02-09-1993 Regular Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 1993
A Regular.Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday,
February 9, 1993 in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Mayor Pool with the following Council Members present: Mayor Pro Tem
Turville, Council Member Ivey, Council Member Cole, and Council Member
Norquist. Other City Officials present were City Manager Saunders, City Attorney
Baird, Finance Director Van Zile, and Deputy City Clerk Whitlock.
INVOCATION
The Invocation was offered by Council Member Ivey followed by the repeating of The
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by all present.
MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 12, 1993 and the Workshop
Meeting held January 21, 1993 were approved as presented.
CITY MANAGER SAUNDERS' REPORT
First Annual Arts Festival at Center Lake
City Manager Saunders stated the Art Departments of the Clermont High School and
Groveland High School are planning a combined effort Arts Festival from 9:00 to
5:00 p.m. on April 3 in the area around Center Lake.
93-025
A motion was made by Council Member Turville, seconded by Council
Member Cole and carried unanimously to allow the Clermont High
School and Groveland High School to use the fitness trail area of Center
Lake for an Arts Festival on April 3from 9.'00 to 5:00p. m.
Postmasters Golf Tournament February 15
The Postmasters have a golf tournament each year, and Clermont Postmaster
Montgomery succeeded in scheduling the tournament at Green Valley. He invites
everyone to participate.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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Code Enforcement Board' Member Opening
City Manager Saunders stated there was still one position opening on the Code
Enforcement Board. Council Member Turville stated he had talked with Mr. Don
Burris, who expressed interest in the position.
93-026
A motion was made by Council Member Turville and seconded by
Council Member Ivey_, to nominate Mr. Don Burris to the Code
Enforcement Board.
93-027
A motion was made by Council Member Ivey_ and car~ed unanimously
that the nominations cease.
COUNCIL MEMBER NOROUIST'S REPORT
Rail to Trails
Council Member Norquist reported that the Grand Opening of the Rail to Trails in
Mabel on February 5 was very successful with 200-300 people in attendance.
Lakeshore Drive
Council Member Norquist reported that more patrolling of traffic should be done on
South Lakeshore Drive.
MAYOR POOL'S REPORT
Historic Landmark for Clermont Women's Clubhouse, 655 Broome Street
Mayor Pool reported that the Clermont Women's Clubhouse at 655 Broome Street has
been designated as a Historic landmark, the first in South Lake County. Mrs. Miriam
Johnson has been very involved in accomplishing this designation.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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PAGE 3
Steel Recycling
Mayor Pool stated that Mr. Walich does not have a separator in place at this time,
however, he stated residents have been collecting steel since last fall and he would like
to see the City begin collecting steed. City Manager Saunders stated he would like to
discuss steel recycling at the next workshop.
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
Arbor Day Proclamation
Mayor Pool proclaimed that February 13, 1993 will be observed as Arbor Day in
Clermont, and he read the Arbor Day Observation Proclamation. The Clermont
Beautification Committee and the Clermont Garden Club will be distributing free
seedlings on Saturday morning, february 13 at Publix.
VISITORS WITH BUSINESS
South Lake YMCA Request to Use Highlander Hut at Reduced Fee
City Manager Saunders stated the YMCA has again requested the use of the
Highlander Hut for their summer program from June 1 to August 20 with the
exception of the week of July 19 when the Boy Scout Camp is in session.
Approximately 80 children attend the YMCA summer program at $50 per week.
The YMCA have used the building for several years at a reduced rate of $10 per day,
with normal charges being $165 per day. A study of the operating costs for this
facility show the average cost for utilities, cleaning, and maintenance (not including
depreciation, capital outlay expenditures, garbage pickup or insurance costs) to be
about $100 per week. City Manager Saunders recommended a reduced fee of $20 per
day.
