The City Council of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on
January 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM at City Hall.  The following members were present:

 

        Tom Vogelgesang, Acting Mayor

        Idella Scott

        Linda Butler

        John Jones

        George Evans

 

Others present were:

 

        Fred Mosley, Chief of Police

        Bruce A. Leinback, City Attorney

        Steve Wingate, City Manager

        Emily Anderson, City Clerk

 

Mayor Tom Vogelgesang called the meeting to order.  George Evans offered the invocation, and Mayor Vogelgesang led the Pledge of Allegiance.   

 

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES – On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously approved meeting minutes of the December 1, 2009 meeting. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Resident Linda Lee Anderson inquired as to when the new nuisance ordinance would be enforced.  She reiterated problems of crime, vagrancy, litter and lack of mowing at the old Georgia/Florida Motel on North Jefferson Street.  The Council directed the Clerk to advertise the general notice to property owners required in Ordinance 2009-06.  Resident Ronald James also complained of a condemned property on the corner of Second Street and Tung Street.  City Manager Steve Wingate noted that the city will proceed on enforcement on these two properties after the notice is published. 

 

APPROVAL OF PARADE PERMIT FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR PARADE/RESOLUTION 2010-01 ASSUMING LIABILITY FOR TEMPORARY HIGHWAY CLOSING   Idella Scott made a motion to approve the parade application for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Resolution 2010-01.  The motion was seconded by Linda Butler.  The Council discussed the date of submission of the application, which was not within the 45 day time frame required on the application, as well as a need for clarification of procedures for processing parade applications and requirement of liability insurance.  A proposal was made to further discuss parade procedures during a workshop.  The vote on the motion was as follows:

 

            FOR                                                    AGAINST

    Tom Vogelgesang                                  George Evans

    Idella Scott                                            John Jones

    Linda Butler

 

GORDON DEAN OF RESTORATION ASSISTANCE, INC. IN RE:  PETROLEUM CLEAN-UP OF CITY SITES  Mr. Dean requested that the city assign the DEP clean-up project to his company, which has just located in Jefferson County within the last few months.  The Council declined his request at this time.

 

REQUEST FOR AMENDMENT TO ENGINEERING SERVICES TASK ORDER #11 (RELATING TO LAND USE PLANNING SERVICES) INCREASING BUDGET FROM $10,000 TO $11,325 AND ADDING FEE FOR COMPLETION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SCHEDULE AMENDMENT  City Engineer Robert George presented a request for increase in the fee for comprehensive plan evaluation services by consultant Darrin Taylor.  The increase is due to additional duties of the consultant requested by the city beyond the scope of the contract, as well as a change in state requirements encountered during the evaluation and appraisal report process.  The amendment to Task Order #11 also includes the fee for an amendment required by the state on capital improvements.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by John Jones, the Council unanimously approved the motion.

 

Mr. George also noted he has been hired to prepare a site plan for city property for a client.  He requested that the Council appoint Winston Lee to review the site plan.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by John Jones, the Council unanimously voted to modify the agenda to consider the request.  On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously voted to allow George and Associates to provide  engineering services for a client who is developing a city parcel and authorized Winston Lee to act as city consultant on review of the site plan.

 

PROCLAMATION DECLARING JANUARY 15TH AS ARBOR DAY IN THE CITY/DISCUSSION OF ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES  City Clerk Emily Anderson announced that for Arbor Day, the city would be giving away trees to city residents.

County Forester Mike Humphrey announced a Tree City Growth Award given to the City and congratulated the city on its continuing tree program, now in its 22nd year.  On motion of Linda Butler, seconded by Idella Scott, the Council unanimously voted to adopt the Proclamation Declaring January 15th as Arbor Day in the City of Monticello.

 

TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT SAMPLING ISSUE   Treatment Plant Operator Roger Black reported that the city received a warning letter regarding sampling results from treatment plant effluent.  Some correction of the data has been made which rectified some of the sampling, and the city is working with the Department of Environmental Regulation on resolving the remaining issues.

 

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION IN CITY LIMITS   Mr. Vogelgesang presented a draft proposal on speed limit changes on U.S 19 and U.S. 90 based on concerns of particular areas of the city.  On motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously voted to refer the matter to the Community Traffic Safety Team. 

 

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

Council Member Idella Scott reported that she has received information about possible grants for park financing.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Council Member John Jones asked about street repaving under the current inflow/ infiltration project, noting that Martin Luther King, Jr. Street needs to be repaved.  Mr. Wingate explained that the streets to be repaved under the DEP program are those streets which are having extensive lateral reconstructions which will tear up most of the streets.

MLK Street has not been particularly damaged because of lateral reconstruction since most repairs done on that street were done underground.

 

Council Member Linda Butler reported on the dangers of the Cherokee Street/U.S. 19 South intersection.  Chief Mosley suggests a caution light be put at that intersection.  Ms. Anderson suggested that she also bring up that matter with the Community Traffic Safety Team.

 

Mayor Tom Vogelgesang asked for an update on water meter replacement.  He also noted several items for consideration as the city moves through this year:

encourage departments to maximize dollars; remember to budget for maintenance of water towers;  make sure city properties are clean and free of nuisances and briskly move forward with resolution of pending nuisances; address the water/sewer utility rates; continue pursuit of the new treatment plant. 

 

He also requested that citizens provide assistance to the needy during this severe cold snap.  Ms. Butler also requested coats and gloves for the children.

 

Mayor Volgelgesang noted that the Department of Transportation has responded to issues of improvements of the parking on U.S. 90 in front of Monticello Hairlines and in front of Poppa’s Dog House.  DOT is going to require that curbs be changed in order to create parking spaces.

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*City Manager Steve Wingate noted that the re-use project is going to be started.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson reported that the city’s sidewalk extension project on U.S. 90 West has received initial approval from the Department of Transportation. 

 

JANUARY TOWN HALL MEETING

The January Town Hall meeting will be held on January 21st at 7:00 at First United  Methodist Church.

 

There will also be a Legislative Delegation Meeting on January 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex.

 

ELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR Mayor Tom Vogelgesang opened the floor for nominations.  Council Member Idella Scott nominated John Jones for Mayor and Linda Butler for Vice Mayor.  With no other nominations, John Jones was unanimously elected as Mayor, and Linda Butler was unanimously elected as Vice-Mayor. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT  

Resident Lee Anderson neglected to mention to thank City Manager Wingate for mowing at the Georgia-Florida Motel on several occasions.

 

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.

 

                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                            City Clerk/Treasurer

 

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John Jones

Mayor

 

 

NOTE:  These proceedings were mechanically recorded. See CD 2010-01