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10-02-2006 - Regular u u CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2006 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CENTER MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Thomas called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Mayor Michael Thomas Councilwoman Debra Rogers Councilman Dennis Vincenzi Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes Councilwoman Judith Lichter City Manager Jon Williams City Attorney Nicholas Palmer City Clerk Susan Wadsworth Deputy City Clerk Lisa Bloomer Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Excused Present INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE There was a silent invocation and pledge of allegiance to the Flag. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes to be approved at this time. 3. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES/DON ATIONS A. Presentation by Donnadine Miller, Southeast Volusia Historical Society, thanking City Council for support in the development of a movie concerning the early Turnbull settlement Donnadine Miller, Southeast Volusia Historical Society, thanked the Council for their support in the production of "Smyrnea - Lost & Found". She presented a history of the making of the movie. She mentioned there being no remaining visible remnants of the Turnbull Settlement. Page 1 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 (J u Everything we have is below the surface of the ground. She then commented on historical records that were found in Dundee, Scotland that were the papers of Sr. Duncan with whom Andrew Turnbull corresponded. She commented on how the City helped to make the movie a reality. She then commented on the project being put together with several sources. She also commented on the staff time that the City gave. She presented a copy of the DVD to the City. They have agreed to nominate this for an award through the Florida Trust. There will be copies for sale at the Museum of History in New Smyrna beginning in November. 4. CITIZEN COMMENTS The following citizens spoke: Mike Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, commented on an article in the Observer last Saturday regarding a new City Hall. He spoke of serving on the City Hall Siting Committee and properties they looked at that are no longer available. He again mentioned the Settle Wilder property being for sale for $690,000. He thought the money they saved on Regions Bank could be used for this land and the building of a new City Hall. He mentioned the rendering of City Hall that was done a few years ago and felt the Council should look at it. He stated only the City can make this happen. He asked the Council to look into the Settle Wilder property. The City has first refusal on it and the price is negotiable. Mr. Visconti then commented on the Animal Shelter. There are buildings that are called pre-engineered metal buildings, which are much less expensive than the block. Bill Glasser, 1703 Needle Palm Drive, commented on several of the subdivisions in Edgewater that have sidewalks and the fact that Florida Shores has no sidewalks. He walks every day from Willow Oak to the railroad tracks. He spoke of people not slowing down and having a boulevard mentality on the residential streets. He asked for someone to explain why they have no sidewalks and a 30-mile per hour speed limit. City Manager Williams commented on when Florida Shores had dirt roads and not a very good stormwater conveyance system. He spoke of the cost of construction being too much to bear at that time to also put in Miami curbing. Page 2 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u <.) They are working on a grant right now, Safe Ways to School. He wasn't sure if there was a determination on who would get it or acceptance of the grant that would provide for sidewalks from 26th Street to 30th Street and the length of Florida Shores from Silver Palm to Banyan. That is an emphasis they will be placing on staff to look at pedestrian systems. 5. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilwoman Rhodes had nothing at this time. Councilwoman Lichter had nothing at this time. Mayor Thomas commented on riding with Bobby Laramore who is in Wastewater Management. He spoke of watching them line the old terra cotta pipes and how they do it. There are 480 miles of terra cotta clay pipe in the City and there are only like 48 miles left to do. It is quite expensive but it will save money in the long run. He was very impressed with that. Councilwoman Rogers stated at the last MPO meeting there were a couple of items that were brought to her attention that will affect Edgewater. Back in the Fall of 2002 through Fall of 2003 there was a rumor that there was going to be a study done for Indian River Boulevard to extend across the river over to AlA. That study has come back again. Councilwoman Rogers stated she brought to the attention of their City Manager last year that there was possible funding they could go after through the MPO. She will further discuss this with City Manager Williams. She spoke of grant money that is going to be awarded to the City through the MPO. They are aware of the sidewalks that are not in the Florida Shores area. Her first concern is sidewalks on the main routes to get the kids to and from school. Councilman Vincenzi had nothing at this time. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-33, Mark Karet, agent for Edgewater Airpark, LLC, requesting annexation Page 3 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 (..) (.) of 0.06+ acres of property located at 1840 Airpark Road City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-33 into the record. Councilwoman Rhodes moved to continue Ord. 2006-0-33 until November 6th, second by Councilwoman Lichter. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . B. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-20, Janice Shore requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to include 1.0~ acres of property located at 1008 Flying M Court as Low Density Transition with Conservation Overlay, cont. from 9/11/06, Item 61 City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-20 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Lichter moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-20, Janice Shore requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to include 1.0+ acres of property located at 1008 Flying M Court as Low Density Transition with Conservation Overlay, second by Councilwoman Rogers. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . C. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-22, Stephen and Jill Hole requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to change 0.17~ acres of property located east of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from Low Density Residential to Commercial, cont. from 9/11/06, Item 6J City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-22 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-22, Stephen and Jill Hole requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to change 0.17+ acres of property located east of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from Page 4 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u u Low Density Residential to Commercial, second by Councilman Vincenzi. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . D. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-24, Dana and Marcia Cornelius requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to change 0.38~ acres of property located south of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from High Density Residential and Commercial to Low Density Residential, cont. from 9/11/06, Item 6K City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-24 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Rogers moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-22, second by Councilman Vincenzi. The MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Attorney Palmer mentioned it should have been Ord. 2006-0-24 and not Ord. 2006-0-22. Councilwoman Rogers amended her motion to approve Ord. 2006-0-24, Dana and Marcia Cornelius requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map to change 0.38+ acres of property located south of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from High Density Residential and Commercial to Low Density Residential, second by Councilman Vincenzi. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . E. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-21, Janice Shore requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to include 1.0~ acres of property located at 1008 Flying M Court as RT (Rural Transitional), cont. from 9/11/06, Item 6L City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-21 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Page 5 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 c; Q Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-21, Janice Shore requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to include 1.0+ acres of property located at 1008 Flying M Court as RT (Rural Transitional), second by Councilman Vincenzi. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . F. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-23, Stephen and Jill Hole requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to change 0.17~ acres of property located east of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from R-3 (Single-Family Residential) to B-3 (Commercial), cont. from 9/11/06, Item 6M City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-23 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Lichter moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-23, Stephen and Jill Hole requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to change 0.17+ acres of property located east of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from R-3 (Sing1e- Family Residential) to B-3 (Commercial), second by Councilwoman Rhodes. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . G. 2nd Reading, Ord. No. 2006-0-25, Dana and Marcia Cornelius requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to change 0.38~ acres of property located south of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from R-5 (Multi-Family Residential) and B-3 (Highway Commercial) to R-2 (Single-Family Residential) , cont. from 9/11/06, Item 6N City Attorney Palmer read Ord. 2006-0-25 into the record. Due to there being no comments, Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve Ord. 2006-0-25, Dana and Marcia Cornelius requesting an amendment to the Official Zoning Map to change 0.38+ acres of property located south of 114 Oak Ridge Avenue from R-5 (Mu1ti- Page 6 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 (.) (.) Family Residential) and B-3 (Highway Commercial) to R-2 (Single-Family Residential), second by Councilwoman Rogers. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . 7. BOARD APPOINTMENTS A. Police Pension Board - nomination by Mayor Thomas to fill a vacated seat due to the expired term of Malecia Williams, who seeks reappointment Mayor Thomas nominated Malecia Williams for reappointment. Councilwoman Lichter moved to approve the reappointment of Malecia Williams to the Police Pension Board, second by Councilwoman Rhodes. