade his privacy and his family's privacy by watching his home. He thinks that is awful low. This is the kind of stuff that was going on by the people running this City. We were elected by a strong majority to fix the problems in this community and he is going to continue to work towards that. He will not resign. He has taken this job to serve the people and that is what he is going to do. They have projects they need to work on. The major problems of disruption in this Community that he sees is through the News Journal. If we had some objective journalism giving both sides of the story we wouldn't be squabbling at every meeting and we would be able to get some work done. Councilwoman Lichter had two petitions from residents of unpaved streets such as Lincoln Road and Pelican Place which she presented to Interim City Manager Ken Hooper. The residents have all signed stating they would go in 2/3 on a project to get their streets paved. She is submitting this so the City's portion might be considered in the budget. Councilwoman Lichter commented on a unique situation on Lincoln Road. Councilwoman Lichter went on to speak about a study group made up of all the cities in Volusia County which she is the representative of. Last month the group that was talking about the subject of grants came up with the idea that VCOG should be the clearing place for grants. Small cities that do not have a grant person could use that as a clearing house and to get help. She will be serving on the Fire/Rescue Committee which is being chaired by Port Orange. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about $24 million being funneled through Volusia County for beautifying roads. The Metropolitan Planning Organization is putting into that project $800,000. She feels they should have someone attend those meetings. Mayor Allman is scheduled for that position and if he can't make it, Councilman Roberts is supposed to go. If they can't go, some -5- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 citizen in the community might make a good representative. She stated this is where a lot of the action happens and this is where a lot of the money comes from. She feels they need to get someone on board to attend those meetings. Mayor Allman wants to see this City get back together. There is a definite division. They need to move forward and are taking the right steps to do that. Just as there are people out there that disagree with him, there are people that agree with him that they are taking the right steps. We are never going to please everybody and are going about doing it the best way they know how under the guidance they have. He would like to see everyone try and mend their fences and go forward. Whatever reasons of animosity there are, there is nothing too strong that can't be healed. He doesn't want a strong Mayor form of government and never has. He wants someone in the City Manager's office that can be fair and do an equitable job for all of us. We've got to have someone we can trust that will get the job done. He is not saying Mr. Grace wasn't the man, Mr. Grace resigned. He knows from the previous track record of Mr. Hooper that he got them rolling and he got them going at warp speed and he has no doubt they will be back in that direction again. All he asks is for cooperation and help in helping them move forward. Negative remarks only tend to breed further and more negative. We've had enough negative in Edgewater. Mayor Allman stated maybe he caused some on October 6th, but he felt it was necessary. It's time to bury the hatchet and move forward. He is not resigning. If they put all their forces together in a positive way and move forward, there is no stopping this town. Councilman Hammond stated if he is correct, Mr. Vandergrifft said they could have a meeting he would arrange for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night or next Wednesday. City Attorney Clayton stated New Smyrna has adjourned for the month of July. Councilman Roberts thinks they should be open to any possibilities. He went to the Y fundraiser and feels they should open the doors and find out what they want to do and what New Smyrna wants to do. He feels they should weigh all of their options. We have to get the best out of our tax money that we have for the rec program. If we can coordinate with New Smyrna and the Y then that is great. Councilman Hammond stated he is not taking anything away from the Christian Life Center who is donating the five acres. The City has 26-acres and we have an opportunity that might help some situations in New Smyrna. All it is, is just trying to unite two cities and not take anything away. Mayor Allman stated the way he sees it, they are going to propose the Y be at the 26-acres on Turgot Avenue. City Attorney Clayton explained they have a 26-acre parcel and have allocated $1 million for construction of a recreation center. They have selected McKim & Creed to develop a master plan for recreation at the 26-acre park and design a gymnasium building to go in that location. Before they start about their work, it might be opportune to bring in other entities who would perhaps contribute -6- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 to that program in some fashion in exchange for their participation such as the City of New Smyrna or Volusia County for a regional park type facility. The Y could bring a hospital wellness center and the Y's ability to operate from year to year without being a drag on either the City of New Smyrna or Edgewater's operating budget. If the City wants to go forward, they have those options. If the City doesn't want to go forward, you still have the Y that could come forward and help in the planning for operating a facility which would relieve the burden on the operating expense to the City. Mayor Allman stated the only concern he has, if they have their own recreation center, then it is basically free to go into. YMCA's have dues where you would have to sign up for a family plan. He would be concerned with what they would charge Edgewater residents. Councilman Hammond stated we will still have ballfields. Councilman Roberts feels special consideration should be given to the Edgewater residents as far as the financial situation using the facilities. Councilman Hammond stated that is something they need to sit down and talk about. All he is proposing is that there is an opportunity. If New Smyrna loses the Y, it might be gone from this area. He spoke about there being a lot of things to do for the children and the adults at the Y. Councilwoman Lichter questioned if the engineer has contracted with an engineer in New Smyrna. City Attorney Clayton stated they do not know the condition of the City of New Smyrna. They are moving forward with the program they have at the air field and they have a twenty-acre parcel and a certain amount of money but it could be complimentary since that is at the north end of the population area and what you are talking about would be at the southern end of the population which would be pretty centrally located. Councilwoman Lichter asked if they decide to meet with them at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, why don't they come in with a list of concerns and positive ideas, something to move it forward. Councilman Hammond stated they will have the Y there, New Smyrna, possibly the County, and the City. He thinks if everyone can sit down and talk rationally they might be able to get somewhere. Councilwoman Lichter spoke about protecting the integrity of the idea they have for the community. She feels they should certainly talk. Councilman Hammond made a motion to hold a workshop meeting with New Smyrna Beach concerning the possibilities of a YMCA being built in Edgewater. City Attorney Clayton explained it would actually be two special Council meetings because there may be something like designation of certain representatives to go away and come back with proposals for further action. She thinks it would be a Special Council Meeting either this Wednesday or the following Wednesday and if those two don't work, then some date before the end of June. If the motion could leave it so they could coordinate with Mayor Vandergrifft for the New Smyrna calendar and with Mr. Arrington for Volusia County and Mr. Ward should be invited. -7- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 Councilwoman Lichter asked if it would be out of order to have our Recreation Director present. City Attorney Clayton stated certainly staff people will be participating. Councilwoman Lichter suggested getting it hurricane proofed. Councilman Hammond stated this was something they discussed because there are no shelters in Edgewater or New Smyrna Beach. Councilman Roberts feels it wouldn't hurt to discuss it and see what options the County, New Smyrna and Oak Hill will work with us. He feels Oak Hill should be included as they are part of Southeast Volusia. They have to get the best facilities for what they are putting into it. He feels they need to compare it to what they would end up for the cost if they ran their own facility. The motion was seconded by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS There were no public hearings, ordinances or resolutions to be discussed. CONSENT AGENDA A. Satisfaction of Special Assessment (Pavino) Lien Councilman Gornto made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Councilman Roberts. The motion CARRIED 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS A. Councilwoman Lichter's appointment to Construction Reoulation Board due to expiration of term of James W. Tindall Councilwoman Lichter reappointed James W. Tindall. B. Desionation of voting deleoate at Florida Leaoue of Cities Annual Conference at Miami Beach Auoust 13-15. 1998 Mayor Allman, Councilman Roberts and Councilman Hammond will be attending. Councilwoman Lichter asked if it is normally the Mayor that would represent the City. Mayor Allman agreed to do it. Councilman Gornto made a motion to designate Mayor Allman as the voting delegate at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference, in his absence Vice Mayor Roberts, second by Councilman Hammond. The motion CARRIED 5-0. C. Review the options for recvclino services as current aoreement terminates September 30. 1998 Interim City Manager Hooper asked to pull this item. He has not gone over this yet with City Engineer Fegley. He wants to see how the original contract was done and bring back that information to Council in two weeks. -8- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 There was no objection from Council. Councilwoman Lichter feels maybe it would help with audience knowledge if when they have a Consent Agenda, that they put into the motion what the actual item is. She stated perhaps people that are interested in what it is have no idea what they are talking about. Mayor Allman elaborated on the item previously approved on the Consent Agenda. Mayor Allman agreed with Councilwoman Lichter. GENERAL CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Andy Anderson, Pine Tree Drive, feels what Councilman Hammond said took a lot of courage for bringing what happened out in the open. He feels what happened to him is despicable. He saw who the Council was before the election and he liked them then and supported them. He supports them now and he will continue to support them. He feels they are doing a great job, the best that can be done under the circumstances. He doesn't know what goes on at City Hall. But he can summize certain things. He thinks Mr. Grace had a good reason for leaving. If he didn't want to stay, he has that right not to. With the quality of our leadership in the City, we will be able to replace him with someone as comparable. Ben Vasquez, 2807 Needle Palm Drive, spoke about trees in Florida Shores that are dying. This never happened until they started the stormwater drainage management system. The water from the west side of the area is not filtering into the Florida Shores area and keeping that ground moist. He lives in a Hammock area which requires a lot of moisture. One of his trees fell down on top of his car because of there not being any water in Florida Shores. He wishes someone would do something about that. Mr. Vasquez has nothing against this Council at this time. He feels Councilman Hammond's problem didn't start with the State Attorney's office but with the News Journal that made it appear that the Council violated the Sunshine Law and that is simply not true. He stated the Sunshine Law doesn't take effect until after you get elected, not before you get elected. Mr. Vasquez spoke about the stormwater management fee of $6 per month. He asked Council to start working on the stormwater management fee. He was told they were going to use the stormwater management fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes. Mr. Munoz said this was going to save lots of money. He would rather have ad valorem taxes because there is a cap. They can't raise it any more than the State Legislature provides them to raise it. Mr. Vasquez spoke about having a service fee on water. He spoke about the previous Council enacting a tax on the people to use their own water. He informed the Council if they want to do something for the people, you find out why this illegal tax was placed on the people and put a cap on the stormwater management fee. Doris Hill, 112 Lincoln Road, spoke about a sign on 10th Street that has always read Edgewater-New Smyrna Beach. If she remembers correctly, it was this Council who said they were going -9- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 to go with a loan and build a recreation center. Most of the people in Edgewater want a rec center. It is very important. This YMCA was proposed a long time ago so you are a little bit late Councilman Hammond and so is Nikki. Ms. Hill feels that Ms. Clayton and Ken Hooper were brought in here expressly to demolish our City government by cutting off the head and immediately firing the City Attorney and especially the City Manager. This enabled them to control the purging of the department heads. As to the legalities under our Charter, evidently Ms. Clayton has no problem with it but she does have a problem with Ms. Clayton. She is the City Attorney and the citizens have to go to her. She is advising them and evidently she is not advising them that this goes against our Charter. She is getting around the Charter by what she has done. In the depositions brought in by Councilman Hammond, City Attorney Clayton admitted to helping him to accomplish the destruction of City Hall. She has read everyone of those depositions. Ms. Hill stated they have begged Council to tell them why they would not appoint Mr. Munoz and why they have gone through all they have gone through. The only answer they ever get was we were elected and we are going to do what we think is right. We are entitled to an answer and we haven't gotten any. As to the feelings in City Hall, that is debatable too. She doesn't doubt one bit that they are all very honest people. She feels Council made their biggest mistake when they hired Nikki Clayton. A group of citizens are having a meeting Wednesday night. Councilman Hammond stated he knew. Ms. Hill stated she knows he knows and it was very appropo that he decided to have their meeting on the same night. Councilman Hammond stated if she checked, they didn't say which Wednesday it would be. This is up to Mayor Vandergrifft who asked for Wednesday. Ms. Hill stated they are having a meeting on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Library and they are going forth with a recall of Mayor Allman, Councilman Hammond and Councilman Roberts. Ben DelNigro, 3130 Tamarind Drive, asked Councilman Gornto's thoughts on the YMCA. Mr. DelNigro told City Attorney Clayton to ignore what these people are saying. He feels she is doing a good job. Fred Munoz, Finance Director, read a prepared statement titled "The City of Edgewater Hostile Work Environment." Mayor Allman informed Mr. Munoz he is making accusations without any form or basis of truth. Mr. Munoz agreed to give Council the backup. City Attorney Clayton informed Mayor Allman to let Mr. Munoz spea k. Mr. Munoz continued reading his statement. Ron Prekup, 1829 Lime Tree Drive, stated he is so sick and tired of the sour grapes from the poor losers. He went on to speak about the article in the News Journal regarding Mr. Munoz saying City Attorney Clayton is 85% political, 15% legal. He stated Mr. Munoz that article speaks for itself, and you wonder why you -10- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 aren't going to be here anymore. You can't be part of something if you fight it all the time. He feels these articles are unrepairable and very harmful to the City and Councilpeople. He feels the News Journal is very biased and are not properly reporting things that happen in this Council room. Mr. Prekup went on to speak about the News Journal lawsuit regarding violation of the Sunshine Law. He was also accused of violation of the Sunshine Law. Mr. Prekup spoke about the YMCA. He asked Council to consider the membership and user fees. He feels they really need to think which is the best way. If Edgewater builds their own recreation department, you have to look at the Recreation Director, his staff, funding and insurance. Dick Jones, 1530 Sabal Palm Drive, commented on the Fire Station location. The most obvious, technical spot to go to is the one they selected. He stated Councilman Roberts never approached him regarding that site and the Committee never discussed who owned any property. That site was selected strictly under technical merits. Mr. Jones urged Council to enforce the Charter and to keep it that way until such time as the Charter Review Committee comes up with anything new. City Attorney Clayton explained the Charter provides that the Council will not interfere with the operations but it absolutely provides them the ability to inquire, investigate and talk with people in the City's employment. George Ewing, 2923 Royal Palm Drive, read a portion of a deposition dated November 20th regarding Mr. Karet's quote on Mr. Hays who was a member of the last Council. Mr. Ewing feels this Council is trying to correct errors of the last Council. Give the previous Council and Mr. Munoz the credit for a high tax rate. The previous Council wanted to give the City a pump system instead of a gravity system for the sewers. He feels they have poor drainage and poor roads. He spoke about big pay raises for the City Manager, City Attorney and Department Heads and they completely ignored the regular employees of the City. He spoke about weeds on u.S. 1 that take three employees to maintain. The Beautification Committee should go up to Port Orange and take a look at their median strip. Mayor Allman stated that takes money and that is not their fault. Mr. Ewing stated the Coding Department did not do their job and hopefully this Council will get the Coding Department to do the job they are supposed to do. Mr. Ewing asked what the previous Council really did for the taxpayers. He feels they didn't do anything for the citizens. Bill Muller, 17 Wildwood Drive, stated he has sat around these Councils since 1980 and if they keep harassing the present Council they will never be able to do the job they were elected to do. John Brackin, 2933 Silver Palm Drive, City employee, feels if Council is allowed to, they will go forward and make a positive effect on our City. He feels the News Journal is very biased. -11- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 He has never seen such bias. Everything Mr. Hill says is negative. How are they supposed to go forward when they have this type of coverage. Andy Anderson, Pine Tree Drive, stated they may want to think about the sports facility a little longer. Mr. Vasquez stated the people of New Smyrna Beach voted down the YMCA years ago. We didn't want it then and we don't want it now. Councilman Roberts found Mr. Munoz's comments humorous. Yes he owns property on Hibiscus Drive which has no influence or effect on the decision of where the fire house went. He spoke about the building being sold to TOI not being a secret. He feels this is absurd. OFFICER REPORTS City Clerk Wadsworth had nothing at this time. City Attorney Clayton informed Council she promised them a report and it is going to be continued at the request of the City Manager. We want to bring it up during the budget process. Councilwoman Lichter feels there are some matters that might not be relevant to budget that they might need an updating on before that. She stated it has been months since some of these items have been readdressed to them. Interim City Manager Hooper explained he would be talking to Council about a work session or two coming up in July. Mayor Allman welcomed Interim City Manager Hooper back. Interim City Manager Hooper spoke to Council about budget. He advised Council they should sit down and go through their first budget session. He would like to meet individually with each of the Council to describe how the budget works and show them the previous figures. They will get in probably two work sessions. He asked Council to let him know some dates in July. He wants to reserve two days to start with. They can do the General Fund one day and do Restricted or Enterprise Funds on a separate day. Interim City Manager Hooper explained the $1.4 million is still in the budget. When he first sat with Council, he reported to them they had General Fund Reserves that approached 40% which created the additional funding. He will be talking to Council about millage and roll back rates. Councilwoman Lichter asked for a list of terminology of the terms Interim City Manager Hooper will be using. He agreed to provide that for Council. Financially the City is in good shape. Councilman Hammond spoke about an article done by the News Journal regarding the Council not understanding the budget. Interim City Manager Hooper stated the Council has advertised for engineering services. His company is one of the firms that will probably submit. He is out of that process as far as any screening or reviewing. His understanding is that all comes back to Council. If they are uncomfortable when those come before them, he would like the Council to let him know. -12- Council Regular Meeting June 15, 1998 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Councilman Gornto moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Kruckmeyer Page -11- -13-