04.09.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in the Clermont City Council
Chambers. Mayor Murry called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with the following Council Members
present: Council Members Gonzalez, Myers and Pines.
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis, City Attorney Mantzaris, and City Clerk Howe.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Kendal Anderson from The Crossing Church gave the invocation. Presentation of Colors by the Sea
Cadets, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION
Michael Steidley, USNSCC Clermont Battalion Commanding Office, provided an overview of the Sea
Cadets program. The Clermont Battalion currently has 42 cadets, 17 adult volunteers and has done over
1,200 community service hours.
Police Chief Broadway recognized and presented the Meritorious Service Award to Officer Sean Biggs, a
volunteer who has made significant contributions. Officer Biggs meets weekly with the Color Guard team
and has devoted hours to the youth.
Mayor Murry asked Police Chief Broadway to give an update on an incident that occurred the previous
week. Police Chief Broadway stated that the incident is an ongoing investigation. He provided a timeline
of events that led to a fight between two teenage girls at Waterfront Park. One of the girls was stabbed and
then transported to the hospital. Through investigation, they have identified and arrested the suspect.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Firouz Farrokh, 3362 Saint Vincent Lane — spoke in opposition to converting the tennis courts to pickleball
courts at Felter Park.
Carolyn Godwin, Osceola St. - expressed concern regarding recent events in the community. Asked
Council to consider better lit walkways in downtown, increased police presence at Waterfront Park,
establish a Community Center with resources, install city camera's downtown, and consider a curfew for
teenagers.
Dani Page, Tuscany Ridge — spoke regarding an article in the Kings Ridge March 2024 publication from
a meeting Council Member Gonzalez and City Manager Bulthuis attended.
Sharon Keyes, 644 W. Osceola Street - spoke regarding a Community Center at McKinney Park.
Shannon Herrera, 265 Giovanni Blvd. - spoke regarding a Community Center at McKinney Park.
Linda Killoran, 1536 Sherbrook Drive — spoke in opposition to converting the tennis courts to pickleball
courts at Felter Park.
Resident, 204 Country Lakes Estates, Groveland — spoke in opposition to converting the tennis courts to
pickleball courts at Felter Park.
Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street — expressed concern regarding issues at Victory Pointe.
Sophia O'Keefe, 489 W. Minnehaha Avenue — spoke regarding the need for more pickleball courts.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
Tammy Stockdill, 9407 Lighthouse Court — spoke in favor of tennis and pickleball sharing courts as they
have been.
City Manager Bulthuis responded to the public comments. He stated that the Kings Ridge Homeowner
Association asked himself and Council Member Gonzalez to attend their meeting. Council Members are
often invited to speak in the community to provide updates and stay connected.
There is vandalism going on at Victory Pointe. We are in the process of installing cameras in the next week
or so. The observation tower was built with grant money. If the city were to remove the tower, we would
have to reimburse the grant funds. There was a fight that happened at Waterfront Park between two people
that do not live in our community.
Mayor Murry provided history on the Victory Pointe tower. Spoke about needing more lights along the trail
by Waterfront Park.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that there could be higher wattage bulbs installed where there are lights at
Waterfront Park.
Mayor Murry asked City Manager Bulthuis where we are in the bid process for conversion of tennis courts.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that Council reviewed this in January and provided a summary of the
decisions made. The direction staff received was to move forward with converting the courts however, a
contract have been signed yet. It would be up to Council to reconsider.
Mayor Murry stated that before Council made their decision, staff researched and there was a workshop.
No one came forward about tennis courts at that time.
Mayor Murry addressed needing a Community Center. The city owns very little property and to build a
Community Center would need a minimum of 10 acres. The city is looking for land to purchase.
AGENDA CHANGES
City Manager Bulthuis informed the Council of the following agenda changes:
Item No. 7 - Variance Request, Teamont Boba
City Manager Bulthuis informed the Council this is a request to table the item to April 23, 2024.
Council Member Pines moved to table item 7. Variance Reauest, Teamont Boba to April
9.2024: seconded by Council Member Mvers. Passed unanimouslv 4-0 with all members
present voicins ave.
REPORTS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Bulthuis —
• Dragon Boat Festival this weekend at Waterfront Park.
• Saturday, April 20 is Earth Day at Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
• Main Street is holding a community meeting tomorrow at the Arts and Recreation Center 4pm to
7pm and requesting community input.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Mantzaris — No report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Council Member Myers —
• Attended the Legislative breakfast and shared updates she received.
• April is the month of Military Children.
Council Member Pines —
• Attended the Lake County Tourist Development Council meeting. Promoting sporting events in
Lake County to attract tourism. All events and tournaments are on their website.
Council Member Gonzalez —
• Thanked Clermont Police Department for their work with the incident on Friday.
• Attended the Legislative update and shared updates he received.
Parks and Recreation Director Forman presented a PowerPoint that was provided to Council in January
2024 regarding adding pickleball courts. Reviewed current availability and all the different options. Mr.
Forman asked for direction from Council.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that currently staff is moving forward unless Council provides a different
direction.
Council agreed to move forward with converting the courts at Felter Park.
Mayor Murry stated that the courts at Hancock Park need borders due to rain.
City Manager Bulthuis asked City Attorney Mantzaris to review House Bill 1536 as there is some confusion
regarding it.
City Attorney Mantzaris said that this is a preemption bill. Most of the confusion is that it is perceived to
be something that criminalizes or penalizes people who are unhoused or homeless. The bill is a preemption
bill that says that cities and counties in the state cannot authorize or otherwise allow individuals to publicly
camp on public property. The bill does not create anything that would allow statutory or state authority to
criminally penalize someone that is homeless. It tells cities and counties to have your own laws in place to
address this. Our office has coordinated efforts with other city attorneys in Lake County to comply with
this law also to make sure we are not crossing over the line. It is unconstitutional to criminalize someone
that is homeless.
Mayor Murry asked for the definition of homeless according to that statute.
City Attorney Mantzaris explained that it does not define homeless. What it stated is that a city cannot
authorize or allow a person that is regularly engaged in public camping or sleeping on public property. It
then defines public camping or sleeping as lodging or residing overnight in a temporary structure and then
goes on to define what a temporary structure is.
He explained there are two key elements the city would have to make to enforce this. Make a determination
if someone is actually sleeping or camping on public property and then determine if they are regularly
engaged in sleeping or camping.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
City Manager Bulthuis said that being homeless is not against the law. The city does prohibit people from
staying overnight in city parks.
City Attorney Mantzaris stated that an individual could sue the city and seek an injunction that would force
the city to stop the unauthorized camping. The provision in the law states that individual has to give notice
to the city, they would tell the city there is a person violating or camping on public property and the city is
not doing anything about it. In the event of that happening, the city would notify the Police Department and
they would address it. There are protective measures, which the city will follow and should be okay.
Police Chief Broadway introduced Corporal Pollen, who oversees the Mobile Crisis Unit, to provide a brief
overview of collaborative efforts monitoring homeless population and taking actions.
Corporal Pollen provided a history of the Mobile Crisis Unit and the programs within the Clermont Police
Department to assist the homeless. He spoke on the partnerships in the community they have to assist them.
Provided statistics on the homeless population in Florida and Lake County.
Mayor Murry -
• Attended the legislative breakfast.
• Attended MADD 5K.
• Special Election on May 14.
• Thanked those who attended the Mayor's lunch last week.
• Scheduled to talk to College Park Homeowner Association on Saturday and encouraged Council
Members to talk to residents.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Murry 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 No. 1— Meeting Minutes
Item No. 2 — Surplus Request
Item No. 3 — Grant Acceptance and
Budget Amendment Request
Lake Felter Park Lighting
Item No. 4 - Piggyback Purchase
Police Dept.
Consider approval of the March 19, 2024,
workshop minutes.
Consider declaring end -of -life inventory as
surplus from the Public Services Department
and provide disposal per the Procurement
Policy.
Consider acceptance of Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant Program
funding and budget amendment for $76,440.
Consider purchase approval from the OMNIA
Partners contract 4400008468 with Safeware
for two (2) police drones in the budgeted
amount of $53,126.02.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
Item No. 5 - Bid Award Consider awarding bid to Social Glass Inc. to
Public Services Dept. purchase water well pump motors in the
budgeted amount of $58,958.
Item No. 6 - Bid Award Consider approval to award term contract to
Public Services Dept. Accurate Power Technology, Inc. to provide
generator maintenance and repair services.
Dani Page pulled Consent Item No. 4 for further discussion.
Council Member Pines moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 1-3 and 5-6 as presented:
Seconded by Council Member Gonzalez. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members
present voicing ave.
Item No. 4 — Piggyback Purchase. Police Dept.
Ms. Page asked about the policies and procedures or restrictions for the drone flight program. Council
Member Pines stated that law enforcement are guided by restrictions.
Ms. Page stated that Council must establish appropriate restrictions and policies for drone flights. Also
inquired if Council was aware of the Florida Statute regarding searches and seizures using a drone.
City Attorney Mantzaris said that the City is aware of the statute and the Police Department will be in
compliance.
Police Chief Broadway explained that they would meet FFA regulations including Florida law. The Lake
County Sheriff's Office and several other agencies have several drones to help reduce prevent and reduce
crime.
Police Captain Strickland, who is FAA certified, reviewed the uses of the drones.
Council Member Pines moved to approve Consent Agenda Item 4 as presented: Seconded
by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing ave.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item No. 7 — This item was addressed earlier and tabled to April 23, 2024.
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 8 — Ordinance No. 2024-006, Intro Sundara Eco-Spa Annexation
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT,
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF A
CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERLOCAL
SERVICE BOUNDRY AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 2, 2014; PROVIDING
FOR CONFLICT, SERVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF
SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
Council Member Pines moved to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-006. Sundara Eco-Sna
Annexation; seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all
members vresent voicing ave.
Item No 9. — Ordinance No. 2024-007, Intro Sundara Eco-Spa Comp Plan Amendment
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT
FOR THE CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA. PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING ACT, CHAPTER 163, PART II,
FLORIDA STATUES; SETTING FORTH THE AUTHORITY FOR ADOPTION
OF THE SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT; SETTING
FORTH THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE SMALL-SCALE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION
OF THE SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT;
ESTABLISHING THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE SMALL SCALE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT,
SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS
ERROR, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
Council Member Pines moved to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-007. Sundara Eco-Sna
ComD Plan Amendment; seconded by Council Member Gonzalez. Passed unanimously_ 4-
0 with all members Dresent voicing ave.
Item No. 10 — Ordinance No. 2024-008 Intro Sundara Eco-Spa PUD Rezoning
AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY FLORIDA, AMENDING THE OFFICAL ZONING
MAP OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER 122 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 286-C, CODE OF ORDINANCES; REZONING THE REAL
PROPERTIES DESCRIBED HEREIN AS SHOWN BELOW; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF
SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
Council Member Pines moved to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-008. Sundara Eco-SDa
PUD Rezoning: seconded by Council Member Gonzalez. Passed unanimously_ 4-0 with all
members Dresent voicing ave.
Item No. 11 — Ordinance No. 2024-014 Intro LDC Amendment
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 125 ZONING; REPEALING SECTION 125-
375 DENSITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY,
CODIFICATION, THE ADMINSTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS
ERROR, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the title aloud.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2024
Council Member Pines moved to introduce Ordinance No. 2024-014. LDC Amendment.
seconded by Council Member Mvers. Passed unanimouslv 4-0 with all members present
voicine ave.
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 8:53 pm.
APPROVED:
Tim Murry,Zor
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk