Description	Palatka City Commission Regular Meeting
Date	2/8/2007	Location	Palatka City Commission
Time	Speaker/Item	Note
5:48:48 PM	Call to Order	At 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Karl N. Flagg
5:49:40 PM	Present	Mayor Karl N. Flagg, Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, Allegra Kitchens, George Sanders, James Norwood, Jr.
5:50:31 PM	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 Mike Lambert; Fire Marshall Mark Lynady; Airport Supervisor Glenn Ball; Planning Director Geoff Pappas; Assistant to the Planner Debbie Banks; Public Works Director Woody Boynton
5:51:12 PM	INVOCATION	The Reverend James Dorn, Pastor; St. Marks Episcopal Church
6:10:32 PM	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE	Mark Lynady
6:10:38 PM	APPROVAL OF MINUTES	1-11-07 and 1-25-07 - Commissioner Brown moved to approve the minutes of 1-11-07 and 1-25-07 as read. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unopposed.
6:10:51 PM	PUBLIC RECOGNITION	Mayor Flagg read a Proclamation recognizing the month of February 2007 as Black History Month. He presented the proclamation to Vice Mayor Brown, who accepted it on behalf of all the citizens of Palatka. She stated she would present the proclamation to Palatka's African American Cultural Citizens at their service on February 25th.
6:14:12 PM	SWEARING-IN CEREMONY	Newly appointed Public Official - The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Fire Chief Mike Lambert. Mayor Flagg welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief on behalf of the City Commission. Chief Lambert introduced his family and thanked the Commission.
6:18:53 PM	PUBLIC COMMENTS	Edison Lambana, 200 Belmont Dr. asked if the downtown businesses have assigned on-street parking, as he was recently accosted by a downtown business owner who told him he couldn’t park in the space in front of his store. Mayor Flagg stated downtown parking is public parking, although some are restricted to two hour parking. Mr. Lambana said he’d like a letter sent to business owners stating this, as all the in-fighting over parking spaces is a big problem. He would like this investigated as this person threatened him. Mayor Flagg asked that this be addressed at the next Downtown Palatka, Inc. meeting, which is the 4^th Monday of the month. They should be advised that this has been brought to the City's attention and there are concerns. He noted Chief Getchell should have someone from his department address the issues.
6:23:18 PM	CONSENT AGENDA	a. Authorize execution of Passero & Associates Work Order 07-02A for Airport Terminal Bidding/Review/Negotiation phase (Design-Build Phase) project at Palatka Municipal Airport (eligible for FDOT funding) b. Authorize execution of Passero & Associates Work Order 06-07 for design, survey, stormwater permitting and bidding phase for the New Airport Terminal Site Component (access road, automobile parking, building site and utilities) at Palatka Municipal Airport (eligible for FDOT and FAA funding) c. Authorize execution of Passero & Associates Work Order 07-09 for design, survey and bidding phase for the Transient Aircraft Parking Apron Rehabilitation project at Palatka Municipal Airport (will be eligible for FAA funding) d. Authorize execution of Agreement for Consulting Services with Northeast Florida Regional Council for a complete update of the City of Palatka’s Comprehensive Plan, as required by statute, for an amount not to exceed $41,280 e. Authorize purchase of new Street Sweeper from Southern Sewer Equipment Sales at 2006 Florida Sheriff’s State Contract Pricing of $144,225.00 per “piggy-backed” bid; move the capital outlay item from the 2007-08 budget year to the 2006-07 budget year, with payment of $60,000 in fiscal year 2006-07 from Street Dept. Better Place funds and the remainder financed over the next two fiscal years (2007-08 and 2008-09), per Public Works Director. f. Concur on appointment of Wayne McClain as 5^th Member of Firefighters’ Pension Board for the remainder of a two-year term to expire January, 2008 (sole applicant). g. Concur on appointment of Vernon Myers as 5^th Member of Police Officer’s Pension Board for a two-year term to expire January, 2009 (per the results action taken at the 1/23/07 Pension Board meeting) h. Reappoint Michelle Jeansonne to the Palatka Planning Board for a three-year term to expire December 31, 2009 (sole applicant – incumbent). i. Forgive the Code Enforcement Board Lien on 107 Madison Street – Code Enforcement Board recommendation to forgive/remove the lien, based upon a $25/day fine that has been accruing since November 8, 2006. (property brought into compliance, plan for renovation work presented, and costs of prosecution have been paid). j. Concur on Letter from Dept. of Ethics regarding findings on financial disclosure requirements for members of the Nuisance Abatement Board; authorize response that there will be no local requirement upon members of the NAB to file an annual Statement of Financial Interest
6:26:23 PM	Motion	Commissioner Sanders moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unopposed.
