Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-01 Minutes SS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION HELD JANUARY 4, 2001 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the Special Session to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson and Parker. Also present were Acting City Manager Shira, Future Acting City Manager Gleason, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Clerk Grafton, Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, and Recreation Director Nordquist. ABSENT: None NON-AGENDA ITEM City Attorney Rosenthal reviewed the meeting with the Orange County School Board on the previous night and the meeting with staff this morning and asked for direction for the staff team and its charge. He said Haskell would prefer to be engaged by contract rather than hourly and he could strip down the previously presented contract to suit that situation. Mavor Vandenrrift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to engage the Haskell Group for a single phase over the next 30 days for a not-to-exceed amount of $10.000 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract to that effect. Motion carried 5-0. Ms. Stacy Miller said that 45 days would be all right and they were dedicated as a partner in this venture. Commissioner Howell stated for the record that his vote in favor of the contract was not to be interpreted that he was committing to going forward on the charter school, as he was still undecided. There was discussion regarding the filing of the appeal and whether to abate that, with consensus to continue it rather than lose the right to appeal. Commissioner Anderson. seconded bv Commissioner Howell. moved to have Mayor Vandergrift. Acting City Manager Gleason. Consultant Shapiro. City Attorney Rosenthal. Bond Counsel Ken Artin. and the Haskell Group be the negotiation team with Orange County School Board. with Mr. Gleason the lead coordinator. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. Rosenthal asked for direction for the team regarding the issue of the school site at South Park or the north site. After the discussion he said what he heard from the Commission was that the negotiating team has the discretion to say if the result of all this is Ocoee funds South Park site with a bond issue and there is not a second school in Ocoee and the School Board money goes elsewhere that there will be heartburn in Ocoee. He understood that they should try to get the second school in Ocoee in some combination. Ocoee City Commission Special Session January 4, 2001 DISCUSSIONS: The items were taken out of agenda order. PRESENTATION: Water/Wastewater Rate Study Report Discussion re Reclaimed Water Rates Mr. Mike Burton, president of Burton & Associates, said they had been conducting the water/waste water rate study for the City and he was prepared to give the preliminary results of that study. He gave a power point overview of the material included in the Rate Study Report he distributed at this time. During the presentation, Mr. Burton advised there was no up-front cost included in the report and Mayor Vandergrift asked that it be provided. At the conclusion of the report, Acting City Manager Shira asked if they were on the right track. Commissioner Parker said she would need to read the handout just distributed before making that decision and asked that it be on the next agenda. Mr. Shira said he and Mr. Burton would look at other towns' rates and how they have expanded and return with a report. Ms. Denise Lenko asked how the City would deal with citizens who, after the retrofitting, decide to put down a shallow well after they have hooked up with the City reclaimed water for irrigation. Mr. Shira said it had been his experience that there was a two to five year payback period, plus the hassles, plus the uncertainty that the water is going to be there. Mr. Rosenthal pointed out there would be a minimum charge to those who have water and sewer serVIce. Mr. Burton thanked the Commission for allowing him to continue to be of service to the City. RECESS 9:25 P .M.- 9:35 P.M. DIRECTION FOR NEXT YEAR'S FOUNDERS' DAY (Community Relations/Projects Director Shira) Community Relations/Projects Director Shira reviewed the documents she had prepared for this meeting and said there were many items on which she needed direction for the next Founders' Day. Discussion on this item was postponed until a Special Session at 6:30 p.m. on February 6, 2001. CITY GRANT PROGRAM - Policy Concerning Grants to Individuals. Discussion on this item was postponed until a Special Session at 6:30 p.m. on February 6, 2001. ADDRESS TRAVEL POLICY (Ordinance No. 2000-24 continued from November 21, 2000) Ocoee City Commission Special Session January 4, 2001 Mayor Vandergrift expressed his opinion that the Travel Policy should be a policy rather than an ordinance, and City Attorney responded it would be proper to be adopted as either an ordinance or resolution. Commissioner Parker suggested each elected official write what they would like to see changed and place it on the next agenda. She added it should be a non-moving target and easy to understand. Mayor Vandergrift said to furnish the desired changes to the City Clerk who would collate and compile the proposed changes and circulate back to the elected officials for review before the Special Session on February 6. APPOINT Acting or Interim City Manager City Attorney Rosenthal advised he could have a document including specific benefits prepared for Acting City Manager Gleason ready for the next meeting. Mayor Vandergrift moved to serve as City Manager at no charge. Motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Vandere:rift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to put on the ballot for a strong mayor form of government. Motion lost 2-3 with Commissioners Howell, Johnson and Parker voting no. Mavor Vandergrift. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to have the Commissioners run City-wide and live in the district they represent. Motion lost 2-3 with Commissioners Anderson, Johnson and Parker voting no. Mayor Vandergrift discussed briefly his feelings about the events over the past weeks, and his remarks included a reference to three votes. Mr. Gleason asked that the record reflect that he was not the person who said anything about three votes. Commissioner Johnson. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to put on the ballot to take the Mayor's position away and rotate the position of chairman every year. Motion carried 3-2 with Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioner Howell voting no. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m. APPROVED City of Ocoee" ~ ' , f ' ~~ C~~ )' .... S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor