City Commission

City of Deltona 2345 Providence Blvd. Deltona, FL 32725 Minutes City Commission Monday, November 2, 2020 6:30 PM Deltona Commission Chambers A. In an effort to reduce the possibility of exposure of residents to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are allowing limited public access into the Commission Chambers and practicing social distancing with the City Commission, staff and residents. 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK: Present: 7 - Commissioner Avila-Vazquez Commissioner King Commissioner Bradford Commissioner McCool Commissioner Nabicht Vice Mayor Ramos Mayor Herzberg 3. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: A. Invocation Presented by District #3 Commissioner. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez introduced Pastor Manny Alamo with Pine Ridge Fellowship who led everyone in the invocation and the pledge to the flag. The National Anthem was sung by Morgan Davis a 12th Grade student and Lauren Jackson an 11th Grade student both from Pine Ridge High School. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES & AGENDA: A. Approval of minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting of October 19, 2020, as presented. - Joyce Raftery, City Clerk (386) 878-8502. Motion by Vice Mayor Ramos, seconded by Commissioner Bradford, to approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting of October 19, 2020, as presented. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Deltona Page 1 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 For: 7 - Mayor Herzberg, Vice Mayor Ramos, Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner King, Commissioner McCool, and Commissioner Nabicht 5. PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS/REPORTS: A. Proclamation - November 2020-National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. The Mayor and Commission presented a Proclamation for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, November 2020. B. Proclamation - Celebrating the Life of Eleanore Ann Ciambriello The Mayor and Commission presented a Proclamation to Eleanore Ann Ciambriello’s family members to celebrate her life. Ms. Ciambriello was a beloved Deltona role model and icon who devoted her life to the community. C. First Responders helping First Responders Deputy Chief Swisher of the Deltona Fire Department gave a presentation for “First Responders helping First Responders” where the Deltona Professional Firefighters Local 2913 in conjunction with the Fire Department Administration are donating 80 tourniquets to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department. D. Presentation - Update on the CARES Act assistance granted by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and under the Community Development Block Grant - Angelia Briggs, Community Development Manager (386) 878-8614. Community Development Manager Angelia Briggs explained that the Commission approved a sub-recipient agreement with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to receive $300,338.00 of CARES Act money from the State of Florida. At the same meeting the City approved Resolution No. 2020-51 granting $358,628.00 of CARES Act funding to the City under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Assistance has been granted to income qualified applicants and she gave a brief presentation to update the Commission on the amount of assistance disseminated to date which included general information, the types of assistance granted (i.e. rental/mortgage or utility), number of households served, and community response to the programs. The Commission and staff discussed things like the number of applications provided and the number returned, how many residents received funds, following up with residents, the criteria for the different programs, the number of phone calls taken, calls vs. applications, the process, the items and resources needed, possible reasons for not applying, the options to apply, certifying documents, communicating the information, utilizing social services, income levels and thresholds, what the funds can be used for, providing information to schools, hiring help to assist with the process, the program deadline and City of Deltona Page 2 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 receiving funding next year. The Commission and staff also discussed Volusia County’s process, duplication of funds, delinquent utility bills, documentation required, how the funding is distributed, rental/mortgage and utility assistance, diverting SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) Funds, the history of the program, the meaning of COVID related, qualifications, providing information to churches, the requirements being State requirements, the consequences of not being qualified properly, working with other cities and getting the information to the residents. Mayor Herzberg requested that in January staff bring another update before the Commission. E. Presentation - Update on the Volusia County CARES Act allocation to the City of Deltona - Camille Hooper, Finance Director, (386) 878-8552. Finance Director Camille Hooper explained that the Commission approved a sub-recipient agreement with Volusia County to receive $3,227,730.00 of CARES Act funding granted to Volusia County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She provided an update as to the disposition of the subject CARES Act funding. There is a significant change from what staff thought were the rules for this CARES ACT Funding. The county notified staff that the Department of the Treasury issued some clarifying guidance which is called an administrative accommodation. The initial requirements stated the money was to be used for things like PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), hand sanitizer and social distancing. The administrative accommodation means the City can presume that its first responders (Fire EMS or Sheriff's deputies) pass the test of their work bring related to COVID-19. She sent in a budget amendment to the county to file for reimbursement for qualifying salaries and benefits. The City has not received any money yet, but staff has suspended the reimbursement to the first responders’ salaries and benefits. The Commission and staff discussed things like the grant process, hiring temporary staff, training staff, staffing agencies, the deadline to expend funds, looking ahead to next year, aggressive outreach and counseling, and submitting for $3,227,730 in Fire Department salaries and benefits which will go into the General Fund, but that the Commission needs to decide how those funds will be spent. The Commission and staff also discussed how FEMA reimbursement works, getting the information to residents, staff making a judgement call, bringing important items to the Commission, the budget process, staffing levels, providing a level of service citywide, the list of items the funds could be utilized for, COVID-19 related duties, budget amendments, and what the needs are for those staff who have picked up duties due to COVID. Mayor Herzberg requested that in January staff bring forth a complete true-up of what was expended by the end of the year, how it looks to get the $3,227,730 back, how it looks with CDBG monies, is received, and what the reality is for the $750,000 extension i.e. how likely is the City to get it and let the Commission know if it comes through. City of Deltona Page 3 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 6. ORDINANCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Public Hearing- Ordinance No. 18-2020 Amendment to Chapter 48 of the City of Deltona Code Relating to Sexual Offenders & Sexual Predators - Marsha Segal-George, Assistant City Attorney, (386) 878-8872. Strategic Goals: Internal/External Communication & Public Safety City Attorney Segal-George gave a brief explanation of the item which was requested through the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner Bradford, to approve Ordinance No. 18-2020 Amendment to Chapter 48 of the City of Deltona Code relating to Sexual Offenders & Sexual Predators to add "Designated School Bus Stops, Libraries, and Churches to the list defining locations as to where children congregate so that distancing calculations as to living restriction where an individual convicted of a violation of F.S. Section 794.011, 800.04, 827.071, 847.0135(5) or 847.0145 or similar law of another jurisdiction, regardless of whether adjudication has been withheld, may reside in the City of Deltona. Additionally, revision to Sec 48-2 (4) Temporary residence definition changed from five days to three and Sec. 48-3 exceptions (b)(a) shall not apply to a person that was a minor when offense committed and was not convicted as an adult, at first reading. Upon approval of this item authorizes any and all necessary actions, documents or budget transfers to facilitate Commission approval and further authorized the Interim City Manager to sign any documents necessary to further Commission approval of this item. Mayor Herzberg opened and closed the public hearing as there were none. The City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 18-2020 for the record. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DELTONA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 48 - SEXUAL OFFENDERS & SEXUAL PREDATORS OF THE CITY CODE TO ADD “DESIGNATED SCHOOL BUS STOPS”, “LIBRARIES”, “CHURCHES”, TO THE LIST OF DEFINING LOCATIONS AS TO WHERE CHILDREN CONGREGATE SO THAT DISTANCING CALCULATIONS AS TO LIVING RESTRICTION WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF F.S. SECTION 794.011, 800.04, 827.071, 847.0135(5) OR 847.0145 OR A SIMILAR LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ADJUDICATION HAS BEEN WITHHELD, MAY RESIDE IN THE CITY OF DELTONA; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City of Deltona Page 4 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 The motion carried by the following vote: For: 7 - Mayor Herzberg, Vice Mayor Ramos, Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner King, Commissioner McCool, and Commissioner Nabicht Ordinance No. 18-2020 was approved at 8:43 p.m. 7. OLD BUSINESS: None. 8. NEW BUSINESS: A. Consideration of three (3) alternate member appointments to the Deltona Economic Development Advisory Board - Joyce Raftery, City Clerk’s Department (386) 878-8502. Strategic Goal: Internal and External Communication Motion by Commissioner Bradford, seconded by Commissioner McCool, to confirm the Commission's appointments of alternate members Roy Braddy III, Elizabeth Chavez and Sterline St. Hillaire to the Deltona Economic Development Advisory Board for the remainder of a term to expire on May 31, 2021. Mayor Herzberg opened and closed the public comments as there were none. The motion carried by the following vote: For: 7 - Mayor Herzberg, Vice Mayor Ramos, Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner King, Commissioner McCool, and Commissioner Nabicht 9. PUBLIC FORUM: Citizen comments are limited to issues and concerns not on the agenda and comments on items listed on the agenda will take place after discussion of each item. Please be courteous and respectful of the views of others. Personal attacks on Commission members, City staff or members of the public are not allowed, and will be ruled out of order by the Mayor. Elbert Bryan, 1625 Joyner Drive, Deltona, spoke about potholes, temporary sign at The Center, the sign discussions, the cost of the sign, and