November 17, 1998 (special)
Nov 17 1998
The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on November 17, 1998, at 6:02 p.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Present were: Chairman Helen Voltz, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Randy O'Brien, Nancy Higgs, and Sue Carlson, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Nancy Higgs.
Commissioner Randy O'Brien led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
OATH OF OFFICE, RE: COMMISSIONERS RANDY O'BRIEN AND SUE CARLSON
Judge Kenneth Friedland administered the oath of office to Commissioner Randy O'Brien, District 2 and Commissioner Sue Carlson, District 4.
Commissioner Carlson introduced her husband Courtney, daughter Andrea and son Garrett. Commissioner O'Brien introduced his wife Ginny.
Commissioner Carlson expressed appreciation to her family and the legion of dedicated volunteers who worked on her campaign; and stated perseverance, hard work and a tremendous team effort were the crucial components in realizing victory. She thanked County staff for their patience and assistance; and stated now it is time to follow through with the main message of the election, which is to bring back a true majority voice to the Board, to be proactive, to search for long-term solutions, to establish a vision for the County's future, and to work towards a fair and equitable balance on all issues. She stated she looks forward to serving all the residents of Brevard County, and she appreciates the opportunity to do so.
Commissioner O'Brien thanked the people of District 2 for having such confidence in him that they chose him again to be their commissioner; and thanked the 114 volunteers who went so far out of their way to help him with his campaign, including his wife, Ginny, Ron and Donna Pritchard, Ernie and Alice Kees, Ruth LaBonte, Lloyd Lewis, Roger Dobson, Duane and Jeri Watson, George and Sandy Reynolds, Tom and Susie Wasdin, Al and Marla Glover, Rose Lyons, Jim Swann, and Tommy and Becky Gorman. He welcomed Commissioner Carlson to the Board, and promised to work with her in hopes that the Board can continue to find solutions for the problems of the County. He stated the Board has remained professional as it goes about the tasks before it; the Commissioners always share a mutual respect for each other; and he hopes the Board can have fun working together. He advised of his goals to hold the line on taxes, eliminate waste, and pursue the reduction of the cost of government while maintaining a high standard of service. He stated he would like to see a strong growth management plan to control the outfall of development as it impacts the environment, a fairness and balance between the needs of the community and the needs of the environment, and for the Board to never lose sight of the important mission before it regarding strong economic growth. He urged the Board to not let down its guard, but to become more competitive in a soon to be struggling economy so the County can not only survive economic change, but come out as a true winner for the people. He noted he is the first District 2 Commissioner to be re-elected since 1978; and promised to make the tough decisions necessary to provide efficient, responsive government regardless of future political consequences. He stated the people of the County must be assured continued access to government, lands the government owns, structures, parks, beaches, river properties, and everything else that belongs to the public; and he looks forward to four more years of working with his fellow Commissioners and the County employees.
SELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, to select Commissioner Truman Scarborough as Chairman. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.
Commissioner Scarborough requested Chairman Voltz continue to chair the meeting to its conclusion at which time he will assume the duties of Chairman.
SELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to select Commissioner Nancy Higgs as Vice Chairman. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.
APPROVAL, RE: CONTINUING TO USE THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN'S SIGNATURE PLATES UNTIL NEW SIGNATURE PLATES CAN BE OBTAINED
Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to approve use of the former Chairman's signature plates until new signature plates can be obtained. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.
PRESENTATION TO PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN
Commissioner Truman Scarborough, on behalf of the Commission, presented a plaque to Chairman Voltz in recognition of her service as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. He stated the Chairman has special responsibilities; Chairman Voltz has done a wonderful job; and she has always given unselfishly of her time.
Chairman Voltz stated two years ago she was elected, and the night she took office, she was elected as Vice Chairman; she had never chaired a meeting of any sort before; but it came natural to her, PRESENTATION TO PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN (CONTINUED)
and she enjoyed it. She stated she has enjoyed being able to have short meetings; and she hopes Commissioner Scarborough continues that. She stated she is looking forward to the next two years. Commissioner Scarborough requested in the future, people print their names on the speaker cards.
APPROVAL, RE: SCHEDULING OF ZONING MEETINGS IN 1999
Chairman Voltz requested zoning meetings be scheduled on the first Thursday of the month rather than the third or fourth Thursday; and explained the difficulties in getting everything done for the zoning meetings. She advised the change can not take place until March, 1999 as the January and February, 1999 meetings have already been advertised.
Motion by Commissioner O'Brien, seconded by Commissioner Higgs, to direct that zoning meetings be scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, beginning March, 1999. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.
DISCUSSION, RE: COMMISSIONER SEATING
Commissioner Scarborough advised the Commissioners can decide where they wish to sit. Chairman Voltz stated it would be good for the Vice Chairman to sit next to the Chairman. Commissioner Higgs indicated she will sit next to Commissioner O'Brien.
Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK
( S E A L )