6:26:44 PM	RESOLUTION NO. 8-13	The Clerk read a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, REQUESTING A WAIVER IN PERMIT FEES FROM ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.
6:27:01 PM	Motion	Commissioner Norwood moved to adopt the resolution as read. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion.
6:27:10 PM	Roll Call Vote	Commissioners Brown, Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. The Resolution was declared adopted.
6:27:24 PM	PUBLIC HEARING	402 Stillwell Avenue - Planning Board Recommendation to Annex, Amend the Land Use Map from County Urban Service to City Low-Density Residential, and Rezone from County R1A (residential) to City R1A (residential) - Samuel & Willie Mae Wright, applicants/owners.
6:27:53 PM	ORDINANCE 07-06	Annexation - The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA ANNEXING INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA CERTAIN ADJACENT TERRITORY IN SECTION 02, TOWNSHIP 10 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST, PUBLIC RECORDS OF PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA CONTIGUOUS TO THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF PALATKA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
6:28:31 PM	Motion	Commissioner Brown moved to adopt Ordinance 07-06 as read. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion.
6:28:49 PM	Roll Call Vote	Commissioner Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders, Brown and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. Ordinance 07-06 was declared adopted.
6:29:07 PM	ORDINANCE 07-07	Land Use Amendment - The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH RESPECT TO ONE PARCEL OF LAND (LESS THAN 10 ACRES IN SIZE) AS DESCRIBED HEREINAFTER, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
6:29:24 PM	Motion	Commissioner Norwood moved to adopt Ordinance No. 07-07 as read. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion.
6:29:34 PM	Roll Call Vote	Commissioner Norwood, Sanders, Brown, Kitchens and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. Ordinance 07-07 was declared adopted.
6:29:53 PM	ORDINANCE	Rezoning 402 Stillwell Avenue - 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 02, TOWNSHIP 10 SOUTH, RANGE 26 EAST; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
6:30:09 PM	Motion	Commissioner Norwood moved to pass the ordinance on 1st reading. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion.
6:30:24 PM	Roll Call Vote	Commissioners Norwood, Brown, Kitchens, Sanders and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays; none. The ordinance was declared passed on first reading.
6:31:07 PM		Mayor Flagg noted that, although the reason for this annexation was a water issue, he is concerned that the City is taking in property one parcel at a time. He asked as to the status on the Urban Service Boundary meetings.
6:36:28 PM		Geoff Pappas, Planning Director, stated the Putnam County Planning and Development Dept. is coordinating a meeting to determine the best route regarding whether or not to take an urban service boundary approach, a wholesale annexation approach, or two or three other approaches that could be taken. Someone from the Central Florida area, who has been through this process, can provide information on their process. He has been talking with Putnam County’s interim planning director and they will be setting up a date within the next week or so. Mr. Bush stated the City’s current annexation policy is purely voluntary. This particular annexation was requested for water. There is a problem with water in that area. Mr. Pappas concurred. Mayor Flagg said the City needs to determine where water is now available as well as where future extensions are planned. Mr. Bush said these issues have specific sets of problems and should be looked at separately. It will be a lengthy process. Mayor Flagg asked for prioritization.
6:37:15 PM	REQUESTS FOR PLACEMENT ON CITY COMMISSION AGENDAS	Betsy Driggers, City Clerk, stated this relates to both requests from the public and internal requests. Sometimes the Commission needs more information than what is given to her for agenda packets in order to make an informed decision. She works with the public to let them know what they need to bring in. For instance, if someone submits an agenda item on behalf of a group, she asks for minutes of that group’s meeting on the subject in order to substantiate that the concern or issue comes from the group, and not just one person. It has never been the City's policy to deny anyone the right to appear before the City Commission, or be placed on its agenda, even if it is just under "public comments.” The Clerks Office makes every effort to submit as complete an agenda package as possible so that the Commission can make informed decisions. On occasion, when additional items are requested to back-up an agenda request, sometimes the requests are not honored in a timely manner, or not at all. The public is discouraged from bringing in their "attachments" the night of the meeting, as the Commission needs time to read the material prior to making any decision, but it still happens. There has never been any authority given to any member of the Commission's staff to withhold placement of any item on the agenda until a later date when it is lacking in attachments, supporting documentation or appropriateness. It is the City attorney's recommendation that the Commission hold a discussion on this matter. The Clerk noted she provided samples of a revised “Request To Be Placed On City Commission Agenda” for discussion and suggestions.
6:40:56 PM		Donald Holmes, City Attorney, stated the Clerk is placed in an awkward position when the public comes in and requests placement on the agenda for action, and they really don't have the information the Commission is going to need in order to take action. The Clerk may know this when she sees the information they have, but she does not have the authority to tell them they can't get on the agenda. Many times the public does not want to be placed under the public comment section because they know the Commission will not take action under public comments. This will become an increasing problem for the Clerk. There have been discussions about how to defer or try to deflect some of the requests, and he is not sure there is a good way to handle this. There is an issue to whether Ms. Driggers has the authority to tell the public they can or cannot be placed on the agenda. He thought it would be healthy for the Commission to know the issue is growing and whether the Commission has thoughts as to how they want the matters handled. They can give her directives and she can follow the directives she receives, and not be placed in the position of having to “ad lib” as these things come in. There are certain items she knows people will be required to have, for instance, if someone requests agenda placement on behalf of a group, the Commission would like to see the person who speaks for the group to have some kind of minutes of a meeting to show they are authorized to speak for the group. Ms. Driggers can suggest this to them, but if they say they do not have it and still want to get on the agenda, all she can say at that point is ‘okay, but this is what the Commission’s policy has been in the past.’ At that point it will be up to the Commission to ask for something showing they represent a certain group’s wishes when they show up and start to speak. If they don’t, the Commission can listen to them as a citizen but cannot listen to them as a representative of a group. This is just one example. This is the type of thing the Clerk faces on a day-to-day basis, and this is the issue.
6:45:30 PM		Mayor Flagg stated he is concerned that once a person fills out a request to be on the agenda, they leave City Hall assuming they are on the agenda. This puts the clerk in the position of having time lapse on a request without giving them some type of notification that something more is needed. He does not feel the Clerk should be put on the spot to tell the public they can or cannot be heard. Every individual needs to know when they come before the Commission it could be classified as public comments, or whether it is not something the Commission will take official action on if they have not met the criteria. Whether it is the City Clerk or Assistant City Clerk, they need to be the person(s) who looks at what is being brought forward, and they should give that person 24/48 hours turn-around once they meet the deadline. He’d like to see agenda requests dated and time-stamped as to when they are received.
6:46:58 PM		Commissioner Brown stated she is sensitive to not letting people come and talk to the Commission. Some people do not know how to prepare the paperwork to present to the Commission. If a person is speaking for a group, they need some proof of that. They are obligated to the citizens to at least hear them. If the Commission does not have enough information, they can be told to come back to another meeting, but everyone has the right to come and talk to the Commission. Mayor Flagg concurred and said it concerns him if the application sits in the Clerks office for two weeks and then when the person comes to the meeting and wants the Commission to take official action, they will be upset with the Commission as they weren’t told their application was incomplete, and will have to wait two more weeks for a future meeting. If it is an update, it can be handled under public comments.
6:49:49 PM		Commissioner Brown stated people do not always realize how the City Commission works. The Commission is obligated to listen. If they need to come back to the next meeting, the Commission can tell them they do not have sufficient information, even if they have to help research the information. Mayor Flagg stated the City Clerk could assist them in that area. The Commission is in no way trying to suppress, stop or block anyone’s presentation. The Clerk can at least tell them if information is insufficient based on her experience.
6:50:01 PM		Commissioner Kitchens concurred with Mayor Flagg and Commissioner Brown that everybody has the right to speak and be heard. The Clerk has enough experience to know when someone comes in to let them know they need additional information, but they need to be heard regardless. She suggested a change in the wording on the “Request to be Placed on City Commission Agenda” form, from “Please note that without adequate supporting documentation or information, it is unlikely that the Commission will be in a position to take any action on your request” to, “Please note that without adequate supporting documentation or information, the City Commission may not be able to take any action on your request.” Mayor Flagg concurred.
