HomeMy Public PortalAbout03272023 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCity Council Minutes
March 27, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Crestview City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by
Mayor JB Whitten. Board members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich, Council
members: Doug Capps, Cynthia Brown, Joe Blocker, and Ryan Bullard. Also present: City
Manager Tim Bolduc, Deputy City Clerk Natasha Peacock, City Attorney Jonathan
Holloway and various staff members.
2. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
2.1. Reverend John Ferguson of Oak Ridge Assembly of God
The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Reverend John Ferguson of
Oak Ridge Assembly of God.
3. Open Policy Making and Legislative Session
Mayor JB Whitten established a quorum.
4. Auurove Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Mr. Blocker to approve the current Agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr.
Capps. Roll Call: Mr. Capps, Mr. Blocker, Mr. Rencich, Ms. Brown, Mr. Bullard. All ayes.
Motion carried.
5. Presentations and Renorts
5.1. Presentation of the City of Crestview Bulldog Award
Mayor JB Whitten presented the Crestview Bulldog Award for January, February
and March. This award was presented to three students from Crestview High School.
5 2 Proclamation Declaring the Week of April 23-29, 2023 as National Library Week in
Crestview
Mayor JB Whitten read and presented the proclamation of Library Week to the
Library.
6. Consent Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Cynthia Brown and seconded by Councilmember Joe Blocker
to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan Bullard.
All ayes. Motion carried.
6.1. Approval of CRA Annual Report
6.2. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2023
6.3. CSX Railroad Property Contract Renewal
6.4. Purchase of By -Pass Bridge Pipe
7. Public Hearings / Ordinances on Second Reading
7.1. Ordinance 1919 - James Lee Blvd E Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Planning Administrator N. Schwendt informed the Council that the next two
ordinances before them were concerning a future land use and zoning for a property
located on East James Lee Blvd. This property was presented at the previous Council
meeting. He then presented Ordinance 1919 to the Council.
Planning Administrator N. Schwendt asked the Deputy City Clerk to read the
Ordinance.
Deputy City Clerk N. Peacock read Ordinance 1919 by Title: An Ordinance of the
City of Crestview, Florida, Amending Its Adopted Comprehensive Plan; Providing
For Authority; Providing For Findings Of Fact; Providing For Purpose; Providing
For Changing The Future Land Use Designation From Commercial (C) to
Residential (R) on Approximately 42.82 Acres, More or Less, In Section 16,
Township 3 North, Range 23 West; Providing For Future Land Use Map
Amendment; Providing For Severability; Providing For Scrivener's Errors; Providing
For Liberal Interpretation; Providing For Repeal of Conflicting Codes and
Ordinances; and Providing For an Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comments from the City Council and the public.
Hearing none, he called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember Joe
Blocker to adopt Ordinance 1919 on Second Reading.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
7.2. Ordinance 1920 - James Lee Blvd E Rezoning
Planning Administrator N. Schwendt presented information for Ordinance 1920
stating that the application requested the single and multifamily density residential
dwelling district and that the Planning and Development Board and City Council
approval of the request.
Planning Administrator N. Schwendt asked the Deputy City Clerk to read Ordinance
1920. Deputy City Clerk N. Peacock read Ordinance 1920 by Title: Ordinance 1920
An Ordinance of the City of Crestview, Florida, Providing For the Rezoning of 42.82
Acres, More or Less, of Real Property, Located In Section 16, Township 3 North,
Range 23 West, From the Commercial Low -Intensity District (C-2) Zoning District
to the Single and Multi -Family Density Dwelling District (R-3) Zoning District;
Providing For Authority; Providing For The Updating of the Crestview Zoning Map;
Providing For Severability; Providing For Scrivener's Errors; Providing For Liberal
Interpretation; Providing For Repeal of Conflicting Codes and Ordinances; and
Providing For an Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comments from the City Council and the public.
Hearing none, he called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Cynthia Brown and seconded by Mayor-Pro-Tem
Andrew Rencich to adopt Ordinance 1920 on Second Reading.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
7.3. Ordinance 1921 - Designating the Official Seal of the City of Crestview
City Manager T. Bolduc presented Ordinance 1921 for Second Reading.
City Manager T. Bolduc asked the Deputy City Clerk to read Ordinance 1921 by
title.
Deputy City Clerk N. Peacock read Ordinance 1921 by title: An Ordinance by the
City Council of the City of Crestview, Florida Designating the Official Seal of the
City; Providing For Penalties For Unauthorized Use; Standards For Public Use;
Providing For Severability; Providing For Repeal of Ordinances in Conflict; and
Providing a n Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comments from the City Council and the public.
Hearing none, he called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Joe Blocker and seconded by Councilmember Doug
Capps to adopt Ordinance 1921 on Second Reading.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
8. Ordinances on First Reading
None were brought forward.
9. Resolutions
None were brought forward.
10. Action Items
10.1. Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore
Mayor JB Whitten informed the Council that it was time to select the Mayor Pro-
Tem for the year. He then asked for nominations from the Council.
Councilmember Brown nominated Mr. Rencich to hold the position again for 2023.
She noted that he does an exceptional job representing the Mayor and the City at
public events.
A brief discussion ensued.
