CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 8, 2005 - 4:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Roger P. Schad, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Antonius G. Barnes, Commissioner
Jimmy H. Hughes, Commissioner
Frances Wittkopf, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Robert C. Jackson, City Attorney
Matt Riemer, Police Captain
Mayor Kelley called the meeting to order and gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Item #3. Mayor's Report:
Mayor Kelley congratulated Commissioner's Hughes & Schad for being re-elected unopposed. Mayor Kelley reported that on March 3, 2005 he met with the NWFPC regarding Trolley routes; Ronnie Williams did a ride along with the Trolley to distinguish low hanging tree branches and roots along the routes. The NWFPC is pleased with what is being proposed and will present this information at the next TPO meeting.
Item #4. Commissioner's Report:
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Barnes:
- Commissioner Barnes congratulated Commissioner's Hughes & Schad on their re-election. He stated that he looked forward to working with them.
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Wittkopf:
- Commissioner Wittkopf stated that she met with the Trolley representatives and they would like to make a presentation to the Commission.
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Hughes:
- Commissioner Hughes thanked the Mayor & Commission for appointing him to the Commission 9 months ago. Mr. Hughes thanked the staff and the citizens for supporting him. He stated that he looks forward to the next two years.
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Schad:
- Commissioner Schad stated that he attended the Panama Garden Club Operation Cinderella Meeting on March 4, 2005 in the Mayor's absence. He stated that at the meeting they presented a plaque to the City for their contributions to Operation Cinderella.
Item #5. City Manager's Report:
A. Monthly Department Reports: provided.
B. Employee of the Month - Feb. 2005: Mr. Tony Strickland, Public Works Department, was presented the Employee of the Month - Feb. 2005 plaque for his hard work and dedication to the City.
C. 2004 Tree City USA Designation: City Manager Lynch stated that the City has been named 2004 Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the sixth consecutive year that the City has been given this award. Mr. Charlie Smith, Leisure Services, was congratulated for his hard work in achieving this goal.
Item #6. City Attorney's Report:
City Attorney Jackson reported that Access Cardio, Inc., the company that the City bought the defibrillators from, has finally declared bankruptcy and the City is going to file a claim to try and recover some of the monies.
Mr. Jackson stated that signing of the Bond Purchase Agreement is scheduled for March 11, 2005 and the Bond Closing is scheduled the following week.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item #7. Minutes:
2/22/2005 - Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
Ms. Barbara Day asked if a letter was sent to the Northridge residents regarding sewer.
City Manager Lynch stated that it was being prepared.
Ms. Barbara Day stated that there was not enough information in the minutes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #8. Ratification of appointment to the Lynn Haven Firefighter's Pension Board of Trustees:
Staff recommends approval to ratify Kimberly Burgess' appointment to the Lynn Haven Firefighter's Pension Board of Trustees effective immediately with a term expiration of December 31, 2005.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Schad: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #9. Reappointment of Dan Smith to the Beautification Board:
Staff recommends approval to reappoint Dan Smith to the Beautification Board.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Hughes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #10. Renewal of two easements on Minnesota Avenue with US Air Force Education and Training Command:
Staff recommends approval to renew these easements for five years. This is a road easement over railroad tracks at Minnesota Avenue and a 8" sewer force main under the railroad tracks.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
Ms. Barbara Day wanted to know when this first happened and why the City needed to ask for the easements.
Commissioner Schad stated that this is a renewal request. The City has utilities in this area and the Air Force will grant term leases, however, they are reluctant to issue long term leases.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Schad: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
OLD BUSINESS:
Item #11. Discussion and possible action regarding Ordinance 796, 4 year terms of office:
Motion by Commissioner Hughes: To approve placing Emergency Ordinance 802 to the agenda.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Hughes: aye
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
City Manager Lynch read Emergency Ordinance 802, repealing Ordinance 796, by title only. This request is being made because the City will not be having an election this year and it will save money by not having an election for just the referendum question.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Hughes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
NEW BUSINESS:
Item #12. Discussion and possible action regarding approval of contract for Gail Easley, FAICP:
City Manger Lynch stated that consistent with Commission direction he was able to contact Ms. Easley/David Theriaque to solicit a scope of work and a cost for them to update our Comprehensive Plan, preparing development land regulations and preparing a unified land development code. The cost for this work is $135,000 to begin March 28, 2005 and end September 2005.
Commissioner Hughes asked if this was a budgeted item.
City Manager Lynch stated that it was not. This request was a result of the joint planning workshop.
Commissioner Hughes stated that he is all for planning but was concerned with the non budgeted $135,000 price. He asked where the money would come from.
City Manager Lynch stated that the budget would have to be looked at to see what could be cut to pay this amount.
Commissioner Schad stated that there was is a continency in the budget.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the contract for $135,000 as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
Ms. Barbara Day stated that she was concerned with the cost of this contract.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #13. First reading of Ordinance 801, SSA-05-2, Neal Dunn, 26th Street and Minnesota Avenue:
City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 801 by title only. This was the first reading and no action was required.
Item #14. Discussion and possible action regarding recommendations for the Citizen of the Year and a Community Service Award:
Staff recommends approval to nominate Walter Woodrick as Citizen of the Year and James Finch to receive a Community Service Award.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve the recommendations as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Hughes: aye
Schad: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 5-0
Item #15. Public Commentary:
Ms. Barbara Day thanked everyone who nominated her for Citizen of the Year. Ms. Day commented on road plans and engineering costs. She stated that the City needed a Finance Director.
Mr. Sammy Day asked about the disclosure for solid waste that was in the newspaper.
City Manager Lynch stated that this is an annual state requirement that requires you to place an ad in the newspaper explaining the collection costs are for residential and non-residential solid waste.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 22nd DAY OF MARCH 2005.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
APPROVED:
John B. Lynch, City Manager-Clerk
Prepared by Laurie Baker
