11/10/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Regular Council Meeting November 10, 2014 Page 4 Napier answered that an application had been made by the owner to FEMA to change the maps. Mr. Napier also said the City could not write a permit until FEMA approves the changes. He also said this item was only to change the zoning which would allow the owner to then submit plans including a water retention plan and that the City would require the plans to follow State Law. Mayor Frierson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak in support or opposition of this item, to please come forward. Monte Moore, 1415 Boardwalk, said he was in support of development but this drainage issued needed to be dealt with first. David Williams, MTG Engineers, said Mr. Robinson did improve the ditch on his property several years ago and spoke in support of this zoning change, citing the restaurant would be built according to City and State Law. Alex Kozzell spoke in support of the zoning change, but said there first needed to be a comprehensive water plan including retention ponds. Anna Spencer said when she walks down Center Street, there is flowing water and ditches are full and higher than the streets. She said the water way was changed on Mr. Robinson's property, that the ditches needed to be cleaned and the drainage pipes were too small for the amount of water going through them. With no one else speaking, Mayor Frierson closed the public hearing. Council Member Hashmi said he was for development but was concerned about not having a plan and flooding of existing businesses. He said it was unfair to residents and the City should clean the ditches. Council Member Pickle said this was the first step to start that process. Mr. Godwin said these were two separate issues, one was zoning and the other was drainage and suggested they not mix the two issues. He also said staff would come back to Council with a plan and that would probably be in January. A Motion to approve the zoning change was made by Council Member Pickle and seconded by Mayor Frierson. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 13. Discuss and provide direction on employee salaries budgeted for 2014 -2015. City Manager John Godwin explained funding for a portion of employees was budgeted, and that new pay format included raises for full -time EMS staff effective the first pay period of the new fiscal year. He said his budgeted proposal included creating a new step system for firefighters like the one in place for the police officers, that it also included adding a new step for police officers who had not been received raises in many years, and adding an eighth step for non -civil service employees. Mr. Godwin said he would like to have given across -the board raises and adjusted the entire pay system upwards, but there were not sufficient funds. He said the management team discussed a number of scenarios as to how best to distribute the funds available and as a group they came up with a plan. Mr. Godwin told the Council that the police and fire chiefs cut funds out of their budgets to pay for employee raises in their departments. Council Member Plata asked what would happen next year when they wanted to add items back into their budget. Mr. Godwin said that any additions would have to be approved by him. Council Member Plata said the list supplied to Council does not reflect that officers patrolling will get raises. Mr. Godwin explained that a majority of employees got raises last year or this year, but that the eighth step would be for those employees who had topped out of the pay plan.