City Commission Meeting Summary - September 10, 2009
The City Commission met in regular session and took the following action:
Mayor Marks introduced and welcomed the newest member of the City Commission, Commissioner Gil Ziffer.
Item 1 - Mayor Marks presented proclamations to Distinguished Leadership Award Finalists and announced the 2009 Leadership Awards will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the University Center Club. The finalists were as follows:
- 2009 Lifetime Leadership recipient: Hon. Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte Â
- Leadership Pacesetter: Cindy Dick, R. Jai Gillum, Samantha Strickland, and Jaimi Wacksman
- Leader of the Year: Stephen Hogge, Jake Myddelton, John Parker, Kelly Otte, Bruce Prevatt and Allan Stamm
- Servant Leadership: Virginia Glass, Todd Sperry, Gail Stansberry-Ziffer, Jeff Wahlen, and Harriet Williams
Item 2 - Mayor Marks presented a proclamation declaring September 11, 2009 as a day of Service and Remembrance.
Item 3 - Approval of Designation of Donations for Back to School Even - Moved to Item 14.1
Items 4-14 - Voted 5-0 to approve the staff's recommendations presented in Consent Agenda Items 4-14, taking the following action:
Item 4 - Approved the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare second amended Articles of Incorporation and Second Amended Bylaws. (Option 1 recommended by the City Attorney)
Item 5 - Adopted Resolution Nos. 09-R-24 and 09-R-26 and authorized execution of Joint Participation Agreement No. 40950919401 and Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement No. 40951319401 with the Florida Department of Transportation and established a project for Airport Terminal Water Intrusion Improvements with a budget of $3,430,000. (Option 1 recommended by Ken Austin, Aviation)
Item 6 - Adopted Resolution Nos. 09-R-21 and 09-R-22 and authorized the execution of Supplemental Joint Participation Agreement Nos. 22678119401 and 22679219401 with the Florida Department of Transportation for terminal rehabilitation improvements and marketing/promotional studies, plans, programs and materials. (Recommended by Ken Austin, Aviation)
Item 7 - Authorized staff to accept and execute the FAA AIP Grant Agreement; modify the North General Aviation Apron Improvements project (COT Nos. 04002 and 06092) budget to show the grant funding as outlined; award the construction contract for the North General Aviation Apron Improvements project to C.W. Roberts, Inc. in the amount of $2,334,875; and authorized staff to execute the construction engineering services task for the project to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $422,663; Amended Capital Budget and appropriate balance of AIP funds to Terminal Rehabilitation - Water Intrusion Improvements ($1,000,000) and design services for the South General Aviation Apron Improvements ($303,000). The grant also includes a reimbursement of approximately $376,000 for previous design services. (Recommended by Ken Austin, Aviation)
Item 8 - Approved the recommended ranking of construction equipment (RFP No. 005-09-KR-RC) submitted by the selection committee and authorized the City Manager or her designee to negotiate a contract with the top-ranked firm, Flint Equipment Company, Tallahassee, FL, and execute a contract for the proposed construction equipment, and associated items of services. If an agreement cannot be reached with Flint Equipment Company, then the city would begin negotiations with the second-ranked firm, Ring Power Corporation. (Recommended by Terry Lowe, Fleet Management)
Item 9 - Approved the award for the repair and upgrades of Mobile Substation #1 to Electric Supply, Inc. in the amount of $931,000, authorized the City Manager to approve up to $50,000 in additional costs for unforeseen and undetected work needed for the upgrades that may be found, and approved the appropriation of $340,000 funding from RR&I Undesignated Fund balance and $641,000 funding from accounts receivable (Insurance Reimbursement). (Brought forward by Kevin Wailes, Electric Utility)
Item 10 - Authorized the City Manager to increase the revenue and expense limits on TFD's Minimum Standards Training Program (W.O. #0101329) by $55,633.20. (Recommended by Chief Cindy Dick, Fire Department)
Item 11 - Authorized the City Manager to sign the Contractual Agreement by and between the State of Florida, Department of Financial Services and the City of Tallahassee for the 2008-2009 State Homeland Security Grant Program Subrecipient Agreement for Expenditure of Local Government Unit Funding for Florida for TFD's Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) special operations teams and the Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) unit. (Recommended by Chief Cindy Dick, Fire Department)
Item 12 - Authorized acceptance of donated funds, up to $144,000, from the U.S. Marshals Service to purchase, operate, and maintain up to three vehicles for three years in support of the Violent Fugitive Task Force. (Recommended by Chief Dennis Jones, Police Department)
Item 13 - Adopted Resolution 09-R-28 requesting an easement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for electric service associated with a newly constructed restroom facility at the Miccosukee Greenway Trailhead. (Recommended by Michelle Bono, Assistant to the City Manager)
Item 14 - Adopted Resolution 09-R-32 requesting an easement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for operating and maintaining a pump station and force main (sewer) at the new Capital Circle Office Complex site on Capital Circle southeast at Southwood. (Recommended by Michelle Bono, Assistant to the City Manager)
Item 14.1 - Approved the designation of donations for the Back to School Event, and authorized payment of expenses from those funds and carryover any leftover funds to prepare for next year's event. (Brought forward by Ramon Alexander, Mayor's Office)
Item 15 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-Z-35 which proposes an amendment to the Official Zoning Map from R-3 Single and Two-Family Residential District to OR-1 Office Residential District on 1.22 acres fronting on the east and west sides of Cadiz Street, and set the public hearing for October 13, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the Leon County Courthouse.