6:50:52 PM		Commissioner Kitchens stated people are intimidated and afraid to come before the Commission as it is, and telling them they have to have what they may consider complicated legal documents will discourage them from coming. She believes Ms. Driggers is always very diplomatic when she talks with people and can see what the problem is, and if she feels there is a need for more information she can advise them of that, but they can still talk to the Commission. The Commission can then decide if more information is needed, and they can be asked to come back to the next meeting provided they provide the information.
6:51:16 PM		Mayor Flagg said he does not want the citizens to be penalized by thinking the Commission will be taking official action on their requests when, in the Clerk’s experience, she knows there is not enough information for the Commission to deliberate. This process would enhance what the Commission is already doing and what the Clerk is already doing, but it will give her the express direction and authority from this Commission to say she is the person to whom this information comes, She is to make sure that citizens know they will be able to get on the agenda and be heard by the Commission, but she also should ensure the Commission will be in a position to take action on their requests. He feels it is a function of the Clerk’s office to make sure the Commission is equipped and prepared to give that citizen the benefit of them coming in the first place. He believes the Commission is saying the same thing.
6:54:53 PM		Commissioner Sanders stated the Commission would not want to refuse to hear anyone. He suggested preparing a form with a list if items that would be required for the Commission to hear a request. Mayor Flagg stated that works for a Planning Board, Zoning Appeals case or annexation case or special events case, but when you talk about a person coming before the Commission, that is a different case. He has dealt with issues at pre-agenda meetings; at times the Clerk puts items on the agenda that he does not feel there is sufficient back-up material to make an informed decision on. The Clerk stated the only “list” of items required to submit for an agenda item the Commission has adopted pertains to a request for tax increment funds.
6:58:21 PM		Commissioner Norwood said if the public comes before the Commission, they are expecting a decision. If the Commission has to delay it because there is not enough information, and the person was not told they had to have more information, then that is unacceptable. The Clerk does a good job of letting individuals know they may not have enough information for the Commission to make a decision. He has a problem with being presented documentation during the meeting that he should have had time to read prior to the meeting. The Commission can say that when it comes to staff, if they do not have the supporting documents it should not go to pre-agenda, and the Clerk should not have to chase the items down. When a citizen walks in, the Commission can make a decision as to whether or not they have sufficient information, or if they have to come back to a future meeting. In the case of information being presented at the meeting instead of in the agenda packet, Mayor Flagg stated the only exception would be for a power point presentation the night of the meeting that would support the items already in the agenda packet. The Clerks office, the office of the City Manager and all department heads should be able to give assurance to and partner with all our citizens. Commissioner Norwood stated that sometimes the agendas packets are held up because the Clerk is missing supporting documents.
7:02:20 PM		Edison Lambana, 200 Belmont Drive, concurred with Commissioner Brown, as he feels he should be heard at meetings regardless of paperwork issues. He recently came before the Commission with a conceptual idea for special cycling events at the airport, and although he was not rejected, he feels it has gotten lost. It has been a month since he came before the Commission and he has heard nothing since. He would like to know if there has been any follow-up. Mayor Flagg stated the Commission forwards items to the City Manager so he can forward them to specific departments to handle. Some items the Commission needs to continue to a time certain. The Commission assumes when it is sent to administration, it is handled administratively unless the person comes back and says otherwise. Mr. Lambana said he feels his request was pushed to the side, but it is important to him. Mayor Flagg stated the City Clerk should be the liaison to make sure it is followed through on.
7:05:59 PM		Commissioner Norwood stated he remembered Mr. Lambana's request, and recalled the City Manager was asked to determine a cost as there was a paving project associated with it. Mayor Flagg said it involved multiple departments. Mr. Lambana said once it is in the Commission’s hands, he should not have to be checking to see if the departments are told to meet on his request. As to notifying departments of issues that come up in Commission meetings, the Clerk stated that her office distributes the minutes of each meeting to every department head, and every directive the Commission gives is in the minutes. They may need to go to a “task sheet.” Mayor Flagg said the turn-around time should be looked at. Commissioner Kitchens concurred on the Task Sheet concept, as there are several things that have not been followed through on, and questioned how many department heads actually read the minutes.
