Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-14-1994 Workshop• • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 14, 1994 A Workshop Meeting of the Cape Canaveral City Council was held on April 14, 1994, at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Mayor Pro Tem Porter. ROLL CALL: Mayor Joy Salamone Absent Mayor Pro Tem John Porter Present Councilmember Arthur Berger Present Councilmember Leo Nicholas Present Councilmember Rocky Randels Present City Manager Bennett Boucher Present City Attorney John Kancilia Present City Clerk Faith Miller Present BUSINESS: 1. Report on Manatee Ad Hoc Committee - Jeanne Benson. Ms. Benson explained the proceedings of the past Manatee Ad Hoc Committee (28 members) meetings. She stated that the Committee had requested an extension from the Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Office of Protected Species, to April, 1995 for submittal of its recommendation for the protection of manatees. She explained that the City was within Zone 7 which encompassed the Banana River from SR 528 to SR 520. Ms. Benson stated that the existing 25 mph zone was in effect all year round. FDEP was recommending that the Zone be changed to 25 mph from December 1 through February 28 and slow speed zones (5 -7 mph) at all other times. A year -round manatee refugee area was also proposed for implementation by FDEP for the waters immediately adjacent to the Cape Canaveral POTW; it was recommended that the refuge area be posted "motorboats prohibited". She stated that the discharge from the sewer plant was frequently used by manatees as a freshwater source. Ms. Benson stated that she needed guidance from the City Council as to whether or not Council wanted to support the staff committee's recommendation to the Manatee Ad Hoc Committee or to suggest any changes to the proposed plan. Mr. Randels suggested that the item be scheduled for further discussion at the next workshop to determine the City's recommendation. There was discussion regarding the usage of jet propulsion vs. propellers on motorboats. Ms. Benson commented that Brevard had the highest manatee death rate in the State. Agenda this item for the next workshop meeting. 2. Interview of prospective Boardmembers. Mr. Kancilia directed several questions to each prospective Boardmember: Rosemarie Meoni, Sandra Moore and Michael Marazzi. Agenda a resolution at Tuesday's meeting to appoint the interested individuals to the Commercial Development Board. • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting April 14, 1994 Page 2 3. Discussion with Hartman & Associates Re: Scope of engineering services for wastewater plant and reclaimed water system improvements. Mr. Hal Schmidt and Mr. Gerald Hartman of Hartman & Associates, Inc., explained the scope of engineering services for the advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) improvements to the Cape Canaveral WWTP and reclaimed water storage, transmission and distribution system. Mr. Schmidt explained in detail the amendment (Authorization No. 2) to the previous contract for engineering services for the WWTP improvements and constructed wetland treatment system (CWTS). Authorization No. 1 was the original engineering contract which provided for the treatment of the wastewater to a level acceptable to be discharged into the wetlands system and then into the river. The original contract was $466,000 which included all of the wetlands engineering work and the first five tasks of the wastewater plant work including negotiations with the Port and loan application tasks. Mr. Schmidt summarized that included within the total amount were design fees for the wastewater plant at $170,000 and wetlands engineering fees at $296,000. He stated that the wetlands expenses were not totally wasted by going to the reuse system since many tasks applicable to the overall plant improvements had been completed including the initial stages of the permitting process. Mr. Schmidt stated the City Engineer had recommended an AWT process and the Finding of No Significant Impact was being prepared by the State. He explained that the AWT process provided that the nitrogen would also be removed from the treated water. Mr. Schmidt stated that the total not -to- exceed limit of Authorization No. 2 was $282,090 which included: eight (8) reuse tasks, six (6) wwtp tasks, and three (3) general services tasks (survey and electrical instrumentation). Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Hartman and Mr. DeVoir answered Council's questions regarding the engineering proposal (Authorization No. 2). There was further discussion regarding installing reuse lines along residential streets within the City at the same time as the main trunk line to Cocoa Beach. Mr. Hartman explained the construction cost curve used by engineering firms which allowed engineering fees at approximately 6.5 % of a project's total cost. Mr. Boucher stated that during the preliminary design of the reclaimed water system, the engineers would be identifying the large greenspace areas and large users within the City available for reuse. He stated that when the reuse system was permitted it would include the entire City as eligible for reuse. Mr. Hartman stated that beneficial reuse by State law was 100% funded and additional funds may be available from the initial requested amount of the State loan ($8 million) to provide funds for residential reuse. Mr. Porter stated that approval of Authorization No. 2 would be placed on Tuesday's agenda and the concept of residential reuse expansion would be discussed at a future workshop meeting. Mr. Berger stated that it would be to the City's advantage to have the engineering work done to provide reuse to the large greenspace areas and large users within the City in the overall project bid package. Mr. Hartman suggested allowing his firm approximately two (2) months to identify the residential areas most susceptible to using reclaimed water for further Council discussion and /or approval. Agenda approval of Authorization No. 2 at Tuesday's meeting. • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting April 14, 1994 Page 3 4. Discussion Re: Request by Sheriff's Department for purchase of miscellaneous items from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. Agenda this item for Tuesday. 5. Discussion Re: Resolution No. 94 -10. Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a water franchise agreement with the City of Cocoa. There was discussion regarding the 25 % surcharge charged to consumers located outside the City of Cocoa's municipal boundaries. Agenda this item for Tuesday. 