Loading...
10-22-1997 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Wednesday, October 22, 1997 in the Council Chambers at the Police Department. 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 Brown, and Council Member Wolfe. Also present was City Manager Saunders. Council Member Norquist entered approximately 6:05 p.m. Mayor Pool welcomed those present and informed the audience that since this was a workshop meeting, the meeting would not be conducted as a public hearing. He stated he would allow comments from the public towards the end of the meeting. Review of Sunshine Law and Code of Ethics City Attorney Baird reviewed the Sunshine Law and the Code of Ethics for public officers and employees. He also reviewed with the Council the Quasi-Judicial procedures and how it affected the Council Members in their review of agenda items. Council Member Norquist entered the meeting at 6:05 during Mr. Baird's discussion. Council Members asked City Attorney Baird several questions, including voting conflicts. City Attorney Baird made reference to several Ethics Commission cases and also told Council Members that he was available for their phone calls or visits with any questions they may have in the future. Joseph Wright Access Access options for the Joseph Wright family were discussed. City Manager Saunders distributed aerial photos noting five different possible options for access to the property and he reviewed each option. He explained that Option 1 which accesses the property from 12th Street or Option 2 which accesses the property from Short Street were his recommendation of the best possible routes. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 2 Mayor Pool asked Mr. Wright for any comments Mr. Wright may have. Mr. Wright expressed his feeling of oppression over the years and completed his address to the Council by stating that his first choice would be Option 1 from 12th Street and his second choice would be Option 2 which would be from Short Street. Council Member Wolfe suggested a possible swap of right-of-way which the City would give the existing 40' right-of-way that runs along the lake in return for a 40' strip adjacent to the railroad bed. Mr. Wolfe also suggested that the City should pay for a new driveway that would be located in this new right-of-way. City Manager Saunders presented each Council Member with a copy of a letter prepared by City Attorney Baird regarding the City's responsibility in this matter. He explained that if the City were to utilize tax payer's money to provide a public street that it would need to be open to the public and he didn't think this was a desire of the Wright family: They have requested a private road rather than a public street. Council Member Norquist suggested that the City provide an access route from 12th Street to the east side of the new restroom facilities being constructed at West Beach. This would provide maintenance access to the City facilities at West Beach for City vehicles and would end at the first private property lot adjacent to the Wright's property. The City could then abandon the 40' right-of-way along the water which would provide the Wright's with lake front property and the property owners would be responsible for the cost of providing the driveway from the end of the City's access drive through their property with cross-access agreements. City Manager Saunders pointed out that there would be a problem with Council Member Wolfe's suggestion with the 40' right-of-way adjacent to the railroad right-of- way at the east end. There is currently a house owned by Mr. Wright within a few feet of the railroad right-of-way which would conflict with this new alignment. Mr. Wright stated that the existing easement where the dirt road is now located was originally paved. There was discussion regarding the City's responsibility to maintain this pavement. Mr. Wright stated that he thought the original easement addressed CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 3 this. Council Members directed City Manager Saunders to look at the existing easement and provide a copy to City Attorney Baird for his review regarding the City's responsibility. Mayor Pool asked that a cost estimate be obtained for the access drive that was proposed by Council Member Norquist and for a private drive that would be built to access the properties. City Manager Saunders stated that he would get this information and place it on the agenda for the first meeting in November. City Manager Saunders asked Mr. Wright if he had made a decision regarding the relocation of the sewer line as a decision should be given to the City as soon as possible. Mr. Wright stated he would let the City know as soon as possible regarding this property. Bid for Central Business District Drainage Project City Manager Saunders provided an overview of the Central Business District Drainage Project that was tabled at the last Council meeting. Council Member Brown expressed his opinion that the City should leave the option open for a road in this area in the future. Council Member Wolfe agreed with Council Member Brown's comments. City Manager Saunders discussed with the Council the impact that this would have on the retention area as well as on the already developed area included in the