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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2004 09 07 City Commission Special Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of Tuesday, September 7,2004 of the City Commission was called to order by Mayor John F. Bush at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). . ROLL CALL: Mayor John F. Bush, present Deputy Mayor Robert S. Miller, Jr., present Commissioner Michael S. Blake, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner David W. McLeod, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attomey Anthony A. Garganese, arrived at 6:32 p.m. A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese arrived 6:32 p.m. AGENDA 1. Office Of The City Manager Discussion Of Storm Related Issues. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore spoke on the status of clean-up in the City and stated, "We are on target with completing 'Cycle l' which was pretty much all general debris within two (2) weeks. And of course the first day of the second round was delayed because of the second Hunicane [Hunicane Frances]." With discussion, Manager McLemore stated, "We are, because of the second storm [Hurricane Frances], having to create really a couple of more Cycles. The third Cycle starting on September 22, [2004] and going through October 6, [2004], really is focusing on stumps and leaning trees; and also any logs and general debris, construction debris that comes out during that period of time. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 . PAGE20F7 But the real focus here is stumps and leaning trees; and the reason for that is FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] treats those differently from general debris. They actually have measurement requirements, and they have to come out and look at a leaning tree. If it is not leaning at a certain degree, they will not certify for it to come down." . Mayor Bush asked Manager McLemore, "Would this be a leaning tree on the owner's property, or a leaning tree on the right-of-way?" Manager McLemore noted, "Right-of- way. - if it is on - private property and it is leaning over public property, that's a matter where we may have to make a decision to take it down." Additionally, Mayor Bush mentioned that "If it is not leaning over the right-of-way, then it is the homeowner's..." Manager McLemore added, "... The homeowner's responsibility." Manager McLemore stated, "In this fourth Cycle, is when we are going to get in the creeks and start cleaning the creeks out from all of the fallen debris, and then we pushed back this fifth Cycle to October 21 S\ [2004], because what we are hearing from people is that most of the tree contractors tell them that it is going to take them three (3) to four (4) weeks to get to them. So, we pushed that back, it really gives them six (6) weeks from today - notice, that by then weare starting the last Cycle." With further discussion, Manager McLemore remarked, "The fifth Cycle will be October 21 S\ [2004], until we get it cleaned up. The idea is to get in and get all the logs that have fallen and debris that needs to be removed and get it out. It is going to be a big job." Discussion on drainage easements. Commissioner David W. McLeod stated, "The one that runs from Seville Chase through DUlU11ar [Estates], that one \VoU Id fall into that?" Mr. Alan Hill, Superintendent, Public Works Department responded, "The way FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] looks at it is if we can establish maintenance records for what we maintain, whether it is public or private - if we maintain it, they will accept it. If we do not have a regular schedule of maintenance or history of maintenance on a particular easement, canal or private issue - they will not reimburse." Commissioner McLeod asked, "Would you let me know on that one? I would like to know." Then, Commissioner McLeod noted, "Weare getting all the water that comes on the other side of Seville Chase; it comes across from that lake spillover - behind Seville Chase, out of there, and then runs through Dunmar [Estates], and there is one part of that creek area 1 know that is quite wooded." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 PAGE 3 OF7 Mr. Hill said, "That's something we would have to look at and pull up - the history on it - because I know that we have in the past done maintenance on some of these things before Seville Chase - was developed." Manager McLemore said, "All of this can change within five (5) days depending on what this next St0l111 [Hurricane Ivan] which Tim [Lallathin, Fire Chief, Fire Department] will talk about. All of this is a moving target." With discussion on the Budget, Manager McLemore said, "You have already made a decision to leave that Millage out there at the maximum we had proposed initially and give us the latitude to do what we wanted to do at that last Meeting. And by then, hopefully we'll know a couple of things. One, whether this other storm [Hurricane Ivan] is coming through or not; number two, where we are and I'll come back to you with some recommendations. " Discussion. Chief Lallathin gave an update on the Fire Department's recent actions related to the . aftel111ath of HlllTicane Frances. Regarding power outages, Chief Lallathin stated, "If you know of any, please let me know." With discussion, Commissioner McLeod said, "Coming out of Oak Forest - Winter Springs Boulevard - the traffic light facing the Oak Forest side is not functioning; it is just staying on 'Stop'. The rest of the three (3) sides of that [traffic] light are working." Chief Lallathin mentioned, "I don't know if that is something we can have the Officers look at." Discussion. Next, Chief Lallathin infol111ed the City Commission that "We did have a Sewer Backup situation that OCCUlTed at 110 South Moss Road. Immediately after we were notified, we did contact the resident - and made sure that all of their needs were being taken care of. We notified our Insurance carrier of this situation and the occupm1t was also advised to contact their own Insurance Company to go ahead and to. let them know that this had happened and to register with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]. With discussion, Mayor Bush stated, "I think that we should make the same offer to them that was made to the people on Little Sparrow [Court] and make sure they get the same treatment." Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 PAGE40F7 On the Sewer Backup situation just mentioned, Commissioner Michael S. Blake said to Mr. Kipton D. Lockcuff, P.E., Director, Public WorkslUtility Department, "Are we going to get a report on this eventually when we find out what happened?" Mr. Lockcuff said, "Sure." Commissioner McLeod said to Manager McLemore, "You said the Insurance Company should have made the offer by this time. Would you check to make sure they did?" Manager McLemore responded, "Sure." Discussion. Deputy Mayor Robert S. Miller added, "] would just like to make sure we offer them, the same thing." With further discussion on the Sewer Backups, Commissioner Sally McGinnis said, "Will we get periodic progress repOlis or some kind of update - or just keep us informed as to whenever the next meeting is - not that we go - that we know it is being held." Discussion. Tape l/Side B Deputy Mayor Miller stated, "] was really impressed with the professionalism - I congratulate all of you; and] know you have been working hard." Deputy Mayor Miller added, "We do appreciate your - incredible help." Discussion ensued on downed trees, and Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore stated, "Everybody has been very complimentary about the way the City Staffhas been working here on this." Furthernlore, Commissioner McLeod noted, "I have heard nothing but good compliments back from the citizens". Commissioner McLeod further said thanks to "All of our employees, because I know they have had - a tough two (2) weeks here and I . would like to say thank you to all of you." Next, Manager McLemore commented that "As soon as it settles down a little bit, we really want to do - I would like to do a picnic for all the employees out at the Park, and have everybody there." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I agree, and I think everyone in the City has just been exemplary - but you know, our Fire Chief [Lallathin] has been wearing two (2) hats really - you are our Emergency point person and you are our Fire Chief and you have just certainly gone way beyond." Commissioner McGinnis further said to Chief Lallathin, "Y ou are the point person, people go to you - but, certainly everybody does think about going to you - and I thank you very much!" CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 PAGE5OF7 With further discussion, Commissioner Blake said, "I want to go back to some of the extraordinary efforts that the work force of the City has provided for all the Citizens over these last couple of weeks." Commissioner Blake then stated, "We have employees that are City employees, they work for the City - this is what they do, and - for the most part they have committed to providing the services no matter what it happens to be." Additionally, Commissioner Blake noted, "While we were all spending time attending to our families, and fretting over what is going to happen and doing the things that we had to do, we really counted on the folks from the City - and I don't know which ones they are specifically; 1 mean there are some that all of us know about, but there is probably others that we don't, that really gave above and beyond the call of duty. And a lot of these folks I know are Exempt Employees; they just do the job. Some of them, 1 am sure are hourI y, and they get paid their overtime or whatever it is, but I think we have to - the picnic is fine - that is a nice, feel good, get-together - situation. But Ron [McLemore], I think that - you and us, the - Commission, that we need to get together and count on you and your head Staff to come up with some method - to certainly make sure that each of these select individual employees, whoever they may be, understand how much the City truly appreciates exactly what they have done." Commissioner Blake then suggested that "1 think what would be appropriate and also fundable for the City, is if we took and awarded an additional day off for those employees that had to go through some process that you see fit, in order to make sure that they get an additional day of whether it is - Comp-time or an extra Vacation Day, an extra Holiday - some method that we can do this because, I think we cari fund that; and I think it is necessary that we do it. When we ask people to be committed in an extraordinary way to the City, the City ought to be committed to them also." Manager McLemore stated, "] agree." Commissioner McGinnis added, "Thank you Commissioner. I have thought about that also, but - I would even go beyond just one Comp Day. I think maybe on a scale, you could come up with a chmi of a one (l) Comp Day or two (2) Comp Days, or maybe even three (3) - that might be appropriate." Manager McLemore noted, "We actually do have it in our Personnel regulations, special pay provisions during these type situations, and - for Exempt Employees and we have already initiated that and it is Department Head level and below. We even talked about that at Staff Meeting - and we need to do something, no question about it." Commissioner McGinnis added, "Good." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7,2004 PAGE60F7 Next, Commissioner Blake said, "I am not suggesting that we do what I just suggested in lieu of a picnic, I see it as being something additional. And we need to do it soon." Mayor Bush noted, "I think all the Commissioners are in agreement with Commissioner Blake's recommendation." Commissioner McGinnis remarked, "Absolutely." Mayor Bush said to the Commission, "Everybody? Okay." No Commissioner noted any verbal disagreement to this. Chief Lallathin added, "I forgot a couple of key Departments -" I know Information Services worked hard on this; Stormwater; Engineering - Arbor; Building Department." Chief Lallathin also explained that "] know I mentioned the Police, and Utilities, and Public Works, Parks and Recreation, but all those other key Departments.'" Chief Lallathin then mentioned Mr. Justin Edwards, .Web/MultiMedia Technician, Information Services Department and stated, "He kept posting messages during the storm to make sure that - people would be updated, just things like that." Commissioner Blake then said, "There were so many folks that are doing extraordinary things behind the scene - where they are not out where the spotlight happens to be at the moment of time, but it is still a critical action." Commissioner Blake added, "Take a week or two (2) and put it together and comeback to the Commission with a recommendation, and I feel confident that it will be approved." Discussion. Discussion followed on aerial spraying in the City. Commissioner Blake added, "I understand we can get some FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] funding for that." With further discussion, Commissioner Blake stated, "If we could do some aerial spraying or something because it is so wet outside." Mayor Bush said, "I want to thank Kip [LockcuffJ for all the responses - his list of disgruntle people - he has done a nice job of following up on those." Discussion. Mayor Bush spoke to Kip [LockcuffJ about a person who lives across the street from him that is still in need of debris pick up. Mayor Bush stated, "Let's get a Bobcat out there and do something for this person." Additionally, Mayor Bush said to Mr. Lockcuff, "Put her on your list." Further discussion. Chief Daniel 1. KelT, Police Chief, Police Department gave an update on City Shelters and his Department's involvenient with Hurricane Frances. Discussion. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjoumed the Special Meeting at 7:42 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CAROL LALLA THIN, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY CLERK t~ .- ,I I,,-Jn .':?oRE~ACES, CMC 1/ "'CITY ~LERK ~\\~:~.,--~zT~~." ~ ~ -' ...!~-' - c? I ,;' - -'. APPROVED:: r >- ~ . ~- ". CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 PAGE70F7 NOTE: 1l1ese Minutes were approved at the September 27, 2004 Regular City Commission Meeting.