06-18-18 Regular Comm. MinutesMINUTES
rCommission Workshop Meeting
=" Monday, June 18, 2018 - 6:00 PM
~? 119* Commission Chamber
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Glasser opened the workshop meeting at 6:00 pm to explain that the meeting will be temporarily
delayed awaiting arrival of Commissioners.
Mayor Glasser called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
Present
Candace Kelly, Commissioner Seat 4
Brittany Norris, Commissioner Seat 5
M. Blythe Waters, Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioner Seat 3 (arrived 7:35 PM)
Ellen Glasser, Mayor Seat 1
Absent
John Stinson, Commissioner Seat 2
Also Present
Joe Gerrity, City Manager (CM)
Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager (DCM)
Donna Bartle, City Clerk
TOPICS
Technology issues occurred while trying to access the slide presentation for Item IA. As a
result, the Commission decided to take the items out of order and start with Item 1 B first.
B. Direction on LEED City program
Mayor Glasser stated there will be a deviation from the order of the agenda to start with
Item B first and there was consensus.
CM Gerrity stated the cost is approximately $15,000 to pursue a LEED certification and
he is requesting direction from the Commission about whether or not to include in the
budget.
Mayor Glasser spoke about the cost being the only issue and if doing the certification in-
house with staff is feasible.
Commissioner Kelly spoke about the certification being good for five years and the
savings benefits on utilities and various City services.
Commission Workshop
June 18, 2018
Commissioner Norris spoke about how the LEED program could benefit businesses and
corporations, but not the City. Ms. Norris stated she thinks the City can do this - figure
out savings on utilities and other City services.
Mayor Glasser noted that the City could have done this, but has not and the timing is
right. She spoke about this being part of the City's Branding Initiative and that we would
be the first Florida city to do this.
Commissioner Norris inquired what the staff costs would be to perform this type of
certification in-house.
CM Gerrity responded that staff would greatly appreciate any assistance in gathering
data and formatting it for submittal and it would be a worthwhile expense.
Sarah Boren, member of the Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC), was asked
to take the floor to review the process for the LEED program. She explained that after
the data is submitted, it will be determined whether the City receives certification and if
so, at what level. Then there will be an analytical assessment to determine strategies
moving forward in developing a sustainability plan.
Consensus was to have a placeholder in the budget for the LEED program.
Mayor Glasser stated that Item A will be next.
A. Commission priorities review
Mayor Glasser stated this is a six-month update on Commission priorities.
CM Gerrity referred to the slides listing the priorities set on January 12, 2018. He started
with Neighborhood Preservation and reviewed the action taken, as listed.
CM Gerrity spoke about the twelve Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) in Selva
Marina, all with their own rules and standards, which has become a problem to the City.
Some issues are the 59 non -conforming fences, 38 additions/new homes that do not meet
PUD standards, and 8 alternative structures/sheds that do not meet PUD standards. Mr.
Gerrity stated research has revealed that if a PUD is inactive for a certain amount of time
then the covenants and restrictions expire.
CM Gerrity reviewed the slides about the Selva Marina PUD developer, George Bull,
along with the history of the PUD ordinance established in 1972, then was eliminated in
1982. Because it is not in the City zoning district we cannot zone it.
Mr. Gerrity stated the easiest solution is to rezone Selva Marina to one of the City's
existing zoning districts. This will make the rules standard for the entire area.
Next addressed was the Mayport Road Corridor Improvements and CM Gerrity reviewed
those slides and the action taken. The VHB Vision Implementation Plan is tentatively
Commission Workshop
June 18, 2018
scheduled for July 2018. CM Gerrity spoke about a pro-bono opportunity with the Local
Urban Land Institute. They will provide technical assistance for improving business on
aesthetics, practicality, and transportation modes.
Discussion ensued about bike lanes on the Atlantic Blvd. bridge, connecting bike lanes
to Mayport Rd., the Mayport Rd. bike lanes, and getting citizen involvement.
CM Gerrity reviewed the Parks Master Plan slides and action taken utilizing in-house
resources.
Next CM Gerrity reviewed the ESC slides and action taken. He noted the achievement
of the Tree City designation, tree plantings, funding for the elimination of septic systems,
and construction of the ADA compliant dune walkover at 10th Street.
CM Gerrity reviewed the Stoirnwater Master Plan slides and action taken. He stated there
is a presentation tentatively scheduled for July 16, 2018 with Jones Edmunds.
CM Gerrity next reviewed the slides for Fund Balance Management & Allocation and
action taken.
Mr. Gerrity spoke about funds that are budgeted but not spent in the budget year and he
called it 'cash carry forward'. He explained the plan is to use some of the funds to pay
into the Police Pension Fund. This will be done by a Resolution. Also, he stated the plan
is to use these funds to budget/fund next year's projects.
Beautification and Signage slides were reviewed, noting the action taken.
The next steps are for additional pedestrian safety signage and to develop a City
branding campaign.
Mayor Glasser spoke about the City branding initiative and suggested creating an ad
hoc committee appointed by the Commission with DCM Hogencamp as staff support.
These volunteers could work on the City logo, slogan, signs, etc.
C. City Attorney budget
Mayor Glasser explained Commissioner Stinson provided a report for discussion on
this item, which pertains to budget and fiduciary responsibility, not performance. Due
to previous commitments he is unable to attend this meeting.
Mayor Glasser summarized from Commissioner Stinson's letter to the Commission
about legal fees review and future management of legal expenses. His suggestions were
as follows:
1. Each elected official should have an individual annual budget for legal
expenses.
2. The City Clerk should have direct access to the City Attorney.
Commission Workshop
June 18, 2018
3. Every City department needs to prepare, monitor, and be accountable for a legal
budget.
4. The City Attorney needs more clear direction from the City Commission,
understanding that the City Manager has oversight, authority and accountability
for all costs incurred. The City Manager and the City Commission should
determine a monthly retainer amount that would be used as a budget line item.
Mayor Glasser commented that the City might not need the City Attorney to review
everything that comes before the Commission. As the City Manager, Mr. Gerrity already
does that and has the oversight of all projects, etc.
CM Gerrity spoke about his prior experience working with a contract attorney. He spoke
about the extraordinary issues when he felt it was necessary to contact CA Durden for
guidance. CM Gerrity stated he now feels he can rely on the City Planning staff to write
ordinances; that is part of their job and the City Attorney will review them as part of the
legal process.
CM Gerrity stated the upcoming budget for legal expenses is lowered to $150,000 and
$10,000 for extraordinary expenses. The city commission, city manager, city staff, and
city attorney will all be responsible for managing this budget.
There was discussion about the monthly reports that are submitted by CA Durden and it
was agreed those are helpful. CM Gerrity explained he has instructed all department
directors to go through him first before contacting the city attorney, not everything
requires extensive legal help.
(Commissioner Waters arrived at 7:35 PM.)
2 PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no speaker forms submitted.
Commissioner Kelly spoke about the City Attorney's services as Code Enforcement Board
Attorney. She suggested pursuing the option of a Special Magistrate for this Board. Mayor
Glasser stated this should be a workshop topic.
3 ADJOURNMENT
There was no further discussion. Mayor Glasser adjourned the meeting at 7:37 PM.
Attest:
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk Ellen Glasser, Mayor
Commission Workshop
June 18, 2018