MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

April 15, 1997

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in regular session on April 15, 1997, at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, Florida. Present were: Chairman Randy O?Brien, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Nancy Higgs, Mark Cook and Helen Voltz, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

The Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Ostrander, Victory Christian Center, Palm Bay.

Commissioner Cook led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Cook advised May 1, 1997 is the National Day of Prayer; and requested the County Manager investigate making County facilities available for the observance.

Commissioner Voltz advised of a derogatory article which was in the newspaper concerning County golf courses and the Board, and a memorandum from County staff reporting on the favorable status of the golf courses. She noted even though the General Fund subsidizes the golf courses, the County is in the business of providing golf courses, and it is good for economic and tourism development. She stated anyone writing on behalf of the County should have those articles cleared before lambasting the Board.

Commissioner Cook advised the reason the golf courses are doing so well is partially because of the person who wrote the article. Commissioner Scarborough spoke in support of staff?s freedom to comment.

Commissioner Higgs read aloud a letter recognizing Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust.

Motion by Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to adopt Resolution recognizing May 4 through

11, 1997 as Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Commissioner Higgs presented the Resolution to Ritual Leader John Goldring.

Mr. Goldring advised of a memorial service to be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 5, 1997 at the South Housing Chapel at Patrick Air Force Base, and expressed appreciation to the Board for the Resolution.

Commissioner Voltz read aloud a resolution proclaiming Crime Victims? Week; and presented it to Kathy King.

Kathy King, Coordinator for Victims Services with the State Attorney?s Office, introduced Volunteer Coordinator, Pike Abell, and expressed appreciation for the Resolution. She advised of a Safety Awareness Seminar on April 19, 1997.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to adopt Resolution proclaiming April 13 through 19, 1997 as Crime Victims? Week in Brevard County. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Chairman O?Brien read aloud a resolution proclaiming Teen Pregnancy Prevention Awareness Week.; and presented it to Earthy Spaulding.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to adopt Resolution proclaiming April 23 through May 1, 1997 as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Awareness Week in Brevard County. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Earthy Spaulding, representing Community, Incorporated, introduced Sherry McMaster of the Citrus Council of Girl Scouts, and Mary Owens of the Brevard County Public Health Unit; advised of the importance of today?s children and teenagers to the future; and inquired how are the children. She advised of problems with teenagers being sexually active, teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and child neglect and abuse. She advised of the number of children born to teenagers in Brevard County; and explained the consequences. She stated the "Think It Over Challenge" will be held on April 26, 1997; and requested a donation of $1,500.

Chairman O?Brien expressed his views on the issue of teen pregnancy, including need for parental responsibility, concerns for the future of teen mothers and their children, lack of solutions, change in attitudes toward teen mothers, impact of media, and what can be done to change attitudes.

Commissioner Higgs requested Ms. Spaulding submit additional information to staff on the program for which she was asking for funding, and staff bring it back to the Board on the April 22, 1997 Agenda. Commissioner Cook advised funds may be available in the set-aside fund.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to hear Item V.B. at this time. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

County Surveyor Beverly Sutphin advised staff has not received the new easement due to illness of Ms. Williams; but the attorney has assured that the County will receive the easement within a day or two; and recommended the action be contingent upon receipt of the easement.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve abatement of fines for a six-month period levied against property owned by Augusta and Ruth Williams, as recommended by the Code Enforcement Board, contingent upon receipt of an Easement from Mr. and Mrs. Wiliams for the Lakeview Subdivision drainage project. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize a Special Event Permit for the Christian Church of Port St. John for an outside concert on April 19, 1997 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to appoint/reappoint the following: Chuck Striffler, 907 Cherry Hill Court, Melbourne to the Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee, Michelle "Shelly" Armstrong, 248 Bahama Boulevard, Cocoa Beach to the Merritt Island/Beaches Service Sector Advisory Board, Kelli Jo Strabley, 285 N. Plumosa Avenue, Merritt Island to the Animal Control Dangerous Dog Hearing Council, Michael Spitzkeit, 717 Park Avenue, Titusville, to the Animal Control Dangerous Dog Hearing Council, Susan Baiocco, 4225 Fox Lake Road, Titusville to the Affordable Housing Council, Laura Ward, 5317 Riverside Drive, Titusville to the Affordable Housing Council, and Jack Houts, 237 Chase Road, Cocoa, to the Personnel Council. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Chairman O?Brien called for the first public hearing to consider tentative approval of the Mid-year Supplemental Budget for FY 1996-97.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to grant tentative approval of the Mid-year Supplemental Budget for FY-1996-97; and authorize advertisement of the final public hearing.

