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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.21.2025 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP January 21, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a workshop session on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 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, Strange, Petersen, and Myers Other City officials present were Interim City Manager Van Wagner, Interim City Attorney Waugh, and City Clerk Howe. AGENDA ITEMS Item No. 1— Wellness Way Municipal Service Taxing Unit Presentation Interim City Manager Van Wagner stated that he spoke with Lake County Commissioner Parks regarding four things in the Wellness Way Area; jobs, roadways, irrigation and the Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU). Lake County Commissioner Parks was in attendance with Lake County Manager, Jennifer Barker, Kathleen Dial, and Megan Brew. Megan Brew shared a presentation on Wellness Way that included the background, the vision and the mission of that area. Kathleen Dial reviewed the economic development strategies, including the guiding principles and next steps for the area. Lake County Commissioner Parks addressed concerns regarding employment. There are employment centers planned in the unincorporated Lake County portion. There is a website, wellnesswayfl.com, underway to communicate information in the area. A GIS map application is in development to show approved projects, and the district land uses to have better transparency with all stakeholders. Lake County Commissioner Parks spoke about the enhanced features in Wellness Way. Wellness Ridge and Ridgeview subdivisions were approved prior to the adoption of the current Wellness Way Plan which resulted in them not being in alignment with the current code. Alternate water supply strategies for non -potable water are being looked at for the area. The Municipal Service Taxing Unit for that area is designed to sustain "growth by paying for enhanced features such as streetlights, landscaping, trails, and way finding signage that can only be used in Wellness Way. Council Member Strange shared concerns of residents in the subdivisions that the funds from the Municipal Service Taxing Unit are being used for the construction of Schofield Road. Commissioner Parks confu reed funds are not being used for construction of roads. County Manager Barker explained that the County is just now collecting the Municipal Service Taxing Unit funds. She explained that there have been no funds collected to date so there has been no spending to date. As roads are constructed, landscaping and lighting follow and those have maintenance costs associated with the upkeep. The County projected out the necessary funding as development occurs. 1 City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP January 21, 2025 Council Member Strange inquired if there was flexibility for the current subdivisions to be excluded from the Municipal Service Taxing Unit since they were not built to the current Wellness Way standards. Lake County Commissioner Parks stated that the subdivisions are still in Wellness Way. Council Member Myers spoke about residents who state they were not aware of the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Commissioner Parks stated that there is a disclosure in every closing document. Discussion ensued on roundabouts, bike paths, walking paths and businesses in the area. Council Member Howard stated that the County implements the Municipal Service Taxing Unit, the City is a pass -through. He does not believe Wellness Way will benefit the City. The amount of residents in Wellness Way along with how much residential versus commercial will be in City limits were discussed. Mayor Murry opened public comments. Joe Fumasi, 2693 Jumping Jack Way — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Erin, Wellness Ridge — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit, was not informed in closing documents. Loan officer — spoke about Municipal Service Taxing Unit notification and closing documents. Pam — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Jeff Witte, 7646 Ragusa Way— spoke about Ridgeview being in Wellness Way. Resident, Ridgeview — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Resident, Wellness Ridge - expressed concerns with golf carts, lights on Schofield, and schools. Vincent Niemiec, Regency Hills — spoke about traffic on Hartwood Marsh and the types of employment that will come in to the area. Felix Mateo, Wellness Ridge — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Javier Matus, Ridgeview — expressed concern with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Mayor Murry closed the public comments. Lake County Commissioner Parks remarked on some of the comments made by the public. Lennar shared a copy of the notification with him, he was not doubting that anyone was not notified. There were public hearings along the way and having a Municipal Service Taxing Unit was planned over the last ten years. Mayor Murry thanked the County and residents for coming out. He stated he is not happy with the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. Mayor Murry noted that Sunshine provides the water at Ridgeview; not the City of Clermont. Lake County Commissioner Parks stated that they presented Interim City Manager Van Wagner with a compromise on the Municipal Service Taxing Unit. City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP January 21, 2025 County Manager Barker explained that when the original millage rate was adopted the Commission was presented with three options and chose the one in place. She reviewed the options that were originally presented and stated there is a revised ordinance going before the Lake County Commission to clarify language. Lake County is willing to work with the City on the language and ideas. Discussion ensued on postponing the Municipal Service Taxing Unit until there are more neighborhoods in Wellness Way. County Manager Barker stated that 55 percent of Wellness Way is vacant land; she is willing to take all ideas to the County Commission for consideration and evaluation. Council discussed the different options and came to the consensus of waiting to see what Lake County Commissioners decide on and then coming back together at a workshop to review. Mayor Murry recessed the workshop at 8:49pm. Mayor Murry reconvened the workshop at 8:55pm. Item No. 2 — Wellness Way De -annexation Discussion Council Member Howard stated that he requested this item. He was looking for consensus from the Council to look into the data and seeing if deaanexation is something the City should pursue. Mayor Murry informed Council that he is not in support of de -annexing. Council Member Strange stated that she is for exploring the conversation. Consensus was to have staff collect data from the Wellness Way area. Item No. 3 — Resolution No. 2024-040R, Rules of Conduct Council discussed the language in the resolution and the consensus was to update the resolution with the following amendments. • Change the Council Meeting times to be held earlier, with one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Proposed 3:00 pm on the second Tuesday of the month and 5:30pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month. • Publish the agenda to the Council on the Wednesday and the public on the Thursday before any regular meeting. • Updated language regarding Council members placing items on an agenda from "may place an item" to "will have an item placed." • Add language to state that the City Manager may delay an agenda item "by no more than one council meeting" to provide for appropriate staff review. • Update workshops to be held on the first and third Tuesdays as needed. • Update language under Conduct with City staff to mimic language in the City Charter. Mayor Murry opened public comments. Joe Fumasi, 2693 Jumping Jack Way — spoke in opposition to de -annexation. Mayor Murry closed public comments. Council Member Myers asked for a workshop to review the Roberts Rules of Order to tone down discussion and limit the length of meetings. 3 City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP January 21, 2025 Interim City Attorney Waugh stated that there are Sunshine Law implications when a meeting lasts until 2:00 am. Reviewed some of Roberts Rules and stated he is available to discuss. Council discussed having a cut off time for meetings and being mindful of how long each Council Member is speaking. Item No. 4 — 2025 Meeting Calendar Council Member Howard stated that he is in support of the calendar as presented. Council Member Strange made mention of the possibility of the workshops on the first Tuesdays of the month. Discussion was had on what time a workshop would have to be since the first Tuesday is Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30 pm. Mayor Murry inquired about rescheduling the November 11 meeting to November 18 and when the Election was. City Clerk Howe stated that the Election would be November 4 and the swearing in of Council Members would be possible on November 18. Item No. 5 — Other Mayor Murry directed Interim City Manager Van Wagner to have IT Director Fountain prepare a presentation for Council regarding doing audio and video recording of the Council Meetings. ADJOURN: With no further comments, this workshop adjourned at 9:35pm. APPROVED: jj IT Murry, yor ATTES Tracy Ackro Howe, MMC Y City Clerk f` y..y, .. <a�R. / + , 4