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Minutes - 08-27-01MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, 800 SEMINOLE ROAD AT 7:15 P.M. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001 PRESENT: John Meserve, Mayor Richard Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Borno Theo Mitchelson Dezmond Waters, Commissioners AND: James Hanson, City Manager Alan C. Jensen, City Attorney Maureen King, City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m by Mayor Meserve. The Invocation, given by Commissioner Waters, was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1. Approval of the minutes of the regular Commission meeting of August 13, 2001 Motion: Approve the minutes of the August 13, 2001 Commission Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Courtesy of Floor to Visitors: A. Senator King and Representative Don Davis with a presentation of a reimbursement grant check for the Rose Park Addition Mayor Meserve introduced Senator Jim King and Representative Don Davis and welcomed them to the meeting. Each legislator provided a brief summazy of their efforts to obtain the funding through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and presented the city a check in the amount of $56,250 for the Rose Pazk addition. Mayor Meserve accepted the check on behalf of the city, and thanked Senator King, Representative. Davis, and the Duval County delegation for their support. V V O O T T E E S S M S O E T C I O Y 0 N E N N D S O COMMISSIONERS BEAVER X BORNO X X MITCHELSON X X WATERS X MESERVE X Minutes Page -2- August 27, 2001 J.P Marchioli of 414 Sherry Drive felt a skateboard park should be a high priority and suggested that it could be frozen and used as an ice skating rink in the winter, expressed disappointment that the ordinance concerning voting districts was not adopted, and disagreed with the Aikenhead and Odom recommendations for alterations to the weir at Fleet Landing. Alan Potter of 374 Second Street referenced the Aikenhead and Odom report of August 13, 2001 and stated that the engineering firm had been hired to design a system which would stop flooding. in the core city area, and if they could not accomplish what they were hired to do, it should be considered a breach of contract. He felt the firm should resign and refund the city $900,000. B. Report on Water Master Plan Don Maurer of the firm of Camp, Dresser and McKee, lead engineer for the project, distributed a final report on the Water Master Plan to the Commissioners. The report is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment A. Mr. Maurer provided an overview of the city's water system capacity to serve the present and future needs of the residents. He recommended that the Atlantic Beach and Buccaneer water systems be interconnected into one major system, which would resolve most water pressure problems. He also recommended that old undersized waterlines on Beach Avenue, Ocean Boulevazd, Sherry Drive and East Coast Drive be replaced to provide better fire protection, as well as several lines on the north side of the service area. Mr. Maurer indicated that the system analysis revealed that the city's supply, treatment and storage were adequate and an interconnected system would provide an adequate level of service to 2025. He said the city's water system was well operated and maintained system and recommended short and mid term improvements, including and water well rehabilitation. Mr. Maurer indicated that the Water Master Plan report would be finalized after taking into account any comments made during the meeting. He indicated that long term system improvements would be made and associated costs provided in the report. Following his presentation, Mr. Maurer, responded to commissioners' questions. OMMISSIONERS M 0 T I O N S E C 0 N D Y E S N O Minutes Page -3- August 27, 2001. C. Palmer and Cay Report on Pay Plan Kazen Collins of Palmer and Cay distributed copies of the Classification and Pay Study for city employees. Ms. Collins gave an overview of the process used by the company to determine the fourteen pay grades and rates of pay defined in the study. Benefits were reviewed and recommendations were made for the city to adopt a compensation and benefits strategy. The cost to implement the plan was reported to be $268,000. A synopsis of the presentation is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment B. (The Pay Rate and Classification Plan 2001 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Barry Miles of Palmer and Cay reported regarding the City's benefit package, which he felt was. slightly above mazket. A brief discussion ensued and concern was expressed that the city's current health insurance carrier was discontinuing their health insurance business at the end of the year and no other carrier had yet agreed to take on the city's coverage due to several large claims. Mayor Meserve indicated that the city wished to pay its employees a fair wage, but the health insurance issue was of great concern and would have to be considered as part of the plan implementation. Mayor Meserve indicated that he had contacted the City of Jacksonville regarding participating in their health insurance plan, but had not yet received a response. He felt the city could not implement the pay plan before the health insurance issue was resolved. 3. Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting A. Follow-up Report from the meeting of August 13, 2001 City Manager Hanson briefly reviewed each item of his written report, a copy of which is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment C. In addition to the written report, City Manager Hanson reported on the following: Twice a Week Yard Trash Collection City Manager Hanson reported that increasing yard trash collection to twice a week would increase the monthly rate by $1.86 per customer. Public Works Director Kosoy indicated that he had contacted BFI concerning the additional pick up, but BFI had not confirmed if they would honor their bid price for the service. OMMISSIONERS M O z I 0 N S E c O N D Y E S N O I j Minutes Page -4- August 27, 2001 National Lifeguard Competition Chief Campbell reported that eight members of the Lifeguard Corps participated in the competition and of the 1,400 lifeguards competing, Ty Miller received a gold medal for rescue paddle and Jeff Hill placed 5`h in the two-mile run. Chief Campbell indicated that the competition would be held in Daytona Beach next yeaz and the lifeguards were already in training for that event. 4. Consent Agenda: A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly reports from Building Public Safety and Utility Sales Departments (City Manager) Motion: Approve Consent Agenda Items A as presented. There was no discussion and the motion carved unanimously. 5. Committee Reports: There were no Committee Reports. 6. Action on Resolutions: There was no action on Resolutions. Action on Ordinances: A. Ordinance No. 65-01-29: Introduction and First Reading AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING A PORTION OF ORCHID STREET, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Motion: Adopt Ordinance No. 65-01-29 on final reading. Mayor Meserve read the ordinance by title only and opened the floor for a public hearing. No one spoke in favor of or against the ordinance and the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Mitchelson inquired if the city could sell this piece of property instead of just abandoning it. City Attorney Jensen responded that the law did not specifically say the city could not sell OMMISSIONERS M 0 T I O N S E C O N D Y E S N O BEAVER X X BORNO X X MITCHELSON X WATERS X MESERVE X BEAVER X BORNO X X MITCHELSON X X WATERS X MESERVE X Minutes Page -5- August 27, 2001 street rights-of--way, but the law indicated that street rights-of--way could not be used for any other purpose. Following brief discussion, the motion carried unanimously. 8. Miscellaneous Business: A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Northeast Florida Community Action Agency for the use of office space at Donner Community Center Motion: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Northeast Florida Community Action Agency for the use of office space at Donner Community Center. Commissioner Mitchelson requested that the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency provide an accounting of their services when the contract comes up for renewal. There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously. B. Award contract to Camp, Dresser and McKee in the amount of $39,597 for assessment of the Buccaneer water wells and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract; Authorize staff to proceed with necessary repairs, with-a follow-up report on the activities and costs as soon as they are available. Motion: Award contract to Camp, Dresser and McKee in the amount of $39,597 for assessment of the Buccaneer water wells and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract; Authorize staff to proceed with necessary repairs, with afollow-up report on the activities and costs as soon as they are available. Mayor Meserve felt that a cap should be placed on the cost for repairs and inquired if an estimated cost for the repairs was known at this time. Discussion ensued and Utility Director Kaluzniak explained the needed repairs and estimated the cost to be $15,000. Utility Director Kaluzniak's Staff Report is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment D. Amendment to the motion: The cost for repairs not to exceed $20,000. OMMISSIONERS M O T I O N S E C O N D Y E S N O BEAVER X BORNO X X MITCHELSON X X WATERS X MESERVE X BEAVER X X BoRNO x x MITCHELSON X WATERS X MESERVE X BEAVER X X BORNO X X MITCHELSON X WATERS X MESERVE X Minutes Page -6- August 27, 2001 There being no further discussion, the amendment to the motion and the main motion carried unanimously. C. Award continuing engineering contracts to Aikenhead and Odom, Edwards Engineering and Waitz and Moye and authorize the City Manager to sign the contracts Motion: Odom, Edwards Engineering and Waitz