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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-01 Minutes MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 16, 2001 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 7: 15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Pastor Gunter, of Banana Bay Baptist Church, gave the invocation and Principal of Citrus Elementary, Louise Brown, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Deputy City Clerk Whitford called the roll and declared a quorum present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker. Also present were City Manager Gleason, City Clerk Grafton, Finance Director Horton, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Building/Zoning Official Velie, Human Resources Director Psaledakis, Planning Director Wagner, Police Chief Mark, Assistant Fire Chief Firstner, Acting Recreation Director Prettyman, Public Works Director Smith, IS Manager Ross, Principal Transportation Planner Foltz, OFD Lt. Vaughn, OFD Engineer Moy, and Deputy City Clerk Whitford. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS This item was taken out of order. Plaque of Appreciation to Michael Miller for Making a Difference - United We Stand Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioners presented Mr. and Mrs. Miller with a plaque to show the City of Ocoee's appreciation for their leadership in helping the community contribute to the September 11 Fund. (non agenda item) Recognition of Participants in the Sunshine State Games - Commissioner Howell Commissioner Howell presented certificates to the four champions and the one runner-up of the Ocoee Boxing Club who participated in the games. He also thanked the volunteers who gave of their time to help the kids involved in the Boxing Program. This item was taken out of order. Fire Prevention Poster Contest: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Trophies for Grade Levels One through Five in Citrus Elementary, Ocoee Elementary, and Spring Lake Elementary Schools. (Lt. Vaughn, Eng. Ellis, and Eng. Moy) Lt. Vaughn and Eng. Moy presented trophies to all the 1 st, 2nd, and 3rd place student winners of the Fire Prevention Poster contest. Pictures of the winners with the City Commission were taken and a brief time was set aside for parents to take pictures of their student with their trophies. Recess 7:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. This item was taken out of order. Revised City Logo - Brent Myrold Community Relations/Projects Director Shira gave the presentation as Mr. Myrold was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Shira showed the Commission sample logos and stated that the previous example, which seemed to be the Commission's first choice, was too detailed and would Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 not be easily adapted to shirts, business cards, and smaller items. Ms. Shira said for this reason the logo needs to be simplified. Ms. Shira asked the Commission to choose three primary items they would like to incorporate into the logo in order to simplify the logo. The final items the Commission said they would like to see in the logo would be a lake, family, and butterfly. Ms. Shira said she would relay the Commission's desires to the company the City has hired to design the logo. Mayor Vandergrift suggested the sample logos be put on the web-site and Channel 10, if possible, in order for the public to have some input into the decision of choosing a new city logo. Michael Miller offered a conceptual drawing to be considered as a possible choice for the logo. Proclamation: World Population Awareness Week - October 21-27,2001 The Proclamation was read by Mayor Vandergrift. Mayor Vandergrift acknowledged Weeblos Pack 198 who were present at the meeting working on their Citizens Activity Badge. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A and B. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of Commission Regular Session of October 2, 2001 and Budget Special Session of September 24, 2001. (City Clerk Grafton) B. Approval and Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to Execute Change Order No. 5 with Ryan Inc. Eastern for Maguire Road Widening Project in the Amount of $52,123.52. (City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira) . This Change Order covers eleven items related to (1) conflicts with other existing utilities that were discovered during construction, (2) installation of water services, (3) additional length of 6" force main, (4) additional bridge deck grooving for traffic safety, and (5) additional chain link fencing. More than halfway through the project, the total of Change Orders 1-5 is only 2.67 % of the original contract bid. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Lester Dabbs Jr., 619 Caborca Court, thanked the Commission and all involved with the rocking chair he received from the City upon his retirement as Chairman from the General Employee Pension Board. John Terrell, 3831 McKinna Road, extended an invitation to the Commission to attend the next West Orange Chamber "Business After Hours" and thanked City Manager Gleason for speaking at the Winter Garden Rotary Club. COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Page 2 of 7 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 Commissioner Anderson announced since he only needs four of the six VIP preferred seating passes for the Founders' Day concert he would like to donate the other 2 passes to be auctioned off. He said the proceeds would be used to help defray the cost of Founder's Day. Mayor Vandergrift read a letter from Citrus Elementary School inviting people to become a member of Children of Ocoee Remembering Everyone (CORE). CORE will receive canned goods through January which will be given to the Christian Service Center in order to help replenish the almost depleted food banks. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Request for Variance, Case No. 05VR-2001:Marbais. (Zoning Coordinator Harper) Mr. Harper presented the staff report on the application for a variance request, Case No. 05VR- 2001: Marbais. Mr. Harper passed out additional documentation, which included pictures of the subject property, located at 716 E. Lakeshore Drive, to the Commission. Mr. Harper stated the original requested variance was for 11' 3", however the structure under construction will require a larger variance. After questions from the Commission and some clarification of the issues from City Attorney Rosenthal, Mr. Marbais, owner of the subject property, indicated he would have his surveyor provide and certify the exact measurements needed for the variance. The public hearing was opened. Commissioner Parker. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved to continue the public hearing to the November 6th meeting. with direction that it be properly advertised for the correct distance and the site posted by the applicant. Motion carried 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS First Reading of Ordinance No. 2001-30, relating to Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older. Second Reading and Public Hearing Scheduled for November 6, 2001, at 7:15 p.m. (Finance Director Horton) City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance. Mayor Vandergrift announced the second reading and public hearing scheduled for November 6, 2001, at 7:15 p.m. This item was taken out of order. First Reading of Ordinance No. 2001-31, Relating to the General Employees' Retirement Trust Fund, Amending Contributions and Adding a Supplemental Benefit. Second Reading and Public Hearing Scheduled for November 6, 2001, at 7:15 p.m. (General Employee Pension Board Attorney Lee Dehner) City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance. Mayor Vandergrift announced the second reading and public hearing scheduled for November 6, 2001, at 7: 15 p.m. Page 3 of 7 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 Annual Concurrency Assessment of Infrastructure and Services. (Principal Transportation Planner Foltz) Mr. Foltz presented the staff report to the Commission and requested direction from the City Commission to prepare a Resolution to adopt the Concurrency Assessment of Infrastructure and Services and the Infrastructure Deficiencies Map at the November 6th meeting. Mr. Foltz reviewed the tables with the Commission and stated Ocoee should continue an aggressive transportation program. He continued, saying in all the areas the city has had improvements in systems that are helping Ocoee maintain standards. Following the presentation Mr. Foltz responded to questions and suggestions from the Commission. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to approve the Annual Concurrency Assessment of Infrastructure and Services as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Discussion/Action re Program Advertisement for 2001 Kumquat Bowl Program (Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of North Orlando, Inc.) (Mayor Vandergrift) Mayor Vandergrift briefly explained the program and said if the Commission approved an ad it would contain a welcome to the community letter from him. Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to approve a full page ad at a cost of $300.00. Motion carried 5-0. Community Grants/Monetary Donations-Policy to Govern the Giving of or Grants of Taxpayer Money. (City Manager Gleason) City Manager Gleason presented options for a Community Grants Policy and reviewed the proposed application to be filled out by those requesting grants. He apprised the Commission of the amount of funds remaining in the budget to be dispersed this fiscal year and asked for direction. Without objection the item was tabled until the November 6, 2001, Commission meeting. Discussion re Boxing Program. (Commissioner Parker) Commissioner Parker expressed her concerns and views about how the Boxing Program is currently being handled and asked for input from the rest of the Commission. Commissioner Johnson suggested a committee with an ex-officio member to help give direction and stated the need for a record keeper in the office to keep track of expenditures and all the paper work necessary in a city run program. There was a lengthy discussion as to which department should oversee the Boxing Program. Penny Macioszek, a volunteer with the program, Felicia Collins and Meredith Gleason, boxers in the program, all spoke in opposition to the Boxing program remaining under the supervision of the Police Department. They stated they preferred to see it return to being under the direction of the Recreation Department. After further discussion the Commission agreed that Commissioner Parker would arrange a meeting with City Manager Page 4 of 7 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 Gleason, Penny Marcioszek, and Tony Cristelli to discuss all the issues and bring a recommendation back to the City Commission for approval. Discussion re City Manager's Salary. (Commissioner Parker) Commissioner Parker stated it was time to address the City Manager's salary and the retirement benefits. She advised the state has increased the retirement allocation the City is allowed to contribute on behalf of its employee and therefore she would like to open the discussion. There was a lengthy discussion along with comments from the following citizens speaking in favor of making the City Manager the highest paid city employee: Lester Dabbs Jr., 619 Caborca Court, Mike Miller, 1305 Richfield Drive, and Martha Lopez-Anderson, 2438 Alclobe Circle. Commissioner Johnson. seconded bv Commissioner Parker. moved to increase the salary of Jim Gleason. City Manager. to $97. 500.00 per annum effective October 1. 2001. to be paid in equal installments bi-weekly based on 26 pay periods oer annum. and that the salary of $97. 