08-08-2006 Regular MeetingCity of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
The Clermont City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 in the Council
Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Hal Turville called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the following
Council Members present: Council Members Mullins, Goodgame, Hogan and Renick. Other City
officials present were: City Manager Saunders, Assistant City Manager Gray, City Attorney Mantzaris,
and City Clerk Ackroyd.
INVOCATION
Council Member Mullins gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Purvis, 4206 Hammersmith Drive, expressed discontent with the placement of illegal signs around
the City and suggested giving the Code Enforcement Board a budget to allow them to pay a charity $1 per
sign picked up. He recommended having employees work over time on the weekends picking up signs
and would like the Council to consider an ordinance to have a stricter policy on signs.
Mr. Purvis questioned the status of the City's computer system
City Manager Saunders responded to the computer issue stating the City does have firewalls and the
system is up. Furthermore, he has established levels of Internet service for each employee and has
evaluated who needs access and at which level. This has been a slow process as it will not be as
convenient as in the past. Mr. Saunders informed Council he would like to bring in an outside firm to
evaluate the City's system and will bring a recommendation to the Council.
• Council Member Goodgame questioned placing blame on the Fire Department for the computer
problems.
City Manager Saunders advised they are not blaming the Fire Department
Council Member Renick commented that no one is blaming the Fire Department and requested an
explanation of hiring an outside firm.
City Manager Saunders advised he would like to bring in someone to do a complete analysis to review the
system to see what we need and make a recommendation for changes to be made. New equipment is
budgeted in October and he prefers to wait until a review is done and recommendations are made before
purchasing the new equipment. The City has received one proposal and would like to have another
proposal with hopes to get the project started within the next month and to have it completed by the end
of this fiscal year. Furthermore, a new firewall has been installed.
City Manager Saunders addressed the sign issue. City Attorney Mantzaris has drafted language to
strengthen the sign ordinance to bring to Council at the next workshop to review.
Council Member Goodgame thought it would be a good idea to work with charities
Council Member Mullins voiced concern with safety and liability.
City Attorney Mantzaris agreed with it being a liability for the City.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
Lori Kirkland commented the new Chief of Police is doing an outstanding job and questioned the status
of the work at Chestnut Park.
City Manager Saunders advised the Public Services Department should be starting the Chestnut Park
project soon.
Cindy Emely, 2633 Hartwood Pines Way, addressed traffic concerns and proposed the City place speed
bumps in the Hartwood Pines neighborhood. She advised of having a petition signed by 35 homeowners.
Furthermore, she noted a problem with kids cutting through lawns to get to the school located behind the
subdivision because there is no fence around the school. She also informed Council of problems with
school buses and trucks driving through the neighborhood. Ms. Emely requested no trucks be allowed in
the neighborhood. The dumpster at the school is being picked up early in the morning by Onyx.
City Manager Saunders advised the dumpster ordinance does not allow pick up before 7:OOam. As far as
enforcement for the school, it is not in the city limits and the City of Clermont has no jurisdiction. In
regards to the trucks, signs have been in place.
Council Member Renick asked to have the Police Department target for tickets.
City Manager Saunders contacted the Lake County Planning Department inquiring about the fence and
landscape buffering. He spoke to Carolyn and was told they would look at it.
Mayor Turville stated these comments should be forwarded to the School Board and Lake County
• John Day, 2646 Hartwood Pines Way, lives between the boundary line of the school and close to the
City Manager Saunders stated the County approved the site plan therefore it is a Lake County issue.
Council Member Goodgame advised he would accompany the residents to a County Commission
meeting.
Sharon Weisenfeld, Hartwood Pines Resident, commented on traffic cutting through the subdivision and
requested a fence around the school.
Kim Day, 2646 Hartwood Pines, expressed the severity of the traffic problem.
Michael Satvitti, 2645 Hartwood Pines Way, commented on drivers barreling through the neighborhood
and requested a way for the City to slow down the traffic.
Council Member Goodgame questioned speed bumps.
City Manager Saunders recommended the Council set a policy and procedure if the City wants to consider
• speed bumps.
dumpster. He advised of homeless people living in the wooded area.
