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Description |
Palatka City Commission |
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Date |
11/9/2006 |
Location |
Palatka City Commission |
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Time |
Speaker/Item |
Note |
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Test |
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PRESENT |
Mayor Karl N. Flagg; Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, James Norwood, Jr., George E. Sanders, Allegra Kitchens |
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ALSO PRESENT |
City Manager Allen R. Bush; City Attorney Donald E. Holmes; City Clerk Betsy Jordan Driggers; Assistant City Clerk Karen Venables; Finance Director Ruby M. Williams; Police Chief Gary Getchell; Fire Chief James White; Planning Director Geoff Pappas |
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Invocation |
The Reverend Barry Beauchamp, Pastor; College Park Baptist Church |
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Pledge of Allegiance |
Led by Commissioner Kitchens |
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Roll Call |
Mayor Karl N. Flagg; Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, Allegra Kitchens, James Norwood, Jr., George Sanders. |
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES |
October 26, 2006 - Commissioner Brown moved to adopt the minutes as read. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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PUBLIC RECOGNITION |
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AWARD OF FINANCIAL REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT |
Government Finance Officers’ Association - City Clerk Betsy Driggers presented the Government Finance Officers' Association Award of Financial Reporting Achievement to Finance Director Ruby Williams, City Manager Allen Bush and Mayor Karl Flagg. This is the highest award recognition bestowed upon governmental entities by the Government Finance Officers' Association. This is the 14th year in a row the City has attained this recognition. |
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PROCLAMATION |
Premature Birth Awareness Day - November 14, 2006. Mayor Flagg presented David A. Buckles, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools, appearing on behalf of the March of Dimes, a proclamation declaring November 14, 2006 as Premature Birth Awareness Day. Mr. Buckles stated he has been associated with the March of Dimes for many years and thanked the City of Palatka for being a willing and gracious partner. |
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CITY OF PALATKA VETERANS OF ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL RECOGNITION |
Mayor Flagg asked the City Clerk to call the roll of all Veterans employed by the City of Palatka. Mayor Flagg presented Veteran Pins provided by Hospice of the Lakes to the following; Commissioner George Sanders, City Manager Allen R. Bush, Glenn Ball, David Tomlinson, Roger Guy Tillis, Joffre W. Fillion, Elizabeth Hearn, William H. Dixon, R. James Sims, Aaron Kunsberg, Kenneth E. Venables, John Lotsey, David Simons, Robert L. Wyche, Tommy English, James Lucia, Cornell Brown, Todd Bryant, Forest Eagle, Richard Goodman, Brian Hawkins, Walter Perkins, Scott Reinhold, Walter Shiver, Andy Snyder, Glen Sorenson, Daniel Gibbs, Johnnie Lewis, William Neely, Gordon Brown, Melvin L. Register, Lenwood McCullers, Richard Solana, Brian McCann, Coy Spivey and John Stahlman. Mayor Flagg recognized veterans in the audience and presented them with pins. Mayor Flagg recognized former Mayor, Eugene (Punk) Walker who was present and also a veteran. |
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STUDENT OF THE MONTH |
November, 2006 - Mayor Flagg, assisted by Commissioner Sanders, presented certificates for academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and attendance to the following students, representing their respective schools: Ashleigh Williamson Beasley Middle School Allison Ridgeway Browning Pearce Elementary School Alice Wright Central Academy School of Excellence Idriya Kramer Childrens’ Reading Center Charter School Sherry Lukaszewicz E. H. Miller School Jess Sweat James A. Long Elementary Lavaris McCullough Jenkins Middle School Chelsea Feagin Kelley Smith Elementary School Donald Chavis Mellon Elementary School Cooper Maxwell Moseley Elementary Brittnay Kemp Palatka High School Felicia Radcliff Peniel Baptist Academy Shaniya Robinson River Breeze Elementary School |
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PUBLIC COMMENTS |
