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Description |
Palatka City Commission 10/12/06; 6:00 p.m. |
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Date |
10/12/2006 |
Location |
Palatka City Commission |
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Time |
Speaker/Item |
Note |
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Call to Order |
Mayor Karl N. Flagg |
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Present |
Mayor Karl N. Flagg; Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, Allegra Kitchens, James Norwood, Jr., and George E. Sanders |
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Also Present |
City Manager Allen R. Bush; City Attorney Donald E. Holmes; City Clerk Betsy Jordan Driggers; Police Chief Gary Getchell; Fire Chief Mike Lambert; Planning Director Geoff Pappas; Public Works Director Woody Boynton; Parks Director Jeff Norton |
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Invocation |
The Reverend Maurice Brown, Pastor; St. Mary's Episcopal Church |
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Pledge |
The Honorable Tim Smith |
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Minutes |
9-14-06 - Commissioner Sanders moved to adopt the minutes as read. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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PUBLIC RECOGNITION |
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Introduction |
Mr. Bush introduced Geoff Pappas, the new Planning Director, who comes from a private firm in Jacksonville. He has extensive planning experience. Mr. Pappas said he is currently undertaking an update to the Comp Plan and is working with Mr. Bush on the impact fees. He'd like to meet with the Commissioners on a one-on-one basis in the near future. They are currently going through a reorganization process within the department. Vice Mayor Brown noted DCA Secretary Cohen visited Palatka and gave them some advice on updates to the Comp Plan. |
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Mr. Bush announced that Debbie Banks has returned to the Planning Department in the capacity of Assistant to the Planner. |
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Proclamation |
Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October, 2006 - Mayor Flagg read and presented a proclamation to Lee Conlee House Board members and employees present, designating October, 2006 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Palatka. |
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Proclamation |
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mammography Day - Mayor Flagg read and presented a proclamation to Wayne Sumner and other American Cancer Society Members and survivors present, designating October, 2006 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 20 as Mammography Day in the City of Palatka. |
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Proclamation |
Florida City Government Week - October 15 - 21, 2006 - Mayor Flagg read a proclamation designating Florida City Government Week. |
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Proclamation |
National Make a Difference Day - October 28, 2006 - Jane Buck and Lynda Crabill received a proclamation from Mayor Flagg designating October 28, 2006 as National Make A Difference Day, highlighting the promotion of 'doing good' in the community, as a function of and on behalf of Palatka's Weed & Seed Program. |
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Public Comments |
Christy Sanford, 320 Dodge Street, asked as to the consent agenda, are they allowed to speak to issues on the agenda? Mayor Flagg said yes; if they want to discuss an item, she should request discussion on that item. Ms. Sanford said she wanted to comment on the fence issue, Item 3a. |
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Lynda Crabill, 609 S. 14th Street, said the entry into the 100 block buildings was very successful. Mr. Prugh, the architect, had good things to say about the buildings, and he reported most of the damages are cosmetic in nature and very repairable. Mayor Flagg asked her to submit a report so that they can address the points. Ms. Crabill said a report is forthcoming in a few weeks. She thanked Mr. Bush for setting up the tour, and Mark Lynady and Joff Fillion for guiding them through the building and taking pictures. |
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Sam Deputy, 917 Carr Street, said the plans for the Christmas Parade are coming along. Church choirs are set up for the amphitheater, and Santa will be installed in the 700 Block. St. Mary's will hold open house, Mr. Sharp will be announcing on the 800 Block, and they are meeting with Chief Getchell on security issues. They are meeting with Mr. Boynton on utilities and barricades needed. They will be providing transportation for City Commissioners, so will need the names of those who will be participating. All but Commission Norwood, who will be traveling, agreed to participate. Mr. Deputy noted Ethelene Odom will be Parade Marshall. |
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CONSENT AGENDA |
a. Authorize acceptance of Homeland Security
Grant from Fla. Dept. of Emergency Management Contract
#07-DS-5N-04-64-02-CFDA #97.067 in the amount of $8,469 to be used for
partial fencing of back lot to secure PPD facility at 110 N. 11th
Street b. Provide conceptual approval to Cypress
Mills developer to evaluate storm water treatment options of the Kirby Street
