2-28-11 v MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
February 28, 2011
CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD
Attendance IN ATTENDANCE:
Mayor Mike Borno City Attorney Alan C. Jensen
Mayor Pro Tem John L. Fletcher City Manager Jim Hanson
Commissioner Jonathan Daugherty City Clerk Donna L. Bartle
Commissioner Paul Parsons Recording Secretary Nancy E. Bailey
Commissioner Carolyn Woods
Call to Order/Pledge Mayor Borno called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Borno gave the
Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Approval of Minutes 1. Approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting of February 14,
2011.
Commissioner Parsons stated the reference to Darnell Cookman under his comment in
Item 10 should be corrected to state Douglas Anderson.
Motion: Approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting of February
14, 2011, as corrected.
Moved by Daugherty, Seconded by Parsons.
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Courtesy of the Floor 2. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors.
A. Proclamation for National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
Mayor Borno opened the Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors. He welcomed the audience
and explained the process for public comments.
Mayor Borno read the Proclamation in its entirety, proclaiming the week of February
26 through March 6 as National Invasive Species Awareness Week and encouraged
the citizens to participate in the Great Air Potato Roundup on Saturday, March 5, 2011.
He presented the proclamation to Barbara Jackson, President of the Florida Native
Plant Society, Ixia Chapter, stating he appreciated her bringing this to the
Commission's attention.
Carol Higley, 21 West Church Street, representing JEA, stated since the last
Commission meeting JEA has been investigating the proposed construction bond
requirement and requested a deferral of Ordinance No. 65 -11 -37 to work further with
Mr. Hanson and Mr. Carper regarding getting some of the questions answered in order
to serve the citizens of Atlantic Beach. Mayor Borno asked if she was requesting a
deferral to the next meeting. Mr. Higley stated she is not sure that will be enough time.
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 2
She stated they have been working on this since Tuesday, February 15, and although
they have collected some data from both the engineering group as well as the transition
and distribution group, they would like to meet with Mr. Carper and Mr. Hanson to get
a better idea of how long it might take to work through some of the unresolved
questions. Mayor Borno stated they will discuss this when they get to Item 7A and he
appreciated her input and request for deferral.
No one else from the audience spoke so Mayor Borno closed the Courtesy of the Floor
to Visitors.
Unfinished Business 3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting
from Previous A. City Manager's Follow - up Report.
Meeting
At the request of Mayor Borno, Mr. Hanson reported on an email received from
Councilman Dick Brown regarding the Ethics Bill. He read a portion of the email as
follows: "My reference to the paying for a share of an ethics organization would likely
be a subject of discussions as Jacksonville reviews the inter -local agreements this year,
if the beach cities requested to be under the county's ethics regulation. The pending
review of the beaches inter -local agreement by the council auditor has the potential of
raising taxes for our communities. I felt it was important to remind the public that any
new service requested could come with a price tag."
Commissioner Woods stated as she had the ethics issue placed on the February 14
agenda and, per their request, postponed the discussion until tonight's meeting and
since this issue was discussed at this earlier meeting, she believes it should be
considered business from a previous meeting and asked that Resolution No. 11 -18 be
taken up at this time. Commissioner Fletcher stated nobody asked for a resolution to
be put on the agenda at the meeting of January 28. He stated, although it is follow -up
business, they postponed discussion on this issue but did not postpone putting a
resolution on the agenda. Mayor Borno stated the question comes down to which
resolution was submitted to the City Manager and asked Mr. Hanson to explain which
resolution was received when. Mr. Hanson explained the resolutions are in the order
they were received. He stated the first resolution received was from Commissioner
Fletcher. He stated the City Clerk received what was in the format of a staff report
from Commissioner Woods two weeks ago, but the final copy of the resolution was
submitted the same day the agenda package came out. Mayor Borno stated that is the
reason they are on the agenda as 6A and 6B. Commissioner Woods stated she
understands when the resolutions came in, but that was not her point. She stated her
point was that she had brought up the ethics issue to be on the agenda first.
Commissioner Daugherty stated he believed they should hear Resolution 11 -18 first
because Commissioner Woods had mentioned at the meeting of January 28 that she
wanted the issue on the agenda first and because they are competing resolutions.
Mayor Borno stated he will stand that they will follow the agenda and discuss the
resolution under Item 6A first and 6B second.
Consent Agenda 4. Consent Agenda
ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED
TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND WILL BE ENACTED BY
ONE MOTION IN THE FORM LISTED BELOW. THERE WILL BE NO
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 3
SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED,
THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WILL
BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED TO
THE CITY COMMISSION ON THESE ITEMS.
A. Acknowledge receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for January 2011.
B. Award the contract to Tom's Asphalt Repairs, Inc. for three years starting
March 1, 2011. This is a 0.6% increase over the fiscal year 07 -08 bid price.
Mayor Borno read the Consent Agenda.
Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A & B as read.
Moved by Parsons, Seconded by Fletcher.
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Committee Reports 5. Committee Reports
None.
Action on Resolutions 6. Action on Resolutions
A. Resolution No. 11 -17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED HOME RULE AUTHORITY OF ATLANTIC
BEACH, SUPPORTING A CLARIFICATION TO BILL J -6 AUTHORIZING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ETHICS CODE AND ETHICS COMMISSION BY THE
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, SPECIFYING THAT ATLANTIC BEACH WILL NOT
BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF JACKSONVILLE'S ETHICS CODE AND
COMMISSION BUT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY ITS OWN CODE OF ETHICS
POLICY AND THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 112, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Fletcher)
Mayor Borno read Resolution No. 11 -17 by title.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 11 -17 as read.
Moved by Parsons, Seconded by Fletcher.
Commissioner Fletcher stated we need to concentrate on strengthening home rule and
do not need to be asking other cities to incorporate us into their charter amendments.
He stated we can govern ourselves and are already governed by the Florida
Commission on Ethics so there is no point in us incurring extra cost to the taxpayer, as
well as abrogating our authority as a charter city to another charter city to dictate this to
us.
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Pace 4
Commissioner Parsons stated, as someone who has been falsely accused of ethics
violations and the ordeal he has gone through in the past, there is no need for anymore
protection from what Jacksonville can provide to us. He stated he agrees with
Commissioner Fletcher that we are governed by the State of Florida and also our own
and have an Interlocal agreement and do not need Jacksonville's ethics on top of ours.
He stated, as Councilman Brown wrote, we should also be aware it could come with
some financial strings to it. He stated he agrees with Commissioner Fletcher and how
he has the resolution written.
Commissioner Woods presented a video from Santa Clara University Department on
Ethics in Government and asked that it be used in consideration of their discussion.
Following the video presentation, Commissioner Woods stated she wanted everyone to
watch the video because she believes there is a lot of misunderstanding about what
ethics is and a lot of people believe it is a witch hunt with citizens calling in reporting
all kinds of crazy things and having to defend yourself. She stated that is really not it;
a large part of the Duval County ethics is education and prevention. She stated she
totally understands home rule and agrees we need to support it in every way possible,
but does not see how these two issues are mutually exclusive. She stated she believes
there are very simple remedies out there for us to strengthen our ethics education, the
City's accountability to its citizens and still maintain our home rule.
Mayor Borno stated this resolution addresses staying under home rule and that we
operate under Chapter 112. He stated he appreciates the video Commissioner Woods
presented but does not understand what she was inferring. He stated he doesn't
understand the value of the video. Commissioner Woods stated the value of the video
was educational so everyone understood what the ethics issue is. She stated a lot of
people misunderstand what it can be. Discussion ensued about the J -6 bill.
Commissioner Fletcher stated Atlantic Beach has an opportunity to take a leadership
position on this issue by passing a resolution that strengthens home rule. He stated
they are not discussing ethics right now; they are talking about home rule. He stated
the best message we can send to our sister cities in this county is that we are not going
to be beholden to Jacksonville, nor subscribe to a Duval County Commission on Ethics
that duplicates 99% of what Chapter 112 provides and the Florida Commission on
Ethics.
Commissioner Woods stated the issue is ethics and while we don't have to go with the
Jacksonville Commission, we do have to discuss the ethics issue.
Commissioner Parsons stated he was trying to make it clear that anybody at anytime
can pull something ethically against any one of them, whether warranted or not,
frivolous or not, and there is nothing they can do about it. He stated you have to go
through the ordeal he and his family went through, which was no fun and completely
unfounded. He stated to say people need a tool to do this, trust him, it's happening.