Daniel Ziem, 401 Olive St., stated three light pole “arms” on the bridge are missing. Mr. Bush stated the City is aware of this and Summerville Electric is addressing it. They are negotiating with FDOT to see if they can get them to pay for the repairs. Mr. Ziem said it was his understanding the new walkway was going to the riverfront park gazebo. Also, he would still like to see the removed benches replaced on St. Johns Avenue, and said the electrical outlets need to be worked on. |
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Lynda Crabill, 609 S. 14th Street, invited everyone to Pilot Club’s Annual “Light the Riverfront” on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Palatka Pilot Club and Downtown Palatka sponsor the event. Luminaries can be purchased from her or any Pilot Club Member, of which Betsy Driggers and Karen Venables at City Hall are members. Luminaries are $3.00 each; or 4 for $10.00; decorated luminaries are $5.00 each. Ms. Crabill stated she still wants everyone’s history for the history book. |
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Ruth Burk, 510 Mulholland Park, said she met with a gentleman from Deland regarding their Main Street program, who told her Palatka hasn’t had a problem they hadn't had or can't solve. Their Main Street is much like Palatka’s. They seek answers and work together as a team. She hopes they can accomplish that here and would like to be on the Main Street Board. They have incorporated a lot of the churches and she has been talking with different churches in Palatka. They all have their stories and are excited to have the buildings rehabbed downtown and she has also talked with historic groups. She passed around a picture of an old building the Deland’s Main Street has purchased and plans to renovate with grants and the like. They are willing to help Palatka’s Main Street if we have any problems. |
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CONSENT AGENDA |
*a. Authorize the Palatka Police Weed & Seed Program to award a Weed & Seed sub-grant totaling $10,000, which has been budgeted for 2006, to faith-based organizations and nonprofit organizations that provide a service to residents residing in the designated Weed & Seed area *b. Approve Budget Amendment for FY 2005-06 per recommendation from Ruby Williams, Finance Director *c. Authorize expenditure of Fire Impact Fee funds as follows: 1. Up to $50,000 for the purchase of a 1-ton 4x4 extended cab truck w/utility body, per state contract pricing, for extrication and quick response, award pending results of RFQ 2. Up to $7,000 for the purchase of protective gear for three new employees 3. Up to $2,000 for the purchase of uniforms for three new employees 4. Up to $1,500 for the purchase of three pagers for new employees 5. Up to $3,400 for the purchase of and 1 year service contracts for three Nextel Blackberrys *d. Award Bid for CR309C Water Main Extension to Jerry’s Johns & Construction Co. in the amount of $88,640 (base bid), per results of RFQ *e. Award Bid for 15th Street Gravity Sewer Line to Northpointe Services, Inc. in the amount of $80,412.30 *f. Appoint David Franke and Ann Keys to the Nuisance Abatement Board for three-year terms, 1/1/07 to 12/31/09 (newly established Board – sole applicants) *g. Authorize renewal of a nominal lease on the Tilghman House to The Palatka Art League - three year lease from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009 |
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Motion |
Commissioner Sanders moved to approve all items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. |
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Police Chief Gary Getchell introduced Ann Keys and David Franke, newly appointed members of the Nuisance Abatement Board. |
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REQUEST TO TRANSFER MAIN STREET PROGRAM |
Len Freeman, 422 River St., President of Downtown Palatka Inc., said, as to the Main Street program, plans are underway to get a state or national coordinator or representative to visit and discuss the possible restructuring of Palatka's Main Street Program to make it a viable program. The State coordinator, Ms. Jefferson, was supposed to visit yesterday but that was postponed. The Main Street President, Mr. Jack Trendler, has resigned and the Vice-President had a death in the family and is currently out of town, so there is some coordination work that has to be done in order to reschedule. Currently Downtown Palatka is picking up some of the Main Street functions, like the Christmas Parade. Downtown Palatka Inc. also helped sponsor two representatives that attended the State meeting of the Main Street Program in Fort Pierce, which is what Ms. Ruth Burk went to. As to their business tonight, there was a unanimous vote by Downtown Palatka merchants to formally request that the City and Main Street Board begin negotiations to transfer the operational aspects of the Main Street Program to the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. They have also discussed the possibility of making the downtown business district into a formal historic district. |
