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01-21-17 Minutes Town Hall Meeting vCITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH TOWN HALL MEETING JANUARY 21, 2017 at 10: 00 AM IN ATTENDANCE: STAFF: Mayor Mitch Reeves Interim City Manager Kevin Hogencamp Commissioner Jimmy Hill Human Resource Director, Cathy Berry Commissioner Mitch Harding( arrived at 10:50 a.m.) Recording Secretary, Joanie Bowman Commissioner Blythe Waters CALL TO ORDER Mayor Reeves called the meeting to order at 10: 07 am. WELCOME Mayor Reeves explained the purpose of this Town Hall Meeting and thanked staff and the citizens for taking time out of their Saturday to attend the meeting. Mayor Reeves explained the process for public comments and opened the floor for comments. He introduced Kevin Hogencamp as the new Interim City Manager and encouraged citizens to reach out to him. Mayor Reeves asked the citizens if they had any questions about updates on any topics. Judy Workman, 787 Vecuna Rd., inquired about the status of the Gate Station lawsuit that is set for the 19th of January. Mayor Reeves updated the citizens regarding the status of the Gate Station lawsuit and answered questions. Ms. Workman stated that there is an immediate need to train the different Boards in regards to their roles, the rules and the processes. Commissioner Hill explained that staff would facilitate the training that Ms. Workman spoke of and said that Mr. Hogencamp may be able to offer insight regarding board member training. Mr. Hogencamp explained that the City Attorney is organizing Ethics Training for the Commission and their appointees. Ms. Workman stated that ethics is one thing but said that she is concerned with the training aspect. Mayor Reeves stated that Commissioner Stinson is the Chair of the Board Member Review Committee and one of his assignments was to re-evaluate how we handle boards and define the duties and responsibilities that are required to be a member of a Board and Committee. Mr. Hogencamp explained that Commissioner Stinson has put together an elaborate training plan and in addition to training will publish a handbook that will help guide board members as well. Town Hall Meeting 1 January 21, 2017 Ms. Workman stated that it is her belief that the day-to-day occurrences should fall in the hands of the City Manager. Citizens should be able to utilize the City Manager not the Commissioners on a day-to-day basis. Commissioner Hill identified the reasons for the gap in communications within the City. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Mayor Reeves opened the floor to public comments and asked each citizen to come forward and give their name and address for the record. Chris Jorgensen, 92 West 3rd Street, commented on Commissioner Stinson' s Board Member Review Committee Meeting that he attended and spoke about the City Manager position. Human Resource Director Cathy Berry explained the role Florida League of Cities and the Florida City and County Managers Association is playing in the City Manager selection process. Commissioner Waters spoke about the importance of communication between the City Manager and citizens. Commissioner Hill agreed that there is a real need for a communications person to address important issues within the City but that the scope of that need does not require a full-time position. Mayor Reeves spoke about budgeting to hire a communications specialist either on a contractual or a part- time basis and explained the City' s current status and future plan for hiring a permanent City Manager. Lou Catania, 2279 Seminole Road # 4, explained his plan to initiate a program to increase citizen access to sea turtles. Commissioner Hill stated that the City takes a very neutral position in what our citizens do to manage our natural resources and explained that there is a law enforcement agency that directs this with very strict rules. Commissioner Waters agreed with Commissioner Hill in that the City plays a neutral role regarding our natural resources and explained the opposition to personal interaction with sea turtles and how it impacts their survival. She stated that decisions are ultimately controlled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Marina Kaplan, 2349 Seminole Reach Ct., voiced concern for the protection of the sea turtles as it relates to this program. Mayor Reeves suggested that Mr. Catania reach out to Mr. Hogencamp to schedule a meeting at the Adele Grage Cultural Center as it relates to his sea turtle program. Candace Kelly, 149 Belvedere St., stated that the City needs improvement in the area of communication and better access to what is going on in the City. She also inquired about the status of the Seminole Road project. Town Hall Meeting 2 January 21, 2017 Mr. Hogencamp explained that the Seminole Road issue is comprehensive and needed to be addressed right away. He stated that a solid plan will be presented to the Commission and should happen sometime in February. Mayor Reeves informed the citizens about the upcoming newsletter they will be receiving in their water bill with information about issues, events and projects happening in the City from different departments. Judith Leroux, 1745 Selva Marina Dr., explained her view in regards to the Board Member Review Committee and voiced her concern with the way the boards function as well as the way in which information is communicated. Commissioner Waters defined what the City Manager position should incorporate as a model. Dee Reiter, 1798 Selva Marina Dr., concerned about the City Manager position and inquired about the education requirements. Human Resources Director Cathy Berry explained that the requirement to have a Master' s Degree in Public Administration had been removed from the qualifications for the City Manager position. Mayor Reeves explained that the educational requirement was changed in the Charter. Ms. Reiter asked where the City is in the process of setting the hiring requirements for the City Manager position. Ms. Berry stated that she has been conducting extensive research in regards to the selection of a new City Manager. She explained that it is comprehensive and included experience, education and the intangibles that come with that position. Commissioner Hill explained his opinion in regards to the specific qualifications and experience a City Manager should possess. Paula O' Bannon, 304 1St St., inquired about the process to apply for a board within the City and voiced concern about the obstructed sidewalks in her neighborhood. Mayor Reeves assured Ms. O' Bannon that the Clerk' s office would notify her in regards to her application for the Cultural Arts Board. Commissioner Hill explained that Ms. O' Bannon would go before the Board Committee Review Board after applying to be a board member. Mayor Reeves responded to Ms. O' Bannon' s question about the sidewalks. Commissioner Hill assured Ms. O' Bannon the sidewalk issue would be addressed. Mayor Reeves sympathized with Ms. O' Bannon' s frustration and assured her that he is confident that in a few months things will be improving. Town Hall Meeting 3 January 21, 2017 Mayor Reeves asked the question to the citizens about the kind of City Manager that they would like to see for their City. Paula O' Bannon, 304 1st St., stated that she would like to see an ordinance that restricted building mega mansions in their neighborhoods. Chris Jorgensen, 92 West 3' Street, stated that communication is important and hopes that the next City Manager have the ability and the strength to address the citizens' complaints openly and correctly. Michael Hoffmann, 176 Camelia St., recommended reaching out to Mr. Paxson who was the former City Manager in Jacksonville Beach as a potential candidate for the City Manager position. Judith Leroux, 1745 Selva Marina Dr., stated that the City needs a leader, someone who can manage systems and people, to inspire and lead people. Sally Clemens, 1638 Park Terrace W., voiced concern about a cave in the road just south of 1638 Park Terrace West. Dan Janson, 707 Holly Dr., stated that the City Manager should possess leadership skills and that it would be important to have someone in place in the event that the City Manager is unavailable for any unforeseen reason. Mayor Reeves was in agreement with Mr. Janson and assured Ms. Clemens that the cave in the road would be addressed soon. Judy Workman, 787 Vecuna Rd., stated that she would like to see the City Manager take a more active role in the City Commission Meetings. Mayor Reeves stated that there will be a City Manager' s Report at the next Commission Meeting that we have never had. Marina Kaplan, 2349 Seminole Reach Ct., agreed that the City Manager should model a CEO type requirement. Michael Hoffmann, 176 Camelia St., complimented the police department for its exceptional service and recommended Chief Vic Gualillo for the Police Chief position. He encouraged citizens to oppose a bill that was recently introduced by the Florida Legislature. Mayor Reeves asked Human Resources Director Cathy Berry to give an update on the status of the Police Chief position. Human Resources Director Cathy Berry updated the Commission and residents on the status of the selection process for the Police Chief position and answered questions. Town Hall Meeting 4 January 21, 2017 COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Harding informed the residents that they have allocated one hundred thousand dollars to build sidewalks. Commissioner Hill spoke about the coyote issue and answered questions. He addressed the economics of the stability of the houses in our community and the sidewalk issue. Commissioner Waters commented on the coyote issue. Interim City Manager Kevin Hogencamp addressed the issues regarding the City website and spoke about the important qualifications necessary to fill the next City Managers position. CLOSING STATEMENTS Mayor Reeves thanked the citizens, on behalf of the City, for attending the meeting Mayor Reeves adjourned the meeting at 11: 56 pm. Mitchell E. Reeves Mayor/Presiding Officer ATTEST: dan 'r•al Donna L. Bartle, CMC City Clerk Town Hall Meeting 5 January 21, 2017