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Home My WebLink About01-19-1996 Workshop Meeting1 1 1 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES January 19, 1996 A Workshop Meeting of the Cape Canaveral City Council was held on January 19, 1996, at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 P.M. by Mayor Porter. ROLL CALL: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Manager City Attorney City Clerk City Treasurer Public Works Director Acting Building Official Sheriff's Department BUSINESS: John Porter Rocky Randels Burt Bruns Leo Nicholas Buzz Petsos Bennett Boucher Kohn Bennett Sandra Sims Deborah Haggerty Barker Michael Gluskin Kenneth Grinstead Lt. Steve Salvo Discussion Re: City Goals and Action Plan Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Goal: 2.1 (a)- Develop a comprehensive theme for the future of the city to ensure the quality of life for our residents. Discussion: Mayor Porter queried, what changes are being considered? City Manager, Bennett Boucher, related that future city projects should be included to improve funding possibilities. The $1.1 million grant project for a manatee park and mention of another new park in the city should be listed to document the city's commitment. Goal 2.1 (b)- Develop an Economic Development Plan. Discussion: City Manager Boucher related that the Board needs constant leadership, therefore, he has appointed Deborah Haggerty Barker as staff liaison. The Economic Development Plan is in place. Now, the elements of the plan must be implemented. Council consensus was to ascertain if there is a member of the Commercial 1 1 1 Goal 2.1(c)- Discussion: Goal 2.1(d)- Discussion: Goal 2.1(e)- Discussion: Goal 2.1(0 - Discussion: Goal 2.1(g)- Discussion: Goal 2.2(a)- Discussion: Goal 2.2(b)- Discussion: Development Board and a member of the Beautification Board who would consider being a member of both boards to coordinate their efforts and eliminate duplicity. Review and evaluate present zoning of all vacant land in direct relationship to the City's Comprehensive Plan. Council concurred with the status report. There are no proposed zoning changes. Develop a master plan for City facilities. Council concurred with the status report. Roy Cowle, of Stottler, Starmer & Associates, reported on the status of the annex proposed changes. He explained that the plumbing system is being evaluated now and the final report should be finalized in mid- February. Involve the business community and residents in economic development activities. Mayor Porter suggested that the Community Development Board serve as the "Business Alliance." Consensus was in support of the concept. Mayor Porter will contact the Chamber of Commerce to make the suggestion. Determine the most adequate usage of Port Authority property that will be leased to the city located at the northwest city boundary. Consensus was to draft an Interlocal Agreement stipulating a lease of $1 per year for 100 years. Evaluate northern beach property within the city for the most appropriate usage. Consensus was the City Manager to send an official letter to the port reminding them that all zoning laws are applicable to the state and the port for any development within the city. Develop strategies to attract new businesses and upgrade existing businesses. Consensus was that the right momentum has been reached with recent development in the northern part of the city. Encourage expansion renovation of existing businesses. Mayor Pro Tem Randels suggested that the city considered forming an enterprise /redevelopment zone or tax incremental district. He related that a creative and sound funding mechanism must be discovered because the east side of A1A also needs landscaping/beautification. City Manager Boucher stated that City Officials need to network with local businesses to make them aware that the city desires to partner with them to bring in business to the city. 1 1 1 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshop Meeting Minutes January 19, 1996 Page 3 Goal 2.2(c)- Discussion: Goal 2.2(d)- Discussion: Goal 1.1(a)- Discussion: Provide small businesses with information relative to SBA grants, SCORE, Commerce Department services and other resources. Consensus was that the Community Development Board should research to determine if there are old, "unfriendly" ordinances that could be discouraging businesses. Cooperate with the Canaveral Port Authority and the City of Cocoa Beach in joint ventures to attract desired businesses. Mr. Petsos recommended and the Council concurred that the Cape Canaveral City Council should arrange a meeting with the City of Cocoa Beach to discuss items of mutual interest. Cape Canaveral is to develop a proposed agenda which will include A1A Beautification projects. Provide for tree lined residential streets and improved landscaping/beautification throughout the city. There was discussion regarding funding maintenance consisting of mowing, edging and replacement of trees and shrubs versus the construction of new parks and playgrounds. Council concurred that the thoroughfare of AlA and the residential areas are close to realizing the beautification plans instituted by the city. Mr. Nicholas left at 2:30 p.m. Concerns of citizens in the audience were considered at this time. Item No. 6.1(c) was taken out of order. Goal 6.1(c)- Expand information that is printed on utility bills. Discussion: A resident spoke concerned that the water /sewer cut off charges are too expensive. ($75: $30- Cocoa; $45 Cape Canaveral). City Treasurer, Deborah Haggerty Barker, met with her to aid her in obtaining payment assistance. She also commented that information should be expanded on the invoice because it is difficult to understand all the charges on the bill. Mr. Petsos requested that staff research the justification of the re- connect charges. A resident (784 -9309) requested that bus shelters be installed for citizens and school children awaiting buses. Council responded that they would consider the request. Goal 1.1(b)- Maintain existing landscaped areas; seek assistance from volunteer groups or school programs. 1 1 1 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshop Meeting Minutes January 19, 1996 Page 4 Discussion: Mayor Porter stated that he intends to lead the volunteer program in the same manner as the past year. He related that a project will be accomplished each month, trying to work on at least three parks. Public Works Director, Michael Gluskin, requested that special consideration be given to working on the other side of Washington Avenue Park. Goal 1.1(c)- Continue city wide tree planting program through the use of grant funds. Discussion: Mayor Porter urged that trees be planted within the next two months during dormancy season. Consensus was to purchase 50 trees for planting and contract for the planting if necessary. The City Treasurer was directed to allocate $7,000 to fund the project through the appropriate budget transfer. Goal 1.1(d)- Improve sidewalks/bikeways to provide pedestrian friendly access. Discussion: The Public Works Director reported that preparations are being made to construct sidewalks along Central Avenue. Council consensus was for staff to prepare a comprehensive sidewalk survey. Mr. Gluskin reported that the survey is well underway and will be presented to the Beautification Board for their recommendations to set priorities for construction. The Beautification Board recommendations will be submitted to City Council. Goal 1.1(e)- Develop plans and obtain funds for curbing/median improvements along SRA1A. Discussion: Council consensus was for staff to submit the project request to the MPO for long range planning in an effort to strengthen the beautification project. City Manager Boucher commented that property owners along AlA will likely be concerned that bi- directional turning would be eliminated and that they should be notified. Mr. Bruns commented that the landscaping and pedway construction should be carefully planned not to preclude the eventuality of burying power lines. Goal 1.1(f)- Expand adopt -a -tree program. Discussion: Consensus was to send a survey to selected residents to determine those who would like to have a tree. Goal 1.1(g)- Research possibility of a city nursery. Discussion: Consensus was to maintain the nursery as an ongoing project. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshop Meeting Minutes January 19, 1996 Page 5 1 1 Consensus was to hold the next Goals Workshop on Friday, January 26, 1996 at 3:00 p.m. } The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. i frfil/LIA Cr'r—a andra 0. Sims, CMC, CITY CLERK r I r } gg 7 1 3 Ig 1 1 ii I 1 , 5 9 jI