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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01272010City Council Absent: Vice -Mayor Jim Hill (excused) ancF HOME Of PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2010 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Gillmor called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Pastor Richard Jones of Sebastian United Methodist Church gave the invocation. 3. Council Member Coy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Richard H. Gillmor Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Eugene Wolff Council Member Don Wright Staff Present: City Manager, Al Minner City Attorney, Robert Ginsburg City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams Administrative Services Director, Deb Krueger Finance Director, Ken Killgore Growth Management Director, Rebecca Grohall Deputy Police Chief, Greg Witt Police Captain, Bob Lockhart MIS Systems Analyst, Rob Messersmith 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of City Council members 6. PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS, BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS Presentations of proclamations, certificates and awards, and brief timely announcements by Council and Staff. No public input or action under this heading. 10.017 A. Certificate of Appreciation to Scott Nelson for Natural Resources Board Service Mayor Gillmor read Mr. Nelson's certificate and thanked him for his service. 10.018 B. Certificate of Appreciation to Mason Bowen for Working Waterfront Committee Service Mr. Bowen was not in attendance and Mayor Gillmor asked the Clerk to mail his certificate. Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Two Brief Announcements Ms. Coy thanked the Sebastian River Fine Arts and Music Festival Board, Lisanne Monier, and all the volunteers for the best fine arts festival ever. 7. CONSENT AGENDA All items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of consent agenda items unless a member City Council so requests; in which event, the item will be removed and acted upon separately. If a member of the public wishes to provide input on a consent agenda item, he/she should request a Council Member to remove the item for discussion prior to start of the meeting or by raising his/her hand to be recognized. 1 -12 A. Approve Minutes 1/13/10 Regular City Council 10.019 B. Authorize Mayor to Execute Tree City USA Renewal Application (GMD 13 -22 Transmittal, Application and Supporting Documents) 10.020 C. Approval of Settlement in Case of Barbara Ricci vs. City of Sebastian (Adm Svcs 23 -26 Transmittal, Settlement Agreement at Mediation) 10.021 D. Resolution No. R -10 -02 Sebastian Aero Services Lease Assignment (Airport 27 -54 Director Transmittal, R- 10 -02, Correspondence, Letter, Lease, Memos) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN IN THE SALE/TRANSFER OF LEASEHOLD ASSETS BETWEEN SEBASTAIN AERO SERVICES AND TREASURE COAST AVIATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. 10.022 E. Approve License Agreement with Gulf Stream Council of the Boy Scouts of America for 55-64 Camporee at Sebastian Municipal Airport (Airport Director Transmittal, Plan and Agreement) MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Wolff to approve Consent Agenda Items A -E. Result of the roll call: Ayes: Gillmor, Coy, Wolff, Wright Nays: None 4 -0 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS APPOINTMENTS City committee reports and Council Member regional committee reports. No public input or action except for City committee member nominations and appointments under this heading. 10.001 A. Planning Zoning Commission 65-76 (City Clerk Transmittal, Applications, Ad, List) Interview, Unless Waived and Submit Nominations for One Vacant Regular Member Position with Term to Expire May 2010 Unless City Council Extends to May 2013 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Three Joel Roth introduced himself, saying he lives in Park Place and moved to Florida in 2008. Mr. Wright asked if this was his first residence in Florida. Mr. Roth said that was correct and the town he came from had a population about the same size as Sebastian. Ms. Sablick and Mr. Turner were not in attendance. Ms. Coy nominated Mr. Roth. Mr. Wolff nominated Ms. Sablick. Result of the roll call: Coy Mr. Roth Wolff Ms. Sablick Wright Mr. Roth Gillmor Mr. Roth Mr. Joel Roth was appointed to the regular member position on the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term to expire May 2010. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS None 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 11. PUBLIC INPUT None 12. NEW BUSINESS 10.023 A. Consider Sun Trust Bank Refinancing Offer to Provide Funds for Paving Work 77 -90 and Payoff of Existing Paving Improvement Note (Adm Svcs Transmittal, Schedule of Sources and Use of Funds, Proposed New Paving Work) The City Manager requested formal authorization to prepare bond documents to refinance the local option fuel tax note which will be done at a lower interest rate, involve a penalty, and accumulate additional monies to pave the streets outlined on circle page 77. He said Mr. Ed Stull, Managing Director of First Southwest Company, was present to answer any questions regarding the financial transaction. MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Wright to approve the new bond. Ms. Coy asked when the current debt service would have ended. The Finance Director said it would be three more years. Mr. Wolff said the community needs streets and asked if any of the money should come out of CRA to service CRA district streets. The City Manager replied that would probably be the preferable route, but his purpose was to let the public know the streets that do need to be addressed. He said the district streets will probably be delayed as Mr. Schulke is reconfiguring the on- street parking and bump -outs, however; he wanted to get as much money as he could into project funds. 3 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Four Mr. Wright said it is a good project, he appreciated the local knowledge used to determine the priority of the streets, and he suggested establishing a depreciation schedule for future road work and said he is concerned where they will get funds for resurfacing in 2012, 2015. The City Manager said he didn't think they will have significant funds to aggressively tackle resurfacing in the future. He explained to keep taxes where they are they used local option gas taxes to pay general operating projects, and for the future, they may have to lean on consultants for the long -term to address the following areas: 1) a certified long term street repavement plan, 2) revisit the stormwater master plan, and 3) land development regulation modifications. He recommended moving forward with the identified streets and continuing to find funds for asphalt resurfacing in the budget process. Mr. Wolff said usage of a road is dynamic and projects will divert heavy trucks which will shorten the life of a road used in the diversion. He pointed out this should be part of the formula in planning for the roads. There was no public comment. Mayor Gillmor said he agreed with Mr. Wolff in using the CRA money for the district's streets and he appreciated the dynamics as to how the roads are used and fixed. He cautioned that while we fix Barber Street, we might make other problems as traffic will have to be re- routed. The City Manager agreed, saying they would watch for that as construction begins. Result of the roll call: AYES: Coy, Wolff, Wright, Gillmor NAYS: None 4 -0 10.024 B. Goals and Objectives for Charter Officers in Accordance with Resolution No. 91 -94 R -07 -31 (City Manager Transmittal, R- 07 -31, 2009 Minutes Excerpts) Mr. Wright said he has watched this process since its inception and he finds public performance evaluations objectionable, noting he wouldn't mind a short word rating and then discussion of a merit increase but he objected to the entire individual's performance discussed in public. Mayor Gillmor said it is actually two parts, he also finds public evaluations uncomfortable, but tonight they were to talk about goals and objectives. Ms. Coy thanked Mr. Wright for his opinion of which she has agreed for a very long time, and maybe they could discuss the process in the future, however, she said Council should give clear direction, reviewed at six -month time frames. Mr. Wright said one thing they discussed at the Institute for Elected Officials that he attended this past weekend was casual meetings with a shirt- sleeves environment, where an agenda is followed, held maybe on a Saturday or Wednesday when there isn't a Council meeting. He also suggested taking one of the two monthly Council meetings and changing it to an informal meeting. 4 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Five Mr. Wolff offered a different perspective saying that he didn't agree it was an exercise in futility and there was no reason not to dispense constructive criticism before the public. He said it is Council's obligation to bring government to the people and they are blessed to have three charter officers working with them who are professional, can take criticism and can counter. He also said goal setting is important to get all of Council involved to make sure one member isn't constantly whispering in staff's ear. Mr. Wright clarified the work sessions would be public. Ms. Coy said there was a session on a Saturday and what they discussed was brought back to the dais and discussed again, which wasn't necessary. She said they should give general direction and take items piece by piece at Council meetings if staff isn't heading in the right direction. She said she has been very satisfied with the last few times they have set goals. The City Manager noted there are strategic long term goals, and