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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-08 MINUTES OCOEE CITY COMMISSION July 1,2008, at 7:15 P.M. REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING I A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular session to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Commissioner Keller gave the Invocation and Commissioner Hood led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. City Clerk Eikenberry called roll and declared a quorum present. Roll Call: Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Anderson, Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioner Keller, and Commissioner Johnson. Also Present: City Attorney Rosenthal, City Manager Frank, City Clerk Eikenberry I B. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Proclamations - Recreation and Parks Month - July 2008. (Mayor Vandergrift) I C. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENSIPUBLIC (heard after Commissioners Announcements) Danny Howell - 895 Marlene Drive 1) former Commissioner Howell asked for clarification on the recent vote allowing the Mayor and Commissioners to be part of the General Employees Pension Plan. City Manager Frank stated that the actuarial study determined the cost to the City to pay the Commissioners' portion into the pension would be a one-time payment of approximately $4000 for all five commissioners. He also explained that the benefit amount they would receive from the pension fund would be 60% of what they are currently making, approximately $420 per month. Human Resources Director Carnicella said the $4000 approximate was estimated to buy back all 60 years of service that these five elected officials have on the board now and small amount of money will fund this program forever. He stated it will fund future Mayors and Commissioners using the formula that is now in place. He stated, if they left today, the Mayor and Commissioner Johnson would collect approximately $350 per month and Commissioner Anderson would collect approximately $180 per month. He said the General Employees' Fund is not at risk, it is just the opposite, it is funded at 120% at this time and few funds are more than 100% funded which allows us to give extra benefits that cost the City nothing. Commissioner Johnson and Mr. Howell had a heated discussion with regard to past conferences and who voted for health care and stipend for the commissioners in the past. 2) also stated that increasing the Commissioners' Travel Fund from $15,000 to $20,000 should not have been done in a tight budget year when travel and conferences have been cut to employees. He noted that he did not feel the elected officials were setting a good example at a time when the budget is tight and cuts are being made on everything else for them to vote for a pension for themselves and increase their travel fund. Regular City Commission Meeting July 1,2008 I D. COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS 20f5 Commissioner Hood 1) said Parks and Recreation is having an event on July 19, 2008, from 11 :00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; there will be free admission to the pool, free food and games, etc. 2) said everyone should take the opportunity to see the makeover of Central Park, 3) thanked the 12 men from Gibbs and Register who donated time and materials to replace the siding on the press box. He said the Fire Department has also volunteered to do some work on the concession stand. 4) told everyone to travel safe over the 4th of July weekend. 5) said Ocoee Little League All Stars are starting next week. Commissioner Anderson 1) asked for confirmation that the boat ramp will be open for the 4th of July weekend; City Engineer Wheeler said the ramp will be open no later than noon on Thursday. Commissioner Johnson - no announcements Commissioner Keller 1) reminded people not to shoot into the air during the 4th of July Celebration 2) sent condolences to City Attorney Paul Rosenthal on the loss in his family 3) sent condolences to Fire Chief Firstner who lost his wife this week. Mayor Vandergrift 1) read a plaque of appreciation presented to him from the Corvette Club, 2) read a letter of commendation regarding help received from Code Enforcement Officer Theresa Rodriguez. I E. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval and Acceptance of the Regular City Commission Minutes June 17, 2008. (City Clerk Eikenberry) Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0. 2. Approval of Special Events Permit for Road Closing in Sawmill Subdivision for Block Party. (Building Official Jones) Mr. Dave Figueroa of Sawmill Subdivision has made application to the City for a Special Events Permit for a Block Party that would require the temporary closing of a City owned street. The event will be held on July 4, 2008, from 12:00 pm - 12:00 am. The street to be closed is Mill Stream Road. Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Approval of Special Events Permit for Road Closing in Forest Oaks Subdivision for Block Party. (Building Official Jones) Mr. Gary Heley of Forest Oaks Subdivision has made application to the City for a Special Events Permit for a Block Party that would require the temporary closing of a City owned street. The event will be held on July 4, 2008, from 4:00 pm - 10:30 pm. The street to be closed is Rich Drive. Approved on Consent. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Approval of Plat for Fountains West Commercial Development. (City Engineer Wheeler) This plat is for Fountains West which is a 43.03 acre development which contains 15.92 acres of commercial development, a 11.73 acre institutional/church site, and 4.73 acres of wetland/conservation area and buffers. This site is located on the northeast comer of West Road and Ocoee Apopka Road. Pulled from the Consent Agenda and heard separately. Regular City Commission Meeting July 1,2008 30f5 Commissioner Anderson said he pulled this item because he felt it was necessary to limit the amount of time allowed to complete the necessary documents for the project. Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Keller, moved to approve the Plat for Fountains West conditioned upon receipt of all of the reauired documents within 30 days. Motion carried 5-0 IConsent Agenda Vote: !Ii Commissioner Keller, seconded by Commissioner Hood, moved to approve Consent Aaenda Items #1 throuah #3, Item 4 was pulled to be heard separately. Motion carried 5-0. I F. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. Martinez Variance. (To be continued to August 19, 2008, due to the Board of Adjustment June meeting cancelledfor lack of quorum.) (Principal Planner Rumer) This item has been cancelled to be heard at a later date. I G. REGULAR AGENDA 6. Approval of Resolution Supporting the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project. (Mayor Vandergrift) The City of Ocoee received a letter from MetroPlan Orlando requesting the City's support of a resolution regarding the commuter rail project to the Central Florida Region. Harold Barley, Metroplan Executive Director, handed out a packet which included the conceptual plan for the various transit routes and explained the funding for the project. Commissioner Hood, seconded by Mayor Vanderarift, moved to adopt Resolution No. 2008-011 supportina the Central Florida Commuter Rail Proiect. Vote was taken after subseauent discussion. Commissioner Anderson said he is not comfortable supporting this when there is no time frame attached to any portions of the projects. He feels the east west transit route should be done first because of the way the growth is occurring in Orange County. He did not feel that he could support it when the only segment that is planned so far does not benefit the Ocoee area; tax dollars will be taken from the whole county and spent outside of our area. Commissioner Keller said he would be more comfortable if there was a plan that at least laid out the order in which the proposed transit lines will be constructed. Mr. Barley said he understands the Commission's concerns and will work with the board on getting a sequential plan for the future projects. Mayor Vandergrift said sometimes you have to take a leap of faith that this board will do the right thing for all of the residents of Orange County. Regular City Commission Meeting July 1, 2008 40f5 After the discussion, the vote was taken. Motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Anderson opposed. I H. STAFF REPORTS City Manager Frank stated that the Police Department will have police boats in Starke Lake for the 4th of July weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I I. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS ~mmissioner JohnsOri 1) apologized for his outburst earlier this evening when Danny Howell was speaking. He said he does not waste the taxpayers' money when he goes to conferences; he goes to learn and bring innovative ideas back that help the City. 2) said we need some kind of notification system within our own departments so that landscaping on new businesses is not cited for watering. r " 'i_"--' €ommissioner Anderson 1) asked about the progress of the WaterS tar program. City Manager Frank said he will have Utilities Director Smith give an update at the next commission meeting when he returns from vacation. 2) asked staff to look into a palm tree at 124 Magnolia, the tree appears to be in the easement and the bottom is rotted out; it appears it will fall soon. 3) said we need more tastefully placed trash containers down by the lake, south of the construction area. City Manager Frank said we have money in the current project to cover trash containers; we will try to stretch the dollars to include the south area of Lakeshore drive. Mayor Vandergrift said that open containers will attract birds that will carry the garbage around, he feels we should use the green monster containers and possibly let kids paint them. City Manager Frank said staff will look into this. 3) asked about a traffic light for Ocoee Hills Road; said he knows that Public Works is looking into a warrant study, but he will keep bringing it up at every meeting. 0-ty Engineer Wheeler said he will talk to DOT and get back to the Commission. Commissioner Hood 1) said he would still like to see a Fire Station built on the north end of the City and hopes we can work it into the budget next year. 2) said the new Publix is open and it looks great; the water fountain looks nice. 3) asked if there is any time frame for completing the West Road Realignment project. City Engineer Wheeler said their plan is to have the road completely open no later than August 1, 2008, with the exception of the area by SR 429 where they have to build a wall and widen the road. The county is also going to widen, mill, repave, and restriRe Ocoee Apopka Road after the West Road project is done. May'or Vandergrifi 1) asked staff to plan a Work Session for Charter Schools. Consensus was for staff to plan a Work Session for Charter Schools, possibly in coniunction with one of the budaet work sessions. ~ommissioner Johnson asked, with the budget schedule coming up, if it would be possible to skip one of the regular meetings in August. There was discussion about whether or not there were public hearings. Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Anderson said they will be out of town on August 4, 2008. Laura Turner, representing the Citrus Center, said the item is going before the Planning and Zoning Commission next Tuesday and is scheduled for the Commission during the two meetings it August. It was determined that the other three Commissioners can be present on August 4th if a meeting is needed. Regular City Commission Meeting July 1, 2008 I ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Attest: /' 50f5 APPROVED: City of Ocoee S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayo