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Regular City Commission Meeting
Minutes
September 22 2014
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Mayor
Gib Coerper
Vice Mayor Gary Hardacre
Commissioner Ben Boukari, Jr.
Commissioner Robert Wilford
Commissioner Shirley Green Brown
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City Manager Traci Cain
City Attorney Marian Rush
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The City Commission will conduct a
Regular City Commission Meeting
At 6:30 PM
to address the item(s) below.
Meeting Date:
September 22 2014
Meeting Location:
James A. Lewis Commission Chambers
AMENDED---David Aiken, Jessica Clayton, Susan Davenport, Dave Hellriegel, Kathy Hellriegel, John Martin. STAFF PRESENT: Rob Bonetti, Adam Boukari, Marcian Brown, Melanie Cosentino, Roland Davis, Joel DeCoursey, Hal Richardson, Cap Wilson
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Notice given pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes.
In order to appeal any decision made at this meeting, you will need a verbatim record of the proceedings. It will be your responsibility to ensure such a record is made.
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Called to order by Mayor Gib Coerper. |
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Led by Commissioner Shirley Green Brown. |
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Vice Mayor Gary Hardacre moved to approve; seconded by Commissioner Brown.
Passed by unanimous consent.
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APPROVE READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY |
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Commissioner Robert Wilford moved to approve; seconded by Commissioner Ben Boukari, Jr.
Passed by unanimous consent.
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A. |
Alachua Goes Pink Proclamation |
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Assistant Deputy City Clerk Melanie Cosentino introduced the item and presented American Cancer Society (ACS) Community Events Specialist Jessica Clayton to the dais.
Mayor Coerper read the proclamation and presented a signed copy to Ms. Clayton.
Ms. Clayton on behalf of the ACS expressed her gratitude for all the City of Alachua does to promote awareness and raise funds for the benefit of breast cancer research and women afflicted by the disease. |
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II. |
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS ON SUBJECT OF CHOICE |
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City of Alachua 'Alachua Goes Pink' Coordinator and Team Captain for the City of Alachua Making Strides Walk Diana Felver informed the City Commission of the various fund raising opportunities and Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities for October 1 through October 31.
She said Detective Jesse Sandusky has again arranged for the donation of the materials and labor for the pink shrink-wrapping of one of the Alachua Police Department (APD) patrol vehicles for the month. It will be out on the streets as well as at the start and finish lines of the Making Strides Walk.
She said a corporate donor has provided authentic police badges/shields also in pink for the APD officers including its canine officers and the month will culminate with the raffle drawing at the Downtown Alachua halloween event on the 31st.
Brooke Pointe subdivision resident David Aiken asked the City to take action on a storm drainage problem in the subdivision.
He said the swales initially designed to expedite the discharge of water have outlived their useful life. He said sediment and vegetation build up over time now blocks the flow of storm water creating saturated, boggy, and unmanageable swales. He said the standing water is a mosquito hazard and an inviting environment as a conduit for water moccasins into the filled drainage culverts.
He expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Hardacre for visiting with him to inspect the drainage swales and seeing the problem himself.
Mayor Coerper explained to Mr. Aiken that the procedural rules of the Citizens Comments section of the meeting agenda did not allow for immediate responses from the City Commission or Staff. He asked him to make sure he left his information with Assistant Deputy City Clerk Cosentino for submission to City Manager Traci Cain so that Staff could investigate the matter and if necessary contact him to discuss the issue further.
Recreation Director Hal Brady informed the Commission that two of the children murdered in Bell this past week were participants in the Santa Fe softball and baseball programs. He said their grandmother is a resident of Alachua. He said members of the community and the recreation programs held an event this past weekend and raised thousands of dollars to help her with the burial expenses of the slain mother and her six children. |
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(Please Limit to 3 Minutes.
Any citizen who is unable to speak at this time will have an opportunity to speak at the end of the meeting
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| | | | | | | | | III. | COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS/CITY ANNOUNCEMENTS | | | |
| | | | | | | | | IV. | PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | (Presentations, other than the applicant, please limit to 3 Minutes) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | A. | Public Hearing for the Adoption of Resolution 14-24 Relating to the Levy of general City Purpose Ad Valorem Taxes for the 2014 Tax Year, Resolution 14-25 Relating to the City's Budget for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year and Resolution 14-26 Relating to Capital Improvement Program | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Finance Director Marcian Brown introduced the item and presented the staff report.
City Manager Cain provided what she characterized as the highlights of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-2015 budget. She detailed these as the commitment to Project Legacy, a future operations center, and the downtown area. She added the investment in the City's employees to the list with budget items to preserve competitive position in the workforce market. She pointed out the maintenance and expanding of the City's infrastructure was critical to serve existing needs and attract future development.
She summarized the goals and objectives of the FY2014-2015 budget process as ensuring a high quality of life, talent investment, investing in infrastructure, and continuing Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) improvements. She submitted the FY 2014-2015 budget.
