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12-27-1979 Regular Meeting e , ~ e CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, December 27, 1979. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.~l. by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr., with the following members present: Councilmen Cole, Meginley, Byrd, and Schroedel. Other officials present were: City Manager Forbes, City Attorney Baird, and Finance Director Saunders. The Invocation was offered by Councilman Byrd, followed by repeating of the Pledge of Allegiance in unison by those present. The Minutes of the Regular Meeting held December 11, 1979, and Special Meetings held December 17, 1979 and December 19, 1979 were approved as written. RAILROAD DEPOT City Manager Forbes advised that he had been contacted by the Seaboard Coastline Railroad on the Old Depot on West Avenue. The Railroad is interested in selling the building if the City will remove it from the Railroad property. It was the consensus of the City Council that the City Manager should investigate the cost of moving and renovating this building, locations that it could be placed, dimensions, and report back to the City Council. OLD CITY HALL Councilman Meginley advised that he has been in contact with officials of the South Lake Memorial Hospital. They are demolishing the old City Hall building and have agreed to save the City Hall Plaque and store it for the City. BLOXAM AVENUE Councilman Meginley advised the Council of a December 20, 1979 article in the SOUTH LAKE PRESS regarding the possible closing of Bloxam Avenue in the City of Minneola, between Silverton and Highway 27. He stated that the City's Compre- hensive Plan included Bloxam Avenue as a major north-south street that should be extended through the City of Clermont and Minneola. It was the consensus of the Council that Councilman Meginley should inform the City of Minneola of the Clermont Comprehensive Plan, and represent the City at the Minneola Workshop Meeting on this matter. LIBRARY Councilman Byrd discussed the proposal the Council members had received from the Library Board regarding the purchase of the old Exchange Bank Building on Montrose Street for a new Library. All members present agreed that a workshop meeting would be held with the Library Board at 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 7, 1980 in the City Council Chambers, if the time and date were agreeable to the Library Board. CHRISTMAS PARADE Mayor Smoak expressed the outstanding job Bill and Michelle Delaney performed in organizing the Christmas Parade. Motion was made by Councilman Meginley, seconded by Councilman Byrd and unanimously carried that the Delaney's be sent a letter of commendation to thank them for their efforts in organizing the Christmas Parade. WASTEWATER REPORT Mayor Smoak recognized Bud Sampson, from the City's Engineering Firm of Springstead and Associates, Inc. Mr. Sampson passed out copies of the City's Wastewater Compliance Schedule with the Department of Environmental Regulation. He explained that in January, 1980, the City was required to select one of three alternatives for the disposal of the City's treated effluent as follows: e . ~ e CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES 1. Landspreading: Mr. Sampson advised that landspreading was a costly alternative for Clermont since the only land available is producing citrus groves. Based on a land cost of $9,000 per acre, he estimated that it would cost the City approximately $ 2,131,464 to treat 1.2 million gallons of effluent a day, and $1, 397,964 to treat 600,000 gallons per day. Councilman Meginley asked if vacant property in the City could be utilized for effluent disposal. He also inquired if this idea was feasible if the City were starting from the ground up as with Disney's EPCOT Center. Mr. Sampson advised that this was an idea he had thoroughly researched. He stated that the problem was that even if we had the distribution system in place, you always have to dispose of 600,000 gallons per day. During the wet seasons, the ground becomes so saturated that the treated effluent would just run-off on the streets. He further advised that there was an additional problem in possible virus diseases that some agencies believe could be associated with effluent, and that it could become a health hazard. Mayor Smoak explained that the City did pursue this option in 1975, and the regulatory agencies would not approve of it unless the disposal sites were fenced and at least 150 ft. away from human habitation. 2. Advanced Waste Treatment (AWT): Mr. Sampson explained that AWT plants are expensive to design, construct and operate. They consume more energy and require the use of more chemicals than any other alter- native. It would cost approximately $2,500,000 to treat 600,000 gallons per day of the City's effluent. He also explained that AWT plants allover the nation are having operational problems. 3. Wetland Disposal: Mr. Sampson advised that he had reviewed five basic concepts for the wetlands disposal of treated effluent, based on Dr. Zoltek's report. Concept IV was chosen as a plan which adhered to the parameters of the Zoltek report, was most cost effective, and required the least energy to operate. Concept IV is a confined area of 103 acres of marsh lying along the South side of Highway 50. The effluent would be applied to the marsh through gravity distributors supplied from a force main from the Sewage Treatment Plant. Energy Costs: The costs of each alternative was explained as follows: AWT $89.90 per day; Landspreading $29.00 per day; Wetland Spreading $3.10 per day. After much discussion, it was moved by Councilman Cole, seconded by Councilman Byrd and unanimously carried that the City pursue permitting for the Wetland Disposal of the City's treated effluent, as presented in Concept IV by Spring- stead and Associates. MARSHLAND STUDY City Manager Forbes advised that the University of Florida would pursue funding for a study entitled "THE FATE OF PHOSPHORUS IN SECONDARILY TREATED WASTEWATER APPLIED TO A FRESHWATER MARSH". This study would be used to research what happens to phosphorus if the City's marshland disposal alternative is constructed. It would be funded entirely by the University of Florida and Federal Funding, if approved by the proper federal agencies. He stated that he would send a letter to the University of Florida advising them that the City was pursuing the permitting necessary for the marshland disposal of treated effluent. SLUDGE BID (Amended on 1~8~80) Mayor Smoak removed himself from the Chair and discussion on the Sludge Bids since he had submitted a bid. Councilman Byrd assumed the Chair. City Manager Forbes advised that the bids were advertised and copies sent to area citrus growers. He stated that one bid had been received from Claude Smoak C1TY OF CLERMONT MINUTES Citrus Company in the amount of $856. 