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Sam Deputy, 917 Carr St., stated there is interest in making the downtown a historical district. Whatever is done, everyone must be educated on this and everyone should be notified about every meeting. They would like to look into all the possibilities. Due to lack of training, nothing gets done. He suggests not forming another Main Street Board unless members are properly trained. He feels the Chamber is where this should belong, because they are all about business opportunity training. He does not feel it is the job or duty of the City. He does not wish for this program to be at the Chamber forever but, that the members and leadership receive the training it needs so that the program can become independent of everybody, but answerable to the CRA and Downtown merchants. Commissioner Sanders asked if Mr. Deputy was asking for the City to give him grace to become affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Deputy stated what he thought they were truly asking is that the City negotiate and reach out to the Chamber to see if the Chamber would be willing to take it. This would include negotiations as to what the responsibilities would be, financial concerns, and time frames & milestones. Commissioner Sanders asked if he wanted this voted on tonight? Mr. Deputy stated if the Commission wanted to vote on the idea of beginning the negotiations that would be fine with him. They would like to get the Main Street Program up and running. Mr. Bush stated he does not believe anyone is opposed to it moving to the Chamber, but the City needs to sit down with the Chamber and work out the details. |
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Mayor Flagg stated he had spoken with Ms. Jefferson at least twice this week. The ultimate goal and aim is for the Main Street to be autonomous. Within the negotiating process there needs to be a defined time line. Everyone is aiming for the same goal. Mayor Flagg stated it is not a matter of who is running it but that there should be a Board that is fully informed and aware of the model that already exists, both on the State level as well as the National. Commissioner Brown stated she thought the City had to be an umbrella somewhere down the line. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to have the City Manager enter into negotiations with the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce for the possible move of the Main Street Program. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
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Mayor Flagg stated there would be set a time certain for the negotiations to take place between the City of Palatka and the Chamber. There will be updates done at Commission meeting settings so everyone will be aware of what has transpired. Commissioner Brown stated when people come from out of town and talk about Main Street, she would like to know because she also has a business downtown and this presents an opportunity to network. |
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Mr. Deputy stated there is no complete list of merchants and building owners in the district for the Main Street, so the County Tax Collector and Assessor are putting one together, which they will use in conjunction with the City Occupational License registry. Hopefully this will give them a complete list. |
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Christy Sanford, 320 Dodge Street, said Palatka Main Street represents a “three-legged stool,” or a tripod that requires involvement from not just the merchants and City, but the community and citizens, also. She also feels people who have been serving on Palatka Main Street Board should be included in this. |
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Robert Griffith, 510 Mulholland, said at the last meeting he spoke about how they had been walking in darkness, but now that they can see the total picture, they see the program in a new way and understand the roll of the Commission, and how they must all work together as a team. |
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Bert Scoggins, 118 S. 3rd St., said she wanted to bring to the Commission’s attention that this City really needs a fine auditorium, worthy of the local high school students. She hopes they will build one downtown. |
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Edison Lambana, no address given, stated he had serious questions regarding the downtown area because in the past he has had conflict with downtown merchants when doing the bicycle races. Speaking as a minority and a citizen who no longer has a business downtown, he feels there were issues in the past, which is why he may never open up another downtown business again. Mr. Lambana stated he did not want a separate government dictating downtown policy when the people have chosen to make decisions as far as events like his. He feels as though he has been discriminated against and does not want to go through that again. He feels people are playing politics and making power grabs, which he is totally against. He hopes the City will receive the capitol that will come in financially for the City. Mr. Lambana stated the Chamber of Commerce and the downtown area have never helped him and there are serious issues of which he has proof. Mayor Flagg stated they need to be in the proper forum to discuss the issues of yesterday; today they can be educated and learn from those lessons, and move forward. As for the transfer negotiations, they should be open and honest. They need to put everything on the table and move forward. Mr. Edison stated he has great respect for the City and Mr. Bush. |
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Ruth Burk stated she has a phone number for Mr. Lambana to contact someone who can promote his cycling. |
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ORDINANCE NO. 06-46 |
7351 & 7353 Crill Avenue - Planning Board Recommendation to Rezone from County AG (Agricultural) to City C-2 (Intensive Commercial) – PB Case No. 06-029 – Barrington and Joan G. H. Findlater, owners – 2nd Reading - 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. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Norwood moved to adopt Ordinance No. 06-46 as read. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion. |
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Roll Call Vote |
Commissioners Brown, Norwood, Sanders and Mayor Flagg; yes. Commissioner Kitchens; No. Ordinance No. 06-46 was adopted by a vote of 4 in favor and 1 opposed. |
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ORDINANCE NO. 06-47 |
Closing a portion of St. Johns Avenue - 2nd reading - The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, CLOSING, VACATING, AND ABANDONING THAT PORTION OF ST. JOHNS AVENUE RIGHT-OF-WAY LYING BETWEEN NORTH 19th STREET AND MOSELEY AVENUE (202.9 LINEAR FEET) AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, WITHIN THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Kitchens moved to adopt Ordinance No. 06-47 as read. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion. |
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Roll Call Vote |
Commissioner Norwood, Kitchens, Brown, Sanders and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. Ordinance No. 06-47 was declared adopted. |
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ORDINANCE NO. 06-48 |
Closing a portion of Cleveland Avenue - 2nd reading - The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, CLOSING, VACATING, AND ABANDONING THAT PORTION OF CLEVELAND AVENUE LOCATED NORTH AND WEST OF PALMA CEIA STREET AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, WITHIN THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. |
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Motion |
Commissioner Kitchens moved to adopt Ordinance No. 06-48 as read. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion. |
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Roll Call Vote |
Commissioner Norwood, Sanders, Kitchens, Brown and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. Ordinance No. 06-48 was declared adopted. |
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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS |
Battalion Chief Randy Porter reported on the condition and restoration project of old Engine #3. Local businesses have looked at the truck and heard about the problem and what the Fire Dept. wants to do regarding the restoration. Jeansonne's Cafe is partnering with the Fire Dept. to help get the information out to the public. Jeansonne's Cafe has established a web site and is doing advertising for the restoration project. They have displayed the truck and put a banner on it so people driving by can see it. They are visiting various civic clubs and giving a power point presentation on the history of the truck. Just this week two local businesses, one local contractor and Publix Supermarkets have pledged donations. |
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COMMISSIONER COMMENTS |
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Commissioner Kitchens said she was asked why she had voted
against an annexation at the last meeting.
