CC01-15-2018MinLONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
January 15, 2018
6:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Ben Paris
Deputy Mayor Richard Drummond
Commissioner Abby Shoemaker
Commissioner Matt Morgan
Commissioner Brian D. Sackett
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Jon C. Williams, City Manager
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
David Dowda, Interim Police Chief
Mike Peters, Interim Fire Chief
Lee Ricci, Human Resources Director
Chris Kintner, Community Development Director
Chris Capizzi, Leisure Services Director
Lisa Snead, Financial Services Director
Richard Kornbluh, Division Manager Utilities
Tom Kruger, Economic Development Manager
Clint Gioielli, Police Lieutenant
Brittany Gelm, Code Compliance
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Paris called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2 OPENING INVOCATION (Suspended by Commission)
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following
announcements.
A. Senior Matinee Movie will be held on Wednesday, January 17,
2018 from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., Longwood Community
Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's feature is
American Made.
B. Commissioner Morgan's Candyland Clash Fundraiser. Come
see the stars of WXW (World Xtreme Wresting) at TAPS &
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CAPS,190 South Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Longwood.
They are hosting the fundraiser event on Sunday, January 21,
2018 at 2:00 p.m. to 'raise money for the Longwood Babe Ruth
league.
5. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
A. Presentation of the Beautification Award to The Annex Health
Care, located at 133 East Church Avenue.
Mayor Paris presented The Annex Health Care with the
Beautification Award. Photographs were then taken.
B. District #3 Presentation of the Business Person of the Month
Award for January 2018 to Victor G. Selenica and Victor J.
Selenica, Owners of Victorio's Oyster Bar & Grille, located at
300 Dog Track Road.
Mayor Paris read a brief biography on Victor G. Selencia and
Victor J. Selencia and then presented them with the Business
person of the Month Award for January 2018. Photographs were
then taken.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS -
A. City Commission — "At Large" Resident Member to City of
Longwood Police Officers' and' Firefighters' Pension Trust
Fund.
Commissioner Sackett nominated Mr. Robert Redditt for
reappointment to the City of Longwood Police Officers' and
Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund. Nomination carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
VA xi1 t371 10 4M111A II
A. Presentation. GAI Consultants, Inc. to give a -presentation
regarding the relocation of City Hall.
Mr. Kintner presented background on the relocation of City Hall
and introduced GAI Consultants to speak and discuss the
opportunities available to the City in the district. He introduced
Owen Beitsch, Senior Director of the Economic Real Estate
Consulting Practice at GAI Consultants and Tom Kohler also a
Senior Director, who gave a presentation of their findings over the
past few months.
Commissioner Sackett publically thanked the Members who
served on the City Hall Site Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee, Mrs.
Putz, Mrs. Dowda and Mr. Ramseur.
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B. Public Participation.
Tom Carter, 620 Torrey Oaks Court, Longwood said he is the
President at The Landings Subdivision Home Owners Association.
He said after Hurricane Irma, we were flooded badly from the
retention ponds. He said we found out back in the 90s, The
Landings was offered a generator but they refused it because of the
noise and where it would be located. He said we came back to the
Commission in October and made the request again for the
generator. He believes the Commission voted on this in November
and it was approved. He asked if the Commission is obligated for
this request for the generator.
Commissioner Sackett said he would address this under his report.
Mr. Carter said there are three retention ponds adjacent to The
Landings and a subdivision to the west. He said we found out
recently that there are four homes in that subdivision that own the
property where a retention pond is and it has been neglected. He
said when the retention pond fills, the overflow is supposed to go
to the next retention pond. That very seldom happens. He said
what happens is it leaks and seeps through the earth in to our
subdivision, and we end up with another foot of water on our end.
He- said there was a request letter supposed to be sent to the
property owners to let the City take over and maintain this area and
build some sort of clay dam to prevent it from happening. He said
there is a mound there, and when the water rises higher than the
mound, it seeps right through the earth and leaks on to our streets.
He said this is continuing to happen, and we are being proactive
now because we don't want another Irma to happen in six months.
I want to be prepared this time. He said Cross Cut Way was
completely flooded and there were at least a dozen homes that had
to be renovated. He stated, we don't want this to happen again.
There are 135 residents in The Landings that are concerned about
these problems. He asked if this letter has been sent out.
Sharon Fussell, 553 East Warren Avenue, Longwood. She thanked
and welcomed the new Commissioners. She asked them to keep
the taxpayers in mind as they move forward with the possibility of
moving City Hall. She said we work really hard, and we will
support you as long as you are fiscally sound.
Gail Brown, 331 Reider Avenue, Longwood said she noticed that
the Invocation had been suspended by the Commission. She
wanted to know if that suspension was only for this meeting, or
was it intended for future meetings.
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Mayor Paris said it will be discussed this evening. It is further
down on the Agenda, so you will have a decision by the end of the
night.
Ms. Brown said the Commission needs to consider putting it back
on the Agenda because we need to ask for God's direction and
guidance for the direction you will be taking, especially in regards
to this future program for building and how it will enhance the
City.
Ed Youniz, 940 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs said he is the
Vice Chair of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District,
which has the pleasure of meeting here in the Chamber. He said
we would like to add our note card to your bulletin board outside
City Hall advertising our Meeting dates. He emailed the
Commission and urged everyone to take into consideration House
Bill 521 and Senate Bill 574, which would strip any government
below the state level of any regulation of handling of trees. He
said their Board passed a resolution opposing these and asked that
the Commission consider doing the same.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District #5. Commissioner Sackett encouraged Mr. Young to see the City
Clerk about posting his card. He informed Mr. Young that we would look
into preparing a resolution to send to Tallahassee regarding the trees. He
said regarding The Landings, he worked with these gentlemen during the
hurricane and does remember the subdivision denied the generator
because they didn't want sound of the machine. He said at our October
meeting, I believe we took care of that, and he asked the City Manager if
we voted on that. He stated, I don't believe we voted on it and would have
to look that up. He said I believe we supported it, and it was going to be
in connection with your association getting with our City Manager. He
also stated that there would have to be an agreement. between the
subdivision and City to have the right to put a generator in there. He
asked about the status of the letter of agreement.
Mr. Williams said what we need to obtain from The Landings Home
Owners. Association is a Right of Entry, so we can have a surveyor go out
and. survey the area, and an easement will be provided to us. He said then
Mr. Langley will have to draft up the necessary language for their
approval and ultimately our approval. He said while that is being done, at
the same time we can check out the size and type of generator.
Commissioner Sackett said we need to move forward on that. He asked if
the property he is talking about is in Woodgate. He asked if that is the one
that is a continuous code violation, and if so, we need to enforce it
correctly. He stated, that may begin to help the solution but it is not the
total solution.
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Mr. Williams said it is not the total solution. He said I think it describes
the situation when you have some ground water leaching through and
coming up in that area of The Landings. Our approach is certainly to
reach out to the home owners there and see if there is an interest in them
deeding the property over in exchange for the City maintaining it. He said
if that is not something that happens, then we will pursue code
enforcement action for the maintenance of the swale.
Commissioner Sackett encouraged our City Manager and our incoming
Acting City Manager to make sure this dialog is continuing to everyone's
benefit within The Landings; and taken care of before the next five months
comes in. He said it is a doable thing, and the last board overwhelmingly
supported it, so I want to see it completed.
Commissioner Sackett asked about Church Street and Rangeline Road, he
wanted to know when the date of completion for Church Street is because
it is not on the website. He said he would like it put on the website.
Mr. Williams stated the last update he had was sometime around March.
Commissioner Sackett said Rangeline Road needs some help. He said we
walked that road about a year ago and it needs resurfacing.
Mr. Williams said we are obtaining quotes right now for the resurfacing of
Rangeline Road, but they have not been fmalized.
Commissioner Sackett said that can be on the website as well because
people are using it instead of Church, so we need to post that. He said
within our Code, there is an 8 second rule on flashing signs and any
electronic sign should not change quicker than that. He said some people
are violating that within the City, one of which is Longwood Elementary
School. He said they are probably not aware of the rule. There are also
Codes on how many flags are allowed in an area, and that is two. He has
also seen banners popping up that don't have temporary use permits. He
said if we have it in Code, I want to make sure we are maintaining some of
these things. He said there are a lot of snipe signs being put up and we
need to stay ahead of that. He said he would like to talk at the next
meeting about banning medical marijuana dispensaries. He would like
something to come forward where the Commission has a dialog on ban or
place a moratorium.
Mr. Langley asked if there was a consensus to bring that forward.
There was a consensus from the Commission.
Commissioner Sackett said he would like an ordinance for consideration,
and he would like the word ban in it.
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Mr. Langley will prepare an ordinance.
Commissioner Sackett said the Food Truck competition was fantastic and
the Car Show asked if they could be within the Facebook Page. He said
the Farmers. Market have expanded the vegetables, but due to the cold
weather, the shrimp man could not be there. He said we have COPS,
CERT, Staff, buildings and vehicles, and he asked to see how much these
cost and how efficiently and effectively they are all being ran within the
next month.
District #1. Commissioner Shoemaker said Happy New Year, and we as
a Commission and City have many challenges in front of us this year. She
said let's hope we make the most informed and positive and prosperous
decisions and continue with positive forward momentum. She said I had
the opportunity to meet with the Home Owners Association for Longwood
Club. I have spoken with staff and the City Manager regarding their
concerns, and it was a delight to meet with them and to see their lovely
neighborhood. She asked if Heather Hoffineister was in the audience.
She said she has been emailing me about the City Commission meetings,
and about tonight's meeting that would have an effect or impact on the
health of the community. She is guessing the ruling on the septic tank is
what she is concerned about.
District #2. Deputy Mayor Drummond said last week he had the
opportunity to tour Longwood Elementary School, which is a beautiful
facility, and met Dr. Walter. Griffin, Superintendent of Seminole County
Schools. He met with Amy Lockhart, a School Board Member, and also
met with the Principal, Brian Emmans and the Assistant Principal, Leigh
Jones. He said they have audio visuals in each room which is amazing
and the kids seemed very happy to be there. He has had several meetings
with individual citizens in the last several weeks and appreciates
everybody's input and encouragement. He said if you have any questions
for me, please give me a call, I will be happy to meet with you.
District #3. Mayor Paris said he had a couple of questions. He asked
about the striping on Maine Avenue. He said, there seems to be a
disconnect between which streets are being striped and which are not. If
there is a reasoning behind it, I would like to know about it. He asked if
we are striping all the streets in that area.
Mr. Williams said I do know they intend on striping all the streets over
there. He said it has not been completed yet.
Mayor Paris said the Food Truck Event was tremendous, I attended it, and
every single truck had a line. He said all the truck owners were very
pleased. I had a chance to chat with most of them, and they are intending
on doing it again next year. He said I have been attending the Farmers
Market, and I purchased an entire meal, went home and cooked it, and it
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was delicious. He is encouraging everybody to go out there and enjoy it
and promote it. These are the sort of walkable events that make the City
some place they want to move to and enjoy to live in.
District #4. Commissioner Morgan said he toured Longwood Elementary
School on January 8 h, and was blown away. He said he was concerned
about the dilapidated property in front of the school. We have this
beautiful high -end school, and there is something else right across the
street. He said the school confided in him that they were having problems
with the homeless opening up the fence next to the school property into
the wooded area, and simply needed a lock for it. He put in a request to
Mr. Williams to take care of this.
Mr. Williams said he sent out the email to Leisure Services to address and
asked Chief Dowda to go by and trespass anybody that. was on the
property.
Commissioner Morgan said on January 90', he was a special speaker for
our local Cub Scout pack 34, Arrow Wood Light Webelos at Lake Point
Church in Longwood. He said they needed to speak to a government
elected official in order to earn a badge, so I took that opportunity to speak
to them about work ethic. On January 10'', there was a Candyland Clash
Pre -Planning Meeting. He said that is the event I am hosting, along with a
lot of help from Taps and Caps, where the event will be held. He
encouraged everybody to please come to this event. He said this event is
raising money for our Longwood Babe Ruth League. They need a soft
ball batting cage, and this is the best way I could think of to get a lot of
people to come into our City and hopefully donate money. He said it is a
free event with 100% of the money going to the Longwood Babe Ruth
League. On January 12t', I was Woodland Elementary's All Pro Dad's
Breakfast Guest Speaker. He said I took the opportunity to speak about
the importance of sportsmanship and how to apply it not just to sports, but
in other areas of life as well. I discussed life lessons I personally learned
playing sports such as: discipline, work ethic, fun, and how sports did help
mold me into the man I am today. He said part of my job as
Commissioner is to be forward thinking and keeping up with the times.
He said right now, we are absolutely and positively in the digital age. I
would be incredibly proud to be a part of the team and Commission that
did their jobs in engaging our citizens just as we promised we would
during our elections by bringing our Commission Meetings to them at
home. He said I did a ton of research on this subject. I reached out to
multiple Commissioners in North Carolina, California and Illinois, and we
would be the first City in Seminole County to stream our Commission
Meetings on Facebook Live. He said in doing our due diligence and
engaging the silent majority of this City, that majority that came out to
vote for us, this is the best way to make not just the vocal minority a part
of the process in the decision -making on what happens here in the City,
but the silent majority as well.
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Commissioner Morgan made a motion to stream the Commission
Meetings on Facebook Live, once we are able to install the camera
from our ceiling. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett.
Commissioner Sackett said before we approve anything, we need to see
the money part for the cost. I would support it once I see some figures on
it. He said about twenty years ago Seminole County started SGTV, which
didn't work out because it was too expensive, so I would like to table it for
next meeting when I can see some facts and figures.
Mayor Paris said there was an email sent out two weeks ago with the
figures.
Commissioner Morgan said it is $3,000 for a hanging camera. He said it
streams non-stop 100%. He said more importantly, we are reaching out to
the people that can't be here because they have families and jobs.
Commissioner Sackett stated I will definitely support it, but what I need to
say is let's make it an Agenda Item with the money connected to it, or a
consent agenda.
Mr. Williams said it is intended to be a discussion item for the next
meeting.
Commissioner Morgan withdrew his motion and Commissioner
Sacket withdrew his second.
Commissioner Morgan said he had a very good conversation with Life
Style Smoke Shop at the corner of State Road 434 and U.S. Highway 17-
92. He said they reached out to me, and while they were still
electronically communicating with me, I showed up physically to their
business to give attention to the details they deserve for their situation. He
said they have been getting citation after citation for putting up wind
feather signs because the hurricane came through and absolutely
annihilated theirs and other permanent signs that they paid a lot of money
for. He said these local businesses are losing money when this happens
because it takes time to replace these signs. He said they are losing
pedestrian business because they don't have the signage any more. He
said I want to be very clear about this. This is not to be confused with
snipe signs. I strongly feel a part of our job here is to legitimately set the
table for local business owners to flourish, not to make life more difficult.
Commissioner Morgan made a motion to request Code
Compliance defer action on wind feather type signs only, except in
the historic district, until such a time as an amendment to the
Longwood Development Code (LDC) can be prepared by the staff
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that expands allowances for wind feather signs. Motion died for
lack of a second.
Mayor Paris asked Commissioner Morgan if he would like to request staff
put something together for next meeting to talk about this.
Commissioner Morgan said he would, we need to talk about this and take
personal opinions out of these wind feather signs and start doing what we
need to do to take care of our local businesses, or they are going to keep
leaving.
Commissioner Morgan gave an update on the Oxford Street speeding
situation. He said I expressed at the last meeting that I felt Phase 2 of a
housing development that originally started on Grant Street, their exit and
entrance is now going to be pushed onto Oxford Street, and is going to
cause a potential death one of these days. He said Mrs. Sara Ashton, a
resident of that neighborhood, came in here and gave us her fair warning,
as well as her opinion of that happening as well. I spoke with Chief
Dowda, and his update is that we are waiting for some statistics that he has
been doing, such as keeping radar over there and seeing just how many
speeders are going up and down that street to get an accurate depiction of
it, versus people's perceptions. He said his concern is still going to be,
regardless of what those statistics are, that the entrance and exit of Phase 2
shooting off onto Oxford Street, is going to increase that traffic tenfold.
He said Oxford Street is a beautiful, scenic view, and it is a nice stretch of
street that everybody likes to walk down and exercise on, but it is not wide
enough and not set up properly to be a wider street to be able to speed up
and down, especially handling a housing development that is about to be
under way. He said unfortunately, Phase 2 of this project could not have
an entrance or exit going off onto State Road 434,. and this is the only way
they can do it. He said Mrs. Sara Ashton told us at the last Commission
meeting, that she had a signed petition by every single neighbor on Oxford
Street, unanimously supporting one of three solutions. He said they are:
capping one end of it making it a dead end, which we cannot do because
of fire regulations; or speed bumps; or stop signs. He is strongly urging
the Commission to do something about it now before someone gets killed
when Phase 2 becomes a reality, when we could have done something in
advance to actually prevent the death from happening.
Commissioner Morgan made a motion that we install two speed
humps, not bumps, with one stop sign on Oxford Street.
Mayor Paris asked Chief Dowda to elaborate on installing speed humps
and a stop sign.
Chief Dowda said he would like to consult with the Fire Chief and other
safety officials about implementing something like that. He said it will
affect our response in the area, as far as a stop sign goes. He said I am not
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sure what would be an effective place for a stop sign. He asked if he was
referring to the middle of the street.
Commissioner Morgan replied in the affirmative.
Chief Dowda said he is not sure that would affect any of the traffic down
by the house you are referring -to. He said I would really have to get some
of the numbers back from the study we are doing to give you a clear
answer on the amount of traffic we are seeing there, and the speeds, before
I feel comfortable in making a recommendation about speed humps, or
especially a stop sign.
Commissioner Morgan said his only concern is whatever that statistic is, I
don't want to say it is irrelevant, but it is not going to have anything to do
with the accurate statistic it is going .to be with Phase 2. He said there is a
huge housing development that is going to be put in the woods in that
area, and the outlets are only going onto Oxford Street.
Chief Dowda said there certainly may be a difference in the traffic once
you add another factor like that, but at this point, it would be difficult to
say whether speed bumps were appropriate.
Mr. Williams said he would certainly caution the Commission in throwing
money at a situation that really doesn't have a problem. He said
obviously, you have to look at the statistics and the traffic counts that do
exist, but I think the same thing can apply to every public street in the
City. He said, once you establish an expectation that you are going to start
putting in these .traffic calming devices on Oxford Street when there is not
really a problem, I think you are going to have the same expectations
throughout the entire City. He said therefore, that is going to create some
major budgetary challenges on top of the challenges you already have. I
would yield to the professionals you have on staff, the Fire Chief, the
Police Chief, the City Engineer, also on the County -wide level we have
the Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) that this Commission has
previously used to address the placement of stop signs and what is
appropriate for a particular traffic problem. He said I would recommend
that you continue to .use CTST and your staff in fording those
recommendations, because once you establish a policy of spending money
on an area that really doesn't have a problem, I think you are going to
open the door for greater expectations City-wide.
Chief Dowda said he concurs with what Mr. Williams is saying. I have
experienced that where we implemented traffic calming measures, either
stop signs or speed humps, and within a short period, of time I get phone
calls from another area, and they want them as well, and they may or may
not be effective or necessary.
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Mayor Paris asked Commissioner Morgan if he would like to hold off on
his motion until we get some statistics back to see where we stand with
this.
Commissioner Morgan said two sets of statistics; statistics where we are
now, and statistics once that Phase 2 is developed.
Mayor Paris said we can definitely look into both of those.
Motion died for the lack of a second.
9. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Mr. Williams stated there are none. However, with Agenda Item 12D we
do have some language that has been inserted in Section 4 for the Acting
City Manager Agreement we can discuss during the presentation of that
item.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes of the December 15, 2017 Special Meeting
and December 18, 2017 Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for December 2017.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for December 2017.
D. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to
the Municipal Economic Development Organization (MEDO)
for a development partnership with the cities of Casselberry,
DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Lake Mary, Longwood, Orange
City, and Sanford.
E. Confirm the appointment of Clint Gioielli as Acting Police
Chief effective February 1, 2018.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Items l0A
through 10E. Seconded by Commissioner Shoemaker and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 17-2132, a petition
for the vacation and abandonment of a portion of a utility
easement at 410 Pinta Place.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 17-2132 by title only.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item.
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Mayor Paris opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 17-2132.
Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Drummond and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Sackett moved to adopt Ordinance No. 17-
2132 as presented Item 11A. Seconded by Commissioner
Shoemaker and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Read by title only, set February 5, 2018 as the public hearing
date and.approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 17-2134
authorizing the issuance of debt in the principal amount of
$2,622,050 to finance the South Longwood Phase II/Lake
Ruth/Springwood Septic Tank Abatement Project.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 17-2134 by title only.
Commissioner Shoemaker moved to approve Ordinance
No. 17-2134 and set February 5, 2018 as the public hearing
date.. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a
unanimous roll call vote.
B. Commission direction for approval of a change order in the
amount of $225,744 to purchase order #170289 to West
Construction, Inc. for providing. additional services for the
waterfall feature design and implementation at Reiter Park.
Mr. Capizzi presented the Item and -answered questions.
Commissioner Sackett.moved to disapprove the change
order in the amount of $225,744 to purchase order #170289
for the additional services for the waterfall feature design
and implementation at Reiter Park. Seconded by
Commissioner Shoemaker and carried by a unanimous roll
call vote.
C. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 18-1452, amending
City Commission Rules of Procedures to .provide for a moment
of silent meditation in lieu of an opening invocation at the
City Commission Meetings.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 18-1452 by title only.
Discussion ensued.
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Commissioner Sackett moved to adopt Resolution No. 18-
1452 as presented Item 12C. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
Drummond and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
D. Approve the Acting City Manager Agreement.
Mr. Williams presented the Item and stated that additional
language was added to Section 4 regarding maintaining current
FRS contributions with the same special risk classification. He
said they agreed upon a salary of $123,691.11.
Mr. Langley said this forum is substantially similar to the one the
City did with Mr. Williams when he was Acting City Manager. He
said from a legal standpoint, he does not have any issues and is
comfortable with the form in the agreement.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve the Acting City
Manager Agreement as presented Item 12D, with the
additional language added to Section 4 as mentioned by
Mr. Williams. Seconded by Commissioner Shoemaker and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
E. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No.18-1453, which
amends the fiscal year 17/18 budget to cover the cost
associated with the Separation and Professional Services
Agreement with Jon C. Williams and identify the savings
associated with the elimination of the Assistant City Manager
Position.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 18-1453 by title only.
Commissioner Shoemaker moved to adopt Resolution No.
18-1453 as presented Item 12E. Seconded by Deputy
Mayor Drummond.
Discussion ensued.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Williams called up Ms. Snead to discuss two vacancies in her
department that occurred over the holiday break. She has begun the
interview process, and some current market trends suggest she is going to
need to hire above the minimum in order to attract qualified candidates.
She wanted time before the Commission for approval to give the City
Manager authorization to hire above 20% of the pay ban, if necessary.
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Ms. Snead said essentially we have three weeks away from audit. The
auditors are coming during the first week of February, and the Accounting
Manager has tendered her resignation effective January 26th, so we are in a
critical situation. She said I have already reached out with feelers to
contacts I know from the industry and Florida Government and Finance,
and also Human Resources has surveyed the marketplace to see what the
value is. She said going from my past experience, when I recruited the
Accounting Manager 2 '/z years ago, it is a competitive field. She said it is
hard to get people, and the value of what we need to pay them is definitely
higher than 20% of the bottom of the pay range. She said the bottom of
the pay range for that position is $51,000. Realistically, I probably need to
bring someone around $75,000, so I am asking for your approval to allow
the City Manager to go above the bottom of the pay range, if necessary.
She said I don't want to wait until the next Commission meeting to come
back for that authorization. I am hoping to fill that position immediately,
and we need the authority to do that financially.
Mr. Williams said you may be able to hire somebody at the lower end, but
I don't know what the talent pool looks like out there. I think having the
flexibility to hire somebody is of the utmost importance. The Accounting
Manager has tendered her resignation effective January 26 h, and they have
an audit to prepare for. He said you are rolling into budget season, and
another staff member has left over there as well, the Financial Analyst.
He said it is critical she gets somebody in there as quickly as possible.
What we are looking for is -authorization for the City Manager to hire
above 20%, only if it is necessary.
Deputy Mayor Drummond asked if that position has been open.
Ms. Snead said the position has .been advertised and is open.
Deputy Mayor Drummond asked if there has been any applicants and how
long has it been open.
Ms. Snead stated she advertised it last Friday, had twelve applicants and
interviewed one person.
Deputy Mayor Drummond asked if the advertisement included a salary
base.
Ms. Snead replied in the affirmative.
Commissioner Shoemaker moved to authorize the City Manager to
approve, if necessary, to hire above the minimum pay range by
20%, for this situation. Seconded by Commissioner Morgan and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
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Mr. Williams said on the dais you have your advertisement for posting in
the various journals for the selection of your new City Manager. He said
if everyone is okay with it in its present form, a simple yes vote from
everybody, so we can post this as early as tomorrow morning.
The advertisement for the City Manager was approved by a
unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Williams said this will be my last Commission meeting, and I wish
you all the best in your endeavors to hire a new City Manager. It has been
a true honor, privilege, and pleasure to have served the citizens, and you
have got a great group of employees here and good luck to you.
Mr. Langley said it has been a pleasure working with Mr. Williams, he is a
stellar person and said good luck to him.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Longo reiterated the same sentiments as Mr. Langley.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor Paris adjourned the mee ' g at 8:05 p.m.
en Paris, Mayor
ATT T;,
04'ichelkleon'g6�,'Cft, CRM, City Clerk
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