7:12:51 PM		Christy Sanford, 312 Dodge St., stated she has brought things up at meetings during public comments that were in the minutes that were not followed through on, specifically the issue with the tree canopy on S. 7^th Street, and asked if a petition is necessary to get things followed through on. Mayor Flagg stated the public does not need to go out and get petitions when there is a consensus of the Commission. Commissioner Norwood stated there are many things that come up in public comments that can be worked out with the City Manager; they don’t have to come before the Commission. If citizens can’t get results from the City Manager or his staff, that is the time to bring it to the Commission. Mayor Flagg referred to the paragraph in the Request To Be Placed On City Commission Agenda which reads, “If your request can typically be handled by a City department or staff member, you will be referred to the appropriate department or staff member.”
7:16:17 PM		The Clerk stated the agenda states, under Public Comments, that the public will be given three minutes to speak, and no action will be taken on the item. If the public wants action taken, they should request action in writing and get on the agenda for that specific item. They can fill out a “Request to be Placed on the City Commission Agenda” and, in the section entitled “Commission Action Requested,” they should state what action it is they want the City Commission to take. This makes it an action item that will be documented and followed through on. By law, the Commission cannot take action on anything heard under Public Comments unless it is added to the agenda as an emergency item. Commissioner Sanders said the request regarding the trees should go to the Tree Committee, who can make a recommendation to the Commission.
7:20:22 PM		Mayor Flagg stated all citizens’ issues are import. There is a tracking system. Some items can be resolved without coming before the Commission. Mr. Bush concurred with Mayor Flagg regarding the last paragraph of the instructions for the “Request To Be Placed On City Commission Agenda” form. Commissioners Norwood and Brown said they don’t want to discourage anyone from coming before the Commission. Mayor Flagg stated the Clerk should be authorized to be the discerner of this area. Commissioner Norwood stated there is an issue when the agenda is held up because the Clerk is still looking for attachments.
7:22:18 PM		Mayor Flagg stated if the City Clerk is the initial person who lets the citizens know that the application is not complete, they will still be able to present, but it will be presentation only because of missing supporting documents. At the pre-agenda meeting he does not have a problem with backing up the Clerk if she tells him all the required information is not there. He does have a problem when no official action can be taken, and they are still on the agenda requesting action.
7:22:59 PM		Mr. Holmes cautioned that he would hate to see two categories of agenda items, “presentation only” and “action.” If an item is agendaed as “Presentation Only,” and the Commission feels they have all the information they need to take action, they won’t be able to take action as it was agendaed as “Presentation Only.” The Clerk can talk to people and let them know if they have enough information to be on the agenda to take action. If the public still insists on being on the agenda, she can agenda it and the Commission will have to let them know there is not enough information for the Commission to act, and either continue or table the matter. The danger is that you can have an hour and a half of discussion and not have enough information to take action, and not be able to take action the following meeting, either. Ms. Driggers can persuade and suggest, but beyond that, the public can still be placed on the agenda. The Commission will have to be the one to tell the public they need more information before a decision can be made.
7:25:15 PM		Commissioner Kitchens concurred, saying the Commission should decide issues on a case-by-case basis. If the Commission feels they need more information, they can table it and inform the public of what they need. Commissioners Brown and Sanders concurred, saying they still have a right to be heard.
7:26:46 PM		Mayor Flagg stated this all needs to be discussed by the City Manger and City Attorney so the Commission knows what the bottom line is, so that when the City Clerk is exercising the authority the Commission is granting her, that she is operating within those parameters.
7:28:17 PM		Lynda Crabill, 309 S. 14th Street, suggested a list of suggested additional information, such as maps, photos etc.
7:29:10 PM		The Clerk stated she has always lent help to people who did not have enough information or supporting documents, and has even helped citizens produce the documents or information. She always discourages people from bringing information the Commission needs to consider on the night of the meeting. Most people are understanding, and are very cooperative. Commissioner Kitchens suggested authorizing the Clerk to assist the public with their request for placement on the City Commission Agenda and not turn anyone away. The City Clerk stated she appreciates being able to take these requests to the pre-agenda meeting and solicit input from city staff on what would be needed to support a request.
7:32:52 PM	Motion	Commissioner Norwood moved to approve the new Request To Be Placed On City Commission Agenda Form on letterhead with the last line of the first paragraph to read, “If your request can typically be handled by a City department or staff member, you will be referred to the appropriate department or staff member.” Commissioner Sanders seconded motion, which passed unopposed.
7:34:08 PM	2007 COMMISSION CALENDAR	The Clerk stated the Commission Calendar contains all regular meetings, customary workshops, and the schedule for the Comp Plan Amendment workshops. Some meetings will require moving to the Price Martin Center. Commissioner Brown asked if July can be looked at to determine where they can combine things. People typically travel for vacation during that month. Mayor Flagg concurred. Commissioner Sanders asked that the Public Address system at the Center be “tuned up.” The Clerk stated the calendar complies with the TRIM calendar and includes everything she knows to include. Mr. Bush said he does not receive the Certified Tax Roll until July 1, and the clock starts ticking then. He suggested some of the comp plan workshops be included with budget workshops.
7:39:51 PM		As to February’s schedule, the Clerk stated the Comprehensive Plan kickoff meeting shows beginning at 4:00 and the Commission meeting starting at 6:00 p.m., and asked if the Planner anticipated it would take more than or less than two hours. Mr. Bush asked Mr. Pappas how long he anticipated the kickoff meeting to last; Mr. Pappas answered about an hour. Commissioner Norwood stated the calendar can be adjusted as the year progresses. Mayor Flagg suggested bringing the calendar to the next meeting. Commissioner Brown asked for adjustments to July’s schedule.
7:41:50 PM	ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS	Planning Director Geoff Pappas stated this week there was a situation regarding a carnival on Crill Ave. Mr. Bush stated there is a policy in place that is pretty clear-cut. Mr. Pappas stated it was rather time consuming and is not covered under the Special Events ordinance. The Clerk stated it is covered under the Special Events Ordinance. Mayor Flagg said all departments affected by these issues should address these issues in a department head meeting.
7:46:16 PM		Public Works Director Woody Boynton stated the drainage project on the Northside is behind schedule. Road paving and re-striping of existing roads is on the list to accomplish this spring.
7:47:50 PM	COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Brown	PROGRESS REPORT ON BUSINESS INCUBATOR - Commissioner Brown she and staff met with the people from Putnam State Bank, First Federal Bank, City Bank, First Coast Community Credit Union, St. Johns River Community College and the University of Florida. She asked them for letters of support and they are starting to come in. They all think it is a terrific idea. She has also met with local merchants. They discussed this with Congressman Mica when he was in Palatka last week, and he stated he would bring in a team of federal people in March or April, who can provide guidance on getting this accomplished. She is going to visit the business incubator in St. Petersburg so she can see how it is run.
7:51:18 PM		Commissioner Norwood asked where the incubator would be located. Commissioner Brown stated they are looking at 11th & Olive, as the City owns that property. Commissioner Norwood stated John Nelson said the City needs a redevelopment plan so the Commission as a whole can look at this. Commissioner Brown said a redevelopment plan done in the 1980’s by the University of Florida included the 11^th Street business corridor. She is going to look at other incubator areas to get insight. Mr. Bush stated in order to have create a CRA you have to have a redevelopment plan. They have met regarding this. Chief Getchell stated the overall Weed & Seed strategy and goal is redevelopment. The idea is to take the whole Weed & Seed area and have it designated as a redevelopment district. John Nelson has grant money to build homes throughout Putnam County and he wanted to build some in Palatka. He will meet with the City Planner on this and will come back to the Commission to brief them on the process.
7:57:05 PM		Commissioner Norwood would like to direct staff to develop a plan. Mr. Bush stated this could create a CRA throughout the Weed & Seed District. It is his understanding that Mr. Nelson cannot move forward on some of those grants until a redevelopment plan is in place. Commissioner Brown asked if we had the money to start on this. Mr. Bush stated he does have the 11th Street but that is one small portion. Commissioner Norwood said he’d like to direct staff tonight to look into this and bring it back to the Commission for approval. Commissioner Kitchens concurred.
7:58:57 PM		Commissioner Brown stated the University of Florida has provided a letter concerning working with the City on the Business Incubator. She would like staff to move forward on this. Mayor Flagg stated staff couldn’t develop a plan until the Commission has an overview of what the designated areas are. Mr. Bush said he was not aware if Mr. Nelson had funding available for the study. As he understands it, he was to bring this before the Commission in order to move it forward. Commissioner Brown suggested looking for technical assistance grants. Chief Getchell said he will sit down with the Planner on this and they will bring the necessary steps before the Commission at the February 22^nd meeting.
