Commission Report: June 2, 2009

Various city departments and/or individuals made the following monthly reports to the Apalachicola city commission at the regular scheduled June 2 meeting.

*Planning & Zoning Report
Planning & Zoning member Tom Daly appeared before the commission on behalf of P&Z chair Leon Bloodworth. Daly gave commissioners an overview of some of the activities currently undertaken by the zoning board, he stated that P&Z is reviewing the sign ordinance to simplify and speed up the process.

He further informed the commission that the zoning board is working with the Riverfront Park Committee to assist in working through some of the design changes recommended for the park. Daly also told commissioners that P&Z members are working on both a tree ordinance and an ordinance governing requests for temporary road closures.

*Chamber Report
Anita Grove, executive director for the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce reported that several new businesses recently joined the chamber. She reported that Dawn Ivanovo bought the Market Street Dinner, now operated as Ivanovo’s Pizzeria, and that the Garden Shop has expanding to the building adjacent to its operation.

Grove further reported that Jonathan Ramsden, owner of My Photo T has also joined the chamber. According to Grove, Ramsden is a retired Air Traffic Controller out of Atlanta and operates a mobile T-Shirt printing company where he travels to various sporting events. While at an event, Ramsden take pictures of the winning teams, and then print, and sell the T-Shirts all onsite.

She concluded her report by stating that the Small Business Administration (SBA) would release the loan application for their new loan program on June 15.

*Library Report
Apalachicola Librarian Caty Greene reported to the commission that 556 patrons visited the library during the month of May; with nearly 300 of those visitors utilized the computers.

Greene also reported that the Workforce program hired Cynthia Taylor to work at the library primary in the mornings for 20 hours per week and that the library is expecting the arrival of other Librarian’s from Texas to assist with the summer reading program.

In addition, Greene informed commissioners that the library has decided to stay at their current location, and look into the possibility of renovating and expanding that site.

*Police Department Report
In his report, Police Chief Bobby Varnes reported that during the month of May his officers received 191 calls, made seven direct arrests, served six-warrant request, investigated two traffic accidents and issued 21 traffic citations for either speeding or running a stop sign.

Local business owner Beverly Hewitt, praised the Police Department for contacting her at 3:00AM on Friday to report that her business was left unlocked, she stated the at least three officers secured the building while awaiting her arrival. “Our police department is doing a wonderful job”, commented Hewitt.

Chief Varnes then reported on the Neighborhood Watch Program, he invited the public to get involved and attend the next scheduled meeting on June 15 at 6:00PM at the 6th Street Recreation Center.

*City Administrator Report
Betty Taylor-Webb told commissioners that she has scheduled for the third time a meeting with the Revolving Loan Committee to review recent loan applications, however each time she failed to obtain a quorum. Webb stated that at the next scheduled Loan Committee meeting, that if she were unable to reach a quorum, she would recommend that the city commission act in that capacity.

In her written report, Webb wrote that the School Board was to discuss the transfer of the Apalachicola High School property to the city at their June 2 meeting and that staff would mail the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architecture services to local Architects and forward the RFQ to the media for advertising by June 5.

Commission Report: May 5, 2009

The following business came before the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at their regular scheduled meeting held last night.

*Resolution
The commission unanimously adopted resolution 2009-03, recognizing the Philaco Woman’s Club of Apalachicola for 113 years of dedicated service to the City of Apalachicola and the Franklin County community.

*Chamber Report
Anita Grove, executive director with the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce reported on the activities of several downtown businesses.

Grove reported that the Express Lane convenience store has opened the once closed Chevron station location at the corner of U.S. 98 and Market Street. She further reported that the Green Door has moved to the Orman Building and that Le Debut is moving to the Taranto House.

Grove also reported that there has been no word on the new Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan program. The program was signed into law on February 17 to help small businesses recover from the economic downturn. However, as of yet no formal application process has been defined.

*Police Department Report
Lt. Pam Lewis with the Apalachicola Police Department stood in for Chief Bobby Varnes who couldn’t attend the meeting due to illness.

Lewis reported that during the month of April the police department received 198 calls, made five direct arrests, served three warrant requests, worked seven traffic accidents, and issued 30 traffic citations.

She stated that the May 11, 6:00PM meeting scheduled to implement the neighborhood watch program will be held at the 6th street recreation center, instead of at the Battery park community center.

*Library Report
Librarian Caty Greene reported that at the last library board meeting, the board unanimously voted Susan Clementson in as its new Chair after outgoing Chair Denise Roux tendered her resignation.

Greene further reported that the library board has withdrawn its request for zoning change for the Pierce house and that the board continues to explore other options.

*City Administrator Report
The commission approved a request submitted by City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb on behalf of Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition to close the portion of Water Street directly in front of the Historic Cotton Warehouse for the 2009 Plein Air Paint-Out on May 17.

Webb also submitted the written results from a fecal coliform test conducted by the Health Department of the waters at Battery Park Marina. The test revealed that there were very low levels of fecal coliform in the basin. According the Jason Flowers, Environmental Manager at the Health Department, the low levels could be from birds or wildlife and not necessarily from boats docked in the marina.

*Grant Manager Report
City grant manager Cindi Giametta presented to the commission a list of five contractors that submitted bids to perform improvements to the stormwater system along Avenue G and Market Street. Aero Training & Rental, Inc. submitted the lowest bid of $174,112.25. However, the company failed to submit the required equal opportunity employment documentation. The commission then awarded the contract to the second lowest bidder Poloronis Construction, Inc., for $190,610.76.

The commission also motioned to approve the Mayor’s signature on the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts grant award to purchase Charlie Williamson property adjacent to Leavins Seafood.

*Commissioner Cook
Commissioner Frank Cook motioned that all projects in the city that has a design element go through the planning and zoning board to receive public input before approval is granted, including all city projects. Cook’s motion passed.

Commission Report: April 7, 2009

Other business before the city commission at the April 7 meeting included the following:

*Visitors
Pam Mahr appeared before the commission to request an encroachment to place an awning over the sidewalk at her building off Commerce Street. The Board approved the request.

Carol Godwin appeared before the commission to express concerns over poor drainage in her 15th Street neighborhood and the subsequent flooding of her property during the recent heavy rains.

*Library Report
Caty Greene, the new librarian reported that during the month of March the Apalachicola Municipal Library served 1,073 patrons, which included 19 new patrons.

She further told commissioners that the workforce position remains vacant, and that Library hours continue to be from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, with an expectation to increase those hours once the workforce person is hired.

Greene continued that the Library has an increase demand for internet access, and that their book collection has increased in size, which has contributed to a decrease in shelf space, with hopes that this will be addresses through their plans for expansion.

She went on to tell commissioners that the Library Board continues to support the city’s purchase of the Pierce House to address their need for additional space.

*Police Department Report
Police Chief Bobby Varnes reported that during the month of March his officers responded to 175 calls, made five direct arrests, served seven warrants, and worked 10 traffic accidents. He also reported that he’s looking into the possibility of implementing a neighborhood watch program as a means to help address reports of increase drug activity in the city.

Chief Varnes requested and received approval to hire Timothy Davis a current deputy sheriff with the Franklin Sheriff Office to replace Lt. Gray Hunnings who resigned from the force last month.

*City Administrator Report
City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb submitted the following written report to the commission:

The city is waiting for final deed transfer of the Apalachicola High School property from the Franklin County District School Board. The School Board’s intent is to transfer all building footprints with a non-monetary lease on the surrounding properties and fields. The gym and field house are being utilized and cleanup of the high school building has begun. An open house for the official opening of the Apalachicola Recreational Civic, Youth, and Community Service Center Complex is planned for Friday, May 15, 2009, from 3:00PM to 6:00PM.

The Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Audit is complete. There were no new comments for this year, several remain from the previous year, some of which have now been corrected, or limited funds and/or staff prohibit complete compliance (i.e. separation of duties and the City relying on the auditing firm to complete financial statements rather than hiring a full-time accountant).

The USDA application for the Fire/Police Station has been submitted. Plans are moving forward with Phase I of the project with the current funds awarded by DCA to construct the truck garage. Debbie Belcher is finalizing bid specs for review. Phase II will encompass USDA funds to pay for the existing building and finalization of ADA compliance and interconnection of the two structures (existing and garage).

*Building Department Report
A discussion was held and a decision made to solicit Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a pool of Historic Preservation Architects or firms to perform services as needed similar to the city’s pool of engineers.

*Grant Manager Report
Cindi Giametta the city’s grant manager requested approval to submit an application for a COPS grant to fund for three-year a police officer’s position. Giametta also requested approval for the City of Apalachicola to apply as the fiscal agency for the Project Impact 21st Century grant. The Board approved both requests.

Special City Meeting

A special meeting of the Apalachicola board of city commissioners followed Monday night’s workshop with the planning and zoning board.

At the meeting, commissioners followed the recommendation of the Municipal Library Board and approved the hiring of Katy Greene as the new Library Director. The board also hired a Class B wastewater operator for the treatment plant and held a brief discussion concerning the design and name of Veterans Parks across the street from the Grady Market. The commission decided that the design of the park will pay homage to our seafood heritage and promptly returned the parks name back to the original name of Riverfront Park.

Commission Report: March 3, 2009

Other business before the city commission at the March 3 meeting included the following:

*Phyllis Blan again appeared before the Board requesting the renaming of Veterans Park across from the Grady Market in honor of the late Robert “Bobby” Howell former Apalachicola Mayor and County Clerk of Courts. The board informed Ms. Blan that it would consider her request along with the other requests received concerning the development and renaming of the park.

*The Board approved the purchase of an 2009/2010 Pearce Pumper truck off the State of Florida contract bid list for the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department . Betty Taylor-Webb, City Administrator reported that the truck including hoses, nozzles, decals, and striping will cost the city $217,710. The Board agreed to use funds from the Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBU) Assessment to pay for the truck.

*At the recommendation of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the city commission agreed to replace Kathy Robinson with local certified public accountant Mark Friedman.

*Apalachicola Chief of Police Bobby Varnes reported that during the month of February his department answered 157 calls, made eight direct arrests, served three warrants, investigated three traffic accidents and issued eighteen traffic citations, ten of which were for speeding.

*City administrator Betty Taylor-Webb reported that the Fire/Police station USDA application has been submitted and plans are to proceed with Phase I of the project with the current funding of $250,000 to construct the truck bay garage. Phase II will encompass the USDA funds for payment of the existing building, bringing the structure into ADA compliance and interconnecting the two structures, the existing building with the garage. Webb further reported that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the School District for project impact has been finalized and the program started.

*City grants manager Cindi Giametta reported that the city is in receipt of the contract for the $1.5 million dollar Florida Department of Elder Affairs grant to restore the old Holy Family School into a Senior Citizens Center.

Commission Report: February 3, 2009

Brought before the city commission at the February 3, regular scheduled monthly meeting were a variety of topics that included the following:

*Karla Ambos, coordinator of the City Square Community Garden Committee updated the commission on the progress her group has made on the community garden project. She reported that to date the group has cleared the site, held a groundbreaking ceremony, raised community awareness through the local media, held fundraisers and constructed 14 out of the 28 beds needed to start planting.

*Tami Ray-Hutchinson representing the Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) requested and received approval to use Franklin Square Recreation Park and its amenities for the Annual African-American History Festival scheduled for February 20-22. The request also included closing from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, 14 Street going east down Martin Luther King Avenue to 6 Street and North to Avenue M for the annual parade.

*Apalachicola resident Phyllis Blan requested consideration for renaming Veterans Park across from the Grady Market after the late Robert L. Howell, who was a former Mayor of the City of Apalachicola and Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court. The Board took no action on the request.

