901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Belleair, FL 33756

Town of Belleair

Meeting Minutes

Town Commission

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

6:00 PM

Town Hall

Welcome. We are glad to have you join us. If you wish to speak, please wait to be recognized, then

step to the podium and state your name and address. We also ask that you please turn-off all cell

phones.

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM with Deputy Mayor Rettstatt presiding.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMISSIONER ROLL CALL

Present: 4 - Deputy Mayor Karla Rettstatt

Mayor Michael Wilkinson

Commissioner Tom Shelly

Deputy Mayor Tom Kurey

Absent: 1 - Mayor Gary H. Katica

SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARINGS

Persons are advised that, if they decide to appeal any decision made at this meeting/hearing, they will need a record of the

proceedings, and, for such purposes, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which

record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

(Discussion of items not on the agenda. Each speaker will be allowed 3 minutes to speak.)

Lil Cromer-Resident-Asked questions regarding Bob Ahlf property; David

Ottinger-Town Attorney-provided comments; stated he was waiting to hear back; would

follow up.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Shelly moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by

Comissioner Wilkinson.

4 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, Commissioner Shelly, and Deputy Mayor

Kurey

Aye:

1 - Mayor Katica

Absent:

18-0338

Approval of November 20, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes

(approved as part of consent agenda)

18-0341

Banner Approval for Omelette Party and Plant Sale

(approved as part of consent agenda)

GENERAL AGENDA

18-0337

Resolution 2018-49 Amending FY 2018-19 Budget

JP Murphy-Town Manager-Stated there were some carry-over items from year prior;

FEMA grant for generator and for the emergency air quality mold issues.

Stefan Massol-Director of Support Services-Briefly reviewed items; stated there were a

few other items which were the town radios and also capital equipment dollars to be

dedicated to budget tools for program based budgeting.

Commissioner Shelly moved approval of Resolution 2018-49 Amending FY 2018-19 Budget.

Motion seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson.

4 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, Commissioner Shelly, and Deputy Mayor

Kurey

Aye:

Absent: 1 - Mayor Katica

18-0340

Discussion of 2019 Legislative Priorities

Mr. Murphy discussed previous actions taken last year.

Commissioner Shelly presented his recommendations for legislative priorities; those

being transportation direct funding; water funding on quality and quantity, direct funding;

restrictions on local government finances and reserves; short term rentals and municipal

property rights; home rule; open to additional suggestions.

Mr. Murphy stated the legislative priority statement should be brought back in form of

resolution; will assist with lobby efforts; discussed prior events and importance with

obtaining a legislative advocate; recommends an advocate.

Deputy Mayor Rettstatt would like to obtain an advocate in addition to Commissioner

Shelly and Mr. Murphy.

Mr. Murphy stated an RFQ will be issued and brought back to commission; consensus

of the commission to move forward with process.

Discussion regarding restrictions on local government finances and reserves bill;

investigation into water funding process; Commissioner Kurey provided additional

comments on water investigation spending; Pinellas County water rates; funding would

need to be matched; planning for long term; infrastructure is top priority; potential for

grants that do not require a match; commission is in consensus regarding priorities.

18-0264

Consideration of the Town Manager's Evaluation

Mr. Murphy thanked commission for completing evaluation and providing comments;

open to any additional comments; requests to be treated as general employee and be

eligible for 3% merit; requests an additional pay out of some vacation.

Commissioner Shelly commented on paying out vacation and creating policy for

vacation payout for all employees; Mr. Murphy stated he is looking into creating policy;

RFP for study will be done.

Deputy Mayor Retstatt commented on importance of taking vacation, but also open to

providing opportunity for a payout.

Commissioner Kurey would like study done for consistency and flexibility for all;

concerns with precedent prior to a study and policy in effect; Commissioner Kurey

provided positive comments; all concur.

Deputy Mayor Rettstatt supportive of payout.

Commissioner Shelly commented on schedule difficulty.

Discussion ensued regarding allowing payout of vacation time; regarding vacation

payout request by Town Manager; regarding future policy.

Commissioner Kurey moved that JP Murphy be granted a 3% merit increase on his

anniversary date. Motion seconded by Commissioner Shelly.

Aye: 4 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, Commissioner Shelly, and Deputy Mayor

Kurey

1 - Mayor Katica

Absent:

Commissioner Shelly moved to grant JP his request for 240 vacation pay. Motion seconded by

Michael Wilkinson.

Aye: 3 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, and Commissioner Shelly

Nay: 1 - Deputy Mayor Kurey

Absent: 1 - Mayor Katica

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT

Nancy Hartshorne-Resident-Spoke about Mary Griffith recouperating; commented on

lights and park opening; expressed her concerns regarding the facilitator strategic

planning forum; cost of facilitator.

Mr. Murphy commented on staff's dissatisfaction of the first meeting; has been

discussed with consultants and residents; need to expand outreach; additional work to

be done; looking into a different location for the next forum.

Provided manager report; announced employee of month; recommends cancelling

December meeting; vote was taken; discussed Penny for Pinellas group comprised of

representatives from municipalities-our area representative is from City of Seminole;

Biltmore opening tomorrow; Pinellas County holding a resident information meeting

about the Mehlenbacher Road project at Town Hall.

Commissioner Shelly moved to cancel the meeting on Tuesday, December 18th. Motion

seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson.

4 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, Commissioner Shelly, and Deputy Mayor

Kurey

Aye:

1 - Mayor Katica

Absent:

POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT

Rick Doyle-Chief of Police-Provided update on crime stats; no vehicle burglaries over

Thanksgiving; discussed code violations and warnings issued; new speed counter

being tested.

Brief discussion on success of park dedication event; possibility for future events;

crosswalks; addition of parking at new park.

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT

Mr. Murphy added additional report item: stated tentative date for the Bluff meeting is

January 24th regarding strategic planning; provided a brief overview of the discussion

for the Bluff.

George Castro-Resident-Commented on condition of Bluff and roadway conditions;

budget/millage increase; willing to volunteer for board openings.

Audience members began commenting to each other; Deputy Mayor Rettstatt stated

third party facilitator will host this discussion; Mr. Murphy commented on the Palmetto

Road project; is currently with SWFWMD for review then will go out to bid.

Commissioner Kurey in agreement that infrastructure is subpar and would like to

investigate grouping projects or running them concurrently; looking to accelerate with

potential borrowing; may need to upgrade park maintenance.

Mr. Murphy provided update on Bluff cutting/mower, will be investigating elements.

TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Nothing to report.

MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT/BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Deputy Mayor Rettstatt requested addition of items to agenda for January: discussion of

parking passes; discussion of working with boards, setting of meetings by resolutions;

potential for switching boards up for commission advisors; presentation of $20,000 from

BCF for radios.

Commissioner Kurey voiced dissatisfaction with consultants and last strategic planning

event; recommended motion.

Commissioner Shelly had nothing to report.

Commissioner Wilkinson supports board meeting schedules; recreation board meeting

was canceled; next meeting on January 14th; upcoming recreation events; welcomed

Chief Doyle.

Commissioner Kurey moved that the commission send a message to the consultants,

expressing their extreme disapointment in the first meeting and expect much more from them.

Motion seconded by Commissioner Shelly.

4 - Deputy Mayor Rettstatt, Mayor Wilkinson, Commissioner Shelly, and Deputy Mayor

Kurey

Aye:

1 - Mayor Katica

Absent:

OTHER BUSINESS

Discussion of upcoming Santa delivery schedule for December 19th, 20th, and 21st;

Commissioners will attend; Mayor's Luncheon; board schedules.