10-22-1979 - Regular
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
October 22, 1979
Mayor Christy called the regular meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:00 P.M. in the Edgewater Community Center.
'ROLL CALL
Mayor Robert H. Christy
Councilman Louis J. Rotundo
Councilman David C. Ledbetter
Councilman Walter B. Sikes
Councilman Neil J. Asting
City Attorney Judson Woods
City Clerk Joseph Herget
Police Chief Earl Bauah
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Present
Present
'INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Rev. Bogqs.
'SALUTE TO FLAG
APPROVAL OF,MINUTES
Councilman Rotundo made a motion that the Council approve the minutes
of the S~ecial Council Meeting on October 11, 1979 and the Regular Council
Meetin9 on October 15, 1979. Councilman Asting seconded the motion.
U~on roll call the motion CARRIED 3-1. Councilman Ledbetter voted NO due
to absence.
"B'ILLS' A'ND' ACCOUNTS
Councilman Asting made a motion that the Council approve the bills for
payment. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Upon roll call the
motion CARRIED 4~0.
C 0 ~1 M UN ,I CAT ION S
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The City Clerk read a letter from Victor Macino requesting an appointment
as a member of the Planning Board.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council table this reauest
until after the election. Councilman Astina seconded the motion. Unon
roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0, '
Mr. Frank Onal told the Council that this reauest should not have aone to
the Plannin~ Board first, it should have gon~ directly to the Coun~il.
The City Clerk read a letter from Frank ODal reouestinq permission to
speak to the Council concerning the taning of Board meetings.
Mr. Opal told the Council that the meetinq of the Building Code Board on
October 9, 1979 was not taoed as it should ha ~ been. He said that he
had checked at Citv Hall a~d was told that the meetina was taped and that
the recorder was t~rned off after the meetina was ove~. Howe~er, the
Board sat and talked for another hour or so after that and this was not
taped.
Mayor Christy said that the regular meeting was adjourned and the taoe
was turned off. The ordinance calls for meetings to be taped.
Mr. Woods said that he could not see where the ordinance had been violated.
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The City Clerk read a letter from Mr. Vanderorifft, Chairman of the Merit
Board, requesting that the Council make an appointment to the Merit Board
due to the fact that Mr. Walter Gross's term had expired.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council table this until after
the election. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Uoon roll call
the motion CARRIED 4-0.
The City Clerk read a letter from Moreland/McKesson Chemical Co. reqardin9
payment on P.O. 3058 for the amount of $675.00. The Edqewater check
#167 issued on 10/31/78 had never been received by Moreland/McKesson.
A request for stop~payment and re-issuance of a new check was made by
the company.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council authorize a stop-
payment on check # 167 and that a new check be issued for payment o~ $675 on
P.O. 3058. Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. U~on roll call the
motion CARRIED 4~0.
The City Clerk read a memo to the City Council requesting clarification
of birthdays and floating holidays for the employees. The City Clerk
recommended that the emolovee be allowed to utilize the birthday holiday
at any time during the month of the employee's birth. He also recommended
that the floating holiday be utilized during the employee's anniversary
year and that the holiday not be allowed to accumulate or that the employee
not be paid double time for either birthday or floating holidays.
Councilman Astina made a motion that the Council accept the City Clerk's
recommendations and authorize an ordinance amendin9 Ordinance 1004.
Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion CARRIED
4-0. .
Councilman Asting requested that the City Attorney redo the entire
ordinance with the suggested changes so that we will only have one merit
ordinance to deal with instead of an ordinance and a number of amendments
to that ordinance.
Mr. Woods said that he would be able to do this.
The City Clerk read a letter from Susan Wadsworth, Deputy Clerk, requesting
that the City Council clarify non-profit organizations and charges for
the use of the Community Center, A request for the use of the Community
Center has been made by New Smyrna Beach High School for a fund raising
event.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council waive any charges
when the Community Center is used by schools, churches and Scouts. This
should be for events that are scheduled only once or twice a year.
Councilman Rotundo seconded the motion.
Russ Foster, Fire Chief, spoke to the Council about the charge to the Fire
Department for their Tuesday Bingo games. He said that this money goes
to helo the Fire Deot. purchase equipment and that the Fire Dept. is a
non~rrofit organization.
Mayor Christy said that the Bingo is a weekly event and therefore is not
the same as a one time fund raising event. I~hen the Community Center is
used on a regular basis by an organization there should be some charge.
Upon roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0.
The Council considered an application for a home occupational license
for Mr. Wilkes~ Mr. Compoli and Mr. Woods. The business will be at
2028 Needle Palm. It will an aluminum replacement business and the home
will be used for office purposes only, no storage.
