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04.20.2021 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The Clermont City Council met in a Council Workshop on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in the Council Chambers. Mayor Murry opened the workshop at 6:30pm with the following Council Members present: Pines, Entsuah, Purvis, and Bates. Other City officials present were Interim City Manager Dauderis, City Attorney Mantzaris and City Clerk Howe. OPENING STATEMENTS Mayor Murry made a statement regarding the nature of workshops and that they are fact finding sessions for the City Council; no decisions will be made. AGENDA 1. Wellness Way Follow-up Dr. Richard Levey, Levey Consulting, made a staff presentation via PowerPoint to the City Council. As part of his presentation he reviewed the process of comprehensive planning in Florida and the process for implementing a comprehensive plan. He continued by providing a high-level overview of the Wellness Way plan which is a master -planned area in collaboration with Lake County. He highlighted the design guidelines and standards for open space, mobility and connectivity. He concluded his presentation by stating that the next step is for the City Council to accept the deliverables which includes a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to both the City's and Lake County's comprehensive plans. He recommended that the Council direct staff to begin the normal planning process. Regarding timing, the City will follow Lake County's lead and modify plan deliverables to conform to the City's adopted regulations for Comprehensive Planning and Land Development. Council Member Bates asked if Dr. Levey could provide a map showing what had already been annexed by the City. Dr. Levey said they would provide maps to City staff who could forward them on to the Council Members. He made an additional comment that the conservation lands could be annexed by the city as well, but there is no need to do so as there is no need for development. He said that it is possible that there may be a gap in City boundaries for quite some time. City Attorney Mantzaris reviewed the purpose of the Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement. He clarified that the purpose of the agreement is related to the administration of municipal services. Council Member Purvis asked if any thought had been given to the reservation of land for municipal future use. Dr. Levey said that they did not get down to that level granularity. Council Member Pines asked how the map would look as she is sure some land owners would not sell right away. Dr. Levey responded that agriculture and residential can coexist and there will come a time when the agriculture will sell and through this process they will have the land use categories in place. City of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 Council Member Entsuah inquired about the naming of the land use categories. Dr. Levey provided background information on the six new future land use categories. Mayor Murry asked how close the team was to acquiring land for the road ways and road extensions. Dr. Levey pointed to Hancock, Wellness Way and CR455 have all crossed into Consery land and the team has negotiated an option agreement to purchase Right -of -Way. Interim City Manager Dauderis asked about the time frame and in what form would the Council see it on an agenda. Dr. Levey responded that the County anticipates going to Planning & Zoning in June. He suggested that the City should consider a July or August Planning & Zoning hearing with a 30 day gap before being heard by the Council. They are looking for final adoption in October or November. 2. Water Authority Presentation Ron Hart, Lake County Water Authority (LCWA), Executive Director — Mr. Hart made a PowerPoint presentation which discussed three different topics. Mr. Hart stated that he came before the Council in February 2020 to discuss algal bloom on Lake Minneola. Since then, LCWA funded a nutrient loading study to find where nutrients are originating. He reviewed Lake Minneola Potential future projects: - Investigative sampling, - experimental algal treatment program - Future joint storm water projects - Resident Lakes Education Mr. Hart informed the Council that another project LCWA is working on is the navigation system for the chain of lakes. They are considering a potential lock construction at the Cherry Lake Dam. The lock structure will allow navigation to allow boats to go from one chain to the other chain. The LCWA Board approved funding for a survey. The survey would target 5,000 respondents on whether they are supportive of a structure. It will be randomly selected people in those zip codes who are registered boat owners and property owners within 500 feet of water bodies. The survey will also target business owners located near the lakes. Mr. Hart informed the Council that they will return in December to announce the results of the survey. The final topic Mr. Hart discussed with the Council was a comprehensive plan change proposed to Lake County to address a request by group of mining association members to change the county's comprehensive plan to eliminate the open space requirement in the Green Swamp. The LCWA board took a position on the issue by resolution. The Green Swamp is an Area of Critical State Concern and it is important to maintain the hill structure as the hills are what contribute to the lakes in Lake County. The lakes would otherwise be much smaller as there are evaporative locations. Council Member Purvis stated that Clermont has taken a lead position in the current algal problem. City of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 The City created Victory Pointe to collect runoff, but he thinks that other communities in Lake County need to contribute with both input and cash. Mr. Hart wishes other communities would do what Clermont does. The LCWA appreciates all what Clermont has done. Council Member Entsuah asked the Council if they would support a resolution opposing the sand mining in the Green Swamp. The Council expressed consensus that they would support that resolution. City Attorney Mantzaris stated that staff would work on a resolution. 3. Boat Ramp Use and Parking Parks and Recreation Director Scott Davidoff provided a staff presentation via PowerPoint. He discussed the challenges and potential solutions of the Clermont Boat Ramp. Director Davidoff described the facilities available at the City's Boat Ramp. He discussed the parking challenges stating that the parking lot reaches capacity on most weekends and holidays. The former City Manager had directed that both vehicles with trailers and without were to use the boat ramp lot as it was built on Waterfront Park overflow parking. Director Davidoff informed the Council that solutions to the challenge could include allowing only vehicles with trailers to park in the lot; allow vehicles without trailers only on weekdays, excluding holidays; continue with current policy allowing both. Staff recommends only allowing vehicles with trailers. This frees 20 to 40 spaces daily and reduces confusion. Regarding lake enforcement, the Lake County Sheriff Office (LCSO) has jurisdiction on Lake Minneola. Recently, the Clermont Police Department (CPD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LCSO allowing CPD to enforce regulations on the lake. CPD plans to start patrolling the lake and enforcing state statutes on Lake Minneola on May 15. With regards to enforcement, Director Davidoff reviewed the no wake zone areas and buoyed areas. He informed the Council that Florida Wildlife Commission has approved only the boat ramp and the Lake Hiawatha docks. An updated ordinance will be forthcoming. Director Davidoff reviewed jet ski complaints and commercial operators which are received on a weekly basis. The City has allowed the beaching of jet skis at both Lake Hiawatha and behind the splash pad area. However, jet skiers have been using the area west of the boat ramp in more recent times. The City does have notices and buoys in the area, but they have been continually ignored by users. The prior City Manager did allow for beaching to the east and west of the boat ramp as operators have stated that they need to beach as they cannot carry certain items and equipment on a jet ski. They have also had issues using the finger docks; especially with stand up jet skis. With regards to commercial operators, staff has been in contact with those that rent both jet skis and boats. The City Attorney has reviewed the situation and the transactions are taking place off site, and so there is very little the City can do to prohibit commercial operations and rentals. Commercial operations are very common throughout the state. Staff has put in place some procedures to assist with enforcement. These regulations began in late March. City of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 Since late March 2021, staff has spoken with multiple vendors and provided guidelines. Staff keeps a running list of violations and warnings. To date, there have not been any violations of the new regulations. However, with that being said, enforcement is very difficult without ongoing monitoring. Staff is recommending a dedicated staff to be hired. Council Member Purvis expressed a concern that the City gives to CPD all the tools they need. Interim Director Dauderis said that those items would be forthcoming in the budget process. The Council discussed options to make sure the City was properly equipped. The Council discussed fees at the boat ramp and how they could be adjusted for different users. City Attorney Mantzaris stated that with the direction of the Council, staff can explore more stringent regulations. It will be an enforcement issue and would be difficult for staff. The lakes are open to the public, and it is difficult to identify whether it is for personal use or for a business activity. Business activity does allow for the city to be able to do something. There could be something like franchise agreements, but there also arises enforcement issues. The Council discussed additional staffing for ongoing enforcement. The Council discussed with the City Attorney different options for enforcement of commercial businesses including identification, permitting, and/or business licensing. The Mayor opened the floor for comments from the public. Donald Sinto, 108 Nautical Mile Drive — Concerned about jet skis on the water at night. Mark Raid, 845 Forest Wood Drive — Recreational jet skier. Asked questions of the Council. Concerned about buoys not being permitted. Dana Unknown, 135 Blackstone Creek Road, Groveland — Jet Ski business owner. Spoke about their business and running a Jet Ski business. Would like to see a permit issued to companies for operation on the Clermont chain of lakes. Seeing no further comments, the floor was closed. The City Attorney informed the Council that the City Manager can implement some changes immediately with no formal action needed with consensus from the Council. The Council asked for staff to return with a comprehensive proposal for all the issues discussed. Seeing a comment from the public, the floor was reopened. Donald Sinto, 108 Nautical Mile Drive — Concerned about hours of operation. 4 City of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 Seeing no further comments, the floor was closed. Director Davidoff asked for clarification if the Council would like any changes to occur administratively. The Council agreed that action should be taken to address the picnic area and beaching and that something should be done about parking, otherwise no other changes should occur. The City Attorney informed the Council that the City Manager's Office can address the parking issue without formal approval by the Council. Interim City Manager Dauderis recapped the items in motion. Staff will create a solution for the yellow section and address parking right away. Staff will then create a comprehensive solution and return to Council at a future date. She also reminded the Council that beginning on May 15, CPD will be starting law enforcement in designated areas. City Attorney Mantzaris recommended that the Council allow staff to move forward with an ordinance to address commercial permitting for business activity on the water. The Council provided a consensus to allow staff to move forward with the drafting of the ordinance. Council Member Pines asked about penalties. City Attorney Mantzaris responded that enforcement would occur through the Code Enforcement process and users could be fined up to $250 per day per violation. 4. Other Interim City Manager Dauderis briefly introduced the Waterfront Activation Zone. The property has been in discussion since 2015. Over a year ago, an RFP process was presented to the Council at a workshop. There were a number of presenters. The City Council at the time did not provide interest in moving forward with a project. However, the City has a new Council now and staff is seeking direction if this is something the Council would like to move forward on. Mayor Murry stated that they have three (3) new members and feels this needs a better update. He wants to see this on the next workshop agenda for a more serious discussion. CLOSING COMMENTS No other closing comments were made by the staff or Council Mmembers. City of Clermont MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 20, 2021 Adjourn: The workshop concluded at 9:06pm with no further comments. APPROVED: Tim Murry, Mayor \ ATTEST: , G Tracy Ackroyd Howe." ow MMC City Clerk