Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII(A) Approval And Acceptance Of Minutes Of City Commision Regular Meeting Of March 3, 1998 And Canvassing Board Meeting Of March 11, 1998, For Information Only The Minutes Of The Forum For Construction Concerns Of November 12, 1997 And March 5, 1998 Agenda 3-17-98 Item III A T3 [ 9T MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 3, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Following a moment of silent prayer, Mrs. Hilda Ems led in the pledge of allegiance. City Clerk Grafton called the roll and declared a quorum present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass (arrived at 7:28 p.m.), 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, Public Works Director Smith, Building Official Flippen, Fire Chief Strosnider and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Vandergrift introduced Gene Autry, FEMA representative, who explained the process of using FEMA services. He left forms in the lobby for the public. For more information call 1800-462-9029. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT - WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL WARRIOR BAND, MRS. C. LUPO, BAND PARENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. Mayor Vandergrift invited Stacy Hannweber, David Hannweber, Nikki Lupo, Patrick Gleason and Kelly Grubbs of the West Orange High School Warrior Band to the lectern. Each band member, in turn, gave a brief history of their band and asked for the City's support. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to donate $1200 to the West Orange High School Warrior Band with the funds to come from either Community Promotions or the Commissioners Discretion Fund. Motion carried 5-0. SIGN ORDINANCE - MR. ED MAGEE, TUSCANY SALES MANAGER, THE PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA REALTY. Mr. Ed Magee, Sales Manager for Tuscany Homes, asked for a variance in Ocoee's sign ordinance to allow them to place directional signs within the Ocoee City limits on Saturdays and Sundays so that consumers have an easier time finding the entrance to their residential community, which is located in Winter Garden. Discussion ensued and Commission reached consensus to keep the sign ordinance as is. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ATTEND THE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER. Community Relations/Projects Director Resnik assisted Mayor Vandergrift as he presented plaques and certificates to the following board members who could not attend the Volunteer Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3, 1998 Appreciation Dinner: Lisa Morton-Burkhart, Richard Davis, Nora Gledich, Darlene Rhodus, Ruth Aycock, Pat Bond, Bill Chambers, Lester Dabbs,Bruce Holmes and Jim Sills. PRESENTATION OF YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS. • 5 YEARS-EDWARD B. BENNETT • 10 YEARS- ELLEN M. KING .. • 20 YEARS-LEONARD P. DOTY Mayor Vandergrift invited Edward B. Bennett, Ellen M. King and Leonard P. Doty individually to the lectern and gave a brief history of their years of service to the City before handing them their awards. Their department heads then spoke highly of their achievements. Mayor Vandergrift read a proclamation proclaiming March 1998, NATIONAL RED CROSS MONTH in the City of Ocoee. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, D and E. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. •A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meeting of February 17, 1998 and Town Meeting of February 16, 1998. B. Approval and Authorization to Grant Request for Fee Waivers for St. Paul's Presbyterian Church Related to Their Applications to Expand Their Use to the South. C. Approval and Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Quit Claim Deed for Parcel ID No. 19-22-28-0000-00012 to Geneva Meeks,Harold R. Meeks, Allen M. Meeks, and William N. Meeks. D. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to execute Work Order#14 for Gee & Jenson for Master Site Plan for Public Works Facility. E. Approval and Authorization for Blue Ox Contracting to Correct Drainage Problem - Lakeshore Dr. -Reece Residence. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Mr. Lester Dabbs, 619 Caborca Court, announced his 36 wedding anniversary, gave a.brief summary of his background and commended the community and Commission for being caring and responsible. Mr. Willie Snead, representing the Youth Football League, gave a brief synopsis of his background and education, and asked Commission's permission to use the Bull Dog Football Field for spring practice. Discussion ensued and Commission reached consensus that it would not be a good idea to have this additional use of the field at this time, as the sod needs more time to become firmly rooted. • Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting HMV March 3, 1998 COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Commissioner Parker: 1) Thanked all City Departments who assisted those in need during the tornado. 2) Thanked the West Orange Alternative Resource Center for providing counseling and assistance to those in need throughout Orange County and the tornado victims; and asked that Commission donate $500 to their"back to school"party. Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to grant $500 to the West Orange Alternative Resource Center for their "back to school" party. Motion carried 5-0. 3) Announced the Community Forum on Construction Concerns meeting Thursday, March 5, 1998. 4) Asked, now that the County determined that the Center Street ditch was Ocoee's responsibility, what the City plans on doing about it. City Manager Shapiro said the City contests their decision and will meet with the County to discuss the matter further. Another problem is that part of the ditch is on private property and there is no easement so that the problem could be dealt with. Commissioner Glass: 1) Announced that the Health Central Family Reunion would be held Saturday, March 7, 1998, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 10000 West Colonial Drive. 2) Announced the Big Orange Games Golf Tournament in the City of Clermont Sunday, March 8, 1998. For more information call the Ocoee Recreation Department at 656-3103. 3) Announced that the Lake Whitney Elementary School "Dads Committee" is having a workday Saturday, March 7, 1998, to paint the hallways and playground area of the school. Commissioner Howell: 1) Announced the Ocoee "Road Show" for District No. 1 Thursday, March 26, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Spring Lake Elementary. 2) Announced the Little League opening day parade Saturday, March 7, 1998, at 8:00 a.m. with the ceremonies and games starting at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Announced the RSVP No. 656-2218. 2) Announced that the Girls Club opened its Spring Season Rebel Games where 165 college teams throughout the country compete against each other in softball games. The games start at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday for the full month of March. He asked for volunteers to help with these games and encouraged all to attend. 3) Asked to do a Silver Certificate donation in the amount of $400 for tickets to the Shrine Circus for the children in the Recreation Department to use. Mayor Vandergrift, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to donate $400 for tickets to the Shrine Circus to be used for the Recreation Department's kids. Motion carried 5-0. 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular MeetingElL March 3, 1998 PUBLIC HEARINGS -None. OTHER BUSINESS DEMOLITION OF EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY AND PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION FOR CENTRAL PARK. Public Works Director Smith presented the staff report. He asked that Commission direct staff to advertise for bids on the demolition of the old public works facility and for the construction of Central Park's parking lot. Mr. Smith then responded to questions. Mrs. Laura Nemethy, representing Gee & Jenson, was present to answer questions. Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to direct staff to advertise for bids on the demolition of the existing Public Works facility and the construction of the Parking Lot for Central Park. Motion carried 5-0. Staff also requested that a Commissioner be appointed to serve on the selection committee along with a staff member from Public Works, Finance and Community Relations. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to appoint himself to serve on the selection committee. Motion carried 5-0. CABLE TELEVISION- REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF THE FRANCHISE City Manager Shapiro advised that Cablevision Industries of Central Florida, Inc. had withdrawn without prejudice to resubmission at any time its request for the City's consent to the transfer of its franchise to its affiliated entity Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership. STAFF REPORTS-None. • COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Howell: 1) Informed Public Works Director Smith about weeds overtaking some parts of the football field. 2) Informed Mr. Smith that some of the bleachers on the east side are in need of repair. Commissioner Anderson: 1) Announced that the Ocoee Women's Club is having a St. Patrick's Day celebration corn beef & cabbage dinner Friday, March 13, 1998, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a $6.00 donation per plate. 2) Thanked Vicky Prettyman and the Recreation Department for giving shelter to those in need during the tornado. 3) Asked if the City planned on doing anything regarding the road near the lake being under water. Mr. Shapiro said for the moment nothing could be done because of the water table being so high; and that he is more concerned with the upcoming months. 4) Commended the Public Works Department for staying ahead of the drainage problems. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting C March 3, 1998 ('L 1.1 Mayor Vandergrift asked Mr. Shapiro when the Activity Plan would be available. Mr. Shapiro said it would be out within a week or so. 5) Would like to see the City put a small amount of funds aside to come up with a master plan on how to take high priority homes around the lakes and put them on sewer. Mr. Shapiro said it would take a major amount of money between engineering and developing a master plan but that the City is researching other less expensive methods (Stepp System or Grinder System) to deal with this problem. 