HomeMy WebLinkAbout010811 Open Forum Mayor Elect Jeff Triplett, Commissioner Elect Mark M and the
three continuing members of the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in
Open Forum on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 10 AM, in the City Commission Chambers,
City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Elect Jeff Triplett
Commissioner Elect Mark M
Commissioner Velma Williams
Commissioner Randy Jones
Commissioner Patty Mahany
Interim City Manager Tom George
City Clerk Janet Dougherty
Deputy City Clerk Cynthia Porter
Absent: City Attorney William L. Colbert
Mayor Elect Triplett opened the meeting at 10:07 AM.
Each Commissioner gave their District presentation with an overview
of their thoughts, concerns, goals and objectives /desires for the upcoming year(s) for
their district and the City as a whole.
District 4 Commissioner Patty Mahany's goals include hiring the right
Police Chief; hiring the right City Manager; dealing with the police pension problem;
and getting resolution to the constant problems at the WSI facility on North White
Cedar Road. She also wants to work with Amtrak and light rail to get an Amtrak
platform along with the light rail; to continue to work with Trace Trylko and
SACSON to help the homeless; to look at lowering impact fees to try to encourage
development; and to get a grocery store downtown using the CVS building for that
purpose.
In her district, Commissioner Mahany would like to work this year on
drainage problems in Hidden Lake and Idyllwilde and a reclaimed water situation in
the area of Greystone Apartments and Calabria Cove.
District 3 Commissioner Randy Jones expressed concern that every
year the State Legislature issues mandates (mostly and largely unfunded) which will
ultimately cost the tax payers money. The pension plan needs to be dealt with. The
main issue in his district is maintaining what it has; pipes are 50 — 60 years old; and
there are some drainage issues. The recycling facility on White Cedar Road will
probably need to be discussed exclusively at a work session, sooner than later.
District 2 Commissioner Velma Williams said that goals for her
district include a comprehensive study for the redevelopment and rehabilitation of
depressed communities, a study which can be used as a pilot and replicated in other
districts also; infrastructure improvements on Lake Avenue and a phase 2
landscaping program that would extend from 13 Street and Lake Avenue down to
20 Street that will encompass having lamp posts, landscaping, and resurfacing of
that street; a phase 3 landscaping project that would extend from 13 Street to
Persimmon Avenue or possibly down to Crooms Academy (partnering with
Seminole County); a phase 4 landscaping project from 13 Street north passing the
Boys and Girls Club and down to the Amtrak station; give serious consideration to
housing and rehabilitation in District 2; join with the Sanford Housing Authority and
HUD and adopt a commitment that affordable housing will be provided, with
consideration given to the use of NSP funds to support and work with the SHA; visit
the possibility of 13 Street being a CRA district; job creation and developing a
partnership with the Workforce program to help with the employment reconnect
program; consider utilizing the City owned property on 13 Street across from the
Public Safety Complex to build a community park; consider renaming 13 Street to
Goldsboro Avenue; consider renaming Lake Avenue to Clark Street; consider
resurfacing and repairing sidewalks; and consider getting an advisory team for
District 2. She also asked that District 2 receive its share of CDBG grant funds; and
that the City should come up with a plan for economic development around the areas
of the auto train and commuter rail.
Commissioner Williams' overall City goals include teams of
ambassadors to address the homeless, to develop a better relationship with the
business sector, to work with the youth, and drug rehabilitation; selection of a Police
Chief and a City Manager; a comprehensive study of depressed areas; revisit the role
of the Civil Service Board; revisit how the economic development budget is spent to
best meet the needs of the citizens of Sanford; look at a model for equally sharing
information with Commissioners; look at a redistricting plan as a result of the 2010
census; and the need for a youth council with representation from all districts. She
asked the Commission to be committed to the Sanford Housing Authority and be
willing to take a bus tour of the Orlando Housing Authority to see the
transformations there to see the potential of what can be done. There are budget
challenges and the pension plan needs to be revisited. Also, there is a need to come
up with a comprehensive plan to address the homeless problem and develop a
comprehensive community policing program. She feels that there needs to be an
independent outside investigation of the police department. A Human Relations
Commission is needed. She supports the position being taken on the recycling
facility. She suggested that research be initiated about installing bullet proof glass
on the dias and an exit door at the back of the dias.
Mayor Elect Triplett recessed the meeting for a short break and
reconvened the meeting. Mr. George passed around a sign in sheet.
District 1 Commissioner Elect Mark M said that he contacted
Commissioner Woodruff and Mayor Kuhn about any unfinished business and it was
suggested that work continue on Hopper Academy, the Georgetown Plan, pension
plan, a reserve account to hold funds, and the Riverwalk Phase II extension. The
items previously addressed are all good items. Property levels have gone down and
the base has gone down and we don't have funds. How do we get the values back
up? And how long will it take?
He quoted William Ward who sums up what he wants to do as a
Commissioner, "Our words reveal our thoughts and our manners mirror our
character and our habits predict our future." Our future needs to go forward. We
need to change the habits that have been in Sanford for too many years.
Mr. M gave a power point presentation regarding streetcars and
discussed the light rail and the potential for them to bring property values back up.
It's a bold move but even if it never materializes at least people will think about
Sanford in a positive and constructive way that enhances the historical district.
Citizen comments and concerns include: disclosure of Schedule S
requirements, with a deed restriction that makes notification part of the closing
documents; the need for a public information officer; proactive versus reactive code
enforcement; stronger follow - through with code enforcement; noise level in City
limits (The Barn); petty theft items taken to all the pawn shops (get rid of pawn
shops); a 4 -way Stop at 10 and South Laurel — speeding trucks in residential area;
safer neighborhoods — more police patrol; reduce crime; more sidewalks and gutters
in Georgetown; public relations campaign to enhance City image; do infill of
reclaimed water; create a significant consequence for property owners who demolish
a building without a Certificate of Occupancy in the historic district; public safety —
initiate a project to install street lighting throughout Sanford (similar to a sidewalk
installation multi -year plan so all neighborhoods are well lit); have clear, measurable
goals for the City and a yearly performance discussion to review progress on the
goals; Police Department; regulating the bars in downtown Sanford; enforcing the
preservation codes; restore public access to Marina Island; amend the comprehensive
plan and rezone Ft. Mellon Park to public use; diverse City Department Heads; Staff
action — accountability — accomplishments; affordable housing; economic
development; infrastructure improvements; form a Civilian Review Board modeled
after the S.C.S.O. CRB; the repeal of Brian Tooley's pension; a full review of the
Sherman More Cover -ups on behalf of S.P.D.; Police Chief & City Manager Hiring;
business development/attraction; property values versus other areas of Seminole
County; secure and support the Sun Rail Project; decentralize homeless solutions —
Sanford has its unfair share; a youth council; write an ordinance dealing with sign
twirlers — this is advertising (mobile ?) but not a first amendment right; discuss a
panhandling ordinance; Hopper Academy; RiverWalk extension — West & East; do
not create dozens of new committees — find existing one to address relevant issues;
citizens confidence with police department direction; youth programs — addition of
soccer, etc. at Fort Mellon Park and other parks; and a marketing plan.
Mayor Elect Triplett's long term goals include a 5 year (minimum)
strategic plan; public information relations is vital for the positive image of Sanford;
13 Street corridor strategic plan for restoration and rejuvenation of that corridor;
and work hand in hand with the Sanford Housing Authority. His short term goals
include the budget process including true projections of revenues and expenses;
creation of a Financial Assessment and Stabilization Team (FAST) for community
input into the budgetary process; the creation of his Mayor's Council which will
include input from each district; and the City Manager selection will be at the
forefront.
Mayor Elect Triplett thanked everyone for attending, recognized City
Staff, and adjourned the meeting at 1:09 PM.