06-15-1998 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMON~
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
June 15, 1998
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Monday,
June 15, 1998 at the Police Department Council Chambers. The meeting was called to
order by Mayor Pool at 6:00 p.m. with the following Council Members in attendance:
Council Member Cole, Council Member Norquist, Council Member Wolfe, and
Council Member Brown. Also present was City Manager Saunders, Planning Director
Harker, Finance Director Van Zile, Fire Chief Bishop, Police Chief Story and Public
Service Director Davis.
Budget Discussion
Mayor Pool turned the meeting over to City Manager Saunders who explained that the
purpose of the meeting was to discuss the upcoming budget for 1998-99. He explained
that department heads had submitted budget requests, but before going further with
formulating the proposed budget, they would like input from Council regarding their
direction for the various departments.
City Hall
Finance Director Van Zile was present and discussed the need for a new computer
system, specifically in regard to the year 2000 requirements.
City Manager Saunders explained that we have money in the current year budget for
conceptual planning for a new City Hall and that he proposes that we include money
for detailed architectural and site planning in next year's budget with the idea of a new
City Hall being funded the following year.
Finance Director Van Zile also discussed the possibility of an automated telephone
answering system. The merits of this type of system were discussed by the Council
with Mayor Pool and Council Member Norquist expressing their preference of having
a person answering the phone rather than a machine. Finance Director Van Zile and
City Manager Saunders discussed the economic aspects of alternatives.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
June 15, 1998
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Planning Department
Planning Director Harker discussed his goals for the Planning Department, indicating
his need for additional personnel. He referred to the increase in Planning Department
activities with regards to reviews of proposed projects. He also discussed the need for
additional computer sol, are called Arc Info. He explained the uses for this type of
software. He also discussed the possibility of a future building department.
Police Department
Chief Story discussed the Police Department, indicating his need for additional
personnel in order to provide additional coverage. Mayor Pool asked if the City could
also contract police coverage for the City of Minneola. Chief Story stated that would
not be allowed by statute, that only the County may provide those services.
City Manager Saunders explained that additional officers would allow for more
community-oriented type of police activity.
Public Service Department
City Manager Saunders explained the history behind the Public Service Department
which at one time had two department heads--one for utilities and one for public
works. This was combined into one department. Public Service Director Davis
explained that his department was also in need of additional personnel, including one
additional supervisor position in order to separate the utilities collection and
distribution system from the water and sewer plants. He also discussed the possibility
of a part-time recreation supervisor that would take over some of the duties that are
now performed by the Public Service Director and the City Manager. Also discussed
were some of the major capital outlay items that would be needed this year in the
Public Service area.
CITY OF CLERMONT
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COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
June 15, 1998
Page 3
Mayor Pool stated that additional pressure should be placed on Lake County to
implement recreation impact fees in order to provide funding to meet the demands for
additional ballfields and additional recreation projects. Council Member Brown then
discussed the possibility of gates at the Waterfront Park in order to eliminate the loss of
revenue from people who do not pay on the honor system. City Manager Saunders
explained that he has looked into the additional cost and each gate would cost
approximately $15,000.
Center Lake
Sterling Frey and Jim Thomas attended the meeting and presented a conceptual plan
for planting the perimeter of Center Lake. City Manager Saunders explained that this
project would have to be placed out to bid. Mr. Thomas stated that he would allow the
City to use his conceptual plan for the bid process.
Budget Discussions (Continued)
Fire Department
Fire Chief Bishop then discussed two proposed plans for providing full-time fire
fighters and City Manager Saunders asked if it was the consensus of the Council to
come up with a plan that would provide someone at the station on a 24-hour a day, 7-
day a week basis. It was the consensus of the Council that this was the direction we
should go in, but we would also need to rely on volunteers for many years to
supplement the paid personnel.
Potential costs of the plans presented by Fire Chief Bishop were discussed. Finance
Director Van Zile indicated that we could be looking at a millage increase of.5 mils in
order to fund full-time personnel for the Fire Department. After discussion, it was the
consensus that information regarding a potential paid department should be made
public since this will be a major budget issue.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
June 15, 1998
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City Manager Saunders stated the budget review was concluded and they would
proceed with formulating a proposed budget for presentation to the Council at future
workshop meetings.
Channel 9 Fire Department Investigation
City Manager Saunders informed the Council of the Channel 9 investigation into the
Fire Department stating that their major issue was in regard to the way the City reports
responses. He also stated that they are certain that there is one or two volunteer Fire
Department volunteers that have presented non-factual information to Channel 9 and
that the fire offices have been broken into and documents have been removed. Council
Member Wolfe asked why we couldn't get rid of these people. Fire Chief Bishop
stated that there is no way to prove who is involved, but he has made it clear to
Channel 9 that they have nothing to hide and he is providing them with whatever they
request to review.
The meeting adjoumed at 9:30 p.m.
Attest:
Robert A. Pool, Mayor
Jo~s h E. ~ Clerk