Public hearings, ordinances, resolutions, the city’s visioning initiative and grants highlighted the Nov. 4, agenda and regular scheduled meeting of the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.
* The Board held two public hearings to garner public input concerning the adoption of the City’s FY 2008/2009 budget and the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR), followed by the adoption of Ordinance No. 2008-06 regarding the budget and Ordinance No. 2008-05 relating to the EAR. Commissioners also approved three resolutions, one supporting the millage rate of 5.96 for FY 2008/2009, another endorsing the nomination of the Florida’s Big Bend Scenic Byway for designation as a National Scenic Highway and the last was an application for a $500,000 grant to renovate and expand the existing municipal Library.
* Representatives from the University of Georgia’s Project Riverway provided the commission with an outline of their work performed in June relating to the City of Apalachicola’s Visioning Initiative.
* Karla Ambos reported that she has witness an increase number of golf carts operating on U.S. Highway 98 and other safety issues. The Board instructed staff to conduct an educational campaign relating to the golf ordinance using the local media and the city’s website, and to report back with recommendations to implement an annual golf cart registration with fees. The commission also instructed Police Chief Bobby Varnes to have his officers address this concern as well. Ambos also invited the commission to attend the Community Garden’s groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday.
* Under the Chamber of Commerce monthly report, Anita Grove, Executive Director updated the commission on current chamber activities and upcoming events. She requested closure of the road in front of the Christmas tree for the annual tree lighting ceremony and invited Board members to attend the chambers monthly luncheon at AJ’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill.
* Chief of Police Bobby Varnes reported success with the Community Policing Program and the downtown business checks. Beverly Hewitt, co-owner of the Grill confirmed that both programs were responsive to the needs of the business owners.
* The Board agreed to allow city grant writer, Cindi Giametta submit two grant applications through the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Florida Forever grant program. The Stan Mayfield grant was created by the 2008 Florida Legislature to fund local government’s purchase of working waterfront properties for public ownership. The properties that the city is interested in are the wharf lots adjacent to the Wheelhouse restaurant owned by Ben Watkins and the property owned by Charlie Williamson located on Water Street adjacent to Levins Seafood.
* At the request of city administrator, Betty Taylor-Webb, the commission announced the first reading of Ordinance No. 2008-07 (Scipio Creek Amendment) to extend the grandfather clause in Ordinance No 88-4 by one-year. The clause allows commercial shrimpers to pay a reduced rental rate to the city for docking their boats at the Scipio Creek Boat Basin.
* The commission closed the meeting with a lengthy discussion concerning the dilemma the city recently experienced with the Department of Revenue after the Apalachicola Times mishandling the city’s legal notice advertising the final public hearing to adopt the FY 2008/2009 budget. The commission agreed to allow city attorney, Pat Floyd to speak directly with the Times management before taking any action.
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