500.00 be established as the maximum salary for the City Manager. so that the COLA increase orovided to Deoartment Directors on October 1. 2001. would be paid in a lump sum to the City Manager. Motion carried 4-1. Mayor Vandergrift voted no. Commissioner Parker. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to amend the employment contract between the City of Ocoee and Jim Gleason to modify section 4-F on deferred compensation. to allow for the maximum contribution allowed under Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA). Motion carried 4-1. Mayor Vandergrift voted no. STAFF REPORTS City Manager Gleason 1. Announced the Founder's Day Golf Tournament to take place Friday, October 19, 2001, beginning at 12:00 p.m. He stated he was unaware as to whether the Commission had formed a team, but wanted to bring it to their attention. 2. Announced the West Orange Chamber Golf Tournament November 8,2001, at 12:00 p.m. with a cost of $450.00 for a team of 4. He said this did not require any action at this time, but wanted to give the Commission advance notice. 3. Addressed the travel policy and the intent of what the Commission had passed and asked for clarification. He stated, while the expense stipend is normally used for representative work and attending some functions, the Tri-County League of Cities is like an extension of the Florida League of Cities. Since Mayor Vandergrift has been nominated for the board of directors to represent Ocoee that cost should not come out of the stipend, but be paid by the city. A consensus was reached that the city should bear the cost and to re-visit the stipend amount for the Mayor at the next meeting. 4. Presented the Arbor Protection Procedures to the Commission. He stated he had gone to the Cambridge Village subdivision site with Russ Wagner, Jim Shira, Marty Velie, and Julian Harper and in walking the site discovered some trees that had been marked for removal that were able to be saved. Mr. Gleason stated that the homeowners in Rosehill all have their Page 5 of 7 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 fences 10 feet beyond their property lines so the 25 foot buffer will only be a 15 foot buffer since 10 feet of it is already in the homeowner's back yards. Mr. Gleason stated there would be some mitigation with the company involving trees. Mr. Gleason said Julian Harper has been appointed the Arborist for the city. He passed out a packet to the Commission which states the policy and procedures for dealing with future developments. After giving an overview of the procedures to be used Mr. Gleason stated that those procedures used effectively would prevent the Cambridge Village problem from recurring. There were comments and questions from the Commission to which Mr. Shira and Mr. Gleason responded. The Commission said they would discuss further the Arbor Protection Procedures at the next meeting. 5. Announced the backstage passes for the Founders' Day concert would not be transferable to anyone else and that due to heightened security Mr. Lawrence would not let guests of those with passes backstage. Mr. Gleason also gave "kudos" to Janet Shira, Pat Smith, Vicky Prettyman, the Recreation Department, and Police Department for the great team work in handling the 5-K run. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Parker said she was still sore from having participated in the race, but other than that she is looking forward to seeing everyone at Founders' Day. Commissioner Johnson 1. Announced a meeting to be held Wednesday October 17th at 7: 00 p. m. in the Commission Chambers regarding the downtown renovation. Commissioner Johnson said over 100 letters had been sent out to various downtown residents and business owners. 2. Asked about using the Ben Griffin building for Veterans to meet and to display some of the City's veterans war memorabilia. City Attorney Rosenthal indicated there were some code enforcement issues with the building. 3. Stated the e-mails expressing concern from residents in the Maguire Road area are being addressed. 4. Reminded everyone not to forget the parade. Ms. Shira confirmed the parade begins at 9:00 a. m. 5. Announced the Ocoee High School reunion at the Jim Beech Center on Friday, October 19th and said there is no cost. Commissioner Anderson I. Read an e-mail from Mark Lepo regarding the lack of pictures that had been received for the city calendar. He stated he would like to enter some pictures into the contest, but he is a professional photographer and didn't think he would be eligible. Mr. Lepo stated he would be willing to donate some time and pictures even if he is not eligible. Ms. Shira stated the only criteria is to be a city resident, the photograph must be 8xlO, and if there are any recognizable people in the picture they must provide a signed release. Page 6 of 7 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting October 16, 2001 2. Displayed a paper which listed all the scheduled events for Founders' Day and stated the paper could be picked up at most merchants in the city. He also stated the times for the parade, concert and fireworks. In response to his question as to whether the schedule of events information could be put on the web-site Ms. Shira stated it was already on the web-site. Commissioner Howell No comments at this time. Mayor Vandergrift inquired about the floats on the lake. Ms. Shira said the Fresh Water Fish Commission was feeding the fish and attracting them to the shore so they would be near the area where the tournament for Founders' Day is to take place. He then asked about the requirements to be in the tournament and if there was an age limit. Ms. Shira stated there is no age limit and that poles and bait would be free. She also said there would be prizes given and all those participating get aT-shirt. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11 :20 p.m. Attest: APPROVED City of Ocoee ...--:::-' --"., ;;)~ t S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor Page 7 of7