MINUTES
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2012
6:30PM
A. CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Surrency
1. Invocation- Commissioner Roberts
2. Pledge of Allegiance- Commissioner Randall
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved to approve the agenda 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
Commissioner Carlton- Was out sick and in the hospital and would like to thank everyone for their prayers.
C. RECOGNITIONS & GUESTS
1. Citizen of the Month
Commissioner Randall- Everyone knows Mr. Lenton Pop Herring from being the Dean at Hawthorne High School. He has done some very outstanding work in the community that people are not aware of.
The City Commission thanked Mr. Herring for being an active, outstanding citizen of Hawthorne.
Mr. Herring- Would like to thank the City Commission and the citizens of Hawthorne for the nomination.
Mayor Surrency- Would like to recognize the Chamber of Commerce as citizens of the month for January for the outstanding job they did on the parade.
Commissioner Roberts- Would like to recognize Mr. Larry Tilbury for citizen of the month for January.
Moved to recognize the Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Larry Tilbury for Citizens of the Month for January 2012.
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
D. COMMITTEE REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
1. Education Foundation of Alachua County
Ms. Judith Boles summarized the duties and responsibilities of the Education Foundation of Alachua County and the different programs they sponsor though out Alachua County.
2. Florida League of Cities Presentation
Mr. Tom Conley of Florida League of Cities presented Commissioner William Carlton with a framed resolution for 20 years of municipal service. Mr. Conley also presented the City of Hawthorne with a check for $4,488 for not having any claims for the 2012 year.
E. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mr. Neil Lits- Ask the City Commission to consider putting a roundabout at the caution light by the bank.
F. AGENDA ITEMS
1. City Commission Minutes
A. Special Commission Meeting- November 13, 2012
B. Regular Commission Meeting- November 13, 2012
Moved to approve the Special Minutes and Regular Commissioner Minutes for November 13, 2012
Motion- Commissioner Roberts Second- Vice Mayor Howard
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Randall |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
2. One time Merit Pay
City Manager Vause- Staff has not received any raises in the past two years. There is an additional $5K in the budget and would like to give staff a onetime merit pay lump sum. The staff hourly rate will not change.
Moved to approve the one time merit pay as requested by the City Manager for each staff member
Motion- Commissioner Roberts Second- Vice Mayor Howard
Commissioner Carlton |
No |
Commissioner Randall |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Vote- 4-1
3. Code Enforcement Officer Contract
City Attorney Harris- the City’s Contract with Mr. Al Davis for code enforcement services is up for renewal. The city is not proposing any changes to the contract.
Moved to approve the contract as presented.
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
4. Lease Agreement with Altitude
City Attorney Harris-Communicom recently assigned their cable services to Altitude Communications. Altitude is agreeing to pay the City of Hawthorne $150 per month for the use of city property to store their equipment.
Moved to approve the lease agreement as presented
Motion- Commissioner Roberts Second- Vice Mayor Howard
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Randall |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
5. CRA Recommendation on the Fire Station
City Manger Vause- The CRA Board and the City Commission has discussed ACFR’s return and the use of the fire station building. The CRA Board would like the City to begin the process with the County to see the possibilities of ACFR’s return.
Moved to direct the Mayor and staff to pursue ACFR’s return to the Hawthorne Fire Station
Motion- Commissioner Carlton Second- Commissioner Roberts
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Randall |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
6. Affordable Portables
Mayor Surrency excused himself because Mr. Reeves is his uncle
Mr. Larry Reeves-No longer doing business at the location on Hawthorne Road. Met with City Planners on several occasions about a new location. Was told the new location would allow auto sales. Did an agreement with Mr. Arthur Cruey to use his property on US HWY 301. Was later told by the City Planner that he would have to pay $500 for a special exception. He is asking the City Commission to waive the $500 special exception fee and allow him to pay on the advertisement fee since it was the city staff that made the mistake.
City Manager Vause explained where car sales are allowed in the City of Hawthorne and staff recommends allowing Mr. Reeves to pay $225 which would cover advertisement and staff time.
Moved to waive the special exception fee of $500 and except the staff recommendation of $225.
Motion- Commissioner Randall Second- Commissioner Roberts
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Randall |
Yes |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
Yes |
Vote- 5-0
G. PUBLIC HEARING
1. SECOND READING- None
2. FIRST READING
A. Ordinance 2013__ Water Rates
City Manager Vause- Staff recommends changing the water cutoff date to the 16th of every month and adopt the ordinance revisions to reflect the 12 month consumer price index adjustment for the utility water and wastewater with the annual cost of living adjustments of 2.2%.
The City Commission discussed this item.
Moved to approve the cutoff date to the 16th of the month and postpone water rate increases.
Motion- Commissioner Roberts Second- Commissioner Carlton
City Attorney Harris read the ordinance by title only.
Commissioner Carlton |
Yes |
Commissioner Randall |
No |
Commissioner Roberts |
Yes |
Vice Mayor Howard |
Yes |
Mayor Surrency |
No |
Vote- 3-2
H. DISCUSSION
1. Commission Meeting Dates for January 2013
Mayor Surrency- Recommend having one meeting in January on the 15 because of the holiday.
Motion- Moved to accept the recommendation of the Mayor and have one meeting in the month of January on the 15.
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
I. CITIZEN COMMENTS- None
J. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION
1. City Manager Vause gave an update on the FY 2011-12 Audit, Tobacco free Alachua, pump replacements, WWTP, Lift Stations, Park & Rec. Department and Music in the Park.
2. City Attorney Harris- Received the final order with CSX. They denied Dr. Henry rejection to the closing. The City will receive $15K from CSX & FDOT ($7500 from each).
3. City Commission
A. Commissioner Roberts- Senior Social January 9, 2013 at the American Legion at 11:00AM. Would like to see a Merry Christmas for the City Commission in the newsletter.
B. Commissioner Carlton- Heard we lost funding with Putnam Land Conservancy. Would like the City Manager to look into that.
C. Commissioner Randall- Congratulations to Commissioner Carlton. Christmas Parade was awesome. Want to wish staff, city commissioners and the citizens a Merry Christmas.
D. Vice Mayor Howard- Congratulations to Commissioner Carlton and Happy Holidays to everyone.
E. Mayor Surrency- Would like City Attorney to draft a Resolution to all the City Commission to forgive ourselves of our debt. Legislative Delegation was today and presented each City Commissioner with a packet to read over about the Legislative Action Agenda.
K. ADJOURN
Moved to adjourn 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
These minutes are submitted for approval.
LaKesha H. McGruder, CMC Matthew Surrency, Mayor
City Clerk
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