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CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

REGULAR SESSION

224 S. Jefferson StreetPerry, Florida

April 27, 2004

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander and Pam Feagle

MEMBERS ABSENT: Doug Everett and Richard D. Frith

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy andAnnette Anderson

Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander called the meeting to order. Councilmember Feagle led those

attending the meeting in prayer. Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander led the group in the Pledge of

Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called the roll.

PRESENT ABSENT

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett XMayor Frith X

Councilmember Everett had called to say he probably would not be able to attend at 5:15 p. m. and

might not be able to attend at all. Mayor Frith had called to say he was ill and would not be able to

attend the meeting.

AGENDA ITEM (4)APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Feagle noted a correction be made on page 10 and

then made a motion to adopt the minutes of April 13, 2004, Regular Session with the correction;

seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENTMayor Frith ABSENT

AGENDA ITEM (4)RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

A representative with Taylor Gymnastics addressed the Council to request that Orange Street between

Green Street and Main Street be closed for a gymnastics activity between the hours of 7:30 a. m. to

8:00 p. m. on Saturday, May 1, 2004 for safety concerns. After a brief discussion, it was the

consensus of the Council to allow the road closing for this date and time.

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Page 2, April 27, 2004, Council Minutes-Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM 5(A)CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS ORDINANCE NO. 779

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA, CREATING CHAPTER 29, CODEENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR SHORT TITLE; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY;CREATING CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD; CREATING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER;PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT BY THE BOARD; PROVIDING FOR A CITATION SYSTEM;PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT BY THE COUNTY COURT; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES,FINES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; ANDPROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

It was the consensus of the Council this item be tabled to the May 11, 2004 Council meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 5(B)PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL READING ORDINANCE NO. 784

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA, REPEALING 16-59 OF THE CODE OFORDINANCES; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilmember Scott made a motion that Ordinance No. 784 be read by title only; seconded by

Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander X

Councilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENTMayor Frith ABSENT

The secretary read Ordinance No. 784 by title only. Vice Mayor/Councilmember Alexander opened

the public hearing. Mr. Blue said city manager Bill Brynes had recently brought to the Councils

attention that under Florida Statutes pedestrians are not allowed to solicit on any street. Mr. Blue said

this ordinance repeals the ordinance that was adopted by the Council some time ago. There was no one

to speak for or against the ordinance. After a motion and second the Council voted unanimously to

adopt Ordinance No. 784.

City Attorney Bill Blue requested he be excused from the remainder of the meeting since Ordinance

No. 779 had been tabled to the next meeting. Mr. Blue said this would save the City some money on

attorney fees. It was the consensus of the Council that Mr. Blue be excused from attending the

remainder of the meeting. Mr. Blue left the meeting at approximately 5:25 p. m.

AGENDA ITEM 5(C)PROCLAMATION HEAD START 10TH ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATION.

Mr. Eric Scott, Head Start school, addressed the Council providing information about the 40-year old

program, and its ten-year anniversary with the local school board. Mr. Scott said Head Start serves

approximately 170 children and families per year with 33 employees. Mr. Scott invited

Councilmembers to a Public Officials Day on Friday, April 30, 2004. It was the consensus of the

Council to adopt the proclamation recognizing the local Head Starts 10 th anniversary.

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AGENDA ITEM 5(D)MR. JIM BRANNAN TO MAKE A SAFETY PRESENTATION TO THECOUNCIL.

The Council requested and Mr. Brannan agreed to return to the May 11, 2004 Council meeting to give

the presentation.

AGENDA 5(E)CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE HEALTHINSURANCE PLAN WITH GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES.City Manager Bill Brynes began discussion telling the Council there could be a $79,000 increase in

employee health insurance if the City were to stay with its present carrier. Mr. Brynes told the Council

June 1st is the renewal date and suggested the Council either accept the renewal or go with the Public

Risk Management pool discussed at the last Council meeting. After a brief discussion, CouncilmemberFeagle said since the city manager had looked at various plan options and considered what would be

best for the employees, she would make a motion that the City accept the plan with Public Risk

Management of Florida. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote

was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott X

Councilmember Everett ABSENTMayor Frith ABSENT

Continuing discussion of employee health insurance, Mr. Brynes reviewed the distribution of

premiums. Mr. Brynes told the Council section 5.4 of the employee manual says the City presently

pays 75 percent of the individual or family coverage premium for supervisory personnel and 60

percent for all other employees. Mr. Brynes reviewed the proposed four-tier plan with the estimated

rates and said he would propose that the Council set rates at the lesser of the current rate or percentage,

whichever would be the lesser.

