Rick Patrick Greene Publishing, Inc.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Madison City Commission on Tuesday, Dec. 13, the city commission voted unanimously to rezone 43 parcels of land in the area of Madison County Memorial Hospital. The rezoning of these properties to office/residential will allow for the opening of doctor's offices in the area.
In other business the commission voted to pass the consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda for the meeting included the acceptance of minutes from previous meetings, the acquisition of vehicles for the Public Works and Wastewater Departments, the declaration of surplus items, the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, the awarding of bids for electrician and small engine repair services, the Fire/Rescue and Police Department reports.
Commissioner Judy Townsend was recognized for her 20 years of service as Commissioner for the City of Madison. The commission also recognized former Commissioner Marcus Hawkins for his service to the City of Madison.
The renaming of Safari Dr. was discussed. This would include all the addresses associated with Hilltop Apartments. The commission voted to not rename Safari Dr. to Tammy Monlyn Dr. due to the fact that it would impact possibly 150 people. The county would have to absorb the cost of $6.25 and the state absorbing $25 for each person who would have to obtain a new driver's license. Each resident would also have to go through the work of changing their address.
The commission then discussed a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant for the construction of four tennis courts at Lanier Field. The city has applied for two $50,000 grants and could possibly receive a $20,000 from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). In order to receive the grant from the USTA, the courts would have to meet USTA specifications, including a three inch deep surface and fencing within the surfaced area of the courts. The cost to meet the USTA specifications would be approximately $53,200. The project could possibly be completed by mid-April of next year. The commission voted to table the agenda item pending further word on the USTA grant application.
A proposed lease of a vactor truck for the Wastewater Department was briefly discussed. The current truck is broken and repairs would cost approximately $34,000. City Manager Tim Bennett had one lease proposal in hand at the meeting. Bennett stated he wanted to have two more proposals for the commissioners. No action was needed.
Next on the agenda was a matter concerning a disputed lift station with North Florida Community College. City Attorney Tom Reeves was to have contacted his counterpart at NFCC concerning the college's request to schedule a “Conflict Assessment meeting” regarding the lift station. As of the time of the commission meeting, the date and location of the meeting had not been finalized. This item was removed from the commission meeting agenda.
Next, the commission discussed city ordinance enforcement, specifically items on the sidewalks in front of businesses in the downtown area. City Attorney Clay Schnitker will work on making a specific ordinance regarding this and will propose it to the commission.
Mayor Jim Catron then proposed a goal setting session for the commission. No action was taken. The commission then voted to close out the current, completed Community Development Block Grant from the state and return the unused funds. The city will apply for a new grant.
The city accepted a grant in the amount of $300,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Small County Outreach Program for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Range Ave. from Dade to Millinor. City staff and the city engineer will be meeting with the FDOT to determine a path forward and get the project underway. The project is likely to cause significant traffic disruptions and the city will conduct a public information program in order to keep citizens informed of the project and its progress.
An award of a bid regarding the acquisition of security cameras from Automated Building Control Systems, Inc. of Tallahassee for a total of $13,800 was tabled. In another bid matter, City Manager Bennett recommended a bid from Sunstate Meter and Supply, Inc., of Newberry, to provide approximately 160 Neptune meters from Sunstate at a cost of $185 each. Commissioner Jim Stanley moved that the city accept the Sunstate bid. No commissioners would second the motion. Mayor Catron then handed his gavel to Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioner Rayne Cooks so that he could second the motion. The motion then passed unanimously with no discussion.
The commission then held a second and final reading and public hearing of proposed Ordinance No. 2016-6 which extended the temporary moratorium on impact fees for water and wastewater. There was no public input. The ordinance passed on a four to one vote, with Commissioner Townsend voting against.
The commission then held the public hearings and second and final readings on the ordinances for the rezoning of 43 parcels of land in the hospital area. These ordinances were read individually and each was approved unanimously.
The next scheduled meeting of the Madison City Commission is set for Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.