MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 REGULAR SESSION GREEN COVE SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL. Call to Order

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 REGULAR SESSION GREEN COVE SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL Call to Order The regular session of the Green Cove Springs City Council was called to order Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The invocation was given by Mayor Royal followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Roll Call COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: C. Felecia Hampshire Pamela J. Lewis Roy M. Timberlake, Jr. D. Ray Braly, Vice Mayor B. Van Royal, Mayor STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: L. J. Arnold, III, City Attorney Julia W. Clevinger, City Clerk Janis Fleet, Development Services Director Marlena Guthrie, Finance Director Cynthia Hunter, Personnel Director Danielle J. Judd, City Manager Robert Musco, Chief of Police Mike Null, Asst. City Mgr./Public Works Director Mark Schultz, Electric Utility Director Mayor to call on members of the audience wishing to address the Council on matters not on the Agenda. Mayor Royal recognized Sandra Royal, CalaVida Arts Festival, 3688 LaCosta Court, Green Cove Springs, who expressed her appreciation for the City Council s support for the Festival the previous held weekend. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMPSHIRE TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATIONS FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE MONTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, AND NATIONAL PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION RECOGNITION DAY. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. Proclamation National Library Membership Drive Month Vice Mayor Braly read the Proclamation into the record (see attachment marked Exhibit A ) and presented it to Rita Blackman who expressed her appreciation for the City Council s support.

2 Page 2 of 6 Proclamation Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Supplemental Agenda Item No. 1) Mayor Royal read the Proclamation into the record (see attachment marked Exhibit B ) and recognized Peggy Payne, CEO of Quigley House, PO Box 142, Orange Park, who expressed her appreciation for the support of the City Council and Chief Musco. She advised that the Quigley House had recently purchased the former Fowler s Bed & Breakfast dog day care facility on U.S. Highway 17. The buildings were being remodeled and would be used for administrative office space, donation intakes, and a sexual assault center. In response to her request, the Mayor advised that the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Electric Utility Director would look into the possibility of a waiver or reduction in fees for installation of a new transformer and upgraded service. Presentation on "TAPS" (Clay County Fallen Warriors Monument Project) and Approval of a Proclamation for National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day Art Yeaman, Heritage Guides Council Member Timberlake read the Proclamation into the record (see attachment marked Exhibit C ) and recognized Art Yeaman, 151 S. West Street, Green Cove Springs, who expressed his appreciation for the City Council s support. Mr. Yeaman gave a short presentation on TAPS for the Clay County Fallen Warriors Monument Project. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. O , an Ordinance adding City Code Section establishing an additional Homestead Exemption in an amount up to $50,000 for certain qualifying low-income senior citizens pursuant to Section , Florida Statutes, to be applied to Ad Valorem Taxes levied by the City of Green Cove Springs. Mr. Arnold read the title of Ordinance No. O (see attachment marked Exhibit D ) into the record as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA, CREATING CITY CODE SECTION ENTITLED ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER, IN CHAPTER 66 ENTITLED TAXATION, ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN AN AMOUNT UP TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS PURSUANT TO SECTION , FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE APPLIED TO AD VALOREM TAXES LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF A SWORN STATEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER; PROVIDING APPLICABILITY FOR TITLE HELD JOINTLY WITH A RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP; PROVIDING FOR AVAILABILITY OR WAIVER OF THE EXEMPTION; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL OF THE ORDINANCE TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Royal opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments, the Public Hearing was closed.

3 Page 3 of 6 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. O ON SECOND AND FINAL READING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. 2. Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. O , an Ordinance adding City Code Section establishing an additional Homestead Exemption in an amount of the assessed value of the property for certain qualifying, long-term resident, low-income senior citizens who are maintaining their permanent residence and having a just value less than $250,000, pursuant to Section , Florida Statutes, to be applied to Ad Valorem Taxes levied by the City of Green Cove Springs. Mr. Arnold read the title of Ordinance No. O (see attachment marked Exhibit E ) into the record as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA, CREATING CITY CODE SECTION ENTITLED ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER, IN CHAPTER 66 ENTITLED TAXATION, ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING, LONG-TERM RESIDENT, LOW-INCOME SENIORS WHO ARE MAINTAINING THEIR PERMANENT RESIDENCE THEREON, HAVING A JUST VALUE LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00), PURSUANT TO SECTION , FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE APPLIED TO AD VALOREM TAXES LEVIED BY THE CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS; PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL SUBMISSION OF A SWORN STATEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER; PROVIDING APPLICABILITY FOR TITLE HELD JOINTLY WITH A RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP; PROVIDING FOR AVAILABILITY OR WAIVER OF THE EXEMPTION; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL OF THE ORDINANCE TO THE CLAY COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor Royal opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments, the Public Hearing was closed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMPSHIRE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. O ON SECOND AND FINAL READING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR BRALY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. 3. Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. O , an Ordinance amending City Code Section (6) b entitled Bulk Power Cost Adjustment. Mr. Arnold read the title of Ordinance No. O (see attachment marked Exhibit F ) into the record as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA, AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION (6) b., ENTITLED BULK POWER COST ADJUSTMENT ; PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