statements by the Interim Deputy City Manager. Richard Bellach, 1665 South Acadian Drive, Deltona, spoke about stress, wished Commissioner Nabicht good luck, evictions, garbage, meetings on TV, cable bills, water quality, potholes, code violations, hiring employees, residents with talent, town hall meetings, and his following. City of Deltona Page 5 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 Terri Ellis, 1620 West Akron Drive, Deltona, spoke about emails to the Commission, COVID staffing, emergency management, reports related to COVID, public records requests, and topics for workshops. CONSENT AGENDA: The consent agenda contains items that have been determined to be routine and non-controversial. If anyone in the audience wishes to address a particular item on the consent agenda, now is the opportunity for you to do so. Additionally, if staff or members of the City Commission wish to speak on a consent item, they have the same opportunity. 10. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner McCool left the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Commissioner Bradford requested to pull Consent Agenda Items 10 - B and 10 - D for discussion. Motion by Vice Mayor Ramos, seconded by Commissioner Nabicht, to approve Consent Agenda Items 10-A and 10-C. The motion carried by the following vote: For: 6 - Mayor Herzberg, Vice Mayor Ramos, Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner King, and Commissioner Nabicht A. Request for approval of Resolution No. 2020-63, Budget Amendment for Florida Housing Finance Corporation Coronavirus Relief Funds ($500,338.00) and the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act allocation ($738,809.00) to the City of Deltona - Camille Hooper, Finance Director, (386) 878-8552. Strategic Goal: Fiscal Issues Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution No. 2020-63, a budget amendment for $500,338.00 from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Corona Virus Relief Fund and $738,809.00 as part of the Community Development CARES Act allocation. Upon approval of this item authorizes any and all necessary actions, documents or budget transfers to facilitate Commission approval and further authorized the Interim City Manager to sign any documents necessary to further Commission approval of this item. B. Request for approval of Resolution No. 2020-66, Budget Amendments City of Deltona Page 6 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 #2021-006 & #2021-007 for General Fund and #2021-008 for the Water/Sewer Utility Fund for FY 2020-2021 - Camille Hooper, Finance Director, (386) 878-8552; and John Peters III, Public Works Director, (386) 878-8973. Strategic Goal: Fiscal Issues - Maintain a Balanced Budget Commissioner Bradford asked if this is the $100,000 the City gets from the EMS transport and Finance Director Camille Hooper replied the contract states that any monies over a $100,000 would be put into training for the Fire Department. What she has done is put in a $100,000 so far to cover the training they have and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper has been talking with the Fire Department about some potential other uses for it. Commissioner Bradford stated she had previously asked for a workshop on this because she personally feels that the money that is coming in from the Fire Department needs to go into a separate fund for those budgeted large ticket items like a fire truck or supplies. She questioned why this fund is being used because she had asked for a workshop to discuss what to utilize these funds for. Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied per the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) that the Commission approved, the funds are to be used for training and to do anything different the City would have to open and redo the CBA. This was already approved by the Commission to utilize these funds for training. Mayor Herzberg asked what the total amount received from medical transport is, what happened to the $100,000 which is the City's portion of those funds and what is left over for training. Ms. Hooper replied according to the contract anything over $100,000 is made available to the Fire Department for training. To date the City has collected $600,000 total, but she is just putting in $100,000 for now because the Fire Department has had some training expenses. Also, as stated by the Interim City Manager staff is looking at some potential other uses for the funds. Commissioner Bradford asked if the Commission was still going to have a workshop and Mayor Herzberg replied Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper needs to provide the Commission with the CBA, when staff will start to work on a new agreement and give the Commission some data to look at over during the holidays. Commissioner Bradford stated maybe she is not being clear, she wants a workshop to discuss the $100,000 of the EMS transport funds that goes into the General Fund and to use those funds for big ticket items. Commissioner Nabicht questioned why the Commission would want to lock themselves in to those funds only being used by the Fire Department. When the City receives any kind of funds from an outside source it goes back into the General Fund for the Commission to allocate where they think necessary. Commissioner Bradford stated that a percentage needs to be earmarked each year instead of going straight into the General Fund and Commissioner Nabicht replied that is a contractual item. Ms. Hooper stated money is placed in the Capital Equipment Fund every year which covers the entire City and Commissioner Nabicht stated that does not come specifically from transport funds. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez asked if the Commission could do anything with the funds City of Deltona Page 7 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 before the CBA expires and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied no, the Commission cannot do anything with the additional funds. Commissioner Nabicht stated the request was to dedicate a percentage of the City's $100,000 from EMS transport to the Fire Department for big ticket items, but it is the same pot of money so it does not make a difference. Vice Mayor Ramos suggested to see if the Commission can change the language of the contract to either a percentage of revenue created or instead of allocating everything over the $100,000 to training only allocate a percentage of that to training. Commissioner Bradford asked if the Commission was going to have a workshop on this and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied yes. Mayor Herzberg suggested having it after the first of the year and Commission Bradford agreed. Commissioner Bradford stated she thought the Compensation Study was in the budget and Ms. Hooper replied staff put in the budget money to fulfill the compensation study once it is complete, but the actual fee for the company that was not part of the line item and so staff is just putting in the fee for the vendor that is preparing the study. Motion by Vice Mayor Ramos, seconded by Commissioner Nabicht, to approve Consent Agenda Item 10-B. Mayor Herzberg opened the public comments. Elbert Bryan, 1625 Joyner Drive, Deltona, asked for an explanation of the $150,000 for water/sewer in Item 10-C. Mayor Herzberg closed the public comments. Commissioner Nabicht stated there is a correction, the word "Whitehall" should be "Whitewood". The motion carried by the following vote: For: 7 - Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner King, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner McCool, Commissioner Nabicht, Vice Mayor Ramos, and Mayor Herzberg Resolution No. 2020-66 was adopted at 9:36 p.m. C. Request for approval of emergency purchase order for water/wastewater and stormwater repairs. - John Peters III, Public Works Director (386) 878-8973 and Camille Hooper, Finance Director (386) 878-8552. Strategic Goal: Public Safety - Provide quality high-level public safety City of Deltona Page 8 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 services to the community. Approved by Consent – to approve the emergency purchase order for water/sewer and stormwater repairs as presented in the total amount of $50,000. Upon approval of this item authorizes any and all necessary actions, documents or budget transfers to facilitate Commission approval and further authorized the Interim City Manager to sign any documents necessary to further Commission approval of this item. D. Request for Approval of Christmas Holiday Expenditure - Ryan Reckley, Director, Parks and Recreation, (386) 878-8900. Strategic Goal: Internal and External Communication Commissioner Bradford asked exactly what this includes and Parks & Recreation Director Ryan Reckley replied this is for a drive-through event at City Hall by adding more amenities and lights to the east side of City Hall, in the courtyard area and along John Masiarczyk Blvd. Also, to provide knick-knacks, candy or something like that to provide to families as they drive through. Staff definitely needs more resources like lights, infrastructure for lighting, fake snow, and vendor booths which will all last through the holiday season. Commissioner Bradford asked for clarification that the discussion is for Plan B and not Plan A and Mr. Reckley replied correct. Commissioner Bradford asked if the City is still having the Christmas parade and Mr. Reckley replied no, this would be in place of that. Commissioner McCool stated she thought something was going to be done at Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied no, he clarified that, it will be at City Hall. Commissioner Bradford asked how the businesses are going to be involved and Mr. Reckley replied there are groups that may hand out health information, specifically vendors that have been used in the past like for the health expo. Staff is trying to keep the City's usual vendors involved with the event. Commissioner Bradford asked staff to utilize the business tax receipts to get more sponsorships and more companies and businesses involved if they were made aware of the events. Mr. Reckley replied staff will take that into consideration. Motion by Vice Mayor Ramos, seconded by Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, to approve the transfer of funds from the budgeted Spooktacular line item to the Holiday Parade/Christmas line item. Upon approval of this item authorizes any and all necessary actions, documents or budget transfers to facilitate Commission approval and City of Deltona Page 9 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 further authorized the Interim City Manager to sign any documents necessary to further Commission approval of this item. The motion carried by the following vote: For: 7 - Mayor Herzberg, Vice Mayor Ramos, Commissioner Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner King, Commissioner McCool, and Commissioner Nabicht 11. CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL REPORTS AND REQUESTS: Commissioner McCool stated that after two month she has been in touch with the proper person to get the City's exits cleaned up and she is meeting with that person in the next two weeks. She wants the City to be a jewel that will attract commerce and for everyone to be proud of the exits. The person agreed that this was just as important to FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) and the contractor and they will be doing a ride around with