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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.27.2025 - City Council MeetingCity of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 5:30pm in the Clermont City Council Chambers. Mayor Murry called the meeting to order at 5:30pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members Howard, Myers and Petersen. Absent: Council Member Strange Other City officials present were Interim City Manager Van Wagner, City Attorney Waugh, and City Clerk Howe. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Police Chaplain James Pagan gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PROCLAMATION City Clerk Howe read the Election Proclamation for Seats 2 and 4. PRESENTATIONS Sheri Lewin, Founder and Executive Director of Thrive Clermont thanked the city for ten years of partnership. She spoke about the activities that are planned and introduced three young ladies who provided a summary of their involvement with Thrive Clermont. Finance Director Borror presented the quarterly budget report summary. The report details January through March of 2025 and is available on the city website. Discussion regarding rate increases for personnel as well as collection of impact fees were discussed. PUBLIC COMMENTS John Tidona, 3611 Briar Run Drive — spoke about volunteers and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Joe Fumasi, 2993 Jumping Jack Way — provided an update on the workshop with Lake County regarding the Wellness Way MSTU and the agreement that was made for the next two years. Sarah Layland, 856 East Avenue — expressed concern with the Golden Gals show being hosted at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. Charlene Forth, 939 W. Desoto — spoke about the Police Chief position not being filled. Gavin Brown, Clermont — spoke about support and inclusivity within the community. Vincent Niemiec, Regency Hills — spoke about volunteers and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Jenny May, 4062 Greystone Drive — spoke about updating the Comprehensive Plan. Valerie Schuett, 931 W. Montrose Street — would like on update on the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Murry expressed the need to move forward with the current Comprehensive Plan and requested an update on the process. Development Services Director Henschel stated that staff is working with East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and are halfway through the process. City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 Discussion ensued on moving forward with the process which has been paused by Council or to move forward with another company. Council Member Howard expressed the need for overlays for certain areas. He would like to move forward with the current process while looking into another company for specific areas of the city. Council Member Howard proposed that Council moves the current Comprehensive Plan forward and then have discussions about going to some type of a bid process for a Form Based Code Comprehensive Plan for specific areas and address those pieces. Council Member Myers agreed. Interim City Manager Van Wagner stated that when staff was looking at the Lake Water group who stated that the City had missed some grant money that was possible. Requested latitude from Council in the RFQ that staff can perhaps look at a company that would help not lose that $800,000.00. If Council makes an RFQ that specific, staff needs more latitude with issues Interim City Manager Van Wagner and the Mayor had discussed. Interim City Manager Van Wagner stated to Council his understanding was to start and then will go to an RFQ process and then have further discussion. Council agreed. AGENDA CHANGES Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council of the following agenda changes: Item No. 5 — Ordinance No. 2025-017, Land Development Code Amendment AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 123, "VEGETATION", ARTICLE I "IN GENERAL", SECTION 123-1 "DEFINITIONS"; ARTICLE II "LANDSCAPING", SECTION 123-40(C) "INSTALLATION OF LANDSCAPE MATERIAL", SECTION 123-42(4) "PLANT MATERIAL", SECTION 123-43(E3)(F2)(K) "LANDSCAPE BUFFERS", SECTION 123-46(2) "LANDSCAPING ADJACENT TO FENCES, WALLS OR DUMPSTER ENCLOSURES", SECTION 123-47 "PREFERRED TREE LIST", SECTION 123-48 "PREFERRED SHRUB LIST", SECTION 123-49 "NONPREFERRED TREES", PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council this is a request to table the item to July 29, 2025. Council Member Howard moved to table Item No. 5 Ordinance No. 2025-017, Land Development Code Amendment to July 29, 2025, seconded by Council Member Petersen. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. Item No. 6 — Ordinance No. 2025-018, Irrigation and Landscaping Regulations Final AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, "ENVIRONMENT AND City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 NATURAL RESOURCES", ARTICLE VIII "WATER EFFICIENT IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING"; DIVISION 1 "GENERALLY", SECTION 18-212 "DEFINITIONS", SECTION 18-216 "APPLICATION OF LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN PROVISIONS", SECTION 18-218 "EXCEPTION TO LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION PROVISIONS"; DIVISION 2 "IRRIGATION", SECTION 18-247 "IRRIGATION PLAN SUBMITTAL", SECTION 18-248 "IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN", SECTION 18-250 "LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION SCHEDULE"; DIVISION 3 "LANDSCAPING", SECTION 18-279 "LANDSCAPING STANDARDS", SECTION 18-281 "DESIGN STANDARDS", PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council this is a request to table the item to July 29, 2025. Council Member Howard moved to table Item No. 6 Ordinance No. 2025-018, Irri ag tion and Landscaping Regulations Final to July 29, 2025, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. Item No. 7 — Ordinance No. 2025-019, Ivey Ridge Annexation Final AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 2, 2014; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SERVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council this is a request to table the item to June 10, 2025. Council Member Howard moved to table Item No. 7 Ordinance No. 2025-019, Ivey Ridge Annexation Final to June 10, 2025, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. Item No. 8 — Ordinance No. 2025-020, McKinnon Groves Annexation Final AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 2, 2014; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SERVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council this is a request to table the item to June 10, 2025. 3 City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 Council Member Petersen moved to table Item No. 8 Ordinance No. 2025-020, McKinnon Groves Annexation Final to June 10, 2025, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Murry advised the next item on the agenda for consideration was the Consent Agenda and requested anyone wishing to have any item pulled for discussion to please come forward at this time. Item No. 1 — Meeting Minutes Consider approval of May 13, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes. Item No. 2 — Plat Approval Consider a replat of Lot 12 within the Plaza Collina Development for 4 commercial lots. Council Member Howard moved to approve Consent Agenda items 1-2; seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Item No. 3 — Ordinance No. 2025-014, Business Tax Repeal Amendments to Code Final AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA, AMENDING ALL CHAPTERS OF THE CODE MENTIONING BUSINESS TAX RECEIPTS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. City Attorney Waugh stated that Council repealed the Business Tax Receipts months ago. There are many provisions within the code that mention Business Tax Receipts so this ordinance removes any mention of Business Tax Receipts within the code. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public hearing. Council Member Howard moved to approve Item No. 3 Ordinance No. 2025-014, Business Tax Repeal Amendments to Code Final; seconded by Council Member Petersen. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. Item No. 4 — Ordinance No. 2025-015, Vacate ROW Final AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CLOSING AND PERMANENTLY ABANDONING A 30 FEET BY 30 FEET PORTION OF HIGHLAND RANCH BOULEVARD, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF HIGHLAND RANCH THE CANYONS PHASE 6, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 74, PAGES 49-57, PUBLIC RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS BELOW; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILTTY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. 4 City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Development Services Planner Kruse presented the item. The applicant, Center Lake Properties, LLLP, is requesting the vacation of a 30 feet by 30 feet right-of-way area that was platted as part of Highland Ranch the Canyons Phase 6. This space was originally intended for a subdivision entry feature, but is no longer needed. The applicant would like the City to vacate this portion so it can be absorbed into the commercial development to the north. City staff do not oppose this request and supports the vacation petition. Matthew Smith was present on behalf of the applicant and was available for questions. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public hearing. Council Member Howard moved to approve Item No. 4 Ordinance No. 2025-015, Vacate ROW Final, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye. Item No. 5 - This item was addressed earlier in the meeting and tabled to July 29, 2025. Item No. 6 - This item was addressed earlier in the meeting and tabled to July 29, 2025. Item No. 7 — This item was addressed earlier in the meeting and tabled to June 10, 2025. Item No. 8 — This item was addressed earlier in the meeting and tabled to June 10, 2025. NEW BUSINESS Item No. 9 — Resolution No. 2025-014R, Budget Amendment #4 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE CITY OF CLERMONT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Finance Director Borror presented the mid -year reconciliation. He highlighted some of the bigger items and stated that the Waste Water Treatment Plant would be completed earlier than anticipated. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public hearing. Council Member Howard moved to approve Item No. 9 Resolution No. 2025-014R, Budget Amendment #4, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye Item No. 10 — Ordinance No. 2025-016, Vacate ROW Intro AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CLOSING AND PERMANENTLY ABANDONING A PORTION OF SHORT STREET RIGHT OF WAY, JOHNSON'S REPLAT, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 8, PAGE 71, PUBLIC RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 DESCRIBED AS BELOW; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public hearing. Council Member Howard moved to introduce Item No. 10 Ordinance No. 2025-016, Vacate ROW Intro: seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye Item No. 11— Ordinance No. 2025-023, Vacate ROWIntro AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CLOSING AND PERMANENTLY ABANDONING PROPERTY AS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 357, PAGE 17, AND DEED BOOK 357, PAGE 18, PUBLIC RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND PHYSICALLY LOCATED ON WELLNESS WAY WITHIN THE CITY OF CLERMONT AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS BELOW; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. City Clerk Howe read the title aloud. Mayor Murry opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Murry closed public hearing. Council Member Howard moved to introduce Item No. 11 Ordinance No. 2025-023, Vacate ROW Intro: seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye REPORTS CITY MANAGER REPORT Interim City Manager Van Wagner — • Requested a workshop on June 17 regarding downtown. Council agreed to a workshop at 3:00 pm on June 17. • June 6 is the First Friday Food truck downtown. • Caribbean Jerk Festival is on June 7 and the boat ramp will be closed for this event. • Visited the Veterans wall over the weekend. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT City Attorney Waugh — 6 City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 There is new litigation for a traffic matter out of the city limits. Working with directors on matters that will be presented to Council in the near future. CITY COUNCIL REPORT Council Member Howard — Requested Interim City Manager Van Wagner provide Council with the non -conforming properties in Wellness Way. The old Clermont Elementary School put up an LED sign and asked Interim City Manager Van Wagner to speak with Lake County School Board regarding when the sign will operate. Requested City Attorney Waugh provide Council with the types of items requiring a public hearing. Council Member Myers — • Attended the Memorial Day service. • Requested to have two designated parking spots for Veterans at City Hall. Council Member Petersen — • Attended a few Memorial Day services. • City received first ambulance. Mayor Murry — • Informed the public that Council cannot direct the City Manager to hire staff. • Requested Interim City Manager Van Wagner to address the Golden Gals performance at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. Interim City Manager Van Wagner stated that there is no current policy on the type of shows that play at the Clermont Performing Arts Center He requested input from City Council on the types of shows they would like to see there. Discussion ensued on having age restrictions on certain shows, parental advisories and disclaimers on adult content. The consensus from Council was to leave the decision to parents on which shows children can attend. • Spoke about hearing and discussing ordinances at the final reading versus the introduction. Council Member Howard requested City Attorney Waugh speak on his recommendation on when to hear an ordinance. City Attorney Waugh stated that the practice of the City of Clermont has been to hear and discuss the ordinance at the final hearing. If major changes are requested at the final hearing it may cause the need to re -advertise versus hearing and requesting changes at the introduction. • When will a vote be required regarding the Wellness Way MSTU renewal. City Attorney Waugh stated that the MSTU would automatically renew unless it is terminated two months prior to October 22. City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 Council Member Howard inquired about adding specific language stating that Lake County has to abide by the agreement they made with the residents and if things are not, where they need to be in two years, Council will shut down the MSTU. He inquired whether adding language would be appropriate or let them know that is the intent of Council. City Attorney Waugh stated that Council could make a policy change but another Council can amend that. Council could take action to eliminate the MSTU and to be brought back, it would have to go through the process again. Council consensus was to add the language Council Member Howard stated to the MSTU and brought back to Council. • Thanked Chief Mock for the Memorial Day program. • Thanked everyone involved for getting the Memorial Wall to Waterfront Park. • Thanked the Kiwanis Club of Clermont for placing flags on fallen hero's graves at Oak Hill cemetery. • Mayors luncheon will be on June 3 at Guru at 12:00 pm. • Inquired as to the reason the Fire Department refused 100 free gas detectors from Lake Apopka Natural Gas. • Requested a community forum on Meet Us in the Middle. Interim City Manager Van Wagner stated that this item will be discussed at June 17 workshop. Mayor Murry said he would like to see a community forum separate from the workshop to present options. • Requested information on the ambulance purchase. Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed Council that funds were used form the existing Fire Department budget. Fire Chief Ezell assured that if ambulance service does not move forward then they can still use the vehicle for other things. Mayor Murry passed the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Myers. Mayor Murry motioned the City Council authorize the City Manager to seek proposals from qualified accounting firms to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the following funds within the next six months. General funds, debt services funds, capital improvement funds, enterprise funds, impact funds and any other funds Council feels need to be included. The forensic audit shall encompass a ten-year period from the date of hiring the selected firm and will be funded from the city excess fund balance. The forensic audit is to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial operations to identify any irregularities and to strengthen the trust of our citizens and the management of public funds. Conducting this audit will provide a detailed analysis of the financial transactions and the practices within the identified funds allowing us to uphold our commitment to fiscal responsibility. Approving this motion, the Council will be taking a positive step in promoting financial integrity and enhance the city's accountability. I encourage each Council Member to support this motion. Council Member Howard was not in support of the motion. He stated he did not feel any money had been taken from the city illegally and will not waste money on a ten-year audit. City of Clermont MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING May 27, 2025 Motion died from the lack of a second. Mayor Pro Tern Myers passed the gavel back to Mayor Murry. Discussion ensued on the statement that the city found $2.1 million from Pulte. Interim City Manager Van Wagner explained the funds were received but not appropriated correctly, staff found the issue and it has been corrected. ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm. ATTEST 7 Tracy Ackroyd Howe, MMC City Clerk 9 APPROVED: Tim Murry, Mayor