07-18-1985 Workshop Meeting
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
July 18, 1985
A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was
held Thursday, July 18, 1985 in the City Hall Conference Room. The
meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Pool with the
following Council Members in attendance: Council Member Turville,
Council Member Henry, Council Member Cole and Council Member Huff.
Also in attendance were Cuqui Whitehead, Ed Augustine and Kathy
Asmann representing the YMCA and City Manager Saunders.
INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Cuqui Whitehead.
YMCA REQUEST
The first item of discussion was the YMCA's request for assistance
from the City with establishing a swimming pool in Clermont. It was
explained that the site in mind for the pool was the Highlander Hut
area. They would use the existing building plus construct a similar
building with the pool located in between. They stated that they did
want the City to donate the property to them, but the idea was to
lease the property. In case the YMCA disbanded, the pool would then
become the property of the City of Clermont.
Council Member Huff
of school property.
School Board Member
not very optimistic
asked if they had looked into the possible use
Mr. Augustine stated that they had talked to
Charles Beals about the possibility, but he was
about it.
City Manager Saunders explained the problems with the Highlander Hut
property. One problem is a deed restriction on the property which
states that it must be used only as a City park and that the scouts
have priority use of the building. Both the building and the land
were donated to the City with these stipulations.
Kathy Asmann explained the operational plan for the pool. The YMCA
plans to have free swim times for all City residents and times for
Senior Citizens. The YMCA will pay all operating and maintenance
costs for the pool at no cost to the City.
Council Member Turville asked if they had considered the property
behind the old library building which they are using now. They
stated that they had investigated this property, but the owner was
asking an amount well over the appraisal price of the property.
It was stated that about two acres was needed for the pool and
parking areas. An eight acre site, if available, would be the
best choice because it would offer room for expansion.
City Manager Saunders stated that if the City acquires the rail-
road property, there could be alternate sites opposite Jaycee
Beach where a pool could be built. He then asked if the YMCA
had considered enclosing the pool so it could be used on a year
round basis. It was stated that this could be done at a later
time, but presently they only planned to screen the pool. It
will be built with contributions, and several fund raisers are
planned to raise the $250,000 needed to construct the pool.
The Council seemed receptive to the idea of working with the YMCA
and instructed City Manager Saunders to contact City Attorney Baird
to look into the legal problems of leasing the Highlander Hut prop-
erty and report back to Council.
BUDGET WORKSHOP
During the previous meeting it was asked that additional information
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
July 18, 1985
Page -2-
be brought back for a truck requested by the Water Department.
City Manager Saunders reported that he had received a letter
of justification from the Utility Director which stated that
the vehicle was used by two and sometimes three people at a
time and that many tools, supplies and meters are carried in
the back of the truck. Therefore, the truck needs to be a
standard size vehicle, not an economy model. City Manager
Saunders stated that there were no definite reasons as to
why the truck with only 60,000 miles was in such bad shape.
Continuing, he stated that he had talked with Utility Director
Davis about setting up a preventative maintenance schedule with
the Public Works Department for all City vehicles in order to
avoid future problems of this type. It was the consensus of
Council to leave the request in the budget at this time.
COOPER MEMORIAL LIBRARY REQUEST
It was reported that a request had been received from Cooper
Memorial Library for the next budget year. It was pointed out
that in the preliminary budget $40,000 was included as a contri-
bution to the library. The previous year's contribution was
$38,000, plus the mortgage payment of approximately $9,500. The
library is now requesting a contribution of $42,500, plus the
$9,500 mortgage payment which is in excess of a 7% increase.
Council Member Turville pointed out that the library had established
its expenditures for the new budget year and was looking to the City
to make up the difference between the expected revenues and projected
expenditures. City Manager Saunders stated that he had some problems
with the projected revenues as shown on the budget study. Before any
decisions on the request will be made, City Manager Saunders was asked
to request that a representative from the library be present at the
next budget workshop.
BUDGET ISSUES
The Council then turned to the Budget Issues section of the proposed
budget and City Manager Saunders reviewed each item. He pointed out
the City's Pay Plan on Page 8 and explained the merit and longevity
systems, as outlined at the bottom of Table III. Items 2 and 3 (a),
as well as the request for a backhoe were previously discussed. It
was explained that the $20,000 transfer to the Capital Replacement
Fund was necessary because the City does not fund depreciation, and
we are placing funds in this restricted fund for future capital out-
lay needs. The $20,000 is included in the proposed budget.
The next item discussed was the funding level of the proposed street
projects. Lakeshore Drive from Fourth Street toward the Lake Winona
Bridge was one of the main areas needing improvement. City Manager
Saunders stated that he had placed $137,000 in the current proposed
budget, approximately $82,000 will be needed for the Lake Winona
Bridge repair, leaving $55,000 for a street project. He also stated
that the City would have $60,000 to $65,000 which could be carried
over from the current year and would give the City in excess of
$100,000 for a street repair project for the upcoming year. It
was the consensus of Council to look at the Lakeshore Drive area
and establish some estimates on how much could be done with the
amount budgeted. City Manager Saunders also stated that the City
should go ahead with the budgeted amount and after getting into
the budget year, determine how much of the project could be done.
If other funds become available, budget amendments could be made
in order to fund a larger project.
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
July 18, 1985
Page -3-
City Manager Saunders stated that he was staying in contact with
The Trust for Public Land which is trying to purchase the Seaboard
System Railroad right-of-way. The City has been informed that the
portion within the City Limits could be transferred to the City at
cost, should they be able to make a deal with the railroad.
Additional personnel requests by the Public Works, Police and Utility
Departments were previously discussed.
Item 8, the Ad Valorem Tax Rate, is scheduled for discussion during
the July 23, 1985 Council Meeting.
Item 9, Parks and Recreation Projects, was discussed but no specific
project~ were outlined at this time.
Another Workshop was set for Wednesday, July 24, 1985. There being
no further discussions, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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Robert A. Pool, Mayor
Attest:
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Juli M. Brandt, Deputy City Clerk