Description |
Palatka City Commission - Regular Meeting |
||
|
Date |
4/24/2007 |
Location |
|
|
|
|||
|
Time |
Speaker/Item |
Note |
|
|
Test |
|
||
|
Present |
Mayor Karl N. Flagg; Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, Allegra Kitchens, George E. Sanders and James Norwood, Jr. |
||
|
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; Planning Director Woody Boynton; Parks & Cemeteries Supt. Jeff Norton, and Planning Director’s Assistant Debbie Banks |
||
|
CALL TO ORDER |
Mayor Flagg at 6:00 p.m. |
||
|
INVOCATION |
Commissioner Allegra Kitchens |
||
|
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE |
As a group |
||
|
APPROVAL OF MINUTES |
3/20/07 Comp Plan Workshop - Commissioner Sanders moved to adopt the minutes as read. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
||
|
PUBLIC RECOGNITION |
|
||
|
PROCLAMATION |
Municipal Clerks Week - Mayor Flagg read a proclamation declaring the week of April 29 through May 5, 2007 as Municipal Clerks Week, and presented it to City Clerk Betsy Driggers and Assistant City Clerk Karen Venables. |
||
|
PROCLAMATION |
National Public Works Week - Mayor Flagg read a proclamation declaring the week of May 20 through May 26, 2007 as National Public Works Week, and presented it to Public Works Director Woody Boynton. |
||
|
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION – 2007 Azalea Festival Mayor’s Reception |
Sponsor Recognition - Mayor Flagg read and presented a plaque to First Coast Community Credit Union representatives Angie Wimberley and Board of Directors Chairman James Norwood Jr., in gratitude for their sponsorship of the 2007 Azalea Festival Mayor's Reception. |
||
|
Entertainment |
Mayor Flagg, assisted by City Clerk Betsy Driggers, recognized students from the Florida School of the Arts. City Clerk Betsy Driggers read and presented certificates to Onaje Abayomi, Debra Christopher, Sarah Hoffman, Katy Knowles, George Schipper, Mark Levy, Erin McFarland, Ben McLachlan, Robert Milhouse, Nicanor Smith, Jessica Virginia, Gerald Young and Johnathan Alexander for their participation in the 2007 Azalea Festival Mayor's Reception. |
||
|
Hostesses |
City Clerk Betsy Driggers presented certificates to the official "Azalea Girl" hostesses, Mandi Connor, Ashleigh Dodd, Alysha Fridley, Emily Taylor and Catie Bopp for their participation in the 2007 Azalea Festival Mayor's Reception. They were also presented with earrings for their participation. |
||
|
STUDENT OF THE MONTH |
April 2007 - Mayor Flagg, assisted by Commissioner Norwood, presented certificates for academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and attendance to the following students, representing their respective schools: Jessica
Young Alexis Sweat William
Bartley Kenna Tilton James Bonner Shayla
Jones Shaleah Lookado Summer Michael Kelley Smith Elementary
School Tiera Thomas Mellon Elementary School Kenneth Neely Moseley Elementary Robert Svetlik Palatka High School Katie Moore Peniel Baptist Academy Chutkira Oxendine |
||
|
Recess |
Mayor Flagg called a recess, with concurrence from the Commission, for student photos. |
||
|
Reconvene |
Mayor Flagg reconvened the Regular Meeting and continued with the Orders of the Day |
||
|
PUBLIC COMMENTS |
Rev. Dolly Harrell, Pastor, Pentecostal Revival Church, and owner, WJGV TV, presented the Commission with signed petitions in support of retaining WJGV -TV Gospel Vision, on the Comcast cable channel line up for Palatka, containing 4,886 signatures, which includes the 800 she presented to the Commission at the last meeting. She also presented Letters of support from Grand Pines Apartments, Woodland Point Apartments and Holly Ridge Senior apartments. She received 60 signatures from ARC clients without even asking. Rev. Harrell stated WJGV is still on Cable Channel 10 as of today, at the behest of their FCC lawyer, who reminded Comcast that she was entitled to a 60-day notice to subscribers of the change, before they could take her off the air. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg asked if the original signatures were sent to the FCC. Rev. Harrell stated they were. She said a lot of people do not have cable TV, they have a dish, an antenna or a box. She said it is very important for the Commission to get the message out. Comcast had said WJGV's signal was weak, but it isn't, because people are still getting it and the picture was beautiful. This proves Comcast can still pick her station up. |
||
|
|
Daniel Ziem, 401 Olive St., asked if the City of Palatka had any jurisdiction regarding Cable TV. Mr. Bush stated the City is not allowed to interfere with either Comcast’s channel line up or rates by FCC ruling. Commissioner Brown inquired as to the request to have a Comcast representative hold a public meeting or come talk to the Commission. Mr. Bush said they were asked to do so and declined. |
||
|
Consent Agenda |
a. Issue Festival Permit for 2007 Blue Crab Festival Kick-off Party
(see staff recommendations) 1. Issue Special Event Permit #07-36 – Friday, May 25,
2007 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 2. Approve
Alcohol Ordinance Variance – 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Staff Recommendation
same as 2006 Festival – Beer & Entertainment Tents, Hospitality Tent and buffer
zones. 3. Approve Noise Ordinance
Variance - 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 4. Set
Fees – $424.00 – Class A Permit Fee
($100.00/day) and police security fees (18 hrs @$18.00/hour)
b. Issue Festival Permit for 2007 Blue Crab Festival (see
staff recommendation & application attached) with the following
stipulations: 1. Issue Special Event Permit
#07-37 May 26, 27 & 28, 2007
May 26,
2007 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. May 27, 2007 12:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. May 28, 2007 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ALL REQUEST ITEMS FOR
SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT Nos. 07-36 and 07-37 for May 25 – 28, 2006 Blue Crab
Kick-off Party and Festival. c. Issue and Approve special request items for Class A Special
Events Permit #07-29, 2007 Wolfson’s Children’s Bass Tournament, May 16 – 19,
2007, per staff recommendation: 1.
Approve Noise Ordinance
waiver for Saturday, May 19 from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. 2.
Close boat ramp to public from 6:00 p.m. Friday, May
18 until 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 19 d. Award
bid for CDBG06DB-3K-04-64-02-N43, Madison Street Drainage Improvements, to Progressive
Contractors, Inc. for a total of $456,496.50, per recommendation of Ayres
Associates, Project Engrs. e. Concur
on Mayoral Appointment of Stephanie Allen as resident representative to the
Palatka Housing Authority Board for a four-year term expiring April 14, 2011. f. Approve
$25,000.00 escrow per sale of Airport Industrial Park Property – Shoremaster Incorporated
(Buyer), Purchase Price $356,500.00. g. Authorize execution of Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement between City of Palatka and Prosperity Bank for Financing on Police Dept. vehicle purchase from Beck Chrysler-Plymouth, per results of RFP. |
||
|
Motion |
Commissioner Sanders moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg recognized Stephanie Allen, who was present, as the newly-appointed resident representative to the Palatka Housing Authority Board. Ms. Allen Stated she came here from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. |
||
|
RECESS REGULAR MEETING |
Mayor Flagg recessed the regular 4-24-07 City Commission meeting in order to convene the Community Redevelopment Agency. |
||
|
CONVENE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY |
Request to Approve Invoice for $2,500 from Davis, Monk & Company for Audit of Tax Increment Funds – Mayor Flagg called the 4-24-07 meeting of the Palatka Redevelopment Agency to order. Members present: Mayor Karl N. Flagg, Commissioners Mary Lawson Brown, Allegra Kitchens, James Norwood, Jr. and George E. Sanders, President of Downtown Palatka Sam Deputy. Absent: Main Street Manager (this position is currently vacant). Mr. Bush stated the CRA is audited separately from City's the normal audit each year; therefore, it is billed separately. |
||
|
Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to approve paying the invoice for $2,500 from Davis, Monk & Company for Audit of Tax Increment Funds. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
||
|
ADJOURN CRA |
Commissioner Kitchens motion to adjourn the CRA. Commissioner Norwood seconded the motion, which passed unopposed. |
||
|
RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING |
Mayor Flagg adjourned the 4-24-07 meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency and returned to the City Commission's 4-24-07 Orders of the Day. |
||
|
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS |
2005-06 Audit/Tax Increment Funds - Mr. John Rowe and Tina Robinson from Davis, Monk & Co., City Auditors, presented the audit results. Mr. Rowe congratulated the City on is award of a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Accounting from the CFOA again for the 14th year in a row. Mrs. Robinson stated the Firm performed an audit of the City's financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2006. This year there were 6 major funds which included the General Fund, Downtown Redevelopment Agency Fund, Water Fund, Sanitation Fund, Golf Course Fund and Airport Fund. |
||
|
|
