Minutes - 07.22.2020 - City Council WorkshopCity of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 22, 2020
The Clermont City Council met at a budget workshop on Tuesday, July 22, 2020, in the
Clermont City Center at City Hall. Mayor Ash called the workshop to order at 6:30pm with the
following Council Members present: Council Members Purvis, Brishke, Bates, and Travis. Other
City officials present were City Manager Gray, Assistant City Manager Dauderis and City Clerk
Ackroyd Howe.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2019 Budget Discussion
City Manager Gray provided an overview of the budget workshop. Fire Chief Ezell as well as
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff will review their department budgets. A presentation
will be given on the master plan and capital projects update. He remarked on the contract with
Richard Levey regarding the Economic Development position and is currently recruiting for the
Business Liaison position. Furthermore, he welcomed Lake County Commissioner Breeden.
Parks and Recreation Director Davidoff presented the department budget. The department budget
decreased due to a reduction in operating, capital projects, and grants and aids in the proposed
budget. The significant items included in the proposed budget is a metal storage building at the
Arts and Recreation Center. The significant items not included in the proposed budget is Cooper
Memorial Library staffing, grants to community partners and National Night Out.
Mr. Davidoff remarked the City Council entered into an inter -local agreement with Lake County
in October of 2018 to provide funding for the Cooper Memorial Library in the total amount of
$76,920. The funding was to provide expanded hours for the library on an annual basis. The
agreement's cost is not included in the Fiscal Year 2021 proposed budget and the City Council to
consider terminating the agreement.
The City Council designated events as Community Partner Events: Sommer Sports Events, Pig
on the Pond Community Festival and The Spring Games. The city has waived fees for those
events.
The items to be evaluated in January 2021 includes mainstage telescopic seating at the Arts and
Recreation Center, Hancock soccer field re -sod, Black box theater seating replacement, senior
room divider at the Arts and Recreation Center and communication system, camcorder, and
tablets at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. The significant items included in the five-year
capital plan are aquatics upgrade and re -sod athletic fields.
City Manager Gray noted there are individuals present to speak on the Cooper Memorial Library.
The Council can wait until January and see how revenues come in then make a decision on
funding.
George Taylor, Director of the Office of Library Services was present and available for
questions. He clarified the library will continue to be open during the extended hours on Friday
and Saturday.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 22, 2020
Lake County Commissioner Breeden informed the Council the Board of County Commissioners
took $1 million from reserves, which left an additional $2.7 million and voted to decrease the
millage rate. Furthermore, they did not decrease the library budget.
The City Council agreed to review the library funding again in January 2021.
City Manager Gray requested an update on the CARES Act.
Commissioner Breeden confirmed the Board of County Commissioners gave staff direction to
implement a plan that will put $15.5 million directly into assisting businesses and organizations.
City Manager Gray reviewed the community partner events. The Council has traditionally
budgeted a $15,000 grant for Sommer Sports however; the Fiscal Year 2021 proposed budget
does not include funding for this grant. The Council can reevaluate in September or January.
Council Member Travis expressed concerns with the reserves and suggested the Council be
fiscally responsible.
Council Member Purvis stated the city is under a State of Emergency and we have a resolution to
stay within 25 percent of the reserves. He requested the Council consider allowing the City
Manager a period of one year in the event he needs to drop down below the 25 percent reserves
policy. The Council can determine the percentage.
City Manager Gray noted if we go below 25 percent, staff would return to Council at a budget
hearing to amend the resolution. Furthermore, we have continued to provide services with a
decrease in revenue.
City Manager Gray noted the city would continue to work with the community partners. The Pig
on the Pond event will need an answer in September and Spring Games requests a fee waiver.
Fire Chief Ezell presented the department budget. The budget increase is due to personnel costs.
It includes one frozen Fire Inspector position. The significant items included in the budget are
replacement of SCBA air packs and accessories and trench/confined space equipment. The items
to be evaluated in January 2021 are eight diesel filters for fire trucks and 54 replacement bunker
gear sets. The significant items included in the Five Year Capital Plan are Fire Station No. 5
land, design and construction, engine and equipment; replace Engine 101 and equipment, public
safety training facility design and construction, Fire Station No. 6 land, design and construction,
engine and equipment.
Fire Chief Ezell provided a project status update and the benefits of Fire Station No. 2. The
entire facility can be developed on the existing site as a modern facility that incorporates industry
best practices for firefighter safety. A layout that maximizes response efficiency. Critical
infrastructure built to withstand Florida's windstorm events. Enough room to address today's
needs and those of the future.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 22, 2020
Chief Ezell reported effective July 1, 2020; the Clermont Fire Department awarded an ISO Class
l PPC. Class 1 represents superior property fire protection; Class 10 does not meet minimum
criteria. Class 1 departments provide their communities with the lowest hazard insurance
premiums available. There are 29,705 public fire departments in the U.S. There are only 186
(.06%) fire departments that are ISO Class 1, 94 (.03%) of those are also accredited agencies.
Public Services Director Brunson provided an update on the master plan and other projects. The
following projects are complete: Gateway entrance and city limit signs, Victory Pointe, Kehlor
Recreation Center replacement, and Boat Ramp. The Public Works relocation design is
complete, out to bid in August 2020 and expected completion in August 2021. The Artwalk
project is expected to completion in early September 2020. The downtown Waterfront District
Phase 1 — Osceola Street and West Avenue — streetscape is 75 percent complete and expected
completion in October 2020. Phase 2 81h Street and Minneola Avenue — design complete
contractor costs for Council for approval in September. Phase 3 — Montrose Street — staff is
reviewing design proposal from Engineer. No wake zone is the area around the boat ramp.
Permitting will be through the Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Wildlife
Commission at approximately $20,000.
IT Director Dennis provided a project update on the public WI-FI.
The Council approval of a tentative millage rate at the July 28, 2020 Council Meeting will be
required in order to be included in the TRIM notices mailed by the Lake County Property
Appraiser's Office.
The Public Hearing to adopt the tentative millage rate and budget is scheduled for September 3,
2020 at 6:30pm at the Clermont City Center. The Public Hearing to adopt the final millage rate
and budget is scheduled for September 17, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Clermont City Center.
City Manager Gray thanked Finance Director Brosonski, Budget Analyst Tina Kilbury and all of
the Directors on the budget.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
July 22, 2020
Conclusion: The workshop concluded at 8:1 Opm with no further comments.
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, City Clerk
APPROVED:
et--, �' �- V�' �' Z6 Gail L. Ash, Mayor
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