Item 16 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-Z-36 which proposes an amendment to the Official Zoning Map from Residential Preservation 1 and R-2 Single-Family detached district to OS Open Space District on 27.6 acres lying south of Creek Road and east and west of North Ridge Road; Silver Lake City Park; and a lot at the Northwest corner of Creek Road and Bunche Avenue, and set the public hearing at the joint meeting of the City Commission and Leon County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the Leon County Courthouse.
Item 17 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-Z-37 which proposes an amendment to the Official Zoning Map from Residential Preservation 2 District to UP-2 Urban Pedestrian 2 District on 1.07 acres fronting on the north side of Orange Avenue between Pasco & Orange Avenue and Holton Street, and set the public hearing at the joint meeting of the City Commission and Leon County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the Leon County Courthouse.
Item 18 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-O-38 to adopt a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the 2009 Annual Capital Improvements Element Update (Amendment # 2009-CIE), and set the public hearing for Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall.
Item 19 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-O-40 which proposed an amendment to the Land Development Code Criteria for site plan deviations, and set the public hearing for Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, City Hall.
Item 20 - Introduced Ordinance No. 09-O-43 to adopt Comprehensive Plan Amendments 2009-2 and set the public hearing at the joint meeting of the City Commission and Leon County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6 p.m., in the Leon County Court House.
Item 21 - Received a staff overview of the Remote Payment and SmartBill update.
Also received a staff overview of the SmartBill program, which was instituted in October 2008, and recently eclipsed 14,000 participants, representing 13% of all utility bills. (Brought forward by Gary Herndon, Treasurer Clerk/Mike Meeks, Revenue Division)
Mike Meeks also presented the commission with the public service announcement of the remote payment option, which will be airing soon on ESPN, BET and other local channels.
Item 22 - Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 09-R-30 to repeal the cap on the State Affordable Housing Trust Fund and to encourage appropriation of all Trust Funds for affordable housing programs. (Brought forward by Carrie Blanchard, Chief of Staff to the Mayor)
Item 23 - Voted 5-0 to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a turnkey agreement with ACS State & Local Solutions, Inc. (ACS) the top ranked vendor selected in accordance with RFP No. 0177-09-ER-RC - Red Light Camera Safety Program. With this turnkey agreement ACS will design, implement, maintain, and operate unmanned cameras/monitoring devices at designated intersections for red light traffic violations. (Recommended by Gabe Menendez, Director Public Works Department) Frank Harrison with ACS was also available to discuss this item.
