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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06132012 Minutes�� � HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012 - 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor Hill called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Pastor Bill Brothers of the New Life Baptist Church gave the invocation. 3. Boy Scout Troops 599 and 513 led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Jim Hill Vice-Mayor pon Wright Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Richard H. Gillmor Council Member Bob McPartlan Staff Present: City Manager, AI Minner City Attorney, Robert Ginsburg City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams Community Development Director, Joseph Griffin Finance Director, Ken Killgore Police Chief, Michelle Morris Parks Supervisor, Chris McCarthy MIS Senior Systems Analyst, Barbara Brooke-Reese 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS - None. 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. �2.0�� A. Proclamation — 7th Annual National Dump the Pump Dav - June 21 St — Accepted bv Paul Klubeck, Indian River Transit System Mayor Hill read and presented the proclamation to Mr. Klubek and Mr. Matson, Director, Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mr. Klubeck thanked Council and said on the same day the Go-Line will celebrate their One Millionth Rider. Mr. Matson encouraged the public to ride one of the five, no-charge, fixed lines in the area. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Two B. Brief Announcements Mr. Gillmor invited the public to the Sebastian River Art Club's "On the WaterfronY' Show to be held this Friday and Saturday at Crabby Bill's Restaurant at the working waterfront. Ms. Coy said the last Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park will be this Friday, June15thfrom 5:30-8 p.m. 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 of 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. A. Approval of Minutes — 5/23/12 Regular Meeting �2.o�s B. Approval of 2012-2013 Sebastian River Art Show Dates at Riverview Park — Waive 50% of Fees - 11 /17/12, 12/15/12, 1/26/13, 2/16/13, 3/23/12, 3/24/12, 4/13/13 with Sunday Raindates except March — 9 am to 4 pm (Parks Transmittal, Application) MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Wright to approve items A and B. Result of the roll call vote: AYES: All NAYS: None Passed 5-0. 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. �2.0�2 A. Natural Resources Board (City Clerk Transmittal, Board Roster) i. Consider Term Extension for Alternate Member Pat Casselberrv for Three Years to Julv 1, 2015 — Appointed Mav 9, 2012 Nomination by Ms. Coy and second by Mr. Wright to extend Ms. Casselberry's term until July 1, 2015. No other nominations, therefore Ms. Casselberry's term was extended. 12.033 B. Planninq & Zoning Commission (City Clerk Transmittal, Applications, Ad, List) i. Interview Unless Waived, Submit Nominations for One Expired, Reqular Member Position with Term to Expire 6/1/15 Nomination by Mr. Wright and second by Mr. Gillmor to have David Reyes serve another term. No other nominations, therefore Mr. Reyes was re-appointed. Mr. Gillmor invited Council to the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments Annual BBQ in Okeechobee on July 11th, noting all the legislative representatives have been invited. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Three Mr. Wright said he attended the Elected Officials Oversight School Concurrency meeting on June 8t" for Mayor Hill where it was reported the Freshman Learning Center at the Sebastian River High School has been completed which will eliminate the temporary classrooms. Ms. Coy said the Coach would like to talk with the City Manager about sharing some of the vacated trailers. Ms. Coy said the Natural Resources Board met prior to the Council meeting to discuss the gathering of information and materials to begin informing the community about the fertilizer ordinance, and she will bring the materials back to Council before they are published. 9. PUBLIC HEARING - None 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12.066 A. Update on Presidential Streets Proiect — TDML Grant Application (Citv Manaqer Transmittal, Neel-Schaffer Memo) The City Manager said staff has found a grant for the Presidential Streets project but application would delay the project until the fall. He sought Council approval to delay the project until we receive word of award and move into construction this fall after Council approves a grant contract. It was the consensus of Council to apply for the grant. 11. PUBLIC INPUT Taffy Fisher-Abt, Michael Abt Jr. Have a Heart Foundation, said the Foundation donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the Skate Park which has been moved to another City building and she offered to match 50% of the cost to put the donated defibrillator back at the Skate Park along with employee training from the American Heart Association. The City Manager said it was moved due to training issues and he would look into the matter to see what he could do. In response to Mr. Wright, Mrs. Abt said the donated defibrillator cost $1,200.00, with a $300 battery and $75 pads. Mr. Wright said if there is a critical need in the building where the unit was moved, he asked the City Manager to match Mrs. AbYs 50% donation. Mayor Hill clarified that the unit should be returned to the intended location and the City could take care of providing another. Dave Wortmann, Sebastian, gave the City, Council, and employees heartfelt thanks for the Four Chaplains Memorial. He said they are processing 379 bricks for the walkway and will continue to the next phase. He said the acknowledgement cards are late getting out but they will be coming. Larry Wapnick, Four Chaplains Committee, thanked the Mayor and Council for the outstanding Memorial Day ceremony. He also thanked Dave Wortmann and his wife for the brick program; the granite company and City employees who made sure the memorial was ready for the ceremony. Ms. Coy thanked Larry Wapnick for his tireless, six-year effort to make this happen. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Four 12. NEW BUSINESS 12.052 A. Contract for Banking Services with Seacoast National Bank for Three Years with O�tion to Add Two Years (Finance Transmittal 6/6/12. Proposal dated 5/11/12) The Finance Director said the current contract has expired; the industry has changed somewhat so he wanted to go out for RFP and as a result Seacoast National Bank came through with a proposal to cover the fees with an interest bearing account. He noted they are highly rated and he, along with the review committee, recommended approval. MOTION by Mr. Gillmor and SECOND by Mr. Wright to authorize staff to contract with Seacoast National Bank for banking services for three years with an option of two additional years. Result of the roll call vote: AYES: All NAYS: None Passed 5-0. 12.079 B. Award Bid to Sports Turf Inc. for Baseball/Softball Field Improvements at Barber Street Sports Complex and Approve Construction Aqreement (Bid Tabulation Sheet Proposal Price Form, Company Information, References, Proposed Construction Agreement) The City Manager said re-grading the four baseball fields at the Sports Complex was included in the CIP process, Sports Turf One was the low bid, and staff recommended approval. MOTION by Mr. Wright and SECOND by Ms. Coy to go with staff recommendation to approve a construction agreement with Sports Turf, Inc. for ball field improvements at the Barber Street Sports Complex. Mr. Wright congratulated staff for coming up with an established company which will meet all of the bid specifications at a very competitive price. In response to Mr. McPartlan, the City Manager said there is a 60-day contract and they will try to be done by Sept 1 St in time for the fall. Result of the roll call vote: AYES: All NAYS: None Passed 5-0. C. Discretionarv Sales Tax (DST) Fund — Proiect Allocation (Citv Manaaer Transmittal, Schematic, Balance Sheet, Countv Transmittal) The City Manager asked Council to consider reallocating DST funds and move the Davis Street sewer line and North parking lot to this fiscal year. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Five 12.056 ii. Davis Street Sewer Line He said the joint project between the City and Indian River County will put in a trunk line in the corridor of US 1, Indian River Drive, Davis Street and Central Avenue to prep for sewer and help reduce development costs for businesses. He said the City would contribute by repairing the streets after the line is put in. He said the placement of a lift station on the north side of Davis may necessitate the loss of the pine tree isle on Davis Street because they want to keep the infrastructure in the right-of-way instead of the road. He said should Council approve the expenditure, the County will construct, build, and bid the project with the City reimbursing the County for the rock and asphalt. �2.oso i. Indian River Drive North Parkinq Project The City Manager said this was one of the economic incentives requested by Tom Collins, Capt. Hiram's, who is considering an expansion of his hotel; and this goes along with expanding parking within the corridor. He described the project across the street from Capt. Hiram's to install 14 parking spots with stamped concrete with underground drainage. He recommended the allocation of $150,000 for the Davis Street sewer project and $125,000 for north Indian River Drive parking from the FY12 DST fund. Ruth