10-18-2018 Council Workshop City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 18,2018
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Thursday, October 18, 2018, 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 Brishke, Goodgame, Travis and Bates. Other City officials present were City Manager
Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd Howe.
Letters of Interest—Minneola Avenue
City Manager Gray stated staff previously looked at several areas downtown which could serve as restaurant
pad sites in the City's Master Plan.The City only received one response which did not work out.As a result,
staff will return the matter to Council at a later date. Letters of interest were also sent out regarding Minneola
Avenue.Jayson Stringfellow was the only submittal in regards to Minneola Avenue.
Economic Development Director Schmidt provided an update on the status of downtown parking. A demand
for residential units, food and beverages is providing a renewal of people through downtown. Immediate
improvements to downtown parking were made on Minneola Avenue, Lake Avenue and Eighth Street. A
new parking map has been developed which displays inventory of public parking downtown in proximate to
event venues and parks. Masterplan improvements on West Avenue will include 60 parking spaces with the
new streetscape. A shared use agreement with the Methodist Church would open up roughly 250 additional
parking spaces.The Methodist Church would like to partner with the City to construct a parking garage.
Jayson Stringfellow stated the subject property is currently leased to the City for parking. In 2016,
preliminary meetings were held with the City regarding the property's mixed use. The concept for the Art
District is to rebrand the block from Montrose Street to Minneola Avenue. Mr. Stringfellow reviewed
benefits of the future site use,connection to the trail,the covered art walk,and parking.
Council discussed ownership of the subject property.
Jayson Stringfellow reviewed the proposed plans for the Art Walk. The matter will return to Council on
November 13,2018.
Bloxam Avenue Name Change
Economic Development Director Schmidt provided an overview of the request from Tim Murry to change
Bloxam Avenue's name to Martin Luther King,Jr.Boulevard.
Tim Murry requested to change Bloxam Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to extend from
Hooks Street to Division Street. Mr. Murry stated he started this request approximately six years ago and
would like to have the name change done by January, 2019 for the celebration of the Martin Luther King,Jr.
Holiday.
Economic Development Director Schmidt reviewed the process of changing the street name.The City would
also coordinate with the school site and the Police Department, Fire Department and Lake County regarding
the change.A one-year implementation time line was recommended.
City Manager Gray suggested Council could vote to change the street name at a Council Meeting and then
have a year of implementation.The matter will return to Council on November 13,2018 for consideration.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 18, 2018
Backyard Chicken Ordinance
City Manager Gray stated the City has received requests to allow chickens within the city limits. The City
only allows livestock in the city if the owner obtains a Conditional Use Permit at an estimated cost of$800.
Council expressed opposition with moving forward with the matter.
Development Services Director Henschel reviewed pilot programs for the allowance of chickens which were
implemented by other cities.
Mayor Ash expressed concern for the proximity of the houses to each other.
Fire Permit Fees
City Manager Gray stated Council discussed suspending fire fees until further review. Florida law states the
City must inspect every commercial building annually which is the goal, but does not always happen. Staff's
recommendation is to eliminate the inspection fee and the annual fire alarm monitoring fee. Staff also
recommends to revert back to the life safety fee which would be a one-time fee when a company moves into
a building.
Other
Fire Chief Bishop, Assistant Fire Chief Harrison, City Manager Gray, Finance Director Van Zile, and
Assistant City Manager Kinzler met regarding Fire Station 2 and are currently looking at the Arts and
Recreation Center.The subject will be discussed more at the December workshop.
With no further discussion,the workshop was adjourned at 8:06 pm.
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