Overview of Marianna City Commission Meeting

June 5, 2008
By: Sid Riley
The following actions and discussions took place at this week’s meeting of the Marianna City Commission:
♦ City Attorney Frank Baker gave oath of office to new Police Chief, Hayes Baggett.
♦ Commission elected James Wise as new Mayor of Marianna.
♦ Commission elected Howard Milton as Vice Mayor.
♦ Commission heard report on operations for May for Marianna Health and Rehabilitation. Facility had 95% occupancy and is operating ahead of budget which was figured on anticipated occupancy rate of 91%.
♦ Citizen Richard Pittman spoke on noise problem in his neighborhood from loud radios. Commissioners discussed purchase of noise measuring device and stricter enforcement from city police. Commission advised newspapers to announce stricter enforcement of nuisance ordinances.
♦ Commission set next meeting for July 9, with workshop on July 10. Workshop will deal with proposed system of citations for violations of city ordinances, including sign ordinances.
♦ Awarded funds from FAA grant ($106,190) to Emerald Coast for striping and numbering of airport runways.
♦ Approved salary of $41,000 per year for new Supervisor of Division of Street and Facility maintenance, Sam Everett. He is taking place of Frank Reeves who recently passed away.
♦ Discussed complaints heard from citizens concerning possible misuse of City vehicles for personal use by employees. Commissioner Roberts requested study of issue and amount of mileage driven by supervisors and police officers as they drive to and from home in City vehicles.
♦ Approved study to determine if City should raise natural gas rates.
♦ Discussed study of fire surcharge revenues.
♦ Discussed 1010 expiration of franchise with Florida Public Utilities and study to determine if City could purchase and operate the utility.