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Utility Easement - staff recommending acceptance of a utility easement from Johnny and Joan Cox for the construction of a lift station located at the northeast corner of USl and Palm Breeze Drive B. Declaration of Easements - staff recommending approval of easements for a turn around at the end of Driveway "A" to be known as Rowan Way located within ParkTowne Industrial Center Councilwoman Rhodes moved to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Councilwoman Lichter. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Janitorial Services - staff recommending Notice to Award contract to G & G Complete Janitorial Services, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $32,232.00 a year and authorize the City Manager to execute the document City Manager Williams made a staff presentation. Page 7 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u u Councilwoman Rogers moved to approve the N Notice to Award contract to G & G Complete Janitorial Services, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $32,232.00 a year and authorize the City Manager to execute the document, second by Councilwoman Rhodes. The MOTION CARRIED 5 - 0 . B. Goals for City Manager - for FY 2006/2007 to be set by City Council Mayor Thomas informed the Council he was going to go down the voting list and see what goals the Council has in mind and they will try to come to a consensus. Councilwoman Rhodes stated she had a few, some short term, some long term. Sell the ParkTowne Property. Mayor Thomas stated that was one of his. Councilwoman Rhodes stated that would be her first goal. She then stated slow growth and pursue quality development. Pursue commercial growth and higher paying jobs. Lower taxes. Council consensus and City Hall. She was sure there were more that she would think of as they come up. Councilwoman Lichter felt building consensus among City Councilmembers is a very important thing. They aren't two political parties trying to compete with each other. Any workshop she has ever attended in the past, when they had the money to go to workshops, said the role of a manager with a city council is a little different than a mayor with a two party system and that it has to take a little give and take on everybody's part to try to build consensus. It shouldn't be a contest. Councilwoman Lichter stated of course constantly looking at the tax situation. It isn't a once a year. It isn't at the end of the year. There should be ways they can improve. She also feels they need to have contact with our representatives. There are certain things like who is deciding the value of the house from last year that needs them to have a method of determining that so we aren't getting killed because a year ago houses sold at the peak of their rate and that is affecting our taxes and the citizens don't understand the value of their homes aren't determined by the City but their taxes are. She feels better communication with our House Senate and House Rep is Page 8 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 CJ (.j important. meetings. She would like to see them attend some of our Councilwoman Lichter feels they need to have some workshops with the public so they can talk over things and find out what their problems are, not just at budget time but throughout the year. Councilwoman Lichter feels sometimes if they could talk things over together and she knows they have strict Sunshine Laws down here so she thinks this is a problem. She feels workshops, even if they are only an hour, on certain subjects amongst themselves might help alleviate some of that division and make it easier. She feels if they are going to have anything that goes into four or five hours they should start at 6:00 or 6:30. She also feels there should be a limit as to how long a meeting should run. She feels they run into negative reactions. If it is too much for one night and the citizens have had their opportunity to talk she would like to call the meeting off at 11:00 at an hour that is reasonable because she feels it is diminishing returns mentally. She thinks a normal 7 to 10 meeting really should be all there is on an agenda. Anything longer is negative. Councilwoman Lichter likes to have open door with the City Manager so they can talk when something comes up. She appreciates that City Manager Williams does more than five days a week. She felt it was a plus that he was available to speak to the Council on the weekends. Councilwoman Lichter felt continued education on City Manager Williams part, although she knows the City is in a bind with finances, she knows he has come up through the ropes in this City, but she feels the groups he joined and pays for, she feels if there are workshops, that he should attend them. She feels that might be vital because he hasn't had that particular type of experience in the background. Councilman Vincenzi felt the way the goal session would be productive would be to throw a bunch of things out on the table and then City Manager Williams take them back to his office and they get a list of them for the Council to mull over for the next week or so and then they come back at a workshop or special meeting and he can give the Council his ideas of what is achievable and how he might achieve it and Page 9 of15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u o they will do the same with him. He feels this is fairer than throwing a bunch of things at him and say this is what they want him to do if he can. That is more like a wish list of things that he might want to get done if he can. Councilwoman Rhodes stated it in his contract that he says if it is achievable or not. Councilman Vincenzi stated preferably it would be something they could decide on as something that is attainable before he starts. Or if it is