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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06241997 City of Sebastian 1225 MAIN STREET [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (561) 589-5330 D FAX (561) 589-5570 SEBASTiAN CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1997 - 7:00 P.M. CiTY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA Mayor Barnes called the workshop to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL_C~LL Cil;Y Council Present: Mayor Walter Barnes Vice Mayor Richard Taracka Mrs. Louise Cartwright Mr. Larry Paul Mrs. Ruth Sullivan Staff Present: City Manager, Thomas Frame City Clerk, Kathryn O'Halloran Director of Community Development, Bob Massarelli City Engineer, Martha Campbell Public Works Director, Pat Brennan Deputy City Clerk, Sally Maio It was the consensus of City Council to allow public input time permitting. City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Two WORKSHOP ITEMS Recreation Recreation - Mayor Barnes and Mrs. Cartwright Recreation Committee - Set Agenda for Organization - Mr. Taracka Recreation in City for Youth Programs Besides Sports -Mr. Paul Skateboarding~In-Line Skating Area - Mr. Paul Mayor Barnes recommended working with Indian River County to establish additional recreation opportunities in the City, forming a City recreation committee and explore the possibility of utilizing the building at Barber Street Sports Complex south. He said Bruce Bennett, Rotary Club, had said the group is looking for a way to direct money to recreation in Sebastian. Mrs. Cartwright said this is an issue that was brought up last year by Council and that she would like to see a meeting with city staff, Indian River County recreation and sports and other organizations in Sebastian to determine needs. She questioned why the City had to provide money and buildings for further county recreation, rather, she was looking for a partnership with them. The City Manager said Indian River County is establishing a recreation area west of the middle school and noted it will be difficult for Sebastian youth to get to it, said there is a possibility of acquiring a FRDAP grant for a recreation facility. Mrs. Sullivan concurred with reestablishing the recreation committee. Mr. Taracka suggested that each sports or other recreation organizations pick a representative and meet with Nancy Diamond, the City's representative to Indian River County recreation committee. He noted, in response to Mr. Paul, that the proposal given to him by Larry Driver included non- athletic activities such as performing arts. Following further discussion, Mayor Barnes said he would contact Pat Callahan, Director of Vero Beach/Indian River County Recreation and ask to set up a meeting with user groups to determine recreation needs in Sebastian. The City Manager suggested the tennis group be included. Mrs. Sullivan suggested Kay Rogers be included. Mr. Paul suggested a contingent of young people not involved in sports be included. Discussion followed regarding the need for a skateboard/in-line skating facility. The City Manager said liability issues would have to be reviewed. Mrs. Cartwright said she knew of a group looking for a site to open such a facility. City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Three Striping of Streets: Middle and Edges- Mrs. Sullivan Street or Road Markings - Mr. Paul Realignment of Traffic Programs on Certain Streets Such as George and Skyline -Mrs. Gartwright Mrs. Cartwright said five residents from Skyline had proposed that it be one-way. Mr. Paul said he hfid seen use of stop signs on 16th Street West in Veto for traffic control and suggested using the method here. Mr. Taracka said too many stops can be a problem. The City Engineer noted that there was a traffic study done in 1994 and the City Clerk was asked to copy it to Council. The Public Works Director said staff is currently doing a study of striping needs and have talked to Indian River County traffic engineers regarding putting slriping in its work program. He said it will be ready for this budget. He said staff will be looking at paving needs soon. Str0,tCgj~ Plan Status and Use of Data - Mayor Barnes Final Report/Council Action -Mrs. Sullivan The City Manager gave an update on the Strategic Plan. He said he will organize another small SWOT meeting prior to drafting a resolution for City Council. He said the project should be wrapped up in 30 to 60 days. Staaonary Mulcher Location Ordinance - Mrs. Sullivan Ordinance for Keeping Mulching Machines on a Permanent Site for Mulching Operations - Mr. Taracka Mayor Barnes recommended an ordinance prohibiting transportable mulchers on a construction site. Mrs. Cartwright suggested that maybe safety factors can be addressed instead. Mrs. Sullivan concurred with Mayor Barnes, citing a recent incident when a piece of debris flew through a metal roof of a business adjacent to Grace's Landing. Mrs. Cartwright asked whether it might have~ been the operator's fault and maybe the mulcher could be put on a remote area of the property. Mr. Paul disagreed with the proposed prohibition suggesting looking at safety controls and features. TAPE I - SIDE II (7:48 p.m.) Mayor Barnes said he would like to see an ordinance prepared. City Council Workshop [June 24, 1997 Page Four $idewalks/BikCl~ltth~ Sidewalk/Bikepath - Long Term/Short Term ~- Mrs. Cartwright Walkways Around Existing P, onds for Fishing and Bicycling - Mr. Paul The City Manager discussed the requirements and differences between sidewalks and bikepaths. He said he believed Sebastian had developed a good system and that a I~ikepath study had been done in the past by the City. Mrs. Cartwright suggested that a bikepath be installed on Laconia to Tulip to Barber for the next fiscal budget (97/98). The City Manager suggested the City could possibly work with Lennar on this. He said he would ask staff to revisit the bikepath plan. Mr. Taracka asked if it would be practical to set up a sand course for mountain bikes and the City Manager said he'd look into it. In response to Mr. Paul, the City Manager said he had discussions with the Pelican Island Garden Club about an agreement with them to allow them to adopt the lake on the east side of Barber Street for its enhancement. He said he would try to bring it back to Council on July 9. Paving Bonded Pqving Program - Mayor Barnes Grant for l~idening/Paving for Louisiana and Palmetto Avenues - Mrs. 'Sullivan The Cit~ Manager discussed three possible alternatives to fund city-wide street paving. He had distributed an amortization schedule for Council review. He said he was waiting for additional information fi.om a local bank and would try to bring a more detailed report to Council at budget time. Mrs. Sullivan said she would like to see a grant applied for to pave Louisiana/Palmetto. The City Manager said the current CDBG grant would have to be closed out before applying for another. Fees Community Development Fee Structure - Mrs. Cartwright Timetable on Completion of Work/Recovery of Costs by City - Mayor Barnes The Directo~ of Community Development said the last time fees were updated was 1988, said he was writing internal procedures which would identify the time required for specific projects and will be coming up with a recommendation for adjustment of fees. He said it was his desire to have it ready for the upcoming fiscal year. ' i Mayor Barnes asked if there was anything the City could do about abandoned construction. The City Manager said he would review it with the City Attorney and Director of Community Development for a future meeting. City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Five The City Manager proposed that an edUcational handout be put together to explain the Mechanics Lien. Mrs. Cartwright said she had heard that George Bonacci had drafted something.for distribution. H. political ~;igrl$ - Mayor Barnes and Mrs. Sullivan Mayor Barnes suggested modifications to the Political Sign code to require a $100 bond or penalty for non-removal within a certain time. The Cit~ Clerk explained that the City once imposed a bond but had to remove it when it was found to be unconstitutional. She suggested he speak to the City Attorney. The City Manager said it was either the Florida Legislature or the Supreme Court that had made the decision. Mayor Barnes suggested the Building Official "shall remove" rather than "shall order removed", and to limit signs to "one per candidate or question per property". Mrs. Sullivan said she would like to see a small' fmc for signs in right-of-way. TAPE II - SIDE II (8:35 p.m.) Mr. Paul expressed concern for limiting people's rights. Mayor Barnes said he would like to talk to the City Attorney for proposals to come to Council. I. Airport Management - Mayor Barnes and Mrs. Sullivan Mayor Barnes recommended advertising for a part-time airport manager with knowledge of FAA rules and regulations, specifically someone who could work on weekends. He said there are qualified people in town. Mrs. Cartwright said she would like to see a job description and realm of responsibilities. The City Manager said he could bring back a job description for the July 9, 1997 meeting. Mr. Taracka asked if the airport enterprise fund can support more than a part-time position and the City Manager responded that there is more revenue now than eighteen months ago. Mr. Paul said he had attended an Economic Development Council meeting today and that they would like to see a plan for the airport, and that perhaps that a part-time position is needed at this time. Mrs. Sullivan concurred with the need for someone with knowledge of FAA regulations. 