HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.12.2025 - City Council Meeting City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a regular meeting on Tuesday,August 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm in the Clermont City
Council Chambers. Mayor Murry called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm with the following Council
Members present: Council Members Strange,Howard and Petersen.
Other City officials present were Interim City Manager Van Wagner,City Attorney Waugh,and City Clerk
Howe.
Absent—Council Member Myers
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Nelson Bloem of Better Life Worship gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cyn Doyle, 1020 W Minnehaha—announced events around the city.
Charlene Forth, 939 W.Desoto Street—spoke about the ducks around Center Lake.
AGENDA CHANGES
Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council of the following agenda change:
Item No. 11-Integra Development Agreement—pulled from the agenda.
Item No. 14—Resolution No.2025-013R, Clermont West Phase 2 CUP
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, LAKE
COUNTY,FLORIDA,GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT(2025-013R),TO
ALLOW FOR TWO HOTELS TO OCCUPY MORE THAN 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF
'FLOOR SPACE AND TO ALLOW SHARED PARKING AMONG THE HOTELS. IN
ADDITION, THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL
CONDITIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: (1) TO
ALLOW ZERO (0) FOOT INTERNAL LANDSCAPE BUFFERS BETWEEN
INTERNAL LOT LINES AND (2) TO ALLOW A MAXIMUM GRADING WITHIN
THE PERIMETER LANDSCAPE BUFFERS UP TO 25% SLOPE; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICT,SEVERABILITY,ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS
ERROR,PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the resolution title aloud.
Interim City Manager Van Wagner informed the Council this is a request to table the item to date certain
of August 26,2025.
Council Member Howard motioned to table Item No. 14 Resolution No. 2025-013R,
Clermont West Phase 2 CUP:seconded by Council Member Petersen.Passed unanimously
4-0 with all members present voicing aye.
1
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
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 the July 8, 2025, council
workshop minutes.
Item No.2—Piggyback Term Contract Consider approval to piggyback the State of
Cloud Solutions Florida, Department of Management Services
Alternate Contract Source No. 43230000-
NASPO-16-ACS with Carahsoft Technology
Corporation to provide Cloud Solutions.
Item No.3—Piggyback Term Contract Consider approval to piggyback OMNIA
Workplace Solutions Partners Term Contract No. 001299 with
Cintas Corporation to provide uniform rental
services.
Item No.4—Resolution No.2025-018R Consider approval to establish compliance with
Utility Deposit Interest the Florida Administrative Code.
Item No.5—Interlocal Agreement Consider agreement approval for Pickleball
Court Improvements to receive $100,000 of
Lake County Infrastructure Sales Tax funding.
Item No.6—Event and Open Container Request Consider allowing the South Lake Chamber of
Taste of South Lake 2026 Commerce to have an open container area for
event on November 6,2025,at Waterfront Park
from 5:30 PM- 8:30 PM.
Item No.7—Event and Road Closure Request Consider approval of South Lake Florida Base
Veterans Day 2025 Submarine Event and Parade, with Road
Closures on November 8,2025.
Item No.8—Film Production Road Closure Consider approval of Road Closures for the
Request—Date Adjustment dates of February 16,2026—February 20,2026,
Root&Branch Films from 10 PM - 6 AM for the purpose of
overnight film production.
Item No.9—Events Request Consider approval of the race series 2026
Sommer Sports season, open container allowance, and waive
all associated ground fees and road closure for
two events.
2
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
Item No. 10—Event and Open Container Request Consider the event request to have an open
Viva Clermont! container area for the event on November 16,
2025.
Item No. 11 —Integra Development Agreement Consider approval of a development agreement
with PRM Clermont/Wellness Way Owner,
LLC.
Charlene Forth pulled item 8 from the consent agenda.
Council Member Strange motioned to approve Consent Agenda items 1-7,and 9-10 subject
to item 5, Interlocal Agreement being amended under paragraph 2 to clarify that the fee is
for use of the ARC pickleball courts, not the center as described in the agreement and to
limit the restriction in paragraph two to a period of five years; seconded by Council
Member Petersen.Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye.
Item No.8—Film Production Road Closure Request—Date Adjustment,Root&Branch Films
Charlene Forth,939 W. Desoto Street—inquired on which roads will be closed.
Events and Recreation Manager Cory shared which streets will be closed, explaining that closures will
happen only during filming. The goal is to keep the impact on businesses and the public as minimally as
possible.