*The Board proclaimed March 1-7, 2009, as Problem Gambling Awareness Week throughout the City of Apalachicola, in support of Governor Crist efforts to raise awareness concerning problems associated with compulsive gambling throughout the state.

*The Board backed a statewide effort aimed at teaching students and citizens about municipal government by adopting Resolution 2009-01, which promotes the “Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics” initiative of the Florida League of Cities.

*Chamber of Commerce executive director Anita Grove reported that most of the renovations to the Chamber office and visitors center are now complete. She further reported that improvements have been made to Chambers website as well, making it easier for visitors to select to view member listings by geographic area and that the “Think Local First” awareness campaign handed out 500 pens with the Think Local First logo to local businesses. Grove also commented on the $8.5 million dollar state economic business loan program signed into law by Governor Christ.

*Denise Roux, chair of the Apalachicola Municipal Library board reported that at the Library Board’s February 2, meeting, members discussed but took no action on extending library hours to Saturdays. She went on to report that patrons visiting the library has increased from 560 in December to 948 in January and that the advertisement to fill the vacant librarian position will close February 15. Susan requested an update on the status of the directional signs for placement alongside U.S. 98 and other places to give directions to the library.

*Lt. Pam Lewis with the Apalachicola Police Department (APD) report that for the month of January 2009 the APD answered 151 calls, made five direct arrests, served four warrants, issued 11 traffic citations, and worked two traffic accidents.

*To help ease the financial burden on local businesses and shrimp harvester brought on by the economic recession, City administrator Betty Taylor-Webb asked for and received approval to roll back by 20 percent the rate businesses pay for city water and sewer services. She also received approval to add additional shrimp harvesters who rent boat slips at the Scipio Creek boat basin to the grandfather status list, which is set to expire December 31, 2009. Shrimpers who live inside the city will pay $20 per month while those living outside the city will pay $30.

*City Attorney J. Patrick Floyd undated the commission on the Tri-State Water War litigation and on the transfer of property from the School District to the City of Apalachicola for youth related activities.

Commission Report: January 6, 2009

The order of business before the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at their January 6 meeting including the following:

*Commissioners approved a request from Helen Tudor to remove the sidewalk in front of the Chapman House located at 82 - 6th Street in order to landscape the area. Ms. Tudor had received prior approval from the planning & zoning commission at their December 8, meeting for the landscaping portion of the project. After P&Z gave their blessings, she brought her request to remove the sidewalk before the city commission.

*Joe Taylor updated the commission on the cooperative effort to establish a local arts agency to serve the counties arts and cultural constituencies. He also requested and received approval for the agency to use the Cotton Exchange as a temporary office.

*Anita Grove reported that during the month of November the chamber office noticed a small decrease in the number of telephone calls received and unique visitors to their website. She further stated that the trend appear to be reflective of the current economic uncertainties prevailing throughout the country. She went on to report that the “Think Local First” campaign had produced some local shoppers and that the chamber will continue to spread the word concerning the importance of shopping at home. She concluded her report by stating that the area had received some good exposure from several magazines including Southern Living.

*Susan Clementson reported that the Municipal Library is serving the Apalachicola community as a whole; she stated that the days are gone when just little old ladies use the library. She informed the commission that during the month of December the library served 560 patrons, which included teenagers, young children, and citizens conducting historical research. She added that since last month’s report, the library board has written a job description for the librarian position and that the board will begin the interview process within the next few days. She also received city commission approval to use the interest accrued from the Key Estate money market fund to purchase books for the library.

*The Community Redevelopment Agency completed the writing of their bylaws in early December and presented them before the commission for approval. The Board granted unanimous approval.

*Chief Bobby Varnes reported the police department’s monthly activities to the commission. He stated that during the month of December the department received 167 calls, responded to nine traffic accidents, issued 10 traffic citations, made eight direct arrests, and issued six golf cart violations.

*City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb presented a plan of action for use of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Federal Grant for $344,200. Her plan called for and received board approval to hire Faye Johnson, as director over the program, Barbara Lewis as the site 3 coordinator, Janelle Paul to assist with administration, Temolynn Wintons to continue in her role at the Love Center site and the current coordinator at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School site.

Commission Report: December 2, 2008

*The city commission held the final public hearing and adoption of Ordinance number 2008-07, which extends the grandfathered status by one year for renters using the Scipio Creek Mooring Basin.

*The Board adopted a Mayor’s Proclamation recognizing and honoring Pastors Leonard and Sheila Martin, Co-Pastors of The Love & Worship Center Church.

*During the Chamber report, Anita Grove, Executive Director reported that the City of Apalachicola is currently receiving major interest from several magazines and organizations.

*Police Chief Bobby Varnes reported that the police department received 198 calls during the month of November. The department made twelve arrests, wrote twenty-six traffic citations, and investigated nine traffic accidents and cited ten golf cart violations.

*City Grant Writer Cindi Giametta asked for and received a motion approving the Mayor’s signature on the contract to purchase from James Holmes and Rob Peterson Bay front property located east on Hwy 98 using Florida Community Trust monies. The purchase price for the Holmes property is $335,000 and $349,900 for the Peterson property.

*City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb reported that no one submitted an application for a loan through the city’s revolving loan fund by the November 21 deadline. She agreed to re-advertise the loan cycle. Ms. Webb further reported that due to the fiscal challenges facing the State of Florida, that the Legislature will not be accepting any Community Budget Issue Requests (CBIRS) from Florida communities for the 2008-09 year. She updated the commission on the status of the Fire/Police station.

Commission Report: November 4, 2008

Public hearings, ordinances, resolutions, the city’s visioning initiative and grants highlighted the Nov. 4, agenda and regular scheduled meeting of the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

* The Board held two public hearings to garner public input concerning the adoption of the City’s FY 2008/2009 budget and the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR), followed by the adoption of Ordinance No. 2008-06 regarding the budget and Ordinance No. 2008-05 relating to the EAR. Commissioners also approved three resolutions, one supporting the millage rate of 5.96 for FY 2008/2009, another endorsing the nomination of the Florida’s Big Bend Scenic Byway for designation as a National Scenic Highway and the last was an application for a $500,000 grant to renovate and expand the existing municipal Library.

* Representatives from the University of Georgia’s Project Riverway provided the commission with an outline of their work performed in June relating to the City of Apalachicola’s Visioning Initiative.

* Karla Ambos reported that she has witness an increase number of golf carts operating on U.S. Highway 98 and other safety issues. The Board instructed staff to conduct an educational campaign relating to the golf ordinance using the local media and the city’s website, and to report back with recommendations to implement an annual golf cart registration with fees. The commission also instructed Police Chief Bobby Varnes to have his officers address this concern as well. Ambos also invited the commission to attend the Community Garden’s groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday.

* Under the Chamber of Commerce monthly report, Anita Grove, Executive Director updated the commission on current chamber activities and upcoming events. She requested closure of the road in front of the Christmas tree for the annual tree lighting ceremony and invited Board members to attend the chambers monthly luncheon at AJ’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill.

* Chief of Police Bobby Varnes reported success with the Community Policing Program and the downtown business checks. Beverly Hewitt, co-owner of the Grill confirmed that both programs were responsive to the needs of the business owners.

* The Board agreed to allow city grant writer, Cindi Giametta submit two grant applications through the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Florida Forever grant program. The Stan Mayfield grant was created by the 2008 Florida Legislature to fund local government’s purchase of working waterfront properties for public ownership. The properties that the city is interested in are the wharf lots adjacent to the Wheelhouse restaurant owned by Ben Watkins and the property owned by Charlie Williamson located on Water Street adjacent to Levins Seafood.

* At the request of city administrator, Betty Taylor-Webb, the commission announced the first reading of Ordinance No. 2008-07 (Scipio Creek Amendment) to extend the grandfather clause in Ordinance No 88-4 by one-year. The clause allows commercial shrimpers to pay a reduced rental rate to the city for docking their boats at the Scipio Creek Boat Basin.

