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City Commission Minutes 12-06-2011
CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2011
6:30PM

  • CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Surrency
  • Invocation- Reverend Beatrice Shepherd
  • Pledge of Allegiance- Commissioner Carlton
  • APPROVAL OF AGENDA
  • Mayor Surrency requested addition of item 8 under F, to be: School board concurrency appointment
Moved to approve the agenda with amendment
Motion- Commissioner     Carlton        Second- Vice Mayor Howard

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • RECOGNITIONS & GUEST
  • Recognition of Coaches for Hawthorne Recreation
  • Mayor Surrency presented awards to Hawthorne Youth Sports officers and coaches recognizing their dedication and support
  • COMMITTEE REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
  • Presentation: Alachua County Public Works Department on the Charter County Transportation System Surtax
  • David Cerlanek Alachua County Engineer made a presentation about the County’s proposed Transportation Tax Initiative which would be a voter passed 1 percent sales tax in Alachua County with funds being broken up among the county and its municipalities each getting a percentage based on population and length of roads. The funds would be able to be used for capital projects, operation and maintenance.
  • Discussion ensued, City Manager Vause will provide copies of the City’s transportation wish list to the Commission in their boxes and when Alachua County Public Works staff helps City staff determine associated costs the list would be represented to be voted on at the next commission meeting to get to the County before the end of January.
  • CITIZEN COMMENTS- None
  • AGENDA ITEMS
  • City Commission Minutes
Moved to approve the November 15, 2011 City Commission Minutes
Motion- Commissioner Roberts            Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Appointment to P&Z Board
  • City Planner Dawson shared Ms. Belinda Lubben has applied for one of the many open seats on the Planning and Zoning Board, and she qualifies
Moved to appoint Belinda Lubben as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board
Motion- Commissioner Roberts            Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Commission meeting dates for December & January
  • City Manager Vause recommended cancelling the City Commission meetings for December 20th and January 3rd due to proximity of the holidays and lack of agenda items, and that in the event a meeting was needed a special meeting could be held.
  • Commissioner Carlton requested the early January meeting to have December financial update
  • City Manager Vause shared that the December financials would not be available until the second or third week of January, therefore would be ready for the January 17th meeting
  • Commissioner Roberts stated that she wished to pursue a once a month meeting as stated in the City Charter
Moved to cancel the December 20th and January 3rd City Commission meeting
Motion- Vice Mayor Howard               Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Utility Adjustment Policy & Procedures
  • City Manager Vause represented the Utility Adjustment Policy & Procedures that was first presented at the November 15th 2011 City Commission meeting with the new language that was requested last meeting.
Moved to approve the Utility Adjustment Policy & Procedures
Motion- Vice Mayor Howard               Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Resolution: Road Closing SE 76th Place
  • City Manager Vause reported that the cut through road known as SE 76th Place is not actually a road and is on private property; the City did not own it nor obtain utility easements when placing water and sewer lines under the road. One of the owners Mrs. Watson would like to place a fence on her property a portion of which is being used as part of the road. Staff’s recommendation is to obtain a utility easement and sanction the fencing of her property.
  • Discussion ensued, Commissioner Carlton and Mr. Eddie Lee Martin shared that the specific cut through has been historically used as a road. City Planner shared that no records indicate that the cut through was never platted as a road nor did or does the City have any rights or ownership, and the property owner has every legal right to place a fence or request compensation to their property if work is done on the utilities, but that it was courteous of the property owner to seek the City’s concurrency.
Moved to approve the resolution to recognize closure of her property and directing staff to obtain a utility easement
Motion- Vice Mayor Howard               Second- None
Motion died for a lack of second

  • Discussion ensued including comments regarding historical status, and lack of legal authority to prohibit blocking the road, clarification of resolution was requested to signify that the current road is not nor has ever been a legal road.
Moved to approve the resolution to recognize closure of her property and directing staff to obtain a utility easement
Motion- Vice Mayor Howard               Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
No
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 4-1


