Minutes - 06.16.2020 - City Council WorkshopCity of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
June 16, 2020
The Clermont City Council met at a workshop on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, in the City Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Ash opened the workshop at 6:30pm with the following Council
Members present: Brishke, Purvis, and Bates. The following council members were absent:
Council Member Travis.
Other City officials present were City Manager Gray, City Attorney Mantzaris and City Clerk
Howe.
1. Waterfront Activation Zone RFP Review
City Manager Gray informed the Council that this discussion was regarding the Request for
Proposals the City started a couple years ago, which is also a part of the 2015 adopted master plan.
The purpose of the RFP was to identify an opportunity to collaborate with a project that would
activate more development on the waterfront in relation to the City's master plan.
He informed the Council that the workshop tonight is information gathering, as the Council cannot
meet one on one to discuss the options. Representatives from the three (3) proposals that were
received and reviewed by the staff evaluation committee are all present to answer any questions. He
then introduced Dr. Richard Levey to provide an unbiased summary of each of the proposals.
Dr. Richard Levey, City Consultant - Reviewed each of the proposals. He also informed the Council
that as an unbiased advisor to the City he was not a member of the evaluation committee. He
presented a summary of the process and review of the proposals including the timeline. The
evaluation committee ranked the proposals in February 2020. He reminded the Council that the
intent of the RFP was not to prescribe a particular use, but rather to challenge respondents to offer
development ideas that focus on the greatest catalytic impact for the downtown.
The evaluation committee reviewed each proposal using the eight (8) evaluation criteria:
1. Consistency with Downtown/Waterfront Master Plan
2. Catalytic Value
3. Economic Viability/Sustainability
4. Visitation — Volume and duration of stay
5. Increase in lane value
6. Parking Solution
7. Architectural/Urban Design
8. Price
The evaluation committee provided the following rankings of the proposals:
1. Victory Coast, LLC — Event Center
2. VP Development Enterprises, LLC — The Boardwalk
3. Peacock Capital, LLC — Upscale Apartments
This concluded Dr. Levey's presentation.
Mayor Ash asked for more information and stated she would like to hear from the representatives of
each proposal.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
June 16, 2020
Each of the representatives presented to the Council summaries of their proposals
Darren Johnson. Victory Cost LLC — Mr. Johnson gave an overview of his proposal. He informed
the Council that the event center is intended to be a site that supports large events. It will have a
dramatic design, include a rooftop restaurant, and lounge as well for day-to-day use.
Council Member Purvis asked if seaplanes would be accommodated as in the rendering. Mr.
Johnson replied that if the opportunity presented itself than yes.
Council Member Briske asked if the rooftop restaurant/lounge was to be open air. Mr. Johnson
replied that they are thinking 50% open and under cover with a mixed use of cabanas. It will not be
air-conditioned.
Victor Berrie]. VP Development Enterprises, LLC — Mr. Berriel gave an overview of their proposal.
He informed the Council that they are proposing a mixed -use of lodging, retail and entertainment
similar to the Disney style outdoor boardwalk. They have proposed 7,000 sq. ft. of retail intended
for small shops with lodging above, which either can be as a hotel or privately owned short-term
stay locations.
Mr. Berriel stated that their proposal pays homage to downtown Clermont and is consistent with the
historic downtown. They feel that new businesses will be more attracted to downtown.
Council Member Purvis asked if this is a 2-story or 3-story structure. Mr. Berrie] stated that the
architectural design has it as 3-story because a hotel wants larger units. Council Member Purvis
expressed a concern that that may lead to a conversion to condominiums. Mr. Berriel stated that
they are very much against a condominium project.
Council Member Bates asked if they would have issues with being on the water. City Manager Gray
stated that they would need to be permitted through the Water Authority and the State as the City
only has jurisdiction on the land.
Mayor Ash asked about rental rooms. Mr. Berriel replied that they are aesthetically pleasing, but are
only an added amenity to the boardwalk and should not be considered a focal point.
Council Member Bates asked about parking. Mr. Berriel stated that they are relying on the City to
activate the parking portion of their master plan. City Manager Gray stated that the master plan calls
for a centralized parking garage, but that the Central Business District allows for offsite parking
agreements currently.
Council Member Brishke asked if there is an event area. Mr. Berriel stated they do not have an
event center in the plan.
Bob Mosser. Peacock Capital LLC — Mr. Moser gave an overview of his firm's proposal. He
informed the Council their proposal is the best proposal as it is achievable in 12 months, has the
financial support with letters of interest from the banks.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
June 16, 2020
They feel that providing livability close to downtown will increase the foot traffic for the existing
retail businesses in downtown Clermont.
Council Member Purvis stated that while he agrees with many of Mr. Moser's points, at the end of
the day, they would only be making 24 to 30 people happy on City owned land. He asked if they
went with this plan if it would be better to sell the land. Mr. Moser stated that the ownership of the
land would not alter their plan, but he would be open to it as there are advantages to owning land
outright. Council Member Purvis stated he is not happy with the idea of selling city -owned
lakefront property.
Council Member Purvis asked if there was an elevator. Mr. Moser stated they were not planning an
elevator and that ground floor units would be reserved and marketed to the disabled.
Council Member Brishke stated that she is disappointed in the lack of diversity of use with this
plan. Mr. Moser stated they shopped this heavily to retail and no one wanted it. The daily vehicle
traffic does not compare to locations on SR 50. He informed the Council that vehicle traffic will not
save the downtown and they need residential to be the new building block for the business district.
City Manager Gray clarified for the Council that financial information was not required of the
respondents and that staff normally would not recommend housing on the waterfront.
Mayor Ash recessed the workshop at 7:48pm; the workshop reconvened at 7:55pm.
9. Fire Station #2 Update
City Manager Gray told the Council that Fire Station #2 reached capacity and needs to expand.
James Kinzler. City Consultant — Mr. Kinzler provided an update on the status of Fire Station #2
located behind Kings Ridge Publix on Hartwood Marsh Road. Originally constructed in 2002.
Service area has grown tremendously as well as the number of apparatus. He identified three
options:
Option 1 - Relocation to alternate site $4 to $4.5 million.
Option 2 — Expansion and renovation of existing facility - $2 to $2.5 million.
Option 3 — Demo and rebuild on existing site $3 to $3.5 million.
City staff recommended option 3. Mr. Kinzler provided an overview of the timeline for
implementation.
City Manager Gray stated that during construction the fire station would be given a temporary
location.
Council Member Bates asked why Option 3 and not Option 2 was being recommended as it is less
costly. City Manager Gray responded that the existing facility has been piecemealed together and is
simply not functional.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
June 16, 2020
Ad*ourn: The workshop concluded at 8:10 pm with no further comments.
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroy Howe, City Clerk
APPROVED:
R11A /
Gail L. Ash, Mayor'
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