Councilmember Feagle commented she thinks every employee should be treated the same. Mr.

Johnson told Councilmember Feagle employees in supervisory positions have more responsibility and

sometimes work longer hours than hourly employees and dont get paid overtime. Councilmember

Feagle commented about those employees who make less money but pay more in health insurance

costs.

Mr. Johnson commented the City could pay 100 percent of all employees health insurance.

Councilmember Feagle said the budget would not allow for that and asked what the County pays for its

employee health insurance. Mr. Brynes said the County pays 100 percent of its employees' health

insurance costs and might pay a portion of the family rate. Councilmember Feagle said she likes the

idea of employees paying less and would like to know what Mayor Frith and Councilmember Everett

think. Councilmember Feagle said she would need to think about the difference between what the

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supervisors pay and what the regular employees pay and thinks the Council, as a whole should revisit

this issue. Councilmember Feagle said her responsibility is to look at the issue and be sure before

voting to make the best decision for the employees and the citizens. After discussion, it was the

consensus of the Council that the distribution of health insurance costs be tabled to the next regular

meeting of the Council.

AGENDA ITEM 5(F)CITY COUNCIL TO APPOINT MEMBER TO THE CITYS TREE BOARD.

Director of Community Development Billy LaValle told the Council the Tree Board had met and

suggested some names for consideration. Mr. LaValle said these individuals would be contacted and

this item brought back to the Council at the next meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 5(G)CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR CITY RESIDENTIALGARBAGE PICKUP.

Councilmember Scott said (after hearing presentations from contractors last meeting) she could go

along with Mr. Brynes recommendation to leave things as they are now. Councilmember Feagle said

she doesnt recall Waste Pro saying what salaries would be nor what the specific benefits (vacation,

holidays, insurance, retirement, etc.) would be for the city employees who Waste Pro said they would

hire. Mr. Brynes noted private businesses do not provide this information. Mr. Brynes said current

city employees who could be hired by Waste Pro would lose on their state retirement benefit. Mr.

Brynes told the Council the issue also pertains to additional things these employees do for the City.

Mr. Brynes said Waste Pro (and others) probably could not provide the services the City provides. Mr.

Brynes said the City has a permit to burn yard trash (limbs, lawn trimmings, etc.), which saves on

landfill charges to residents, whereas contractors such as Waste Pro would take this trash to the landfill.

Mr. Brynes said the Citys burn permit would be jeopardized if contractors were permitted to take such

material to the Citys burn site.

Councilmember Feagle asked how the Citys employees feel about this issue. Director of Public

Works Barney Johnson said those employees are afraid of losing their jobs. Councilmember Feagle

commented the employees need to be protected based on staffs comments and how the employees

themselves feel about the issue. Councilmember Feagle said maybe the City should keep things as is

maintaining the service itself. Councilmember Scott agreed and made a motion that the City not

pursue contracting its residential solid waste collection service. The motion was seconded by

Councilmember Feagle and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENTMayor Frith ABSENT

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AGENDA ITEM 5(H)CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS MONTHLY FINANCIALREPORT.

Councilmember Feagle had several questions regarding several sections of the report. Director of

Finance Sarah Drawdy explained items questioned, as did city manager Bill Brynes.

AGENDA ITEM (6)CITY MANAGER.

Mr. Brynes reminded the Council of the welcome home parade Thursday, April 29, 2004 for local

military servicemen and servicewomen who recently returned from Iraq.

AGENDA ITEM (7)DEPARTMENT HEADS.

There was no discussion at this time.

AGENDA ITEM (8)CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS.

Councilmember Feagle had several requests:

Councilmember Feagle asked if a formal request had been made to the County to pave Green Street.

Mr. Brynes said this had been done in the past but discussion from the County says Green Street is not

a county street but a city street. Mr. Brynes said county administrator Buddy Humphries was to get

with him to discuss the matter.

