HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2008 (2)INDEX TO MINUTES OF JOINT WORKSHOP OF INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, CITY OF SEBASTIAN, CITY OF VERO
BEACH, CITY OF FELLSMERE, TOWN OF INDIAN
RIVER SHORES, AND TOWN OF ORCHID
AT THE SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER........................................................................1
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE......................................................1
3. ROLL CALL..................................................................................2
4. ISBA REVIEW PRESENTATION - CITY MANAGER,
ALMINNER..................................................................................3
5. PRESENTATION OF UNRESOLVED ISSUES ......................4
A. SEBASTIAN.........................................................................................................................4
1. POINT-TO-POINT CONTIGUITY...........................................................................................4
2. NEW TOWNLOCATION.......................................................................................................4
3. OTHER URBANSERVICES...................................................................................................4
B. VERO BEACH.................................................................................................................... 5
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1. COMMENTS......................................................................................................................... 5
C. FELLSMERE......................................................................................................................6
1. COMMENTS......................................................................................................................... 6
D. INDIANRIVER SHORES.................................................................................................... 8
1. RESERVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENT IF NEEDED...............................................................8
E. Mmm.............................................................................................................................8
1. COMMENTS......................................................................................................................... 8
F. INDIANRIVER COUNTY....................................................................................................9
1. POINT-TO-POINT CONTIGUITY........................................................................................... 9
2. SECTION 10(F) AND EXHIBIT`F'....................................................................................... 9
6. PUBLIC INPUT...........................................................................24
7. ELECTED OFFICIAL DISCUSSION ON CONSENSUS
FOR DIRECTION TO ISBA WORKING GROUP ...............25
8. ADJOURN....................................................................................26
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December 15, 2008
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORKSHOP
December 15, 2008
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met
in a Joint Workshop with the Cities of Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere, and Towns of
Indian River Shores and Orchid, at the Sebastian City Council Chambers, 1225 Main
Street, Sebastian, Florida, on Monday, December 15, 2008, to discuss the Draft Interlocal
Service Boundary Agreement.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gillmor, City of Sebastian, called the Workshop to order at 5:00
p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gillmor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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3. ROLL CALL
Mayor Gillmor welcomed everyone to Sebastian and invited each
municipality and the County to introduce their representatives.
Present for the County were Board Chairman Wesley S. Davis, Vice
Chairman Joseph E. Flescher, and Commissioners Peter D. O'Bryan, Bob Solari, and
Gary C. Wheeler; Assistant County Administrator Michael Zito, Assistant County
Attorney George Glenn, Community Development Director Robert Keating, and Deputy
Clerk Athena Adams. Also in attendance were County Administrator Joe Baird, County
Attorney William Collins II, and General Services Director Tom Frame.
Present for the City of Sebastian were Mayor Richard Gillmor, Vice
Mayor Jim Hill, Council members Andrea Coy, Dale Simchick, and Eugene Wolff, City
Manager Al Minner, Interim City Attorney Robert A. Ginsburg, Growth Management
Director Rebecca Grohall, City Clerk Sally Maio, and Deputy Clerk Jeanette Williams,
Recording.
Present for the City of Vero Beach were Mayor Sabin Abell, Vice Mayor
Thomas White, Council members Debra Fromang Bill Fish, and Kevin Sawnick; City
Attorney Charles Vitunac, and Planning & Development Director Tim McGarry. Also in
attendance was City Clerk Tammy K. Vock.
Present for the City of Fellsmere were Mayor Susan Adams (arrived
late), Vice Mayor Joel Tyson, and Vice Mayor Pro -Tem Fernando Herrera; City Manager
Jason Nunemaker, City Attorney Warren Dill, and City Planner Rochelle W. Lawandales.
Also in attendance were City Clerk Deborah C. Krages, and Finance Director Larry
Napier.
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Present for the Town of Indian River Shores were Mayor Thomas
Cadden, Vice Mayor Bill Kenyon, Councilmember Frances Atchison, and Town
Manager Robert Bradshaw.
Present for the Town of Orchid were Mayor Richard Dunlop, Vice
Mayor Suzanne Joyce, Councilmember Paul Johnson, and Town Manager Deb Branwell.
4. ISBA REVIEW PRESENTATION - CITY MANAGER,
AL MINNER
Sebastian City Manager Al Minner, through a PowerPoint presentation,
recapped the definition of an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) and
explained its intent. He provided background on the early 2007 Fellsmere proposal for
22,000 acres, the BCC initiated efforts to establish Charter government, and the
subsequent alternative to Charter, the ISBA. He also presented a brief history of
annexations throughout the County, as well as developments since April 2007.
Mr. Minner thereafter reviewed the adoption process; outlined the
components of the annexation agreement inside and outside the Urban Service Area
(USA), as well as, Land use (height & density) changes within and outside the USA. He
noted that the major component of the Agreement is the ISBA map, Exhibit A, which
identifies each municipality's annexation reserve area, and said municipalities cannot
annex land outside that reserve area. He also noted that Fellsmere and Sebastian were
the only municipalities with reserve areas outside the USA. Mr. Minner displayed maps
of current city limits with future reserved areas, and one showing a reduction in size of
service areas. He talked about another important component, the Urban Services
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Advisory Committee (USAC), its creation, composition, and purpose, and highlighted the
exceptions of the Agreement.
5. PRESENTATION OF UNRESOLVED ISSUES
A. SEBASTIAN
1. POINT-TO-POINT CONTIGUITY
2. NEW TOWNLOCATION
3. OTHER URBANSERVICES
Mr. Minner reported that they are very close and happy with where the
process has gone to date. He outlined Sebastian's unresolved issues, specifically, the
Point -to -Point annexation (contiguity), and New Town locations. They felt that because
of growth issues around Sebastian and some of those perspectives that they had with the
Western Employment Center (WEC), they needed some exception in Chapter 171, the
annexations, so they could get down into some of the areas that were inside their reserve
area. They also wanted New Towns to stay away from outside Sebastian's city limits,
and had proposed some language with which the County was not happy.
Mr. Minner noted that other City staffers had requested that there be
further discussions on other services, like water, sewer, and transportation. He also noted
that Sebastian's annexation exception proposal is to identify, by tax parcels, some of the
areas they were concerned with on a contiguity basis. Through an area map, he
highlighted some of the areas with which they have concerns, and stated that instead of
the language of the "Point -to -Point" they would be willing to see an Exhibit added that
exempts them from Chapter 171.
(Clerk's Note: Mayor of Fellsmere, Susan Adams, arrived at 5:15 p.m.)
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Mr. Minner, upon request, explained what the highlighted portions on the
map of Sebastian's Annexation Exception Proposal represent.
Councilmember Simchick mentioned the issues they have problems with:
traffic concurrency, water, Liberty Park, and the City of Sebastian not being on the traffic
concurrency. She thought that if the City spend a lot of money to go into the County's
concurrency maps, it would create a black hole in the Fellsmere area; and therefore
thought they could, maybe futuristically, discuss going with traffic concurrency as a
whole.
Councilmember Coy, speaking on New Town issues, said when ISBA
negotiations originally started, the language said New Towns would not be within 5 miles
of a current municipality, but that language has since changed. She was still of the
mindset that the 5 -mile limit is something Sebastian needed to do to protect its
boundaries; because building a New Town on top of a current town does not make a lot
of sense. She hoped they could negotiate, as a group, going back to the 5 -anile limit.
(Clerk's Note: County Administrator Joe Baird arrived at 5:22 p.m.)
B. VERO BEACH
1. COMMENTS
Charles Vitunac, City Attorney, thought Vero Beach had only two minor
items, one being Citrus Highway, and the other the Sebastian's Western Employment
Center (WEC). Vero Beach finds that the existence of that Highway has not yet been
determined and they would argue against it being built, and therefore do not want it
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mentioned in this Agreement. They do not have a problem with Point -to -Point issues;
but do have a problem with Exhibit "F,,, which is Fellsmere's description of how it plans
to develop the 20,000 acres. Vero Beach's position is that the Department of Community
Affairs (DCA) is looking at the issue right now and will very likely come down with a
different set of regulations.
City Planner Tim McGarry knew Exhibit `F' was still going through the
process; that Sebastian and the County responded, and negative objections came down
from the State (DCA) on the planned amendment, and felt that one way to meet the
problems in Exhibit IF was for all participants to work together in resolving some of
these issues.
Attorney Vitunac, in response to Councilmember Simchick's comments
regarding water and sewer, believed that this Agreement will have all those issues
discussed under the USAC annexation reviews. They also believe Exhibits D, E & F (the
exceptions for Fellsmere, Sebastian and the County's New Towns) should all be taken to
USAC for comments; and it does not have to be mandatory action. It is their belief that
the review of USAC on all applications, using said Exhibits, should have some sort of
official review. Although that was not voted on by the Council, he believed it was
something they could support.
C. FELLSMERE
I. COMMENTS
City Manager Jason Nunemaker recalled how his staff has been working
on this Agreement since 2005, and briefly described the process that has brought them to
the present ISBA. He said their Council was ready to move forward and they are aware
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that there may be some minor tweaks, like Exhibit `F', which they have revisited in
response to Vero Beach's concerns regarding DCA's comments.
Mr. Nunemaker argued that when you are processing land use
amendments of that scope, typically there are going to be issues that come up. But
Fellsmere has been "subjected to a level of scrutiny that heretofore few cities have been
subjected to." He mentioned the implementation of HB 697 that has not been
promulgated by DCA, but has been further refined because of the questions raised. They
have tightened up the sprawl issues; and the biggest issue has been the needs analysis,
that DCA has taken a much more stringent perspective on, and on which they are fully
prepared to deal with DCA. He offered that, in the spirit of working cooperatively, they
could certainly take another look at Exhibit `F', which was the direction from Council.
He expressed the City's reluctance, if this effort were prolonged for some period of time
into the future.
Mayor Susan Adams said that during Fellsmere's last Council meeting,
and during discussions about the ISBA, they expressed that they did not have a problem
with the Point -to -Point annexation (contiguity) that Sebastian had requested; they were a
bit concerned with dragging this process out; and they were under the impression that,
based on the last staff meeting, staff had come to a certain level of comfort and wanted all
the elected officials to get back together and weigh in and then move forward. She urged
the Panel to air all the issues and give staff direction of where to go, to avoid an indefinite
negotiation period. She suggested they appoint a member of each Council to go to the
staff meetings, similar to the school concurrency issue, so that direction is given back to
staff, to Council, and the Commission, to go ahead and move forward on this issue.
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D. INDIANRIVER SHORES
1. RESERVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENT IF NEEDED
Town Manager Robert Bradshaw said they are in sync with the other
municipalities on the four issues they feel are outstanding, in Section 6, the Point -to -Point
annexation issue, Exhibit `F' - the Fellsmere Development Guidelines, the City of Vero
Beach Exhibit `D' concerning the Citrus Highway issue, and the New Town locations as
far as proximity between the two. Mr. Bradshaw then begged to reserve his City's
comments until they hear the County's perspective on those issues.
E. ORCHID
1. COMMENTS
Vice Mayor Suzanne Joyce was still concerned with the language of the
"poison pill" and argued that if we were looking forward to 20 years, and not knowing
who would be on the Board of County Commission, or whether they would get five (5)
proponents of the Charter, under this "poison pill", the adoption of an ordinance or
resolution by the Board would allow other towns and municipalities to opt out. She did
not know if it could be rewritten or if the County would even allow it to be rewritten.
Mayor Dunlop complimented everyone who worked on this Agreement.
He agreed with Councilmember Coy's comments that there needs to be some distance,
because you cannot have a new town on top of an old town. After attending an MPO
meeting and listening to comments on the Citrus Highway, he agreed that it ought to be
deleted. Beyond that, the Town of Orchid has no problems.
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F. INDIANRIVER COUNTY
1. POINT-TO-POINT CONTIGUITY
County's Community Development Director, Bob Keating, stated that
both of the items with which the County had issues had already been discussed to some
degree, one being the Point -to -Point contiguity, which issue he understood Sebastian has
withdrawn. The County had concerns that the annexation of the Graves property could
result in some really poor jurisdictional types of situation where it is difficult to provide
services. Based on that, County staff is generally in agreement with Sebastian's proposal
regarding eliminating the Point -to -Point and identifying the Graves property as a property
that can be annexed, subject to the allowances of Chapter 171.2.
Director Keating admitted that the County does have a few concerns,
because it seems, by looking at the map, that the proposal would create some enclaves; it
would create some 40 -acre tracts that would be in the County, and completely surrounded
by the City of Sebastian. The County has concerns about how that would actually work.
Speaking on the County's behalf, and from a staff perspective, they did not have a
problem with what Sebastian wants to do.
