PonceInletFL - 09/03/2008 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes

Town of Ponce Inlet

TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Special Meeting of September 3, 2008

1. Call to order: Pursuant to proper notice, Mayor Epps called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4300 South Atlantic Avenue, Ponce Inlet, Florida.

2. Pledge of allegiance: Mayor Epps led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll call:

Council present:

Mayor Epps, Seat #1

Councilmember Goudie, Seat #2

Vice-Mayor McCormick, Seat #3

Councilmember Hinson, Seat #4

Councilmember Sturno, Seat #5

Staff Members Present:

Ms. Blissett, Town Manager

Ms. Clauss, Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk

Mr. Gunter, Public Works General Manager

Mr. Joulani, Town Planner

Chief Scales, Fire Chief

Chief Thomas, Police Chief

4. Additions, corrections, or deletions to the agenda: None.

5. Resolution 2008-12, adopting a tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2008/2009. Ms. Clauss read this resolution in full: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE LEVYING OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; STATING THE PERCENTAGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED IS BELOW THE ROLLED BACK RATE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Florida law requires the Town Council of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, to pass a resolution or ordinance establishing the tentative millage rate for levying ad valorem property taxes for municipal purposes on all taxable property within the Town limits of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009; and WHEREAS, Florida law requires said resolution or ordinance to state the millage rate to be levied, and also, to state the percentage by which the millage rate to be levied is above or below the rolled-back rate as computed pursuant to Florida law; and WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, has duly considered the budgetary requirements of the Town and is now acting in accordance with the terms, provisions and procedures contained in Section 200.065, Florida Statutes at this duly advertised public hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE: The tentative millage rate for the Fiscal Year commencing on October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 is 4.175 mills, which equals $4.175 per $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) of assessed valuation for the purpose of raising income in the sum of $4,150,047 (Four Million, One Hundred Fifty Thousand, Forty-Seven Dollars). SECTION 2. PERCENTAGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED IS BELOW THE ROLLED BACK RATE: The percentage by which this millage rate to be levied is below the rolled-back rate of 4.44019 mills (as computed pursuant to Florida law) is 5.97%. SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY: If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that holding in no way affects the remaining portions of this Resolution. SECTION 4. CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS: All Resolutions s in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. Ms. Blissett explained the challenges they faced this year between the effects of the economic recession and the actions of the State legislature. She then gave an overview of the proposed budget which necessitated the proposed tentative millage rate of 4.2. Councilmember Goudie suggested the following be considered for cutting from this budget: 1) $4,000 for charter review (hold off for another year); 2) $500 for town council shirts; 3) $42,000 for paperless agenda; 4) $20,000 upgrade to channel 199; and 5) $25,000 repayment to the water fund for the purchase of 143 Beach Street. Council discussed these proposed cuts to see if the millage rate could be lowered a little more. Mayor Epps opened for public comment. Gary Comfort, 85 Ocean Way Drive, thanked staff for preparing hyperlinks for the agenda so that everyone could see the back-up information for each item and feeling that met the goal without further expense encouraged Council to remove the paperless agenda software purchase. He also requested that they contact the State and find out if the initially proposed dune walkover from Ponce Preserve is a non-negotiable part of this grant, given that they have another not far from this location and the present budgetary / economic concerns. Ms. Blissett stated that she will have an answer for this by the second reading. Mayor Epps closed public comment. Council agreed that sufficient items could be removed to allow for a slight reduction in the tentative millage rate. Vice-Mayor McCormick moved to approve Resolution 2008-12 adopting a tentative millage rate of 4.175, seconded by Councilmember Sturno. This motion PASSED 5-0 with the following vote: Councilmember Sturno – yes, Councilmember Hinson – yes, Vice-Mayor McCormick – yes, Councilmember Goudie - yes, and Mayor Epps – yes.

6. Resolution 2008-13, adopting a tentative budget for fiscal year 2008/2009. Ms. Clauss read this resolution by short title: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Blissett went over the special funds within the budget. Mayor Epps opened for public comment. Don Rominek, 4545 South Atlantic Avenue, requested information on the fire truck purchase (trade-in allowance, age of present truck) – feeling a lease is always better. Councilmember Goudie also requested information on the upgrade to the tele-squirt. Chief Scales explained that this is a ten year old vehicle bought under a different mission. They no longer have a need for a big tank because there are so many available hydrants but they do have a need to accommodate a larger crew for the advanced life support function. They propose replacement of the present truck with a pumper which will cost $350,000 to $375,000. Chief Scales advised that a tele-squirt type would start at $500,000 and would reach the taller buildings but they have access to these types through mutual aid and the cost-benefit isn’t there for them to purchase their own. They will receive a $35,000 trade-in allowance plus put the proposed cash down on it and finance approximately $200,000. The present truck is increasingly becoming a cost-maintenance concern and it simply does not meet the needs of their mission. Constance Hunter, 4329 South Atlantic Avenue, inquired about the transportation factor. Ms. Blissett stated that they have the ambulance Ms. Hunter donated the funds for and they now have an agreement with EVAC to allow transportation under certain conditions. Mayor Epps closed public comment. Councilmember Hinson moved to approve Resolution 2008-13 adopting a tentative budget for fiscal year 2008/2008 with the removal of the $4,000 for charter review, $42,000 for paperless agenda, and $20,000 to upgrade channel 199, seconded by Councilmember Goudie. This motion PASSED 5-0 with the following vote: Councilmember Sturno – yes, Councilmember Hinson – yes, Vice-Mayor McCormick – yes, Councilmember Goudie - yes, and Mayor Epps – yes.

7. Consideration of Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board recommendation to change the name and the sign design for Timucuan Oaks Garden. Ms. Blissett stated that at the July meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board (PRTAB), they discussed shortening the name of Timucuan Oaks Botanical Gardens. This name was chosen at the time the grant for acquisition of the land was submitted to the Florida Communities Trust. True botanical gardens feature plants from around the world and the Board recommends that the Town’s parks should feature and promote the use of native plants. The Board therefore recommends that the formal name of the park be changed to Timucuan Oaks Garden. In discussions regarding the entrance sign for this park, the Board expressed their desire to keep the signage at the Town’s parks uniform in design. With this in mind, staff solicited proofs similar in design and color to the Ponce Preserve entrance sign. Ms. Blissett showed a picture of the one the Board reviewed and approved recommending. Councilmember Hinson moved to approve the proposed sign design and the name change from Timucuan Oaks Botanical Garden to Timucuan Oaks Garden, seconded by Councilmember Goudie. This motion PASSED 5-0 with the following vote: Councilmember Sturno – yes, Councilmember Hinson – yes, Vice-Mayor McCormick – yes, Councilmember Goudie - yes, and Mayor Epps – yes.

8. Adjournment. Mayor Epps adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jeaneen P. Clauss, CMC

Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk