Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Commission Report: May 5, 2009

The following business came before the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at their regular scheduled meeting held last night.

*Resolution
The commission unanimously adopted resolution 2009-03, recognizing the Philaco Woman’s Club of Apalachicola for 113 years of dedicated service to the City of Apalachicola and the Franklin County community.

*Chamber Report
Anita Grove, executive director with the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce reported on the activities of several downtown businesses.

Grove reported that the Express Lane convenience store has opened the once closed Chevron station location at the corner of U.S. 98 and Market Street. She further reported that the Green Door has moved to the Orman Building and that Le Debut is moving to the Taranto House.

Grove also reported that there has been no word on the new Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan program. The program was signed into law on February 17 to help small businesses recover from the economic downturn. However, as of yet no formal application process has been defined.

*Police Department Report
Lt. Pam Lewis with the Apalachicola Police Department stood in for Chief Bobby Varnes who couldn’t attend the meeting due to illness.

Lewis reported that during the month of April the police department received 198 calls, made five direct arrests, served three warrant requests, worked seven traffic accidents, and issued 30 traffic citations.

She stated that the May 11, 6:00PM meeting scheduled to implement the neighborhood watch program will be held at the 6th street recreation center, instead of at the Battery park community center.

*Library Report
Librarian Caty Greene reported that at the last library board meeting, the board unanimously voted Susan Clementson in as its new Chair after outgoing Chair Denise Roux tendered her resignation.

Greene further reported that the library board has withdrawn its request for zoning change for the Pierce house and that the board continues to explore other options.

*City Administrator Report
The commission approved a request submitted by City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb on behalf of Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition to close the portion of Water Street directly in front of the Historic Cotton Warehouse for the 2009 Plein Air Paint-Out on May 17.

Webb also submitted the written results from a fecal coliform test conducted by the Health Department of the waters at Battery Park Marina. The test revealed that there were very low levels of fecal coliform in the basin. According the Jason Flowers, Environmental Manager at the Health Department, the low levels could be from birds or wildlife and not necessarily from boats docked in the marina.

*Grant Manager Report
City grant manager Cindi Giametta presented to the commission a list of five contractors that submitted bids to perform improvements to the stormwater system along Avenue G and Market Street. Aero Training & Rental, Inc. submitted the lowest bid of $174,112.25. However, the company failed to submit the required equal opportunity employment documentation. The commission then awarded the contract to the second lowest bidder Poloronis Construction, Inc., for $190,610.76.

The commission also motioned to approve the Mayor’s signature on the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts grant award to purchase Charlie Williamson property adjacent to Leavins Seafood.

*Commissioner Cook
Commissioner Frank Cook motioned that all projects in the city that has a design element go through the planning and zoning board to receive public input before approval is granted, including all city projects. Cook’s motion passed.

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