09-09-1997 Regular Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT
MINtrrES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday,
September 9, 1997 in the Council Chambers at the Police Department. The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pool with the following Council Members
present: Council Member Cole, Council Member Dupee, Council Member Sargent,
and Council Member Norquist. Other City officials present were City Manager
Saunders, Finance Director Van Zile, and Planning Specialist Shaw-Ogden.
INVOCATION
The Invocation was offered by Council Member Norquist followed by the repeating of
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by all present.
MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held August 26, 1997 were approved as
presented.
CITY MANAGER SAUNDERS' REPORT
Florida Recreation Assistance Grant Check Presentation
City Manager Saunders stated that State Senator Cowin will present a $100,000
ceremonial check after the Chamber breakfast on September 19 about 9:00 a.m. and
all Council Members and the public are invited for the presentation.
Council Workshop
Council Members agreed to schedule a Council Workshop Wednesday, September 17
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
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COUNCIL MEMBER DUPEE'S REPORT
Council Member Dupee invited everyone to a South Lake Chamber of Commerce
Business After Hours at Clermont Commons to be held Thursday, September 11, 1997
at 5:00 p.m. The Regional Planning Council Meeting on September 17 includes the
DRI for Kings Ridge and Council Member Dupee plans to attend.
Jason Turcin was recognized and he discussed his Eagle Scout project of coordinating
a group that will replace 27 signs on the Palatlakaha River on September 12 in South
Lake County. Mayor Pool thanked Jason for his service to the community.
VISITORS WITH BUSINESS
ACE Program
Evelyn Robinson, South Lake High School ACE Program Coordinator introduced
Mrs. McQueen, project coordinator for the art. They propose to work with students
from Clermont, Groveland and Mascotte to develop a mural depicting the history of
South Lake County which they will present to the Council for approval before painting
the mural on a City building. The horticulture classes also propose to landscape the
area. Approximately 150 students will be involved.
City Manager Saunders stated the ACE program proposes to paint the mural on the
south side of the old Public Works building located behind CBS Builders which would
be very visible when the Rail Trail is completed. Other visible places that provide a
blank wall were discussed. Mrs. Robinson stated they will need to know which wall
by January. Council Members agreed the project is very worthwhile and that an
appropriate wall will be located within the next few weeks.
James McLauchlin - Variance Requests
City Manager Saunders stated that the applicant is requesting three variances to allow
brick pavers for his driveway approach on the City right-of-way rather than concrete,
a 16% slope rather than the allowable 6% for the section on the City right-of-way and
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a width of 42'9" rather than 40' allowed for his residence located at 480 E. Lake
Shore Drive. Mayor Pool stated that the request requires that a Quasi-Judicial hearing
be held and that anyone wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the request
must be sworn in. City Clerk Van Zile swore in James McLauchlin and Marycille
McLauchlin, 480 E. Lake Shore Drive, Clermont, Florida.
Mr. McLauchlin stated he contacted each of his surrounding neighbors found no one
who found disfavor with the driveway. He stated they did not intend to intentionally
circumvent any codes of Clermont and they should have obtained a permit for the
driveway and he apologized. He stated the 4" Chicago brick lay on 4-6" of limerock
compacted. He stated if the City needs to excavate in that area in the future, he
would replace the brick at his expense. A slope of 6 % is impossible to obtain for the
driveway. The width is 2'9" wider than allowed because he lined up with a wall and
he would like to leave it at that width since it would be difficult to reduce the width.
City Manager Saunders stated that staff has no opposition to a 16° slope which was
there originally rather than a 6° slope and he recommended allowing the 16° slope.
Two 20' driveways or one 40' driveway are allowed and there is no hardship to
justify any additional'width over and above the allowable 40', and staff recommends
denial of the 2'9" extra width. Code requires the part of the driveway that is built on
City right-of-way to meet specifications which include 6" of concrete that is reinforced
so heavy equipment such as garbage trucks do not create any damage. Brick pavers
have been allowed for subdivision entrances and he recommended approval if the
minimum specifications are met that were developed in the past for pavers or if
minimum specifications are met for roadbed construction. A hold harmless agreement
regarding the pavers will be required for any damage to the pavers in the future.