5 City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Six 1~ on Future Sandmining in City Limits Except fol' l.,eveling Sites - Mayor Barnes' Mayor Barnes said he would like to sec a ban on future sandmining within the City limits with the exception of non-commercial and site leveling. The Director of Community Development said he could bring back proposed language at the time the amended Comprehensive Plan comes to Council for amendment. R~aidents ~)llly Oil All City Boards - Mr. Taracka Mr. Taracka said he had talked to many people who agreed that boards should be residents only. Mr. Paul suggested districting the City so everyone is not from one area of the City. Mrs. Cartwright agreed and Mrs. Sullivan disagreed with districting. Mrs. Cartwfight disagreed with prohibiting business owners who are not residents fiom serving on committees. Revisit Offer to ~gl'¢hos~ l,~and on Riverfront/Bird RoalD/- Mrs. Cartwright Mrs. Cartwright said she had received phone calls since Council's last action on this item and been told that there are grants available for this type of purchase. She asked Council t° allow staffto investigate grants. Mr. Paul concurred. Mayor Barnes concurred but asked that no purchase take place without a specific plan for use of the property in place. Taking Over Fourth of Jllly Fireworks Festivities/Fireworks - Lglogr Pay Fireworks Festivities - Mr. Paul Mr. Paul suggested the City contribute more money to the Lions for 4th of jUly fireworks and have fireworks on Labor Day due to the success of last year's event. He also said,he'd like to see the high school band perform. John Ellis, Lions Club, addressed City Council .stating the Lions had planned to have a picnic in the park on Labor Day and that some of the high school students would like to perform on the 4th without uniforms. Mayor Barnes said a sponsor would be needed for Labor Day fireworks. The City Manager said he'd like to encourage a group to take it on due to the large financial impact the 4th of July already has on the City. Ed Moore, Chamber of commerce, said the Chamber was considering sponsoring a bed race on Labor Day. The City Manager said he could bring back cost figures. .r i City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Seven No TAPE II - SIDE II (9:40 Combined Parking Regulations - Mrs. Sullivan Mrs. Sullivan expressed concerns for abuses on the Riverfront due to combined parking, noting that the code was written at the request of Captain Hirams, and recommended the code be rescinded. Mayor Barnes asked how the City knows when additional businesses added. The Director of Community Development explained the procedure for applying for and approval of occupational licenses. He said since he has been here there has been no need for mixed use parking and that all requests have met parking needs. The City Manager said that the Community Development Department is reviewing old plans and uses for Captain Hirams, and said that part of the problem with businesses in the Riverfi'ont District is customer laziness. P.M.) Mrs. Cartwright questioned whether the code was written for the Riverfi'0nt, citing other mixed use parking situations in the City. She agreed to look at the ordinance. Mayor Barnes asked that this item be scheduled for a workshop. Mrs. Cartwright asked why workshops are being scheduled for 6 pm prior to.regular meetings after Council changed procedures. Mayor Barnes responded that he'd rather not have them but there is a need for workshops right now. Mass Transportation - Bus $~h~ules -Mayor Barnes The City Manager said he had attended a meeting in Indian River County with transportation people on how to enhance fidership and suggested he write a letter asking them to restructure the routes to accommodate more people. l~y~rfront Committee Final Report -Mr. Taracka Mr. Taracka said he had attended most meetings, said their report will be finalized on July 28 and said they deserved a lot of appreciation. Fishing Villag~ Theme Throughout the City - Mr. Paul Mr. Paul suggested the fishing village theme be incorporated in other areas of the City, including CR 512. The City Manager suggested this be looked at when the final report comes from the Riveffront Committee, and recommended that perhaps he could talk to Indian River County about landscaping the median on CR512. 7 City Council Workshop June 24, 1997 Page Eight Approved at the Mr. Paul inquired about the south City limit welcome .sign and its poor condition. The City Manager said it had been brought up in the past and difficult to determine who owns the property on which it is located. He suggested the possibility of a small carved sign in the median. He said he would explore it. Mr. Paul asked about other service organization's signs on the City limit sign. R. In-House Grant Writer - Mrs. Sullivan Mrs. Sullivan said she would like to see a full-time grant writer. The City Manager said the logical place was the Finance Department and he would discuss it with the interim Finance Director. City Council concurred to review this as part of the budget process. S. RV Storage Needs - Mr. Taracka Mr. Taracka said he was gathering information from Indian River County on this and said he did not want to see RV storage back up to residential. He said he will bring back additional information. T. Review Items Pending from Last Wish List Workshop -Mrs. Cartwright (See 6/10/96 Minutes Attached) The Director of Community Development said he was looking to an August 6 workshop to address signs and sandmining and that he would get with the City Attorney on a noise ordinance. Mrs. Cartwright inquired about the status of Council Expense Procedures and the Economic Development Fund and said she'd like to keep them alive and look at again. Being no further business, Mayor Barnes adjourned thc workshop at 10:12 p.m. ,1997, Regular City Council Meeting. Walter W. Barnes