Commission Report: January 6, 2009

The order of business before the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at their January 6 meeting including the following:

*Commissioners approved a request from Helen Tudor to remove the sidewalk in front of the Chapman House located at 82 - 6th Street in order to landscape the area. Ms. Tudor had received prior approval from the planning & zoning commission at their December 8, meeting for the landscaping portion of the project. After P&Z gave their blessings, she brought her request to remove the sidewalk before the city commission.

*Joe Taylor updated the commission on the cooperative effort to establish a local arts agency to serve the counties arts and cultural constituencies. He also requested and received approval for the agency to use the Cotton Exchange as a temporary office.

*Anita Grove reported that during the month of November the chamber office noticed a small decrease in the number of telephone calls received and unique visitors to their website. She further stated that the trend appear to be reflective of the current economic uncertainties prevailing throughout the country. She went on to report that the “Think Local First” campaign had produced some local shoppers and that the chamber will continue to spread the word concerning the importance of shopping at home. She concluded her report by stating that the area had received some good exposure from several magazines including Southern Living.

*Susan Clementson reported that the Municipal Library is serving the Apalachicola community as a whole; she stated that the days are gone when just little old ladies use the library. She informed the commission that during the month of December the library served 560 patrons, which included teenagers, young children, and citizens conducting historical research. She added that since last month’s report, the library board has written a job description for the librarian position and that the board will begin the interview process within the next few days. She also received city commission approval to use the interest accrued from the Key Estate money market fund to purchase books for the library.

*The Community Redevelopment Agency completed the writing of their bylaws in early December and presented them before the commission for approval. The Board granted unanimous approval.

*Chief Bobby Varnes reported the police department’s monthly activities to the commission. He stated that during the month of December the department received 167 calls, responded to nine traffic accidents, issued 10 traffic citations, made eight direct arrests, and issued six golf cart violations.

*City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb presented a plan of action for use of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Federal Grant for $344,200. Her plan called for and received board approval to hire Faye Johnson, as director over the program, Barbara Lewis as the site 3 coordinator, Janelle Paul to assist with administration, Temolynn Wintons to continue in her role at the Love Center site and the current coordinator at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School site.