05-05-2003 - Workshop
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CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
WORKSHOP
MAY 5, 2003
6:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Schmidt called the Workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Community Center.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Donald Schmidt
Councilman James Brown
Councilman Myron Hammond
Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes
Councilwoman Judith Lichter
City Manager Kenneth Hooper
City Clerk Susan Wadsworth
Paralegal Robin Matusick
Present
Present
Arrived at 6:07 p.m.
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
MEETING PURPOSE
The purpose of the Workshop was to discuss utilizing the services
of a Special Master for Code Enforcement and Animal Control
hearings and recreational programs.
City Manager Hooper made a presentation regarding a Special
Master for Code Enforcement and Animal Control. They are looking
to streamline the process and to have those that violate the Code
pay for what it costs for the City to administer that Code and to
track down and seek compliance.
Captain Jill Danigel presented a history of how they came to
consider a Special Master. Non-moving violations issued by the
Police Department and citations issued by Animal Control could
also be heard by the Special Master.
Captain Danigel then made a powerpoint presentation regarding the
Special Master and Citation proposal. (Attached)
Captain Danigel and City Manager Hooper answered questions
presented by Council.
City Manager Hooper spoke of the Code Enforcement Board having
special duties like the Animal Control Board. He would like to
see them look at code related issues in the Land Development Code
and make recommendations and even hold some public input.
Q
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There was a brief discussion regarding the cost associated with a
Special Master and certain city staff participating, such as the
Code Enforcement Officers and Paralegal.
There was then a discussion regarding who has the ability to
issue citations.
city Manager Hooper commented on not hearing much in the way of
negatives from other cities that are using the Special Master.
Councilwoman Rhodes suggested putting the streamlining process
into practice and instead of using a Special Master they could
still use the Code Enforcement Board. City Manager Hooper stated
he would much prefer an idea of having a retired judge from
Deland to sit here and hear cases.
Councilwoman Lichter feels sometimes things are worth trying out
and that the Special Master needs a trial period to see if it
works smoothly.
There was a brief discussion regarding someone with extenuating
circumstances being given additional time to take care of a
violation.
City Manager Hooper spoke of different kinds of complaints such
as a simple code violation or a neighborhood squabble.
Councilwoman Rhodes doesn't think a Special Master is going to
stop neighborhood squabbles. She suggested the process should be
streamlined, people should be cited and brought before the Code
Enforcement Board. Mayor Schmidt feels the Special Master would
add that extra bite.
Mayor Schmidt asked to put this on the next agenda.
City Manager Hooper asked for Council direction if they want to
proceed or not. He then commented on the process if they choose
to proceed.
Councilwoman Rhodes asked how the Code Enforcement Board feels
about this. City Manager Hooper stated he got mixed reaction.
City Manager Hooper confirmed that he was to do his homework on
the draft, put it on the agenda, hold a public hearing. If it
passes the first reading, they would move on to the second and
start the process if they are headed towards this and they will
be able to adopt this at a latter part of the year.
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Council Workshop
May S, 2003
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Captain Danigel informed Council May 27th at 10:00 a.m. in Ormond
Beach is their next Special Master hearing. City Manager Hooper
highly encouraged the Council to see it. He is planning to
attend.
It was the consensus of Council to proceed with this.
City Manager Hooper spoke about roadway impact fees and impact
fees for local roads. He spoke of Roberts Road needing to be
expanded. He asked Council if they had any objection to
developing an ordinance.
City Manager Hooper explained the County's ordinance is county-
wide. This would be total City. If you were in the City you
would pay a County impact fee for County roads and a City impact
fee for City roads. This is collected when a permit is issued
and would only apply to new growth. This would be a one time
payment of about $800 per household.
Mayor Schmidt stated he would be interested in seeing the
numbers. City Manager Hooper agreed to prepare and study the
ordinance draft and bring it back and talk further about it.
City Manager Hooper then spoke about the sign ordinance. He
spoke about struggling with what is an acceptable appearance from
signs such as on U.S. #1, Guava Drive and Hibiscus Drive. He is
interested in looking at Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Lake Mary.
City Manager Hooper spoke about adopting a Code with a phase-in
period for changing existing signs.
It was the consensus of Council to look into this.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned
at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Bloomer
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May 5, 2003