Commission Minutes 11-2001

1. Bills in the amount of $45,372.65 were approved for payment.

2. Mayor Shuttleworth thanked the League For Better Living for hosting the October 29th “Meet the Candidates Night” at Hopkins Hall and indicated that forum mediator, Mr. Jim Connell did a wonderful job.

3. The Mayor noted that the Congregational Church would have a “dedication of restoration” ceremony Sunday at 3:00 p.m. to dedicate the new pews in their church. Comm. Long noted that the Church’s old theater-style chairs had been donated to the City for possible use in the soon to be renovated Commission Chambers located on the 2nd floor in City Hall.

4. Ordinance 2001-08 regarding billboard signage with minor changes was passed on it’s final reading.

5. Ordinance 2001-09, providing for the operation of health care provider facilities in the Mixed Commercial Land Use District as a special exception, passed on its first reading.

6. Resolution 2001-06, adjusting the annual salaries of the City Commission was read by Mayor Shuttleworth and passed unanimously.

7. The Commission authorized the appropriate city officials to execute Amendment 2 of the DEP State Revolving Fund loan agreement providing an additional $188,625.00 to fund improvements to the City’s elevated water tank and existing well sites.

8. Mr. Howard Palardy was approved for the position of a Lake Helen reserve officer contingent upon the results of a successful drug screening.

9. The Commission rejected all bids regarding the proposed computer upgrade and networking system and authorized Mr. Findell to negotiate with individual vendors to solicit a bid proposal which met the requirements of the advertisement for $25,000 or less.

10. Lake Helen Police Chief Chester stated that the Police Department was working diligently to solve the case of the murdered woman found behind AllTech. He noted that the body was probably dumped in Lake Helen because of the City’s close proximity to I-4. The Chief indicated that his department was working in conjunction with the Homicide Task Force and the State Attorney’s office in the murder investigation.

11. Chief Chester reported that there had been several burglaries in town which could be attributed to one group of individuals and noted that the Police Department was investigating these cases as well.

12. Chief Chester reported that the City’s Halloween celebration had been a terrific success and noted that the police officers had disseminated approximately 400 bags of candy to trick-or-treaters.

13. Mr. Findell informed the Commission that Officer Pat Clarino had enrolled in the first phase of a code enforcement certification class to begin Dec. 10th and end the 15th. He also noted that Officer Clarino was currently enrolled in an animal certification class to be held in mid-November.

14. Mr. Findell noted that Comm. Tamburro had asked the Commission to consider allowing the Mt. Olive Church to solicit donations for a youth program by placing a collection jar at City Hall. It was Mr. Findell’s opinion that the City could support a church sponsored youth group fund raising activity if there was a general public benefit.

15. Comm. Long noted that the Neighborhood Center would like to place a basket at City Hall to collect perishable food items for families in need during the holidays. The Commission agreed to both proposals.

16. Comm. Long noted the query by the PLDRC for a Sunshine Law workshop with the City Commission and City Attorney. The workshop date was set for November 12th.

17. Comm. Cherry expressed her desire to hold a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pennsylvania Avenue. The Commission agreed with this idea and Mr. Findell said that he would contact the County to determine when the work would be finished.

18. Mayor Shuttleworth noted that city residents were beginning to realize that the city was serious about prosecuting code enforcement violations and were making an effort to clean and beautify their properties.

19. The mayor noted the the Parks and Recreation Board was soliciting volunteers to assist with the Lake Macy Park project. He suggested that anyone interested should contact either City Hall staff or Betty O’Laughlin. He also noted that he could use some help with his tree planting projects.

20. Mayor Shuttleworth commented that the League for Better Living had voted to donate approximately $2,000 collected from the last Tour of Homes to the City for the purpose of installing an irrigation system at Hopkins Hall. The Commission indicated that they supported this project.

21. Mayor Shuttleworth stated that Arvida officials had offered to construct and place a Gateway Entrance/directional sign at the I-4 off ramp and Main Street in Lake Helen and distributed a sign design example to the Commission and audience. All voiced their support with the exception of Lou Bention who stated that it was an illegal off-premises sign for Arvida.

The Mayor noted that the Arvida officials had offered to fund the construction of an approximate 4’X6’ graphic directional sign to be placed at Asa Gray Park.

The City Attorney expressed his opinion that the proposed entrance sign was a governmental sign which was an exempt sign but he noted that a sign easement would be needed at Asa Gray Park.

