City Commission Meeting Summary - May 14, 2008
The City Commission met in regular session and took the following action:
Item 1 - Mayor Marks presented a proclamation proclaiming May 2008 as National Exercise and Fitness Month in the City of Tallahassee to:
- Dr. Bahram Arjmandi, Professor and Chair, FSU Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences (not present);
- Dr. Sara Chelland Campbell, Postdoctoral Fellow, FSU Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences;
- Dr. Don Rapp, retired FSU Professor and Author, and appointee to Governors Council on Physical Activity; and
- Ms. Randy Baez, Zumba Instructor and health advocate from Zumbajunkie
Item 2 - Mayor Marks presented a proclamation proclaiming May 18-24, 2008, as National Public Works Week in the City of Tallahassee to Public Works Director Gabriel Menendez and Mr. Jon Yarbrough, representing the American Public Works Association Big Bend Branch.
Item 3 - Mr. John Barrios, of the International Accreditation Service Board of Directors, congratulated the City's staff on their achievement and presented the City of Tallahassee's Building Inspection Division's accreditation to Mayor Marks, Director of Growth Management Bob Herman, Building Official Ronnie Spooner, and Deputy Building Official Glen Dodson.
Mayor Marks and the Commission recognized and congratulated the staff members on their achievement, and Mayor Marks directed his staff to send an announcement of this achievement to the Florida League of Cities (FLC).
Also, recognized and congratulated Growth Management employees Karen Jumonville, Land Use and Environmental Services Administrator, and Doug Moore, Business Unit Systems and Applications Coordinator, for the recent recognition from the University of North Carolina in naming the City of Tallahassee Growth Management Department as one of the top three growth management departments in the country
Items 4-7 and 9-13 - Voted 5-0 to approve the staff's recommendations presented in Consent Agenda Items 4-7 and 9-13, taking the following action:
Item 4 - Approved a purchase order to McHale and Associates, in an amount not to exceed $84,500, for the Hopkins Unit 2 Repowering Project required performance testing of the combustion turbine generator (CTG) and the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG); and authorized the City manager to approve up to an additional $50,000 if needed (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 5 - Approved the award of a three-year term contract for the reconditioning and maintenance services of the Power Plant circuit breakers (IFB #0074-08-RM-BC) to Tampa Armature Works (TAW Lakeland Service Center), low bidder meeting specifications, and authorized staff to enter into a contract for a period of three years from the date the contract is fully executed at a total estimated cost of $225,000 (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 6 - Authorized a supplemental appropriation to the Substation BP-3 Reconstruction Project #05114, in the amount of $329,686, from available Electric Utility Bond Fund balances, for a revised total project appropriation of $7,071,924; also, approved a change order, in the amount of $29,686, to Purchase Order #0001012391 with Central Electric Manufacturing Company for metalclad switchgear and bus duct, for a revised total purchase order amount of $553,502 (Option 1 as recommended by Electric Utility)
Item 7 - Approved the recommended ranking submitted by the selection committee and authorized staff to negotiate and execute a contract with the top-ranked firm, URS Corporation, for the pre-construction services programming and design of the Fleet Management Biodiesel Processing Facility, in an amount not to exceed $180,000; and should negotiations with the top-ranked firm not be successful, authorized staff to negotiate with the next ranked firm, WRScompass, and so on until an acceptable agreement is reached (Option 1 as recommended by Fleet Management)
Item 8 - PULLED FROM CONSENT FOR DISCUSSION a request to approve the purchase of ten (10) replacement police patrol vehicles (brought forward by Fleet Management)
Item 9 - Approved change of scope Change Order No. 19, to construct improvements required by the FMS Property Interests v. City of Tallahassee, Case No. 02-CA-2894, Leon County Circuit Court Settlement Agreement, in the amount of $500,700.60, to Construction Contract No. 1229 with Sandco Inc. for the Welaunee Boulevard Phase II Project, from Buford Boulevard to Fleischmann Road (Option 1 as recommended by Public Works)
Item 10 - Approved Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $128,723.50, for project modifications addressing storm drain pipe replacement, water main adjustments and replacement of unsuitable soils, to the construction contract with M of Tallahassee, Inc., Contract No. 1684, for the Governor's Square Boulevard Widening Project from Reece Park Lane to Blair Stone Road, for a revised total contract amount of $1,046,688.20 (Option 1 as recommended by Public Works)
Item 11 - Approved a 120-Day Odor Control Pilot Study with Premier Chemicals, LCC, at an estimated cost of $110,700, using magnesium hydroxide, THIOGUARD, to determine its effectiveness versus the current sole sourced product calcium nitrate, BIOXIDE, supplied by Siemens Water Technologies - with the current BIOXIDE feed system to be turned off during the pilot study, resulting in the study being cost neutral (Option 1 as recommended by Underground Utilities)
