022591-Work Session476
MINUTES
City Commission, Sanford, Florida FEB ,RY 25, 199]
The City Commission of the City of Sanfordt Floridar met in Work Session on Mondayr
February 25, 1991 at 5:12 P.M. in the City Manager's Conference Room, City Hall, Sanford,
Florida.
Present: Mayor-Commissioner Bettye D. Smith
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Robert B. Thomas
Commissioner Lon Howell
Assistant City Attorney Donna McIntosh
City Manager William A. Simmons
City Clerk Janet R. Donahoe
Absent: Commissioner A. A. McClanahan
City Attorney William L. Colbert
The Chairman called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was a presentation by C. David Harris, Neighborhood
Crime Watch, Inc., regarding an informational sign program.
C. David Harris, Neighborhood Crime Watch, Inc., appeared and reported that his
organization proposes to provide the City of Sanford with signs that are paid for by
businesses which lease advertising space on the bottom of said signs, on an annual contract
basis, for approximately $8.00 to $12.00 per month, that there is no cost or obligation to
the City, and that said signs would have whatever message the City deemed necessary., which
would be placed around residential streets and schools at the direction of the Public Works
Department and law enforcement. Further, if the City Commission is interested in such a
program, the City would be required to enter into a contract for a period of three to ten
years, and that his organization would retain the exclusive rights to said signs.
City Manager reported that this type of advertising would be considered off-point
of purchase advertising, which would require a waiver of the City's Land Development
Regulations.
Commissioner Thomas reported that neighborhood watch signs already exist in the
community, and asked Police Chief Steve Harriet for his comments.
Police Chief Steve Harriet reported that the City of Sanford maintains existing
neighborhood watch signs, which were acquired through public contributions, and that said
signs in and of themselves are not a deterrent to crime, but rather a reminder.
Commissioner Howell reported that the signs could be placed in school zones by
service organizations such as the Rotary Club.
The Commission took no action.
The next item of business was a discussion of concerns with the Code Enforcement
Board.
Robert Keith, Chairman, Code Enforcement Board, appeared and reported that since
November, 1990, the Code Enforcement Board has been practically ineffective for various
reasons such as the lack of a fulltime inspector, and board absenteeism, and requested-that
the City Commission approve the services of a fulltime City inspector, and to appoint two
alternates ~to said board. Mr. Keith further stated that said alternates could attend
meetings on a regular basis to observe, and fill a vacancy when needed, that he has informed
the board that if a member has two out of three unexcused absences, he/she shall
automatically be removed from said board. Also, he asked what the Commission expects from
the Code Enforcement Board, and how often the board should meet.
Mayor Smith reported that Code Enforcement Board should meet as often as necessary
to handle pending complaints/violations.
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Ci~ Commission; San~rd, Florida FEBRUARY
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)rought back as a fulltime inspector, that, in his opinion, the Code Enforcement Board became
.neffective when it waived fines regarding the Gates case, and that he would like the board
~o meet once a month.
Mr. Keith reported that some individuals are afraid to make complaints because they
Lave been threatened. Further, the provision for waiving fines was established to give
~onsideration in cases of medical and financial hardship, that such was not the case
'egarding the Gates matter, and that some members of the Code Enforcement Board are opposed
.o levying fines.
Commissioner Eckstein reported that relative to citizens being afraid to call, said
alls could be made anonymously, that Mr. Keith should inform the Commission regarding any
:omplaints, and that a member of the Commission will take care of the problem.
City Manager reported that at the time Staff asked for the replacement of one
.nspector, Staff justified said position based on additional building permits and activity
.n the area, and that he recognized that three inspectors would give greater flexibility to
:taff Code Enforcement Board issues, and asked Building Official Gary Winn for comments.
Gary Winn, Building Official, reported that 95% of Mary Muse's time is directed
trictly to Code Enforcement Board matters, that she has been active in preparing
ondemnation lists, that upon completion of said lists, she will be spending more time in the
ield investigating possible violations, and that the board can expect to see more items on
~he agenda.
Commissioner McClanahan joined the meeting.
Mayor Smith reported that the Commission would like the Code Enforcement Board to
o its job with as even a hand as possible, and that fines are a remedy to make people comply
ith the law.
The consensus of the Commission was to authorize Assistant City Attorney Donna
cIntosh to prepare the proper ordinance to amend City Ordinance No. 1526, to provide for the
ppointment of two alternates to the Code Enforcement Board.
Commissioner McClanahan reported that he would like the record to reflect that he
s unhappy with members of the Code Enforcement Board for waiving fines in the Gates case,
.nd reiterated that he would like resignations from those board member who voted to waive
aid fines.
City Manager reported that relative to Agenda Item #12 regarding consideration of
om Realty, Inc.'s proposed Contract, that City Attorney has reviewed said contract, and will
resent his recommendations at the 7:00 P.M..meeting tonight, to revise language whereby
pecial Warranty Deed would be modified to a General Warranty Deed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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