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MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
June 13, 2000
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Don Cook
STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Billy LaValle, Luther Gunter, Bill Blue, Annette
Anderson
Mayor Alexander called the meeting to order and led those attending the meeting in prayer. Mayor
Alexander led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll was then called by the
secretary.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
AGENDA ITEM (3)…APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: May 23, 2000, Regular Session.
After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Cook requested a clarification be made on page
five (5) of the minutes (Councilmembers Requests) regarding residents in the Colonial Heights area
requesting the city provide a security (safety) method around a retention pond in this area. After
noting the correction to be made, Councilmember Frith made a motion to adopt the minutes of
May 23, 2000, Regular Session with the correction; seconded by Councilmember Cook and upon roll
call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
A small group of individuals were in attendance to request the Council consider signing a “Letter of
Request” to the Taylor County School Board asking the School Board to involve the City Council in
the selection of a new school site. Councilmembers reviewed the letter of request and discussed issues
of traffic patterns, safety concerns (emergency response), weight load on the roads, speed limits, etc.
Councilmember Moore said he has no problem with the request, as the above mentioned concerns are
things that need to be looked at ahead of time.
Councilmember Frith said he had received comments that the City was not involved in the planning of
the high school but should have been involved. Councilmember Frith said Chief of Police Wayne
Putnal had also expressed the need for the City’s involvement in such planning.
City Attorney Bill Blue suggested adding language (to the letter of request) to indicate that Council
involvement would be limited to input and advice only, which the School Board may or may not
Page 2, June 13, 2000, Regular Session
accept or reject. A member of city staff retyped the letter of request with the added language as
suggested by Mr. Blue. After review of the revised letter, Councilmember Cook made a motion that
the Council sign the letter to the School Board requesting the City Council’s involvement in the
planning of a site for the new school. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon
roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
Mr. Cla Olson, Taylor County Extension Office, addressed the Council with an update on information
regarding the Wildlife Conservation Commission’s plans for trail ways, green ways, and ecotourism
development in the area. Mr. Olson also provided printed information as well as maps outlining the
area.
Edd Sadler, Chairman of the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners, addressed the Council
regarding several residents’ requests for installation of city water lines in the area of Foley Cut-off
Road/ Dorman Peacock Road. Mr. Sadler said, after talking with some of these residents, they
expressed to him that they would prefer city water lines not be installed in their area. Chairman Sadler
said some of their concerns (if the water lines were installed) are mandatory hook ups and the cost to
hook up. Mr. Sadler said it was his opinion that if the city runs the water lines, the county will pay for
it and those residents who want city water can hook up, but do not make it mandatory to hook up. Mr.
Sadler said a study was to be done to determine the cost to run the water lines on county roads. City
Manager Bill Brynes said the city engineer’s estimate was $8.00 per foot to put in the water lines. It
was noted the cost of hook up is $175.00 plus $25.00 deposit, plus customer’s cost to hook up to the
line from their home.
Mr. Brynes stated that the City could not make anyone outside the city limits hook up to city water.
Mr. Brynes said the Board of County Commissioners would have to do this. Mr. Sadler said he would
like to see the infrastructure in the county improve and as a member of the Board of Taylor County
Commissioners he would be willing to vote for the county to expend money to run the water lines.
Mr. Jack Scott addressed the Council and presented several photos of an area in the city limits where
illegal dumping is taking place on private property. Mr. Scott said it is his contention that within the
city limits this is a wrongful act. Mr. Scott said, in that this is private property, he does not know what
legally the city can do. Mr. Scott expressed concern about possible hazardous waste being dumped.
Mr. Scott commented that it is the landowner’s responsibility for the use or misuse of their property
and his presence this meeting is to let the Council be aware of this situation. Mr. Scott suggested
putting up signs to identify where city right-of-way ends at the property. City Attorney stated that the
City has an ordinance that Director of Community Development Luther Gunter can employ to address
Page 3, June 13, 2000, Regular Session
these type of problems. Mr. Gunter suggested the Council consider revising the ordinance pertaining
to this issue that deals with repeat cases. Mr. Gunter explained that the City deals with the same
people over and over again on this type issue. Councilmember Frith suggested a notice could be put
on public record that there is a lien on the property because the landowner was asked to clean up the
property and did not do so. Mr. Blue said the City could even move to the step of foreclosing on the
property. After further discussion, Councilmembers agreed to revisit the ordinance pertaining to this
issue.
Councilmember Scott made a motion that Ordinance No. 732 be read by title only; seconded by
Councilmember Moore and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
The secretary read Ordinance No. 732 by title only. Mayor Alexander opened the public hearing.
There was no one to speak for or against this ordinance. Councilmember Cook made a motion to
adopt Ordinance No. 732; seconded by Councilmember Frith and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
Councilmember Frith made a motion that Ordinance No. 733 be read by title only; seconded by
Councilmember Cook and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
The secretary read Ordinance No. 733 by title only. Mayor Alexander opened the public hearing on
this ordinance. There was no one to speak for or against Ordinance No. 733. Councilmember Frith
made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 733. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Cook and
upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
City Manager Bill Brynes told the Council a representative from Gulf & Ohio Railways approached
him about the possibility of the City’s interest in purchasing certain railroad property. Mr. Brynes said
the property the railroad is interested in selling is the Folsom Park property and property located
directly across from City Hall on Ellis Street where the old train depot building sits. Mr. Brynes
explained the railroad owns the property but not the building. Mr. Brynes said the City has leased the
Folsom Park property for some years on a month to month lease and had attempted to purchase at one
time but the railroad was not interested in selling it then. Mr. Brynes said the City needs to purchase
the property or discuss the possibility of Suwannee River Water Management District purchasing this
property for the City. Mr. Brynes said the cost per acre is $5,000 and there is approximately 1.2 acres
at Folsom Park. Mr. Brynes said the railroad has another piece of property for sell located next to
Spring Place. Mr. Brynes said the price of this property is $35,000 but he does not know the amount of
acreage. Mr. Brynes said the Railroad would be sending additional information on these properties.
Councilmembers agreed that the Folsom Park property and the property on Ellis Street would be a
good investment for the city. It was the consensus of the Council that Mr. Brynes proceed with
discussion with the railroad to purchase these properties.
It was the consensus of the Council that Mayor Alexander be designated to be the City’s voting
delegate for the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference.
Page 5, June 13, 2000, Regular Session
After a brief explanation of this item by City Manager Bill Brynes, it was the consensus of the Council
to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter regarding distribution of Federal Fiscal Year 1997
Anti-drug Abuse Act Funds for projects within Taylor County.
Councilmember Cook commented that the group of individuals who had addressed the Council about
the cemetery fencing had requested the City fence all four sides. Councilmember Cook said the
additional funding (approximately $8,000 for chain link) for the fourth side could come from the city’s
cash reserves. Councilmember Scott questioned whether the gates would be locked at a certain time
everyday. City Attorney Bill Blue said this probably would not be feasible. Mr. Blue explained if
vandals really want to get in they will do so, but locking the gates (on four sides) would not allow
police officers access if there were a need. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the
Council that Mr. Brynes proceeds with formally bidding out chain link fencing for three sides of the
Woodlawn cemetery.
Mr. Brynes asked Director of Public Works Barney Johnson to review paving projects. Mr. Johnson
said the contractor Peavy & Sons, Inc., presently has a contract with the county to do some paving.
Mr. Johnson said the contractor said they would extend to the city the same price as the county if the
city wants any paving done while they (Peavy & Sons) are in Taylor County. Mr. Brynes told the
Council the county’s engineer feels the county received a good deal (on the paving contract). Mr.
Johnson said the city would provide a list of paving projects and the contractor would figure the cost.
Councilmember Frith commented that one County Commissioner had said if the City is interested in
paving in the El Rancho subdivision area, he would take part of his allotted paving funds and pay half
the cost. Councilmember Frith said, as one Councilmember, he is in favor of this. It was noted that the
Board of County Commissioners would have to vote on this. Councilmember Moore said the City
would have to consider sewer in this area. There was a brief discussion of how this could be done.
Another item brought to the Council’s attention was a request for a solicitation permit for June 29, 30,
and July 1. Mr. Brynes said a representative for the Senior Class is requesting a permit to solicit funds
Page 6, June 13, 2000, Regular Session
for next year’s senior trip. Councilmember Moore made a motion to approve the solicitation permit.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follow:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Frith X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Moore X
Mayor Alexander X
Mr. Brynes informed the Council beginning July 1, 2000, the City will be responsible for assigning
city addresses, as the post office will no longer be doing this.
Another item Mr. Brynes discussed with the Council was the City’s association with Municipal Gas
Authority of Florida (MGAF) and the possibility of the city dropping from this group and joining
Florida Gas Utility (FGU) for purchase and management of it’s natural gas supply. Mr. Brynes said
several of other cities have already left MGAF, with others to follow. Mr. Brynes said FGU is a formal
organization with number of customers, whereas MGAF does not have customers. Mr. Brynes told the
Council the City’s contract with MGAF expires in November 2000. Mr. Brynes said it is his
recommendation that the City submit a letter of intent to resign from MGAF. After a brief discussion,
it was the consensus of the Council that the City moves forward to join Florida Gas Utility.
Director of Public Works Barney Johnson reviewed items earlier in the meeting.
Councilmember Cook requested staff and Council, in the future, look at an ordinance pertaining to
cleanup of property as discussed earlier by Jack Scott.
Councilmember Frith asked if the only forum to make other Councilmembers aware of what a
Councilmember thinks is a problem with a city employee is at a public meeting. Councilmember Frith
stated he knows the City Charter says Councilmembers may not interfere with the day to day activities
(of the city). City Attorney Bill Blue said it is correct that the only forum would be through a public
meeting and advised Councilmembers such matters should first be discussed with the City Manager.
Mr. Johnson was asked to look at the possibility of paving Springhill Road. Mr. Johnson noted Helen
Street was another road that might need to be looked at for the possibility of paving.
Councilmember Scott said she has received requests that a water cooler be installed at City Hall. Mr.
Johnson told the Council a water cooler could be purchased for approximately $311.00. It was the
consensus of the Council that a water cooler be purchased and installed at City Hall.
Councilmember Moore said there appears to be quite a few street lights out around the city and
requested this problem be looked into. Mr. Johnson said there will be an individual checking street
lights on a regular schedule.
Mayor Alexander requested staff check into streetlights in the area of a new subdivision on Puckett
Road.
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 9:00 p. m.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager William Alexander, Mayor
___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date