Sullivan, 1215 Indian River Drive, said she was concerned about the use of public right-of-way for private parking; riverfront tax funds are supposed to be used for redevelopment of a blighted area; property owners should provide their own parking; pay their own expenses; cited a Solin & Associates report that open space should be a priority for the riverfront; and Council rejected another parking request a few years ago. She asked Council to vote against this. Mayor Hill clarified the 14 spaces would be public parking. Mickey Capp, Co-Owner of Capt. Hiram's, stated they already have all of the required parking to add 18-21 units to the hotel. In response to Mr. Gillmor, the City Manager said DST funds could be used for new capital improvements, and public safety but not maintenance, salaries, or street overlays. The City Manager continued to explain DST funds are being used to widen streets, and provide additional parking, new landscaping, and drainage on the Presidential Streets. Mr. Gillmor pointed out they could use DST funds to improve another Presidential Street and asked Council to rethink the loss of the sidewalk to funnel people where to cross the street at Hiram's and it will be a safety issue. He also said there will be a perception that the parking is for Capt. Hiram's; and drainage would be treated better in the swale. He asked for alternatives that will benefit everyone. Mayor Hill said the proposal isn't off track; they have been trying to get as much parking as they can; Capt. Hiram's lot is used by people that don't go to their establishment; it is an opportunity to spur economic development; and he didn't see any problem with the request. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Six 7:30 pm Mr. Wright said the riverfront provides jobs; this will provide more services which provides more jobs; he sees people parking in front of Hiram's that go to the tennis courts and the water sports business; we need to encourage additional business development; and he would be in favor of this. Mr. Wright said he is extremely encouraged by the Davis Street sewer project as the County is interested in additional sewer projects that will over time, have a very positive environmental consideration for the Lagoon in addition to benefiting the business community; and it deserved to be funded. Ms. Coy said times and the position of Council has changed; they have made a commitment to parking, it makes sense to her and asked the City Manager if he considered angling the parking for safety reasons. He said they did, the concept is not final, and they need to survey to see if there is enough space but if Council preferred angle parking, they would do it. Ms. Coy said slanting for traffic traveling north to south would make sense so people won't try to cross at the crosswalk and prevent backing out in two different directions. She continued to say they have made commitments to help business grow; this fits all those categories; it is a successful project; and she couldn't responsibly say no. Mr. McPartlan said he is strictly concerned with the safety and aesthetics. He suggested parallel parking for half of the parking for safety; and requested a few more options on the parking. Mr. Gillmor said people are conditioned to cross when the color changes in the road; he would have fewer problems with angled parking with enough room for a walkway on the west side of the cars. Mayor Hill said the parking is conceptually approved; they would like to see more designs; and there was consensus for the reallocation of funds. The City Attorney said this is a preliminary financial judgment; they will look at more detail later, including an ordinance to amend the code to allow back out parking. MOTION by Mr. Wright and SECOND by Mr. McPartlan to approve the reallocation of the DST funds for the north Indian River Drive parking and the Davis Street sewer. Result of the roll call vote: AYES: All NAYS: None Passed 5-0. 13. CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS — none. 14. CITY MANAGER MATTERS The City Manager reiterated that the code prohibits back out parking and staff was in the process of preparing an ordinance for the Local Planning Agency which he hopes to have back to Council in late July, early August. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Seven 15. CITY CLERK MATTERS — none. 16. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS 12.081 A. Public Evaluation of Charter Officers Mayor Hill said his evaluations of the Charter Officers are on-going, a day-to-day evaluation of the services they provide to the City; he is very pleased with all three of the Officers; and he asked them to continue. He also said he was very disappointed that they will be losing Ms. Maio in February which will be a very sad day for him but he appreciated her 27 years of service to the City. Ms. Coy said she too has nothing but good comments for the Charter Officers, she tries not to be redundant, but she is glad they have three officers who can be flexible in these times, especially the City Manager as the City is functioning well. She said in her opinion, the City has been successful reorganizing through attrition and early retirements; and thanked the Officers for doing such a good job. Mr. Gillmor said his evaluations are on record; in the process of his campaign his has see other cities, recalling what Sebastian used to look like, he sees the same pattern in other towns with empty storefronts noting Sebastian has turned the corner with new businesses coming in; and things are moving in right direction. He credited the Charter Officers who have kept the City on the right course; and applauded Council for charting the course. The City Manager said at his City Manager conference, he ran into Ed Stolls with First Southwest who found Sebastian ranking for job creation at a Wells Fargo conference. Mr. Wright said he plans to meet with each Officer; he is satisfied and pleased with the progress the City has made. He noted with the issues they have had, they are able to get all the points out so the Officers and Council can discuss them; he said it has been successful for the last four years and he would like to see it continue in the future. Mr. McPartlan said his evaluations on file; he is more than satisfied; noted the State gives ratings where a three indicates the employee is doing exceptionally well and a five indicates the employee walks on water; as far as he was concerned all of the Officers walk on water; their behavior is a great model for staff and they have always been helpful, courteous and always professional. B. Council Member Gillmor Mr. Gillmor cited a letter they recently received requesting them to pursue Earl Stuart's offer of locating a 343 foot flag pole in the City of Sebastian to honor the 9/11 first responders. (see attached) Mr. Gillmor said every time he goes to St. Augustine, he stops by the impressive 243 foot stainless silver cross; the flag pole might put the City in the Guinness World Book of records. C. Council Member McPartlan — none. Regular City Council Meeting June 13, 2012 Page Eight D. Mayor Hill Mayor Hill displayed the recent Press Journal's photo of his daughter, Kendra Hill, in the middle of many hula hoops and congratulated her for winning the hula hoop contest at Osceola Magnet School's picnic. E. Vice Mavor Wriqht - none F. Council Member Cov Ms. Coy said although the flag pole sounds spectacular and she loves the Flag; she asked Council to consider the Penwood Lodge flag that takes a minimum of six people to fold, and is expensive to maintain. She said it needs a lot of thought and commitment; and she might consider it if the maintenance and flag comes with the pole. 17. Being no further business, Mayor Hill adjourned the regular meeting at 7:55 p.m. Approved at the June 27, 2012 City Council meeting. Hill, Mayor ATTES � � � �. Sally A. Mai MC — City Clerk To Mayor Vice-Mayor Councilors: City Mana.ger Date: June 12, 2012 Lady and Gentlemen Jim Hill Don Wright Andrea Coy Richard Gillmor Bob McPartlan A1 Minner 724 N Fischer Cir Sebastian FL 32958 JUN 12 2012 City of Sebastian City Cierk's Uf`ice Tel: (?72} 589-8039 E-Mail: EuroNEH@mindspring.com I would ask that you read the attached letter I received from Eart Stewart and give due consideration to its contents and discuss the benefits of offering to locate the flag pole here in the City of Sebastian. I see some true benefits to our city for the economy, tourism and putting aur name an the map. Should you consider offering a location, it could either go where you placed the much smaller version at the convergence of the east and west CR512 or on the north-east side of US-1 opposite Main Street. However if an offer were to be made it could lead to far more advantages, currently Earl Stewart is only looking to his local area and surrounding towns. What if, as a result of a kind gesture, he decided to open a northern showroom here in Sebastian, we have plenty of space on the west side of US-1, either by WaI-Mart or preferably south of the CR-512 eastbound beyond the car wash, opposite the tax collectors offices. What advantages would the city achieve? An increased tax roll Increased visitors to our city restaurants Job opportunities to the residents of owr city The south end of the city would not affect the "fishing village appea.rance" you have created along the waterfront. It could lead to more businesses locating in Sebastian What advantages would the residents of Sebastian gain? A car dealership with service center; currentiy the closest are located sauth of Vero or north