TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH
MINUTES
TOWN COMMISSION - Regular Meeting
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Wednesday
September 15, 2004
COMMUNITY CENTER
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A regular meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida 
was called to order by Mayor Walters at 7:32 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 in the 
Community Center.  Mayor Walters also led the Pledge of Allegiance
Present:  
Mayor Walters
Commissioner Guglietta
Commissioner Price
Commissioner Stacey
Commissioner Wilson
Others Present:  
Town Attorney Gougelman
Town Manager Higginbotham
Police Chief Syrkus
11 members of the public
Town Clerk Masny  
I.      CHANGES TO THE AGENDA.

        There were no changes to the agenda.

II.     PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS: ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF DONNIE PRICE FROM THE PARKS 
        BOARD AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

        Mayor Walters stated that since 1998, Donnie Price has been a member of the Parks Board and recently 
        resigned.  Mayor Walters commented that the Town appreciated his many years of service and that he always 
        made sure that Founders Day was enjoyed by all.

III.    NON-SCHEDULED CITIZEN COMMENTS

        Tom Shaw, 406 Riverside Drive thanked the Police, Fire and Town for help during Hurricane Frances and will 
        follow-up with a letter to the Town Manager.  Mr. Shaw commented that when he walks past Djon’s Restaurant, 
        there are two (2), 55 gallon drums of cooking oil and old restaurant equipment next to the dumpster and 
        commented that someone should look into this.

IV.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES:                AUGUST 11, 2004 SPECIAL MEETING, 
                                                                 AUGUST 11, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP 
                                                                 AUGUST 18, 2004 REGULAR MEETING 
                                                                 AUGUST 25, 2004 SPECIAL MEETING AND 
                                                                 AUGUST 25, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP

        Commissioner Price requested that the tape be reviewed of the August 11, 2004 special meeting to clarify 
        the wording of the last two (2) paragraphs on Page 1 and Mayor Walters requested the same for the last 
        two (2) paragraphs on Page 2 of the August 11, 2004 workshop.  Commissioner Price agreed.  

 
COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND VICE MAYOR GUGLIETTA TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 
AUGUST 11, 2004 SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 11, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP, AUGUST 18, 2004 REGULAR 
MEETING, AUGUST 25, 2004 SPECIAL MEETING AND AUGUST 25, 2004 BUDGET WORKSHOP AS AMENDED.  

VI.     REPORTS BY ANY TOWN BOARD SUBMITTING A REPORT

         There were no Town Board reports.  

VI.     PUBLIC HEARING
         A.      ORDINANCE 2004-01
         AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING 
         SECTIONS 1A-3, 7A-31, 7A-32, AND 7A-33, 7A-34, 7A-35, 7A-55, 7A-59, AND 7A-136, APPENDIX A, 
         TOWN CODE; AMENDING DEFINITIONS AND PROVIDING NEW DEFINITIONS; CLARIFYING HOW 
         HEIGHT SHALL BE CALCULATED; DELETING OBSOLETE LANGUAGE RELATING TO THE 
         CALCULATION OF HEIGHT IN THE 1-RS, 2-RS, 3-RS, 4-RM AND 5-RMO ZONING DISTRICTS; 
         REVISING THE MINIMUM FLOOR ELEVATION FOR NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING 
         LEGISLATIVE INTENT; SETTING FORTH A PUBLIC HEARING AND APPEAL PROCESS; PROVIDING 
         ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD; PROVIDING FOR 
         SEVERABILITY/INTERPRETATION; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 
         INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (SECOND AND FINAL READING)

         Town Attorney Gougelman read Ordinance 2004-01 by title.  

         Mayor Walters opened the public hearing to comments from the public.

         Martha Remark, 707 Atlantic Street asked if the grandfathering clause was removed from the ordinance?  
         Town Attorney Gougelman referred to Page 8, Line 192 and explained that the sentence, “Existing homes 
         shall be measured from the existing fist floor to the highest point of the roof or facade,” and stated that this 
         is now included on Page 5, lines 125-130 and advised that the grandfather clause has been preserved.  

COMMISSIONER PRICE MOVED, SECOND VICE MAYOR GUGLIETTA TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2004-01 AS 
WRITTEN.  AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA 
AMENDING SECTIONS 1A-3, 7A-31, 7A-32, AND 7A-33, 7A-34, 7A-35, 7A-55, 7A-59, AND 7A-136, APPENDIX A, 
TOWN CODE; AMENDING DEFINITIONS AND PROVIDING NEW DEFINITIONS; CLARIFYING HOW HEIGHT 
SHALL BE CALCULATED; DELETING OBSOLETE LANGUAGE RELATING TO THE CALCULATION OF HEIGHT 
IN THE 1-RS, 2-RS, 3-RS, 4-RM AND 5-RMO ZONING DISTRICTS; REVISING THE MINIMUM FLOOR ELEVATION 
FOR NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE INTENT; SETTING FORTH A PUBLIC HEARING 
AND APPEAL PROCESS; PROVIDING ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD; 
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY/ INTERPRETATION; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES AND 
RESOLUTIONS INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  
VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED. 

         B.      RESOLUTION NO. 743
         A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ESTABLISHING 
         A POLICY FOR THE USE AND RENTAL OF THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COMMUNITY ROOM AND 
         KITCHEN FACILITIES; SETTING FEES AND DEPOSITS; PROVIDING FOR WAIVER OF SAID FEES 
         AND DEPOSITS; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURES FOR USE AND RENTAL OF THE FACILITIES; 
         PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

         Town Attorney Gougelman read Resolution No. 743 by title.  Mayor Walters stated that this resolution sets 
         fees for use of the community room at $25 per hour, plus sales tax, along with a damage/clean up deposit 
         of $200, unless exempt as noted in the resolution.  Mayor Walters commented that this is a community 
         room and it should be open for the community to rent for functions.

         Mayor Walters opened the public hearing for comments from the public.  There were no public comments.

COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND VICE MAYOR GUGLIETTA TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 743 
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA ESTABLISHING 
A POLICY FOR THE USE AND RENTAL OF THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COMMUNITY ROOM AND KITCHEN 
FACILITIES; SETTING FEES AND DEPOSITS; PROVIDING FOR WAIVER OF SAID FEES AND DEPOSITS; 
PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURES FOR USE AND RENTAL OF THE FACILITIES; PROVIDING AN 
EFFECTIVE DATE.  
VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

         C.      RESOLUTION NO. 744
         A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING 
         SECTION 7. (I) OF RESOLUTION NO. 702, WHICH COMMISSION; PROVIDING AN INTERPRETATION 
         CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

         Town Attorney Gougelman read Resolution No. 744 by title.  Mayor Walters commented that this resolution 
         calls for a change in meeting procedures for the Town Commission and explained that the Town Commission 
         will now speak first about an issue, then the Town Attorney or Town Manager will discuss the issue, then it 
         is open to the public for comment and then the Town Commission will have final discussion and vote on the
         issue.  Mayor Walters stated that this will allow the residents more participation in the meetings.

         Mayor Walters opened the public hearing to comments from the public.  There were no public comments.

COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER PRICE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 744 
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MELBOURNE BEACH, BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING 
SECTION 7. (I) OF RESOLUTION NO. 702, WHICH ESTABLISHED MEETING RULES AND PROCEDURES 
FOR THE TOWN COMMISSION; PROVIDING AN INTERPRETATION CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE 
DATE.  
VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

VIII.   TOWN BOARD APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS:
         A.       CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF D.X. ROSS TO THE PARKS BOARD WITH A TERM 
         SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2006.

COMMISSIONER WILSON MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER PRICE TO APPOINT D.X. ROSS TO THE 
PARKS BOARD WITH A TERM SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2006.  
VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

         B.      CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF MICKEY COLLINS TO THE PARKS BOARD WITH A 
         TERM SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2006.

VICE MAYOR GUGLIETTA MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER WILSON TO REAPPOINT MICKEY COLLINS 
TO THE PARKS BOARD WITH A TERM SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2006.  
VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

IX.     REPORTS:
         A.      TOWN ATTORNEY

         Commissioner Wilson asked Town Attorney Gougelman to update the Town Commission regarding the 
         status of the Hamilton Writ of Prohibition as the hurricane disrupted the scheduled hearing date and 
         commented that the Town Attorney’s response to the Writ of Prohibition was very good. 

         Town Attorney Gougelman reported that Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton filed a Petition for Writ of Prohibition, which 
         is a request that the court bar the Board of Adjustment from hearing the application for interpretation of the 
         code with regard to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.  Judge Moxley held a hearing and made 
         his findings and ordered the Town to show cause and the Town has filed this and the judge will review this 
         act on it.  Town Attorney Gougelman reported that he has talked to the attorney of those who filed the 
         application to the Board of Adjustment and advised him that the Town is a neutral party and the applicants 
         need to be in court fighting for their interest.  