James McLauchlin stated if damage occurred in the right-of-way area, he would repair
it at his expense. Regarding the width, it will interrupt the flow of the wall coming
out from the patio, but it is not a hardship.
Council Member Norquist suggested that if the installer will certify that the pavers
were installed according to City specifications, the pavers should remain. Also, a
hold harmless agreement should be provided regarding possible damage to the pavers.
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City Manager Saunders stated that a retaining wall along the south side of the newly
constructed driveway has been constructed partially in the City right-of-way which is
not allowed because of liability problems and conflicts with utilities. He
recommended that the portion of the wall on City right-of-way be removed. Mr.
McLauchlin stated that the wall is removable, and it is the best way to retain the dirt
and he wouldn't know how to keep the dirt retained without it. City Manager
Saunders stated that the retaining wall was needed when the driveway width was
doubled and if the 2'9" is removed, a slope rather than a retaining wall is feasible.
Mayor Pool closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council
Member Dupee, and carried unanimously to allow 16° rather than 6°
slope, to allow the brick pavers with a certification from the installer that
the pavers were installed according to Ci~. specification, and to deny the
42 '9" driveway width variance, for James McLauchlin at 480 E. Lake
Shore Drive.
Lisa P. Jensen
City Manager Saunders stated the applicant is requesting a variance for the setback to
rear yard allow a house to be built with a 12' setback rather than 25' at 1456 East
Avenue. Mayor Pool stated that the request requires that a Quasi-Judicial hearing be
held and that anyone wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the request must
be sworn in. City Clerk Van Zile swore in Lisa P. Jensen and Eric Jensen, 1231 6th
Street, Clermont, Leif Zetterlund, 130 W. Minnehaha Avenue, Clermont, and John
Riley, 120 W. Minnehaha Avenue, Clermont. Mayor Pool stated he has a conflict of
interest and will abstain from voting.
Lisa Jensen stated they have decided to withdraw the request, however, they would
like the Council's comments and suggestions on another proposal. The house will
meet all the required setbacks, however, they would like to place the garage over the
existing underground structure (bomb shelter). A structural engineer inspected the
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structure and stated it is sound and another structure could be built on it. She stated
the property is an odd-shaped piece of property. City Manager Saunders stated the
City Attorney can inVestigate if the underground structure can be treated the same as
an existing structure where the Council has historically granted a variance where no
additional encroachments are requested.
Lisa Pool withdrew the request and will bring a new plan with the garage structure
located on top of the existing underground structure. City Manager Saunders
recommended that a fee covering just the cost of the letters to nearby property owners
and the cost to re-advertise be charged for the new variance request.
A motion was made bY Council Member Cole, seconded by Council
Member Sargent, and carried unanimously with Mayor Pool abstaining,
to charge a variance re-application fee that covers the direct costs of re-
advertising and sending the letters to nearby property_ owners.
NEW BUSINESS
Introduction of Ordinance 328-M
City Manager Saunders stated that Ordinance 328-M will close and abandon a portion
of Fairfield Drive which is a section of a road in Kings Ridge Subdivision. This area
is being re-platted to allow a change from the original layout. Prior to the new plat
being approved, the old street right-of-way must be abandoned. This is for
introduction only. Mayor Pool read Ordinance 328-M by title only.
A motion was made by Council Member Cole, seconded by Council
Member Sargent, and carried unanimously to introduce Ordinance 328-M
Change Order - Amended Change Order//2 for DeWitt Construction
City Manager Saunders stated that at the last Council Meeting a change order was
discussed for extending a water line on Highway 50 from the Total Eye Care Clinic
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westerly to the intersection with East Jacks Lake Road. The change order amount at
that time was higher than we thought it should be so the contractor was asked to
review the change order amount and we also requested quotes from two other
contractors. A better quote was received from one of those contractors, so a
recommendation is made to deny the change order to DeWitt Construction.
A motion was made by Council Member Dupee, seconded by Council
Member Cole, and carried unanimously to deny Change Order #2 to
De Witt Construction.
Bid Award - Highway 50 12" Watermain
City Manager Saunders stated one change order amount plus additional two quotes for
the 12" water line extension on Highway 50 were received. Quotes were obtained
because of time constraints. The low quote is from Boykin Enterprises for
$31,999.75. DeWitt Excavating Change Order totaled $34,680.32 and Belleview
Underground totaled $38,637.50.
City Manager Saunders stated that Coldwell Bankers has offered $14,000 aid in
construction for this line to be constructed in order to service a new facility they are
building in this location with water. Other property owners in this area were
approached regarding paying a proportionate share based on front footage, but they
were not interested. Coldwell Bankers do not need this large of a line to serve their
project, so there is additional cost involved with providing the 12" line to
accommodate future connections. A front foot ordinance will be proposed in the near
future that will recoup the City's cost of oversizing line extensions such as this and
others in our east system as new connections are made in the future.
A motion was made by Council Member Dupee, seconded by Council
Member Cole, and carried unanimously to award the quote of
$31,999. 75 to 'Baykin Enterprises for the 12" water line extension on
Highway_ 50.
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Bid Award - Refurbishment of 100,000 gallon elevated tank
City Manager Saunders stated that last year we completed an inspection of the
100,000 gallon water tank and identified work that needed to be accomplished in order
to refurbish this tank which is located on Highland Avenue just east of Disston. This
refurbishment was advertised for bid and two bids were received as follows:
Frank Shelton Utility Service
Eagle Tank
$124,660
$138,400
The original estimate for this work which was done approximately two years ago was
for $100,000. He recommended approval of the bid from Frank Shelton Utility
Service for $124,660 along with an additional budget allocation of $24,660 from
Utility Reserves for the project. References for this company were checked and they
do come highly recommended for this type of work.
A motion was made by Council Member Cole, seconded bY Council
Member Sargent, and carried unanimously to award the 100, 000 gallon
elevated tank refurbishment to Frank Shelton Utili~_ Service in the
amount of $124,660 together with a budget allocation of $24,660from
Utili~ Reserves.
Bid Award - Street Tree Maintenance
City Manager Saunders stated that following with our street tree program, $10,000
was budgeted this year for street tree maintenance. A complete street tree inventory
was done a few years ago which identified and prioritized maintenance of our street
trees in order to provide a healthy urban landscape. The work includes the removal of
5 trees and pruning of 20 trees. Three bids for the work were received, as follows:
Pro Tree Service
Keith's Tree Service
Southeastern Tree
$ 9,950
$ 8,000
$18,700
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The bid from Keith's Tree Service should be disqualified because the bid forms were
not signed. Therefore, approval of Pro Tree Service, the lowest qualified bidder, for
$9,950 was recommended.
A motion was made by Council Member Dupee, seconded by Council
Member Cole, and carried unanimously to award the bid for street tree
maintenance to Pro Tree Service in the amount of $9,950.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Jenkins Auditorium Fee Schedule
City Manager Saunders stated that at the July 22, 1997 meeting the City Council
agreed to reduce the rental rate for Jenkins Auditorium for the Clermont/Groveland
Square Dance Club. The reduction allowed the club to pay the service club rate from
April through September for an unspecified period of time. Since that time we have
received additional requests for reduced rates. Staff recommends that the Council
reconsider this rate reduction for Jenkins Auditorium. This facility is used by many
service organizations and other clubs and the rates that are now established are very
low compared to rental rates for similar facilities. We recommend that the Council
rescind this rate reduction after this year and charge all organizations according to the
established rate structure.
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A motion was made bY Council Member Norquist, seconded by Council
Member Cole, and carried unanimously to rescind the granting of the
reduced rate for Jenkins Auditorium at the July 22, 1997 Council
Meeting to the Clermont/Groveland Square Dance Club.
Brochure for Required Building Permits and Regulations
Council Member Dupee suggested the City publish a brochure such as what Lake
County had published that outlines the required permits and regulations.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Attest:
Robert A. Pool, Mayor
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