City Commission Regular Meeting

City Commission Meeting Minutes March 19, 2019 (Approved) 3/19/2019 - 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, Robin Gibson -Deputy Mayor, Flora "Tonya" Stewart, Terrye Howell Staff Present: Kenneth Fields, City Manager; Albert C. Galloway, Jr., City Attorney; Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk 5. PRESENTATION/REPORT 5.I. PRESENTATION - Main Street Karen Thompson, Main Street Director and Assistant CRA Director, gave a presentation on Main Street. She said they have quarterly merchant meetings. At the last one Carl Hadden from the SBDC came and spoke. The next one will have a Social Media expert. They have a Downtown Done Right award which was awarded to Cocoa Cake Studios. Small Business Saturday went well last fall. The twice monthly Farmer's Market has grown. She shared the new edition of a Main Street magazine. We have a benefactor program that has 10 benefactors including the City of Lake Wales. An upcoming event Hops Shop and Stroll on March 22nd. They are looking into a Chalk Art event next year. There is a committee working on recruiting restaurants for downtown. She is looking into opportunity Zones. She announced about the Lake Wales Connected public Workshops in April. 5.II. PRESENTATION - Chamber Of Commerce/EDC Highway 27 Corridor Update Kevin Kieft, Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, distributed packets of information. He reported on the growth on US HWY 27 which includes challenges related to infrastructure. The area between Chalet Suzanne Rd and Cypress Gardens Rd has growth potential area. Near the Commerce and Technology park where love's is going in more retail may follow. Our medical area needs to keep up with growth and we need medical facilities along 27. Residential is a key factor in retail and restaurants especially with chains. Industrial area can grow in the Commerce and Technology park. The Airport is part of the 27 market as part of our growth. Infrastructure needs to be improved and grow including the interchange upgrades at SR 60 and US HWY 27. The Central Polk Parkway is needed and needs to be revived given our huge growth and so the Chamber will advocate for this. He showed a map explaining what is within a 20 minute drive time that many developers look for. We have a lower medium income than the county that retailers look at. He reviewed other demographic information that influences what retailers look at. He also explained about opportunity zones that was part of the recent tax bill. The downtown area is an opportunity zone and can encourage investment. Commissioner Howell said that there are chain restaurants in colleges. Do we use those students on our campuses as part of our marketing. Mr. Kieft said yes and that college campuses are looked at. 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS 7. CONSENT AGENDA  Commissioner Howell said that there are chain restaurants in colleges. Do we use those students on our campuses as part of our marketing. Mr. Kieft said yes and that college campuses are looked at. 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS 7. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion. By voice vote: Commissioner Howell "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson "YES" Mayor Fultz "YES" Motion passed 5-0. 7.I. Minutes - February 15, 2019 And March 5, 2019 7.II. Approval Of Election Workers [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: It is necessary for the City Commission to approve a list of election workers provided by the Supervisor of Elections to work in the City of Lake Wales Municipal Election on April 2, 2019. RECOMMENDATION It is necessary that the City Commission appoint the following list of election workers provided by the Supervisor of Elections to keep the polling places open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the City of Lake Wales Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the Municipal Administration Building and Lake Ashton Clubhouse: Working at Precinct 526 (Lake Ashton): Sandra Bowlin, Precinct Clerk Judy Duckett, Voter Information Specialist Wanda Koslap, Voting Equipment Operator Kathleen Gioffre, Deputy Stephen Duckett, Book Inspector Annie Ferraro, Book Inspector Working at Precinct 527 (City Administration Building): David Clemons, Precinct Clerk Jolene Birchfield, Voter Information Specialist Lois Howell, Voting Equipment Operator Horace Howell Sr, Deputy Diana Rivera, Book Inspector Mary Hourigan, Book Inspector Rosanna Rivera, Book Inspector Alternates: H. Borden Deane, Alternate Voter Information Specialist Richard Daisey, Alternate Book Inspector  Diana Rivera, Book Inspector Mary Hourigan, Book Inspector Rosanna Rivera, Book Inspector Alternates: H. Borden Deane, Alternate Voter Information Specialist Richard Daisey, Alternate Book Inspector Doris Reynolds, Alternate Deputy James Boterf, Alternate Voting Equipment Operator Phyllis Brooks, Alternate Book Inspector BACKGROUND On December 4, 2018, the City Commission approved the expansion of one polling location to two polling locations in the Municipal Administration Building and the Lake Ashton Clubhouse for City elections only. The persons selected by the Supervisor of Elections are registered voters and will receive mandatory training from the Supervisor of Elections prior to Election Day. The alternates will only work on Election Day if needed. OTHER OPTIONS None FISCAL IMPACT The total cost for election workers will be approximately $2,220. This cost is in the FY2018-2019 Budget. In 2017 the total cost was $1,923. [End Agenda Memo] 7.III. Commission Financials For February 28 2019 [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: The preliminary financial statements report revenues received and expenditures made through the end of February 28, 2019. The unaudited financial statements for the City of Lake Wales for the Period Ending February 28, 2019 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] 8. OLD BUSINESS  The Airport Authority appears to be materially on target with revenue and expenditure expectations. [End Agenda Memo] 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.I. ORDINANCE 2019-06, Amending Ordinance 2001-08 Personnel Administration Policies – Second Reading And Public Hearing [Begin Agenda Memo] SUBJECT: Ordinance 2019-06, Amending Ordinance 2001-08 Personnel Administration Policies – Second Reading & Public Hearing RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission approve Ordinance 2019-06 upon second reading and public hearing. BACKGROUND The City’s social media usage has rapidly increased over the years. It has become a substantial medium to share information and communicate with citizens in support of the City’s goals and objectives. City officials, whether appointed or elected, have the ability to publish articles, facilitate discussions and communicate information through such media to conduct official City business. For the purposes of this policy, social media refers to the tools and technologies that allow a social media user to share communications, postings or information, or participate in social networking, including but not limited to: (e.g., Twitter, Tumblr), social networks (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+), and websites (e.g., Instagram, Flickr). Ordinance 2019-06 is proposed to provide guidance for employees and elected officials to permit those performing work on behalf of the city to take full advantage of social media while at the same time protecting the city and its employees. FISCAL IMPACT None. [Begin Agenda Memo] Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, read ORDINANCE 2019-06 by title only. ORDINANCE 2019-06 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, LAKE WALES CODE OF ORDINANCES; AMENDING THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS POLICIES TO INCLUDE SOCIAL MEDIA USE; AMENDING DEFINITIONS; CREATING GUIDELINES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Curtis Gibson said that the policy is fine for employees but should not include City Commissioners. Other cities' social media policies and a sample policy from the Florida League of Cities does not include elected officials. He said he is capable of regulating his comments. As the youngest commissioner and the one most active on social media he feels targeted by this policy. He has posted a lot of positive things about Lake Wales to his City Commissioner page. He said that references to public officials should be removed. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson asked Ms. Davis if she checked with the Florida League of Cities. Ms. Davis said the toolkit they received came from training provided by the Florida League of Cities. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said the template from the Florida League of Cities' site does not include City Commissioners. Kenneth Fields said that there is a distinction between personal pages and City pages. This isn't meant to regulate personal pages.  the Florida League of Cities. Ms. Davis said the toolkit they received came from training provided by the Florida League of Cities. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said the template from the Florida League of Cities' site does not include City Commissioners. Kenneth Fields said that there is a distinction between personal pages and City pages. This isn't meant to regulate personal pages. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said that he has a website that is for him as a City Commissioner that he pays himself. Mr. Fields said that is public records. Mr. Fields said a concern is sharing posts by City Commissioners on official pages might be a problem. There was a discussion about sharing posts on Facebook. Mayor Fultz said we can decide to not share posts. If a Commissioner posts something inappropriate then the Florida Ethics Commission can decide if there is an issue. Elected officials are held to higher standards. Ms. Davis said this provides guidelines for everyone on appropriate posts. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said we should be responsible for our posts separately. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson agreed. He said there should be no implied endorsement of candidates. Mr. Fields said it would be better not to share anything. He said lets take elected officials out of the proposed ordinance and agree not to share any social media posts from any Commissioners' posts. There was a consensus to this. Commissioner Howell made a motion to table this discussion. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson seconded the motion. by voice vote: Commissioner Howell "YES" Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson "YES" Commissioner Stewart "YES" Commissioner Curtis Gibson "YES" Mayor Fultz "YES" Motion passed 5-0. 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. CITY ATTORNEY Albert Galloway, Jr., City Attorney, said that he was asked about any pending litigation by our auditors and his reply was no. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson reported that he read a memo from attorney Sara Jones concerning our contract with SEMCO and he is concerned about the city's position. Mr. Galloway said he received the same memo but hasn't had a chance to review it. 11. CITY MANAGER Kenneth Fields, City Manager, reported on the upcoming public meetings with Dover Kohl in April. On April 3rd is the Warner Cares Day which will start at the Little League complex.  11. CITY MANAGER Kenneth Fields, City Manager, reported on the upcoming public meetings with Dover Kohl in April. On April 3rd is the Warner Cares Day which will start at the Little League complex. 11.I. Tracking Report Mr. Fields announced that the streets resurfacing program will begin on Monday. There will be 6 and a half miles of streets that will be resurfaced this year. 11.II. Social Media Tracking Report 11.III. Commission Meeting Schedule 11.IV. Other Meetings & Events Calendar Mr. Fields announced about the Family movie night and Main Street's Hops Shop and Stroll on the 22nd. 12. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson expressed concern about the Recreation Board and the lack of a quorum. Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, said they had a quorum this month. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson said we may have to look at restructuring the committee to help it to function. Mayor Fultz said we need more people are needed to give their input. Mr. Fields suggested they should change the time. Ms. Nanek said that sports leagues practice and play in the evenings. Commissioner Curtis Gibson said that they could send representatives if the member can't attend. Mayor Fultz said that could work. Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson suggested changing First Street to America Avenue. He asked the City Attorney how to rename the street. This idea was discussed. Mr. Galloway said he will look into this but it could be done by resolution. Commissioner Curtis Gibson reported on his recent trip to Washington DC for the Congressional City Conference and some of the topics discussed. He said Lake Wales was ahead of things in many areas. 13. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Fultz announced a food distribution event at Stuart Park on March 23rd. 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m. ____________________________ Mayor ATTEST ___________________________ City Clerk