The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About02132004 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter February 13, 2004 Property Acquisition Ne.qotiations with Sebastian United Methodist Church - Louisiana Avenue Improvement ProRram Earlier this week, my office hosted a meeting with representatives of the Sebastian United Methodist Church in an effort to amicably negotiate a good faith purchase of a portion of land located adjacent to the thrift shop on Louisiana Avenue. As you may recall, the purpose of this acquisition is to incorporate a straightened road feature in the Louisiana Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization Program. I am pleased to report that both staff and church representatives involved in discussions to date agree on potential terms that are to be presented to the organization's board of trustees for their approval. As such, City Engineer David Fisher and I, as well as Rick Melchori of WCG and Associates will offer a presentation to the Sebastian United Methodist Church Board of Trustees during their February 23rd meeting. Once this group has deemed general terms to be acceptable, I will work with City Attorney Rich Stringer to draft a respective purchase agreement. Both Pastor Ronald Thomas and I currently anticipate being able to offer recommendations to City Council for review and consideration during the March 24th regular meeting. In addition, as we are also in the process of securing easement dedications from Louisiana Avenue property owners, we will require an approval from City Council to formally accept executed agreements accordingly. It is therefore our goal to secure such authorizations in the coming weeks as well. Scooters and Go Ped Traffic Enforcement In response to an inquiry recently raised publicly by Councilmember Joseph Barczyk relative to the status of initiating motor scooter and go ped enforcement activities in the community, please be advised that the Sebastian Police Department (SPD) will impose stricter compliance City Council Information Letter February 13, 2004 Page 2 activities beginning Monday, March 1st. As reference in the attached notice as compiled and issued by SPD, efforts in this regard will include impounding illegally operated scooters, as well as issuance of citations to unlicensed operators. This same notice will be published in the Winter 2004 Edition of the Sebastian Pelican Brief Community Newsletter, to be delivered to homes throughout the community within the next ten (10) days or so. In addition, a Power Point program update will be added to the Sebastian Government Channel in an effort to begin a notification process immediately. Award from Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program During your November 12th regular meeting, authorization was granted to submit a funding proposal to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. I am pleased to report that $10,000 was awarded to the City of Sebastian to assist the Sebastian Police Department with the purchase of law enforcement equipment to assist efforts to enhance public safety in the community. Anticipated expenditures for these funds include binoculars and marine radar to assist the boat patrol unit, supplementary equipment to expand the dispatch console, as well as additional firearms for officer use in high-risk situations. As respective purchases will not exceed $5,000 each, expenditure approvals will be granted administratively. Presidents' Day Observance Just a reminder that Sebastian City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents' Day. I will be available and accessible either at home and/or via cellular telephone should any of you require speaking with me personally during this extended weekend. Enclosure(a): Notice from Sebastian Police Department - Motor Scooter and Go-Ped Enforcement Letter from C ayton W der, Community Program Administrator, Florida Department of Law Enforcement - LLEBG Grant Award Certificate of Acceptance - SPD LLESG Grant Award My Documents/InfoLetter204 Sebastian Police Department 1201 Main Street Sebastiarb Florida, 32958 772-58%5233 Fax 772-388 1872 e-marl sp d@cityofs ebastian.org James Davis, Chief of Police February 4, 2004 MOTORSCOOTERS AND GO-PEDS Motorscooters and go-peds are not considered motorcycles, however when driven on the streets or roadways a driver's license is required of the operator. Tn addition to a driver's license, a child under the age of 16 years must wear a helmet. The motorized vehicles may not be operated on sidewalks or bike paths. In an effort to prevent the serious injuries and fatalities that we have seen on the news media from occurring in Sebastian, police officers have been instructed to verbally warn and inform youngsters in regard to scooter riding. We are doing this out of concern for the children who are unfamiliar with the dangers of the roadways. Beginning March Ist officers will begin stricter enforcement by impounding illegally operated scooters and citing unlicensed operators. F LE Florida Dq~art~ent of Law Enforcement Guy M. Tunnell Commissioner Office of Criminal Justice Grants Mailing Address: Office of Crimnal Justice Grants Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2331 Phillips Koad Tallahasse¢, Florida 32308 (850) 410-8700 FEB - 2 2004 The Honorable Walter Barnes Mayor of Sebastian 1225 Main Street Sebastian, Florida 32958 Re: 04-CJ-7N-10-40-02-125/Sebastian P. D. / LLEBG 2003/2004 Dear Mayor Barnes: The Florida Department of Law Enfomement is pleased to award a Local Law Enforcement Block grant in the mount of $10,000 to your unit of government. These funds shall be utilized for the purpose of reducing crime and improving public safety. A copy of the approved subgrant application with the above referenced project number and title is enclosed for your file. All correspondence with the Department should always refer to the project number and title. Your attention is directed to Section H of the subgrant which is the "Acceptance and Agreement." These conditions should be reviewed carefully by those persons responsible for project administration to avoid delays in project completion and cost reimbursements. The enclosed Certification of Acceptance/Request for Payment should be completed and returned to the Department within 30 calendar days from the date of award. This certificate constitutes official acceptance of the award and must be received by the Department prior to the lump sum payment/anbgrant award. Committed to Service . Integrity . Res£ect * Quality The Honorable Walter Barnes Page Two We look forward to working with you on this project. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Tom Bishop at 850/410-8700. Sincerely, ClaytOn H. Wilder Community Program Administrator CHW/TB/dw Enclosures State of Florida Office of Criminal Justice Grants Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2331 Phillips Road C.F, RTIi~ICATION OF AC~C.F~PTANC. F~/ REQITEST FOR PAYM~NT OF ~URGRANT AWARD The subgrantee, through its authorized representative, acknowledges receipt and acceptance ofsubgrant award number 04-CJ-7N-10-40-02-125, in the mount of $10,000, for a project entitled: Sebastian P. D. / LLEBG 2003/2004 for the period of 02/01/2004 tl~ough 07/31/2004 , in accordance with the Project Budget Schedule and Project Budget Narrative contained in the subgrant application, and subject to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Conditions of Agreement and any special conditions governing this subgrant. By execution of this Certification of Acceptance/Request for Payment, the subgrantee requests a lump sum payment of the subgrant. Terrence R. Moore City Manager City of Sebastian (Typed Name and Title of Official) (Date 9f Acceptance)