INDIALANTIC
                RECORD        October 2004

Hire ONLY Licensed Contractors

Contracting for home improvements and storm repairs can pose many difficult problems if you are not careful. Florida maintains strict licensure requirements for contractors.  By hiring a licensed contractor, you can have the peace of mind knowing that the project will be done by someone who has taken the time to get the appropriate education and necessary experience. If you contract with an unlicensed contractor, you will not be able to receive compensation from the Florida Homeowners’ Construction  Recovery Fund for any financial loss that might occur.

 Beware of con artists, they may:

bullettarget the elderly, uninformed and the young and inexperienced
bulletsolicit door-to-door
bulletoffer to work for you only if you will obtain any necessary building permits, which make you responsible for the work done.
bulletfocus on roofing, remodeling and repairs
bulletarrive in unmarked vans or trucks, some from out of state
bullethave a post office box address with no street address, or give a local motel as their address
bulletask for all of the money up front
bullethurt themselves at your job site – they could sue you

Some helpful hints: 

ü      Obtain written estimates from several licensed contractors.

ü      Ask for references and CHECK THEM OUT

ü      Before signing the contract read it carefully

ü      Be suspicious of a contractor who offers the fastest, cheapest job on a “you must act now” basis.  Poor workmanship, inferior materials and unfinished jobs are often the result

ü      Make sure all necessary building permits or licenses have been obtained and are included in your contract

ü      Avoid paying in cash

ü      Avoid any contractor who requires advance payment.  Arrange to  pay after the work is completed or in regular payments.

ü      Don’t sign the completion certificate until all work is completed to your satisfaction.

ü      If your contract exceeds $2,500, become familiar with  the Florida Construction Lien law.

 If you have any questions or complaints regarding a contractor’s services or if you are aware of someone working without a license, you should report the matter to the  Department of Professional Regulation. To report unlicensed activity, call (850) 488-6603.  To check on a license, call (850) 487-1395 or visit the web at www.myfloridalicense.com.

YOU ARE INVITED!

You are invited to say “Farewell” to Fire Chief Thomas L. Barker at Town Hall, on Thursday, October 7, 2004, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Chief Barker, who was hired as the Town’s Fire Chief on February 19, 1992, announced his retirement effective September 30, 2004.  During these twelve and one-half years, Chief Barker has improved fire department training and equipment and transitioned the department from offering only basic life support (BLS) services to one providing advanced life support (ALS) services 

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION 

August 17, 2004 Meeting

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Approved a 3.15% rate increase for solid waste as requested by Harris Sanitation and provided for in the franchise agreement

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approved the employee pay schedule for FY-05

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approved street resurfacing projects for FY-05 as follows:
Fourteenth Avenue (0 block) 
Magnolia Drive (from Orlando Blvd. to Miami Avenue)
Palmetto Place (from Magnolia Drive to Riverside Drive)
Sixth Avenue (100 and 200 blocks)

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renewed the agreement with Brevard County and Space Coast Emergency Medical Services, P.A. (Dr. McPherson) for medical direction supervision of Town rescue services

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adopted Ord. 04-10 amending the hours of operation for Douglas Park

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adopted Ord. 04-11 prohibiting consumption of alcoholic beverages and possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages in all Town parks

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approved planting sea grapes on the Town’s lots in the 100 block of Sixth Avenue

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authorized staff to create a brochure regarding hazards, obstructions and activities in the Town’s rights-of-way to inform the public

September 14, 2004 Meeting

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adopted a tentative millage rate of 4.8451, tentative total budget of $3,607,052 and tentative general fund budget of $2,809,976 for FY-05

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 approved a budget adjustment to purchase two small replacement pickup trucks

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 approved an agreement with Indialantic One for use of a portion of Watson Drive during construction

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 declared the Town a natural disaster area due to Hurricane Frances; suspended imposing fees for permits related to hurricane damage until 11/30/04

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 adopted Ord. 04-12 relating to political signs

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approved Ord. 04-13 on first reading allowing the building official to make code interpretations

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  approved making application for $50,000 in FRDAP funds to improve accessibility in Orlando Park (no local match required)

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 ascertained that no candidates qualified for Council Seat 4 and authorized staff to proceed with scheduling a special election

NEW FACES IN TOWN

All Promotions, Inc.-  427 Fifth Avenue –   Advertising

Meridian Builders Group – 100 S. Riverside Dr., Ste. 2 – Construction

AmSouth Mortgage – 232 Fifth Avenue – Mortgage services

Deborah McConnell – 105 S. Riverside Dr., Ste. 154 – Massage Therapy

PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES

Parking lot construction on Sixth Avenue has slowed recently due to Public Works Department personnel being diverted to address damage resulting from Hurricane Frances

Don Bo, Inc. completed construction of the parking lot driving area as well as the area for the nine parking spaces for $16,814.  Previously, Brian Barber Construction built a buffer wall, as required by Town Code, for $14,500.  The wall separates the parking lot from residentially zoned properties.

 Public Works personnel will install stripes for the parking spaces, bumper stops, vegetation (which will include sea grapes along a portion of the buffer wall), and parking meters

POLICE BEAT

 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Frances, we would like to express our thanks and well wishes to all residents of the Town.  Although the storm brought extreme challenges to the community, we are fortunate it spared us from any personal injury or death.  The evacuation of the barrier islands went smoothly and successfully in large part due to the cooperation of the citizens.   