6) Would like to see a future master plan of what the City is going to look like 5 or 10 years down the line. Mr. Shapiro said a future master plan comes out every 5 years in the City's comp plan. 7) Now that the district lines have changed, would like a list of the registered voters. City Clerk Grafton will place the order. Commissioner Glass: 1) Thanked Janet Resnik and Judy Graber for all the work they put into the Volunteer Dinner. 2) Thanked all volunteers and employees for assisting the tornado victims. 3) Thanked the Station 3 Firefighters for attending the Publix Kid Fest on Maguire Road this past weekend. 4) Apologized for being late. He was waiting for traffic to clear so he could get on Maguire Road. He would like to see a traffic light installed at the Maguire Road/Roberson Road and Moore Road intersection. Mr. Shapiro said he would have staff look into it. Commissioner Parker: 1) Questioned several policies in the City's personnel rules and regulations. Feels like the system punishes the employees over and over when having to use the City's workers compensation. Mr. Shapiro explained that worker's compensation is according to state statute, and he gave the background of the current City policy. 2) Asked that each Commissioner be given a copy of the City's personnel rules and regulations. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Said the last time the personnel rules and regulations were approved, there were issues in them he did not approve.of. Feels someone with Commissioner Parker's background should serve on a board that revises the personnel rules and regulations. 2) Asked that signs giving directions to the Girls Club and the golf course be put up throughout the City. 3) Asked if the Brentwood subdivision sign was going to be replaced. Mr. Shapiro said they were hoping their homeowners association would file for a grant to replace the sign because the City does not have the funds to replace it at this time. 4) Reported that the traffic lights between Apopka Highway and Silver Star Road, and Apopka Highway and Franklin Street needed to be coordinated. Mr. Shapiro said the Public Works Department would be re-timing all the lights throughout the City as soon as they can. 5) Inquired what was being done about the humps on Apopka Highway and Palm Avenue that he reported at a prior meeting. Mr. Shapiro said the City has already contacted the State regarding that issue. • Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting U u [AA March 3, 1998 6) Would like a memorandum given back to Commission regarding issues brought up at . meetings. 7) Reported that there was a light out in the Commission Chambers. 8) Would like a sea wall constructed near the well in front of City Hall to prevent erosion. Mr. Shapiro said he didn't think it would be legal but that he would check into it. 9) Said he had mentioned in the State of the City Address a Visioning Process, which is what Commissioner Anderson had described earlier regarding a Future City Master Plan. Mr. Shapiro said Commission would be revisiting that issue within this next year. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. - Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor • Agenda 3-17-98 t-A Item III A Lip MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE CANVASSING BOARD MEETING HELD MARCH 11, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Canvassing Board to order at 12:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers Conference Room. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Howell and Glass. Also present were Commissioner Anderson, City Clerk Grafton, and Deputy City Clerk Green. ABSENT: None. This meeting was called pursuant to the Ocoee City Charter which states that the Canvassing Board will meet at noon on the day following election day in order to canvass the returns and declare the results of the canvass as the results of the election. As no one qualified to run against the incumbents who had qualified,no election was held on the scheduled March 10h election day. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Glass, upon finding that Commissioner Scott Anderson had qualified for Commission District 2 without opposition and that Commissioner Nancy Parker had qualified for Commission District 4 without opposition, moved that the City of Ocoee Canvassing Board makes the assumption that each candidate has voted for himself or herself and therefore declares that they are elected to the office for which each qualified. Motion carried 3-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m. APPROVED Attest: City of Ocoee Jean Grafton, City Clerk S Scott Vandergrift,Mayor After the Minutes of the Forum for Construction Concerns were distributed, Building Official Flippen found two corrections that needed to be made. Attached are copies of the affected pages with the corrections highlighted. As these Minutes were provided for your information only this change does not need to be noted in your motion to approve or amend item III A on the Consent Agenda. City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns Held November 12, 1997 contractors and homeowners should have the insecticide tested because many private exterminators who wish to make a bigger profit will water down their product. City Manager Shapiro said that keeping landscaping and sprinkler systems should be kept away from homes as termite preventative measures. Mr. Joe Maguire, 1303 Carpenter Branch Court, responded to questions from the panel and audience regarding warranties when treating for termites. Commissioner Anderson asked if the City of Ocoee could come up with a policy to make sure building contractors did not install stucco all the way to the ground. Mr. Flippen said the City is now enforcing that policy. Commissioner Howell asked if a building contractor had to be present when exterminators were treating for termites and Mr. Flippensid•no) Mayor Vandergrift suggested that contractors have a check-off list to retrace their steps when a house is finished. Commissioner Anderson asked contractors in the audience to speak to the issue and advise panel on what measures they take when building homes and they responded. Mr. Maguire spoke about the building practices and pest control policies of several counties and said he had drafts of their practices available. Mr. Shapiro asked for copies of the drafts he had spoken of. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments at this time. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Commissioner Parker said that with the major growth in the City of Ocoee, there should be a new homeowners education program so that major problems could be prevented. City Manager Shapiro asked Mr. Flippen if the Building Official Association ever put together such a document and Mr. Flippen said he would check into it. Commissioner Parker proposed having another Community Forum on Construction Concerns in late February or early March. Mr. Flippen said he would get together with Commissioner Parker and set a date. Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington said the bottom line is most cities and states wait until it's too late before addressing a potential problem. Suggested getting together with the Building Officials Association and putting together information to help educate people on building practices and termite control, and setting the handouts out on the counters. MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE FORUM FOR CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS HELD MARCH 5, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Building Official Flippen called the Forum for Construction Concerns to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. There was a moment of silent meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Building and Zoning Official Flippen, Commissioner Parker, City Manager Shapiro, Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Executive Secretary Seaver, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon and City Clerk Grafton. Also present in the audience were Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. ABSENT: None. INTRODUCTION OF PANEL Building Official Flippen read a prepared statement on the mission of the Forum, introduced the panel and recognized Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. AREAS OF DISCUSSION CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES Building Official Flippen read the contractors responsibilities as per Ocoee City Codes and explained methods of how to file complaints. OWNER/BUILDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Robert Newman, 6720 Lumberjack Lane, expressed concerns regarding the home he purchased in the Sawmill subdivision, built by Maronda. Homes. The slab poured for the foundation of his home was poured 3/4 of an inch short. Furring strips were then used to compensate for the shortage and stuccoed over. Termites have now infested his home. He has reported the problem to the Building Department and would like to have the matter investigated. He would like to know whether he or Maronda Homes is liable. Mr. Flippen said that upon inspecting the site, he noted the contractor had used treated pine furring strips, which was perfectly legal and a common practice when compensating for slab measurements 5 to 7 years ago_. This was prior to today's knowledge of termitescand the,practice of using, furring strips and! 'stucco_belo_w the finished yard grade is no longer acceptable.j Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maronda Homes inspects the site. Mr. Dan Poteat, 5231 Mill Stream Road, echoed Mr. Newman's concerns. Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maronda Homes does their inspection on his home as well. Mrs. Martha Lopez-Anderson, 2438 Alcobe Circle, inquired as to the time limit on maintenance/warranty bonds and as to the responsibility for repairs to the streets and retention ponds when the subdivision is complete. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira explained that rFi �L ^: rT1 T' Agenda 3-17-98 .-) H i L- 1 i Item III A MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE FORUM FOR CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS HELD NOVEMBER 12, 1997 • CALL TO ORDER Building Official Flippen opened the Forum for Construction Concerns at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers with a moment of silent meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Building and Zoning Official Flippen, Commissioner Parker, City Manager Shapiro, Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Executive Secretary Seaver, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon and City Clerk Grafton. Also present in the audience were Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Howell and Construction Administrator Gardner. ABSENT: None. INTRODUCTION OF PANEL Building Official Flippen read a prepared statement on the mission of the Forum and introduced the panel. He then recognized Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Howell, and two contractors from Lennar Homes. AREAS OF DISCUSSION Commissioner Parker informed those present in the audience that she had information in seeking class action lawsuits for those having siding, piping and termite problems. She proposed there be another forum for construction concerns meeting scheduled for late February and suggested advertising it as soon as possible. She warned that there was a blind and window covering manufacturer in the area who is accepting large down payments and then disappearing with the money. Mayor Vandergrift spoke of problems he is having with his fairly new home, informed those in the audience that he serves on the Termite Task Force with the Board of Realtors and would answer questions. Commissioner Howell said that when doing a room addition to a home, termite treatment is required and asked if it is guaranteed. Building Official Flippen explained that it would only be guaranteed by the insect exterminator being used and the contract should be read very carefully. Commissioner Parker pointed out two ways to help alleviate subterranean termite infestation: 1) make sure builders do not stucco all the way to the ground, and 2) use the chemical chlordane. Commissioner Howell asked if termites normally enter homes from the bottom, as he had known homeowners who had treated for termites and their homes still became infested. Commissioner Parker said contractors and homeowners should have the insecticide tested City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns I f I p1 ;Y Held November 12, 1997 lJ because many private exterminators who wish to make a bigger profit will water down their product. City Manager Shapiro said that landscaping and sprinkler systems should be kept away from homes as termite preventative measures. Mr. Joe Maguire, 1303 Carpenter Branch Court, responded to questions from the panel and audience regarding warranties when treating for termites. Commissioner Anderson asked if the City of Ocoee could come up with a policy to make sure building contractors did not install stucco all the way to the ground. Mr. Flippen said the City is now enforcing that policy. Commissioner Howell asked if a building contractor had to be present when exterminators were treating for termites and Mr. Flippen said yes. Mayor Vandergrift suggested that contractors have a check-off list to retrace their steps when a house is finished. Commissioner Anderson asked contractors in the audience to speak to the issue and advise panel what measures they take when building homes and they responded. Mr. Joe Maguire, spoke about the building practices and pest control policies of several counties and said he had drafts of their practices available. Mr. Shapiro asked for copies of the drafts. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments at this time. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS • Commissioner Parker said that with the major growth in the City of Ocoee, there should be a new homeowners education program so that major problems could be prevented. City Manager Shapiro asked Mr. Flippen if the Building Officials' Association ever put together such a document and Mr. Flippen said he would check into it. Commissioner Parker proposed having another Community Forum on Construction Concerns in late February or early March. Mr. Flippen said he would coordinate the date with Commissioner Parker. Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington said the bottom line is most cities and states wait until it's too late before addressing a potential problem. He proposed meeting with the Building Officials Association and putting together information to help educate people on building practices and termite control, and setting the handouts out on the counters. 2 13) 1-1-; 7 City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns TO , Held November 12, 1997 u \ LI Mayor Vandergrift thanked the Panel for putting the forum on construction concerns together and suggested presenting the issue of educating the public on these issues to the state. Said if the City of Ocoee is not requiring builders to stop stucco 6 inches above the ground, they should begin forcing them to do so. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: Jean Grafton, City Clerk Don Flippen, Building Official • ,� Agenda 3-17-98A MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE FORUM FOR CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS HELD MARCH 5, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Building Official Flippen called the Forum for Construction Concerns to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. There was a moment of silent meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Building Official Flippen, Commissioner Parker, City Manager Shapiro, Assistant Building and Zoning Official Washington, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Executive Secretary Seaver, Code Enforcement Supervisor Simon and City Clerk Grafton. Also present in the audience were Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. ABSENT: None. INTRODUCTION OF PANEL Building Official Flippen read a prepared statement on the mission of the Forum, introduced the panel and recognized Mayor Vandergrift and his wife, Beth. AREAS OF DISCUSSION CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES Building Official Flippen read the contractors responsibilities as per Ocoee City Codes and explained methods of how to file complaints. OWNER/BUILDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES Mr. Robert Newman, 6720 Lumberjack Lane, expressed concerns regarding the home he purchased in the Sawmill subdivision, built by Maronda Homes. The slab poured for the foundation of his home was poured 3/4 of an inch short. Furring strips were then used to compensate for the shortage and stuccoed over. Termites have now infested his home. He has reported the problem to the Building Department and would like to have the matter investigated. He would like to know whether he or Maronda Homes is liable. Mr. Flippen said that upon inspecting the site, he noted the contractor had used treated pine furring strips, which was perfectly legal and a common practice when compensating for slab measurements 5 to 7 years ago. This was prior to today's knowledge of termites and the practice of using furring strips is no longer used. Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maronda Homes inspects the site. Mr. Dan Poteat, 5231 Mill Stream Road, echoed Mr.Newman's concerns. Mr. Flippen said he would be happy to be present when Maronda Homes does their inspection on his home as well. Mrs. Martha Lopez-Anderson, 2438 Alcobe Circle, inquired as to the time limit on maintenance/warranty bonds and as to the responsibility for repairs to the streets and retention ponds when the subdivision is complete. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira explained that the City has the following system in place: When a two year maintenance bond approaches its City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns rio FT) n (, Held March 5, 1998 l✓.` Li end, a letter is sent out to the developer telling him that on a date certain, the City will be on site to do an inspection. At the time of the inspection, the developer is to be there so he can go through the whole subdivision and make up a punch list of things he will or will not repair. If he is not present at the inspection, a letter is automatically sent to the bonding company telling them to extend the bond. If he is there and refuses to do any repairs, again, a letter is sent to the bonding company instructing them to keep the bond going. If he agrees to do all repairs, then the bond is released upon completion. Mr. Shapiro said that if a contractor does any damage to any piece of property in the development, the Certificate of Occupancy on that particular lot will not be given until repairs are made. Commissioner Parker said she still has forms the FHA and VA organizations sent her when they were going through the Georgia Pacific siding problems. She said those organizations came in and saw that the repairs were made. She still has the forms and would make them available for those in need. Mayor Vandergrift gave a brief account of his experiences with termites and would like people to know they are protected when moving into the City of Ocoee. He would like to have the responsibility of the developer extended beyond the two years maintenance/warranty bond and suggested forming a board to deal with these kinds of issues. Discussion ensued regarding the length of time it takes to build out a development and Mayor Vandergrift directed staff to look into finding an average length of time. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mrs. Beth Vandergrift, 2625 Cedar Bluff Lane, asked if there was anything the City could do regarding a builders hidden defects clause; and also, could the City do anything about pest control companies. Commissioner Parker said that regarding the "hidden defects clause", Commission met with attorneys who gave them information regarding this issue and she would gladly make copies and distribute the information from that meeting to those in need. She also said that the State of Florida has a Construction Industry Recovery Fund that enables consumers to collect for any damages caused by a licensed contractor that can no longer be found. However, in order to be eligible to collect from this fund, the consumer had to have signed a contract on or after July 1, 1993. Mr. Shapiro said regarding the pest control issue, he would have to speak with the City Attorney regarding the legalities of licensing pest control companies in the State of Florida. Mayor Vandergrift asked that Commissioner Parker write a letter to other homeowners associations regarding the practices of her homeowners association. Mr. Shapiro explained the different ways of landscaping a yard that keep pests away from your home. Mayor Vandergrift proposed that Commissioner Parker have a quarterly meeting regarding this issue and that a letter go out to the Ocoee Community Alliance (the new Homeowners Association group) regarding homeowners association practices. 2 City of Ocoee Forum for Construction Concerns (� (s Ei' Held March 5, 1998 f,� L\ U ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee Jean Grafton, City Clerk Don Flippen, Building Official 3