08-15-1995 Public Workshop CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 15, 1995
A Public Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held
Tuesday, August 15, 1995 in the Highlander Hut. The meeting was called to order by
Mayor Pool at 7:00 p.m. with the following Council Members in attendance: Council
Member Sargent, Council Member Norquist, Council Member Dupee, and Council
Member Cole. Also present was City Manager Saunders and Deputy City Clerk
Whiflock.
Lake Minneola Waterfront Park/Rails to Trails
Mayor Pool welcomed the approximate 60 citizens in attendance. He explained that
the Public Workshop was the third Public Workshop held to discuss the Waterfront
Park/Rails to Trails project.
City Manager Saunders explained that the City Council agreed to focus on improving
the Waterfront Park (JayCee Beach) area after completion of Palaflakaha Recreation
Area almost four years ago. The cities of Clermont and Minneola jointly applied and
received a 1.4 million dollar grant from the. Dept. of Transportation (ISTEA) to
construct a trail from Minneola's east city limits to the northwest limits of Clermont.
The engineering firm of GAI was hired and they are working on engineering plans to
build this portion of the Trail (late 1996) which will eventually connect with the
Orange County trail to the east and the Van Fleet trail to the west.
City Manager Saunders stated that the City also applied for and received a $100,000
matching grant from Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP)
which will be used this winter to build new restrooms, a small fishing pier, four
volleyball courts, a basketball court, picnic pavilion and playground. A section of the
Trail would also be built from approximately 100' west of the existing pavilion to East
Avenue and at that time, Lake Minneola Drive would be closed from East Avenue to
4th Street.
City Manager Saunders stated that when the project was first examined, it was
determined that the present location of Lake Minneola Drive through the beach area is
very unsafe and limited the area's use. Therefore, it was proposed to move Lake
Minneola Drive to the old railroad bed, however, to move the road would be very
CITY OF CLERMONT
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PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 15, 1995
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expensive and water retention areas needed. The net result would be less beach than
we presently have with the road in the middle. Closing Lake Minneola Drive causes
concerns about additional traffic on East Avenue and Osceola Street. A traffic count
was taken July 7 through July 11 with all roads open and July 14 through July 18 with
Lake Minneola Drive closed west of East Avenue. The count indicated an 86 %
increase on East Avenue with a decrease from Minneola area at the end of the week.
About half of the traffic on East Avenue turned on Osceola Street. Osceola Street
recorded a 44% increase with 2,513 cars a day which is about a third of the adopted
level of service for local collector streets (7,700 per day). The last two days of the
traffic count, the elementary school was open.
City Manager Saunders stated that when Lake Minneola Drive is closed (before next
June), the new entrance/exit for the beach parking area will be open which will be
accessed from Palm Lane. No traffic will be able to access the beach area from 2nd
Street or 3rd Street. East Avenue will also be realigned and built on the City right-of-
way from Orange Avenue to Lake Minneola Drive. Grand Highway will be realigned
into the Palm Lane intersection with East Avenue.
A suggestion was made to make Carroll Street a one-way street. The street is very
narrow and does not allow two-way traffic. City Manager Saunders stated that they
will consider the one-way ,street suggestion. He stated that signage will help to direct
traffic to 5th Street.
The location of the boat ramp was questioned and City Manager Saunders stated that
the boat ramp will not remain where it is because it does not fit in with the plans for
that area. They have considered relocating to the west, however, a new location has
not been found. There is a possibility there .may not be a City boat ramp.
Don Smith stated he was a 60-year resident and he thinks the beach plans are not
long-range enough. He expressed concern that Osceola is only 18' 6" wide and 5th
Street is 22' 6" wide. He recommended that 4th Street be closed and the City should
consider opening Minneola Avenue from Crystal Lake to East Avenue as it would
help move traffic and alleviate traffic on Osceola Street. He also suggested installing
a stop sign on 3rd and Osceola Street. He stated that the people who use the facilities
on the weekends are not local residents and that the Council should review the fees for
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the facilities. He asked about the environmental impact of the project. He suggested
that West Lake be re-opened to Lake Minneola as it was at the turn of the century and
it would be an ideal place for a boat ramp. He also suggested that Lake Minneola
Drive be extended to the West Beach area.
City Manager Saunders answered Mr. Smith's concerns and suggestions. He agreed
that 4th Street is not a road that should have any major traffic on it and the long-range
plan is to close 4th Street to through traffic. When Lake Minneola Drive is closed, an
additional stop sign on Osceola Street may be beneficial. He stated that Clermont
residents can use the beach area without cost and non-resident parking fees are $2 a
day which total about $20,000 a year. The ~Council may adjust the parking fee for
non-residents when the facility is updated. The grants the City has received for the
Rails to Trails and the Waterfront Park do not restrict the City from assessing fees.
Full-time personnel will more than likely be assigned to the beach area. As far as
environmental impact, the project has been submitted to the Department of Natural
Resources which is under the umbrella of the Department of Environmental Protection
and they have granted us funds for the project.