* The commission closed the meeting with a lengthy discussion concerning the dilemma the city recently experienced with the Department of Revenue after the Apalachicola Times mishandling the city’s legal notice advertising the final public hearing to adopt the FY 2008/2009 budget. The commission agreed to allow city attorney, Pat Floyd to speak directly with the Times management before taking any action.

Commission Report: September 2, 2008

The selection of a pool of city engineers, personnel matters, and temporary road closures topped the City’s agenda at our regular scheduled meeting held Tuesday, Sept 2.

Selection of a pool of City Engineers

The City Commission selected four engineer firms out of 10 to complement the services provided by the City’s current engineering firm Baskerville and Donovan.

At the April 8 meeting, the Commission agreed to advertise for Requests for Statements of Qualifications. The Commission took this approach to give us the flexibility to choose from a pool of engineers instead of one when contracting out design and engineering projects.

The pool will consist of the engineering firms of Baskerville and Donovan, Inc., Bailey, Bishop & Lane, Inc., Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc., Inovia Consulting Group and Preble Rish, Inc.

Personnel Matters

The Board discussed at length what to do with employee Timothy Poloronis who recently had his certification to supervise State Inmates revoked by the Department of Corrections.

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners in the past has terminated the employment of at least eight former City employees who lost their license or certification to perform the job in which they were hired.

At our November 6, 2007 regular scheduled meeting, I proposed an Inmate Supervisory Policy which passed unanimously at our November 13, special meeting. The policy makes it a Class IV offense for an employee to lose his/her license or certification to perform the duties in which they were hired. Employees found in violation of this policy could find themselves subject to discharge for a first offense.

A motion made by Commissioner Jimmy Elliot to allow Poloronis to transfer into another department in lieu of termination failed 2 to 3. The Commission tabled the matter for further discussion at our Sept. 9 special meeting.

Temporary Road Closures

At our August 5 regular meeting, Anita Grove, Executive Director for the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce asked for approval to close a portion of Commerce Street for the Chamber’s Annual Oyster Roast.

The City Commission routinely approves such requests for temporary road closures; however, there was an objection to this particular closure. The objection came from Hollis Vail and Jan Gorman owners of one of the businesses operating near the proposed closure.

The Commission deferred the matter for further discussion at our Tuesday, September 2 meeting, where both Vail and Gorman appeared to voice their concerns. Both women informed the Commission that their business has suffered revenue loss from the closure of Commerce Street during the high traffic weekend of the Annual Seafood Festival.

City Commissioner Frank Cook motioned that we again table the matter to gather further information for resolution at our special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Commission Report: August 5, 2008

The following are items discussed or acted upon by the Apalachicola City Council at our regular scheduled meeting held last night.

• Tabled a request made by the Chamber of Commerce to close a portion of road for their annual Oyster Roast until the item can be placed on the September meeting agenda for public discussion.

• City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb announced that she and Chief Bobby Varnes, Jr., would be working together to conduct random drug tests on police officers and other city employees.

• After receiving complaints from residents in the area, the council instructed Chief Varnes to discourage the non-traditional use and activites at the Park located on Sixth Street adjacent to the Franklin Square Recreation Center.

• City Grant Writer, Cindi Giametta informed the Board that she submitted on behalf of the city and was awarded an $86,000 grant to perform electrical work at the Battery Park Marina, and that the grant application from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs for the construction and renovation of Senior Citizen Centers was submitted.

• Attorney Pat Floyd discussed the request made by the Supervisor of Elections office to address the problems associated with the current city run-off elections. Click HERE to read the letter received from the supervisor of election office.

• Commissioner Jimmy Elliott initiated and moved to designate July 12 as Jimmy Mosconis Day in the City of Apalachicola and to rename a portion of the Street that runs through the Orman House State Park after Mosconis.

• By way of a motion, city commissioners instructed the planning and zoning board to delayed working on revisions to the Riverfront zoning until after updates to the City’s economic development plan are completed. The last update to the plan was in 1989 as an element of the Land Development Code.