HomeMy WebLinkAbout08301995 City of Sebastian
1225 MAIN STREET [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
AGENDA
SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1995 - 7:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
INTRODUCTION BY MAYOR - Mayor Firtion to Introduce Facilitator
Commissioner Fran B. Adams, Council Members and Staff
OPENING COMMENTS - Commissioner Fran B. Adams Presents
Program and Workshop Guidelines
PART I: PARTICIPATION - Opportunity for Business Members to
Present Their Views, Concerns and Suggestions (Sign-Up Sheets Available
Prior to the Meeting; Three Minutes for Each Speaker)
PART II: RESPONSE - Review of Comments and Matters Presented;
Response by Staff; Dialogue to Prioritize Items
PART III: ACTION - Council to Consider Setting a Timetable for the
Priority Items; Direction to City Manager for Specific Plans of Action; Set
Date for Follow-Up Workshop, If Necessary
8. ADJOURN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISIONMADE BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO ANY
MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND
MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WttlCH RECORD
INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105 F.S.)
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL
ACCObtMODATION FOR THIS MEETING StlOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT 589.5330 AT
LK4ST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING.,
PUBLIC INPUT
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AUGUST 30, 1995 BUSINESS WORKSHOP
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City of Sebastian
1225 MAIN STREET [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
MINUTES
SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 210, 1995 - 7:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
Mayor Firtion called the Business Workshop to order at 7:00 p.m., the
Pledge of Allegiance was recited and he then gave an invocation.
ROLL CALL
City Council Present:
Mayor Arthur L. Firtion
Vice Mayor Carolyn Corem
Mrs. Louise Cartwright
Mrs. Norma Damp
Mr. Raymond Halloran
Staff Present:
City Manager, Joel Koford
City Attorney, Clifton McClelland, Jr.
City Clerk, Kathryn O'Halloran
Director of Community Development,
Bruce Cooper
Finance Director, Joel Haniford
Police Chief, Earl Petty
Personnel Director, Wendy Widmann
Public Works Director, Richard Votapka
Airport Manager, John Van Antwerp
Deputy City Clerk, Sally Maio
Zoning Technician, Jan King
Administrative Assistant, Jean Tarbell
Business Workshop
August 30, 1995
Page Two
IJ~TRODUCTION BY MAYOR - Mayor Firfion to Introduce Facilitator
Commissioner Fran B. Adams, Council Members and Staff
Mayor Firtion introduced Indian River County Commissioner, Fran Adams
as facilitator.
~.E,NING COMMENTS - Commissioner Fran B. Adams Pxesents
Program and Workshop Guidelines
Fran Adams thanked all in attendance and explained the ground roles for
the workshop.
o
PART I: PARTICIPATION - Opportunity_f~r Business Members to
Pr¢~ent Their Views, Concerns and S~lggesfions (~igll-Up Sheets Available
Prior to the Meeting; Three Minutes for Each Speaker)
Fred Reeves, Merriweather Art and Interiors, 1125 U.S. 1, Sebastian,
representing the newly formed Sebastian Area Council, expressed concern
for the increase in occupational license fees. He said he feels the City of
Sebastian does not touch base with business owners and suggested all funds
received from occupational licenses be placed in a separate interest bearing
account to be used exclusively for the business community and that it be
accounted for.
Sandy Lockhart, Spurs Western Wear, Inc., 1622 N. U.S. 1, Sebastian,
expressed concern for the occupational license fee, inquiring whether she
must also obtain a county license due to the type of business she operates.
Commissioner Adams said she would get back to her.
Susan Browning, Browning Typesetting, 649 Bayfront Terrace, Sebastian,
asked why her occupational license fee was doubled. She suggested City
work be bid out to the local community.
2
Business Workshop
August 30, 1995
Page Three
Don Studley, Headliners, Riverwalk Shopping Center, Roseland, and HMS
Productions, publicly apologized to the Director of Community
Development for a misquote in the Press Journal and distributed documents
relative to his request for a use permit for a country concert at Walmart on
December 1. He read the promo he had presented for the proposed event.
Don Cooper, Needful Things, 484 South U.S. 1, Sebastian, said he believed
the concert would be a great promotion for the City.
Fred Augenstein, 179 Caprona Street, Sebastian, and The Ad Agency, Vero
Beach and Malabar, supported the concert idea and discussed the recent
decline in local business. He said the majority of tickets will be sold by
local business owners. He said the City has a chance to take government to
a higher plane.
Bruce Bennett, Manager ofWalmart Supercenter, 2001 U.S. 1, Sebastian,
as well as resident of Sebastian, said he would like to bridge a gap with the
small business community and offered the Walmart parking lot for events
such as this concert.
Frank Oberbeck, Oberbeck & Associates, 1013 U.S. 1, Sebastian, and
resident of Sebastian, said it is difficult to ascertain what services the City
provides for the taxes paid besides law enforcement and fire services. He
said small business owners need assistance from the City to remain in the
area.