of Melbourne. What is in it for Earl Stewart? The opportunity to have a northern location with new customers The company would have cheaper overheads than opening another branch in Palm Beach County or sauthwards. The flag pole could be located on his premises at the southern entrance to the City, something I think he would wish to have. Finally, what is in it for me? Naih.ing, I got on his mailing list when i visited his showroom in Lake Park Sincerely Nigel E Hargreaves As posted by Earl Stewart Silent Maiority Wants 343 ft. Fla� Honoring First Responders of 9/11 The flag honoring the First Responders of 9/11 will go up and it will be the tallest American flag in the World. I'm writing this from my hotel room in New York City where I had lunch on Tuesday, June 5 with Mayor Rudy Giuliani. We discussed the First Responders of 9/11, he is totally supportive of the flag, and I will invite him to speak at the flag-raising. The flag tnight not go up in Lake Park, FL but it will go up somewhere nearby and soon. 1 will give the town commission of Lake Park one more chance to understand what this flag will mean to Americans and the World, but I'm confident that other local municipalities would be honored to be the home of such a tribute to our First Responders who willingly gave their lives to save other Ariaericans. I firnily believe that a majority of Lake Park residents want the flag to be in their community. As happens all too often, the voca.l few are mistaken for the silent majority and these "professional naysayers" got the ear of the Lake Park town commission. I have spoken with elected officials in other towns and cities in Palm Beach and Martin County who are very positive about being the home of this memorial flag. Although I would 1 prefer to keep the flag in Lake Park where my busiuess has been for 37 years, I will change the location if I have to. Lake Park borders North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach and Palm Beach County. In fact, Martin County is just a few miles north, bordering Jupiter and Tequesta which Jupiter Inlet Colony borders and is where I live. The flag will be so tall (I've decided to make it 343 feet tall rather than 341 because 343 is the exact number of firefighters who died at 9/11) that whether or not it's in one municipality or another, it will be visible to all for many miles. The objections that have been raised against this flag are not surprising. I've been toid a11 my life that I can't do things but I do them anyway and successfully. People taughed when I told them I would become the largest volume car dealer in Pa1m Beach County because my dealership is in the tiny town of Lake Pazk, population about 9,000. I was told that I would never dare put red phones all around my company so that any customer can call me personally anytime. They said the same thing about giving my home telephone and cell phone numbers to a11 of my customers. They told zne that if I did a T'V commercial in Spanish, it would tarnish my reputation and hurt my business but my business thrived. It's always interested me how my ideas are attacked. When I made the Hispauic TV commercial, I was attacked from the far right and defended by the far left. With the flag, I'm attacked from the far left and defended by the far right. The extreme left and right are always the most vocal and visible. What neither "far side" understands or cares about is the vast silent majority who, in the long run, determine the direction in which we move. The silent majority hears and sees what the left and right are making all the noise about, but they are too busy going about their daily lives, raising kids, going to work, and enjoying life to immediately "jump into the fray". However, they are not too busy to get involved when they have to. They usually vote the best candidates into office and they vote with their pocketbooks when they buy products and services. If I had to tell you one thing that has been responsible for my success it's that I think like a member of the silent minority but I've not always been silent. Maybe I should think of myself as a"spokesman" for the silent majority. When the flag honoring the 9/11 First Responders is raised saan in one of our local communities, I and the silent majority will prevail as we usually do and the ranting of the fringes will be long forgotten. Florida, Palm Beach County (or Martin) and a local town will be known as the home of the World's tallest American flag and a memorial to the First Responders of 9/11. The vast silent majority will benefit a11 economically and righteously even the ftinges who always protest progress. We ask our readers: Would you abject to this flag being erected in your town? This email was sent by:EaH Stewart Toyota 1215 US Highway One l.ake Park, FL,33403,USA