8:05:12 PM		AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR CITY EMPLOYEES - Commissioner Brown stated this is something she’d like to see offered to City employees. Commissioner Norwood concurred. Commissioner Brown said she’d like someone to follow up on how this is being done in other communities. Mr. Boynton has a list of employees who are interested in such a program. They may need to partner with the Housing Authority’s affordable housing project on not only new homes, but also rehabbing existing homes. She would like permission from the Commission to implement such a program. Commissioner Kitchens concurred.
8:07:13 PM		Mayor Flagg stated the Vice Mayor is requesting development of a City of Palatka Affordable Housing Task Force. Commissioner Brown stated she would not like to see a large task force formed, because it makes it hard to hold meetings. She and Commissioner Norwood can divide up the priorities and report back to the Commission. Mayor Flagg stated it might slow things down if two Commissioners are appointed to the task force. Commissioner Brown requested Mr. Boynton be placed on the task force. She will start gathering up information from the Regional Planning Council’s task force. At the next meeting she would like guidance. She is tired of just talking about these things.
8:10:25 PM	Commissioner Sanders	Commissioner Sanders stated the Mural Committee is planning a special event for the dedication of the Cattle Drive mural. They are planning a cattle drive from the River to the mural.
8:11:42 PM	Commissioner Kitchens	Commissioner Kitchens stated affordable housing is good, but they also need to look at community redevelopment and money to rehab existing housing. Commissioner Brown stated there are forms for grants and low interest loans here at City Hall. There are weatherization grants also available. She has invited someone from the Housing Finance Department to speak with them as they are looking for ‘pilot projects.’ They may need to look at a project for rural areas. Commissioner Kitchens reiterated her request to look at community redevelopment and rehabilitation of existing housing.
8:15:31 PM	Commissioner Norwood	Commissioner Norwood inquired as to the status of the turn signal at 19^th & Reid Streets. Mr. Boynton stated the part is ordered but is backed logged.
8:16:50 PM	Mayor Flagg	Mayor Flagg reminded the Commission that Step up, Florida! Events are scheduled for tomorrow, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at the amphitheater and going to the Ravines.
8:18:41 PM		Mayor Flagg asked as to the procedure was for reporting streetlights that are out. He counted ten lights out on Reid Street, beginning at 2nd St. to 23rd Street. The Clerk said when departments send them to City Hall they are logged in and then called in to FPL, and then the ticket number is also logged, but they’ve not received any in a long time. Chief Getchell stated his department handles street lights; they record and report them to FP&L. They are told by FP&L that they are backlogged on street light repairs. Mayor Flagg stated it does not speak positively of the City when parameters are not set. Florida Power and Light needs to give the City quality service. Mr. Bush stated he would call Mr. Womble and address the matter with him.
8:19:25 PM		Mayor Flagg said a memo was sent out from Code Enforcement regarding bringing City properties into compliance, and he’d like Administration to report back to the Commission how this will be accomplished, to include a timeline. The City should demonstrate compliance. There are multiple issues with dilapidated housing. At one time houses were being demolished. Mayor Flagg asked at what point they determine the Comp Plan kicks in?
8:23:23 PM		Debbie Banks, Code Enforcement Supervisor, stated the Code Enforcement Board recently discussed the issue of the numerous unsafe houses the City has liens on. They intend to bring up three of these at a time at Code Board meetings; the City Attorney will start foreclosure proceedings.
8:24:31 PM		Mayor Flagg asked what happened to the City/County partnership regarding demolition and removal of unsafe housing? Mr. Bush stated they removed around 15 houses. Mayor Flagg stated there has to be something the City can do. Mr. Holmes stated he believes this can be taken care of and he get with Ms. Banks on accomplishing this. As to a time frame, money is an issue and there are limited funds available. Mayor Flagg said he wants to see the program formalized and a funding source identified. This is a public safety issue
8:28:17 PM		Mr. Bush stated the when they were working with the County, the County provided the heavy equipment and the City provided the trucks and the manpower, but there was still a considerable cost to the City. Ms. Banks stated there were liens placed on some of the properties in an effort to recoup the City’s expenses. There is no quick fix.
8:32:14 PM	ADJOURN	At 8:32 p.m. upon a motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Kitchens.

Produced by FTR Log Notes™
www.ftrgold.com