Brought before the city commission at the February 3, regular scheduled monthly meeting were a variety of topics that included the following:
*Karla Ambos, coordinator of the City Square Community Garden Committee updated the commission on the progress her group has made on the community garden project. She reported that to date the group has cleared the site, held a groundbreaking ceremony, raised community awareness through the local media, held fundraisers and constructed 14 out of the 28 beds needed to start planting.
*Tami Ray-Hutchinson representing the Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) requested and received approval to use Franklin Square Recreation Park and its amenities for the Annual African-American History Festival scheduled for February 20-22. The request also included closing from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, 14 Street going east down Martin Luther King Avenue to 6 Street and North to Avenue M for the annual parade.
*Apalachicola resident Phyllis Blan requested consideration for renaming Veterans Park across from the Grady Market after the late Robert L. Howell, who was a former Mayor of the City of Apalachicola and Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court. The Board took no action on the request.
*The Board proclaimed March 1-7, 2009, as Problem Gambling Awareness Week throughout the City of Apalachicola, in support of Governor Crist efforts to raise awareness concerning problems associated with compulsive gambling throughout the state.
*The Board backed a statewide effort aimed at teaching students and citizens about municipal government by adopting Resolution 2009-01, which promotes the “Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics” initiative of the Florida League of Cities.
*Chamber of Commerce executive director Anita Grove reported that most of the renovations to the Chamber office and visitors center are now complete. She further reported that improvements have been made to Chambers website as well, making it easier for visitors to select to view member listings by geographic area and that the “Think Local First” awareness campaign handed out 500 pens with the Think Local First logo to local businesses. Grove also commented on the $8.5 million dollar state economic business loan program signed into law by Governor Christ.
*Denise Roux, chair of the Apalachicola Municipal Library board reported that at the Library Board’s February 2, meeting, members discussed but took no action on extending library hours to Saturdays. She went on to report that patrons visiting the library has increased from 560 in December to 948 in January and that the advertisement to fill the vacant librarian position will close February 15. Susan requested an update on the status of the directional signs for placement alongside U.S. 98 and other places to give directions to the library.
*Lt. Pam Lewis with the Apalachicola Police Department (APD) report that for the month of January 2009 the APD answered 151 calls, made five direct arrests, served four warrants, issued 11 traffic citations, and worked two traffic accidents.
*To help ease the financial burden on local businesses and shrimp harvester brought on by the economic recession, City administrator Betty Taylor-Webb asked for and received approval to roll back by 20 percent the rate businesses pay for city water and sewer services. She also received approval to add additional shrimp harvesters who rent boat slips at the Scipio Creek boat basin to the grandfather status list, which is set to expire December 31, 2009. Shrimpers who live inside the city will pay $20 per month while those living outside the city will pay $30.
*City Attorney J. Patrick Floyd undated the commission on the Tri-State Water War litigation and on the transfer of property from the School District to the City of Apalachicola for youth related activities.
*Karla Ambos, coordinator of the City Square Community Garden Committee updated the commission on the progress her group has made on the community garden project. She reported that to date the group has cleared the site, held a groundbreaking ceremony, raised community awareness through the local media, held fundraisers and constructed 14 out of the 28 beds needed to start planting.
*Tami Ray-Hutchinson representing the Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) requested and received approval to use Franklin Square Recreation Park and its amenities for the Annual African-American History Festival scheduled for February 20-22. The request also included closing from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, 14 Street going east down Martin Luther King Avenue to 6 Street and North to Avenue M for the annual parade.
*Apalachicola resident Phyllis Blan requested consideration for renaming Veterans Park across from the Grady Market after the late Robert L. Howell, who was a former Mayor of the City of Apalachicola and Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court. The Board took no action on the request.
*The Board proclaimed March 1-7, 2009, as Problem Gambling Awareness Week throughout the City of Apalachicola, in support of Governor Crist efforts to raise awareness concerning problems associated with compulsive gambling throughout the state.
*The Board backed a statewide effort aimed at teaching students and citizens about municipal government by adopting Resolution 2009-01, which promotes the “Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics” initiative of the Florida League of Cities.
*Chamber of Commerce executive director Anita Grove reported that most of the renovations to the Chamber office and visitors center are now complete. She further reported that improvements have been made to Chambers website as well, making it easier for visitors to select to view member listings by geographic area and that the “Think Local First” awareness campaign handed out 500 pens with the Think Local First logo to local businesses. Grove also commented on the $8.5 million dollar state economic business loan program signed into law by Governor Christ.
*Denise Roux, chair of the Apalachicola Municipal Library board reported that at the Library Board’s February 2, meeting, members discussed but took no action on extending library hours to Saturdays. She went on to report that patrons visiting the library has increased from 560 in December to 948 in January and that the advertisement to fill the vacant librarian position will close February 15. Susan requested an update on the status of the directional signs for placement alongside U.S. 98 and other places to give directions to the library.
*Lt. Pam Lewis with the Apalachicola Police Department (APD) report that for the month of January 2009 the APD answered 151 calls, made five direct arrests, served four warrants, issued 11 traffic citations, and worked two traffic accidents.
*To help ease the financial burden on local businesses and shrimp harvester brought on by the economic recession, City administrator Betty Taylor-Webb asked for and received approval to roll back by 20 percent the rate businesses pay for city water and sewer services. She also received approval to add additional shrimp harvesters who rent boat slips at the Scipio Creek boat basin to the grandfather status list, which is set to expire December 31, 2009. Shrimpers who live inside the city will pay $20 per month while those living outside the city will pay $30.
*City Attorney J. Patrick Floyd undated the commission on the Tri-State Water War litigation and on the transfer of property from the School District to the City of Apalachicola for youth related activities.
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