HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2023 MinutesMINUTES,
MAY 2, 2023
-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 Brad Lomneck, Ocoee Resident,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mayor Johnson. City Clerk
Sibbitt called the roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissione
Firstner, Commissioner Hart
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Cookson, City Clerk Sibbitt
-PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6,17 PM
Proclamations for May 2023
- Municipal Clerks Week, April 30 - May 6th proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
- National Day of Prayer, May 4th proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
- National Peace Officer Memorial Day, May 15th & National Police Week, May 14th - 2
read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson, and accepted by Deputy Chief Ogburn.
- Water Safety Month proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
Judy Chedwick, Orlando House of Prayer (OHO), announced the upcoming National De",
of Prayer Event date, time, and location. I
Vi Ma and Yan Lu, Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida (AAHC), presented
a PowerPoint outlining their mission and many accomplishments. They concluded by
requesting a waiver of the rental fees for the Lakeshore Center and Bill Breeze Park to host
the 2023 AAHC Asian Cultural Festival.
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by Commissioner Hart. Motion carried unanimously.
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The following person(s) addressed the City Commission: I
Moyer, Ocoee Resident, presented a PowerPoint titled "What do we know?" a
inquired about unfinished projects and increased costs.
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May 2, 2023
-STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW ® None
-CONSENT AGENDA 6:49 PHI
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt the Consent Aqenda Items #1 - 3.
Moved by Commissioner Firstner, seconded by Commissioner Hart; Motion
carried 5-0.
1. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Commission Meeting held April 18,
2023. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval of the Third Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale between Wire
Development, LLC and the City of Ocoee for the purchase of City owned property at
Crown Point. (City Attorney Cookson)
3. Approval to Award RFP #23-005 Continuing Owner's Representative for City
Projects Including Federal Grant Funded ARPA Projects. (Procurement Manager
Tolbert)
-FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 6:49 PM
4. First Reading of Ordinance for Siri Office Building Market Street ROW - Annexati
& Rezoning to PUD; Project No(s). AX-03-23-03 & RZ-23-03-03. (Zoning Manag
Whitfield)
City Attorney Cookson read the titles of the ordinances, and it was announced this will
be presented as a second reading and public hearing at the next scheduled City
Commission meeting on May 16, 2023, at 6:15 PM or soon thereafter. I
-PUBLIC HEARING 6:51 PM
5. Heartland Dental, Colonial Drive Preventative & Comprehensive Dentistry - Sign
Variance (VR-23-01). (Zoning Manager Whitfield)
Zoning Manager Whitfield presented a brief overview of the subject property which is
located on a corner lot at 1110 Blackwood Avenue. The applicant is requesting two (2)
variances to Section 8-6A, Article Vill, as follows:
Variance #1: A sign height of six (6) feet, in lieu of the maximum three (3) feet,
representing a 100% increase in sign height for the west elevation sign.
Variance #2: A sign size of 70 SF, in lieu of the maximum 36 SF, representing a 94%
increase in sign size for the north elevation sign.
May 2, 2023
Zoning Manager explained Article IV, Section 4-9A, requires the applicant f-05
demonstrate compliance with four (4) criteria in order to be granted a variance approval-,
and further, stated the applicant's and staff's responses to the four (4) criteria. She
displayed the proposed plans for the signs and explained staff's recommendations are the
following:
Variance #1: APPROVAL of the variance request to Section 8-6A(l) and (2), Article
VI I I, for the west elevation wall sign in order to allow the 28.26 SIF sign at a height of six
(6) feet in lieu of three (3) feet, representing a 100% height increase, and
Variance #2: DENIAL of the variance request to Section 8-6A(l) and (2), Article V1 I I, for
the north elevation wall sign and NOT allow a sign size of 70 SIF in lieu of 36 SF,
representing a 94% increase in sign size, for the north elevation wall sign.
The public hearing was opened.
Christie Wheeler, Representative for Hilton Displays, provided a presentation on the sign
variance requests with a new proposed reduced sign size variance request of 52 SF which
represented a 44.44% increase in sign size, for the north elevation wall sign.
The public hearing was closed.
The floor was opened for members of the City Commission to ask questions, Ms. Wheeler
and Zoning Manager Whitfield addressed questions related to the proposed changes
and sign variance criteria.
Motion: Move to Deny the Variance Requests for Heartland Dental, Colonial Drive
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried
unanimously.
6. Second Reading and Public Hearing of a Resolution Creating the Ocoee Northwest
Brownfield Area. (Development Services Director Rumer)
7. Discussion and Direction Regarding the Human Relations Diversity Board
(HRDB). (City Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained the City Commission discussed the HRDB Board at their last
meeting on April 18th and staff is seeking direction on whether they would like to proceed
with appointing members to the HRDB or does the Commission wish to consider
Commissioner Kennedy's request to create a more modernized board and revise it with a
new name, structure and mission. Commissioner Kennedy shared an overview of his
proposal for renaming the HRDB to the IDEA Board (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and
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Regular City Commission
May 2, 2023
Access Board), modifying the objectives and • and appointing a committee to review
and suggest modifications to the •
Commissioner Hart shared his support • a modernized board.
City Attorney Cookson explained that if the City Commission is seeking to make the
proposed changes, then they should vote to direct City staff to -• with Commissioner
Kennedy to discuss the concepts of modernizing the board, to bring back to a future meeting
• approval.
Commissioner Wilsen voiced her support in restoring the HRDB, appointing members,
and allowing the members to determine their mission.
Commissioner Kennedy expressed concerns with the lack of clear direction from the City
Commission with regards to the former HRDB, • explained he would like to consider a
• for the newly revised board.
