02-10-1976 Regular Meeting
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
NQ1242
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the
Counci 1 Chambers on Tuesday, February 10, 1976. The meeti ng was called to
order at 7:30 P. M. by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr. with the following members
present: Councilmen Schroedel, Blackburn, and Byrd. Other officials present
were: Acting City Manager Smythe, City Attorney Baird, City Clerk Carroll, and
Finance Director Williams. Others present were: Mesdames Grant and Sheldon;
The Messrs Beals, Rigdon, Fleming, Holtzclaw, West, Dyndul, and St. John.
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 Regular Meeting held January 27, 1976 and of the Special
Meeting held February 2, 1976 were approved as written.
Mr. Steve Rigdon, administrative aide to the Honorable Senator Glisson, appeared
before Council in support of a program to make the public more fully aware of
bills sponsored in the legislature by Senator Glisson; That with an increase in the
crime rate the past few years that was an increase ten times that of the
population rate, it was the belief of Senator Glisson that the time had come
for more firm and stronger steps in the fight against crime and he had sponsored
a law in the legislature, which had passed last year, wherein there is a
three year mandatory minimum sentence for certain feloni.es-. while in possession
of a firearm; and, That he was currently sponsoring a bill in the legislature
(Senate~tRll ~40) which would change the status of burglaries and assaults, the
likes of which had been committed numerous times in this area recently, to that
of a capital felony which necessitates a minimum sentence of twenty five
years before becoming eligible for parole, which he believed, if passed, would
act as a deterrent to this type of crime. Mr. Rigdon further advised that if
Council felt there was need for such a law in an effort to deter crime, as the
Senator had felt, he would respectfully solicit their support in passing it through
the legislature. . - .
Mayor Smoak extended thanks to Mr. Rigdon for appearing before Council, and
requested that he extend appreciation to the Senator in his many activities. Mayor
Smoak advised that reports issued on the existing prison system by the State
Commission certainly reflected that the existing system is not working in that
the percentage of repeaters of crimes was extremely high, and he would therefore
hope that Santor Glisson would also address himself to the questions of what is
happening to the prisoner once he is confined and why he keeps.~repeatjng once
he1s been released as much as trying strictly a deterrent attack as he proposes
in Sentate Bill #140.
Mrs. Pat Grant, Chairwoman of the city's bi-centennial committee appeared before
Council to report on the committee's status todate in their proposed bi-centennial
celebration program as follows: Tltiatiri cQOrdination with the "Stand Up For
America" committee for activities on May 1st, and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored
Bi-Centennial Committee for activities on July 3rd and 4th, they had proposed
(1) Stickers to be given away designating "Celebrate with Clermont USA"
(2) A Fiddlers Contest
(3) Display in Jenkins Auditorium of memorbilia collected for time
capsule
(4) Display, in bookcf6rffi"~' of the history of Clermont as prepared
by Oakley Seaver
(5) A tape recording available for listening to a history of Clermont
as rel~ted by persons born in Clermont 70 or more years ago,
accompanied by slides of old photographs of the city
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NQ 1243
(6)
(7)
(6)
(9)
(10)
Promote a program encouraging everyone to dress in
Early American Attire on May 1st
Hold an old fashioned arts and crafts fair
Have a Cake Walk
Hold a Street Dance
Offer food at an outdoor barbecue
Council was appreciative of the coordinated efforts of the committees in their
proposed programs. In support of the city's bi-centennial celebration, motion
was made by Councilman Schroedel, seconded by Councilman Byrd and carried that
an appropriation, not to exceed $500.00, be made available for expenses incurred
by the bi-centennial commitee in their proposed program for the celebration.
Br. Charles Beals, representative of the local Kiwanis Club Bi-Centennial Committee,
appeared before Council to challenge them and other city officials in a "Beard
Raising" contest for the nations 200th Anniversary celebration, with the kick-
off date set for March 2nd. He further advised this same challenge would be
extended to the various civic and fraternal organizations throughout the city.
Messrs. Dyndul and St. John of Dyndul and St. John & Associates, Inc., private
consultants for general aviation interest, appeared before Council to briefly
outline, through use of slides, the procedures to be taken in the development
of an airport from planning through construction. They advised that Clermont
and Groveland has been listed in the, about to be published edition of the Florida
aviation system's plan, as an area for an airport location. Having had no
previous input of this information as advised by Messrs. Dyndul and St. John,
there was no Council action on the matter. however, it was the opinion of Mayor
Smoak that only a very small percentage of people would participate in the use
of an airport at this time, and therefore it would be necessary that the benefits
from having such an airport be shown wherein they would warrant the cost for
same. Mayor Smoak thanked the gentlemen for their presentation, and advised
that future communications regarding the matter would be welcome.
Motion was made by Councilman Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Byrd and carried
that the bills be paid.
Mayor Smoak reported as follows: That he had been apprised this date of the city's
cost in unemployment benefits to employees who had voluntarily left the employment
of the city, or had been dismissed during a probationary period for unsatisfactory
performance, and if there be no objection from rest of Council, would desire the
Acting City Manger be requested to compile all pertinent information regarding
this matter for referral to City Attorney Baird for his study and report back
to Council; That he had appeared before the Lake County Commission with regards
potential use of the Inland Grove Property for effluent disposal on wich it had
been necessary to request that a variance to the county setback requirements be
made, which was granted by the Commission; and, That he had prepared a compilation
of the questionnaires as distributed at the Town Hall Meeting for Council's
consideration.