something that isn't attainable in one year, maybe it is a two or three year project. He feels City Manager Williams has his ideas of what he would like to see. More reduction in what he terms excessive benefits for employees to save tax money. That isn't take away benefits that are normally approved and normally given to employees. He referred to the annual leave buy back and the sick leave buy back. He thinks this is something that really needs to be looked at and negotiated and possibly cut out or reduced or something. He feels that would save the City and taxpayers a lot of money. Councilman vincenzi would like to see some type of plan put into effect as far as efficiency in departments. The people or the department heads would know best on that. The natural tendency to come back is they are working with the bare minimum. There are things that can be done and studies that can be undertaken to see if that is true or not. Department heads may not even be aware of what waste and inefficiency might exist in their own departments. He feels this is something that should be looked at under City Manager Williams' direction. Councilwoman Rhodes added they buy back sick leave and vacation time. If they don't buy it back what does it cost the City in overtime when these people take their vacations to cover that. She would like to see a comparison. Councilman Vincenzi stated they could talk about that but stuff like that should be considered when they are doing their budget. Department heads need to take that into account. Councilman Vincenzi stated they have mentioned a bunch over the past couple of months. He feels the ideas that are being thrown out should be gathered and collected and they should come back in a week or two after he has looked at them and the Council has looked at them. Page 10 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u (.) Councilwoman Lichter mentioned City Manager Williams having his own goals too. Mayor Thomas stated that is what he is trying to do. they throw out a bunch of things and four of them say is what they want to go for and one doesn't then that Council consensus. If that is Councilwoman Rogers stated number one, City Hall. They need to do something. In reading the article and also in conversations with City Manager Williams, the follow up on the dredging material. It sounded like there is a closed door but there is also a slight door. It isn't totally closed. She would like him to continue to pursue that. Councilwoman Rogers stated second, sell ParkTowne. In looking to sell ParkTowne they need to be very wise who they sell it to because that would be an opportunity for future economic development. The internal revenue is now giving a lot of credits to manufacturing and construction type businesses. She feels a manufacturer of sorts would do well. Councilwoman Rogers stated the next item would be debt. We have a huge amount of debt. She spoke of having sales of $1.8 million and only $500,000 of the sales in ParkTowne went to debt. Whenever they sell something any debt attributed to that needs to be paid. Councilwoman Rogers stated the auditors are going to be looking at the General Fund but at the same time they can take a proactive approach in not burying things so much. If they have to set up a separate fund so it is easier for them to track and see, then that is what they need to do. She didn't think it required any more work. If it is separated so all the Council can see it, it will help them make better decisions. Councilwoman Rogers stated taxes are important but they really need to pay attention to debt. She wasn't going to get into the employee issues because she felt he already knew there were some issues there. She felt the biggest issue was the debt and the management. The City Manager has a lot of power and she suggested the City Manager work very closely with the Personnel Manager because that is her area of expertise. She suggested he listen to her Page 11 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u <J suggestions. When certain department heads are to receive promotions and/or increases or anyone within in departments, if it is of a certain dollar amount she would like it to come back to the City Council so they don't find out about it from the public. Councilwoman Rogers agreed with Councilwoman Lichter on the time of the meetings. They need to end them no later than 11:00. There is a point of diminishing returns. Mayor Thomas stated he would like to set a goal of shaving another half a mill off of the tax base rate by this time next year, which would take it to 5.2, which would be very close to roll back. Mayor Thomas stated using innovation and creation. He loves that. He feels City Manager Williams could do it because he was the Finance Director. He feels they need to pay more attention to the employees. There is nobody else that knows. They gave him a bunch of suggestions when he rode with them. He feels nobody knows how to shave fat more than them. If they come up with some type of program that saves money, he feels. they ought to give them some type of incentive to do that. Mayor Thomas stated one easy way is going to be selling the ParkTowne property. He felt they had all come to a consensus on that. He feels that will get that half a mill and then they can go right on down. They want to be very careful. They want to sell it at a fair market value. If they have to hold on to it for a while then that is what they will have to do. They want to sell it to somebody that is going to develop it. The City doesn't need to be the developers of the property. Mayor Thomas asked City Manager Williams how long he had been City Manager. City Manager Williams informed him since August 31st. Mayor