Mrs. Robinson stated the CRA Fund is audited separately, but is included in the City’s audit report. The fund balance of the Redevelopment Fund is increased by about $182,000 in the past year and the Tax Increment Funds were expended within the budgeted amounts. As to the General Fund, the Downtown Redevelopment Agency Fund and all of the major funds in addition to the aggregate remaining funds, the City received an unqualified, or “clean” opinion. The Independent Auditors' Report is on pages xii and xiii of the Auditors' Report. This year there were no reportable conditions and internal control recommendations, and no non-compliance found related to the City financial statements, as reported on page 63 of the Financials, which the City is to be commended for. A single audit was performed on grant programs; the major Federal grant program this year was the FAA Airport Improvement Project. There were no major State grant programs this year. The State Grants were of somewhat lesser amounts than in the past with around $198,000 in State expenditures and $1.5 million in Federal. They found no non-compliance and no internal control conditions related to those Grants. The overall governmental activities and business activities both have increases in net assets this year. There are individual funds that have decreases. but over all there was an increase. There is a management letter on pages 56 and 57 of the report. There were no financial condition concerns and the bonds were found to be invested in accordance with Florida Statues. Mrs. Robinson thanked Finance Director Ruby Williams and the finance staff for their cooperation in getting the information together and available for them to audit. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Brown said she was glad the City is now using a local auditing firm. Commissioner Norwood asked if there were any exceptions. Ms. Robinson stated there were none. Commissioner Norwood, Commissioner Brown and Mayor Flagg thanked Mr. Bush and Mrs. Williams for the leadership they provide, and thanked the finance staff. Commissioner Sanders concurred. |
||
|
Motion |
Commissioner Brown moved to accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Audit for the year ended September 30, 2006. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. |
||
|
ORDINANCE |
Planning Board recommendation to vacate and close a portion of Eagle Street between N. 13th Street and the CSX Railroad tracks, running through School Board Property - 1st Reading - The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, CLOSING, VACATING, AND ABANDONING THAT PORTION OF EAGLE STREET LOCATED EAST OF NORTH 13TH STREET AND WESTERLY OF THE CSX RAILROAD TRACKS RUNNING THROUGH SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY, WITHIN THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. |
||
|
Motion |
Commissioner Norwood moved to pass the ordinance on 1st reading. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion. Mr. Bush read a memo from Mike Preston (filed) stating the reason for the closing of Eagle St. is due to the fact that they recently found that their transportation yard was in 2 parcels, with one parcel north of Eagle St. and the other south of the street. The closing of Eagle Street within the compound area will make their parcels contiguous, and will also help correct the City property maps by showing how the property is actually used. Mr. Bush noted the ordinance retains a utility easement across the property. |
||
|
Roll Call Vote |
There being no further discussion, a roll call vote was taken, with the following results: Commissioners Brown, Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders and Mayor Flagg, yes. Nays, none. The ordinance was declared passed on 1st reading |
||
|
ORDINANCE NO. 07-09 |
Amending the Palatka Municipal Code, Chapter 18, Buildings & Building Regulations, to adopt the Florida Building Code per Florida Statutes, by reference - 2nd Reading. The Clerk read an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF PALATKA, FLORIDA, BY REVISING ARTICLE III, BUILDING CODE; ARTICLE IV, ELECTRICAL CODE; ARTICLE V, ENERGY EFFICIENCY BUILDING CODE; ARTICLE VI, GAS CODE; ARTICLE VII, HOUSING CODE; ARTICLE X, PLUMBING CODE; ARTICLE XI, SWIMMING POOL CODE; AND ARTICLE XII, UNSAFE BUILDING ABATEMENT CODE, BY ADOPTING THE LATEST EDITION OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AS REFERENCED IN FLORIDA STATUTES 553.70-553.989, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME; BY DELETING ARTICLE VIII, MECHANICAL CODE, AND ARTICLE IX, ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLING CODE IN THEIR ENTIRETY; RENUMBERING ARTICLES X THROUGH ARTICLE XIV; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. |
||
|
Motion |
Commissioner Norwood moved to adopt the ordinance as read. Commissioner Kitchens seconded the motion. Commissioner Norwood asked if the City has the technology, such as automatic highlighting, to show changes being made to an ordinance, showing what is being added and what is being deleted. Mayor Flagg asked if additions or revisions were a software issue. Mr. Bush asked Assistant Planner Debbie Banks if the draft ordinance showed the original changes; she replied yes. Mr. Bush stated the Commission was given a clean copy, but a draft copy showing changes can be provided. Commissioner Norwood stated he would like a highlighted, color-coded copy showing changes on all future ordinances that amend the Code. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Sanders asked why Article IX, One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, is being entirely deleted from Section 7. Mrs. Banks stated the reason some of the items were deleted is because the Florida Building Code no longer calls these chapters by that title; these provisions are taken up under other titles. Commissioner Sanders confirmed they are they are not actually being deleted from the Code, but show up under another title; Mrs. Banks stated that is correct. Commissioner Kitchens stated she had the same question as Commissioner Norwood, and would like a draft showing what has been deleted and added. Mayor Flagg stated if that is the desire of the Commission, it should be done. |
||
|
Roll Call Vote |
There being no further discussion, a roll call vote was taken, with the following results: Commissioners Kitchens, Norwood, Sanders, Brown and Mayor Flagg; yes. Nays, none. Ordinance No. 07-09 was declared adopted. |
||
|
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS |
POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPANSION - Mr. Bush stated the City Commission authorized the Police Chief and him to negotiate the potential purchase of the property located at 1209 & 1211 Reid Street for expansion of the Police Dept. He met with Mr. David Weeks, owner of the property, to negotiate on the asking price of $355,000. An appraisal was completed showing the market value exceeds that amount. He is also aware of the amount of the note held on the property. Mr. Weeks was able to come off the price by $2,000, to $353,000, and agreed to handle the customary seller's expenses at closing, such as title and survey. Mr. Bush stated he considers this sale advantageous to the City and the Police Dept, and it will eliminate some of the overcrowding in the existing building. In order to make this purchase, the Commission will need to approve a loan from the Palatka Gas Authority, which will be repaid by July, 2008 with $353,000 in Better Place Funds, which the Commission will also need to approve. Both he and the Police Chief recommend the necessary approvals be made in order to acquire this property. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg stated this matter would have to be placed on the Agenda for consideration; in addition, the terms of the loan should be a bit more formal. Mr. Bush concurred, and said the as part of the budget process the Commission will approve how Better Place Funds will be spent for the coming fiscal year. He sends the proposed expenditures to the Better Place Committee and solicits responses from them as to whether or not the proposed expenditures meet the requirements for Better Place Fund expenditures, which this does. He can send this to the Committee now to gather concurrence on this expenditure for next year. He is looking for direction from the Commission, and will place this on the on the May 10 agenda for a more formal approval. |
||
|
|
Mr. Holmes stated the Commission is either going to have to vote to place this on its agenda as an emergency item tonight, or wait to vote when it is agendaed on the May 10 Agenda. He does not think the Commission could give tentative approval tonight. Mr. Holmes asked if Mr. Weeks has a contract; Mr. Bush responded no, he could not negotiate a contract until he knows how the Commission wants him to proceed. Mr. Holmes stated he could negotiate a contract contingent upon Commission approval. Mr. Bush stated that is how he will proceed. |
||
|
|
