The City Council of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on
June 2, 2009 at 7:02 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

        Emily Anderson, City Clerk

 

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

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

*APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES  

*APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT FOR SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT  

On motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council approved consent items, with two corrections noted to minutes of the May 5, 2009 meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Buddy Westbrook requested that the City replace a “Welcome to Monticello” sign on U.S. 19 South which was knocked down by a storm and accidentally discarded by the city.  The Mayor directed that the City Manager take care of the sign replacement.  Mr. Westbrook also noted the graffiti problem around town, and Mayor Vogelgesang noted that Chief Mosley is investigating the problem.

 

REVIEW OF BID RESPONSES AND AWARD OF CITYWIDE SEWER REHABILITATION CONTRACT  Joe Miller and Robert George of George and Associates reviewed the bids received on the citywide sewer project.  Of the seven bids received, the recommendation by the bid review committee to the Council was to accept the low bid.  After discussion of bids received and responsiveness of the bidders, on motion of John Jones, seconded by Linda Butler, the Council unanimously approved award of the bid for the citywide sewer project to Southeast Pipe Survey, Inc. 

 

Mayor Vogelgesang requested that the city coordinate road closures and work days with the city.  Mr. George suggested that Chief Mosley attend the pre-bid conference to assist in coordination efforts.

 

 

SETTING OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO SELECT ENGINEERING FIRM FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE USDA MONTICELLO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT  Mayor Vogelgesang announced a special meeting for June 4th at 6:00 p.m. to interview the review committee’s recommended top three engineering firms.  The Council anticipates selection of the firm after the interview process.

 

VIVIAN HALL ROYSTER IN RE:  LEADERSHIP TRAINING [did not appear]

 

BUSINESS TAX REPORT

The Council reviewed the memorandum from Clerk Anderson recommending that the business tax be repealed.  The Council discussed the purpose of the tax, enforcement issues, revenue collected versus costs, and possibility of restructuring the rates and considered options such as suspension of business tax collection.   After discussion, John Jones moved to repeal the business tax.  The motion died for lack of a second.  On motion of George Evans, seconded by Idella Scott, the Council voted to continue collection the business tax.  The vote was as follows:

 

            FOR                            AGAINST

   George Evans                    John Jones

   Idella Scott

   Tom Vogelgesang

   Linda Butler

 

The Council took no action to consider restructuring business categories.

 

OLD BUSINESS

*REVIEW OF FEDERAL CODE CITES IN PROPOSED PROCUREMENT CODE ORDINANCE  Attorney Leinback will review the cites.

 

*GOLF CART SIGNAGE AND APPLICATION  Chief Mosley presented the forms required for registration.  Chief Mosley has set the application fee at $45 per year, not prorated.  City Attorney Leinback will review the forms, and noted that the street signs must be posted first before permits are issued.   Mayor Vogelgesang also requested that, if possible, DOT provide other identification marks as might be customary in other cities.

 

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND DEPARTMENTS

*City Attorney Bruce Leinback noted that being involved in several recent matters with the police department recently has given him new appreciation for the professionalism of the police force.

 

*City Clerk Emily Anderson requested that Winston Lee present an update on proposed a proposed grant application made through a Transportation Enhancement Program.  Winston Lee reported on a grant proposed through a partnership with the city and Mainstreet for continued improvements in the downtown areas which will improve traffic and pedestrian safety.  Proposed improvements include sidewalk repair and extensions and landscape improvements.   It is anticipated that the project would consist of approximately $350,000 in state-funded improvements, with contributions of approximately $50,000 from the city and $25,000 from fundraisers and/or property owners in the downtown area.

 

Council Member Butler opined that in addition to downtown improvements, the city also needs to focus on grants for improvements in other areas of the city.   On motion of George Evans, seconded by John Jones, the Council unanimously voted to authorize Mr. Lee to continue with the grant proposal for downtown improvements.   Mr. Lee reported that the project concept will be formally submitted to the state, he will continue to develop community consensus and plan specifics.

 

Clerk Anderson also reported that a sidewalk extension project extending the sidewalk along U.S. 90 West and connecting with Crooked Creek has been resubmitted under the transportation enhancement program. 

 

Clerk Anderson also noted a complaint about dumpsters downtown.  Council Member John Jones noted that in the county, dumpsters are governed by the Health Department, and most are surrounded by fences and placed on concrete pads.  Mayor Vogelgesang asked that those dumpsters be identified and that the City Manager attempt to come up with a solution, perhaps more frequent trash pick-ups.

 

Clerk Anderson also reported that budget worksheets will be prepared for department heads.  Mayor Vogelgesang requested that specific budget requests by Council Members be made known during budget preparation.  Council Member George Evans noted that amounts requested should be explained, when necessary.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Sewer Superintendent Jim Milicic reported that a major sewer line repair is being conducted on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

 

Council Member Idella Scott reported that the park committee will be meeting and developing a vision/mission statement, and grant possibilities are being developed.

 

Council Member John Jones requested that the sewer rehabilitation project signage be removed from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

 

Mr. Jones also requested that the Council consider joining the Florida Retirement Service Elected Official Class and include funding in the budget.

 

The Council discussed the May town hall meeting, and Council Member John Jones suggested town halls be conducted in August, November, February and May.  The Council selected August 27th as the next date for a town hall meeting.  Members will look for meeting sites in different areas of town. 

 

Mayor Vogelgesang requested that Monticello Pizza Kitchen be notified that their signs in the Courthouse islands will be removed. 

 

The Mayor also requested that the July meeting be moved.  The Council decided to meet on July 1st.  The Council elected not to conduct a June workshop since they are meeting on June 4th.

 

Clerk Anderson noted the Water Quality Report has been published.  Copies are available at City Hall.

 

Mayor Vogelgesang and the Council congratulated Derrick Jennings and Curt Register for completion of the back-flow prevention assembly testing certification.

 

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

 

                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                            City Clerk/Treasurer

 

_____________________________

Tom Vogelgesang

Mayor

 

NOTE:  These proceedings were mechanically recorded. See CD 2009-06