Town Commission

                                                                                    Regular Meeting

                                                                                    March 21, 2007

 

 

The Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida, met in regular session on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, in the Community Center, 509 Ocean Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

***

In attendance were Mayor William Stacey, Vice-Mayor Donnie Price, and Commissioner Paul Guglietta, April Evans and Sandy Wilson.  Also present were Town Manager Jim Bursick, Town Attorney Gary Sack, William Whitelock, Building Official and Town Clerk Lenore R. Milan.

 

***

Mayor Stacey called the meeting to order and offered the invocation.  The entire assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Changes to the Agenda

 

Commissioner Wilson moved Consent Agenda item a.  and c. to Old Business, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.  The motion carried unanimously.

***

Vice Mayor Price moved to approve the minutes of regular meeting February 21, 2007, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

***

Consent Agenda

Approval of an agreement between the Town of Melbourne Beach and Melbourne Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (MBVFD) providing for the MBVFD to reimburse the Town for annual lease-purchase payments made by the Town for the mini-pumper.

 

Special Events Applications for the:

1. Farmers’ Market April 14 & May 12, 2007 as recommended by the Parks Board.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the revised Consent Agenda, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

***

Proclamations

Mayor Stacey read a Proclamation declaring April as Florida Discover Month Honoring Ponce De Leon.  Mayor Stacey presented Frank Thomas with the Proclamation.

 

Non-Scheduled Citizen Comments

 

Ms. Jean Marshall, 410 6th Avenue, stated that on the Williams Building bulletin board, which the Town owns and maintains there is a sign for the Melbourne Beach Improvement Company, www.32951.org., she wanted to know why it was there.

 

Mayor Stacey requested the Town Manager to look into this and get back to Ms. Marshall.

 

 

Mr. Thomas Shaw, 406 Riverside Drive, spoke about a document he submitted to the Town Commission, of which only the Commission, the Town Manager, Town Attorney and Town Clerk had copies, with no one submitting a public records request for this document is now around Town.  He said this was a contradiction to their own policy of September 21, 2005, and asked for an investigation into this matter as to how it got out.

Mr. Steve Walters, 416 6th Avenue, stated that once that letter was submitted to the Town, it was a public record.

 

Mr. Lou Failla, 539 Sunset Blvd, asked Commissioner Wilson about last month’s meeting where the Commissioner grandstanded regarding the disk, he said he felt it was an obvious attempt to embarrass the Town Manager.  Mr. Failla stated that it was the way in which Commissioner Wilson presented it.

 

Commissioner Wilson stated that he wanted to save the Town money.

 

Ms. Alice Graham, 305 5th Avenue, advised that this Town is paradise; she said someone volunteers for a board and were told that they are mean-spirited.  She advised she was too sad to come to these meetings.  She stated that residents don’t know what is going on, shows in the attendance at the meeting.

 

Closed to the public.   

***

Boards and Committees

 

Mr. Owen Collard, 517 Andrews Drive, spoke about the Parks Board’s plans for Founders Day.  He advised the Commission that there will be a talent show, t-shirt contest, and a local band, Vintage will be playing. He stated that Ms. Remark spoke about placing old photos of the early 1900’s, enlarging them, with face cutouts, so that people can take pictures of themselves.

 

He told the Commission there would be a slip and slide and possibly a climbing wall which would be donated.  Mr. Collard advised about the Farmers’ Market on April 14 and possibly May 12th, if successful

 

Mayor Stacey thanked him and the Board for all their hard work.

 

The next item was the review of Volunteer applications to fill Board vacancies.  Mayor Stacey reminded the Commission that once they nominated someone they would become the alternate for that Board and the first alternate would move to become a regular member.

 

Vice Mayor Price stated that, unless for some reason, they appointed someone to regular member and bypass the alternate.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to appoint Sherri Quarrie to the Planning and Zoning Board, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to appoint Joseph Daly to the Police Pension Board, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to appoint Theresa Goldenberg and Judith Brooke to the Environmental Advisory Board, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta. The motion carried unanimously

 

There was a discussion regarding the Board of Adjustment applicants, Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to appoint John Remark, which was seconded by Commissioner Evans. The motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Wilson voting nay.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to appoint Frank Kelley to the Environmental Advisory Board, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to appoint Randall Roper to the Historical Preservation & Awareness Board, which died due to a lack of a second.

 

Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to appoint Joseph Tracey to the Historical Preservation & Awareness Board, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

***

Public Hearings

 

The first item to be considered was the second reading of Ordinance No. 2006-17 Portable on Demand Storage (PODS) containers.

 

Town Attorney Sack read: Ordinance No. 2006-17 of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Brevard County, Florida, adding Section 7A-57(f) of the Town of Melbourne Beach Code of Ordinances; providing for placement location, height, anchoring, time limits, and maintenance of Portable Temporary Storage Containers; providing for severability; providing for repeal of Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith; and providing an effective date; by title only for second reading.

 

Building Official Bill Whitelock explained the 30-day removal regulation, with the owner being responsible to remove or have the POD secured in the case of a Hurricane.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve this Ordinance, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.   

