07-20-1976 Regular Meeting
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETI NG
NQ1311
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in the Council
Chambers on Tuesday, July 20, 1976. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M.
by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr., with the following members present: Councilmen
Schroedel, Blackburn, Byrd and Beals. Other officials present were: City Manager
Tiffany, City Attorney Baird, and City Clerk Carroll. Others present were: Mesdames
Baird, Sheldon, Oswalt; Messrs. Perry, Czech, Sargent, Wade and Evans. Mr. Joe
Sanchez, 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 July 13, 1976, were approved as written.
PUBLIC HEARING
City Council, sitting as a Board of Adjustment,"considered the
request of Mr. and Mrs. William Lawson for a Variance to Section
26-21 (E)(2)(3) (R-l URBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT-SETBACKS IN SIDE AND
READ YARDS) of the Zoning Ordinance, and Article II, Section 5-15
(FENCE RESTRICTIONS) of the Building Code, in order to install
ornamental iron gates on their property located at 1803 Rosewood
Drive which would penetrate into the required sideyard setbacks and
extend two more feet in height than that allowed for fences construc-
ted in front of building lines. Their request in writing advised
their residence was of Spanish architectural design, and they felt
the ornamental gates would further enhance their property. Motion
was made by Councilman Byrd, seconded by Mayor Smoak and carried
that the request be granted. Councilmen Beals and Schroedel voted
in the negative on passage of the motion, with Councilman Beals
advising that variances to existing ordinances were provided in
order to grant relief in cases where an unnecessary hardship would
be created if the ordinance was enforced, and he did not feel that
was the case in this instance.
VISITORS WITH BUSINESS
Mr. Bob Wade, President of the Chamber of Commerce, appeared before
Council to solicit continued financial assistance from the city as
in past years, in the preparation of the 76-77 fiscal year budget.
CITY MANAGER1S REPORT
City Manager Tiffany reported a communication had been received
from John W. Booth, Chief Judge of the Fiftb.,Jodicial Circuit wherein
he advi sed that there was notsuffi .ciept..manpower, j udi ci al or"'otl'.lerwi se
for the establishment of branch courts at this time, but that the
matter would be reevaluated at a later time when all city courts
have been eliminated. He further advised there were provisions
for terminating the muncipal courts ahead of the deadline date, if
so desired. Mr. Tiffany advised he would investig~te~the matter
further with regards the feasibility of terminating the local court
by October 1, 1976.
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Fo 11 owi ng recorrunendati on by City Manager Ti ffany, mati on was made
b Councilman Schroedel, seconded b Councilman Beals and unanimousl
carried that Thomas A. Sanchez be emp oyedas City Finance Director.
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CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
City Attorney Baird submitted an AGREEMENT between the City, Mrs.
Lillian Gaddy, and The Florida Power Corporation wherein an ease-
ment would be granted to the city for use of the existing alleyway
in Lot 8 of City Block 81 as a public thoroughfare, for Council's
consideration. Motion was made by Councilman Blackburn, seconded
by Councilman Beals and carried, that the AGREEMENT be accepted
and executed by the Mayor and City Clerk.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilman Schroedel requested that the City Attorney prepare the
necessary Ordinance to increase the salary of the Mayor to $200.00
per month, and Council members to $125.00 per month.
COMMUN I CA TI ONS
City Clerk Carroll read a communication from Jorgen Mejnholt of
Helsingor, Denmark, wherein he forwarded greetings for the nations;
200th anniversary celebration and best wishes for the future.
Mr. Mejnholt, a visitor to Clermont with the "People-to-People"
sponsored program, was made an honorary citizen of the city on
August 8, 1967.
SECKLER PROPERTY OPTION
City Attorney Baird submitted a proposed option at a consideration
of $500.00 for 90 days, toward purchase of the Seckler grove
property, for Council's consideration. Motion was made by Councilman
Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Beals and carried unanimously,
fuatthe option be accepted and executed by the Mayor.
LOT COVERAGE DEFINITION
It was the recommendation of the P & Z Commission that Lot Coverage
in the Code of Ordinances be defined as: "That part or percentage of
the lot occupied by structures. Structures
may be exempted from computation of lot coverage
to that extent that they allow rain water to
permeate."
Motion was made by Councilman Blackburn, seconded by Councilman Beals
and carried that the recommendation be accepted and the City Attorney
prepare the necessary amending Ordinance. Mayor Smoak and Councilman
Byrd voted in the negative on passage of the motion, with Mayor Smoak
advising he felt it to be too restrictive.
1972 BOND COVENANT
City Manager Tiffany reported a communication had been received
from representatives of the city's bondholders regarding the city's
failure to meet the requirements of the bond covenants to submit
an annual comprehensive engineering report, and recommended he be
authorized to reply that an Engineer would be retained to fulfill
the obligations as required. Motion was made by Councilman Beals,
seconded by Councilman Blackburn and carried that the recommendation
be accepted, and City Manager Tiffany proceed in obtaining quotations
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and proposals from various Eneineering Firms. It was the sugges-
tion of Mayor Smoak that the ity Manager investigate the possibility
of submitting such required report on a bi-annual basis rather than
annually.
There being no further business to be brought before Council at this time, the
meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smoak at 8:50 P. M.
OLA) b}' ~NJ(
Dolores W. Carroll, City C erk