03-29-2002 Workshop Retreat CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP & RETREAT MEETING
MARCH 29, 2002
Page 1
A City Council Workshop & Retreat was held Friday, March 29, 2002, at the Lake Sumter Community
College South Lake Campus 2na Floor Community Room. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by
Mayor Turville. Council Members Caputo, Dupee, Mullins, and Renick were present. City Manager
Saunders was also present.
Mayor Turville welcomed those present and asked City Manager Saunders for an update on the use of
pressure treated wood.
City Manager Saunders stated that the anticipated report from the Federal Government had not been
released and that no new data was available regarding the use of this type of wood. He stated that the City
would continue to test the Palatlakaha Playground area.
City Manager Saunders then stated that the main purpose of today's retreat was to discuss growth-related
issues. He referred to an ICMA publication title 'Balanced Growth' and discussed the need for cooperation
between cities and Lake County.
Mayor Turville stated that under the existing situation in south Lake County we are not controlling our
destiny but that the Lake County Board of County Commissioners is defining our future for us with the
approval of developments surrounding our City.
Council Member Dupee asked why other Council Members felt that developers and landowners are going
to Lake County rather than the City and asked if the City is possibly sending the wrong message by not
meeting with developers and landowners to help plan future uses of properties.
Council Member Renick stated there is a need to put pressure on Lake County to direct development
requests to the City.
City Manager Saunders stated this exemplifies the need for the Joint Planning Areas to move forward as
soon as possible.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that there was a need to invite the County
Commission to Clermont to see the problems we are facing and discuss them.
City Manager Saunders stated that the utility issue is something that must be planned and addressed and
that it was his feeling that whoever controls the utilities in the future will control the growth in the' future as
well. ~
After additional discussion, Mayor Turville adjoumed the meeting for a break at 10:15 a.m. The meeting
reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
City Manager Saunders then referred to the utility service area maps that were displayed and explained the
Chapter 180 service area that was originally adopted by the City. He also pointed out the Minneola and
Montverde areas as well as the area currently under a franchise agreement by Utilities, Inc. City Manager
Saunders also referred to a map that showed the existing major utility lines that the City now has. He then
referred to a map that he felt was a reasonable area for utility service in the future outside of the current
City limits.
The City's current and future allocations of water were discussed.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP & RETREAT MEETING
MARCH 29, 2002
Page 2
Council Member Renick asked how the City could consider adding additional areas of service if it will be
limited as to the amount of water it will receive under the new Consumptive Use Permit.
The meeting adjourned at noon for lunch and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
City Manager Saunders discussed with the City Council the ongoing Joint Planning Area discussions with
other cities in Lake County and stressed.the need to push the adoption of Joint Planning Areas as soon as
possible so. that the areas that the City will be serving will be well defined both for utilities and annexation.
Mayor Turville stated that a Joint Planning workshop with the County Commissioners and County
Planning Staff should be scheduled so that Lake County can better understand the problems that the City is
facing.
Council Member Dupee again stated the importance of setting a meeting between the City and the major
landowners and potential developers of the Hartwood Marsh area.
After additional discussion regarding this area, Mayor Turville stated that the City and Lake County should
produce a plan for this area.
City Manager Saunders then discussed with the City Council the bond coverage requirements and the
projections the City has made in our feasibility studies for our bond issues with regard to minimum growth.
City Council members and Staff then discussed water restrictions and how to handle violations. It was
discussed that the City should possibly hire a person to be specifically assigned to water restriction
'violations.
City Manager Saunders then stated that the next item to be discussed was the baseball and softball
programs now operating in the City. He explained how the Leagues are organized and stated that the City
may want to enter into agreements with the Leagues regarding their future operation and how they will
cooperate with the City for the provision of these programs in the future.
Council Member Mullins then discussed the possible need for a skateboard park in the City.
City Manager Saunders stated he had been discussing a skateboard park with Lake County and that he felt
this should be more a County issue rather than just a City of Clermont one.
Discussion was held regarding the need for additional police at the First Friday events, especially due to
the large number of teenagers and younger children being dropped off at the events.
City Manager Saunders then stated that a redevelopment plan for the old hospital site is being put together
and asked if the City Council would be willing to meet with the developers of this site. It was the
consensus of the City Council that a workshop should not be held but that the developers should move
ahead through the normal process with the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council.
The City Council next discussed water rates and the use of any surplus water revenues if any were '
produced as a result of the new tiered rate schedule. Altemative uses of any potential windfalls were
discussed.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP & RETREAT MEETING
MARCH 29, 20O2
Page 3
Council Member Dupee then discussed the need for an assistant City Manager due to the current workload.
City Manager Saunders stated that he will be recommending the funding of an assistant City Manager once
the City moves into the new City Hall. Council Member Caputo discussed the possibility of a temporary
trailer to house additional personnel. City Manager Saunders stated that he had discussed various options
with his Staff and that it was a consensus to wait until the move to the new City Hall to add the new Staff
needed.
City Manager Saunders then informed the Council that the Downtown Clermont Partnership has asked if
the City would be willing to contribute funding for additional advertising and events to help promote
downtown during streetscape construction. There was no support for a financial contribution of this type,
however City Manager Saunders explained that the City could help in other ways such as additional
signage and in working with the streetscape contractor to keep'as many streets open as possible during
construction. City Manager Saunders also discussed with the City Council a request from the Downtown
Clermont Partnership for funding of the Fh~t Friday entertainment. There was no support for this type of
funding.
There was no further discussion and the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.