Town of Ponce Inlet
TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Meeting of January 9, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER: Pursuant to proper notice, Mayor Epps called the meeting to order at 7:40 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. Cassady, Town Attorney
Ms. Clauss, Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk
Ms. Konchan, Planning Consultant
Mr. Joulani, Town Planner
Ms. Richard, Associate Planner
4. ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
5. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING STUDY. Ms. Blissett gave an introduction to this item, explaining the stormwater improvements that were initiated by former town manager Bernie Murphy which have proven to be a worthy undertaking and she explained the State Revolving Fund (SRF)financing for these which is currently paid through the general operating fund. In light of recent tax reform issues, staff has taken steps to find alternative means of revenue and one of these is to wherever possible connect the payment to the source. Therefore, they consulted with the town engineers on how this could be done to payoff their current stormwater loan and provide for future improvements. Andrew Giannini, engineer with Quentin Hampton and Associates,
explained the study attached. Mayor Epps referred to a statement within the study “Contibutions of stormwater runoff can bear very little resemblance to a property’s assessed valuation and its resultant property tax; a user charge system based upon the amount of runoff produced by a property would appear to be an equitable method of funding this essential town service” – she felt that was it in a nutshell and noted that they could expect their current revenue source for this (ad valorem) to go down. Councilmember Hinson and Vice-Mayor McCormick confirmed that no additional employees would be needed. Councilmember Sturno suggested that they adjust this proposal so that the entire SRF loan amount would be covered by this fee. Mayor Epps opened for public comment. Margaret Ann McCormick, 4670 Links Village Drive, confirmed that the 2900 figure is the number of equivalent residential units, not the number of properties or residences. She also inquired about how the billing would be done for condominiums – the same as the water bill process, just an add-on. A more specific and detailed report will be prepared, as so far only a sampling was done for the purpose of this discussion. Mayor Epps closed public comment. By general consensus, Town Council indicated they would like to have staff move along with preparing an ordinance for this.
6. FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC CONFERENCES. Ms. Blissett stated that pursuant to discussion when they ran out of time at their regular meeting in December, staff gathered cost comparison information for the regular Florida League of Cities conference and the Florida League of Cities Washington D.C. fly-in. Mayor Epps stated that she is pleased to see that there is no real difference in the cost for these but felt they should establish a general policy on whether members will have the option of attending one or the other, both, and how that will impact the budget – which is currently $11,500 (to include travel and training costs). Vice-Mayor McCormick stated that he felt they should offer trips of this nature in a pecking order (mayor, then vice-mayor, then
volunteer councilmember). Mayor Epps stated that she didn’t believe a pecking order was needed but felt each member should select one or the other. Councilmember Goudie had previously stated that he intended to forego the Florida League of Cities conference as he did last year when he attended this. Councilmember Sturno expressed support for the value in having someone for the DC conference and agreed with Councilmember Goudie and Mayor Epps that they each should pick one or the other. Councilmember Goudie referred to the importance of repeat visits to cultivate relationships at the federal level which the Town may need down the road. Councilmember Hinson stated that he preferred to go to the Florida League of Cities conference as he learned a lot his first time there last year and he also supports them going to Tallahassee to lobby the legislature in March. Mayor Epps referred to their efforts in Tallahassee last year and all of the
legislators that they met with remembered Ponce Inlet and were distinctively aware of their working waterfront concerns and heavy ad valorem reliance. By general consensus, the Town Council determined that each member gets essentially one-fifth of the budget (though they prefer they not spend it all), they may pick between the Florida League of Cities conference and the Washington D.C. fly-in, they will all be offered the opportunity to go to Tallahassee, and they are to bring back reports from any conference they attend. Ms. Blissett clarified that no other Council Members would be going to D.C. and they could release the three extra rooms they have booked.
7. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Epps adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jeaneen P. Clauss, CMC
Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Clerk
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