022289-First Shiloh Baptist Chu MINUTES
City Commission, sanft~rd, Florida
February 22
Members of
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 700 Elm Avenue, Sanford, Florida, at
on February 22, 1989.
Present:
the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met at the First
7:10 o'clock P.M.
Mayor-Commissioner Bettye D. Smith
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Robert B. Thomas
City Attorney William L. Colbert
City Clerk Janet R. Donahoe ~
Absent: Commissioner A. A. McClanahan
Commissioner Lon Howell
City Manager Frank A. Faison
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, who announced that Reverend
Rucker had asked for the meeting to provide citizens an opportunity to voice concerns and
to hear from the City of Sanford.
Mayor Smith gave an overview of the City and how it operates, including the
Council/Manager form of government, the seven city departments, and the 18 volunteer boards
and committees.
Police Chief Harriett gave an overview of the Sanford Police Department, its
budget, people, and how it operates. He reported that combating the drug problem is the
Police Department's No. 1 priority, and that thievery, burglary and robbery are many times
drug-related.
Fire Chief Hickson gave an overview of the Sanford Fire Department, its budget,
and how it operates. He reported that the three main areas the Fire Department handles are
Fire Fighting, EMS/Rescue Services (80% of the Fire Department's runs), and Inspection
Services.
Commissioner Thomas reviewed his concerns about the City's youth, and the lack of
recreational facilities. He reported the need for a YMCA or Boy's Club, and stated such an
endeavor will need a monetary commitment.
Jeff Monson, Recreation Supervisor, Sanford Parks and Recreation Department, gave
an overview of the City's Parks and Recreation Department and recreation programs, and
reported there is a need for a community center to include a gymnasium, pool tables, and
other recreational equipment.
City Attorney Colbert reported he has been City Attorney since January, 1981, and
gave an overview of what his office does, including court trials, attend the City
Commission's Regular Meetings, prepare ordinances and resolutions, review contracts, and
give advice to City Staff, City Commissioners, and advisory boards.
Commissioner Eckstein reported he has taught school in Seminole County for 20
years, and he feels children are too materialistic, and their job should be to go to school
and learn, not to make money.
Sister Alfreda Wallace appeared and asked about the status of Community
Development Block Grants for the Georgetown area and for the Goldsboro area, and the status
of the WINS Project.
Mayor Smith reported that the CDBG funds for the Georgetown area have been
expended, and the City is trying to obtain more funds through a Small Cities Block Grant,
further, some of the CDBG funds are being used for drainage improvements. The Mayor also
MINU ES
City Commission, Sanford, Florida
February 22
89
concurrence on the proposed tax increment financing for the WINS Project; the City has
asked, the County has not responded. The Mayor asked Sister Wallace to come to City Hall
so that Staff could share maps and documents with her and explain the programs more fully.
Alexander C. Winn, III, appeared and reported that blacks in the Sanford area are
overlooked in a lot of things, there should be alternative programs to keep kids in school,
and that EMH kids do not have emotional problems, they have behavior problems.
Ollie Williams appeared and stated he lives in Goldsboro, and is concerned about
the length of time the condemnation/demolition process takes, and that Cypress Avenue
needs resurfacing.
Bernard D. Mitchell appeared and reported that roads and sidewalks in the Cypress
Avenue area of Georgetown are torn up, and the neighborhood needs to be cleaned up. He
reported city crews mow and edge the sidewalks in other areas of the City. Further, the
"open container" law is not enforced, he wants the alleys cleaned, and a sidewalk is needed
on Celery Avenue for Washington Oaks residents to walk to Hamilton Elementary School.
Reverend Rucker spoke about the City's diverse cultural background, the need for
police substations in high drug areas, the need for mandatory garbage pickup, asked for
Martin Luther King's Birthday to be designated a legal city holiday, and asked Mayor Smith
to explain why she voted against a recount of the December 20, 1988 Run-Off Election
ballots.
Mayor Smith reported that the request to designate Martin Luther King's Birthday a
legal city holiday will be addressed at Budget Work Sessions for the 1990 Budget.
Mayor Smith reported she voted against the motion to authorize a manual recount of
the December 20, 1988 Run-Off Election ballots, because Florida Statutes require recounts
to be performed in the same manner that original counts are performed, and the City uses a
computer. Also, a manual recount would have forced people to make decisions on whether or
not ballots were properly cast, and the computer does this using certain established
criteria. The Mayor further repo~ted that she would have voted in favor of a machine
recount.
The City Attorney explained the election procedures, including the requirements of
Florida Statutes.
Ms. Velma Mitchell appeared and stated she understands that on several occasions
statements have been made about black people not paying enough tax and that is one of the
reasons why money is not being spent to make repairs.
The Mayor responded that she has not made any such statement, would not condone
such a statement, and that is not the City's policy. Further, that the only reference to
taxes she has made has been in relation to the proposed Tax Increment Financing for the
WINS Project.
Commissioner Thomas reported that such a statement had been made approximately 20
years ago, by a prior City Manager.
Ms. Rosie Moseley appeared, stated she lives on Sanford Avenue, and asked what is
being done to enforce the noise limits.
Commissioner Thomas responded that he, too, has asked Staff to see what can be
MINUTES
City Commission, Sanford, Florida
Febz~ary 22
Sal Tortorici appeared, stated he lives in the Hidden Lake Subdivision, and asked
~hat the City maintain the entranceway to Hidden Lake Subdivision by cutting the grass, and
asked for "No Littering - Violators Will Be Prosecuted" signs to be placed there.
The Mayor suggested that Mr. Tortorici organize the neighborhood residents to keep
the area mowed and cleaned.
Cliff Romulett appeared, stated he lives in Academy Manor next to the basketball
courts, and reported non-professional basketball players throw basketballs against his
property.
Alexander Winn appeared, commended the Police Chief for working with the Housing
Authority, and reported he will help obtain a petition supporting funding of a police unit
in the Housing Authority. Further, he
Westside Recreation Center and at the
Gardens.
asked for installation of lighting behind the
end of Sixth Street where it dead-ends by Seminole
Sandra Gaines appeared and reported she
conditions in the cemetery.
The Police Chief reported the Police
is concerned about satanism and unkempt
Department checks out all complaints about
satanism, and has found none to actually be satanism.
Reverend Rucker reported that the cemetery lots are owned by individual families,
and the people need to get together to clean the cemetery and keep it cleaned.
Reverend Rucker thanked everyone for attending, and the meeting was adjourned.
Attest:
City Clerk
5
19 89