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Home My WebLink About02-04-2025 MinutesOCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida February 4, 2025 MINUTES 6:15 PM -CALL TO ORDER 6 -15 PM Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 615 PM in the Commission Chambers City Hall. The invocation was led by Ages Hart, Ocoee Resident, followed by the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Firstner. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll an declared a quorum present. Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, City Clerk Sibbitt M til :1*44 1! Ill r-11% III I RJU rtoil] Wil ITI F-A 2025 Black History Month Proclamation — proclaimed by Mayor Johnson, He further announc the proclamation has been posted in the City Hall lobby. I i NUMMI-011, rl I 1111111 1142091 M- W. MR M'' He further gave an update on lighting around the City a1nd stated that the final completion date th for the Clarke Road project is set for February 26 -PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:21 PM - Jim Moyer, Ocoee Resident, highlighted the importance of Black History Month. He also shared information regarding the upcoming Lunar New Year Celebration taking place in Oviedo, FL this month. - John Martin, Ocoee Resident, expressed that there are already enough apartment buildings and complexes under construction. City Manager Shadrix explained that a moratorium has been put in place to stop the construction of new apartment complexes, allowing city staff time to revise the City Land Development Code, which will be presented to the City Commission in March. I 111111!![TpIJIIIIIIII�� RIM IN ITM* WIN=- 4WROVINIM Kennedy, seconded bV Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 5-0. 1 Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held January 7, 2025. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 2Approval of Utility Easement for the OTC at Westside Campus Development by the Orange County School Board. (Development Engineer Keaton) 3. Approval of the 429 Business Center Plat. (Development Engineer Keaton) 4. Approval to Replace the Base Station for the Sensus FlexNet Metering System. (Utilities Director Bong) 5. Approval of Locke Well & Pump as the Single Source Vendor for Well Inspections, Repai and Equipment. (Utilities Director Boiling) 6. Approval to Piggyback Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract to Replace a Mobi Generator. (Utilities Director ol ng 7. Approval to Piggyback City of Zephyrhills Contract to Rehabilitate City of Ocoee L Stations. (Utilities Director Boiling) I 2 211 Z611 A V :F-11 III 10 Lex*-] ,i,. First Reading of Ordinance for the Ocoee Regional Sports Complex Rezoning to PUD; Project No. RZ-24-09-07. (Zoning Manager Whitfield) City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance, and it was announced this will be presentepe as a second reading and public hearing at the City Commission meeting scheduled for Februa 18, 2025, at 6:15 PM or soon thereafter. I qjWii Vivo; 9. Public Hearing for 304 Calliope Street - Renwick Variance Request� Pr 0ject No. VR-24- .1 03. (Planner I Belizaire) Planner Belizaire provided an overview of the subject property and the requested variance. e summarized the applicants' justification for the variance but emphasized that staff found it insufficient to meet the four evaluation criteria. She noted that Code Enforcement action was initiated due to unpermitted improvements made in 2020. These improvements included the installation of pavers, which increased the property's Impervious Surface Area (ISA) to 64%, its current state. The property's maximum allowable ISA is 50%. The proposed survey, under the requested variance, includes adding more pavers to the rear yard, which would increase the ISA 2�� February 4, 2025 from 64% to 80%. This represents a 61.2% Variance from the limits specified in Table 5-2 of th Land Development Code. As a result, the staff does not support the variance request, and th Planning and Zoning Commission has also denied The public hearing was opened. The following person(s) addressed the City Commission.' - Johanna Renwick, homeowner of 304 Calliope Street, stated that her property an community have faced rodent infestations due to a sewage pump for Thornebrooke Elementa located • To r•• this health and safety concern, her family installed the pavers i their yard. Ms. Renwick apologized for her family previously not following the Code an submitted letters from neighbors supporting the variance .• The public hearing was closed. 