CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
July 23, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith and Doug Everett

MEMBER ABSENT: Pam Feagle

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, Bill Blue and
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 Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

Mayor Frith noted that Councilmember Feagle was out of town for a family emergency.

AGENDA ITEM (3)…PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) OF APPRECIATION TO CITY

EMPLOYEE(S) FOR YEARS OF SERVICE.

Mayor Frith presented a certificate of appreciation to Director of Recreation, Glenn Ratliff, for 20
years of service to the City.

AGENDA ITEM (4)…APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES.

After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Everett made a motion to adopt the minutes of
July 9, 2002, Regular Session as written; seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote
was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (5)…RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Mr. Kevin Gunther, Glen Ridge Road, addressed the Council about the trash pickup in the City. Mr.
Gunther commented about yard trash and old appliances on city right-of-way throughout the City and
said it poses an unsightly situation. Mr. Gunther asked if there is some way the City could improve the
pickup time. Mayor Frith said this is a continuing problem made worse when one of the City trucks is
not working and there is not a backup truck. Director of Public Works said another reason for the
delay in picking up this trash is that the employees who do this work have been working on the U. S.
19 clean-up project to tear down old buildings. Mr. Johnson reminded the Council at the time of the
discussion about doing this, he had told the Council the employees who do the City’s trash pickup
would be the employees to do the work on U. S. 19. Councilmember Scott asked about hiring
Page 2, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

additional workers. Mr. Johnson said even so, the City does not have equipment available.
Councilmember Everett asked about possible other solutions. Mr. Johnson said possibly with overtime
this could be done. Councilmember Everett asked the cost estimate for overtime. Mr. Johnson said he
could get this information. Mr. Johnson said something else for the Council to think about is that there
are no regulations as to what type of material can be put out by residents for pickup. Mayor Frith said
this had been discussed before and determined that the City would have to pick up whatever was left
for pickup. The Council told Mr. Gunther they would look to see how the trash pickup situation could
be improved.

AGENDA ITEM 6(A)…CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SOLICITATION

PERMIT(S).

Mr. Jim Towles addressed the Council on behalf of the Perry Shrine Club to request approval of a
solicitation permit to collect funds September 6th and 7th, 2002 for the children’s hospital.
Councilmember Scott made a motion to approve the solicitation request from the Perry Shrine Club.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The Council also approved a solicitation permit request for the Taylor County High School Varsity
Cheerleaders to solicit on August 8th an 9th, 2002. Councilmember Alexander made the motion to
approve the permit; seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM 6(B)…FIRST PUBLIC HEARING-CITY OF PERRY FY 2002 COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION.

Mr. Scott Koons, Director of Local Government Assistance with the North Florida Regional Planning
Council, addressed the Council and presented a slide show outlining various aspects of the Fiscal Year
2002 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. Mr. Koons noted that the City
currently has ongoing projects with its spray field project and sewer expansion to United Welding
Services, Inc. (UWS). Mr. Koons noted the sewer expansion project at UWS falls under the category
of an economic development block grant. Mr. Koons said the City can have two economic
development projects at one time and the City is eligible to apply again. Mr. Koons then told the
Council Doctors’ Memorial Hospital has determined the need for deceleration and acceleration lanes at
the new hospital site (on U. S. 19) to improve the safety for emergency vehicles and others entering the
hospital. Mr. Koons said, since this area is located inside the city limits, the City would have to be the
Page 3, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

project applicant. Mr. Koons said the County (Board of County Commissioners) is requesting the City
do this. Mr. Koons said he met at 5:00 p. m. this date with members of the Citizens’ Advisory Task
Force Committee to review and discuss this issue. Mr. Koons said after discussion, the Committee
made a recommendation that the City proceed forward with developing the application for grant
funding.

Mayor Frith opened the public hearing. Councilmember Everett questioned any funds expended to
anyone or any organization that does not operate 100 percent under the Florida Sunshine Law. City
Attorney Bill Blue commented this (grant funding) would be money the City applies for to assist the
County in widening this area of road. Mr. Blue said he did not think this would subject the hospital to
public records law/Sunshine law, as it is actually being done for the County. Mr. Everett said the only
reason he asks is that DMH portrays itself as a private organization and these would be public funds.
Mr. Everett said his opinion is that the hospital is not a private organization and he thinks they should
be made to operate under the Sunshine Law. Mr. Blue further explained that this is not money being
given to Doctors’ Memorial Hospital, Inc., but is just the County widening the road where the hospital
is being built.

Councilmember Everett then asked whether a draft ordinance (discussed some time ago) had been
prepared pertaining to anyone receiving funds from the City would have to operate under the Sunshine
Law. Mayor Frith said he also agrees the DMH Board should operate under the Sunshine Law and
asked Mr. Blue if the draft ordinance had been prepared. Mr. Blue said it had.

Taylor County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Frank Russell addressed the issue.
Chairman Russell said it is not absolute that the turning lanes are needed for the hospital but it is a
safety factor for people pulling on and off the roadway. Chairman Russell agreed that if public money
is spent, the public should know what is going on. Councilmember Scott said in light of the
presentation and additional information provided she would like to offer a motion that the City apply
for the economic development grant for the purpose of widening U. S. 19 in the area of the hospital.
Mr. Koons said the Council would make that particular decision at the next meeting, that at this point,
the Council would just need to give authorization to proceed to put the application together and hold a
second public hearing. Councilmember Scott amended her motion to this effect.

Councilmember Scott made a motion authorizing the City to proceed to put the CDBG Economic
Development application together and set a second public hearing for the August 13, 2002, City
Council regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X
Page 4, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM 6(C)…FIRST PUBLIC HEARING-ORDINANCE NO. 760

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERRY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE CITY
OF PERRY LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, AS AMENDED, PURSUANT TO AN
APPLICATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR AMENDING SECTION 5.72.2;
ENTITLED STREET IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE, TO ESTABLISH A NEW STANDARD C
CLASSIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION WITH LOTS GREATER THAN 20,000
SQUARE FEET IN SIZE, AND TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SUCH
SUBDIVISIONS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilmember Everett made a motion that Ordinance no. 760 be read by title only. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

The secretary read Ordinance No. 760 by title only. Mayor Frith opened the public hearing. There was
no one to speak for or against Ordinance No. 760. Councilmember Everett made a motion to adopt
Ordinance No. 760; seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM 6(D)…CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS 2002 CERTIFICATION OF TAXABLE

VALUE MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-03.

City Manager Bill Brynes said the certification of taxable value millage rate is part of the budget
process. Mr. Brynes said the City had recently received this information from the property appraiser
and would have to submit the City’s determination of millage rate for fiscal year 2002-03 by the first
week of August. Mr. Brynes said last year’s millage rate was set at 4.73 mills. Mr. Brynes said if the
City goes with the rollback rate for fiscal year 2002-03, this would be at 4.79 mills. Mr. Brynes
explained this is different than in years past, noting the assessed property value in the City has
decreased

Mr. Brynes said using last year’s rate of 4.73 would generate a gross amount of approximately
$800,000 and if the rolled-back rate of 4.79 were used, this would generate a gross amount of
approximately $811,000. Mr. Brynes said the Council should make a decision this meeting or have a
special meeting next week, as this information has to be provided to the property appraiser.

City Attorney Bill Blue said if the City goes with the 4.79 millage rate, it would hold revenue
essentially the same (there would be an increase of approximately $6,000). Mayor Frith noted that, by
Page 5, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

law, this would be a tax increase. Councilmember Everett made a motion that the City stay with the
4.73 millage rate. Mayor Frith called for a second to the motion. Mayor Frith again called for a
second to Councilmember Everett’s motion. Hearing no second, Mayor Frith stated the motion died
for lack of a second. Councilmembers then agreed to set a special meeting for Tuesday, July 30, 2002
at 6:00 p. m. to discuss the 2002 certification of taxable value millage rate for fiscal year 2002-03 and
to begin fiscal year 2002-03 budget discussion.

AGENDA ITEM 6(E)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS PAVING PROJECT.

City Manager Mr. Brynes and Director of Public Works Barney Johnson provided a list of streets for
the Council’s consideration for resurfacing and milling. Mr. Brynes referred to the contractor, APAC,
chosen at the last Council meeting to do the paving work for the storm water project. Mr. Brynes said
APAC could also do this paving project. Mr. Brynes said APAC could come and look to see if there
would be any problem with any of these streets.

Councilmember Everett asked where the bid process was at with the underground utility work. Mr.
Brynes said bids are due around August 9, 2002.

Mayor Frith asked Mr. Johnson how many of the listed streets are concrete based. Mr. Johnson said
there are several and explained that, when asphalt is put over those streets with cracks, the cracks could
show through after about six months. Councilmember Everett asked how soon the milling process
would begin. Mr. Brynes said he would contact APAC to see when they could start. Mr. Johnson said
there is funding available for additional streets if the Council wishes to add to the list.

AGENDA ITEM 6(F)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS BACKGROUND CHECKS

ON COACHES.

Mr. Brynes said it has recently been discussed that the City consider doing background checks on
coaches. Mr. Brynes suggested if this is going to be done, it be done for assistant coaches, umpires,
etc. Mr. Brynes said one question that has to be resolved is at what standard this would be done.
There was discussion that criminal background checks could be done to determine any type of
molestation or child abuse in an individual’s background. Councilmember Everett said the City should
come up with something that would be fair and equitable. City Attorney Bill Blue suggested
contacting other communities to see what they do and get a copy of what they have (policy).

AGENDA ITEM 6(G)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS MONTHLY FINANCIAL

REPORT.

Mr. Brynes briefly reviewed portions of the June financial report. There was some discussion of
increasing overtime work. Councilmember Everett said he would like to see efficiency increased in all
departments rather than requesting over time. Councilmember Everett how efficiency could be
increased. Director of Public Works Barney Johnson said the City could stop tearing down the old
Page 6, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

buildings on U. S. 19. Mr. Brynes said this work could be put on hold for a while. Councilmember
Everett said the City had made a commitment to clean up and tear down the old buildings but did not
commit to a specific time to get it done. Councilmember Everett said he would propose for the City
Manager and Director of Public Works to look at how the City could get the most for what it is paying
for—looking for more efficiency versus more money.

Councilmember Scott said the Council should decide if City public works employees should stop
tearing down the buildings and pickup the trash or just keep tearing down the buildings. Mr. Johnson
said the old gas station at the corner of U. S. 19 and Highway 98 was scheduled to be torn down the
next day. Mr. Brynes said the City could put this on hold and pick up trash instead. It was briefly
noted this building had been donated to a church. Councilmember Alexander requested the City not
tear down this building until he has a chance to speak to the church about it. The question was asked
how many buildings the City proposes to tear down. Mr. Johnson told the Council one property owner
has 20 houses he wants torn down and has proposed that the City tear them all down.

Mr. Blue commented, to a certain extent, is this something the Council needs to offer that much
direction on. Mr. Blue said it is known there are conflicting priorities to extend. Mr. Blue suggested
the Council could rely on staff to determine the priorities. Councilmember Everett said, not to take
decisions away from the staff, but when citizens come before the Council with concerns they have to
be addressed. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the City stop tearing
down buildings on U. S. 19 and begin picking up trash throughout the City for some time.

AGENDA ITEM (7)…CITY MANAGER.

No additional discussion at this time.

AGENDA ITEM (8)…DEPARTMENT HEADS.

Director of Public Works Barney Johnson told the Council he had received a request for a street light at
the City Park in the parking area. It was the consensus of the Council that a streetlight be installed as
requested.

Councilmember Alexander said he thinks additional street lights need to be installed at each end of the
Gerald Walker Park (formerly Jerkins Park) also. Councilmembers agreed that two lights be installed
at this park. Councilmember Scott also mentioned the need for lighting at Loughridge Park.

Mayor Frith then acknowledged Mr. Jack Scott to address the Council. Mr. Scott, who serves on the
City’s Construction Industry Licensing Board, relayed instances of the members of this Board not
being informed when the City issues permits to contractors. After a bit of discussion, Mr. Scott said
just wants the Board to be notified when the City hires contractors. Mayor Frith said Director of
Public Works could send the Board a memo each time a contractor is hired by the City.
Page 7, July 23, 2002, Council Minutes – Regular Session

AGENDA ITEM (9)…CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS.

Councilmember Scott informed Mr. Johnson of a big hole in Baker Street behind Citizens Bank and
another in the area of Jones and Arthur behind the Buckeye Federal Employees Credit Union.

Councilmember Alexander asked for cleanup in the area of Sandra Street and requested the police
department’s speed indicator sign be placed in this area also. Councilmember Everett requested a
weed cleanup letter be sent to the property owner of a vacant lot at Campbell and Church Street.

Mayor Frith said he had received a complaint from an individual about chickens running loose on his
property and asked Director of Community Development Billy LaValle to check on this situation.
Mayor Frith said also behind this area, there are several vehicles without license plates.

AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 7:55 p. m.

ATTEST:

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

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date