07-21-2016 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JULY 21,2016
The Clermont City Council met for a workshop on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in the Council
Chambers at City Hall Mayor Ash called the workshop to order at 6 00 pm with the following
Council Members present Council Members Mullins, Goodgame, Bates and Travis Other City
officials present were City Manager Gray, Finance Director Van Zile and City Clerk Howe
City Manager Gray introduced newly hired Economic Development Director Shannon Schmidt
She will assist with bnnging in new and retaining existing businesses Also, she will work on an
economic development strategy Shannon introduced herself to the City Council and provided
her professional background Council Member Mullins requested to rebrand Wellness Way
Non-Profit Event Fee Presentation
Recreation Director Davidoff provided an update on fees waived by the city for special events
The amount of$120,651 90 has been waived year to date to include ground fees and staff costs
The list provided only includes events that has had fees waived There have been 30 separate
events held at Waterfront Park, 18 of those have had no fees paid to the city The economic
development budget contains $10,000 which may be utilized for community sponsorships
Cntena can be determined by the City with those meeting certain cntena then submitting to a
city staff committee who will evaluate each submittal and then present to the City Manager for
approval for funding on a first come first served basis until the funding is exhausted A quarterly
report will be submitted to the City Council detailing approved sponsorships
Council and staff discussed setting up cntena for nonprofit groups Staff will return to Council in
August before the budget is adopted Furthermore, Mayor Ash requested actual amounts of what
has been given to vanous groups, not Just fees
City Center
City Manager Gray informed Council the South Lake Chamber of Commerce has asked the city
to take over management of the Clermont City Center on October 1 City Attorney Mantzans
will be involved in drafting an agreement as the chamber will have an option to pay rent The
rental of that facility generates approximately $100,000 per year The would be an additional
employee under the Parks and Recreation Department to sit at the reception area and schedule
the building City Manager Gray noted the plan is to move event staff to that facility Staff will
return to Council for approval of an agreement
Council Member Mullins mentioned the possibility of having the city take over responsibility of
the Histoncal Society
Red Light Camera Update
City Manager Gray, Finance Director Van Zile and Police Chief Broadway met with ATS The
contract is up on January 3, 2017 ATS representatives asked if the city wanted to renegotiate the
contract
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JULY 21,2016
Finance Director Van Zile provided an update on funding The red light camera program began
in January 2014 The city collected $554,010 in revenues in fiscal year 2015 with a surplus
minus expenses in the amount of$136,635 The fiscal year 2016 projected surplus is $62,316
The fiscal year 2017 budget presented is based on the contract being terminated in January
Council requested to see more statistics to include prevented accidents and solving of cnmes
City Manager Gray stated it would be brought back in October
Recycling
Environmental Services Director Roy presented information on the recycling program Flonda
Statutes directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive plan
He reported on the Phase 1 and 2 Initiative with 12,000 recycle carts rolled out The tonnage has
increased to 220 tons per month The goal is to elevate the public outreach and make it attractive
for the kids The campaign slogan is "Let's Stick with the Program" and will recognize the
champion recyclers The goal is to increase recyclers The sanitation trucks will be wrapped
with the new logo and the purpose is to engage the students It's a cost savings to divert trash to
recyclables as there is no cost to recycle
City Manager Gray noted it is a state program and by 2020 has to reach the 75% goal set
Public Works Complex
City Manager Gray expressed the need for more space to expand the Public Works facility The
current facility is not large enough for the expansion The next step is to determine how much
property is needed There was discussion of expanding Public Works into the West Park field
area since the city owns the property Furthermore, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is
located next to West Park They contacted City Manager Gray expressing interest in expanding
the church A suggestion was made the church could buy West Park and the Public Works
property then the city could use the funds to relocate The church will return with a response to
the city
The Council expressed interest in relocating Public Works City Manager Gray noted staff is
looking at more industrial sites on Hancock Road and Hartle Road and will be talking to those
property owners to determine if there is an interest in selling
Council Member Bates expressed concern with removing the West Park ballfields City Manager
Gray noted Lake County is building a regional park nearby with additional ballfields
City Manager Gray stated he would like to secure property for a new Public Works facility in the
next budget year
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JULY 21,2016
Kehlor Building
Public Works Director Brunson reviewed the completed repairs and maintenance of the Kehlor
building The amount spent in recent years is $11,276 There is a structural issue with the
building Furthermore, contractors will not give the city a bid on it
City Manager Gray noted the city does not rent the facility The Clermont Recreation Club uses
it and takes care of it
Mayor Ash stated that public restrooms are needed in that area
Public Works Director Brunson let Council know the cost to demolish the building is $27,865 or
repairs needed is in the amount of$29,953 70
Council agreed to demolish the building then discuss what to do next Also, adjust the budget in
the amount of $27,865 for next fiscal year then meet with the Recreation Club to give them
options
Capital Projects Update
Assistant City Manager Kinzler provided an update on capital projects to include Arts and
Recreation sign, 8th Street downtown entryway, police department building and Fire Station 4
Master Plan Update
Assistant City Manager Kinzler provided an update on the master plan projects to include
Victory Point, downtown restrooms, city limits signage, waterfront trail spur and boat ramp
relocation
Mayor Ash strongly opposed to the building of public restrooms at City Hall Park
Council discussed constructing a separate trail for bicyclists City Manager Gray noted staff will
review a design Furthermore, the trail spur is a big piece to incorporate after Victory Point
Council Member Mullins expressed concern with boat traffic going through Lake Hiawatha
Preserve
With no further comments, the workshop adjourned at 8 09pm
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