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10.29.2024 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP October 29, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a workshop session on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in the Clermont City Council Chambers. Mayor Murry called the workshop to order at 2:00 pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Howard, Pines, Myers and Gonzalez. Other City officials present were City Manager Bulthuis, City Attorney Mantzaris, and City Clerk Howe. Mayor Murry announced that Captain McMaster received the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Valor Award at Lake Sumter State College. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Legislative Priorities City Manager Bulthuis stated that each year the city has a list of legislative priorities where we ask our legislators for funding for projects. Staff is asking for the same projects the city requested funding for last year. Three of the projects are the alternative water supply study, Northern Clermont alternative water and the Waste Water Plant expansion phase two. Public Services Director Brunson provided details on the projects and funding requests from the legislative priorities list. He also spoke about East Avenue reconstruction; the city would love to get this through legislature instead of spending General Fund dollars or having to secure a loan. City Manager Bulthuis explained there was a complete streets study done eight years ago that included landscaping and beautification. If Council chose to reconstruct East Avenue as a basic project, the estimated cost of $6 million to $7 million. City staff would like to obtain funding towards the reconstruction. Discussion ensued on funding sources for East Avenue and that Bloxam Avenue will need to be addressed as well. Funding for infrastructure needs to be a priority for legislature. City Manager Bulthuis spoke about the Meet Us in the Middle project, which is part of the coast - to -coast trail. Looking for additional funding, Council will need to decide what to do with the pier. Most of these projects have made it through the legislature and been cut at the Governor's office in previous years. Police Chief Broadway and Fire Chief Ezell spoke about the South Lake Regional Public Safety Training Center. The space would accommodate officers and firefighters to train in south Lake County instead of traveling, which is causing overtime and travel costs for the Police Department as well as having to take units out of service for the Fire Department. There is interest from other agencies in south Lake County. City Manager Bulthuis clarified that this would be done in phases and staff is asking for a shooting range for the Police Department. City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP October 29, 2024 Mayor Murry stated that he is in support of the current list of priorities and is open to adding to the list. Council Member Howard stated that he supports the training center but feels it needs to be at the Arts and Recreation Center. He spoke to the lobbyists regarding modifications to the Live Local Act; aimed at economic work areas and have a boundary within so many miles of an employment center. A priority for him is the storm water recapture for Wellness Way and Lake County would be willing to join the city on that project. The last two projects would be a downtown parking garage and a gunsmith program at Lake Technical College as a job opportunity to push forward and for business relocation to the area. Discussion ensued on the Live Local Act along with the feasibility of creating a boundary around an employment center. City Manager Bulthuis explained that The Florida League of Cities legislative committees have stated that they are not focusing on the Live Local Act this year. He encouraged any ideas on language for the Live Local Act be brought to him and City Attorney Mantzaris to submit to the Florida League of Cities. City of Clermont Lobbyist, Angie Langley provided some guidance on putting together legislative priorities. The legislature is aware and open to changes on the Live Local Act. She is happy to push forward any priorities that Council chooses but feels tying items to economic development increases the chance of approval. Having a joint item with another entity also strengthens the approval odds. Items that have matching grants or funds are stronger and well received. Ms. Langley stated that legislative priorities should be cohesive and precise, keep the list to under six items. Discussion ensued on which items Council feels need to be on the list and which items could be removed. Ms. Langley advised Council her office could provide feedback on the list of legislative priorities. Council's consensus was to provide the following items to the lobbyist who will provide feedback on five to six items to move forward. • City of Clermont Alternative Water Supply Study • Waste Water Plant Expansion Phase Two • Meet Us in the Middle Plaza and 8t' Street Docks • South Lake Regional Public Safety Training Center • Stormwater Recapture in Wellness Way • Gunsmith program at Lake Technical College City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP October 29, 2024 2.Other City Manager Bulthuis provided Council with the site plans and elevation for the First Baptist Church, which will be on the next agenda. He clarified they are not to speak about the item but wanted to provide this information in the event they were asked questions from citizens. City Manager Bulthuis stated that the city received an offer to purchase a piece of property the city owns. There is a small piece of property on Lake Avenue that the city acquired in 2012 and demolished the building on the property. There was an appraisal done and the offer is less than appraised. City Attorney Mantzaris stated that Council needs to consider and should stay with the appraised value of a property when selling. City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP October 29, 2024 ADJOURN: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 3:07 pm. APPROVED: Tim Murry, May r '��j Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC City Clerk