HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-84
I
-I
I
-I
..;
I
~INUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING, JANUARY 3. 1984
PRESENT: Commissioners Hager, Cook, Rodgers; Mayor Ison, City Manager Burgess,
City Attorney Rhodes.
ABSENT: Commissioner Lyle
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ison called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Commissioner
Cook led all present in prayer. Afterwards, Mayor Ison led them in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.
MINUTES OF DECMBER 20, 1983 COMMISSION MEETING
Commissioner Rodger motioned to dispense with the reading of the
minutes. Commissioner Hager seconded the motion, the vote was
unanimous.
Commissioner Rodgers corrected the minutes, under the topic of
Forest Oaks - Update, page one; insert "Jeff Fuqua" behind the
names of Meridith Corporation and Mr. Bill Goodman, in the second
line of this topic. Also, later in the same topic area, delete
Mr. Goodman's name and insert Mr. Fuqua in the sentence, "When all
this is approved, Meridith and Seedm8ft !uqua will be authorized
to proceed."
Commissioner Hager moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Commisioner
Cook seconded, and the vote was unanimous, in favor.
OLD BUSINESS
LAKE OLYMPIC TOWNHOUSES - CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Walter Kuhrt, on behalf of the Ferdinands and Borg-Warner Corporation,
presented blue prints of the Lake Olympic Townhouses. Mr. Kuhrt requested
permission to: 1) loop the water main back to Sleepy Harbor, 2) rough
grade the streets, and 3) begin construction of tennis courts, swimming
pool , and the club house.
Commissioner Rodgers stated he was only concerned with the further
expansion and sewer connections; Commissioner Hager echoed Commissioner
Rodgers' sentiments.
After discussion, interspersed with selected readings from reports on
the Prima Vista Sewer plant, the Commission members expressed concern
as to whether Prima Vista Utilities could in fact handle twelve more
connections' average daily flow. Mr. Kuhrt stated that these were
models, not to be occupied until after the water loop is installed and
after the Certificates of Occupancy were issued.
Commissioner Rodgers stated that it should be understood that any damage
to any homeowner's property, such as their lawn being torn up, that
the lawn will be resodded, not just seeded; damages done will be
repaired to their original state of repair. He went on to say that any
damage to the roadway would also have to be repaired by the contractors
to as good or better condition than it was when the work was initiated.
Commissioner Cook moved to approve the preliminary plans, as requested
by Mr. Kuhrt, contingent upon receipt of a letter from the Department
of Environmental Regulation (DER) stating the Prima Vista Utility Sewer
Plant was capable of handling additional connections. Commissioner
Hager seconded the motion. Commissioner Rodgers voted, "Nay"; motion
carried two in favor, one opposed.
I
.
I
I
I
City Commission Meeting
Page 2
Jan. 3,1984
ORDINANCE 1/777
An Ordinance amending Chapter II, Section 2.3 of Ordinance #710 and
Appendix 'A' of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocoee, Florida.
Commissioner Hager moved ID anrDvethis proposed Ordinance reducing
the number of members and the quorum of the Planning and Zoning
Board to seven (7) and four (4) respectively. Commissioner Cook
seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. (The second
reading of this Ordinance will be on January 17. 1984).
NEW BUSINESS
DEDICATION OF WATER FACILITIES - SLEEPY HARBOR CONDOMINIUMS
Sleepy Harbor Condominiums, Inc. requests that the City of Ocoee accept
the dedication of fire hydrants, water lines and a twelve (12) foot
easement. Jim Wester, 404 East Orlando Avenue, stated the fire
hydrant on the Northwest gate has a steamer port that is backwards;
it would be difficult for the Fire Department to connect to it in
the event of a fire. Mr. T.J. Murphy, Vice President of the Association
claims the water lines and hydrants were never dedicated to the Cit~,
by the builder. Mr. Burgess, City Manager, stated he has never found any
evidence that these lines or hydrants had been dedicated. Commissioner
Rodgers moved to turn the hydrant around. Commissioner Rodgers suggested
to correct the immediate problem of the hydrant, and deal with the
dedication of the facilities in total after the City's staff has had
time to research same. Commissioner Cook seconded the motion. Commissioner
Hager voted "Nay", the motion carried, two to one. Commissioner Hager
pointed out that he did not want to take any action until he knows who
owns the hydrants.