Drainage Basin on city-owned property per recommendation of Public Works
Director c. Approve noise ordinance variance for
Angela’s of Palatka “Special Event” October 26, 2006, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. d. Set 2006 Holiday Schedule -- Nov. 9 and
Dec. 14, 2006 e. Set Trick or Treat Hours for Tuesday, October 31 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. |
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Commissioner Kitchens requested to pull Items 3b & 3c for a short discussion. Mayor Flagg noted Item 4a is pulled by the public for discussion. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to approve Items d and e under Item 3, Consent Agenda. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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Item 3a – Acceptance of Security Fencing Grant for Police Dept. |
Gary Getchell, Police Chief, said due to post 9-11 security measures they underwent a threat assessment on city-owned property. They have been upgrading their building at the PD to meet national security standards. This fence is part of that upgrade. If they don't sign the grant and return it, they will have to return the money. It is a chain-link fence. |
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Christy Sanford, 212 Dodge Street, asked if this fence can be screened. It is an 'entryway' into the City and next to a proposed park. They are trying to remove the blight from the City. A fence can be included as a beautification project. She has seen other police departments that are not fenced. A chain-link fence looks blighted. |
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Commissioner Kitchens said the reason the City purchased the CSX property behind the Fire and Police Departments was to give those departments room for growth for those departments. She was not aware it was purchased for a park, not that she is against parks. Chain link fences are not necessarily ugly. Commissioner Brown said the fence can be landscaped. When you send money back, they look at that the next time they receive an application from you. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Sanders moved to pass Consent Agenda Item 3a, Fencing Grant, for approval. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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Consent Agenda Item 3b. -- Conceptual Approval to Cypress Mills Developer to evaluate stormwater treatment options for Kirby Street Drainage Basin |
Woody Boynton, Public Works Director, said some time ago the City entertained designs to treat stormwater from the Kirby Street drainage basin area, which extends from Moseley Ave. to11th Street and is the largest basin in the City. They looked at options between Kirby and SR 20 as to water quality treatment. After a survey of the available land was completed, they found there was not enough elevation to do what they had planned. A baffle box will treat uploading, but hey are not sure what the reduction of nutrients will be in the end. Norman Jutras, developer for Cypress Mills, approached the City about expanding his stormwater treatment pond for the Cypress Mills project onto City property. This will provide for stormwater treatment for this large drainage basin, and will negate any cost to the City to treat that water. As to the River Street pump station property, City Staff foresees no need for the property in question at any point in the future. The developer is asking for conceptual approval to develop the pond and see what they can do to treat all that water. They are looking at removing 60 - 70% of nutrients from water going to the River. The City could not do this within the confines of its property. This is in line with SJRWMD requirements and will cost the City nothing. It is a win-win situation. They have discussed a goal of zero discharge from the WWTP into the River. In five to seven years, they may be forced to treat that stormwater basin, and it may involved a significant amount of excavation between Kirby Street and SR 20, which would require more property than they have now. If SJRWMD agrees this is doable, Mr. Jutras will make this part of his Project. |
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Commissioner Kitchens asked if SJRWMD approves the developer's plan, which in turn comes back to the City, will the City have to spend extra money on the upkeep of the pond, and will the existing easement the City has across Cypress Mills I and II stay in place? Mr. Boynton said the easement will stay in place; if they allow the easement to stay in place there will be a 45 - 50 inch pipe running through the project, which the City will be forced to maintain. The preliminary design he's seen would run the pipe down Kirby Street and then angularly through the development. Maintenance responsibility for the pond would become the homeowner association's responsibility, and that will be in the deed covenants. Commissioner Kitchens noted the problem with the lack of upkeep of other ponds around the City. Mr. Boynton said they have made good inroads to alleviating those problems; in some areas there is a lack of a strong homeowners' association. Per Commissioner Kitchen's question as to a binding agreement, Mr. Boynton concurred this is not binding upon either the City or the developer; if the developer finds it is not to his advantage, he can back out. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Norwood moved to approve Consent Agenda Item 3-c, Conceptual Design of Kirby Street, Drainage Basin. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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Consent Agenda Item 3c - Noise Ordinance variance for Angela's of Palatka event |