Item 12 - Approved the award of a contract for sewer construction within Ox Bottom manor and Summerbrooke Subdivisions (Bid #0080-08-VA-BP) to Jimmy Crowder Excavating and Land Clearing, Inc. of Tallahassee, Florida, low bidder meeting specifications, in the amount of $1,059,788; also, authorized the City Manager to authorize non-scope change orders up to $200,000 for contingencies (Option 1 as recommended by Underground Utilities)
Item 13 - Approved the minutes of the following City Commission meetings, as distributed (as recommended by the City Treasurer-Clerk/Records Management):
- March 11, 2008 - Special Meeting (Joint Comp Plan Public Hearing)
- April 9, 2008 - Special Budget Workshop
- April 9, 2008 - Regular Meeting
Item 8, pulled from Consent - Voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of ten (10) 2008 Chevrolet Impala replacement police patrol vehicles from Garber Buick Pontiac GMC Trucks, Inc., pursuant to Florida Sheriffs Association Contract #07-15-0827, for a price of $17,866 each, to be painted with City of Tallahassee colors at a cost of $503.50 each; and with the purchase and installation of emergency equipment from Dana Safety Supply, through City Contract #1489, for a price of $7,310.42 each, for a final cost per vehicle of $25,679.92, totaling $256,799.20 for the 10 vehicles (Option 1 as recommended by Fleet Management)
Confirmed that the staff was closely monitoring the need to purchase new vehicles, and requested that staff provide information on the criteria used for replacing vehicles
Item 13.1 - Received an update from Commissioner Gillum on Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) contract negotiations with the Board of Leon County Commissioners
Items 14-19 - By consensus, the Commission introduced Ordinances Nos. 08-O-28, 08-O-19, 08-Z-20, 08-O-34, 08-O-37 and 08-O-38, and set the ordinances for public hearings as recommended:
Item 14 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-O-28, which would provide for the voluntary annexation of approximately six (6) acres located on three parcels on Capital Circle Southeast and Monday Road, as petitioned by the owner, Ronald R. Kelly, of Kelly Brothers Sheet Metal, Inc., set for public hearing on the ordinance for May 28, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by the Office of the Mayor).
Item 15 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-O-19, which would implement the Providence Neighborhood Overlay (PNO) to properties zoned Central Urban within the Providence Neighborhood, and limit allowed uses within the PNO, set for public hearings on May 28 and July 9, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 16 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-Z-20, which would rezone the Providence Neighborhood from CU Central Urban to CU-18 Central Urban 18 and CU-45 Central Urban 45, set for public hearings on May 28 and July 9, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 17 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-O-34, which would abandon an approximate 150-foot paved portion of Genevieve Park Drive right-of-way, measured from the easterly edge of the Brush Hill Road right-of-way, set for public hearing on May 28, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by Planning).
Item 18 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-O-37, which would create a $2.00 parking violation surcharge that would be dedicated to the School Crossing Guard Program, set for public hearing on May 28, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by the Department of Management & Administration [DMA]).
Item 19 was the introduction of Ordinance No. 08-O-38, which would create a $2.00 traffic violation surcharge that would go to the City's general fund, set for public hearing on May 28, 2008 (Option 1 as recommended by the Department of Management & Administration [DMA]).
Item 20 - Voted 5-0 to authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute necessary agreements, supporting documents, and schedules with Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) Company, Phase VIII, to secure additional pipeline capacity for the firm transportation of natural gas to the City for a 25-year period commencing April 1, 2011, at a negotiated rate (Option 1 as recommended by Energy Services)
Item 21 - Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 08-R-18, authorizing the City Manager to execute Spot Gas Sales Contracts and related addenda to supplier contracts, with such revisions as may be acceptable to the City Attorney, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Participant Addendum -- allowing the City Manager to authorize the purchase of natural gas volumes under these agreements, consistent with the Energy Risk Management Policies and Procedures (ERMPP), while any proposal to purchase natural gas volumes in excess of ERMPP limits would be brought before the City Commission for approval, reliably providing natural gas supplies to the Electric and Gas Utilities at a considerable discount (Option 1 as recommended by Energy Services)
Item 22 - Received a Power Point presentation on the FAMU Way Extension Alternative Roadway Concepts, and requested additional information on the alternatives
Voted 5-0 to accept the report on the progress of the FAMU Way Extension Preliminary Engineering Study as submitted and authorize the commencement of the Public Involvement Phase (Option 1 as recommended by Public Works)
Mr. Jim Sullivan, Vice President of Genesis Group, appeared before the Commission relative to this item.
Item 23 - Voted 5-0 to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute amendments to the Florida State University (FSU) "Seminole Express" and "Night Nole" agreements, reflecting changes in the City's transit system service and providing additional annual net revenues of approximately $180,000 (Option 1 as recommended by StarMetro)
Item 24 - Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 08-R-28, ratifying, approving and confirming the April 1, 2008, execution of the NAESB Base Contract for the Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas and Special Provisions to the NAESB Base Contract (Option 1 as recommended by the City Attorney)
Commissioner Lightsey requested that the staff consider treating the gas for the City Fleet as a commodity so as to provide some cost savings for the City.
Target Issue Committee Updates
Long Range Planning
Commissioner Gillum reported that he and Commissioner Lightsey, as the Long Range Planning Target Issue Committee, and had reviewed Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Affordability and Workforce Grant funding applications, which would be presented to the CRA Board on May 19, 2008. He stated that consideration was being given to how the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance might be adjusted to provide greater flexibility for developers to achieve variations in the housing development, a minor change to the City's Permanent Relocation Policies, and modifications to the Land Development Code regarding General Permit requirements for streets and drainage.
Commissioner Gillum also congratulated Mr. Ron Garrison and the StarMetro staff on the 80th Express Route between Downtown and Southwood on a current low daily ridership of 400 and high daily ridership of 800. He reported that StarMetro staff were working on new transit development projects including a Downtown Circulator, a Gadsden County Express Bus, a dedicated transit lane, development of super stops within the proposed multimodal system transportation district, and he suggested that the Commission would need to address the issue of StarMetro overtime. Commissioner Gillum also advised that StarMetro would be bringing a request to the Commission for authorization for a Regional Transit Authority Study, which would also include the structure of existing bus routes as well as remote transfer facilities, and he reported that Mr. Garrison had been successful in obtaining 100% funding for that study from the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $$225,000--$300,000.
Commissioner Gillum also expressed concern with the maintenance of the new extension of Orange Avenue from South Monroe Street to Blair Stone, and he suggested that the Mayor send a letter to the County Chair requesting that the County maintain that roadway while legal issues under dispute were resolved. Mayor Marks indicated he would send the letter and would also bring the matter up at the next Mayor-Chair meeting.
Commissioner Katz requested that the posted bus schedules be lowered to a height that was easy to read.
Commissioner Lightsey advised that the Committee had also encouraged Mr. Garrison work towards shortening the timeframe for the Regional Transit Authority Study.
Mayor Marks observed that with the increasing gas prices, a Regional Transit Authority Study was more urgent and he commended Mr. Garrison for his foresight in obtaining the funds for the study.
Environmental and Energy Resources
Mayor Marks and Commissioner Lightsey reported that the Environmental and Energy Resources Target Issue Committee had completed several major projects, and had directed the staff to provide an analysis of the impact of the recent Energy Bill passed by the Legislature.
Commissioner Lightsey reported that consideration was being given to incentives for green development, which would be brought to the Commission. She also reported on efforts to gain support from all local governments touched by the expanded Wakulla Springs Watershed for consistent land use regulations in the springshed area.
Commissioner Lightsey reported on progress being made on the development of a two-day Wakulla Springs Symposium in the Fall.
Health and Human Services
Commissioner Katz reported that he had met with the Joint Planning Board for the City and County United Way relative to contracting for a Human Services Needs Assessment, providing a joint study of the process of the Community Human Services Plan (CHSP) as well as identification of community priorities. He stated that funds from the FY2007 CHSP Budget were available to help pay for the assessment.
City Commission Information and Sharing of Ideas
Commissioner Lightsey advised that she had emcee'd an awards ceremony for the Florida Heritage Foundation and the Historic Preservation Trust, and was pleased to report that the City of Tallahassee had received recognition and plaques for the restoration of the Los Robles Gate and also the Old City Waterworks. She stated her intent to schedule an item on a future Commission agenda to recognize and show these awards.
Mayor Marks directed his staff to also send notice of these awards to the FLC.
Mayor Marks advised that a report on the recent Legislative Session would be presented to the Commission on May 28, 2008.
Commissioner Katz endorsed the Attorney General's Office conducting an outside investigation of the events leading to Rachel Hoffman's death, including the Tallahassee Police Department's procedures and protocol. He expressed hope that all of the options would be considered to ensure that there would be no recurrence of such a tragedy. The Commission indicated its concurrence.
CTC:RM:ecg:05-20-08