Council Member Howard motioned to approve Item No. 8 Film Production Road Closure
Request: seconded by Council Member Petersen. Passed unanimously 4-0 with all
members present voicing aye.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item No. 12—Ordinance No.2025-029,Plats Final
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT,
LAKE COUNTY,FLORIDA,AMENDING CHAPTER 119, SECTION 119-123,TO
ESTABLISH AN EXPEDITED BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE PROCESS FOR
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION PLATS PURSUANT TO SECTION 173.073,
FLORIDA STATUTES; AMENDING CHAPTER 119 OF THE CITY CODE TO
REQUIRE APPROVAL OF PLAT SUBMITTALS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS BY
AN ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY, AND TO INCORPORATE OTHER
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 177.071, FLORIDA
STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION,
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR,
PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the ordinance title aloud.
City Attorney Waugh explained that this ordinance is based on two required changes from Florida law.
First,the state now requires that preliminary and final plats be approved by staff instead of the City Council.
3
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
There is no choice in the matter,if the application meets the legal conditions,it must be approved.The city
has already passed a resolution giving this responsibility to the Planning Director.
Second,because of Clermont's population size,the city must follow a rule that lets builders apply for up to
50 percent of their building permits once the preliminary plat is approved.This is different from how things
worked in the past and is another example of the state setting rules.
Mayor Murry opened the public hearing.There were no comments.Mayor closed the public hearing.
Council Member Howard motioned to approve Item No. 12 Ordinance No. 2025-029,
Plats: seconded by Council Member Petersen.
Council Member Strange opposed the ordinance, arguing that it takes away the City Council's authority
and gives too much control to the state. She said local officials should make decisions for Clermont, not
just carry out orders from Tallahassee. She sees this as a policy issue, not just an administrative one, and
said she would vote against it to stand up for local control.
The council discussed Home Rule and if there was a legal basis to deny the ordinance.
City Attorney Waugh informed the Council that the ordinance brings the city into compliance with state
law.
Council Member Howard said he is open to taking legal action to protect Home Rule,but he does not think
this is the right issue to push back on. He asked City Attorney Waugh which state laws might be worth
challenging.
City Attorney Waugh said that while some state laws like Senate Bill 180 and Live Local are unpopular
and could be challenged,this ordinance is not worth fighting over. He explained that the state is basically
putting into law what the courts already said,if a plat meets certain requirements,the city must approve it.
It is a change that the council no longer gets to weigh in.He stated that this ordinance is to update the city's
code to match state law, so there is no confusion. Since state law overrides local rules anyway.
Council Member Strange said that she would not be opposed to the ordinance if the code reflected what the
Council wanted,then giving administrative approval would not be a problem if it follows the code.
Charlene Forth,939 W. Desoto Street—spoke in favor of denying the ordinance.
Council Member Petersen said that the Florida League of Cities is the right channel to use, as they have
lobbyists in Tallahassee who can work to change the rules.
The motion failed 2-2 with Council Member Strange and Council Member Petersen
opposed.
4
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12, 2025
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 13—Board Appointments
Development Services Director Henschel stated that there are two open seats on the Code Enforcement
Board, Seats 6 and 7,with four applicants. One of them, Bill Kilburn, is seeking reappointment. The three
new applicants are Christopher Cornett,Elix Newsome,and Peter Connelly.The applicants were invited to
come to the podium and introduce themselves.
Chris Cornett—Expressed interest in serving.
Peter Connelly—Expressed interest in being involved in the community.
Council Member Strange motioned to appoint Chris Cornett and Peter Connelly to the
Code Enforcement Board;seconded by Council Member Petersen.Passed unanimously 4-
0 with all members present voicing aye.
Development Services Director Henschel informed Council that he received indication that a current board
member may be resigning so there may be another vacancy soon.
Item No. 14—This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
Item No. 15—Ordinance No.2025-021,ProActive Auto Annexation Intro
AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE
ANNEXATION OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND CONTIGUOUS TO THE
PRESENT CITY BOUNDARIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT,
SEVERABILITY,ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS ERROR,
RECORDING,PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the ordinance title aloud.
Council Member Howard motioned to introduce Item No. 15 Ordinance No. 2025-021,
ProActive Auto Annexation: seconded by Council Member Petersen.Passed unanimously
4-0 with all members present voicing aye.
Item No. 16—Ordinance No. 2025-028,Bloxam Offices Intro
AN ORDINANCE UNDER THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
CLERMONT,LAKE COUNTY,FLORIDA AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING
MAP OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT, REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER 122 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 289-C, CODE OF ORDINANCES; REZONING THE REAL
PROPERTIES DESCRIBED HEREIN AS SHOWN BELOW, PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF
SCRIVENERS ERROR, RECORDING, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the ordinance title aloud.
5
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
Council Member Howard motioned to introduce Item No. 16 Ordinance No. 2025-028,
Bloxam Offices: seconded by Council Member Petersen.
