HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of the Minutes1 | Page
MINUTES
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 7, 2023
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION
MEETING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:23 PM
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:23 PM in the Commission
Chambers of City Hall. The invocation was led by Ocoee Resident, Brad Lomneck,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Firstner. City
Clerk Sibbitt 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, City Clerk Sibbitt
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:25 PM
1. Celebration of the Asian Lunar New Year with the Dynamics Lion Dance Team.
This performance occurred at 6:15 PM prior to Call to Order.
2. Proclamation for Black History Month ~ February 2023, read by Commissioner
Brinson and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:28 PM
City Manager Frank pulled Item No. 10 to be placed on a future agenda.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:28 PM
The following person addressed the City Commission:
- Jim Moyer, Resident, presented a PowerPoint which highlighted the Lunar
New Year and Black History Month.
- Tom Lowrie, American Legion Post 63, announced the date, time and location
of the Four Chaplains Memorial Service and invited the public.
- Victoria Laney, Ocoee Resident, thanked Community Relations staff for
making the Pine Hills community feel welcomed at the Martin Luther King Day
Parade.
- Robert Fugat, Ocoee Resident, shared concerns about the current Code
Enforcement policy noting his worry for the initiator’s safety, and asked if the
City could start initiating compliance for visible code violations around town.
Commissioner Wilsen shared that legislature passed the law which no longer
allows for anonymous complaints. Commissioner Oliver understood the ill-will
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that is placed against neighbors by this process and inquired if the HOA could
initiate the compliant. Mayor Johnson shared that previous complaints which
the Code Enforcement Board found to be in non-compliance has not always
solved the problem, explaining that many property owners allow fines to build
up, never bringing the property into compliance.
• CONSENT AGENDA 6:48 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt the Consent Agenda Items #3-12 with Items #7and #8
being pulled for discussion and separate consideration; and further, Item #10
being pulled by City staff to be placed on a future agenda.
Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion
carried 5-0.
3. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Commission Meeting held January
17, 2023. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
4. Approval of New Appointment to the Citizen Advisory Council for Ocoee Police
Department (CACOPD). (City Clerk Sibbitt)
5. Approval of Proposal from GAI Community Solutions Group to Update the CRA
Redevelopment Plan. (Deputy Development Services Director/CRA
Administrator Corless)
6. Approval to Piggyback Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract to Install New
Athletic Flooring for the Jim Beech Recreation Center. (Parks and Recreation
Director Johnson)
7. Approval of Payment for the 2023 Ocoee Music Festival Entertainment. (Parks
and Recreation Director Johnson)
Commissioner Oliver inquired about the Ocoee Music Festival budget, and where
the funds were placed and shown within the budget book. Finance Director Roberts
addressed his questions. Commissioner Brinson shared his concern with the
absence of the labeling of the Ocoee Music Festival within the budget book. Finance
Director Roberts addressed his concern. Commissioner Wilsen commented that
these items were discussed during the Budget Hearings, and recommended that
members of the City Commission reach out to staff when they need clarification on
an agenda item prior to a meeting. Further clarification was provided by Finance
Director Roberts regarding the transfers in and transfers out related to the Ocoee
Music Festival.
Commissioner Oliver commented on the timing of the 2023 Ocoee Music Festival
dates which is scheduled for March 10th and 11th, prior to the Ocoee General
Election, and voiced concerns regarding campaign rallies occurring at the event.
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Commissioner Wilsen voiced her hopes that the candidates would not be using the
Ocoee Music Festival for campaign purposes. She further commented on the past
changes for the dates of the Ocoee Music Festival which sometimes occurs due to
the availability of an artist.
Motion: Move to approve No. 7 – Approval of Payment for the 2023 Ocoee
Music Festival Entertainment; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by
Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Oliver
opposing.
8. Approval to Transfer Funds within the Parks and Recreation Capital Budget for the
Purpose of Installing a Pedestrian Entrance at the Ocoee Skatepark. (Parks and
Recreation Director Johnson)
Commissioner Oliver inquired about the entrance to the Ocoee Skatepark. Parks
and Recreation Director Johnson addressed his question.
Motion: Move to approve No. 8 – Approval to Transfer Funds within the Parks
and Recreation Capital Budget for the Purpose of Installing a Pedestrian
Entrance at the Ocoee Skatepark; Moved by Commissioner Oliver, seconded
by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 5-0.
9. Approval of Florida's Bicycle Pedestrian Focused Initiative: Communication and
High Visibility Enforcement Grant. (Police Chief Plasencia)
10. Approval of Custodial Cleaning and Day Porter Service Agreement for City Hall.
(Public Works Director Krug)
This item was pulled at the request of City staff and will be placed on a future
agenda.
