24apr01 Min
24apr01 Min
24apr01 Min
MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
April 24, 2001
MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Don Cook
STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, George Stamos, Bill
Blue, Annette Anderson
Mayor Frith called the meeting to order. Mayor Frith led those attending the meeting in prayer and led
the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called the roll.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
AGENDA ITEM (4)…APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: April 10, 2001; Regular Session.
After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Cook made a motion to adopt the minutes of
April 10, 2001, Regular Session as written; seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Ms. Terry Churchill, 1975 Johnson Stripling Road, addressed the Council with a complaint about a city
utility bill. Ms. Churchill said she had gone to City Hall to obtain a business license but was denied a
license because of an outstanding utility bill in the amount of $446.00. Ms. Churchill said she was
billed for utilities at 115 Magnolia Drive after she had moved from that residence and had notified (by
phone) the utility billing office at City Hall. Ms. Churchill said she feels she does not owe this amount
Ms. Churchill explained that she had received a bill April 16, 1999 for $203.26, which included a late
charge, then a bill for $137.17 which brought the total to $340.42 and later a bill that brought the total
due to $446.00 Mayor Frith said, in reviewing information provided to him by Ms. Churchill which
came from the City, it appears that on March 19, 1999, a payment of $193.89 was made, which at that
time, left a zero balance on the account. Mayor Frith explained that the City bills utility customers in
arrears (previous month) for utilities. Mayor Frith said it seems that Ms. Churchill moved to another
residence (in the county) on or about April 16, 1999. Mayor Frith said on April 1, 1999 there was a bill
of $184.78 then a late charge of $18.48 on April 16, 1999; on May 1, 1999, when Ms. Churchill
Page 2, April 24, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session
was actually no longer at the residence, there was a billing of $137.17; June 1, 1999 a bill of $103.00
and July 1, 1999 a bill of $48.93. Mayor Frith said also on July 1, 1999, Ms. Churchill’s deposit of
$75.00 was applied toward the balance owed. Mayor Frith said Mr. LaValle told him he had no
recollection of Ms. Churchill requesting that the account be closed out. Councilmember Scott asked
Mr. LaValle that if Ms. Churchill moved in April is it correct that she would still owe for March usage?
Mr. LaValle stated that was correct and she would have been billed June 1, which would contain usage
of April 9-29, 1999.
Councilmember Cook said it appears to him there was valid usage from February 16 to March 18,
1999 ($184.78) and from March 18 to April 9, 1999 ($137.17) for a total of $321.95. Councilmember
Cook said he had no recommendation for the time of April 9 until the time Ms. Churchill said she
moved out on April 16, 1999. Councilmember Scott asked if it was possible that from April 9 to May
14, 1999, the City might not need to charge Ms. Churchill? Mr. LaValle said he feels that his records
are correct and indicate Ms. Churchill was at that residence at that time. Councilmember Cook said
everyone agrees that Ms. Churchill was at that residence on April 9, 1999 and until April 16, 1999
when Ms. Churchill said she moved out. Councilmember Cook suggested that Ms. Churchill pay
$354.15 minus her $75.00 deposit for a total of $279.15 to clear the utility account. All Council
members and Ms. Churchill agreed that the amount of $279.15 would be paid to clear the account.
With the consensus of the Council, Mayor Frith deviated from the agenda to discuss the following
item:
Mrs. Gay Karllschmidt, 416 N. Center Street, addressed the Council to request additional signs be
placed at the street corner closer to Center Street where Lafayette is a one-way street. Mrs.
Karllschmidt said there is one block of that one-way street that does not have any signs indicating it is
a one-way street. Mrs. Karllschmidt noted five accidents had occurred at this location over a 12-month
period. Mrs. Karllschmidt said people are traveling the wrong way on this one-way street and crossing
into Center Street without stopping. Mrs. Karllschmidt suggested using red “DO NOT ENTER” signs.
Councilmember Cook said the Council had dealt with this issue in 1997 and he had suggested that red
55 gallon barrels be placed on one lane of the street as a barricade. After discussion, it was the
consensus of the Council that the signs would be put in place as requested. Director of Public Works
Barney Johnson said the signs would have been put up Monday but the city garbage trucks had broken
down. Ms. June Byers suggested the City could have the Department of Transportation do a safety
study and if DOT agrees that barrels could be placed in one lane of the one-way street, the Council
may feel better with this option.
Page 3, April 24, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session
AGENDA ITEM 6(A)…SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOR CITY OF PERRY FISCAL YEAR 2001
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION.
In conjunction with the public hearing, a Fair Housing Workshop was held. Mr. Scott Koons, Director
of Local Government Assistance with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, presented
an overview to include aspects of legal basis, protected classes, discrimination prohibited, agencies and
enforcement procedures. Councilmember Scott asked about sub-standard housing as it might relate to
this issue. Mr. Koons explained that this only covers equal access (to housing) and does not address
the condition of housing. City Manager Bill Brynes told Councilmember Scott the issue of sub-
standard housing could be addressed in the City’s Land Development Regulations. Councilmember
Scott requested the item of sub-standard housing in the City be placed on the agenda for discussion at
the next Council meeting.
Mayor Frith opened the public hearing for the City’s Fiscal Year 2001 Community Development Block
Grant Economic Development (CDBG) Application. It was explained the CDBG, if awarded, could
provide $349,000 to enable the City to extend city sewer to United Welding Services, Inc. (UWS).
Councilmember Scott asked about the number of jobs UWS would provide with the expansion of its
business. Mr. Koons said a total of 10 jobs would be provided, with 6 of those being in the low-to-
moderate income bracket. Councilmember Scott questioned who would monitor that these jobs would
go to persons in the proper economic status. Mr. Koons explained that the business has to provide this
information to the City, with the NCRFPC reviewing the documents, as well as the Florida Department
of Community Affairs. Councilmember Scott asked if the 6 individuals would be local. Mr. Koons
said, not necessarily, as there is no residency requirement. Mr. Koons further explained this grant, if
funded, would be funded 100 percent by federal tax dollars. There was no further discussion and the
public hearing was closed.
Mr. Koons told the Council Resolution No.’s 2001-2, 2001-3, 2001-4, 2001-5 were required documents
to be submitted with the grant application.
Councilmember Cook made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2001-2. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Councilmember Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2001-3. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Cook and upon roll call vote was as follows:
Page 4, April 24, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Councilmember Scott asked Mr. Koons to explain the “employment goals” under the affirmative action
plan. Mr. Koons explained the Planning Council sets the “goals” based on an analysis of the labor
force in Taylor County, by gender and race.
Councilmember Cook made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2001-4. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Mr. Koons said this Resolution authorizes the Mayor to sign the application and the City Manager to
act on behalf of the City. Councilmember Cook made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2001-5. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Mayor Frith commented that Ordinance No. 749 was basically a “cleanup” of the City’s Land
Development Regulations (LDR). Councilmember Scott made a motion that Ordinance No. 749 be
read by title only. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was
as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
The secretary read Ordinance No. 749 by title only. Councilmember Cook said the only concern he
would have is the reference to “…installations of television (or radio) antennae… be approved by
special exception….” Councilmember Cook said the ordinance does not appear to delineate between
private and commercial and he would not want to see private television antennae caught up in this
amendment of the LDR’s. The ordinance is to be brought back for a public hearing and final reading at
the May 8, 2001, City Council meeting.
Referring to a list of streets with the same or similar name, Mr. Brynes told the Council the list
includes some streets located in the County. Mr. Brynes said Council members need to decide if they
want to consider changing a city street name because there is a county street with the same or similar
name. Councilmember Cook said he does not think it would be a good practice to change a street
name just because a County road/street has the same name. Council members agreed that only City
streets with the same or similar name would be considered. It was discussed that some determining
factors might include the number of residences on a street or the “age” of a street name. Mr. Brynes
said staff would try to have something prepared for the next Council meeting.
Mr. Wayne “Buddy” Humphries, Taylor County Development Authority told the Council he
appreciated the Council’s leadership and commented the Community Development Block Grant is a
big step for the City and the County.
Councilmember Alexander informed Director of Public Works Barney Johnson a streetlight is out in
the area of Kennedy Street. Mr. Johnson said Florida Power ‘s representative for this area has retired
and there is no one at this time to replace the lights.
Councilmember Scott told Mr. Johnson residents in the area of Martin Luther King Street are
requesting the speed limit be lowered. Councilmember Scott said “Slow Children” signs had been
placed in this area (west side of Warren) recently but has not had the effect of slowing down the speed
of drivers. Mr. Johnson said the speed limit could be lowered to 20 mph as long as there is justification
to do so.
Mayor Frith told Chief Putnal several individuals have commented favorably of the Police
Department’s effort in controlling the speed on Puckett Road providing a safer area.
Mayor Frith spoke briefly about several meetings planned by the Human Rights Commission to be
held in the next weeks.
Mayor Frith asked staff how much money was available to resurface city streets and when could this
work be done. City Manager Bill Brynes said the City has not used any (resurfacing) monies for some
time so monies are available. Mr. Brynes said the Council just needs to determine where resurfacing
should be done.
AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:25 p. m.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor
___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date