HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-01 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD
FEBRUARY 6, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers. Pastor Jack Andrews, McCormick Baptist Church, led in the prayer and Mr. R.
P. Mohnacky led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll was called and a quorum
declared present.
PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker.
Also present were Acting City Manager Gleason, City Attorney Rosenthal, Assistant City
Attorney Doty, Buyer Tolbert, City Clerk Grafton, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira,
Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, Planning
Director Wagner, Recreation Director Nordquist, and Boxing Club Coordinator Cristelli.
ABSENT: None
Commissioner Johnson announced that former City Manager Shapiro was undergoing tests
right now and his family has asked for prayers. He said they had designated him as their
spokesperson in lieu of having everyone call them at the hospital, and concerned citizens
should feel free to call him (Commissioner Johnson) at home.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
In keeping with the renewed policy to invite students to take part in the Commission
meetings, two West Orange High School cheerleaders read the proclamations.
Felecia Bryant read the Proclamation proclaiming National Public Works Week - May 20-
26, 2001.
Tiffany White read the Proclamation proclaiming National Engineers Week - February
18-24, 2001.
Presentation - Charles "Buzz" Matthews, Executive Director of the West Orange YMCA,
presented a plaque to Mayor Vandergrift for his support and another plaque for the City's
continued support of the West Orange YMCA.
Presentation by Burton & Assoc. re: Water/Wastewater/Reclaimed Water Rates. (City
Engineer/Utilities Director Shira)
This item was pulled by Acting City Manager Gleason.
Agenda Item VII J was taken out of agenda order to be considered here.
Approval and Authorization to Grant $1,000.00 to West Orange High School
Cheerleaders. (Community Relations/Projects Director Shira)
Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
The cheerleading squads will be competing in National Competition in Jacksonville, Florida on
March 21-25. The cheerleaders request $1,000 to help with expenses. Of the 18 members of
the squad, 8 are Ocoee residents.
Commissioner Anderson's suggestion that recipients of grants from the City should be
required to spend some time in community service, such as helping with Founders' Day, met
with unanimous approval.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to grant $100 per Ocoee
oarticipant ($800) and request that each recioient give 5 hours of community service for
Founders' Day in return.
When Commissioner Johnson pointed out that two of the coaches who would be accompanying
the squads were Ocoee residents, Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner
Johnson. amended his motion to include those two as well. making a total grant of $1.000.
Motion carried 5-0.
The vote on the motion as amended carried 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, D, and E.
Mayor Vandergrift directed that, in item D, the Parameters should be called Policy and Club
should be changed to Program.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded bv Commissioner Parker. moved to approve the consent
agenda with the noted changes to item D. Motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of Commission Work Session of
January 12, 2001. (City Clerk Grafton)
B. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to Execute Forest
Ridge PUD, Final Subdivision Plan, Project No. LS-99-004. (Planning
Director Wagner)
· The Forest Ridge PUD is a subdivision of 57 single family residential lots to
be located east of Lakewood A venue about one quarter mile south of Wurst
Road.
C. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to Execute Florida
Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Contract Renewal
#AG997 FIN Project #244298-1-72-04. (Public Works Director Smith)
· This is the second renewal of an Agreement dated April 21, 1999, at an
annual cost of $33,418.35.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
D. Approval and Authorization for Parameters Policy for Ocoee Boxing.{;lult
Pro~am. (Recreation Director Nordquist)
· Parameters proposed by Staff include Goals, Objectives, Fees, Guidelines,
Gym Rules and Registration Form for the new Boxing Program.
E. Approval and Authorization to Transfer $6,300.00 from City Clerk's CIP to
Small Equipment account for Printers in City Clerk's Department. (City
Clerk Grafton)
· Four printers may be purchased for less than the amount budgeted for three in
the CIP.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC
There were no citizen comments at this time.
COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Howell said his prayers were with Mr. Shapiro and his family, as well as with
the family of his good friend, Jiffy Skipper, who passed away this week.
Commissioner Parker
1) Announced a safety expo, Saturday, February 10, from 12 to 4:00 p.m. at the West Oaks
Mall in the Dillards parking lot.
2) Asked about the swimming pool and whether the field that is a temporary soccer field could
be used for practice. Mr. Gleason responded he is already working with Mr. Smith on a
master plan for practice fields and will have a report by the next meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING
West Oaks United Methodist Church, Preliminary Site Plan/Master Plan Project No. LS-
99-017. (Planning Director Wagner)
Planning Director Wagner gave the staff report, using the overhead to display the details.
The West Oaks United Methodist Church site is located on the east side of Clarke Road about
700 feet north of White Road. The subject property has A-I zoning and is currently vacant
with some trees, but is mostly an open field. There is a water tower and property owned by
another church adjacent to the southern edge of the site and a subdivision of single family
homes adjacent to the northern and eastern edges of the site. The property on the west side of
Clarke Road across from the site is an orange grove which has not been annexed into the City,
with Orange County A-I zoning. The Preliminary Site Plan is a long range master plan for the
Church's property to permit incremental expansion of the facility. The two entrances will be
constructed with the first phase of development, the southern entrance being a full access
entrance with a median cut on Clarke Road for left turns into and out of the site. The northern
entrance will be a right-inlright-out only entrance. There were two waivers regarding the
building height and a 36 square foot ground sign. The proposed waivers, as revised and
recommended as Conditions of Approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, were as
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
follows:
1) Revising the Justification on the Building Height waiver to read "To allow for a 65'
steeple; "
2) Revising the Proposed Standard on the SigJ) waiver to read "A 36 sf ground sign up
to 10' tall shall be permitted; "
3) Adding new Condition of Approval to read "Prior to approval of Phase 3, a traffic
operational analysis shall be conducted to determine whether a right turn lane from
Clarke Road into the site will be necessary to mitigate traffic impacts. The
recommendations of the analysis shall be implemented. "
Tom Griffin, Architect with McCree, Inc., 500 E. Princeton, Orlando, and Pastor Ernie Post
were present. Mr. Griffin said they had worked closely with staff for a year and had resolved
many problems.
The public hearing was opened and, as no one wished to speak, was closed.
Commissioner Howell. seconded bv Commissioner Anderson. moved to approve the
Preliminary Site Plan/Master Plan for West Oaks United Church. including both of the
proposed waivers. as date stamped received bv the City on January 11. 2001. and subiect to
the first two additional Conditions recommended bv the Planning and Zoning Commission and
omitting Condition Number 3. Motion carried 5-0.
RECESS 8:27 - 8:42 P.M.
OTHER BUSINESS
All items were taken out of agenda order for the balance of the meeting.
Old Winter Garden Road Widening Project: Proposed Settlement with Frank Casserino
(Parcell0l).(Assistant City Attorney Doty)
Assistant City Attorney Doty presented the staff report which included the history of the
proposals and counter-proposals for the settlement of the eminent domain litigation for Parcel
101, formerly owned by Frank Casserino, and she recommended approval as follows:
$353,000.00 to Frank Casserino (less the $300,000.00 previously deposited in the court
registry)
$ 15,600.00 to Kurt Ardaman, Esquire
$ 7,318.00 to Calhoun, Dreggors and Associates, Inc., subject to review and approval
by the City Attorney.
Mayor Vander~rift. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to approve according to staff
recommendation and to authorize the City Attornev or Assistant City Attorney to execute a
final iudgment for these amounts. Motion carried 5-0.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
Pioneer Key Drainage Improvement Project: Proposed Settlement regarding Parcel No.1
(V osilla, Baker and Zalloum). (Assistant City Attorney Doty)
Assistant City Attorney Doty gave the staff report which showed a very complicated history to
the title, and advised the $485.00 lien the Code Enforcement Officer had placed on the parcel for
mowing had grown to more than $32,000.00 over a period of time. She recommended approval
of the settlement of the eminent domain litigation for Parcell by payment of$16,000.00.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to approve the staff
recommendation to approve the settlement of the eminent domain litigation for Parcel I.
formerly owned by Sam Zalloum. by payment of $16.000.00 to the Wilson. Leavitt & Small trust
account. in complete satisfaction of all claims of defendants John V osilla. Julie Baker. Sam
Zalloum. inclusive of interest and attorneys' fees and costs and authorizing the City Attorney or
Assistant City Attorney to execute a final iudgment for this amount. Motion carried 5-0.
