CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 23, 2007 - 7:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Antonius G. Barnes, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Roger P. Schad, 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 Commissioner Barnes gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To excuse Commissioner Jimmy Hughes from the meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #3. Mayor's Report:
A. Proclamation - Children's Dental Health Month and Give Kids a Smile, 2007: City Manager Lynch read this proclamation in its entirety.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
B. Tree City USA Recognition: Mayor Kelley reported that the City has been notified that it is being recognized as Tree City USA for the ninth year.
C. Plaque Presentations for Holiday Trail Awards:
3rd Place - Edward Brannon, 1111 Wyoming Avenue
2nd Place - Elmer & Donna Rick, 1103 Louisiana Avenue
1st Place - Terry & Kimberly Tatum, 1112 Louisiana Avenue
Lynn Haven Florist won the Commercial Division
D. Citizen of the Year Announcement: Ms. Beth Coulliette received the Citizen of the Year Award 2007 for her hard work and dedication to the community.
Mayor Kelley reported as a follow-up to Mr. Shawn Adams and his request for support of his foundation he contacted St. Andrew Bay Center and programs are available to assist Mr. Adams. Mayor Kelley stated that he would make contact with Mr. Adams and let him know assistance is available.
April 27 - 28, 2007 Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, will be sponsored at the Lynn Haven Recreation site. Mayor Kelley encouraged everyone to participate in this worthy cause.
Mosley High School Band has been chosen to play at Troy State University on February 3, 2007.
Item #4. Commissioner's Report:
Schad: No report.
Wittkopf: Commissioner Wittkopf reported that she attended a NW Florida EARP Rural Development workshop on 1/22/07 at GCCC that was very informative.
Barnes: Commissioner Barnes stated that he has received numerous calls regarding the Hwy 77 beautification and how good everything looks.
Item #5. City Manager's Report:
City Manager Lynch appreciated the comments regarding Hwy 77 and stated that there are a few issues with the plantings and tolerance to weather that is being addressed.
City Manager Lynch stated that he held a staff retreat on January 18, 2007 with department heads to review how things are done. The information is being compiled and will be brought back to the commission.
City Manager Lynch reported that the City has received a new state of the art garbage truck, a one arm bandit, that will improve efficiency within the department. He encouraged the commission to stop by Public Works to see the new truck.
City Manager Lynch stated that the 4 year term issue is on the agenda tonight and suggested that if the commission is interested in a provision for retirement/compensation to let him know so that something can be drafted and addressed at the same time as the 4 year terms. Deadline is March 3, 2007.
City Manager Lynch reported that an old house has been demolished and removed from behind Police Station #2. The area will be replaced with recycled asphalt and be used for much needed parking.
City Manager Lynch asked that the Commission think about changing all Commission Meetings to 4:00 p.m. During the summer they are all at 4:00 p.m. to accommodate the summer concert festival and this does not seem to cause a problem.
Item #6. City Attorney's Report:
City Attorney Jackson reported that Hawk's Landing had provided the City with a $4mil bond to be able to sell lots before the infrastructure was finished; they have substantially finished with the infrastructure and is requesting the bond be reduced to $500,000; the City Engineer agrees with this figure. City Attorney Jackson is requesting Commission approval to send a letter agreeing to the reduction.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item #7. Minutes:
1/9/07 - Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
Item #8. Second and final reading of Ordinance 868, placing a referendum on the ballot regarding 4 year terms of office:
City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 868 by title only. This was the second and final reading.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
City Attorney Jackson stated that if this issue is approved 2008 would be the transition year.
Mayor Kelley stated that this will save the taxpayers approx. $12,000 and give a newly elected official more time to accomplish tasks.
Ms. Janet Walker commented on Ordinance 868. She commented on city spending and Strategic Planning objectives of 2002-2003.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: no
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-1
NEW BUSINESS:
Item #9. Reappointment of Ken Chisholm and Rick Tutunick to the Leisure Services Advisory Board:
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To accept the reappointment of Ken Chisholm & Rick Tutunick as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #10. Discussion and possible action regarding appointment of Canvassing Board members for the upcoming City Election on 4/17/07:
City Attorney Jackson stated that the City is required to have a canvassing board that does not consist of the active sitting commission. Recommendation is to appoint the commission members that are not up for election, the city attorney and the city manager as the canvassing board. This is what has been done in the past.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #11. Discussion and possible action regarding approval to the Polling Place Agreement with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections:
Staff recommends approval to enter into an agreement with the SOE to use 108 East 9th Street as the polling place for the upcoming election.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #12. Reappointment of Peggy Brunson to the General Employees' Pension Board:
Staff recommends approval to ratify Peggy Brunson's reappointment to the General Pension Board of Trustees' effective immediately with a term expiration date of December 31, 2008.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #13. Discussion and possible action approving submittal of applications to the FEMA Repetitive Flood Claims program on behalf of homeowners:
Staff recommends approval to execute all documentation necessary to submit applications to the FEMA Repetitive Flood Claims program on behalf of homeowners. FEMA is now accepting grants for this program.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Wittkopf.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 4-0
Item #14. Public Commentary:
Ms. Janet Walker commented on property taxes. She wanted to know how the City received their property tax dollars.
City Manager Lynch stated that the County sends the City incremental checks for property taxes as they receive the monies.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 13th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2007.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
ATTEST:
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Prepared by Laurie Baker