13MEM-OWNINNOMM, M01 211- If Regular City Commission February 4, 2025 10. Public Hearing for a Fourth Amendment to the JPA Agreement between the City of Ocoee and Orange County. (Zoning Manager Whitfield) Zoning Manager Whitfield summarized the Fourth Amendment to the Ocoee -Orange County Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) which is comprised of seven (7) parcels. These properties are part of the Ocoee Regional Sports Complex Planned Unit Development (PUD). Five (5) of the subject properties are located on the east side of Ocoee Apopka Road, and the remaining two (2) are generally located on the west side of North Lakewood Avenue. Combined they consist of approximately 17.87 acres. In order for the proposed project to proceed, the JPA Future Land Use Map (FLUM) needs to be amended to change the land use designation of the subject properties from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Commercial (COMM). The public hearing was opened. The following person addressed the City Commission: - Marcos Bastian, AECOM, shared they have no additional comments to add, and he is available to address any questions they may have. The public hearing was closed. TrErMlyr, I =0 City Clerk Sibbitt summarized the item before the City Commission and noted that to keep with past practice, the Mayor and two (2) Commissioners whose district seats are not part of the election should each select members for the Canvassing Board, Therefore, Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy and Commissioner Firstner would need to provide her with names to appoint to the Canvassing Board. She confirmed that Mayor Johnson's appointee is Lincoln Forges, Commissioner Firstner's appointees are Derrick Chacon and Sharon Duffy as an Alternate Member, and that Commissioner Kennedy would submit a name at a later date. City Clerk Sibbitt offered the option to vote on the names received tonight or to bring all names back for consideration at the February 18th meeting. Motion: Move to appoint Lincoln Forges and Derrick Chacon as reaular members of the �= : - MI FTTf 1M ITTM -is iin I N=77. M7'CW7,'��Tir �31 77 February 4, 2025 12. Update and Request Directiono Kurt Ardaman of the City Attorney's Office (Fishback Dominick) regarding City -owned property located at 10521 Clarcona, Ocoee Road (Forest Lake Golf Course). City Attorney Ardaman informed the City Commission that an update on the Forest Lake Golf Course would be provided, and guidance from the Commission would be needed. He outlined the timeline of defaults and inspections conducted by the City on the golf course, noting that the owners were given opportunities to address the defaults. In January, the City was contacted by the owners, claiming that the defaults had been resolved. However, upon reinspection, the City found over 50 remaining issues and issued a notice to the owner. He also emphasized the lease's requirement for the entire golf course to be maintained in first-class condition. Robert Utsey, ZHA, summarized the standards outlined in the lease and shared examples of comparable golf courses in nearby cities. He also detailed the insurance requirements, addressed concerns raised during the building inspection of the clubhouse, cart storage, and maintenance facility, and provided an overview of the Phase I Environmental Report Assessment. Bob Doyle, Golf Course Operations Consultant, briefed the City Commission on his assessments of the golf course infrastructure and presented estimates for deferred maintenance required to restore the golf course to first-class condition. Commissioner Wilsen questioned the cost estimate displayed to bring the golf course up to first-class. Mr. Utsey addressed her question. AW W-0-M-00 IRMIM Logan Opsahl, Attorney with Lowndes Law Firm, discussed the timeline presented by City Attorney Ardaman and expressed that they have had meetings and productive conversations with City representatives, and had completed some of the defaulted items listed. He e-4 4is,2,jree-tte*ts over 181=101 N 11,11101 a - - . 6 NIMMONS NO Commissioner Kennedy asked whether the golf course owner or their attorney is the primarn representative for the golf course, as he preferred to address concerns with the individual wh has expertise and experience in managing the golf course. I February 4, 2025 as a top -tier facility. He noted that over the 31 years of their partnership with the City, they had never received any written complaints. Mayor Johnson expressed his concerns about the golf course and shared complaints he had received regarding the bar/restaurant hours of operation. He also briefly mentioned his dissatisfaction with the recent attempt to sell the ownership of the golf course facilities. Commissioner Oliver asked Mr, Ezell about the history of the golf course and raised questions about the recent proposal to sell its ownership. He also commented on the City's right of first refusal and the issue of defaults, noting that the terminology used was different from what had been discussed during their last update on the golf course. City Attorney Ardaman explained tt 234,* -mt JA Hospitality and the questions of default were