ELECTION 2006

The General Election will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2006.  All electors of the Town vote at Eastminster Presbyterian Church on N. Riverside Drive.  The polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Daniel Trott, who along with Robert Cochran, Jr. qualified to run for Mayor, has withdrawn as a candidate.  As the ballots have already been printed, both names will appear; however, any votes cast will not be tabulated by the Elections office.  Loren Goldfarb is unopposed for Council Seat 2 and David Berkman is unopposed for Council Seat 4.

Absentee Ballots – Any registered voter who is unable to attend the polling place may vote by requesting an absentee ballot from the Supervisor of Elections’ office.  This request may be made in person, in writing or by telephone to:  Fred Galey, Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 410819, Melbourne, FL 32941-0819, (321) 255-4455 (Melbourne office); (321) 633-2127 (Viera office).  

Orlando Park Improvements Completed

 The installation of a track ride piece of play equipment completes the Town’s recent improvement effort for Orlando Park.  These improvements, in addition to the track ride, include the following:  installation of a climbing wall, repairs to the swing set, a concrete walkway around the play area, replacement of the asphalt path along the west side of the park with a concrete path, resurfacing of the basketball courts, adding a bench swing, and the construction of a gazebo in the southwest corner of the park.

 The $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant secured through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) funded the majority of the improvements.  State Representative Mitch Needelman presented a ceremonial check representing the $50,000 FRDAP monies to the Council in August, 2005.

 Council approved applying for FRDAP grants in the upcoming cycle for improvements to Riverside and Nance parks.  Improvements proposed for Riverside Park include a walkway through the park from the accessible parking spaces to end across from Second Avenue, a bench swing, and binoculars mounted at the western end of the pier.  Improvements proposed for Nance Park include walkways along the southern end of the park and along the park vehicular entrance, repaving a portion of the parking area, redecking a portion of the boardwalk and access #4, and adding play equipment.

 Future FRDAP funds, if approved, will not be available until late 2007.

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION

August 15, 2006 Meeting

•  approved a parking meter use agreement with Java Surf to assist with reconstruction

•  approved the employee pay schedule for FY-07

•  approved Addendum #2 to the Disaster Debris Removal agreement with Brevard County

•  approved making application for $50,000 in FRDAP funds to improve accessibility in Riverside Park and Nance Park

•  approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach and the School Board for use of Eau Gallie High School as a joint Emergency Operations Center if necessary

•  adopted an “Indialantic Firefighters’ Appreciation Week” proclamation

•  adopted Ord. 06-12 relating to sexual offenders and predators

•  adopted Ord. 06-13 amending Sec. 2-173 relating to travel expenses to be consistent with state law

•  adopted Res. 06-04 and 06-05 relating to proposed County charter amendments – the Board of County Commissioners determined on August 23 not to proceed with the amendments affecting annexation by municipalities and level of service after securing outside legal advice

•  rescinded action taken at the July 18^th meeting to request that FDOT reduce the speed limit on Fifth Avenue

September 19, 2006 Meeting

• adopted a millage rate of 4.3313 for FY-07

•  adopted a General Fund budget in the amount of $3,257,882 and a total budget of $4,015,743 for FY-07

•  approved  the FDOT prepared tree allocation for FDOT funded tree planting for the south side of the Causeway

•  approved a 4.3% rate increase for solid waste as requested by Harris Sanitation and provided for in the franchise agreement

• declined to support the Space Coast Wayfinding Program with regard to locating directional signs in the Town

• approved Ord. 06-14 relating to occupation licenses and Ord. 06-15 relating to Council compensation on first reading

FY-07 Budget Adopted

On September 19, 2006 the Town Council adopted its budget and millage rate for FY-07.

The adopted millage rate of 4.3313 is a 6.67% reduction in the millage rate for FY-06.  The total budget for FY-07 is $4,015,743 consisting of a General Fund budget of $3,257,882, Enterprise Funds total of $422,791 and Trust and Agency Funds total $335,070.  The following is a summary of revenues and expenses for the General Fund:

Major items included in the budget are:  $51,000 to replace a 1979 front end loader, $105,000 to replace failing storm drainage pipes, $66,650 in debt service for Town municipal buildings and fire truck, a 4% cost of living increase plus up to three percent merit increase for employees, and $26,154 to replace a police cruiser and light bar.

The budget also includes revenues and expenses related to grants from FEMA to harden Town Hall and to install an exhaust system in the fire station.  Other projects include trees on the south side of the Melbourne Causeway funded through a joint participation agreement with FDOT.

POLICE BEAT

Halloween Safety Tips
for Trick or Treating

Halloween trick or treating should be one of the great adventures for kids! They can get dressed up in scary costumes and go door-to-door begging “Trick or Treat” from neighbors or at the local mall. Lots of towns have a harvest festival so kids can Trick-or-Treat safely. But going door to door is the stuff of childhood memories. It should be a fun time, so following these easy tips can keep your child safe this Halloween. 

• Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult.  Never allow them to trick-or-treat alone.

•  Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is.

•  Candy should be thoroughly checked before  children eat it.

• Children should always accept treats outside the doorway - never go inside.

• Carry a flashlight.

• Costumes should be bright colors with reflective markings and should not drag the floor.

•  Children should go out during daylight hours only unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

• Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated areas and don’t go off the beaten path. 

 For any further crime prevention tips please call Community Policing Officer Terry Tenpenny at 723-7788 or email ttenpenny@indialantic.com. I hope everyone has a Happy and safe Halloween. 

Terry Tenpenny

Community Policing Officer 

Household Hazardous Waste

And Electronics Roundup

Many household chemical products and electronics contain hazardous ingredients that need special care to be disposed of safely.   

The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Roundup, sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners, gives homeowners the opportunity to turn in unwanted or leftover chemical products including automotive fluids, lawn and garden chemicals, pool chemicals, paints and solvents.  Up to five home electronic items such as computers, printers and televisions can also be turned in for disposal. 

The event is open to residents from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, October 14, 2006.  The drop off site will be Hoover Middle School, 2000 Hawk Haven Drive.

 INDIALANTIC FIRE RESCUE

October 8-14 is 

National Fire Prevention Week

FACT:

• 96% of US homes have smoke alarms

• 23% of these alarms do not work (the primary reasons for a smoke alarm not functioning are dead or missing batteries) leaving 26 million families at risk

•  6 million families are at risk due to not having smoke alarms

• 80% of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms

• 83% of civilian fire related deaths are from home fires

• the peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 pm and 6 am

 The National Fire Alarm Code recommends a minimum of one smoke alarm on each level of a home, including one inside each bedroom and one outside each sleeping area.

 We strongly recommend that you change your smoke detector battery each time you change your clock or twice a year.  This year it will be October 29. Please do not forget this important message. If you are part of the 4% of homes without smoke alarms, your fire department has free alarms for Indialantic residents and we will be happy to install them for you. 

Jon E. Macdonald, Fire Chief