Z. SECTION 1O(F) AND EXHIBIT `F'
Director Keating stated that the County's other issue was related to
Section 10(F) of the proposed Agreement, and Exhibit `F', which both relate to the issues
brought out by the City of Vero Beach, relating to Exhibit `F', which are the criteria for
development of the Fellsmere parcels that were annexed after May 22, but prior to date of
this Agreement, and the land use criteria that would apply to them. He said, the way
Section 10(F) is currently written, the criteria in Exhibit "P would not apply to the
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current amendments that are now under review by DCA; and that DCA has substantial
objections, as well.
Director Keating noted that the only thing County staff has a problem
with, is that Exhibit `F' itself does not have good criteria to ensure that the development
that will occur in that area would be the type of development that does not create urban
sprawl. County staff would basically like to see (and the Board concurred at a recent
meeting) Section 10(F) "beefed up" so that Exhibit `F' criteria would apply to all
amendments that Fellsmere does for the annexed property, and that the criteria in Exhibit
`F' should be strengthened along the lines of the comments and objections of DCA.
Commissioner O'Bryan concurred with Director Keating's comments
regarding the Map displayed, which seemed to him a "checker board of jurisdictional
limits" and thought that was not our intent; it was to have something contiguous without
meandering around. He felt we still needed a lot of work on either the Point -to -Point
contiguity or the Sebastian WEC area. Another concern of his was the location of New
Towns, and the one -mile separation.
Responding to the one -mile and/or half mile separation issue, Director
Keating reported that at the last meeting of the staff working group, the group voted not
to require a separation distance; and he thought it was a vote, kind of a quid pro quo that
Sebastian was getting the allowance to annex the Graves property; therefore the Graves
property, if it wants to develop in the County, should not have constraints regarding a
separation distance for a New Town from an existing city limit.
Mr. Minner could see how it was interpreted as a quid pro quo, because
Sebastian voted for the Point -to -Point and against the New Towns. He said it may look
that way, but there was no quid pro quo on that issue.
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Commissioner O'Bryan did not have an issue with the one or half mile
separation, but had concerns on Section 10(F), because Fellsmere had moved ahead with
its Comp Plan amendments applications, and the reasoning was, this is taking a long time
and they wanted to move forward. He wanted to see Exhibit `F' revised and kept in the
Agreement, and that Fellsmere not proceed with their Comp Plan amendments until this
negotiating group has a chance to iron out Exhibit `F' and make it part of the Agreement.
Commissioner Flescher, looking at the maps displayed, observed the
reduction in proposed areas that were taken off the annexation proposal after two months
of discussion, and commended the level of commitment that has brought this about. He
referred to a "unanimous decision" requirement in the Agreement and suggested maybe a
majority vote could be used instead. He did not think they should rush, but give just time
to iron out the issues, because "we are blazing trail and we need to do it right."
Commissioner Wheeler disagreed with Commissioner Flescher and felt,
after all the work that has been done on this, any change(s) in the future should be by
unanimous vote.
Attorney Ginsburg, referring to Section 13, "Right of Enforcement",
where the first sentence deals with enforcement, and the second sentence is a savings
clause, felt the language may be a little too narrow. He urged the group to consider an
amendment to the "savings clause". He pointed out that earlier this year the Cities of
Sebastian and Fellsmere resolved their litigation through a Stipulated Final Judgment in
their lawsuit, and did not think that should be lost in the approval of this document by all
the cities, including Fellsmere and Sebastian. He recommended that the last sentence of
Section 13 should read: "Nothing herein should be construed as a waiver to any other
right granted by law or Court Order."
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Mayor Gillmor felt the process has come a long way and that staff has
done a good job getting us to this point. He agreed that now was the time to iron out the
details, as they all want to preserve the quality of life we enjoy in the County. He
acknowledged that each city has its own visions, but felt that should not preclude them
from working together and coming to an agreement. He agreed with Commissioner
Wheeler that the vote should be unanimous. He thought there should be enough latitude
in the document so they could each incorporate their vision of what they want their
respective towns to be, especially because the reserve area has been reduced to a point
where they are not taking over the whole County. He too has some concerns about New
Town developments, but believed change is inevitable, and the difference twenty years
from now, would be whether they managed it well or not.
Councilmember Hill wanted to see them work things out, and it seemed to
him, they were close to their goal.
Councilmember Fromang felt the hardest issue they needed to look at
was Exhibit "F", so they should address that first.
Mayor Dunlop asked if they could take Citrus Highway out of the
contract, and got no objection to his request. On the issue of five -miles versus one -mile
or a mile -and -a -half for a New Town, he questioned why they could not come up with a
resolution that is satisfactory for the County and each municipality, and make it three
miles to satisfy everyone.
Director Keating, in response to Commissioner Davis's inquiry of what
was the compelling reason for the separation provision, said generally New Towns are a
good way to develop if development is going to occur outside the USA; and it has the
ability to protect a lot of agriculture and open spaces and concentrate the actual
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developed part of an area. He pointed out that in Sebastian's Exhibit `D', they have an
allowance for using the County's New Town; and also in the Agreement, Fellsmere has
the ability to use a New Town to develop in its reserve area. From County staff's
perspective, if there is a need for separation distance, said distance is probably from the
Town itself - the developed part, not the conserved or open space part. He did not think
the separation should be more than a half mile, so that they are not constraining some of
the large landowners who may be in proximity of City limits.
Director Keating responded to other concerns of Commissioner Davis's
regarding the New Town requirements for the County, the number of acres (the 1,200
acres east of I-95 and the 4,000 acres west of I-95), as well as, to questions regarding
New Town boundaries near municipalities and the USA. Director Keating did not know
if they could put a New Town east of I-95 with a 3 -mile separation distance; and said
they may not be able to put one north of SR 60, west of I-95.
Councilmember Coy thought that, with the rationale of keeping it close to
the current US Boundaries, though it makes sense financially, it creates the problem of
piling a town on top of another town. It is their vision to have a wider separation from
city to city; not to have Fellsmere's signs back to back with theirs; and they were not
comfortable with the half mile separation; but liked Mayor Dunlop's three miles
proposal, which she thought was a great compromise, because there is transition.
Commissioner Solari addressed the three miles issue, and suggested staff
return with a map of the various proposals for distance in miles (1 -mile, 1/2 -mile, & 3 -
miles) for review.
Mayor Dunlop believed they were all agreed for staff to return with
Commissioner Solari's recommended map for review.
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Commissioner Davis, speaking directly to Director Keating, suggested
staff look at the practicality or impracticality of what that does to the future growth
patterns of the County.
Mayor Dunlop asked Mr. Minner if Sebastian had a problem with Citrus
Island, and they did not. He asked Fellsmere and the County if they could live with
Exhibit `F' being whatever DCA requires.
Mr. Nunemaker thought it was workable and Director Keating said yes,
if it could be incorporated within the document. Mayor Adams said that would be
workable.
Director Keating, explaining how DCA comments would be incorporated,
said they need to take the criteria out of those amendments and incorporate them with
Exhibit V. It was not simply going with what DCA says, because they would be
approving a whole document; it was gleaning what the principles and criteria are from
what DCA approved.
There were no objections to the incorporation of the new language
suggested by Sebastian's Attorney.
Mr. Nunemaker stated for the record that they are in full compliance with
the Stipulated Settlement; they have met their part of the bargain; and they have
transmitted the Ag Amendment, so that should not be an issue for them.
Mayor Dunlop brought up the issue of unanimous versus non -unanimous
vote, which he felt they needed to resolve.
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Attorney Vitunac reminded Mayor Dunlop that they have the issues of
Exhibits D, E, & F, coming before USAC in an advisory capacity; and they have
discussed that all projects coming in under the exceptions should at least get a review by
USAC. He suggested the working group meet again after the holidays to discuss all the
issues brought forward today.
Commissioner Wheeler thinks Section 15 (B) 1, 2 & 3 — the "Poison
Pill"- needed to be resolved, as well.
Mr. McGarry talked about the use of USAC for review purposes; and Mr.
Dunlop believed USAC is great for review because they are all working together in this
County.
Commissioner O'Bryan reminded that they need to resolve the issue of
Sebastian's Point -to -Point contiguity; talked about New Towns where they are allowing
2/ units per acre on the gross density, and asked if there was any way they could require
1/ unit per acre to come from the Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs). He thought it
was important because if they are going to limit it to only 2/ units west of I-95, that the
only way some other landowners may get value is if they can sell their development
rights. He thought maybe they could just say a maximum of 2/ units per acre.
Director Keating said currently Exhibit `E' is just a maximum, and the
County's New Town allowance does not allow 2/ units per acres; therefore, the maximum
allowance could be modified, as long as they are under the maximum that are stipulated.