93-028
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Cole,
seconded by Council Member Norquist, and carried unanimously to
approve a reduced fee of $2O per day for the YMCA.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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PAGE 4
Chester Fosgate Company, Inc. Request for Conditional Use Permit
Mayor Pool explained that the Chester Fosgate Company has requested a Conditional
Use Permit to allow cattle grazing on their property. He stated that a quasi-judicial
hearing will be held, and anyone wishing to speak in favor of, or opposition o the
requested Conditional Use Permit must be sworn in. The following were sworn in by
City Clerk Van Zile:
Daryl Carter
Del Ellis
Rita Martinez
Berenice Ellis
Joanna Abrusci
Dominique Abrusci
Cleo Ellis
Sam Pennington
908 S. Delaney Avenue, Orlando, FL
113 E. Sumter Street, Minneola, FL
15531 Hidden Lake Circle, Clermont, FL
15528 Hidden Lake Circle, Clermont, FL
15540 Hidden Lake Circle, Clermont, FL
15540 Hidden Lake Circle, Clermont, FL
15528 Hidden Lake Circle, Clermont, FL
1402 Old Highway 50, Clermont, FL
Mayor Pool read Resolution//778 by title only and opened the public hearing. City
Manager Saunders stated the request was to allow up to 24\50 mature cattle to graze
on the property located north of Highway 50 and east of Jacks Lake. The Planning &
Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit with
conditions as outlined in Resolution #778. A letter from Claude E. Smoak, Jr. has
been received stating he has no objection to the request for the conditional use permit
and he actively supports the petition for the cattle operation.
Mr. Daryl Carter, representing the Chester Fosgate Company stated he was there to
answer any questions. He stated that Miss Del Ellis would manage the cattle
operation on the property.
Rita Martinez stated she was concerned how the cattle operation would affect her
neighborhood and asked what the conditions were in Resolution #778. Mayor Pool
read the conditions.
Dominique Abrusci stated he was concerned that the barb wire fence to the east would
not be removed after a field fence was erected, and that weeds would grow between
the fences. He stated that Mr. Carter had indicated they would remove the barb wire·
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
' REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 1993
PAGE 5
fence, which he felt was satisfactory. City Manager Saunders stated that condition
should be amended to add "the barb wire fence to the east of the property will be
removed, and the field fence will be installed".
Mr. Sam Pennington stated he is a neighbor on the north side of the property on Old
Highway 50 and he said the Fosgate Company was a good. neighbor. He said a barb
wire fence was 'presently located on the north, and he. would like to see it remain.
Mayor Pool closed the public heating as no one else wanted to speak.
Council Member Turville stated the conditions limit the number of mature cattle to
250, however, there is no limit to how many young cattle. The condition should be
amended 'to add a maximum of 500 cattle.
93-029
After discussion, a motion was made b.9 Council Member Norquist,
seconded by Council Member Turville, and carried unanimously by roll
call vote to adopt Resolution #778, adding that the barb wire fence to.the
east will be removed after installing afield fence to condition #6, and a
maximum of 500 cattle to condition #8.
Linda A. Gooden/Vincenza Leonardo, Kiddie Corner Variance Request
Mayor Pool stated that Linda A. Gooden and Vincenza Leonardo are requesting a
variance request for mulch parking at their day care center at 606 West Avenue. He
stated that a quasi-judicial hearing is required, and that anyone wishing to speak in
favor of} or opposition to the variance must be sworn in. The following people were
sworn in bY City Clerk ivan Zile:
Vincenza Leonardo 12220 Monte Vista Road, Clermont, FL
Linda Gooden : 12220 Monte Vista Road, Clermont, FL
Mayor Pool opened the .public hearing. City Manager Saunders stated that the
Council had granted a Conditional Use Permit for a day care center for 606 West
Avenue in November of 1991. They were to meet all site regulations, including
driveways and parking areas to be paved, as well as sidewalks to be constructed along
CITY OF CLERMONT
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
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PAGE 6
Minneola Avenue. A variance to allow the off-street parking and driveway to be
constructed of mulch was requested in March of 1992, and Council granted a six
month temporary variance. The improvements were not constructed within the time
period, and a Code Enforcement violation was issued. The Code Enforcement Board
met regarding the violation and gave Mrs. Leonardo until March 1 to make the
improvements or apply for a permanent variance for the paved parking and driveway.
Mrs. Leonardo stated she would like to have a permanent variance for a mulch
parking area and drive for environmental reasons and appearance. If the parking area
and drive were paved, the retention pond required by St. Johns would take the entire
front area and many shrubs and trees would need tobe removed. Also, the side
entrance where the children are currently being picked up could no longer be used.
City Manager Saunders stated that the staff recommends that the variance be denied
and that the driveway and parking areas be constructed to City codes. If the variance
were granted, it would set a precedent. Similar requirements have been made and met
by another day care center, and this day care is in a heavy business area.
93-030
After considerable discussion, a motion was made by Council Member
Turville, seconded by Council Member Cole, and carried four to one,
with Council Member Ivey_ voting nay_ to grant a two year variance for
the paved parking and drive provided the mulch is properly maintained,
but the other requirements such as the sidewalks, aprons, and hedge
buffer are to be constructed as previously agreed,
93-031
A motion Was made by Council Member Ivey_ to amend the mot~'on from
two years to one year. This motion died for lack of a second.
Strollo Architects, Inc~ Request for Revision in Police Building Contract
City Manager Saunders stated that Strollo Architects have asked for a revision in the
contract for the design of the Police Department building. The concept has been
changed from a remodel involving the current building to a stand-alone building and
additional time has been incurred in design and review. A request for a standard rate
of a contract of $790,000 is made, increasing the contract $20,750.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
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93-032
A motion was made by Council Member Turville, seconded by Council
Member Cole. and carried unanimously to increase the contract amount
by $20,750for contract changes to the Police Department building.
NEW BUSINESS
Property Sale to OHM of .31 acres of Mohawk Road Property to OH Materials
City Manager Saunders stated that OH Materials would like to purchase a portion of
the property the City owns adjacent to their business on Mohawk Road. This property
was purchased by the City about three years ago for the location of a flow equalization
chamber to intercept sewer in this area and pump it to the existing sewer treatment
plant. Since then, the Fosgate property has been annexed and a new sewage treatment
facility is proposed for the east side of town, eliminating the need for a flow basin. A
50' strip could be sold to help OH Materials, leaving enough property for a flow
basin, should plans change again. A recent property purchase by Florida Power in
this vicinity totaled $25,000 per acre. The 50' strip amounts to .31 acres, which
would equate to $7,750. City Attorney Baird has prepared Resolution 780 for the sale
to OH Materials.
93-033
A motion was made by Council Member Ivey., seconded by Council
Member Norquist, and carried unanimously by roll call vote to adopt
Resolution 780for the sale of the .31 acres of Mohawk Road property to
OH Materials for $7,750.
Property Acquisition of Helen Wilkins Property Adjacent to Jenkins Auditorium
City Manager Saunders stated Mrs. Helen Wilkins has offered to sell approximately
three lots adjacent to Jenkins Auditorium as has been discussed in a recent Workshop.
The property was appraised by John Rocker in October of 1991 for $60,000.
There are many possible uses for this property that would benefit the City, and Mrs.
Wilkins and her attorney indicate the appraisal price Of $60,000 is the selling price.
93-034
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 1993
PAGE 8
A motion was made by Council Member Norquist. seconded by Council
Member Cole, and carried unanimously to purchase Mrs. Helen Willa'ns
property_ for the appraised price of $60,000 together with a budget
amendment for $60, O00 from General Fund Reserves..
OTHER COMMENTS
Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Day in Tallahassee
City Manager Saunders stated he and Council Member Ivey will be attending a
Legislative Action Day in Tallahassee on February 23, the date of the next Council
meeting.
Chamber Breakfast
Howard Stockton, ExecUtive Director of the Clermont Chamber of Commerce stated
the March Orange Blossom Breakfast on March 5 is being sponsored by the City of
Clermont. The public is invited.
Black Awareness Day
February 13 has been declared Black Awareness Day and the public is invited to a
dinner at the Flagship Inn on that day at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Attest: