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09-09-2003 Regular Meeting City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING September 9, 2003 The Clermont City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at Jenkins Auditorium. Mayor Hal Turville called the meeting to order at 7:00pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Ash, Caputo, Mullins and Renick. Other City officials present were City Manager Saunders, City Attorney Guthrie, City Clerk Ackroyd and Deputy City Clerk Warren. INVOCATION Council member Caputo gave the invocation, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. MINUTES Minutes of Regular Council Meeting held August 26, 2003. Council member Caputo moved to approve the minutes of August 26, 2003; seconded bp Council member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting "aye." REPORTS City Manager Saunders introduced newly hired City Clerk Tracy Ackroyd. Mr. Saunders advised Council the move into the New City Hall was a smooth transition and all departments were opened for business on Monday, September 8, 2003. A grand opening will be scheduled for the public once the Council Chambers are complete. The next workshop is set for September 17, 2003 at 6:00pm to be held at the Police Station. City Attorney Guthrie - No Report Council member Ash - No Report Council member Caputo - No Report Council member Mullins - No Report Council member Renick - No Report Mayor Turville - No Report CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Turville advised the next item on the Agenda for consideration was the Consent Agenda and requested anyone wishing to have any item pulled for discussion to please come forward at this time. Item - 1 Final Plat Approval Item - 2 Final Plat Approval Lost Lake Skyridge Valley, Phase III Council member Mullins moved to approve the consent agenda in its entirety; seconded by Council member Caputo. The motion passed with all members present voting "ape." NEW BUSINESS Mayor Turville read Ordinance 327C by title only. An Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Clermont, Lake County, Florida, amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 94 Environmental protection, Sec. 94-197 exemptions and exceptions from grading requirements; providing for severability; providing for an effective date, and providing for publication. City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING September 9, 2003 City Manager Saunders provided an explanation of the ordinance stating that the change would require anyone proposing to exceed the grading guidelines would now be required to request a variance. Council member Caputo moved to introduce Ordinance 327-C; seconded bp Council member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting "aye." There being no additional items on the agenda, Mayor Turville opened the floor to public comments and stated that no action can be taken on any issue. Gary Holmes, 999 West Juniata Street, represented a group of Police Officers, presented a letter of concern about the Police Department. The issues of concern included alleged understaffing of the Department, inadequate equipment, vehicle maintenance, and administration. Randy Story, Police Chief, 1007 Chestnut Street, informed Council that the areas of concern brought to his attention have been addressed within a timely manner. Chief Story emphasized that at no time, has he required an officer to work alone. Chief Story also stated that he met with the PBA to address these concerns and showed compliance with the issues. The crime rate has decreased thanks to the officers. Al Betcher, Florida PBA Representative, advised Council that he, Chief Story and the PBA President met to address these issues. Chief Story responded verbally and in writing. The PBA found there to be no contract violations. Laura Turk, StaffAssistant to the Police Department, stated her support the Police Chief. Ms. Turk stated Chief Story was a good boss and pointed out that the department does not receive complaints from the residents regarding the overall operation and response time of the Police Department. Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street, suggested the Council conduct a thorough investigation then make comments. She recommended Council ask the City Manager to publicly apologize for a statement made at a previous meeting. She commended the officers for speaking up. Council Member Caputo stated that some issues are beyond the PBA contract and asked Council for support instructing the City Manager to instruct the Police Chief to not make any changes until Council has had the opportunity to look into the allegations. He further recommended placing this issue on the workshop agenda. Council Member Caputo also suggested hiring an independent police consultant to review the department. Mayor Turville thanked Mr. Holmes, Mr. Betcher, Ms. Turk and Ms. Forth for their comments. Byron King, 255 S. Orange Avenue, a representative from Trycon informed Council that he had a zoning proposal that he had understood was to be included on this evening's agenda but was not. Mr. King asked Mayor Turville if the item could be discussed. Mayor Turville informed Mr. King, since the advertising requirements have not been met prior to the advertised hearing the issue could not be discussed tonight. City Manager Saunders advised Council that he met with Trycon's Attorney, Cecelia Bonifay, and at her request the item was not scheduled for this meeting. A subsequent letter was sent to the City later requesting the date be changed to September 9th however the City did not respond or agree to that change. Bob McKinley, 12135 Topaz Street stated there seems to be a hidden agenda and commended the Police Department. Nancy Fullerton, 368 Montrose Street, discussed protection of the green swamp. Ms. Fullerton stated her concern is that Lake County unders~nds the intent of the green swamp being included in the JPA. Mayor Turville noted that it could be discussed at the workshop. Ms. Fullerton inquired if Council had been approached by Engineer Nicholas Andreyev for financing of a study to update St. Johns River Water Management District; Council advised that they have not been approached. 2 City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING September 9, 2003 Council Member Ash stated her concern with the issues written in the letter presented by the group of Police Officers. She is also concerned that the Police Department budget may not accurately depict the needs of the department. Mayor Turville advised Council that the budget can be amended. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm. ~-;~HafT~urvi-lle,~VIayor Tracy Ackr~jl~ C{ty Clerk