first phase of the Waterfront Park. At this point Mayor Pool allowed some comments from the audience. Mr. Rich Bell expressed his concern over where a new road would be and he also stated that he had attended the meetings when this project was being planned and that he felt the results had been positive. City Manager Saunders explained to the Council that this bid award would be back on the agenda the first meeting in November. Charlene Forthe and another member of the audience referred to a petition signed in 1994 by several people opposed to the road closing. Council Member Norquist CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 4 responded that he had talked to Mr. Pitt regarding the petition which included eight questions, some of which were not items to be addressed by the City Council. Boat Ramp Relocation City Manager Saunders stated that the staff needs a clear direction and that they are ready to proceed with the permitting and fmalizing of the plans. He also explained that he has not yet applied for the Lake County Water Authority grant for the project, however, there is one grant request in front of the Lake County Commission for partial funding. Council Member Wolfe asked questions regarding the stipulations or requirements of grants and City Manager Saunders explained that the grant agreement would be presented to the Council in event the City was awarded the grant and at that time the decision could be made whether to accept it under the terms of the agreement. City Manager Saunders explained that the proposed boat ramp plan would be placed on the first meeting agenda in November for Council review and approval. East Jacks Lake Road and North Ridge Boulevard City Manager Saunders explained how Florida Power has provided information to property owners regarding placing power underground. At this point, not all property owners have agreed and one owner asked the City if the City would help in funding the project. There was no support from Council Members regarding this. Cherry Knoll Re-alignment City Manager Saunders stated a letter has been received from the Cherry Knoll Home Owners Association stating that the City should proceed directly with Neva Whipple in settling the re-alignment for the Division Street cul-de-sac. This will be placed on the agenda when the re-alignment information is available and City Manager Saunders will notify Mrs. Whipple. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 5 Garbage Containers The need to order new garbage containers was discussed. It was the consensus that we should place this out to bid. Council Meeting Place The possibility of moving the Council Meeting to Jenkins Auditorium or the Highlander Hut was discussed. City Manager Saunders explained the problem in both of those facilities and Council asked him to ask the Square Dancers to make arrangements to meet on another night so the facility would be available to the Council if needed. Marina Resolution City Manager Saunders presented a draft resolution to the Council requested by Council Member Wolfe regarding the City's position on the location of a marina on the Clermont Chain of Lakes. After discussion, it was stated that this would be on the next City Council agenda. Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act Compliance City Manager Saunders stated that he had no further items for discussion. Mayor Pool asked for any other comments. Council Member Wolfe asked the procedure for obtaining an opinion from the City Attorney. Mayor Pool stated that an opinion could be requested either at a meeting or directly by a Council Member. Council Member Wolfe stated he would like an opinion whether the City complies with the Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act with regards to engineering and surveying. Mayor Pool asked City Manager Saunders to notify City Attorney Baird. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 6 Freeman Drainage Problem Council Member Brown asked City Manager Saunders for an update on the Freeman drainage problem. Mrs. Freemen, who was in the audience, stated she received a letter from the City Manager giving her the projected dates for the project. Chestnut Street Parking Problem Council Member Brown stated that something needed to be done regarding cars blocking the road on Chestnut Street between Holly and 4th Streets and requested additional police patrol in the area. Lincoln Park Council Member Wolfe asked City Manager Saunders to contact School Board Member Tom Chapman and discuss the City's use of the school property as a recreation area. Old City Garage for Youth Boxing Council Member Norquist briefly discussed a request by Carlos Solis to use the old City Garage for a youth boxing facility. City Manager Saunders stated it would be on the next agenda for Council consideration. Marina Resolution Council Member Wolfe asked that the marina resolution be placed early on the agenda because he thought several people would be there for that item. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1997 Page 7 Audience Comments Mayor Pool asked for any other comments and Mrs. Forthe made a comment regarding citizen's opportunity to speak at meetings. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Attest: /lbseph E. Vanff,5t~, City Clerk