Commissioner Kitchens said she wanted the public to be aware that S. 8th Street will be closed from 11:00 a.m. on October 26 to 10:00 a.m. October 27 for the erection of a tent, tables and chair for a Chamber After Hours event connected with this item. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to approve Consent Agenda Item 3b, noise ordinance variance Oct 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for Angela's of Palatka. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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APPEAL OF PLANNING BOARD CASE #06-037 - |
Planning Board Denial of a Conditional Use for sale/consumption of Alcoholic Beverages -1100 Madison Street - Alex Sharp, Agent for R.T. Kohuth, 902 St. Johns Avenue, said he is requesting to appeal a Planning Board decision to deny issuance of a conditional use for alcohol sales at that location. In its motion to deny, the Planning Board cited a school located at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Sharp read the definition of "school" from the Municipal Code into the record. He said if there is a school there, they weren't made aware of that and it wasn't advertised as such. The notice was given about the church, but not the school. |
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Don Holmes, City Attorney, said technically, the Commission is sitting in an appellate capacity, and they should limit themselves to the evidence in the record to support the Planning Board's decision. If they find the evidence does not support the decision, they can overturn the decision. If not, they can uphold it. The appellant states that a gentleman appeared at the meeting in question and said there was a school there, and the Planning Board took him at his word, with no proof. Rather than the Commission trying to decide whether a school does exist, he advises the Commission to remand this back to the Planning Board to decide whether this schools meets the definition of a school as defined in the Code. If not, that piece of evidence could be called into question, and could be found not to be evidence at all. This Commission is not set up to determine facts; facts are determined by the lower board. They are only set up to determine whether the lower board met the test. To avoid turning them into a 'fact finding' board and setting precedent, he advises the Commission remand this item back to the Planning Board and let them find whether or not a school, as defined by the Code, exists. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Norwood moved to remand the issue back to the Planning Board to determine if a school exists. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion. Mayor Flagg noted that Commissioner Norwood is a member of the church, and asked if this presents a conflict. Mr. Holmes said “conflict” is a broad term; it is typically referred to as financial un nature, but he would prefer that Commissioner Norwood recuse himself from this matter. Mr. Sharp said he concurs with sending the Case back to the Planning Board. Commissioner Kitchens concurred, saying she trusts Mr. Holmes' advice. Mr. Holmes noted the Commission can still take public comment on the matter. |
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Withdrawal of Motion |
Citing a Conflict of Interest, Commissioner Norwood withdrew his motion to remand the case back to the Planning Board. Commissioner Sanders withdrew his second to the motion. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Sanders moved to remand the matter of Case No. 06-037 back to the Planning Board to determine if a school exists per the definition found in the Municipal Code. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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PUBLIC COMMENT |
Mayor Flagg asked for public comment. |
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Bishop Elijah Jackson, New Creation Christian Center, 301 N. 11th Street, said he spoke with the pastors of the churches in this area. The Planning Board used the Calvary Baptist Church as the church cited within the area of this building, but there are four or five churches located around this building. They have worked with the City to rid this area of drugs, alcohol and violence. There are at least four churches established in this area. One is directly across the street, occupied by Pastor Shivers. |
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Rev. Dolly Harrell, Pentecostal Revival Center, Hwy 19, said she is disturbed by the City's rules. She asked why the Planning Board has to cite the school and not the church in order to deny this request? She asked what the difference is between a Christian education and a public school education? The church has Sunday School, G.A.'s and all sorts of things they teach the children. They don't need to cite the presence of a school to deny this. They didn't elect the Planning Board. She doesn't vote as a citizen of Palatka, as she is not in the City. She is not happy with this. These people are glad to go back to the Planning Board. This commission is responsible for the protecting the Altar of the Church, whether it has a school or not. |
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Mr. Sharp said when they first began this project, they didn't do it to raise the ire of the churches. They are simply following procedure. They are not opening a bar, but a restaurant that serves beer and wine with meals. This doesn't cause blight in an area. These types of establishments are all over the city. He will abide by whatever decision is legally made. |
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Mayor Flagg asked if they have a date the Planning Board will hear this. The Clerk noted that she does not know what the advertising requirements are, but it will be either the first Tuesday in November or first Tuesday in December. |
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Commissioner Norwood asked why the surrounding churches couldn't act as an agency. Mr. Holmes said although there are churches operating in the area, there is a question of whether they are operating legally. There may be no churches in the area that are properly zoned for a church, other than Calvary Baptist. Church buildings must be zoned for use as a church. Some churches may not be properly zoned, but were there prior to zoning, and would be considered legal under non-conforming usage. Some may have been there, but went away, and then came back. Technically, if a church went away and then was re-established, it may not be legally located there. They can only use the legally-established and properly zoned churches. There is at least one church within 300 feet that meets the criteria to be legally zoned, and that is the only one they know of. The Code said they have to be properly zoned and legally in existence. |
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Commissioner Norwood entered into record the church history (filed) to show how long it has been in existence. He asked this be forwarded to the Planning Board. Commissioner Brown said Code Enforcement has been spotty, and they haven't done a good job of letting people know what they need to do to get legal. Churches used to just 'spring up' and they didn't have to worry about zoning. Now, vacant storefronts are being turned into churches, and this is happening all over the Country. If churches have to be zoned properly, notification should go out to these ministers. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that these churches are legitimate. Mayor Flagg said they are not saying the church is illegal, but the land use designation has not followed the conditional use process. Commissioner Brown said they don't tell people about these ordinances. As they have revised ordinances to fit certain needs, there is usually something there that doesn't fit the category. There are a number of churches in that area with bona-fide memberships, which belong to state-wide groups. They need to find a way to give them a time to come in and become confirming. Mayor Flagg said the use is legitimate, but the land use is the issue. If these churches are established and legal, people like Mr. Sharp and convenience stores will know they can't go into that area. Mr. Holmes said he is not advocating shutting down churches, but the zoning code sets up certain districts that churches can locate. It is fairly limited. It is a planning issue they don't want to lose sight of. For purposes of deciding whether or not a conditional use procedure is triggered, the church has to be one whose existence 'land-use wise' is legal. They would be grandfathered in if they existed before zoning was established in the City, provided they have been at that location ever since. If there were to be destroyed, or wanted to expand, they couldn’t unless they came into compliance with the Code. Occupational Licenses trigger this process of checking the zoning code. He's not aware if churches have to get occupational licenses. The only way Staff knows of the existence of a church is if someone complains about the presence of a church, or they come to get an occupational license. Otherwise, staff doesn't know they are there. |
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Debbie Banks, Assistant to the Planning Director, said churches do not have to have occupational licenses, and do not require licensing of any type, which probably needs to be changed. There is no mechanism to trigger the question of proper zoning. If the church was there prior to 1971, they are legal. If they located in a storefront after that date, they are non-conforming and this is a Code Enforcement issue. They will have to come in and get a conditional use permit. Mayor Flagg said some years ago they began a process of voluntary registration of churches. Churches were supposed to have come in and voluntarily register. There should be minutes to that effect. |
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Commissioner Sanders said when a person comes in to request water & sewer, the occupational license procedure should be triggered. After discussion, Mayor Flagg noted staff needed to come up with a procedure to tie water & sewer connection to occupational licensing. Commissioner Kitchens noted a similar situation that came about when she worked for the County, tied to a 501c3 designation. Mayor Flagg said churches are not required to register as a 501c3. Commissioner Kitchens said if they didn't have the conditional use process to allow churches and bars to locate within 300 feet of this problem, and vice-versa, this wouldn't even have come up. Mr. Holmes said if there is no conditional use, Mr. Sharp could just open up his bar without having to come before the Commission, as no other church besides Calvary met the test of being a legitimately zoned church. |
