03-27-2018 Regular Council City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 27,2018
The City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday,March 27,2018 in the Clermont City Council
Chambers.Mayor Ash called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following Council Members
present: Council Members Brishke,Travis,Bates,and Goodgame.Other City officials present were City
Manager Gray,City Attorney Mantzaris,and City Clerk Howe.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Kendal Anderson gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
Doris Bloodsworth introduced the Citizen's Academy graduates.This graduating class is the third class to
complete the Citizens Academy. Joe Gustafson spoke on behalf of the class thanking the Council and
acknowledging staff was passionate and proud of the City. Ms.Bloodsworth called each graduate by name
to take a group photograph.
Fire Chief Bishop presented the Lifesaving awards to Brian Walker and Chris Desmond who were
recognized for saving a fellow citizen's life from a mobile home fire. President Steve Smith,President of
the Local Fire Union, spoke on behalf of the union commending their heroic efforts and presented them
with the Badge of Bravery. Mr. Walker and Mr. Desmond are the first non-union members to receive this
award.
Mayor Ash congratulated both Brian Walker and Chris Desmond.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Stephen Franklin, 378 12`h Street, met with groups regarding waterfront activities. Large scale waterfront
events could become an economic boost for the City.
Charlene Forth,939 W.Desoto Street, spoke against limiting time to speak and requested Council to place
the matter on a future agenda.
REPORTS
City Manager Gray reported the April Workshop has been scheduled for April 11 at 6:30pm in the Council
Chambers. If the need arises, the Workshop can be moved to the City Center to accommodate a larger
audience.
City Attorney Mantzaris—No report.
Council Member Bates reported Lake County is holding nominations for community service awards and
the applications are due April 2. Legends Golf Course is moving forward to close the course by the end of
this month. There are two groups who have toured the facility and are possibly interested in buying the
course. One of the groups interested in the property is made up of residents who are forming an LLC to
purchase it themselves.
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Council Member Goodgame reported concerns over Mayor Ash's comments at the workshop regarding
police cameras and again at the last Council meeting. Any speaker should be given the opportunity to
conclude their thoughts. Council Member Goodgame requested the Council ask staff to review the rules
previously approved by Council.There will be a public meeting at the Performing Arts Center on Monday,
April 9 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm with County Commissioners and County staff regarding Lake EMS
changes. County Commissioners and staff will also be at the Council Workshop on April 11 at 6:30pm.
Council Member Brishke expressed concerns about two separate meetings regarding Lake EMS and the
short notice given to Council. She reported on March 16,2018,she attended the Chamber Breakfast. Later
that same evening,she attended the Tiffany concert at the Performing Arts Center.
Council Member Travis reported on March 17,she attended the presentation at Waterfront Park where USA
Triathlon awarded Fred Sommer a lifetime achievement award.
Mayor Ash reported on March 14, she attended the Mayor and Manager meeting with City Manager Gray
in Montverde to discuss major issues in the cities. On March 15, she attended the Homeless Task Force
meeting.The number of homeless is growing in our county while affordable housing is shrinking.Clermont
along with the County's Health and Human Services Manager, Allison Thall, will be hosting a special
homeless forum at the Performing Arts and Recreation Center on April 26 at 8:00am. On March 16, she
attended the final Citizens Academy class at the Arts and Recreation Center where graduation certificates
were distributed to more than thirty members of the class.Twenty-five people have already registered for
the next class.On March 17,Coffee with the Mayor was held at Lilly's on the Lake.Also on March 17,she
attended the reception for Sommer Sports wherein Fred Sommer received an award from USA Triathlon.
On March 18,she was at waterfront to start the Triathlon. On March 24,she attended the annual fundraiser
for the Mike Conley Hospice House at the Performing Arts Center. On March 26, she attended the Board
Meeting in Winter Garden for Lake Apopka Gas.
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.
Item No. 1—Meeting Minutes Consider approval of the March 13,2018 Regular
Council Meeting Minutes.
Item No. 2—Plat Approval Consider plat approval for Highland Ranch
Canyons Phase 5.
Item No.3—Board Appointments Re-appoint Council Member Brishke to the Lake
County Arts and Cultural Alliance for a two (2)
year term beginning August 1,2018.
Item No.4—Surplus Request Consider declaring end of life inventory as
surplus from various departments and dispose of
in accordance with the Purchasing Policy.
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Item No. 5—Bid Award Consider award to The Lane Construction
Corporation to provide street resurfacing services
to Minnehaha Avenue in the budgeted amount of
$119,420(including contingencies).
Item No. 6—Bid Award Consider award to Bentley Architects +
Engineers, Inc. to provide professional
architectural services for the new Public Works
Facility in the budgeted amount of$774,004.97.
Item No. 7—Contract Amendment Consider first contract amendment between the
City of Clermont and Fifth Third Bank to provide
commercial card services.
Item No. 8—Special Event Sign Request Consider Caribbean American Association of
Lake County request to erect temporary signage
for the annual "Clermont Jerk Festival" on May
19,2018 at Waterfront Park.
Council Member Bates moved to approve the Consent Agenda items 1 -8;seconded by
Council Member Goodgame.The motion passed with all members present voting aye.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item No.9—Ordinance No.2018-10,Final, Citrus Tower Commerce Center
City Clerk Howe read Ordinance No.2018-10 aloud by title only.
An Ordinance under the Code of Ordinances of the City of Clermont,Lake County,Florida
amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Clermont referred to in Chapter 122 of
Ordinance No. 289-C, Code of Ordinances; Rezoning the real properties described herein
as shown below;providing for severability,effective date,and publication.
Interim Development Services Director Henschel presented the applicant's request to rezone the subject
parcel at 423 Citrus Tower Boulevard to a Planned Unit Development. The applicant also requested the
following four waivers to the City Code: to allow two monument signs along Citrus Tower Boulevard,
allow a 15-foot landscape buffer along Citrus Tower Boulevard, allow more than ten parking spaces in a
row without a landscape island, and to allow for an internal lot line without the requirement for landscape
buffers or setbacks. Staff recommended approval of Ordinance 2018-10 to rezone from C-2 General
Commercial to Planned Unit Development.
Rick McCoy,McCoy and Associates,was present on behalf of the applicant.Mr.McCoy stated the property
was difficult to work with due to the layout and believes the design is a good use of the property to make
this site work.
Bob Thompson, applicant, stated he has two similar facilities which do not operate past 5:00 pm with
deliveries being made during business hours. Mr.Thompson stated there will not be an auto repair store at
this location.
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City of Clermont
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 27,2018
Mayor Ash opened the public hearing.There were no comments.Mayor Ash closed the public hearing.
Council Member Goodgame stated he would like to place a 9:00pm to 7:00am curfew for trucks on the
property. Mr.Bob Thompson,the applicant,agreed to have the curfew.
Council Member Travis expressed concerns with the lack of a sidewalk and the narrowness of the road.
City Manager Gray clarified the County plans to widen Citrus Tower Boulevard and the applicant will be
required to put in a sidewalk along the road.The County also has a traffic light plan for the intersection at
Mohawk Road and Citrus Tower Boulevard.
Council Member Travis expressed concern for traffic along the road.
City Attorney Mantzaris recommended amending the language to state:
"There shall be no truck traffic, loading or deliveries of any kind on the property between
the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am."
Council Member Bates moved for approval with staff recommendation for the signs with
the addition to the regulation on the hours the trucks are allowed to operate; seconded by
Council Member Goodgame. The motion passed 5 to 0 with a roll call vote.
Item No. 10—Ordinance No.2018-11,Final,Anderson Hill
City Clerk Howe read Ordinance No.2018-11 aloud by title only.
An Ordinance under the Code of Ordinances of the City of Clermont,Lake County,Florida
amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Clermont referred to in Chapter 122 of
Ordinance No. 289-C, Code of Ordinances; Rezoning the real properties described herein
as shown below;providing for severability,effective date,and publication.
Senior Planner Kruse presented the applicant's request to amend the Planned Unit Development Ordinance
2017-35. The owner is seeking an amendment to the existing Planned Unit Development to remove
language pertaining to the existing billboard on site and staff asked for clarification on speaker use.
Attorney David Theriaque, Attorney representing the applicant, distributed packets of information to the
Council.
Mr. Quintus Roberts, owner of the property, stated there are two requests before the Council. The first
request is regarding the billboard and the second request is to clarify the use of outdoor speakers.However,
Mr. Roberts requested to withdraw the second request and have no change to the wording regarding no
outside speakers for music or entertainment. As it relates to the billboard, the approved Planned Unit
Development required removal of the billboard. The billboard has been there since 1993 and was granted
by the previous owners of the property through the use of a perpetual easement,not a lease. In good faith,
the applicant made attempts to remove the billboard by purchasing the billboard from Lamar Advertising.
The applicant received an email wherein Lamar Advertising stated they would not sell the easement or the
sign.The applicant is in a situation where they cannot force Lamar Advertising to sell the billboard and the
applicant does not earn money from the billboard. Last year, along with the parcel, the billboard was
annexed into the city.If the Council brings the billboard into the City as a non-conforming use,the billboard
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cannot get any bigger and,if it has damage of more than 50%,the billboard cannot be rebuilt.The applicant
is in a condition where they comply 1Y P
and as such asks the Council for help.
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Mayor Ash opened the public hearing.
Council Member Goodgame, Council Member Brishke, Council Member Bates and Council Member
Travis publicly disclosed they met with the applicant and discussed changes regarding the speaker and the
billboard.
Stephanie Modica, 13229 Olesen Court,opposed outside speakers for any purpose.
Rose Farrell, 13215 Maria Avenue,opposed outside speakers for any purpose. Mrs. Farrell also expressed
concerns with noise which will be coming from the cars going through the drive-through.
Bob Beaver, 12647 Valencia Drive,suggested limiting the decibel level of the speakers.
Rick Ault, 10723 Lake Ralph Drive,expressed concern for the resident's needs to be considered first.
Tim Srodes, 12239 Warren Road, suggested Council require speakers to be pointed towards Highway 27.
Carol Colvin, 12815 Katherine Circle, supported the billboard and opposed outside speakers for any
purpose.
Tom English, 12307 Warren Road,asked Council to preserve the quietness of the neighborhood.
Jennifer Cotch, 12522 Valencia Drive, commented there were no other commercial properties in the City
that is as close to residential property as this will be.
Mayor Ash closed the public hearing.
Attorney Theriaque responded to the public comments by clarifying the site plan had a commercial building
labelled"E"on it which showed where the drive-through would be located. The minutes of the September
meeting reflects a request from former Council Member Mullins for no speakers for entertainment or
musical purposes. Exhibit 2 on page 3 of the information packet handed to the Council is the actual
ordinance signed by the Mayor and the ordinance states no outside speakers are to be used for music or
entertainment.
City Attorney Mantzaris clarified the applicant's only request at this time is to delete number 8 in the
adopted ordinance regarding the billboard.
Council Member Travis suggested the applicant look into Florida law as it does not look kindly on contracts
in perpetuity.This is an easement which is different but it could be a viable option.City Attorney Mantzaris
responded there is a distinction between a lease and an easement that is a covenant which runs with the
property.The covenant can exist in perpetuity.
Attorney Theriaque provided Florida Statute 704.06 to the Council which authorizes perpetual easements.
Council Member Bates stated he believed the applicant has done all they can with regard to the billboard
and requested clarification of the previous ordinance regarding the speakers. City Attorney Mantzaris
replied the proposed ordinance did not originally address speakers. The issue came up based on a Council
Member's question. Staff was clearly working off of the direction from the Council Member. The only
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
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discussion was the Council did not want speakers to be used for music or entertainment. However, that
language does not give the applicant the right to violate the City's noise ordinance.
Council Member Goodgame moved for approval of Ordinance 2018-11 with regard to
the deletion of section 3.8: seconded by Council Member Travis.This motion passed 5
to 0 with a roll call vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 11—Variance Request,Lucky's Market
Interim Development Services Director Henschel presented the variance request for additional wall signs
for Lucky's Market. Applicant is asking for an additional 73 square feet for each of the additional four
signs. Staff recommended approval of the variance request.
Mr. Gregory Davis, applicant, worked closely with Interim Development Services Director Henschel and
City staff for this variance request.Mr.Davis is requesting the additional signage to be consistent with the
other stores opened throughout Florida.
Mayor Ash opened the public hearing.
Jim Purvis,4206 Hammersmith Drive,asked to carefully consider the request and expressed concern with
signs stating beer or wine.
Mayor Ash closed the public hearing.
Council Member Travis expressed concern on the signs being labeled as neon on the designs. Applicant
replied the signs have backlighting, but are not neon signs themselves. Interim Development Services
Director Henschel clarified the additional signs will be the same style as the sign already in place and city
code does not allow for neon signs.
Council Member Goodgame expressed concern whether there is a necessity for additional signs.
Council Member Brishke inquired if any other grocery stores in the City has additional signs. Interim
Development Services Director Henschel stated there were several grocery stores within the city limits with
additional signs like the ones being requested in this variance request.
Council Member Bates moved for approval of the variance request: seconded by Council
Member Brishke.The motion passed with all members voting aye.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 27, 2018
ADJOURN: With no further comments,this meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
APPROVED:
Gail L. Ash, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tracy Ackroyd Howe, City Clerk
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