HomeMy WebLinkAboutcocc_council_mtg_minutes_20190327_retreatCAPE CANAVERAL CITY COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT
TO SET FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020 GOALS
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
WEDNESDAY
March 27, 2019
10:30 A.M. — 3:30 P.M.
MINUTES
Retreat Facilitator Dr. Tom D. Freijo opened the Retreat at 10:31 A.M.
Council Members Present:
Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Others Present:
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Administrative/Financial Services Director
Capital Projects Director
City Engineer
City Planner
Community Development Director
Community Engagement Specialist
Community Services Director
Culture and Leisure Services Director
Deputy City Clerk
Economic Development Director
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Human Resources/Risk Management Director
Retreat Facilitator
Mike Brown
Bob Hoog
Wes Morrison
Rocky Randels
Angela Raymond
David L. Greene
Anthony Garganese (arrived 10:39 A.M.)
Mia Goforth
John DeLeo
Jeff Ratliff
John Pekar
Brenda Defoe-Surprenant
David Dickey
Stephanie Johnson
Joshua Surprenant
Gustavo Vergara
Daniel LeFever
Todd Morley
Lisa Day
Jane Ross
Dr. Tom D. Freijo
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS/AGENDA REVIEW: Dr. Freijo welcomed everyone with a
brief set of remarks detailing the Agenda, reasons for/purpose of the Retreat, his role as Facilitator,
the open, respectful nature expected of the planned discussions and thanked City Staff for planning
and preparing the Retreat.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS REVIEW: Dr. Freijo detailed the history of the City's
Strategic Planning Process, duties of an appointed chief executive to a municipality/elected body
and different personality and management styles.
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Strategic Planning Retreat
March 27, 2019
Page 2 of 5
REVIEW COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES, PROJECTS, INITIATIVES AND
5 -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: City Manager Greene stated SR A1A and
Indian River Lagoon improvements have been identified as the two highest priorities of Council
and presented the status of the following projects and initiatives:
SR A1A Improvements: Items covered included lack of commitment from Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT), despite repeated efforts by the City, to implement necessary, identified
improvements and FDOT prioritization of traffic flow in conflict with concerns over pedestrian
and bicyclist safety.
Central Boulevard and Thurm Boulevard Streetscapes: Items covered included recent rule changes
which effectively exclude the City from funding opportunities, further reliance on impact fees,
recommended Code revision to require impact fees be paid when building permit is issued rather
than at issuance of certificate of occupancy, preliminary work that has already been conducted,
possible difficulty justifying expending public funds to construct/reconstruct privately -owned
roads, residents' complaints, attempts to acquire private roads, lack of positive response from Port
Canaveral in efforts to further connect road networks between the City and Port and road access
to a planned hotel in the north -end of the City.
Canaveral City Park Redevelopment: Items covered included the Multi -Generational Facility
moving forward on schedule, construction drawings being prepared, timeline of events in relation
to the Cultural Arts Preservation Enrichment Center project, crucial timing of funding
opportunities, Community Redevelopment Agency funds, the multi -phase nature of the entire
Project, planned amenities, exceeding requirements for parking and efforts to further involve the
Community.
Dog Park: Staff efforts to bring the Project to fruition and "Rover's Space" being selected as the
name were covered.
Culture Arts Preservation Enrichment (CAPE) Center: Items covered included the Staff
Historian's activities with the Brevard County Historical Society, continued progress on the
Project, use of Community Redevelopment Agency funds, Community Engagement opportunities
and popularity of the Irma Canoe display at City Hall.
Southgate (Wagner) Pocket Park: Items covered included the land having been donated to the City
and an envisioned area for residents and visitors to stop and visit on North Atlantic Avenue.
Galactic Pocket Park (Cumberland Farms): Items covered included cooperation from all parties,
celebrating the historical significance of North Atlantic Avenue to the Air Force Station and space
program, low-cost nature of the Park, further establishing the City identity and difficulty with the
Tourism Development Council recognizing the City in its marketing and publications.
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Strategic Planning Retreat
March 27, 2019
Page 3 of 5
Long Point Estuary Park: Items covered included opposition to and support of the Project from
residents, St. Johns River Water Management District acquiring more land to further expand the
Project, City responsibilities for clearing invasive plant life, seeking additional funding from other
agencies, planned parking area will have minimal effect on neighborhood, supporting quality of
life improvements, prior missed opportunities in the City, projected reimbursements for City costs
and past land acquisition negotiations.
Lagoon Protection Initiatives: Items covered included the 5 -year Capital Improvement Plan, taking
advantage of current opportunities, existing and future exfiltration projects, continuing an
aggressive approach to stormwater, wastewater and reclaimed water improvements, dedication to
not being a Lagoon polluter, efforts to eliminate the last septic tank in the City, status of the City's
State Revolving Fund loans and following -through with approved projects.
City Manager Greene further discussed City accomplishments in the last ten years, constant attacks
on local governments from the State legislature, cities paying the price for rampant private -interest
lobbying at the State level, Staff working hard to salvage the future in spite of State actions, loss
of revenue generation and short-term rental regulation, Staff and residents' concerns regarding a
number of properties in violation of Code, legal status of a noncompliant property on Polk Avenue,
Code Enforcement activities and Council ultimately deciding policy and overall direction of City.
Council Discussion — Dr. Freijo opened the floor to Council. Discussion included further details
on the status of the noncompliant Polk Avenue property, planned use of a Magistrate for Code
Enforcement, legal status and history of public right-of-ways on privately -owned land, City
performing minor repairs and patches on privately -owned right-of-ways but nothing more unless
perpetual status as a right-of-way is secure, developers advancing impact fees before hotels receive
certificates of occupancy, confirming the Canaveral City Park Redevelopment Project has not
slowed down, inconsistent and inaccurate information from multiple sources causing anger and
panic in residents, status and timeline of the Multi -Generational Facility with an estimated
twelve-month construction period after contracts are expected to be executed in Summer 2019,
proposed projects from previous years, other projects having been reprioritized and not cancelled,
communicating City concerns to the State Legislature, efforts to deal with State activities deeply
affecting local governments' functions and funding, other municipalities experiencing retaliatory
State audits, informing residents that State actions against cities will lead to higher local taxes,
desire for Space Coast League of Cities and Florida League of Cities to be more aggressive in their
lobbying efforts at the State level and restrictions on public entities in dealing with State officials.
Discussion continued regarding dogs on the beach and speed limit enforcement, communicating
with the Brevard County Sheriff s Office to relay concerns, a desire for more visible enforcement
on SR A1A, tragic incidents inspiring speed limit reductions and enforcement increases elsewhere,
using liability to justify a culture change before a future tragic incident occurs in Cape Canaveral,
high speeds of traffic entering the City from SR 528, concerns that officers are unfamiliar with
local speed limits and misprioritizing roads that are patrolled, a request to see traffic stop figures,
law enforcement staffing increases in the budget, past Council resolutions petitioning FDOT for
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Strategic Planning Retreat
March 27, 2019
Page 4 of 5
speed limit reductions, City history of dogs on the beach, dog owners continuing to violate beach
ordinances in areas with increased enforcement and confirmation that all ongoing projects detailed
in this Retreat and past Retreats are listed in the 5 -Year Capital Improvement Plan.
MISSION/VISION/VALUES DISCUSSION/AFFIRMATION:
Discuss Mission: Dr. Freijo presented the proposed Mission Statement and discussed its intent and
purpose. Council reached consensus to consider adoption of the Mission Statement at a future
City Council Meeting.
Discuss Vision: Dr. Freijo presented the Vision Statement with revisions recommended by Staff.
Discussion ensued and included the reduction in word count, cleaning -up verbiage to clarify intent,
continued need to promote City identity, tourism -related entities and publications omitting the City
of Cape Canaveral, confusing the City with Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach and overlooking its
existence despite massive contributions by hotels and facilities within the City in both revenue
generation and levels of service. Council reached consensus to draft a resolution, for
consideration at a future City Council Meeting, petitioning the Brevard County Tourism
Development Council to properly recognize the City of Cape Canaveral in marketing and
publications. Discussion continued regarding ensuring an inclusive nature to the Statement's
wording, promoting City Branding Trademarks, SR A1A improvements necessary to bring the
entire community together, liability -concerns regarding the Statement's terminology, aspirational
nature of vision statements, removing portions of the Statement if a specific vision has been
achieved and possibility of establishing an umbrella statement. Council reached consensus to
consider adoption of the revised Vision Statement at a future City Council Meeting.
Discuss Organizational Values: Dr. Freijo presented the proposed Organizational Values and how
they detail Staff conduct and day-to-day operations. Discussion ensued and included typical nature
of the values, widespread use of similar statements in both public and private sectors, geared more
towards Staff than Council, careful use of terminology and phrasing and importance of fun.
Council reached consensus to consider adoption of the Organizational Values at a future
City Council Meeting.
Discuss/Affirm Council Values/Code of Conduct: Discussion ensued and included a desire for
long-term continuance of the Strategic Planning Process irrespective of future changes to Staff and
Council, adherence to the City Code including the Code of Conduct, conflicts between appointed
chief executives and elected officials in municipalities, responsibilities, respecting chains of
command, past communication between property developers, Council Members and City Staff,
importance of clear, consistent direction and spread of information, utilization of the Weekly
Update in providing accurate, timely information, conflicts with contractors and subcontractors,
timely resolutions of public safety concerns, adherence to State and Federal laws, requirements for
public records, process of approving development projects and expectations for conducting City
business going forward. Council reached consensus that no revision is necessary to the current
Code of Conduct.
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Strategic Planning Retreat
March 27, 2019
Page 5 of 5
MAYOR HOOG PRESIDES: Mayor Hoog called the Meeting to order at 2:25 P.M. Discussion
ensued and included appreciation of efforts by Staff and Dr. Freijo, differences of opinion,
respectful discourse, impacts of State Legislature actions, resident feedback, responsibilities and
duties of the City Manager's Office, addressing concerns, moving forward proactively rather than
reactively, ethics training options, positive reasons for choosing the City as a home, striving for
equality and reiteration of Staff and Council responsibilities and duties in relation to property
developers and contractors. Council reached consensus to take action at a future City Council
Meeting to follow-up, discuss and set goals for Fiscal Year 2019/2020.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Arlyn DeBlauw, 8931 Lake Drive, discussed his support of the East Coast
Greenway realignment through the City, his positive opinion of City beach crossovers, concerns
regarding small electric and other powered vehicles using sidewalks and his preference against
yellow -flashing crosswalk signals on multi -lane roads.
Brendan McMillin, 397 Holman Road, commented on the positive and successful nature of the
City Strategic Planning Retreats.
WRAP UP AND ADJOURNMENT: Dr. Freijo commented on overcoming and moving beyond
contentious discussion and thanked Council and Staff. There being no further business, the Retreat
adjourned at 2:49 P.M.
Daniel LeFever, Deputy City Clerk
Bob Hoog, Mayor
Seal of Cape Canaveral, Florida