Loading...
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 MINUTES PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 15, 1995 Page 2 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 CIT~ OF CLERMONT MINUTES PUBLIC WORKSHOP M~ET~G AUGUST 15, 1995 Page 3 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. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 15, 1995 Page 4 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. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 1~, 199~ Page 5 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. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES PUBLIC WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 15, 1995 Page 6 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