4 Page 4 of 6 Mayor Royal opened the Public Hearing. City Manager Judd noted for the public record that she and Ms. Guthrie had met with the auditors on September 2 nd and they concurred the City was on track with this Ordinance. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. O ON SECOND AND FINAL READING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. 4. Public Hearing and City Council approval of Resolution No. R , a Resolution amending the Electric Fund, Wastewater Fund, and Solid Waste Fund Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year ending September 30, Mayor Royal opened the Public Hearing. Ms. Guthrie reviewed the information presented in the Staff Report. She specifically noted the City Council had approved the debt forgiveness of the Interfund Balances between the Electric, Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Customer Service Departments in the amount of $213,067 during the June 2, 2015 meeting. There would be no impact to the cash balances as it would only be journal entries among the different funds. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMPSHIRE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. R THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. 5. Public Hearing and City Council approval of Resolution No. R , a Resolution amending the Special Revenue Building Department Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year ending September 30, Mayor Royal opened the Public Hearing. Ms. Guthrie noted this was part of cleaning up the FY 15 budgets to increase the bottom line of the Special Revenue Building Fund due to increased building permit activity in the City. There being no comments, the Public Hearing was closed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. R THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMPSHIRE. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE.

5 Page 5 of 6 CONSENT AGENDA 1. City Council approval of the minutes of the Special and Regular Sessions on August 4, City Council approval of the revised Guidelines and Application for the Gateway Corridor / Central Business District Matching Grant Program. Council Member Lewis pulled Consent Agenda Item No. 1 for discussion. Council Member Timberlake noted a scrivener s error in the minutes, which he had already discussed with the City Clerk. The error had been corrected prior to the meeting. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 1 AS LISTED ABOVE. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR BRALY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. Item No. 2 Council Member Lewis requested clarification on the guidelines for the grant program. Ms. Fleet confirmed that improvements could be made in multiple categories. She also noted that the current participants in the grant program had been sent a letter notifying them that their projects would need to be completed by the end of the fiscal year on September 30 th. However, the new guidelines would only apply to applications received after October 1 st. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 2 AS LISTED ABOVE. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. City Council appointment of an Alternate for the FMPA Policy Makers Liaison Committee. Judd Discussion ensued with the City Council regarding the appointment of an Alternate for the FMPA Policy Makers Liaison Committee as presented by Ms. Judd. Bob Page, 1862 Colonial Drive, explained the process and schedule of meetings. Upon further discussion, Council Member Timberlake agreed to be appointed as the Alternate. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ROYAL TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE AS THE ALTERNATE. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE.

6 Page 6 of 6 2. City Manager and City Attorney Reports and/or Correspondence. The City Manager and City Attorney made comments regarding various city activities, events, operations, and projects. Mr. Arnold advised the City Council of a phone call with Bill Brandt, the attorney for Gustafson s, regarding the taking over of part of the Chapman sub-station for transmission purposes by FP&L. He noted Mr. Brandt was receptive to deeding the westerly 118 feet of the substation to FP&L. In addition, Mr. Arnold noted the City would like to clean up the recorded easement of the access dirt road to the actual location of the road. Mr. Arnold advised that Heather Encinosa would be in attendance regarding the Special Assessments at the Special Session scheduled on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Judd reminded the City Council of the Special Session scheduled on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. 3. City Council Reports and/or Correspondence. The City Council made comments regarding various city activities, events, operations, and projects. AN EMERGENCY MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TIMBERLAKE TO INCLUDE SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL FLYER IN THE NEXT TWO RUNS OF THE ELECTRIC BILLS. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES COUNCIL MEMBERS C. FELECIA HAMPSHIRE, PAMELA J. LEWIS, ROY M. TIMBERLAKE, JR., D. RAY BRALY, AND MAYOR B. VAN ROYAL. NAYS NONE. Council Member Hampshire advised she would be absent from the October 6 th Council meeting as she would be in Washington, DC. Council Member Lewis requested the City assist the group who flew radio-controlled planes out on C.R. 315 with finding another location to fly as they were being displaced due to development of the property. Ms. Judd noted she would bring a Use Agreement back to the City Council at a later date. 4. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. CITY OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA Attest: B. Van Royal, Mayor Julia W. Clevinger, City Clerk