Approval of Bid #BOI-04 Purchase of Rubber Tired Backhoe Loader for the Utilities
Department. (Buyer Tolbert)
Buyer Tolbert was present to respond to any questions on this purchase. The staff report
showed the bid for this budgeted item was duly advertised with three responses: Nortrax
Equipment ($74,997.75), Briggs Equipment ($67,779.00), Ringhaver Equipment
($67,944.00). Staff recommended awarding this bid to Briggs Equipment as the most
responsive and responsible bidder.
Commissioner Johnson. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to award Bid #BOI-04
for the purchase of a Rubber Tired Backhoe Loader to Briggs Equipment and authorize Staff to
proceed with the procurement of this equipment. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution No. 2001-01, adopting the new Master Lease Agreement with SunTrust Bank,
approving Equipment Schedule 1, and designating it as a Qualified Tax Exempt
Obligation. (Buyer Tolbert)
City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Resolution. Buyer Tolbert reported
contacting SunTrust Leasing Corporation, Ford Motor Credit Company and Commercial &
Municipal Capital for bank qualified financing for a lease term of three years for police
vehicles and four years for other city vehicles. It was determined that SunTrust Leasing
Corporation offered the best interest rate at 4.489 % combined annual interest rate and she
recommended approval of the new Master Lease Agreement with SunTrust Leasing
Corporation.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to 1) approve a new
Master Lease Agreement with SunTrust Leasing Corporation. and 2) approve Resolution No.
2001-01 for the Bank Qualified Tax Exempt Lease-Purchase Agreement Schedule No.1
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
between the City and SunTrust Leasing Corporation and authorize execution thereof by the
Mayor and City Clerk and further authorize the Mayor. City Clerk. and Staff to execute all
documents necessary to consummate the transaction contemplated by the Agreement. Motion
carried 5-0.
Resolution No. 2001-02, Declaring a Water Shortage Emergency and Providing for
Implementation of Water Shortage Plan of the St. Johns River Water Management
District. (City Attorney Rosenthal and City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira)
City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Resolution. Assistant City Engineer
Wheeler gave the staff report and an overhead presentation from St. Johns River Water
Management District showing the drought conditions in this area and stressing the need to
conserve water.
Commissioner Anderson read an e-mail message pointing out that homeowner associations
need to follow the rules also.
Community Relations/Projects Director Shira advised the POWR team had met with Cathy
Sills to find out who the top 20 water users are and they will take them to a seminar March 17.
She said all of them are homeowner associations.
Commissioner Anderson read a telephone message reporting a broken sprinkler at Save &
Pack store on Bluford A venue.
Mavor Vander2fift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to adopt Resolution No.
2001-02 declaring a water shortage emergency and providing for the implementation of the
water shortage plan of the St. Johns River Water Management District and authorize execution
thereof by the Mayor and City Clerk. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Vandergrift announced the LINK 101 ribbon cutting Monday, February 12 and invited
citizens to join him on the bus ride at 8:25 a.m. leaving from the West Oaks Mall.
Appointments to Boards (City Clerk Grafton)
Citizen Advisory Council for Police Department - Reappoint Richard Luce for term
ending February 1, 2004/Appointment replacing David Aho for term ending January 1,
2004.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to reappoint Member
Richard Luce to another three year term on CACOPD and to appoint Freddy Milner to
complete David Aho's term which ends January 1. 2004. Motion carried 5-0.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
Education Commission - Martha Lopez-Anderson resigned a term ending August, 2002.
Opening remains for term ending August, 2001.
Commissioner Johnson asked that the rules for this committee be provided for him to review.
Commissioner Parker. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to apooint Jeffrey S.
Roach to complete Martha Looez-Anderson's term which ends August 2002. Motion carried
5-0.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Anthony Cristelli resigned a term ending October
1, 2001. Openings remain for one term ending October 1, 2001 and two terms ending
October 1, 2002.
