CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2003 - 4:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on February 11, 2003 at 4:00 p.m.
in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Harold Haynes, Commissioner
Roger P. Schad, Commissioner
Frances Wittkopf, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Robert C. Jackson, City Attorney
Matt Riemer, Police Lieutenant
Absent: Antonius G. Barnes, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Mayor Kelley called the meeting to order and gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance
followed.
Item #3. Mayor's Report:
Mayor Kelley recognized Chase Curti and Darrell Hernandez, Fire
Department, for their assistance during a traffic accident.
Mayor Kelley stated that he was asked to join the Bay County Trade Committee which he has
accepted.
Mayor Kelley reported that he attended the MPOAC meeting in Orlando, Florida.
A. Proclamation - Library Appreciation Month: City Manager Lynch
read this proclamation in its entirety.
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To excuse Commissioner Barnes from the
meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
A meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 17, 2003 to meet with other mayors and city
attorneys to discuss the 1/2 cent sales tax issue. Mayor Kelley requested Commission support for
him to attend this meeting with City Attorney Jackson.
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #4. Commissioner's Report:
-
Wittkopf:
- Commissioner Wittkopf stated that she attended the dedication ceremony for the
Salvation Army building last Sunday. She stated that it is a nice facility and an asset to our
City.
-
Schad:
- No report.
-
Haynes:
- Commissioner Haynes reported that he had the opportunity to attend the mock
oil spill and terrorist act in Niceville this past weekend and it is obvious that we are prepared.
Commissioner Haynes further reported that he has been invited by Senator George Allan to
attend an economic seminar in Las Vegas, however, he will not be attending.
Mayor Kelley asked all citizens to be alert during these trying times and to report anything out
of the ordinary.
Item #5. City Manager's Report:
A. Monthly Department Reports: provided in packet.
City Manager Lynch reported that the City's new web page is on line and is very informative.
Legislative Action Day is April 2, 2003 in Tallahassee; three Commissioners and the City
Manager have signed up to attend.
The City received the Apple of Our Eye Award from the Bay County Chamber for
improvements to City Hall.
B. January 2003 Employee of the Month:
City Manager Lynch reported that Mr. Chuck Pittman, Utility Maintenance Supervisor, has been
recognized as the January 2003 Employee of the Month.
Item #6. City Attorney's Report:
No report.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item #7. Minutes:
1/28/03 - Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the minutes as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
Item #8. Discussion and possible action regarding
proposal by West Florida Regional Planning Council for establishment of a Community Redevelopment Agency:
City
Manager Lynch reported that a blight study is required to proceed with the creation of a CRA.
WFRPC has presented a proposal for this study and City Manager Lynch stated that $25,000
has been budgeted, however he did not believe the cost would exceed $5,000
.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the blight study to be done by
WFRPC with a cap of $5,000.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
Commissioner Haynes recused himself from the vote as he is a property owner within this area.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-0
NEW BUSINESS:
Item #9. Discussion and possible action regarding
award of bid for landscaping services for Highway Beautification Grant, Phase I:
Staff recommends award of landscape contract
for Phase I of the Highway 77 beautification project to Southeastern Outdoor as base bid and
additive #2 in the amount of $113,072.00.
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #10. Discussion and possible action regarding of
proposal by RMPK Group, Inc. for the preparation of a CRA Plan in accordance with F.S. 163, Part III:
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To table this issue.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
Commissioner Haynes asked to recuse himself from voting on this issue.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-0
City Manager Lynch reported that staff is requesting an RFQ be sent out and be brought back
to the Commission at its next meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the request for RFQ as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
City Manager Lynch stated that in order to be able to meet the June 31, 2003 increment
deadline the City needs to take the appropriate steps to begin the determination of the blight
study; it will take several weeks to complete the blight study. He further stated that an RFQ is
not a contract it is a request for qualifications.
City Attorney Jackson stated that Florida Statutes requires that when you negotiate for
professional services you request they bid for qualifications. The City Commission would than
rank according to qualifications.
Ms. Barbara Day stated that she has a problem with the RFQ. She wanted to know about
payment for the park drawings.
Commissioner Schad stated that he personally raised private funds to pay for the drawings of
Memorial Park.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-0
Item #11. Audit Report:
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve the audit as presented by the
Auditor.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
Mayor Kelley stated that the Auditor went over the audit yesterday and everything looks good.
A lot of money is being saved and services are being provided as they should be. Mayor Kelley
thanked the City Manager and staff for their hard work.
Ms. Barbara Day commented on the audit. She stated that there are some unfavorable things in
the audit.
City Manager Lynch stated that the $434,000 adjustment that Ms. Day is referring to is a budget
adjustment that was made eight years ago when money was being borrowed from water to
sewer to sanitation and shifting money around. The auditor also made a very good point in
commending the Commission on balancing that in just this one year.
Ms. Day stated that this is the same auditor that the City has had for the past ten years.
City Manager Lynch stated that the auditor showed, during his presentation, ten years worth of
slippery slope of red ink going into a pool of poverty through 1998; and a sharp increase in
1998 and up in all categories.
Ms. Day stated that she did not know if she could believe this auditor because the City has no
finance director.
City Manager Lynch stated that he believes we need a finance director and recommends that
Ms. Twila Miller be placed in the position.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To appoint Ms. Twila Miller as Finance
Director for the City as suggested by staff.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
Mayor Kelley stated that he does not have a problem with this, however, he would like to see
it placed on the next agenda so that a full Commission would be present.
Commissioner Wittkopf stated that it should go out for bids to hire a finance director.
City Manager Lynch stated that he is satisfied; she has been his finance person for five years
and has had six consecutive no finding audits. City Manager Lynch stated that he did not
believe a better finance officer could be found in the State.
Commissioner Haynes removed his motion.
Commissioner Schad removed his second to the motion.
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To place this issue on the next agenda.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
Ms. Barbara Day commented on the Finance Director. She stated that Ms. Miller's credentials
should be checked. She wanted to know if she was qualified.
Mr. John Toole stated that he does not believe Ms. Miller is qualified to be the Finance
Director.
Mr. Virgil Duffell commented on the Finance Director position.
Mr. Larry Wells commented on the Finance Director position.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #12. Public Commentary:
Mr. Virgil Duffell commented on the article in the newspaper regarding the Bay County
Commission and their intent to limit citizen discussion at meetings.
Ms. Barbara Day commented on the Consent Agreement with FDEP. Ms. Day also commented
on micro management.
Mr. Sammy Day stated that he doesn't agree with the County Commission and time limits on
people being able to speak.
Mayor Kelley stated that this is a business meeting and people will be allowed to talk, however,
it will be in an orderly manner. Mayor Kelley stated that the City Manager runs the City and
he will not be a part of micro managing.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 25th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2003.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
ATTEST:
John B. Lynch, City Manager-Clerk
Prepared by Laurie Baker
