Sandy Burgess addresses the Commission
Some things about the May 21st Commission Meeting were rather routine. For instance, Commissioners Lewis and Robbins disagreed, the meeting lasted longer than everyone thought it should (past midnight), and the Mayor kicked out local resident Robert Perez... again. However, the meeting itself was full of twists and turns, many surprises, and played more like a movie than an exercise in city government.
What follows is a brief summary of the events, with links, where applicable, to more in-depth articles.
Item IV., the Approval of the Agenda.
Mayor Coerper asked that the agenda be amended to move items C & D up above the presentations. "Those two ordinances are going to be tabled for 90 days and there is no sense of people that are here representing that to sit around."
He also asked that an item be placed on the agenda. One was to open discussion and move forward to "instruct P&Z to study industrial categories and the intensity of those categories and are they appropriate to the City."
Commissioner Robbins wanted three items added to the agenda. The first was discussion about the City Attorney's missing contract and where the City currently is on advertising for a new attorney when Mr. Malphurs' missing contract expires. The second item was discussion on the City's financial obligations to Waco through the Waco Contract. The last item was a discussion on the injunction filed against Mr. Hope for access into the sewage treatment facility at Turkey Creek.
Commissioner Lewis made the motion that these additions be granted. Commissioner Hills seconded it, and it received a unanimous vote.
Item V., Approval of City Commission Minutes
The minutes from the last commission meeting were amended. Commissioner Robbins said she would like to see included Mr. Hugh Calderwood's question to the auditor regarding the tax revenues vs. the debt service. Mr. Whiteside, the auditor, had confirmed Commissioner Robbins' early campaign statement that the two were nearly equal, a statement Mr. Calderwood clearly felt was false.
Item VII C., Small scale development ammendment to the Future Land Use Plan Map of the City of Alachua to change the future land use classification from agricultural to commercial.
Item VII D., Ammendment to the official Zoning Atlas of the Ciy of Alachua Land Development Regulations to change the zoning from agricultural to commercial/general.
Both applications were filed by F.L. and Sandra V. Burgess to allow them to continue a home-based business on the land they currently own. This became necessary when they upgraded their portable office trailer and it exceeded the maximum space allowed by the Land Development Regulations.
The Burgesses approached the City, and was told that the correct thing to do was request a portion of their land be rezoned commercial/general. However, in the Commission Meetings this generated a lot of criticism from residents who were afraid to have land zoned commercial in the middle of a residential area.
 Mr. Garrett discussed the items. "I think what you are referring to, Mr. Mayor is the very small scale amendment and the rezoning to commercial on 235a? This was up before the commission at the last meeting and I think there was some concern about commercial at that location. The applicant asked the city staff if there was any other way that this could be approached other than a rezoning of the property and a land use map amendment." In the end, Staff decided that by rewriting the home occupation requirements would allow the business to be on the land without requiring a rezoning. Click here to read draft.
One of the applicants, Sandy Burgess, said she felt like this was going in the right direction, and appreciated the City's cooperation.
The item was tabled for 90 days while staff worked on the draft.
Item VI. A, Regional Trail Network Presentation
Mr. Mark Gluckman appeared before the commission next, painting a vision of bike trails winding through High Springs, Alachua, Gainesville, Itchetucknee State Park, O'leno and more. His presentation was intended to show the City how much was happening in the development of bike trails throughout the state, and showing ways that the City might join in and get involved. The City expressed interest in the idea. To see his presentation package click here.
Item VI. B, Alachua County Public Works Department Presentation
Karen Deeter
The Alachua County Waste Collection Manager Karen Deeter addressed the commission on the need for a new ordinance allowing a non-ad valorem assessment for Solid Waste Management in the City of Alachua. This ordinance would be good for three years. In the past, the city past the ordinance twice, once for a one year term and once for a two year term.
"Your ordinance expires september 30th, 2001. What we are asking is that you do another ordinance. I have provided a copy of the sample ordinance, which is essentially what you have now, to extend it another three years."
In the end, it was decided to instruct Mr. Malphurs to move forward on the ordinance.
Item VI. C, Proclamation: Declaration of Buckle Up America Week
Passed unanimously.
Item VI. D, Proclamation and Pledge of Civility
Passed unanimously.
Item VII A., Small scale development ammendment to the Future Land USe Plan Map of the City of Alachua Comprehensive Plan to change the future land use classification from rural/agricultural(County classification) to Industrial (City classification) by Wayne and Linda Bryant.
Failed to pass, with Mayor Coerper, Commissioners Robbins and Burgess voting 'no' and Commissioners Lewis and Hills voting 'aye'.
Since Item VII B depended on Item VII A passing, it was skipped.
Item VII. 1., Planning and Zoning Board Members and Appointment Dates
City Staff cannot find any records indicating that Ms. Virginia Johns' and Mr. A.C. Short's were reappointed to the P & Z board when their terms expired. With a 4 to 1 vote, (Commissioner Robbins voting 'no') the commission decided to allow them to finish out their terms.
Item VII. 2., Jefford Property Annexation- Settlement Agreement
City Attorney Malphurs recommended that the City refuses the County's latest settlement offer, which basically said that the land owned in question would once again be part of the county. Instead, the commissioners decided to go forward into mediation, with both Commissioner Robbins and Mayor Coerper expressing a desire that this go no further. The vote to go to mediation was 4 to 1, with Commissioner Robbins voting 'no'.
Item VII. 3., City Manager Selection Process
County Manager Randall Reed presented to the commission different avenues they can pursue in hiring a competent, qualfied City Manager.
Item VII. 4., Waco Contract Financial Obligations
Commissioner Robbins requested that this be added to the agenda. It was decided unanimously by the commission to have staff, if they are ready, to come to the next commission meeting with the estimated cost to the City of the obligations for infrastructure placed upon it by the Waco contract. Additionally, Commissioner Lewis requested that Staff also present the possible financial benefits to the city. If staff is not prepared, then they are to present to the commission a progress report.
Item VII. 5., LDR review by Planning and Zoning
Mayor Coerper requested that this item be added to the agenda, the purpose to "Instruct the Planning and Zoning to study industrial categories and the intensities of it to see if they are all appropriate to the city." What follows is a partial, very brief transcript.
Mayor Coerper: "Meaning, at the last meeting I brought it up, asphalt plants, cement plants, wrecking yards, are probably something the city is not interested in having. At least I am not."
"If that is the wishes of the commissions I would like to move forward in striking those things from the LDRs. Are you willing to move forward and instruct Planning and Zoning to look into that?"
Commissioner Robbins made the motion to do just that. Commissioner Lewis seconded it, and asked if this is what Lowell Garrett recommended?
Mayor Coerper said that the City of Hawthorne has done it, and the City of Gainesville is having a real issue of it right now with a construction company wanting to put in an asphalt plant. "I think it would be to our advantage to address it now, as opposed to when someone is knocking on the door."
The motion passed unanimously.
Item VII. 6., Injuction against Turkey Creek/Norwood Hope Update
Commissioner Robbins requested this be put on the agenda. Mr. Malphurs said that he had filed the injunction May 3rd, and that Mr. Hope had not contested it. Mr. Paulsen stated that his men had been able to do their job. Mr. Perez accused Mr. Malphurs of dragging his feet when he was supposed to be filing the injunction, and of general incompetence for allowing a situation like this for developing to begin with. He was ejected from the meeting.
Item VII. 7., Missing City Attorney Contract
Commissioner Robbins added this item to the agenda. Since the contract was still not found, the commission voted to sign a new contract, dated from May 21st to November 19th.
Item IX. Citizen Comments
Frank Sodek calls for responsibility on the Alachua Post message board.
Joannie Wingfield announces search for funding to create a performance center in Alachua.
Item X. Staff Comments.
Ms. Cain: Tenative dates for Lowell Garrett's training workshops.
May 23rd, 7:30
May 31st, 6pm
June 14th, 6pm
Jun 19th at 6pm
Item X. Commission Comments.
Commissioner Lewis: "Mr. Mayor. I have just one comment, and I am not sure if we can do anything about it. I think we should have a limit on a certain number of times a person is thrown out of a meeting and is barred for six months or eight months or whatever we can do. This is the same deal all the time with the same person who is calling all of the problems."
"I like Mr. Perez. But he got to learn to control himself in the meetings or he shouldn't be allow to come to the meetings."
Commissioner Lewis asked Mr. Malphurs if there was something that could be done.
Mr. Malphurs: "Well, the laws in reverse. The law is very liberal on allowing people attendance.."
Mayor Coerper broke in. "Actually, I think the old boy did pretty good, he just kind of fell off the wagon a little bit towards the end there."
Commissioner Hills: "Last time we had a civility proclamation it lasted a week. Now it lasted four hours."
Mr. Malphurs said that he wished Mr. Perez heard his opinion. "That will probably be one opinion of mine he will probably agree with."
Commissioner Burgess let it be known that she would not be able to attend the meetings with Lowell Garrett except for the Wednesday meeting. She is in school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The meeting was adjourned. | 
