Loading...
04-25-2000 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 1 A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held April 25, 2000, at Jenkins Auditorium. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Harold Turville at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Turville explained that this workshop is being held specifically to review the Downtown Clermont Partnership's First Friday event. City Manager Saunders was present as well as the following Council Members: Council Member Biddle, Council Member Mullins, Council Member Lamb and Council Member MacLauchlin. Also present was City Attorney Guthrie. Mayor Turville stated that a letter was received from the President of the Downtown Clermont Partnership requesting the City's support in assisting them in maintaining the quality and safety of the Partnership's First Friday event and read a list of requests as follows: · Control of open-air sales · Additional trash receptacles · Approval to have a parade with Police and Fire Department support including two officers on bike patrol and one officer or fire truck to lead the car cruise at 7:45 p.m. · Road closure from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on West Avenue from Desoto Street to Montrose Street and around the comer on Montrose Street from the east property line of A & S Auto · Signs posted on the Wednesday prior to the First Friday events notifying that any cars parked inside the closed area will be towed. · Montrose Street from West Avenue to 7th Street be closed for special theme events or when large crowds are anticipated · Approval of live and/or recorded music during the First Friday events on municipal property within the Central Business District. Mayor Turville stated that the owners ofA & S Auto, Bee's Auto, Lake Shore Realty, Westwind Antiques, and Dragonfly Gallery have agreed to have the road closed in front of their businesses. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 2 City Manager Saunders stated that in our Central Business District an existing business can obtain an open-air sales permit on their own however, what is addressed here is that specifically during the First Friday event there would not be a need for each individual business to obtain an open-air permit to do things out on the street during the event. Mr. Saunders stated this is the way most Central Business District's in other cities handle open-air permits for specific events such as First Friday. Mr. Saunders stated the City would like to reserve the ability to approve the location of the activities in order to avoid any conflicts and would like other open-air vendors who would like to participate in the event to coordinate it through the Downtown Clermont Parmership. Mayor Turville asked if the Parmership would have the sole privilege of approving or disapproving any other open-air sales permits and City Manager Saunders stated that the Partnership would only have that authority for the First Friday events. City Attorney Guthrie saw no problem with allowing the Parmership to have the authority to approve or disapprove other open-air permits for the First Friday event. Council Member Lamb stated she had no problem with the businesses in the District having open-air sales on City property, however if other vendors are brought in to participate, she did not feel the Partnership should have the final approval or disapproval to allow that and felt that would be asking the Partnership to police those other vendors to make certain they were in compliance with licenses and insurance. Council Member Mullins suggested that the City Manager or designee approve the location and vendor. Rose Biddle, President of the Parmership stated the reason the Partnership requested some authority over open-air sales during the First Friday event was to make certain vendors were not allowed at the event that would compete with an established downtown business. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 3 After discussion there was consensus to allow open-air sales on City property by all established Central Business District businesses. There was also consensus that other open-air sales permits for the First Friday events could be allowed on municipal property if approved by the Downtown Clermont Partnership and approved by the City Manager or designee. Mayor Turville stated the next item requested by the Partnership was the approval of a parade in conjunction with the First Friday event. After discussion it was consensus that the parade route will be approved by the City Manager or designee and a Police or Fire vehicle and personnel will escort any parade held during the event. Mayor Turville invited discussion regarding the Partnership request for approval of a location with a street closing for the Classic Car Show. City Manager Saunders stated that the Partnership has requested approval of the closing of West Avenue from Desoto Street to Montrose Street from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on First Fridays to accommodate the Classic Car Show. Mr. Saunders stated if the car show is allowed he recommends closing the street for safety reasons, both for the pedestrians looking at the classic cars and for the owners of the classic cars. Mayor Turville stated he was concerned regarding possible problems with West Avenue adjoining a residential neighborhood and asked that the street only be closed beginning at the Central Business District. Mayor Turville stated the Partnership would like to have notification posted for other vehicles to be removed before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event and stated the Council should discuss whether the City would actually tow cars away if they were not removed by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Mayor Turville stated the Partnership would like a requirement that the classic cars participating refrain from starting or running engines during the show, except for the necessary moving of vehicles. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 4 City Manager Saunders stated this type of notification is typical with other events, such as the Christmas or Homecoming parades. Mr. Saunders stated that notice is given of the event and that vehicles must be moved before a certain time, and if the vehicles are not moved and the police officers are unable to locate the owners, a car may have to be towed. Mr. Saunders stated that the City should make certain it has the ability to keep the area cleared and safe for the event. Mr. Saunders stated that typically other cities place a sign earlier in the week of the event notifying the citizens of the date and time of the event and stating that no cars may be parked in the area during the event. City Council Member Lamb suggested that permanent signs be put up stating that there was no parking during the event and City Manager Saunders stated that could be done. After discussion there was consensus that the City will put permanent signs up stating that there is no parking during the date and time of the event and that the Partnership will be responsible for putting up temporary signs on the Wednesday before the First Friday event to remind citizens that there is no parking from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the first Friday of the month during the event. Mayor Turville stated the last item to be discussed was the request for approval of live or recorded music or other entertainment on municipal property within the Central Business District and that street entertainment would be coordinated through the Downtown Clermont Partnership. Council Member Lamb stated that she was concerned whether Ms. Blanchard had been notified that the street in front of her house would possibly be closed for the First Friday event and City Manager Saunders stated that Ms. Blanchard's driveway was actually located on DeSoto Street and her access would not be effected. Ms. Lamb stated that the fire truck leading the parade would be parked right in front of Ms. Blanchard's house and she felt there would be fewer problems if no one parked in CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 5 front of that house. City Manager Saunders stated that there had been very good advertisement regarding this workshop including articles in the Newspaper. Council Member Biddle stated that when the parking areas are completed on the other end of West Avenue, the car show can extend its parking to the other end of West Avenue, but until then the area from DeSoto Street to Montrose is the best location. Mr. Biddle stated that there were commercial vehicles parked in front of Ms. Blanchard's home every day of the week, all day long and that all the Partnership is requesting is the ability to have the classic cars park in that location for three hours one Friday a month. Mayor Turville stated that Ms. Blanchard and Mr. and Mrs. Forth had a problem with live music and entertainment at the First Friday event, specifically with the live music at the Mulberry Inn. City Manager Saunders stated that the concern regarding live music at the Mulberry Inn was a separate issue and that the issue to be discussed now was whether the Partnership could have live or recorded music and entertainment on municipal property within the Central Business District and whether the street entertainment would be coordinated through the Partnership. Mr. Saunders stated the issue of live music or other entertainment on private property was a separate issue. City Manager Saunders stated that typically on First Friday events and other events, businesses have had guitar players or someone providing some type of entertainment on the sidewalks in front of businesses, as well as entertainment inside a business with speakers outside. Mr. Saunders stated it was common in Central Business Districts to allow entertainment on sidewalks, public parks or municipal parking lots. Council Member MacLauchlin stated that if the entertainment was coordinated by the Partnership, that would prevent inappropriate entertainment or overlapping entertainment and City Manager Saunders suggested that the City Manager or designee also have approval of entertainment. CIIT OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 6 City Attorney Guthrie stated the two issues to be decided by Council is the closing of streets and whether municipal property may be used for entertainment. Mr. Guthrie stated that restrictions could be placed, such as the fact that this is for the First Friday events only and that approval must be coordinated and received by the Downtown Clermont Parmership and the City Manager or designee. Council Member Biddle showed a transparency of the downtown area and indicated all of the locations where businesses have had entertainment and live music on municipal property for