City Commission Meeting Summary - March 11, 2009
The City Commission met in regular session and took the following action:
Mayor Marks recognized and welcomed the attendance of two visitors in the audience, Second Vice President of the Florida League of Cities, Mayor Joy Cooper, and Commissioner Nancy Saunders, of the City of Hallandale Beach, Florida.
Item 1 - Mayor Marks presented a proclamation recognizing and honoring the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority (DIA) and the following businesses in appreciation of their extraordinary efforts to make and keep Tallahassee beautiful by securing funds to maintain the City's downtown flowerbeds:
- 215 Building
- Andrew's Capital Grill and Bar / Andrew's 228
- Capital City Bank
- Ericks Consultants, Inc.
- Florida AIA
- Florida Association of District School Superintendents
- Florida Association of Realtors
- Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Florida League of Cities
- Florida Retail Federation
- Florida United Business Association
- Floridan Partners, LLC
- Full Press Apparel
- Galley Alley Association
- Greater Tallahassee chamber of Commerce
- Hopping Green & Sam's
- Red Brick Partners and Super-Holdings Investments
- Ron Sachs Communication
Mr. Dave Ericks, Chairman, and Mr. Al Pacini, representatives of the DIA, and members of the local business community who helped sponsor the cause for the City's downtown flowerbeds, appeared before the Commission relative to this item.
Item 1.1 - Mayor Marks presented a proclamation recognizing and honoring the following groups of citizens who took the lead in securing funding to maintain the City's downtown rose beds:
- The Save the Roses Committee
- The Betton Hills Neighborhood Association
- The Tallahassee Civitan Club
- And all of the citizens and groups whose donations helped save the roses
Ms. Lecky Spector and other members of the Save the Roses Committee, and Mr. Andy Fink, President of the Betton Hills Neighborhood Association, appeared before the Commission relative to this item.
Item 2 - Received a presentation presented by Mr. Mike Pate, Program Director for the Knight Foundation, outlining the three-year study and the goals of the "Soul of the Community" telephone survey, conducted by Gallup in Tallahassee and 25 other communities across the United States to gauge citizens' community engagement, loyalty and passion, and commitment to their community, and show the correlation between citizen engagement and economic growth of the community. Mr. Pate reported that in its first year the survey showed the City of Tallahassee being in the middle in terms of citizen involvement, social offers to be most important in terms of weakness and opportunity, and ranked slightly below in local economic and employment conditions. He advised that the complete results of the study could be viewed on the Internet at www.soulofthecommunity.org.
Item 3 - Mayor Marks and Mr. Dee Crumpler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs, recognized and applauded "super volunteers" at the Animal Shelter.
A number of the citizen volunteers appeared before the Commission relative to this item.
Items 4-14 and 17 - Voted 5-0 to approve the staff's recommendations presented in Consent Agenda Items 4-14 and 17, taking the following action:
Item 4 - Concurred with the Director of Aviation's consent to a tri-party agreement with the following parties for the assignment of Airport Lease Agreements to provide Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) fueling services, and authority for staff to negotiate and execute Amended and Restated Lease Agreements (Option 1 recommended by Aviation):
- Tallahassee Aviation Partners, d/b/a Million Air
- Eagle Aircraft Group, LLC
- Flightline Group, Inc.
Item 5 - Approved the Selection Committee ranking, accepted the DBE goals as submitted and authorized staff to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Clear Channel Interspace Airports to operate the Airport Display Advertising Concession (Option 1 recommended by Aviation)
Item 6 - Approved the award of a four-year term contract for generator inspection, maintenance, testing and repair services and rental services (IFB #0044-09-RM-BC) to Ring Power Corp, low bidder meeting specifications, in the amount of $175,000 for four years; and authorized staff to enter into a contract for the period of four years following the date the contract is fully executed by the City (Option 1 recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 7 - Adopted Resolution No. 09-R-06, designating the Community Improvement Advisory Council (CIAC) as the Citizen Advisory Task Force for the purpose of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) public participation requirement (Option 1 recommended by Economic & Community Development [ECD])
Item 8 - Approved the exceptional purchase of replacement Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) from Ten-8 Fire Equipment, sole source provider, in the amount of $1,030,169.91 (Option 1 recommended by the Fire Department)
Item 9 - Approved Change Order #3 to the contract with Motorola, Inc., representing a change to the scope of the 800 MHz Project 25 Digital Trunked Radio System at no additional cost, retaining the complete contract price total of $19,755,132; and authorized the Public Safety Communications Board to have the change order documents signed, processed by all parties, and recorded (Option 1 recommended by the Chief Information Systems Officer [CISO])
Item 10 - Approved the award of a three-year contract for Citywide dumpster rental services (Bid #0066-09-VA-BC) to Marpan Supply Company Incorporated, sole bidder meeting specifications, at an estimated cost of $342,500 over the life of the contract; and authorized staff to enter into a contract for a period of three years (Option 1 recommended by the Department of Management & Administration [DMA]/Procurement Services)
Item 11 - Approved the submission of a Recreational Trails Program Grant application for $250,000 from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) for the renovation of trails at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park and connection to the J. R. Alford Greenway, and the appropriation of the grant proceeds if the grant is awarded in July 2009 (Option 1 recommended by Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs [PRNA])
Item 12 - Authorized the Police Department to enter into a new three-year contract with C. Vincent Dix, Ph.D., LLC, to provide stress management and psychological services to eligible Police Department employees (Option 1 recommended by the Police Department)
Item 13 - Approved the Habitat on Highland Replat subdivision plat, containing 2.17 acres bounded on the north, east and west by the Tallahassee Highlands Subdivision, and on the south by Centerville Road, planned for development as single-family residential by the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity and the City of Tallahassee (recommended by Public Works/Engineering)
Item 14 - Approved the award of bid for Community Transportation Carriers to provide para transit service to Tallahassee and Leon County transportation disadvantaged residents (residents who are physically, mentally, or economically unable to provide their own transportation) (IFB #0067-09-BM-0BC) to Big Bend Transit, Inc. and to Sessaly Rose Transit, Inc., based on the proposals received, and authorized staff to develop and execute the agreements (Option 1 recommended by StarMetro)
Item 15 - DELETED FROM THE AGENDA an item regarding the award of contract for pump and lift stations lawn and ground maintenance (brought forward by Underground Utilities/Wastewater Operations) - pulled by the City Manager
Item 16 - PULLED FROM CONSENT FOR A SEPARATE VOTE an item regarding the award of coverage for the property and boiler & machinery insurance program (brought forward by the City Treasurer-Clerk/Risk Manager) - SEE BELOW
Item 17 - Approved the minutes of the January 28, 2009 Regular City Commission Meeting (recommended by the City Treasurer-Clerk/Records Management Officer)
Mayor Marks commended Airport staff on Items 4 and 5.
Item 16 (pulled from Consent) - Voted 4-0 (Commissioner Mustian abstained) to approve the award of coverage for the property and boiler & machinery insurance program for a three-year period effective April 1, 2009, to J. Smith Lanier, sole proposer meeting specifications, for an annual premium of $2,530,748, as presented (Option 1 recommended by the City Treasurer-Clerk/Risk Manager)
Item 18 - Voted 5-0 to approve a Rental Rehabilitation Loan for Low Income Housing to Mr. Carl Calhoun for the rehabilitation of three affordable housing rental units for low-income residents at 727 Efferson Street, in an amount not to exceed $60,000, from the Rental Rehab Fund (#104) (Option 1 recommended by ECD)
Item 19 - Voted 5-0 to appropriate $125,000 from Rental Rehabilitation Fund 104 to set up a work order for enhanced Code Enforcement activities for three time-limited Code Enforcement Officer positions through Fiscal Year 2009 (Option 1 as recommended by ECD)
Commissioner Katz requested that the City Attorney bring back information on ways to address repeat violators of the City Code.
Commissioner Lightsey expressed hope that this was a one-time transfer from these funds and that the future use of this Fund would be for affordable rental rehab loans only.
Item 20 - Voted 5-0 to 1) authorize and approve proposed changes to the StarMetro Fare Structure, effective April 13, 2009; 2) authorize and appropriate receipt of the anticipated service fee of $22,500 in StarMetro's FY09 budget; 3) approve the supplemental appropriation of $22,500 to buy SmartCards from StarMetro's FY09 operating budget; and 4) authorize the expenditure of these funds (Option 1 recommended by StarMetro)
Item 21 - Voted 5-0 to approve 1) the submittal of a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for 2009 Transit Stimulus funding in the amount of $3,453,321, and execution of the grant; and 2) upon receipt of the grant, the purchase of up to nine (9) replacement buses and related equipment from Gillig Bus Corporation at a cost of approximately $3,453,321, to be funded from the Transit Stimulus grant (Option 1 recommended by StarMetro)
Commissioner Katz suggested that staff work with the State Department of Agriculture regarding the availability of any grants that would potentially lower the expense of acquiring buses that would use alternative fuels.
Item 22 - Voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of up to three (3) replacement buses and related equipment from Gillig Bus Corporation at a cost of approximately $1.1 million, with funding from approved federal grants (Option 1 recommended by StarMetro)
Item 23 - By consensus, continued to March 25, 2009 action on Ordinance No. 09-Z-02, introduced on February 11, 2009, which would amend the existing Ox Bottom Meadows PUD Concept Plan, totaling 36.36 acres located on the northwest corner of Ox Bottom Road and Thomasville Road, modifying the office and residential components, allowing for changes to the density/intensity within the PUD, and removing the land use buffers (PRZ #080023); a public hearing on the ordinance was held and closed on February 25, 2009; the staff's recommendation was to continue action on the ordinance to March 25, 2009, in order to allow staff to coordinate access issues with the Florida Department of Transportation (Option 1 recommended by Planning)
Commissioner Gillum ascertained that a communication from Mr. Keith Burnsed relative to this item had not been received in time for appropriate staff review. (A copy of the referenced document, distributed at the meeting, has been placed on file in the Office of the City Treasurer-Clerk.)
Item 24 - Voted 5-0 to approve modification to the current standard City Commission Meeting Schedule, changing the April 29th regular City Commission meeting to April 22nd, moving the May 28th Joint BCC/CC Comp Plan Workshop to May 26th, and moving the October 8th Joint BCC/CC Comp Plan Adoption Hearing to October 13th (Option 1 recommended by the Assistant to the City Manager)
Commissioner Lightsey requested that staff ascertain that none of the scheduled City Commission meetings conflicted with other meetings that a Commissioner was required to attend as a representative of the City Commission.
Target Issue Committee Updates
Environmental and Energy Resources
Commissioner Lightsey gave reported on activities of the Environmental and Energy Resources Target Issue Committee, including working on the development of a list of Committee goals for 2009, continued monitoring of the advanced wastewater treatment project and the issue of wastewater effluent reuse, continuing participation in the Wakulla Springshed Initiative, consideration of an amendment to the Environmental Management Ordinance that would accommodate City Stormwater retrofit projects, continued work on the TMDLs for the Wakulla Springshed and the Lake Munson Basin, and moving towards "green power initiatives" relating to water issues. She reported that the Committee was monitoring work on a groundwater and Wakulla Springs protection amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, and advised that the Planning Department was working on a plan for performance based septic tanks with the first item being the Responsible Management Entity. Commissioner Lightsey also presented a copy of the executed Wakulla Springs Memorandum of Understanding by Leon County, Wakulla County and the City of Tallahassee (placed on file in the Office of the City Treasurer-Clerk).
Mayor Marks reported that efforts were being made to monitor and understand potential Legislation on carbon penalties that might be imposed on the Electric Generating System, and he reported that staff had been asked to brief the Committee on the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process for generating electric energy. He also commended Commissioner Lightsey for her hard work and dedication to the Wakulla Springs protection comprehensive plan.
Additionally, Mayor Marks reported that Environmental Policy and Energy Resources staff was working diligently on Green Cities Regional Partnership initiatives.
Financial Viability of the Government
Commissioner Mustian reported that he and Commissioner Katz, as members of the Financial Viability of the Government Target Issue Committee, had been actively involved in work on the fast tracking of projects, which had been presented at the City Commission Retreat and subsequently adopted by the Commission on February 11th. He reported that the Committee had subsequently received an update on the electric utility rates and bills, and there was some expectation that lower natural gas prices would allow lower utility rates in the next 18 months. He stated that electric sales were down, but that was a positive from the demand side management (DSM) standpoint, and he reported on the potential need for some adjustments to the utility deposits policy, which would be brought to the Commission for consideration. Commissioner Mustian also reported that the Committee was giving additional consideration to the assigned vehicle programs with the intent of bringing some suggestions to the full Commission in the next month, including the potential elimination of all vehicle allowances in the City organization.
Long Range Planning
Commissioner Gillum reported that he and Commissioner Lightsey had reviewed proposed changes to the sign code, sponsored by Commissioner Mustian. Brief discussion ensued and Commissioner Mustian clarified that the sign code changes would be brought to the full Commission at a target issue workshop.
Commissioner Katz requested the status of the fast tracking on permitting of public development projects, and the City Manager responded that the ordinance implementing fast tracking was approved at the second meeting in February.
Commissioner Mustian advised that as the Commission's liaison on City's Welaunee property, he recommended that the City's Comprehensive Plan amendment be pulled to allow more time for preparation.
Unagendaed Business
Voted 5-0 to approve the City Manager's request for authorization to work with Springtime Tallahassee on providing City services for the Springtime Tallahassee Festival.
City Commission Information and Sharing of Ideas
Mayor Marks agreed with a suggestion by Commissioner Lightsey to add the enhancement of rail service to the transportation section of his regional planning group.
By consensus, the Commission agreed with a recommendation by Commissioner Mustian to authorize City Manager Thompson and City Attorney English to put the process on the application for the Lafayette Park Neighborhood Historic Preservation Overlay into abeyance as soon as possible until the process can be revised.
Mayor Marks ascertained that the Commission had no preference on the County's request to reduce City Commission representation on the Tourist Development Council from two City Commissioners to one City Commissioner, and the Commission concurred with the Mayor providing that representation for the City Commission.
Mayor Marks invited attendance to a press conference scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2009, at noon, to kick off a campaign seeking citizen input on how to foster local job creation and the economy, entitled Home Cooking - Our Jobs, Our Economy, Our Future.
CTC:RM:ecg:03/16/09