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02-12-1974 Regular Meeting . e e . M I NUT E S NO 1009 REGULAR MEETING A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, February 12, 1974. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr. with the following members present: Councilmen Oswalt, Schroede1, Byrd and Waller. Other officials present were: City Controller Fleming, City Clerk Carroll, City Attorney Vason, City Manager Hopkins, Director of Community Services & Utilities Smythe, and Chief of Police Tyndal. Representatives of the Daily Commercial, the Sentinel/Star and the local Press were also present. The Invocation was given by Councilman Byrd, followed by repeating of the Pledge of Allegiance in unison by those present. The Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 22, 1974 and of the Special Meetings held January 24th and January 29, 1974 were approved as written. Mayor Smoak announced the first order of business to be a continuation of the Public Hearing to consider rezoning request of HGGS Associates, whereupon Councilman Oswalt advised that they were withdrawing their request for additional rezoning at this time, and, they were requesting to make a slight change in the property authorized to be rezoned(upon submitting a survey of same to the City Attorney) in order to more easily define their lines across the southern portion of the property. The requested change, as shall be submitted in the survey, is for the deletion of Lots 47, 52 and 71, and, the addition of Lot 76. Council was in agreement with this request, whereupon motion was made by Councilman Schroedel, seconded by Councilman Oswalt and carried that the Cit Attorne be authorized to incor orate t is c ange w enpreparlng t e necessary or inance or t e rezon ng an t e U. City Manager Hopkins reported that saled bids on the surplus property offered for sale had been received as follows: 1958 Case Tractor with front end loader Leo E. Creech @ $227.50 Chevrolet 1~ Ton Truck with Winch and Boom Marcus McGowan @ $150.00 It was the recommendation of the City Manager that the equipment be sold to the only bidders, as listed above, whereupon motion was made bl Councilman oswaltb seconded by Councilman Byrd and carried that the recommendation 0 the City Manager e accepted. Mrs. Lamar Black, representative of the OAR, appeared before Council to submit a plan for Clermont's participation in the National Bi-Centennial celebration which shall culminate in 1976. She suggested that a water tank be erected and be named "Spirt of 1776". She further advised that federal funds were available to match local contributions for such>a project, if the project is accepted and ratified by the State of Florida Bi-Centennia1 Administrator. City Attorney Vason reported that if Council desires to attempt a settlement of the Peter H. Johnson condemnation suit out of court, it was now time to make an affirmative offer. It was consensus of Council that due to increased court costs and attorney fees for the defendant it would cost considerably more to continue in litigation whereupon motion was made by Councilman Byrd and seconded by Councilman Oswalt that City Attorney Vason be authorized to attempt an out of court settlement with an offer of $36 300.00, such fi ure exc1udin monies a1read aid. The motion carried unanimous y. Mayor Smoak reported that the State Legislature had voted to discontinue funding for the summer enrichment programs unless they were for scholastic credit purposed and therefore the School Board had canceled the summer programs inasmuch as they would no longer be allowed to use state appropriated monies for this type of program. Mayor Smoak further reported that he felt Clermont's past summer programs had been a terrific asset, and that if no participation could be arranged between the School Board - the County Commission and the City of Clermont, he would encourage Council to consider maintaining at least the swimming program, this coming summer season. Motion was made ";, '''~'}'~7'~'~7,!l<''-;':[ e e e . M I NUT E S REGULAR MEETING NO 1010 by Councilman Byrd that Mayor Smoak be authorized to correspond with the County Commission and the School Board and indicate the Cit~ of Clermont's interest ina pursuing with them, the estabHshment of some type 0 summer activity, to inclu e a swimming program among others. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schroede1 and carried. It was consensus of Council that no commitment be made on the part of the city toward the tennis courts proposed to be constructed on school board property until the courts are actually in existence, and consider the matter further at that time. Councilman Schroedel reported briefly on his attendance at the Library Board Meeting on February 11th. Motion was made by Councilman Schroedel, seconded by Councilman Oswalt and carried that the bills be paid. Motion was made by Councilman Oswalt, seconded by Councilman Schroedel and unanimous1~ carried that William Stone be aepointed to serve as Second Municipal Judge, as ad been recommended by Judge R. . Waters. Mayor Smoak advised Council of a citizens petition received requesting condemnation of the building located at 592 Minneo1a Avenue because of uns1ight1y and unsanitary conditions. This matter was referred to City Manager Hopkins for investigation. Of the various recommendations made by Dawkins and Associates for improvements to the water and distribution system following their study and report, the first item was to make improvements to the extent of a new 1500 gallon per minute well (a supply well in the southwest quadrant of the city) and 10 thousand lineal feet of main to improve the distribution system at an estimated cost of $155,000.00. In order to finance such an improvement, applications were obtained from Farmers Home Administration who have long term, low interest rate, loans available to municipalities with under 10,000 population. Motion was made by Councilman Byrd that the engineers be authprized to proceed with the estaDllsnment or a new well and addltlon of new mains as outlined in the first ortion of their re ort. The motion was seconded b Councilman Wallernand unan mous y carr e ..' at on was ma ehy Counc man Sc roede , seconde by Counci man ~rd and unanimously carried that the Maror and City Manager be authorized to execute !fie various forms necessary to make appl cation for a loan from the Farmers Home Administration. Inasmuch as the Farmers Home Administration had advised it would -~=",!,,"~,'l"~~~" . e e . M I NUT E S REGULAR MEETING I ell be necessary that Council increase the rate structure of the utilities in order to generate sufficient revenues to insure repayment of such a loan, motion was made by Councilman Schroedel seconded b Councilman B rd and carried that the Cit Attorne be instructe to prepare the necessary amending ordinance to increase. the rate structure with the effective date being May 1, 1974. City Attorney Vason requested use of the Highlander Hut on Friday, March 8, 1974 for the Clermont Jaycees. This matter was referred to the City Manager. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smoak. clati~Per:;;k ~.~w.~.. Do ores . Carro , , ty-C1 erk