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03-25-1975 Regular Meeting . e e e MINUTES REGULAR MEETI NG NQ 1127 A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 25, 1975. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr., with the following members present: Councilmen Schroedel, Byrd, Blackburn, and Oswalt. Other officials present were: City Controller Fleming, City Clerk Carroll, City Attorney Baird, City Manager Hopkins, Director of Community Services Smythe, and Chief of Police Tyndal. Others present were: Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Shepard, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Holmes, and the Messrs. Homan, Earls, Narehood, BonJorn, Townsend, Baker, Czech, Mobley, Muir, Sargent, Lane, Pitt and Crowson. A representative of the Sentinel/Star was 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 Special Meeting held March 5, 1975, were approved as written. The Minutes of the R~gular Meeting held March 11,1975, were amended as follows: In re: Committee appointed by Mayor Smoak. IIMayor Smoak appointed a committee of City Attorney Vason, City Manager Hopkins, and Councilman Oswaltll. IIMayor Smoak appointed a committee of City Attorney Baird, City Manager Hopkins, and Councilman Oswalt.1I In re: Freeman Lane. lIit was the recommendation of City Manager Hopkins that Council obtain title to the streetll. IIIt was the recommendation of City Manager Hopkins that the City obtain title to the street II The Minutes were then approved as amended. Mayor Smoak announced the next order of business to be the consideration of a Variance Request by Al Earls to Sections 26-10 (Alteration of non-conforming use) and 26-24 (E) (I) (Front set-back in C-l Zoning District - State Road 50) of the Zoning Ordinance in order to enclose the front area of the building located on Lots 15-17 and 19 in City Block 85. Mr. Earls appeared before Council in behalf of his request. There was no one present who voiced objection to the request, whereupon motion was made b~ Councilman Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Schroedel and unanimously carried that the varlance be granted. Mr. C. A. Mobley, spokesman for representatives of the Clermont Babe Ruth League who were present, appeared before Council and requested consideration of the following: Additional lighting for Bishop Field Removal of the existing fence to outskirts of outfield Redirecting aim of existing lights by lowering Frequent and concentrated policing of Bishop Field area to prevent reported loitering late at night and possible vandalism Exclusive use of one room in bleacher building for storage of Babe Ruth League materials and concession stand supplies Council was in agreement of the need for additional and more adequate lighting, however it was also determined that because of the cost 'of a project such as this, it would be necessary to phase it in over a couple of years, and City Manager Hopkins was requested to contact Florida Power Corporation engineers in an attempt to formulate exactly what is needed for proper lighting and the cost for same. He was still further requested to inquire as to the feasibility of using quartz lights. City Manager Hopkins reported to Council that he had called a meeting between himself and official~of the three major groups using Bishop Field on a regular basis for Thursday, March 27th, to formulate a schedule and . e e . M I NUT E S No. 1128 all parties concerned for the use of Bishop Mr. Dave Crowson's Presence was acknowledged and he briefly reported on the status of the Seminole Well. now being dug for additional water supply by Locke Well and Pump Company. He reported there had been the anticipated possibility of drawing water from the upper level aquifer. but a situation developed whereby they hit a streak of organic material at the 468' level which precludes such a possibility and thereby work shall proceed as ori- ginally designed and plan to draw water from a lower level. He further reported that due to a mechanical breakdown of the well drilling equipment. the project was presently at a standstill. but it was anticipated that the difficulty would be corrected and the project continued within ten days to two weeks. City Manager Hopkins submitted his report. both orally and written. and a copy is attached hereto. With regards request of City Manager Hopkins for authorization to proceed with installing a semi-permanent system for spray irrigation on the Johnson property . motion was made biCOLiriCflmanBlackburn.. seconded -by Counc 11 man Byrd and carri ed . that Cty Manage r HO~klns .inconsultat1 on with the County Erigirieeri'ngStaff;maie a study 0 the most efficient way t.spra, 1rr1gatetheJohnsonpro~ertyand .re~ortbatktoCoLinc11assoon as POSS ble. We regards request of the Orlando Yacht Club for permission to conduct the Florida Sailing Association Singlehanded Championship Regatta on Lake Minneola on Aptil 12th and April 13th.~otion ~asmadebyCoLincil~an Schroedel. secp.ded by Councilman BlackbLirn and unanfmoLislycarried 'thatSLithanln- vltat10n be extended. City Manager Hopkins reported he had received request from the Clermont High School Junior Class to spoBsor a dance in Jenkins Auditorium on April 12th between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 12:00 midnight. Motion was made by Councilman Schroedel. secondedbyCounctlmanBlackburn andLinanfMoLisl~ carried that this re~uestbegranted~ 'proVfdedallruleSandregulationsas pertains to dances he d in the aLiditoriLimare met. -,,---"--"---,",",~~:,,",,"-~~...,~c-.-",_.- -." '"~",",--c--"",,"""~.- . e e . M I NUT E S No. 1129 Mr. Henry Czech, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, appeared before Council to advise that resulting from the recent preliminary survey of the City's proposed needs as made and reported on by T.W.Stewart & Associates,Inc., wherein it was noted there was a need for long range planning, that a Sub-Committee of the Planning and Zoning Commission had been appoint- ed and designated as a "Function Committee" to study and consider planning for the City, for report to the Planning and Zoning Commission and thereupon their recommendations to Council. City Controller Fleming reported that $75,130.00 had been received todate for ad valorem taxes, which reDpesented approximately 40% of total anticipated funds, and that all of the reimbursement for the additional homestead exemptions as granted by the S"*e had been received in the amount of $7,603.00. City Attorney Baird reported that his research of the proper title owner of property on which the Garden Club is located, revealed that the property is presently vested in the name of Lake County, and that he shall be meeting with the County Attorney in an endeavor to transfer ownerBhip to the City as had apparently been intended some several years ago. Mayor Smoak reported as follows: That in meeting with County Commission Chairman Jim Hoskinson, he was advised that Mr.Hoskinson would present the matter of desired voting precinct designations for within the corporate city limits of Cle~mont only, eliminating the present designated precincts in the city which also include out-of-city areas, for the County Commission's consideration; That in his long standing desire for a "Clermont Citizens . Inspired Tree Planting Project", he would request that City Manager Hopkins contact the Forestry Service and obtain the procedures required and in- formation as to the availability for obtaining trees for such a project in order that he might approach the various civic and fraternal organizations in the city for their endorsement and help in such a project for the city; and, That he was in receipt of a communication from Board Chairman Jim Hoskinson wherein he outlined the various services offered by Lake County to the municipalities, which copies would be made available to Council and which would be considered by the League of Cities Ta~ Equalization Committee in a future meeting with the Board of County Commissioners. Councilman Blackburn repor~ed he had received complaints regart'ng the speed of jet boats on local lakes, and inquired of the possibility of eliminating this. It was consensus that speed control on the lakes was not within the jurisdiction of the city, whereupon City Manager Hopkins was requested to obtain the name of the governing authority for same and information as to the required procedure for investigating such matters, and report back to Council. Councilman Schroedel reported he had received favorable comments with regards the fencing installed at Jaycee Beaeh, and inquired if it was planned to be extended still farther north to encompass the picnic area, and he was advised in the affirmative. A communication was read from George E. Hovis, wherein he submitted his resignation from the Planning and Zoning Commission in order to refrain from any possible conflict of interest due to his partner in the Hovis and Baird Partnersiip having been recently appointed as City Attorney. He further advised that, though he had previously formally resigned as Public Defender, he had been continuing to serve in that capacity at the request of Municipal Judge, R.W.Waters, but that he now would no longer be able to serve. Mr.Hovis' resignation was respectfully and regretfully accepted by Council..Mayor Smoak advised he would communicate the Council's deep and sincere appreciation to Mr. Hovis for his services rendered while serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and as Public Defender. City Manager Hopkins was requested to inquire of all local attorneys as to their interest in serving as Public Defender in Municipal Court, and then set a time for their interview by Council. . e e . M I NUT E S No. 1130 The nomination of Tom Dougherty to serve the unexpired term of George E. Hovis on the Planning and Zoning Commission (the balance of 1975) was ~~:~~~~~~, a~~d u~~~~ ~~u:~~~:~~i~~ ,~~~~c~~,:a~O:l~~ti~~~~~~e~l~~e~O~~~i ~~:n Clerk be instructed 'to .castanunanimousball.ot .forthe 'apof'ntment of Tom Douyher'tyto fill theunexph'edterm 'of George E . HOVf.s 'onthePl anni ng and Zon ng Commission. Motion was made b~Councilman Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Byrd and carrled that the ills be paid. . It was consensus of Council that the matter of Tree Maintenance Policy be deferred for further study. With regards the basic conditions submitted by City Manager Hopkins for Council's consideration in granting a lease to Landseair,motfonwasmade bi Councilman Oswalt, seconded by Councilman Blackburn andcar'r'i.ed that C tf Attorney Bair'dpr'epar'ea .Leasefor'Cou~cil~sr'evfe~and .consideration to lnclude tfiefollo~ing: EFFECTIVE DATE TERM OF LEA5~ RENT 1 April 1975 18 months 4/1/75 - 9/30/76 $65.00 per month with $65.00 deposit to be applied against last month's rent 24 months 10/1/76 - 9/30/78 (90 day notice to exercise renewal option) $85.00 per month Maintains property including minor repairs, alterations, painting and decorating Lessee will vacate property upon 60 days notice if lessor needs the facility for a public purpose Councilman Schroedel voted, Naye, on passage of the motion with the ex- planation that he felt the amount of $85.00 for renewal was too high con- sidering t~e size and age of the building and the tenants agreement for maintenance. RENEWAL OPTION RENT MAINTENANCE VACATE PROPERTY The matter of On-site water retention was discussed at length, and motion was made by Council man Byrdtha ttherecommendation ofthePlanni ngandZonfnr-- Commission re~arding this matter be acce~ted. The motion died for lack 0 a second .Moi on was then made bY Counc 1 man Oswalt .se mndedb{COuncilman Blackburn and carried, that the matter' .be .defer'r'ed fOr'further.s UdY unt11 the next regular meet ng. Councilman Byrd voted, Naye, on passage of the motion. . e e . MINUTES NQ 1131 el1mi nate With regards requewt by the Lake Correctional Institution to house some of their prisoners tin the city jail from time to time. it was consensus that the city's police department was not adequately staffed to provide sufficient securtty for this type of prisoner. whereupon motion was made by Councilman Schroedel. seconded by Councilman Blackburn and unanimously carried. that the city respectfully decline the requ~st. MJyor Smoak adjourned the meeting at 10:35 P.M. ClariE~or JQ*~ 'fif:::l1 City C 1 e r k