HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII (A) Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meeting of November 4, 1997, Town Meeting of October 30, 1997, and Joint Special Meeting with Apopka and Winter Garden held November 10, 1997 Agenda 11-18-97
Item III A
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
HELD NOVEMBER 4, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers. R.L. Johnston, Harvest Church of God, led in prayer and Frances Watts led in the
pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Howell and Parker. Also
present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, City
Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Director of Community Relations/Projects
Resnik, Planning Director Wagner, Building Official Flippen, Finance Director
Horton, Public Works Director Smith, Finance Supervisor Carter, Police Chief
Mark and City Clerk Grafton.
ABSENT: None.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PRESENTATIONS
RETIREMENT CHAIR AND PLAQUE'1'O POLICE SERGEANT WILLIAM A. (ANDY) GAILIT- 1973 -
1997.
Police Chief Mark gave a brief history of Sergeant Gailit's career with the City and presented
him with a plaque. Sergeant Gailit expressed his appreciation and introduced his wife, Susan,
and children, Rachel, William and Sara. Mayor Vandergrift presented Mr. Gailit with a
retirement rocking chair.
PROCLAMATIONS-None.
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, D and E. Commissioners Howell and
Anderson pulled items B and C for discussion. Commissioner Glass, seconded by
Commissioner Howell, moved to approve items A, D, and E of the consent agenda as
presented. Motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meeting of October 21,
1997; Special Final Budget Session of September 10, 1997; Joint Special Session
Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden to Review Western Beltway Route of October 10, 1995•
Canvassing Board Meeting of November 3, 1993; and Budget Workshop of August 12
1996.
D. Approval and Authorization to Permit Temporary Road Closure of East Oakland Avenue
for Historical Commission Arts & Crafts Festival.
E. Appointment to Citizen Advisory Council for Ocoee Police Department(3 year term).
(Sam Woodson was reappointed, but John Lemminn was not at his request.)
Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
Items B. and C. of the consent agenda were discussed at this point, with item C. being
discussed first.
Commissioner Howell had pulled agenda item Ill. C from the consent agenda to ask who the
applicant for the reduction in impact fees had hired to do the traffic count on the other stores.
Planning Director Wagner said they had hired a private firm who did a thorough traffic study
and the City's traffic consultants concurred with their review. Commissioner Glass said he had
had similar questions and asked that in the future, the traffic consultant provide the addresses of
the sample businesses.
C. Approval and Authorization for Alternative Impact Fee Calculation for Burger King at
Good Homes Plaza.
Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to approve the Alternative
Impact Fee Calculation for Burger King at Good Times Plaza. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Anderson had pulled agenda item III. B from the consent agenda to question the
wording in note 13 regarding "minimizing disruption." As the wording was acceptable to the
rest of the Commission, no change was ordered.
B. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to execute Fenwick Cove (Wesmere
Villages 6&7) Subdivision Plat.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to approve the Fenwick
Cove (Wesmere Villages 6 & 7) Subdivision Plat and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute. Motion carried 4-1. (Commissioner Howell voted no.)
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC
Mrs. Frances Watts, 43 Shell Key Court, read a prepared statement regarding Kissimmee
Avenue. She asked that a stripe be painted down the center of Kissimmee Avenue. from
Washington Street down to McKey Street. She said Founders Day had come and gone and still
the restrooms had not been installed by Starke Lake. City Manager Shapiro said the final plans
were with the mechanical engineer and would be installed as soon as possible. Mrs. Watts also
asked that the curfew be reinstated in Pioneer Key Parks because kids stand around in the streets
late at night. Mr. Shapiro said he would give the Commission a report on the effectiveness of
the curfew and then ask them for direction. Mrs. Watts recalled when the first I cent tax was
imposed... it was never removed. She presented Mayor Vandergrift a sign that said, "A penny
saved is a penny taxed."
ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE BY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Vandergrift:
I) Mayor Vandergrift made a public apology to the television crew for the comments he made
at the last Commission meeting.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
Commissioner Parker:
I) Announced that a Community Forum on Building Construction Concerns would be held on
Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, and
encouraged all citizens to attend.
2) Asked that the City provide transportation for the Youth Leadership Club. City Manager
Shapiro said the City would have to make a few modifications to its insurance plan to make
sure the students were covered.
3) Announced Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 1997, I1:00 a.m., at the Municipal
Complex Gazebo.
Commissioner Howell:
I) Explained that he had voted no on the Wesmere project because he felt the City needed to
slow down on its growth.
Commissioner Anderson:
No comments at this time.
Commissioner Glass:
No comments at this time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
LAKE LOTTA (AKA WEST OAKS) MALL DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI) NOTICE
OF PROPOSED CHANCE(NOPC).
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT ORDER, LAKE LOTTA MALT. DRI (AKA WEST
OAKS MALL).
Planning Director Wagner presented the staff report, displayed a map on the overhead
projector and said that the AMC Movie Theaters, located at the West Oaks Mall, would like to
expand its theater space from 14 screens to 24 screens. The proposed change would allow an
increase of 35,000 square feet in the total square footage of the theater area, for a total of 95,000
square feet GLA, and increase the total number of seats permitted by 2,000 for a total of 5,000
seats. The change would require amendments to the Lake Lotta Mall DRI Development Order,
the West Oaks Mall PUD, the Development Agreement, the Final Subdivision Plan and the Final
Site Plan.
Commissioner Anderson asked Jim Grant, GGP Homart representative, what the mall was
going to do to increase security with the additional theaters and Mr. Grant said they would do
whatever is necessary. Mr. Grant also said that the increase in traffic would be beneficial to
other businesses.
The public hearing was opened.
R.P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, asked whether the City's police officers were
allowed on private property inside the mall. City Manager Shapiro explained that mall security
normally takes care of their problems inside the mall, and the City's police officers take care of
problems outside of the mall.
Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Mayor Vandererift, moved to approve the Notice of
Proposed Change and the First Amendment to the Development Order for the Lake Lotta Mall
DIZL also known as the West Oaks Mall, date stamped received by the City on September 30
1997. Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners ILowell and Parker voting against.
WEST OAKS MALL PUD LAND USE PLAN - CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AMENDMENT,
PROJECT#94-011.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE No. 97-31
City Attorney Rosenthal read this Ordinance by title only. Planning Director Wagner
presented the staff report and explained that Ordinance 97-31 would amend the local zoning
approval for the West Oaks Mall PUD to allow the Mall to implement the proposed changes
described in the previous agenda item. Ordinance 97-31, if adopted, would amend Condition I I
in the Land Use Plan Conditions of Approval for the West Oaks Mall PUD. The emphasis of
these changes was to allow the Mall to exchange some of the square footage originally approved
as shopping center space for the proposed additional theater space.
The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Class, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to find this amendment
consistent with the Ocoee Comprehensive Plan, and to approve Ordinance 97-31, which would
amend condition 11 (Sheet 6 of 14) of the Land Use Plan Conditions of Approval for the West
Oaks Mall PUD as presented. Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Howell and Parker voting
no.
THIRD AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT(WEST OAKS MALL)
WEST OAKS MALL - AMENDMENT TO FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAN WEST OAKS MALL -
AMENDMENT TO FINAL SITE PLAN FOR Lots 1,2,3,4, & 5.
Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to approve the Third
Amendment to the Development Agreement for the West Oaks Mall; the corresponding
amendment to the Final Subdivision Plan for the West Oaks Mall; the corresponding amendment
to the Final Site Plan for the West Oaks Mall, and to make all four of the above approvals subject
to the First Amendment to the Lake Lotta Mall DIU Development Order becoming effective.
Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Howell and Parker voting no.
Due to the large number of citizens present to speak to the Traffic and Safety issues related to
Spring Lake Elementary, that item was taken out of agenda order and considered at this time.
However, the items will be reported in these minutes in agenda order.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE No. 97-32, AMENDING PERSONNEL RULES AND
REGULATIONS - ADDING/CHANGING HOLIDAYS. (Consideration of this item began at 10:21
p.m.)
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
City Attorney Rosenthal read this Ordinance by title only. The proposed Ordinance adds
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official City holiday and allows the City Commission to set
the Christmas Eve holiday as either the day before or the day after the Christmas Day holiday.
The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to approve Ordinance 97-32
- Amending Personnel Rules and Regulations - adding/changing holidays, as presented. Motion
carried 4-1 with Commissioner Anderson voting no.
City Manager Shapiro suggested to Commission that they set the Christmas Holiday for the
26th of December this year in order to provide a four-day weekend holiday.
Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to set the Christmas Ilolidav
to December 26, 1997. Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO SPRING LAKES
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Community Relations/Projects Director Resnik presented the staff report explaining the five
options created by staff in response to the directions given in the September 24 meeting with
Ocoee City Commission and the staff of Orange County Schools, including Spring Lake
Elementary School Principal Sheila Johnson, Senior Director of Elementary Education Nick
Gledich, and Safety Programs Administrator David Greenwood.
Those options were:
1) Creating a new access to Spring Lake Elementary School from A.D. Mims Road, west of the
proposed entrance to the Ocoee Wastewater'treatment Plant and future recreational complex.
This access was proposed for parents only, in an effort to separate the cars from the bus
traffic and alleviate the stacking problem in the Spring Lake Circle area.
2) An internal one-way loop on school property, taking cars from the entrance to the school,
around the property set aside for recreation, and continuing back through the area where the
sewer plant is, and back to the existing loop where parents drop off and pick up their
children. This opting provides as much stacking room as Option No. I. It provides for the
separation of bus and car traffic once the vehicles reach school property.
3) Creating a driveway off of the new proposed driveway leading to the recreational complex
and wastewater treatment plant, heading west to the school property and then connecting to
the existing loop where parents drop off and pick up their children. This driveway would
result in either a loss of volume in the existing holding pond or a redesign of the soccer
field/track.
4) Creating a second access through the Nancy Ann Woods subdivision, through Sal Street and
Leslie Ann Lane. Although this would relieve some of the traffic problems in the Spring
Lake Circle area, it would simply shift the problem to another neighborhood without creating
ample stacking area for parents' vehicles off of public streets.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
5) A vehicular connection from Sarah Lcc Lane to the back of the school where the school's
wastewater treatment plant is located. When the treatment plant is removed, a paved
vehicular access from Sarah Lee Lane could be constructed to include a driveway loop at the
location of the treatment plant. To limit the number of vehicles going in and out of the
neighborhood, it was suggested that this could be for school bus traffic only. There are only
six or seven buses. The existing bus loading area could then be used as additional space for
parent cars and loading those children. With the new bus loop, a fence would be installed to
prohibit access to the school from this driveway after school hours.
Mayor Vandergrift invited Mrs. Sheila Johnson, Spring Lake Elementary School Principal, and
her staff to the lectern and asked that they introduce themselves. They introduced themselves as
follows: David Greenwood, Safety Programs Administrator for the school district, John D.
Smith, Project Manager for Orange County schools and John Webb, Engineering Consultant for
Orange County schools.
Mrs. Sheila Johnson gave pros and cons of Option 5, said there would still he a question of
safety for children walking and on bicycles with Option 5, and she offered other alternatives.
Mr. David Greenwood said that with the addition of the street hooking up to Sara Lee Lane, the
area where the school buses come in on the north side of the campus, they would want to park
the day care vans in that back area as well.
Commission reached consensus to go with Option No. 5 and let staff work out details and bring
hack to Commission for their review.
RECESS 9:10 p.m. - 9:19 p.m.
BEECH RECREATION CENTER PRESENTATIONS(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER).
I) ADVANCED BUILDING CONTRACTORS
2) DJ HAYCOOK CONSTRUCTION CO.
3) HUNTER- NELSON, INC.
4) SCHMITT BUILDERS, INC.
Finance Supervisor Carter presented the staff report and asked the Commission to rank the
firms for the design/build contract for the Beech Multipurpose Recreation Facility and to
authorize the Selection Committee to begin contract negotiations with the number one ranked
design/build firm. Mr. Carter noted that through the request for proposal process, Gee and Jenson
had been hired as the City's Design Criteria Professionals to produce project specification and
the Design/Construction Criteria Package.
Mrs. Laura Nemethy, Senior Associate with Gee and Jenson, gave a brief history of the project.
explained why the design/build approach was chosen and how it works.
Presentations were made by representatives from each firm listed above and each Commissioner
was asked to rank the presenters. Upon tallying the results, the ranking was as follows:
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
1) D.J. Haycook Construction Co.
2) Hunter-Nelson Inc.
3) Advanced Building Contractors
4) Schmitt Builders Inc.
Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to approve the rankings of
the design/build firms for the Beech Recreation Center, and to authorize the Selection Committee
to begin contract negotiations with the number on ranked design/build firm. Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP (MVP) AWARDS - OCOEE'S
NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANTS PROGRAM.
'this item was tabled to the November 18, 1997, regular Commission meeting.
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: CITY OF OCOEE/ORANGE COUNTY/WEST OAKS SQUARE, INC.
WASTE WATER AGREEMENT.
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira presented the staff report and explained that this
proposed agreement was for the provision of sanitary sewer service to a parcel of land which lies
within the City of Ocoee but outside the city's utility service area. The parcel is proposed to be
developed as a professional office site. Plans have been submitted to the City and are under
review. The site plans refer to the project as"Lake Lotta Professional Park."
Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to authorize the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the Orange County/City Ocoee/ West Oaks Square, Inc. Wastewater
Agreement for DeMinimus Capacity. Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: WATER REUSE SYSTEM -CLARKE ROAD.
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira presented the staff report and explained that the City
began its design of the water reuse system that would initially serve the area along Clarke Road
north and south of A.D. Mims Road. The developer of The Reserve, a single family subdivision
on the east side of Clarke Road at A.D. Mims, entered into an agreement with the City to
construct left turn lanes on Clarke Road at the entrances to The Reserve and Reflections, the
subdivision on the west side of Clarke Road. To avoid having the turn lanes constructed, only to
he torn up in a few months for the construction of the reuse line, staff asked the contractor who is
to build the turn lanes to provide the City with a price proposal for the construction of the
segment of reuse line that lies within the limits of the turn lane project. Staff believes it would
be best to construct this segment of the reuse line concurrent with the construction of the turn
lanes, with payment for the reuse line work to come from the $2.79 million allocated for the
reclaimed water system in the recent utility bond issue.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to authorize Blue Ox
land Services, Inc. to proceed with construction of the water reuse facilities as described in their
proposal dated 10/10/97 for the not-to-exceed fee of$58,001.40. Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: REJECT/REBID CITY IIAIA,SIDING PROJECT.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
November 4, 1997
There were no staff reports for this item.
Mayor Vandergrift, seconded by Commissioner Glass. moved to reject all bids on the City
Hall/Police Station Siding and Trim Replacement project and go back out to bid. Motion carried
5-0.
STAFF REPORTS-None.
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Howell:
1) Asked for an update on the Sullivan ditch. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira said the
bid for that project was due in by November 11, 1997.
2) Thanked the City on behalf of the Orlando Rescue Mission for donating bicycles to the
children for Christmas.
Commissioner Anderson:
Ilad no comments at this time.
Commissioner Glass:
I) Would like to have the City of Port Richey Resolution come back on the next agenda.
21 Thanked all those who attended the town meeting on schools on Thursday, October 30, 1997.
Commissioner Parker:
1) Announced the RSVP number 656-2218.
?� Announced that a Community Forum on Building Construction Concerns would he held on
Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers, and
encouraged all citizens to attend.
Mayor Vandergrift:
I) Mentioned the issue of serious overcrowding in Orange County schools.
2) Reminded that the City would be hosting the Cities of Winter Garden, Windermere and
Apopka for ajoint city meeting on Monday. November 10, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m.
Attest: APPROVED:
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergri it. Mayor
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Agenda 11-18-97
Item III A
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE
TOWN MEETING DRAFT
HELD OCTOBER 30, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
Lester Dabbs, Jr., led in the prayer and Frances Watts led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll
was called and a quorum declared present.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Howell and Parker. Also
present were City Manager Shapiro, Planning Director Wagner, Director of
Community Relations/Projects Resnik, Finance Director Horton, City Clerk
Grafton and Deputy City Clerk Gosnell.
ABSENT: None.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTSNIPS
Mayor Vandergrift introduced the Ocoee City Commission and Staff. Mr. Bill Spoone, Orange
County School Board Member was introduced and in turn introduced School Board Member
Kattie Adams and Dr. Michael Mekdeci, Associate Superintendent - Governmental Relations.
Also introduced were Principals Sheilla Johnson, Spring Lake Elementary, Nora Gledich, Ocoee
Elementary, Kate Clark, Ocoee Middle School, Debra Lucas, Lake Whitney Elementary, Dr. Nick
Gledich, Area Director, former commissioners Jim Gleason and Vern Combs, and former
mayor/commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. Senator Ostalkiewicz arrived late in the meeting.
DISCUSSION: BUILDINGS/FACILITIES
and
DISCUSSION: VOLUNTEERS/INVOLVEMENT
Dr. Mekdeci spoke to the issue of a future site of an elementary school to be located on Apopka
Vineland Road and Silver Star Road, and announced that during the months of November and
December, 1997, they will be hosting community meetings to discuss this issue.
Ms. Candy Everly spoke to the issue of the rezoning of Spring Lake Elementary School district,
and if it was rezoned approximately 1 to 2 years ago. Dr. Mekdeci responded that any rezonings
would be looked at between February and March for implementation for the next school year.
Mayor Vandergrift described the map on the wall displaying the schools located within the
corporate limits of the City of Ocoee and schools that have been built outside the City, and further
described the "neighborhood concept or community concept" of having the children in our
community go to schools in our community as opposed to going outside the city.
Dr. Mekdeci responded that Mr. John Martin had met with City Staff to look at this issue and
share information in an effort to work very closely with the City of Ocoee.
Ocoee Town Meeting DRAFT
October 30, 1997 DRAFT
Mr. Bruce Holmes asked Dr. Mekdeci what statistics were being used to base decisions. Dr.
Mekdeci responded that census data is not used, but rather a number of studies are used including
the GIS system which tracks subdivisions.
Commissioner Anderson spoke to the issue of the proposed elementary school's ability to
relieve Spring Lake overcrowding. Dr. Mekdeci responded that the proposed elementary school
was not intended to relieve Spring Lake Elementary.
Former Commissioner Jim Gleason spoke to the issue of the mission statement - what we can
do today as a community in partnership with Ocoee schools, and spoke in favor of the one cent
sales tax referendum and issues that Ocoee citizens have to face whether the referendum passes or
fails. Mr. Gleason recommended that the group discuss what can be done as citizens and as a
community in partnership with those schools there today to improve the quality and the life of the
children.
Mayor Vandergrift read a phone call-in from Linda Campbell, who said she was concerned
about the portables and the Governor's comments on the portables during his recent visit to town.
Her child attends school at Spring Lake Elementary and she had to leave her portable classroom
in the middle of a rain storm recently due to a tornado watch. Her suggestion was that parents
and others could work with their schools on a "habitat for humanity" idea where everyone pitches
in and work on the schools.
Principal Kate Clark, Ocoee Middle School encouraged parents to participate in partners in
education and requested volunteers in the schools. Ms. Clark also mentioned that November 19,
1997, is"Teach-In" for all the schools.
Former Mayor/Commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. spoke of the opportunity to "think outside the
box" to make the opportunity available for parents to feel welcome and suggested a mega school
advisory committee - "How Can I Be of Service to the Children?" Mr. Dabbs expressed his
concern with regard to the lack of communication between governmental entities, cities, school
boards, counties, and water management districts and indicated that the opportunity is here now
to plow new ground to get the people who live in this area to interact with people who don't live
in this area but have purse strings - whether it be the school board or county commission, etc.
Mr. Dabbs suggested meetings be held once a month on the same concept as the Council of
Local Governments, where all the people "getting into Joe Taxpayer's pocket" met informally to
see what the problems were in government.
Commissioner Glass discussed his participation on the Public School Construction Study
Commission, which is dealing with issues of school sites, planning and concurrency. As part of
that Study Commission, Commissioner Glass and other members of the Study Commission have
been traveling around the state touring schools and hearing testimony and determined that the two
largest problems were money and the lack of cooperation and coordination between the school
boards and local governments. Commissioner Glass outlined and stated his support of
recommendations heard from around the state: (1) mandatory joint meetings between school
boards and local governments; (2) requiring school boards and local governments to use same
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Ocoee Town Meeting DRAFT
October 30, 1997
demographics and projections; (3) mandatory 20 year plans for school boards; (4) require local
governments be more specific and proactive in identification of school sites; (5) require all local
governments adopt the public school facilities element; (6) requiring that DCA provide model
public school facility elements and interlocal agreements; and (7) merge the Department of
Education into the Department of Community Affairs. The Study Commission will not
recommend that schools become a required concurrency element.
Mr. Tom Powell, Chairman of the West Orange High School School Advisory Council urged
parents and business leaders to become involved in the SAC and invited attendance at the SAC
meetings held in the Media Center at WOHS. Mr. Powell announced the web page
(www.ocps.k12.fl.us) for the Orange County School System.
Break 8:07 p.m.
Reconvened 8:17 p.m.
Commissioner Howell spoke to the issue of the money for schools from the one cent sales tax, if
the referendum passes, and asked who determines when and where that money is needed. School
Board Member Spoone stated that there is a prepared list designating need and when the
requirements are fulfilled, the money is granted.
School Board Member Spoone spoke to the issue regarding Ocoee Middle School and stated he
would like to see OMS re-built by building a new facility on the football field and renovating the
other parts of the school after the new facility was built. He also stated that the first relief high
school will be built between West Orange High School and Dr. Phillips High School. The next
high school after that will be built near University High School area.
Commissioner Howell questioned where the money comes from to pay the teacher and employee
salaries. School Board Member Spoone responded that monies arc budgeted for salaries out of
Operations.
Commissioner Howell stated that until new schools are built to relieve the overcrowding,
something needs to be done as far as storm/lightening proofing, safety, anchoring, air conditioning
and general disrepair of portable buildings. School Board Member Spoone responded that 25%
of the children go to school in temporary buildings and that he would check into the safety of the
portables mentioned.
Commissioner Anderson asked if portables were going to be purchased using the revenues from
the one cent sales tax. School Board Member Spoone responded that money is in the budget
for"relocation."
Mr. Mike McEvers spoke to the issue of the need for more cooperation from the community and
the School Board, and mentioned that last year on the Ocoee Charter Review Commission's
review, the issue of school concurrency was missing.
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Ocoee Town Meeting DRAFT
October 30, 1997
Mrs. Beth Vandergrift suggested that, at this point in the meeting, there was a need to have
some kind of resolution or closure as to where we are now and proposed quarterly meetings.
Mayor Vandergrift discussed the piece of property commonly known as the "Coca Cola
Property" which includes approximately 200 acres bordering on Lake Apopka. The owners of
this property have discussed annexing into the City on occasion and Mayor Vandergrift would
like to see a regional park with the West Orange Trail going through the property with an exit
from the Western Beltway at that intersection. Mayor Vandergrift proposed a learning center
including an elementary school, middle school and high school to be built on the property with the
possibility of an adjunct junior college and the high school being a environmental magnet to help
clean up Lake Apopka. Mayor Vandergrift suggested that the schools be responsible for
buildings and teaching children, and that the community and the neighbors put in the
extracurricular parks, ball fields, etc. having it built through volunteers, taking into consideration
it could be a ten year plan.
Principal Sheilla Johnson, Spring Lake Elementary, spoke to the issue of what the City can do
for the schools: (1) sick child care; (2) after school tutoring; (3) access to a 4-year old Pre-K
program; (4) use of the Recreation Department bus to go on field trips to Police/Fire/library; and
(5) use of the Recreation Department bus to shuttle school volunteers round trip.
Mr. Bruce Holmes reaffirmed what Mrs. Vandergrift suggested, that meetings of this nature be
held on a quarterly basis; and recommended that (I) the School Board have an emergency
plan/contingency plan for bad weather days; (2) communication problems needed to be looked at
between local authorities and schools; (3) parents should be allowed to have the option to keep
their children at home during bad weather; (4) Veterans Day should be a school holiday; (5) the
school year calendar should be made more universal for all schools; and that (6) portable
classrooms should be safe and secure and he concurred with Commissioner Howell that they
should be looked at and tied down. Mr. Holmes inquired as to how many PTA representatives
were present and concurred with Mayor Vandergrift with regard to a learning center and gave
two examples — Seminole County's Lake Brantley area and Winter Park's school district. Mr.
Holmes suggested that Principal Sheilla Johnson have someone from her school check with
Health Central to look into the sick child care.
Principal Kate Clark, Ocoee Middle School, discussed a grant to the Citizens Commission for
Children through the West Orange Consortium which was funded at $1.5 million for two years,
with this being the second year of that Grant. The Grant has funded social workers, parent
workshops, to name a few, and stated that one thing the Consortium has done this year was to
develop a positive alternative to school suspension. Principal Clark stated that there was a need
for transportation to centers for suspended students and announced her telephone number at
school for those wishing to volunteer at Ocoee Middle School.
Commissioner Howell announced that the traffic problems at Spring Lake Elementary will be on
the next City Commission Agenda and encouraged everyone to attend the meeting.
Mayor Vandergrift announced the arrival of and introduced Senator Ostalkiewicz.
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Ocoee Town Meeting r -
October 30, 1997
Mr. Mickey Spencer, Spring Lake Elementary PTA Officer, spoke to the issue of the proposed
elementary school site and if the land had been purchased already, and when the last school was
built. Dr. Mekdeci responded that the land had been purchased and that the last school was built
around 10 to 18 years ago.
Ms. Margarita Russell McKenzie stated that she was a parent of six children and spoke to the
following issues: (1) wanted to know if the one cent sales tax was to be used to purchase
portables - Mayor Vandergrift responded no; (2) remarked that there is nothing available in the
area for Pre-K children; and (3) that there is nothing available for the older children as far as
planned entertainment in the City.
School Board Member Kattie Adams thanked the Commission for allowing her to attend the
meeting and listen to the issues. School Board Member Adams responded to the issues
concerning the overcrowding and safety of the children in the schools, the scheduling and
planning of school holidays and bad weather issues; agreed with and commended Commissioner
Glass with respect to his work on the Public School Construction Study Commission.
Mayor Vandergrift read a phone call-in from Ms. Vicki Lewis of Cross Creek Subdivision, who
wanted to know what the School Board policy is for portables during tornadoes. School Board
Member Spoone reported that the policy is to move children into permanent buildings and
reported that the School Board meets every second and fourth Tuesday of every month and all
citizens are invited to attend any meeting.
Senator Ostalkiewicz spoke against the upcoming one cent sales tax referendum.
Commissioner Glass rebutted.
Mr. Chris VanderBerg, a resident from the Hammocks, spoke to the issue of the state of
disrepair of the classrooms in Ocoee.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vandergrift declared meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City of Ocoee
Fran Gosnell, Deputy City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
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Agenda 11-18-97
Item III A
JOINT CITY COMMISSION AGENDA SPECIAL MEETING
APOPKA/OCOEE/WINTER GARDEN
FIELD NOVEMBER 10, 1997
Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Ocoee City Commission
Chambers. Mayor Quesinberry led in prayer and Mayor Land asked everyone to remember
Veterans and Armistice Day on November II, 1997, before leading in the pledge of allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL OF EACH CITY COMMISSION
CITY OF APOPKA- Mayor Land
City of Apopka: Mayor Land, Commissioners Arrowsmith, Dean, Holmes, McQueen. Also
present were Assistant City Administrator Douglas and Executive Director of Apopka Chamber
of Commerce Andy Gardner.
CITY OF WINTER GARDEN - Mayor Quesinbcrry
City of Winter Garden: Mayor Quesinberry, Commissioners Anderson, Harriman and Graham.
Also present were City Manager holden, City Attorney Ardaman, Planning Director Cechman
and City Clerk Pryor.
CITY OF OCOEE - Mayor Vandergrift
City of Ocoee: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson and Parker. Also present were
City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Planning
Director Wagner, Director of Community Relations/Projects Resnik and City Clerk Grafton.
DISCUSSION AND UPDATE OF THE BELTWAY PROJECTS- OSCAR JUAREZ
Assistant Administrator Douglas presented a report for Mr. Juarez, who could not be present.
In the report, Mr. Juarez advised that the Department of 'transportation is committed to
commence the Beltway project and will soon begin the right-of-way purchases. lie also advised
that DOT is seeking an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Plan that will allow for
the transfer of $3.5 million in Federal transportation funds to the construction of the Interstate
4/County Road 46-A Interchange.
DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL.SYSTEM VIS-A-VIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT- OCOEE
Commissioner Glass was unable to attend this meeting due to an illness in his family, but he had
prepared a statement which City Manager Shapiro read into the record. In his paper,
Commissioner Glass addressed the function and status of the Public Schools Construction Study
Commission, of which he is a member. He pointed out that the two biggest impediments to the
successful provision of adequate public schools in our state arc: I) the general lack of
coordinated planning between school boards and local governments, and 2) the inherent conflict
presented by the Florida Constitution which establishes school districts and charges them with
providing a uniform system of public education. As a result, local governments cannot
implement concurrency with respect to public schools because constitutional control of schools
is placed in a separate and equal division of government.
Mayor Vandergrift discussed a chart he had distributed showing where the area schools are
located.
Joint-City Meeting with Apopka and Winter Garden
Held November 10, 1997
City Manager Holden asked if anyone had spoken to the new Superintendent of Schools
regarding future growth needs. City Manager Shapiro said the City of Ocoee has met with
John Martin, Planner for the School Board, and discussed these matters with him. He in return
presented the information from those meetings to the School Board, and they responded in letter
form.
Mayor Land said that if fire officials throughout the cities made inspections of portable schools
on a regular basis, it would help save school funds.
SUPPORT WIDENING OF S.R. 535 FROM S.R. 50 TO CHASE ROAD-WINTER GARDEN
City Manager Holden spoke of the great need for Winter Garden to investigate alternative
funding to realign and four-lane CR535. He gave three possible scenarios for this road dropping
below its adopted level of service by the year 2007. Those were as follows: 1) Beltway
Improvements, the proposed interchange on CR535 is currently in the advanced right-of-way
acquisition stage. If this project advances to construction, this would open a floodgate for new
development along its corridor. 2) Horizons West, CR535 would be used by this development
as a means to get to thc 'furnpike and SR50. If this development advances to completion within
the next few years, CR535 would not be able to handle the impact. 3) Theme Park Expansion.
The impacts for employment housing from the expansions of Sea World, Disney World or
Universal Studios may increase the traffic of CR535 greater than anticipated. Brief questions
were asked of Mr. Holden by Mayor Quesinberry, Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioner Holmes
regarding the funding and location of this project.
DISCUSSION OF TRI-CITY RELIEVER AIRPORT STATUS
Assistant Administrator Douglas gave a history of the 'Fri-City Airport Authority and said that
it appeared that the Authority may intend to close out without building an airport. Brief
discussion ensued and all agreed they should review the report when it comes out next year, then
make a decision.
ENCLAVE LEGISLATION
Mayor Vandergrift presented a proposed legislation that would help cities throughout the state
with enclave issues. Mayor Land said the City of Apopka would support the proposal and
Mayor Quesinberry said the City of Winter Garden would also support the proposal.
Mayor Vandergrift also directed attention to the proposed legislation on "Urban Preservation
Districts."
Alter Mayor Land briefed the Cities on the background of the issue, Assistant Administrator
Douglas said this issue would be presented on the 10th of December to the Orange County
Delegation. He said he felt most cities in Orange County would not support the legislation. He
presented a draft Resolution, that could be modified by individual cities, that would transmit
their concerns about this legislation before the Orange County Delegation meets.
Each City reached consensus to adopt a resolution opposing the Urban Preservation Districts.
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Joint-City Meeting with Apopka and Winter Garden
Held November 10, 1997
PROPOSAL TO DO A JOINT FUNDING EFFORT BETWEEN FDOT AND OCOEE '1'0 CONSTRUCT AN
INTERCONNECTION OF VARIOUS MAJOR TRAFFIC ARTERIALS ON AND AROUND THE FLORIDA
TURNPIKE, EXPRESSWAY AND RELIEVER FOR HIGHWAY 50
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira presented a map of the proposed Beltway and Turnpike
improvements, and gave different examples of how to connect the major roadways in the City to
the Beltway and Turnpike without further closing up SR 50.
THE APOPKA ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Assistant Administrator Douglas said that in the last legislative session, funds were allocated
for the buying out of muck farms, and most of the farms have been purchased. He will he
returning to Tallahassee requesting some sort of economic project or process as well as funding
to protect the economic development of that area.
IFAS FACILITY
Assistant Administrator Douglas discussed the City's success in getting allocations of funding
for the construction of the new consolidated IFAS Facility near Lake Apopka. Mr. Douglas said
that while they have the funds for construction of this building, they still need allocations of
funds for the property on which the building is to be constructed. 'Hie allocated funds from the
property would help offset the impact of the mud farm buyout program. He asked that the City
of Ocoee consider putting this issue on an agenda for support.
PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Assistant Administrator Douglas said that the legal description of property still is required to
be in metes and bounds. The City of Apopka proposed that the state law allow the description be
changed to 'fax I.D. Number or Property I.D. Number.
MANDATED IMPACT ON TRIM PROCESS
Assistant Administrator Douglas said this issue had to do with last year's hiring of school
crossing guards. Many of the cities in Orange County received an extra expense in their budget
for school crossing guards and some cities had to alter their Trim Bill to accommodate this
additional cost. The City of Apopka would like to change the "Prim Bill process so that if a cost
is transferred from one agency to another, it should be allowed to disclose the cause of the
increased tax to the public.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mayor Land:
1) Read an editorial in the Orlando Sentinel the day after the election for the one cent sales tax
on where the County was going. He said to watch and be sure what they are doing is not
detrimental to the cities.
2) Thanked the City of Ocoee for its hospitality.
City Manager Bolden:
l) Announced that there was a Tax Equalization meeting Wednesday, November 12, 1997.
3
Joint-City Meeting with Apopka and Winter Garden
Held November 10, 1997
Commissioner Dean:
I) Thanked the City of Ocoee for its hospitality.
Assistant Administrator Douglas:
Called attention to the copy of the proposed bill to be entitled "Taxpayer Protection Act" in the
packets having to do with the bills that go to 'Tallahassee concerning salaries, benefits and
pensions. When those bills are passed, the costs are transferred to local governments. City
Manager Shapiro said there would be a strong attempt by the 'AFT, GPA, and Fire and Police
to push for a strong benefit package in the next legislative session, and if this bill is passed, cities
that do not comply will lose the 175 and 185 monies.
The Cities of Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden reached consensus that the City of Apopka
would draft a resolution supporting the "Taxpayer Protection Act" and pass it on to the other two
Cities.
Mayor Vandergrift:
I) Thanked staff for all their efforts in making the other city representatives feel at home.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Attest: APPROVED:
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
4