MAY 17, 2011
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Randall
1. Invocation: Mayor Randall
2. Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Mayor Surrency
City Commission Present: Mayor Randall, Vice Mayor Surrency and Commissioners Carter, Carlton and Roberts. Staff Present: Interim City Manager Vause, City Attorney Harris, City Planner Dawson and Parks & Recreation Director Wynkoop.
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved to approve the agenda with amendment to move item G (public hearing) to F (routine items).
Motion: Commissioner Roberts Second: Vice Mayor Surrency
Discussion: None
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
C. RECONGNITIONS & GUESTS
None
D. COMMITTEE REPOTS/PRESENTATOINS/PROCLOMATIONS
None
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Russell Hay, Joyce Johnson, Beatrice Shepherd, Pamela Coward, and Wayne Shaw made comments and asked question regarding the water rate increase and all shared their displeasure with a water rate increase.
F. PUBLIC HEARING
1. SECOND READING
A. LDR 11-1 Villages of Hawthorne Planned Unit Development Amendment
City Planner Dawson: Explained that the PUD was the same as before and will answer any questions
Moved to approve the amendment to LDR 11-1 Villages of Hawthorne PUD
Motion: Vice Mayor Surrency Second: Commissioner Carter
Discussion: None
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
B. Ordinance providing the City Commission may server as the P&Z Board & Board of Adjustments
City Planner Dawson: Explained that this item is a back up measure in case attendance drops below a quorum for the board, allowing the City Commission to act when it may be needed and no quorum present, as per the first reading only one change “shall” changed to “may.”
Commissioner Carlton: According to a past attorney it is illegal, and it is double speak.
Discussion continued: Commissioner Carlton, Cheryl Elmore, City Planner Dawson, City Attorney Harris, Vice Mayor Surrency, Commissioner Roberts, Interim City Manager Vause, Vivian Wagner, Lenard Herring, Camille Carroll, Steve Willard, Larry Tilbury, Eddie Higginbotham: Consisting of concern for “eliminating” the Planning and Zoning Board, suggestions to advertise open positions, past issues with the board, and difficulty of getting a quorum. Also that it may be on the ballots (to save from having a special election) but if not approved it will not matter or be counted, it will not change any commission action.
Moved to table this item
Motion: Vice Mayor Surrency Second: Commissioner Roberts
Discussion: None
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
2. FRIST READING: None
G. ROUTINE ITEMS
1. City Commission Minutes
May 3, 2011 City Commission Meeting
Moved to approve the May 3, 2011 Minutes
Motion: Commissioner Roberts Second: Vice Mayor Surrency
Discussion: Commissioner Carlton wanted to make sure it showed that he voted no, Vice Mayor pointed out that it was on page 2.
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
2. Resolution authorizing Mittauer agreement for modification to WWTP
Interim City Manager Vause: Explained that the original engineer was for a plant that was too big and would not get construction funding, using the remaining FDEP grant monies Mittauer will reengineer the plant to a smaller size then the original half million gallons a day to about 300,000 gallons a day. To no cost to the city, and construction would be done with a CDBG.
Vice Mayor Surrency: Is it getting ahead of ourselves to have engineering done before receiving the grant.
Tim Norman of Mittauer: Engineering provides better access to grants having a construction ready project.
Discussion ensured consisting mostly of questions and answers, and explanations: Commissioner Carlton, Commissioner Roberts, Commission Carter, Interim City Manager Vause, and Tim Norman. It was clarified that the City was at capacity with it current system, and the new design was the best with the current system to keep costs to a minimum and included a drying station, which would significantly reduce cost of sludge hauling. No out of pocket expense to the City if grant is awarded
Moved to adopt the resolution authorizing Mittauer agreement for modification to WWTP
Motion: Commissioner Carter Second: Vice Mayor Surrency
Discussion: Cheryl Elmore asked what was paying for the engineering, Interim City Manager Vause responded that an FDEP grant would further questions and answers: Mayor Randall, Vice Mayor Surrency, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Carlton, Interim City Manager, and Tim Norman
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
3. Resolution for $15 surcharge on water
Interim City Manager: Explained that in previous meetings this item was discussed in detail and explain, and a PowerPoint presentation was provided again to show the consistent deficit in the Water and Waste Water fund. The general fund has been supporting the enterprise fund, and these deficiencies were presented in previous audits. Due to lack of funding bond covenants are not being met as well as having no reserve.
Discussion Ensued: Camille Carroll, Cheryl Elmore, Steve Willard, Pamela Coward, Wayne Shaw, Mayor Randall, Vice Mayor Surrency, Commissioner Carlton, Commissioner Roberts, Interim City Manager Vause, and City Attorney Harris: Clarification of the issue, questions and answers, citizens were concerned about being able to afford the increase and paying for the city’s mistakes, and other displeasure with the rate increase. Policy was a large part of the discussion, which will be revisited and presented in the upcoming meetings.
Moved to approve the $15 surcharge on water connections
Motion: Vice Mayor Surrency Second: Commissioner Carter
Discussion: None
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
No |
Commissioner Roberts |
No |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 3-2
H. DISCUSSION
Vice Mayor wanted to note that if the water surcharge would be worse around $35 latter on.
I. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Vivian Wagner: The commission is finally doing a job, should not put it off any more
John Coward: Concerns about water rate increase, and policy issues
Mayor Randall, Vice Mayor Surrency, Commissioner Carlton, Interim City Manager Vause responded and noted that the policy will be addressed and brought back to the commission in the near future.
Steve Willard: Commented about commission not listening to the people as the people said no to the water rate increase yet the commission still voted to add the water surcharge, and be for the people.
J. REPORTS
1. Interim City Manager: Updates including: audit, impact fee payment excess funds, City wide newsletter, Water quality study done, WW pump issues, water tower not running yet, CDBG grant in a June meeting, Fire house training and sprinkler installation, Equipment needs, Fire Truck Sale update, and other such activities and issues were presented
2. City Attorney: LOCCHEC Closing will be happening fast and soon
3. Commissioner Roberts: Announcement to the seniors for a photo at City Hall
4. Commissioner Carlton: None
5. Commissioner Carter: In regards to the water rate, it was something that had to be done the city has had low rates for 15 years, streets have not been paved because tax dollars having been helping water fund, if it is not done the county or state will take over and we will become the Hawthorne Community, suggests a 5% automatic raise on rate to increase each year to stay with increase costs to provide water, we either increase the rate or shut it down
6. Vice Mayor Surrency: Youth Council and a car wash
7. Mayor Randall: Announcement: Business Expo and Shell Head Start program, fishing program with FWC, trying to bring checks and balances into this system and provide transparencies.
K. ADJOURN
Moved to adjourn the meeting
Motion: Commissioner Carlton Second: Vice Mayor Surrency
Commissioner Carter |
Yes |
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Mayor Randall |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
Minutes prepared by City Parks and Recreation Director Wynkoop
These minutes are submitted for approval.
LaKesha H. McGruder, CMC Eleanor Randall, Mayor
City Clerk
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