April 10, 2007 - City of Melbourne, Florida

CITY OF MELBOURNE, FLORIDA
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 10, 2007
Department told him that the City was not looking to annex this area for a long period of
time.
Mr. Cooper said that the coverage by Melbourne and the coverage by the Sheriff’s
Department is like night and day. He said he is afraid that if he is annexed he will lose the
coverage he is receiving. Additionally, he stated that sewer connection would be a financial
burden that the residents could not bear. If sewer connection is required, 30 people would
lose their homes. They can’t afford to pay sewer hookup – that is why they live in a trailer.
He added that these are folks who earn $8 to $12 per hour.
Mayor Goode asked if any members on Council would be interested in changing the hours
of operation for the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Mrs. Meehan and Mr. LaRusso
expressed interest.
Mrs. Palmer recalled that the City’s Code allows for a different timeframe on Sundays for
some businesses.
Mayor Goode closed the public hearing. Mr. LaRusso said he had a few more questions for
Mr. Cooper and asked Mr. Cooper to indicate yes or no from the audience to the following
questions:
Mr. LaRusso asked Mr. Cooper if he is petitioning against the annexation because hours of
alcohol sales would be detrimental to the previous speaker’s business; because of City
services, specifically police coverage; and that residents will not be able to afford sewer
connection. Mr. Cooper replied yes. Mr. LaRusso said he wanted to be clear in his mind
about the reasons for objection because the focus seems to be on the hours of sale of
alcoholic beverages.
Mayor Goode said if the property is annexed, the City would assess sewer.
Mrs. Corby asked the City Clerk if she had an answer for Mrs. Palmer about different hours
of sale for certain establishments. Mrs. Wysor read an excerpt from Chapter 3 of the City
Code. (Note: restaurants having 2,500 square feet of service area and equipped to serve
150 persons full course meals at tables at one time, and deriving at least 51 percent of its
gross revenue from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages, may begin selling beer
and wine for consumption on premises only on Sundays beginning at 10:30 a.m.)
Mrs. Corby said she is concerned with the comment made about our police services.
People are afraid they won’t receive the same quality in the City. She added that she would
consider a change in the hours of operation for alcoholic beverages.
Mayor Goode asked for a future agenda item on the hours of alcohol sales on Sundays.
Mrs. Palmer said this ordinance needs to be addressed and the discussion on hours of sale
for alcohol needs to be taken up at another time.
Continuing, Mrs. Palmer said that the comments made during the public hearing are the
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