Action Taken at the Commissioner Meeting of November 20

Action Taken at the Commissioner Meeting of November 20, 2012 in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Here is a little twist for you. Usually, we publish the City of Fernandina Beach Commissioner meetings agendas, but this time we are posting the action taken at the meeting held November 20, 2012.

1, 2, and 3: Call to order, the roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocations was given by Reverend Canon Kerry Robb of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 PRESENTATION – COUNCIL ON AGING – Fran Shea, representative for the Council on Aging, provide da brief update regarding the construction of the new Senior Center for the Council on Aging on North 14th Street.
4.2 BUDGET SUMMARY – Controller Patti Clifford was available to answer any questions regarding the budget summary for October, 2012.

5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 VEHICLE USE POLICY AMENDMENTS – RESOLUTION 2012-179.
Synopsis: Approves amendments to the Vehicle Use Policy. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0
5.2 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT RENEWAL – RESOLUTION 2012-183.
Synopsis: Approves a request to the Department of the Army for the permit renewal for the construction of an artificial reef. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0
5.3 AWARD OF RFP #12-107 – PURVIS GRAY & COMPANY, LLP – RESOLUTION 2012-184.
Synopsis: Awards RFP #12-107 to Purvis Gray & Company, LLP to provide independent audit services to the City of Fernandina Beach for a three (3) year period. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

6. REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – There were no requests from the public to be heard on items not on the agenda.

7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.1 SALE APPROVAL – AMELIA ISLAND TRANSPORTATION AND TROLLEYS, LLC – RESOLUTION 2012-186.
Synopsis: Approves the sale and transfer of assets of the Amelia Island Trolleys and Transportation, LLC to Amelia Island Transportation and Trolleys, LLC. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

8. RESOLUTIONS
8.1 LEASE APPROVAL – BEANTOWN AMELIA, INC. – RESOLUTION 2012-185.
Synopsis: Approves a 15-year lease agreement with Beantown Amelia, Inc. for the Main Beach Putt-Putt Golf and Concession Stand property.
ACTION TAKEN: This item was pulled at the request of the City Manager, since Mr. Aaron Bean was being sworn into office in Tallahassee.

8.2 BUDGET AMENDMENT – FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 – RESOLUTION 2012-187.
Synopsis: Approves budget transfers to ensure that expenditures do not exceed the budget on a line-by-line basis for the FY 11/12. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

8.3 BUDGET AMENDMENT – STORM WATER FUND – RESOLUTION 2012-188.
Synopsis: Approves the budget transfer relating to the Storm Water Fund. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

8.4 AWARD OF BID #12-13 – BRANCE DIVERSIFIED, INC. – RESOLUTION 2012-189.
Synopsis: Awards Bid #12-13 for Marina Maintenance Dredging – Phase “B” to Brance Diversified, Inc. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

9. ORDINANCES – SECOND READING
9.1 LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT – ORDINANCE 2012-27 AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, CREATING A NEW HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAPTER IDENTIFIED AS CHAPTER 8 AND CONSOLIDATING ALL RELEVANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA SECTIONS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE INTO CHAPTER 8 SPECIFICALLY MODIFYING CHAPTER 4 (SECTIONS 4.02.07, 4.03.02, 4.03.03), CHAPTER 5 (SECTIONS 5.01.10, 5.03.11), CHAPTER 9 (SECTIONS 9.01.01, 9.03.00), AND CHAPTER 11 (SECTIONS 11.03.09, 11.04.00, 11.07.05, 11.08.05); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Synopsis: Amends the Land Development Code (LDC) by creating a new Historic Preservation Chapter and consolidating sections of the LDC. ACTION TAKEN: Approved 5-0

10. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
CEMETERY: City Manager Gerrity pointed out that there has been some controversy in the cemetery with regard to construction of a wall. He clarified that the walls that have been constructed are within the boundaries of the plots that the family owns and the depth is consistent with the adjacent plot. He stated that there was also controversy over two union grave markers that were moved. He explained that these markers were moved to protect them from being damaged during the construction of the wall and they have since been replaced. Mayor Filkoff inquired if there was a review process for structures in the cemetery. City Manager Gerrity replied no. He commented that if you walk through the old section of the cemetery you will find walls and boundaries that are marking various plots. There was a brief discussion about the cemetery noting that when people are buried measures are taken to not desecrate an existing grave or use an existing gravesite.