6. Discussion Re: Ordinance No. 11 -94. Revising Article XXIV, Sec. 8. Nepotism, of the City of Cape Canaveral Charter. Mr. Porter stated that he did not feel it was in the City's best interests to place this item on the ballot for the upcoming fall election. He commented that the amount of problems which may be generated by this proposed referendum may not be worth the possible benefits at the present time. Mr. Kancilia stated that the City could enact legislation more comprehensive or more restrictive than the Florida Statutes; the proposed ordinance allowed for co- extensive language by adopting the Florida Statute provision. He stated that the prohibition against relatives serving on City boards was more stringent than State Statutes. He commented that currently part of the City Charter provision on nepotism was not as wide as the State Statute and the other provision was more restrictive than the State Statutes. After discussion, it was determined that no action be taken on the proposed ordinance at this time. 7. Discussion Re: Ordinance No. 14 -94. Amending the City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 352. Drug Free Workplace. to change the criteria for reasonable suspicion testing. and to add new sections to cover Routine Fitness for Duty Testing. Follow -Up Testing, and Injury Related Testing. Mr. Kancilia explained the provisions included within the proposed ordinance and the applicability of the ordinance to union and non -union employees. Agenda this item for Tuesday. 8. Discussion Re: Ordinance No. 15 -94. Adopting and Enacting a New Code for the City of Cape Canaveral. Agenda this item for Tuesday. 9. Discussion Re: Ordinance No. 16 -94. Amending City's Code of Ordinances, By ado • tin • a Develo , ment A • reement Polic to address infrastructure needs r- I uired b new development within the City. • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting April 14, 1994 Page 4 Council suggested that the proposed ordinance be given to several developers within the City to obtain their input and suggestions. Agenda this item for the next workshop meeting. 10. Discussion Re: A1A Beautification /Re- Development. Mr. Boucher stated that the City's current Comprehensive Plan indicated that the City had no blighted areas for redevelopment and he stated that a consultant or staff planner would need to identify areas within the City that needed to be redeveloped. Mr. Porter stated that he had discussed with the City Manager the concept of hiring a staff person instead of utilizing a planning consultant to amend the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the hiring of a staff person, who had extensive planning skills, could also be utilized not only for the Comp. Plan amendments, but as a grant writer and a coordinator for the redevelopment program/project for the City. He also suggested utilizing college interns or a UCF Public Administration class to assist in the City's redevelopment process. There was additional discussion regarding the concept of hiring an on -staff "planner" as compared to contracting with the City's engineers or other type of planning consultant. Mr. Boucher stated that the Comprehensive Plan update was due September 1995. Council concurred to further research the possibility of hiring a staff planner and discuss the matter at a subsequent workshop meeting. 11. Monthly Activity Reports. No comments. 12. City Manager's Report. Mr. Boucher summarized the results of RFP No. 94 -01, regarding a cable franchise consultant, which had warranted two (2) responses. He stated that he was also talking to the City of Cocoa about the possibility of sharing consulting services since their cable franchise agreement was also due to expire soon as well. Council concurred to schedule the item for discussion at the next workshop meeting. Mr. Boucher stated that the City had been awarded the SBA tree grant and he expressed his appreciation to City staff, the UCF intern and the Beautification Board for its hard work in submitting the grant application. Mr. Boucher stated that he would be meeting with County staff and the Canaveral Port Authority regarding the proposed transfer of jurisdictional authority of George King Boulevard from the County to the Port. Mr. Berger stated that he would like to see the Port provide a line for reclaimed water to be used for landscaping. Mr. Boucher expressed his concerns for pedestrian traffic to Jetty Park and the need to provide adequate sidewalks/bikepaths, and upgraded street lighting to enhance night driving in the area. • • City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Workshop Meeting April 14, 1994 Page 5 Mr. Boucher explained the Summer Youth Program offered through the Space Coast Private Industry Council. Council concurred with Mr. Boucher's suggestion to use summer youth for various tasks throughout the City. Mr. Boucher stated that the Port staff would be presenting to their Commission at an upcoming meeting the following week what they felt was a reasonable offer to give to the City for the continuation of the sewage franchise agreement. DISCUSSION: 1. Ms. Miller reminded Council that the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was scheduled for Saturday, April 16th. 2. Mr. Kancilia stated that the City had received a letter concerning the Ernest Szapor lawsuit. He stated that Florida League of Cities' mutual defense fund would not cover the lawsuit. He explained that his firm would be handling the defense and Jim Reinman had filed a motion to dismiss. He stated that the allegations were that the development plan for Ocean Woods contained a reservation of the City of certain land which was ultimately never conveyed to the City, but nevertheless, Mr. Szapor alleged that the development order created a cloud on his title and he was suing the City for damages. 3. Mr. Randels stated that the City's annual Trash Bash was scheduled for Saturday, April 16th, beginning at 8:30 a.m. 4. Mr. Nicholas advised that he could not attend the Volunteer dinner on Saturday. 5. Mr. Nicholas questioned whether or not the City had recognized the services of the school crossing guards who had recently resigned. Ms. Miller stated that each of the crossing guards who had resigned were sent certificates of appreciation and letters from the Mayor recognizing their service to the City. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Faith Miller, CM City Clerk Ci