Chief Ron Stronsnider, Ocoee Fire Department, stated the top of the
hydrant in question is broken; this allows water to get into the working
parts of the hydrants, and also causes the hydrant assembly to be
incapable of holding oil, needed to insure continued smooth operation.
Chief Strosnider informed the Commissioners that if the hydrant is turned
it might break. Mr. John Cockrell. Water Superintendent, Ocoee Water
Department, stated a new hydrant costs approximately $475.00. City
Attorney Rhodes stated if the hydrant breaks in the process of turning
it around, the City would most probably be considered legally responsible
for repairing or replacing the hydrant.
COMMUNITY CENTER HOURLY RATES
Mrs. P. Moss, Sr., 1702 Mona Avenue, Ocoee, Florida requested that this
item be placed upon the agenda. She was not, however, present at the
meeting. Mr. Burgess, City Manager, informed the Commission that Mrs.
Moss had telephoned City Hall and inquired about the hourly rental rates.
Mrs. Moss' complaint is that the rates are too high for the citizens to
afford to rent the Community Center. She went on to say that the Commun-
ity Center is supposed to be a community building for the citizens to
use and to enjoy. Commissioner Rodgers stated the building is there
for the citizens,and in his opinion, the $50 that is currently required
does not cover the expense of maintenance, electricity, etc. anyway.
Mr. Griffin, Assistant City Manager, stated, in his opinion, there needed
to be a maintenance/damage/cleaning deposit of some form, totally separate
from the rental fees. His reasoning was that there has been some
damages incurred in the past couple of rentals, and, because of the
current wording of the rental agreement, the City can not recover any
Jan 3, 84
I
I
I
I
I
City Commission Meeting
Page 3
Jan. 3.. 1984
money for these damages and is having to stand the loss. Mr. Bruce
Beatty, citizen, stated he thought there ought to be something
written preventing people from renting the Center on consecutive nights.
Commissioner Rodgers moved that the Community Center be free of charge
to all Citizens of Ocoee, to collect $100.00 deposit for damage or
maintenance, and if, upon inspection the building was in good shape
after use, to refund the deposit. Commissioner Rodgers continued his
motion stating that no one be allowed to utilize the Center more than
once a week, including the mature citizens. This motion died for lack
of a second.
Commissioner Cook moved to collect a $100.00 deposit, and charge $50.00
a night for the use of the entire building. This motion also died for
lack of a second. Mayor Ison requested this subject be placed on the
agenda for the next Commission Meeting, of January 17, 1984, and that
Mr. Burgess have some proposals in writing for the Commission's consid-
eration.
PROCLAMATION - BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
The Citrus District of the Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of
America sent a letter addressed to the Mayor and City Commissioners
requesting that February 5 thr~ugh 11, 1984, National Boy Scout Week,
be proclaimed Boy Scout Week in Ocoee, honoring all of the Tiger Cubs,
Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorers involved in the Scouting program
in Ocoee, over 200 young people.
Commissioner Cook moved to make the requested Proclamation, Commissioner
Rodgers seconded the motion and added that representatives from all
Ocoee Scout units be present at the February 7, 1984 Commission Meeting.
The vote was unanimous in favor. Mayor Ison requested that the
Proclamation be prepared and appear on the February 7th Agenda, under
New Business.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION - CITY MANAGER
RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES ON DUTY DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
- Duri.ng the Christmas Holidays, December 25 and 26, 1983, particularly,
several employees performed in an exemplary fashion, Mr. Burgess
stated. The employees concerned would be receiving Letters of Commend-
ation from the City Manager, and a copy of same would be placed in each
of their Official Personnel Files; Judy Parmer, Denise Burkhalter,
James Coschignano, Wayne Vaughn, Terry Titus, William Ledford, Larry
Bras, John Cockrell and Patrick Ki1lacky. Mr. Burgess also said he
would be writing Mr. Joe Kowalchuk, Chief Dispatcher, a Letter of
Appreciation for the work he had done in planning and teaching several
Radio Procedures classes that were recently held.
REPORT ON GARBAGE AND REFUSE COLLECTION FEES - PROPOSED ORDINANCE
City Manager Burgess explained the present fees for sanitation services
are inconsistent. He presented a proposed Ordinance to bring these
fees into a standardized form. Commissioner Rodgers stated that the
rates for single family residences should be interpreted to include
duplexes, and that all other types of residences/businesses should have
dumpsters and be charged a dumpster/commercial rate. The City Manager
informed the Board of Commissioners that the City does not own any
dumpsters; they are purchased by the customer from a commercial
sanitation concern. 1t was suggest~d that the proposed Ordinance be
rewritten by the City Manager to simplify the fee schedule, and that
this subject be reslated for the next Commission Meeting.
Jan 3, 84
/
I
I
I
I
I
City Commission Meeting
Page 4
Jan. 3. 1984
ORLANDO-ORANGE COUNTY FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY
Chief Ron Strosnider explained that with this program, the City could
have more of its Fire Personnel trained for less money. Commissioner
Rodgers moved to accept the agreement, thus empowering the Mayor to
sign same, when properly prepared, on behalf of all the Commissioners.
Commissioner Cook seconded the motion, the vote was unanimous in favor.
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS - STATUS
City Manager Burgess informed the Commission thatFeder~ Revenue Sharing
Funds are, by in large, in a Money Market Account, with a small portion
of this money also being in tradition&savims accounts; none of the
money is in Certificates of Deposit, as thought by some of the Commission-
ers. He also pointed out, that by Federal Law, the City is required
to: 1) have the money spent within twenty-four (24) months after receipt
of same, and, 2) spend the money only on those projects for which Federal
Revenue Sharing Funds have been incumbered after the required series
of Public Hearings have been held to decide how to spend this money. If
the money can not be spent with the two year period on those areas for
which it has been encumbered, then the Public Hearings must be held again
to change the allocation of this money.
NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES - FLORIDA MUNICIPAL SELF-INSURERS FUND
Mr. Burgess asked the Commissioners if any of them would be interested
in serving as a Trustee, representing the City of Ocoee, to the Florida
Municipal Self-insurers Fund, or, if they wished to nominate a citizen
to fill this position. The Commissioners expressed a negative interest
to both options.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HEARING
Mr. Burgess announced that the Public Service Commission will hold a
Public Hearing on January 9, 1984, in Tallahassee to review whether the
Prima Vista Utility Company, servicing the citizens of Ocoee, should
be granted a PSC Staff recommended rate increase in excess of 306%.
Mr. Bruce Beatty, citizen, requested that the Commission pass a Resolu-
tion that could be sent to the Hearing requesting that this increase
be denied. Commissioner Rodgers verbalized a Resolution, which became
known as City of Ocoee Resolution #84-1, for passage by the Commission.
Commissioner Cook seconded the Resolution, and it carried unanimously.
CALL FOR BILLS FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Mr. Burgess announced that the Legislative Delegation from Orange
County to the State of Florida's Legislature was requesting input on
topics for proposed legislation for the upcoming session.
CITY WATER TESTED FOR EDB
- Mr. Burgess announced that the City water wells had been tested for
EDB on October 17, 1983; no trace of the chemical EDB was found.
COMMENTS
FROM THE FLOOR - PUBLIC CITIZENS
Mr. Bruce Beatty, citizen, stated that he felt the Mayor should
have the right to vote, and make motions and perform all the other
functions that a Commissioner performs in the Commission meetings.
City Attorney Rhodes pointed out that since the Charter of the City
of Ocoee is State Legislation, that such a change could only occur
through a Referendum on the Election Ballot.
Jan 3, 84
I
I
I
I
I
City Commission Meeting
Page 5
Jan. 3. 1984
BOAT RACES
Mr. Dean Richards, Volunteer Captain, Ocoee Fire Department requested
authorization for the Ocoee Fire Department to host Boat Races on
March 21 & 24, 1984, in order to raise money for the Fire Department.
Commissioner Cook moved to approve authorization for the Fire Depart-
ment to hold the Races, providing the participants furnish proof of
insurance holding the City harmless should some accident occur in
conjunction with the races; as recommened by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Hager seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Cook moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 pm. Commissioner
Hager seconded the motion, passed unanimously.
~ecLJ
Mayor
ATTEST:
,
~J(l~ ~OJ-L.lCurL..o
Deputy City Cle I
Jan 3. 84