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01-26-2009 RetreatCity of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT JANUARY 26, 2009 - 9:OOam The following were present: Mayor Turville, Council Members Thompson, Mullins, Goodgame and Hogan. Other officials present were: City Manager Saunders, City Attorney Mantzaris, Assistant City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd. David Outlaw submitted a resignation letter from the Planning and Zoning Board and asked to be placed on the Code Enforcement Board. This request is due to a scheduling conflict. City Manager Saunders provided an update on the current year budget including expenditures and revenue projections. Administrative Services Director Van Zile was present to provide additional information. City Manager Saunders reviewed the project status report which includes the major projects for the year. Staff and Council reviewed the unfunded and partially funded capital projects to include Inland Groves purchase and property development, Community Center, West Park, Police Department expansion, Central Business District streetscape, alternative water supply, and Waterfront Park Phase 2. Mayor Turville called for a recess at 10:50am. The meeting reconvened at 11:10am. Council discussed and agreed to finishing projects that have started. They prefer to concentrate on affordable local projects to complete. It was also discussed to have the Waterfront pavilion completed by March 2010. Barbara Early, Tripo Studios, approached the Council to consider having a mural city. She described what is involved with becoming a mural city. It was suggested to visit Lake Placid to view what they did. Council Member Mullins noted the Downtown Partnership may be interested. Mayor Turville recommended having a committee view it. Mayor Turville called for a recess at 12:lOpm. The meeting reconvened at 1:OSpm. City Manager Saunders continued reporting on the unfunded projects status. Staff and Council reviewed the Public Services expansion, Downtown Library, Recreation Center, Water Spray Park, Center Lake fountain, performing and visual arts center, Wakeboard camp property purchase, Hancock Park and a Dog Park. City Manager Saunders met with Tracy Swank to review the current Lake County Library on 8`h Street. They discussed the cost to have a city operated library. Staff and Council discussed reducing the level of service and considered delaying action and evaluating the need for a Library. Ms. Swank suggested to City Manager Saunders considering only having a genealogy and Florida History collection if Council decides to have a downtown library. Only 1,000 square feet would be needed to include a couple of computers, conference rooms and a reading room for periodicals. The Council agreed to wait and evaluate the need for a downtown library. Also, it was decided to leave the money in the budget. Assistant City Manager Gray provided an update on the 125 year celebration committee. A kick off meeting with the citizens committee was held last week. The purpose of the group was to come up with ideas for the celebration and the Council to give the committee direction. He passed out a list of ideas. The committee will divide into sub-committees and determine the event dates. City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT JANUARY 26, 2009 - 9:OOam The Council discussed working with the Library Board and coordinate reprinting of the Gem of the Hills book. Mayor Turville suggested the Library board submit a proposal to the Council to approve. The Council agreed they would like to participate in attending the 125 year committee meetings. The City Clerk's office will take care of advertising properly and taking minutes of the meetings. Mr. Gray noted Mike Latham is interested in serving as Chair of the committee. Staff and Council reviewed a summary chart of current development in the city. For 2008, there were 301 single family permits. They also reviewed the permit value issued and the commercial permits. City Manager Saunders asked Council if they want to consider offering an economic stimulus program. The City of Tavares is suspending impact fees and Lake County also has an incentive program for businesses. Council Member Mullins suggested changing the time frame of receiving impact fees. Mayor Turville questioned whether the lack of impact fees is to be considered a stimulus. Council Member Goodgame stated we should have good public relations of what the City is doing. Council Member Thompson expressed concern with public relations and marketing regarding Economic Development. He suggested the city put together a package to show what we have to offer. Mayor Turville noted the City of Clermont has the lowest ad valorem tax rate which is a stimulus. Council Member Thompson recommended the creation of a board with the South Lake cities becoming a unified region with a designated Council Member serving on a cohesive board. This would create an effort to sell south Lake County. Also include County Commissioner Renick and our School Board representative. This will give south Lake County a voice. The City Council was in agreement with the suggestion. Council Member Mullins stated the City should have an Economic Development Director. Mayor Turville directed staff to contact cities to inform them of the idea and see if we get a response. City Manager Saunders stated staff will send a letter inviting the other four (4) cities with one representative from each city and set up a meeting to discuss this idea. Council agreed to have Council Member Thompson represent the City of Clermont. Mayor Turville called for a recess at 3:14pm. The meeting reconvened at 3:28pm Council and staff reviewed the board appointments. All of the board members with expirations requested reappointments. Staff received one letter from Raymond Loyko requesting appointment. Council suggested he be appointed to fill David Outlaw's seat for the one year unexpired term since he resigned. On the Code Enforcement Board, neither of the two with expiring terms requested reappointment. Council suggested appointing David Outlaw to one of the seats which would leave one opening on the Code Enforcement Board. There are no other requests for appointment. Council reviewed the liaisons for the outside committees. The Cooper Library is no longer requesting a representative from the city. Ann Dupee thanked the Council for considering her for reappointment. She was appointed Vice President. Council Member Thompson will be the City representative on the South Lake Chamber. City Manager Saunders noted the Lake County Water Authority will be completing a drainage project in Clermont. The estimated total cost will be $750,000. They requested financial support from Clermont for the project. Mr. Saunders recommended continuing with the same plan to administer the project and will complete another project with city funds. Mayor Turville suggested packaging the request to combine the projects we have open and what we plan to contribute and name it phase 1 and 2 of the City of Clermont. 2 City of Clermont MINUTES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT JANUARY 26, 2009 - 9:OOam City Manager Saunders noted we have $250,000 for our project. Council and staff discussed placement of red light cameras. Council agreed to request proposals then consider moving forward with drafting an ordinance. Council Member Goodgame requested no smoking signs and designated smoking area for the parks. Council Member Thompson proposed lobbying to change the speed limit on Highway 27. City Manager Saunders and Council discussed and agreed upon placement of the little Cooper building in the Historic Village. ADJOURN: With no further comments, the retreat adjourned at 4:12pm.