INDIALANTIC
                RECORD DECEMBER 2000

NEW COUNCIL TAKES OFFICE

Newly elected Mayor Robert L. Cochran, Jr. and Councilmembers Mike Fischer and Victor Kostro began their two year terms after being sworn in by Town Attorney Paul Gougelman at the November 21, 2000 Council meeting.

During the meeting Mayor Cochran appointed the following individuals to represent the Town 

Space Coast League of Cities and Space Coast League of Cities Intergovernmental Committee – Councilman Benevente with Mayor Cochran as alternate

Brevard County Water Supply Board – Councilman Kostro

South Beaches Coalition – Councilman Benevente with Deputy Mayor Fischer as alternate

 Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway Coalition – Ray DiZefalo with Councilman Bogert as alternate

Results of the referendum items appearing on the November 7th ballot are as follows:

1 – Creating the office of Town Clerk - approved
2 – Amending civil service - approved
3 – Changing Council terms to three years – defeated
Proposition A - approving sale of property for a right turn lane at Fifth and Riverside – approved

 

Attorney Gougelman administers the oath of office to Mayor Cochran

Councilmembers Victor Kostro and Mike Fischer are sworn in

STORES, STORES, STORES

Palace Beach Apparel has broken ground on a 7,800 square foot building to face SR-A1A between Third and Fourth Avenues. The site will be accessed from Fourth Avenue and A1A and the building has been designed to be compatible with the existing community architecture.

Other site plans recently considered by the Zoning and Planning Board include a new 2,900 square foot single story facility on the north side of the 300 block of Fifth Avenue for Kempf’s Jewelers; a four thousand square foot show room addition to Danish Interiors with rear parking lot modifications; and a new 3,700 square foot building to be constructed at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Miramar for Surf Style.

The former Loco Lobster facility on Wavecrest Avenue was approved to have demolition work performed as the owner waits for state approval

 

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION

October 17, 2000 Meeting

·         Adjusted annual beach parking pass rates for non-residents from $45 to $50

·         Approved agreement with FDOT to enable the Town to plant palm trees in Melbourne Causeway

·         Approved agreement for Brevard County to maintain traffic signals at Fifth and Riverside and Fifth and Miramar

·         Approved modifying the Riverside Park FRDAP grant to provide increased improvements at no additional cost

·         Approved list of streets to be resurfaced for FY 01

·         Authorized the Town Manager to share equipment with Melbourne Beach under certain conditions

·         Amended the sign portion of the Code to allow political signs in certain public rights-of-way

·         Provided evaluation of Town Manager’s performance in accordance with the employment agreement

 November 9, 2000 Special Meeting

·         Ratified election results

·         Approved agreement enabling firefighters to ride with Melbourne EMS personnel for certification purposes

November 21, 2000 Meeting

·         Elected Mike Fischer to serve as Deputy Mayor

·         Authorized state grant application for shutters and emergency generator for the fire station and for a reverse 911 program for emergency notification to Town residents

·         Approved state grant agreement for $114,668 in improvements to Riverside Park

·         Reappointed Michael McCabe and Michael Melhado to the Zoning and Planning Board and Carol Mauter to Parks/Recreation Committee

·         Adopted Ord. 00-05 to formalize the practice of allowing barber shops/beauty salons in the RP district and to allow dental labs in the RP and C districts

·         Approved agreement to secure land for construction of a right turn lane at Fifth Avenue onto S. Riverside Drive

·         Agreed to participate with Satellite Beach and Indian Harbour Beach to secure $150,000 in grant funds for storm drainage maintenance equipment ($12,500 Town share)

·         Reviewed goals and objectives for Town Manager; adjusted Manager’s salary based on his evaluation

NEW FACES IN TOWN

Elan Hair & Nail Studio – 105 S. Riverside Drive, Ste. 203 – Beauty Salon

 Jeanette Griffith Congdon – 114 Sixth Avenue - Attorney

 Renata Zaccari Hair Salon  - 340 Fourth Avenue - Salon

 

TOWN RECEIVES NEW LIGHTS

After many years of fluttering over Fifth Avenue the school crossing lights have been removed.  New lights were installed by the Florida Department of Transportation at the Council’s request along both sides of Fifth Avenue.  These new lights are more clearly visible and more attractive.  Residents might notice that the posted signs reflect a 20 mph speed.  FDOT assures the Town that 15 mph speed signs are on order and will be installed as soon as they arrive.

Another lighting project within the Town is the replacement of the streets lights on the Melbourne Causeway.  FDOT is replacing the lights because of wear.  The project is expected to be completed within the next several weeks.

LILY PARK GAZEBO

The ribbon cutting for the newly constructed gazebo in Lily Park was held on October 18th. The gazebo, funded by the Garden Club by the Sea, replaced an earlier structure that was also provided by the Garden Club. The Parks/Recreation/Beautification Committee worked with the Garden Club on the design.


Participating in the ribbon cutting are (l. to r.) Linda Gilbert, Janice Battaglini, Rev. Bill Lewis, Beverly Lewis and Councilmembers Victor Kostro and Vince Benevente

 

POLICE BEAT

 

With the holidays approaching, I want to take a moment to discuss personal safety. This begins the busiest shopping time of the year and traveling our roadways can often become an exercise in patience.  And unfortunately, there are some who prefer to support their holiday season at the expense of others. Please keep your car doors locked both while driving and parked and don’t roll your windows down for strangers. Be particularly wary when stopped at traffic lights and when entering and exiting your vehicle in a parking lot. If you are struck from behind in what appears to be a minor rear-end accident, pull over in a well lit, populated area to investigate. Try to keep all packages and gifts out of sight, preferably locked in the trunk. We tend to see an increase in home burglaries this time of year so please remain diligent in your efforts to keep your residence secure and if so equipped, set your alarm, even if you are only leaving for a short time.

Congratulations to Officer Mike Connor on his selection  as the Indialantic Police Department Officer of the Year for 2000. Mike is an extremely dedicated and professional police officer who is relentless in his quest to keep Indialantic as safe and crime free as possible. This is the second year in a row that Officer Connor has received this distinction and we are very proud of his accomplishments.

 You may have seen several new faces working in the Police Department. After an extensive process we have recruited two new officers from the police academy who are currently in the first stage of their field training. Officer Donald Matuszak hails from the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois where he spent the last seven years as a reserve police officer. Officer Diomedis Canela comes to us from New York via Jacksonville, Florida and has no previous Law Enforcement experience. Also in training, Victoria Twitty is learning the ropes in the dispatch center as our newest Communications Officer. Please help me in extending a warm welcome to these three new Town employees.

Have a happy and safe holiday and a wonderful new year.

 Lt. Troy W. Morris
Acting Chief of Police

 

Building Code Corner

 Thanks to the Fifth Avenue business owners and tenants for their efforts in sprucing up the sidewalk planters and their attention to improving the appearance of the business district.  The results have sparked numerous compliments from residents.  Keep up the good work!

Stanley Krulikowski
Building Official/Code Enforcement

Public Works Update
Ron Cassedy

The Public Works Department has recently completed projects including our annual street resurfacing program for 00/01.  The 300 and 400 blocks of Miami, N. Shannon from Fifth Avenue north to Grosse Pointe, the 200 and 300 blocks of Ormond Drive  and Sunrise Park were asphalted in November

 Additionally, Public Works has installed roadside swales in various locations to assist in channeling water from Town streets.  These swales have gently sloping sides for easier maintenance.  Residents should soon notice work being performed to replace drainage pipes and intake boxes at the intersections of S. Ramona and Melbourne and at Wayne and N. Riverside.

South Riverside Drive was striped with double yellow center lines and reflectors were placed along the lines for safer night travel.

FIRE FACTS

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,000 people and cause over $500 million in damage.  Simple life-saving steps can be taken to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

bullet

Selecting a tree
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches and needles should not break.  The trunk should be sticky to the touch

bullet

Caring for your tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.  If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.  Do not put your live tree up for longer than two weeks.  Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

bullet

 Maintain your holiday lights
Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots and broken or cracked sockets.  Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.  Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe.  Don’t leave holiday lights unattended and periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

bullet

Use of candles
Make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down.  Never put lit candles on a tree or leave the house with candles burning.

 We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

Tom Barker
Fire Chief   

 

Town Hall will be closed on the following dates:

December 25th & 26th – Christmas

January 1st – New Year’s Day

 Our traditional Holiday Tree Lighting will take place Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Nance Park.  This annual observance of the holiday season will include a short program, a visit from Santa Claus and refreshments for the kids. 

The annual Art Festival will be held  January 20 & 21st  in  Nance Park.  For more information, contact American Craft Endeavors at (813) 962-0388

UPCOMING MEETINGS 

DECEMBER

              7            5:30 PM        South Beaches Coalition
            12           10:00 AM        Parks/Recreation
            19             7:00 PM        Town Council

JANUARY

              4            5:30 PM        South Beaches Coalition
              9          10:00 AM       Parks/Recreation
            16             7:00 PM        Town Council
            23             5:30 PM        Zoning and Planning

FEBRUARY

              1            5:30 PM        South Beaches Coalition
            13           10:00 AM        Parks/Recreation
            20             7:00 PM        Town Council
            27             5:30 PM        Zoning and Planning

The Volunteer Fire Department meets every Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Fire Department, 216 Fourth Avenue

Luminaria sales begin December 1st and continue through December 24.  Participate this year and “Light up the Town for Jesse” in recognition of our Police Chief’s courageous battle to overcome Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.  In addition to sending a bright message, all net proceeds will be donated to the Jesse V. Geiger Family Trust Fund.  The kits will be available at Town Hall during regular business hours Dec. 1-23 and at the Fire Station on the 24th.  Please purchase early and help us make this a shining success.

The Town’s Fifth Annual Halloween Party was a howling success with over 900 revelers being scared, entertained and fed.  Thanks to those who made it possible and congratulations to all the winners.

The prize for the “Most Original” costumes went to the  farmer and the pumpkin patch family – the Peaces – Chris and Yavette with children Selaya, Marlaya, Chandeya and Andeya