May 10, 2004 The City Commission of the City of Plant City, Florida met in a regular session pursuant to laws and rules of said Commission at the City Hall of said City, the regular meeting place of the Commission at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2004. The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Michael S. Sparkman and on the roll being called, there were present: Commissioner Michael S. Sparkman and the following named Commissioners: John Dicks and Richard Glorioso. Absent: Vice- Mayor Mary Y. Thomas and Mayor-Commissioner William D. Dodson. Also present were: David R. Sollenberger, City Manager; Kenneth W. Buchman, City Attorney; Virginia L. Helper, City Clerk; Rob Anders, Planning and Zoning Director; Phillip Scearce, Senior Planner and Russell Allen, Sergeant of Arms. Representatives of the news media and others present: George Newman, The Courier; Dave Nicholson, The Tampa Times and approximately 25 other persons. Commissioner Sparkman made reference to attendance of the National Day of Prayer event on May 6th where prayers were offered for our national, state and local government and leaders as well as the military and the world. A moment of silence was given in honor of Ronald Ginther, a graduate of Plant City High School, who gave his life protecting our nation. Commissioner Sparkman also requested prayer for families and other military personnel serving our country. After the moment of silence, the invocation was given by the Reverend Timothy Knighten, St. Mary Community Church, and the audience joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. CONSENT AGENDA: The following entitled resolutions were considered: RESOLUTION NO. 94-2004 - MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 26, 2004: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PLANT CITY, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE MINUTES OF REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING ON APRIL 26, 2004. RESOLUTION NO. 95-2004 BID JMC SERVICES, INC. JANITORIAL SERVICES: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PLANT CITY, FLORIDA ACCEPTING THE BID OF JMC SERVICES, INC. FOR JANITORIAL CLEANING SERVICES. After consideration, motion was made by Commissioner Glorioso and seconded by Commissioner Dicks to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, the following voted; YEA: Commissioners Dicks, Glorioso and Sparkman. NAY: None. Thereupon, Resolutions No. 94-2004 and 95-2004 were declared duly certified, adopted and passed. CITY MANAGER S REPORT MAY 6, 2004 FOR CITY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 10, 2004 1. THONOTOSASSA/GOLDFINCH TRAFFIC SIGNAL Finally, it went into operation Monday, May 4 th.
2. JENKINS STREET POND EXPANSION SCHEDULE The construction plans and permits for the Jenkins Street pond were completed in September 2003. The Community Development Director has certified that all the property needed for the pond has been acquired. The Engineering Division has been working with the various utilities of Verizon, Central Florida Gas, Tampa Electric Company, and Bright House for the early relocation of their facilities within the old rights of way. All utilities not owned by the City, must have their facilities clear of the construction so there will be no delay in start the work. The legal advertisement will be on May 11, 2004, a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2004, and the bid opening is scheduled for June 10, 2004. If the bids are acceptable, the project will be taken to the June 28, 2004, Commission meeting for award. The contractor will then have 15 days to submit the performance and payment bonds. Once the contracts and bond are approved by the City Attorney, a preconstruction conference will be scheduled. This will likely occur in late July or early August 2004 with construction beginning in mid to late August 2004. 3. PUBLIC TRANSIT PROPOSALS Proposals were received from two area transportation firms in response to the City s Request for Proposals for public transit service. The responding firms were Bay Shuttle, Inc. and West Coast Transportation and both are based in Tampa. Both firms indicated that fixed route service is the least expensive alterative. Door-to-door service was not proposed, but West Coast Transportation indicated that they transport ambulatory riders for $16 per one-way trip under a contract with Hillsborough County. Bay Shuttle proposed to provide transportation services as currently offered by HARTline for a flat fee of $25,000 per month. With two vehicles operating for eight hours per day and fifty-two weeks per year, the total operating hours would be 4,992 per year or 416 hours per month. The hourly cost for this service would be $60.10 per hour ($25,000/416). The annual cost would be $300,000. Bay Shuttle indicated its vehicle fleet consists of 26 fifteen-passenger vans and two 30-passenger Krystal mini-buses. The firm did not specify which vehicles would be used to provide service in Plant City if they were offered a contract to operate the public transit service. West Coast Transportation proposed to provide transportation services as currently offered by HARTline for $48.45 per hour. With two vehicles operating for eight hours per day, the monthly cost would be about $20,200. The annual cost would be approximately $250,000. If awarded a contract to operate the public transit service, West Coast would purchase two new StarTrans sixteen passenger mini-buses. The estimated delivery time for the vehicles is about 8 weeks if ordered by June 30 th and 12 weeks if ordered between July 1 st and September 30 th. We are currently being billed by HARTline for approximately 468 hours of service per month, of which 416 hours are for transit service and 52 hours are for travel time from Tampa. At a rate of $54.00 per hour, the monthly cost is approximately $25,300 and the annual cost is about $303,600. On October 1 st the cost for this service will increase to $56.50 per hour which will be about $26,500 per month and $318,000 for the year. HARTline is willing to operate under an agreement with a term of 60 days, with an option to extend for an additional 60 days, after September 30 th. The Citrus Connection of Lakeland did not submit a proposal, but in discussions with the transit director, we were informed that their operational costs are $41.00 per hour.
Bottom line is low bid while $68,000 below HARTline s cost for the coming fiscal year, the low bid is about $90,000 more than City funds budgeted for this fiscal year. I have asked Jim McDaniel to examine service alternatives with the low proposer to reduce costs. 4. CSX PROPERTY AT REAR OF LINDA S CRAB Code Enforcement contacted CSX. They will remove small mounds of dirt and will spray the fence line next to Linda s Crab Shack to eradicate weeds. 5 HOWARD STREET CROSSING REPORT The City portion of the Howard Street crossing has been completed for several weeks. The crossing remains blocked until the CSX signal crew arrives to install the signal. The CSX signal group was scheduled to begin work at Howard Street on April 15 th. Inquiries to CSX indicate the crew was detained in Miami and no alternate date has been provided. Once the signal work begins, it is estimated to take approximately 3 to 4 weeks for completion and the possible opening of the crossing. 6. PARADISE FRUIT COMPANY On April 27, 2004, the City received the issued permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the modifications necessary for the remaining flooding problems on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard near Paradise Fruit Company. The City does not have necessary equipment for a portion of this work and once the determination is made regarding costs, in-house versus outside contractor, an estimate for the remedial work can be provided. Due to the amount of grant money received for this project, funds are available to help pay for this construction work. An update of the estimated costs and proposed implementation schedule will be provided for the second meeting in May. 7. SKATE PARK SCHEDULE The skateboard is moving along well. The fencing, lighting, grassing, and ramps are all on schedule. Camera equipment to make photo ID s has been ordered. Insurance for the skate park will take effect May 11, the day the ramps arrive. A permission/hold harmless agreement is being finalized by the City Attorney and the Risk Management Director. Rules sign being done in house. We are planning a soft opening May 15 or so with Grand Opening on May 22 at 10:00 A.M. Information will go out to donors and dignitaries very soon. 8. ELLIS-METHVIN PARK SCHEDULE The clearing of the north 38 acres should be completed on or before May 14, 2004. Approximately 1.5 to 2 feet of fill dirt is required to bring this site to provide adequate field design drainage. The joint project with Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and the City at the McIntosh property will provide a significant amount of fill dirt if there is adequate funding to haul and spread it at the site. This dirt will be available in the spring of 2005. Clearing of the grove and the burning of the trees was accomplished by Kimmins Construction as a contributed service and we deeply appreciate what they have done.
9. TENNIS CENTER STATUS REPORT Offsite Utilities: The construction contract for offsite utilities for the Tennis Center has been awarded and construction is estimated to start on or about May 10, 2004, with 120 days to complete the work. Site Work : The bid advertisement for site work will be published on May 4, 2004, and the bid opening is scheduled for May 27, 2004. Once the contract and the bond are approved by the City Attorney, a preconstruction conference will be held, most likely in July. Construction should start by the end of July and the contractor has about 4 months to complete the work. Tennis Center Building: Once the site work gets underway, the City will request guaranteed maximum pricing from the design build contractor of Kenyon and Partners. It is estimated the award for this portion of the project will occur in late August of 2004. This delay is necessary to allow the site contractor time to bring the site to the proper grade and to install utilities. Additionally, the offsite utilities need to be complete enough so they will be cleared in time for the building completion. Tennis Courts and Lighting - The construction of the tennis courts requires a completed site and water for construction. The plans and specifications need to be developed for this portion of the work. It is anticipated that bid advertisement for the tennis courts and lighting will occur sometime in September 2004. A construction start date is estimated in October and completion in January 2005. 10. DEMOLITION OF 1321 EAST CHURCH STREET Code Enforcement has received bids for the demolition of 1321 East Church Street as follows: Bidder Bid Amount Johnson s Excavating $2,126.00 Wetherington Tractor Service $2,730.00 Alpha Excavation $2,945.00 Johnson s Excavating, Plant City, has been awarded the bid and the demolition will be required to begin on May 27 or as soon as possible thereafter. CITY CLERK S REPORT May 10, 2004 ELECTION RESULTS On Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the run-off election for City Commissioner, Group 2 was held at the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building (City Hall), in the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium. The following are the results of the election: Rick A. Lott - 1,222 Votes Marsha A. Passmore - 962 Votes Rick A. Lott has been properly elected and certified as winning the April 6, 2004 Election for City Commissioner, Group 2. Commissioner John Dicks having qualified without opposition for City Commissioner, Group 1 pursuant to Article VII, Section 11, compiled Charter, Plant City
Code, has been properly elected and certified as winning the April 6, 2004 election for City Commissioner, Group 1. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROPOSALS: Commissioner Dicks noted that the bids of the transportation firms were not much less than HARTline s cost and requested that staff investigate to see if HARTline would consider purchasing mini-buses and if that would reduce the cost for public transportation service. Commissioner Sparkman requested investigating the feasibility of the City purchasing and operating a public transportation service. Commissioner Glorioso concurred with both requests. COMMISSIONER GLORIOSO COMMENTS: Commissioner Glorioso congratulated Commissioner Dicks and newly elected Commissioner Rick Lott on their election and Liesta Sykes and Marsha Passmore for their campaigns. Referring to the traffic signal on Goldfinch Dr. and Thonotosassa Rd., Commissioner Glorioso requested a public thank you be given to developer Allan Goins. COMMISSIONER SPARKMAN COMMENTS: Commissioner Sparkman commented on the election campaigns of the candidates and congratulated Rick Lott and Commissioner Dicks. Commissioner Sparkman distributed invitations to the Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet. COMMISSIONER DICKS COMMENTS: Commissioner Dicks congratulated Rick Lott on winning the election and also Liesta Sykes and Marsha Passmore on their campaign efforts. PROPOSED PLAT STRAWBERRY VILLAGE SUBDIVISION PUBLIC HEARING: The following entitled resolution was read: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION PLAT OF STRAWBERRY VILLAGE, BEING A REPLAT OF LOT 2, BLOCK 1, SMALL FARMS, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 9, PAGE 64 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA. Commissioner Sparkman advised that a public hearing will now be held regarding the proposed resolution and invited those who wished to speak to do so at this time. After consideration, motion was made by Commissioner Glorioso, seconded by Commissioner Dicks and unanimously carried to continue the public hearing to May 24, 2004. PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING TATOO AND BODY PIERCING STUDIOS: The following entitled ordinance was read: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PLANT CITY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 102-491, PLANT CITY CODE, REGARDING USES PERMITTED IN THE C-1A NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT; CREATING SECTION 102-498, PLANT CITY CODE, PROVIDING FOR AN APPROVAL PROCESS FOR TATOO AND BODY-PIERCING
STUDIOS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Commissioner Sparkman advised that a public hearing would now take place regarding the proposed ordinance and invited anyone who wished to speak to do so at this time. Planning Director Rob Anders reviewed the amended criteria. Commissioner Sparkman invited others to speak. Hearing none, motion was motion was made by Commissioner Glorioso, seconded by Commissioner Dicks and unanimously to close the public hearing. The second public hearing will be held May 24, 2004 in the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium of the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building, 302 Reynolds Street (City Hall), Plant City, Florida, at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at which time interested parties and citizens may appear and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. RESOLUTION NO. 96-2004 REZONING AS-1, ASC TO R-1A LEWIS POGUE, ET. AL.: The following entitled ordinance was read: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONING MAP OF PLANT CITY, FLORIDA, AS ENACTED BY CHAPTER 102, PLANT CITY CODE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD AND SON KEEN ROAD FROM AS-1 AGRICULTURAL SINGLE-FAMILY DISTRICT AND ASC-1 AGRICULTURAL, SINGLE-FAMILY CONVENTIONAL DISTRICT TO R-1A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT. The following entitled resolution was read: A RESOLUTION PROVIDING NOTICE OF PROPOSED ENACTMENT OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PLANT CITY, FLORIDA. This resolution provides that enactment of said ordinance shall be considered by the City Commission at its meeting in the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium of the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building, 302 Reynolds Street (City Hall), Plant City, Florida, on May 24, 2004 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at which time interested parties and citizens may appear and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. After consideration, motion was made by Commissioner Glorioso and seconded by Commissioner Dicks to adopt the resolution. Upon roll call, the following voted: YEA: Commissioners Dicks, Glorioso and Sparkman. NAY: None. Thereupon, Resolution No. 96-2004 was declared duly certified, adopted and passed. CITIZEN S COMMENTS PATRICIA BAPTIST: Patricia Baptist, 2207 N. Merrin St., requested the use of Snowden Park and softball facilities/concession stand for the Girls Softball League. Commissioner Sparkman advised that he was aware of the issue and would brief the City Manager. Commissioner Sparkman requested that the City Manager meet with the Recreation Director to consider the concerns.
There being no further business to legally come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ATTEST: William D. Dodson Mayor-Commissioner Virginia L. Helper City Clerk