CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
May 22, 2001

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Don Cook

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, George Stamos, Bill
Blue, Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order and led those attending the meeting in prayer. Mayor Frith led
the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called the roll.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X

Mayor Frith then presented Councilmember Scott with a plaque signed by the Council members and
City Manager Bill Brynes. The plaque was given in recognition of Councilmember Scott’s
achievement as an inductee in the Taylor County Education Hall of Fame 2001. Councilmember Scott
expressed appreciation for the recognition by the Council.

AGENDA ITEM (3)…APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: May 8, 2001 Regular Session.

After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Cook made a motion to adopt the minutes of
May 8, 2001, Regular Session as written; seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (4)…RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Mrs. Myra Mercer addressed the Council regarding a request that a large oak tree on City right-of-way
be trimmed. Mrs. Mercer said the tree limbs overhang onto her roof and have caused her roof to leak.
Mrs. Mercer also suggested a “Slow” sign be posted at a curve near this area.

AGENDA ITEM 5(A)…CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SOLICITATION

PERMIT AS REQUESTED BY BULLOG SUMMER BASEBALL REPRESENTATIVE CLA
PARKER.

Councilmember Cook made a motion to approve the solicitation permit. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X
Page 2, May 22, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM 5(B)…INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING-ORDINANCE NO. 750

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 601, AS

AMENDED, BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS OF THE CITY OF PERRY AS
AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NO. 601, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FOR A CHANGE IN
ZONING FROM RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY-TWO (RSF-2) TO RESIDENTIAL OFFICE
(RO), AS STATED HEREIN, OF CERTAIN LAND WITHIN THE CITY OF PERRY; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilmember Scott made a motion that Ordinance No. 750 be read by title only. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Cook and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X

The secretary read Ordinance No. 750 by title only. Director of Community Development George
Stamos said this site is at Main Street and U.S. 19 (Taylor County Community Friends). Mr. Stamos
said the request for a change in zoning was made by the property owner and approved by the City’s
Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Stamos said the property is unoccupied at this time but plans are for
this to be used to provide small apartments. Mr. Stamos said the zoning change seems a likely and
good thing for the community as the property is located near the site where the new hospital will be
built. It was noted that Ordinance No. 750 would be brought back before the Council for a public
hearing on June 12, 2001.

AGENDA ITEM 5(C)…CITY COUNCIL TO REVISIT THE CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT

REGULATIONS ORDINANCE AS IT PERTAINS TO SUB-STANDARD HOUSING.

City Manager Bill Brynes provided the Council with copies of Article 9 and 10 of the City’s Land
Development Regulations (LDR) for review. Mr. Brynes told the Council he had asked City Attorney
Bill Blue to also review this issue. Mr. Brynes said (staff) went throughout the City and identified
approximately 350 houses that could be potentially substandard structures. Mr. Brynes said under the
City’s LDR’s , only unoccupied structures could be condemned.

City Attorney Bill Blue said in checking other community’s procedures, he found that if they condemn
an occupied structure, the municipality will compensate the owner or tenant for the loss. When asked
by Mr. Brynes if there was anything that requires compensation to the owner or tenant, Mr. Blue stated
no. There was discussion that the City might have some responsibility if the structure was under a
Community Development Block Grant.

Councilmember Cook commented this issue does not need to be addressed on a large-scale basis.
Councilmember said the situation could still be corrected by going after those (structures) within the
City’s ability (to condemn the property between renters) by using the city’s utility service as a way of
knowing when a structure is vacated.

Mr. Brynes told the Council approximately 40 to 50 percent (of the 350 potentially substandard
structures) is unoccupied at this time. Mr. Brynes said the City could condemn and remove these but
Page 3, May 22, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session

there is the problem of landfill issues and tipping fees. Mr. Brynes explained the tipping fee is
distributed between the solid waste utility customers and would add $1 to $2 per month to customer’s
bills. Councilmember Scott asked if the City puts a lien on the property when it removes condemned
structures? Mr. Brynes commented that most of these type structures are voluntary—the owner
volunteers to have a structure condemned and removed. Mr. Brynes said the City’s goal is to get rid of
these structures. Councilmember Cook asked if the City could go back to demolishing one structure a
month. Mr. Brynes said the Council could be more aggressive and take five structures a month but the
City would have to observe the cost. Councilmember Cook said he still thinks the City should come
out owning the property when it removes condemned structures.

Mr. Blue suggested a Code Enforcement Board be established. Mr. Blue said this board could render a
judgment but it would have to go to court to enforce a lien on the property, which could be tied up for
twenty years. Councilmember Scott said she agrees with Councilmember Cook that the City act on
condemning those structures when it can reasonably do so (through utility cutoff when a house is
vacated). Mayor Frith suggested condemning and demolishing those structures voluntarily given up by
owners. Councilmember Cook said it would be less desirable; but, he preferred some way the City
would have some real value in doing it, even if it meant being tied up for twenty years.

Mr. Buddy Humphries, Taylor County Development Authority, told the Council his office had already
sent out letters to approximately ten property owners on U. S. 19; and, he has received one response so
far. Mr. Humphries agreed a Code Enforcement Board needs to be established. Mayor Frith asked for
an update on “demolition landfills.” Director of Public Works Barney Johnson told the Council the
requirements are the same as for any other landfill. Councilmember Scott asked the tipping fee cost
when a demolished house is taken to the landfill. Mr. Johnson said the fee is approximately $2,000.
Mr. Brynes said the first step of the process would be to get the Code Enforcement Board established.