Juan Rivera, 2654 Hartwood Pines Way, spoke about the noise of the dumpster and noted he asked the
principal to remove the dumpster from that location. They built a cement wall around it however the
dumpster is always overflowing and the lid is always open causing problems with insects, rodents and
odor.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
• Council Member Hogan recommended contacting the Health Department concerning the issue of mice
Mayor Turville advised to determine what could be more feasible and stated staff will contact Onyx about
the pick up hours.
City Manager Saunders commented that the City cannot force them to pick up after a certain time
however we can make a strong suggestion and call Lake County to see if they have an ordinance on the
pick up time.
Mayor Turville suggested contacting the principal, present the issues to them and suggest they work with
the neighborhood.
Cindy Emely commented that one of the homeowners called the school and was told it would be
expanded to a middle school.
Mayor Turville asked City Manager Saunders to arrange a meeting to include the Homeowners
Association, if necessary.
and rats as it is dangerous for kids.
Cindy Emely advised that officers are not issuing tickets.
City Manager Saunders agreed to place better signage for trucks and enforcement from Police Officers.
He further noted the connection to Hartwood Marsh Road could be closed.
Mr. Eloy Duque, 2650 Hartwood Pines Way, expressed concern with speeding traffic and placement of a
fence around the school property. The dumpster is usually picked up around 3:30am to 4:OOam.
Ms. Annette Siniawski, 2634 Hartwood Pines Way, noted that Mr. Vanderlay said there would be a fence
around the total parameter of the school and remarked on the P.A. (public address) system being too loud.
Steve Berlinsky suggested the residents submit this information to the South Lake Press for an article.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Turville read aloud the Proclamation for Clermont Firefighter Appreciation Week for the week of
September 1 through September 8, 2006.
MINUTES
Approval of the Council Meeting minutes for July 11, 2006 and July 25, 2006.
Council Member Goo~ame moved to approve the meeting minutes for July 11: seconded
by Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting "aye ".
Council Member Goodgame moved to approve the meeting minutes for July 25 • seconded
by Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting "aye ".
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
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REPORTS
City Manager Saunders scheduled a Council Workshop with C.T. Hsu and Associates for an update on
projects on August 16 at 6:30pm. Also, the City is proceeding with the temporary fire station on the east
side. Council approved a temporary structure and requested Council approval of 3 additional items to
include: pouring a concrete pad for the Fire truck; Progress Energy extend temporary power to the site;
and to have an electrical contractor run power from the Progress Energy pole to the structure, Mr.
Saunders advised the Council can accept quotes. He reviewed the lowest quotes for each item: $16, 218
for the concrete pad; $7,300 for Progress Energy and $4,400 for the electrical contractor. City Manager
Saunders requested Council approval of the three (3) items to move forward with the project.
Council Member Mullins moved to approve • seconded by Council Member Good ame
The motion passed with all members present voting "aye ".
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City Attorney Mantzaris - No Report
Council Member Hogan - No Report
Council Member Goodgame questioned the status of the proposals from Bob McKee on the
Library Building.
City Manager Saunders advised he met with Mr. McKee and his group and noted he conveyed the
concerns of the Council. They are composing a new proposal and staff expects to have it within a
week or two to bring to Council.
Council Member Mullins mentioned the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast at East Ridge High School this
morning.
Council Member Renick asked Council to appoint someone to assume her duties on the Water Alliance.
Council Member Renick moved to have Council Member Hoban assume duties at the
Water Alliance as the Council Member liaison; seconded by Council M_ ember Mullins.
The motion passed with all members present votin "awe ".
Mayor Turville advised the Lucas Variance Request has been withdrawn at the request of the applicant.
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 No. 1 -Event Request
Item No. 2 -Event Request
Item No. 3 -Plan Approval
Request to use Waterfront Park on Saturday,
May 5, 2007 for 2"d Annual Arthritis Walk
Request to use Waterfront Park for the 26`h
Annual Florida Free Wheelers Horrible Hundred
Ride on Sunday, November 19, 2006
Approval of the City's Equal Employment
Opportunity Plan
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
• Council Member Goodgame moved to approve the consent agenda• seconded by Council
Member Mullins. The motio~assed with all members present voting "aye "
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Variance Request -Mirror Lake
Jim Hitt, Planning Director, described the request by Applicant, Robert K. Hogan. The location is south
of Old Highway 50, north of Summit Greens, east of Black Still Road and West of Greater Hi11s. The
variance requests are to allow for a grading cut and fill up to 15 feet rather than 25 feet and to allow for a
reduction of the front yard setback to 20 feet, rather than 25 feet. These two variances were originally
discussed at the Council meeting on July 11, 2006. Additional information regarding the cut and fill was
requested by Council. The Mirror Lake residential subdivision consists of one street and 24 lots on 26.44
acres. Only 12.28 acres is usable, with the remaining 14.16 acres being lake and wetlands. These two
variances are requested due to the site geometry and the existing topography which limit access, and will
enable the applicant to develop the property with the least amount of impact to the site. Staff
recommended approval of the grading variance and staff was not opposed to the setback variance.
Mr. Robert Thompson, 1958 Brantley Circle, was present and available for questions.
Tom Knight, President of Knight Engineering and Consultants, showed an illustration of the proposed
grading cut and was available for questions.
Mayor Turville opened the public hearing.
• Ms. Judy Proli, Summit Greens Resident, expressed concern with the grading request and suggested
building in the hillside.
Mayor Turville remarked that he would like to set the house set into the ground rather than doing a mass
grading on the site. Once the road is in, then carve out a niche to set the house into so the elevations will
stay around the house.
Council Member Renick received a letter from Al Mannella, President of Summit Greens Home Owners
Association and read the letter aloud into the record. He requested Council either oppose or table the
variance request.
Mr. Knight stated they will do everything they can to minimize the grading. Furthermore, the majority of
the earth work is not cutting the hills; it is filling on the west side of the road.
Council Member Renick questioned possibly having too many homes for the site and if a tree survey was
done.
The applicant confirmed a tree survey was completed.
Council Member Mullins stated if the houses are built into the ground, it improves the view for those at
Summit Greens.
Council Member Renick agreed on building into the hillside.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
• Council Member Mullins spoke in agreement with granting the variance but to place a maximum house
height so that Summit Greens still retains their view and further commented the applicant wants to work
with the topography.
Mayor Turville stated there are no sub standard lots and not sure they have too many houses. The issue is
mass grading of which does not seem to be what the applicant will be doing. Furthermore, Mayor Turville
agreed with Council Member Mullins.
Council Member Goodgame inquired if all homes are 2 stories.
Mr. Thompson stated that not all homes are two story; they have 5 or 6 single story homes on a bigger lot.
Council Member Goodgame stated it would look like a one story house from the road.
Mr. Thompson stated they are abiding by all zoning regulations and has fewer homes than zoned for.
Council Member Goodgame moved to accept the variances for Mirror Lake; seconded by
Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all members present voting „ale".
NEW BUSINESS
Contract Renewal
City Manager Saunders advised it is time to consider renewal of his employment contract. He further
reviewed the proposed changes.
Council Member Goodgame questioned City Attorney Mantzaris about insurance for the automobile.
City Manager Saunders stated that City Attorney Mantzaris included appropriate language.
Mayor Turville opened the hearing for public input.
Jim Purvis noted that Mr. Saunders does a fine job as the City Manager. He requested the percentage
salary increase.
City Manager Saunders advised it is approximately 8 percent.
Council Member Goodgame stated the increase had to do with area comparisons.
Council Member Renick commented that part of paying for an increase is for his longevity with the City.
Mayor Turville commended Mr. Saunders for his performance as the City Manager.
Council Member Goodgame moved acceptance of the contract renewal for the City
Manager as written • seconded b~ Council Member Mullins. The motion passed with all
members present votin~"aye ".
City Manager Saunders thanked Council for the compliments.
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City ojClermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
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ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm.
Council Member Renick questioned the approved variance request asking how we have a guarantee that it
is per lot and not a mass grading.
City Manager Saunders noted that staff knows the intent and will advise during site review.
Mayor Turville requested putting the intent into the record.
City Attorney Mantzaris suggested staff coordinate with the developer regarding the concern and if they
have a problem, bring them back to the Council.
City Manager Saunders stated, for the record, staff will place the language of the Council's intent in a
letter to them approving the variance.
APPROVED:
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. Turvil e, Mayor
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Tracy Ac oyd, City Cle
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