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05-30-2002 Council Retreat CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MAY 30, 2002 Page 1 A Retreat Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Thursday, May 30, 2002, at the 2na Floor Community Room of the Lake Sumter Community College South Lake Campus. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Turville. Council Members Caputo, Dupee, Mullins, and Renick were present. Also present was City Manager Saunders. Mayor Turville welcomed those present and referred to an agenda that was available. He stated that Council may discuss other issues and that no votes would be taken at this Workshop. Mayor Turville stated the first item to be discussed would be the proposed usage of the old depot property that was recently purchased by the City. Micki Wolfe was present as representative of the South Lake Historical Society and stated they would like to share the building with Clermont Main Street. She stated that the South Lake Historical Society was in need of office space and since the Townsend House would soon be located next door to the Depot it is a logical spot for their office. She stated they would be very willing to share the facility with the Main Street group and also stated they would like to possibly have a small retail business there that would include the sale of postcards or other historical related items. , Council Member Mullins asked if the South Lake Historical Society would be considering this their permanent home or as offices until they could find another facility. Ms. Wolfe stated they were looking at this location as their permanent home. JeffBiddle spoke, as representative of Cle~mont Main Street, stating he did not think that sharing the space would be an acceptable arrangement. He stated that Clermont Main Street is looking for a permanent home for their offices that would include the Clermont Main Street manager and sufficient area to provide information regarding the City. He stated that if Clermont Main Street was provided control of the facility they could possibly allow a small office area for the South Lake Historical Society's use. Ms. Wolfe stated the Historical Society's first priority is the restoration of the Townsend House. Council Member Renick stated that fi.om comments it appeared that both groups would like to have control of the Depot with the possibility of small office area use by the other group. City Manager Saunders stated that there should not be any long-term arrangements with either group since the City has not developed a long-range plan for the use of the facility in conjunction with the remainder of the property that was recently purchased by the City. Council Members and those present continued to discuss potential uses for the facility, including outside entertainment, retail sales and other potential uses in association with a future community center. City Manager Saunders stated that there could also be some building code issues associated with the building being converted to office use and that the City would have the building inspected for upgrades possibly needed prior to any future use. Rose Biddle, Program Manager of Clermont Main Street, was present and discussed with the City Council the sale of engraved pavers as a fundraiser for the Clermont Main Street. She explained that the cost of the pavers would be returned to the City with the difference between the cost and sale price being utilized by the Clermont Main Street. She stated the pavers would be placed at some of the intersections throughout the streetscape project. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MAY 30, 2002 Page 2 Council Members agreed that this would be a good fundraiser for the Main Street and asked that it be placed on the next regular Council agenda for approval. City Manager Saunders then informed the City Council that he would be bringing a Change Order to the next regular meeting for the Streetseape project to include electrical outlets at all the islands in order to provide decorations at different times of the year throughout the downtown area. Jim Thomas was present and discussed with the City Council a funding request for the Lake Apopka Basin project. Mr. Thomas explained that they have received $5,000 donations from Orange County, Lake County and the City of Apopka and that he will be requesting placement on a regular Council agenda with a request for $5,000 from the City of Clermont. He explained how the funding would be used and how it would benefit the Clermont area and Clermont/Minneola Trail. The City Council then discussed commercial signage. City Manager Saunders stated that our current Code allows monument or pole signs for commercial projects and that we typically require monument signs on out parcels if the project is approved under a Conditional Use Permit. It was the consensus of the City Council that future revisions to the sign ordinance should possibly include a provision for monument signs only along S.R. 50 and U.S. 27. City Manager Saunders next discussed with the City Council several requests he had received for the City Council to reevaluate the requirement for larger trees to be planted as a part of the required landscape ordinance. He stated that he had received comments that more water is needed to establish the larger trees and that smaller trees typically grow more rapidly and exceed the growth rate of a larger tree within three to four years. Council Member Caputo discussed the trees in Kings Ridge and stated that smaller trees typically have better root growth and a better survival rate than the larger trees. Bing Hacker of Kings Ridge also discussed tree sized and the difficulty in establishing larger trees. Mayor Turville explained that the grade of the tree purchased makes a difference in the tree's ability to survive. He then stated that the City should obtain information from sources other than tree farms or purchasers of the trees before any decision being made to amend the Code. City Manager Saunders then explained that P.J. Marks, who owns the property along Lake Minneola west of Eight Street and east of the City owned property, is requesting a submerged land lease for the structures he has placed in the water. Mr. Saunders stated he had been informed by DEP that these structures are illegal at this time and that he would be contacting DEP to state that the City is not interested in entering into a combined submerged land lease to allow Mr. Marks to place his structures in front of the City owned property, unless otherwise directed by City Council. City Manager Saunders then provided the City Council an update on the City's Consumptive Use Permit application with the St. Johns River Water Management District and explained that, at the request of St. Johns, the hearing had been postponed until the July Board meeting to allow additional time for the St. Johns staffto modify the agreement regarding comments provided by the City. Nancy Fullerton addressed the City Council regarding the Consumptive Use Permit request. City Council Members discussed the continuing need for water conservation. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MAY 30, 2002 Page 3 Council Member Renick left the meeting at approximately 12:20 p.m. The City Council continued discussion regarding water usage. The owner of the English Dry Cleaners addressed the City Council regarding the tiered water rate structure and how it has placed a burden on the business. Mayor Turville reviewed the history of how the City Council structured the new tiered rates and asked for additional public comment. It was the consensus of the City Council that this issue would be discussed at a future City Council meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. ]16seph E. Vanity Clerk d S. Turville, Jr., Mayor