We experienced an outpouring of support and cooperation from the entire community for which we are sincerely grateful.  We would like to recognize the following persons and businesses for the unselfish support provided to the Town during this emergency.

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Town resident Chris Romandetti and employees of the Intracoastal Marina who despite suffering major damage to facilities and boats immediately went to work repairing fuel pumps in order to provide gasoline and diesel for emergency vehicles.

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Town resident Henry Rockill for use of his frozen storage tractor-trailer, which kept ice and food fresh for emergency workers and citizens.

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The City of Satellite Beach for diesel fuel, gasoline and ice.

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 Melbourne Beach Supermarket for food supplies.

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Eddie Struttman and Ace/Beach Discount Hardware for supplies.

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Seven-Eleven  of Indian Harbour Beach for food.

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Longdoggers Grill of Indialantic for ice.

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The Palm Bay Police Department for providing water and MRE’s in the event that Hurricane Ivan were to strike us.

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Sue Ann’s Bakery for food.

 I hope that I have not left out too many people, but again, thanks to all for the contributions and assistance.  It made our job much easier during a truly challenging event.

 Troy W. Morris, Police Chief

TOWN TO HOLD SPECIAL ELECTION

During the recent qualifying period for the November 2, 2004 election, Mayor Dan Trott and Councilman Mike McCabe qualified and were unopposed for their current seats.  Since no one qualified for Council Seat 4, currently held by Cliff Cook, Council voted to hold a special election.  Qualifying information and the date of the election will be published on the web site as soon as it is available.

 

INDIALANTIC FIRE RESCUE

INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION/

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING &

OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL

 

Indialantic Fire Rescue (IFR) will be hosting it’s first annual flu immunization/cholesterol screening/open house festival on Saturday Oct. 9th  from 9am until 4pm.  Immunizations will be administered  on a first come, first serve basis at a cost of  $12.00 per shot.  Cholesterol screening will be $4.00 per test (also first come, first serve).   

The Open house festival will be a day-long event that will display the various equipment that IFR uses to protect and serve the citizens of Indialantic.  The following will be available: 

bulletFire house tours
bulletFire engine tours
bulletIFR Volunteer Honor Guard
bulletEmergency Medical Equipment
bulletWater rescue equipment
bulletDisaster trailer
bulletFire prevention displays
bulletFree smoke detectors
bulletFree medical/fire prevention handouts
bulletFree hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas
bulletKids attractions
bulletCold Stone Creamery
bulletBizzarro’s Pizza

 Come and enjoy the day with the staff of the Indialantic Fire Rescue Department.  In case of severe weather, the rain date will be Saturday, October 16th.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Department at 723-0366.  

FRDAP Funds Requested

Orlando Park will realize several improvements if the Council’s application for $50,000 in State monies is approved.

Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) funds have been requested to add play equipment, a gazebo, and additional walkways to the park, as well as, to resurface the two basketball courts and replace the Magnolia pedway along the west side of the park.  

The application will be evaluated and ranked by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and submitted to the Florida legislature for funding consideration in the 2005 legislative session 

ü         Town Hall will be closed Thursday, November 11th for Veteran’s Day and  Thursday and Friday, November 25th and 26th for Thanksgiving

 

TOWN INSTALLS SIDEWALK

 Sidewalk construction with related driveway aprons has been completed along the east side of Magnolia Drive between Melbourne Avenue and Ormond Drive.  Don Bo, Inc. was engaged and Transportation Impact Fee Trust (TIFT) funds in the amount of $13,434 were used to provide these improvements. 

 This portion of sidewalk connects that portion of the Magnolia pedway that lies north of Melbourne Avenue with the portion that lies along the west side of Orlando Park.  The Town has previously earmarked  TIFT monies to provide sidewalks along portions of S. Shannon Avenue, S. Riverside Drive, N. Ramona Avenue, Second Avenue, and Third Avenue.

UPCOMING MEETINGS 

OCTOBER

              19           8:00 AM      Heritage Committee
              19          7:00 PM      Town Council
              25           9:00 AM       Parks/Recreation
              26           5:30 PM        Zoning and Planning
              27         10:00 AM       Pension Board

NOVEMBER

              16            8:00 AM        Heritage Committee
              16            7:00 PM      Town Council
              22             9:00 AM        Parks/Recreation
              23             5:30 PM        Zoning and Planning

The Volunteer Fire Department meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Fire Department, 216 Fourth Ave

The Town will be hosting the 9th annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 23rd from 4 pm to 8 pm.  The happenings will again feature a hay ride from the Fire Station and a  haunted house that will provide some unexpected Halloween surprises.  There will be refreshments, entertainment, games and prizes - all furnished at no charge.

Sponsors are needed to work the games and refreshment stations.  Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Loren or Gabrielle Strand at 956-3113 or Jan at 723-7788.  Come join the fun on Fourth Avenue behind Town Hall. 

The Indialantic Record is published every other month by the Town of Indialantic, 216 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic, FL  32903 at an outside cost of $.22 per resident.  Daniel S. Trott, Mayor; Vincent Benevente, Deputy Mayor; Councilmembers  Bruce Bogert, Cliff Cook and Michael McCabe; Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager; Laura Eaton, Town Clerk – www.indialantic.com - (321) 723-2242