TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
Brevard County, Florida 32903
December 19, 2006 Town Hall
MINUTES OF A TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE INDIALANTIC TOWN HALL ON DECEMBER 19, 2006
PRESENT:
Hon. Robert L Cochran, Jr., Mayor
Hon. Vince Benevente, Deputy Mayor
Hon. Dave Berkman, Councilman
Hon. Bruce Bogert, Councilman
Hon. Loren Goldfarb, Councilman
Suzanne Crockett, Acting 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
Robin Johnson, 128 8th Ave., received an update on the 8th Avenue crosswalk proposal.
Mike McCabe, 900 S. Miramar, noted the removal of the palm trees that caused sight obstructions along 5th Ave and wished everyone happy holidays.
Denise Bozeman, 221 Orlando Blvd., gave an update on the Heritage Committee plans for the Town’s 55th anniversary celebration.
IV. 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, Zoning and Planning Board and Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee
B. There will be openings on the Board of Adjustment, Civil Service Board, Budget and Finance Committee and the Zoning and Planning Board in January.
C. Town Hall will be closed December 25th and 26th for Christmas and January 1st – New Year’s Day
V. ONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes No. 07-02– Regular Meeting – November 21, 2006
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilman Bogert seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
A. Board of Adjustment – 4 openings. Bud Evans and Doug Wright would like to be reappointed.
Councilman Berkman moved to reappoint Mr. Evans and Mr. Wright. Deputy Mayor Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Civil Service Board – 2 openings. Charles Allsopp would like to be reappointed.
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to reappoint Mr. Allsopp. Councilman Goldfarb seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Zoning and Planning Board – 3 openings. Rick Bertel and John B. MacNeill would like to be reappointed. Applications received from David Justice, Barry Kronman and Mike McCabe.
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to reappoint Mr. Bertel and Mr. MacNeill. Councilman Berkman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Berkman moved to appoint Mr. McCabe. Councilman Bogert seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VII. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance 07-03 – Amending Sec. 17-129(5) – Site plan approval
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption on first reading
There were no public comments.
Councilman Bogert moved to approve Ordinance 07-03. Deputy Mayor Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding candidacy vacancy
Attorney Crockett summarized the background information provided by Attorney Gougelman explaining that Florida law requires a municipality to address the situation in its ordinances. She noted that the Town does this in Chapter 2, Sec. 2-21, providing that if a qualified candidate drops out leaving one remaining candidate when qualification expires, that candidate is automatically elected and no election is required.
Attorney Crockett further explained that if all qualified candidates drop out the Town must reopen the qualifying period and hold a special election. She advised that any changes would require amending the ordinance.
The following members of the public spoke concerning the issue:
George Gergora, 316 Deland Ave
Mary Cogshall, 405 S Riverside Dr
Lois Schiessel, 440 10th Ave
Council discussed what they would like to see in an amended ordinance and requested that the attorney draw up a draft ordinance.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding improving communication with Town residents (requested by Councilman Goldfarb)
Councilman Goldfarb suggested that the Town consider additional methods such as e-mail to notify residents of Town issues.
The Town Manager will consult with staff and report back at the next meeting.
B. Discussion and possible action regarding employee benefits (requested by Councilman Berkman)
Councilman Berkman pointed out that employees with families appear to pay unfair insurance co-pays as compared to other cities and that the Town is losing employees for that reason.
The Town Manager advised that this could be looked at in the upcoming budget.
The Council requested that staff come back with numbers for the February meeting.
C. Discussion and possible action regarding the Town’s top three concerns relating to the Space Coast League of Cities (requested by Deputy Mayor Benevente)
Deputy Mayor Benevente reported that the major concerns of the Space Coast League of Cities were unfunded mandates, traffic ticket revenue, home rule, annexation and the clean air act. He requested that Council provide any additional concerns for the legislative delegation at the January meeting.
D. Discussion and possible action regarding Council goals and objectives for 2007
Mayor Cochran requested that Council come up with new issues for the January meeting.
E. Discussion with regard to the Police/Fire pension program
The Town Manager explained that the Pension Board is interested in adopting a “drop” component to the program and pointed out several issues that Council might wish to consider.
Council tabled further action to the next meeting.
X. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Report from Town Manager
Statistical Reports November, 2006
B. There was no report from Town Attorney.
XI. REPORTS
A. Mayor Cochran
B. Deputy Mayor Benevente
C. Councilman Berkman
D. Councilman Bogert
D. Councilman Goldfarb
Council members thanked the public for coming out and wished everyone “Happy Holidays.”
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
_______________________
Robert L. Cochran, Jr .
Mayor
ATTEST:_______________________
Laura Eaton, CMC
Town Clerk