The City Council of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on
December 1, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. at City Hall.  The following members were present:

 

        Tom Vogelgesang, Mayor

        Idella Scott

        Linda Butler

        John Jones

        George Evans

 

Others present were:

 

        Fred Mosley, Chief of Police

        Steve Wingate, City Manager

        Bruce Leinback, City Attorney

        Emily Anderson, City Clerk

 

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

 

On motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, minutes of the November 3, 2009 Council meeting were approved.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jefferson County Legislative Delegation Member Dick Bailar presented the Council with the 2009-2010 Legislative Booklets.

 

Citizen Kate Calvin reported on the settlement of an enforcement case against Sierra Properties, the developer of Monticello Pines.

 

Dan Schall of Mainstreet reported on the upcoming Downtown Christmas celebration on December 4th and requested the closure of one block of E. Dogwood.  On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by George Evans, the Council voted unanimously to amend the agenda to consider approval of closure of Dogwood Street.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously voted to approve closure of one block of E. Dogwood Street for the Downtown Christmas event.

 

FINAL PUBLIC HEARING:

ORDINANCE 2009–05  AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTAINED IN EXHIBIT “A”; AUTHORIZING TRANSMITTAL OF THE REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND

 

DEVELOPMENT REGULATION ACT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE  Hearing no public comment, on motion of Linda Butler, seconded by Idella Scott, the Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2009-05.

           

ORDINANCE 2009–06  AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA AMENDING SECTION 38 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC NUISANCES RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY; ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES; RENUMBERING CHAPTER PROVISIONS RELATING TO ABANDONED AND NONOPERATING VEHICLES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE  Clerk Anderson reported correction of a scrivener’s error.  With no public comment, on motion of John Jones, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously voted to approve Ordinance 2009-06.

 

ORDINANCE 2009-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 36 OF THE MONTICELLO CITY CODE CHANGING THE TERM “OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE” TO “BUSINESS TAX”’ DEFINING THE TERM “RECEIPT” AS IT RELATES TO BUSINESS TAXES; AMENDING PROVISIONS TO CONFORM WITH CHAPTER 205, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE  Hearing no public comment, on motion of George Evans, seconded by Idella Scott, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2009-07.

 

UPDATE ON SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT (INFLOW AND INFILTRATION)/APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER  Joe Miller of George and Associates updated the Council on project.  He also requested approval of Change Order No. 2.  On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously approved Change Order No. 2 of the Citywide Sewer Rehabilitation Project.

 

JAMES ABBOTT IN RE:  GOLF CARTS ON STATE HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS  Mr. Abbott discussed speeding on city streets and the possibility of wider use of golf carts on city streets.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

Council Member Idella Scott discussed a recent meeting of a Park Advisory Committee to provide expertise on park development.  A more detailed report will be provided in January.

 

Council Member John Jones  reported on the recent meeting of the League of Cities’ Energy and Environmental Committee.  He discussed positions of the League of Cities on matters pending before the Legislature.  He emphasized the importance of educating the public about pending legislation bills. 

Council Member George Evans discussed storm preparations undertaken by the city crews.

 

Mayor Tom Vogelgesang requested follow-up on the utilities rate study, the golf cart signage, and straps on the newly-planted trees and the parking issues in front of the new hot dog restaurant and Monticello Hairlines.  He also asked if the MLK parade organizers had filed a parade application. 

 

Mr. Vogelgesang also proposed that the Council consider reduction of the speed limit all through town should be no more than 35 mph.  Clerk Anderson suggested that the Community Traffic Safety Team can be notified and a Council resolution would be appropriate.

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*City Manager Steve Wingate reported that the city received a bad report on one treatment plant effluent sample taken at the city wetlands.  Jim Milicic will provide a more-detailed report to the Council next month of discussions with the Department of Environmental Protection.

 

Mr. Wingate also reported that the state is considering a proposal for the petroleum clean up at the city barn which would include demolishing the barn.  The city would be compensated for the value of the building.  The barn facility could be relocated at the wastewater treatment plant, and the old site could be turned into a park or green space.

 

City Manager Wingate also noted that the city is applying for a federal funding program through Congressman Allen Boyd which would provide one million dollars for the new wastewater treatment plant.  The money would be the required city match for the project.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson reported that sewer project contractors provided Thanks-giving food for numerous families. 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

*Date for January Town Hall Meeting  The Council decided to host a Town Hall meeting on January 21st at 7:00 p.m.  Topics for discussion with the public will include updates on the Inflow/Infiltration project, pending legislation regarding home rule powers of cities and utility rate study information.  Council Member Butler will attempt to reserve the Presbyterian Church meeting hall for the forum.

 

*Updates Needed for Personnel Rules and Regulations   The Clerk requested that a Council Member work with her on proposals for minor revisions to the Personnel Rules and Regulations.  Council Member Linda Butler volunteered to assist. 

 

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

 

                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                            City Clerk/Treasurer

 

_____________________________

Tom Vogelgesang

Mayor

 

NOTE:  These proceedings were mechanically recorded. See CD 2009-12