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Home My WebLink About07/21/2006 INDEX TO MINUTES OF SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JULY 21, 2006 1.CALL TO ORDER ........................................................................ 1 2.INVOCATION ............................................................................... 1 3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ...................................................... 1 4.CORRECTIONS/ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA /EMERGENCY ITEMS - NONE ............................. 2 5.COMMISSIONERS MATTERS ................................................. 2 A. COMMISSIONER ARTHUR R. NEUBERGER, CHAIRMAN................................................................................... 2 1.RRI: ...........................................................2 ECONSIDERATION OF EFERENDUM TEMS  3%CAA ...................................................................................2 AP ON LL SSESSMENTS  3%CB ..................................................................................................2 AP ON UDGETS  USB .......................................................................................2 RBAN ERVICE OUNDARY ()..........................................................................................................................2 NO BACKUP B.COMMISSIONER GARY C. WHEELER, VICE CHAIRMAN................................................................................... 4 July 21, 2006/special call 1 1.APLCTC NONYMOUS ROPAGANDA ETTER IRCULATING HROUGHOUT THE OUNTY RIRCSR( EGARDING THE NDIAN IVER OUNTY HOOTING ANGE LETTER ) ..................................................................................................................5 ATTACHED C.COMMISSIONER SANDRA L. BOWDEN - NONE ............... 5 D.COMMISSIONER WESLEY S. DAVIS - NONE ..................... 6 E.COMMISSIONER THOMAS S. LOWTHER - NONE ........... 6 6.ADJOURNMENT .......................................................................... 6 July 21, 2006/special call 2 July 21, 2006 SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in a Special Session to consider items brought forward by Commissioners Neuberger and Wheeler, at th the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25 Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Friday, July 21, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. Present were Chairman Arthur R. Neuberger, Vice Chairman Gary C. Wheeler, Commissioners Wesley S. Davis and Thomas S. Lowther. Commissioner Sandra L. Bowden was absent. Also present were County Administrator Joseph A. Baird, County Attorney William G. Collins II, Executive Aide to the Board Kimberly Massung, and Deputy Clerk Athena Adams. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Neuberger called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. INVOCATION Commissioner Wesley Davis delivered the Invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Neuberger led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. July 21, 2006/special call 1 4. CORRECTIONS/ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA /EMERGENCY ITEMS - NONE Chairman Neuberger asked for a Motion to remove/delete Item 5.B.1 (Anonymous Propaganda Letter) from the Agenda as he felt it was of a political nature and did not have a place on the Agenda. There was no Motion. Item 5.B.1 remained for discussion. 5. COMMISSIONERS MATTERS A. COMMISSIONER ARTHUR R. NEUBERGER, CHAIRMAN 1.RECONSIDERATION OF REFERENDUM ITEMS:  3% CAP ON ALL ASSESSMENTS  3% CAP ON BUDGETS  URBAN SERVICE BOUNDARY (NO BACKUP) Chairman Neuberger introduced and aired a Digital Video Disk (DVD) he received from State Representative Ralph Poppell, entitled “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future”. It talked about Florida, as a “Place of Promise” where people are in search of opportunities for a better life. Designated Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Marco Rubio and other future Speakers of the House highlighted the concerns of Florida residents that no one was listening and the “Promise” was slipping away. The Speakers talked about a “Movement” that is taking place in Florida and the four basic principles by which it would be governed. They are: July 21, 2006/special call 2 1.Government must listen to people and empower them 2.Good ideas change lives 3.The Government’s money is the people’s money; and 4.Government and its elected representatives must be accountable to the people they serve. This “Movement” and the people who believe in it will renew and preserve the Promise of Florida, it said. The Plan is to listen to the people’s concerns and their ideas for addressing them in order to renew the “Promise of Florida”. Ideas from Florida residents would be compiled into a book called “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future”. Although the ideas for this Plan would come from the people Government would be responsible for the end result. People could convene at “Idearaisers” sessions where lawmakers would listen or they could log on to www.100ideas.org website and submit their ideas or review and comment on the ideas of others and participate in live chat on specific issues with their Representatives. Chairman Neuberger was impressed with what he saw on the video. He asked State Representative Poppell if the book had been published. State Representative Ralph Poppell showed an empty book. The plan is to gather the ideas of Florida residents over time to fill the book, he said. He reiterated his support for the book thinking it’s a great idea. They are holding themselves to it in the Legislature, he said. Chairman Neuberger asked what was the timetable for getting the book filled. Representative Poppell had no timeline for the completion of the book. It is a growing process, he said July 21, 2006/special call 3 Chairman Neuberger questioned whether the Board was interested in adopting something like this and do away with referendums. Commissioner Davis said “no” to doing away with referendums, but liked the idea presented regarding the 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future. He felt it was a good opportunity to take it out of the Constitution but still take it to the Governor. He wanted to see the items under 5.A.1. placed on the November ballot. MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Davis, SECONDED by Commissioner Lowther, for discussion, to place the items: 3% Cap on All Assessments, 3% Cap on Budgets, and Urban Service Boundary, on the November Ballot. Commissioner Wheeler needed clarity on the Motion. Discussion ensued regarding the Motion. The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION. Motion FAILED by a 2-2 vote (Chairman Neuberger & Commissioner Wheeler opposed) Commissioner Bowden was absent. B. COMMISSIONER GARY C. WHEELER, VICE CHAIRMAN July 21, 2006/special call 4 1. ANONYMOUS PROPAGANDA LETTER CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY REGARDING THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHOOTING RANGE (LETTER ATTACHED) Commissioner Wheeler addressed the contents of an anonymous letter, which was circulated to some Concealed Weapons Permit holders in Indian River County, accusing him of plotting with the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) to close the gun range. He dismissed the claims as “absolutely, totally, and completely false”. The letter was placed on overhead projection. Executive Aide to the Board Kimberly Massung read the letter addressing “neighbor and fellow gun owner” and initialed “C.W., Gun owners for Keeping America Free” (copy on file). Commissioner Wheeler felt the letter was insulting to the intelligence of gun owners and people who use the range. He believes in the right to bear arms and gun safety and saw this letter as propaganda. He, however, admitted to the only thing correct in the letter. That is, he had said they should look at putting the designation under Recreation, and that was basically to keep the gun range, because State law says that after 5 years if it is not profitable, and if they wanted to keep it going, it has to be in a department. County Administrator Joseph Baird confirmed, explaining that it was the Auditors who had expressed that if it did not make money they would have to move it out as an Enterprise Fund as they felt it should fall in a taxing fund at that point. Commissioner Davis sympathized with Commissioner Wheeler and thought they should just move on. Everyone agreed. C. COMMISSIONER SANDRA L. BOWDEN - NONE July 21, 2006/special call 5 D. COMMISSIONER WESLEY S. DAVIS - NONE E. COMMISSIONER THOMAS S. LOWTHER - NONE 6. ADJOURNMENT ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ARE HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 8:51 a.m. ATTEST: _________________________________ ________________________________ Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Arthur R. Neuberger, Chairman Minutes Approved: _________________ BCC/AA/2006 Minutes July 21, 2006/special call 6