02-19-2007 RetreatCity of Clermont
Council Retreat Minutes
February 19, 2007 ~ 9:OOam
The following were present: Mayor Turville, Council Members Berlinsky, Mullins,
Goodgame and Hogan. Other officials present were: City Manager Saunders, City
Attorney Mantzaris, Assistant City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd.
City Manager Saunders noted the Downtown Partnership needs a plan or vision. The
Florida Redevelopment Association offers a free service to Cities to do an assessment
with what we have and offer ideas. Planning Director Jim Hitt is a member and is
involved in the organization. They can identify where we are and suggest ideas of where
we may want to go and help put a plan together to go to the next step. Mr. Hitt provided
information on the Redevelopment Assistance Program (RAP).
The Council spoke in support of the assistance.
City Manager Saunders received a proposal from Denise Pyke and Tom 3ackson whom
the city selected to look at 2 projects which are the historic Cooper Library and the
Depot. The proposal received was for the Depot.
Mayor Turville noted it took too much time to receive the scope and the price is high and
recommended rejecting the scope.
City Manager Saunders noted it would be put on a Council agenda to accept or reject and
then can move on to the second choice.
Mr. Saunders reviewed the cost received for the Historic Cooper Library Building.
Council discussed either negotiating for a better price or reject and proceed to the second
choice; it was suggested to hear from the second choice.
Council discussed the importance of having a Library located in downtown Clermont.
City Manager Saunders recommended asking Lake County to retain the library
downtown for two years after the new library opens to assess utilization before allotting a
significant amount of money towards it. Council agreed with the suggestion.
Council discussed various options associated with the Library Building at the corner of
Montrose Street and Lake Avenue.
Council and staff discussed completing the next phase of the downtown streetscape
project.
The retreat recessed for lunch from 12:15pm to 12:SOpm.
City of Clermont
Council Retreat Minutes
Page 2
Council and staff talked about tying the Waterfront Park Phase II project in with the
Community Center however the priority is the Community Center and the Inland Groves
property. Council agreed to wait on committing to this project until we know where we
are financially.
City Manager Saunders reviewed the Lake County Transportation Impact Fee project
priorities.
City Manager Saunders and Assistant City Manager Gray spoke about having a facility
use agreement with the Clermont Little League and South Lake Girls Softball. Council
agreed with a proposed agreement. Staff also addressed additional recreation projects
and grants.
City Manager Saunders commented on putting the East reclamation plan out to bid next
month and part of that is the reuse part of that plant. One of the components will be
where the reuse needs to go. He recommended moving away from reuse and consider
alternative water supply. This is an alternative to conserve drinking water to have enough
to meet future needs.
City Engineer Richardson reviewed three (3) options to meet the irrigation needs of those
areas that are ready to take an alternative water supply.
The Council is interested in pursuing water conservation and liked the second option.
City Manager Saunders provided an update on the major capital projects.
Mayor Turville left the meeting at 3:lOpm.
City Attorney Mantzaris reviewed procedural matters related to the State of Florida
Sunshine Laws. He addressed recesses in meetings, email correspondence, public
records and ex parte communications.
City Manager Saunders remarked on the status of the cemetery and the need to offer
additional options beyond in-ground spaces for future cemetery needs.
Council Member Goodgame requested reviewing the ordinance on handicap parking
spaces to possibly increase the number of spaces. Mr. Goodgame also addressed WiFi
throughout the City.
The Council spoke in favor of having WiFi in the downtown area.
The retreat adjourned at 4:03pm.