Loading...
11-19-2007 Regular MeetingCity of Clermont MINUTES JOINT MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 2007 The Clermont City Council met in a joint meeting with the Lake County Board of County Commission on Monday, November 19, 2007 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Hal Turville called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Mullins, and Goodgame. Lake County Commissioners present: Commissioners Cadwell, Renick, Hill and Stewart. Other City officials present were: City Manager Saunders, Assistant City Manager Gray, and City Clerk Ackroyd. Other County officials present were: County Manager Hall, County Attorney Minkoff and Public Works Director Stivender. City Manager Saunders provided background information on the issues with the parks specifically noting the lack of fields needed to handle all of those participating in organized sports. The City of Clermont has 16 fields with only 25 percent of users living inside the city limits of Clermont. Lake County Public Works Director Stivender gave a timeline of the various steps the County has taken in the last five (5) years to implement a Parks Master Plan. However, due to budgeting issues, it has been difficult to purchase property. County Manager Hall reviewed current funding options available. She identified two (2) sources of funding. The Board of County Commissioners set aside $250,000 from the General Fund and MSTU. It was a replacement for the grant program they had in place from prior years. A program has not been discussed yet for those funds. There is also $1 million for capital purchases from a variety of funds to be set aside for land acquisition. City Manager Saunders stated the City has transferred one of the large fields into three (3) smaller fields. There are plans this year to rebuild West Park and to add another field. The recent tax reform caused the City to place a number of projects on hold. As a possible short term solution, City Manager Saunders suggested redistricting Little League. Rick Robertson, former President of Little League, replied there are no geographical restrictions on crossing county lines but requires someone from that area interested in the formation of a new league. A lady from the audience acknowledged she knew of someone who would be willing to donate land. Commissioner Cadwell requested she give her information to County Attorney Minkoff. Mayor Turville suggested the spray field property as an option. City Manager Saunders informed the County Commission about the property owned by the city. It is 120 acres with 81 acres above the flood plains. The property is currently used as a spray field and will be abandoning that use in approximately 18 months. It is located on Max Hooks Road between Clermont and Groveland. The property is in the County and is contiguous to the Groveland city limits. Lake County Public Works Director Stivender commented on it being a nice piece of property. City Manager Saunders explained his intentions of applying for grant funds to aid with projects. Commissioner Cadwell noted they could consider the $250,000 but has other municipalities requesting funds to consider. Commissioner Renick suggested addressing the problem by giving the City of Clermont a matching grant City of Clermont MINUTES JOINT MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 2007 Mark Graff, South Lake Soccer, requested $40,000 for lights as a short term solution for soccer. Through fundraising efforts, they have collected $20,000 for lights. Also, they applied for a grant with the Foundation and were awarded $10,000 however that grant has expired. John Moore, South Lake Hospital, requested assistance as the costs have increased and cannot charge the league the actual cost to maintain the field. Discussion ensued on whether money would be better spent to subsidize city programs or increase the capacity of programs in the unincorporated areas. Council Member Berlinsky arrived at 7:12pm. Heather Wooding, South Lake Soccer, requested lighting an additional field as a short term solution for soccer. City Manager Saunders agreed to move forward with additional fields at West Park. Commissioner Hill suggested dividing the funds to make it fair for the entire county. Commissioner Stewart stated the need is in south Lake County. A recommendation was made to work with the school board. When schools are built, have a partnership in place to work together on having lights at the fields. Commissioner Cadwell stated they would be willing to discuss that recommendation. The County will agenda the short term considerations soon and will review the long term solutions. ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm. APPROVED: ~ ~ aro S. Turville, Mayor ATTEST: ~, ~ `~<_ Tracy Ac oyd, City Clerk