09.17.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
September 17, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a workshop session on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in the Clermont City
Council Chambers. Mayor Murry called the workshop to order at 6:30 pm with the following
Council Members present: Council Members Howard, Pines, Myers and Gonzalez.
Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis and City Clerk Howe.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Minneola Avenue On -Street Parking Discussion
City Manager Bulthuis spoke about the parking study presented at the July 25, 2024 workshop.
There are 1,031 total parking spaces within the study area. Of the 1,031 spaces, 578 are in parking
lots, 370 are city owned, 208 leased and 453 are on -street parking.
City staff proposed an additional 45 spaces on the City owned property at West Avenue and Desoto
Street. The estimated cost of adding the parking spaces is $750,000.00, which would come from
Community Redevelopment Agency funds.
At the July 25 workshop, there was a suggestion to look at on -street parking on Minneola Avenue.
The consensus was to notify the residents and schedule a workshop to discuss.
Along Minneola are a possibility of 108 on -street parking spaces. The proposal to complete an
engineering study would be a cost of $187,912.50. The estimated cost of the complete project
would be $2,000,000.00.
It is at the discretion of the Council whether this project moves forward. Staff is not in favor of the
on -street parking and feels a better option would be a parking lot downtown.
Mayor Murry noted this workshop is for information gathering. Discussion will determine whether
this moves forward. He is not in support of the project and does not feel there is a need to spend
money on engineering.
Council Member Pines stated that she is opposed to the project. Minneola Avenue has historical
homes and she does not feel this would be the correct way to add more parking in the city.
Council Member Gonzalez said he is against the project. The cost of the project is too high.
Council Member Myers expressed her desire to hear from the residents whom this will directly
affect.
Council Member Howard explained that when the idea was spoke about at the July 25 workshop,
it was to gather costs. The 45 spaces on the city owned property would cost $20,000.00 per space
and he was looking for other ideas for parking. He would like Council to have a conversation
regarding future parking needs. A parking garage would benefit the city.
Mayor Murry opened the floor to comments.
Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto Street — spoke in opposition of the parking.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
September 17, 2024
Kevin McKenna, 562 W. Minneola — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Daryl Lichti, 645 W. Minneola Avenue - spoke in opposition of the parking.
Zachary Nasser, 612 W. Minneola - spoke in opposition of the parking.
Crystal Moore, 561 W. Minneola — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Steve Lightcap, 696 W. Minneola — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Greg Burden, 592 W. Minneola Avenue — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Jack Kruse, 538 Lake Avenue — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Marlene Florian, 430 W. Minneola Avenue - spoke in opposition of the parking.
Leticia Thompson, 576 W. Minneola — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Joy Black, 445 W. Minneola — spoke in opposition of the parking.
Jayson Stringfellow — spoke in opposition of the parking. Provided a rendering of a parking garage
at the city owned property at 7t' Street and Minneola Avenue. Stated that the garage would have
414 spaces with an estimated cost of $12,000.000.00.
Council Member Howard inquired about the commercial uses adjacent to the property that Mr.
Stringfellow owns.
Mr. Stringfellow stated that he would be agreeable to the parking garage at that location.
Council Member Pines stated that this property was looked at previously when Council spoke
about a parking garage.
Jenny May — Greystone Drive — spoke in opposition of the parking. Requested Council build a
parking garage
Mayor Murry closed public comments.
Mayor Murry read a petition from residents on Minneola Avenue that are opposed to the on -street
parking.
City Clerk Howe read three resident emails into the record.
Mayor Murry expressed his agreement with the public comments. He suggested Council continue
to look for additional ways to add parking to the downtown area.
Council Member Myers thanked all of the residents that spoke and sent emails. She stated she is
against this proposal.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that he understood the consensus from Council was not to move
forward with the parking study.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
September 17, 2024
Discussion ensued on the need for additional parking in the downtown area in the event the leased
parking spots go away. Council explored the suggestions of a parking garage and shuttles from the
outer parking lots.
City Manager Bulthuis stated that staff could get a proposal for a parking garage at 7 h Street and
Minneola Avenue. This item can be discussed at the next Community Redevelopment Agency
meeting to authorize the study and cost verification be done.
2.Other
City Manager Bulthuis informed Council that there is property outside of the Interlocal Service
Boundary Agreement area, but within the Joint Planning Agreement area that would like to annex
into the City.
City Attorney Mantzaris explained that this conversation is for awareness and Council will not be
discussing, as this will come before Council at some point.
Development Services Director Henschel stated that this is a 450-acre property on the west side of
County Road 561, south of the city limits. The property is in the rural area and within the Lake
County Green Swamp.
The applicant stated the property is contiguous to city limits from a piece of the property that
borders Lake Minnehaha and city limits borders the other side of the Lake.
City Manager Bulthuis said that staff anticipates this item coming before Council in October for
an annexation.
Also, Mayor Murry asked staff to contact the State regarding mowing the grass on the medians on
State Road 50 and U.S. Highway 27.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
September 17, 2024
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 8:01pm.
ATTEST:—w -
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC
City Clerk
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APPROVED:
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Tim Murry, Ma or\ 1