The City Council of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on
June 3, 2010 at 7:00 PM at City Hall.  The following members were present:

 

        John Jones, Mayor

        Idella Scott

        Linda Butler

        Tom Vogelgesang

        George Evans

 

Others present were:

 

        Fred Mosley, Chief of Police

        Bruce Leinback, City Attorney

        Steve Wingate, City Manager

        Emily Anderson, City Clerk

 

Mayor John Jones called the meeting to order and announced basic rules of order.

Council Member Linda Butler offered an invocation, and Mayor Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.   

 

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES – On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously approved meeting minutes of the May 4, 2010 and May 26, 2010 meeting.  Ms. Butler noted a correction in the May 4, 2010 minutes clarifying the wording of a motion.

 

[On suggestion of Council Member George Evans, Mayor Jones allowed Agenda Item No. 11 to proceed first]

PARK COMMITTEE PRESENTATION  Council Member Idella Scott noted that bids for bus barn property were opened by the School Board on May 27th and that the high bidder was Hoppie Bemis, who submitted a bid of $25,001.  Ms. Scott introduced Patricia Gardner of Green Industries, who provided information concerning two prior petroleum spills on the property.  Ms. Gardner noted that petroleum storage tanks have been removed from the property.   Park Committee Member David Ward provided information regarding pricing of proposed renovation activities to take place on the bus barn property versus construction of a new parking lot on the property purchased.   Mr. Ward also noted that the Committee has a plan for the provision of park playground equipment.  Council Members discussed the government petroleum cleanup priority list and expected funding timelines.   Council Member George Evans suggested the Council can readdress the issues after School Board action on the bids is completed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

*EDC Director Julie Conley thanked the Council for adopting the nuisance abatement ordinance and urged enforcement of ordinance provisions, especially regarding the property at 850 N. Jefferson Street.  She offered assistance in the difficult challenge of code enforcement.

ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARINGS:

ORDINANCE NO. 2010-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 90, ARTICLE I OF THE         CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTICLLO, FLORIDA TO REFLECT A MODIFICATION IN GENERAL       PROVISIONS FOR USE OF THE CITY’S WATER AND SEWER SYTEM; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BEGINNING OF THE JUNE, 2010 USAGE READING CYCLE  Clerk Anderson read the title of the ordinance and noted this article addresses general provisions of the utilities’ system.  Mayor Jones offered a period for public comment.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously voted to adopt Ordinance 2010-03. 

           

ORDINANCE NO. 2010-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 90, ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, TO REFLECT A MODIFICATION IN PLUMBING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SEWER SYSTEM SERVICE RATES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BEGINNING OF THE JUNE, 2010 USAGE READING CYCLE 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2010-05  AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 90, ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTICLLO,          FLORIDA TO REFLECT A MODIFICATION IN PLUMBING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND WATER SYSTEM SERVICE RATES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BEGINNING OF THE JUNE, 2010 USAGE READING CYCLE

 

Clerk Anderson read the titles of Ordinance 2010-04 and 2010-05.  Mayor Jones opened the public hearing.  Resident Martha Cravanzola noted the financial difficulties of the water/sewer utility, but expressed confusion over the rate change impact.  Resident Thomas Dunn asked the Council to consider giving a break on fees for installation of an irrigation meter.  Resident Barbara Baylor expressed opposition to the rates. 

 

Council Members discussed the proposed rate structure, possible dates of implementation of the ordinances, average residential water/sewer usage, and challenges of revenue collection if overall usage declines.  At the close of the public hearing, Tom Vogelgesang made a motion to pass Ordinance 2010-04, but wanted to suggest a change.  The motion was seconded by Idella Scott.  Council Member Vogelgesang suggested a sewer rate of $2.00 per hundred cubic feet with a 25 percent surcharge outside the city until the beginning of the August billing cycle, at which time, the rate would be $3.53 per hundred cubic feet with the 25 percent surcharge outside the city. 

After discussion of the wording of the motion and whether it included the proposed change, Ms. Scott rescinded her second to the motion.  Mr. Vogelgesang made a motion to adopt the proposed stepped rate changes on the sewer ordinance.  The motion died for lack of a second. 

 

Council Member George Evans made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2010-04.  The motion was seconded by Idella Scott.  The vote was as follows:

 

    FOR                                                AGAINST

 Linda Butler                         Tom Vogelgesang

 Idella Scott

 George Evans

 John Jones

 

Council Member Tom Vogelgesang made a motion to approve Ordinance 2010-05 with the addition of a section, Section 90-176(e) which would state that city residents who have existing water service would not be required to pay the systems development fee for installation of a meter for irrigation.  The motion died for lack of a second.

 

Council Member Idella Scott made a motion to approve Ordinance 2010-05.  The motion was seconded by Linda Butler.  After discussion, the vote was as follows:

 

    FOR                                                AGAINST

 Linda Butler                        Tom Vogelgesang

 Idella Scott

 George Evans

 John Jones

 

ORDINANCE 2010-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 70 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, TO AMEND POLICIES AND FEES REGARDING GARBAGE DISPOSAL, ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMANENTLY LOCATED REFUSE DEVICES AND CONTAINERS; PROVIDING FOR   SEVERABILITY; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BEGINNING OF THE JUNE, 2010 BILLING CYCLE

 

The Clerk read the ordinance title.  With no public input, on motion of Idella Scott, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2010-06.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS – BRAD NASCIMENTO, 695 E. WASHINGTON STREET, HOME ADDITION   Mayor Jones conducted a public hearing for the Application for Certificate of Appropriateness of Brad Nascimento on E. Washington Street for a home addition.  Resident Thomas Dunn noted a construction sign that has been on city right-of-way for two years.  He also noted that the applicant has a non-conforming storage unit on his property, and there should have been a Certificate of Appropriateness issued for that unit.  Resident Oslo Maxwell, Mr. Nascimento’s neighbor, requested that the Council approve the application.  Mayor Jones asked that the applicant review all rules relating to properties in the Historic District and comply accordingly.  Attorney Bruce Leinback noted that the addition plans were reviewed by the Historic Design Review Board, and that Board has issued a recommendation for approval of the application.  Council Member Linda Butler made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the home addition at 695 E. Washington Street.  The motion was seconded by George Evans.  The vote was as follows:

 

      FOR                         AGAINST

   Tom Vogelgesang     John Jones

   Linda Butler

   George Evans

    Idella Scott  

 

APPLICATION FOR STREET CLOSINGS FOR WATERMELON FESTIVAL VENDORS – JUNE 18 AND 19  On motion of Tom Vogelgesang, seconded by Idella Scott, the City Council unanimously approved an application for street closings for Watermelon Festival vendors on June 18th and June 19th. 

 

REQUEST FOR DECLARATION OF NUISANCE PROEPRTY/ORDER OF ABATEMENT – TWO PARCELS LOCATED AT 850 N JEFFERSON STREET – MONTICELLO INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, OWNER   Attorney Bruce Leinback reported he has been advised by counsel for the property mortgage holder that the property which is the subject matter of the request is proceeding to foreclosure.  Mr. Leinback recommended that the matter be tabled until after the court proceedings are completed so that the matter can be addressed to the new property owner.  Tom Vogelgesang made a motion to continue the matter until the August meeting.  The motion was seconded by Linda Butler and passed unanimously.

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR RE-USE PROJECT (EXTENSION OF FUNDING PERIOD FOR ONE YEAR)  On motion of Tom Vogelgesang, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously approved Amendment No. 2 to the Financial Assistance Grant for the City Re-Use Project.

 

RESOLUTION 2010-07 EXPRESSING INTENT TO COMMIT RIGHTS OF USE AND ACCESS TO CERTAIN CITY ASSETS TO THE NORTH FLORIDA BROADBAND AUTHORITY  Tom Vogelgesang made a motion for approval of Resolution 2010-07.  The motion was seconded by Linda Butler and passed unanimously.

 

UPDATE ON MONTICELLO PARK   Council Member Idella Scott asked that the matter be placed on the July agenda depending on the outcome of School Board action at their June 14th meeting. 

 

 

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUGUST 19TH – 21ST/DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE  Mayor Jones noted that several council members most likely will attend the August conference.  The matter will be discussed further at the July meeting.

 

TERM EXPIRATIONS OF FOUR MEMBERS OF HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW BOARD  On motion of Tom Vogelgesang, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously voted to renew four-year terms of Charles Davis, Birney Linn, Bob Crew and Donna Skelton to the Historic Design Review Board.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

*Council Member Linda Butler asked for a follow up on a matter of a nuisance dog on Magnolia Street. 

 

*Council Member Tom Vogelgesang expressed some uneasiness at the method of imposition of rules of order.  Mayor Jones noted Roberts’ Rules of Order regarding recognition of speakers will be more strictly enforced at the meetings.

 

*Mayor John Jones requested the status of repairs of streets torn up under the sewer rehabilitation grant.  City Manager Wingate reported that another round of street repairs will be forthcoming after all point repairs are completed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

DISCUSSION OF NUISANCE CATS   City Manager Wingate reported that he anticipates a resolution to the problem of housing of nuisance cats.  Resident Anne Duffack discussed the cat problems she has experienced for several years. 

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*City Manager Steve Wingate noted a meter has been placed at the ditch on South Water Street to measure water flow through the new park property.  The city costs may be able to be used as a match to any grant money received.

 

Mr. Wingate also reported a petition has been received for a speed hump along South Waukeenah Street.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson noted a Local Planning Agency will be scheduled shortly.

 

She also reported receipt of a preliminary report from the Property Appraiser’s Office.  It is anticipated that there will be a drop of approximately two percent in total city property values.  She also passed out the latest budget report.

 

She also noted that City Hall will be closed on July 5th.

 

 

 

 

JUNE WORKSHOP DATE AND TOPICS   The Council will not schedule a June workshop.

 

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 digitally (1 File)