Councilman Asting made a motion that the Council grant this license.
Councilman Ledbetter seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion
CARRIED 4~0.
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The City Clerk read a letter from the City Planner stating that the
County had requested a resolution from the City supporting the HUD
Section 8 Housing Assistance Program.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council table this until
next Monday's meeting. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Upon
roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0.
COORDINATORS REPORTS
C'ouncilman Rotundo No report.
Councilman Ledbetter No report.
'Councilman Asting told the Council that he had contacted the Dept. of
Transportatlon concerning the condition of the entrance to Florida Shores
which is like a washboard. They told him that the telephone company will
be installino a cable across the entrance and unon comnletion of this
work, the telephone company will resurface that' area. .
There has been one request for a street light to be installed and Mr.
Astino asked that the Street Lioht Committee meet and discuss this. The
light~would be installed at Oueen Palm and 30th St., if the committee
agrees there is a need for a light there.
The City has received notification from the DER that the annual inspection
of the Wastewater Plant will be on November 20th.
Councilman Asting continued by saying that he had received a number of
phone calls regarding a letter distributed by Mr. Vazquez. The letter
states that New Smyrna Beach will take over the Edgewater Water and Waste-
water plants. Mr. Asting said that he knew of no agreement by any
Edgewater officials and he has checked with the City Attorney who also
said he had no knowledge of any such agreement.
Councilman Ledbetter said that he had also had phone calls concerning the
same charges.
Councilman Asting said that as far as he was concerned the City of Edgewater
owns the water and sewer plants and we don't have any agreement to have
anyone take it over from us.
There was a rather lengthy discussion about this charge.
Mr. Armstrong, former Mayor, told the Council that a study had been made
by Briley, Wild concerning the water and sewer facilities in the area.
This was done in conjunction with New Smyrna Beach and paid for by a grant.
Mr. Severance, also a former Mayor, said that at one time there was a
discussion with New Smyrna Beach about the installation of a water line
between the two cities to be used in case of any water shortages.
The Council agreed that there was no basis in fact for these charges.
Councilman Asting told the Council that the bids on the Fire Hydrants had
been received and opened in the City Clerk's office on Friday, Oct. 19, 1979.
It was the recommendation of the Supervisor of the Water Plant that the
City accept the low bid from Hughes'Supply Co. for $14,683.94.
Councilman Asting made a motion that the Council accept the bid from
Hughes Supply Co. for $14,683.94 for 20 fire hydrants. The money will
come from Federal Revenue Sharing. Councilman Ledbetter seconded the motion.
Upon roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0.
City Attorney Woods No renort.
" City .C 1 e r k Her get No. r e po r t .
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Mayor Christy told the Council that at his request the Vol. League of
Municipalities had approved a resolution re-establishing municipal courts.
Mayor Christy told the Council that he had finally been able to have
Edgewater appointed to the Municipal Planning Organization. This will
give the City some say in the decisions on transportation~ roads~ etc.
within the County.
Mayor Christy also told the Council that he had heard from the Coast
Guard in reference to a possible speed/wake restriction in Indian River.
He hopes this will be resolved soon for the protection of the coastline
and the wildlife in the river area.
RESOLUTIONS
The City Attorney read Resolution No. 79-R-94.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE EDGEWATER VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Councilman Astina made a motion that the Council adont this resolution.
Councilman Ledbetter seconded the motion. Upon roll' call the motion
CARRIED 4-0.
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~,ayo!:~_Chri~!y introduced the new Fire Chief, Dave Severance.
Councilman Rotundo praised the work done by Russ Foster who has been
Fire Chief for the past two years.
,0 R D'I NAN C E S
The City Attorney read Ordinance No. 79-0-35.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE IV, SECTION 13-50(4), OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EDGEWATER, FLORIDA, BY INCREASING THE NUMBER
OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN FROM THIRTY (30) VOLUNTEER FIREMEN TO FORTY (40)
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN AND ONE (1) MEDICAL OFFICER; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council adoot the first
reading of this Ordinance. Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Upon
roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0.
'OLD' 'BUS'INESS
Lone Star - request for fence:
The City Attorney told the Council that he could see no legal reason
why this fence could not be put up by Lone Star.
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council grant permission to
put up this fence to Lone Star on the recommendation of the City Attorney.
Councilman Asting seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion CARRIED
4,=,0.
Platted Streets - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th off Thomas:
The City Attorney said that all these streets are platted and there is
no objection, from a le~al standpoint, to having these streets opened up.
Councilman Ledbetter asked if Mr. Catalano will pay to have these streets
paved?
Mr. Catalano told the Council that he will rut in the shell.
