02.20.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
February 20, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a workshop session on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in the Clermont City
Council Chambers. The workshop was called to order at 6:30 pm with the following Council
Members present: Mayor Murry, Council Members Myers and Gonzalez.
Absent: Council Member Pines
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis, City Attorney Mantzaris, and City Clerk
Howe.
OPENING COMMENTS
Mayor Murry noted this is a workshop and there will be no action taken at the workshop.
AGENDAITEMS
City Manager Bulthuis provided an overview of the 8`h Street pier project. The City needs to move
forward with the next phase of engineering. The final cost is estimated in the range of $5 to $6
million which will include grants, Recreation Impact fees and possibly General Fund in the future.
There will be items on the agenda next week for Council to approve the project moving forward.
1. Meet Us in the Middle Plaza and 8tb Street Docks Project Update
Jeff Powell, Powell Studio Architecture, .gave a brief overview of the CRA plan and a timeline of
events since 2015 when the CRA plan was approved by City Council. The idea was to link the
waterfront and the downtown area.
Mr. Powell reviewed the existing conditions of the pier and space around the pier. He reviewed
the conceptual plan and feedback they have received. After taking all the feedback into
consideration and completing the site survey, they were able to put together a conceptual design
for the area.
The new design shows 28 standard boat slips, 8 wake/ski boat slips and 8 personal watercraft
docking stations with a breakwater. There will be a fishing pier, pedestrian walkways,
amphitheater style greenspace, restrooms and the Meet Us in the Middle Plaza. There is no
proposal to add additional parking and the project would be completed in phases.
Council will need to approve the next step to proceed to the final design and engineering.
City Manager Bulthuis asked Mr. Powell to review the number of slips being proposed.
Mr. Powell reviewed the number of slips as 28 standard slips, 8 wake/ski boat slips and 8 personal
water craft docking stations.
Mayor Murry opened the floor for public comments.
Willie Montgomery, 419 E. Desoto Street - expressed disappointment. He asked for consideration
for disabled individuals with this project and handicapped parking.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
February 20, 2024
Mr. Powell stated that accessibility to the park is paramount to the design and ensuring that people
with disabilities have the right to use it.
Mayor Murry suggested increasing the number of handicapped parking spaces surrounding the
area.
Wilburt Montgomery, 1106 Imperial Eagle St., Groveland — inquired on the time limit to complete
the project.
Vincent Niemiec, Regency Hills — inquired about hours of operation at the park and time limits at
the boat dock.
Banks Helfrick, 9600 Sams Lake Rd. — asked if there were plans of expanding the dock area in the
future and if this was built for seaplanes as well.
Mayor Murry closed the floor from public comments.
City Manager Bulthuis explained that staff is still early in the process with this project. As far as
enforcement regarding boats at the dock at night, that will be handled by park rangers and the
Police Department. We are approximately one year away from plans and permitting being done.
Once that is done, we will have better cost estimates. After plans and permitting are complete, the
Council will decide how to phase the project. The main goal is to get the current pier removed and
replaced with the docks and then move on to the park. There are no current plans to have dock
spaces for seaplanes.
Mayor Murry spoke about expansion and building the dock to possibly expand in the future.
Mr. Powell stated that they are ready to move forward with the project once Council approves. It
will take a year from design to permitting and then there will be a discussion regarding phasing of
the project.
Council Member Myers asked about the cost of the project.
Mr. Powell stated that at this time they are estimating $5 to $6 million.
Mayor Murry stated that the City will be utilizing Recreation Impact fees. City Manager Bulthuis
informed Council that the City has also received a couple of grants towards the project.
Council Member Myers asked how much the City has in Recreation Impact fees.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that there is currently an estimated $4.5 million in Recreation Impact
fees.
Council Member Gonzalez expressed his support for this project. He would like to have the project
completed without phasing. It will change the culture of Clermont.
Council Member Myers asked about funds added for inflation.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
February 20, 2024
Mr. Powell stated that they identify the budget and have a contingency in case of overrun costs.
There are different ways to deliver the project and they build a contingency into the estimates.
2.Other
City Manager Bulthuis informed all of the Comprehensive Plan Meeting on Thursday, February
22 at 6pm at the Clermont City Center.
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 7:38pm.
APPROVED:
1 77Tim Murry, M a r ' ��
ATTEST:
Tracy Ac oyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk