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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcocc_council_mtg_minutes_20220330_retreatCAPE CANAVERAL STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT — FY 2022/2023 GOALS Radisson Resort at the Port Pavilion 8701 Astronaut Boulevard Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920 Wednesday March 30, 2022 10:00 a.m. MINUTES Council Members Present: Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Council Member Council Member Kim Davis Mickie Kellum Wes Morrison Angela Raymond Don Willis Staff Present: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Administrative/Financial Services Director Community and Economic Development (CED) Director Human Resources/Risk Management Director Public Works Services Director Capital Projects Director Leisure Services/Community Affairs Director Capital Projects Deputy Director Public Works Services Deputy Director Executive Assistant — City Manager's Office Senior Planner Deputy CED Deputy Director + Sustainability Manager Community Affairs Manager + Public Information Officer Deputy City Clerk Resilience Engineering Services Manager Senior Code Enforcement Officer City Engineer Projects and Parks Administrator Brevard County Sheriff's Office Commander Brevard County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Canaveral Fire Rescue Chief Canaveral Fire Rescue Deputy Chief/Chief of Operations Canaveral Fire Rescue Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Strategic Planning Consultant Todd Morley Anthony Garganese Mia Goforth John DeLeo David Dickey Melinda Huser Jim Moore Jeff Ratliff Molly Thomas Tim Carlisle June Clark Lisa Day Brenda Defoe-Surprenant Zachary Eichholz Stephanie Johnson Daniel LeFever Lexi Miller Brian Palmer John Pekar Gustavo Vergara Byron Keck Bret Lockhart Dave Sargeant Christopher Quinn Derek Yossifon Doug Thomas WELCOME/PLEDGE/INTRODUCTIONS/AGENDA REVIEW: At 10:08 a.m., Mayor Morrison welcomed everyone, introduced Strategic Planning Consultant, Doug Thomas, Senior Vice President, Strategic Government Resources (SGR), Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Commander Keck led the pledge of allegiance, and Mayor Morrison requested to allow public comments at the beginning of the Retreat. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Strategic Planning Retreat — FY 2022/2023 Goals March 30, 2022 Minutes • Page 2 of 6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (ADD -ON): Joe Vicidomini, President, and Michael O'Brien, Chief Financial Officer, Space Coast Little League, requested a concession stand for the Little League field at Canaveral City Park. Discussion ensued and included other uses such a facility could serve and modern technology mitigating the need for a press box. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS REVIEW: Mr. Thomas detailed his history with local governments and SGR and layout and expectations of the Retreat. Mr. Thomas discussed Strategic Visioning, recent trends and issues in local government, anticipating future needs, developing a large cross-section of over 80 municipalities of various sizes across 18 states to identify said trends, issues and needs, understaffing and increasing labor costs, and generational shifts in staffing. REVIEW/DISCUSS UPDATED SWOT ANALYSIS: Mr. Thomas provided an overview of a list of the City's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats identified by Council Members in prior one-on-one interviews, Senior Staff in prior pre -retreat workshop and the general public via an online survey. Discussion ensued and included the analysis still being finalized, incorporating responses from the concurrent Re -Visioning, prior surveys from 2012 and 2018, State Road A1A and blighted properties remaining top priorities over the years, and managing growth and redevelopment to maintain a "small town" feel emerging as focus items. VISION/MISSION/VALUES/STRATEGIC PILLARS DISCUSSION — AFFIRMATION: Mr. Thomas discussed the benefits of shorter Vision Statements, "sustainability" being redundant in the Mission Statement due to "resiliency" being listed, possibly adding "managing growth and redevelopment" in relation to environmental stewardship/leadership, maintaining a minimal word count, how Vision Statements differ in purpose and use from Mission Statements, importance of citizen engagement, possibly adding "preserving our environment as an asset", reiteration of maintaining a "small town" feel, merging fiscal and environmental goals, and suggested revisions will be wordsmithed by Mr. Thomas prior to coming back for Council consideration and approval. Discussion transitioned to the Values Statement, including prior revisions, importance of personal liberty as a "Home Rule" value, strong leadership, and ensuring adherence to appropriate chains of command between a legislative body and administrative