Mayor Vanderl!rift. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to appoint Jeanne Telesca to
comolete Member Sherman's term which ends October 1. 2001. and Veronica Royce to
comolete Member Chamber's term which ends October 1. 2002. Motion carried 5-0.
Request to Adopt Amendments to Ocoee/Orange County Utility Service Area Agreements.
(City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira)
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira presented the staff report and described the several
areas that would be better served by Orange County utilities that are in Ocoee' s utility service
area and also the reverse. He noted that Orange County's objection to the exchange would be
set aside if Ocoee would agree to reduce the 25 % surcharge currently charged county
consumers down to 15% over a period of time.
Mayor Vanderl!rift. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to direct staff to preoare the
necessary ordinance revisions to effect the surcharge reduction. and to preoare the aoorooriate
service territory amendments to be considered at a later date by both the Citv Commission and
the Orange County Commission. Motion carried 5-0.
Maguire Road Widening Project: Phase 5 Design Proposal - PEC Addendum No. 005 for
$345,825.00. (City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira)
City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira gave the staff report which spelled out the history of
the Maguire Road widening project and the projected schedule, which included an expenditure
for design services for FY20001200 1. Mr. Shira recommended authorization of Addendum
No. 005 for a not -to-exceed amount of $345,825.00.
Commissioner Howell. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to approve Addendum
No. 005 to the Agreement for Consulting Engineering Services with PEC for a not-to-exceed
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
amount of $345.825.00 and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Addendum.
Motion carried 5-0.
Approval and Authorization to Grant $400.00 to Bahia Shrine Circus Fund. (Community
Relations/Projects Director Shira)
Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to approve the grant
application for the Bahia Shrine Circus Fund in the amount of $400.00 and designate the
Christian Service Center to use the tickets received as a result of this grant. Motion carried 5-0.
Approval to Waive the RFP Purchasing Procedures for Budgeted Television Equipment
and Authorize Approval of the Proposal from Professional Communications Systems.
(Community Relations/Projects Director Shira and Television Operations Manager Karl
Prihoda)
Community Relations/Projects Director Shira advised the total package for the TV
equipment is over $15,000.00 and ordinarily would require an RFP. However, because of the
procedures Mr. Prihoda had gone through, she felt he might have given adequate notice and
information to interested parties to permit waiving the purchasing procedures. Mr. Prihoda
said he had contacted seven companies and had met with four of those companies on site.
Mavor Vandererift. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to waive the standard
purchasing procedures and approve the proposal from Professional Communications Systems
as requested by Staff. Motion carried 5-0.
STAFF REPORTS
Charter School
Acting City Manager Gleason directed attention to a letter dated January 29,2001, from
Ronald Blocker of the Orange County Public Schools, requesting the City to defer the City's
consent approval of the charter denial for sixty (60) days to enable the respective staffs to
finalize their work and present the results of their work to them.
Mavor Vanden!rift. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to extend the consent
approval of the charter denial for sixty (60) days as requested. to enable the School Board to
organize their branch of the School Board to manage charter schools . Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Johnson was away from the dais when the vote was taken.
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 or Older
Mr. Gleason explained the procedure necessary to initiate in the City of Ocoee the additional
homestead exemption for persons 65 and older, which is authorized in the State Statutes,
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001 .
saying the ordinance must be in place by December 1 in order to make the benefit available
next fiscal year. Details were described in his memo dated February 1, 2001, and he requested
direction for staff.
Mayor Vandergrift. seconded bv Commissioner Howell, moved to direct staff to move
forward preparing an ordinance to make the additional homestead exemption for persons 65
and older a policy in Ocoee. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Johnson was away from the
dais.
Central Florida Council for Florida House
Mr. Gleason called attention to the invitation to a reception at Mennello Museum of American
Folk Art, Princeton Avenue, Loch Haven Park, on Thursday, February 22,2001,6:00 to 8:00
p.m. from the Central Florida Council for Florida House. Commissioner Parker said Mrs.
Ervine would be presenting more information at Rotary Wednesday morning.
