The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in regular session on July 16, 1997, at 6:30 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.

Chairman O'Brien led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Chairman O'Brien advised that the meeting tonight is a continuation from the meeting of July 15, 1997 concerning Valkaria Airport; and explained the proper procedures for those individuals wishing to address the Board. He stated each speaker will have three minutes to provide their comments to the Board.

APPROVAL, RE: 1997 REVISED BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

County Manager Tom Jenkins requested the Board approve the Board meeting schedule changes; and stated staff has coordinated the dates with the Commission offices.

Motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to approve the 1997 Revised Board Meeting Schedule, as submitted, changing meetings from July 17 to July 25, August 14 to July 31, August 12 at 9:00 a.m. to August 12 at 5:30 p.m., August 19 at 5:30 p.m. to August 19 at 9:00 a.m., and August 27 to August 13. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

DISCUSSION, RE: VALKARIA AIRPORT

Jon Radencic, Jim Ray, and Barbara Ray expressed their support to close Runway 927.

Thomas Angello, Harold Davidson, David Hudson, Mark Crafts, and Harry Thompson advised of their support to keep Runway 927 open.

George Kenney, Claudine Daron, and Lee Mavity requested the Board turn over the authority of Valkaria Airport to TiCo Airport; and James Daron requested Valkaria Airport be turned over to a professional airport.

Irene LaTurno, Genowofa Mulanczyk, Scott LaTurno, and Ralph Turnberg expressed their opposition to Valkaria Airport.

Patrick Murphy, George Pittman, Martin Hadley, Tom Eschenberg, Harvey Krieesman, Anthony Ross, Eugene Brady, Arthur Irvine, and Al Marshall expressed their support for Valkaria Airport.

Stephen Bowman and George Spilios requested Runway 927 be repaved.

The meeting recessed at 8:06 p.m. and reconvened at 8:24 p.m.

Edwin Tarry, Captain Vince Rakstis, Linn Walters, Jack King, Peter Banfield, Larry Wakefield, Normand Allen, Paul Goetsch, and S. M. Hallenbeck expressed their support for Valkaria Airport.

Janis Walters advised of her opposition to Valkaria Airport.

Jeffery C. May and Wayne Lanza requested the repaving of Runway 927; and D. Andrew Soleimany requested the Board keep Runway 927 open.

Johnnie Wimpee, Rose Gainey, Mary Jo Faden, Dan Faden, Bill Scott, Valerie Scott, expressed their support to close Runway 927.

Chairman O'Brien expressed the Board's appreciation to all the speakers for their comments.

The meeting recessed at 9:44 p.m. and reconvened at 10:00 p.m.

Commissioner Higgs stated there are critical issues that need to be dealt with tonight by the Board; it has the ability to solve the problems; and the most fundamental issue that needs to be addressed is management. She suggested the Board direct the County Manager to hire a professional manager who potentially could be a part-time manager, but there would be full-time staff at Valkaria Airport to deal with the problems. She stated the Board needs to adopt a new airport layout plan that puts to rest the issues in regard to commercialization that are of fundamental concern to the people; the new airport director, in conjunction with the County Manager, needs to move forward in bringing to the Board the revised ALP and revised master plan; and the Board could review the recommendations brought forward by the County Manager and appointed airport manager on a quarterly basis. Commissioner Higgs noted the County should not close Runway 927 at this time; there could be restrictions placed on it, including no stop and go's, and the use only under crosswind conditions; and the safety of all involved is best protected by that.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, to direct the County Manager to hire appropriate management staff and staff for Valkaria Airport on a full-time basis.

Commissioner Voltz stated she would like to comment before the Board considers any motions.

Commissioner Higgs withdrew her motion.

Commissioner Voltz provided documentation to the Board for its review and commented on the wind rose studies, airport master plans, wind conditions, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), signature petitions of residents, Runways 422 and 927, liability insurance, quitclaim deed for Valkaria Airport property, paving runways, touch and go's/stop and go's, noise, environmental assessment study, and management on Valkaria Airport. She advised she does not support TiCo's operation of Valkaria Airport and supports resurfacing Runway 927.

Commissioner Scarborough suggested the Board ask the Melbourne Airport officials to review the issues regarding Valkaria Airport; and stated the County has never really been in the airport business.

Commissioner Higgs stated what Commissioner Scarborough is suggesting puts the citizens out of the loop; it puts the decisions in the hands of people who have no direct relationship with the people of the area; and it is very unfair.

Commissioner Scarborough stated Melbourne Airport has the technical expertise; it will meet with the citizens; and the problems will be solved in six months rather than three years.

Commissioner Higgs stated the Board tonight can set in motion a process of establishing the regulations, rules and management structure that will allow the County to solve the problems; and giving it to the Melbourne Airport officials to solve it is not acceptable to the community. She noted the citizens want to have input to their County Commission to make the decision; giving the decision-making away is further expanding the problem; the Board has the ability to make a decision in regard to policies, procedures, layout plans and land use decisions; and it can make a decision to hire a manager and staff, and move forward. Commissioner Higgs stated to do otherwise is going to expand the controversy and not resolve the problem; and the Board has a responsibility to make those decisions.

Commissioner Voltz stated moving the airport issue to the Melbourne Airport officials would be the best thing for the citizens, staff and the Board; if the County hires an airport manager, he will be run off in one year; and the staff that works for the Melbourne Airport knows what is going on.

Commissioner Higgs stated the reason the Board is here tonight is because it has not made decisions or set definitive policy; and the resolution to the problem is to move forward. She stated the Board can direct the County Attorney to develop the ordinance that will allow enforcement of restrictions on Runway 927; it can direct the County Manager to hire someone with technical expertise at Valkaria Airport full time; and the County Manager and airport consultant can be directed to revise the ALP and master plan.

Commissioner Voltz stated Melbourne Airport has the expertise to manage this situation.

Motion by Commissioner Voltz, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to direct the County Manager to request Melbourne International Airport officials provide a proposal on what they will do concerning Valkaria Airport, the pilots, and citizens, including a management contract or turning over the deed, and reply within 30 days.

Commissioner Higgs stated the items she suggested represent a balanced approach to managing Valkaria Airport; it represents an approach that keeps the control in the County; it keeps the Board involved to do its job to manage a facility for Brevard County, which not only includes an airport, but a golf course and facilities for Mosquito Control; and it deals with land use issues that are inside the unincorporated part of the County which is the Board's responsibility. She noted to give this control over to the Melbourne Airport Authority is an extremely bad public policy decision; and it will be a continuous battle for the Board.

Chairman O'Brien called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Higgs voted nay.

Chairman O'Brien inquired if Melbourne Airport Authority responds negatively to this proposal, would the Board consider creating a Valkaria Airport District; with Commissioner Scarborough responding the Board needs to wait for the response from Melbourne Airport.

Commissioner Higgs inquired will Chuck Nelson continue to be the management person at Valkaria Airport. County Manager Tom Jenkins responded Parks and Recreation has been assigned to that on an interim basis.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, to ask Melbourne Airport Authority if it has personnel to manage Valkaria Airport on an interim basis. Motion died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Cook inquired how long has Mr. Nelson been in charge of Valkaria Airport; with Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Nelson responding since May 23, 1997.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to authorize the County Manager to expend funds to provide proper supervision on a part-time basis at Valkaria Airport. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

DISCUSSION, RE: PINTER V. BREVARD COUNTY

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Voltz, to authorize the County Attorney's office to appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeal regarding the Pinter v. Brevard County case. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

WARRANT LIST

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 11:34 p.m.

RANDY O'BRIEN, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

ATTEST:
SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK
(S E A L)