12-07-1998 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
December 7, 1998
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held December
7, 1998 at the Police Department. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Turville
at 6:00 p.m. with the following Council Members in attendance: Council Member
Wolfe, Council Member Brown, and Council Member Biddle. Council Member Lamb
arrived at 6:07 p.m. Also present was City Manager Saunders and Planning Director
Harker.
Mayor Turville explained the purpose of Workshop meetings to those present.
Catholic Church Proposed Expansion
City Manager Saunders introduced Mr. Paul Zalones representing the Catholic Church.
Mr. Zalones presented the conceptual plan for the expansion of the Church, including
a site plan and new traffic control design, as well as an artists rendering of the
facilities. Council Members did not express any opposition to what was presented and
Mr. Zalones and other church representatives left the meeting at approximately 6:20
p.m.
Capital Proiects Financing Plan
Finance Director Van Zile discussed with the Council his memorandum dated
December 4 regarding the financing needs and the financing plan that has been
proposed by PFM. He explained that these items would be on the next City Council
agenda for approval. There was no opposition to the proposed plan. Mr. Van Zile left
the meeting at approximately 6:35 p.m.
Ethics~ Quasi-Judicial and Sunshine Law Procedures
City Attorney Baird discussed with the City Council the Quasi-Judicial proceedings
followed by a review of the Sunshine Laws as it pertains to City Council Members and
City Staff. Mr. Baird left the meeting at approximately 7:15 p.m.
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COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
December 7, 1998
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City Engineer Status
City Manager Saunders explained that Tamara Richardson was hired as our staff
engineer and he is pleased with her progress. He explained that we still have a need
and will continue to have a need for a consulting engineer for larger projects. He
acknowledged Council Member Wolfe concerns made in the past regarding a contract
with Springstcad Engineering with regards to whether we are in compliance with the
Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act. City Attorney Baird stated that in his
opinion we are in compliance.
Council Member Wolfe provided the Council with a hand-out of material regarding the
City Engineer and his letter to the State Attorney General's office. After considerable
discussion, Mayor Turville stated that we should continue with Mr. Springstead for
projects that are now under way. It was a consensus that the City's consulting engineer
issue be placed on the January agenda.
Council Member Wolfe further stated that according to the City Code, the Council
should appoint the City Engineer. City Manager Saunders explained that it has been
his understanding and City Attorney Baird's opinion that the Code that Council
Member Wolfe referred to is pertinent to the office of the Consulting Engineer and not
a staff employee which is the case of Tarnara Richardson. It was the consensus that
this language be cleared up. City Attorney Baird stated he would provide the necessary
amendment.
City Manager Saunders stated there were several engineering projects we need to move
ahead on in this year's budget. One of the main concems was Hancock Park. He
explained the need for a good preliminary plan to be presented to the County when we
present our grant request. It was the consensus that we could move ahead on a
preliminary plan for this facility.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
December 7, 1998
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Lake County Recreation Grant Review
City Manager Saunders discussed, a need to approve a recreation project for the County
smaller projects grants. It was the consensus that the fitness trail and exercise stations
for McKinney Park would be a good project to request funding for.
Mayor Turville then called a 10-minute break. The meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
Architect Selection Review
Council discussed the ranking of the architects for the City Hall project, the Fire
Station project, and the Kehlor Park expansion. After discussion, it was a consensus
that the City Hall project ranking would be C. T. Hsu, Nick Jones, and Gee & Jenson.
The Fire Department ranking is SRI, Gee & Jenson and Strollo. The Kehlor Park
ranking is George Wood, Nick Jones, C. T. Hsu and Gee & Jensen.
City Manager Saunders explained that the Council could not vote on this ranking at
this Workshop, but would be on the next regular Council Meeting to vote on the
ranking. There was additional discussion regarding using Nick Jones for the City Hall
project since he is a local architect and Mayor Turville stated that the final ranking
would be at next week's meeting.
Fire Chief Selection Process
City Manager Saunders discussed the Fire Chief selection process. After discussion, it
was the consensus that an additional Workshop regarding the future plans for the Fire
Department should be held before moving forward.
Council Retreat
The possible dates for a City Council retreat were discussed. It was the consensus that
January 15 or January 22 would be preferable. Council Member Biddle stated that the
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
December 7, 1998
Page 4
Chamber retreat was on one of those days and City Manager Saunders stated he would
review this and contact the Council with the date.
City Attorney Contract
Council Member Lamb asked how much notice staff needed to place an item on the
agenda. City Manager Saunders stated that approximately two weeks is usually
necessary depending on the type of item. She stated she would like to place the City
Attorney contract on the agenda for the first meeting in January.
Agenda Publication
City Manager Saunders stated that at a previous meeting a resident had asked the
Council why we had not followed a previously adopted Resolution regarding
publication of the City Council agenda. After reviewing that Resolution, he found that
the Resolution does not require the City to publish the agenda, but rather to provide the
media with a copy of the agenda, which we will continue to do. He stated that many of
the items are already published as legal notices. It was the consensus to discuss this at
a future Workshop.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Harold S. Turville, Mayor
-- 4os~ph E. Van ~, City IElerk