Senior Budget Analyst Neil Boynton advised the final budget hearing will be held on May 20, 1997.

Chairman O?Brien commented on salary increases for Judicial Branch Administration. Commissioner Cook requested additional information on the salary increases prior to the final public hearing. Commissioner Voltz advised of a correction on page 1, attachment C. Commissioner Scarborough inquired if copies of the budget will be provided to the libraries and Commission Offices; with Budget Director Kathy Wall responding affirmatively.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

County Manager Tom Jenkins advised the County Attorney?s Office raised questions concerning Emergency Services Impact Fee project funding recommendations; and it will come back to the Board prior to the final budget hearing.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to table Amendment No. 1 to Lease No. 3959 with Board of Trustees of The Internal Improvement Trust Fund and U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service for Management of Brevard Turtle Beaches to allow staff to finalize language of the Amendment.

Chairman O?Brien inquired about the Brevard Turtle Beaches; with Commissioner Higgs explaining the term refers to a number of properties on the South South Beaches, which is the second largest turtle nesting area in the world.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Michael Fitzgerald advised of unsightly stains on the grey, unfinished concrete and columns at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center; and requested the Board consider painting the columns and unfinished concrete.

Commissioner Cook expressed agreement with Mr. Fitzgerald; noted he is asked when the building will be finished, although it has been finished for some time; stated he supports funding the request from funds left over from construction of the building; and requested the County Manager and staff investigate the type and color of paint to enhance the Justice Center.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to direct the County Manager to work with Michael Fitzgerald on the possibility of painting the unfinished concrete portions of the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center, and report to the Commissioners by memorandum.

Discussion ensued on use of recycled paint, aesthetically pleasing color schemes, and funding through the excess funds from the construction of the Justice Center.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Jerry Crute advised of previous Board action to extend the winter golfing term until April 15, 1997, and of the impact to golfers. He stated Assistant County Attorney Shannon Wilson advised of the legality of the changes being retroactive; he has no recourse; and requested the Board look into the issue. He noted the improvements of the Savannahs Golf Course.

Assistant County Manager Joan Madden stated the winter months were extended to April 15, 1997 from April 1, 1997; and that was supposed to incorporate the annual membership. She indicated willingness to meet with Mr. Crute to address the problem.

Mr. Crute explained the problem with continuing to pay the surcharge for an additional two weeks; and recommended the date not be changed.

County Manager Tom Jenkins advised he had no prior knowledge of the problem; and there was no intent to change the rules while current memberships were in place.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to allow terms of membership for golf membership dues to remain in effect this year. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Thomas Corey, Corrections Officer at Brevard Correctional Institution, advised of a line item issue in Senate Bill 2400 concerning study of privatization of prisons; and outlined problems with private prisons. He noted two companies are lobbying to take over State facilities; and advised of the effect to the County. He requested the Commissioners investigate and inform the Legislative Delegation of their positions.

Richard Schoentube outlined what the County will lose through privatization of correctional institutions; and advised of savings through inmate labor.

Carolyn Turner advised she is one of twenty-five teachers at BCI; and expressed concern about safety if correctional institutions are privatized.

Richard Ward, Corrections Officer at Brevard Correctional Institution, advised the County is noted for its support of veterans; expressed concern that veterans may be "back doored"; and requested the public be informed. He requested the Board consider who and what it will lose by privatizing.

Commissioner Scarborough advised it would be appropriate to get more information; and stated he heard that the move to privatization had waned due to failures.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to direct staff to investigate privatization of prisons and report at the next Board meeting.

Chairman O?Brien advised of problems in privatized jails in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Commissioner Voltz advised she will call each Representative and Senator to determine where they stand on this issue, and request they not vote until the County decides whether it wants this or not.

Chairman O?Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

County Manager Tom Jenkins advised it will be difficult to get information by next week. Commissioner Scarborough requested staff come to the Board if it is moving rapidly.

Chairman O?Brien requested staff keep in contact with Richard Ward.

Michael Ramos, Corrections Officer at Brevard Correctional Institution, advised the phone lines have been flooded to address Appropriation Bill 2400.

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

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ATTEST: RANDY O?BRIEN, CHAIRMAN

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

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SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK

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