Ms. Suanne Thamm pointed out that City Planner Adrienne Burke has put together a small committee and was working on putting together something for the Comprehensive Plan that has to do with the Bosque Bello Cemetery. She commented that there is a survey of this old portion of the cemetery and that is the best guide that the City has. She provided further comments about the cemetery including the idea to have a group monitor what is going on out there, because a lot of the old stones are deteriorating and walls are falling down. She agreed with doing something for the cemetery. Community Development Department Director Marshall McCrary explained that the Comprehensive Plan directs to develop a maintenance plan and a master plan for the cemetery. He stated that Ms. Burke has done some initial research and has pulled together a working group. He commented that staff has to do further research, and the Comprehensive Plan directs us to develop a plan by the end of next year.

Mr. Gerhardt Thamm explained that to move a veteran’s gravestone or to desecrate the grave is a felony. He requested the City Manager to have the Police Chief look into this. City Manager Gerrity noted that with military graves sometimes the marker is put at the foot of the grave as opposed to the headstone

BRETT’S: City Manager Gerrity commented that there was rumor that the City and Brett’s were in a dispute about the lease and that Brett’s was going to close. He stated that rumor is not true and explained that Brett’s would be performing work on the understructure with the contractor working within the tides.

LIFE FLIGHT: City Manager Gerrity reported that today the City signed a lease with Air Methods Corporation who will have a Life Flight helicopter based at the Airport. He commented that this is not only good for the Airport from a financial standpoint, but it is good for the community if a citizen needs this service.

FIRST JANUARY MEETING: City Manager Gerrity pointed out that the first meeting of January falls on January 1st and suggested moving it to January 2nd. The consensus of the City Commission was to meet on January 2nd.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: City Manager Gerrity wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

11. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: City Attorney Bach reported that the City purchased playground equipment from a company that is based out of Oregon, they shipped the equipment, the City accepted the delivery notice, and the City paid the sales representative. She explained that the sales representative ran with the money and never paid the manufacturer so the City and the sales representative are being sued in an Oregon court. She stated that the total cost of the playground equipment was $19,896. She reported that she had to hire an Oregon attorney to file an answer and his agreement would be on the next City Commission agenda. Commissioner Poynter suggested the next time the City have a two party check (sales rep and the company). There was a brief discussion about this noting that the City piggybacked St. John County’s contract with Site Creations.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: City Attorney Bach wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

12. CITY CLERK REPORTS – The City Clerk had no reports at this time.

13. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
HAPPY THANKSGIVING: Commissioner Pelican and Commissioner Poynter wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

THANKS: Mayor Filkoff extended her thanks to everyone that participated to celebrate Veterans Day and thanks to all of our vets that have done for our Country.

EVENTS: Mayor Filkoff reported that there was a successful Women of Power 5K-Run and Petanque brought 128 teams from all over the world with 500+ spectators. She commented that there was a great turnout for the Clydesdales at the Palace Saloon. She stated that the Salvation Army opened their Christmas event with the red kettles out. She explained that there was an Alzheimer’s walk this past weekend with 150 participants. She noted that the Chamber hosted an event thanking elected officials and others who support government and public service. She extended her congratulations to County Commissioner Danny Leeper for being chosen as the best elected official by his peers. She reminded the community that the Christmas Tree lighting would be Saturday at 6:15 pm.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: Mayor Filkoff wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

14. ADJOURNMENT – 7:09 p.m.