Motion made by Councilmember Brown and seconded by Mr. Bullard to reinstate
Mr. Rencich as Mayor Pro-Tem for 2023.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
10.2. Authorization to Proceed with the Foreclosures of Code Compliance Liens
Police Chief McCosker presented to the Council for approval properties that require
foreclosure. He stated that the foreclosure process is the next step for the properties
listed. Police Chief McCosker informed Council that since revamping the code
enforcement process a few years ago the City has been able to address some of the
blighted property issues. The purpose of having code enforcement is to get the
property owners in compliance with the building codes and in most cases the
property owner takes the necessary steps for correction. Unfortunately, with this
request all efforts have been exhausted and these particular property owners are not
adhering to the building codes. He then asked for Council approval to direct the City
Attorney to begin the foreclosure process.
There was discussion from Council concerning the process of foreclosure.
Mayor Whitten asked if there were any comments from the Public.
Mr. Williams of Williams Ave, Crestview, read a letter in support of the Council
foreclosing on the properties especially the property on 650 Shortwell.
Property owner of 690 Shortwell, Crestview addressed Council to support the
foreclosure of the property at 650 Shortwell.
Ms. Wanda Hulion of 685 East Williams Ave, Crestview spoke in support of the
foreclosure of the property at 650 Shortwell.
Mr. Victor Kolmetz of Crestview spoke in support of the foreclosure of the property
at 650 Shortwell.
A citizen of Crestview spoke in support of the foreclosure of the property at 650
Shortwell.
Mr. Tarpley of Crestview spoke in support of the foreclosure of the property at 650
Shortwell.
Property owner of 699 East Williams spoke in support of the foreclosure of property
at 650 Shortwell.
Mr. Kenny Siler stated he has property on the foreclosure list. He stated the city
should clean the property and charge the individual, instead of taking the property, as
stated on the paper that is sent out. He stated that some people have longer than
others to clean up their property.
Mayor Whitten called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Rencich to direct the City Attorney to proceed with the
foreclosure process per Florida State Statute under the Magistrate's order to allow
staff permission to abate these noncompliant properties during foreclosure. Seconded
by Councilmember Brown.
Roll Call: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
11. City Clerk Report
11.1. Monthly Update
Deputy City Clerk N. Peacock provided an update.
12. City Manager Report
12.1. Financial Update - Finance Director
Financial Management Analyst W. Buttke informed Council that the January
financial statements including the February check register were in the staff report.
She then updated them on the new budget software stating all departments are
currently inputting their 2024 budgets.
City Manager T. Bolduc informed Council that he would be traveling to testify
before a committee in Tallahassee concerning House Bill 6671. He reminded Council
that there was an upcoming Strategic Planning meeting on Wednesday where elected
officials, department heads, students from the LEAD class, the president of the
college and individuals from the public would be in attendance. Mr. Bolduc
commented that this meeting is an opportunity to look at what we've accomplished
over the last four years and start planning for the next ten years.
13. Comments from the Mayor and Council
13.1. Ground -Mounted Solar Energy Systems Update
City Manager T. Bolduc commented after Council direction, staff reviewed all the
comments that were made at the last meeting and have provided a draft ordinance.
There was a study conducted and an assessment completed and asked the Council to
review it before it is scheduled for the next Council meeting.
A brief discussion ensued.
City Manger T. Bolduc requested consensus from Council to direct staff to move
forward.
Council gave consensus for staff to move forward.
Councilmember Capps informed Council that he was approached to provide a
waterslide for the May Day celebration at Allen Park. Mr. Capps directed Staff to
assist in this matter.
City Manager T. Bolduc stated that the Special Events staff would take care of the
matter.
Councilmember R. Bullard voiced his support in how the city is handling the
foreclosure process.
Councilmember C. Brown stated that she was also in support of the foreclosure
process.
Mayor Pro-Tem A. Rencich spoke about the ribbon cutting at the fire tower, the
swearing -in of four new police officers, and added the Special Olympics Torch Run
is coming up on Wednesday.
Mayor Whitten mentioned that the library event of "Touch A Truck" was a success
and the Triple B was a major success also. He reminded Council of the upcoming
Narcan training on the 30tn
14. Comments from the Audience
Mayor Whitten asked if there were any comments from the Public.
A citizen of Crestview spoke in support of foreclosing the property on Shortwell Ave.
Ms. Hulion of 685 E Williams Ave, asked now that Council has approved the foreclosure
list what would the timeline look like before residents can see tangible change.
City Attorney Mr. Holloway answered that options would be reviewed short of foreclosure
because foreclosure is the longest of the options that are out there.
A citizen of Crestview thanked the Council for their decision on the foreclosure list.
A citizen of Crestview informed the Council of the condition of the property on Shortwell
Avenue as it relates to clean-up.
A citizen of Crestview informed Council of the deceased owner of the property on
Shortwell as relatives live nearby.
Mr. Hayes, a citizen of Crestview, informed council about the different events that have
taken place in the City.
Mr. Brian Lewis representing the Crestview Housing Authority informed Council that
there will be a Town Hall meeting this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Allen Park for citizens to
come out and ask questions, and voice concerns about the Housing Authority.
15. Adjournment
Mayor Whitten adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Minutes approved this 10th day of April 2023,
Natasha Peacock, Deputy City Clerk
Propjr Notice having been duly given
n
City
aryanne Schrader
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