Town Commission

                                                                                    Regular Meeting

                                                                                    April 18, 2007

 

The Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida, met in regular session on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, in the Community Center, 509 Ocean Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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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.

 

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

 

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Approval of Minutes

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to approve the Minutes of the March 21, 2007 regular meeting and March 8th Special Call Meeting.  Commissioner Wilson amended the minutes of March 21st, then seconded the minutes, as amended.  The motion carried unanimously

 

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Consent Agenda

Selection of Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year were approved. 

Authorization for the Town Manager to execute Lease Purchase Agreements for two fully-equipped police vehicles was approved. 

Authorization for the Town Manager to execute an agreement between the Town of Melbourne Beach and Brevard County regarding reimbursement to the Town in the amount of 37,007.14 for First Response Medical Services was approved. 

Special events application for Founders Day on May 5, 2007 was approved.

 

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

 

Presentations by Special Guests

Mayor Stacey presented Marc Gaskins his award for Officer of the Year.  Mayor Stacey thanked Marc Gaskins for all his good work as the Town’s Police Officer.

 

Commissioner Wilson spoke about Officer Gaskins athletic abilities. 

 

Commissioner Guglietta thanked Officer Gaskins for his assistance during his wife’s car accident.

 

Proclamations

Mayor Stacey read a Proclamation declaring May 20 through May 26, 2007, as Public Works Week, which he presented to Larry Hosmer, Public Works Supervisor.

 

Mayor Stacey then read a Proclamation declaring April 29 through May 5, 2007, as Municipal Clerks Week and presented the Proclamation to Lenore Milan, Town Clerk.

 

The Minutes of the February 17, 2007 Special Call Meeting was approved by Vice Mayor Price and seconded by Commissioner Wilson.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

Non-Scheduled Citizen Comments

 

Ms. Jean Marshall, 410 6th Avenue, requested that the two CDs she received from a public record request be formatted to listen on a CD player.  The Town Clerk explained that there is a different format that can be used and she will check into it.

 

Mr. Jim Simmons, 409 Avenue B, spoke about the reappointment of Gail Gowdy to the Board of Adjustment, stating that she did a great job and should be re-appointed.  Mr. Simmons stated that the Town Commission should not desert her for the tough decision she made regarding the gas station.

 

Mr. Bill Hoskovec, 526 Avenue B, spoke about the park lights turning on early in the evening, and the removal of his signs on properties.

 

Mr. Frank Cariou, spoke about his high regard for Gail Gowdy stating she is competent and intelligent.

 

Mr. Steve Walters, 416 6th Ave, asked why the podium has been moved up, stated he was a supporter of Gail Gowdy and spoke about public records law regarding reasonable time.

 

Ms. Alice Graham, 305 5th Avenue, spoke about Gail Gowdy, that she always does her research.

 

Mr. Dean Darling, 420 6th Ave, asked Commissioner Guglietta what was stated in the last meeting regarding a document implying that he caused Chief King to leave.

 

Ms. Ann Downing, 801 Pine St, reminded about the Melbourne Art Festival on April 28 and 29th, she stated our local artists will have their work on display at that Festival

 

Closed to the public.   

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Boards and Committees

The first item was the clarification of the new Environmental Advisory Board Members, there was a brief discussion.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to appoint Ms. Brooke as regular member, with Mr. Kelley and Ms. Goldenberg as Alternate Members, which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Guglietta made a motion to re-appoint Warren Olin and Leon Snodgrass to the Code Enforcement Board, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Price.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to re-appoint Gail Gowdy to the Board of Adjustment, the motion died due to lack of the second.

 

Vice Mayor Price made a motion to move Lou Failla from Alternate to Regular member of the Board of Adjustment which was seconded by Commissioner Wilson.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Guglietta stated that the Board will still be short one alternate member.

 

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Public Hearings

 

The first item to be considered was the first reading of Ordinance No. 2007-04 Changing the title from Occupational License to Business Tax.

 

Town Attorney Sack read: Ordinance No. 2007-04 of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Brevard County, Florida, amending Chapter 65, changing the title thereof from occupation licenses to local business tax ordinance, the deleting current code Section 65 – 1 through 65 – 99, adding new code Section 65 – 1 through 65 – 99, providing for severability; providing for repeal of inconsistent ordinances; providing for codification and providing for an effective date; read the title only for first reading.

 

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

 

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The next item was the first reading of Ordinance 2007-05 Repealing Former Employee Retirement Plan.

 

Town Attorney Sack read: Ordinance No. 2007-05 of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Brevard County, Florida, amending Chapter 12, by repealing Section 12-2 Employees’ Retirement Pension Plan; providing for severability; providing for repeal of ordinances or all parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and providing for an effective date, by title only for first reading.

 

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

 

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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 read the title only.

 

There was a discussion regarding these fees,   Building Official Bill Whitelock explained that the repair fees are different from a site plan review fees.

 

Town Manager Jim Bursick advised that it is for extraordinary expenses to the applicant.

 

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

 

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Old Business

 

The next item on the agenda was discussion and possible action regarding new developments concerning the Chevron Station Lawsuit, which was requested by Commissioner Wilson.

 

Commissioner Wilson spoke about supporting our boards; that if we have a shade meeting, information would be leaked almost immediately we need to decide tonight to defend our Board and Town Attorney.

 

Commissioner Wilson made a motion to discuss this now, direct the Town Attorney to prepare a draft to defend the Town, the Board of Adjustment and his personal interpretation.  He stated that since that we have made this change to the Board of Adjustment, Mr. Stelling may drop his charges and come back in front of the Board of Adjustment.  The motion died due to lack of a second. 

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New Business

 

The first item was the discussion and possible action regarding an agreement between the Town and Gary Sack for his services as Town Attorney.

 

There was a discussion regarding Mr. Sack’s three-year contract.  Commissioner Evans stated she was not totally happy with Mr. Sack as our Town Attorney, that she has not changed her mind regarding the need to have an attorney with a lot more depth of experience.

 

Commission Wilson made a motion to approve Gary Sack’s three-year contract which was seconded by Commissioner Guglietta.

 

Commissioner Guglietta spoke of the decisions Mr. Sack has made, how he had voted for him and that he had to earn the right to be our Town Attorney, but he did not agree with the letter with regard to the Board of adjustment that Mr. Sack wrote, but I couldn’t say he’s doing a bad job, and will still back him.

 

Mr. Steve Walters, 416 Sixth Ave, spoke about the Town’s decision regarding the attorney.

 

Ms. Susan Dieterle, 531 Sunset Blvd, spoke of Steve Walters filing against her with the Ethics Commission, that the allegations were false.  She asked if she could have permission to present the evidence.  She was advised she did not need to present the evidence.

 

Ms. Xochitl Ross, 1106 Atlantic Street, spoke about the Town Attorney, the need for us to completely trust him, but she has a problem, that if the attorney felt the Board of Adjustment was doing something in error of the law, why didn’t he say something at that time.

 

Commissioner Guglietta withdrew his second.

 

Vice Mayor Price stated that apparently there is some un-readiness to approve his contract, we should table this item.  Commission Wilson tabled this item which was second by Commissioner Guglietta to be discussed at a workshop the first Wednesday in May.

 

The next item on the agenda is the discussion and possible action regarding the “How Shall We Grow?” project as part of the Central Florida Regional Visioning Process, as requested by Vice Mayor Price.

 

Vice Mayor Price advised that the Town of Melbourne Beach has been asked to complete a survey on how we see the Town of Melbourne Beach in the year 2050.  He stated that we will be involved in this process with regional planning, and will start to think about the impact, that, due to our size, we are presently considered a hamlet.  He stated that there will be a questionnaire available at Town Hall, our Clerk will have them.

 

Mr. Bruce Black, 405 Ave A, inquired as to the time and place to discuss the itinerant merchant application.  Mr. Sack advised that the Town Commission would set the time and place with a notice placed on the bulletin board under Section 70 – 5 Code, which requires written notice 10 days prior to the meeting.  The meeting will be held Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 6 p.m.

 

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Town Attorney’s Report

 

Town Attorney Sack stated that he was requesting a meeting to discuss Thijs Stelling versus the Town of Melbourne Beach, pending writ.  He said there needs to be a discussion regarding settlement negotiations or strategy, to include a court reporter.  After a brief discussion it was decided that the commission would hold an executive session with the Town Attorney, Town Manager, and court reporter on May 2, 2007 at 6 p.m.

 

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 – March 2007; (3) Public Works Man-Hour Report – March 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 Trash Bash on April 21 from 8-12 in Ocean Park, a Visioning Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Center to finish prioritizing recommendations and discussions on the redevelopment of Ocean Avenue.  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. 

 

Town Manager Bursick spoke about the projects for the Town. The Pedway correction project permit application was submitted to St. Johns Water Management District, that it will take a while.  He advised about the Stormwater Master Plan Project, that we will receive a summary report and findings this week.  Regarding the Ocean Avenue Redevelopment, update to the amendments regarding the Land Development Code, a final draft will be available for the meeting of May 7, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board Meeting, and, if recommended, for first reading at the May 16, 2007 Commission Meeting.  Mr. Bursick advised that the amendments are focused on sizes of businesses, and signage.

 

With regard to the police chief position, the Civil Service Board review applications, we receive 79 inquiries with 58 completed applications during a meeting last week we’ve narrowed it to 14 for consideration.  Mr. Bursick commended the Civil Service Board for their outstanding job throughout this process.

 

 

 

 

Town Commission Reports

 

Commissioner Guglietta

Commissioner Guglietta advised that there was no MPO Meeting; that they were moving to Viera.  He spoke about the weekly report Mr. Bursick was submitting to the Town Commission, saying he was doing a fine job and the report was very illuminating, acknowledging the different boards’ meetings.

 

There was a discussion regarding a Chairman of the Board calling for a special meeting, and the cancellation of the Code Enforcement Board Meeting.

 

Vice Mayor Price

Vice Mayor Price stated that this past month there was a lot of activity regarding the property taxes,  he represents the Town for the Space Coast League of Cities, that they have taken a strong position regarding property taxes.  The League participated in Legislative Action Day in Tallahassee, which was very well attended.  He advised that he spoke to Legislators who will have an impact on the proposals, and Tallahassee was looking at various ideas, hopefully they will consider the immediate impact on Towns, Villages and citizens.  He stated that relief is needed with property taxes, we need to play close attention.

 

Commissioner Evans

Commissioner Evans stated that she attended the Library Board Meeting, they spoke of various programs that took place in February and March. She said it was a very lovely facility and encouraged all residents to visit.

 

Commissioner Wilson

Commissioner Wilson stating he had nothing to report at this time.

 

Mayor Stacey

Mayor Stacey spoke about reading stories to kindergarten students; he said they just loved it.  He advised that he went to the Central Florida’s Mayor Association and also reminded everyone about Founders Day May 5th.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                             William G. Stacey, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

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    Lenore R. Milan, Town Clerk