Council Member Strange stated that while she would approve the item to move it forward, a 14-foot wall
is a concern for her and wanted to notify the applicant before the final reading.
Mayor Murry expressed his concern with the development not having an entrance on Bloxam Avenue.The
council discussed the only entrance being on US Highway 27 and requesting the development have an
entrance on Bloxam Avenue.
Planning and Zoning Chairperson Bain explained that when the project came before the Planning and
Zoning Commission the applicant did not request an entrance from Bloxom,but a service-only entrance for
first responders is planned.Two residents spoke on the issue,including the HOA president from the nearby
townhomes, who opposed the entrance from Bloxam Avenue. The Planning and Zoning Commission
agreed to avoiding additional traffic on Bloxam Avenue. However, this was not a change made by the
Commission,it was part of the applicant's original proposal.
Council Member Howard amended his motion to introduce Item No. 16 Ordinance No.
2025-028, Bloxam Offices to include a request to place an entrance/exit on Bloxam
Avenue: seconded by Council Member Petersen.
City Attorney Waugh clarified that this motion requires integrating an ingress/egress on Bloxam Avenue.
Council Member Strange stated that she was informed that there will be sidewalks and the project will be
compliant with the new landscaping code.
Passed unanimously 4-0 with all members present voicing aye.
Item No. 17—Ordinance No.2025-030, Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act Intro
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLERMONT,
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, REPEALING CHAPTER 40, ARTICLE III OF THE
CITY CODE, AND PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY,
CODIFICATION, THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENERS
ERROR, PUBLICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Clerk Howe read the ordinance title aloud.
City Attorney Waugh stated that there are sections in the city code that prohibit gasoline-powered motors
on local bodies of water. However, the Florida Legislature has removed the city's authority to make that
decision. While the new state law automatically overrides the local rule, this update is being made to the
city code to avoid confusion and ensure it aligns with current state law.
Council Member Howard said there is a possible workaround called sector separation.This allows the city
to designate certain lakes for specific types of watercrafts,for example,only allowing kayaks and sailboats,
by arguing that motorized boats would pose a safety risk. Smaller lakes like Pitts Lake probably would not
see much use from either motorboats or kayaks,but a lake like Crystal Lake could reasonably be designated
for non-motorized use due to its size and recreational potential. To do this, the city would apply through
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,and the process is not difficult.
6
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
Council discussed incorporating the workaround into the city's comprehensive plan,especially if the"string
of pearls", moves forward. They discussed potential amendments such as speed limit signs before final
approval.
Council Member Petersen moved to introduce Item No. 17 Ordinance No. 2025-030,
Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act:
The council discussed creating distinctions in the Comprehensive Plan that would then integrate into this
ordinance which would take effect instead of amending the ordinance at this time.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Howard.Passed 3-1 with Council Member
Strange opposed.
REPORTS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Van Wagner—
• Downtown Wine Stroll is on August 16.
• The groundbreaking for the Lake Felter playground is on August 21 at 11:30 am.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Waugh—
• Informed Council that the renegotiation of the deal with Duke Energy will be coming before them
in the form of an ordinance.
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Council Member Petersen—
• Suggested placing a sign at Center Lake stating not to feed the ducks.
The council discussed different options to address the issue with the ducks.
• Spoke about solar lights being an option for the city.
Council Member Strange—
• Excited about EMS service in Wellness Way.
• Shared that architecture students from the University of Miami are interested in partnering with the
city on design projects as part of their coursework.
• Inquired whether Council wants to give discretion to the City Manager to hire either consultants or
employees for some key positions that Council spoke about during the budget workshops.
Council Members agreed they would be open to having more people looking at projects such as Meet Us
in the Middle as well as a Community Center.
Council Member Howard—No report.
7
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
Deputy City Manager Matthys—No report.
Mayor Murry—
• Motorized vehicles on the trail are becoming an issue and need more enforcement.
Discussion ensued regarding speed limits for motorized bicycles as well as having streets designed to allow
room for them as well as signage and education.
• Requested staff to make sure all events around the city are peaceful.
• The mayor's luncheon on Tuesday was at Keke's breakfast cafe.
• Attended the White Castle ribbon cutting this morning.They donated$5,000 to the Boys and Girls
Club.
• Will be attending the Florida League of Cities meetings in Orlando this week.
• Requested the City Manager look into re-establishing the Youth Council program.
• Thanked Officer Lawless and Aponte for assisting a resident.
8
City of Clermont
MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 12,2025
ADJOURN: With no further comments,this meeting adjourned at 4:56pm.
APPROVED:
Tim Murry,Ma or
ATTEST
Tracy Ackroyd o ,MMC
City Clerk
t.tK:
�
44, s rpq� l 'i4
' .. + • j
Vai
9