Mr. Jack Scott, who serves on two city boards, also commented about substandard housing in the city.
Mr. Scott also commented about the zoning for residential mobile homes. Mr. Scott said there could be
some condition that mobile homes be limited to a certain number within a certain radius. Mr. Stamos
told the Council mobile homes have the same type of setback as with single-family homes, but there is
a minimum lot size requirement. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that an
ordinance be drafted for a City Code Enforcement Board to be put into place.

AGENDA ITEM 5(D)…CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CITY STREET NAME CHANGE.

Reviewing the list of same or similar city street names and the number of residences on each street,
Councilmember Cook suggested changing those street names where there are the lesser number of
residences to be affected. Councilmember Scott said she would like to see Montrose Street, with four
residences, changed to Buckhalter (Street, Road, Drive, etc.). Council members agreed to this change.
Mr. Johnson said he would send letters to those residents on those streets with the fewer residents
informing them of the proposed change and ask for street name suggestions. The list of streets with the
same or similar names with the number of residences on each street is listed below:
 Page 4, May 22, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session

Street Name # of Residences Street Name # of Residences

Alston Street 4 Bishop Blvd. 20
Austin Street 4 Bishop Lane 0

Calhoun Avenue 7 Cedar Drive 12

Calhoun Street 37 Cedar Road 0
Cedar Street 18

Center Street 34 Dona 0

Center North 33 Donna Drive 4

Dove Drive 13 Forest Circle 13

Dove Street 12 Forest Drive 12

Folsom Street Hampton Springs 18

Folsom Place Hampton Springs Ave 50

Jenkins Avenue 14 Landry Drive 6

Jenkins Road 18 Landry Road 14

Magnolia Drive 6 Malloy Street 19

Magnolia Road 28 Maloy Street 2
Magnolia Street 6

Maple Avenue 6 Montrose Place 6

Maple Drive 4 Montrose Street 4

Parker Place 6 Pinecrest Drive 3

Parker Street 14 Pinecrest Street 24

San Pedro 16 Willow Avenue 3

San Pedro Avenue 0 Willow Street 34

Buffalo – one side needs to be changed.

The meeting continued with the next item of business.

AGENDA ITEM 5(E)…CITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO SIGN AGREEMENT FOR

ENGINEERING SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERRY AND WILLIAM M. BISHOP
CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

Councilmember Cook made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement for Engineering
Services between the City of Perry and William M. Bishop Consulting Engineers, Inc. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Cook X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Mayor Frith X

Mayor Frith asked Director of Community Development George Stamos to address Mrs. Myra
Mercer’s concerns regarding overhanging limbs from a large oak tree. Mr. Stamos told the Council the
City’s Tree Board had met that day and had recommended the tree limbs be trimmed from over Mrs.
Mercer’s roof.
Page 5, May 22, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM (6)…CITY MANAGER.

Mr. Brynes told the Council the City’s Police Department is in need of a paper shredder to destroy
outdated documents. Mr. Brynes said the cost of a shredder would be approximately $1,000 to $1,200.
It was the consensus of the Council that the Police Department purchases the paper shredder.

Mr. Brynes commented that when the City has certain property (vehicles, equipment, etc.) to dispose
of it does so by having a local auction or sale. Mr. Brynes suggested the Council consider taking some
of these vehicles to an actual auction, as the City may get more money for them.

Mr. Brynes then updated the Council on a meeting he recently attended concerning new requirements
for preparation of financial statements under (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) GASB34.
Mr. Brynes said it is estimated to cost the City approximately $1,500 for the conversion.

Mr. Brynes reviewed information received from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding
a Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. Mr. Brynes said this program provides grants for
acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreational use. Mr. Brynes said there are two
possibilities for the City to consider making application. One option would be to replace the pool at
Jerkins Park and the second option being to construct two additional ball fields in the Loughridge Park
area. Mr. Brynes said this is a matching grant; but if baseball fields were constructed, the County may
be willing to contribute.

Another item discussed with the Council was a problem getting and retaining employees in certain city
departments. Mr. Brynes said the police and fire departments are short staffed at this time, and there
are vacant positions in the solid waste division and the wastewater plant (operator). Mr. Brynes said
advertising the available positions has been done but the City has not been successful in hiring. Mr.
Brynes said, in the past in the police and fire departments, the City has hired an individual and sent
them to school for training. Mr. Brynes suggested the City advertise and hire individuals and then send
them to school for training. Councilmember Scott asked if the City would require the individual to
commit to a certain time of service to the City. Mr. Brynes said he thinks this should be done in some
manner. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the City advertises for these
positions noting that the City would send the employee to school for training for the position.

AGENDA ITEM (7)…DEPARTMENT HEADS.

Mr. Blue told the Council the City has been served with a complaint regarding a pool incident. Mr.
Blues said the complaint would be referred to the City’s liability insurance carrier for their selection of
legal counsel for the matter. Mr. Blue said if the Council wishes, this issue could be discussed in
executive session after being properly advertised.

AGENDA ITEM (8)…CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS.

Councilmember Alexander asked if there was a problem with the city’s garbage trucks. Mr. Johnson
informed Councilmember Alexander that repairs have to be made on a couple of the trucks.
Page 6, May 22, 2001, City Council Minutes-Regular Session

Councilmember Scott commented there are a lot of city street signs that need to be replaced. When
asked the cost, Mr. Johnson said the signs cost approximately $13.00 each.

Councilmember Scott asked for an update on speed monitoring on Martin Luther King to determine if
the speed limit there needs to be lowered. Chief of Police Wayne Putnal told Councilmember Scott he
did not have a report at this time.

Mayor Frith reminded the Council and staff of the Veterans Park (old Jaycee Park) dedication
ceremony on Friday, May 25, 2001 at 1:00 p. m.

AGENDA ITEM (9)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:15 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date