07-12-2016 Regular Council City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
The Clermont City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in the Clermont City
Council Chambers Mayor Ash called the meeting to order at 6 30pm with the following Council
Members present Council Members Mullins, Bates, Goodgame, and Travis Other City officials present
were City Manager Gray,City Attorney Mantzans, and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe
INVOCATION
Council Member Mullins gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Shirley Dunn, South Lake Barbershop Owner, commented of the inability to place a business sign on
private property City Manager Gray offered for the planning staff to provide assistance
Cuqui Whitehead thanked City Manager Gray and staff for their assistance with the Canbbean American
Association of Lake County's event
Mayor Ash welcomed Boy Scout Troop 268
REPORTS
City Manager Gray reported the Budget Workshops will be held on Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday,
July 21, 2016 at 6pm in the Council Chambers The department budgets will be discussed on Wednesday
and additional items will be discussed on Thursday
The sweanng-in of Council Seats 1, 3, and 5 will take place at the November 8, 2016 meeting The
cancellation of the November 22,2016 meeting will be placed on a future agenda
City Attorney Mantzans—No report
Council Member Bates thanked staff for their work on the 4th of July celebration event
Council Member Goodgame— No report
Council Member Mullins commented on the vanous events in Downtown Clermont
Council Member Travis commented on the number of people at Waterfront Park
Mayor Ash reported the 4th of July celebration was successful and thanked the Parks and Recreation staff,
Fire Department, and Police Department for all their efforts and hard work Staff estimated 10,000
people were in attendance
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Ash advised the next item on the Agenda for consideration was the Consent Agenda and requested
anyone wishing to have any item pulled for discussion to please come forward at this time
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Item No. 1 —Plat Approval Consider approval of Highland Ranch Esplanade
Esplanade Phase 1 Replat Phase 1 replat
Item No. 2—Plat Approval Consider approval of Highland Ranch Esplanade
Esplanade Phase 1 A Replat Phase 1 A replat
Council Member Goodgame asked for an explanation of the map changes
City Manager Gray stated the changes were associated with the recent approved requests of the Highland
Ranch subdivision
Council Member Goodgame moved for approval of the Consent Agenda, seconded by
Council Member Mullins The motion passed with all members present voting aye
NEW BUSINESS
Item No.3—Event and Open Container Request;Pig on the Pond
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff presented the request submitted by Pig on the Pond, Inc for their
annual event to be held on March 3,4,and 5,2017
Pig on the Pond, Inc is requesting open containers be permitted at Waterfront Park in an approved
beverage area,and have agreed to hire the appropriate number of off-duty Clermont Police Officers
The organization is requesting a section of the trail at Waterfront Park be closed dunng the event Detour
signs will be erected to direct patrons who wish to use the trail dunng the closure
Pig on the Pond, Inc is requesting fee waivers for the use of Waterfront Park from February 27, 2017
through March 6, 2017, as well as fee waivers for all tent permits
The organization is requesting approval for signage within the City limits
Tom English, Board Chair President of Pig on the Pond, Inc , stated their Mission Statement is to
"Provide educational scholarships and other support to our local students, positioning them to lead
successful and impactful lives in their chosen communities" Pig on the Pond, Inc has been providing
scholarships to deserving south Lake County students for over 18 years Mr English thanked the City and
acknowledged the partnership created over the years Pig on the Pond, Inc recognized 4 years ago that
the cost of higher education increased and began awarding 4-year, $10,000 scholarships, and currently
supports 15 students
The mentor program was created to augment the financial support The recipients are paired with
community leaders with expenence in the recipient's field of study The Board is working toward
creating an endowment fund capable of providing the current level of scholarship support, exclusive of
the annual event The Pig on the Pond event provides over 20 non-profit organizations with their main
fund-raising opportunity for other educational scholarships
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12,2016
Mr English introduced scholarship recipient Briana Bell Ms Bell commented she was in her Junior year
at the University of Central Florida, majoring in legal studies Ms Bell thanked everyone for allowing
her the opportunity to pursue a higher education
Tom English stated the City is a Presenting Partner and the City's logo is on the front of the Event
Program and the City has a half-page ad inside the Event Program The City's logo appears in every
event commercial, on all of the ads, on the home page of the Pig on the Pond event website, at the event
pavilion, and on all event signs
The intangible benefits include the City's connection with the largest and longest running south Lake
County event The support funds are used to compensate Police Officers who volunteer to work at the
event
The event has used the same amount of space at Waterfront Park for over 15 years Mr English
commented the event is not attempting to become a County Fair The event is a gathenng of businesses,
non-profits, and individuals interested in providing educational opportunities for students in south Lake
County
Clermont is the only Presenting Partner, however, Mr English opined this is not a reason to consider
cancelling the event The Board of Directors, non-profits, recipients, sponsors, and students, would like
the Council to approve the event request and use of the trail The use of the trail from Friday afternoon to
Sunday afternoon, with a detour and the option of a walk-through without paying admission, is a small
inconvenience to pay for providing assistance to students in the south Lake community Mr English
stated the City of Clermont is setting an example of how government and non-profit entities can cooperate
to ennch life in a community
Mayor Ash opened the public heanng
Jim Purvis spoke in support of the signature event
Ron Smart, Executive Director of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, stated the Clermont Downtown
Partnership voted in support of the Pig on the Pond event remaining in Clermont The event is beneficial
to the Downtown Clermont Historic Distnct
Chris Barrett commented he volunteers as a high school student mentor and is a member of the Caribbean
Amencan Association Mr Barrett spoke in support of the event
Kim Grogan spoke in support of the event, however, requested the trail remain open for cyclists and
pedestnans
Sarah Myer spoke in support of the event and stated her non-profit organization, STEAM, benefits from
participating at the Pig on the Pond event STEAM offers educational summer camps, and funds raised
dunng the Pig on the Pond event provides scholarships for summer camp attendance
Mayor Ash closed the public heanng
Mayor Ash asked each portion of the request be addressed and voted on separately The City Council
was in agreement
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Open container request
Council Member Mullins moved for approval, seconded by Council Member Bates The
motion passed with all members present voting aye
Closure of part of the Waterfront Park Trail with detour signs
Council Member Goodgame and Mullins commented bicyclists have access by walking their bikes
through the event area
Council Member Travis commented the issues residents' expressed concern of was the inability to use the
beach,and the trail being closed for an additional day
Council Member Goodgame spoke in support of closing the trail
Council Member Travis stated Waterfront Park is the City's biggest asset and the City does not waive
fees for other non-profits The location could be moved to a larger Clermont location, such as Lake
Hiawatha Preserve
Council Member Goodgame commented Lake Hiawatha Preserve did not have a pavilion to use for the
entertainment
Council Member Travis stated attendance of Waterfront Park has increased and the residents want to use
Champions Splash Park and the beach
Council Member Mullins commented use of the beach in March was a minor inconvenience
Council Member Travis inquired of the possibility of leaving the trail open, and stated access to the beach
was available only by water Tom English noted the beach would be open dunng the event
Mayor Ash asked of the effect the detour signs would have on usage of the Champions Splash Park City
Manager Gray commented Champions Splash Park does not open until late March
Mr English stressed the entrance fee is a donation and is not compulsory People wishing to go to the
beach would be allowed free entrance and all admission gates would be provided with instruction to allow
free entrance The detour signs would be for cyclists to determine the route they wish to take, bypass the
event or walk their bicycle through the event Cyclists would have difficulty walking their bicycles
through the event dunng certain heavy traffic hours
Council Member Travis inquired of possibly having the trail open on Sunday as hundreds of nders use the
trail on Sundays Mr English stated vendors use both sides of the trail
Mayor Ash suggested rewording the signage to state "Suggested donation is optional" Mr English
commented the logo on the signs will be changing and the wording can be added
Council Member Travis commented the trail will run coast to coast soon, and the trail cannot continue to
be closed for three days The event should move to another location
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12,2016
Council Member Mullins stated the Master Plan will impact how all events are handled in the Waterfront
area
City Manager Gray commented Victory Pointe and other projects will create more event space in the
downtown and waterfront area The Master Plan includes a spur-off from the trail, providing a by-pass
which can be used dunng events
Mayor Ash stated the understanding of the request was to allow detour signs for the trail
closure, where the trail crosses into the event area
