08-29-1994 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
August 29, 1994
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Monday,
August 29, 1994 in the City Hall meeting room. The meeting was called to order by
Mayor Pool at 7:30 p.m. with the following Council Members in attendance: Council
Member Turville, Council Member Cole, and Council Member Norquist. Also
present was Wanda Andrews, Public Service Director Davis, Finance Director Van
Zile and City Manager Saunders. Council Member Ivey arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Brogden Road Crosswalk Painting
City Manager Saunders stated that the City had contacted the Lake County regarding
the painting of crosswalks at Brogden Road on Lake Shore Drive. Since this is a
County maintained road, no alterations can be done without their approval. The
County indicated that they would not approve a request for a crosswalk at this area
since it is a private crossing and would set a precedent for other similar situations.
Mayor Pool asked that City Manager Saunders contact Judy Adamson, one of the
home owners in the area and inform her of the County's position.
Old Police Department
City Manager Saunders reviewed a discussion he had earlier in the day with Pete
Wahl, County Manager and Facility Director Mike Anderson. They have indicated
that they would like to lease the entire building except for the Fire Station for use as a
Sheriff's Substation and Building Department.
Decisions would have to be made as to whether the Council will give up the Council
Chambers and what the lease amount will be. After considerable discussion, it was
the consensus to investigate alternate places for the Council to meet in an effort to
lease the entire building to Lake County. Council also directed City Manager
Saunders to formulate a proposed lease agreement.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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WORKSHOP MEETING
August 29, 1994
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Alternative Fuel Grant
City Manager Saunders explmned that the City has been working on an alternative fuel
grant with Lake Apopka Natural Gas. He reviewed the grant with the Council and
there was no opposition to moving forward with the grant request.
FRDAP Grant
The final conceptual site plan for the FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development
Assistance Program) grant application was reviewed by City Manager Saunders.
Request for a 3-Way Stop on Lake Shore Drive
Mayor Pool stated that he had been contacted by Mr. DeWitt who lives on Lake Shore
Drive. Mr. DeWitt is requesting a 3-way stop sign on Lake Shore Drive. After
discussion, it was the consensus that this would not be a good situation.
Florida Free Wheelers Horrible 100 Bike Ride
The upcoming Horrible 100 Bike Ride sponsored by the Florida Free Wheelers was
discussed. City Manager Saunders stated that the event will again be held in
November. They have requested a reduced fee or a waiver of the parking fee at
JayCee Beach. After discussion, it was the consensus that we should be consistent
since we have charged other cyclist activities and we should continue and charge the
Free Wheelers.
Budget Requests
Sewer Department
Discussion continued regarding budget requests. In addition to the previous requests
for the Sewer Department, the Council considered additional equipment, including:
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
August 29, 1994
Page 3
1)
Request for $50,000 for alarms for all of the lift stations. In addition, there
would be approximately $10,000 per year for maintaining the telephone lines
that would handle the auto dialers.
2)
The Council also discussed electronic alarms and the need for this type of alarm
on all of the lift stations.
After discussion, it was the consensus not to include any money in the budget for
alarms at this time, but to continue, the investigation into different types of alarms and
report back to the Council later with some comparative information.
The need for emergency generators or emergency pumping equipment was then
discussed for our major lift stations. After discussion it was the consensus to include
$60,000 for emergency equipment for Lift Stations 15 and 21. Two alternatives for
equipment were discussed which include emergency generators as opposed to
emergency pumps. It was the consensus that both options would be reviewed prior to
purchasing the equipment.
The need for one extra person in the Water and Sewer Department was discussed.
The additional person would hold a Double-C certificate for both water and sewer,
and will be needed in order to meet regulatory requirements in regard to our new
water and sewer facility. It was the consensus to include money for this position.
Water and Sewer Rates
The need for an adjustment to the water and sewer rates was discussed. Finance
Director Van Zile reviewed the proposed budget status with the Council. After
discussion, it was the consensus to bring to the Council a resolution for a rate increase
in water from a base rate of $4.00 to $4.85 and the variable rate from $.90 per 1,000
gallons to $1.10 per 1,000.
It was the consensus to adjust the sewer base rate from $14.25 to $16.00 and the
variable rate from .22 per 1,000 to .24 per 1,000.
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WORKSHOP MEETING
August 29, 1994
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Personnel Positions, Benefits and Salaries
Finance Director Van Zile then distributed a summary of personnel costs. The need
to change the part-time position in the Planning Department to a full-time position was
discussed. It was the consensus of the Council to include a full-time position in the.
proposed budget.
The estimated increase in group insurance costs were reviewed.
The proposed cost of living increase was then discussed. The proposed budget now
includes a 3 % cost of living increase for all employees which is consistent with the
latest cost of living increases. After discussion it was the consensus to include a 2 %
cost of living increase along with 2% of the total salary for merit increases which can
be paid from 0 % to 4 % based on performance.
Mayor Pool apologized for needing to leave the meeting early and left approximately
10:00 p.m. Prior to leaving the meeting, City Manager Saunders gave Mayor Pool a
hand-out for proposed salaries for all Department Heads.
The situation of those employees who have reached the top of their salary scale and
how the cost of living and merit increases should be handled for these people were
discussed. Several options were discussed and it was the consensus that an employee
who has reached the top of their scale would be eligible for a lump-sum merit
payment based on their performance, but they would not be eligible for the cost of
living increase since this would put their salary outside the adopted scale for their
position.
City Manager Saunders then distributed a list of proposed salaries for department
heads and City Manager. He reviewed each department head with the Council and
there was no opposition to the proposed salaries.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
August 29, 1994
Page 5
Collection Agency
The possibility of using a collection agency for bills that have been delinquent and
would normally be written off on an annual basis was discussed. Our write-off is less
than 1%.
After discussion, there was no objection to the City using a collection agency for these
bills.
This concluded the review of the proposed budget, which will be presented to the
Council at the Special Meeting on September 15.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
Robert A. Pool, Mayor
Attest: