HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-2025 MinutesOCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida April 1, 2025 MINUTES 6:15 PM I A101*11.11 W_&�" 1111WAX01 NI livill 6M 150] Z I &I -A *11 -CALL TO ORDER 6: 15 PIA Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:15 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 Firstner. Deputy City Clerk Parks called the roll and declared a quorum present. Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver -PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:16 PM 2025 Volunteer Month Proclamation — read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson. Proclamati accepted by advisory board volunteers. I 2025 Water Conservation Month Proclamation — read by Commissioner Wilsen and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson. Proclamation accepted by Deirdre Irwin on behalf of St. Johns Water Management District and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Conservation Committee. Ms. Irwin congratulated Ocoee for being a leader in water conservation within the State of Florida. Angel de la Portilla, Orange County Redistricting Advisory Committee, gave a brief update on the 2025 Mid -Decennial Redistricting, which resulted from Orange County voters approving a charter amendment in November 2024 to expand the number of commission districts from six to eight. Commissioner Kennedy inquired how many residents are currently in [Orange County] District 2, and how many residents will be lost to the redistricting. Mr. de la Portilla addressed his question. 1 1 Page April 1, 2025 Commissioner Wilsen asked if all of Ocoee will remain within a single district, citing the historical makeup. Mr. de la Portilla addressed her question. Ree W. I ON to .96 0, low 0, 16. ;5rINOTIA res,#1059 it.. 0 111b 11119,1111J. V9116i Ab6lUt I PFUvarling tile Nriterits at triu i eu water agreement and alternative supply options. 011611111 11K a7elt. 1wr Ilet it I 1sb1u?rf#'F1 Met I a - Chris Buonomo, Ocoee Resident, expressed his appreciation for the Arbor Co ordinance that was approved in February. - Stephen Lewis, President and CEO, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, thanked th City Commission, City Manager, and City Staff for their help with the West Orang Chamber's signature event, Best Fest. - Michael Rogers, Ocoee Resident, stated his opposition to the installation of Automa License Plate Readers, He further stated concerns regarding urban camping and squattin• on undeveloped land and inquired about the implementation of a calls for service websit like what Orange County [Sheriff's Office] and Orlando Police Department have. Police Chief Cigburn provided information on how the Automatic License Plate Readers will be used and how they will benefit the Ocoee Police Department. Commissioner Kennedy asked how long the cameras have been in use, Police Chief Ogburn addressed his question. Mr. Rogers inquired whether Flock Safety owns and operates the cameras. Police Chief Ogburn advised that Flock Safety manufactures the cameras and that they are owned by Orange County. F1 iTi r-1 0 Firstner, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 5-0. 1 Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held March 18, 2025. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 2Approval for the 7-Eleven (Ocoee -Apopka Rd) Utility Easement. (Development Engineer Keaton) 3. Approval for Additional Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) within the City. (Police Chief Cigburn) 4. Approval to Award Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #25-004 Continuing Professional Architectural Services, Including Federal Grant Funded Projects. (Procurement 2 1 P a g e April 1, 2025 Manager Tolbert) 5. Approval to Execute Agreements for Installation of Second Centennial Mural. (Redevelopment Program Manager Vaca) 6. Approval of Change Order No. 3 for ITI3 #24-002 W. Oakland Avenue Reconstruction. (Utilities Director Boiling) 7. Approval to Replace Electrical Panels at City of Ocoee Lift Stations 17, 31, 34, 35, 41 & 60. (Utilities Director Boiling) FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 6:115") Pikpl 8. First Reading of Ordinance for FY 2025 Budget Amendment. (Chief Accountant Meruena) City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance, and it Was announced this will be presented as a second reading and public hearing at the City Commission meeting scheduled for March 4, 2025, at 6:15 PM or soon thereafter. At the Mayors request, Item #11 was moved out of agenda order and heard prior to Item #9. 9. Approval of 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 provided a brief overview of the timeline and the process leading to the Seventh Amendment to the Ground Lease Agreement. He also gave a summary of the key points of the agreement. The floor was opened for public comments, and no one wished to speak. Commissioner Oliver voiced his dissatisfaction with the Seventh Amendment and the selection of the Interim Operator, as he would like to see a business plan prior to approving an operator. Commissioner Wilson clared that this agreement will enable the City to regain control of the golf course. Commissioner Kennedy expressed his agreement with how staff handled the agreement, given the limited data and information available to them. 3.12MORM ft-M. [oil T IT V til r5r-9rr� V,••• •N4111r:44=1111 MR-1 ill Ill M M*!M- 2 IN opposing. 