Council Member Mullins re-stated the trail would be closed, bicycle nders could bypass
the event or walk their bicycles through the event, and beach attendees would be allowed
access to the beach
Council Member Mullins moved for approval of the understanding, seconded by Council
Member Goodgame The motion passed 4 to 1 with Council Member Travis m
opposition
Waivers for use of Waterfront Park and of tent fees
Mayor Ash stated the waiver request for Waterfront Park usage is for the amount of$7,000, and the tent
permit waiver request is for the amount of$109 per tent
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff commented tents larger than 900 square feet require a permit
The tent permit may be issued for all tents for an event at a total cost of$109 Pig on the Pond, Inc will
be including all the tents when the permit is pulled
City Manager Gray stated the waiver would be for$7,000 for the Waterfront Park usage fee, and $109 for
the tent permit fee The fee is for the fire inspection and is charged each time the Fire Inspector goes out
to inspect
Council Member Mullins commented the Council could waive one tent inspection and Pig on the Pond,
Inc would pay for any additional inspections
Council Member Travis asked Mr English if other cities had been asked to participate in donating to the
event Mr English stated other cities had not been asked
Council Member Travis noted the residents had a tax increase and are questiomng the City funding the
event using tax dollars The event is a south Lake County event and the City of Clermont is the only city
sponsoring the event The scholarships are awarded to students who are from other south Lake County
cities Mr English agreed other south Lake County cities should be contacted for sponsorships
Mayor Ash understood the City pays $30,000, m addition to $7,000 waiver request Ms Ash inquired if
the waiver request included only the $7,000 City Manager Gray stated the sponsorship costs were
included in the City's General Fund budget, which covers the police service The Fire Department and
the Public Works Department budgets cover the overtime and extra personnel expenses
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Mayor Ash commented the Council had decided months ago that as of October 1, 2016,waivers would no
longer be given Fees will be determined by the for-profit or non-profit status of the organization The
Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation and other organizations have been denied waiver requests
Council Member Travis concurred with Mayor Ash as Council had agreed to no longer provide waivers
Mayor Ash stated the waiver amounts for the vanous requests could be between $200,00 and $300,000 a
year
Council Member Goodgame commented he did not consider the upcoming fees would apply to Pig on the
Pond as the event was a signature event
City Manager Gray noted Pig on the Pond is on the Budget Workshop agenda The City sponsors the
Sommer Sports senes, PFX Softball, and Pig on the Pond, and has previously provided fee waivers for
these events
Mayor Ash stated the groups were not specified and the agreement was made a year ago to no longer
provide waivers
Council Member Bates was opposed to approving the waiver
Council Member Mullins was not opposed to collecting the $7,000 and increasing the City's donation,
which in turn pays for the use of Clermont Police Officers
Council Member Travis and Mayor Ash were not in agreement with Council Member Mullins
Mayor Ash commented if the waiver was approved, every organization the Council has denied would
return before Council, and the Council would have to approve their fee waivers
Council Member Travis asked Mr English if the event could take place without the $7,000 waiver
approval Mr English stated the event could take place, however, without the waiver the bottom line and
10-year plan would be affected
Mayor Ash commented denying a waiver to the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation was a difficult
decision, as the money the Foundation collects is used to help families in the community who have needs
due to cancer Ms Ash was opposed to approving Pig on the Pond's waiver request
Council Member Travis moved to deny the grounds fee waiver request, seconded by
Council Member Bates The motion passed 4 to 1 with Council Member Goodgame in
opposition
Signage
Council Member Goodgame moved to approve the signage, seconded by Council
Member Mullins The motion passed with all members present voting aye
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Item No.4—Variance Request; 953 5`h Street
Senior Planner Kruse presented the variance request for a rear yard setback of 15 feet The owner would
like to reconstruct a portion of a two-family dwelling unit which burned down in November 2015 The
current zoning is R-3, which allows for two-family dwelling units The structure was built in 1925 prior
to the Land Development Code and is a legal non-conforming structure in regards to setbacks Staff
recommended denial of the variance request
James Glasco stated they would like to build the structure where the structure existed before the fire
Janice Krueger commented the new structure would be built on the existing foundation and the square
footage will remain the same as the prior structure
Mayor Ash opened the public hearing