staff. Council reached consensus to include Council Teamwork and Cooperation as a Value. The five Strategic Pillars were noted and discussed, including overlap between the concepts, measuring success, rising utilities costs, energy independence with a focus on solar and reliable power during disasters, financial stability, utilizing Staff skills and logistics capabilities, citizen input, educating the general public on City initiatives, placement of sidewalks based on pedestrian behavior, and feedback will be incorporated and wordsmithed by Mr. Thomas prior to coming back for Council consideration and approval. The Retreat was recessed at 11:58 a.m. and reconvened at 12:36 p.m. REVIEW OF GOALS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY DEPARTMENT: Capital Projects Director Ratliff and Capital Projects Deputy Director Carlisle detailed the progress and status of the Center Street Drainage Basin Improvements to be updated in the near -future, Central Boulevard Streetscape being delayed in favor of the Presidential Streets Master Plan, City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Strategic Planning Retreat — FY 2022/2023 Goals March 30, 2022 Minutes • Page 3 of 6 Water Reclamation Facility Effluent/Influent Disc and Drum Filter Installations being behind schedule due to supply chain issues, Long Point Road Estuary Park experiencing delays with the St. Johns River Water Management District permitting process, Oak Lane Improvements progress and the close -to -complete nature of the Water Reclamation Facility's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System. Discussion regarding the listed projects ensued and included environmental impacts, projected costs, stormwater and drainage benefits and concerns, no planned sidewalks on Oak Lane, status of the Stormwater Master Plan, possible usage of American Rescue Plan Act and/or grant funding for some of the projects, and how budgets are adjusted when projects are not completed as scheduled or planned. Public Works Services Director Moore discussed Galactic Park being on hold as a future staging area for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) International Drive realignment plan and proposed roundabout, progress on the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of the Sanitary Sewer System, and projected completion of the Sodium Bisulfite Conversion project at the Water Reclamation Facility. Discussion ensued and included aesthetics improvements of City entrance signs on North Atlantic Avenue, addressing compliance and transparency of the sewer mapping project, and confirmation that the Sodium Bisulfite Conversion project is on schedule. Projects and Parks Administrator Vergara noted progress of the Canaveral City Park Redevelopment, early stages of the Civic Hub, and possibly utilizing improvements to Veterans Memorial Park to address stormwater concerns. Discussion ensued and included development of the City of Cape Canaveral Community Center's fees schedule, solar arrays, projected May completion of Splashpad, status of the property at 7404 North Atlantic Avenue including projected asbestos removal and structure demolition, using the Civic Hub as part of a stormwater project to possibly include the racquetball courts at 7300 North Atlantic Avenue, tying in the property as part of a three acre campus of City facilities, public and Council input throughout the process, lack of foreknowledge of the Civic Hub's proposed second phase prior to the Retreat, stormwater mitigation will be taken into consideration for every future City capital improvement project, the Retreat serving only as an information gathering and discussion role, actual binding decisions and opportunities to officially agree to or object to some projects to take place during follow-up at future Council Meetings, ranking items discussed at the Retreat as part of creating follow-up items, and some projects may take five -to -ten years to be fully-realized/completed. Senior Planner Defoe-Surprenant and Deputy CED Director Eichholz provided the status of the Presidential Streets Master Plan. Discussion ensued and included next steps in the project, feedback from public workshops and online surveys, capturing stormwater to relieve stress on the overall stormwater system in the City, logistics of placing bathrooms at beach -ends, traffic flow increasing on adjacent streets if Taylor Avenue were to be closed off, multiple objectives could be completed at once with the Plan, improving accessibility of the beach crossovers, turtle nesting season and established coastal construction lines restrict when and where beach -end improvements can be constructed, and past Council action to preserve public parking spaces at beach -ends. Ms.. Defoe-Surprenant then detailed the Environmental Innovation Corridor Project Concept. Discussion ensued and included grants, review of comprehensive plans, greenspace, a resident presentation to Council in January 2021 regarding a grant application for property acquisition, partnerships that could be utilized, and funding of the project. It was noted that this item was better suited to have been discussed in the Future Goals & Projects section of the Retreat. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Strategic Planning Retreat - FY 2022/2023 Goals March 30, 2022 Minutes • Page 4 of 6 Leisure Services/Cultural + Community Affairs Director Thomas noted the status of the Culture, Arts, Preservation + Enrichment Center. Discussion ensued and included delays due to supply chain issues, the welcoming nature of the project, sustainable ways to power the facility, responses to an online survey, determining fees to balance the needs of residents and non-residents, and selection, installation, and locations of pieces for the previously approved sculpture program. REVIEW OF FUTURE GOALS & PROJECTS BY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Ratliff and Mr. Carlisle presented details on a future study related to the improvements of the Central Ditch, a Deep Injection Well for an upcoming state -mandate to dispose of reclaimed water, the postponement of planned improvements to Thurm Boulevard from West Central Boulevard to State Road A1A, and completion of and filling -in gaps within the City's sidewalks outside of the Presidential Streets area. Discussion ensued and focused on the Deep Injection Well project, the nature of the upcoming state mandate, the $14 million projected cost, an exemption currently being sought through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and continued search for a possible alternative. Discussion then turned to sidewalks, including neighborhoods where sidewalks are not wanted by the homeowners, respecting minimum right-of-way widths needed for fire apparatus, a goal of achieving a dedicated bike lane throughout the entire City, using green paint to denote bike lanes in -line with FDOT efforts, objections to using public funds to construct sidewalks on private streets, costs, and how quickly these projects can be achieved. Mr. Moore detailed an upgrade to the Collection System, manhole repairs, and Phase II of the GIS Mapping project to include a camera system and a 10-year projection for completion. Mr. Vergara discussed additions to Canaveral City Park's Little League Field, specifically a concession stand, press box and storage building. Discussion ensued and included newer concepts for such facilities, costs, uses, similar facilities installed elsewhere as examples, status and condition of existing facilities, supply chain issues incurring higher costs of construction, use of food trucks on a temporary basis, location of the facilities, reaching -out to those involved with Little League to help with construction in an effort to lower costs, and the year-round nature of organized sports that use the field. City Council reached Consensus for Staff to further research the options and come back to Council for direction regarding Little League Field additions. CED Director Dickey presented a proposed Lot Aggregation Program, being geared more towards policy revisions than actual physical actions, utilizing a different method for tackling blight, recognizing that Code Enforcement can only accomplish so much within the maintenance scope of the Code, new ideas to accomplish the original goals of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), CRA assistance programs established in the past few years, and aggregating smaller, blighted parcels into larger "shovel ready" parcels that would be more appealing to private developers. Discussion ensued and included rezoning being a component of such aggregations, needing the willpower to move forward with such an aggressive plan, the large costs associated, similar plans accomplished in larger districts, a want to do far more with the City's CRA than currently being accomplished, hindrances to private developers initiating the redevelopment themselves, possibly reimbursing developers after the fact, how doing so would essentially be an entirely different project/initiative, avoiding conflicts of interests and negative perceptions of working with private developers, different methods of acquiring properties, and a want to start such a large project after a decade of limited progress. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Strategic Planning Retreat — FY 2022/2023 Goals March 30, 2022 Minutes • Page 5 of 6 Mr. Dickey then introduced a proposal for a Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District, detailed a concept of breaking -down Commercial Zoning Districts into distinct sub -districts, and asked for Council direction. Discussion ensued and included confirmation that the State Legislature has not yet preempted local zoning authority, protecting residential zoning, effects on the sign code and a need for more time to digest and have the item be considered by the Planning and Zoning Board for a recommendation. City Council reached Consensus for Staff to gather more information and bring the proposed program back for further consideration and discussion. Mr. Eichholz noted the continual replacement of older City fleet vehicles with hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, the 5-year solar streetlight upgrades, solar arrays on the BCSO Canaveral Precinct and Public Works Services Administration buildings, continued success and expansion of the annual sea oat planting, educational videos being made available on social media, and future updates to the Resiliency Plan. OPEN MEETING: Mayor Morrison called the Meeting portion of the Retreat to order at 4:08 p.m. City Council reached Consensus to take action at a future Regular City Council Meeting to discuss the Mission/Vision/Values Statements and possible revisions and updates and to discuss and set goals for Fiscal Year 2022/2023. Mayor Morrison opened Public Comment. PUBLIC COMMENT: Peg Schaller, resident and business owner, requested permitting and time limitations be required for temporary fencing, prohibiting businesses' outdoor seating areas from impeding access to sidewalks and neighboring businesses, removal of minimum parking requirements, and for all businesses to provide proof of sales tax being collected as a requirement to hold a Business Tax Receipt. Arlyn DeBlauw, resident, expressed concerns regarding the acoustics, visual presentation, lack of additional microphones, and distracting ventilation system of the Retreat venue. Bernie Lennon, resident, commented on the need for new, appropriate parking regulations due to the City now being more bikeable and walkable. Dr. Shannon Roberts, resident and former Council Member, echoed Mr. DeBlauw's concerns regarding the Retreat venue, urged for expanded resident involvement in the form of additional advisory boards, more frequent meetings of existing boards, and expressed support regarding sustainability, affordable housing, and the Indian River Lagoon. Mark Elliott, resident, stressed how important local businesses are to City residents and Staff. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Morrison closed Public Comment. DISCUSSION: Council and Mr. Thomas discussed the possibility of longer, multi -day Retreats, maintaining focus on concerns regarding short-term rentals and hotels, composition of the CRA Board, and Code Enforcement in regards to local businesses. Mayor Morrison adjourned the Meeting portion of the Retreat at 4:35 p.m. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Strategic Planning Retreat — FY 2022/2023 Goals March 30, 2022 Minutes • Page 6 of 6 CITY COUNCIL "BLUE SKY" SESSION: Mr. Thomas detailed and Council discussed potential initiatives proposed by Council including transitioning electric vehicle charge stations to a third -party contractor to relieve liability concerns, contracting with health insurance companies to allow plan -holder use of the Community Center's facilities, addressing affordable housing and homelessness, economic opportunities for local businesses to create jobs, identifying the needs of the disabled, elderly and the young to provide for improved access to the beach, park facilities, and events and how addressing those needs would benefit all, continued progress on acquiring Cherie Down Park, revising parking regulations, possibility of providing matching funds to support FDOT A1A safety measures, expanding metrics of Code Enforcement and other City administrative functions, increasing the inclusiveness of Patriots Park, the holding of and noticing of workshops, and utilizing feedback from past, current, and future surveys. Mr. Thomas stated that Staff would research and return with information related to items discussed during the Blue Sky Session, the wider -scope prioritization process would incorporate ideas identified during the Blue Sky Session, and for Council to consider what it wants its legacy to be. NEXT STEPS DISCUSSION: City Manager Morley confirmed City Council reached Consensus to for Staff to further research certain presented items and noted the potential for a Workshop, to take place in late April or early May, to discuss the prioritization of items identified in this Retreat as well as Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) items being finalized for the next fiscal year budget. City Council reached Consensus for a Retreat Item Prioritization and CIP Workshop to be scheduled. Mr. Thomas reviewed the prior year's prioritization process and discussed concepts and theories related to Strategic Planning prioritization. WRAP-UP AND ADJOURNMENT: Council thanked Mr. Thomas, City Staff and the residents in attendance. Mayor Morrison closed the Retreat at 5:25 p.m. Daniel LeFever, Deputy City Clerk • Wes Morrison, Mayor