Mayor Coerper asked the commissioners for questions or comments.
Commissioner Wilford expressed his appreciation for the detailed breakdowns within the budget. He said he thought it was important that City Manager Cain's highlights be listed in the minutes so citizens could also read them.
Mayor Coerper provided the introduction to the public hearing on the City of Alachua FY 2014-2015 Final Budget.
City Attorney Marian Rush explained the history and purpose of the 1980 Truth in Millage Legislation (TRIM).
City Manager Cain gave the explanation of the general City final and rolled back millage rates.
Finance Director Brown presented the detailed overview of the FY 2014-2015 final budget and of adjustments to the budget.
Mayor Coerper asked the commissioners for comments.
Commissioner Wilford again expressed his appreciation for the details spelled out in the overview of the various budget funds.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for citizens' comments on the FY 2014-2015 final millage rates and final budget.
There were no comments.
Finance Director Brown drew the attention of the Commission to the final budget document and asked for any questions or motions.
Commissioner Wilford moved to conduct public hearing and adopt resolutions 14-24, 14-25, and 14-26 and authorize the mayor's signature
City Attorney Rush advised that each resolution needed its own motion.
Mayor Coerper instructed the commissioners as advised by City Attorney Rush.
Commissioner Wilford moved to conduct public hearing and adopt Resolution 14-24: seconded by Commissioner Brown.
City Attorney Rush provided the reading of Resolution 14-24 by title only.
City Manager Cain relayed the legislative taxing authority, levied millage rate, rolled-back rate, and percentage increase/decrease over rolled back rate requirements for public announcement. Accordingly, she provided the information of a final millage rate of 5.5000 mills, representing a decrease of 0.54% from the rolled-back rate of 5.5300 mills.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote.
City Attorney Rush provided the reading of Resolution 14-25 by title only.
Commissioner Boukari moved to adopt Resolution 14-25 and authorize the mayor's signature; seconded by Vice Mayor Hardacre.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote.
City Attorney Rush provided the reading of Resolution 14-26 by title only.
Commissioner Brown moved to adopt Resolution 14-26 and authorize the mayor's signature; seconded by Commissioner Boukari.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote.
Mayor Coerper thanked Finance Director Brown and Staff for their work on the budget.
Finance Director Brown expressed his special thanks to Assistant Finance Director Robert Bonetti. | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | A. | Resolution 14-27; Sandvik Mining and Construction USA LLC Participation in Qualifed Target Industry Tax Refund | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | City Attorney Rush provided the reading of Resolution 14-27 by title only.
Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari introduced the item and provided the staff presentation. He invited Vice President of Economic Development for the Gainesville Area Chamber and Council for Economic Outreach Susan Davenport to the podium to address the Commission.
Ms. Davenport expressed support for the Resolution characterizing Sandvik as a good corporate citizen and the expansion project as providing the types of jobs and salaries that would benefit the community as well as increase opportunities for partnerships with the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and other economic development entities throughout the region.
Mayor Coerper said how exciting the expansion of Sandvik was to the community.
Commissioner Boukari noted that the City of Alachua is unlike other communities in that its residents grow up and do not have to leave the community to find good employment opportunities as corporate citizens not only stay in the area but continue to grow.
Assistant City Manager Boukari also informed the Commission of the presence of Kathy and Dave Hellriegel of Sandvik in the audience for any questions the commissioners might have about the expansion project.
Mayor Coerper told them how appreciative the City is for their decision to stay in the community for this expansion of Sandvik's enterprise.
Commissioner Boukari moved to approve Resolution 14-27; seconded by Vice Mayor Hardacre.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote.
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| | | | | | | | | | B. | Contract to move overhead power line and record easements | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Compliance and Risk Manager Director Cap Wilson introduced the item and presented the staff report.
Commissioner Boukari moved to approve the agreement between the City, ADC Development and Investment Group, LLC and Petra Holding Company, LLC to relocate an overhead power line, establish specifically described easement rights and "release" certain prescriptive and recorded easement rights held but not required by the City and to authorize the mayor to execute the documents necessary to carry out the intent of this action; seconded by Commissioner Brown.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote. | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | C. | City Manager Evaluation | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Assistant City Manager Boukari introduced the item and presented the staff report.
Mayor Coerper asked the commissioners for comments or questions.
Commissioner Wilford expressed his appreciation for City Manager Cain and said the current budget as well as the improved financial condition of the City under her leadership was a testament to the quality of her leadership.
Commissioner Boukari commented on the annual procedure of the city manager evaluation and noted the consistently high marks City Manager Cain has achieved in this process each year. He expressed his concern that while staff salaries were raised as a result of the compensation study the city manager's position was not likewise adjusted to remain competitive; especially in light of the job City Manager Cain has done during her tenure and her consistent championing of employees and their compensation.
He proposed the Commission provide at least a five percent increase for the city manager position as well.
Mayor Coerper said he agreed with the sentiments of everything expressed by Commissioner Boukari but said that having just passed the budget he did not think this was a decision that needed or should be made at this meeting.
