 |
Town of Ponce Inlet
Special Meeting of the Town Council
September 24, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER: Pursuant to proper notice, Mayor Goudie 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 Goudie led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL:
Town Council:
Mayor Goudie, Seat #1
Councilmember Derr, Seat #2
Councilmember McCormick, Seat #3
Councilmember Davis, Seat #4
Councilmember Sturno, Seat #5
Staff Members Present:
Jeaneen P. Clauss, Interim Town Manager/Town Clerk
Assistant Finance Director, Kim Morrone-Pont
Administrative Assistance, Jeni Trepasso
Mr. Joulani, Director of Planning and Development
Chief Scales, Fire Chief
Chief Thomas, Police Chief
Keith Gunter, Public Works Manager
Adrian Marks, Building Official
4. ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
5. GARDEN CLUB OF PONCE INLET’S REQUEST FOR A WAIVER FROM SECTION 5.6.10.K.8 OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING THE NUMBER OF SIGNS, LOCATION OF SIGNS, AND DURATION OF POSTING OF TWO SIGNS ON TOWN PROPERTY FOR THEIR ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR FOR TWO WEEKS. Ms. Clauss states that this waiver has been granted in the past. The Town provides a donation to cover the cost of the fee for these signs and this request is to allow the signs to be out a little bit longer and for approval of the location on Town properties. Vice-Mayor Davis made the motion to approve the waiver for the Garden Club to place two signs for two weeks on Atlantic and Peninsula for the arts and crafts fair. The motion seconded by Councilmember Sturno. Motion passed 5-0.
6. RESOLUTION 2009-17, ADPOTING A FINAL MILAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010. Ms. Clauss read this resolution by title: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE FINAL 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, 2009 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010; 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 final 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, 2009, and ending September 30, 2010; 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 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 FINAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE: The final millage rate for the Fiscal Year commencing on October 1, 2009 through
September 30, 2010 is 4.03 mills, which equals $4.03 per $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars) of assessed valuation for the purpose of raising income in the sum of $3,072,991 (Three Million, Seventy-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety-One 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 4.03 mills (as computed pursuant to Florida law) is 26.20%. Mr. Comfort, 85 Ocean Way Drive, stated he wanted to thank the Council for their time and effort into the budget process but wanted also to caution them on being too hasty on cutting the budget too much in the future. Mr. Comfort compared the past and present taxes of homestead and non-homesteaded properties in an effort to show that it was very reasonable to maintain the tax rate they needed to keep the services they value. Russ Boner, 59 Beach Street, noted that at the first reading Mayor
Goudie wanted to bring the millage rate to 3.9. Mr. Boner stated he was happy about Ms. Clauss offering to continue in the position of Town Manager. Mr. Boner expressed his concern about the legal fees. Mayor Goudie stated that legal fees are dependent upon if or when the Town would face a lawsuit and that it is an unknown in municipal operations. Vice-Mayor Davis asked about the end of the year report and if $399,458 was not spent last year. Ms. Clauss stated that they don’t have the final numbers yet but did not anticipate spending the full budget. Councilman McCormick made the motion approve Resolution 2009-17 to adopt the final millage rate of 4.03 for fiscal year 2009-2010 which was seconded by Councilmember Sturno. Christine Pierce, 66 Inlet Harbor Road, wanted to know if Ms. Clauss were to take the Town Manager position if the budget would change since the Assistant Town Manager position’s salary could
be eliminated. Mayor Goudie explained that the money for the Town Manager’s positions had already been budgeted and did not know if any positions would be eliminated yet. Councilmember Sturno stated that the Council should look at the budget on a regular basis and just because the monies are there, does not mean that it is going to get spent. Motion passed 5-0.
7. REOLUTION 2009-18, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010. S. Clauss read this resolution by title: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PONCE INLET, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2009 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Clauss explained that the ballistic vests issue has been moved out of the general funds and into the contraband fund. The motorcycle lease was discussed and this could be funded from the Marine Science Center security agreement. Ms. Clauss presented a power point presentation on the breakdown of the budget/millage rate process (attached). The total reduction in the budget was 24.6%. She
presented a sampling of the property taxes with the 4.03 millage rate. A slide was presented with a comparison of the proposed budget to past budgets. Mayor Goudie thanked the staff for their hard work. Vice- Mayor Davis stated she is in support of the motorcycle lease for the police department. Gary Comfort, 85 Ocean Way Drive, appreciates the power point presentation from Ms. Clauss and agrees with keeping the part-time officer and PAL. He expressed concern about keeping the services intact. Margaret Ann McCormick, 94 Rains Court, wanted to see a larger cut in properties taxes with the one million dollar budget cuts but pointed out the special needs that the community is going to suffer because of the cuts of the special events. Tammy Lewis, 108 Ponce De Leon Circle, thanked the Council and Ms. Clauss for their hard work. She pointed out that the audience is made up of residents as well as Town employees and appreciates the employee
dedication to the Town. Dennis Raposa, 41 Loggerhead Court, had some concerns and felt more work needed to be done. Vice-Mayor Davis made the motion to approve Resolution 2009-18 to adopt the final budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 and this was seconded by Mayor Goudie. This motion was amended by Vice-Mayor Davis to include the ballistic vest and motorcycle lease and again seconded by Mayor Goudie. Councilmember McCormick wanted this motion to include the part-time officer and special events and made the motion to secure funds from the $50,000 for the Police Athletic League and part-time officer for the boat ramp. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sturno. Vice-Mayor Davis stated she believes that this is not able to be done because of the Charter and Councilmember McCormick withdrew his motion but offered it as a suggestion. Ms. Clauss stated that the part-time officer might be funded in part
by the County since they have a vested interest in the boat ramp parking lot as well. The motion to amend the primary motion to include the vests and motorcycle lease was approved 5-0. The primary motion to approve Resolution 2009-19 as amended was approved 5-0.
8. DISCUSSION OF THE TOWN MANAGERS’ POSITION. Councilmember Derr notes that Council received an email that Ms. Clauss would like to accept the invitation to apply for the Town Manager position if the Council so desired. Councilmember Derr believes that Ms. Clauss would is a good choice for this position based on her educational background and past work experiences. She also stated that the Assistant Town Manager position may be able to be eliminated as Ms. Clauss thought that those job duties could be re-distributed. Mayor Goudie echoed Councilmember Derr’s thoughts and feels Ms. Clauss is well qualified. Vice-Mayor Davis supported Ms. Clauss but does not want to make that decision tonight. Councilmember McCormick agreed that Ms. Clauss is a
fine candidate but wants to continue the search. Councilmember Sturno agreed that Ms. Clauss is a good candidate but feels that the Council is moving too fast and wanted to have a six month trial to see how she would divvy up the Assistant Town Manager duties. Tami Lewis, Ponce de Leon Circle, spoke about going through resumes but the “fit” might not work for this community. She does not think that Ms. Clauss should cut her own position and should not work six months without a contract. Dennis Raposa, 41 Loggerhead Court, does not feel that there is a rush to hire a new manager and though he felt Ms. Clauss is certainly qualified he believed that the next Council should be the one to hire a new manager and they should continue to advertise for this position. Nancy Epps, 127 Old Carriage Road, supported Ms. Clauss as the Town Manager but stated that we need to follow an internal bid process if there is one. She suggested that the Mayor
should start contract negotiations with Ms. Clauss. Jim Hinson, 4745 South Atlantic Avenue, wonders why she has suddenly changed her mind about being the Town Manager and felt she needed to think about this a little bit longer. Jerry McHugh, 37 Loggerhead Court, felt Ms. Clauss would also do a good job but this shouldn’t be rushed into. Margaret Ann McCormick, 94 Rains Court, echoed all accolades for Ms. Clauss but the position should still be advertised. Ginger Bayer, 55 Jennifer Circle¸ thought the Council needs to look at the salaries of Ms. Clauss, who runs the entire town versus one person making much more in one department. Tommy Richard, 49 Loggerhead Court, believed in promoting from within and doesn’t feel that Council should look any further. Russ Boner, 59 Beach Street, thought Ms. Clauss had proven her ability to do the Town Manager job and feels the Council should vote her in tonight. Tom Rutledge, 68 Beverly
Hill, felt Ms. Clauss went through a trial by fire with this budget process and that she realized that she could do this job. He felt that the Council should still accept resumes though and that tonight is inappropriate to make an offer to Ms. Clauss but feels that the Town would benefit from her services. Gary Comfort, 85 Ocean Way Drive, agreed with Ms. Lewis about Ms. Clauss being a good fit for the Town but the Council should not be drastic and eliminate the Assistant Town Manager position yet. The decision should not be made by the Council but they should negotiate a contract with Ms. Clauss. Councilmember McCormick agreed that the Council should not rush this decision and fully supports that this does not have to happen tonight. Councilmember Derr stated the reason this was brought up was because a directive was made at the last meeting to find a new Town Manager. She recommends putting the advertisement on hold and for the Mayor to
start contract negotiations with Ms. Clauss. Councilmember Derr made this a motion and Mayor Goudie seconded it. Vice-Mayor Davis stated that she would like them to consider making Ms. Clauss’ salary retroactive if she is hired. Motion passed 5-0.
9. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Goudie adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jeaneen P. Clauss, CMC, Interim Town Manager/Town Clerk
Prepared by: Jeni Trepasso, Administrative Assistant
| |
