HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII (A) Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of (1) City Commission Regular Meeting of May 4, 1999 (2) Work Sessions of May 3, 1999 and (3) May 11, 1999 • Agenda 5-18-99
DE j Item III A l
MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD
MAY 4, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers and, after reading a poem entitled A Part of America Died, he asked for a moment
of silent prayer for police officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Mrs. Frances Watts
led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker.
Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Building/Zoning Official
Flippen, City Clerk Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Police Chief Mark, Human Resources
Director Psaledakis, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, City Engineer/Utilities
Director Shira, Fire Chief Strosnider, Finance Supervisor Carter, and Budget Analyst
Strickland.
ABSENT: None
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Vandergrift recognized Boy Scout Troop 198 and asked that they introduce themselves.
He added that the troop, sponsored by the Lions Club, was working on their Citizenship in the
Community merit badge.
W.O.H.S. Grad Fest 99 -Request for Support for Project Graduation. Mardi Gabriel
Mike Kleinfelt, a West Orange High School student member of Project Graduation, described
Grad Fest 99 and asked for support. Mayor Vandergrift, seconded by the Entire Commission,
moved to grant$1,000 to Grad Fest 99. Motion carried unanimously.
EMPLOYEE YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS:
For these presentations Mayor Vandergrift read each employee's history with the City and the
employee's department head presented the awards.
5 Years: Plaque, City Watch and $50.00 Gift Certificate
Richard Parslow (not present), Paul Whitaker(not present),Timothy Hoover, and Donald
Carter.
10 Years: Plaque, $100.00 Gift Certificate
Amy Fulmer,Don Flippen,Ed White (not present)
PROCLAMATIONS
SHE Man Ron Willett Day-May 9, 1999.
Elizabeth Wiles, executive director of Communities in School, spoke briefly about radio
announcer Ron Willett and his contribution toward making the communities aware of needs.
After Mayor Vandergrift read his proclamation, Mr. Willett expressed his appreciation for the
recognition.
Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting 1 May 4, 1999 ..�
Mayor Vandergrift read the following proclamations:
National Day of Prayer,May 6, 1999.
Community Action Month -May, 1999
National Police Week: May 9-15, 1999 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day-May 6,
1999
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, and C. (See Minutes of the May 3 Work Session
for several corrections to the minutes of the April 20, 1999 meeting which were made without
objection.)
Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to approve and accept the
consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of (1) City Commission Regular Meeting of April
20, 1999, (2) Work Session of April 20 and (3) Commissioner Anderson's called Work
Session of March 15, 1999.
B. Approval and Acceptance of Second Quarter Financial Report.
• This is on Consent Agenda due to Mid-Year Budget data same as this report.
C. Appointments/Reappointments to Boards. The following citizens have advised they
would be willing to serve another term if you wish to reappoint them.
1. Code Enforcement Board - 3 year terms of Randy Chancey and Denise M. Lenko
expire June 1999.
2. Planning and Zoning Commission - 3 year term of Tanya Miller McCallister
expires June 1999.
• In the past this Commission has routinely reappointed those citizens who were willing to serve additional terms
when the membership represented all districts.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC
Former Mayor Lester Dabbs, 610 Caborca Court, speaking from a prepared statement, asked
that the record show that he did not use the words lazy, ignorant, or dumb in relation to this
commission as stated in a recent edition of The Orlando Sentinel.
Mrs. Cindy Vees, 2807 Johio Shores Road, advised that she had received a notice that the Johio
Shores well would be addressed at this meeting, but did not see it on the agenda. City Manager
Shapiro said that the information needed was incomplete, so the issue had been delayed until the
May 18 meeting, and that all of the information would be available for Commission to make a
decision at that time.
COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Howell congratulated Dave Stone in the Police Department on his upcoming
marriage.
Mayor Vandergrift:
1) Read a card from Michael Reilly, 1335 Olympia Park Circle, expressing appreciation for the
grant which helped to make his trip to California to receive his Pop Warner First Team
Senior All American Scholar award possible.
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May 4, 1999 71 —ER LIA
2) Said he had received a letter from Donald J. Borut, Executive Director of National League of
Cities, asking if Ocoee had a program for Kosovo relief efforts.
3) Noted receipt of a letter regarding membership in the United States Conference of Mayors.
City Manager Shapiro directed City Clerk Grafton to research the cost of membership and
respond in writing.
4) Read a letter from Dennis Smith, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools,
reporting on the"School Choice"plan and the district's five-year construction plan.
5) Read a thank you note from the YMCA for the grant to its 1999 Youth Scholarship
Campaign.
6) Announced the groundbreaking of the Ocoee Middle School (State Demonstration School)
May 11, 1999 at 9:30 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 99-21, MID YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT
City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of Ordinance No. 99-21. Finance Director
Horton was present to respond to questions.
The public hearing was opened.
Mr. R. P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, asked several questions, to which Mr.
Shapiro responded.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to adopt Ordinance No.
99-21 amending the budget as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
RECESS 8:21 P.M. - 8:33 P.M.
OTHER BUSINESS
RESOLUTION No. 99-12,ACQUISITION BY EMINENT DOMAIN OF PROPERTY BETWEEN
ORLANDO AVENUE AND COLUMBUS STREET FOR FIRE STATION No. 1 RELOCATION
Fire Chief Strosnider advised that this was one of several possible locations, but that this best
suited the needs of his department for service to the community and West Oaks Mall and would
bring the insurance rating down to the much desired rating of 2. Discussion regarding the value
of the land, appraisals, and exercising the process of eminent domain ensued.
Mr. Richard Doss, 576 Kissimmee Avenue, expressed his objection to the acquisition of
property by eminent domain and also to the proposed traffic patterns. He asked for special
consideration for a land use change for his property as he will be boxed in by industrial zoning
on the west and south and the fire station on the east if this goes through.
Mrs. Cathy Doss Starn, 408 Kailla Court, stated her objection to this relocation and to tearing
down the existing fire station and expressed her concern that the public was not advised about
this relocation and other issues that should have been matters of public interest and concern.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
May 4, 1999
Later in the discussion when Mrs. Starns expressed further her concern about the taking of
property and whether sometime in the future the City would take her father's property as well,
City Manager Shapiro stated for the record that the City had already looked at his property and
was not interested in purchasing it.
Commissioner Johnson said that tearing down the fire station was a part of the original plan
when this municipal complex was started. He announced for the record that he had received a
letter from Mary Humphrey, 1 E. Columbus Street, in favor of the proposed location of the fire
station.
Mayor Vandergrift directed staff to publish in The West Orange Times any agenda items that
were expected to be ready for upcoming commission meetings with a disclaimer in case they
were not ready.
Mr. Jim Powers, 495 S. Bluford Avenue, asked how far commercial property will come into his
residential area, if Washington Street will be abandoned, and how high the sound barrier wall
would be. Mr. Shapiro advised that he could petition to have Washington Street right-of-way
abandoned and that the firefighters/engineers no longer use sirens when they can control the
lights with Opticom.
Former Mayor Lester Dabbs empathized with the commission.
City Manager Shapiro asked that the record reflect that he had received a letter from Vasant G.
Patel, owner of 530 S. Bluford Avenue, who stated he had no objection when he found that it
was not his property in which the City was interested.
City Attorney Rosenthal said that if the Commission decides to go forward with the acquisition
the fire station is a permitted use in all zonings but an advertised public hearing would be
required. He noted also the procedures necessary.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the suitability of the parcel vs other parcels, procedures,
property ownership, and timing, and Commissioner Anderson proposed both negotiating with the
land owners for the best price possible and looking for other sites. Neither proposal received
support.
Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to go with the Staff
recommendation; i.e., approve Resolution No. 99-12 authorizing execution thereof by the Mayor
and City Clerk and further authorizing the City Attorney to file the necessary condemnation
action and proceed to acquire the properties by quick-take proceeding. Motion carried 4-1 with
Commissioner Anderson voting no.
Without objection, Mayor Vandergrift directed Staff to look at the Roper property as a possible
site and report back in writing before the next meeting.
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May 4, 1999 J
BIDS FOR DRIVEWAY AT FIRE STATION No. 4
In his staff report, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira advised that bids had been solicited
for the reconstruction of the failed driveway on the south side of Fire Station No. 4. Prime
Construction, Inc. submitted a bid of$86,300, Wharton-Smith bid $97,000, and Georgetown
Enterprises submitted a "no bid." Mr. Shira was present to respond to any questions.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved to go with Staff
recommendation; i.e., authorize Prime Construction Group, Inc. to proceed with
reconstruction of this drive way in accordance with their bid, for a not-to-exceed fee of
$86,300. Motion carried 5-0.
OCOEE/WINTER GARDEN RECLAIMED WATER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira advised that the Interlocal Agreement approved and
executed by this Commission and the City of Winter Garden dated July 7, 1998 was required
to be modified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Winter
Garden had requested a further clarification to the modified agreement approved by this
Commission February 2, 1999. The agreement presented at this time has been executed by the
City of Winter Garden and provides an increase in the amount of reclaimed water provided by
Winter Garden (from .25 MGD to .75 MGD over an eighteen month period).
Mayor Vandergrift, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to approve the Interlocal
Agreement as presented and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute. Motion carried 5-
0.
DESIGN FEE PROPOSAL FOR RECLAIMED WATER RETROFIT PROJECT FROM HARTMAN &
ASSOCIATES FOR SILVER GLEN AND WATERSIDE
In his staff report, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira presented a proposal from Hartman
&Associates for the complete surveying, permitting, design and construction of a reclaimed
water system in Silver Glen and Waterside subdivisions. This project would tap into the soon to
be constructed reclaimed water transmission line from the plant to the mall.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved to authorize Hartman
& Associates to proceed with design and associated services for a reclaimed water system in
Silver Glen and Waterside subdivisions in accordance with their proposal dated April 23, 1999,
for a not-to-exceed fee of$82,980.00. Motion carried 5-0.
STAFF REPORT - None
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Parker:
1) Announced that she will receive the Employee Survey results Wednesday and would like to
set up a meeting so that all can review the report at the same time. Mr. Shapiro said that his
secretary could coordinate the meeting time with Mr. Pelligrino and the Commission.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting (}
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Commissioner Johnson:
1) Said the Kissimmee Street water tower area should be landscaped. Mr. Shira advised that
bids are out now to plug the well itself and the bid also includes cleaning up the site and
taking everything above the ground out.
2) Stated for the record: "I, and Ellis knows before I got out of office before I talked to him
about different areas I didn't like certain things, but since I've been back and during election
time about the property up here, I did not particularly want it put there. I live near there,but
in the long run what is best for the City, and I've been told by the Fire Chief, which I think is
the expert for the Fire Department and what they need. That's the reason I voted for it,
because of the area there is more residential where it's at now than there is down there on that
corner. If we do the access to the roads I think it will work out but I didn't particularly like...
Mr. Doss called me about a week ago one night and I talked to him for quite a while and I
told him I didn't really want to do that, but I would never let anything happen without
making sure the landscaping and any kind of a buffer zone, anything else to go there. And I
think, I hadn't ever thought of it but the City Manager made a good point a while ago -these
road systems we have and you build a house on a major road you ought to know full well
what is coming. I mean there's just things going to be there."
3) Said, as a Commissioner for eleven years, he watched the county do certain things and get
away with it. The Johio Shores well was not the City's well. If the City was trying to help
citizens regarding that, the City should not have to take grief as a result.
Commissioner Howell:
1) Asked when the Prime Construction Group was going to finish the Kimball Street project.
Mr. Shira described the problem encountered with the storm pipes crushed where they
intersected the water pipes, necessitating re-engineering and reordering pipes. He anticipated
finishing the project in 30 days.
2) Asked for the results of Community Relations/Projects Director Shira's trip to Tallahassee
for the Main Street grant last year.
Commissioner Anderson:
1) Said that since the Johio Shores citizens had been advised something would be done on a
specific date, something should be done as soon as possible.
2) Expressed his opinion that exercising the eminent domain process will cost the City more.
3) Said a citizen had sent him a message that as City Commissioners using money, they should
treat the money as they would their own.
4) Advised that he would have his laptop at the next meeting to receive e-mail messages from
citizens during the meeting.
Mayor Vandergrift:
1) Expressed appreciation for the volunteers at the Big Orange Games last Saturday.
2) Asked for the date of the surplus sale and suggested that the utility counter clerks take care of
a surplus store.
3) Wants to see the computer system set up to accept utility payments by transfer from citizens'
checking accounts. Commissioner Anderson added that payment with credit cards or
automatic deduction from accounts and billing by e-mail should be implemented as well.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 4, 1999 MLU
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4) Said he and his wife had spent nine hours correcting the sexual bias of the Tri-County League
of Cities Charter and By-Laws and had received an e-mail message of appreciation from
Marilyn Crotty,Executive Director.
5) Memo from Public Works Director Smith that was requested by Finance Director Carter
regarding landscaping was a step in the right direction for providing information and he
commended them both.
6) Asked when the municipal complex would be mowed again.
7) Wants flyers created similar to Orange County's for volunteer advisory boards.
8) State Legislature has approved the reorganizing of the Tri City Airport Authority and the
City will have one appointment to that board.
9) Announced the RSVP line - 656-2218.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:08 p.m.
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
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Agenda 5-18-99
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MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION
HELD MAY 3, 1999
CALL TO ORDER,
Mayor Vandergrift called the Work Session to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers and said that he would ask for comments/questions on each agenda item in turn
rather than have each commissioner review the entire agenda separately.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson (arrived at 6:51),
and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Clerk
Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Police Chief Mark, Recreation Director Nordquist, Human
Resources Director Psaledakis, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Community
Relations/Projects Director Shira, Fire Chief Strosnider, Information Systems Manager
Tartar, Police Lieutenant Seaver, and Budget Analyst Strickland.
ABSENT: None
REVIEW AGENDA FOR MAY 4, 1999 REGULAR MEETING
Presentations and Proclamations
Mayor Vandergrift asked that future information provided for the Employee Years of Service
Awards contain some personal information as well as the hire date and specific awards.
CONSENT AGENDA
Although there were no questions raised regarding the Consent Agenda items, as Mayor
Vandergrift reviewed the Minutes of the April 20 meeting, he made the following corrections:
(Additions are underscored, deletions are struck through.)
(1) Page 1 - "Mayor of the Moment Paccioco introduced himself, saying he is student council
president of Clarcona Elementary School..."
(2) Page 2 - Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to give grant
the West Orange Choral Group..."
(3) Page 8 - "A revenue bond will pay for the next station, and the project on the northwest
fire station needs to go forward."
Commissioner Anderson said when someone approaches the Commission for a donation the
amount granted them the previous year should be a part of the information provided. City
Manager Shapiro responded that he would make that a part of his response to the applicant
when he receives a request to appear before the Commission, as well as requesting that the
petitioner provide a list of current donors and contributions. He added that he would ask
Finance Department to provide a list of last year's grants also.
Mayor Vandergrift asked if the different lists of information requested during that meeting
had been provided: i.e., YMCA (Ocoee recipients of last year's grant) and available practice
ball fields. Mr. Shapiro said someone would contact the YMCA and ask for the list of Ocoee
youth benefiting from that grant.
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Ocoee City Commission Work Session
May 3,1999
Commissioner Anderson initiated a discussion regarding the definition of vacant lots vs
practice ball fields and Mr. Shapiro said he would ask Mr. Rosenthal to write something that
would make that interpretation easier.
In response to Mayor Vandergrift's question of whether a public hearing would be required for
Dr. Ferdinand's proposal to use stone rather than brick for the wall for the Esplanade
Apartment project, Mr. Shapiro said it would be.
Continuing with his review of the minutes, referring to page 11, Mayor Vandergrift asked
when they would receive the policy for submitting reimbursement requests. Discussion ensued
regarding the form already provided and the need for a clear definition/policy as requested.
Mr. Shapiro said that the information needed would be requested of the CPA.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE No. 99-21, MID-YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT
Mr. Shapiro started the review by referring to Section 7 of the Personnel Rules and
Regulations, which section infers that the City Manager is the one who sets the work
schedule/hours in order to meet the needs of a particular department to provide proper service
to the community. He added that the Commission controls that with the budget. He clarified
that the request for $1,715 was to provide for the promotion of two Police Officers to
Sergeant, not for approval of the four/ten hour day schedule. Commissioner Howell stated for
the record that he was in favor of the reclassification of the two sergeants. Commissioner
Parker, then Commissioner Anderson, concurred for the record. Mayor Vandergrift said
he would go with it too, but he felt there had been a very poor presentation of the information.
Mayor Vandergrift noted that the contract person they had been discussing for the television
coverage had not been included in the budget. Mr. Shapiro explained that he expected Mr.
Blaszczyk tocover the meetings the rest of the budget year and had included funds for him and
his team from June through September, then the position would be provided for in the next
budget. There was discussion regarding the process for such inclusion, creating a job
description, surveying, advertising, etc., and Mr. Shapiro said Mr. Blaszczyk would be
welcome to apply for the position, along with any other applicants. Further discussion
centered on the need to fix the poor sound quality of the broadcast, and whether the fault lay
with the equipment, GPS (who installed and still service the audio/visual system), Time
Warner Communications, or the operators. Commissioner Anderson proposed finding
someone else to service the equipment if GPS cannot fix the problem.
Commissioner Johnson arrived at 6:51 p.m. during this discussion.
Community Relations/Projects Director Shira pointed out that conferences were underway
with Time Warner regarding the franchise and the broadcasting of the meetings. Mr. Shapiro
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Ocoee City Commission Work Session
May 3, 1999
proposed giving them six weeks to straighten it out, and if it is not corrected to then take funds
from Contingency.
Commissioner Anderson noted that Time Warner was putting up road runner now and the
City will not need T1 or T3.
RESOLUTION No. 99-12, ACQUISITION BY EMINENT DOMAIN OF PROPERTY BETWEEN
ORLANDO AVENUE AND COLUMBUS STREET FOR FIRE STATION No. 1 RELOCATION
Commissioner Anderson proposed using a location in the industrial area for the fire station
instead of this parcel. During the ensuing discussion the question of the disposition of the
existing Fire Station No. 1 was raised, and City Manager Shapiro proposed hiring someone
to design the lakefront.
Commissioner Anderson asked about the driveway for Fire Station No. 4, and was advised
that the issue was under litigation so should not be a part of this discussion.
Commissioner Parker and Commissioner Howell expressed concern about hiring the low
bidder and then having to deal with change orders.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
APPROVED
Attest: City of Ocoee
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
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MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION HELD
MAY 11, 1999
This work session was held to review the results of the Employee Survey conducted by
Mr. N. E. Pellegrino, senior partner of Cody &Associates, 305 Jack Drive, Cocoa Beach.
Mr. Pellegrino, accompanied by his wife, Kathryn, was present to discuss the report and
answer questions.
Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers Conference Room, and added that surveys such as this should be scheduled
regularly.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, and Parker. Also
present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Building/Zoning Official
Flippen, City Clerk Grafton, Police Chief Mark, Human Resources Director Psaledakis,
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Public Works Director Smith, and Planning
Director Wagner.
ABSENT: Commissioner Howell
Mr. Pellegrino reported that 83% of the 266 full and part time employees participated in
the survey and that in general the attitudes of the participants were good. There were
many comments that the survey was well received and the employees appreciated the
opportunity to voice an opinion. He added that those who needed personal assistance
received it. Mr. Pellegrino said the overall tally was exceptionally favorable. He then
reviewed the survey and recapped the responses.
Mayor Vandergrift thanked Commissioner Parker for the overall handling of the survey
and Commissioner Parker in turn thanked the team.
Mayor Vandergrift complimented Staff and said that copies of the report should be
distributed to all employees.
Commissioner Johnson added that Mr. Shapiro and Staff deserve credit for doing a
good job.
In a discussion about surveying the citizens regarding the services provided, Mr. Smith
said he would provide a copy of Orlando's survey.
City Manager Shapiro expressed appreciation to the department heads and supervisors
for conducting themselves in such a manner that would cause fellow employees to fill out
the survey in such a positive way.
Commissioner Anderson thanked Mr. Pellegrino.
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May 11,1999 U
As the meeting was about to adjourn, Mr. Lester Dabbs, who had been reading the report,
pointed out a typo on page 17, question 2 and Commissioner Parker asked that the
correction deleting the word"not" from question 2 be made on the official copy for the
file and before copies were distributed to the employees. The sentence correctly reads,
"List the things you do like about working for the City."
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
CITY OF OCOEE
Attest: Approved:
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
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