her to find out what the concerns are. They would love to brighten and beautify Deltona. Commissioner Nabicht stated several months ago the Commission convened a temporary group to go through of the City's historical items, there was a report, everything was cataloged and he understands there may be more items added to that. He suggested that the Commission direct a department head to be in charge of that the manager's suggestion and to develop a policy on how items are to be received, stored and cataloged. If the Commission gives the manager direction to bring forth a draft policy tonight that will keep the ball rolling. After discussion, the Commission concurred to direct the Interim City Manager to bring forward a draft policy regarding the City's historical items and a department head to oversee that policy and find either City staff or a volunteer group to manage that on a regular basis. Mayor Herzberg stated during CompStat meetings a map is displayed showing all the crimes within the City and there was talk about overlaying other maps. She requested to have staff provide the Sheriff's department with maps showing rental properties and code violations which the Sheriff's mapping team can overlay with their CompStat map. This might help the Commission move forward with a rental ordinance and this may help define the parameters. Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied staff will figure that out. After discussion, the Commission concurred to direct the Interim City Manager to have staff map all the rental properties and all the code violations within the City and provide that information to the Sheriff's department so it can be overlaid with their CompStat map. 12. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None. City of Deltona Page 10 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 13. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper stated sweeps are being conducted and as of Sunday they are finished in District #3 and as of yesterday it started in District #1. 14. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner Bradford gave kudos to Public Works/Deltona Water Director John Peters and his department. Before Mr. Peters came here the department had a rough year or two and she has seen improvements to the department including morale. Commissioner King left the meeting at 9:41 p.m. Commissioner Bradford stated she does not know if Mr. Peters clearly knew what he was coming into, people bringing in wagons of pennies, but he handled it professionally. The Commission has received emails with all that the department has been dealing with and she thanked Mr. Peters, it does not go unnoticed. For her to not get 100 emails a week on how horrible the water department is, is a relief. She thanked him for being persistent and making the changes that he has in the water department. Like she said she can definitely see from talking to staff that morale is much better. Commissioner Bradford stated regarding The Center sign, she thought the Commission put the sign on hold and had decided to try a couple of avenues before purchasing the sign, is that correct. Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied the direction from the Commission was to look at other avenues and to contact the property owner, but in order to do that staff needed certain data before speaking with that property owner. Commissioner Bradford stated she knows the Commission talked about speaking with the property owner, but the Commission also talked about possible banners and other items before putting a sign up. She asked if a sign had been ordered and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied no ma'am. Commissioner Bradford stated no official sign has been ordered and it is still in an “on-hold status” and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied it is still in the data collection, on-hold status. Commissioner Bradford asked if the sign would be brought back to the Commission and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied yes, it has to be approved by the Commission. Commissioner Bradford suggested looking at the communication of events and City items, other than social media such as banners, signs and other avenues. She suggested staff utilize the data base of businesses in the City and get businesses more involved. She was not aware that Epic Theater was having a Trunk or Treat event and these are the things that need more communication within the City. She challenged everyone to take themselves off Facebook for a few days or a week and see what they really do learn about what is going on within the City. She did that to put herself in the position of individuals who are not savvy on social media or are not utilizing it. She suggested going back to some good old-fashioned means of communication and down-home City getting the word out. City of Deltona Page 11 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 Commissioner Avila-Vazquez gave a shout out to the staff from The Center and the sponsors who participated in Trunk or Treat event. Vice Mayor Ramos directed traffic and she thanked the Interim Deputy City Manager for helping her give out treats. She was there for two hours and there were cars still driving in. It was a beautiful setup decorated with different Halloween decorations along the road. Both staff and the volunteers did an awesome job. The Fire Department was there in full force and she thanked everyone involved. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated tomorrow is election day and she encouraged everyone to please go out and vote, “Your vote is your voice and if you don’t vote don’t complain”. Stay safe tomorrow and she wished all the candidates good luck. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated on November 14th at 9:30 a.m. she is having “Coffee & Conversation” with Sheriff Chitwood and the event is hosted by the Landmark Masonic Lodge, 720 N. Apache Circle, Deltona. The group reached out, they wanted to partner with the City and help the community. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated regarding the City’s 25th Anniversary, some of the Commission did question where to go from here because the City did receive a donation for the 25th Anniversary. The committee was supposed to meet, but it was canceled and it was suggested to have a belated birthday party for the City next year. Commissioner Nabicht suggested since the City is going to be doing something different for the drive-in Christmas can the 25th Anniversary component be incorporated into that and acknowledge that this was the City’s 25th Anniversary. The Commission directed to acknowledge the 25th Anniversary at every event throughout the year. Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper stated he would send an email to the chambers. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez suggested speaking with someone who was part of the conversation from the beginning so they understand the direction. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated the City has received a lot of positive emails from residents regarding the “City sweep”. There were complaints regarding dirt, code violations or whatever so it is working and the City is being cleaned up. She wished everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and to stay safe tomorrow. Commissioner McCool stated she is looking forward in the New Year to getting started and she is excited about the social services community services that she is going to be harping on in the year along with bringing the conversation back towards employee evaluations which are needed to benchmark where the City is going and where it is headed. Commissioner McCool stated last week she read the 2018 Visioning Session that the Commission did and she would like to revisit that because there was some good stuff in there. Commissioner McCool stated nobody knows how the elections are going to go tomorrow City of Deltona Page 12 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 and if she is not elected she would like to thank the Commission for letting her serve. It has been a distinct pleasure and she has a profound appreciation for the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes for Commissioners. She knows that she came in really hot, she did not have a grasp on things and the Commission held her, counseled her, sculpted her and helped her expand what her understanding is of how local government works. If she is not with the Commission the day after tomorrow, she thanked the Commission for trusting her to be in the position. Lastly, she thanked Commissioner Nabicht because he was the first one that had boxing gloves on and went round and round with her. She has learned a lot, taken a lot of counsel from his knowledge and tried to learn from it. She may not always agree with him on everything and they have told each other what they think of each other, but they have an understanding and appreciation. She thanked him for putting down his gloves long enough to listen to her and let her put her gloves down long enough to listen to him. She wished him good luck in whatever it is he will be doing. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated she received an email from Lieutenant Colonel Moore who is the head of the Deltona Junior High School ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) that on November 10th the ROTC is going to do a Troops Online Salute to all Veterans at 8:00 a.m. and will be lined up on Howland Blvd. by Deltona High School and she encouraged everyone to stop by. The Veterans are also looking to do something for Missing In Action (MIA). So please line up and support them, it is a beautiful ceremony. Commissioner King stated the Commission is considering a workshop to figure out what to do with the transportation funds for the Fire Department which has already been decided by the contract between the City and the Union. That contract does not expire for another two years so having a workshop at this point is frivolous. Prior to the end of the two years and when negotiations begin, that would be a great time to have that workshop. He suggested going through the City Attorney’s office to make sure that a union contract attorney takes the Commission’s ideas and wants to the meetings with the union. He thinks a union contract attorney can do a better job negotiating a contract that will help the City. Whomever the attorney is will know exactly what the Commission wants and will negotiate on the Commission’s behalf to get the contract the way the Commission wants it to be. That is the time to talk about the transportation funds and how the Commission wants to handle those. Commission King thanked everyone again for their contributions to Wreaths Across America this year. The deadline for donations is November 10th and currently they have half of the number of wreaths needed, about 800, and there are 1,700 graves. If anyone would like to donate please get in touch with him. The organization will accept any amount donated as it all adds up, but it is $15 for one wreath and $30 for two wreaths, but a third wreath is provided for free. The wreaths will be laid on the graves on December 19th, but he will remind everyone when it gets closer. Vice Mayor Ramos stated October 30th through the end of November there will be what is called “Love To Ride” which is an opportunity for those that like biking or cycling to go out, City of Deltona Page 13 