HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-2025 MinutesOCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
I N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
RULTIM
-CALL TO ORDER
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 Wilsen, City Clerk Sibbift called the roll and
declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, and Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt
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-STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:17 1"M
City Manager Shadrix announced that the City received a letter from the Department of
Commerce declaring the City's Comprehensive Plan null and void and inconsistent with the law
created by Senate Bill 180 (SB1 80), which prohibits adopting any more restrictive comprehensive
plan amendments, during the timeframe of August 1, 2024, through 2027, which related to
Hurricane Milton. The City included opt -out language in the Comprehensive Plan, as part of the
adopted resolution, as well as in the introduction of the Comprehensive Plan itself. The City
Attorney's office responded with a letter stating that the City does not believe that the Department
of Commerce has authority to make this determination. He requested a consensus from the
Commission, to preserve the City's rights, should a hearing be requested with the Department of
Administrative Hearings.
City Attorney Geller stated that when the City adopted the Envision 2045 Comprehensive
Plan, he emphatically voiced that the City was in compliance with SB 180 because of the opt
out provision and believes the letter received from the Department of Commerce was given to
the City in error. He advised that his partner Dan Langley sent a letter back to the Department
of Commerce requesting that the initial letter to the City, which was received on August 27th,
be rescinded. He stated that the Department of Commerce overlooked the opt -out provision,
which is critical and fatal to the Department of Commerce's position, The letter also pointed out
that the Department of Commerce lacks the authority and jurisdiction to make this
determination; SB 180 provides that only business owners or city residents can challenge the
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September 16, 2025
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The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Norine Dworkin, Editor in Chief VoxPopuli, discussed the Sunshine State awards that
took place earlier this month, mentioning that VoxPopuli was a finalist in the competition in
the Print and Digital category.
- Dave Denmark, Ocoee Resident, expressed his concerns with the Tiger Minor Park
Pickleball Court, specifically the lighting, noise, and other activities happening around the
park. He requested a change to the hours of operation of the park.
- Debbie Gulley, Ocoee Resident, expressed her concerns with the noise from the Tiger
Minor Park Pickleball Court and also requested a time change for the hours of operation of
the park and suggested the gate be reinstalled. She also stated that there are pickleball
courts on the main tennis courts, which are already lit; therefore, no additional lights need
to be added.
Commissioner Wilsen stated that the change of hours has been mentioned, and she hai's
also spoken to Parks & Leisure Services Director Johnson regarding what can be done
deflect the noise coming from the pickleball courts. She asked the City Commission
consider an ordinance restricting the use of the park to 8:00 AM — 8:00 PM, with gates th
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residents.
- Dr. Jim Moyer, Orange County District 2 Soil and Conservation Supervisor, gave an
update on the recent meeting with Orange County, regarding Starke Lake.
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- David Swisher, Ocoee Resident, expressed his concerns with the fiber optics hub
placement within the Johio Shores right-of-way. Public Works Director Krug stated that
the companies have the right to be in public right-of-way, and the City coordinates with the
fiber optic providers to ensure there are no sight distance issues. He added that the
companies have agreed to and complied with the City's requests. Brief discussion ensued
on the location and permitting process for fiber optic placement and staff were directed to
meet with Mr. Swisher.
• AGENDA 6-46 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1 -13- Moved bv Commissione
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Regular City Commission
September 16, 2025
-FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None
-SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE — PUBLIC HEARING - None
-PUBLIC HEARING 6:46 PM
14. Approval of Resolution for Abandonment and Vacation for Portions Of North Lakewood
Avenue and Clarcona Ocoee Road Rights of -Way; Project No. VAC-22-34.
(Concurrency & Commitment Coordinator McFarlane)
Development Services Deputy Director Whitfield gave a brie summary o t e su Ject
property, which is located in District 2. She stated this request was initiated because of a
Vacation and Dedication Agreement executed in 2022, whereby the developer agreed to
construct and dedicate to the City, the new segment of North Lakewood Avenue. Following that
completion, the City would process the vacation of the old segment of North Lakewood Avenue
and a portion of Clarcona Ocoee Road.
City Attorney Geller read the title of the resolution.
The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Motion- Move to adopt Resolution 2025-14 for Abandonment and Vacation for Portions
of North Lakewood Avenue and Clarcona Ocoee Road Rights of -Way; Pro*ect No. VAC-
22-34; Moved by Commissioner Kennedy, Seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion
carried 5-0.
15. Approval of Ocoee Pickleball Complex - Vasant Sports LLC Large -Scale Preliminary Site
Plan; Project No. LS-2025-005. (Development Services Deputy Director Whitfield)
exception that was denied by the City Commission. She further highlighted the Pickleball
Complex features, building elevations, and landscaping. Development Services Deputy
Director Whitfield advised that although this project was submitted as a Preliminary/Final
Large -Scale Site Plan, the Development Review Committee (DRC) elected to split the
application and proceed to public hearings for a Preliminary Site Plan only at this time, to allow
for the applicant to work with staff regarding the engineering and utilities requirements
applicable to the Final Site Plan. As such, the DRC, Planning & Zoning Commission, and staff
recommend approval of the Preliminary Site Plan with no conditions.
Sravan Tummala, Project Manager, presented an overview of the concept for the Pickleball
Complex project, pointing out that they have addressed the concerns of the residents.
The public hearing was opened.
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
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Regular City Commission
September 16, 2025
- Angel de la Portilla, Ocoee Resident, informed the City and the applicant that Orange
County offers a Sports Incentive Fund, supported by the Tourist Development Tax, with up
to $10 million available annually. If the complex is expected to host large-scale pickleball
tournaments, the project may qualify for marketing funds, and the City could potentially
serve as a co -applicant alongside the owners.
The public hearing was closed,
Commissioner Wilsen thanked the applicant, stating that they had answered and addressed
a lot of her questions and questions of the residents who attended the community meeting on
this project.
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for the project. Mr. Tummala addressed his question. Commissioner Oliver asked if the
complex is open to the public and if they will offer Ocoee resident discounts. Mr. Tummala
addressed his questions.
Mayor Johnson asked if there is an entry fee, Mr. Tummala addressed his question.
and stated that the new proposed plans show that he listened to the residents' concerns.
Motion: Move to approve the Ocoee Pickleball Complex - Vasant Sports LLC Larcle-Scale
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Seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 5-0.
• REGULAR AGENDA
16. Approval of the Shortlisted Firms for Interviews for Request for Proposals (RFP) #25-
006 Lease and Operation of the Forest Lake Golf Club. (Procurement Manager
Tolbert)
Procurement Manager Tolbert presented a brief overview of the shortlisted firms interviewed
for the purpose of securing a lease agreement with a qualified golf operator as the new tenant to
operate, maintain, and market the city's municipal golf course and related facilities known as
Forest Lake Golf Club.
There were six (6) responses received and evaluated, and the Evaluation Committee short-listed
the top three (3) firms. She further noted that the Committee's recommendations are
recommendations only and that the City Commission has final authority over the list of
respondents who are granted an interview. Procurement Manager Tolbert announced that
the next steps are to hold City Commission -led interviews of the Commission -approved shortlist,
and then to hold lease negotiations with the lease agreement subsequently brought back to the
City Commission for approval.
Purchasing Analyst Stokych presented the timeline for the remainder of the RFP #25-006
process and advised that staff is recommending the City Commission approve the shortlisted
three (3) firms for RFP #25-006 Lease and Operation of the Forest Lake Golf Club, as
recommended by the Evaluation Committee or some variation thereof, determine any pre-
Regular City Commission
September 16, 2025
interview submissions to be required of interviewees for review, and authorize the City Manager
to schedule the date(s) for the City Commission to interview the Commission's approved
shortlisted firms at a Special Session of the City Commission.
Commissioner Kennedy stated that he is okay with holding a special meeting for interviews;
however, he is not satisfied with having only the three (3) firms. He expressed his dissatisfaction
with all six (6) proposals submitted and referenced the evaluation scores assigned by the
reviewers. He advised that he has some items he would like to have the firms provide prior to
the interviews. Brief discussion ensued regarding the proposals received and which firms should
be interviewed.
Commissioner Firstner expressed confusion over the submitted proposals due to their lack of
consistency and requested a financial summary sheet for the top three (3) selected firms. He
agrees that they should provide questions for the firms to respond to.
Commissioner Oliver stated that he agrees with the RFP selection process and echoed
Commissioner Firstner's sentiment that it was somewhat confusing. He also expressed interest
in reviewing a financial summary sheet for each firm. He commented on the firm's years of
operation and noted that he is comfortable with the top three (3) firms recommended by the
evaluation committee.
Commissioner Wilsen also voiced her confusion and agreed that if they interviewed the top
three (3) that they should have standardized questions to be fair to the firms.
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- Doug Gomber, Ocoee Resident, expressed his dissatisfaction with the evaluation
committee and the selected firms.
Commissioner Kennedy commented that the evaluator with the most expertise in golf, having
managed and restored golf courses, did not select the top three firms. Mayor Johnson stated
that if, after interviewing the top three (3) firms, there is still dissatisfaction, they have the option
to restart the process.
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Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 5-0.
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Commissioner Wilsen — Commented on the following.- 1:61 OM
1) Thanked the City Commission for their support on the issue at Tiger Minor Park.
2) Announced the Final Budget Hearing date and time.
Commissioner Oliver — Commented on the following- 1:62 PM " 8-0 PM
1) Inquired about the Hackney Prairie Traffic Calming solution. City Manager Shadrix
stated that the money remains allocated for this project. Assistant City Manager Rumer
gave a brief update on the status of the project.
2) Announced that he has a town hall meeting scheduled for this Thursday and he wanted
to have it noticed on the City's website; he asked for clarification on Rule 7.1.1 and asked
for City Commission consensus regarding noticing town hall meetings on the City's website.
Major Johnson stated that it was published On social media and asked for clarification on
who the meetings are intended for, as some residents expressed concern online about not
being invited. Commission Oliver addressed his concerns, stating that all of his meetings
are open to everyone.
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has to vote on this type of request. He shared that he is not opposed to allowing town hall
meeting announcements to be added to the City's website; however, he would like to view
the proposed announcement prior to voting on
Commissioner Wilsen questioned why State Representatives are not speaking to all
residents and just the residents of one district.
Mayor Johnson — Commented on the following: 8:03 P111i — 8:07 FINI
1) Announced the Final Budget Hearing date and time.
2) Announced upcoming City Events for the remainder of September and the month of
October
3) Inquired about the status of Christmas lights. City Manager Shadrix provided a brief
update.
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Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk
Rusty _�on, Mayor