CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 26, 2003 - 7:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Frances Wittkopf, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Antonius G. Barnes, Commissioner
Harold Haynes, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Robert C. Jackson, City Attorney
Matt Riemer, Police Lieutenant
Mayor Kelley called the meeting to order and gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Agenda Changes:
9A. Discussion and possible action regarding Revenue Sufficiency Analysis.
9B. Resolution 2003-08-335, supporting selection of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico as sister city.
9C. Discussion and possible action regarding cancellation of City Commission Workshop on 10/27/03 due to Gulf Power Symposium conflict.
9D. Discussion and possible action regarding cancellation of Nov. 11, 2003 City Commission Meeting due to Veteran's Day holiday.
Item 9D. Discussion and possible action regarding
cancellation of Nov. 11, 2003 City Commission Meeting due to Veteran's Day holiday:
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To cancel the meeting as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To excuse Commissioner Schad from tonight's meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #9. Discussion and possible action regarding
changing meeting time for 9/9/03 Commission Meeting due to the Special Election:
Motion by Commissioner Wittkopf: To change meeting time of September 9, 2003 from 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
Second to the motion: Barnes.
On Vote:
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Wittkopf: To reschedule meeting in November to November 18, 2003 and this will be the only meeting in November.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
On Vote:
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #4. Commissioner's Report:
-
Haynes:
- Commissioner Haynes reported that he attended the Florida League of Cities Conference in Orlando and it was very interesting and knowledgeable.
-
Barnes:
- No report.
-
Wittkopf:
- Commissioner Wittkopf reported that she attended the FLC Conference and she found it to be informative.
Ms. Wittkopf stated that she had recieved a concern from a citizen regarding the school zone at Hwy 390 and Mowat Middle School.
Motion by Commissioner Wittkopf: To send a letter, under the Mayor's signature, to the WFRPC asking that this issue be placed on the MPO agenda for discussion.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
Ms. Barbara Day wanted to know about sidewalks that she thought were to be provided by the Reserve development. She asked the Commission to check on this.
Mr. Larry Wells asked that west bound traffic be looked at as well as the east bound traffic.
On Vote:
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #5. City Manager's Report:
City Manager Lynch reported that the NWFLC was requesting comments so that they can put their slate together for legislative issues; the Mayor has indicated that he would like potable water to be an issue.
City Manager Lynch reported that stormwater improvements and shoreline restoration for A.L. Kinsaul Park will be on the September 25 agenda for the Northwest Florida Water Management District. If approved work could begin in November 2003.
City Manager Lynch stated that an email was received from a citizen regarding drug arrests; this email referred to a number of drug arrests in Bay County and went on to belittle the Police Dept. and the Police Chief for not doing a good job. According to the email the drug arrests were made in Lynn Haven, however, after checking into this it was determined that the people that were arrested had Lynn Haven addresses but were not arrested in Lynn Haven. City Manager Lynch stated that he is proud of our Police Chief and our Police Department and they are doing a good job.
Item #6. City Attorney's Report:
No report.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item #7. Minutes:
8/12/03 Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
Item #8. Discussion and possible action regarding Petty Drive right-of-way:
City Manager Lynch asked that this item be tabled at the request of Attorney Stopka. Mr. Stopka has indicated that he is working on a right-of-way use agreement with his client that will be brought forward at the next commission meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To table this item.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
Commissioner Haynes stated that he is ready to resolve this issue.
Ms. Barbara Day talked about abandonment of right-of-ways.
Mr. Sammy Day stated that he believes the City Manager polls the Commission at workshops.
City Attorney Jackson stated that workshops are to consider and discuss agenda items and is a public meeting.
Attorney Jackson stated that he disagrees with Mr. Day and the Commission did not violate the Sunshine Law.
City Manager Lynch stated that he does not poll the Commission and being accused of such is offensive to him.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
NEW BUSINESS:
Item #9A. Discussion and possible action regarding Revenue Sufficiency Analysis:
City Manager Lynch stated that $20,000.00 was budgeted for the Revenue Analysis; after discussions with Burton and Associates the cost of the analysis is $18,930.00 with an out of pocket expense of $947.00 for a total estimated project cost of $19,877.00. Staff requests permission to move forward with hiring Burton & Associates to do our Revenue Sufficiency Analysis.
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
Ms. Barbara Day stated that she has a problem with the study. She said the current study is good until 2004 and she recommends this item be denied.
Mr. Claude Mixdorf stated that he agrees with Ms. Day.
Ms. Sally Stanley commended the Commission for their patience. She further stated that the 5-year plan is a process and sometimes adjustments have to be made.
Mr. Larry Wells stated that the timing is wrong for this study. He stated that we are in the 4th year of a 5-year study.
City Manager Lynch stated that the existing plan has been modified and it is time to update the plan for the next five years. Mr. Lynch stated that planning is a continuing process.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: no
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-1
Commissioner Wittkopf stated that she believes this study is too soon; it should be done next year.
Item #9B. Resolution 2003-08-335, supporting
selection of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico as sister city:
City Manager Lynch read this resolution in its entirety.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve Resolution 2003-08-335 as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Haynes.
Mayor Kelley stated that he has been invited to go to Merida when the agreement is to be signed, however, he will be out of town and has asked Mayor Pro Tem Wittkopf to go in his place.
Ms. Barbara Day wanted to know how much this trip would cost. She suggested that no one go at this time.
Mayor Kelley stated that an international trade committee will be going to Mexico to solicit for businesses.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Haynes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To support Mayor Pro Tem Wittkopf to go to Mexico.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
Commissioner Wittkopf stated that she was not sure about going and she would discuss it with her husband.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #9C. Discussion and possible action regarding
cancellation of City Commission Workshop on 10/27/03 due to Gulf Power Symposium conflict:
Motion by Commissioner Haynes: To cancel the workshop on 10/27/03 as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Haynes: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #10. Public Commentary:
Ms. Shirley Rowe reported that 26th Street & Jenks Avenue is a mess. She suggested turn lanes be considered for that road.
City Manager Lynch stated that a traffic study is to be done and feels that it will address these issues.
Mr. Larry Wells wanted to know if there was a plan to connect 26th street across HWY 77.
City Manager Lynch stated that the City has endeavored to secure funds to connect 26th Street to East Avenue.
Mr. Leon Miller stated that he wants a light at HWY 77 & 17th Street.
Mayor Kelley stated that the City is going to contact FDOT again to request a light.
Mr. Miller commended the Police Dept. & the City Manager for taking some action at Cain Griffin Park. He stated that there was some issues at the park that could have gotten out of hand and with the police presence the park has become a better place.
Ms. Barbara Day commented on the budget, parks and the Burton study. She also stated that the Animal Shelter costs the City a lot of money.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 9th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2003.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
ATTEST:
John B. Lynch, City Manager-Clerk
Prepared by Laurie Baker