Thomas pointed out that was one month. He stated people expect changes like that and it doesn't happen. He informed City Manager Williams now he had a year to do these. Mayor Thomas suggested City Manager Williams put all these together and come back. Councilwoman Lichter informed Mayor Thomas she forgot one thing. She feels the smaller businesses that are already Page 12 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u u established they should try to get their group together again and see if they can spruce up Hibiscus and Guava and see if they might need some encouragement to make them look better but they have got to want to do it also. She feels the City has some good small business but they aren't paid attention to. Mayor Thomas felt they needed to expedite things. He found out that government is very slow. He feels the animal shelter should have been built two years ago. They are still without shuffleboard courts and tennis courts and all that stuff that he was sure has been approved. They need to do something and get it going. City Manager Williams informed him they would get the minutes done and they would prepare a list of items and he would put together a plan of attack. Mayor Thomas suggested he give them a list of all of those and they will go down and check the ones they think are important. Councilwoman Rogers stated she knows they seek grants but she still feels they aren't seeking enough grants. She suggested they put an extra effort in that area, paying specific attention to historical. She knew he was looking at those things but while they are thinking of City Hall and grants, let's dig and look. This is Edgewater, Hawks Park. She feels they need to do in that area as much as they can. C. Driveway "AU (Rowan Way) and Base Leg Drive - staff recommending to reject bids for both projects as they are no longer appropriate for the current scope of work approved by Council City Manager Williams made a staff presentation. Councilwoman Rhodes moved to reject Bid #06-PW-02 and Bid #06-PW-03, second by Councilwoman Rogers. The MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 10. OFFICER REPORTS A. City Clerk Deputy City Clerk Bloomer had nothing at this time. Page 13 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 u u B. City Attorney City Attorney Palmer had nothing at this time. C. City Manager City Manager Williams commented on the timeline for legal services. He asked Council to let him know if they have any conflicts with the proposed schedule. City Manager Williams then commented on meeting with the folks from Habitat for Humanity. They have disclosed that they have 17 folks that are on a waiting list to have affordable housing provided to them. They have two that have an immediate need right now. They have expressed a desire to sit down and work with them in any way possible to address some of those needs. Mayor Thomas commented on the presentation they gave. He invited them to a Council meeting to make a presentation. Councilwoman Lichter stated she has several Habitat houses in District 4. The only trouble was the developers had left over lots that maybe didn't quite make the regular lot lines or amount of property, etc. so they became closer to the house behind them or next to them and that was the criticism of the neighbors. She doesn't want them to come in on the wrong footing with neighbors. City Manager Williams stated they are currently moving through the process with a piece of property they are looking at. They have described they build a very nice home. The average cost of these homes is $91,000. They have committed from a staff's perspective to working with them and ultimately want to schedule them before Council. Mayor Thomas suggested the Council take a look at some of the pictures of their homes. Councilwoman Lichter suggested they ride around and look at the ones that have already been built. City Manager Williams informed Council they would only be having one meeting this month, one in November and they have had some requests to only have one in December. They have left that agenda very light if it is Council's will to only have one in December. He was looking for direction from Council as to whether they only want to have one Page 14 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2006 o u meeting in December. It was the consensus of Council to only hold one in December unless something important or time sensitive comes up. City Manager Williams introduced the new Finance Director, Brett Tanner and the new Police Chief, John Taves. Councilwoman Rogers asked if the salaries have been figured in the budget. City Manager Williams informed her yes. City Manager Williams then reported that the City's amount of debt has gone from $46 million to a little over $45 million. He was certain that would raise concerns with some of the folks that have been watching the amount of debt we have. The reduction is associated with the annual principal payments the city makes each year. This schedule will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and will become part of the certified financial documents. 11. CITIZEN COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE The following citizen spoke: Mike Visconti, 316 Pine Breeze Drive, hoped that someone would give the Pastor at Settle Wilder a phone call one way or the other, whether they are interested or not. He asked that they at least give him a courtesy call. Mayor Thomas recognized Donald Schmidt, the previous Mayor who was present at the meeting. A. Tentative Agenda Items There were no Tentative Agenda Items to discuss at this time. 12 . ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Bloomer Page 15 of 15 Council Regular Meeting October 2,2006