1. Bills in the amount of $29,531.11 were approved for payment.

2. Mayor Shuttleworth thanked Vice-Mayor Tamburro and Commissioner Sonnenfeld for their meritorious service to the City of Lake Helen. (Tamburro was out of town on business.) He presented a large plaque to Sonnenfeld offering the City’s sincerest thanks to him for the intelligence, wisdom and attentiveness to detail he provided in his service to the City from August, 1999 to November, 2001. Commissioner Sonnenfeld indicated that he was planning on staying involved in City affairs. (See his farewell address on page 1.)

3. The City then held an installation ceremony to swear in Commissioners Snowden and Finn.

4. Commissioner Long, representing the Sidney Taylor Conference Center, presented a $5,000 check to the League for Better Living which was received by Dorothy Schneider. The money is to be used for the purchase and placement of historical markers within the historic district. The markers must be approved by Mr. John Smart, or, in his absence, Commissioner Long prior to purchase. Ms. Schneider expressed her appreciation and commented that the check will be combined with $1,000 set aside from the League’s 1999 Tour of Homes for the purchase of historical markers. She also noted that funds from the 1999 Tour of Homes would also be utilized to install an underground sprinkler system at Hopkins Hall.

5. Historic Preservation Board Secretary, Oscar Brock, indicated that he and the Deputy City Clerk were working on a grant to request funds for the development of the Lake Helen Museum.

6. Parks and Recreation Board Chairperson, Barbara Snowden, indicated that Lou Benton had volunteered to assist Betty O’Laughlin in leading the effort to develop the Lake Macy Park. She also noted that the FRDAP grant application had been submitted to DEP for tennis courts.

7. Mayor Shuttleworth reminded the audience of the Tour of Homes on the 1st and 2nd and the Christmas tree lighting on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Blake Park. He commented that the Christmas Ball would be held on December 15th (Saturday) at Hopkins Hall.

8. They mayor indicated there was a joint effort between Cassadaga and Lake Helen to co-sponsor a “Water Festival” which will take place on January 19, 2002. He mentioned this it would take place in Cassadaga at the hotel and Lake Colby areas.

9. The City Commission approved Ordinance 2001-09, permitting health care provider facilities up to 5,000 sq. ft. in size as a special exception use in the Mixed Commercial Land Use District on the 2nd and final reading.

10. The City Commission decided to donate $50.00 each of their December paychecks towards the purchase of food and beverages for the appreciation party for commissioners/board members/volunteers/city employees to be held on December 21st from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

11. The City Commission agreed to cancel the December 20th meeting and will reconvene on January 3, 2002.

12. Mr. Don Findell, City Administrator, requested authorization to advertise for a Code Enforcement Hearing Officer in the News-Journal. The Commission agreed.

13. Mr. Findell requested permission to meet with Commissioner Cherry to discuss ideas for expediting meetings. The Commission agreed.

14. Commissioner Long displayed vacation photographs, thanked citizens for agreeing to raise Commission salaries and requested that citizens donate coupons to overseas military personnel to be utilized at military commissaries.

15. Commissioner Cherry indicated that she was impressed with Ms. Snowden’s leadership capabilities; mentioned she was hosting a Zone 2 meeting on December 8th in the Commission Chambers at 10:00 a.m.; reqested that city staff write a letter on her behalf to Lem Bryant, Inc. for the wonderful paving work the company performed on Pennsylvania Avenue and Goodwin Street; indicated that she was extremely pleased with her appointment to Vice-Mayor.

16. Commissioner Buddy Snowden praised and thanked Roger Sonnenfeld for the work he performed as commissioner.

17. Commissioner Steve Finn thanked his supporters and expressed his appreciation to them. He indicated that he hoped Rich Tamburro would continue in his involvement with city affairs.

18. The Mayor stated that the Reverse 911 program was being implemented by the County and that the County would hold workshops to assist cities in the implementation of the program. He noted that he thought that Lake Helen would become involved in the program sometime in January.

19. The Mayor commented that work would begin on the Comprehensive Plan and land development issues in early January and noted that the PLDRC would be a major force in reviewing and developing a viable plan.

20. The Mayor indicated that the City was composing a city website with the help of Ms. Pat Chadwick. He noted that Commissioner Finn had expressed an interest in becoming involved in this project. The Mayor expressed his desire to have interested individuals work together to help this project reach its fruition.

21. Ms. Jeannie Grammatikas was sworn in as acting City Clerk while Mr. Findell went on vacation.