annual repeating goals; and he hoped to express items that are on his mind (listed on circle page 91 of the agenda packet). He began to go over his priorities and Mr. Wright pointed out that they were not having a discussion but listening to a presentation. Mr. Wright said they seem to get caught up in listening, not having communication because of the formal nature. Ms. Coy said there is no reason not to dialog at this type of meeting. Mayor Gillmor said by the time we get to Council matters everyone is in hurry to get out and suggested moving up their matters for one of the two monthly Council meetings. Ms. Coy and Mr. Wolff pointed out they weren't here to solve the problems but set the goals. Mr. Wright said his concern with the budget is their goal is to provide services and as he thinks about budget he would like to establish the service level they want to provide to citizens and how much these services will cost. He said they could also look at what services must be provided, establishing the levels to pay which would make the decision making process more meaningful. 7:17 pm Ms. Coy said that is what the City Manager does and if Council wants to maintain a millage rate the Manager determines what services will be lost. Mr. Wright said in helping to establish parameters, it would be helpful to staff. Mr. Wolff said when he read the City Manager's list, he found it easy to see what he works at everyday, things that have come up, and the longer term issues. He said that he couldn't find anything to object to. Mayor Gillmor cited a Press Journal article that the City of Vero Beach has 28.4 employees working per 1,000 residents which included their electric service, without the service, they have 22.1 employees per 1,000; the County has 10.1 employees per 1,000 residents; and Sebastian has 5.7 employees per 1,000 employees. He congratulated the City Manager for running a tight ship. 5 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Six The City Manager said as staff moves forward they plan to include more ratios for Council to compare cost per capita and same -sized cities. He continued with his list on circle pages 91 and 92. He requested to workshop: the expenditure of the $1 M Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Fund; identify new stormwater projects; and discuss special revenues to fund capital projects. Mayor Gillmor said it is good for Council to give direction, and expects the City Manager to reach the directive. He said the City Manager has met his expectation of delegating more; expecting excellence from staff; looking for new revenue sources; and watching out for the ISBA process. He asked the City Attorney to continue to be the legal watchdog; and told the City Clerk everything was good but he would still like to move towards paperless agendas. Ms. Coy said she liked the City Manager's list; she asked the City Attorney to continue his great job; and said the City Clerk and her staff are superior. Mr. Wright said he thought the City Manager's list was comprehensive; and noted after talking to other officials at the Institute for Elected Officials seminar he finds the City Clerk to be exceptional with records management. He complimented the City Manager on work he's done and his understanding of the needs of the City he has realized since the time he has been here. He also complimented the City Attorney for accomplishing a great deal within the limited time he is here. He added a goal of looking for sewer lines for the west side of the Airport with grant monies. Mr. Wolff said the City Clerk should plan the next month to get healthy, noting it would be a good opportunity for her staff to grow. He asked the City Attorney to continue but provide notice of future pending litigation cases. He said the City Manager will have a difficult six months ahead and together they'll get through it. Public Comment 7:37pm Damien Gilliams, 1623 U.S. Highway 1, said he is against evaluating the Charter Officers in private; and he suggested retraining employees to form a grant department so there won't be any more taxes. He also suggested forming a Citizens Academy and giving the volunteers some freebies such as a day at the golf course; putting the finance department on the internet; and sending out college students to survey what public wants and present the information back to Council. Mr. Gilliams also requested to cut expenses, start the budget process now, have the City Attorney go through code and clean out what we don't use, and look for computer companies that will provide Council laptops. MOTION by Mr. Wright and SECOND by Ms to put R -07 -31 on a future agenda for discussion passed with a voice vote of 4 =1-.