12-09-1969 Regular Meeting
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REGULAR MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was
held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 9, 1969. The
meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. by Mayor Smith with the
following Councilmen present: Messrs. VanderMeer, Bratton and
Cochran. Other City Officials present were: City Manager Johnson,
City Controller Fleming, City Attorney Langley and Chief of Police
Tyndal. Others present were: The Messrs. Henry Czech, E. L. Schumann,
J. McDonald, Charles Beals, and Mr. and Mrs. George Smith. Representa-
tives of the Press were also present. The meeting was recorded by
Mrs. Mildred Dollar.
The Invocation was given by City Attorney Langley.
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 25th, and the Special
Meetings held December 1st and 5th, were approved as written.
Mayor Smith announced that the Council would now sit as a Board of
Adjustment to consider the petition of Mr. George Smith that in
order to construct a residence on Lots 261 and 262, Indian Hills (Zoned
R-1A Residential) and eliminate the necessity of removing two large
oak shade trees, a variance be granted to reduce the front yard set
back from thirty five feet to~enty six feet, which is an exception
to the requi:rements. Moti on was made by Counci lman Cochran, seconded
by Councilman VanderMeer, and carried, that the variance be granted.
Mr. Charles Beals, Clermont's representative to the Lake Apopka
Natural Gas District gave a presentation on the Gas District's
financial condition and continued growth. He extended an invitation
to City Officials to visit the Gas District's office at any time
to become acquainted with the personnel and operations. The Mayor
thanked Mr. Beals for his presentation and complimented the Gas
District on the fine job they are doing.
Mr. Oswalt arrived at the meeting at this time.
In behalf of Chief Police Tyndal and the Police Department, the City
Manager extended an invitation to all City Officials to attend
a Christmas Dinner on Monday evening, December 15th, at 8:00 P. M.
at the Police Station.
City Manager Johnson submitted his report both orally and written,
pointing out that he wished it to be a matter of record that he
recommends that the traffic signal at Montrose and Seventh Streets
be fully activated and that it remain that way. The Mayor stated
that, whether or not the Council takes action on the City Manager's
recommendation, he also wished it to be made a matter of record that
he concurs with the Manager's recommendation that this traffic signal
be activated permanently. Considerable discussion followed concerning
the operation of the traffic signal, but no action was taken by
the Council on the recommendations.
City Controller Fleming reported that tax collections were being
invested in U. S. Government bills at an approximate interest rate of
7.9% and that as time deposits with First Federal banks mature,
he was also investing these IlDnies:. in treasury bills; that the new
utility billing machine is now in operation for water and sanitation
billings and will ultimately be used for all billings and collections.
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City Attorney Langley reported that he had, with Mayor Smith and
Councilman Bratton, attended the Hearing on December 5th, on the
injunction against the city by Mr. Gus Reis, and that he is now
awaiting a temporary order from the Judge to determine whether or not
the case will go to a final hearing.
Upon inquiry of Councilman VanderMeer as to whether or not the operation
of the air conditioning system in the Jenkins Auditorium had been
checked, the Manager advised that he has been in touch with Hanks
Electric Company, but as yet had no report from them.
Councilman Cochran stated that some comments had come up on the
downtown tot lot, and that he is of the opinion that if this project
is properly pursued that the area can be an asset to the city,
and that if at any time should the city chose to discontinue this
tot lot that he would be willing to take the playground equipment
from the city at whatever costs the city has invested in the equipment.
Councilman Bratton inquired what the next move was for the Council
on the Dog Control Law passed at the December 2nd election. The
Mayor advised that he felt a work session was in order, to be held
after the holidays, to decide the specific regulations of this law.
A RESOLUTION pertaining to a Federal Grant for construction of an
addition to and remodeling the present Cooper Memorial Library structure
was presented and read in full by the City Attorney. Motion was
made by Councilman Oswalt, seconded by Councilman Cochran that the
RESOLUTION be adopted. Upon roll call vote on the adoption of the
RESOLUTION the result was as follows: Ayes: Bratton, Cochran, Oswalt
and VanderMeer. Total Ayes: Four. Nayes: None. The RESOLUTION
was adopted and Number 156 assigned to it.
A RESOLUTION EQUALIZAING THE ASSESSMENTS, LEVYING THE SAME AS ASSESSMENTS
AGAINST THE RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD
ASSESSMENTS IN THE IMPROVEMENT LIEN BOOK, AND ESTABLISHING PRIORITY
OF LIEN AND PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST was presented and read
in full by the City Attorney. Motion was made by Councilman Oswalt,
seconded by Councilman Cochran that the RESOLUTION be adopted. Upon
roll call vote on the adoption of the RESOLUTION the result was as
follows: Ayes: VanderMeer, Cochran, Oswalt and Bratton. Total Ayes:
Four. Nayes: None. The RESOLUTION was adopted and Number 157 assigned
to it.
Councilman Oswalt introduced AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION
AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SEWER SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF CLERMONT,
FLORIDA: PROVIDING FOR THEIISSURANCE OF NOT EXOEEDING $1,400,000
WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS OF SUCH CITY TO PAY THE COST OF SUCH
PROJECT: PROVIDING FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDERS OF SUCH BONDS: PROVIDING
FOR PAYMENT THEREOF: AND MAKING CERTAIN OTHER COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS, and the Ordinance was
read in full for a First Reading.
The Clerk read a communication from the Clermont High School Art
Council wherein they requested permission to hold a Christmas Dance
at the Jenkins Auditorium on the evening of December 20, 1969, that
clean-up and set-up committees and chaperones would be provided.
Motion was made by Councilman VanderMeer, seconded by Councilman
Oswalt and carried that the request be granted subject to the
regulations and deposit required for use of the auditorium.
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Motion was made by Councilman Oswalt, seconded by Councilman Cochran,
and carried, that the bills be paid.
Motion was made by Councilman VanderMeer, seconded by Councilman
Bratton, and carried, that the necessary transfer of funds from
the Contingency Fund be authorized for the purchase of radar equipment
fro the Police Department. It was suggested by Councilman VanderMeer
that consideration be given to posting signs at the city limits
advising that speed within the city is radar controlled.
Councilman Cochran mentioned various intersections throughout the
City which presented hazards due to obstruction from shrubbery
and asked that consideration be given to the elimination of these
conditions. The City Manager advised that many similar hazards
had already been eliminated with the cooperation of property owners.
Councilman VanderMeer inquired the status of the possibility of
purchasing a parcel of 5 acres in the Lincoln Park area for a park
area. The Manager advised that the owner has advised that the property
was not on the market for sale, but that he would consider an
offer from the city.
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smith.
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DON E. SMITH, MAYOR
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MIL6RED DOLLAR, RECORDING CLERK