February 16, 2021
The Town of Glen St. Mary held a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday,
February 16, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall with Council MembersMcCullough, Oca, Padgett and Reneau present. Mayor Steve Rhynehardt presided over the meeting. Council member Reneau opened with prayer followed by the flag salute.
Note: These meeting minutes are a summarized version of the actual discussions at the meeting. These are not verbatim transcripts. For a complete audio recording of the discussion please contact Donna Loadholtz at glenstmary3777@glenstmary.org.
Public Hearing:
A) Ordinance 2021-01 – An Ordinance of the Town of Glen St. Mary, Florida Establishing Restrictions on use of Sewer System and for Discharge of Wastewater, Establishing Penalties for Violations, and Providing for an Effective Date. – Mayor Rhynehardt asked Attorney Bense to read the title of the ordinance aloud. He explained that the purpose is to allow to regulate industrial users and shut them off if they are not in compliance. It will create a mechanism that if they are polluting, we will have something in place to regulate them. This Ordinance is in line with the City of Macclenny’s regulations as well as the State and Federal regulations. With no other questions, Mayor Rhynehardt closed the public hearing.
Minutes: Consideration:
A) Approval of minutes of January 19, 2021 – Workshop Minutes: : On a motion by Council member Padgett, second by Councilman Oca, the Board voted to approve theworkshop minutes as presented. (Vote 5-0)
B) Approval of January 21, 2021 - Regular Monthly Minutes: On a motion by Council member Padgett, second by Council member Reneau, the Board voted to approve theregular monthly minutes as presented. (Vote 5-0)
Policy Agenda Items:
A) Vote to Approve First Reading of Ordinance 2021-01 - An Ordinance of the Town of Glen St. Mary, Florida Establishing Restrictions on use of Sewer System and for Discharge of Wastewater, Establishing Penalties for Violations, and Providing for an Effective Date. –Attorney Bense read the title aloud. On a motion by Council member Padgett, second by Council member McCullough, the Board voted to approve thefirst reading of Ordinance 2021-01 as presented. (Vote 5-0)
B) Review Prior Month Expenditures – Council had no questions about the prior month’s expenditures. On a motion by Council member McCullough, second by Council member Padgett, the Board voted to approve the prior month’s expenditures. (Vote 5-0)
Mayor Rhynehardt then began discussing old business with Council. Attorney Bense told Council the backflow ordinance currently drafted so that the customers would be responsible for the certifications and repairs. This is based on the Department of Environmental Protection as well as State guidelines and building codes. The Town needs to decide if they want to be a permitting entity. Matt was told by Mr. Fred Handy of the Florida Rural Water Association that if he renewed his Operator II license, he could install and repair the backflows with a certified backflow person there. The next available classes are in March and June. All of Matt’s license are due to be renewed this year. Councilman Oca offered to check the prices of the people used at his regular job. Council member Padgett asked how much it would cost to have Matt renew his Operator II license and a certified person stand over him while working on them. We do not know if there is a trip charge. When one needs to be repaired what will the Town do. An actual price needs to be obtained. This matter is being put on the backburner until a price is found. This matter is one of the many things not budgeted for. Council member Padgett suggested the Town certify the backflows before turning them over to the customers. There are seven businesses where the backflows are not in place. Council member Padgett told Council most were installed during grants, with the first being back in 2004. This matter is being tabled until the information can be gathered.
Mayor Rhynehardt told Council he has ordered No Parking signs for Stoddard Avenue. They are not parking on the roadway now but on the Town block.
Council asked about Parmelee Street, believing that it was closed beside the Glen Baptist Church.
Mayor Rhynehardt updated Council on the RV park and told them they had their fire hydrants tested and certified in the park.
Mayor Rhynehardt then updated Council on the fire station. They have paid their capacity fees and we are waiting to get a check from them to pay for plumbing parts that will need to be ordered. The County road department is supposed to dig the ditches and Matt is to help them run the water and sewer pipe.
Maintenance has begun repairing some of the damaged sidewalks on the South end of Town. They repaired the sidewalk in front of Ms. Lettie Crews’ home. It was damaged when the water line was installed. They started repairing the section on South Lincoln Avenue in front of one of the new homes.
There are two water certification classes coming up. One is March 22-26 or April 12-15. Backflow repair classes are available on March 29-31 in Gainesville. He can’t take the repair class until after he takes the certification class.
Mayor Rhynehardt told Council Mr. Mike Griffis from the City of Macclenny came by and discussed the City of Macclenny allowing the Town to purchase an additional 25,000 gallons of sewer capacity from the City. The City of Macclenny will meet the second week of March and he will bring the matter up at their next meeting and we should have something at our next monthly meeting.
Attorney Bense told the Council that he has looked at an Attorney General’s opinion in the State of Florida. There used to be an ordinance in place that said public properties had to be bid out, but that ordinance was repealed and the “home rule power” leaves it up to the individual municipality. The Council will need to decide if the property serves a public use or if the Town wants to sell it. Council discussed where the block is located and possible drainage issues if the property is built up. Council member Padgett told Council it looks like the Town may not have to pull the $10,000 to cover the budget at this rate. Council member McCullough asked what our major expenses are. Council member Padgett responded that she has looked over past budgets, but doesn’t have it with her right now. Mayor Rhynehardt responded that we have had three major beaks this year. Council member Padgett suggested sending our replacement chart to our engineer, Mr. Tim Norman, and ask him to update with current prices. Council member Padgett told Council she is not willing to start selling land right now.
Council member Padgett commented on the Carol Wiggins property located next to the post office and asked if the Town was putting a lien on the property. Mayor Rhynehardt responded that other than the Town maintenance guys occasionally mowing, cleaning up around the carport and putting two sheets of plywood over the doors to secure the building, we may have $500 in it. Attorney Bense told Council they would have more than that in attorney’s fees to put a lien on the property.
Council member Reneau asked for the contact information Council member McCullough has related to the Town’s stray cat population.
On a motion by Council member McCullough, second by Council member Reneau, the Town meeting was adjourned at 8:02 P.M.