- 4 -0 10.025 C. Economic Development Small Business Start-Up Forum (Gillmor Transmittal) 95 Mayor Gillmor said he recently went to a jobs forum hosted by Senator Haridopolos and Representative Cannon and what came out of the forum is that government needed to get out of way of small business and instigate tax reform. He asked Council to consider the idea of a small business start-up forum. He displayed a PowerPoint presentation. (attached) 6 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Seven He said if government would help plant new businesses by utilizing private funds and private business space to nurture these new businesses, it would pay for itself. He compared the small business start-up forum to the show Shark Tank where new businesses would come before experienced businessmen. He noted there is about 10,000 square feet available from landlords in our CRA district that would be gratuitous for maybe a year and noted a non profit corporation is forming that can be mentors to these small business folks. He asked for Council's support to move forward together. Ms. Coy who is a member of the Indian River County Economic Development Council said on Tuesday they had a combined meeting with the Indian River County Economic Development Division where this was discussed and two sticking points were that they were heading towards Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), ignoring Indian River State College's (IRSC) Small Business Center and Mayor Kenyon (of Indian River Shores) said, "The investors are not interested in supporting the next Hallmark card shop." Mr. Wolff asked the Mayor to elaborate on who the investors were. Mayor Gillmor said at the Mayor's meeting, the mayors discussed that they wanted more people to have jobs and asked how do they get there. He said the City of Vero Beach, and Sebastian have vacant office and industrial space and the Town of Indian River Shores has a lot of high net -worth individuals who need to invest their money in new ideas and technologies. Mr. Wolff asked if they were theoretical investors or a specific venture capital group. Ms. Coy said they don't want to come forward or be identified. Mayor Gillmor said there would be this start-up forum to mentor somebody with something viable, a business plan, who would then send the individual to the investors. Ms. Coy said these are people who don't have the money to take the last step to the bank; and again noted Mayor Kenyon said the investors aren't interested in this. Mr. Wolff said there are existing programs to help people in this situation. Mayor Gillmor said SCORE has dwindled to two people. Ms. Coy introduced Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Pagano from IRSC who came to speak about the College's available resources. Dr. Dave Sullivan, IRSC Provost, said when it comes to economic development, the entrepreneurial spirit, and jobs the college wants to help. He introduced Dr. Pagano. Jan Pagano, Dean, Corporate Community Training Institute and the Entrepreneurial Institute at IRSC, said she works closely with Donna Rivette, Director of the Small Business Center, and she commended Council for taking a stand, as they too are committed to economic development and people having sustainability. She distributed information to Council describing the various programs available. (see attached) Dr. Pagano further explained they do have a business consultant who plans to spend half a day, once a week at the North County Library. She said they would love to assist the small businesses and spoke of Jeff Pegler, a local attorney, who is starting a "Reinvest with Success" group to provide expertise to help the small businesses. 7 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Eight She said at the main campus, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is under construction, it will host a business incubator with copying, computer, and office space, and if there is room to grow in Sebastian they would love to collaborate. Mr. Wright said in Sebastian, there is a lack of knowledge about the available programs and he suggested holding a half day seminar to see if people are interested. Ms. Coy asked if the mayors could tour the Small Business Center and get up to speed at what's there; and said there is merit to help the people who are ready. In response to Mr. Wolff, Dr. Pagano said SCORE is also funded by the Small Business Administration and through collaboration, more people can be reached. She encouraged everyone to check at their website at www.irsc.edu /ccti. Mr. Wolff suggested offering a free round of golf to any CEO or entrepreneur that may want to help Sebastian. Mayor Gillmor said meeting with people who want to mentor is the key to moving forward. Dr. Sullivan said if the project builds steam, the college wants to be there. Public Input Commissioner O'Bryan congratulated everyone for the great Fine Arts and Music Festival over the weekend and explained that Mayor Kenyon was adamant that his investors are looking for more patentable projects as they want their privacy, they may have lack of faith in the U.S. interest rates, and they would like to have a more "hands on" business feel. He