The plans for the area from 4th Street to 8th Street were questioned. City Manager
Saunders stated that they do not foresee the area between 4th Street and 7th Street
being highly developed and it will be quite natural. The area between 7th Street to
8th Street will be a waterfront business district and will be tied into the downtown
area. The trail will get wider in this area and more attractive with the possibility of
pavers. He explained that the lakefront property from 8th Street to West Beach is
privately owned. The West Beach bathrooms will be improved and additional picnic
areas will be added in this area. Regarding the park hours and penalties, City
Manager Saunders stated that regulations have not been developed yet but the area will
be easier to patrol after the new parking areas are built. Parking for the large beach
events was questioned and City Manager Saunders stated there will be more parking
than we have now. The events area will also be larger.
The time schedule was requested and City Manager Saunders stated that they plan to
build everything from 4th Street to East Avenue before next summer. The alignment
of East Avenue and the parking entrance from Palm Lane will be built at the same
time.
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Concern was expressed regarding an increase of traffic on Orange Avenue, 3rd and
4th Streets. City Manager Saunders stated that signage would be put on Highway 50
directing beach traffic to East Avenue and 5th Street.
An inquiry regarding what will be done near the Johnson Replat area was answered by
City Manager Saunders who stated that there are no definite plans for this section of
the Trail at this time and the trail may go through the City barn property. The City is
trying to purchase the railroad property on the other side.
Opposition was expresed by Richard Langley to developing the waterfront park due to
the on-going maintenance of the park, that it will be used mainly by non-residents,
and that further development will destroy the lakes. Grant money was also opposed in
that there is no "free money". Mayor Pool responded by stating that many people are
proud of and use Palatlakaha Recreation Area. He stated that he tries to represent the
majority of the people of Clermont and that many of those people have expressed their
desire for an improved waterfront area. He explained that the maintenance of the
waterfront area such as trash pickup and lawn care will be needed with or without
improvements to the area. After improvements are made, a full-time attendant will
probably be needed for the area. Approximately $20,000 yearly is currently collected
for parking fees, and the $2 per day fee can be increased. A question was asked if
the possibility of selling the area to private enterprise had been considered. Mayor
Pool stated he did not see that possibility with the present Council.
Mayor Pool explained that no motorized boat launch is included in the waterfront
area. Residents in the Sparkling Lake area expressed concern about boaters using the
side streets such as 3rd Street, 4th Street and Orange Avenue when the section of
Lake Minneola Drive is closed by the waterfront area. City Manager Saunders
explained that traffic can be controlled away from those side streets with signage and
by making Orange Avenue a dead-end street. The main entrances to parking areas
will be Palm Street and 5th Street. A suggestion was made to close the motorized
boat launch when the first section of Lake Minneola Drive is closed.
Mayor Pool answered concerns of taxes increasing by stating that the present City
Council will not raise taxes unless absolutely necessary. They anticipate that the users
will pay increased parking fees and those fees will offset the expenses.
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AUGUST 1~, 199~
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Terry Pitt made a suggestion that City residents vote on whether the waterfront area
should be improved. Mayor Pool stated that only a small percentage are opposed to
improving the area and he strives to represent the majority.
A question concerning a horse trail was answered by City Manager Saunders. He
stated that currently a 15' wide asphalt surface is planned, with no separate trail
planned for horses. A decision was made not to provide a trail for horses at a joint
workshop of Minneola and Clermont early on in the planning of the trail. Concern
was raised regarding the mix of horses and the beach, and it was concluded that a
horse trail may be added in the future. A request to surround the basketball court
area with fencing was made.
A complaint was made by Ed Ivey that no study has been made as to maintenance
costs for the area. As to increased costs to maintain the area, funds can be generated
by non-resident parking fees, concession stand income, and other building lease
income. There will be an irrigation system installed which will cut down on
maintenance, and there will be less mowing. Additional maintenance costs are
estimated at $25,000 for the first year.
A question regarding whether a fee will be charged to use the Rails to Trails was
answered by City Manager Saunders. He stated that no fee will be charged to use the
Rails to Trails, however, they do plan to charge non-residents to park at the beach.
Mayor Pool asked how many are opposed to Phase I and six people indicated they
were opposed. Mayor Pool stated the final vote to begin developing Phase I of the
Waterfront Park will be made within the next month.
Triathlons held in the area were discussed. Mayor Pool explained that the parking
fees for the triathlons were waived by the City Council for several reasons. The
events were generally concluded by 11:00 a.m., however, the participants often times
stay in the area for several days to train, etc., which helps the economy. Mr.
Sommers stated he will be cutting down on the number of events and he may move
the triathlons to another area (perhaps the downtown area) after the beach
improvements are made. The natural amphitheater in the Sparkling Water Lake area
intensifies the noise problem from the events.
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PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 15, 1995
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Mayor Pool thanked everyone for attending and encouraged residents to contact the
Council Members regarding additional concerns.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Attest:
~E. V~erk