Century Changes OT Policy; Tables Action On-Call Policy, Building Rentals

November 7, 2017

Monday night, the Century Town Council approved a new overtime policy for employees required to attend council meetings, while tabling action on additional policies and building rentals.

The council voted 3-2 to pay employees only for the actual amount of time spent in council meetings, immediately overriding a policy of paying four hours overtime that had been implemented by Mayor Henry Hawkins. Council members Sandra Jackson and Louis Gomez voted against the motion.

The council tabled action on an on-call policy for the street department and an “Adopt-A-Street” policy, setting a workshop meeting for Thursday at 5:15 p.m. for discussion.

Action on new updated forms was also tabled after council members questioned long-standing policies on the rental of the Century Business Center and the Century Community Center, particularly the requirement that an off-duty Escambia County deputy must be present for all events not held by a church or non-profit.

Action was also tabled on making the former Helicopter Technology Building in the Century Industrial Park available for rent for events.  Council President Ann Brooks said she did not believe that council can rent the building for events. Brooks cited covenants recorded in 1991 and amended in 2006 that would not allow the building to be rented for event. The rental forms will be  be discussed at Thursday’s workshop.

Pictured: Century Council members (L-R) Louis Gomez, Ann Brooks and Sandra Jackson Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Century Changes OT Policy; Tables Action On-Call Policy, Building Rentals”

  1. Chelleepea on November 8th, 2017 2:32 pm

    It seems to me there’s two teams on the council. A team for the mayor and a team for council president. I hope that they can get out of this mentally and work together for the citizens of this town. I understand we want to be generous with the town employees but what is fair and right for the town should be considered too.

  2. chris on November 7th, 2017 1:34 pm

    If you couldn’t make any money off the helicopter company, what makes you think renting out an industrial building is going to work any better? I recall some alcohol related problems associated with century and their community center rentals. Seems that security would be warranted, at the renter’s expense.

  3. Citizen on November 7th, 2017 10:01 am

    To know what is allowed a good place to look is to start with the comprehensive plan, the land development code (CP, LDC) and then zoning laws.

    That is to know land used and how buildings can be used.

    To change that you have to go through a formal process with the
    Florida Dept of Economic Opportunity DEO.

    Also check the actual town charter for guidance.

    Just because you vote to remember you have home rule does not mean you can vote to make laws at a whim. Also as far employees needing to get info to the council, one can email all them at the same time. Saves time and money and gets the job done.

    Glad at least one councii member seems to know how to run a municipality. Ann Brooks, thanks.

    Keep us out of trouble. If they rent out the helicopter building it is zoned industrial and so is the one lumber road.

    Seems like good ideas but are they legal to accommodate crowds, insured, fire protection etc?

  4. chris on November 7th, 2017 6:37 am

    I’m not sure how many municipalities pay so liberally for an employee to sit in on a council or city meeting.