01-25-2010 WorkshopCity of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JANUARY 25, 2010
The Clermont City Council met in a workshop on Monday, January 25, 2010 in the Council Chambers at
City Hall. Mayor Turville called the workshop to order at 6:OOpm with the following Council Members
present: Thompson, Mullins, Goodgame and Hogan. Other City officials present were: City Manager
Saunders, City Clerk Ackroyd, City Attorney Mantzaris, Administrative Services Director Van Zile and
Assistant City Manager Gray.
No Parking Request Desoto Street
This item was not discussed. Mrs. Charlene Forth requested it be placed on the workshop agenda and she
was not present.
DOT Cure Plans
Planning Director Hitt reviewed the Department of Transportation (DOT) Cure Plans and the process with
Council. Representatives from DOT were also present to answer questions. The cure plans will bring
properties into better conformance with the code.
Group Medical Plan; Tobacco Use Policy Revisions; Fire & Police Pension Board Appointments
Administrative Services Director Van Zile noted 11 proposals were received for the Group Medical Plan.
City staff has proposed changing to Cigna and maintain the self insured model. The only rate increase is
for tobacco which will increase 10 percent. Cigna has a larger network than the current Plan.
City Manager Saunders noted staff is not proposing any revisions to the tobacco use policy. Council
requested staff return with revisions later in the year.
Council Members are appointed to the pension boards. City Manager Saunders explained potential risks.
City Attorney Mantzaris will draft an ordinance for Council to consider on an upcoming agenda.
Board Appointments
City Manager Saunders noted the Council discussed at a previous workshop to reduce the Planning and
Zoning Board by 2 members. The ordinance is scheduled for final adoption tomorrow night. There are 3
open positions on the board however 4 board members have requested reappointment. Council Member
Thompson requested staff contact Mr. Gray to consider moving to the Code Enforcement Board.
Commercial Delivery Hours
Council Member Goodgame proposed changing the delivery hours to be 7:OOam to 9:OOpm when near
residential areas. Council specifically discussed the Kings Ridge Publix. City Manager Saunders clarified
their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) discourages delivery before 7:OOam. They would be grandfathered in
because their CUP would supersede a new ordinance. Council agreed to send a letter to Publix to
determine if they are willing to comply with the request. Furthermore, Mayor Turville agreed to meet
with the Manager of Kings Ridge Publix to express the concerns of the City Council.
Time Limits -Public Comments
Mayor Turville discouraged placing a time limit. The Council expressed discontent with allowing public
comments at length. Mayor Turville agreed to have better control of the public comments.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JANUARY 25, 2010
CRA Incentive Grants
City Manager Saunders noted the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board approved the
Incentive Grants and Plan. The Plan will be placed on the January 26 Council agenda. The next step is to
amend the CRA budget to have funds available for grants. Staff has recommended $50,000 for two and
$25 each for the other two.
Red Light Cameras
City Manager Saunders advised that staff has met with the company that supplies cameras for most of the
cities in Florida. There is proposed legislation that if passed will allow the fixtures to be added to the
Department of Transportation Right of Way and the state will take a portion of the proceeds. The
municipalities under an existing agreement prior to the legislation passing will be exempt from state
funds. Therefore, the company proposed we enter into an agreement but would not implement until the
City is ready to do so. City Attorney Mantzaris has reviewed and proposed including language in the
agreement to state we are not entitled to anything until we agree to move forward. Council agreed it
would be better to move forward with an agreement now and then decide later to install cameras since it
is not binding.
Other
Council Member Mullins was asked by Mount Dora Mayor Demarco if Clermont is interested in a bike
trail connecting the cities. Staff will contact Mount Dora Mayor Demarco to obtain more information.
City Manager Saunders noted Council Member Goodgame's request regarding the center line on
Lakeshore Drive. The cost is $2,500 and the funds are in this fiscal year's budget. Council agreed to move
forward to include Hooks Street to the bridge.
Last year, the Council agreed to be part of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and to help
fund the MPO because of the concurrency management system provided to us. City Manager Saunders
recommended the City continue because of the benefits provided and the cost is $10,000. The Council
agreed to continue.
The pre-submittal meeting was held today for the Architectural firms Request for Qualifications for the
Jenkins Replacement Building. He reviewed the process with Council.
Nick Jones asked the Council to consider appointing a Board of Adjustment. City Attorney Mantzaris
explained the Council currently serves as the Board of Adjustment. This board would approve variances.
Council Member Goodgame requested the Council consider having a Special Magistrate instead of a
Code Enforcement Board due to a lack of consistency.
Assistant City Manager Gray reported staff applied for the Federal Energy Grant. This grant includes all
of the sports field lighting, downtown decorative lighting, City Hall parking lot, Center Lake and the trail.
It would lower the energy consumption by 30 percent. There will be no additional lights; it is a retrofit
type of project using LED. City Manager Saunders noted the plan is to add lights in the next phase of the
streetscape project.
ADJOURN: With no further comments, the workshop was adjourned at 8:57pm.
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