He responded to further questions from Commissioner O'Bryan regarding the Sebastian
parcel to be developed as part of the WEC; how they would make the 500 acres satisfy
the WEC requirement and have a viable plan; and how they were going to pull together a
contiguous Employment Center in the whole design area, when they are that scattered.
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Mr. Minner inputted that it was because there are stronger restriction
levels that require that as you go into development you get your "x of residential", but
then you can't get anymore until you move forward into other areas. He said, looking at
the minimum of the 500 acres, the bigger we get in there, the less the jagged edges and
the enclave issues, and the more we annex, the less of a problem that is. As the gaps are
filled in, there will be less service issues, and less annexation issues. He said, looking at
some of the issues Fellsmere had with annexation, the County did not have those issues
five years ago, and Fellsmere did that annexing. He said Sebastian is looking to do better
development under restricted guidelines, and hoped the City would be given the
opportunity to develop the way the Developer proposes.
Commissioner O'Bryan believed the mistake was made not to challenge
Fellsmere's Point -to -Point annexations; and did not believe they should continue and
make more mistakes going forward.
Mr. Minner, Commissioners O'Bryan and Davis, and County staff
engaged in further discussion on the subject. Commissioner O'Bryan did not have a
problem with Point -to -Point as long as it was contiguous.
Attorney Glenn, speaking on the issue of enclaves, wanted to ensure there
were no blanket exemptions from Chapter 171, Part 1.
Mayor Dunlop thought the language at page 14, subsection 3, of the
Agreement should be clearer and should read, "The passage of a bill by either House of
the Sta4e of Fir-id legis'atffe or Senate to ..." Regarding subsection 1, "... charter
commission...", Mayor Dunlop did not think they should abandon the ISBA while
Charter is being studied.
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Fellsmere being the proponent of that language, Mr. Nunemaker said they
would not be bound to abandon the Agreement; they could opt out of it. He could offer
as a substitute to the extent that any proposed Charter offers preemptory language; if the
County wants to change its form of government that would be fine, but to the extent of
usurping the Home Rule authority, municipalities should have every right to take leave of
this Agreement and do what they think is in their best interest.
Mayor Dunlop said they could all agree that if the State mandates it, they
have no choice. He felt that they would cause Charter to go through if they walk away
from this document while a Charter Commission is studying Charter or until it comes up
to a vote.
Commissioner O'Bryan re-emphasized that just because Charter goes in
does not mean this Agreement goes away. He believed the focus should be, if the Charter
tries to take away the Agreements in the ISBA, they have the right to walk away; but not
because a Charter government is formed.
Mayor Dunlop wants to get to the point where it is only if Charter tries to
take over the provisions of the ISBA , and Commissioner O'Bryan suggested they write
one section reflecting that and do away with the rest.
Commissioner Wheeler, looking at subsection 1 (page 14) which reads,
"... a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners or following the submission of a
petition to the county commission signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of the
qualified electors of the county requiring that a charter commission be established, ...",
and again at subsection 3 regarding the Legislature, argued that the Legislature nor 15%
of the people in this County are parties to this Agreement, and he did not know how they
could bind what they want to do with this Agreement. He also thought the language at
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the top of page 14, which reads, "... while an attempt is made to establish a charter form
of government, ..." was too broad and needed to be more specific.
Vice Mayor Kenyon believed Mayor Dunlop's position was valid and he
felt that since they took the time to put this together, they should stick to it until such time
there is a Charter.
Mayor Dunlop suggested they change the language mentioned by
Commissioner Wheeler, to say, "To continue with this agreement while an attempt is
made to establish a charter form of government, which would have a negative impact on
ISBA, or negate ISBA, would be inconsistent." He asked whether everyone could live
with that.
Commissioner O'Bryan was okay with the suggestion and offered to
work with Fellsmere to get the language right.
Commissioner Wheeler said they need to clearly define what would be a
negative impact.
Commissioner Flescher thought it would be very clear if the actions of
any form of Charter would contradict any element of ISBA. He agreed that we should
not have such a harsh triggering mechanism.
Commissioner Wheeler agreed with Mr. Kenyon and Mayor Dunlop that
this should not be pre-empted by people talking or trying to build a Charter, and because
they do not know if it would pass if it goes on the ballot, there was no need to kill it
before it gets there.
