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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-01 Minutes MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD APRIL 3, 2001 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Pastor Jack Andrews led in prayer and Commissioner Parker led in 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, City Clerk Grafton, Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, and Community Relations/Projects Director Shira. ABSENT: None PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Disney Dreamers and Doers - Clarcona Elementary School Mayor Vandergrift introduced Dr. Bruce Suther, principal of Clarcona Elementary School, and Dreamer and Doer Emma Rew. He read his letter to Emma congratulating her for being a Dreamer and Doer. Dr. Suther introduced Emma's parents and spoke highly of her accomplishments in school. Update on Water Shortage. (Assistant City Engineer Wheeler) Assistant City Engineer Wheeler gave a powerpoint presentation showing the City's position in the current water shortage and reported citizens had used 18.5 % less water in February and March this year compared to the same months last year. St. Johns River Water Management District has mandated a 15% decrease. He noted that enforcement of the watering rules would begin at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2001. Mr. R. P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, asked questions regarding the limitations on washing cars. Non-Agenda Item Community Relations/Projects Director Shira gave a preview of a presentation to be given in Jacksonville before the Florida Water Resources Conference next week. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A and B. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to approve and accept the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting April 3, 2001 Commissioner HowelL seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to appoint Mr. Tony Kissoon to serve a three year term on the CACOPD. Motion carried 5-0. Education Commission In addition to the resignation of Member Kathie Glass last year, resignations have been received from Members Johan Bergh, Margaret MacDonald, and Jenny Wilsen. Three applications were presented for consideration. Commissioner Howell. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to a{>point Phyllis Girley. Debra Booth. and Prances Giessuebel to fill the vacancies created by the above resignations and. in addition. to serye two year terms to end August 2003. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Parker was away from the dais. Discussion ensued about the makeup of this commission and various suggestions were made regarding changes. City Attorney Rosenthal suggested reviewing the adopting resolution and taking action on the desired changes at the next meeting. Mayor Vandergrift suggested possibly appointing a staff person to be the volunteer coordinator, someone who would call entities (like Citrus Elementary) and advise them that they need a representative on the Education Commission, for instance. He then directed staff to contact Martha Lopez-Anderson to see if she was interested in being reappointed to the Education Commission. Commissioner Johnson said he wanted to see more parents appointed to the Education Commission rather than professional educators. Acting City Manager Gleason said the PTSA should be contacted and notified of the need for representatives. Commissioner Anderson read an e-mail message from Martha Lopez-Anderson saying she would make sure, as a school advisory council member of Citrus Elementary, that they know the City needs a representative from Citrus Elementary for the Education Commission. Board of Adjustment Alternate Member Daniel O'Keefe submitted his resignation because he moved out of town. Mayor V ander~rift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to appoint Pred Wilsen to serve a three year term ending May 2004. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Vandergrift broached the subject of attendance at some of the volunteer board meetings and noted the Board of Adjustment public hearing last week did not have a quorum, Page 3 of 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting April 3, 2001 and so could not hear the case. He asked that absences from all of the volunteer board meetings be addressed. Commissioner Anderson proposed changing the policy of excused absences. Acting City Manager Gleas'on proposed that staff put together a policy using the Charter requirements regarding the City Commission absences as a guideline and bring it back for consideration at the next meeting. STAFF REPORTS Acting City Manager Gleason 1) Reported on the railroad ties. 2) Advised there was a modular building which Pineloch Management Corporation is making available in July or August which could be placed on the Public Works property and used temporarily by the Police Department, Code Enforcement and Animal Control. He asked for the pleasure of the Commission and direction before proceeding any further with staff time in discovery of details and plans. Consensus was reached to give direction to proceed and if later on an appraisal is needed it could be done then. 3) Orange County has put property up for sale as surplus at the corner of Ocoee-Apopka Road and Fullers Cross Road. Mr. Gleason and the School Board both advised the County there were these two governmental entities which were interested in the property as well and had not received proper notice of its availability. He advised he would watch for the item to appear on the county commission agenda and be sure a representative was there. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Howell 1) Said something should be done about the traffic control at Jim Beech Recreation Center. Commissioner Parker 1) Said the Historical Commission has been working on a multiple property listing for historical sites in Ocoee that will be available to home owners to take part in that will not have some of the constraints associated with declaring a property an historical site. 2) Wants to revitalize the Teen Club. Mr. Gleason said he would look into the status and report. Commissioner Johnson 1) Referring to a letter of engagement with Mark Blechman, said such items should come before this Commission for approval rather than be handled by staff. 2) Said he wants to fix up downtown Ocoee and has taken steps to accomplish this, beginning with discussing a mural with Rod Reeves in Winter Garden. He intends to set up a committee. Mayor Vandergrift said he would like to see CRAs in Districts 1 and 2 as well. Page 4 of 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting April 3, 2001 A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of Commission Regular Session of March 20, 2001 and Canvassing Board Meeting of March 14, 2001. (City Clerk Grafton) B. Approval and Authorization to Grant WalMart Employees $500.00 Sponsorship for Walk-a-Thon for Children's Miracle Network. (Community Relations/Projects Director Shira) . 10 of the approximately 200 people walking are from Ocoee. These funds will go to the children's wards at Arnold Palmer Hospital and Shands Hospital. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Former Mayor Lester Dabbs commended the entire city for the care and concern exhibited at the death of Jim Jocoy, as many hearts were touched. Mr. Dabbs announced also that the end of his term as trustee on the General Employee Retirement Trust Fund would be September 30 and he did not wish to be reappointed. Mayor Vandergrift said naming the new fishing pier for Jim Jocoy has been suggested to him. No action was taken at this time. COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Commissioner Howell announced the District 1 runoff election to be held April 10. Commissioner Anderson asked that those who had responded to the invitation to the West Orange Chamber Gala on Wednesday night, but would be unable to attend, notify Mr. Gleason. Commissioner Howell said he would be attending a homeowners association meeting instead, so his tickets would be available. Commissioner Parker expressed appreciation for the Historical Commission presentation. PUBLIC HEARING - None Scheduled OTHER BUSINESS Appointments to Boards. (City Clerk Grafton) CACOPD The term of Mr. Wayne Hurst ended April 1, 2001 and he did not wish to be reappointed. Page 2 of 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting April 3, 2001 Mayor Vandergrift 1) Said he would be teaching a class on government at West Orange High School soon. 2) Kevin Spears interviewed him regarding the census count showing Apopka with a higher population than Ocoee. He asked that the Planning Department look at the numbers again, as so much hinges on the figures (such as the seat on MetroPlan). 3) Asked when the restrooms at the lake would be finished, and said to get the porta potties back if it will be more than 2 weeks. 4) In order to avoid conflict with boaters and fishermen, asked that permission from DEP be sought to put bouys at 200 feet out to create a "no wake" zone. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor Page 5 of 5