HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes1 | Page
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
March 18, 2025 MINUTES 6:15 PM
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
• SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF DISTRICTS 2 & 4 COMMISSIONERS – 6:00 PM
• CALL TO ORDER 6:18 PM
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:18 PM in the Commission Chambers
of City Hall. The invocation was led by Ages Hart, Ocoee Resident, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Wilsen. Deputy City Clerk Parks called the roll
and 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, and Deputy Clerk
Parks
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – None
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:19 PM
City Manager Shadrix requested to pull Item #5 from the agenda due to an existing code
enforcement violation on the property. This item will be brought back to the City Commission
when the violation has been resolved. City Manager Shadrix also asked City Attorney Geller
to provide an update on why the Law Enforcement Training Facility Contract is not on this
evening’s agenda. City Attorney Geller gave a brief update on the contract status.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:22 PM
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Landra Wormack, Orange County Tax Collector’s Office, announced that Real ID
Compliance is going live on May 7th. She also extended her congratulations to
Commissioner Oliver and Commissioner Wilsen on their swearing-in.
- Jim Moyer, Ocoee Resident, extended his congratulations to Commissioner Oliver and
Commissioner Wilsen on their swearing-in and to Ages Hart on a well-run campaign. He
also announced an upcoming re-districting meeting for Orange County. Additionally, he
briefly discussed a recent Soil and Water Conservation meeting and shared the news of the
passing of the District 3 representative, noting that the Soil and Water Commission will be
appointing a new representative to the seat in the coming months.
- Jeremy Rodriguez, Ocoee Resident, extended his congratulations to Commissioner
Oliver and Commissioner Wilsen. He also recognized Commissioner Oliver as the first
African-American Commissioner for the City of Ocoee, emphasizing that this historic
moment holds great significance to him.
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March 18, 2025
• CONSENT AGENDA 6:29 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt the Consent Agenda Items #1-3; Moved by Commissioner
Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 5-0.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held March 4, 2025.
(City Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval to Appoint the Mayor Pro Tem. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
3. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement 287 (g) Task Force Model Between the United
States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the City of Ocoee. (Police
Chief Ogburn)
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None
• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING - None
• PUBLIC HEARING - None
• REGULAR AGENDA 6:30 PM
4. Approval of Commission Liaisons to Various Boards. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained that this is the annual selection of the liaisons for the City advisory
boards. Each commissioner expressed their desire to keep the current liaisons as follows:
* Required by Organization
** Required by Code or Bylaws
*** Not required by Code or Bylaws
Motion: Move to keep all advisory board liaisons the same; Moved by Commissioner
Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Board *** Commissioner Wilsen
Citizens Advisory Board for the Police Dept. *** Commissioner Kennedy
Citizens Advisory Board for the Fire Dept. *** Commissioner Firstner
Human Relations Diversity Board ** Mayor Johnson
Personnel Board ** Mayor Johnson
Tri-County League of Cities * Commissioner Wilsen
West Orange Airport Authority * No appointment was made to this committee as it
is inactive.
W.O. Chamber of Commerce * City Manager Shadrix
Education Incentive Board ** Commissioner Oliver
MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory
Committee (MAC) *
Commissioner Kennedy. An alternate member
was not selected.
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Regular City Commission
March 18, 2025
5. Approval to Execute Agreements for Installation of Second Centennial Mural.
(Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca)
This item was pulled at the request of the City Manager and will be brought back to a future
meeting when the code violation is resolved.
6. Update on Seventh Amendment to Ground Lease Agreement with Forest Lake Golf
Club, LLLP and Authorization to Release a Request for Proposal for a Permanent
Operator. (City Attorney Ardaman)
City Attorney Ardaman gave a brief overview of the timeline with the Forest Lake Golf Club
process. He explained that the case was mediated on February 26th, resulting in a mediated
settlement agreement. Final comments on the Seventh Amendment to the lease are expected
from Forest Lake Golf Club and their attorney this week and will be shared with the City
Commission once received. Due to timeline constraints, City Attorney Ardaman requested a
special meeting be held next week for the City Commission to consider the Seventh
Amendment. Commissioner Oliver inquired about the statutory notice requirements, and
City Attorney Ardaman confirmed that 48 hours would be sufficient. Commissioner
Kennedy emphasized that the meeting should be held at a time when the public can attend.