11. Approval of Resolution Adopting the Orange County Local Mitigation Strategy.
(Public Works Director Krug)
12. Approval of Additional Disaster Debris Removal Services with CrowderGulf LLC,
RFP #18-002. (Public Works Director Krug)
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE – None
• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING – None
• PUBLIC HEARING – None
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• REGULAR AGENDA 6:21 PM
13. Appointment of Members to the 2023 Canvassing Board. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained the item before the board and asked that they provide
her with names to appoint to the Canvassing Board. Commissioner Wilsen provided
her appointee, Mr. Tom Lowrie. Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Oliver both
confirmed they would provide their appointments to the City Clerk by February 17th.
14. Appointment of Members to the Human Relations Diversity Board (HRDB). (City
Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained the item before the Board, and shared all applications
received to date have been provided to them for consideration on making
appointments to the HRDB tonight. She advised that she has only heard back from
one Commissioner on their recommended District appointment.
Commissioner Wilsen voiced concerns on proceeding with the appointments to the
HRDB due to the upcoming election and the change of some District seats. She is
requesting for this item to be tabled until after the election.
Original Motion: Move to table the Appointment of Members to the HRDB to
the Regular City Commission Meeting following the 2023 Municipal Election;
Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Firstner;
Commissioner Brinson voiced his disagreement with the motion on the floor, and
the tabling of this item. He further commented that there is a violation to Roberts
Rules for tabling this item. City Attorney Cookson addressed his concerns, and
explained the City Commission has the authority to table an item as long as a reason
is indicated. Commissioner Oliver shared there is validity to the motion, but
commented on the duties of the Elected Officials while in office.
City Attorney Cookson explained Roberts Rules of Order on tabling and replacing
an item which differs from the intent being proposed in this motion. He recommended
for clarity that the motion be restated to “continue the appointment of the Members…”
so that it is more appropriate to this item.
Restated Motion: Move to continue the Appointment of Members to the HRDB
to the Regular City Commission Meeting following the 2023 Municipal
Elections; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner
Firstner; Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioner Brinson and Commissioner
Oliver opposing.
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• COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS / PUBLIC 7:20 PM
The following person(s) addressed the City Commission:
- Brad Lomneck, Resident, clarified Roberts Rules and commented on the
Ocoee Music Festival date selection, explaining how an event date is
determined.
- Jim Moyer, Resident, inquired about the Black History Essay contest.
Commissioner Wilsen offered to address his concerns during her comments.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:24 PM
Commissioner Firstner – Commented on the following:
1) Provided information about Ocoee’s Public Safety Academy, and encouraged
interested residents to contact the City.
2) Shared that the Women’s Club of Ocoee will be hosting a Political Forum for the
2023 Election, and provided the date, time, and location for each night.
3) Announced the Grand Opening of the Healthy West Orange Wellness Park, and
encouraged residents to attend.
Commissioner Brinson - None
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following:
1) Inquired about the status of the Clarke Road Widening Project. Development
Services Director Rumer addressed his question.
2) Requested consensus from the Commission to have staff draft a formal letter
regarding the urgent need for traffic lights at the intersections of Clarcona Ocoee
Road and Ingram Road, and McCormick Road and Apopka-Vineland Road. City
Manager Frank addressed his request. Consensus of the City Commission was
to have staff draft and send a letter to the Mayor of Orange County on their
behalf.
3) Noted the continued speeding along Clarcona Ocoee Road, requested
aggressive Police presence to deter the behavior, and asked how many tickets have
been issued this year. Police Chief Plasencia addressed his concerns and offered
to provide the statistic requested.
4) Shared information about the upcoming Election, and explained that the City
would be holding a Special Election for District 4.
5) Shared that historically only 6-8% of voters participate in municipal elections and
encouraged all residents to vote.
6) Read a quote by Stephen Grellet.
Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following:
1) Agreed with Commissioner Oliver on the need to actively address speeding and
shared her approach to combat the problem. Explained that she used discretionary
funds to purchase speed deterrent signs which are posted in District 2 and
encouraged others to do the same.
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2) Asked if the Support Services Department could oversee the Annual Black History
Essay Contest, and offered to assist. City Manager Frank addressed her request,
and recommended a consensus due to time constraints. Consensus of the City
Commission was to have the Support Services Department oversee the
Annual Black History Essay Contest with assistance from Commissioner
Wilsen.
3) Requested the Commission's support to hold the next Shred-to-Protect Events on
March 18th and September 16th. Consensus of the City Commission was to allow
and support both dates.
Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following:
1) Thanked City Staff for the Police Department Award Ceremony.
2) Noted the outstanding performance by the UCF Flying Horse Big Band and the
Ocoee High School Jazz Band at the HAPCO Fest.
3) Spoke about low voter turnout, and encouraged residents to vote.
4) Shared the Election date and requested confirmation on voting locations. City
Clerk Sibbitt provided the polling location for each district.
• ADJOURNMENT 7:44 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ____________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor
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