ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS
2008 was~the year~in which~Town staff~and Council completed~the monumental task of~completely overhauling the Comprehensive Plan:~ a task that began in 1990, was re-visited in 2003, and finally was accomplished in 2008.~
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In 2008, the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association was able to add two new acquisitions to their extensive Fresnel lens collection. A Chance Brothers 3rd Order Lens, and a Clamshell Lens
Please take an opportunity to visit the Light Station located at 4931 South Peninsula Drive in Ponce Inlet and enjoy this historic property, as well as its many period antiques and maritime artifacts that both commemorate, and preserve a time in our history when Light Stations such as Ponce Inlet’s ~~served as a navigational aid to ocean going, and coastal ship traffic.
In March of 08’ Town Grant Applications were approved for more than~$400,000 in Echo Grants for the Ponce Preserve, as well as an Echo Grant for more than~$223,000 for restoration of the 143 Beach Street Historic Property.
I would be remiss in my duties if I were not to mention that this grant was secured as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Tara Lamb, one of the members of Davis House~ Historic Preservation, Inc., a charitable corporation formed to obtain grants to preserve the history~of Ponce~Inlet. ~
In April, as a result of the work of Fire Chief Dan Scales, Ponce Inlet was able to enter into a transport agreement with the EMF which will allow Ponce Inlet to transport a sick or injured patient if personnel on scene determine that it’s necessary.~ In December, we entered into a contract for a new fire engine to replace our aging and obsolete current equipment.
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In May, the 143 Beach Street Historic Preservation Group presented its plans for restoration of the post office and cottage, and we look forward to the start of that process as it is an important part of our history in Ponce Inlet.
Mr. Aref Joulani was appointed Director of Planning & Development, and we are indeed fortunate to have him on board as he brings a wealth of planning expertise to our town.
Mr.Joulani recently coordinated a presentation that demonstrated 3-D Modeling software that has great potential as a tool to aid in planning and developing an overlay district in and around the Lighthouse.
Lighthouse Preservation Association ~President Robyn Hurd gave the town an overview which cited among other things, the aggregate ~dollar value of its volunteers time contribution ($64000.00) to the preservation and operations at the ~~Ponce Deleon Inlet Light Station. We are indeed fortunate to live in a community that is so enriched by the contributions of its volunteers.
June of 08’ saw council undertake the Evaluation Appraisal Report portion of a community’s Comprehensive Planning review process
It also was the month that council voted to acquire new operating software from Tyler Technologies to replace our problematic and obsolete current software. This software will be brought online in approximately one month.
In September, Ponce Inlet adopted the IBC, the International Building Code as the Standard by which any construction plans, or building design will be evaluated against for consistency.
In October 2008, Police Department accreditation was renewed. Chief Steve Thomas and his staff worked diligently to ensure this renewal, and we thank him and all of his capable staff for their hard work.
In October, council voted to extend the building moratorium for 365 days to allow for the overhaul and redesign of the Land Use Development Code, which by necessity will undergo language changes as a result of the many changes made to the recently completed Comprehensive Plan. Additionally,~The Land Use Development Code will also undergo a much needed major overhaul throughout 2009.
~In November more than 2,000~voters turned out at the polls to elect a new mayor, and two new council members. ~Both council members Barbara Davis, and Kris Derr won elective terms of 2 years. After the swearing in ceremony on November 19th the town council elected councilmember Barbara Davis as Vice-Mayor. I welcome both of our new council members and look forward to their input, as well as the perspective they bring to all of the discussions and deliberations that will take place in the coming months.
2008 was also the year Ponce Inlet citizens cast their ballots regarding two important local charter amendment questions: ~One was whether or not they wished to see a change in our charter language that would allow the rebuilding of structures currently in excess of 35 feet but only if destroyed by natural disaster, fire, or an act of terror. ~
The second charter question was one that spoke to a type of land use regarding Dry Stack Storage Structures in the community, and whether or not the citizens wished to see this type of use encouraged.
Both ballot questions were favorably received by our citizens and passed with a comfortable margin.
Throughout 2008 the town council worked to craft many language changes to the comprehensive plan and some of them were so controversial in nature that a citizens group formed a Political Action Committee to put a question on the November ballot that would let the voters determine if certain types of land use would be considered.
~Voters turned out at the polls in record numbers to cast their vote for President in the national election, as well as to make their wishes known on several state ballot~questions. Floridians elected a new Congressional Representative Suzanne Kosmas, and Ponce Inlet welcomed a new Volusia County Council District 2 Representative Josh Wagner.
Although the U.S. Government has officially announced a recession, we are aware than any homes are in foreclosure and the unemployment rate is the highest since 1992.~ I am pleased to be able to report to you this evening that our town is in excellent financial condition. As the result of good planning, the town has an operating reserve of approximately $2.614 Million. As a barrier island community it is prudent to maintain a healthy operating reserve because in the event of major storm damage, it is often 8 to 12 months before Federal Disaster Recovery Funding is actually available after a storm event. ~ I ask every citizen to join me in thanking our conscientious staff as well as current and former council members for the work they have done this past year, not only on the Comprehensive Plan but for the work they
have done on the budget, thus ensuring that we are in the healthy financial position we currently enjoy. I wish all citizens the best of health and happiness throughout the New Year.
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~Tony Goudie
Mayor
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