City Commission Regular Meeting

City Commission Meeting Minutes August 7, 2018 (APPROVED) 8/7/2018 - Minutes 1. INVOCATION Mayor Fultz gave the invocation. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. after the invocation and pledge of allegiance 4. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Eugene Fultz - Mayor, Curtis Gibson, Flora "Tonya" Stewart, Terrye Howell, Robin Gibson - Deputy Mayor Staff Present: Kenneth Fields, City Manager; Albert C. Galloway, Jr., City Attorney; Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk 5. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS 5.I. PRESENTATION - Certificate Of Completion To Commissioner Stewart For Elected Officials Training Mayor Fultz presented Commissioner Stewart with a Certificate of Completion for completing 18 hours of Instruction from the Institute of Municipal Elected Officials sponsored by the Florida League of Cities. 6. PRESENTATION/REPORT 6.I. PRESENTATION - Polk Solar Co-Op Charlene Bennett, Resident, said she is with the League of Women Voters and the Polk County Solar Co-op project. She explained that statewide the League of Women Voters has partnered with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to bring to more people the opportunity to go solar. She emphasized that this is a non-profit venture. The purpose of this presentation is to spread awareness and to invite the City to be a partner with them which includes use of the City logo on their publicity materials and the use of the City Chambers for a public program. Rick Garrity described the Solar Co-op program and how well it has worked around the state. They limit participation to 225 families. Florida does not have many solar powered homes. This needs to increase. There have been 34 cooperatives around the state. This is done at the county level. This has been well accepted by homeowners. This is a great investment in the community. They get bids from different companies and one is chosen. Anyone can be on the committee to select the installer. There will be three information sessions. This is a good time to go solar as costs are coming down. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said that this is a good program. Mayor Fultz agreed saying this is a good opportunity for residents. The partnership was discussed. Mr. Garrity said that the partnership does not cost the City anything. They just wish to use the City logo and the Chambers for a public information session. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said that he already has solar panels. Mr. Fields pointed out that Mr. Galloway and Commissioner Stewart also have solar panels.  opportunity for residents. The partnership was discussed. Mr. Garrity said that the partnership does not cost the City anything. They just wish to use the City logo and the Chambers for a public information session. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said that he already has solar panels. Mr. Fields pointed out that Mr. Galloway and Commissioner Stewart also have solar panels. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson made a motion to approve the partnership of the City of Lake Wales with the Polk Solar Co-op. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion. By Voice Vote Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson "YES" Commissioner Howell "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES" Mayor Fultz "YES" Motion passed 5 -0. 7. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS John Miller, resident, recommended that a community organizer position for next year's budget. This employee would communicate with community organizations, help with projects that fall through the cracks, and promote what's going on in the city. Kenneth Fields, City Manager, said that a need is coming for a full time public information officer. It may not be able to go in this year's budget but may be added in the future. Especially without a community newspaper there is even greater need to get information out there. Mayor Fultz agreed saying that social media is the main way we are getting information out right now. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson suggested a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce as they have an excellent calendar. Ideas to improve communication were discussed. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Howell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Curtis Gibson seconded the motion. By Voice Vote: Commissioner Howell "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES" Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson "YES" Mayor Fultz "YES" Motion passed 5 -0. 8.I. Minutes - July 10, 2018 And July 17, 2018 8.II. Financial Statements June 30 , 2018  Motion passed 5 -0. 8.I. Minutes - July 10, 2018 And July 17, 2018 8.II. Financial Statements June 30 , 2018 [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: The preliminary financial statements report revenues received and expenditures made through the end of June 30, 2018. The unaudited financial statements for the City of Lake Wales for the Period Ending June 30 , 2018 are presented to the City Commission for review. General Fund (001), page 1: The General Fund appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. Transportation Fund (102), page 6: The Transportation Fund appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. CRA Fund (105), page 11: The CRA fund appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. Library Fund (110), page 16: The Library Fund appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. Utility System Fund (403), page 27: The Utility System Fund appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. Airport Authority (404), page 30: The Airport Authority appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. [End Agenda Memo] 9. OLD BUSINESS 10. NEW BUSINESS 10.I. Ordinance 2018-06 – 1st Reading Amendments To Chapter 12 – Health Sanitation, Nuisances, And Minimum Property Maintenance Standards [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS This ordinance addresses housekeeping items regarding maintenance of rights-of-way, junk and trash, vacant structures, sanitation and storage of materials, nuisance trees, and weeds, grass and overgrowth in Chapter 12. RECOMMENDATION  This ordinance addresses housekeeping items regarding maintenance of rights-of-way, junk and trash, vacant structures, sanitation and storage of materials, nuisance trees, and weeds, grass and overgrowth in Chapter 12. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the approval of Ordinance 2018-06 after first reading. A public hearing is not required. BACKGROUND In the course of doing the job Code Compliance has found areas of the code that need amending to insure fair and equitable enforcement across several sections. - Inter-departmental discussions have revealed a need to insure the proper upkeep and maintenance of public sidewalks. Prompting an exception that clearly states that the City shall be responsible. - Parking lots is being added to the areas where tree maintenance is covered in regards to height required for clear trimming and removal of dead branches. - The penalty section is being amended to include an additional State Statute that is applicable to code enforcement. - The word vacant is being removed from Sec. 12-230 because the code is applicable to all structures not just those that are vacant. FISCAL IMPACT The amendments have no identifiable fiscal impact themselves. OTHER OPTIONS City Commission may modify the proposed amendments as determined appropriate. [End Agenda Memo] This item was pulled. 10.II. Board Appointments: CRA Citizen Advisory Committee [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Appointments to fill a vacancy due to expiration of terms. This term expired on July 1st of this year and must be renewed. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Mayor and Commission review the application of Christopher Lutton for reappointment to the CRA Citizens Advisory Committee for a term ending 7/1/2020. BACKGROUND CRA Citizen Advisory Committee (City Code Sec. 2-73) – The CRA citizen advisory committee will consist of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the city commission.Any person may be appointed to serve if he or she resides or is engaged in business, which means owning a business, practicing a profession or performing a service for compensation, or serving as an officer or director of a corporation or other business entity so engaged, within the area of operation of the agency, which shall be coterminous with the area of operation of the City. One (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business within voting District 19, one (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business within voting District 122, one (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business in voting District 27, one (1) qualified consist of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the city commission.Any person may be appointed to serve if he or she resides or is engaged in business, which means owning a business, practicing a profession or performing a service for compensation, or serving as an officer or director of a corporation or other business entity so engaged, within the area of operation of the agency, which shall be coterminous with the area of operation of the City. One (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business within voting District 19, one (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business within voting District 122, one (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business in voting District 27, one (1) qualified person appointed shall reside or be engaged in business in voting District 28, and one (1) qualified person shall be appointed at-large and shall reside or be engaged in business in any of the four voting districts of the City stated above. (2 year term) - There is no interview process requirement for applicants applying for appointment to this board. - Members are not required to file an annual Form 1, Statement of Financial Interests - Current Vacancies: 1 vacancies (Seat 5, District 28) Current Members: Charlene Bennett (Seat 1 – At Large) 07/01/18 – 07/01/20, 2 Mark Bennett, chair (Seat 2 – District 19) 07/01/18 – 07/01/20, 3 Jennifer Anderson-Leeks (Seat 3–District 122) 07/05/17 – 07/01/19, 1 Murray Zacharia (Seat 4 – District 27) 3/07/17 – 07/01/19, P+1 Christopher Lutton (Seat 5 – District 28) 05/03/16 - 07/01/18, 1 Applying for Re-Appointment: Christopher Lutton, resident, for a term to expire on 07/01/20 (Seat 5, District 28) There is no interview process requirement for applicants applying for appointment to this board. Meetings (City Code Sec. 2-73) - The CRA Citizen Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the chair of the CRA board or upon the request of city staff but shall meet no less than once each year. Current Meeting Schedule: 2nd Thursday or 3rd Thursday @ 5:00 PM; Commission Chamber Duties (City Code Sec. 2-73) – The CRA Citizen Advisory Committee shall provide advice and recommendations as needed to implement the CRA plan adopted by the City Commission. The Committee assist the CRA board in implementing redevelopment activities within the redevelopment area and to provide advice and recommendations to the CRA board on redevelopment matters as necessary. OPTIONS Do not appoint those that have applied. FISCAL IMPACT None. These are volunteer boards. [End Agenda Memo] The Mayor appointed Christopher Lutton to the CRA Citizens Advisory Committee for a term to expire on July 1, 2020. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson made a motion to confirm the appointment of Christopher Lutton to the CRA Citizens Advisory Committee for a term to expire on July 1, 2020. Commissioner Howell seconded the motion. by Voice Vote: Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson "YES" Commissioner Howell "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES"  Commissioner Howell "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES" Mayor Fultz "YES" Motion passed 5-0. 11. CITY MANAGER Mr. Fields reminded the Commission that school starts Monday. 11.I. Tracking Report 11.II. Social Media Tracking Report 11.III. Commission Meeting Schedule Mr. Fields reminded the Commission that the next Budget workshop is next Tuesday August 14, 2018. 11.IV. Other Meetings & Events Calendar 12. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said that he will miss the budget workshop next Tuesday but has written a letter to Mr. Fields regarding his concerns about some of the spending in the CRA. He said that CRAs are under scrutiny and we need to be careful about how we spend CRA dollars. Mayor Fultz said that while mistakes were made in the past we are in good shape now if anyone came to audit our books. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said that he spoke with Ms. Jacqueline Byrd, Superintendent of Schools, regarding the Lake Wales Charter Schools desire to take over McLaughlin. He relayed a message from Ms. Byrd that they are doing fine that they will work it out and the City need not get involved. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said that he went on a ride around with Chief Velasquez and that he enjoyed it and learned a lot. Commissioner Curtis Gibson reported on the Nation Black Caucus event that he attended. He said that he learned a lot and that there was so much to take in. He said that other communities have similar challenges but he is glad that our community is discussing rebuilding of the Northwest area and that we will be one community. 13. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Fultz reported on the School Board Candidates Forum last night that it went well. Mayor Fultz reported on his upcoming Chat & Chew with the Mayor out at Eagle Ridge Mall tomorrow at 10am. 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 pm. ______________________________ Mayor/Deputy Mayor ______________________________ Mayor/Deputy Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk/Deputy City Clerk