INDIALANTIC
                RECORD        December 2006

    
MAYOR AND COUNCIL SWORN IN

Mayor Robert L. Cochran, Jr. and Council members David Berkman and Loren Goldfarb began their new two year terms after being sworn in by Judge George Maxwell at the November 21, 2006 Council meeting.  Councilman Benevente was selected Deputy Mayor for the next year.  Additional appointments to represent the Town are as follows: 

Space Coast League of Cities – Deputy Mayor Benevente with Mayor Cochran as alternate 

Florida League of Cities Home Rule Administrative Council – Deputy Mayor Benevente with Mayor Cochran as alternate

 Brevard County Water Supply Board – Councilman Berkman with Deputy Mayor Benevente as alternate 

South Beaches Coalition – Councilman Bogert

 SIDEWALKS CONNECTED

 Sidewalks along S. Shannon Avenue and S. Miramar Avenue have been connected with a five-foot wide sidewalk along the south side of the 100 block of Eighth Avenue. 

Monies totaling $38,353 were provided for this project from the Transportation Impact Fee Trust (TIFT) fund through an agreement between the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners and the Town Council that was approved on March 21, 2006. 

Don Bo, Inc. of Palm Bay was contracted to construct the sidewalk for a total of $23,096.  The additional monies available over the amount needed for the work will be returned to the trust fund.

 Previously the Town has used TIFT funds to construct sidewalks, or portions of sidewalks, along S. Shannon Avenue, S. Riverside Drive, S. Magnolia Drive, 400 block of Second Avenue, 300 block of Third Avenue, and along N. Ramona Avenue.

RECENT COUNCIL ACTION

October 17, 2006 Meeting

  • approved an interlocal agreement with the County for traffic signal maintenance

  • approved final budget adjustment for FY-06

  • accepted the performance evaluations for the Town Manager and approved a positive salary adjustment

  • approved a pest control bid and award of contract to TruGreen ChemLawn in the amount of $8,628/yr. for Town parks and Town Hall property

  • declared a 1998 Crown Victoria police car as surplus and authorized the Town Manager to dispose of it

  • approved the planning consultant ranking and authorized the Town Manager to negotiate with the #1 ranked firm (i.e. LaRue Planning and Management Services, Inc.)

  • adopted Ord. 06-14 amending Chapt. 9 changing the reference from occupational license to business tax in accordance with state law

  • adopted Ord. 06-15 increasing Council member compensation from $150 to $200 per month

November 21, 2006 Meeting

  • approved Res. 07-01 designating personnel authorized to sign checks

  • approved Res. 07-02 amending fees for variance applications

  • approved a Local Law Enforcement Grant application in the amount of $1,000

  • approved a parking meter use agreement for Bizzarros’ for 2007

  • accepted a roadway/sidewalk easement from the developer of Indialantic One

  •  approved a development agreement with Coral Sands of Indialantic, LLC, to resurface a portion of Watson Drive

  • approved a planning services agreement with LaRue Planning and Management Services, Inc.

  • adopted Ord. 07-01 extending the sunset provision relating to transient signs

  • adopted Ord. 07-02 extending the sunset provision relating to outdoor display in the C-2 zone

  • approved Ord. 07-03 on first reading to allow the Zoning and Planning Board to approve site plans for 12 months

  • agreed to request that the Florida Department of Transportation provide a pedestrian crosswalk on SR-A1A at Eighth Avenue

  • agreed to discuss amending the code to address the withdrawal of candidates for Mayor and/or Council at the December meeting

NEW FACES IN TOWN

CK Appraising- 114 Sixth Avenue – Real estate appraisal

Ruhge Appraisal and Consulting – 114 Sixth Avenue – Real estate appraisal

Camelot Mortgage, Inc. – 422 Fifth Avenue – Mortgage banking

Achieving Wellness, Inc. – 18 S. Riverside Drive – Acupuncture

Mortgage Solutions of Florida – 425 Fifth Avenue – Mortgage broker

 

Sea Oats available for beachside residents

Beachside residents can order sea oats from Brevard County’s Natural Resources Management Office and Keep Brevard Beautiful.

Liner-size sea oats will be sold in packs of 96 for $46.08 until February 2 as long as supplies last.  They can be picked up February 10.

Some emergency dunes constructed during 2005 and 2006, excluding those in Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach, will be revegetated with herbaceous native plants by May 1.

Sea oats, railroad vine and other low-growing natives will be planted in a 12-foot-wide strip along the crest and seaward bluff of the constructed dunes.  Sea oats purchased through the annual sale should be planted landward of this area.

Call Paula Berntson at 633-2016, ext. 52431 or e-mail paula.berntson@brevardcounty.us. 

Public Works representative Tony Yacovino redecks the Watson Drive dune crossover.  Steps to the beach were reconstructed approximately 1½ years ago.

POLICE BEAT 

With the holiday season already upon us and in particular for all of the new residents who have joined us, I would again like to pass on some recommendations about personal safety that I believe are particularly important at this time of year. 

Unfortunately, there is a certain element of our society that prefers 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. While shopping, try to keep all packages and gifts out of sight in your vehicle, preferably locked in the trunk. Try to enter and exit stores (particularly malls) around other groups of shoppers. We tend to see an increase in burglaries this time of year so please remain diligent in your efforts to keep your homes and vehicles secure. If installed, set your alarm, even if you are only leaving for a short time. Successful burglaries to homes equipped with a good alarm system, that is kept armed, are very rare. Well-positioned outdoor lighting can also be a successful deterrent. 

Please remember that we provide a complete Home Security Survey service that is free of charge to any resident of the Town. To schedule a Home Security Survey or if you would like to know about any of the other services provided by the police department, contact Community Policing Officer Terry Tenpenny at 723-7788 or ttenpenny@indialantic.com. You can also find important information by going to the Town’s web site at www.indialantic.com and following the link to the main police page. 

Thank you for your continued support and have a safe and happy holiday season! 

Troy W. Morris, Chief of Police

Cliff Notes:

 All contractors must be licensed to work on your home and obtain the appropriate permit.  Permits must be posted for inspections by the Building Official.  Permits are required for installation of windows and doors and for driveways.  Do not let anyone work on your roof without a permit.  The roof must be inspected at the dry-in phase before the shingles/tile/metal are attached.

Cliff Stokes, Building Official 

The Public Works Department is currently cutting back tree limbs and shrubbery on all streets within the Town.  Many tree limbs are interfering with emergency vehicle operation and the safe passage of all vehicles.  We are also addressing site triangles at intersections and are clearing tree limbs and shrubbery that could be hazardous or make it difficult to see vehicles approaching an intersection.  Any obstacles blocking the view of a Stop sign or a traffic control device will be removed at any time. 

Please contact Public Works at 984-5224 if you observe  any unsafe conditions.  Please drive safely.

Ron Cassedy, Public Works Director 

 INDIALANTIC FIRE RESCUE

 In the past few months there has been considerable discussion on the use of hurricane shutters. We are past the threat of hurricanes and this now becomes a concern for all of Brevard fire departments. More than 5,000 Americans die each year from fires and 25,000 are injured. Shutters may help keep your family safe from hurricane winds, but if not promptly removed they can also trap you in a deadly fire. The Space Coast Fire Chiefs encourage individuals to use the following tips to help reduce the number of fire injuries and deaths associated with hurricane shutters being left on windows preventing escape. 

  •  Be aware of potential hurricane shutter issues when practicing fire escape routes. Be sure that everyone knows how to unlock or remove shutters and that windows open easily to allow escape.

  •  Plan two exits out of each room.

  • Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance.

  • Once out stay out.

  • Be sure there are adequate smoke detectors and that they are operational.

 As we approach the holiday season the Fire Department wishes all a safe and happy season. It is with great concern that foremost, we be aware of safety when using candles and live Christmas trees. Please be careful when climbing ladders to hang lights and ornaments. 

If you would like for us to complete a survey of your home and offer suggestions on how you can have a safe and enjoyable holiday we are more than happy to do so. Please call the Fire Department at 723-0366 to schedule an appointment. 

Jon Macdonald, Fire Chief

 

ü   Town Hall will be closed December 25th and 26th for Christmas and January 1st – New Year’s Day

ü   American Craft Endeavors is sponsoring its annual Art Show January 20-21, 2007 in Nance Park

ü   The Heritage Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the Town’s 55th anniversary celebration. Anyone interested should contact Denise Bozeman  at 724-5613

ü   The Board of Adjustment and the Zoning and Planning Board will have openings, including reappointments, in December. The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee is also looking for new members. Applications are available at Town Hall and on the web site – www.indialantic.com.  For more information on meeting days and time for these or any board or committee, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 723-2242.

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS

DECEMBER

            19              8:00 AM    Heritage Committee

            19              7:00 PM    Town Council

JANUARY

            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

            24            10:00 AM    Police/Fire Pension

            24            11:00 AM    General Emp. Pension

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

Luminaria sales begin December 1st and continue through December 24th. Kits will be available at Town Hall during regular business hours through the 22nd and at the Fire Station on the 23rd and 24th. 

Luminaria candles are lighted on Christmas Eve, just in time for Santa’s trip through Town atop his fire truck sleigh.  The candles are placed along sidewalks at dusk.

All proceeds from this project, sponsored by the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee, are used for beautification projects throughout the Town.

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. Robert L. Cochran, Jr., Mayor; Vince Benevente, Deputy Mayor; Councilmembers   Dave Berkman, Bruce Bogert and Loren Goldfarb; Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager; Laura Eaton, Town Clerk – www.indialantic.com - (321) 723-2242