02-06-2012 Council Retreat City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
FEBRUARY 6, 2012 — 9:OOam
The following were present: Mayor Turville, Council Members Van Wagner, Mullins, Goodgame and
Hogan. Other officials present were: City Manager Saunders, Assistant to the City Manager Hollerand,
and City Clerk Ackroyd.
2011 Review /2012 Goals
City Manager Saunders reviewed the 2011 accomplishments from all departments.
Council Vision/Priorities for 2012
City Manager Saunders reviewed projected goals for 2012 from all departments.
There was discussion regarding an Employee Medical Clinic.
Mayor Turville recessed the retreat at 10:13am; the retreat reconvened at 10:29am.
Budget Issues 2012 -2013
City Manager Saunders commented the General Fund reserves have been used to balance the budget the
last three years. There is an 8 percent reduction in property taxes proposed next year with the potential to
lose more than $400,000 in revenue.
City Manager Saunders reviewed the number of building permits issued for single family, multi - family,
commercial and miscellaneous in recent years.
Mayor Turville expressed concern with spending the reserve funds.
The Council reviewed each of their priorities for the budget to include Inland Groves, Police Station,
Jenkins Replacement Building, employees and increase communication with the public
Mayor Turville recessed for lunch at 12:01pm; the retreat reconvened at 12:53pm.
Impact Fee Review
City Manager Saunders distributed the projected impact fee revenues and reserves for 2012. Currently,
the city does not have any exemptions on impact fees The Council reviewed the impact fee revenues and
reserves in this year's budget.
City Manager Saunders suggested an impact fee rate study Council supported a Request for Proposal
(RFP) for an impact fee rate study Staff will return to council for approval.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
FEBRUARY 6, 2012 — 9:OOam
Police Station Expansion/Sites
Council directed staff to review potential sites available for a possible off site Police station along the
Hooks Street corridor. City Manager Saunders identified 6 parcels that could be acquired and staff
narrowed it down to 3 potential sites in the center of the city.
Lot 1 is asking $1.5 million; Lot 4 is $1,180,000 and Lot 6 is $1.5 million. All 3 parcels of land are
approximately 4 acres. Lot 6 has only 3.2 usable acres. The owners of the properties are willing to
negotiate on the asking price.
The Council and staff reviewed the cost comparisons between the existing site, the Schmid site and a
potential new site.
Mayor Turville was not in favor of relocating.
The Council discussed the advantages of moving off site or staying at the existing location.
The majority of the Council expressed interest in an off -site location for the Police Department.
City Manager Saunders noted the next step would be for staff to request an appraisal then negotiate the
price with the owner and return to Council.
Staff was directed to obtain an appraisal and negotiate for the best price.
Parks Projects
City Manager Saunders noted the Council asked staff to bring the idea of a splash park back to Council.
The cost is approximately $250,000 and it is not in the current year's budget.
The Council discussed having a workshop with public input however there was no outcome to that
discussion.
Council Member Goodgame suggested a skateboard park.
Mayor Turville recessed the retreat at 2:56pm; the retreat reconvened at 3:18pm.
City Manager Saunders provided an update on the Inland Groves property. AECOM will present the
information at a public input meeting and will report back to Council.
At a previous meeting, the Council received a complaint regarding baseballs coming out of Bishop Field
The Council asked staff to look into the cost of netting. Staff reported the cost of netting the right field
would include approximately 260 feet of netting. The cost with wood poles would be $41,000; concrete
poles are $74,000 and steel poles are $82,000
There was no discussion to move forward
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
FEBRUARY 6, 2012 — 9:OOam
City Manager Saunders reported on a 50 foot lot that has a small block building near the Historic Village.
The Historic Society is interested in using it for storage area and additional parking. The city owns the
property adjacent to it and asked Council if there is an interest in swapping the property. City Manager
Saunders and Council discussed accepting the owner's storm water into the city's pond.
The Council directed staff to pursue the land swap.
City Manager Saunders reported on a parcel of land privately owned adjacent to city property near the
boat launch. The owner has asked if the city is interested in purchasing the vacant lot zoned residential for
$150,000. There is no road frontage for access. The Council discussed using the property for overflow
parking.
The City Council requested an appraisal
Jenkins Replacement Update
City Manager Saunders provided an update on the building. The Council hired Ajax as the Construction
Manager. They reviewed the plans and completed a detailed cost estimate and found approximately
$170,000 to save on the project. Mr. Saunders reviewed the bid schedule with construction beginning the
end of April. The cost estimate is $2.47 million which is $250,000 over budget if that is the bid. There is
$350,000 remaining from the Recreation Impact Fees if we have to use it for this project.
The Council agreed on naming the building the Clermont Community Center.
Red Light Cameras
City Manager Saunders reported that legislation has changed to make it easier on cities to install red light
cameras. The contracts companies are using now have removed the liability issue. However, there is a
new line of litigation coming up on red light cameras that is being generated in south Florida. City
Manager Saunders asked Council if there is any interest in pursuing.
Council agreed to not take any action at this time and to wait until the current litigation is resolved.
Other
City Manager Saunders suggested the Council schedule a workshop to review and discuss employee
medical insurance coverage with the city.
ADJOURN: With no further comments, the retreat adjourned at 4:23pm
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