Councilmember Feagle asked for an update regarding particular property at Osceola and Plantation

Road. Director of Community Development Billy LaValle said he really does not see a violation and

doesnt think the City could ask the property owner to rake their property. Councilmember Feagle

asked if there was welding going on at the property. Mr. LaValle said based on his notation there is

not.

Councilmember Feagle asked if Dr. Hegde had been contacted again regarding property he donated to

the City. Mr. Brynes said a letter had recently been sent to Dr. Hegde. Councilmember Feagle

requested a copy of letters sent to Dr. Hegde, as a matter of reference.

Councilmember Feagle spoke about garbage cans being left on the curb after pickup. Councilmember

Feagle said she is sympathetic to those individuals who cant pull the cans to the street and back. Mr.

Johnson said the City does provide backdoor service for those residents who provide the City with a

letter from their doctor or show proof of having a handicap permit. Councilmember Feagle asked what

the cost would be to go back to picking up cans from behind residents homes. Mr. Johnson said doing

this would take more time and additional positions would need to be added to that department. Mr.

Johnson said with backdoor service that department had 11 employees and through attrition, that

department now has 8 employees.

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Councilmember Feagle asked if City firefighters were trained to be first responders. Mr. Brynes said

there might be some but probably not all are trained in that capacity. Mr. Brynes said some just choose

to be trained and others do not. When asked, Chief of Police Wayne Putnal said police officers are

trained as first responders, although the police department doesnt have the personnel to do this work.

Chief Putnal spoke about creating a possible liability to say police officers are going to do this. Chief

Putnal said the police officers first priority is to secure an accident scene and direct traffic to prevent

additional accidents.

Councilmember Feagle asked for an update on putting rock or some type of sea wall around the city

duck pond at Veterans Park. Mr. Johnson said rock would cost approximately $40.00 per ft while a

wooden sea wall would cost approximately $120 per ft. Mr. Johnson said he had someone suggest

putting aqua shade (a type of dye color) into the pond.

Councilmember Feagle said there continues to be excessive speeding on Worley Way and Bishop

Boulevard. Chief Putnal said he would have police officers work this area as much as possible.

Regarding discussion last meeting about installing a sidewalk on the North side of Saxton Street,

Councilmember Scott said she spoke with resident Jenny Miller about the possibility of residents

giving up a portion of their property for the sidewalk. Councilmember Scott said Ms. Miller was not

agreeable to do this. Mr. Johnson said to install a sidewalk on the south side a retaining wall would

have to be built and several oak trees would have to be taken down. Mr. Johnson said the only feasible

option would be to put the sidewalk on the North side of Saxton Street. Councilmember Scott

suggested putting up 30 mph speed limit signsone each at both ends of the street. Mr. Johnson said

he had told the Council before that if Madison Street were closed, traffic would increase on Saxton

Street. Mr. Johnson said the street should to be striped.

Noting that Taylor County Board Commissioner Pat Paterson had contacted Councilmember Everett

about the sidewalk, Mr. Johnson suggested asking the County to participate regarding Saxton Street.

Councilmember Scott said she would talk with Commissioner Patterson. Councilmember Alexander

expressed concerns about parking on Saxton Street. Councilmember Scott requested No Parking

signs also be placed on Saxton Street.

Councilmember Scott asked about a fence for Jerkins Park. Mr. Johnson said the budget figure for the

1,800 ft. 4 ft. high chain-link fence is $15,000, but could cost a little less when bid out.

Councilmember Scott made a motion to approve the budget amount of approximately $15,000 for

fencing for Jerkins Park as discussed above. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Feagle and

upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Feagle XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett ABSENT

Mayor Frith ABSENT

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Mr. Johnson said there is an ordinance that establishes the time the park is to be open and closed to the

public. Mr. Johnson suggested posting signs to this effect.

Director of Community Development Billy LaValle told the Council someone is putting up a fence on

Lee Street that appears to be on city property. Mr. LaValle said a survey would be needed to determine

the property line for sure. Mr. LaValle said the fence would cut off a residents access to their property

and the resident had asked staff to request that the Council allow the City to establish the property line.

After some discussion, Director of Public Works Barney Johnson suggested the resident should be told

they would need to establish where the property line is rather than the City. Councilmembers agreed

the resident should have the property line established.

AGENDA ITEM (9)ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was

adjourned at approximately 7:15 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________ Annette Anderson, Secretary Date

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