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06-08-1999 Regular Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Tuesday, June 8, 1999 at Jenkins Auditorium. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Turville with the following Council Members present: Council Member Biddle, Council Member Brown, Council Member Lamb and Council Member Wolfe. Other City officials present were City Manager Saunders, City Attorney Baird, Finance Director Van Zile, and Deputy City Clerk Maddox. INVOCATION The Invocation was offered by Council Member Brown followed by the repeating of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by all present. A motion was made by Council Member Biddle and xeconded by Council Member Wolfe, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the re~t~ular Council Meeting held May 25. 1999. CITY MANAGER SAUNDERS' REPORT Workshop City Manager Saunders stated that with regards to the City's Community Development Block Grant, the Administrator, Mr. Fox has requested that the Council reappoint the Citizens Advisory Task Force in compliance with our application for this new grant cycle. Mr. Saunders stated that those citizens for reappointment to the Task Force are as follows: Dorothy McGriff, Doretha Cole, John Fortier, Jim Brown, Jean Sullivan, Bruce Redus and Robert Smythe. ~4 motion was made by Council Member Biddle, seconded by Council Member Wolfe and unanimously carried, that we reappoint the existing Citizens ~4dviso~ Task Force. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 2 Flooding City Manager Saunders stated that considering the severity of the storm on June 4, 1999, and the amount of rain in a short period of time after a lengthy dry spell, the City was fortunate not to have experienced major damage. He further stated that the City did have flooding in a some areas. Mr. Saunders stated that the City had received complaints of some heavy erosion and a couple of houses were flooded. Mr. Saunders stated that the City's Public Works Director and City Engineer are prioritizing those areas that had flooding and will bring the information to the Council during the Budget work session to see what we can fund next year. He stated that one of the most serious areas on Center Lane is in this year's budget and should be out to bid shortly. Traffic-Minnehaha Avenue City Manager Saunders then informed the Council that several months ago the area of Minnehaha Avenue near 4th Street was discussed after complaints of speeding traffic and it was decided to try increasing enforcement of the speed limit to slow the traffic down. He stated that many tickets were written and the police reports indicate the problem is actually worse east of the Minnehaha Avenue-4th Street area. Mr. Saunders stated that several people in the area of Minnehaha and 4th Street have requested the City put a stop sign at that comer. City Manager Saunders stated that a possible down-side of a stop sign is that all.of the cars will be stopping at the sign, in front of the homes on and near the comer, and this has caused complaints after the fact, in other areas. Mr. Saunders stated the solution may be more speed limit signs and continued enforcement of the speed limit. Mr. Saunders stated that he had visited the area and felt a stop sign at Minnehaha and 3rd Street would be dangerous because when traveling w you are going into a curve and would be unable to see a car stopped at a stop sign until you are on top of it. Mr. Hester, who lives on Minnehaha, stated that there have been four accidents at 4th Street and Minnehaha, and on 3rd Street and Minnehaha there have been five accidents. Mr. Hester stated that a letter had been presented to the Council with the signatures of almost all of the citizens living in the area, requesting that the City to provide a stop sign. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 3 Council Member Wolfe suggested that the City try a 4-way stop sign for a period of time to see if it helps the problem. Joy England suggested that if the City had Public Service Officers or Auxiliary Police Officers who could work traffic enforcement, that would free up our regular Police Officers for other duties. Pam Lang advised the Council that there are ten children under the age of 16 in the immediate area of Mirmehaha and 4th Street and the citizens want a 4-way Stop sign. She stated that the area is being used as a by-pass to Highway 50 and is becoming dangerous and would suggest a Stop sign at all the intersections. Mayor Turville stated that the traffic was overflowing onto Minnehaha from Highway 50 and 27 and he'felt stop lines were not the solution, but rather, enforcement was the best alternative. A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe and seconded by Council Member Biddle, and unanimously carried to place a 4-way Stop si~t~n at the intersection of Minnehaha and 4th Street, for a nine~ (90.) day trial period and then re-visit the issue for a.final decision as to keeping the 4-way Stop sign. Workshops City Manager Saunders reminded everyone o~'the Joint Workshop of the City Council and Planning and Zoning scheduled for June 15, 1999, at 7:00 p.m., at Jenkins Auditorium. City Manager Saunders stated that C.T. HSU & Associates has requested a workshop to review the studies they have been doing regarding the new City Hall, and to get input from the City Council as to their specific needs regarding the Council Chamber and other -needs. The Workshop was scheduled for June 29, 1999, at 6:00 p.m., at the Police Department Conference Room. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 4 City Manager stated that it was time to schedule the Budget Workshops. After discussion, the Budget Workshops were scheduled as follows: July 14, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.; July 15, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.; and, July 29, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.~ at the Police Department Conference Room. CITY ATTORNEY BAIRD No report. FINANCE DIRECTOR VAN ZILE No report. MAYOR TURVILLE Mayor Turville stated that he and City Manager Saunders-met with the Beautification Committee and reviewed their activities and advised them regarding getting ready for the budget process. COUNCIL MEMBER WOLFE No report. COUNCIL MEMBER LAMB- Council Member Lamb stated that the League of Cities has elected Glen Irby, Mayor of Minneola, to represent the Cities on the Regional Planning Council. COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN Council Member Brown stated he was requested to look at property on Bloxam and Roane Street the day of the storm and the property owner's home was flooded, destroying the carpet. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 5 He further stated that on Pitt Street and Bloxarn, another property owner had severe erosion problems. City Manager Saunders confirmed Mr. Davis and our City Engineer have also looked at the property, and will be making a report back to the Council. COUNCIL MEMBER BIDDLE No report. VISITORS WITH BUSINESS South Lake County Community Foundation City Manager Saunders stated that this request has been withdrawn. Village At East Lake Limited Partnership Mayor Turville stated that this issue r.equires a Quasi-Judicial Hearing be held and that anyone wishing to speak in favor of or in opposition to the request should be sworn in. City Manager Saunders stated the applicant is requesting a variance to our maximum height requirement of 45' to allow a maximum height of 52'4, for this multi-family development. The development is located West of Citrus Tower Boulevard and North of the proposed Oakley Seaver Drive. He explained that our current code allows 35' of height in an inhabited area and 45' for uninhabited areas, but because the developer has tried to work with the existing topography of the land, he has planned a multi-level building, with one side of the building.accessed from a lower elevation than the other side. Due to the split elevations, the 45' criteria is exceeded if measured from the lower level and measured to the rooftop of the upper level of the building. The 45' is not exceeded from the entrance level of each building. Mr. Saunders stated that Staff recommends approval of this valiance. City Clerk Van Zile sworn in the following citizens: CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 6 James S. Can:, 11 Dale Lane, MOlter, Pennsylvania Donald Bollard, 2536 Westerham Drive, Clermont, Florida Howard Barry, 439 Carrol Street, Clermont, Florida .,. Matt Modica, 1645 Penzance Road, Clermont, Florida Mr. Carr, an architect and land planner, stated that Planning Director Brown had visited one of their projects in Polk County. Mr. Carr stated that applicants feel the topography of the land should remain as natural as possible and the buildings should fit the contour of the land, rather than carving out the land for a flat building, which would not require any action fi:om this Council. He explained this project will be luxury rental apartments with amenities exceeding requirements. Mr. Modica stated he appreciated anyone who was attempting to protect the topography of the land. He then questioned the square footage and price range of the project and stated that the Planning and Zoning Board has taken a position that multi-family development is not the direction that they want to take the City of Clermont. City Manager Saunders stated there are approximately 10 units per acre and that the project had been approved by the City Council last Fall. He stated the only issue before the Council is the height variance. Mr. Ballard asked if there was a sprinkler system in the complex and whether the Fire Department's apparatus could handle the upper part of the buildings. City Manager Saunders stated there is access to both sides of the building, with driveways on both sides; also, there are sprinklers and Fire Chief Bishop confirmed he does not foresee any problems. Mr. Barry stated that it was his understanding that buildings were limited to 40 feet, not 45 feet. He further stated that variances should only be issued is the property in question is incapable of reasonable use or would create a particular hardship and he did not feel this represented an area incapable of reasonable use. Mr. Barry then requested more visual presentations in the future. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 7 City Manager Saunders explained that the height limit is 35' for inhabited area and 45' for uninhabited area. City Clerk Van Zile swore in: Sherry Bowan, Palmer Lane, Clermont, Florida Ms. Bowan asked how much difference the footage was and whether it would impact the houses, around the project. City Manager Saunders stated there was a 7' difference and the organization that originally received the approval for the project wrapped it's own single family development around this project and the project does not abut any existing single family area. A motion was made by Council Member Biddle: seconded by Council Member Brown: and unanimously carried by roll call vote. to approve the variance as requested. NEW BUSINESS SRI-Bid Award City Manager Saunders stated that the Council directed Staff to negotiate a revised contract for architectural services with SKI for the Fire Station design. The proposed building is to be larger than anticipated which would justify amended architectural fees. Mr. Saunders stated he had met with Mr. Starmer of SRI and SKI has agreed to loWer his fee to $49,600.00. Staff recommends approval of the adjustment of fees. A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe and seconded by Council Member Lamb; and carried unanimously to approve the Contract with SRI. as amended. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 8 Fire Department Apparatus-Bid Award City Manager Saunders stated the original bids for the fire apparatus included in this year's budget were rejected by the City Council. After revising the specs and re-advertising, Bids were received and opened June 2, 1999. Staff recommends the low bid from Ten Eight Fire Equipment Company in the amount of $131,654.00. City Manager Saunders also stated the City will also be coming back with a change order which may reduce the cost. ~4 motion was made by Council Member Biddle and seconded by Council Member Brown, and carried unanimousl, v: to approve the low bid by Ten Eight Fire Equipment Co. in the amount of $1 $1_. 654. 00. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Matt Modica stated he would like to request that Planning Director Barry bring a list of what projects have been approved to the Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning and Zoning. Charles Forth stated that round-a-bouts are being used in many communities, rather than stop signs and they slow traffic down as well as being attractive. Mr. Forth also stated that when he attended the Lincoln Park Task Force meeting, the elementary school actually flooded and was under 4 to 6 inches of water and he would like the City to look into that also. City Manager Saunders stated that he believed that the school's water was actually their own on-site water and the City is trying to first address the flooded areas that are caused by street water. Council Member Biddle directed Mr. Forth to the CRA's draf~ of a proposed street plan hanging on the wall, which include round-a-bouts. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8, 1999 Page 9 Joy England stated that she lives at 772 Oak Drive, and during the recent storm completely lost her driveway and one-third of $6,000 worth of landscaping. She requested a notice to the next workshop in reference to this problem. :. Mayor Turville assured her the City would make certain she had a notice. Robert Bauguss stated that in Tavares they used a round-a-bout to help slow down traffic and it worked. Mr. Hester requested that the microphones be improved so that the people could hear all of the Council Members better. There being no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attest: E. Van Zil~,, City Cl~rk