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REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF PUTNAM CO. INTERLOCAL SCHOOL AGREEMENT |
Mr. Bush said he has reviewed this agreement. It puts certain requirements on the City to discuss and address educational elements of the Comp Plan. It makes the school district an integral part of the building permitting process. Per his discussions with Mr. Kennedy, this appears to be a mandate, so he invited Mr. Kennedy to present this to the Commission. |
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Patrick Kennedy, Director of Planning & Development services for Putnam County, said he is not certain the School Board would become part of the permitting process, but it will be apart of the development process. When doing Comp Plan amendments or annexations, they must now look at concurrency issues with schools, water and sewer. If a project is eligible for permits, the concurrence would already have been decided, and the process can move forward, so it won't hold up the process overly. If a building lot is ready for permits, this won't apply; that is exempted out of the agreement. A Comp Plan amendment will apply. This is mandated. April 2008 is the deadline for municipalities in Putnam County to have their School Facilities element adopted into the Comp Plan, or at least transmitted to DCA for review. An Interlocal Agreement is part of that process. This will allow them to have a 'guiding document' as they are doing this. It will have no "teeth" before the City gets their Comp Plan School Facilities Element finished. This document has gone through state review. County & municipal Planners met with the School Board several times as a group to go over this document. They have submitted it to DCA twice for their review and comment, and made appropriate revisions based on those comments. This is a compliant and meaningful document. Appointing a representative of the School Board to the Planning Board was the beginning of this process. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to adopt the Putnam County Interlocal Schools Agreement. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion. Mayor Flagg asked, under Section 1.1, if this puts the City on a balanced field, when they have 40% of schools inside the City limits. He asked why aren't they included in the semi-annual meeting, which excludes municipalities. If there is a meeting, why is there a requirement for section 1.2? Mr. Kennedy said other districts can hold a separate meeting that Palatka may not need nor want to attend. This just leaves the door open for those. Mayor Flagg said other municipalities may not have as much interest as Palatka. A semi-annual meeting does exclude other municipalities. The City is not included in Section 1.1. Mr. Kennedy said they would not intentionally exclude the City; they can attend if they would like. Mayor Flagg said the action will occur in 1.1, not in 1.2, which just says they will meet with school board representatives, and not the school board itself. That is not equitable. There is no need for both sections when section 1.1 can handle it. The cities and towns should just have an opportunity to opt out. Commissioner Norwood said they need representation at all meetings. Mr. Kennedy said those meetings are more like workshops; no decisions are being made there. Mayor Flagg said this just doesn't "flow' right. Mr. Kenney said this is in line with other agreements they have looked at. This just gives the City the opportunity to meet with the School Board separately and on its own. Commissioner Norwood asked if they can add "Cities and towns" to Sec. 1.1. Mr. Kenney said four other boards have already adopted this document, which makes it hard to amend. Mayor Flagg said it seems to him that Section 1.1 will supercede Section 1.2. As to Section 1.3, addressing quarterly staff meetings, they want the City Planner to be specified, instead of just implicating him as part of 'staff.' The City needs to be at the table, not just invited to attend and there only accidentally or incidentally. Obviously, the document needs modification by all parties. |
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Mr. Kennedy said the County has no objection to the City attending these meetings. These should probably be held in conjunction with the LOGIC meetings, when all the parties are already together. This can be handled as an agenda item. He does not know procedurally how to make the change without taking it back to the other Commissions & boards. He has no objection to adding that language. Per discussion, Mr. Kennedy said this needs to be one agreement. Mr. Holmes asked if he can present an addendum to the agreement for the City; if other municipalities decide they want an addendum, they can opt to have an addendum or not. |
