TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
Brevard County, Florida 32903
March 18, 2008 Town Hall
MINUTES OF A TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE INDIALANTIC TOWN HALL ON MARCH 18, 2008
PRESENT: Hon. Robert L. Cochran, Jr., Mayor
Hon. Vince Benevente, Deputy Mayor
Hon. Dave Berkman, Councilman
Hon. Loren Goldfarb, Councilman
Hon. Lori Halbert, Councilmember
Paul Gougelman, Town Attorney
Christopher W. Chinault, Town Manager
Laura Eaton, Town Clerk
This meeting was tape recorded. Records are indexed and filed for ready reference where such have been summarized in typed minutes.
I. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
Mayor Cochran called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. PUBLIC
A. Congressman Weldon presented a ceremonial check in the amount of $40,850 representing a FEMA grant for Firefighter assistance to install an exhaust system in the firehouse.
B. Jane Havet – Candidate for County Commission, District 3
Ms. Havet was unable to attend.
C. John B. MacNeill, 1320 S. Riverside Dr. and Chairman of the Zoning and Planning Board, announced that the Board would hold a public hearing regarding fences and walls in front yards at their regular May meeting.
IV. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Clerk read the following announcements:
A. There are currently openings, including reappointments, on the Board of Adjustment, Civil Service Board, Heritage Committee and Zoning and Planning Board
B. There will be openings, including reappointments, on the Board of Adjustment, Budget and Finance Committee, Civil Service Board, Heritage Committee, Police/Fire Pension Board and Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee in April
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes No. 08-05– Regular Meeting – February 19, 2008
B. Approval of a Planning Agreement Supplement with LaRue Planning and Management Services, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 for Comprehensive Plan modifications
C. Designation of the Town Manager to represent the Town on the School Concurrency Capital Outlay Committee
D. Approval of First Responder Agreement with Brevard County
E. Appointment for the Fifth Avenue Task Force
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilman Goldfarb seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
A. Zoning and Planning Board - One opening. Randy Greer would like to be reappointed.
Deputy Mayor Benevente nominated Randy Greer. Mr. Greer was reappointed unanimously.
B. Heritage Committee – Nancy Grout would like to be reappointed.
Councilman Goldfarb moved to reappoint Nancy Grout. Deputy Mayor Benevente seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
VII. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinance 08-04 – Amending Sec. 15-18.1(k) to allow regular part time employees to receive an annual beach parking permit at no cost
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption
Councilman Berkman moved to adopt Ordinance 08-04. Councilmember Halbert seconded.
There were no public comments.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 08-04 passed unanimously.
B. Ordinance 08-05 – Amending the Personnel/Civil Service Manual
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption
Deputy Mayor Benevente moved to adopt Ordinance 08-05. Councilman Goldfarb seconded.
There were no public comments.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 08-05 passed unanimously.
C. Ordinance 08-06 – Amending the charter relating to electronic transfer of funds
1. Second reading – by title only
The Town Clerk read the Ordinance by title only.
2. Public hearing and adoption
Councilman Goldfarb moved to adopt Ordinance 08-06. Councilmember Halbert seconded.
There were no public comments.
It was clarified by Deputy Mayor Benevente that this would be a referendum for the November ballot.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 08-06 passed unanimously.
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding Council goals and objectives for 2008 - continued from the February 19, 2008 meeting
Councilmember Halbert listed the following goals:
1. Annexation of property north of Indialantic
Attorney Gougelman will provide the requirements at the next meeting and the Town Manager will provide additional information including cost
2. Encourage and attract businesses desired by the residents to build up 5th Ave
3. Increase awareness of downtown area through a possible Friday Fest
4. Institute a formalized way for residents to lodge complaints
5. Keep the sidewalks on the south side of the causeway cleaner
Councilman Goldfarb emphasized customer service and establishing a process to deal with and respond to citizen complaints. He also recommended that the website be updated for better communication with the public.
The Town Manager gave an update on the progress made to date.
The Council discussed how best to resolve the website situation taking into consideration the cost, funding options and possible vendors.
Deputy Mayor Benevente listed maintaining strict Code Enforcement, maintaining parks and park structures, replace storm drain system where needed and continuing to strictly enforce Town’s speed limits.
Mayor Cochran also supported annexation.
B. Discussion and possible action regarding installation of a fence at Sunrise Park (Requested by the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee) – continued from the February 19, 2008 meeting
Mayor Cochran stated that he did not support this item and wished to take no action.
Deputy Mayor Benevente said that he did support it and moved to erect the fence.
Councilmember Halbert suggested using a sign to warn that cars would be towed if parked there for an extended period of time.
The Council discussed the possible consequences of installing a fence.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible action regarding participation in the Space Coast League of Cities Energy Efficiency Action Coalition and designation of Councilmember Halbert as the Town’s representative (Requested by Councilmember Halbert)
Councilmember Halbert gave background on the ad hoc committee for idea sharing.
It was the consensus of Council that Councilmember Halbert participate with the committee.
X. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Report from Town Manager
Statistical Reports – February, 2008
B. The Town Attorney had no report.
XI. REPORTS
A. Mayor Cochran had no report.
B. Deputy Mayor Benevente announced a change in the April League of Cities meeting.
C. Councilmember Berkman had no report.
D. Councilmember Goldfarb had no report.
E. Councilmember Halbert had no report.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
TOWN OF INDIALANTIC
___________________________
Robert L. Cochran, Jr.
Mayor
ATTEST:________________________
Laura Eaton, CMC
Town Clerk