and Moye and authorize the City Manager to sign the contracts. There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously 9. City Manager Reports: City Manager Hanson Rose Park Fence City Manager Hanson reported that he had met with the residents of the Rose Park area and many of their concerns had been resolved, however, they were requesting that the proposed wood fence height along the back property line be increased to 8 feet to provide added privacy and to act as a buffer from the noise, light, etc. He indicated that the taller fence would cost an additional $2,200, but exceeded the city's height limitations for fences and would required a variance. City Manager Hanson requested Commission direction concerning obtaining the variance. Discussion ensued and Commissioner Mitchelson inquired if future repairs to the wood fence would damage the buffer to be planted along the fence. Commissioner Beaver stated that a 12-15" buffer between the fence and plant material would be needed. The Commissioners felt that the taller fence was needed to ensure privacy and agreed that City Manager Hanson should work with staff to submit the required variance request to the Community Development Boazd. Lawn Service City Manager Hanson reported that Golden Rule had given up its contract with the city for lawn service and C and S Lawn Service had picked up the contract on an emergency basis and would be providing lawn care until the a new contract is put out for bids and awarded. OMMISSIONERS M 0 T I O N S E C O N D Y E S N O BEAVER BORNO MTTCHELSON X X WATERS X MESERVE X Minutes Page -7- August 27, 2001 He indicated that the costs would be over $10,000 until the new contract was awarded. Commissioner Beaver indicated that some dead palm trees at the Adele Grage Cultural Center should still be under warranty and should be replaced by Golden Rule. City Manager Hanson stated that he would meet with Parks and Recreation Director Johnson regarding this matter: Community Center Feasibility Study City Manager Hanson reported that the feasibility study had begun and the firm carrying out the study would conduct 400 telephone surveys in Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach and would use the. Teen Council as a focus group. City Manager Hanson hoped the news media would write an article on the survey so residents would realize it was a legitimate survey, not another just another telemazketer calling. Tree Board Appointments City Manager Hanson reported that the terms of Mae Jones and Camille Hunter had expired and Mrs. Jones was not eligible for reappointment. It was pointed out that two of the three members whose terms expire in January 2002 were also ineligible for reappointment. City Manager Hanson requested that the Commissioners fmd replacements to fill the vacancies.. 10. Reports and/or requests from City Commissioners and City Attorney Commissioner Waters • Referenced a letter received from Patricia Goelz concerning maintenance of sidewalks, and requested that the city adopt some type of program to keep shrubbery trimmed away from sidewalks if homeowners do not maintain their property. Reported on his attendance at the 75`" Annual Florida League of Cities Conference. Commissioner Waters report is attached and made part of this official record as Attachment E. Commissioner Mitchelson • Reported that he would be attending the annual Florida Beach and Shore Preservation Conference in September and noted OMMISSIONERS M O T I 0 N S E C O N D Y E S N 0 Minutes Page -8- August 27, 2001 that information received from the Army Corp of Engineers concerning scheduling of the local beach renourishment project conflicted with scheduling information received earlier. Commissioner Borno Reported that he had noticed an increase in speeding on Seminole Road which he believed to be related to the Sherry Drive reconstruction project funneling more traffic onto Seminole Road. Commissioner Beaver • Reported that the city had received another check for $5,000 for the Adele Grage Cultural Center renovations. • Requested that a resolution be drafted honoring Mae Jones for her years of service on the Tree Board • Noted that yard trash, garbage and recycling collections all occurred on Mondays and an excessive amount of yard trash was being dropped in the streets. He felt that the collection schedule may have to be changed and the contractor needed to be reminded to pick up the debris from the streets. Provided information regarding the staff leasing company used by his company that provides a payroll service and health insurance for his employees. He suggested this company might be able to provide health insurance to the city. Mayor Meserve • Reported that the reception held to recognize city volunteers was very successful and he hoped it would be held annually. There being no further discussion or business to come before the Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Attest: John Meserve Mayor/Presiding Officer Maureen King Certified Municipal Clerk OMMISSIONERS M O T I 0 N S E C 0 N D Y E S N O