David Haeseler, President of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of
Commerce, 1302 U.S. 1, Sebastian, said it was the recommendation of the
Chamber that Council step back to an overview of the business
community's needs. He said growth will continue and suggested that the
City view the Chamber as an asset and suggested consideration of an
advisory committee to look ahead for the betterment of the community.
Earl Masteller, Masteller & Moler, Inc., and resident of Sebastian, said the
Riverfront is a major asset which will need to be planned for and that the
City should be taking steps to obtain a planner to look at that area. He said
when plans are completed they need to be put into effect rather than
shelved.
Business Workshop
August 30, 1995
Page Four
Donna Keys, Sebastian Insurance, 734 Fleming Street, representing the
Council of 100, a group responsible for bringing business into the
community and assisting current businesses with technical problems, said a
business action team has been established to assist people with permitting.
She said a survey shows that the Community Development Department is
very helpful and responsive.
TAPE I - SIDE II (7:48 p.m.)
Warren Dill, Attorney-at-Law, 1515 U.S. 1, read text from an award given
to the City for comprehensive planning. He discussed excessive parking
requirements for medical offices and future utilization of older businesses
along U.S. 1 by reduction of parking; said aesthetics and sign codes need to
be addressed; urged preservation of and commitment to the Riverfront; said
the community gains from enhancement of commercial activities and urged
that Council to follow through and possibly conduct this type of workshop
at least twice a year.
Kathy Gardinier, Wicker Etc., U.S. 1, Sebastian, said something should be
done on U.S. 1 prior to Riverfront improvements; concurred with the
concert requested by Don Studley; discussed the establishment of the newly
formed merchant's group; said she was concerned about the occupational
license fee increase; and said her gripe was with the Chamber of Commerce
for not showing merchants attention.
Harry Thomas, 654 Balboa Street, Sebastian, Sebastian Property Owners
Association, said his group had asked for this type of meeting for several
years; said there are many splinter groups and suggested that those groups
come together and support one another. He thanked Council and
Commissioner Adams for the meeting. ·
Wayne Brubaker, Manager of Phelps Garage, Louisiana Avenue, Sebastian,
expressed concern for the increase in occupational licenses, stating he
believed it was arbitrary; said a small group of businesses on Louisiana feel
they are being cut off by the redirection of Louisiana Avenue and
enforcement of screening regulations which turned out to be in error.
4
Business Workshop
August 30, 1995
Page Five
Damian Gilliams, 713 Layport Drive, Sebastian, owner of a few businesses
in the community, expressed concern for the fact that real estate agents
acting as independent contractors for real estate companies are required to
have an occupational license and noted that Vero Beach had rescinded that
requirement; and suggested that the City take a closer look at home
occupational licenses, suggesting that a move to commercial areas will
benefit other city businesses.
Cheryl Elsessor, Realty Place, U.S. 1, Sebastian, expressed concern for the
requirement for real estate salespersons to hold a license and urged the City
to solve the scrub jay problem.
Walter Barnes, 402 Azine Terrace, Sebastian, urged that more meetings be
held with the community and supported the proposed concert.
Janice Oberbeck, Travel Gallery, Fleming Street, Sebastian, expressed
concern for the multitude of agency licenses required to run a business.
She said she would not mind paying the occupational license fee if it
offered something to benefit businesses.
Chuck Neuberger, Neuberger Electric, Melrose Lane, Sebastian, member of
the Equity Study Commission, explained the committee's reasons for
establishing the current occupational license fees in what he believed was
an equitable manner.
Commissioner Adams suggested that ideas suggested be reviewed and
responses brought back.
Mrs. Cartwright said the Comp Plan is being reviewed for revision and the
parking ordinance as well as other issues are being addressed at this time.
In response to audience inquiries about responses from the City,
Commissioner Adams again suggested that City Council should be given an
oppommity to mull over what they've heard tonight and come back with
ideas.
The Director of Community Development said he was always available to
work with the business community.
Business Workshop
August 30, 1995
Page Six
Commissioner Adams thanked all those in attendance and the City Council
for the oppommity to attend.
Mayor Firtion expressed his appreciation for all in attendance.
The next two items were not addressed at this workshop.
PART II: RESPOi~ISI~ -i~gview of Colmnents and Matters Presented;
Response by Staff; Dialogue to Prioritize Itelll~
PART III: ACTION - Council to Consider Setting a Timetable for the
Priority Items; Direction to City Manager for Specific Plans of Action; Set
Date for Follow-Up Workshop, If Necessar~
8. Mayor Firtion adjourned the Business Workshop at 8:30 p.m.
/ _ ~
Approved at the ~ /d:r_~ ,1995, Regular City Council
Meeting. /.~F.~-'/~_~._.~{/~._.._._/~..~__~, ......... i' ~., ~
Arthur L. Firtion, Mayor
O Halloran, CMC/AAE
City Clerk