110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
By Pat Hatfield
posted Jan 9, 2009 - 11:17:48am
Two members of DeBary City Council ended their terms at the Jan. 7 City Council meeting with hearty praise and standing ovations from the audience.
Mayor George Coleman turned the gavel over to Mayor Bob Garcia, and Vice Mayor Chris Carson, who reached the end of his term limits, yielded his seat to new Council Member Van Conoley. Jack Lenzen, who was unopposed in the fall elections for his seat, took the oath of office for a new term, as well.
Stormwater issues
Stormwater will continue to absorb much of the City Council's energy.
Consulting engineer David Hamstra had some good news at the Jan. 6 meeting.
After Tropical Storm Fay passed through in August, 67 pumps ran in an effort to alleviate flooding. That number has gradually decreased. Now only one runs, at No Name Lake.
Hamstra warned, "If we have an above-average rainy season, there's a good chance the pumps will have to be redeployed."
It would take only a weekend with 4-5 inches of rain to bring the pumps out of storage, he said.
The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Florence K. Little Town Hall, at 12 Colomba Road, for a workshop on stormwater issues and working with the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Hamstra told council members he and representatives of other cities had met earlier that day, and submitted requests to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program to put in infrastructure to prevent future flooding like that from Tropical Storm Fay, which soaked DeBary with around 24 inches of rain over a four-day period last August.
The good news is, he said, the county got $3.5 million from the federal government for Fay-related mitigation. The bad news: "DeBary has $12 million worth of projects."
The city is still awaiting $4.5 million in FEMA reimbursements from Tropical Storm Fay cleanup and emergency pumping.
In related matters, the council voted 4-1, with Conoley opposed, to have Hamstra proceed with creating a city-map amendment to send to FEMA for future flood-plain maps, showing the boundaries of flood-prone areas, with updated data from Tropical Storm Fay.
When FEMA flood-plain maps are updated, people who live in those areas will be able to go to FEMA for help with flooding, Hamstra explained.
City Manager Maryann Courson noted owners of properties included in the newly designated flood areas may be required to purchase flood insurance when new FEMA maps are recorded.
Only properties that had flood water on them will be included in the suggested map amendment, Hamstra said, "what we physically saw from a helicopter and on foot."
Conoley wanted more details on the $29,900 bill from Hamstra's employer, PEC Engineers, before approving the expenditure.
Another workshop related to updating land-development codes is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Praise and thanks
During the ceremonies that opened the City Council meeting, Garcia thanked Coleman for his years of service to the city since its inception in 1993, and his service on the City Council for almost the entire past 10 years.
Coleman said Garcia will handle stormwater and other projects in the works. "We'll still be the best city in Volusia County."
Coleman joined his wife, Joan, in the audience for the rest of the meeting.
Council Member Norm Erickson, who was elected unanimously as new vice mayor, said of Coleman's service, "It's an example to me of how much can be done in retirement."
Both Coleman and Carson were presented with plaques, keys to the city, and other souvenirs of their service.
Carson, who as vice mayor was the City Council's timekeeper, took home the egg timer he used to limit citizens' comments to three minutes.
"There's the No. 1 violator of this clock – John Likakis," Carson said, pointing to Likakis in the audience, to laughter.
He thanked his parents, Marcia and Bill Carson, who were in the audience. Chris Carson, a DeBary native, said he's like his father, preferring action over talk. His mother, Marcia, has been an organizer of DeBary Christmas parades.
Carson also introduced and thanked his aunt and uncle, Gerald and Susanne Lombardi, who have both been active in the community. These examples led him to serve, also, he said.
Conoley said he will keep his campaign promise to be mindful of the city's finances, and keep DeBary fiscally responsible.
Volusia County Council Member Pat Northey, who attended the meeting, extended her thanks to the outgoing members and congratulations to new ones. She said she and other County Council members want to work with the cities. "It makes everyone successful."
In their first order of business, the council voted to take roll call votes, so it will be clear who voted for what.
Reader Comments
The comments posted below are posted by readers, not by The Beacon staff. These comments express the views and opinions of the authors, and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster. The comments forum is governed by these rules. Please use the report abuse link if you find offensive comments.
I would also like to congratulate George Coleman and thank him for all of his service to our City. He has given much time in the 10 years that he was involved as a public servent.
Chris Carson has been an asset for DeBary and will be missed. A man of few words but many deeds to DeBary.
I hope Mr. Conoley will get on track and not cater to his own agenda but what is best for the City.
Comment on this article
Commenting is closed for this article.
If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.
Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The DeLand-Deltona Beacon to read more stories by Pat Hatfield, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!
Photos - Real Estate - Newcomer's Guide - Beacon Magazines - Advertise - Local Web Sites - About Us - Beacon Archives