City Commission Meeting Summary - January 23, 2008
The City Commission met in regular session and took the following action:
Item 1 – Mayor Marks presented a proclamation to Mr. Quincy Griffin, Band Director, and members of the Rickards High School Band, in recognition of the band's performance at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on January 3, 2008
Recognized Band Member Brandon Wiggins, the son of City employee Angie Wiggins
Mr. Sean Pittman, member of the Orange Bowl Committee, and the Orange Bowl Mascot, appeared before the Commission relative to this item.
Item 2 – Mayor Marks presented a proclamation to the American Council of Young Political Leaders – Japanese Delegation proclaiming Wednesday, January 23, 2008, as "International Friendship Day" in Tallahassee, Florida; he also presented the Delegation with an American Flag and a gift basket
Item 2.1 – Mayor Marks presented a proclamation in recognition of National Arbor Day to the following City employees:
- Mr. Perry Odom, Electric Utility Department
- Mr. Cris Revell, Public Works - Right of Ways
- Mr. Brian Wiebler, Planning Department
Mr. Wiebler invited participation in the public tree plantings scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2008, starting at 9:00 a.m., on the Alford Arm Greenway
Items 3-10 – Voted 5-0 to approve the staff's recommendations presented in Consent Agenda Items 3-10, taking the following action:
Item 3 – Approved amendments to the Downtown Improvement Authority (DIA) Bylaws relating to attendance of members, as presented (Option 1 as recommended by the City Attorney)
Item 4 – Approved the award of a five-year contract for protective relay testing utilized at the City's electric substations and power plants (RFP #0041-08-RM-BC) to Industrial Electronics Group, Inc., low bidder meeting specifications, in an amount not to exceed $228,650 per year, for a total cost not to exceed $1,143,250 for the term of the contract; and approved a budget transfer of $100,000 from Project 05005 Fund 401 – Electric Utility RR&I Fund to Fund 400 – Electric Utility Operating Fund for Fiscal Year 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 5 – Approved the purchase of seven (7) replacement vehicles at a total cost of $888,352.90, as follows (as recommended by Fleet):
- From Ward international, pursuant to Contract #1285, totaling $841,232.90:
- One (1) International 7300 SBA 4x2 Bucket Truck (for Electric Utility) chassis, for a cost of $67,040.51, with the body purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, for a cost of $83,313.00, for a total vehicle cost of $150,353.51
- One (1) International 7400 SFA 4x4 Digger Derrick (for Electric Utility) chassis, for a cost of $103,671.86, with the body purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, for a cost of $156,794.00, for a total vehicle cost of $260,465.86
- Two (2) International 7300 SBA 4x2 Bucket Trucks (for Public Works) chassis, for a cost of $67,040.51, with a 40-foot bucket truck body purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, for a cost of $80,796.00, for a total vehicle cost of $147,836.51 each
- One (1) International 7300 SBA 4x2 Terex Challenger 2900 Aerial Truck (for Public Works) chassis, for a cost of $67,040.51, with the body purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, for a cost of $67,700.00, for a total vehicle cost of $134,740.51
- From Ring Power, pursuant to Florida Sheriffs Association Contract #06-14-0821, totaling $47,120.00:
- One (1) Caterpillar CB224E Street Roller (for Public Works), for a cost of $38,473.00
- One (1) Leeboy L250T Tack Distributor Trailer (for Public Works), a sole source purchase, at a cost of $8,647.00
Item 6 – Authorized Human Resources to enter into negotiations with UnumProvident to serve as the provider for a fully employee-paid short-term and long-term disability plan, and authorized the City Manager to approve and execute the contract (Option 1 as recommended by Human Resources)
Item 7 – Approved a supplemental appropriation, in the amount of $80,000, for sidewalk refunds for new developments, for a total budgeted amount of $150,000 for FY2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Public Works/Traffic Engineering)
Item 8 – DELETED FROM THE AGENDA the award of a construction contract for the Conradi Street Stormwater Improvements Project (IFB #0031-08-ER-BC) (brought forward by Public Works/Stormwater Management)
Item 9 – Approved a two-year agreement with Tallahassee Community College (TCC) to provide transit services to enrolled students under the C-Pass Program for FY2008-2009, for estimated revenues of $150,000 in FY2008 and $150,000 in FY2009; and authorized the City Manager to execute the TCC "C-Pass" Agreement (Option 1 as recommended by StarMetro)
Item 10 – Approved the minutes of the following City Commission meetings, as distributed (as recommended by the City Treasurer-Clerk/Records Management Officer):
- October 9, 2007 Special Meeting (Joint City-County Commission Workshop on Proposed Cycle 2007-2 Comprehensive Plan Amendments)
- November 1, 2007 Special Meeting (Joint City-County Commission Transmittal Public Hearing on Cycle 2007-2 Comprehensive Plan Amendments)
- December 4, 2007 Regular Meeting
- December 12, 2007 Regular Meeting
Item 10.1 – Received a briefing from Mayor Marks on plans for the first annual Big Bend Cycling Festival scheduled for April 5-6, 2008, with in-kind assistance from the City such as complimentary parking in Kleman Plaza and possibly the Floridan lot (brought forward by Mayor Marks)
Item 10.2 – By consensus, authorized Commissioner Lightsey to establish a staff group to review the statewide Task Force report and model ordinance on restricting fertilizer use, and draft an ordinance for review by the Environmental & Energy Resources Target Issue Workgroup, which could then recommend to the full Commission either No Action or Adoption (brought forward by Commissioner Lightsey)
Item 11 – DELETED FROM THE AGENDA a discussion of proposed Business Tax Amendment Ordinance No. 07-O-54, which would increase the City's Business Tax rates by five percent (5%) (brought forward by the City Treasurer-Clerk and Interim Director of Management & Administration [DMA])
Item 12 – Received a Power Point presentation on the Gaines Street Corridor Implementation Plan and the FAMU Way Extension Preliminary Engineering Study
Voted 5-0 to accept the status report as presented (Option 1), and authorize a change order, in the amount of $89,845.60, to the contract with Genesis Group, for the FAMU Way Extension Preliminary Engineering Study, to allow additional analysis from Wahnish Way to Lake Bradford Road (Option 2) (as recommended by Public Works/Project Management)
Discussed the ArtSpace redevelopment proposal for the City-owned Sallie property and requested more information on the proposal, including cost data with comparisons of other City subsidies per unit to determine the appropriate subsidy amount, a cost analysis of a potential bridge to Railroad Square, acreage and budget requirements for the ancillary uses
Item 13 – Voted 5-0 to approve the Historic Property Grant and Loan Program (HPGLP) Finance Committee recommendation to use $377,780.35 in Historic Preservation funds currently on hold to fund new renovation projects, authorize annual funding of a minimum of $50,000 per year beginning in FY2009, authorize a maximum fund balance of $300,000 to be carried forward from a previous fiscal year, and manage the loan portion of the program as a true revolving loan program (Option 1 as recommended by Economic Development)
Item 14 – Voted 5-0 to approve the execution of a three-year agreement, for on-going Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Consulting assistance to increase transit system ridership as part of the Tallahassee Transit Renaissance (RFP #0058-07-SB-RC), with ThinkCreative Inc., the highest ranking firm, at an estimated contract expenditure of $166,000 over the three-year period, including an expense of $25,000 for the Strategic Marketing Plan development (Option 1 as recommended by StarMetro)
Requested more information on the details of the point system used by the evaluation committee in ranking the vendor responses to this RFP
Item 15 – Voted 5-0 to approve three-year collective bargaining agreements covering the bargaining units represented by the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) (brought forward by Human Resources)
Item 16 – Took no action on adopting Resolution No. 08-R-05, as the Commission's position was already on the record as opposing Amendment No. 1, the Legislature's Tax Reform Proposal, on the January 31, 2008, ballot referendum (brought forward by the City Attorney)
Item 17 – Voted 5-0 to approve the City's participation in a public-private partnership encompassing the staff's recommendations with the Community Workforce Housing Innovation Pilot (CWHIP) proposal selected for funding by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, including Bay Tree Cottages, for a fiscal impact of $299,976; All Saints Square, $737,008; and Oak Commons, $299,051, as presented (Option 1 as recommended by Neighborhood & Community Services [NCS])
Item 18 – DELETED FROM THE AGENDA a public hearing on Business Tax Amendment Ordinance No. 07-O-54 (brought forward by the City Treasurer-Clerk/DMA)
Item 19 – Held the first of two public hearings on Governor's Park Rezoning Ordinance No. 07-Z-66, introduced on December 4, 2007, which would rezone six City-owned parcels around the intersection of Park Avenue and Blair Stone Road from TPA (Target Planning Area) and R-3 (Single- and Two-family Residential) zoning districts to the OS (Open Space) zoning district (PRZ #070032)
By consensus, scheduled the second and final public hearing on Ordinance No. 07-Z-66 for February 27, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning)
There were no speakers on this item.