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 hit the trails, and be a part of this free state challenge. The City is represented at the TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) as he is riding for the Commission. For those that want to participate go to www.lovetoride.net, everyone is welcome and it is a great activity to get out there and join the trails. Vice Mayor Ramos stated November 10th starting at 10:00 a.m. Halifax Health Continuing Care will be having a drive-through salute over at the hospital, Halifax Health/UF Health, and all Veterans are welcome. There will be bags prepared for the Veterans and some pins provided. Vice Mayor Ramos stated previously owned treasures will be Saturday, November 14th at Wes Crile Park from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Holiday hoops signups have been extended to Thursday, December 3rd. The Daily Mile takes place every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:00 p.m. at Wes Crile Park, everyone is welcome and there is no registration or cost. He encouraged everyone to please vote. He congratulated the Supervisor of Elections, at least here at City Hall his understanding is that for the two weeks of early voting ran smoothly. It was great to see people come out to vote in spite of everything that is happening. People need to vote and be a part of the process in order for them to be able to complain. Tomorrow voters will need to go to their polling site and he encouraged everyone to look at their voters registration card for their precinct location because some of them have changed. There is no voting precincts at the churches, for the most part, and it is probably going to be at a school. Vice Mayor Ramos stated Commissioner Nabicht has one more meeting to attend, but he thanked him for everything that he brought to the table and he appreciate him. Mayor Herzberg stated there is a process for code enforcement, garbage and abatements correct Dr. Cooper and Interim City Manager Dr. Cooper replied correct. When a resident calls in an issue it goes through a process depending on the specifics of the issue. The resident is given notice and a certain amount of time to resolve the issue. She encouraged residents if they see an issue to call MY311 or call City Hall to talk to someone in code or in solid waste. Staff will go out, tag it and check it out because when the garbage contract was done the Commission said “pick it up” and for the most part everything is picked up on the garbage day. Putting out garbage, chairs and mattresses two days after the scheduled trash picked up and letting it sit in the right-of-way for five more days is a hazard and unsightly. Mayor Herzberg stated at the last Commission meeting Commissioner Nabicht brought up a comment that was made by a candidate in the House District 27 debate. One candidate claimed that she had said to him that she was worried that Halifax Hospital would not get a CO (Certificate of Occupancy). This individual said he went to the Governor and he said do not worry about this Vice Mayor he went to the Governor and he got this. Just to clarify, she was Vice Mayor before she was elected Mayor and she was elected Mayor November of City of Deltona Page 14 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 2018 and took office the week after the election just as those elected tomorrow will do. So, she was Vice Mayor at the time he said this and when she was elected Mayor November of 2018, the beginning of November she took office and the next week Halifax Hospital’s CO was issued, November 18, 2019. That was over a year and a week that she was already Mayor. So, the comments said at the end of that debate, stating that she asked for help because she was worried that Halifax Hospital was not going to get a CO according to the timeline and according to the commentary are completely and utterly false. She just wanted to state that because as Commissioner Nabicht brought up last time it is directing staff and interfering with staff by asking to get a CO pushed through and is absolutely out of line. She takes offense to the comment that was made that she was worried a out the CO because she was never worried about Halifax Hospital getting a CO. The manager and staff at that time worked diligently with Halifax and the City Attorney, Interim City Manager and staff can attest to that. The hospital is a crown jewel in this City. So just to clarify, the statements were completely false and completely do not fit into any type of a timeline. Look up all the permits and look up when the hospital got their seal. Mayor Herzberg stated to Commissioner Nabicht just for her to babble on, eight years. Realistically they have served eight years and she cannot even believe it, it seems like so little. Anyway, carry on, she will miss him. Commissioner Nabicht stated regarding the comment about hiring a labor attorney. When people campaign, they tend to make promises about things. Something that all of us have to keep in mind and he has even lost sight of it here and there, it is “we” not “I”. It is three simple words, but it is very important. One of the things that he promised that he would try and address was the union contract. A labor attorney was hired from the City at a cost of $475,000 and it was the first time that the union contract in the City's history went to impasse. When he got in office he met with the City Manager and Deputy Chief Swisher and he suggested putting new people in the room because the negotiating team were not getting anywhere, they were no longer negotiating and was just saying no for the sake of saying no. Six weeks later, the union contract was born and brought forth to the Commission to sign at a cost of $400,000 in new benefits. So the City spent $475,000 fighting over something that ended up being for $400,000. Commissioner Nabicht stated the Commission debates, argues, has heated discussions and make personal attacks on each other, but he wanted to reflect on what that does to the staff and how that demoralizes the staff. The Commission is going to decide in the very near future on what it wants to see in a new City Manager. The City has a manager who has done a pretty damn good job considering the crap he was handed. He sorted it out, he worked through it, provided a balanced budget and has kept the ship afloat. Comments have been made that the City needs someone to take the City to the next level and he does not disagree with that, but define what that next level is and define what vehicle is needed to take the City there. At this juncture, right now, it is much more important for the City to show that it is stable to staff, the business, the community and the investors. The manager has City of Deltona Page 15 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 taken most of the Commission’s suggestions and implemented them. This is a hard job working for seven different personalities and trying to accommodate them, but through it all the people that get the job done are all the staff. When the Commission does not give them security and the idea that the Commission knows what the hell it is doing it is hard for that staff because he did that for 31 years. Remember what the Commission does, how it affects that staff, that is important because without them it does not matter how many policies the Commission sets or what City Manager is hired. He suggested looking at the City of Port Orange, Ken Parker was there for 30 years and they are not dysfunctional. He suggested the Commission see if what they want to do is really worth it. Commissioner Nabicht stated there have been a lot of accomplishments, but he will say they are “we” not “I”. When he and Former Commissioner Schleicher ran the City had the largest juvenile population in Volusia County and there is not one pediatrician in the City. They set out to develop medical in the City and as a team look what the City has accomplished, he listed several of them. That has all happened in the last eight years and it is not because of something he did, but something that “we” did as a community. The residents that want to cause positive effect, that elect the Commissioners, see their small part, but the Commission needs to see the whole part. The Commission has to figure out how all those pieces work together, but when they do that a lot of great things happen and he listed several of them. Each Commissioner campaigned on different things that are important to them like economic development and public safety, he provided several examples. Another campaign promise that he made that was just recently fulfilled, was to get Fire Department based transport, it is growing, it is working and lives are being saved. Forget about the damn money, that is a bonus because lives are being saved in the community. The City cannot see itself as a little microcosm, it needs to work every aspect even across City and county lines and this is exemplified at the TPO. The TPO is about moving good people in and out of the county efficiently and he gave some example of how they do that, it is about regionalism. The state has been reliant on tourism which transportation is a component of and it will be changes to transportation that will restore tourism. The Wal-Mart grocery, the Sterling Park residents spoke the loudest against it, but they are now the biggest proponents of it. So sometimes the people that speak the loudest do not see the full picture that the Commission sees. This Commission will be faced with this again with the Tivoli and Providence Blvds. Intersection which will affect about 25 people, but what about the 48,000 trips that go through there. The Commission will have to have the political will for the greater good. Lastly, the “mom and pops”, the little businesses which are really the heart beat of the City, they are important and they are usually the people who live in the City. They are the ones that complain a lot, they are not a big business, but the Commission has to do the right thing for them and staff has to walk them through the process. City of Deltona Page 16 Printed on 12/15/2020 City Commission Minutes November 2, 2020 Commissioner Nabicht thanked all the Commissioners on the dais and the previous Commissioners he has worked with on the Commission, but a special shout out to two ladies who took him under their wing when he was becoming a politician, Pat Northey and Diane Smith. Two icons in the political arena in Volusia County who are class acts. They debated, they did not name call or mud sling and they were for the people, but at the end of the day whether they won or lost the race they had a cocktail with their opponent, shook hands and moved down the road. Those are examples of what good politicians should be and he hopes he learned a little bit from that and was a half way descent one. He has really enjoyed his time on the Commission and serving the City. He will continue to do so in some fashion and if there is a board opening he hopes he will get that appointment by this Commission. He would like the Commission to look strongly at the City Charter because there are some things that could be addressed as the City moves forward and he would want to be involved in that process. Lastly, he thanked his wife and his family. 15. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:26 p.m. ______________________________ Heidi K. Herzberg, MAYOR ATTEST: ________________________________ Joyce Raftery, CMC, MMC, CITY CLERK City of Deltona Page 17 Printed on 12/15/2020