not before them at that time. Commissioner Oliver asked about how often the Forest Lake Golf Course had been evaluated during their 30- year partnership with the City. He also inquired about the consequences if the City decided to terminate and evict the tenants, as well as who would be responsible for bringing the golf course up to first-class standards if the owner were evicted. City Attorney Ardaman responded to all his questions. Commissioner Oliver stated that he believes there are discrepancies on both sides and expressed his support for mediation at this time. Commissioner Firstner summarized all the testimony heard so far and asked Mr. Ezell if they planned to address the issues raised, such as the irrigation. Mr. Ezell responded by explaining that they have been working on the issues presented to them and highlighted some of the completed improvements. Mayor Johnson remarked that if the owner intended to run a first-class Operation, the City shoul not have needed to evaluate the golf course. He then asked Mr. Ezell if he was looking to sel the ownership of the golf course. Commissioner Willsen questioned the lack of insurance coverage and expressed her concerl-INII about the health and safety issues that were raised. Additionally, she stated that she would al support mediation. I 1011 Mayor Johnson shared the intent of the Forest Lake Golf Course being a community golf course with benefits to the residents and shared his frustration with how the course has never hosted groups such as community youth groups or events such as the Jim Beech Center golf tournament. • February 4, 2025 A No -IN be allowed. City Attorney Ardaman commented that the mediation should include the City Manager and recommended the presence of one City Commissioner. Mayor Johnson stated that City Attorney Ardaman and City Manager Shadrix should be the sole representatives of the City at the mediation. Commissioner Oliver commented that typically it takes about four sessions to reach a resolution, which would likely extend to six weeks. Mayor Johnson maintained that 30 days would be sufficient. Commissioner Kennedy commented that the focus of this mediation should be on Forest LakS Golf Course's willingness to acknowledge its current situation and develop a plan to resolve th" default and fulfill the lease requirements. I AR "M f I Commissioner Oliver opposing. Commissioner Firstner — Commented on the following- 1) Noted how nice the mural downtown looks, stating that it Was done well, and brightens McKey Street; he cannot wait to see more. Commissioner Oliver — Commented on the following* 1) Thanked the City Manager for the update on Clarke Rd. 2) Informed residents of District 4 that new 5G towers and fiber optic cabling are being installed throughout the district. 3) Announced that the Municipal Election will be held on March 1 ith, and according to Stall Law, all voters voting by mail must submit a new vote -by -mail request after each gener election. I Mrsym Commissioner Wilsen — Commented on the following- 1) Stated that the concerns regarding Oakland Avenue being a Golf Cart only street are false. She urged residents to contact their Commissioner or City staff to confirm information they see ort social media. 7 1 P a g e 2) Informed residents about the Sensus Program, which enables them to monitor their water consumption, and encouraged them to sign up. Commissioner Kennedy — Commented on the following- 1) •-• Commissioner Wilsen's comment and •-• citizens to contact Commissioners • City Staff • fact check information 2) Commended City Manager Shadrix for his leadership and City staff on a job well-done a) the • • the downtown mural event, stating this was wonderful and he believes the • Johnson — Commented • the following: 1) Stated that last year the City allowed the Boy Scouts to use Ballroom A at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center for six (6) hours for their annual recognition, at no charge, and he would like to allow them to use it again this year. Consensus of the City Commission was to allow the Boy Scouts to use Ballroom A again this year, at no charge. 2) Asked where the City polling locations will be for the upcoming March 1 1th Election. City Clerk Sibbitt provided the locations and noted that this information is also located on the City's .• 3) Announced that pamphlets with information on all the upcoming City events he mentioned are available in the lobby. 4) Commissioner Wilsen mentioned a ..• for financial help • the •' Government Association to attend the Legislative Days. The City Commission determined that the requestor should contact each Elected Official individually for discretionary funds. 5) Mayor Johnson thanked City staff, the City Manager, and all City Commissioners for their work with getting the downtown mural done. TITU-M Rusty non, MayorRusty o nson, Mayor