         B.      TOWN MANAGER

         Town Manager Higginbotham reported that there was damage to the tennis court lighting and the Town 
         received a quote in the amount of $4,167.10 for repairs and requested the Town Commission approve that  
         RLS Lighting, Inc. move forward to perform the repairs.  

COMMISSIONER PRICE MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER STACEY TO APPROVE THE QUOTE FROM 
RLS LIGHTING, INC. FOR REPAIRS TO THE TENNIS COURT LIGHTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,167.10.  
VOTE: ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

         Town Manager Higginbotham read into the record a letter to Mayor Walters from Police Chief David R. Syrkus 
         regarding his help evacuating the special needs residents during Hurricane Frances. (copy attached).

         C.      TOWN COMMISSIONERS

         Mayor Walters expressed a special thanks to the Police Department, Volunteer Fire Department and Town 
         Manager for an outstanding job during Hurricane Frances.  Mayor Walters complimented Commissioner 
         Stacey on his volunteer work with the American Red Cross at a hurricane shelter and stated that he took 
         great care of the Town residents who were in the shelter.  Mayor Walters commented that the Town has 
         the new fire truck for three (3) months and it is not on the road yet.  Town Manager Higginbotham reported 
         that it is not yet equipped with hose and proper equipment and will find out why.  Mayor Walters requested 
         that the Town Manager review the beautification grant for Ocean Avenue and find out where the funds will 
         come from in the budget so that the Town can move forward. 

         Vice Mayor Guglietta reported that since we had this hurricane emergency, the Town should purchase 
         cots and mattresses and store in the dorm rooms in the fire department so that they can be used in the 
         future when personnel stays in the Town facilities.  Vice Mayor Guglietta reported that a large crowd 
         attended all four meetings of the Federal Emergency Management Agency  held in the Community 
         Center and FEMA answered all questions of the Town residents and nonresidents alike.  Vice Mayor 
         Guglietta complimented the Town Manager, Chief of Police and Volunteer Fire Department for the jobs 
         done before, during and after the Hurricane Frances.
 
         Commissioner Stacey reported that Hibiscus Trail has bobcat equipment pushing the yard trash and other 
         refuse down the street from Hurricane Frances, however, they are leaving a lot of the yard trash on the street.  
         Commissioner Stacey suggested that the Town of Indialantic bring the street sweeper in Town and sweep 
         the streets.

         Commissioner Price commented that we have survived Frances and Jeanne is stirring in the Caribbean 
         and it has taken our attention for the past two (2) weeks.  Commissioner Price stated he is proud of our 
         team in the Town, the Town Manager, Police Chief, Volunteer Fire Department and Town Employees 
         with the jobs performed during the emergency.  Commissioner Price commented that we have a good 
         community and can be very proud how this emergency was handled and that the Federal Emergency 
         Management Agency meetings were informational and it was all orchestrated by our Police Chief.  
         Commissioner Price commented that Commissioner Stacey did an excellent job as the Shelter 
         Captain for the American Red Cross.

         Mayor Walters thanked Commissioner Wilson for picking up some of the special needs residents and 
         escorting them from the shelters and taking them to their homes.

         Mayor Walters complimented Police Chief Syrkus on the way he handled a hostage situation in Town 
         during Hurricane Frances.

         Commissioner Wilson commented that with the new landscaping going in on Ocean Avenue, it would 
         be wise to take notes of what trees that did not fare well with the hurricane.  Commissioner Wilson 
         noted that the Live Oak trees pulled sidewalks up with their root systems and Washatonnian Palms 
         should be avoided as they snap in the middle.  Commissioner Wilson commented that the baffle boxes 
         should be cleaned out as there was a lot of sand blown into the storm drains because of Hurricane Frances.  
         Commissioner Wilson asked how many residents did not evacuate for Hurricane Frances?  Town Manager 
         Higginbotham stated that 21 people stayed in the Town Hall facilities and there were 12 known residences 
         that were occupied, but  some left Friday morning.  Town Manager Higginbotham reported that the County 
         is going to clear Oak Street of debris as to not interfere with the pedway project.

D.      GENERAL COMMISSION DISCUSSION (TIME PERMITTING)

         There was no general Commission discussion.

X.      ADJOURNMENT

COMMISSIONER STACEY MOVED, SECOND COMMISSIONER WILSON TO ADJOURN.  
VOTE:  ALL AYES.  MOTION CARRIED.

The regular meeting of the Town Commission of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
  
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STEVEN O. WALTERS, MAYOR



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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.
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.