Commissioner Wilsen suggested scheduling the meeting for Thursday, March 27th.
Motion: Move to hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, March 27th at 5:15 PM to review
and consider the Seventh Amendment to the Lease Agreement; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen.
Commissioner Wilsen rescinded her motion.
Assistant City Manager Rumer requested approval to publish an RFP for a permanent
operator of the Forest Lake Golf Course, noting that the RFP will be issued in mid-April and
will remain open for no more than 45 days. City Manager Shadrix added that the City is
working collaboratively with Forest Lake Golf Club and emphasized that issuing the RFP now
is ideal, as the process takes time.
Mayor Johnson handed Commissioner Wilsen the gavel to second the motion.
Motion: Move to hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, March 27th at 5:15 PM and approve
the City to move forward with creating an RFP for a permanent operator of the Forest
Lake Golf Course; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Mayor Johnson:
Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Kennedy and Oliver opposing.
7. Request for Selection of Interim Operator for Forest Lake Golf Course (May 1 – Nov. 2,
2025), Located at 10521 Clarcona Ocoee Road. (Assistant City Manager Rumer)
Robert Utsey, with ZHA, gave a brief overview of how the three proposals for the interim
operator assignment for the Forest Lake Golf Course were developed. He noted that this
assignment is anticipated to be a six (6) month assignment. Mayor Johnson asked for a brief
overview of each firm’s proposal and Mr. Utsey gave a summary of fees proposed by each
company. Tamarack Golf Management stated that the current greens fees will remain the
same; however, any City of Ocoee resident will receive the 15% discount without having to be
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March 18, 2025
an associated member, as is currently required. The Commission emphasized that zip codes
must be considered, as there are residents with addresses in other cities, but are truly Ocoee
residents. Down to Earth POCO stated that the goal is to find the rate that attracts the highest
participation and the best bottom line. After further discussion regarding accurate fees, Mayor
Johnson suggested a delay in making the decision on an interim operator, until the special
meeting being held March 27th. City Manager Shadrix agreed and asked each proposed
operator to give a specific breakdown, pointing out what the City’s cost will be.
Motion: Move to delay the decision on an interim operator of the Forest Lake Golf
Course and present a breakdown of fee structure at the Special Meeting on March 27th;
Moved by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen: Motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming City events for March and April.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:30 PM
Commissioner Kennedy – No further comments. 7:30 PM
Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 7:30 PM – 7:33 PM
1) Shared positive feedback about the success of the Shred to Protect event held this past
Saturday and expressed gratitude to the Police Department, Lion’s Club, and Ocoee
Woman’s Club for their collaborative efforts in organizing the event.
2) Announced the Tip a Cop event scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, at Texas
Roadhouse.
3) Announced that legislative sessions have started and she will be attending the Legislative
Days event at the end of the month. She encouraged all residents to contact their
legislators if they have any concerns about bills being introduced.
Commissioner Firstner – No further comments. 7:33 PM
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:33 PM – 7:36 PM
1) Thanked the City Manager for the birthday card he received from him.
2) Urged citizens to drive carefully and slow down on the newly opened Clarke Road. He
mentioned that he will be meeting with the Police Chief to discuss increasing patrol on
Clarke Road.
3) Announced he will meet with the City Manager regarding lights on the west side of Clarke
Road. He mentioned that he has already met with staff to discuss the timing of the light
at Clarke Road and Colonial Drive.
4) Announced that he is addressing the McCormick Road closure impacting three
neighborhoods, as he has heard residents’ concerns.
5) Read an inspirational quote.
Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 7:36 PM – 7:39 PM
1) Commented on the columns along Oakland Avenue, noting they look great, and
requested that additional columns be placed at the opposite end near Franklin Street.
He also asked that the City refrain from removing the live oak tree when completing the
sidewalk.
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2) Commented on the need for lights on Kissimmee Avenue, noting it is a busy street
without sidewalks. Assistant City Manager Rumer mentioned they are working with
Duke Energy to address this issue, along with other lighting concerns across the City.
3) Congratulated the Parks and Leisure Services Department on a successful St. Patrick’s
Day event last week. He also suggested hosting a monthly event in the Downtown area
during the summer to encourage residents to support local businesses and enjoy the
night out.
4) Announced that school is out for Spring Break and encouraged everyone to stay safe
and drive slowly.
• ADJOURNMENT 7:39 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ___________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor
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