HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Commission Meeting held March 16, 2021 MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 16, 2021
CALL TO ORDER- 6:15 PM
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:15 PM in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall. The invocation was led by Mayor Johnson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag led by Commissioner Brinson. Deputy City Clerk Heard called the roll and declared
a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson,Commissioner Brinson,Commissioner Wilsen,Commissioner Firstner,
Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Cookson, Deputy City Clerk Heard
Mayor Johnson announced the following, "City Hall is open to the public; however, attendance
inside the Ocoee Commission Chambers may be limited to accommodate social distancing and is
subject to the Governor's Executive Orders. Anyone entering City Hall must wear a protective
face covering. This meeting is broadcasted live on Spectrum Channel 493 with a live stream at
www.Ocoee.org/197/Ocoee-TV. Any interested party may be heard during the public comments
and public hearing portions of the meeting. In order to participate remotely,members of the public
should call 407-554-7118 or email citizens@ocoee.org in advance and indicate the item you
would like to address. At the appropriate time during the meeting, City Staff will contact you via
phone and patch you into the live meeting where you can share your comments and/or questions.
Comments and questions received via e-mail will become public records and be provided to the
City Commissioners in advance of the meeting."
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS -None
STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW-None
COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS - 6:18 PM
Commissioner Oliver—None
Commissioner Firstner—None
Commissioner Wilsen—None
Commissioner Brinson—None
Mayor Johnson—Announced the following:
1)Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt is Friday, April 2nd from 6 to 9 PM, at the Jim Beech Rec
Center. Registration is required. Ages 5 to 7 start at 7:45 PM and ages 8 to 12 start at 8:15PM.
Visit the City's webpage to register.
2) Easter Eggstravaganza is Saturday, April 3rd starting at 10 AM, at the Jim Beech Rec Center.
Infants to 6 years old start at 10:30 AM, and ages 7 to 12 start at 12 PM. Bring your Basket!
Regular City Commission Meeting
March 16,2021
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC - 6:19 PM
No telephone calls or emails were received.
The following person(s) addressed the City Commission:
- Hope Bellamy, Ocoee resident, introduced himself and shared that he is currently looking for
office space in the City for his new tech company. He requested approval from the
Commission to provide a future presentation overviewing how his company can benefit
Ocoee. He further announced that he is a member of the RAP Committee, and inquired if
Ocoee has a COVID-19 vaccine location. City Manager Frank shared that at this time the
City does not have a designated vaccine site,but indicated if State, County, or Federal entities
are interested,the City would be willing to assist. Commissioner Oliver shared that over the
past weekend Ocoee High School held a vaccination event for employees of Orange County
Public Schools and suggested asking the County to duplicate the event for our residents.
- Miles Mulrain, Orange County resident, spoke about a fatal car accident that claimed five
lives last Thursday night at the intersection of Clarcona Ocoee Road and Gaymar Drive. He
emphasized an urgent need for change not only at this intersection, but multiple intersections
along Clarcona Ocoee for the safety of all citizens that travel this road. He asked the Elected
Officials for support to make these changes happen quickly.
- Michael Scott, Orange County resident, spoke about the same fatal car accident. He
elaborated that over the past few years several car accidents have taken multiple lives at the
same site. He reiterated Mr. Mulrain's comments and implored the Elected Officials to use
their positions to help resolve this traffic issue before another life is lost.
- Pastor Anthony Oliver, shared that it was his two eldest daughters and three young
grandchildren that lost their lives in this terrible car accident last Thursday evening. He said
he is absolutely heartbroken and requested that something be done about this intersection as
soon as possible to avoid another tragic incident, and implored the Elected Officials to assist
him in making this change happen as quickly as possible.
Mayor Johnson offered his condolences and asked if he intended to seek assistance from
Orange County, and explained that the intersection in question lies within Orange County's
jurisdiction. He encouraged Pastor Oliver to reach out to the County Commissioners.
Pastor Anthony Oliver ended by thanking Commissioner Oliver for his attendance and the
kind words he said at the vigil held in honor of his beloved family members.
Commissioner Oliver explained that he invited Pastor Oliver to address the Commission,
and clarified this tragic car accident happened less than half a mile outside of the City limits.
He offered his condolences to Pastor Oliver and stressed an urgency to fix not only this
intersection,but several others along Clarcona Ocoee Road as he feared that the next accident
could be in the City. He pledged to put pressure on Orange County to expedite action.
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March 16,2021
Commissioner Brinson offered his condolences to Pastor Oliver and his family. He
acknowledged the Pastor's devastation, and said he will be contacting Orange County
Officials as well as local law enforcement personnel regarding speeding and awareness. He
made a commitment to Pastor Oliver and all surrounding residents to start a campaign to bring
awareness to safe driving practices.
CONSENT AGENDA- 6:36 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt the Consent Agenda Items #1 -#5.
Moved by Commissioner Brinson, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion
carried 5-0.
Commissioner Wilsen shared that she is always excited to see new members join the City's
Advisory Boards, but expressed she would like to see all districts equally represented and
encouraged citizens from District 2 and District 3 to apply.
1. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Commission Meeting held March 2,
2021. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0.
2. Approval of New Appointment to the Code Enforcement Board. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
The Code Enforcement Board was created by Ordinance No.741 on June 16, 1981.The purpose of this Board
is to review infractions of the City Technical Codes, negotiate compliance and impose fines for failure to
comply. The Code Enforcement Board is to have seven(7)regular members and two (2) alternate members
with a three-year term. Currently, the Board has seven (7)regular members and zero (0) alternate members.
An application has been received by Joseph Johnson who has shown an interest in being appointed to the Code
Enforcement Board as an alternate member for a term ending June 2024. At this time there are no other
applications on file for this board.
Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0.
3. Approval of New Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (City
Clerk Sibbitt)
Members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board serve two-year terms. The ordinance provides that the
Parks&Recreation Advisory Board shall consist of nine(9)members;and,whenever possible,appointments
to the Board may include one member from local sporting organizations as provided by ordinance that utilize
the Ocoee parks.Currently,the board has six(6)members. One(1)application has been received by Sherrall
Applegate who has shown an interest in being appointed to the Parks&Recreation Advisory Board for a term
ending October 2023.
Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0.
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Regular City Commission Meeting
March 16,2021
4. Award of RFQ #21-003 Design and Engineering Services for South Bluford Avenue
Streetscape Project. (Procurement Manager Tolbert)
In compliance with the Consultants' Competitive Negotiations Act(CCNA),Florida Statute Section 287.055
and Chapter 21 of the City's Code of Ordinances,the City solicited statements of qualifications from qualified
professional engineering and design firms (Respondent, Firm) to design and engineer the S. Bluford
Streetscape from Old Winter Garden Road to just north of Geneva Street. The RFQ was advertised on
December 20, 2020 and was publicly opened on January 19,2021. There were five(5)responses submitted.
The first public RFQ Evaluation Committee meeting was held on February 10, 2021, with the Evaluation
Committee evaluating and short-listing the firms on specific evaluation criteria. The second public RFQ
Evaluation Committee meeting was held on March 3,2021,for the purpose of interviewing the three(3)short-
listed firms,and finalizing the shortlist for recommendation of award.The Evaluation Committee recommends
contracting with the top ranked firm,CPH,Inc.
Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Approval of Resolution for a Four-Year Lease-Purchase Agreement with Truist Bank
for Various Vehicles and Equipment Included in the FY 2021 Budget. (Procurement
Manager Tolbert)
The budget for Fiscal Year 20/21 includes the four(4)year lease-purchase of various vehicles and equipment.
Staff recommends that the City Commission authorize staff to piggyback the Florida Sheriffs Association's
Vehicle Contracts#FSA 20-VEL28.0,#FSA 20-VEH18.0,and Sourcewell Contract#2021-120716-NAF for
the various vehicles and equipment; and further, adopt the Resolution approving financing terms with Truist
Bank, and authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, and Staff to execute the 4-Year Lease-Purchase Agreement and
related documents for the amount of$612,763.83 at an interest rate of 1.2%for four(4)years,with payments
of$39,281.64 per quarter,to close on or before April 19,2021.
Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING -None
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE -None
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE—PUBLIC HEARING -None
REGULAR AGENDA -None
STAFF ACTION ITEMS -None
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC -None
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS - 6:37 PM
Commissioner Brinson—Commented on the following:
1) Congratulated Commissioner Wilsen and Commissioner Oliver on their election and for
retaining their seats on the Commission.
2) Advised there is a lot of construction in the city right now and encouraged residents to slow
down, pay attention; and further, not to drive while holding a cell phone.
3) Announced this is Women's History Month. Let us honor women in history that have made
contributions to our civilization.
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Commissioner Wilsen—Commented on the following:
1) Informed as she stood out at various intersections during her campaign on Clarke Road,
Montgomery Avenue and White Road, she witnessed drivers holding phones and eating. She
asked drivers to slow down and pay attention.
2) Stated she is very pleased to be back to serve District 2, and thanked her family and the
residents. She emphasized she is here for all of her District 2 residents that may have an issue;
she wants to hear from them, and that they please call her at any time. She further thanked all of
the voters in District 2 for voting.
Commissioner Firstner—Commented on the following:
1) Congratulated Commissioner Wilsen and Commissioner Oliver on their successful campaigns
and reelections.
2) Informed residents to remember it is spring break and there are a lot of cars on the road. He
asked residents to slow down, be careful, and pay attention to their surroundings.
3) Stated the City may be getting funds from the American Rescue Plan, and asked the City
Manager if there is a list of priority projects that the funds would go towards. City Manager
Frank advised the City does not currently have a list of priority projects; however, if the City
were to get funds, a priority list would come before the commission. Commissioner Firstner
shared it would be nice to pass some funds to local businesses and organizations within the
community that have suffered.
Commissioner Oliver—Commented on the following:
1) Advised he attended a virtual meeting with the Orange County Community Traffic Safety
Team (CTST). He stated a study will be starting soon on Clarcona Ocoee Road and other roads
throughout the county to create a priority list of which roads need speeding and traffic control
devices. Stated he has a meeting scheduled with County Commissioner Christine Moore soon,
and also with the Orange County Sherriff and Orange County Mayor to discuss the problems on
Clarcona Ocoee Road and installing a traffic light at Clarcona Ocoee Road and Ingram Road.
2) Is concerned about the Gospel Fest in May and asked if it can be pushed back because of
COVID-19. He asked for a consensus or comments from the Commission to change the date to a
later date. Mayor Johnson said the fest is already underway for May 29th after the consensus at
the last meeting; and further, expressed the fest will be outside and COVID-19 safe.
3) Asked the City Manager if the County can be contacted about getting streetlights on
McCormick Road. City Manager Frank advised the City can reach out to the County and the
City of Apopka for this issue since all three jurisdictions lie along this roadway. County
Commissioner Moore would be the person to contact.
4) Advised a flyer will be coming out with the April utility bills to inform residents of trash
collection. City Manager Frank explained the Commission instructed the City to mail out
several flyers a year with the utility bills concerning trash, bulk trash, and recycling pickup. He
asked for a consensus to take $2,500 from contingency fund to pay for the flyers. Consensus
by the City Commission was to allow $2,500 from Contingency Fund for a trash
pickup flyer to be inserted with the mailout of the utility bills.
5) Announced he had a lot of fun campaigning and meeting residents. He thanked his family,
team, and residents who voted. He said voter turnout was 15 percent, much higher than in the
past, and encouraged residents to get involved and engaged.
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Regular City Commission Meeting
March 16,2021
Mayor Johnson—Commented on the following:
1) Announced Mr. Doss is present and asked Assistant City Manager Shadrix to explain to Mr.
Doss what is going on with his property. Assistant City Manager Shadrix explained that the
City Commission directed the City to obtain an appraisal of his property,which is adjacent to the
City Cemetery. If City staff gets the appraisal in time,it will be brought up at the next commission
meeting.
2) Advised drivers are speeding down Wurst Road. He asked residents to slow down and be
careful.
3)Announced construction will soon begin on South Bluford Avenue,and asked that the residents
be informed by broadcasting the road closure on the City's news channel.
4) Announced the City has some of the best maintained little league and football fields around
thanks to City staff.
5) Congratulated both commissioners on their elections and retaining their seats.
ADJOURNMENT— 7:06 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson,Mayor
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