Gerry Ameral spoke in support of the variance request
Mayor Ash closed the public hearing
Council Member Bates moved for approval, seconded by Council Member Mullins The
motion passed with all members present voting aye
Item No.5—Variance Request;Headquarter Honda
Planning Manager Henschel presented the request for a monument sign variance for the Headquarter
Honda automotive dealership located at 17700 East Highway 50 The proposed sign will be 17 feet m
height with a sign copy area of 64 square feet The applicant believes the request will allow greater
visibility and prevent motorists from making a U-turn on Highway 50 to return to the site The request
will also allow Headquarter Honda to remain competitive with the other surrounding automotive
dealerships The Toyota dealership has a 35-foot tall sign, and the Nissan dealership has a 20-foot tall
sign The Toyota and Nissan dealerships were approved by Lake County prior to annexing into the City
of Clermont Staff recommended denial of the variance request
Scott Glass, Esq , was present on behalf of Headquarter Honda Attorney Glass commented the property
was developed under the jurisdiction of Lake County The monument sign is not visible for motorists
traveling east on Highway 50 due to the sign height and landscaping Motorists who miss the entrance
are making U-turns on the busy highway The monument sign cannot be re-located closer to the roadway
due to the Highway 50 right-of-way
Mayor Ash opened the public hearing There were no public comments Mayor Ash closed the public
hearing
Council Member Travis asked if the billboard signs on Highway 50 were inside the City limits Planning
Manager Henschel responded the billboard signs were adjacent to the City limits City Manager Gray
stated the billboard signs will have to be removed when the property is annexed into the City
Mayor Ash asked if sign could be moved forward Planning Manager Henschel stated there was some
flexibility of relocating the monument sign 5 to 8 feet closer towards Highway 50 and raising the sign 2
feet higher
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Council Member Mullins commented the visibility issue appeared to be due to the landscaping and
suggested raising the sign height to 10 feet and relocating the trees Mr Glass commented the facility
was a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) which requires trees in the easement as
part of the certification The monument sign is located behind the easement
Council Member Mullins asked of possibly receiving a vanance from the LEED certification entity Gail
Thomasina, Headquarter Honda, stated the problem with an LEED certification is, should a tree be
removed, it must be replaced Headquarter Honda had already received a variance for trees which came
down dunng a storm
Council Member Mullins inquired of using the land to the southeast Ms Thomasina stated the land was
a required water retention area
Council Member Mullins opined the sign height request would place the sign under the tree canopy and
possibly would not resolve the visibility issue
Council Member Goodgame asked who designated the tree easement Ms Thomasina stated the
easement designation was part of the site plan design and Lake County approvals
Council Member Goodgame inquired if the City could grant permission to relocate trees from the
easement area
City Manager Gray suggested the applicant meet with staff on possible solutions
Attorney Glass asked Council to table the request to August 9, 2016
Council Member Mullins moved to table to August 9, 2016, seconded by Council
Member Goodgame The motion passed with all members present voting aye
Item No. 6—Ordinance No.2016-34;Introduction-Special Magistrate
City Clerk Ackroyd Howe read Ordinance 2016-34 aloud by title only
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Flonda,
amending Article V, "Code Enforcement", Division 1, "Generally", Section 2-186
"Intent of Article", providing that the City Council shall appoint a Code Enforcement
Special Magistrate, deleting Section 2-187 "Definitions", renumbenng and amending
Section 2-188 "Alternate Code Enforcement System", renumbenng Section 2-189
"Supplemental Enforcement", deleting Section 2-190 "Special Master" and amending
Division II, "Code Enforcement Board", Section 2-206, "Created, Junsdiction,
Enforcement by Courts", amending Section 2-207, "Composition, Appointment, Terms
of Members", deleting Section 2-208, "Appointment of Members", deleting Section 2-
209, "Residency Requirements, Vacancies, Filling of Vacancies, Composition", deleting
Section 2-210, "Oath of Office", deleting Section 2-211, "Organization, Quorum,
Compensation", and amending Section 2-212, "Counsel Named", deleting Section 2-213
"Conflict of Interest", deleting Section 2-214 "Powers of the Code Enforcement
Board", providing for codification, severability, conflict and effective date.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 12, 2016
Council Member Mullins moved to introduce Ordinance 2016-34, seconded by Council
Member Bates The motion passed with all members present voting aye
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting was adjourned at 8 15pm
APPROVED:
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Gail L Ash,Mayor
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