City Commission Meeting Summary - January 9, 2008
The City Commission met in regular session and took the following action:
Item 1 – Received a Power Point presentation update, presented by Ms. Cynthia Barber, Director of Utility Business and Customer Services, on the City's Green Program; and accepted the presentation of the City of Tallahassee's Green City Certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition, presented by Ms. Suzanne Cook, Executive Director of the FGBC
Item 2 – Received a Power Point presentation progress report, presented by Ms. Peggy Brady, Executive Director of the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), regarding the Arts on Gaines Project, including a summary of the results of a survey conducted by COCA and Artspace Projects Inc., for the purpose of determining the level of interest among artists and art related businesses in the proposed Gaines Street Project
Ms. Brady announced that representatives of Artspace would be in Tallahassee for a press conference on January 22, 2008, at 10 a.m., at the top of the Capitol Building, and would be available January 22-23, 2008, to meet with individuals on this issue.
The Commission acknowledged the need to at some point make a decision on the site and financial commitment of the City to the Arts on Gaines Project.
Item 3 – Mayor Marks presented a proclamation recognizing the City of Tallahassee Electric Utility's Arvah B. Hopkins Power Plant employees for an exceptional safety achievement milestone.
The Commission recognized and applauded members of the Hopkins Plant Safety Committee.
Items 4-9 – Voted 5-0 to approve the staff's recommendations presented in Consent Agenda Items 4-9, taking the following action:
Item 4 – Approved the purchase of the replacement fuel oil transfer pumps (RFQ #0043-08-RM-QP) to Hudson Pump and Equipment, sole bidder meeting specifications, in an amount not to exceed $74,020 (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 5 – Approved the purchase of required operational spare parts for the Fisher Control Valves, necessary for the Hopkins Unit 2 Repowering Project, from Key Controls, sole provider, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 6 – Approved the purchase of six Electric Utility replacement vehicles from Ward International, pursuant to Contract #1285, consisting of six (6) 2008 International 7300 SBA 4x2 chassis, at a cost of $67,040.51 each, for a total amount of $402,243.06; and six (6) bodies and 40-foot squirt booms from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, for a total amount of $83,313 – the total cost for each vehicle being $150,353.51, for a grand total of $902,121.06 (as recommended by Fleet)
Item 7 – Approved the purchase of four Electric Utility replacement vehicles, totaling $879,832.56, including a total purchase of $417,303.24 from Ward International, and a total of $462,529.32 from Terex Utilities, as follows (as recommended by Fleet):
From Ward International, pursuant to Contract #1285, two (2) International 7400 SFA 4x4 65-foot Bucket Truck chassis, at a cost of $104,501.76 each, with the two (2) bodies purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, at a cost of $118,963.88 each, for a total cost per vehicle of $223,465.64
From Ward International, pursuant to Contract #1285, two (2) International 2574 6x4 Bucket Truck chassis, at a cost of $104,149.86 each, with the two (2) bodies purchased from Terex Utilities, pursuant to Contract #1555, at a cost of $112,300.78, for a total cost per vehicle of $216,450.64
Item 8 – Approved the Murphy Oil #6913 subdivision plat, containing 0.68 acres, bounded on the north, east and west by the remaining part of Lot 1 of Bull Run PUD Lot 9, and on the south by Kerry Forest Parkway, planned for development as a single commercial lot by Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, with Roy Covert as its representative (recommended by Public Works/Engineering)
Item 9 – Approved Change Order No. 4, in the amount of $15,694.91, to Contract #1203 with Sawcross, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, to install additional electrical equipment and complete the installation of iron/manganese treatment facilities at Well 26, for a contract total of $2,732,622.10 (Option 1 as recommended by Water Utility)
Item 10 – Concurred in approving a request, presented by Commissioner Gillum, to partner with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) in hosting a delegation from Japan to Tallahassee from January 20 through January 24, 2008, which would involve guidance and assistance from in-house contacts; meeting with the Mayor and Commission during their dinner break at the January 23, 2008, Commission meeting; meeting with various departmental leaders and/or tours of Hopkins Power Plant and Fire Department; and providing transportation service (two 15-passenger vans) through the City's Fleet, and Parks and Recreation Departments
Commissioner Gillum requested that individual Commissioners advise him if they were interested in further involvement in hosting this delegation.
Items 11-13 – By consensus, introduced Ordinances Nos. 08-O-04, 08-Z-01 and 08-Z-02, as presented:
Item 11 was the introduction of Land Development Code Amendment Ordinance No. 08-O-04, which would amend the development standards in Section 10-253 Office Residential (OR-3) zoning district by changing the general intent of the district to reflect the updated Comprehensive Plan and to allow uses listed in the C-2 district in the first floor of a multi-story building containing office and/or residential uses above the first floor, and set the ordinance for two public hearings to be held on January 23 and February 27, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 12 was the introduction of Harmony Oaks Planned Unit Development (PUD) Rezoning Ordinance No. 08-Z-01, which would rezone a 17.32-acre parcel, located at the northwest corner of Crawfordville Highway and Whittaker Road, from the R-3 (Single Family and Two-Family Residential) and MH (Manufactured Home Park) zoning district to the Harmony Oaks PUD zoning district (PRZ 070028) (applicant: Bricey A. Moody; agent: GPI Southeast, Inc.), and set the ordinance for public hearing on January 23, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 13 was the introduction of Heritage Oaks PUD Rezoning Ordinance No. 08-Z-02, which would rezone a 5.79-acre parcel, located on the southeast side of Shannon Lakes West directly across from the intersection of Kerry Forest Parkway and Shannon Lakes West, from the 0R-2 (Office Residential 2) zoning district to the Heritage Oaks PUD zoning district (PRZ 070027) (Heritage Oaks Senior Housing, LLC; agent: Poole Engineering & Surveying, Inc.), and set the ordinance for public hearing on January 23, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 14 – Received a Power Point presentation from Ms. Lynn Putnam, Water Utilities, on the status of central sewer extensions and septic tank retrofits within the Urban Services Area (USA)
Voted 5-0 to direct the staff to provide specific recommendations based on Commission feedback on a plan to address these issues at the Commission's March Target Issue Workshop (Option 1 as recommended by Water Utility)
Commissioner Lightsey offered some suggestions for additional information to be provided, including 1) whether the Health Department has a process in place so that companies understand the need to report on septic tank pump-outs and repairs to that department; 2) to compare with the City's existing septic tank retrofit projects, provide identification of the number and location of all existing septic tanks within the LAVA areas, identification of the number and location of all existing septic tanks within a specified number of feet of natural water bodies, and an overlay on the Wakulla Springs contributing area showing existing septic tanks – inclusive of Leon and Wakulla Counties; and 3) consider the management entity as a potential revenue stream to fund capital projects.
Item 15 – Discussed a proposed Fixed Based Operator (FBO) agreement with Eagle Aircraft Group, LLC, to provide a full service FBO facility at the Tallahassee Regional Airport
Voted 3-2 (Commissioners Marks and Lightsey opposed) to authorize staff to execute the Amended and Restated Airport Construction and Lease Agreement between the City of Tallahassee and Eagle amended to include language provided by the City Attorney that would change the construction schedule to allow an interim fueling operation upon commencement of construction of the fuel farm facilities to be completed by an agreed upon date (Option 2 brought forward by Aviation, and amended)
Item 16 – Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 08-R-01, approving Comcast Cablevision's maximum permitted rates for basic tier service, installation service and rental fees for 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Utility Business & Customer Service)
Item 17 – Voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of overhead structures for the Eastern Transmission Line, Phase I from the following low bidders meeting specifications, and authorize the City Manager to approve change orders in an amount not to exceed 25% of the initial purchase orders (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility):
- Transamerican Power Products, in the amount of $1,616,773.20, for the steel structures
- Valmont Industries, in the amount of $991,366.76, for the concrete and hybrid structures
Item 18 – Voted 4-1 (Commissioner Katz opposed) to approve the extension of the end date for TEC and Southern Power to complete the assignment of the purchase and sale agreements to April 15, 2008, and authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents needed to facilitate this extension (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Unagendaed Business
Mayor Marks thanked Mr. Alan Williams, the Mayor's former Aide, for his service to the City and the people of Tallahassee, and the Commission wished Mr. Williams well in his future endeavors.
The Commission recognized Mr. Sam Davis on his retirement from 24 years of City employment, leaving his position as General Manager of the City's Gas Utility to be General Manager of the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District in Central Florida. The Commission thanked Mr. Davis for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Commissioner Mustian recognized and welcomed two Eagle Scouts in the audience -- Knox Culpepper and Preston Wilson.
Commissioner Katz announced the International Council for Local Government Initiatives would be meeting in Tallahassee on March 27, 2008, to attempt to get a commitment from as many local governments and public institutions as possible to become involved in understanding the impacts of carbon footprints.
Unagendaed Speakers
Mr. O. C. Allen, 2509 Limerick Drive, appeared before the Commission relative to Item 18, requesting an opportunity to have his proposal considered for assignment of the TEC land.
Mr. Mac Langston, 8845 Glen Abby Drive, representing Flightline, appeared before the Commission and expressed concern with the Commission action taken regarding Item 15 and how it would impact the Flightline FBO at the Airport.
Target Issue Updates
Financial Viability –
Commissioner Mustian gave a brief report on the staff's analysis of the potential adverse financial impacts of the current Legislative tax reform initiative on City government. He also reported that the School Crossing Guard funding issue had been discussed and staff had been directed to provide an analysis of potentially implementing a parking fines surcharge to cover part of the cost, and to prepare a letter asking that the School Board sponsor a volunteer program to provide part of the cost of this service.
Environmental and Energy Resources –
Mayor Marks gave a brief presentation on City initiatives, including Green City Certification, providing developer incentives for build green buildings, and the demand side management (DSM)/automated meter infrastructure.
Commissioner Lightsey reported on discussions relative to providing watershed/springshed protection though land use controls, and on the stormwater and wastewater program. She advised that the role of local government would be discussed at the next watershed meeting to be held in the next two-three weeks.
City Commission Information and Sharing of Ideas
Mayor Marks suggested the need for some discussion on the Legislative Tax Reform issue being presented on the January 29th ballot, and the Commission concurred to discuss this at the Commission Retreat scheduled for the following day.
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