70. This bid includes all of the sludge produced at the Waste Treatment Plant from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1980. City Manager Forbes recommended that this bid be accepted. Motion was made by Councilman Cole, seconded by Councilman Schroedel and unanimously carried that the bid of $856. 70 be awarded to Claude Smoak Citrus Company. RESOLUTION NO. 345 HONORING GEORGE J. SCHROEDEL Mayor Smoak resumed the Chair. Mayor Smoak read Resolution No. 345, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, HONORING AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO GEORGE J. SCHROEDEL FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT. Motion was made by Councilman Meginley, seconded by Councilman Byrd and unanimously carried that the Resolution be approved. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING The City Council adjourned to administer the Oath of Office to Councilmen-Elect Thomas, Meginley, and Cole. City Manager Forbes administered the Oath to the Councilmen-Elect, who repeated the following Oath in unison: "I, (H. James Meginley, Dennis K. Thomas, Lester Cole) do solemnly swear that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Florida: That I am qualified to fill the Office of the City of Clermont to which I have been elected, and That I will perform the duties of that office to the best of my ability and understanding." ORDINANCE NO. 202-C - CLOSING A PORTION OF LAKE SHORE DRIVE The City Council meeting resumed to consider the final reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 202-C. City Manager Forbes read the Ordinance by title only. Mayor Smoak requested if any person present wished to make a comment in favor of or against this proposed ordinance. No person rose to speak at this time. City Manager Forbes read a letter dated August 7, 1979 from Mrs. Cathrine Rath- wick of 160 E. Lake Shore Drive, stating her opposition to this Ordinance. City Attorney Baird gave a presentation which included a history of the problems, maps of the right-of-way, and utility locations on Lake Shore Drive. He explained that the purpose of this ordinance was to firmly establish the City right-of-way and obtain utility easements. The City cannot sell City right-of- way, which is held in trust by the City for the public. The law states that if the right-of-way is closed, one-half of the property goes to the property owners on each side of the street. The City also cannot use the street right- of-way for recreational purposes, but only as a street. City Attorney Baird offered an amendment to Ordinance 202-C. He explained that in consultation with the City Manager, it would be better if the City established 60' of right-of-way from the south end of the property lines, instead of describing the right-of-way from the existing street. The street width can change, whereas the south property lines should remain unchanged. This would amend Section I of Ordinance 202-C as follows: That portion of Lakeshore Drive, according to the Plat of Clermont Heights, recorded in Plat Book 4, page 1, Public Records of Lake County, Florida, as hereinafter described, is hereby closed and permanently abandoned. PARCEL NO. 1: Bounded on the West by the East right-of-way line of Fourth Street; bounded on the East by the West right-of-way line of Second Street; bounded on the South by the shores of Lake Minnehaha; bounded on the North by a line running 60 feet South of and parallel with the e . . e CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES South line of said Clermont Heights. Less and except the extension of Third Street to Lake Minnehaha. Less and except easements retained by the City of Clermont for the construction and maintenance of utilities. PARCEL NO.2: Bounded on the West by the East right-of-way line of Drew Avenue; bounded on the East by the West right-of-way line of Disston Avenue; bounded on the South by the shores of Lake Minnehaha; bounded on the North by a line running 60 feet South of and parallel with the South line of the said Clermont Heights. Less and except the extensions of Bowman Street and Anderson Street to Lake Minnehaha. Less and except easements retained by the City of Clermont for the con- struction and maintenance of utilities. City Attorney Baird further explained that Ordinance 202-C only effected the pro- perty lying between Second and Fourth Streets, and Drew and Disston Avenues. The Ordinance does not effect the property from Knapp Street to Drew Avenue, since these property owners assert a claim to the south of their property. The effected property owners will be giving the City easements as necessary from 8 feet to 18 feet, to enable the City to maintain utilities on these properties. City Attorney Baird advised that the City is establishing the City right-of-way and relinquishing any interest in the property lying south of the City right-of- way on Lake Shore Drive, as established by this Ordinance. Mr. Baird also stated that he had a potential conflict of interest in this case, since his law partner has been involved with some of these properties, and because he now owns a part of the property involved. Motion was made by Councilman Byrd, seconded by Councilman Cole and unanimously carried that the amendment proposed by the City Attorney to Ordinance 202-C be adopteJ. Motion was then made by Councilman Byrd, seconded by Councilman Cole and unanimously carried that Ordinance No. 202-C be adopted. QUIT CLAIM DEED City Attorney Baird advised that it would be helpful if the City would issue Quit Claim Deeds to the property south of the City right-of-way that is being closed by Ordinance No. 202-C. He stated that this would greatly assist in clarifying title searches, and the Public Records, although street closings are supposed to be automatically picked up by the County. He stated that the recording costs of the Quit Claim Deeds would be paid by the effected property owners. Motion was made by Councilman Meginley, seconded by Councilman Cole and unanimously carried that Quit Claim Deeds be issued for the property closed by Ordinance 202-C as amended. CITY ATTORNEY SALARY Mayor Smoak stated that he believed the City Attorney was doing an outstanding job, and requested that his salary be reviewed and placed on the agenda for the January 8, 1980 Organizational Meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. h .~_,.J GEORGE D. FORBES -/) i) E/ ;/ .<-, I (~~/t:~ - City Manager CiAQ~~yor