Commissioner Boukari said he would like the City Manager's office or staff to investigate and provide feedback to the Commission on the possibility of providing an increase to the city manager's compensation in line with the compensation study proposals.
Commissioner Wilford said he also agreed with the expressions of Commissioner Boukari's thoughts but he agreed with the mayor that this meeting was not the time to make that decision. He said he thought that in the future the city manager's evaluation should come to the Commission in August or at least earlier in the budget process next year. He also pointed out that with more input from staff it could be an item to discuss and amend the budget next month.
Commissioner Brown said she also agreed that having just passed the budget it was not appropriate to decide on this issue at this meeting. She did agree with her fellow commissioners and the mayor that City Manager Cain's performance warranted discussion. She said she felt it should be brought into the budget process for full discussion.
Commissioner Hardacre said he thought this consideration should be given to all employees and he would support such an action.
Commissioner Hardacre moved to approve the city manager's annual performance evaluation; seconded by Commissioner Boukari.
Mayor Coerper opened the floor for comments.
There were no comments.
Passed 5-0 on roll call vote.
Assistant City Manager Boukari said the evaluation was not provided earlier because it was City Manager Cain's decision not to consider any merit increase for herself when merit increases were not being considered for employees. He said the evaluation could easily be moved to August for future consideration and discussions in the budget process.
City Attorney Rush advised that the Commission could always instruct the the Assistant City Manager to look into this issue. She said Commissioner Wilford was correct that the Commission could also always vote to amend the budget whenever circumstances or information warranted such an action.
Commissioner Boukari asked for information on the procedure for directing any such actions.
City Attorney Rush said it could be done by consensus or by motion as it was an instruction for something to be investigated and information to be brought back for the Commission's enlightenment and consideration.
Mayor Coerper said he thought this had already been done.
Commissioner Boukari said that he thought the city attorney was saying that the instructions needed to be more specific as they would be directed to the Assistant City Manager as opposed to the City Manager and her office. He said he thought it would look better to have someone within staff other than the city manager to look into this considering the issue under discussion.
Commissioner Boukari moved to waive the rules; seconded by Commissioner Wilford.
Passed by unanimous consent.
Commissioner Boukari moved to direct the assistant city manager and the finance director along with a third member Cap Wilson Compliance and Risk Management Director to get together to look into and bring something back to the Commission in the direction of a potential five (5) percent increase for the city manager; seconded by Commissioner Wilford.
Passed 4-1 with Commissioner Hardacre opposing.
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| | | | | | | | | VI. | COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS ON SUBJECT OF CHOICE | | | |
| | | | | | | | | John Martin of Hawthorne announced his candidacy for Alachua County Commissioner for the open seat created by the resignation of Susan Baird and will be on the ballot in November. He provided a synopsis of his experience on various committees with the County and the Florida League of Cities as well as his leadership on the issue of home rule. | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | (Please Limit to 3 Minutes.Any citizen who did not speak during the Citizen Comments period at the beginning of the meeting may do so at this time.) | | |
| | | | | | | | | VII. | COMMENTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY | | | |
| | | | | | | | | City Manager Cain expressed her appreciation to the members of the City Commission for their confidence in her and the comments each made. She said she is proud to serve as the city manager and to work with the City Commission. She thanked the staff for their hard work on the budget. She said staff is already aware and has already issued work orders to address the concerns of Mr. Aiken with the swale-problem in Brooke Pointe subdivision.
City Attorney Rush relayed her many positive experiences working with City Manager Cain and the City Commission. | | | |
| | | | | | | | | VIII. | COMMISSION COMMENTS/DISCUSSION | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Commissioner Boukari said it was a great budget. He thanked the city attorney, the city manager, and staff for their hard work on it. He also thanked his fellow commissioners for all the compliments and comments held by the City's peers in other cities for the work they do and the direction and success they have in the City of Alachua.
Commissioner Wilford said the thing he found most appealing about working with his fellow commissioners is that each one actually reads and studies the materials provided for the meetings and comes prepared to do business in the best interests of the City. He said this preparation, especially this level of preparation, was not always the normal practice on the many boards and commissions he has served on over the years. He said he was not sure if he found it interesting or disappointing that no citizens had been present for the final hearing of the budget. He said he also experiences this high regard for the City when he is out and about on his travels and that often the comments are unsolicited.
Commissioner Hardacre thanked the city manager and the assistant city manager for moving so quickly to address the Brooke Pointe subdivision swale problem.
Mayor Coerper said how much he appreciated the city manager and staff on the budget and on issues throughout the year. He announced the Lion's Club White Cane Walk coming up. | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Commissioner Wilford moved to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Boukari.
Passed by unanimous consent.
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ATTEST:
| | CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ALACHUA, FLORIDA
| | __________________________________ | | __________________________________ | Traci L. Cain, City Manager/Clerk | | Gib Coerper, Mayor |
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