Motion: Move to appoint Bill Maxwell, Hermra* (Vinny) Singh, Michelle Cummings,
and Josh Cease to the Board (alka HRDB). Moved • Commissioner Kennedy,
seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried unanimously.
Motion: Move to rename the HRDB to the IDEA Board and brina back a more
modernized structure, mission, and bylaws for the board. Moved by Commissioner
Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion failed 3-2 with Mayor
Johnson, Commissioner Wilsen, and Commissioner Hart opposing.
8. Approval of Commission Liaisons to Various Boards. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained liaisons are appointed annually to various boards, and staff is
requesting the City Commission appoint liaisons as they deem appropriate.
Motion: Move to approve the Board Appointments as listed below. Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, -seconded by Commissioner Hart; Motion carried
•
Parks • Recreation Board — Commissioner Wilsen
Citizens Advisory Board for the Police Department — Commissioner Kennedy
Citizens Advisory Board • the Fire Department - Commissioner Firstner
Human Relations Diversity Board — Commissioner Hart
Personnel Board — Mayor Johnson
Tri-County League • Cities — Commissioner Wilsen
West Orange Airport Authority — Mayor Johnson
W.O. Chamber of Commerce — City Manager Frank
Education Incentive Board — Mayor Johnson
MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) - Commissioner Firstner and
City Manager Frank as Alternate Member
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Regular City Commission
May 2, 2023
9. Appointment of a Charter Review Commission, in accordance with the City of
Ocoee Charter, Article X, Section C-59. (City Clerk Sibbift)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained at their last meeting on April 18th, the City Commission voted
unanimously to proceed with establishing a Charter Review Commission. Staff
recommends the City Commission provide applications from interested residents to the City
Clerk by Friday, May 12th to be placed on the next agenda. Additionally, City staff will be
providing the credentials for qualified individuals to select as a Charter Review Commission
facilitator, for consideration and approval at the same meeting.
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City Manager Frank explained at their last meeting on April 18 , the City Commission
directed him to enlist the services of a board -certified municipal attorney to review the City
Charter and offer an independent opinion on when an election needs to be called to fill the
District 4 Commission seat. He briefly introduced Mr. Richard Geller and shared that he will
be presenting his findings before the City Commission.
Richard Geller, Esquire, Special Counsel, introduced himself and provided a detailed
PowerPoint that summarized his independent analysis on whether the District 4 election
could be postponed from June 13, 2023, until March 19, 2024. He further provided
explanation on the resolution provided in their packets,
Commissioner Hart inquired if there would be any conflicts with him voting on the issue
before them. Mr. Geller addressed his question, and advised as there is no special private
gain, he is required to vote.
The floor was opened for members of the City Commission to ask questions. Mr. Geller
addressed questions related to his findings, defined wording in the Charter, and disclosed
he has not met or spoken to any members of the City Commission prior to this meeting.
- Timothy Ayers, Ocoee Resident, questioned the legal analysis. Mr. Geller
addressed his questions.
- Chris Adkins, Ocoee Resident, voiced opposition on the rescinding of the June
special election.
- Vivian Lyte-Johnson, Ocoee Resident, voiced opposition on the rescinding of the
June special election.
- Larry Brinson, Ocoee Resident, voiced opposition on the rescinding of the June
special election.
- Stephen Tilton, Ocoee Resident, voiced opposition on the rescinding of the June
special election.
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May 2, 2023
Patti LeRoy, The Woman's Club of Ocoee, requested approval for The Woman's
Club of Ocoee to host a political forum for the upcoming special election whether it
is held in June or March, as a televised event in City Hall.
- Norine Dworkin, VoxPopuli, questioned the legal analysis. Mr. Geller addressed
her questions.
The •• was opened • members • the City Commission to ask follow-up questions and
provide their comments. Mr. Geller addressed questions related to the Charter Review
Commission, defined the terms municipal and city election, and explained the City
Commission's role as the judge of the election.
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election •, March 19, 2024. Moved • Commissioner Kennedy, seco •-• •
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City Attorney read the title of the resolution.
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Commissioner Kennedy - No comments
Commissioner Wilsen - Commented on the following:
1) Announced the upcoming Tri-County League of Cities Ethics Training date, time, a
location.
2) Shared the pride she has for the City and !"• several accomplishments the Ci
has achieved over the past few years. I
Commissioner Firstner -Commented on the following:
1) Announced the Cinco •- Mayo Block Party date, time, and location.
2) Announced the Community Picnic hosted by OPD date, time, and location.
3) Announced the Asian Cultural Festival hosted by AAHC date, time, and location.
Commissioner Hart - Commented on the following:
1) Thanked City staff for a warm •
2) Shared that he recently visited Ocoee High School and commended Ocoee's paren
for raising outstanding •
3) Wished all moms a Happy Mother's Day.
Mayor Johnson - Commented on the following:
1) Commented on the Wesmere HOA meeting he and Development Services Director
Rumer recently attended and requested approval from the City Commission to
rescind the Arbor Permit issued by the Building Department until the Wesmere HOA,
Wesmere Residents, and City Staff can come to an agreeable resolution.
Consensus of the City Commission was to rescind the Arbor Permit.
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May 2, 2023
2) Announced vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and direct
interested parties to apply.
3) Responded to recent inquiries received from residents, and noted that no conta
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information was provided. He encouraged anyone reaching out to him to kind
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provide a callback number and he would contact them directly.
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4) Inquired about sidewalk maintenance, and having the required funds reallocat
City Manager Frank addressed his concerns.
5) Thanked citizens for attending and participating in tonight's meeting.
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Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk
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Rusty John ayor