Commissioner Daugherty stated he doesn't see a point in having our own ethics
commission because we are covered under State oversight. He stated he supports this
resolution but asked to amend the language in Section 3 to add "should" after Atlantic
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 5
Beach, because the way it is currently worded is saying that they do it. Commissioner
Fletcher stated he would support that wording.
Motion: Amend Resolution No. 11 -17 to add "should" after Atlantic Beach in the
second line of Section 3.
Moved by Daugherty, Seconded by Fletcher
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Borno asked City Attorney if Jacksonville has taken action on bill J -6.
City Attorney Alan Jensen explained Jacksonville passed J -6 last fall, it is now at the
Duval Delegation to be acted on by the State Legislature as a Charter Amendment. He
stated if it is approved by the State Legislature it comes back to the City of
Jacksonville and they will have to pass an Ordinance implementing that Charter
Amendment. He stated nobody knows what is going to be in that ordinance yet, who
they are going to be answerable to, or who is going to have authority over the
Commission on Ethics because that legislation is a year to a year and a half away, as he
understands it. He stated he has spoken to Jacksonville General Counsel and the Ethics
Officer with the General Counsel and they have both stated this bill J -6 is not intended
at all to apply to the beaches.
Mayor Borno stated they all work very hard knowing they are under the daily scrutiny
of the public, even in their daily lives, but they willingly accepted that when they took
the oath of office.
Motion: Approved Resolution No. 11 -17, as amended.
Moved by Parsons, Seconded by Fletcher
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
B. Resolution No. 11 -18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING
ATLANTIC BEACH'S SUPPORT OF THE DUVAL DELEGATION 2011 BILL J -6
RELATING TO ETHICS TRANSPARENCY APPLYING IN ITS ENTIRETY TO
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT; IN ORDER
TO PRESERVE ATLANTIC BEACH'S HOME RULE AS AN INDEPENDENT
MUNICIPALITY THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH MAY ADOPT A SEPARATE
CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH THAT WOULD
SUPERSEDE THE CODE OF ETHICS ADOPTED FOR THE CITY OF
JACKSONVILLE OR ANY OTHER INDEPENDENT MUNICIPALITY WITHIN
THE COUNTY OF DUVAL. (Woods)
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Pate 6
Commissioner Woods withdrew this resolution.
Action on Ordinances 7. Action on Ordinances
A. ORDINANCE NO. 65-11-37, Public Hearing and Final Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING
CHAPTER 19 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND
OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION PROVIDING FOR
THE PLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF UTILITY FACILITIES IN THE
PUBLIC RIGHTS -OF -WAY WITHIN THE CITY, AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Borno stated it was requested by the JEA representative that we defer
Ordinance No. 65- 11 -37. Mr. Hanson suggested that they defer to the second meeting
of March 28 to give time to work through the language. He stated if the City Attorney
believes they have made a drastic enough change they will put it back to first reading.
Ms. Higley stated that would be sufficient time for JEA.
Commissioner Fletcher explained we do not need surety /construction/payment and
performance bonds; we are more concerned with restoration of the right -of -way and
believes they need to get together to discuss. He stated a true surety bond does not
operate in the context of the relationship that JEA has with Atlantic Beach. He stated if
they were hired by us to complete a project then we would bond it. He stated that is
the only way a payment and performance bond works. He stated what we would
require is a restoration or right -of -way bond because they are not a subcontractor to
Atlantic Beach.
Mayor Borno stated since this was advertised as a Public Hearing he would open the
Public Hearing. He read the Ordinance by title. No one from the audience spoke so
the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Daugherty asked what the emergency provision was Ms. Higley
referred to. Ms. Higley stated that would be customers being out of power. She stated
the intent was if the customer was out of power there was an exemption from permit.
Mr. Carper stated that was something he discussed when the ordinance came before the
Commission for first reading. He stated for work to restore service to an existing
customer the City would not require a permit. He stated that is the way we do business
today but it doesn't state that in the draft ordinance. Commissioner Daugherty stated
they talked at the last meeting about having a standing bond for a situation like that and
asked Ms. Higley, when she goes back, to mention it to her people and see what they
would think about that.
Motion: Defer Ordinance No. 65 -11 -37 to March 28, 2011.
Moved by Fletcher, Seconded by Daugherty.
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Pace 7
B. ORDINANCE NO. 20-11-108, Public Hearing and Final Reading
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF
ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
2010 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2011.
Mayor Borno read Ordinance No. 20 -11 -108 by title.
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 20 -11 -108 as read.