Item 24 - Voted 5-0 to approve the project list for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant Program (TIGER) (Recommended by Gabe Menendez, Director Public Works Department)
Tallahassee-Leon County TIGER Grant Projects List
| Location | Length (FT) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Schools | ||
| Magnolia Drive - From South Adams Street to Appalachee Parkway | 11,710 | $2,928,000 |
| Fred George Road - From Capitol Circle NW to N. Monroe | 4,841 | $726,000 |
| Kinhega Drive - From Deerlake Road to Thomasville Road | 7,519 | $1,128,000 |
| Deerlake Road - From Kinhega Drive to Chadwick Way | 17,764 | $2,665,000 |
| Chaires Cross Road - From Capitola Road to Green Oak Drive | 4,876 | $731,000 |
| Dale Street - From Ridgeway Street to McElroy Street | 1,900 | $475,475 |
| Bradford Road - From N. Monroe Street to Meridian | 2,500 | $4,580,000 |
| Timberlane School Rd - From Timberlane Rd to Live Oak Plantation Rd | 3,500 | $1,251,250 |
| Maclay Boulevard - From Market Street to Maclay Road | 1,400 | $1,200,550 |
| CRTPA Bike-Ped Master Plan Project | ||
| Timberlane Road - From Meridian Street to Thomasville Road | 4,820 | $1,205,000 |
| Old Bainbridge Road - From I-10 to Brevard Street | 8,550 | $2,138,000 |
| Old St. Augustine Road - From Idian Heat to Capital Circle | 10,470 | $2,618,000 |
| Miccosukee Road - From Capital Circle to Fleishmann Road | 3,470 | $868,000 |
| Tram Road - From South Monroe to Capital Circle | 11,750 | $2,938,000 |
| Centerville Road - From Shamrock to Roberts Road | 2,630 | $658,000 |
| Ox Bottom Road - From Meridian to Thomasville Road | 17,220 | $4,305,000 |
| Maclay Road - From Meridian to Thomasville Road | 4,850 | $1,213,000 |
| Beech Ridge Trail - From Kinhega Drive to Lawton Chiles Lane | 450 | $113,000 |
| Live Oak Plantation Road - From Meridian Road to Thomasville Road | 8,380 | $1,257,000 |
| Seventh Avenue - From Centerville Road to Thomasville Road | 4,550 | $2,484,300 |
| Dewey Street - From Brevard to Rollins Street | 1,950 | $304,200 |
| McDaniel Street - From Miccosukee to Calhoun | 2,225 | $520,416 |
| Piedmont Road - From Meridian to Thomasville | 8,500 | $1,326,000 |
| Mass Transit Route Enhancement Project | ||
| ITS - On-board transit systems GPS | 1,320,091 | $5,000,000 |
| Capital Medical from Miccosukee Road to Professional Park Circle | 2,175 | $480,000 |
| Indian River from Stuckey to Levy | 1,050 | $230,000 |
| Sunnyside from Ridge Road to Ridge Road | 2,365 | $480,000 |
| Woodland from Estates Road to Sunnyside | 1,550 | $260,000 |
| Total | 1,473,056 | 44,083,191 |
Item 25 - Voted 5-0 to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Joint Planning services between the City of Tallahassee and Leon County effective October 1, 2009. (Brought forward by Wayne Tedder, Planning Department Director)
Item 26 - Vote 5-0 to accept the three Brownfields remediation grants in the amount of $200,000 each, for a total of $600,000, and to authorize the City Manager to execute the contracts for use in the Gaines Street Corridor area. (recommended by Cynthia Barber, Director, Environmental Policy & Energy Services)
Target Issue Update
Long Range Planning - deleted from the agenda
Economic Development - Mayor Marks gave an update on the Economic Development Target Issue Committee and reported that the Economic Development Target Issue Committee met on August 26, 2009 and discussed Recovery Zones and how recovery zones can be utilized within the Commission.
Financial Viability - Commissioner Mustian gave an update on the Financial Viability Target Issue Committee. He reported that the Committee would be presenting recommendations on adjusting deposit rates for residential customers but leaving commercial deposits as is. Commissioner Mustian also reported that the 2010 Target Issue Committee plans to review the City's finance policy, reserve level issues, pension requirements, capital budget issues, Starmetro, and sales tax projects.
Environmental and Energy Resources - Commissioner Lightsey reported on the activities of the Lafayette Park Flood Relief Project, and discussed potential rule making for water classifications by DEP and revisions to the flood damage protection regulations to the land development code. She also discussed the unnecessary idling draft resolution.
Rick Fernandez appeared before the commission and announced that effective October 1, 2009 there will be a decrease in the electric retail rate by 8%, which represents a cumulative total of 18% decrease in six months.
Item 27 - Held the first of two public hearings to adopt a Tentative Millage Rate and Fiscal Year 2010 Budget for the City of Tallahassee and the Downtown Improvement Authority. The next public is hearing scheduled for September 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Received a staff overview of the proposed 2010 Budget and the Proposed Millage Rate. Held the first of two statutorily required public hearings on the Proposed FY 2010 Budget.
Attorney English indicated that Florida Statutes requires eleven steps to be taken and that he would guide the commission through the required steps.
1. Attorney English read into the record "the proposed millage rate for the fiscal year 2010 is 3.7000 for the City of Tallahassee and 1.000 mill for the Downtown Improvement Authority, which is 5.14% more than the aggregate rolled back rate of 3.5365 mills. This increase will be used to fund general government services throughout the city."
2. Allowed public input on the City's proposed millage rate.
The following persons appeared before the Commission relative to this item:
- Ms. Glenda Thornton, 1509 Woodgate Way representing the Tallahassee-Leon County Chamber of Commerce (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Daniel Blair, 3424 #17 Old St. Augustine Road (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Tyler Hall, 300 East Brevard Street representing the Big Bend Police Benevolent Association (opposed to the elimination of 11 police officers)
- Mr. Jeff Andrews, 602 Talaflo Street (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Art Jusko, 2860 Asbury Hills Drive (concerned with the safety of teens and opposed to the closure of the Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Stephen Hogge, 410 East 9th Avenue representing CONA (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Raul Soria, 1517 Levy Avenue # 119 representing Alpine Apartments (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Penny Herman, 1596 Marion Avenue (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Brian S. Webb, 2487 Elfinwing Lane (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Bruce Screws, 2731 Teton Trail, (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Ray B. Munroe, 1514 Belleau Wood Dr. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mrs. Peggy Munroe, 1514 Belleau Wood Dr. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Linda Cherry, 1362 Rachel Lane (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Ted Thomas, 1469 Viex Carre Dr. representing N.E.B.A. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Kim Williams, 2069 Cantigny Way representing Tallahassee/Leon County EDC (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Stephen Stewart, 2904 Tyron Circle (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Leo Stewart, Jr., 1111 Harlem Street (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Ben Bennett, 2431 Ryan Place (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Elizabeth Rosario 5433 Calder Dr. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Curtis Baynes, 1323 E. Tennessee Street (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Debbie Kirkland, 1519 Killearn Center Blvd. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Peter Marocco,121 N. Monroe #9001 (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Brad Trotman, 8220 Hunters Ridge Trail (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Roger S. Crawford, P.O. Box 13573 (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Rob Allen, 6043 Quail Ridge Dr. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Clara Runyan, 1817 S. Magnolia Dr. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase) (Did not speak)
- Mr. Ira Chester, 3305 Clairborne Ct. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Arthur Kirby, 133 Dawn Lauren Lane (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Don Wesolowski, 2201 High Road (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Sue Wiley, 1920 Chow Keebin Nene (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Sean Flood, 636 McDonnell Drive representing The Gotcha Group (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Clyde Diao, 1307 Walden Road representing the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Arneil Reyes, 3730 SW Snowtail Trace representing the Big Bend Pilipino –American Association (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Ms. Joan Raley, 2425 Bass Bay (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. T. Soma Sunoaram, 3231 Addison Lane representing the Asian Coalition (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Ms. Joyce Duaby Feezel, 3706 Randall Street (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Vu Thai, 2566 W. Tennessee Street representing the Asian American Student Union (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Larry Hendricks, 1406 Alpho Ave. (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Mr. Nathan Crock, 517 AA Pope St. representing Divide Inc. (opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Anthony Murgio, 215 W. College Avenue (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase and opposed to the closing of Palmer Monroe Community Center)
- Mr. Carlos E. Ramirez, 4417 Westover Drive (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
- Ms. Christic Henry, 3121 Pontiac Drive (opposed to the proposed budget and millage rate increase)
3. Allowed public input on the city's proposed budget.
4. Allowed public input on the Downtown Improvement Authority proposed millage which 1.00 mill.
5. Allowed public input on the Downtown Improvement Authority's proposed budget.
The Commission directed staff to schedule another budget workshop prior to the final public hearing.
Attorney English reviewed the rest of the necessary steps in the public hearing process.
6. Voted 5-0 to approve adjustments to the City's proposed budget as recommended in this item.
7. Voted 5-0 to approve the City's tentative millage rate of 3.7000 mills, Resolution No. 09-R-33 and publicly announce "the proposed aggregate millage rate is more than the aggregate rolled back rate by 5.14%. This increase will be used to fund general government services throughout the organization."
8. Voted 5-0 to approve the City's tentative budget, as amended.
9. Voted 5-0 to approve the Downtown Improvement Authority's tentative millage rate of 1.000 mill, Resolution Number 09-R-33.
10. Voted 5-0 to approve the Downtown Improvement Authority's Tentative Budget.
11. Introduced Appropriations Ordinance No. 09-O-45, making appropriations for the expenditures and obligations of the City. Public hearing set for September 23, 2009.
Voted 5-0 to Adopt Resolution No. 09-R-18 of the City of Tallahassee increasing building inspection fees by 30% effective October 1, 2009.
Unagendaed Speaker - Mr. Arthur Kirby (opposed to tax increase, also offered an alternative budget proposal)
City Commissioner Sharing of Ideas
Staff to coordinate commissioners' schedules to accommodate budget workshop tentatively scheduled for September 16, 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
CTC:RM:nc:09-10-09