3 1 P a g e April 1, 2025 Robert Utsey, with ZHA provided a brief overview of the three proposals submitted by Down to Earth Golf, Tamarac�, and Hampton Golf. He then invited the City Commission to ask questions. Commissioner Kennedy asked Down to Earth what differentiates their firm from the other firms and Down to Earth highlighted that they manage five (5) clubs in the Central Florida area all with great success and they have all equipment and corporate infrastructure in place to take over the golf course immediately. Commissioner Firstner asked if there were any plans for immediate improvements, to which Down to Earth responded that they are always focused on making improvements and are open to any suggestions the City may have, Commissioner Oliver asked about the monthly operating expenses for a golf course like Forest Lake in its current condition. Down to Earth responded that the expenses would likely be around $200,000 per month. Commissioner Oliver asked if they planned to respond to the RFP to become the permanent operator, and Down to Earth confirmed they would. Rocky Hodge, Owner of Tamarack, gave a summary of their proposal. Commissioner Kennedy asked what differentiates their club from the other two clubs and for a brief background summary of their experience, to which Mr. Hodge stated that he purchased his current golf club in 2022 and emphasized that he has many years of business experience. Commissioner Wilsen inquired about the status of the current liquor licenses, and Mr. Utsey confirmed that they can be transferred. Commissioner Firstner asked if Tamarack plans to retain the current staff, to which Mr. Hodge affirmed that he is comfortable with keeping the existing staff. Commissioner Firstner inquired if Tamarack will be responding to the RFP for permanent operator and Mr. Hodge confirmed yes. Commissioner Oliver questioned their expenses and revenue to which Mr. Hodge responded to his questions, 4 1 P a g e April 1, 2025 staff to monitor the golf course regularly to ensure it meets the City's standards, and City Manager Shadrix confirmed, Meeting paused for recess at 8:12pm and resumed at 8:20pm. 8:12 1111"! 111111 TIP", I . RIMMINIM2MI, 111111mroffift"T-711 WI- IMITIPOTFURIT R01411111:2 M0 � of a second. M411 I oil 1113 IWILI adu IRRMIN"M 0325m, r, 10" amp, "_ vim M. 11Discussion and Direction Regarding the 2025 Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, (Parks and Leisure Services Deputy Director Gaines) I 1"M73. Me MMUffirerUFFT11 Commissioner Kennedy expressed his desire to extend this year's application deadline and revamp the application and process for future years. Mayor Johnson suggested that the application requirements and process be reviewed during this year's budget discussions. Commissioner Oliver asked when the public was notified about the grant and what steps the City had taken to advertise it, and Parks and Leisure Services Deputy Director Gaines responded to his questions. rIT; Ki nm k, mn, 11 TP-M =t M-1 no 0 OWICI IN 11 M-11=114141MI RIM IN III III-11MM411 I R 111IMEM Vm�iyl MW W "M Mon. I Tllw�" 4� OIWNINUQVI&� Commissioner Oliver — Commented on the following- 8:24 PM _,8:27 PM 1) Stated that Clarcona-Ocoee Road from 429 to Apopka -Vineland Road is in poor condition and requested for Staff to reach out to the County to investigate it, 2) Asked if the reclaimed water grant will allow the City to install reclaim in some of the City's older neighborhoods. City Manager Shadrix stated that the grant is slated for an existing 5 1 P a g e ;=;,m•I FAXW 4.• April 1, 2025 reclaimed water main project that will connect to a new storage tank at the end of Nicole Boulevard, which will provide supply to that area of town, He explained that he is not able to fully answer the Commissioner's question at this time as Staff is studying long-term solutions for the overall reclaim issue; he further advised that the plan will be brought back to Commission on a re m ular basis to keep everyone apprised. 3) Read an inspirational quote, Commissioner Firstner — Commented on the following: 8,,27 PIM -1-1 8-, 8 PR 1) Thanked staff for the graphics on the city bus. 2) Provided the date of the City's Centennial Celebration. 3) Announced the Citizens Public Safety Academy dates. Commissioner Wilsen — Commented on the following- 8:28 PM — 8:32 PM 1) Thanked the City's volunteers for their service. 2) Announced the Wawa opening date. 3) Advised that it is legislative time and encouraged residents to rev ew i s t at a ect our community and reach out to their legislators. She further discussed the Live Local Act and letting cities make decisions that affect their residents locally. Mayor Johnson advised residents to pay attention to the Live Local Act with respect to the housing proposed along Clarke Road, Commissioner Kennedy suggested that Commissioner Wilsen was referring to Home Rule, not the Live Local Act Commissioner Wilsen responded in the affirmative and clarified that Home Rule is the correct term for local government making decisions for their constituents locally, and the Live Local Act refers to housing. Mayor Johnson — Commented on the following- 1) Thanked City Staff for their efforts to support the West Orange Chamber of Commerce in making Best Fest successful. 2) Commented on the long-term availability of reclaimed water throughout the City. Commissioner Kennedy — Commented on the following: 1:33 PM ­­ B-37 PM 1) Thanked the City Manager and the Utilities staff for the thorough presentation clarifying the reclaimed water issue. 2) Explained his long-time association with the Forest Lake Golf Club, his historical concerns regarding the golf course's maintenance and condition, and why he voted in opposition to the Seventh Amendment to the Ground Lease Agreement. Mayor Johnson — Commented on the following: 1 -37 �z8138 PF 1) Mentioned that he had also complained about the golf course's condition several times in the it He noted that he was present the day of the groundbreaking and is disappointed to see what has become of it. He further discussed his hopes for the future and potential actives at the golf course. 6 1 P a g e April 1, 2025 Attest I rem UK Q Rusty oh tjkwyor 7 1 P a g e