Moved by Fletcher, Seconded by Parsons.
(Commissioner Parsons left the meeting at 6:47 p.m.)
Mayor Borno opened the Public Hearing. He explained the Ordinance. No one from
the audience spoke so the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Votes:
Aye: 4 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
Miscellaneous 8. Miscellaneous Business
Business
A. Police Department 2010 Annual Report.
Chief Mike Classey summarized the highlights of the 2010 Annual Report for the
Police Department.
(Commissioner Parsons returned at 6:49 p.m.)
Commissioner Woods stated this report is very encouraging and stated they have
fulfilled their hopes for the Mayport Corridor Redevelopment results as far as crime
goes. She stated she noticed there is still a decrease in the crime numbers and asked if
there is still room for improvement. Chief Classey stated the amount of reduction that
first year was well beyond any expectation he ever had and was very cautiously
optimistic we could even maintain that level of reduction, so he was pleased we were
able to. He stated there are many different factors that go into why crime occurs. He
stated if further reductions are realized it will probably be caused by a factor other than
law enforcement. Commissioner Woods stated they have done a great job.
Commissioner Fletcher asked how the 28% clearance rate compares with other
jurisdictions. Chief Classey stated it varies but is typically in the upper teens /lower
20s.
City Manager Hanson pointed out that the police emergency response time is less than
2 minutes, stating the Police Department deserves our appreciation.
Commissioner Daugherty asked if there is any way the 911 system can direct calls to
the Atlantic Beach dispatch when the caller is in Atlantic Beach. Chief Classey stated
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 8
cell phone calls are based on whatever tower the phone is on, but land lines are
programmed into the system to ring into whatever jurisdiction the phone is in.
B. Authorization to award Additive Alternate No. 1 — Blower to WPC Industrial
Contractors, LLC in the amount of $129,000 per Bid No. 1011 -01. Approve
Change Order No. 1 for Electrical Control Panel Installation for the blower in
the amount of $29,440 for Bid No. 1011 -01. Authorize the City Manager to
sign Additive Alternate No. 1 and Change Order No. 1.
Public Utilities Director Donna Kaluzniak summarized her staff report. She stated the
reason they are requesting the additive and change order for the electrical control panel
at this time is because the pricing for both will be going up pretty dramatically. She
explained by awarding these both at this time will allow us to have the same contractor
installing the equipment that is doing the main project and they will be able to use the
new blower for their existing sludge treatment, resulting in cost savings over using the
two existing, inefficient blowers.
Commissioner Daugherty asked if we anticipate any more Change Orders. Ms.
Kaluzniak explained the additive alternates were part of the bid. She stated the change
order is actually a change order but they will pay less for the entire installation, plus
equipment, than if they did it later for just the equipment alone. She stated they don't
anticipate change orders but there is always the possibility with WPC doing the work
on the plant they might find something that wasn't there, even though they did quite a
lot of preliminary investigation during the planning and design process. She explained
they did a lot of soft digs where they actually dug up existing utilities and verified their
location and depth, etc. which should help us avoid the change orders.
Mayor Borno asked if, with the third blower being operational, that gives us cross -
connect capabilities between blowers. Ms. Kaluzniak stated yes, explaining they are
also putting an additional valve in so they can switch blowers between sludge treatment
and process treatment as well, which will be a very efficient process when completed.
Motion: Approve award of Additive Alternate No. 1 — Blower to WPC Industrial
Contractors, LLC in the amount of $129,000 per Bid No. 1011 -01. Approve
Change Order No. 1 for Electrical Control Panel Installation for the blower in the
amount of $29,440 for Bid No. 1011 -01. Authorize the City Manager to sign
Additive Alternate No. 1 and Change Order No. 1.
Moved by Fletcher, Seconded by Parsons.
Votes:
Aye: 5 — Borno, Daugherty, Fletcher, Parsons, Woods
Nay: 0
MOTION CARRIED
C. Authorization to award the contract for construction of the Beaches Veterans
Memorial Park stage to Michael G. Holder Inc. Staff also recommends the
Commission allow use of remaining funds for sod purchase as discussed above
and for architectural and engineering services for design of the Chaplains
Memorial Garden, Phase 2 of the Beaches Veterans Memorial Park.
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 10
project. She stated she asked Mr. Candler what kind of support he thought he
would need from the City and he didn't think it would be very much time,
maybe 10 hours at the most. She stated they thought it might be a good project
to start their relationship on and it would be a benefit to both their
organizations. She stated she will get that information to the Commission for
them to consider. Mr. Hanson stated that it is entirely out of line for any
Commissioner to be setting up an internship and providing that level of details.
He stated that is something that should be done by City staff and if she wants to
refer them to him, he will be glad to speak with them, but he believes it is out of
line for her to be setting up the details of an internship. He stated it is like
hiring a City employee and he does not believe the City Commission should be
doing that. Commissioner Woods stated that was why she clarified the word
internship. She stated she is not sure that is the correct word for it. She stated
the way Mr. Candler spoke about it, it's more of a thesis study project that he
would like to come and interview and talk with us. She stated she is not sure it
is out of line for Commissioners to engage with the community and she
certainly has not set up any finalized structure for what is going on, she has
brought it to them and talked about it every step of the way. She stated that is
why she brought it up tonight, to get input. She told the City Manager she does
not believe it is his place to chastise her like that, but thanked him for his input.
She stated she will be bringing it up in the future and they can decide how they
want to approach it together. Mayor Borno stated she mentioned it came out of
strategic planning and anything they have in strategic planning is always up to
staff to turn around and do the contact studies, etc., so he would like
Commissioner Woods to give staff the opportunity because there will be a lot of
input from other areas that will be involved in this. He stated he has an interest
in seeing something come about if it is viable, but it needs to be researched as
we proceed. Commissioner Woods agreed, stating that was what she tried to
say and she was sorry if it didn't come out that way.
Commissioner Fletcher
• Commended Commissioner Woods for investigating this but agrees that in
terms of hiring people to work for the City or doing internships, it really does
need to be directed from the staff.
Commissioner Daugherty
• Supports the use of interns for the City and believes it can be a valuable
resource.
• Asked the City Manager to prepare a report on the progress of the Dog Park.
He also asked if they were going to put down sod anytime soon as the last time
he was out there it was kind of muddy.
• Stated he is pursuing more DUI enforcement in our City, stating he wants to
write letters to State Legislature as a Commissioner to try to get some
additional funding and wanted to ask for the Commission's blessing.
• Stated the Commission Budget is approximately $4,000 for travel and expenses
and there is an upcoming Legislative Action Day in Tallahassee that they have
a Commissioner going to as well as the Mayor. He stated he is concerned,
based on some past experiences, that we won't have a united voice in
Tallahassee. He stated he believes the Mayor is the one who should be
February 28, 2011 REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Page 11
representing our City in these situations. He stated he wants to look at the
method of getting approval for travel at the next meeting and will be suggesting
that over a certain amount be approved by the Commission. Commissioner
Woods stated she brought up at Strategic Planning that the Commission come
up with a resolution for them to bring to the legislature just to avoid that
problem and would encourage Commissioner Daugherty to get with staff and
develop a resolution for them to take. Commissioner Daugherty asked the
Mayor to explain the procedures at the Legislative Action Day, which he did.
Commissioner Woods encouraged Commissioner Daugherty to come along,
stating it is a good experience.
Mayor Borno
• Asked the Commission to think about forgiveness and he read a statement on
forgiveness.
• Read the Oath of Office to remind the Commission they have responsibilities to
that oath in their daily lives and in anything that pertains to their title. He stated
when he went downtown to City Hall to speak about Atlantic Beach and the
right of home rule in front of the legislative delegation from Tallahassee, he did
that under the responsibilities of an oath he swore to uphold his charter. He
stated he does not like being challenged and told Commissioner Woods to not
ever challenge him in public forum when he is upholding his Commissioner's
and Mayor's duties. Commissioner Woods stated she needed to reply to that.
Mayor Borno called her out of order telling her she did not have the floor.
Commissioner Woods stated she did need to reply to that. Mayor Borno called
her out of order again and told her again she did not have the floor. She stated
the meeting has ended and she can say whatever she wanted. Mayor Borno
stated the meeting has not ended and she cannot say anything she wants.
Commissioner Woods stated she can. Mayor Borno stated she could not.
Commissioner Woods stated she can, sure she can. Mayor Borno asked her if
she was going to make her own rules again. Commissioner Woods stated to
Mayor Borno, you are nuts.
Adjournment There being no further discussion, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34
p.m.
fi 64
Mike Borno, Mayor/Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
aw or
Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk