THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2001 5:00 P.M. COMMISSION ROOM - TOWN HALL
*********************************************************************************************************************** CALL TO ORDER: MAYOR WILLE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: MAYOR WILLE I. DISCUSSION OF FILLING VACANCY ON THE TOWN COMMISSION II. ADJOURNMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 286.0105, FLORIDA STATUTES, THE TOWN HEREBY ADVISES THE PUBLIC THAT: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Town Commission with respect to any matter considered at its meeting, he will need a record of the proceedings and that for such purpose, affected persons may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the Town for the introduction or admission into evidence of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed by law. |
MINUTES TOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 8, 2001 A special meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida was called to order by Mayor Wille at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2001 in the Commission Room at Town Hall. Mayor Wille also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Present: Mayor Wille Vice Mayor Remark Commissioner Smith Commissioner Stacey Others Present: Town Manager Ciummo Town Attorney Gougelman Police Chief Walters Sue Stark, Resident Town Clerk Masny I. DISCUSSION OF FILLING VACANCY ON THE TOWN COMMISSION Commissioner Smith stated that she requested this meeting because she did not want to wait until the March 21st meeting to discuss how to fill the vacancy on the Commission. Commissioner Smith stated that the Town Commission has the option of appointing someone to fill Brad Betten's seat, which term would be until the November election or the option of holding a special election to fill the seat until the end of the term, which would be November 2003. Commissioner Smith stated that she would like to appoint someone to fill the Commission seat by advertising in the newspaper asking interested parties to give a letter of interest to the Town Clerk by Thursday, March 15th for review by the Town Commission at the March 21st meeting. Town Attorney Gougelman advised that the Town could not have a mail-in ballot to elect a Commissioner, it would have to be voted on at the poling place. Town Attorney Gougelman advised the Town Commission that citizens' referendum question could be done by mail ballot. Mayor Wille advised that he previously felt a mail-in ballot election would be the better course of action by allowing the citizens to select the person to fill the Commission seat because this could be done at the same time as the referendum question being posed by the residents. Mayor Wille stated that as long as this cannot be done by mail-in ballot for both he would be in support of making an appointment to fill the Commission seat. Commissioner Stacey advised that he does not agree because even though some of the candidates for the Commission seat might have served on the Board, he does not believe they can come in, be appointed for 6-8 months, until the next election. Commissioner Stacey stated that he would support the Town holding a special election. The Town Commission discussed the option of appointing a resident to fill the vacant Town Commission seat versus holding a special election to fill the seat. COMMISSIONER SMITH MOVED, SECOND VICE MAYOR REMARK THAT THE TOWN CLERK BE DIRECTED TO PUT A NOTICE IN THE NEWSPAPER AND POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD THAT ANYONE INTERESTED IN BEING APPOINTED TO SERVE UNTIL THE NOVEMBER ELECTION SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTEREST TO THE TOWN CLERK BY 5:00 P.M. FRIDAY, MARCH 16TH AND THAT THIS ITEM BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 21, 2001 REGULAR MEETING. VOTE: COMMISSIONER SMITH, AYE. VICE MAYOR REMARK, AYE. MAYOR WILLE, AYE. COMMISSIONER STACEY, NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Town Manager Ciummo stated that the Police Department is applying for a block grant and there is not time to place this item on the March agenda. Chief Walters stated that this grant has to post marked by March 15th and the funds have to be used for reduction of illegal drugs in Florida. Chief Walters stated that the grant is for $1,492 and the Town?s match would be $219. Chief Walters stated that he would like to purchase a computer for training. It is the consensus of the Town Commission that Chief Walters move forward with the grant. Town Attorney Gougelman advised that the Town Commission can ratify this action at the March regular meeting. Town Manager Ciummo stated that she would like support to proceed with the construction of the gazebo and the playground because this project was contingent upon the municipal complex project, which as been put on hold. Town Manager Ciummo advised that there are time limitations on the grant and the Town needs to move forward. Town Manager Ciummo asked if the Parks Board and Rochelle Lawandales could move forward and prepare the plans for the site work to get the gazebo and playground equipment installed. The Town Commission advised that the Board and Ms. Lawandales move forward. Town Manager Ciummo advised that the Phase II project of the Ryckman Park improvements has been placed number two (2) on a list of one hundred (100) for funding. Mayor Wille advised that the Town Consulting Engineers, Outlaw, Rice and Jones have been working with the County regarding moving the lift station and advised that the Town Engineers have discovered that the County's equipment is outside of their easement area. Mayor Wille advised that the County is willing to take down the 12' generator and tank and move it to a location that the Town chooses and then demolish the building. Mayor Wille reviewed with the Town Commission the existing location of the equipment and discussed a new location for the 9' long, 3 ?' wide, 4'11" high generator with a tank which goes adjacent to the generator which is 7'8" long, 3'9" wide and 3'3" high. After a discussion regarding a location of the generator, it is the consensus of the Town Commission that the profile of the generator be an east/west, with the generator and tank placed side-by-side for a minimum amount of visual obstruction. Mayor Wille asked that the Town Manager relay this to the Town Engineering Consultants. Mayor Wille advised that the County is aware of the need to have their easement increased in this area. Mayor Wille asked for clarification from Commissioner Smith regarding her statement at a previous meeting regarding going for a referendum regarding the municipal complex. Commission Smith advised that she had suggested a referendum regarding spending the Town taxpayers? funds on the new municipal complex and building in the park. After a lengthy discussion, the Town Commission discussed waiting until the Blue Ribbon Municipal Complex Review and Advisory Committee submit their recommendations regarding the municipal complex prior to any further consideration of a referendum being discussed. Chief Walters asked when the team-building meeting will be held? The Town Commission reviewed their schedules and decided to schedule the team-building meeting for Wednesday, March 14, 2001 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Chief Walters stated that the Police Chief?s Association had this type of meeting and the problems they wanted to discuss were never discussed and that he is concerned that this team-building meeting will be run the same way. Town Manager Ciummo clarified that the Town Commission would like them and department heads to attend the team-building meeting. Chief Walters requested that his supervisors be allowed to attend. II. ADJOURNMENT COMMISSIONER SMITH MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER STACEY TO ADJOURN. VOTE: ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. The special meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida adjourned at 7:00 p.m. ________________________________________ ROBERT D. WILLE, MAYOR ________________________________________ CYNTHIA E. MASNY, CMC TOWN CLERK NOTE: A mechanical recording has been made of the foregoing procedures of which these minutes are a part and is on file in the office of the Town Clerk. |