CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 25, 2008 - 5:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Frances Wittkopf, Mayor Pro Tem/Commissioner
Joseph Ashbrook, Commissioner
Antonius G. Barnes, Commissioner
Roger P. Schad, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Robert C. Jackson, City Attorney
Dennis Kiah, Assistant Chief of Police
Mayor Pro Tem Wittkopf called the meeting to order and Commissioner Barnes gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Item #3. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Pro Tem Wittkopf reported that she attended the annual City Easter Egg Hunt in Sheffield Park on March 22 and it was a lot of fun and many people turned out to enjoy the festivities.
Mayor Pro Tem Wittkopf stated that she also attend the “Green Expo” at the College on Saturday.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To excuse Mayor Kelley from the meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Ashbrook.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
Item #4. Commissioner’s Report:
Schad: No report.
Commissioner Ashbrook reminded everyone to attend the opening day of baseball season at the Recreation Complex on Saturday, March 29.
Barnes: No report.
Item #5. City Manager’s Report: City Manager Lynch reported that the City has been advised that the legislature is in the midst of budget cuts that will adversely affect the City; to that end, the City will continue a hiring freeze, prohibit take home vehicles and only authorize mission essential spending.
A. Employee of the Month - February 2008: Mr. Joe Shenko, Utility Service Worker, was awarded the Employee of the Month award for February 2008 for his hard work and dedication to the City.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve appointment of Mayor Kelley to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Florida League of Cities.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Ashbrook.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
Motion by Commissioner Ashbrook: To table Items #8 & #11 until the next meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
Item #6. City Attorney: Attorney Jackson stated that the terms for Mayor Kelley and Commissioner’s Barnes & Wittkopf will end in April, however, their election bid was unopposed so a time to swear them in for a new term needs to be decided.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To conduct the swearing in ceremony for April 2, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Ashbrook.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 5:07 P.M.
Item # 7. Unified Land Development Code Amendment - Revising the Table of Permitted Uses: Zoe 1st Properties, LLC has applied to amend the City’s ULDC by revising Table 2.03.02 Table of Permitted Uses. The proposed amendment allows offices and professional services in the Neighborhood Commercial Land Use District. Staff recommends approval.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 5:08 P.M.
Item #8. Small Scale Plan Amendment, SSA-08-2, Hugh & Sarah Locke, south of Hwy 390 and East of Hilltop Lane: Tabled.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item #9. Minutes: 3/11/2008 - Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
OLD BUSINESS:
Item #10. Second and final reading of Ordinance 895, ULDC Amendment: City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 895 by title only. This was the second and final reading.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To approve as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Schad.
On Vote:
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Schad: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
Item #11. Second and final reading of Ordinance 896, Small Scale Plan Amendment, SSA-08-2: Tabled.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item #12. First reading of Ordinance 897, General Employees’ Pension Ordinance Amendment: The General Employees’ Pension Board of Trustees is requesting passage of an ordinance amendment to address the following two issues: 1) Verbiage that will allow an employee to transfer between the General pension plan and the Police or Fire Pension plans without losing their accumulated credited service with the City. 2) An additional option at retirement called a Partial Lump-Sum Option Plan (PLOP). The PLOP allows an employee to receive a portion of their benefit as a lump sum upon retiring. City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 897 by title only. This was the first reading and no action was required.
Item #13. First reading of Ordinance 898, Firefighter’s Pension Ordinance Amendment: The Fire Pension Board of Trustees is requesting passage of an ordinance amendment to address the following: to allow an employee who is a member of both the Police & Fire retirement systems to DROP from both plans.
City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 898 by title only. This was the first reading and no action was required.
Item #14. First reading of Ordinance 899, Police Officer’s Pension Ordinance Amendment: The Police Pension Board of Trustees is requesting passage of an ordinance amendment to address th following two issues: 1) to allow an employee who is a member of both the Police & Fire retirement systems to DROP from both plans. 2) An additional option at retirement called a Partial Lump-Sum Option Plan (PLOP). The PLOP allows an employee to receive a portion of their benefit as a lump sum upon retiring. City Manager Lynch read Ordinance 899 by title only. This was the first reading an no action was required.
Item #15. Discussion and possible action regarding approval to submit a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant application for the purchase of a new fire pumper truck: FEMA has opened their Assistance to Firefighters grant funding cycle for 2008. The grant program allows fro the purchase of various types of firefighting equipment & trucks. The Fire Department would like to purchase a 4-door fire pumper truck. The anticipated price for a fully equipped truck would cost $300,000.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To approve the request as presented.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Ashbrook: aye
Wittkopf: aye
Motion passed: 4-0
Item #16. Resolution 2008-03-450, Mayors Against Illegal Guns: There was no action on this resolution - died.
Item #17. Public Commentary:
Mr. Rich Walker commented on the Strategic Planning Session 2006. He provided the Commission with a tape for review.
Mr. Leon Miller stated that he was concerned that a flea market was being operated at the corner of Iowa Avenue & Hwy 390 and asked that staff check into this.
Ms. Janet Walker stated it was a pleasure to be at the meeting today.
Mr. Dale Goerg stated that he is trying to work with the City regarding the flooding of his home on Davis Lake. He met with the City Attorney regarding this issue.
City Manager Lynch stated that he is sympathetic of Mr. Goerg’s situation and the City did file a claim with the property insurance, however, the carrier did not find fault with the City because the flooding was a result of rising water from Davis Lake and heavy rains.
Motion by Commissioner Barnes: To allow Mr. Goerg to continue to meet with the City Attorney to work on a resolution to the issue and bring back to the Commission.
Motion died for lack of a second.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
APPROVED THIS _________________DAY OF____________________2008.
______________________________
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Prepared by Laurie Baker