Councilman Astino made a motion that the Council arant the request to
open up 2nd, 3rd~and 4th Streets off Thomas. Councilman Ledbetter seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the motion CARRIED 4-0.
Alleyway, Florida Shores:
Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that the Council authorize the St.
Dept. to finish opening up this alleyway. Councilman Rotundo seconded the
motion.
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Mr. Robert Witzig complained about opening up this alley with City
equipment when the roads in Florida Shores are in such bad condition.
He also questioned why this work had been started before Council authorization.
Upon roll call the motion CARRIED 3-1. Councilman Astinn voted NO.
Barrett Variance:
Councilman Rotundo made a motion that the Council accent the recommendation
of the Board of Adjustment and qrant the 8' front yard' setback variance
for Perry Barrett on property located at 1853 Ouava in Florida Shores.
Councilman Ledbetter seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion
CARRIED 3-1. Councilman Asting voted NO.
~AUDIENCE~MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Witzig wanted to know who gave the authorization for the City equipment
to be used to clear and pave the alleyway in Florida Shores prior to having
this approved by the City Council.
Councilman Ledbetter said that it was City owned property.
Mr. Witzig said that this still should not have been done without Council
approval and unless they were violating the Sunshine Law, nobody should
have known how the Council would vote on this subject.
Mayor Christy said that it was his understanding that the
the Street Dept. had thought this work had been apnroved.
Christy} found out the work was being done, he stopped it
be settled by the Council.
Supervisor of
When he (Mayor
until it could
Mr. Walter Gross spoke to the Council about the number of people that work
for the WjWW. He said this was an oversized department. He asked about
the dead end water lines in the City.
Councilman Asting said these lines were being corrected. There were about
40 dead end lines left to be fixed. .
Mr.. Gross also asked about getting the holes repaired on Alice and Lake
Ave.
Councilman Ledbetter said that the Street Dept. did have some money to
patch up the roads with but he will have to 0et Council approval.
Mr. Gross also questioned the purchase of the Fire Hydrants.
Mayor Christy said that the City went out on bids and that the bids were
opened in the City Clerk's office and studied by the Supervisor of the
Water Plant so that he could make a recommendation to the Council. If
the Council did not do it this way then they would have to table the bids
and wait another week for a recommendation. The money to pav for these
hydrants was established by a ordinance appropriating Federal Revenue
Sharing money for this purpose.
Mr. Ben Vazquez told the Council that he stopped by the Building Dept.
and picked UD a Building Permit issued to the Testa Construction Co. He
found that there is no such construction company listed in the telephone
directory, no occupational license, no nothing. The license that they
are operating under is supposed to be a certified res.idential contractor.
Contractor's have to qO before the State and take an examination to qet
certified. The City of Edqewater has a Buildinq Official that has taken
it upon himself to ~ssue a-permit, more than ohe, to a qentlemen who works
for the Florida Shores Corporation of Magnuson Corp. If the City is going
to pay this man thirty or forty thousand dollars a year. there should be
something done about this irresponsible action.
Councilman Rotundo said that Mr. VazQuez was making false accusations.
Mr. VazQuez said he would like to know if Mr. Testa has a license. He
was told at City Hall that there was no license.
Mavor Christy said that he had a copy of the State of Florida Construction
Industry Licensing Board license issued to Testa Construction Corp.
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Mr. Vazquez told the Council that he had arrived late to this meeting and
he understood that his name had been brought up earlier in the meeting.
He asked what the Council discussed.
Mayor Christy said that it was about the charges that Edgewater would
be aoinq in with New Smyrna on the water and wastewater systems. The
Council'does not know of any such agreement and two former mayors had
also told the Council that this information was wron~, there was no such
agreement.
Mr. Vazquez said that he would challenge Mayor Christy, Mayor Armstrong
and anyone else in the City of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater or the County
to an open debate at the High School auditorium at any time.and then
you can tell the people that I donlt know what 11m talking about and that
11m a liar.
Mayor Christy said that he was sorry that Mr. Vazquez had not been at
the meeting earlier and heard what was said about this subject but that
is Mr. Vazquezls problem.
Mr. John Gross suggested that the Mayor get signs in the Indian River
area adjacent to Edgewater that state no wake. This will slow the boats
down and help to solve the problem of beach erosion.
NEH BUSINESS
None
Councilman Asting told the Council that somethin~ will have to be done
about the Water/Wastewater budget.
The Council decided to wait until after the election.
Councilman Asting said that, for the record, this is the third time that
he has brou9ht up this matter. He has asked for two dates and they have
both been turned down.
Councilman Asting made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Rotundo
seconded the motion, The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by:
Nancy Blazi
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ATTEST:
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A p pro v e d t h i sJ91A' day 0 f
October, 1979.,
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