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Mr. Nunemaker explained how the Charter was proposed to take away
Home Rule authority, noting that Sebastian was just protecting its municipal interests.
Mr. Minner said maybe there was some compromise in changing the
language; they could (a) water down the "poison pill", and (b) look at what is going to be
the Charter.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners, Mr. Minner and Mayor Dunlop
regarding Charter and in the event it takes away the ILA and/or Home Rule.
Mr. Zito, understanding that the consensus was to protect against pre-
emptive restrictions for the Municipalities' Home Rule, thought the question then would
be, once you do have a proposed Charter that accomplishes this, at what stage in the
process would a party the have the ability to opt out or withdraw from the Agreement.
Vice Mayor Kenyon suggested they could tighten it up by saying, if the
proposed draft Charter does not have dual referendum in it, then they could opt out.
Commissioner Wheeler had no problem with that.
Mayor Abell questioned the 20 -year term in the subject Section, and
pointed out that it is a living document, reviewed every five years, but there was no
provision for extension.
Mayor Dunlop's understanding from prior meetings was that they could
extend it at any time; and at each five year anniversary they could move it or wait until
the end of the twentieth year to extend.
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Mr. Minner confirmed that understanding as correct.
Discussions continued regarding adding language in the Agreement, to
have five-year extension periods.
Mayor Adams, commenting on the issue of USAC review for Exhibits D,
E & F, questioned whether, for Vero Beach that would not preclude the necessity for
having exhibits D, E & F. She noted that there are exceptions to the ISBA, and asked
why they would need to be reviewed.
Mr. Vitunac thought their Planners' point was if a project in the WEC, say
for Sebastian, does not have a comprehensive land use change or future land use, it might
not come to USAC. He said this is just to make sure that what happens in the WEC
happens without a USAC review.
Mayor Adams asked if that was not why it was called out as an exception
and an Exhibit.
Mr. McGarry said those were just principles in the Exhibit, and the
example he used was a New Town under the County's ordinance. He explained that
Comprehensive Plans set the principles but the actual New Town goes through a zoning
process to be placed there and that is when you get the specifics on the development. He
did not see a problem of reviewing it, as they would for other land use changes.
Mayor Adams said Fellsmere would have a problem with anything falling
under Exhibit `F', and then having to come to USAC for review, pointing out that was
why they have an Exhibit `F'.
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Mr. Nunemaker said one of the things they need to be clear about is that
what they have excluded from the Agreement they have excluded all along; and now that
they are almost at final stage of transmittal with DCA, they are not going to interrupt that
process.
Mayor Dunlop asked if there were any other issues, and Councilmember
Simchick asked the Planners if they were comfortable with the USAC, and whether they
were comfortable with the elected officials planning their services.
Mr. Kenyon said the Planning staff needed to come back with a consensus
of what they put together tonight.
Mayor Gillmor asked if there was consensus that they have talked about
all they needed to tonight.
Attorney Dill questioned the use of the word "unanimous"; wanted to
know in what context it was being used; and whether it was to make changes in Section
12 or for a vote by USAC.
Members of the Panel discussed the meaning and use of the word
"unanimous" in Section 12 of the Agreement.
It was unanimously agreed by Municipalities and County to keep the word
"unanimous" in Section 12.
Mayor Dunlop further explained the meaning of the word "unanimous",
stating that it was a majority vote from each Municipality and County that would result in
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DRAFT
a unanimous consent by all six bodies; it does not mean a unanimous support in each of
the six bodies. He suggested they put in parenthesis what "unanimous" means.
Panel discussion continued regarding the meaning of "unanimous" and
when it is required.
Mr. Nunemaker remarked that that after the initiation, Fellsmere acted as
the gatekeeper for this Agreement and they have probably incurred about $30,000 in cost
associated with it. This they did that in a good faith effort to move the Agreement along.
He suggested, that if the movement was going to be delayed, his Council might require
that cost sharing be looked at, where another city take ownership as the gatekeeper of the
document and make the necessary revisions.
Mr. Nunemaker offered that they would take back Exhibit `F'; revise it;
and take it to Council with some finer resolution; noting that it was not meant to
incorporate in total what comes back from DCA. He thought it would be helpful to have
an ongoing staff working group as discussed prior.
Mayor Gillmor believed there was a lot of accord and that they are close;
and they need to have staff come back with a revised document. He thought that when
they meet next they could have a document on which they could all vote.