Traffic Enforcement
Mr. Gleason reported on the traffic enforcement which had been done on Russell Drive in
January as a result of the petition presented to Mayor Vandergrift by the residents in the
Russell Drive area. He suggested it may be time to incorporate some of the traffic calming
devices that were incorporated into a City policy some time ago. Commissioner Johnson
asked that someone look at the traffic calming device on Delaney Street in Orlando which is
almost a roundabout. Mr. Gleason said he would get with Mr. Shira and develop a plan to
present to Commission for direction.
Football Fields
Mr. Gleason said he had asked Mr. Smith when he returns to have a briefing regarding the
responsibility of the City versus Groundtek in the care of the pest and weed control of all City
properties.
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Parker - No comments at this time.
Commissioner Johnson
1) Said he had asked for a report on Palm Pilots and Information Systems Manager Ross had
provided it. (E-mail dated February 6, 2001 1 :54 p.m. distributed at this meeting) He
suggested each Commissioner could request one if they wished. Later in the meeting he
asked for and received agreement, without objection.
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
2) Said to get with Allen Bond regarding the well. Mr. Gleason said that had been addressed
and resolved, but not yet reported.
3) Observed that the telephone calls he receives as a Commissioner deal mostly with getting
the plans through the Planning Department. He proposed retaining 3 agencies to process
plans. Mr. Gleason said he will have a meeting with Building Department and Planning
Department and return with a plan.
Mavor Vanderlrrift. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to add consultants to the
Planning Department as requested by Commissioner Johnson. Motion carried 5-0.
4) Suggested finishing the large room next to the City Manager's office and moving the
Commissioners' office to that location, then enlarge the conference room to include their
former office. (Credited Commissioner Anderson with the idea.)
5) Expressed his appreciation for the support of District 3 and the citizens citywide and said
he would be back working for them for another 3 years.
6) Suggested naming a water plant or street for Sam Oliver, who was in charge of the water
supply system in the beginning of the service.
Commissioner Anderson
1) Said that last year he noticed broken sidewalks all over town and proposed setting
standards so sidewalks would hold up. Asked that staff find out what other cities do to
keep from having broken sidewalks.
2) Asked that the item on the agenda which was not considered at the special session be
considered at this time, and a brief discussion resulted in the following motion regarding
the Grant Policy:
Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to grant funds only to
non-profit or not-for-profit groups. Motion carried 5-0.
Community Relations/Projects Director Shira advised staff has put a time limit on the
requests, requiring two weeks notice before the request goes on an agenda for consideration by
this Commission. She then asked for clarification on the definition of a group: Are two a
group? The response was yes, and they must be sponsored by an organization.
Commissioner Anderson read two e-mail messages:
1) You must set lighting limitation and a standard for the lighting of a church steeple.
2) Jeffrey Hardy, 310 Rewis Street, noticed drilling going on in Central Park. Who is drilling
and what for?
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Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting
February 6, 2001
Commissioner Howell
1) To Ellis Shapiro and his family - his prayers are with you.
2) Prayers are also with the family of his friend, Jiffy Skipper, who passed away this week.
3) Asked that some traffic calming device be placed at Kimball Street and Wurst Road. Mr.
Gleason said he would check into it and respond by the next meeting.
4) Asked that staff contact the railroad and find out when they will clean up the mess they left
near Malcolm Street.
5) Expressed his appreciation for the Ocoee employees who prepared a meal for the Skipper
family following the funeral for their family member. He named Vicki Prettyman, Drixie
Chapman, Ricky Waldrop, and Brandy Everett.
6) Announced the Big Orange golf tournament March 4, 2001. Mrs. Shira reported
Recreation Director Nordquist had already budgeted for the foursome.
Mayor Vandergrift read two telephone messages received during the meeting:
1) Skip Davis expressed concern about the $15,000 spent for television equipment, as the
equipment requested does not meet broadcast TV standards, and he believed the City is not
advancing its television technology and the money will be wasted on equipment that will be
outdated within the year.
2) Rosemary Davis said at the Education Commission meeting Monday night the possibility of
a public forum was put on the March agenda only to address concerns parents had brought
to the Board's attention. No member of this advisory board would consider doing anything
without the approval of the City Commission, as ex officio member Johnson can attest to.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
Attest:
APPROVED:
City of Ocoee
'j
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