several years during events. Mr. Biddle stated the entertainment has been coordinated quite well and the Partnership has been very successful in sponsoring the First Friday event and would appreciate the City's support. Mayor Turville asked who was going to regulate the volume of the music and entertainment and Council Member Biddle stated that the City has a noise ordinance that regulates the noise. City Attorney Guthrie confirmed that the City has a noise ordinance that restricts playing of musical instruments from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and Council Member Biddle stated that typically First Friday events end at 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. Council Member Lamb asked how alcohol sales are handled and specifically questioned the Mulberry Inn selling beer and wine and Council Member Biddle stated he had a beer and wine license allowing him to sell beer and wine on his property. Ms. Lamb asked how policing was done to insure citizens weren't taking the alcoholic beverages and walking around the streets with open containers. Council Member Biddle stated there are signs on his property stating that the alcohol must be consumed on the property. Ms. Lamb asked if there was a problem with alcohol sales at the Mulberry Inn in relation to the location of the church down the street and Mr. Biddle stated he got his beer and wine license four years ago and had not had been advised that there was any problem with the location. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 7 Mayor Turville invited any citizens who wish to speak in support of or opposition to the issues of the First Friday event to come forward. Howard Barry, 459 Carroll Street: Mr. Barry stated that at the last First Friday event he understood there was to be a Mardi Gras parade and there was only the classic car parade and some teens passing out candy and beads. Mr. Barry stated that the First Friday activities should take place on the open spaces downtown and possibly the owners of those areas would allow their use for First Friday events. Mr. Barry suggested that for the success of the downtown area the City should widen the sidewalks and the Downtown Partnership should do something to dress up the downtown area and the funds in the Community Redevelopment Fund should be used to do this. Rose Biddle, 915 West Montrose Street: Ms. Biddle stated that the Partnership placed an ad requesting people to participate in a Mardi Gras Parade and received no response. Ms. Biddle stated that they worked with what they had and used the classic cars, bought hats, masks, beads, and candy and had the South Lake High School Boosters hand out the candy in the parade. Ms. Biddle said they did not anticipate the crowd that attended the event as there was a large event also being held at the high school. Ms. Biddle stated next year they will be more prepared and make certain there are floats. Ms. Biddle stated gave a history of how the First Friday event evolved from just being music on Friday evenings at the Mulberry Inn to all of the downtown merchants participating, agreeing to stay open one Friday evening a month and working together to coordinate the First Friday event. Ms. Biddle thanked the community for being extremely supportive of the First Friday events and reminded everyone that the area of Montrose and 8th Street is no longer the only downtown area as there are 13 small businesses west of that intersection. Ms. Biddle stated the classic car show and other activities should be encouraged to attract the community to all of the businesses in the Downtown Business District, not just the area of Montrose and 8th Street. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 8 Robert Beasley, 1345 12th Street: Mr. Beasley stated he has brought friends and relatives to the First Friday events and they love it. Mr. Beasley said they had enjoyed the music at the Mulberry Inn and it was not too loud. Mr. Beasley stated that he does not understand the 3 people who are criticizing the music and stated that he lives across the street from a ballpark and there is a lot more noise there than there is with music one night a month downtown. Richardo Belafar, 725 West Montrose: Mr. Belafar suggested that the classic cars spread out over the entire downtown area and also suggested that there be an agenda posted listing all of the activities in the different areas of downtown. Mr. Belafar suggested that the city block off the parking spaces in front of the one residential home that is affected by the event. Chris Giachetti, Amber Avenue: Mr. Giachetti stated he is on the Board of Trustees for the Elks Lodge which is a member of the Downtown Clermont Partnership, on the Board of Directors of Main Street Clermont, and is a business owner. Mr. Giachetti stated that numerous people have expressed to him that they love the First Friday event and feel it brings the community together, brings people to the Central Business District and they feel the sense of "small town" that they do not want to lose. Mr. Giachetti stated that no one is suggesting that streets be abandoned, just that a street be closed one night a month for a short period of time. Mr. Giachetti stated that one option that had been suggested was that the car show be moved from West Avenue to the area surrounding the Trailhead and he felt that was not a solution as those parking spaces are already full on First Fridays and there would be 40 or so parking areas lost if the car show was relocated there. Mr. Giachetti stated that West Avenue is the best option since them is only a loss of 6 to 8 parking spaces and 40 or 50 classic cars can 'be accommodated. Mr. Giachetti stated he applauds the Downtown Partnership and the City for supporting it and feels that the First Friday events have given the City some identity and brought people together. Alan Freeman, 11945 Burke Street: Mr. Freeman stated he is a classic car owner who has participated in the First Friday event for past 14 months and thanked Rose and Jeff CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 9 Biddle for their hospitality. Mr. Freeman stated he was speaking for about 10 car owners attending this workshop and stated they were proud of their cars and felt the show was well received by the hundreds of visitors who have attended the car shows on First Fridays. Mr. Freeman stated that Leesburg has invited them to come to their First Friday event and they close approximately 6 blocks of downtown Leesburg and have huge turnouts of people. Mr. Freeman stated most of the car owners live in the Clermont area and would rather have their show in downtown Clermont, but if it gets restrictive and dangerous on West Avenue and the City does not support closing the street for the event, they will have no choice but to go to Leesburg. Wendy Mier, 692 West Montrose St: Ms. Mier stated that 8 months ago they opened their business, which is surviving and thriving because of the First Friday event. Ms. Mier stated the question asked most by her customers is how long does she think her business will last in downtown Clermont because many businesses in the past have not made it. Ms. Mier stated they are going strong because of the support of the Downtown Clermont Partnership and the First Friday event and she asked the City to support this event. Patty Rappa, 688 West Montrose: Ms. Rappa stated she grew up in Clermont. Ms. Rappa stated they gave out over 2000 balloons at one of the First Friday events, which indicates that most of the people attending these events are families participating in their community. Ms. Rappa stated the First Friday event delivers what we all look for in a community, which is a small town atmosphere with clean good family fun, including the teen dances at Jenkins that have been so successful. Ms. Rappa stated they have known Rose and Jeff Biddle for many years and they have seen their work and efforts in the community and we should all be proud of our downtown. Ann Dupee, 389 Division Street: Ms. Dupee stated she owned a business downtown for over 30 years and recollected other times when the downtown thrived and it was always because of the efforts of someone who united the businesses downtown. Ms. Dupee stated Rose and Jeff Biddle have gotten all of the merchants downtown excited which has evolved downtown into something wonderful for the community. Ms. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 10 Dupee stated she attends St. Matthias Episcopal Church and they are members of the Partnership as they are proud to be a part of the downtown. Ms. Dupee stated she sat on the Council when the CRA was established and this has been a work in progress for the City to build the downtown and preserve Clermont. Ms. Dupee stated we are finally going to see the renovations we have all wanted and without the merchants working together and having these events, it cannot happen. Ms. Dupee stated that the First Friday event is bringing the community together from all areas. Ms. Dupee stated there are many educational things going on downtown that all families should take advantage of our downtown. Charles Forth, 939 West 7th Street: Mr. Forth stated he was one of the authors of the complaints about the First Friday event. Mr. Forth stated he never said he wanted the First Friday events stopped and never said he did not support the business owners downtown. Mr. Forth stated that his complaint is that there is an improper use of a conditional use permit and that blocking of a public roadway is contrary to the City's ordinance. Mr. Forth stated that he has been in Code Enforcement for the City of Orlando and he knows what ordinances say and can read the City of Clermont's ordinance. Mr. Forth stated that the music downtown outside of a building in the Central Business District is a conditional use problem and has to be addressed. Mr. Forth said another problem is the parking on the street in the Central Business District. Mr. Forth stated that the Central Business District is overstepping its boundary into a residential area and he sympathizes with business owners that there is not enough parking downtown. Mr. Forth stated that his neighbor, Ms. Blanchard who requested he speak for her regarding cars parked in front of her home 11 Fridays out of the year. Mr. Forth asked how the Downtown Clermont Partnership sign got put up where it was and Mr. Forth stated that trailer signs are not permitted in this City. Mr. Forth stated he is not asking for the First Friday event to be stopped, but that the event be contained in the Central Business District and not have cars in front of a resident or close to a residential area. Mr. Forth stated that he met with Mr. Saunders and he laid out his complaint and he asks that the cars and music not be allowed near residential areas. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 11 Charlene Forth, 939 West Desoto Street: Ms. Forth said her husband covered most of her complaints. Ms. Forth stated she is concerned as Council Member Lamb is, that she did not have an agenda listing the issues in advance and she believes that things have gotten out of hand and some people have gotten some power. Ms. Forth stated she and her husband are supporters of downtown and her husband, in his nm for City Council against Mr. Biddle, has no hard feelings about that and her husband lost by only a very small amount. Ms. Forth stated this is not a vendetta and they shop downtown. Ms. Forth said they have retained legal representation with 7 other homeowners so that they can enforce the code if necessary. Ms. Forth stated she loves old classic cars but this is about the cars being in front of Ms. Blanchard's home and she loves music but not near her home. Ms. Forth stated she has a Christian household and does not like alcohol and if the Mulberry Inn is too close to the Church that should stop. Ms. Forth stated she did not like the Moonlight Players having plays at the Mulberry Inn as she could hear all the acts of the play from her porch. Ms. Forth stated she did not care how politically aligned the Council Members were, they are to do what is honest and right. Ms. Forth stated that the Mulberry should not have been included into the CDB. Ms. Forth stated the Partnership should not have any authority but should function under the authority of the Council and the Council should exercise its authority. Ms. Forth stated that if the Mulberry Inn is within 500 feet of the Church, the City has failed again with not following the codes. Ms. Forth stated when she and her husband met with Mr. Saunders none of these issues were discussed and she has no clue as to what the issues listed on the agenda are and would like another workshop. Peggy Weatherby, Comer of Montrose and West: Ms. Weatherby stated that for 3 years she has been under a ban'age of everything, including parking and environmental issues and there are people who do not believe Bee's Auto conforms with the new downtown image. Ms. Weatherby stated the automotive and real estate business are not 2-hour parking businesses and she has been getting tickets. Ms. Weatherby stated sometimes they cannot get customers' cars in and out and she believes that the people on the Council have initiated her problems and if it doesn't stop she will get a Cease and Desist. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 12 Robert Porter, 8501 Highlander Road: Mr. Porter stated he gets passionate about how far the downtown has come and upset when he thinks of how far we have yet to go. Mr. Porter stated he began as President of the Merchants Association with very little support and just a small group. Mr. Porter stated that now we have people who work very hard for everybody in the City and who must suffer hearing unjustified complaints. Mr. Porter stated the Partnership members work for nothing and make a positive contribution to the community. Mr. Porter stated there are some people who only make a negative contribution and that is very unfortunate but not un-noticed. Mr. Porter stated everyone needed to get rid of the political bull and stated a lot of the things going on are politically motivated and politicians should represent the entire community, not just a couple of people or their own agenda. Mr. Porter stated that this sets an ugly precedent on other City events and if the First Friday event is tabled because no one has figured out yet that it is a success and is a benefit to the community, then we better stop the South Lake Foundation Pig On The Pond event, the Triathlon events, the Labor Day events and all the others because someone might be inconvenienced for a day. Mr. Porter asked where does the credit come from for the people who have gone forward to promote these programs and bring people to our area and show that Clermont is a great community to live and prosper in. Mr. Porter stated everyone comes to this community because they want a sense of community and family. Mr. Porter stated the First Friday event has helped this community prosper and created a huge change in our community that far outweigh the negatives and it is hard to believe this is even an issue. Mr. Porter stated the Council does not need to ride the fence and should put any personal agendas aside and work together for the benefit of our City and indicated those members know who he is referring to. Mr. Porter sympathized with Ms. Blanchard, was sorry she had a rough time in her personal life and wished she were at the meeting to represent herself. Mr. Porter stated that he hears what Mr. and Ms. Forth are saying, but stated that in any City there are homes that are on the fringes of a commercial district or the downtown. Mr. Porter stated that there are things that go along with that, such as the Fire Engines going in and out and other downtown city noises and people always have a choice as to where they live. Mr. Porter asked the Council to listen with their hearts and CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING April 25, 2000 Page 13 support those who were trying to make a difference and were going to keep on trying to make a difference. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. ~ Mayor arold S. Turville, Jr., Attest: ~'~Joseph E. Vfile, City Clerk