Mr. Vitunac wanted to call a meeting of the staff working group, in early
January, to revise the document according to tonight's comments and recommendations,
and for staff to come up with its recommendation for the Panel. Sebastian desired to hear
from the Planners. Vero Beach said they could meet by January 15, 2009.
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Mayor Adams asked for a consensus for the joint group to meet by
February 15, 2009. It was pointed out that they might have to wait until after comments
are received from DCA.
Mr. Nunemaker recommended to Council that they do not meet in the
interim if they wanted to wait and hear from DCA, so they do not run up unnecessary
bills.
Mayor Coy thinks they do need to wait until they hear from DCA, because
of past experience with submittals and what comes back.
Mayor Adams was agreeable to waiting to hear from DCA; and also
suggested that there was no point for the staff working group to meet prior to that,
because the main issue for everyone was Exhibit `F'
Mr. Minner had six issues for which he wanted confirmation: the
Sebastian contiguity, Fellsmere's Exhibit `F', the poison pill, Home Rule, the rewrite for
the extension language, and the New Town. He thought it was important that they meet
in the first week in January. It was suggested they meet in March.
Commissioner Wheeler asked Mr. Nunemaker to clarify what he meant
by gatekeeper and the $30,000 in cost sharing.
Mr. Nunemaker said it had become cumbersome for multiple iterations of
the document to be floating around, so Fellsmere took ownership of the document, and
their City Attorney has been doing all the edits, which is a time-consuming process. He
submitted that if Sebastian or one of the other municipalities wants to take ownership of
the document, they have no objection.
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Attorney Vitunac acknowledged and commended staff on how well they
have all worked together on the document, with Fellsmere doing the yeoman's job on the
changes. But thought, that with the document so far along, maybe Vero Beach could take
it over, and do the copying and other costs.
6. PUBLIC INPUT
Honey Minuse, Indian River Neighborhood Association, said they are very
impressed with the process that is going through, and felt strongly about USAC being in
an advisory capacity, requiring a review before those comprehensive plan changes. She
recommended and asked the Board to consider that when New Towns are being
considered, that the anchor tenant should be identified and contracted with prior to any
adoption being granted. They feel it would assure the commercial/ industrial aspects of
the New Towns, and would ensure some economic vitality. They also feel that when that
tenant is identified, that it will enhance the marketing effects of the residential
components.
Mike Gray, Vero Beach, who represents and works with the Graves
family, thought it was important that everyone understood that this document has a lot of
intentions, a lot of good efforts and hard work in it, but if it has ambiguities, it can cause
the document to be read in a number of different ways. He challenged everyone, during
the waiting period between meetings, to work through the rest of the issues and points
raised today. He thought the issue of "unanimous decision" was important and
suggested each municipality think about changes they would like to see in their
municipality for which they would require a unanimous decision, and see how that plays
out with the document, because once approved, it cannot be modified.
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Mr. Vitunac said Mr. Gray's comments were not quite accurate, because
you would have a unanimous approval requirement only if you are changing the
Comprehensive Plan for land outside the USA, which is a major difference. He stated
that is the whole point of this Agreement, and annexing land within the USA and in the
reserve area does not require unanimous approval, and even though some of the large
scale annexations would be reviewed by USAC, they are advisory reviews only.
Mayor Gillmor understood the document also provides for review after
five years, and if changes needed to be made in the future there would be allowances for
that, because the document is not cast in stone for twenty years.
Joseph Paladin, President of Black Swan Consulting, commenting on the
"unanimous" decision, suggested they allow for one vote to not stop the whole process,
because two or three give more credibility.
There were no other speakers.
7. ELECTED OFFICIAL DISCUSSION ON CONSENSUS
FOR DIRECTION TO ISBA WORKING GROUP
Mayor Gillmor summed up the consensus of the Group that they would
allow staff to meet sometime before the 15th of January; that they are all agreed that
sometime before March 15, 2009, the Joint Body would convene again and hopefully
have a document on which they could all vote.
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ISBA, Sebastian
"I1,1Z 0be 3eq
8. ADJOURN
There being no further business, Mayor Gillmor declared the Meeting
adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
ATTEST:
Mary Louise Scheidt, Clerk, Ad Interim Wesley S. Davis, Chairman
Minutes Approved: MAR 0 3 2009
December 15, 2008 / Joint Workshop
ISBA, Sebastian
&MAI
26
1K 136 FG 369