 

***

The next item was the second reading of Ordinance 2007-01 FPL.

 

Town Attorney Sack read: Ordinance No. 2007-01 of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Granting to Florida Power and Light Company, its successors and assigns, and Electric Franchise imposing

provisions and conditions relating thereto; providing for monthly payments to the Town of Melbourne Beach; and providing for an effective date, by title only for second reading.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve this Ordinance, which was seconded .by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

The next item on the agenda was Resolution No. 2007-05 Site Plan Review Fee

 

Town Attorney Sack read Resolution No. 2007-05 amending the Site Plan Review Fee schedule to allow additional costs incurred by the Town during the site plan review process to be charged to the applicant in title only.

 

Town Manager Jim Bursick explained that the Town was trying to recover any direct costs for site plan reviews, which would apply to commercial more than residential properties.

 

Commissioner Wilson asked if this was to pay Dennis Ragsdale, our Town Planner.  Town Manager Bursick stated that would not typically, since the Building Official has come on board, Mr. Ragsdale has been working on the Comp Plan, Ordinances for Planning and Zoning, that its purpose  would be to cover the costs of engineers.

 

Ms. Dieterle 531-527 Sunset Blvd, asked what would be put in place to protect against potential abuse.   Also, she stated that if it was meant for residential property it should be noticed as such.

 

Town Manager Bursick stated that it is a check and balance, and an appeal process would be made available.

 

Mrs. Remark 707 Atlantic Street, stated that the Town doesn’t have to notice people, can it read to sound a little more fair.

 

Mr. Walters, 416 6th Ave, asked if this item would cover Town expenses when a meeting is postponed during the variances and Special Exception process?  Town Manager Bursick advised no, it would only apply to the site plan review process.

 

Vice Mayor Price advised that it is for extraordinary expenses, he read, from the Resolution, “the Town with sole discretion, determine when and whether to retain such services.”  The applicant will be required to pay a deposit prior to the Town proceeding.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to table this item, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.

***

 

The next item on the agenda was Resolution No. 2007-06.

 

Town Attorney Sack read Resolution No. 2007-06 concluding that the Town of Melbourne Beach does not possess real property within its jurisdiction appropriate for affordable housing

in title only.

 

There was a discussion regarding Town-owned property, that it was restricted from use to support affordable housing.

 

Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to approve this Resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Evans.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

***

Old Business

 

The next item on the agenda was the approval of lease purchase agreements to provide funds for the purchase of a fire truck in the amount of $342,962 as approved by the Town Commission on August 16, 2006 and a mini-pumper in the amount of $163,000 as approved by the Town Commission in July 21, 2004 by Resolution No. 737.

 

Commissioner Wilson stated that he was opposed to this two and one-half years ago, that the Fire Department already has a new truck.  He advised that the state is going to cut property taxes, the Town will lose income, why does the Town need to spend this money, it is a disservice to the Town.

 

There was a discussion regarding the lease agreement, the issue of canceling the contract, the provision that if the Town was not able to pay, then the truck would be taken back and the fact that the truck is scheduled to be delivered in five weeks.  The Town Manager advised that the purchase order was issued.

 

Mr. Walters, 416 6th Avenue, stated that the Commission had approved the budget for this purchase; that they were now being asked to approve the lease agreement.  He inquired as to whether the Town Attorney has reviewed this agreement, in the best interest of the Town?

 

Vice Mayor Price stated that the Commission had approved the purchase; that this was a formality, it was approved to get the price we did.

 

Commissioner Guglietta stated that it would not increase the Fire Department’s budget.

 

The motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Wilson voting nay.

 

***

The next item was the Authorization for the Town Manager to prepare and submit a grant application requesting funds under the 2007 Florida Forever Program to acquire land for the expansion of the Loggerhead Preserve Park

 

Town Manager Bursick explained that this grant would be written in-house.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to prepare and submit the grant application, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.

 

Town Manager Bursick explained that the Town applied last year, it would be for the parcel of land north of existing Loggerhead Park; that based on the new grant information, this grant application can be done in-house, with no Town matching funds.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

***

New Business

 

The first item was Approval of Employment Agreement between the Town of Melbourne Beach and Jim Bursick for services as Town Manager.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to approve the Employment Agreement, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

There was a discussion regarding an increase, that the Town Manager would receive the same increase as the Town employees when that was presented.

 

The next item on the agenda is the discussion and possible action regarding proposal to develop an information distribution list for the Town of Melbourne Beach.

 

Mayor Stacey informed the Commission that there would be a collection of those e-mail addresses from Town residents that wanted to receive notices of meetings, agendas, etc.

 

Town Manager Bursick stated that this was presented by Mr. Shaw, which would be an e-mail distribution of information to Town residents; that the residents would need to sign-up.  He said this concept was being presented to the Commission.

 

There was a discussion about this being free to the Town, the public record issue and how Indialantic pays for this service to eliminate advertising.

 

Commissioner Wilson stated that we post agendas and asked what the benefit was for the Town.  Town Manager Bursick stated that the benefit was for the residents

Commissioner Wilson said why couldn’t the Town get a telephone system, and was advised that this would be expensive.

 

Commissioner Guglietta stated that he was concerned about spam, and the fact that the e-mail addresses would be public record.  The Town Manager was asked to look into this.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to not enter into agreement with Mr. Shaw in interest of the Town residents, which died due to lack of second.

 

Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to table this item, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.  The motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Wilson voting nay.

 

The next item on the agenda was the Discussion and possible action regarding a temporary Community Night to be held the last Wednesday of the month until Certificate of Occupancy is issued for Old Town Hall. (As requested by Mayor Stacey).

 

Mayor Stacey passed the gavel to the Vice Mayor.

 

Mayor Stacey spoke about the tennis courts being free, now folks in Town come down to play dominos, checkers, etc.

 

Mayor Stacey made a motion to have the last Wednesday of the month as Community Night in the Community Center, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.

 

Commissioner Wilson asked about the Certificate of Occupancy for the Williams Building.   He was advised that they had received it.

 

Commissioner Guglietta stated that this would fall under Communities for a Lifetime, didn’t the Town join?  The Town Manager stated yes.

 

Commissioner Guglietta said this would be a great opportunity for Communities for a Lifetime; we need to come up with a plan.

 

Commissioner Wilson asked if anyone can come, who would be responsible and who was going to open it up?

 

Ms. Marshall, 410 6th Ave, asked about volunteers, and if there was a plan.

 

Mayor Stacey asked Mrs. Martha Remark if she would open and close it and she said she would.

 

Mr. Walters, 416 6th Ave, stated that we all know what this is about, the Melbourne Beach Improvement Company, just an opportunity to have a political group gather.

 

Mr. Thomas, 606 Atlantic St, they play various games, it is a wonderful positive thing.

 

Commissioner Guglietta stated that the Commission needs to get with the Town Manager to meet about Communities for a Lifetime, needs to be organized; information out to the community.  Mayor’s Night Out, come up with a plan     

 

Vice Mayor Price stated that since we have agreed to have Communities for a Lifetime and have requirements, he moved to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.  The motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Wilson voting nay. Mayor Stacey stated that he would meet with the Town Manager.

 

                                                            ***

Town Attorney’s Report

 

Town Attorney Sack stated that he had nothing to report at this time.

 

Town Manager’s Report

 

The Town Commission acknowledged receipt of the following reports from the Town Manager: (1) Action Item Report; (2) Police Department Monthly Activity Report – February 2007;

(3) Public Works Man-Hour Report – February 2007; (4) Code Enforcement Activity Report; (5) Building Department Permit Report

 

On other items the Town Manager spoke about the Financials. He advised that there is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. in the Community Center to discuss the Stormwater Master Plan, which will be an opportunity for residents learn about what was proposed and pose their concerns.  There will be a Turtle Friendly Lighting Workshop on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. for residents, where they can also ask questions, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will facilitate the workshop.  There will be a Visioning Process Meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 7 P.M. in the Community Center, to finish prioritizing recommendations and discussions on the redevelopment of Ocean Avenue.

 

Town Manager Bursick stated that we were accepting applications for the Police Chief position through the end of this month; that we have over 50, with 30 complete, that he would proceed with a meeting with the Civil Service Board to decide who is qualified and proceed with interviews.  He said he was considering setting up a Meet the Candidates Night in the Community Center.  He advised that the Trash Bash will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007 from 8-12 at Ocean Park, he thanked Curtis Byrd for all his help, and he also compiles an annual report as required by the Florida Community Trust Grant Program

 

Town Manager Bursick advised of the Pedway Project Kick-off Meeting, with the scope of services, and the application with St. Johns River Water Management District, the permit application for these improvements, that we will have the plans review in two weeks, and are waiting for the permit.

 

Town Commission Reports

 

Commissioner Evans

She advised that she did not have anything to contribute at this time

 

Commissioner Guglietta

Commissioner Guglietta spoke about the construction on I-95, to three lanes, MPO working on this 5-6 years through Brevard from Fort Pierce.  He advised that at the last MPO meeting there was a proposition making MPO an independent entity, not to answer to the County or municipalities. Road issues will be up and coming due to the growth in Florida.

 

There was a discussion regarding a letter from former Town Manager Nancy Ciummo, having some inconsistencies and untruths.

 

Commissioner Guglietta spoke about statements made at the last meeting, which he was not present for, regarding former Police Chief David Syrkus.  He read letters he wrote to Jack King, Chief of Police of Melbourne Village, regarding Dean Darling.

 

Vice Mayor Price

Vice Mayor Price spoke about the Legislative Action Day in Tallahassee, of which he had planned on attending.  He will meet with Legislators to impress upon them to take a long view of these proposals regarding the Ad Valorem property tax reform and the effects it would have on the Town of Melbourne Beach.  He stated that it costs nearly $1 million to finance the Town to keep the Police Department, Fire Department Town Hall, Parks. 

 

Vice Mayor Price stated that the Town needed the money that our residents pay to run the Town.

 

Commissioner Wilson

Commissioner Wilson said he echoed what the Vice Mayor had just stated.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                             William G. Stacey, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

    Lenore R. Milan, Town Clerk