said they would have something like an American idol casting call or Shark Tank where the entrepreneurs would be ranked and directed to the activities they need to complete a full business plan. He said there would be a bell curve and they would fast track the entrepreneurs with a patentable idea to the next funding level, then to office space within a six month period. Ms. Coy said the funding is a lot of problem and asked the Commissioner what he thought about leaning on the banks to get them interested in what they are trying to do. Commission O'Bryan replied that they are doing grunt work and bringing them to the funding source. Ms. Coy asked if bankers should be at the ranking. Mr. Wright said there are bankers on the EDC Committee. Mr. Wolff said it is certainly worthy of looking at, suggested having venture capitalists at the final meeting, and clarified that anything can be patentable but they are looking for something that is going to be profitable. Commissioner O'Bryan said that is correct, they are looking for the WOW thing. Mr. Wright cautioned that they should line up funding sources so they are not taking people through the process with the idea they will be funded but then they are not. He said venture capitalists are looking for track records, sales, and expanding production equipment to build a bigger marketplace. 8 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Nine 9:02 pm Ms. Coy asked for the public record of the Mayor's meeting, so she can write up a report to comment on at the next EDC meeting. Mayor Gillmor said the next Mayor's meeting will be recorded. Commissioner O'Bryan clarified that the government will get the parties together but is not involved in the details. Damien Gilliams, 1623 U.S. Highway 1, said he has been to so many meetings, he said, "Just do it." He suggested businesses putting up tents at the Airport, or on old Dixie Highway so people can operate and the money will stay local; something like the flea market with the best businesses referred to the panel. There was discussion about prior efforts to do a farmer's market. Mayor Gillmor said if there is merit, it will take time and he would love to see an incubator here in Sebastian. Ms. Coy said such a program will take time, is being addressed by EDC and IRC and we need to get the players committed and details worked out. She noted EDC would be meeting on February 16 Mr. Wright said this needs more discussion. It was the general consensus that being pro- active with job training and business mentoring was a good idea. 13. CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS The City Attorney said going back to the discussion of the charter officers, that he has been in government for 39 years and he has told each officer what a thrill it is to work with them and he has never seen a clerk work as well as Sebastian's Clerk does, and the City Manager ranks with some of the best county managers that he has seen and he is proud to work with them. He also said that the City is well served by their Council which is a collegiate body that discusses issues well together and he hoped the citizens are also proud of them. 14. CITY MANAGER MATTERS The City Manager said he appreciated the comments that he received at the goal setting, noting the positive feedback raises the bar and keeps the positive momentum flowing. 10.026 A. Announce Citv /FDOT Barber Renovation Project Public Information Meeting in Chambers on Feb. 1, 2010 at 5:30 pm The City Manager informed the public again about the informational meeting to be held Monday, February 1 He asked people to pay attention and follow the traffic signaling and the transportation changes. He noted it will be painful during construction but in the end, we will be proud of the drainage and surface improvements. 15. CITY CLERK MATTERS none. 9 Regular City Council Meeting January 27, 2010 Page Ten 16. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS A. Council Member Wright none. B. Mayor Gillmor none. C. Vice Mayor Hill absent. D. Council Member Coy none. Richard H. Gillmor, Mayor ATTEST E. Council Member Wolff Mr. Wolff said at the last meeting they witnessed the Clambake Foundation giving funding to beneficiaries and he asked if the City could put in for an endowment to support an employee at Skate Park to make sure the kids are safe. Ms. Coy said from her experience, only capital and infrastructure items can be applied for. The City Manager said in the past we did apply and receive funding for the lights and electrical pad mounts at Riverview Park. He offered to apply for funding to rebuild the Skate Park shed. Council gave their consensus to have the City Manager apply for funding to offset the shed rebuilding. 17. Being no further business, Mayor Gillmor adjourned the regular meeting at 9:09 p.m. Approved at the February 10"', 2010 Regular City Council meeting. as amended on page 6. INak Ctshi Derk_ Sally A. Maio, C, Citlt Clerk 10