06-28-1984 Workshop Meeting
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
June 28, 1984
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was
held on Thursday, June 28, 1984 in the City Hall Conference Room.
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Beals at 7:10 p.m. with
the following Council Members in attendance: Council Members
Turville, Cole, and Henry. Mayor Pro Tem Pool was absent. City
Manager Forbes was also present.
REZONING
The City Manager explained that there was now a 10' strip of property
between Postal Colony's land on Minneola Avenue and the lots directly
west. The 10' strip is zoned R-3 and the properties on both sides are
zoned commercial. The City has requested that Postal Colony rezone this
property. The City Manager explained that the City would not charge the
company any fee for this rezoning, since it was requested by the City
and is therefore technically a City request. There were no Council
objections.
The City Manager also informed the Council that County Commissioner
Claude Smoak would be in attendance at the next Council Meeting to
discuss the two cent gas tax.
1984 - 1985 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
The City Manager explained that the 84 - 85 Fiscal Year Budget was
almost complete. The City is waiting for the report from the property
appraiser which is due by July 1, 1984, and is budgeting items as
efficiently as possible.
Mr. Forbes further stated that he needed to know what type of salary
increase should be placed in the proposed budget. Most reports have
stated that the inflation rate for next year will be five percent
or just under five percent. After much discussion, it was the con-
sensus of the Council to place a cost of living increase of four
percent in the budget and two percent of total salaries for merit
increases. It was also discussed that the ranges in the City's pay
plan would all be increased four percent.
RETIREMENT OPTIONS
It was explained that Building Official Harvey Nagel who had recently
retired had asked that his pension be given to him in a lump sum amount.
The City's Pension Ordinance gives employees three options for their
pension. The third option states that the City Council may approve any
pension distribution plan, as long as it is actuarily sound. Council
Members reviewed a letter from Krause, O'Connor and Ling, the City's
consultants and actuaries on this matter who strongly recommended
that the City abstain from approving lump sum distributions from the
pension fund.
Council Member Turville stated that basically the City had three options
on this matter. (1) Yes, the City will allow this request and any other
employee the same option. (2) No, we will not do it, and (3) We could
ask Mr. Nagel to consider another option.
All Council Members agreed that Mr. Nagel had a good idea in taking the
money in a lump sum, but this was not the intent of the plan. Council
Members discussed that Clermont is a small city, and with the small
number of employees in the system, the impact of allowing all employees
to do this could be cause for future problems. It was also discussed that
the type of plan we have is totally funded by the City without employee
contributions, and that the first priority of the City is the soundness
of our entire pension plan.
Council Members commended Mr. Nagel for the work he did while with the
City, and directed the City Manager to tell Mr. Nagel that it was the
consensus of the Council not to allow this request.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
June 28, 1984
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UTILITY ORDINANCE AND RATES
The City Manager explained that the City would be required to submit
to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency a new rate ordinance
for sewer service. He explained that the rate ordinance would have
to be based, at least in part, on water consumption and that a draft
was now being prepared by the City Staff. The rate ordinance would
not have to go into effect until sometime in late 1986. Mr. Forbes
further stated that he would discuss this matter in greater detail
with the Council at a later date.
COMPLAINTS BY WILLIE MONTGOMERY
Mr. Montgomery's complaint on lack of police protection and nothing
being done about the burglaries which have occurred at his store
(Bill's Grocery) were discussed in great detail. It was explained
that the City had thoroughly investigated all three burglaries, and
also had suspects in each of the three cases. However, the City could
not obtain enough evidence for an arrest in these cases.
The City Manager stated that he had directed the Chief to insure that
his men were adequately patrolling the Lincoln Park area. The Chief
stated that this was being done. He also asked the Chief to check
Bill's Grocery each night by the police department. It was explained
that the department does not have the time to personally check every
store in town, but that every effort was being made to keep the
community safe.
Council Member Cole stated that he thought the police department did
a pretty good job in patrolling all areas of the City. When you only
have so many officers, you cannot cover every area at once. However,
the City should insure that all areas are being adequately patrolled.
He further stated that from his experience riding with officers and
being a Clermont police officer, he felt it was being done to the
best of the ability of the department.
The City Manager also explained that he had requested that Detective
Steve Moss find Mr. Montgomery and explain the status of his investi-
gations to him.
The complaints against Mr. Smythe were also discussed. A letter from
Mr. Smythe dated June 28, 1984 was read. Mr. Montgomery had complained
about Mr. Smythe's use of the City's bucket truck to trim trees in his
yard. It was explained that for many years, the City has allowed private
individuals who can operate the truck to rent it. Mr. Smythe had a copy
of his receipt for rental fees which proved he paid for use of the truck.
Mr. Forbes stated that approximately $350 worth of rental fees for use of
the bucket truck had been received by the City during the past year.
Mr. Smythe's letter explained that the complaint about shrubbery goes
back about three years. At that time, it was requested that trees and
shrubbery be removed from the parkway across the street from Mr. Mont-
gomery's DeSoto Street residence. He stated that a minimum amount of
trimming was performed at a later date, as permitted by the Parks
Department workload.
Much discussion ensued as to whether the City should rent the bucket
truck to private individuals. The major concern was the City's liability
if someone should get hurt while using the truck. The City Manager
stated that he would check with the City's insurance company and report
back to the Council.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKHSHOP MEETING
June 28, 1984
Page -3-
FUTURE WORKSHOPS
Council Members discussed the next three Budget Workshops, and the City
Manager explained that the entire proposed budget would be presented to
the Council at the next workshop.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
13. J3~
Charles B. Beals, Mayor
Attest: