TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH

MINUTES

TOWN COMMISSION - SPECIAL MEETING

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Community Center - 6:30 PM

The Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida met in special session on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 in the Community Center at 509 Ocean Avenue, beginning at 6:30 PM.

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Present were Mayor William Stacey, Vice-Mayor Sandy Wilson, Commissioner Paul Guglietta, Commissioner Donnie Price and Commissioner Steve Walters. Also present were Interim Town Manager Jim Bursick, Interim Town Attorneys Nick Tsamoutales and Gary Sack, and Deputy Town Clerk Sara Keeney

Mayor Stacey led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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Site Plan review for new construction of a single family home located at 446 Sandy Key by Edwin and Genevieve Serrano. Recommendation: The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval at its meeting on April 3, 2006.

Motion by Commissioner Price to approve the site plan for 446 Sandy Key. Second by Vice Mayor Wilson. Motion carried unanimously.

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Appointment of the Committee to select the Junior Citizen of the Year in accordance with Resolution 529.

Mayor Stacey said he had made several phone calls to find out if anyone was interested in serving on this committee. Commissioner Guglietta mentioned that in the past there were representatives from Gemini School, the Commission, and other organizations. He pointed out that time is of the essence. Commissioner Guglietta was asked to chair the board and to get it moving. Commissioner Walters stated there was one member of the Commission and then representatives from the schools. The Mayor asked the members of the Commission to submit names for nomination for the Citizen of the Year.

Motion by Commissioner Walters to appoint Commissioner Guglietta as a member of the Jr. Citizen of the Year committee. Second by Commissioner Price. The motion carried unanimously.

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Discussion and possible action regarding Loggerhead Park Expansion.

The Town Manager briefed the Commission on the answers to the questions posed at the March 15, 2006 meeting. Per Ed Washburn, the lot can support one unit, it is a non conforming lot, but variances have been granted for other properties just north. The next question was if the owner would hold the property. Amy Adams spoke with the realtor and it was not an option, they would give the Town the right to first refusal. Amy did an initial scoring in relation to where our application would finish. She felt that if we did receive the grant award we could continue with the appraisals and possibly make an offer in January. The owner will not hold the property.

Vice Mayor Wilson asked if there was any interest from anyone to buy that property now. According to Amy there was not at this time. Commissioner Guglietta asked if the price had gone down. Ms. Adams responded that the property was selling for 1.3 million and they would come down to 1.17 million if you were to close by May 1. Ms. Adams indicated they are eager to sell the property.

Ms. Adams felt there were three major changes that needed to be made to the Comp Plan in order to be rated high enough for the grant. The first needs to be a language change including greenways, and natural communities. We are taking the current policies and objective and adding those words to it to update it.

Ms. Adams stated that under her estimate for fees they have engaged Mr. Todd Petes from Miller Legg, a planning firm in Orlando. He has offered to hold the Comp Plan hearings and to contact DCA before the Public Hearings in Town.

Commissioner Price said his concern is committing the money for the grant. He said we need to consider whether we want to go forward. Commissioner Guglietta asked Amy about the Comp Plan and if it had to go to the Planning and Zoning Board. Ms. Adams clarified that the actual changes did not have to be completed by the deadline, just the implementation of the changes had to have begun.

Commissioner Walters asked what the fees would include. The Town Manger replied the fee for Ms. Adams would be $6, 360.00 the planning services to update the comp plan would be $3,500.00 for a total of $9,860.00. Commissioner Walters asked if there was anything else we would be responsible for. Ms. Adams indicated there is a preliminary site assessment, but she would be absorbing those fees. The application did not make the cut last year, and you are under the gun to make the changes. She indicated that she is not sure how DCA will respond considering the plan is outdated. The Town Manager indicated that the funds would have to come from the Contingency line item. We would have about $72,500 to spend.

Vice Mayor Wilson asked about the use of the land. Ms. Adams indicated that the State owns the land but would turn it over to Melbourne Beach. He asked if the Town could put parking. Ms. Adams responded if your original grant application says that is what it is to be used for. Ms. Adams commented the Environmental Board has discussed having a park, but Sixth Avenue is so close. Spessard Holland is the closest place to park until Sixth Avenue. There is a pathway being created by pedestrians in that area and there is more foot traffic than in the past.

Commissioner Walters asked what the intent of the grant was. Ms. Adams responded it was to be used as a passive park. Commissioner Price asked if concrete parking lot would be objectionable to the current owners. Ms. Adams commented they would have to do stormwater enhancements if the Town wanted to put concrete on the land. She also commented there is apparently a good deal of stewardship going on in that area, and that this is a large nesting area.

Motion by Commissioner Guglietta to recommend Amy Adams and attempt to acquire the grant from the State for the purchase of the property north of Loggerhead Park in the amount of $9,860.00. Second by Vice Mayor Wilson.

There was discussion regarding the proposal for the land. Ms. Remark asked if Ms. Adams would prepare a list of what is needed in the Comp Plan. Ms. Adams responded she would prepare a list of the areas that are lacking.

Commissioner Walters commented there was an error on the agenda. There was discussion about whether or not this should be treated as a special meeting. Vice Mayor Wilson commented that it appears that the heading on the agenda was probably pulled from a previous agenda in error. The Mayor apologized.

The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.

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Discussion and possible action related to the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code as requested by Commissioner Guglietta.

This item was pulled from the agenda.

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The Town Manager introduced Graham Olhmann our new Code Enforcement officer. Vice Mayor Wilson asked what hours he will be working. Mr. Olhmann replied that the hours would be various, mornings and afternoons, weekends if needed. After hours, these issues could be funneled through the Police Department. The Mayor thanked Mr. Olhmann for coming.

Commissioner Guglietta asked if Mr. Olhmann would be sent to training? The Town Manager replied he is talking to the Chief about a 40-hour program through UCF, and advanced courses that are available. Commissioner Guglietta asked if there were funds available.

Commissioner Walters asked if the position was advertised. The Town Manager replied that it was a contract position and did not require advertisement.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:08.