09-16-1975 Regular Meeting
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEET! NG
NQ 1185
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the
Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 16, 1975. The meeting was called to
order by Mayor Claude E. Smoak~ Jr., with the following members present:
Councilman Oswalt, Byrd~ Schroede1, and Blackburn. Other offica1s present
were: City Manager Hopkins, City Attorney Baird, City Clerk Carroll, Director of
Community Services Smythe, and Chief of Police Tynda1. Others present were: Mr.
and Mrs. W. B. Perry and Messrs. Davis, Jones, and Sargent. A representative
of the Sentinel/Star was also present.
The i nvocati on was gi ven by Counci 1man Byrd, followed by repeati ng of the
Pledge o'f_All~giance in unison by those present.
The Minutes of the Meeting held September 9, 1975 were approved as written.
Mr. Charles W. Jones appeared before Council with regards his request on August 12,
1975 for permission to construct a dock and boathouse on city property located
adjacent to his residence on the east shore of Lake Winona. City Attorney Baird
reported that the property was not a portion of Lake Shore Drive right-o-way,
and it would be permissible for the city to grant a lease agreement for use of the
property, and which would contain provisions for the lessee to assume all liability
and provide adequate insurance coverage. There was considerable discussion
with regards to whom lake front easements would be granted, and it was final consensus
that they be granted to adjacent property owners. Mr. Baird advised Council they
mtght want to establish some sort of precedent, and actually put it into the lease
agreement, whereby the city would be giving this opportunity to property owners
across the street, and Counci 1 was in agreement, excepti ng. Counci 1 man B1 ackburn.
Councilman Blackburn opined that the same considerations should be given to all
taxpayers with regards city properties, and inasmuch as Council had not granted
the several requested easement renewals along Lake Shore Drive, he could not support
any action on this request. Motion was made by Councilman Schroede1, seconded by
Councilman Oswalt and carried, that City Attorney Baird prepare the necessary
document to grant Mr. Jones' reQuest with the necessary provisions included for
adeQuate protection of the city, and monetary payment of $1.00 per year for a ten
year period. Councilman Blackburn voted, Naye, on passage of the motion.
Councilman Blackburn reported he~!had received inquiry from members of the American
Legion as to the reasons for prohibiting parking on the south side of DeSoto
Street where the Legion building is located inasmuch as this was a hindrance to
those of thei r membershi P,~ who were handi capped in getti ng to and from the buil di ng.
City Manager Hopkins advised that such action was necessary to order to utilize
the driveways of the recently constructed residences on the north side of the street,
that that a limited parking area could be made available in front of the building
and he would investigate the matter.
Councilman Byrd submitted information from his files with regards determination
of insolvency for appointment of a Public Defender, and, composted soil conditioner
made from trash and garbage, which were referred to Municipal Court and City
Manager Hopkins.
Mayor Smoak reported on a communication he had received from Jim Watkins, County
Clerk, wherein he advised that the County Commission is considering a use fee for
county dumps beginning October 1, 1976.
City Manager Hopkins reported he was ready to proceed with the project of providing
cremoria1s in Oakhi11 Cemetery as had been authorized January 28, 1975, but due to
escalating costs since that time, he recommended that the purchase price of each
cremoria1 be increased from $125.00 to $150.00. Motion was made by Councilman
Schroede1, seconded by Councilman Byrd and carried, that this recommendation be
accepted.
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MINUTES
NQ 1186
With regards the request of Don M. McCaffrey for the opening and construction of
Milholland Street, motion was made by Councilman Byrd, seconded by Councilman
Blackburn and carried, that no need existed presently for the street, and it was
not Council's desire to bind future Councils. Motion was made by Councilman
Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Oswalt and carried, that the deed of record
to the city from Mr. McCaffrey be clarified to include provisions for use of the
property for street purposes only, and that the necessary document be prepared
to assure Mr. McCaffrey that he would not be liable for any expenses incurred at
such time the street is constructed, provided he is still an abutting property owner,
but if ownership changes on his present abutting property, the new owner will
not be exempt from participating in the liability of the street improvement.
With regards the request from the Town of Minneo1a for the city to provide dispatcher
and jail services, motion was made by Councilman Blackburn, seconded by Councilman
Schroede1 and carried, that the proposal, as prepared by City Manager Hopkins
following the work session held by Council and officials of Minneo1a, be accepted
and made available to the Town of Minneo1a, but with an amendment to the monetar
consideration from 1,000.00 per month to 0,000.00 annua y.
Inasmuch as all of Council had not had opportunity study the proposed zoning
changes as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, this matter was postpened
until the meeting of September 23rd. Councilman Oswalt requested that Acting
Chairman of the Committee Nick Jones, be invited to attend in order to advise
Council of the reasons held to recommend the various changes. Mayor Smoak requested
that in future correspondence to Council of recommendations for change by the
Commission, that each recommendation be concluded with the reason held for making
same, inasmuch as he felt the thinking of the members of the P & Z Commission
would be very beneficial to Council members in formulating a Council position.
With regards the recommendation of City Manager Hopkins that privately owned Freeman
lane be blocked at its intersection with DeSoto Street to prohibit thru traffic due
to its dangerously deteriorating condition, it was consensus of Council that the
matter first be referred to City At~orney Baird for investigation as to the city's
recourse in requiring the abutting property owners to improve and maintain the
street.
With regards the requirements as contained in the local Government Comprehensive
P1'anni ng Act of 1975, Mayor Smoak urged that each Counci 1 member attend a meeti ng
to be held in Mt. Dora on September 25th sponsored by the lake County league of
Cities to discuss the matter.
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smoak at 9:10 P. M.
(]i
Claude E.
(J.t~) lu. CuJ~
Do ores W. Carroll, C,ty Clerk