10-17-2017 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 17, 2017
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, in the Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ash called the workshop to order at 6:30pm with the following
Council Members present: Council Members Mullins, Goodgame, Travis and Bates. Other City
officials present were: City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe.
Code Enforcement
City Manager Gray stated Mr. Fry's previous request regarding discussion of signs with code
enforcement.
Economic Development Director Schmidt stated for the past several months all departments in
the field have been stepping up efforts to remove signs when it is safe to do so. When it is not
safe to approach areas, staff is reporting to Code Enforcement so that Code Enforcement may
pull the signs. Education can be attributed to this issue where businesses are new and unaware of
the code. Code Enforcement is looking at all efforts to reduce the amount of sign litter in the city.
In an effort to solve the issue, the City's website will be updated as to what is and what is not
permitted in the city and effort will be made to educate businesses. Pro-active measures will be
taken to work with contractors to make sure they are also aware of what they can or cannot do.
City Attorney Mantzaris commented the only effective manner currently seen from Code
Enforcement Agencies is to locate who the signs are intended to benefit and to cite them. To take
the beneficiary of the signs in front of the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate can be
problematic as Code Enforcement Statute indicates the landowner is the one responsible for the
violation. City Attorney Mantzaris noted Seminole County as an example of an effective effort to
remove signage from a city.
Mr. Fry replied he believes the most effective method would be the immediate removal of the
signs as well as more police involvement.
City Attorney Mantzaris stated all Law Enforcement Officers have the right to enforce code and
can issue citation for a code violation. However, a reasonable time must be given to the violator
to fix the code violation.
Mr. Fry also noted yard sale signs. Groveland requires a Yard Sale Permit as well as City issued
signs and recommended Clermont do the same. Council Member Goodgame expressed approval
of the method. Mayor Ash, Council Member Mullins and Council Member Travis were not in
favor.
City Attorney Mantzaris noted as a disclaimer that Mr. Fry's actions regarding signage is not
authorized by the City.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 17,2017
Compensation and Classification Study
City Manager Gray stated the study Council authorized for classifications and compensation to
see where the City is in the market has been completed and he would like to place the item on the
November 14, 2017 meeting agenda.
Human Resources Director Dauderis presented the results of the compensation and classification
study. The City hired Evergreen, LLC to conduct the study. Human Resources Director
Dauderis reviewed the purpose of the study, the study's process, assessment of the current plan,
collection of internal data, market survey, results, recommendations and implementation options.
The organizations the City was compared to were: Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Lakeland,
Leesburg, Minneola, Orlando, Winter Park, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, Polk
County and Seminole County. Recommendations include new proposed pay plan, rates/ranges
adjustment as a result of the market survey, move from 23 to 26 pay grades and include director
level positions. There are two options available: option 1 is to adjust employee pay to the
minimum of the proposed salary range for a total estimated cost of$98,254.07 or option 2 which
is to distribute employee pay along the proposed salary range based on how long the employee
has been in the classification for a total estimated cost of$198,618.02. Fiscal Year 2018 budget
can support the implementation of either of these options.
City Manager Gray recommended option 2 to the Council.
Charter Review
City Manager Gray stated there are a few things in the City's charter regarding the length of
terms, but nothing stated in regards to term limits. If Council is interested, Richard Levy, a
consultant, and City Manager Gray will put together a Charter Review Committee with the
citizens. City Manager Gray recommended each Council Member appoint one person to the
committee. It would have to be in a timely manner to be on the November 2018 ballot.
Mayor Ash noted she would like to see different people serving on boards and would like to have
term limits. City Manager Gray replied Council can set a policy to change the number of years to
serve on the boards. City Attorney Mantzaris stated a two consecutive term limit would have to
be adopted by an ordinance. The ordinance can be introduced on November 14th with the final
on November 28th. City Attorney Mantzaris noted a recent trend in charter run City's was
requiring a time residency minimum to seek office wherein the applicant must live in City limits
a number of years before running for office.
City Attorney Mantzaris recommended for Council to give specific directions to the Charter
Review Committee and to change the charter to remove or alter the policy stating only the Mayor
can sign contracts,deeds, and purchase orders for the City.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 17,2017
Time Limits
Mayor Ash distributed a document for review regarding the three-minute time limit rule.
Council Member Bates and Council Member Mullins conveyed agreement with the three-minute
guideline. Mayor Ash stated the Council needs to enforce the three-minute time limit for
everyone. The Council agreed to keep the time limit the way it is.
City Attorney Mantzaris stated the Mayor is the presiding officer and is the only individual to
make procedural decisions. However, the majority can overrule the presiding officer. Every
citizen should be treated the same way.
Council Member Goodgame expressed concern with citizens getting back in line to speak a
second time for another three-minute time limit.
City Attorney Mantzaris stated some cities have a rule in their charter requiring a motion after
11:00 PM to continue the meeting. City Attorney Mantzaris recommended adding language to
the opening statement for the citizens not to clap or applause.
Other
City Manager Gray noted receiving an email from Cecelia Bonifay, Esq., Akerman LLP, stating
they are pulling the Anderson Hill project and will not annex.
City Attorney Mantzaris will work on language for the top of the agenda.
City Manager Gray has set up a meeting with Lake County Water Authority in regards to the
boat ramp and possible location sites. The new Public Information Officer, Tracy Jacim, is
working with social media now to provide updates in regards to the boat ramp.
Council Member Travis noted the City has a permit in place for the boat ramp. There were only
five residents previously who did not want the boat ramp at that location.
Mayor Ash noted the City has checked for other available sites for the boat ramp.
Council Member Mullins stated a citizen suggested using an old canal on the west side of Lake
Hiawatha as it is already permitted.
City Manager Gray stated it was suggested to use the old Public Works property, once Public
Works moves to the new location on Hancock Road, as the new boat ramp location and to create
a connecting canal.
With no further discussion, the workshop adjourned at 8:29pm.
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