Councilman Byrd submitted to the City Clerk for filing, a copy of the pay plan
for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and noted that inasmuch
as there was a great difference in the amount of their total appropriations and
the pay plan for the various employees as listed, he wondered the amount of salary
allocated for the Executive Director, which had been deleted ;fr6m.:the-plan,
and the allocations for housing, office supplies, etc.
With regards future Town Hall Meetings, it was the suggestion of Councilman
Blackburn that possibly a regular council meeting could be held in the Jenkins
Auditorium, followed by a question and answer session by interested persons
present.
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NQ 1244
Councilman Schroedel, liaison representative to the Library Board, reported it
was their desire to enclose the former entrance portion to the Library for use as
a childrens reading room.
Mayor Smoak requested that Acting City Manager Smythe contact the city engineers
and inquire as to"tthe reason 6" steel pipe was used in place of schedule 40 PVC
in the proposed water improvements inasmuch as there is a vast difference in
the cost and most municipalities were using the PVC pipe, and, if in their
opinion, it would be satisfactory to continue the extension southerly on the
r- o-w','/on Highway # 27 with s chedu 1 e 40 PVC as opposed to 6" cas t.
City Clerk Carroll read a communication from John W. Parks, III wherein he
expressed sincere appreciation from the Parks family to the Clermont Police
Department for their kindness shown in escorting the funeral proceSSion of the late
Assitant Municipal Judge, John W. Parks, Jr.
City Clerk Carroll read a communication from the Orlando Yacht Club wherein
they requested use of the Jaycee Beach area for their annual Spring Regatta
scheduled for May 22nd and 23rd. It was determined during discussion of this
matter that the premises were found to be in an undesirable condition following
the last Regatta with numerous broken bottles and debris, evidence of alcoholic
beverages having been consumed in the area, and roany dogs were sighted in the
area during the Regatta, all which are strictly in violation. Motion was made
b Councilman B rd, seconded b Councilman Blackburn and carried, that a securit
deposit in the amount of 250.00 be required for use of the beach area or a
Regatta, returnable only after satiSfactory inspection by the city on Monday
morning following. Acting City Manager Smythe was requested to forward this
information, as well as the past violations committed, to the Yacht Club for
their consideration and desire in pursuing their request for use of the area.
Councilman Blackburn offered and moved the adoption of AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE OFFICAL
ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA, REFERRED TO IN SECTION 26-1 OF APPENDIX
A OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES: REZONING THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN FROM R-2
ZONING CLASSIFICATION TO C-2 ZONING CLASSIFICATION: REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT HEREWITH: PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY: PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE:
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION and the motion was seconded by Councilman Byrd.
The Ordinance was read for a second and final reading by City Clerk Carroll, by title
only, and upon roll call vote on passage of the motion the result was: Ayes:
Blackburn, Byrd, Schroedel, and Smoak. Total Ayes: Four. Nayes: None. So the
Ordinance was adopted and the number 144~C assigned to it.
Councilman Blackburn offered and moved the adoption of AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CLERMJNT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA CLOSING AND PERMANENTLY
ABANDONING A PORTION OF CARRIE STREET DESCRIBED HEREIN, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL
MAP OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, ~ECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 8, PAGES 17-23, INCLUSIVE, PUBLIC
RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA: PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE: AND PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION and the motion was seconded by Councilman Byrd. The Ordinance
was read for a second and final reading by City Clerk Carroll, by title only,
and upon roll call vote on passage of the motion the result was: Ayes: Byrd,
Blackburn, Schroedel, and Smoak. Total Ayes: Four. Nayes: None. So the Ordinance
was adopted and the number 84-M assigned to it.
Councilman Blackburn offered and moved the adoption of AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA CLOSING AND
PERMANENTLY ABANDONING A PORTION OF HILL STREET DESCRIBED HEREIN, ACCORDING TO
!tH~OFFICIA.. MAP OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 8, PAGES 17-23,
INCLUSIVE, PUBLIC RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA: PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE:
AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION and the motion was seconded by Councilman Byrd.
The Ordinance was read for a second and final reading by City Clerk Carroll by
title only, and upon roll call vote on passage of the motion the result was:
Ayes: Schroedel, Blackburn, Byrd, and Smoak. Total Ayes: Four. Nayes: None. So
the Ordinance was adopted and the number 85-M assigned to it.
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NQ 1245
City Clerk Carroll advised Council of a communication received from The
Environmental Regulations Department wherein an amending Resolution would
be necessary naming another person to be authorized to execute a loan agreement
on behalf of the city following the resignation of Robert M. Hopkins as City
Manager. Councilman Blackburn offered and moved the adoption of A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA: AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO 256: PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE and the motion was seconded
by Councilman Byrd and unanimously carried. The RESOLUTION was read in its
entirety by Mayor Smoak and the number 268 assigned to it.
With regards the alternative developed by the DOT for the construction of
the storm water retention pit in the cemetery, it was consensus that this matter
be deferred for study at a work session to be held in the office of the City
Manager on Thursday, February 12th.
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smoak at 9:35 P. M.
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Claude f. Smoak, Jr.
Mayor
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Dolores W. Carrol , City Clerk