City cracks down on littering
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

The Gulf Breeze City Council will be cracking down on littering and strictly enforcing the state anti-litter ordinance in an attempt to stem the weekly flow of flyers distributed throughout the community.

Distribution of unsolicited newsprint circulars, handbills and coupons in driveways, yards and on vehicle windshields are included in the law. Conventional litter is also included.

The council has been discussing the issue since budget talks last year. During the talks, Mayor Lane Gilchrist called the tossed free publications "a nuisance, that go straight into the garbage" and stated they needed to be curbed for budget reasons and beautification reasons. "We know that the Pelican is going right in the trash can or recycled and city's residents are paying for that."

Due to the escalation of trash removal and recycling costs, the city will implement once-weekly garbage collection and every other week collection of recycling. City manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy informed the council that he has been in talks with Pensacola News Journal Publisher Kevin Doyle, who has "not agreed to stop delivering," according to Eddy.

"[Doyle] did say he would send the delivery people back out to collect copies still in driveways, though, at least while this is a hot button issue," Eddy clarified.

Any violators challenging the state law would have to appeal to the state's attorney general, according to City Attorney Matt Dannheisser. Any person who violates the litter law or distributes litter from a car faces a minimum $100 fine and potential misdemeanor charges. Collection of the litter and other community service work could be required. Significantly larger fines and penalties could be assessed to the companies issuing the flyers.

As of press time Doyle did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Alarms must be permitted

After a second reading on Tuesday, Ordinance 03-08 was expected to be approved, requiring registration of alarm systems in the city with the Police Department. The 9-1-1 Dispatch center will have current contact information readily available, first hand, regarding the ownership of the property in case of an activated alarm. A permit will be required to register an alarm and an initial fee of $25 will be charged. An annual charge of $15 will pay for maintenance.

"I want [staff] to make sure that this is not a money-making fee," Gilchrist challenged. "We just want to cover expenses here."

City possession of the alarm system information does not make it available to the public; Attorney Matt Dannheisser assured the council that such information is exempt from public records laws. Council stressed that sufficient time must be allowed for alarm system owners to follow the new guidelines.

CRA approves 2008 budget

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved a plan of expenditures for 2008. The CRA funds for 2008 include $630,340 from Santa Rosa County and $148, 100. Expenditures include $363,340 for Stormwater Improvements for Seashell Collections Shopping Center; $240,000 improvements to for Daniel Drive and $120,000 for police services.