The City Council of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on
February 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM at City Hall.  The following members were present:

 

        Tom Vogelgesang, Acting Mayor

        Idella Scott

        Linda Butler

        John Jones

        George Evans

 

Others present were:

 

        Fred Mosley, Chief of Police

        Bruce A. Leinback, City Attorney

        Steve Wingate, City Manager

        Emily Anderson, City Clerk

 

Acting Mayor Tom Vogelgesang called the meeting to order.  Linda Butler offered the invocation, and Mayor Vogelgesang led the Pledge of Allegiance.   

 

Mayor Vogelgesang introduced Tom Conley from the Florida League of Cities, who presented a check to the city for $3,478 representing funds from a safety grant.  

 

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES – On motion of John Jones, seconded by Idella Scott, the Council unanimously approved the minutes of the January 3, 2009  meeting. 

 

FIRST READING:  ORDINANCE 2009-01 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 54-160 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA TO MODIFY THE SCHEDULE OF DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS FOR THE B-1, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.   The public hearing is scheduled for March 3rd.

 

APPROVAL TO SEEK FUNDING SOURCES FOR .75 MGPD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT/AUTHORIZATION OF PRELIMINARY ENGINEER-ING REPORT WHICH INCLUDES COMPARISON OF COSTS OF NEW PLANT VERSUS REPAIR OF CURRENT FACILITY   Robert George presented a rough comparison of three informal bids from treatment plant vendors and provided a breakdown of all components needed for actual construction of a new treatment plant. 

The report also provided a spreadsheet of funding options and expected sewer rate increases needed.   After discussion, the Council determined that a preliminary engineering report is required for more exact budgeting purposes.  It was also noted that the city’s current wastewater treatment plant permit is based on the recognition that the city is working to correct its treatment plant problems.  On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by Linda Butler, the City Council unanimously voted to authorize a preliminary engineering report to determine specific items to bid.

 

APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR INFLOW/INFILTRATION PROJECT   Robert George reported that State DEP officials have requested that the city hold selection of a contractor for the remaining phases of the Inflow/Infiltration project until it is determined whether the state will receive funding from a federal economic stimulus program.  If funding is received from the federal government, it is anticipated that DEP will be able to fund the entire project at once instead of spreading it out over several years.  Since the project is ready to bid, on motion of George Evans, seconded by John Jones, the Council voted to authorize George and Associates to go ahead and advertise the project, when appropriate, after coordination with DEP. 

 

RESOLUTION 2009-01 ADOPTING A FEE FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION AND ADMINISTRATION   The Council considered a resolution adopting fees for inspection and administration of construction projects which contain infrastructure to be owned by the city.  Engineer Robert George noted that developers would be given a specific list of items to be inspected and instructions to schedule inspections. John Jones made a motion to adopt Resolution 2009-01.  The motion was seconded by Linda Butler.  The vote was as follows:

 

            FOR                            AGAINST

  Tom Vogelgesang            George Evans

  Linda Butler

  John Jones

  Idella Scott

 

REQUEST FOR FUNDS – JEFFERSON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL   Economic Development Council Board Member Ron Cichon thanked the Council for its long standing support of the EDC and discussed the reorganization of the Council and outlined its goals.   Mayor Vogelgesang asked of the nature of EDC funding from private sources.  He also requested that the organization consider meeting at times which would be more convenient for Council members to attend, since many Council members cannot attend meetings during the middle of the day.  Mr. Cichon noted he would take that information back to the Board, as well as assure that members receive monthly reports.

 

RECOMMENDATION FROM PARK COMMITTEE ON PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE ACREAGE FOR MONTICELLO PARK    Council Member Idella Scott reported that the Park Committee has met and considered options for purchase of property on South Water Street from the School Board under grant funding from DEP.  Ms. Scott made a motion for Council authorization to approach the School Board with an offer to purchase 28.01 acres for $6,143 per acre.  The motion was seconded by John Jones and unanimously approved Council Member Scott reported that she is working on funding for park development.  City Engineer Robert George reported he would be willing to assist with master planning of the park once the purchase is complete.  

OLD BUSINESS

*Clarification of Signage Required for Golf Cart Usage  City Attorney Bruce Leinback reported that he has contacted the City of Tallahassee’s attorney and is awaiting word on his interpretation of the state statute regarding golf cart signage required.  

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*Police Chief Fred Mosley requested that the Council approve a Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Children and Families for use of police services, when needed.    Council Member John Jones made a motion for approval of the Memorandum of Agreement.  The motion was seconded by Idella Scott.  The vote was as follows:

 

            FOR                            ABSTENTION: 

    Tom Vogelgesang          George Evans

    Idella Scott

    John Jones

    Linda Butler

 

Mr. Evans noted an abstention for since he is a law enforcement officer and may have a potential conflict of interest.  He was instructed to file a Form 8B Conflict of Interest Memorandum.

 

*City Manager Steve Wingate provided an executive summary of the month’s activities. 

 

City Manager Wingate also reported that VMS has approved the city removing the flashing light at the intersection of Mulberry Street and U.S. 90, but at the city’s expense.  On motion of Linda Butler, seconded by Idella Scott, the Council unanimously approved the removal of the flashing light and instructed City Manager Wingate to coordinate costs and tasks to be accomplished.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson announced there was a vacancy on the Historic Design Review Board due to the resignation of Nora Hoover.  She reported she would advertise the vacancy and hopefully have some candidates for Council consideration next month.

 

Clerk Anderson also reported that there would be a dedication of Jordan Memorial Park on February 28th at 2:00 p.m.

 

TOPICS FOR FEBRUARY WORKSHOP   Mayor Vogelgesang requested that members and department heads prepare wish lists and priorities for the February workshop, which was scheduled for February 16th at 6:00 p.m. 

 

*Council Member Linda Butler asked that a start time and ending time be added to the minutes.  She also requested a stop sign be added at the corner of Rocky Branch Road and Mamie Scott Drive by the laundromat.

 

*Council Member John Jones noted that he is going to ask permission to attend a three-day Rural Economic Development Summit in Live Oak.

 

He also noted that the old Georgia/Florida Motel should be torn down. 

 

*Mayor Tom Vogelgesang reported he did attend the County Commission workshop. One item of discussion was inclusion of city streets in paving project lists.  He asked City Manager Wingate to meet with Road Superintendent David Harvey to determine which specific roads might be included in the list based on county criteria.  

 

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.

 

                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                            City Clerk/Treasurer

 

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Tom Vogelgesang

Mayor

 

 

NOTE:  These proceedings were mechanically recorded. See Tape No. 2009-02 (2 tapes)