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Geoff Pappas, Planning Director, said he concurs on the addendum. Mr. Holmes said the Commission can pass the agreement with the understanding an addendum will be drafted by the County to add the City to Section 1.1, and authorize Mr. Bush to sign on behalf of the Commission. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to revise her motion to add the addendum requirement to include the City in Section 1.1, and to add the Planner to Section 1.3, quarterly staff meeting. Mr. Pappas said there might be some concurrency issues that have not been addressed in this document, and asked if he can be included in a review of the agreement. Mayor Flagg noted the Planner, City Manager and Attorney will look at the agreement and include concurrency issues with the addendum. Mr. Kennedy said he does have an issue with that, as it has gone through DCA review twice. Mr. Holmes said SB360 gives the School Board, through the governmental board with jurisdiction over development, the ability to ask for up-front contributions or mitigations of impact that new developments will have upon the schools. This is all about concurrency. This is a triggering mechanism given by the School Board to have the City ask a developer for something to shore up the schools. As building permits and associated impact fees come on line, the impact fees don't keep pace with building classrooms or schools within a development. This allows them to even ask a developer to build a school for a development. This is being done to implement portions of the statute, SB360, and has to be in place before they can even make those kinds of demands upon a developer. He recommends they pass the Interlocal Agreement and then address the addendum as planned. He is not saying the agreement can't be amended as time goes by. Mr. Kennedy concurred and is not saying Mr. Pappas has nothing to bring to the table. If they reopen the debate on concurrency, you reopen the entire document. They will certainly listen to and give weight to Mr. Pappas' concerns. They will all be adopting their amendments to the Comp Plan at pretty much the same time. If this document needs work, they will adjust it. This is new to everyone in the state; there will be a learning curve. Commissioner Brown said Clay County is benefiting from this same sort of agreement by way of new schools, parks and greenways & trails because of a new subdivision development, because they have this in place. If developers are going to impact this City, they have a right to ask for these things. |
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Mr. Kennedy said there is a sense of urgency from his standpoint; they have been working on his for some time. Mr. Mengel, the prior planner, worked on this along with other representatives of city & county government. It may not be perfect, but has been reviewed by DCA twice. If they can't get this signed, they lose out on some funding that is available. This is an agreement that everyone can live with. |
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Debra Massey, 4041 Lundy Road, said she likes the agreement. She asked if the school board has to concur prior to the item going to the Planning Board; Mr. Kennedy said yes. She asked if there is any guarantee that the School Board will have representation at the Planning Board level? Mr. Kennedy said they are already a part of the Planning Board. Ms. Massey said the City has Planning Board meetings on the same night as the School Board meetings. Mr. Holmes said the School Board input should come in way before the Planning Board meeting in the form of a written report or staff report on concurrency. Mr. Kennedy said a concurrency report will come to the Planning Board with the request. As to the date of affect, this will be a guiding document to help deal with school concurrency. DCA is already saying they have to provide for analysis of school capacity and concurrency. It is not yet in the Comp Plan, so this is a precursor. The deadline for full compliance is April 2008. Ms. Massey asked if current applicants for large-scale development will be asked for school board concurrency. Mr. Kennedy said they will; even though there may be no 'force of law' in place now, DCA will side with the City and County on this. |
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Roll-Call Vote |
There being no further discussion, a roll-call vote was taken on the motion to adopt with addendum to come later, with the following results: Commissioners Brown, Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders and Mayor Flagg, yes; Nays, none. The motion was declared passed. |
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Designation of Downtown District as Historic District. |
Ruth Burk, 510 Mulholland Park, said the Sunshine Law requires all negotiations on city-owned properties to be open to the public, and requests she be invited to negotiations on the riverfront development, as they affect her properties. She also requests the letter she was promised prior from this Commission, that the Commission will not use imminent domain or condemnation to take her buildings away from her. This is causing her a lot of stress. Plans she saw in 2003 show her buildings being wiped out. These buildings restored, with businesses in them, will provide for her children throughout their lives. This Commission has the power to destroy that. She has worked hard for what she has accomplished. Having successful businesses in those buildings will help her and other families to provide for their children. |
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Federal and State leaders are working with her on her 10 historic properties. They are surrounded by two historic districts. She is asking the Commission to make the downtown a historic destination district. The Commission can make that happen. In the past, the downtown merchants were misinformed on what restrictions would be placed on their properties. If an owner puts their property on the register, historic regulations will apply, but owners can opt out. A true Main Street program is a grass roots program that restores historic buildings. It is built on three legs, with the Main Street Board, CRA Board and City working in partnership with business. She is taking the lead on the historic reawakening and requests a copy of the document setting up the CRA Board. The CRA Board is responsible for setting goals on how the tax money is to be projected. They want to see how the CRA projects plans for this money. Many rumors are flying and they need answers. On Nov 3 there is a Main Street conference in Ft. Pearce for anyone to attend. She has placed registration forms in the Main Street office. Following the conference, State Main Street leaders will come here to look at Palatka’s Main Street program. They want to ensure real progress and success. She has been in contact with Gov. Jeb Bush on restoration of her buildings. There is a movement across the nation to restore, preserve and protect historic buildings in downtown main street districts. There is federal funding and grant money to promote this. Preserving historic properties is educational and economically beneficial. |
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Mr. Bush said it sounds as though there are two issues; one is the Main Street program, one is to put individual buildings on the historic register, and a third issue is to create a historic district. Mrs. Burk said she was told when she got the last nail in the proposed bakery that her taxes would go up four times. This happened to Palm Antiques; he lost his buildings. No one can deal with that type of expense on top of operating expenses. If buildings are restored properly, the building value goes up tremendously. |
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Commissioner Kitchens said she has no problem with designating the downtown as historic if the merchants have no problem with it. A University of Florida survey was done on the buildings. Previously, half the merchants were in agreement with this and half weren't. Mrs. Burk said the merchants seem to not have been informed properly. Commissioner Kitchens said half were afraid of the requirements for the inside of their buildings. The other half knew the facts and knew there were none, and knew that wasn't true. Commissioner Norwood said if the merchants avail themselves of the correct information and want to do this, they can. |
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Motion |
Commission Norwood moved to approve exploration of the process to designate the Main Street district as a Historic District. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion. Mayor Flag asked as to the next step. Mrs. Burk said after the conference the head of Main Street, Joan Jefferson, will meet with the local merchants and explain the program to them. Mayor Flagg said this should be an official meeting that the City will co-host along with the Downtown Merchants, and should meet all advertisement requirements. |
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Mr. Bush said the City also has questions on a draft rebates on restored buildings through TIF rebates over a period of time. They have looked at this, but maybe Mrs. Jefferson can advise them on what they can and can't do. |
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Christy Sanford, 312 Dodge, said she is pleased with the action, and asked they invite all candidates for Main Street Director to attend this meeting. She hopes the process for choosing a director goes forward. The prior director, Cathy Butler, was on the agenda for that conference Mrs. Burk referred to. She herself is a Main Street volunteer. She has spoken with the Deland Main Street director, who spoke of their 401 tax abatement program. In Deland, if an investor invests a certain amount of money, they will get back a certain amount of TIF funds over a three-year period. There is a significant amount of indebtedness that hasn't been subtracted from the purported $500,000 figure of available TIF funds that has been circulated. She has spoken with Tallahassee about coming here to speak on CRA issues. Mayor Flagg said they don't want to create 'spinner' groups in bringing these state officials in. They want to make sure everyone involved comes together to create a holistic approach. This is not a finger-pointing contest. They need parameters and roles designated. Yesterday is over, and won't return. They need to look to move forward from where they are now. If they are planning to bash each other, none of them will win. These 'experts' need to see a united front. Commissioner Norwood concurred. |
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Robert Griffith, 410 Mulholland Park, gave a background bio on Joan Jefferson. Her husband is an engineer and they have personally restored 18 homes. She is goal oriented. |
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Sam Deputy, 917 Carr Street, said they should be very aware that the central district is much larger than they think. His home is in the Central TIF area on Carr Street. They now know that some businesses were left out of the facade grant that were eligible as they were told the central district is the same as the Main Street district. Some of these districts overlap. His home on Carr Street is eligible for these funds, so they need to also invite homeowners, as they will have to conform. It should be a TIF-wide meeting. He will personally deliver invitations. Mayor Flagg asked who issued the official invitation to Mrs. Jefferson. Mrs. Burk said Gov. Bush sent her to meet with her. Mayor Flagg said they need to make a formal request; the City or someone needs to make it. They can make the preliminary arrangements, but an official request needs to come. It should be brought to the City Clerk or City Manager, who will make the official invitation. It should be done in a professional manner. Mrs. Burk noted the consultant is not free. Commissioner Kitchens said the Main Street Board has asked the National and State Main Street persons to visit and look at the program. Mr. Deputy said the Downtown Merchants will host the meeting, and will issue invitations to dignitaries. Mayor Flagg said the local Main Street Board should initiate this meeting and should issue those invitations. |
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Karen Saggett, Main Street Board Vice President, said Mr. Trendler, Main Street President, has been in communication with Ms. Jefferson. He has been in touch with the National Main Street office, and they have advised they can't come until March, and advised them to work with the State program. Mr. Trendler has been communicating with her. Mayor Flagg said they don't want five different groups inviting her for five different reasons. |
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Mary Rhadigan, Art Shoppe & Gallery, said she's been in business here for several years. She took over the Art Shop, which was owned by her aunt, and she'd like to see the whole downtown area saturated with art. All the little downtowns are saturated with art. Everyone seems to have the same goals, but haven't been working together. She wants to do anything she can to help out. Just the city, just the landowners or just the merchants can’t do this. They have to put egos aside and accomplish something. They can also raise money; it doesn't have to be just TIF money. They can hold fundraisers and festivals and give the money to each other. They don't have to wait for the government to give it to them. |
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Vote on the Motion |
There being no further discussion the motion passed unopposed. |
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Ordinance |
The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, PROVIDING THAT THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA BE AMENDED AS TO THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY IN SECTION 09, TOWNSHIP 10 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. John Marin, representative for Oliver Family Living Trust, was present for questions. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to pass the ordinance on first reading as read. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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Roll Call Vote |
Commissioners Brown, Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders and Mayor Flagg, yes; Nays, none. The ordinance was declared passed on first reading. |
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Administrative Reports |
The Clerk noted she needs confirmations for the NEFLC dinner meeting next week and the LOGIC meeting for October 25. This is Commissioner Myers' last LOGIC meeting. |
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Commissioner Comments |
Commissioner Kitchens said it has been brought to her attention that banners along public highways at Christmas don't mention Christmas. She'd like to have a few Merry Christmas or Christmas Greetings banners along the State highways or St. Johns Avenue. Commissioner Norwood concurred. Mr. Bush said the catalogues don't contain them. Commissioner Kitchens suggested they commission some to be made. |
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Commissioner Brown said the DCA secretary liked the landscaping in downtown, and said Palatka is one of five cities he has visited during his tenure as DCA Secretary, so they are blessed. She wants to be sure they follow up with his suggestions, like Front Porch grants for Weed and Seed. He was very impressed with the Weed & Seed program. He will be getting back with Ms. Albury to look at how the program progresses so they can use it as an example for other cities. He was very impressed with the City overall and impressed with what the City has done with the funds. |
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Commissioner Norwood asked where they are with Bike Routes. Mr. Bush said they can only mark lanes on streets that are wide enough for them. They will be discussing this with Craig McLain at the next waterfront meeting. Mr. Pappas said the designated routes can be added to the traffic circulation element of the Comp Plan. |
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Commissioner Sanders said they are all aware of the progress of the Reid Street paving. They have been working at night on this. It is good to ride on a good, smooth road. Mr. Bush clarified that the PDN reporter received his message on the turn signals that have approved for N Hwy 19 in both directions; Mr. Demotte, the PDN reported, noted he had. |
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Commissioner Sanders asked if they have discussed with FDOT the issue of the signal light at St. Johns & Moody; he has had many calls on this dangerous situation. Mr. Bush said he has written to the County on this, who advised there was a study being made. At this time, there has been no other information received from them. He will follow up. |
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Adjourn |
At 8:23 p.m. upon a motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commission Kitchens. |
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Produced
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