She was concerned that some of the property owners stated they had not
been properly notified of the proceedings. They have to be careful about
notifying adjoining property owners when there is something going on that concerns
them. |
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Commissioner Brown stated the Regional Planning Council is having their Elected Officials Reception on November 30th. A few years ago the City won an award, but she does not know if one was submitted for this year. Commissioner Brown said, as to concerns about housing, when Secretary Cohen visited he started them on a path of looking for it. She also found that Weed & Seed is also working on this issue. They have also partnered with the Housing Authority and First Born Church on Madison Street, On November 14th at 6:00 p.m., at First Born Church, the Weed and Seed program, the Housing Authority, First Born Church and many more groups will meet to hear a representative from Farmers Home, who will talk about a grant for folks aged 62 and older, and loan proposals for people who are younger than 62 years old. She has also found that weatherization grants can be received through the NE Florida Regional Planning Council, as they taken over the Affirmation Action program. |
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Mayor Flagg stated he wanted to make sure there was clarification related to the Planning Board case involving verification of the school on 11th and Madison Streets. Planning Director Geoff Pappas stated he talked with the applicant, Mr. Alex Sharp, and clarified that the issue was whether or not the school was an approved school per the Municipal Code. There is a discrepancy as to whether or not the schools meets the definition of a school per the Municipal Code. The interpretation has to be made prior to the next meeting. Mayor Flagg stated he thought the Planning Board took official action on this. Mr. Pappas stated they did, but the applicant did not receive notice of the meeting, so the issue has to come before the Planning Board at the December meeting. Mr. Bush asked if the school is registered with the State? Mr. Pappas said it is registered, but not certified. |
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City Attorney Don Holmes stated he did not think the issue should be decided tonight; it is not an agenda item and should be left for the Planning Commission to hear. He was not aware that Mr. Sharp had not been made aware of the Planning Board meeting, which was held this week, at which the Planning Board considered the matter. Mayor Flagg said he is dealing with technicalities; whatever the issue is with noticing, it has to be fixed immediately. He does not appreciate cases going backwards and forwards, progressing and regressing, and that is why he is raising the issue. He asked what is being done to resolve the matter. They need to understand that the department has a process that is going to assure the Commission that, when a case comes before this Commission, that technical issues are not going to come up and cause them to be running back and forth. |
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Commissioner Norwood stated it is totally unacceptable to continue to have these issues come up, especially when they just had an issue with notification. Mr. Bush stated he would not make excuses for how it was handled, but the matter was remanded from the Commission back to the Planning Board. Mr. Pappas stated at that meeting there was a question as to which Planning Board meeting the matter would be re-heard at. |
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Commissioner Kitchens stated it was sent back to the Planning Board because the City Attorney recommended it based upon a question the Planning Board hadn't heard. |
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Mayor Flagg stated from a legal prospective, the City Commission should set policy so that the Planning Board can follow it. In the case of an appeal, they need to address transcripts. The Commission’s procedures should be following, not just on a case-by-case basis. |
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Mr. Pappas stated Staff assumed that the applicant was aware of the date the meeting would take place, which was wrong; he accepted took full responsibility. Mayor Flagg said he wants the City's legal council to be consulted on any issue that relates to a case that he is not certain of. |
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Commissioner Norwood asked when the case was going to be heard. Mr. Pappas said he did not have his calendar in front of him but it would be the 1st Tuesday in December. Mayor Flagg asked what the legal advertising requirement was. Mr. Holmes stated that he and Mr. Pappas would get together and refresh a set of rules regarding notice that will be put in writing and presented to the City Commission for their review. |
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Commissioner Kitchens asked if the notices should be sent certified mail. Mr. Bush stated he and Commissioner Kitchens have talked on this issue and he also is planning a meeting with the Planning Director and Assistant Planning Director on this issue. Mayor Flagg stated the Commission would go with the recommendation of the City Attorney that the City Attorney, City Manager, Planning Director and whomever else is responsible for scheduling public hearings or meetings. |
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Mr. Pappas stated he also feels this is unacceptable, and takes full responsibility to see that it doesn’t happen again. |
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Commissioner Brown said they need to let the citizens know that this Commission and its Staff works very hard to do what needs to be done for them. The Building Department has had extenuating circumstances and things have happened that were out of their control. City employees work hard and multitask to get things done. She asked the citizens to be considerate and call if they do not understand what is happening. Mr. Pappas has been with the City one month and has had a lot of things dropped on him. He is trying to learn the system we have here. |
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Mayor Flagg stated he would like letters of congratulation sent to the newly elected officials at the County on behalf of the City Commission, also U.S. Senator, Congresspersons and State Representatives. |
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ADJOURN |
At 7:44 p.m. upon a motion by Commissioner Kitchens, seconded by Commissioner Brown. |
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