City Commission Regular Meeting

City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 1 of 13 The regular meeting of the Lake Wales City Commission was held on February 2, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Municipal Administration Building. The meeting was called to order by Mayor L. Jack Van Sickle. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Dr. Jim Moyer, Warner University PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Terrye Y. Howell; Lee A. Wheeler, III; Jonathan Thornhill; John Paul Rogers; Mayor L. Jack Van Sickle. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None CITY REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Judith H. Delmar, City Manager; Albert C. Galloway, Jr., City Attorney; Clara VanBlargan, City Clerk; Jacquie Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk. MAYOR CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Van Sickle said a few months back we started a procedure to advertise Bids in multiple papers to get more local contractors to respond. He asked if this had been effective. Ms. Hodge, Purchasing Agent, said she has been advertising in the Lake Wales News, and The News Chief and Ms. Delmar posts them on the City website. The response has been the same. Mayor Van Sickle said that we tried advertising this way to generate more business, but it also is more expensive to do so. If it is not generating more business, he suggested we might want to advertise in the larger paper instead, along with posting it on the web. Commissioner Wheeler agreed. Agenda Item 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 12, 2010, Workshop Meeting; January 19, 2010, Regular Meeting Agenda Item 6. Request for Proposal 10-192 – Electrician Services The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Bonnie Hodge, Purchase Agent] SYNOPSIS Staff is seeking proposals for Electrician Services. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission approve the Request for Proposals #10-192. BACKGROUND The City desires to enter into an annual contract for services from a licensed electrician for general maintenance and repair of existing domestic and commercial wiring and replacement of electrical equipment. The contract would include all of the electrical work for the City except work on pumps at lift stations or wells. Staff has prepared RFP #10-192 for review by the Commission. Requests for Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria only, with values assigned to each item representing its relative importance: City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 2 of 13 (1) Hourly rates 35% (2) Parts mark-up 15% (3) Past Performance 20% (4) Staffing 10% (5) Emergency response time 20% Upon approval of the RFP by the City Commission, staff will advertise in the Lake Wales News and the bid will be posted on the City’s website. The bid document will be sent to qualified vendors on the City’s vendor list. [End agenda memo] Agenda Item 7. Interlocal Agreement with Frostproof The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Clifton Smith, Building Official] RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff recommends approval of the Interlocal agreement between the City of Lake Wales and the City of Frostproof to provide Building Official and Inspection services. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents. BACKGROUND Frostproof is seeking assistance from the City of Lake Wales for coverage of necessary permit services. City Manager Tenney Ruth Croley contacted Building Official Clifton Smith on or about the first week of January to request coverage of their building department. Frostproof’s Building Official abruptly resigned, leaving the city without the ability to process and issue permits and conduct plans reviews. This left them non-compliant with Florida State Statue 468, which requires each municipality to have a Building Official to regulate construction. OTHER OPTIONS Decline to enter into this interlocal agreement with Frostproof. FISCAL IMPACT Cost to the City will be negligible and will be recovered based upon terms of the interlocal agreement; i.e., $100 per week for administrative and on-call services and $45 per hour for any work performed on site. [End agenda memo] Agenda Item 8. Municipal Election Administration Agreement with Polk County Supervisor of Elections The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Clara VanBlargan, City Clerk] SYNOPSIS City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 3 of 13 The approval of the Election Administration Agreement will allow the Supervisor of Elections to provide for the administration of the City’s 2010 Election at no cost to the City. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Commission approve the Municipal Election Administration Agreement with the Polk County Supervisor of Elections for the administration of the City’s Election to be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. This approval is subject to a ballot language revision in Article 1, Purpose, of the Agreement. BACKGROUND Pursuant to the commitment of Lori Edwards, Polk County Supervisor of Elections, to assist cities holding their elections on Municipal Election Day, it is necessary to authorize the Mayor to execute the “Municipal Election Administration Agreement” with the Polk County Supervisor of Elections for the administration of the City Election on April 6, 2010. This agreement stipulates the administrative duties that will be performed by the Elections Office and by the City. Staff has requested that the statement of purpose in Article 1 of the agreement be revised to eliminate reference to the ballot language because the content of the ballot will not be known until the close of qualification period, February 9. OTHER OPTIONS Do not authorize the Municipal Election Administration Agreement and do not seek assistance from the County Elections Office. FISCAL IMPACT If the City Commission chooses not to authorize the execution of the Municipal Election Administration Agreement with the Supervisor of Elections, the City will be responsible for any cost involved for services that would otherwise be provided in the agreement at no charge to the City. [End agenda memo] Agenda Item 9. Computer Software Purchase from CDW Government” The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by James Slaton, Information Technology Director] SYNOPSIS The approval is for the purchase of 58 Microsoft Office 2007 Licenses. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Commission's approval to purchase 58 Microsoft Office 2007 software licenses in the amount of $14,783.62. BACKGROUND With the release of Microsoft’s 2007 Office Suite, data sharing between the City and other government agencies is becoming increasingly difficult as more agencies are upgrading to Office 2007. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 4 of 13 The Microsoft Office Suite currently in use by the City was released prior to 1997 and is not compatible with the new Office Suite. OTHER OPTIONS The Commission may not approve the purchase of the software at this time. FISCAL IMPACT $14,790.00 for the Microsoft Office Upgrade is included in the approved budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year [End agenda memo] END CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Thornhill made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Howell. By Voice Vote: Commissioner Thornhill “Yes” Commissioner Howell “Yes” Commissioner Wheeler “Yes” Commissioner Rogers “Yes” Mayor Van Sickle “Yes” The motion carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Agenda Item 10. Resolution 2010-02, Supporting House Bill #355 and Senate Bill #742, relating to Public Safety Ms. Delmar reviewed Agenda Item 10. The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Clara VanBlargan, City Clerk] SYNOPSIS The City of North Port is requesting that the City Commission approve a resolution endorsing House Bill #355 and Senate Bill #742. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission approve Resolution 2010-02, endorsing House Bill #355 and Senate Bill #742, relating to Public Safety Telecommunicators. BACKGROUND The City of North Port is requesting that the Lake Wales City Commission approve a resolution endorsing House Bill #355 and Senate Bill #742. The proposed legislation that has been filed for the 2010 Legislative Session of the Florida Legislature will provide for a statewide uniform standard of training and City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 5 of 13 the mandatory certification of 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators (911 Emergency Dispatchers). Any other person employed at a 911 Public Safety Answering Point or 911 Call Center will be required to be certified. The proposed legislation will also provide for funding from the E911 Trust Fund. This is very important for the State of Florida as well as a potential future National Standard for 911 Telecommunicators. Police Chief Herbert Gillis and Fire Chief Jerry Brown support the 911 training bills. OPTIONS Do not approve Resolution 2010-02. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact for the City. Funding of the training will be provided from the E911 Trust Fund (.50 cent monthly 911 fee on wireless and non-wireless telephone charges). [End agenda memo] Ms. VanBlargan read Resolution 2010-02 by title only. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAKE WALES, FLORIDA, ENDORSING HOUSE BILL #355 AND SENATE BILL #742 RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Delmar said that basic dispatch training was something we would want to see. Mayor Van Sickle told of two incidents in his neighborhood where emergency calls had been handled incorrectly by dispatchers. This caused a delay in getting the needed help, which may or may not have caused death in one of the cases. Ms. Delmar shared an incident she was aware of where there was a delay in help, also caused by a mistake on the dispatcher’s part. Commissioner Howell asked who got the monthly $.50 charge on her house and cell phone bill and Chief Gillis said he was not sure, but it is regulated by the County. Commissioner Howell asked if the charge would remain whether they passed this resolution or not. Ms. Delmar said the fee on the telephone bill is what is funding the 911 program. . Commissioner Rogers made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-02. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wheeler. Roll Call: Commissioner Rogers “Yes” Commissioner Wheeler “Yes” Commissioner Thornhill “Yes” Commissioner Howell “Yes” Mayor Van Sickle “Yes” The motion carried 5-0. Agenda Item 11. Resolution 2010-05, EECBG Program Application (Energy Grant) A revision of Resolution 2010-05 was provided to the City Commission before the meeting, which was read into the record by the City Clerk. Ms. Delmar viewed Agenda Item 11. The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 6 of 13 [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Jennifer Nanek, Grants Administrator] SYNOPSIS Resolution 2010-05 approves submittal of a non-matching grant application to replace the light poles at Barnes and Barranco Fields. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2010-05 authorizing the submittal of an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Application for $200,000 with no match requirement to replace the lighting and poles at Barnes and Barranco Fields. BACKGROUND The Florida Energy and Climate Commission will distribute $18.6 million for non-entitlement cities such as Lake Wales that were not eligible for direct funding from the Department of Energy. These funds are from the Recovery Act or stimulus bill. Small cities with populations of less than 15,000 can apply for up to $250,000 for projects that reduce their total energy use or improves energy efficiency in some manner. Replacing older inefficient lighting with lights that reduce costs and energy consumption is an allowed project. There are currently 10 wooden light poles on Barnes and Barranco Fields that were installed over 20 years ago. This grant, if awarded, would replace these with 8 galvanized steel poles that will provide improved lighting on the fields at a reduced cost. These lights will be controlled remotely eliminating the frequency of lights being left on after the games or other abuse. Resolution 2010-05 has been prepared to authorize submittal of an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Application for $200,000 to replace the light poles at Barnes and Barranco Fields. This resolution also authorizes the City Manager to approve and execute all appropriate documents. No match is required. Application deadline is February 12, 2010. OTHER OPTIONS Do not apply for the grant. FISCAL IMPACT No match is required. [End agenda memo] Ms. VanBlargan read Resolution 2010-05. A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF LAKE WALES, FLORIDA, TO APPLY FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA CLIMATE COMMISSION AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS. Mayor Van Sickle asked if the $200,000 would cover all of the work. Ms. Delmar said yes. It would replace the 10 poles with energy efficient lighting, which will also give off more light. The Mayor commented about the lights being on timers and asked if that meant they would not be left on all night and Ms. Delmar said theoretically that was true. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 7 of 13 Commissioner Howell said that she had talked with Jennifer Nanek about the need of pole replacement at the Northwest Complex. Ms. Nanek said she would investigate the cost of replacing those poles as well, possibly with a future grant. Ms. Delmar said she was not sure about the poles, but the lights were installed in the mid- 90’s using CDBG grant funds. They may not be as old or as energy inefficient as those being replaced with this grant. Commissioner Howell said there was not enough light at the Complex and it may be the lights and not the poles that need replacing. She said that whether we get a grant for the poles or not, we need to make sure there is enough lighting there. Commissioner Thornhill made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-05. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rogers. Roll Call: Commissioner Thornhill “Yes” Commissioner Rogers “Yes” Commissioner Wheeler “Yes” Commissioner Howell “Yes” Mayor Van Sickle “Yes” The motion carried 5-0. [End agenda memo] Agenda Item 12. Resolution 2010-06, Florida Forest Health Improvement Initiative Grant Application Ms. Delmar reviewed Agenda Item 12. The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Jennifer Nanek, Grants Administrator] SYNOPSIS This non-matching grant application is for $24,000 that will go towards the maintenance of trees in the City's parks, mainly Lake Wailes Park and Crystal Lake Park. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Commission take the following actions: 1. Approve the grant application for $24,000 from the Division of Forestry's Florida Forest Health Improvement Initiative. 2. Approve Resolution 2010-06 supporting the project and authorizing the City Manager to sign all grant- related documents. The Florida Forest Health Improvement Initiative is part of the Recovery Act (stimulus bill). These funds are designed for the planting and maintenance of trees. This grant program is through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry. This grant is non-matching, and the deadline is February 12, 2010. This project will carry out recommendations from the 2008 Lake Wailes Park System Tree Survey Report. These funds will go towards the pruning of approximately 50 trees and towards tree protection devices such as plantings, mulch, fencing and other barriers. A majority of the trees are located in Lake Wailes Park and Crystal Lake Park. The trees in these public areas suffer heavy damage due to constant use by the public. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 8 of 13 OTHER OPTIONS Do not apply for the Grant FISCAL IMPACT No match is required for this grant. [End agenda memo] Ms. VanBlargan read Resolution 2010-06 by title only. A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF LAKE WALES, FLORIDA TO ENTER INTO AN URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, DIVISION OF FORESTRY. Ms. Delmar said this is a grant application for stimulus funds to maintain approximately 50 trees at Lake Wailes and Crystal Lake Parks. It would cover pruning, maintenance, mulching, and possibly to put some barriers around some of the trees to keep vehicle traffic from damaging the root systems. She added that over the next few months they would be addressing the vehicular traffic problem at the parks. Commissioner Wheeler asked if pruning was taken care of already as part of present maintenance. Ms. Delmar said that the grant would underwrite the cost of doing that. Commissioner Rogers made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-06. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Thornhill. Roll Call: Commissioner Rogers ”Yes” Commissioner Thornhill “Yes” Commissioner Wheeler “Yes” Commissioner Howell “Yes” Mayor Van Sickle “Yes” The motion carried 5-0. Agenda Item 13. Redevelopment Agreement for Dixie-Walesbilt, LLC for the Hotel Grand Project Mr. Gallup reviewed Agenda Item 13. The full staff memo is incorporated into the minutes. [Begin agenda memo, prepared by Harold Gallup, Economic Development Director] SYNOPSIS The CRA and City of Lake Wales entered into a six months License Agreement with Dixie Walesbilt LLC., for the purpose of conducting studies, evaluations and agency reviews for the redevelopment of the Hotel Grand for commercial and residential uses through the use of private capital. The project is now moving forward with the Redevelopment Agreement for the project. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Commission take the following action: Authorize the Mayor to execute, on behalf of the City, the Redevelopment Agreement with the Dixie-Walesbilt LLC., for the purpose of City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 9 of 13 redevelopment of the Hotel Grand in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Redevelopment Agreement and meeting the spirit and intent of the CRA. BACKGROUND The City entered into a License Agreement with the Dixie-Walesbilt LLC., on July 15, 2009 for a period of six months. During this period the Developer has undertaken studies exploring with professionals such areas as parking, architecture, engineering, “Green Programs”, Historic Preservation requirements, LEEDs Engineering, National Building Codes and Fire Codes, and OSHA. Extensive research has been done on the “Elements of the Building” for historic replacement of material used in the original building and working with Otis Elevator on the original elevator replacement for the project. There has been extensive research on the “skin of the building” and the application of the new surface, of which there is laboratory work still being done because of the mix of materials used on the building. The Developer has made considerable time and capital investment in the project to date. The approximate capital expenditure is approaching $300,000 at this time. The Redevelopment Agreement provides for the continuation of the redevelopment of the Hotel Grand back to it “Original” form as closely as physically possible while still maintaining the economics of a profitable project. The Agreement continues with the investment of private capital into the building. The City will retain the ownership of the building until a defined element of work has been accomplished, referred to as “Milestone One” in the Redevelopment Agreement. This means that the work accomplished will have obtained the required approvals of systems in relation to National Park Service historic preservation regulations, the National Building Code and the National Fire Code. The work must be completed in a 16-month time frame, at which point the capital investment in the project will approach $1.5 million of private capital. The building then will be conveyed to the Dixie-Walesbilt LLC., and the developer can continue with private funding or move into the financial market to use more traditional financial instruments or vehicles for debt funding. It is extremely important to note that the developer will not be deriving any profit from the project until title has been transferred to the developer. No public funds have been expended. A full presentation will be made by the Director of Economic Development concerning all aspects of the Redevelopment Agreement. CURRENT FISCAL IMPACT At completion the project will return significant tax revenue to the City as well as stimulate and encourage new investment in the core area of the Downtown. FISCAL IMPACTS OF OTHER ALTERNATIVES It appears that there are no other viable economic alternatives to this proposal. The project has been hampered by the global down turn in the economy. The City and the CRA have no funds to undertake the Project on their own. [End agenda memo] Mr. Gallup said that the hotel has been a landmark in Lake Wales and gave it a sense of place. In the past it served as the venue for weddings, wakes, tourist events, dinners, offices, baseball training, and for military in time of war. It had been the highlight of Lake Wales, then a spotlight and finally has become the defining light. The redevelopment agreement and project requires extensive work to make this project successful. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 10 of 13 Mr. Gallup said there were several key-points he would discuss before reviewing the Agreement. The objectives of the City at the beginning were to: • Have the Hotel Grand restored to its historic state • Bring commerce back downtown • Bring residents back downtown • Establish a new tax base • Recreate the hotel as an anchor in the downtown • Use private money to achieve the goal Mr. Gallup said there had been questions as to why things had not progressed faster. He commented that the question should not be how quickly we can get things done but how good the end result would be for the project. The financial markets have changed, our approach has changed, funding sources have changed, Milestone One will have a market value of capital expenditure in the project of over $1,500,000 invested directly into the property. The project will move forward with private capitalization after it reaches its milestone. Mr. Gallup gave a summary of the key components of the Redevelopment Agreement and schedule time lines. He said that as each element of this program as it moves forward require approvals from the Building Official, Fire Official, Fire Marshall, plus national and historic codes must be met. Commissioner Rogers said that he and Mr. Gallup had met several times and spoke by telephone several times, to discuss things concerning the document. He asked Mr. Gallup if there were any questions he should have asked that he had not. Mr. Gallup said there were not. Commissioner Rogers asked Attorney Chuck Galloway if, while preparing the document, there was anything he should have added or taken out. Mr. Galloway said not of which he was aware. Commissioner Rogers asked if there was any compelling reason to keep the Commission from going forward with the document. Mr. Gallup said that the expended energy, quality of effort, and the attention to detail the developer has shown, indicates the developer’s love of the building. He said he did not believe we could have obtained a better candidate for this project and there was absolutely no reason for delay. Commissioner Rogers said that Mr. Gallup spent six years on the project. He complemented him on getting this far, and said it was a big undertaking with many government agencies involved in the process. He said he did not know anyone who could have done a better job. He said he thought the public needed to know that work is being done on the project. He added that the Mayor and other Commissioners have been behind the project and certainly have pitched in to do their part. Commissioner Rogers said the public had questioned him about why there had not been more public input. He said that a 72-page legal document, though most of it was easy enough for him to understand with help, would be like Greek to most of the public. He said he wanted to make sure the public understood that there was a timeframe for completion of the project. Mr. Gallup said there was a framework with milestones to be met. The City is in total control throughout the process and retains the property. The money placed into it is placed into a property owned by the city. The city has no obligation for repayment of expenditures. The developer was moving forward with a project that will be about 90% authentic. He gave examples of the mailbox, elevator, and finding the marble’s original location as examples of the developer’s full commitment to detail. He said the developer is not taking the cheapest route, or the easiest. His work seems to be a labor of love. He added that the developer is working towards spending as much as he can locally to help boost the economy. Commissioner Rogers asked if they could take a few minutes for public input before the meeting’s end as he had received requests for that, though he did not see those people in the audience. Mayor Van Sickle said they could open it up for limited discussion from the public after the Commissioners finished giving their comments. City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 11 of 13 Commissioner Howell said she believed the project was not time sensitive and asked if waiting until the next Commission meeting would upset the scheduling of anything. Mr. Gallup said no, not the scheduling. Ms. Howell said that the public might want to read some of this and she understood it was on the city web site. She asked if changes to the document could be made if someone found something in it that had been missed, or if this was to be approved as is. Mr. Galloway said the license agreement had been extended to expire today. If the CRA Board and the Commission did not approve it, the developer would not have access to the property, which would have an effect on his ability to do the things he needed to do. The City also would not be protected without an agreement in place, as the present agreement will have expired. Mr. Gallup said the document had been worked on extensively. If an agreement has been struck in good faith, and is a balanced agreement, the developer should not be asked to go back and renegotiate points. There are points in the document that the public probably would never understand. What may seem reasonable to one may be damaging to the project. The financier for the project may question the project for if the City backs out of one thing he may wonder what else may be backed out of. Commissioner Howell said that she personally had no problem with the agreement. She was merely bringing forward comments that had been brought to her. Commissioner Wheeler said that in Section 5-08 where it talks about developer contributions, it states that the developer will work with the Historic Lake Wales Society. He wished to fully disclose to the Commission that he sits on that Board, though he receives no compensation what-so-ever. Commissioner Wheeler thanked Harold Gallup and the City Attorney along with all the people who have had a part in it, for all their effort. He said it was a long time in coming and that he had heard about it ever since he came became a Commissioner. He said that as of May, he will no longer be on the Commission and so he was glad that they were able to do this while he was here. Commissioner Wheeler commented that he had heard a lot of concern about public participation, so he reread the document and concurred that 90% of it was standard contract language that is seen in every contract. He saw no downside risk to the City. The people that have been involved, such as the City Attorney and the Mayor, have had years of experience working with contracts. He said that he thought the due diligence had been satisfied and he had no problem with voting on it tonight. Commissioner Thornhill said that to stop now would be a waste of public funds. He already received complaints that the public wants the “green monster” changed, so the Commission does not need to delay unnecessarily. He said you do not find often someone who would go to so much trouble to have the building look authentic. He added, though, that he would like to encourage the developer to attempt to make more use of local contractors and tradesman. He said he was ready to move forward and get it finished. Mayor Van Sickle said that anytime you can find someone that will spend a quarter of a million dollars of his own money, (and now with this contract another million and a half) on a City building that he has no ownership in, it is a win/win for the City. He added that hopefully the building would become the anchor for new development downtown. As requested, the Mayor opened the meeting open to public input, though he said he did not know how much the public can add to this because they are not designers and the architect knows the issues. OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. CLOSED TO PUBLIC COMMENT City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 12 of 13 Commissioner Wheeler made a motion to approve the Redevelopment Agreement for Dixie-Walesbilt, LLC for the Hotel Grand Project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Howell. By Voice Vote: Commissioner Wheeler “Yes” Commissioner Howell “Yes” Commissioner Thornhill “Yes” Commissioner Rogers “Yes” Mayor Van Sickle “Yes” The motion carried 5-0. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITY COMMISSION TRACKING REPORT Ms. Delmar said there was a change to the tracking report that Public Works Director Tom Moran would discuss regarding the plans now down on paper for the intersection improvement at Mountain Lake Cut-off Road and Scenic Highway. Mr. Moran said that he received an email from FDOT with plans for him to review regarding the intersection of Mountain Lake Cut-off Road and Scenic Highway. They will put in signals, widen the road, and put in some turn- lanes. Although, it is only in the baby stage, it is happening. There will be more to follow. Commissioner Wheeler said any improvement is welcome, as there have been fatalities at that intersection. Mr. Moran said there was no guarantee when work would begin. Mayor Van Sickle commented that as a TPO Board member he keeps pushing to keep the funds in place. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS Jean Scott, 306 Townsend Avenue, said that everyone is very proud of the City Hall building and it should be pressure cleaned on a regular basis. She said she knew that employees enter the building at the backside, but the entrance is a disgrace and she is ashamed of it. Ms. Delmar said that there was a discussion about that at the morning’s staff meeting. She said that right now it only gets pressure cleaned when Jean Scott complains about it. But, they will start doing it quarterly, renting heavy-duty equipment if necessary for the sidewalk. The regular pressure washer is not effective there. Richard Sylvia, 2063 Bel Ombre Circle, gave the Commission an update on his progress with the problem he had with his swimming pool that was partially built in the easement. He said he is still waiting for the document for his neighbors to sign that Mr. Galloway would supply. Mr. Galloway said that he should have the paper work prepared by the end of next week. Elizabeth Smiley, representing the MLK Neighborhood Watch Group, thanked the City Commission for putting a stop sign at the intersection of MLK and Sessoms Avenue as they had requested. She said the traffic there is kind of slowing down. CITY COMMISSION COMMENT Commissioner Rogers thanked staff and Commissioners for the work they did on the Grand Hotel. Commissioner Howell said that there have been several accidents at SR 60 and 3rd Street and asked Chief Gillis if this was a problem area. She said there was a traffic light at that intersection, if you were coming down the hill with a truck in front of you, you might not see the light. She asked if it would be City Commission Meeting February 2, 2010 Page 13 of 13 possible to have a flashing light there. Chief Gillis said it was a problem area and that they had requested a flashing light there about a year and a half ago when a vehicle crashed into a house at that location. The Department of Transportation told him a flashing light used to be at that intersection at one time. He guessed that was right because there is a signal base there, but was not sure what happened to the light. He said they would request a flashing light again, but if not the light, at least a sign. Commissioner Wheeler thanked Ray Brown, the managing member of the Dixie-Walesbuilt LLC, who was the one who had the courage to bring this project to them. Mayor Van Sickle commented that once the color of the building starts to change, people will believe that something will happen. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. __________________________ Mayor/Commissioner ATTEST: _____________________________________ City Clerk