NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Commissioner Jim Hathaway left Tuesday night's sparsely-attended meeting early on, saying he wasn't feeling well, but his elected colleagues agreed to formally take over the Community Redevelopment Agency, which had been semi-autonomous.
The CRA has been rocked by scandal since April with the sudden resignations of five members and questionable disbursement of funds. A newly reformed CRA will have its first meeting April 10 with the five-member commission joined by two residents. None of the four remaining CRA members showed an interest in applying for the two residential spots, City Manager Pam Brangaccio said.
The commission also acted on the following:
* Issued a proclamation naming March 2012 as "Archaeological Month in the City of New Smyrna Beach." Dorothy “Dot” Moore was present and accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Southeast Volusia Historic Society and Museum.
* Directed city staff to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Board to discuss the City Commission vision, mission and strategic goals.
* Asked City Attorney Frank Gummey to draft a letter to Dr. Johnnie Canady regarding his efforts to add his brother’s name to a memorial in Riverside Park honoring those who died in the Republic of Vietnam.