Meeting 1-24-08

[Ed. Note. This post was retrieved from backup files of the original saveflagler blog illegally deleted by persons unknown on 10/1/08. As a result most of the links won't work.] An editorial on the Flagler Beach Commission Meeting of January 24, 2008 The scheme Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator to peg our water rates to those of other users, was passed into law. The minutes only record that the ordinance passed unanimously, there was no record of the discussion, if any, other than the finance director was asked how it worked and she answered. The minutes didn’t include her explanation which no doubt would have been fascinating. Of course, the real answer to the question is that city officials are using this ill-conceived ordinance as a cover for the huge increases in our utility rates coming our way to pay for the unnecessarily large new water treatment plant due to be completed this year. Note also that the commission voted unanimously to pay Mittauer & Associates additional engineering fees in the amount of $87.500 because in the words of our watchdog city engineer, Bob Smith, Mittauer can no longer carry the city. Rounding out this comedy segment of the program, were some remarks by the interim city manager on to how the city has prepared for the future of the city water system. Alas, the minutes didn’t include any quotes from this, no doubt, marvelous recitation. Commissioners, again unanimously, voted to create a new Charter Review Commission. This committee may be new, but the members, Silvio DiGregorio, Jackie Mulligan, Ken Obrzut, Phyllis Carmel, Dave Robell and Don Deal, are the same old, same old who’ve demonstrated their allegiance to the new order and are already on other city committees. Come on folks, can’t we have some new hands up. Last, but not least, Cheerleader-in-Chief Mealy, again had something cryptic to say about questions and concerns expressed by citizens. As usual, nothing substantive was said, at least not in the minutes, nor have there been answers to questions to the mayor about city employees making mis-statements to a citizen inquiry, nor has her incorrect statement that the state audit of the CRA in Daytona was a result of the local audit been corrected in the minutes as we requested. Changes to the Short-Term Rental ordinance have been deferred to another workshop and the question of a floating village at the site of the former Bridgetender restaurant, has fallen off the radar, or perhaps it's in the shade of another law suit? Reading these minutes is an eye-opener. Every motion both at the commission meetings and the PARB is passed unanimously. This is a very sick situation and not likely to get better until people in Flagler Beach wake up. The city webpage is still under development ...

but the agenda for the next commission meeting on 5/22/08 has been emailed. As you can see, there are really only two items of any importance. Both ordinance changes seem set to pass now that Cheerleader-in-Chief Mealy has unseated Commissioner Vath as Chairman. That'll be a lesson to anyone else who might want to raise even a tepid voice for caution. Click here for more information about Ordinance 2008-08 (Resort Dwellings). Short take: every residence in Flagler Beach will become a motel. Click here for more information about Ordinance 2008-03 (changing the designation from trash to solid waste). Determining rates for "solid waste," will be determined by an arbitrary calculation (Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator) which like the already changed ordinance on water rate calculation, will result, not only in high rates for us, but a cover (CYA) for commissioners who can weasel out of responsibility by saying rates are out of their hands. To re-state the obvious, neither of these changes will benefit Flagler Beach.