Item 20 – Held a public hearing on Harmony Oaks PUD Rezoning Ordinance No. 08-Z-01, introduced on January 9, 2008
Voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 08-Z-01AA, rezoning a 17.32-acre parcel, located at the northwest corner of Crawfordville Highway and Whittaker Road, from the R-3 (Single Family and Two-Family Residential) and MH (Manufactured Home Park) zoning district to the Harmony Oaks PUD zoning district (PRZ #070028) amended to include the Planning Commission's recommendation (applicant: Bricey A. Moody; agent: GPI Southeast, Inc.) (Option 1 as recommended by Planning as amended)
There were no speakers on this item.
The following persons did not appear before the Commission, but indicated their availability to answer questions relative to this item:
- Mr. Luis Serna, 3559 Timbertlane School Road, representing GPI Southeast and Matt Raitz
- Mr. Matt Raitz, 1438 Mitchell Avenue
Item 21 – Held a public hearing on Heritage Oaks PUD Rezoning Ordinance No. 08-Z-02, introduced on January 9, 2008
Voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 08-Z-02, rezoning a 5.79-acre parcel, located on the southeast side of Shannon Lakes West directly across from the intersection of Kerry Forest Parkway and Shannon Lakes West, from the 0R-2 (Office Residential 2) zoning district to the Heritage Oaks PUD zoning district (PRZ #070027) (Heritage Oaks Senior Housing, LLC; agent: Poole Engineering & Surveying, Inc.) (Option 1 as recommended by Planning)
There were no speakers on this item.
Item 22 – Held the first of two public hearings on Ordinance No. 08-O-04, introduced on January 9, 2008, which would amend the development standards in Section 10-253 Office Residential (OR-3) zoning district by changing the general intent of the district to reflect the updated Comprehensive Plan and to allow uses listed in the C-2 district in the first floor of a multi-story building containing office and/or residential uses above the first floor
By consensus, confirmed the second public hearing on Ordinance No. 08-O-04 set for February 27, 2008 (Option 1), and amended the ordinance to add the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission (Option 2) (as recommended by Planning)
There were no speakers on this item.
Item 23 – Held a public hearing on CNL Mixed Use PUD Rezoning Ordinance No. 07-Z-43, introduced on August 29, 2007, and continued from October 24, 2007, which would rezone a 508-acre parcel in the eastern part of the Welaunee Toe property, located on the south side of Centerville Road, in the east 1/2 section of 15 and the west 1/2 section of 14 of the Welaunee Plantation (east of Fleischman Lane and north of Miccosukee Road), from Critical Planning Area (CPA) to Mixed use Planned Unit Development (CNL Mixed Use PUD) (PRZ #070015) (applicant: CNL Tallahassee I, LLC; agent: Moore Bass Consulting, Inc.)
By consensus, continued the public hearing on Ordinance No. 07-Z-43 to April 23, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning)
There were no speakers on this item.
Item 24 – Held a public hearing on Capital Walk/Rich Annexation Ordinance No. 07-O-38, introduced on December 12, 2007, which would provide for the voluntary annexation of 24 acres into the City, located west of Capital Circle Northwest and south of Commonwealth Boulevard, including Capital Walk Apartments and adjacent FDOT property
Voted 5-0 to close the public hearing on Ordinance No. 07-O-38 and bring the ordinance back on the Consent Agenda for final action, pending review of the proposed annexation by the Leon County Board of Commissioners (County Commission) (Option 2 as recommended by the Office of the Mayor)
There were no speakers on this item.
Unagendaed Speakers:
Ms. Cooper Perlman and Mr. Jesse Bigbie appeared before the Commission and invited the Commission to attend a play entitled "The Gift of Peace", by playwright/actress Stacey Martino, endorsing The Peace Alliance campaign to establish a U. S. Department of Peace. They also distributed copies of a January 20, 2008, article in Tallahassee Democrat on the play.
The following persons appeared before the Commission and expressed concern with the potential alternative route of the FAMU Way Extension over their Stearns Street neighborhood:
- Mr. Robert C. Brannan, 9601-39 Miccosukee Road, Attorney and Managing Member of 1200 Stearns Street LLC
- Ms. Rosalind Osterbye, 3961 Loblolly Lane, representing 1200 Stearns Street LLC
- Mr. Troy Simon, 1200 Stearns Street Apt. B1
- Ms. Kate Price, 1200 Stearns Street Apt B11
- Mr. Justin Pogge, 1200 Stearns Street Apt C4
Ms. Stephanie Samsky, Mr. Brooks Edwards, Mr. Adam Taylor and Ms. Kate Price, of 1200 Stearns Street, did not appear before the Commission but indicated their endorsement of the prior speakers' comments.
City Commission Information and Sharing of Ideas
Commissioner Katz expressed concern with the significant change in personnel situation with the Red Cross involving long-time local Director Chris Floyd.
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