CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
224 S. Jefferson Street
Perry, Florida
June 24, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith

MEMBERS ABSENT: Pam Feagle, Doug Everett

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Brynes, Barney Johnson, Wayne Putnal, Billy LaValle, Sarah Drawdy, June
Byers and Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order. Councilmember Alexander led those attending the meeting in
prayer. Mayor Frith led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The secretary then called
the roll.
PRESENT ABSENT
Councilmember Feagle X
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett X
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (3)…PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE(S) OF APPRECIATION TO CITY

Mayor Frith presented city employee Jim Wiggins, Police Department, with a certificate of
appreciation. Employee Ben Flowers, Police Department, was not present.

AGENDA ITEM (4)…APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

After a brief review of the minutes, Councilmember Scott made a motion to adopt the minutes of
June 10, 2003, Regular Session as written; seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call
vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (5)…RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Ms. Anita King, local resident, addressed the Council regarding high utility bills, specifically gas
utility bills. Ms. King asked how her bill is calculated, whether it is by units, metrics, etc. City
Manager Bill Brynes explained that water and sewer billing is based on per 1,000 gallons; the garbage
is a flat monthly rate plus the landfill fee; and gas is charged on the therm or cubic feet. Mr. Brynes
said this varies from month to month. Director of Public Works Barney Johnson told Ms. King a therm
is approximate to one gallon. Director of Finance Sarah Drawdy also noted the gas rate is based on
how much the City has to pay for gas and this also varies from month to month.
Page 2, June 24, 2003, Council Minutes-Regular Session

Mayor Frith said he and the city manager have discussed the possibility of billing the actual usage date,
explaining that when customers get a monthly bill they are actually paying for what they used two
months ago. Mayor Frith said it is felt it could be a help if there was a closer interval of time from the
meter being read and the customer receiving a bill. Mayor Frith said this might be difficult and spoke
briefly about the federal government’s deregulation of natural gas. Mayor Frith said the city manager
attends almost monthly (natural) gas meetings to try to keep up with it (natural gas issues). Mayor Frith
agreed that Ms. King’s suggestion to have in writing how utility costs are calculated is a good idea and
noted this might be able to be placed in the local newspaper or possibly on utility bills.

Ms. King asked if there was a basic rate charge for gas. Mayor Frith said there was not and if there is
no usage there should be no bill. Mayor Frith said again that a customer’s bill is from usage of about
two months previous. Ms. King asked if she could get a breakdown of how she is charged on her
utility bill. City Manager Bill Brynes said he would get this information together. Ms. King thanked
the Council.

Another individual to address the Council was Buddy Humphries, Taylor County Development
Authority (TCDA). Mr. Humphries told the Council TCDA is in the process of developing a 20-acre
industrial site on Carlton Cemetery Road and would like to have water and sewer to the site. Mr.
Humphries said he understands water (hookup) is available but sewer is not. Mr. Humphries said
TCDA is hoping to secure funding for extension of sewer to this site. Mr. Humphries said before this
could be done, TCDA would need a commitment from the City Council that, if and when they connect
to sewer, TCDA could use a portion of the City’s available sewer capacity at that time.

Mayor Frith said he thinks it is a good idea to try to get sewer to that site and by doing so could
possibly get sewer to other sites that would like City sewer hookup. Mayor Frith commented this
would provide income for the City and could provide jobs for the community (with the development of
this property). Mayor Frith said he thinks the City could set aside some capacity for future
development. Councilmember Scott asked Director of Public Works Director Barney Johnson his
opinion. Mr. Johnson said he didn’t see a problem doing this but the City would have to know what
capacity would be needed. Mr. Johnson said the Council could agree in theory and go from there. Mr.
Humphries said TCDA would have to come back to the Council in the future and it should be known at
that time what capacity would be needed. Councilmember Alexander made a motion that the City
Council makes a commitment to the Taylor County Development Authority for a portion of the
available sewer capacity the City has at that time for the Carlton Cemetery Road site discussed this
meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X
Page 3, June 24, 2003, Council Minutes – Regular Session

On another issue, Mr. Humphries provided the Council with a copy of the Florida Chamber of
Commerce Comprehensive Report of the 2003 Florida Legislative Sessions.

AGENDA ITEM 6(A)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS MONTHLY FINANCIAL

This item was tabled to the next Council meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 6(B)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS PROPERTY ADJACENT TO

Mayor Frith said the property owner had called him about whether the City would be interested in
purchasing this lot, but he was not given a purchase price. Mayor Frith said he told the property owner
she could call Wednesday (June 25) and he would let her know what the Council had discussed
regarding the property. Mayor Frith said, in his opinion, it would be more valuable to the City than to
anyone else in that neighborhood. Mayor Frith asked Councilmembers if they would like to pursue
the possibility of purchase if the City could get the property at a reasonable price.

Mayor Frith commented that Director of Community Development Billy LaValle and Director of
Public Works Barney Johnson brought to his attention that the new garage/warehouse could be built on
a higher elevation (above flood level) and it would be easier to plan out that garage if the City were to
purchase this lot. Mayor Frith told the Council the lot is assessed on the tax roll at $2,400 - $2,800.
Mayor Frith suggested he could tell the property owner the City is interested in buying the lot and see
what she says. Mayor Frith said he would bring the information back to the Council. It was the
consensus of the Council that Mayor Frith let the property owner know the City is interested in buying
the lot at a reasonable price.

AGENDA ITEM 6(C)…CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF TO DISCUSS TAYLOR CORRECTIONAL

City Manager Bill Brynes said this is information requested by the Council pertaining to the cost for an
additional work squad.

Referring to discussion at the June 10, 2003, meeting, Mayor Frith asked if TCI had sent a work squad
to the City’s spray field site. Mr. Brynes said a squad had been sent and had been removing timber
from the area. Mr. Johnson said the work squad at the spray field could not come into the City to work
but this does free up the regular work squad for other things. Regarding the proposed agreement, Mr.
Brynes said the question would be where the money would come from. Mr. Johnson told the Council
he thinks later on the City might be able to get an additional work squad without cost.

On another matter, Mayor Frith commented he had expected Dr. Khalil Afsh to be present to discuss
plans to open a medical clinic in the downtown area. Mayor Frith said he had informed several
interested parties who were in attendance. Mayor Frith said Dr. Afsh had purchased the building
Page 4, June 24, 2003, Meeting Minutes – Regular Session

known as the Towne Square Grocery plus adjacent property with plans to open a medical clinic.
Mayor Frith said Dr. Afsh had planned to address the Council regarding the City’s possible cooperation
with certain issues. Mayor Frith noted there are some streets in the area that needs to be repaved and
he sees no problem doing this. Mayor Frith commented Dr. Afsh might have decided to address the
City’s Planning and Zoning Board before addressing the City Council. As there was no further
discussion of this issue, the meeting continued.

Mayor Frith said the City had received a letter from the pastor of St. James Episcopal Church seeking
the Council’s help with a problem of commercial vehicles, specifically a log truck, tearing up the
church grounds and surrounding streets. Mayor Frith said the letter also notes that some parish
children have found work tools, some of which could be dangerous. Mayor Frith said the pastor
requests the Council consider changing the zoning around the church to limit access by commercial
vehicles, except those making deliveries, such as mail and UPS. Director of Community Development
Billy LaValle told the Council the church is in an area zoned residential while across the street is zoned
commercial intensive and is acceptable for commercial-type vehicles. Mayor Frith asked Mr. LaValle
to contact and discuss the situation with the pastor.

As a matter of interest, Mayor Frith spoke briefly about several law enforcement agencies conducting
canine training in Perry. Mayor Frith noted the training sessions are not open to the public but city and
county officials have been invited to observe. Mayor Frith spoke of the positive effects of having these
law enforcement agencies conduct training here.

Mayor Frith said the Council had received a memo from Chief of Police Wayne Putnal requesting the
Police Department be allowed to donate an old police vehicle to the City of Trenton Police
Department. Mayor Frith said the memo notes that the City of Trenton does not have funds to
purchase any police equipment and has requested donations from any city or county that has excess
equipment. Chief Putnal told the Council the Police Department actually has two old vehicles that
could be donated if the Council allows this. Councilmember Scott made a motion that the City Police
Department donate the two old vehicles discussed this meeting to the Trenton Police Department. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Alexander and upon roll call vote was as follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X

Mr. Griff Hendry, 6118 Hwy 19 S., addressed the Council regarding the recent notice in the local
newspaper of the City’s Water Quality Report. Mr. Hendry asked if the City tests for dioxins. Director
of Public Works Barney Johnson stated the City does check for dioxins and noted if dioxins fall below
a certain limit when tested, the City is not required to report the dioxin level. Mr. Hendry asked if he
could have this in writing. Mr. Johnson noted Mr. Hendry’s address and said he would provide this
information to him.
Page 5, June 24, 2003, Council Minutes – Regular Session

Mayor Frith said Progress Energy has invited Councilmembers and spouses to a dinner meeting July 8,
which is the next Council meeting date. Mayor Frith asked the Council’s approval to change the
meeting time of the July 8, 2003 Council meeting from 6:00 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. so that
Councilmembers could attend the Progress Energy dinner meeting. Councilmember Scott made a
motion that the meeting time of the July 8, 2003, regular City Council meeting be changed from 6:00
p. m. to 5:00 p. m. Councilmember Alexander seconded the motion and upon roll call, vote was as
follows:
YEA NAY
Councilmember Feagle ABSENT
Councilmember Alexander X
Councilmember Scott X
Councilmember Everett ABSENT
Mayor Frith X

AGENDA ITEM (7)…CITY MANAGER.

Mr. Brynes told the Council the first games of the Babe Ruth tournament would begin this day.

Mr. Brynes told the Council the first series of insurance claims and bills to health providers would be
sent out this week. Mr. Brynes noted that everyone (providers) had been pretty cooperative with the
process.

AGENDA ITEM (8)…DEPARTMENT HEADS.

There was no discussion at this time.

AGENDA ITEM (9)…CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS.

There was no discussion at this time.

AGENDA ITEM (10)…ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 6:45 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________
William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard D. Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________
Annette Anderson, Secretary Date