Police Chief Gary Getchell they he need to go back and firm this up, which would lock Mr. Weeks into this price; he has verbally stated he is committed to the City. Mayor Flagg stated this would be put on the agenda for the next Commission meeting, and should be covered as two items due to use of Better Place Funds for the purchase. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Norwood stated they would need minutes from that Better Place Committee’s meeting wherein the expenditure was approved. Mr. Bush responded they don’t actually hold meetings, but he would send out e-mails and get their comments. Mayor Flagg stated that is normally based on a list of project priorities, and asked how Mr. Bush was going to accomplish this in the proposed time frame. Mr. Bush stated the budget for the 2007-08 General Fund is not at that stage yet. Mayor Flagg asked if there were other projects on the list. Mr. Bush stated there should be sufficient anticipated Better Place funds to cover this repayment, and he will confirm that with the Finance Director. Mayor Flagg said if there is a proposed total amount of Better Place Plan expenditures, the Commission will then know what percentage of the total funds will be committed to repayment of the $353,000. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Kitchens stated under the Consent Agenda for this meeting, the Commission approved the sale of property at the Airport Industrial Park for $356,500, and asked if that money could be used towards anything else. Mr. Bush said those funds stay with the airport; the money is already earmarked. Mayor Flagg noted with the budget uncertainties from the Legislature’s proposed mandatory property tax and budget cuts, the City needs to follow those changes closely so as not to be caught off-guard. |
||
|
Discussion on Ordinance # 07-09, Revisited |
The City Clerk stated, for the record, the ordinance adopted by the Commission tonight did not come to her with strike-through, line-through/underlined additions, and showed the Commission the draft copy she had received (filed). Commissioner Norwood asked what program it was in; the Clerk answered Microsoft Word. Mr. Holmes stated Ms. Driggers is saying the ordinance that the Commission already considered tonight did not come to her with strike-through or line through; she is not saying it can't be done in the future. Ms. Driggers stated that was correct. |
||
|
Administrative Reports, Cont. |
Mayor Flagg asked Mr. Bush if he had any information or anticipated timelines from Mr. Zelkowitz, the City’s redevelopment attorney. Mr. Bush stated he was told he’d have some correspondence from Mr. Zelkowitz today, but it was not in his e-mail by 4:00 p.m. today. He was informed that Mr. Zelkowitz had been in depositions all day. He hopes to have it in the Commission’s hands next week. |
||
|
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS |
Commissioner Brown stated this past Friday she attended a workshop for a Blue Ribbon Taskforce for housing, which she has been appointed to. She brought back a packet for each of the Commissioners containing general information. They talked about other projects, and are not just about doing houses. St. Petersburg is doing an experimental project using boxcars. She has put the City on a ‘help list’ if they find it to be affordable for the citizens. A workshop is scheduled for May 7th and 8th in Tampa concerning ways to access funding. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Norwood stated the Clerks were honored tonight, and it is always good to tell people they have or haven’t done a good job, but they can express their gratitude by asking the City Manager to take the Clerks out to lunch. Commissioner Brown said the Commission should take them out to lunch to thank them for the good things they do. Mr. Bush noted all the ladies working in the various city offices were taken out to lunch this week in recognition of Administrative Professional’s Week. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Kitchens stated the fires in Georgia, Duval County and Putnam County have been in the news, and this started her thinking about fires in general. Last week there was a minor fire at the Bingo Parlor downtown. This is the 2nd fire they’ve had since beginning operation. She wants to be sure that the City Building Officials inspect the repairs being made to ensure that all the wiring is up to Code, and is what it needs to be to support the equipment they are running. If necessary the State fire marshal’s office should inspect the premises once the repair work is completed. They have been lucky both times in that the fires didn’t spread into the adjoining buildings. She understands that this particular fire smoldered all night. With this dry weather, it could have been much worse. There could have been another fire like the City had in 1884 or worse, and she does not want to see that happen. Mayor Flagg asked the Fire Chief to explain the normal procedure in this case. |
||
|
|
Fire Chief Mike Lambert stated the Fire Marshal was called in to do an investigation, but he did not have the report yet. The preliminary investigation shows it wasn't faulty wiring, but actually more of an appliance fire. The computer system’s electrical wiring was the problem. Normally with a structural or wiring problem, the Building Dept is called in to do an investigation, and the building will have to pass inspection before power can be turned back on. As to this fire, this building is sprinklered, and the fire was small enough that it didn’t set off any of the automatic sprinklers. As to smoke alarms, Chief Lambert said they are not required, but if the sprinklers had gone off, it would have set the alarm off. As it happens, a passer-by saw smoke and called it in. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg stated Downtown Palatka Inc. is requesting that the Commission be represented at their monthly meetings. A memo from them regarding this should be forthcoming. They have requested he, as Mayor, be appointed as the Commission’s primary representative, and the Vice-Mayor be appointed as an alternate should the Mayor be unable to attend a meeting. Commissioner Brown stated she is a downtown merchant and joined Downtown Palatka a month ago through a paid membership. If the Mayor will be attending, she will cancel her membership and ask for a refund. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg stated the Commission is very respectful of having two commissioners attend a meeting that has not been advertised in accordance with Sunshine Law guidelines. Although it may not be a direct violation, it can be an indirect violation and may put the Commission in an awkward position. If there items are discussed that are going to be brought to the Commission, and there is more than one commissioner in the room asking or answering questions or stating opinions, it may cloud the thought processes of another. Since the Vice Mayor has paid her dues and is a downtown merchant, she should be the representative. They can make the liaison appointment official at the next meeting. This is a non-voting position. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg stated the other issue that continues to come up is the issue of the selection of a new City Manager. There are two organizations that lend expertise and support in choosing a new City Manager. One is the Florida League of Cities, and the other is the International City Managers’ Association. Lynn Tipton with the League states they have a program called “Range Riders” that is comprised of retired city managers that provide services to the City in the event a manager is needed. The Commission needs to discuss a proposed schedule for this process. With the Commission’s approval, he will follow up with Mrs. Tipton on this matter and provide information on the Range Rider program. The Community should be made aware that the Commission is planning a systematic, thorough process, which will not be dictated or guided by any one commissioner. He asked that this item be placed on the May 10, 2007 agenda so the Commission can provide feedback on this in a public setting. From input received, they can pull a proposal together, along with a proposal from Ms. Tipton and the Range Riders group. Following that meeting, a schedule the Commission is comfortable with will be developed. |
||
|
|
Commissioner Sander stated the City is not in an emergency situation; they have time to work on this. The City is very fortunate to have had competent leadership, evinced by tonight’s audit report. The City is in good shape and owes much of this to the City Manager and his staff. This should be a smooth transition. |
||
|
|
Mr. Bush stated he announce almost two years ago that he planned to retire in January, 2008. He has already been in contact with Ms. Tipton and has already had a meeting with a Range Rider, who is supposed to be working on an updated and enhanced job description. Palatka is going to have a new City Manager, which they haven’t had in a long time. It is not the norm to offer a city manager a contract. Contracts tend to drag out a little, so the schedule they spoke of earlier will be moved up to accommodate contract talks and to accomplish the things that need to be done. In reading articles on the subject of hiring new city managers across the state, one of the biggest obstacles seems to be in reaching a consensus on a contract agreement. This is something the Commission will need to consider. |
||
|
|
Mayor Flagg stated Mr. Bush has a lot of personal knowledge that is not on record that needs to be shared. This is not a negative reflection on his longevity or tenure. The Commission does not know how long the process is going to take once the position is advertised. The Commission does not want to come to the end of December and not have what it needs. |
||
|
ADJOURN |
At 7:34 p.m. upon a motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Kitchens. |
||
Produced
by FTR Log Notes™
www.ftrgold.com