  • Resolution: Old Health Department Building
  • City Manager Vause reported that no contractors were interested in taking the old health department building for scarp, and that the First United Methodist Church was interest in salvaging some of the materials.
  • Commissioner Roberts requested language in the resolution requiring the Methodist Church to have adequate insurance.
  • City Planner Dawson recommended language in resolution to include that salvage operations would not hinder the structural integrity of the building
Moved to approve the resolution to allow the Hawthorne First United Methodist Church to salvage the old health department building with amendments
Motion- Commissioner Roberts            Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Lindsey Phillips Park
  • Park and Recreation Director Wynkoop provided an update that staff was still awaiting response from Florida Department of Transportation regarding transfer of ownership. Also the need for repair of the boat ramp which the Mayor secured donations for some materials as well as all labor, the remaining costs to be paid out of the Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) fund. Cost of a sign would return to the Commission, and there would be for warning of ramp closure.
Moved to approve use of WSPP funds for Lindsey Phillips Park boat ramp repair not to exceed $1500 for construction and $400 for permitting
Motion- Vice Mayor Howard               Second- Commissioner Randall

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • School Board Concurrency Appointment
  • City Planner Dawson reported that the Commission needed to designate an elected official for representation of the City to the School Board’s Elected Officials Group. The first meeting to be on January 26th 2012.
  • Commissioner Carlton nominated Commissioner Roberts
  • Commissioner Roberts accepted with an alternate
  • Vice Mayor Howard accepted being an alternate

  • PUBLIC HEARING
  • SECOND READING
  • LDR 11-4 Text Amendment to LDR’s to Establish Regulations for Outdoor Storage in a Certain Zoning District.
  • City Planner Dawson reported the ordinance included changes the Commission requested at the last meeting including allowable outdoor storage height to 25 feet and removing landscaping requirements.
Moved to adopt LDR 11-4 on second reading with amendments and corrections
Motion- Commissioner Randall            Second- Commissioner Carlton

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

  • Amending the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding Water & Sewer Regulations
  • City Manager Vause presented the ordinance again which passed on first reading and noted that the garbage section was not excluded just moved to a new location within the existing ordinance to limit new advertising and associated costs of a new ordinance.
  • Moved to amended the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding Water & Sewer Regulations
Motion- Commissioner Randall            Second- Vice Mayor Howard

Commissioner Carlton
No
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 4-1

  • FIRST READING - None
  • DISCUSSION- None
  • CITIZEN COMMENTS
  • Mr. Starke owns property at the north end of the City limits including both parcels within and without the City limits and would like consideration for reduction of annexing fees.
  • City Planner Dawson clarified that the costs are about $2,950 and the Commission reserves the right to reduce the fees
  • City Manger Vause reported that staff would come back with a proposal for reduced costs
  • Mrs. Tozo requested outdoor lighting at the Museum
  • City Manager Vause reported that staff would work at obtaining a quote for such
  • Mrs. Brown presented the logo planned for the Little Orange Creek Nature Park
  • City Manager Vause gave her thanks on behalf of the City for all of Putnam Land Conservancy and Friends of Little Orange Creeks hard work and dedication
  • REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION
City Manager Vause- Passed out October 2011 Monthly Budget Report and gave an update on City Business.

City Attorney Harris- Wished all a happy holidays

Commissioner Roberts- Will be providing a tour of Gainesville Senior Rec Center on December 15th, On December 8th Hawthorne Life Enrichment Center will be having bingo and gift exchange

Commissioner Randall- Wished all a happy holidays

Commissioner Carlton- No Report

Vice Mayor Howard- Wished all a happy holidays

Mayor Surrency- Reminder about parade on Saturday and wished all a happy holidays

  • ADJOURN
Moved to adjourn
Motion- Commissioner Randall                    Second- Vice Mayor Howard

Commissioner Carlton
Yes
Commissioner Randall
Yes
Commissioner Roberts
Yes
Vice Mayor Howard
Yes
Mayor Surrency
Yes
Vote- 5-0

These minutes are submitted for approval.

                                                                                        
Samuel Wynkoop                          Matthew Surrency
Parks and Recreation Director           Mayor