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

 

        Tom Vogelgesang, 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

 

Mayor Tom Vogelgesang called the meeting to order.  George Evans offered the invocation, and Mayor Vogelgesang led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

 

Mayor Vogelgesang presented Council Members Linda Butler and Idella Scott with Certificates for Completion of the Elected Municipal Officials course. 

 

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES – John Jones made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2009.  The motion was seconded by George Evans.  Linda Butler requested clarification of a comment by Engineer Robert George regarding services for planning of Monticello Park, and Mr. George confirmed that his services would be pro bono.  The motion for approval of minutes was unanimously adopted.

 

FINAL PUBLIC HEARING

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.  Business owner Mark Wirick expressed opposition to the ordinance.  John Jones made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2009-01.  The motion was seconded by George Evans.  The vote was as follows:

 

              FOR                            AGAINST

     Tom Vogelgesang             Idella Scott

     Linda Butler

     John Jones

     George Evans

 

 

 

FIRST PUBLIC HEARING

ORDINANCE 2009-02 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, FLORIDA, BY DESIGNATNG A PARCEL OF LAND COMPRISING 419.38 ACRES LOCATED IN SECTIONS 25 AND 36, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 4 EAST AND LOCATED IN SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST AS “PUD” CONCEPT ZONING, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF THE SPECIFIED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF MONTICELLO ZONING MAP; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL EFFECT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, SCRIVENER’S ERRORS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.   Attorney Leinback reported that the PUD concept plan and supportive report is to be amended to delete allowances for multi-family dwellings and assisted living facilities.  City Engineer Robert George presented a history of the project and explained the purpose of the PUD zoning.  Mr. George reported that the Local Planning Agency has recommended approval of the PUD.  It was also noted that no commercial designation is allowed in the PUD because of the property comprehensive plan designation.  Developer Clay Thompson also introduced himself to the Council and outlined the company’s development objectives and planned design of the community.

 

Kate Calvin of Coopers Pond Road, representing the Organization of Monticello’s Emerging Neighborhoods, expressed opposition to the PUD zoning, challenged the traffic study and environmental report and permanency of the comp plan designation and zoning designation.   Sandra Gavins, a resident of Southwood in Tallahassee, discussed construction logistics and traffic flows.  Patricia Miller of Spring Hollow Road expressed opposition to the project.  Local resident Wendy Maas spoke in favor of the project.   Chris Jarvis of Spring Hollow Road spoke in opposition to the project.  

 

Council Member Jones noted that the project has been in development for several years with many public hearings.  Mayor Vogelgesang asked that any concept plan change be submitted to the Council well before the next public hearing. 

 

PRESENTATION OF 2007-2008 AUDIT BY CHRIS CAYER, BROOKS, HARRISON AND CAYER, LLC    Auditor Chris Cayer presented the 2007-2008 audit.                On motion of Linda Butler, seconded by John Jones, the Council unanimously voted to approve the 2007-2008 audit.

 

OPTION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM BY ELECTED OFFICIALS    Clerk Anderson reported that, although the Council had voted to include the Clerk/Treasurer position as Senior Management in the Florida Retirement System, because the position is an elected one, the city would have to enroll all elected officials into the Florida Retirement System in order for the Clerk/Treasurer position to be designated as anything other than as a regular class employee.  The Council will look further at the option of including the elected city officials in the Florida Retirement System.

 

STATUS OF INFLOW/INFILTRATION PROJECT FUNDING FROM FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE   City Engineer Robert George reported that the city’s sewer inflow/infiltration project has been approved to receive federal stimulus package money.  The City will be able to complete all remaining phases of the project without having to obtain bridge loan financing, but the city will have to include some federal standards in the bidding process. 

 

ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR TREATMENT DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION

Mr. George requested that the city issue a request for proposals for engineering design services for the treatment plant.  He offered to serve on the selection committee.

 

APPLICATION FOR STREET CLOSING FOR SOUTHERN MUSIC RISING FESTIVAL ON APRIL 18, 2009   The Council discussed the application for street closing, and Chief Mosley discussed the need for additional security, especially since events are planned for all four quadrants of the Courthouse.      On motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously voted to table the application until next month to ascertain that pedestrian safety concerns are addressed. 

 

APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR REMODELING/REPAIR OF PROPERTIES WITHIN THE MONTICELLO HISTORIC DISTRICT

*485 E. Washington Street  Mark Kessler presented an Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for a roof replacement at 485 E. Washington Street in the Historic District.  Mayor Vogelgesang noted that the Historic Design Review Board has reviewed the application and recommended approval.  On notion of Idella Scott, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously approved the application.

 

*110 E. Dogwood Street  Raymond Novello presented an Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for repairs/rehabilitation on the old Courtyard Restaurant.  Mayor Vogelgesang noted the Historic Design Review Board has requested that two proposed items (wrought iron gates and a proposed roll-down door) be referred to the State Division of Historic Resources for design assistance, but recommended that other items be approved by the Council.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council approved proposed repair and rehabilitation tasks with the exception of installation of wrought iron gates and a proposed roll-down door.

 

LETTER REQUESTING FUNDING FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL  On motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously approved distribution of $10,000 to the Jefferson County Economic Development Council.  

 

APPOINTMENT OF HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEMBER (ONE APPLICATION RECEIVED)  On motion of Idella Scott, seconded by George Evans, the Council unanimously appointed Terri Dunn to serve on the City’s Historic Design Review Board.

 

OLD BUSINESS

*CLARIFCATION OF SIGNAGE REQUIRED FOR GOLF CART USAGE  Attorney Leinback reported that signage would be required on each street.   Mayor Vogelgesang requested that signage costs be determined.

 

*CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING PRIORITY LIST ROAD PAVING PROJECTS

City Manager Wingate discussed the county’s road paving history and qualification process for state-funded paving projects.   

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*City Attorney Bruce Leinback reported that he has met with Paul Johns of the Fraternal Order of Police.  A new contract has been developed in draft form.  He will meet with Chief Mosley and then will review with the Council, if appropriate, in an executive session.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson mentioned that she has received complaints at City Hall regarding the proliferation of signage at the Courthouse.  She also reported that Julie Conley has offered to assist in trying to find effective ways of providing for business signage while discouraging signs on the Courthouse Circle green space.  Mayor Vogelgesang requested that a letter be written to downtown organizations expressing concern over “sign pollution” and offering assistance in seeking solutions.  Council Member Linda Butler said she has also received several complaints.

 

*City Council Member Idella Scott reported that she and the Park Committee will be meeting with the School Board on March 9th.

 

*City Council Member John Jones reported there is a house which may be partly in the County that has a lot that is overgrown.

 

He also asked for a status report on the old Georgia-Florida Motel.  Mr. Wingate reported a permit is supposed to be pulled next week to make repairs on the buildings.  If the permit is not pulled, the mortgage-holder will finalize foreclosure proceedings.

 

Mr. Jones also reported a building on the corner of King and MLK which needs to be torn down.  Mr. Wingate reported that the condemned buildings would cost thousands of dollars to remove.  There is also an old church at the corner of Second Street and Lemon Street which needs to be demolished.

 

Mr. Jones also suggested the need for Town Hall Meetings to distribute information regarding current issues before the Council, such as Monticello Pines.

 

*Mayor Tom Vogelgesang apologized for the necessity of cancelling the February workshop.  He wants to focus on future projects.  The Council decided not to conduct a March workshop.  

 

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                            City Clerk/Treasurer

 

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Tom Vogelgesang

Mayor

 

 

NOTE:  These proceedings were mechanically recorded. See Tape No. 2009-03 (3 tapes)