TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
Brevard County, Florida 32903
June 19, 2007 Town Hall
MINUTES OF A TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE INDIALANTIC TOWN HALL ON JUNE 19, 2007
PRESENT:
Hon. Robert L Cochran, Jr., Mayor
Hon. Vince Benevente, Deputy Mayor
Hon. Dave Berkman, Councilman
Hon. Bruce Bogert, Councilman
Hon. Loren Goldfarb, Councilman
Paul Gougelman, Town Attorney
Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager
Laura Eaton, Town Clerk
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 Cochran called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PUBLIC
Mike McCabe, 900 S. Miramar, expressed concern with the treatment that a member of the Palm Bay Public Works Department had received when telephoning Town Hall.
Lois Schiessl, 440 10th Ave., thanked the Council for their quick response in clearing debris on Tenth Ave. and brought up additional code issues. Ms. Schiessl also received direction on planting in the right-of-way.
John B. MacNeill, 1320 S. Riverside Dr., thanked the Council and staff for fixing the dip in the pavement at S. Riverside Drive and Palmetto Place.
IV. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Clerk read the following announcements:
A. There are currently openings on the Budget and Finance Committee, Civil Service Board, Code Enforcement Board and Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee
B. There will be openings on the Budget and Finance Committee and Board of Adjustment in July
C. Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, July 4th
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes No. 07-08– Regular Meeting – May 15, 2007
B. Award of contract in the amount of $15,760.70 to Florida Green to install trees in Town parks ($10,050 Urban & Community Forestry Grant available)
C. Authorization for Deputy Mayor Benevente to attend the Florida League of Cities’ 81st Annual Conference as the Town’s voting delegate
D. Approval of budget adjustment #1 for FY-07
Councilman Bogert moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Deputy Mayor Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
A. Fifth Avenue Task Force – Applications received from Denise Bozeman, Chris Campbell, Judith Carbone, Ronald Frye, George Gergora, Nancee Hay and Mike McCabe
Mayor Cochran proposed that the Task Force be increased to 15 members with each Council member appointing three persons.
It was the consensus of Council that each Council member submit three appointees at the next meeting.
George Gergora, 316 Deland Ave., questioned whether a committee of 15 members might be too cumbersome.
VII. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinance 07-10 – Amending Sec. 13-53 – Melbourne Causeway
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption on second reading
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to approve Ordinance 07-10. Councilman Bogert seconded.
There were no public comments.
Motion carried unanimously.
B. Ordinance 07-11 – Establishing a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for the Police/Fire Pension Fund
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption on second reading
Councilman Goldfarb moved to approve Ordinance 07-11. Councilman Bogert seconded.
There were no public comments.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. Ordinance 07-12 – Amending Sec. 6-129 and Sec. 8-12.1 relating to occupational licenses
1. First reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and approval on first reading
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to approve Ordinance 07-12. Councilman Goldfarb seconded.
There were no public comments.
Motion carried unanimously.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding directing staff to conduct an investigation into the speed limit on Miami Avenue (requested by Councilman Berkman)
Mayor Cochran spoke in favor of lowering the speed limits on all four east-west thru streets – Miami, Melbourne, Seventh and Eighth (already at 20 mph) Avenues. He recommended approving an investigation of Miami Avenue now and directing the Town Manager to conduct the required investigation on Melbourne and Seventh avenues as time permits.
The Town Manager clarified what is involved in the investigation.
Councilman Berkman moved to approve the investigations. Deputy Mayor Benevente seconded.
The following members of the public addressed the issue:
Lisa Frazier, 138 Ocean Terrace
Carol Andren, 906 S. Ramona
George Gergora, 316 Deland Avenue
Larry Bryan, 120 Ocean Terrace
Mike McCabe, 900 S. Miramar Avenue
Motion to approve the investigations carried unanimously.
B. Discussion and possible action regarding directing staff to purchase laptops for police at this time and if so, the number desired (requested by Mayor Cochran)
Mayor Cochran stated that he is in favor of providing the Police Department with the latest equipment and proposed that the Town purchase of four laptops from the general fund with the annual maintenance to be budgeted for the next fiscal year.
Police Chief Morris presented a memo outlining the benefits to his department, noting that Cingular would be the internet carrier.
The Council discussed the fiscal responsibility of making the purchase at this time and the possibility of budgeting the item in the upcoming year.
Mayor Cochran moved to purchase four laptops from the General Fund as outlined in Chief Morris’ memo and to fund the extended service for the air cards in the budget for the next year. Councilman Berkman seconded.
The following members of the public spoke on the issue:
George Gergora, 316 Deland Avenue
Gary VonZonneveld, 104 First Ave.
Shawna Kelsh, 2598 Putnam Ave.
Larry Bryan, 120 Ocean Terrace
Mike McCabe, 900 S. Miramar Ave.
Dan Sassaman, 500 S. Shannon Ave.
Councilman Goldfarb and Deputy Mayor Benevente clarified that their position was not in opposition to the laptops, but that the purchase should be a part of the upcoming budget process.
In response to a question from Councilman Bogert regarding the availability of grants, Chief Morris advised that he had not been able to find grant funding.
Motion to purchase four laptops carried with the following roll call vote:
Mayor Cochran aye
Deputy Mayor Benevente no
Councilman Berkman aye
Councilman Bogert aye
Councilman Goldfarb no
X. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Report from Town Manager
Statistical Reports – May, 2007
The Town Manager also reported that the planting of trees on the south side of the causeway is now complete.
B. Report from Town Attorney
The Town Attorney had no report.
XI.REPORTS
A. Mayor Cochran had no report.
B. Deputy Mayor Benevente distributed a tax profile from the Space Coast League of Cities.
C. Councilman Berkman commented that the trees on the Causeway look nice and noted that the Town may need more or larger garbage cans on the beach particularly on weekends.
D. Councilman Bogert had no report.
E. Councilman Goldfarb received an update on the property at 116 Miami Ave.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
_______________________
Robert L. Cochran, Jr.
Mayor
ATTEST:_______________________
Laura Eaton, CMC
Town Clerk