TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
Brevard County, Florida 32903
September 14, 2005 Town Hall
MINUTES OF A TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AT THE INDIALANTIC TOWN HALL
PRESENT:
Hon. Daniel S. Trott, Mayor
Hon. Michael McCabe, Deputy Mayor
Hon. Vince Benevente, Councilman
Hon. Bruce Bogert, Councilman
Paul Gougelman, Town Attorney
Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager
Laura Eaton, Town Clerk
ABSENT:
Hon. David Berkman, Councilman
This meeting was tape recorded. Records are indexed and filed for ready reference where such have been summarized in typed minutes.
I. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
Mayor Trott called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PUBLIC HEARING ON TENTATIVE 2005-2006 MILLAGE AND BUDGET
A. Council discussion of tentative budget and proposed millage rate
The Town Manager noted a slight modification to the total budget based on the awarded mowing bid.
Mayor Trott raised the issue of the $15,340 expenditure for the speed trailer and addressed, point by point, a letter from Loren Strand written as President of the Homeowners’ Association.
The Mayor stated his opinion that the speed trailer is not a cost effective device and suggested the following options:
hold fund raisers to purchase the trailer
use the $15,340 for drainage improvements
reduce the budget by the $15,340 and reduce the millage rate to 4.3803
Councilman Bogert favored putting the purchase on hold until the residents could voice their opinions.
Councilman Benevente moved to transfer the $15,340 to the contingency account for further action in October. Councilman Bogert seconded.
Deputy Mayor McCabe considered the speed trailer an additional resource for police in traffic enforcement.
John B. MacNeill, 1320 S. Riverside Dr., preferred a reduction in the millage rate.
Ray Young, 410 Oakland Ave., spoke against the speed trailer.
Motion to place the funds in the contingency account passed with Mayor Trott, Councilman Benevente, and Councilman Bogert voting “yes”. Deputy Mayor McCabe voted “no.”
B. Public Announcement – the proposed millage rate is 4.6203 which is a 10% increase over the rolled back millage rate of 4.2003
The Town Manager noted that the 10% increase is necessary to fund infrastructure drainage needs, public safety matters, prior hurricane damage and to potentially lessen the impact of future hurricanes.
C. Public hearings
1. Tentative budget
Mr. Chinault outlined the tentative budget for the general fund proposed at $3,051,992 and total budget, including the enterprise funds, at $3,770,374.
There were no public comments.
2. Proposed millage rate
Mr. Chinault noted that the current millage rate is 4.8451 mils and the recommendation is to lower the millage rate to 4.6203 mils, a 4.87% reduction in the rate.
There were no public comments.
D. Amend tentative budget (if necessary) and recompute millage (if necessary)
E. Adoption of tentative millage rate of 4.6203
Deputy Mayor McCabe moved to adopt the proposed millage rate of 4.6203. Councilman Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
F. Adoption of tentative budget in the amount of $3,770,374 and tentative general fund budget in the amount of $3,051,992
Deputy Mayor McCabe moved to adopt the tentative budget amounts. Councilman Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
G. Public Announcement – the final hearing on the tentative millage rate and the tentative budget will be held on September 27, 2005 at 7:00 pm
Mayor Trott announced the final budget hearing.
IV. PUBLIC
There were no public comments.
V. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Clerk read the following announcements:
A. There are currently openings on the Board of Adjustment, Budget and Finance Committee, Civil Service Board, Code Enforcement Board, and the Zoning and Planning Board
B. There will be an opening on the Code Enforcement Board in October
C. Candidates for the November 8, 2005 election for Council Seat 3 are Vince Benevente and Loren Goldfarb. Councilman Bogert is unopposed for Council Seat 1
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes No. 05-11– Regular Meeting – August 16, 2005
B. Approval of employee pay scale for FY-06
C. Approval of final budget adjustments for FY-05
D. Approval of a 2.53% rate increase for solid waste as requested by Harris Sanitation and provided for in the franchise agreement
E. Approval to extend waiving of permit fees for damage incurred due to hurricanes Frances and Jeanne until December 31, 2005 (Building Official determines eligibility)
Councilman Bogert moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Deputy Mayor McCabe seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VII. APPOINTMENTS
A. General Employees’ Pension Board – 1 opening. Pam Kish would like to be reappointed
Councilman Benevente moved to reappoint Ms. Kish. Councilman Bogert seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VIII. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinance No. 05-14 – Amending the Town Charter to require a majority vote of the electorate to create a Community Redevelopment Agency
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption
Councilman Bogert moved to approve Ordinance No. 05-14. Deputy Mayor McCabe seconded.
Attorney Gougelman explained the Supreme Court ruling as to the circumstances under which the power of eminent domain can be exercised.
John B. MacNeill spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Motion to approve Ordinance N0. 05-14 carried unanimously.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee’s plan for the south side of the Melbourne Causeway
The Town Manager gave background and clarified that the plan is dependent on the location of the trees and is amendable.
Councilman Benevente moved to accept the plan. Councilman Bogert seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
X. NEW BUSINESS
XI. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Report from Town Manager
Statistical Reports – August, 2005
The Town Manager clarified that start date for the Douglas Park seawall is now October 3, 2005.
In response to a question from Councilman Bogert, Mr. Chinault stated that he had talked with FPL concerning the causeway lights being off and anticipated a credit of over $5,000.
B. Report from Town Attorney
Attorney Gougelman had no report.
XII. REPORTS
A. Mayor Trott congratulated the Fire Dept. on collecting over $17,000 for Hurricane Katrina aid and commended the police, fire and public works personnel for their response to last year’s storms. Mayor Trott also announced that Laurie Newman had left employment with the Town after seven years.
B. Deputy Mayor McCabe requested information on the lift station meeting with Melbourne Beach and thanked Ms. Preece for raising possible ADA issues with the parks.
C. Councilman Benevente announced the Space Coast League of Cities meeting on October 10th in Melbourne.
D. Councilman Berkman was not present.
E. Councilman Bogert expressed thanks for being able to run unopposed in the next election and also that the Town had fared so well in the previous storms.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
_________________________
Daniel S. Trott
Mayor
ATTEST:________________________
Laura Eaton, CMC
Town Clerk