HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-06 Minutes
MINUTES
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
September 5, 2006 at 7:15 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
I A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Vandergrift called the regular session to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall. Commissioner Keller gave the Invocation and Commissioner Johnson led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag. City Clerk Eikenberry called roll and declared a quorum present.
Roll Call: Commissioner Hood, Commissioner Anderson (absent), Mayor Vandergrift,
Commissioner Keller, and Commissioner Johnson.
Also Present: City Manager Frank, City Attorney Rosenthal, and City Clerk Eikenberry.
I B. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamations. (Mayor Vandergrift)
. September 11 th
. Constitution Week - September 17th - September 23rd
Presentation - Ocoee High School Issue. (Commissioner Johnson)
Presentation - First Baptist Church of Central Florida - Senior Pastor Clayton Cloer.
(Mayor Vandergrift)
Pastor Cloer of the First Baptist Church, 700 Good Holmes Road, gave a presentation and
displayed photos with the Cross superimposed to show what it will look like from various angles
and locations. Senator Daniel Webster spoke in favor of allowing the cross to be placed in the
center of the church property. He stated that crosses and other religious symbols are being
removed from all public structures, but government should not go so far as to deny.churches that
right. Several Commissioners commented that they were not previously aware that the cross
would be in the middle of the property rather than close to the road. Commissioner Anderson
said he would like to not only rescind the letter opposing the cross, but write a letter in support.
Commissioner Anderson, seconded bv Commissioner Keller, moved rescind the
Drevious letter send to Oranae County oDDosina the installation of the 199' cross,
on the DroDertv of the First BaDtist Church of Central Florida and to send a new
letter in SUDDort of the cross. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Hood added that he would like a staff member to be present when the letter is
given to the County. Mayor Vandergrift said he would like staff to look into our ordinance,
should a similar issue come up in Ocoee.
Presentation-Contribution to Founder's Day by Brian Cirillo from Centex Homes - Brian
Cirillo from Centex Homes presented the City with a check in the amount of $2,500 to be used
to help fund the Founder's Day event.
I C. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC
Frances Watts, 43 Shell Key Court, 1) thanked the Fire Department's "Fully Involved" Program
for the 14 people who responded to her home to cut down dangerous tree limbs and helped to
clean up the area around her mobile home, 2) said the dedication at the new Ison Veteran's and
Senior Center was very well done. She added that a larger sign should be placed on Adair Street
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
for the Center so people can find it, 3) said the Christian Service Center does a great job making
boxed lunches for 100-150 people, five days a week, and 4) asked permission for her group of
seniors to continue meeting at the Community Center. Consensus of the Commission was
to allow the West OranQe Seniors to continue to meet at the Community Center
rather than the new Ison Center.
Chuck Kramer, Vice President, and other members of the FF A advised they received a three-
star award and would like assistance to get to the National Convention in Indianapolis to receive
the award.
Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to Qrant
the FFA $500 from the Commission ContinQency Fund, with the condition that
some students from the club do volunteer work at Founder's Day. Motion carried
5-0.
Henry Morgan, 304 S. Lakeshore Drive, 1) said he feels the City made an expedient move to
place stormwater and garbage on the tax roll without fully researching the effects of doing so,
and feels the City should send a certificate to Orange County to remove all residents from the tax
roll except those 200-300 who would otherwise not pay for any services, 2) said he thinks that
advertisements should be placed in the West Orange Times instead of the Orlando Sentinel, 3)
asked if we could look into making LaserFiche more user friendly for retrieval and to find out
why the minutes appear blurry when opened on LaserFiche.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the decision to place the stormwater and garbage on the
tax roll. Assistant Public Works Director Elliott advised that the Special Meeting on
September 13, 2006, is to Certify the Data being sent to the Property Appraiser's Office to be
placed on the tax roll. She advised vacant properties are not being charged for solid waste
services, only residential customers. Residents can call if they feel they are being charged
improperly, and staff will research it and make the adjustment if they are not subject to the fee
under the terms of the ordinance. City Attorney Rosenthal advised that if the Commission is
proceeding on the assumption that they have the discretion of not certifying this data for the Tax
Collector, he needs to research the implications of that, because this is a ministerial act that
comes after the Commission has already adopted the resolution at an advertised public hearing,
and included it in the tax notices. He said he previously advised if they wished to rescind their
actions on this issue, it should be done by resolution at an advertised Public Hearing. He said
last time this was discussed, the Commission decided to address the opt-out provision for the
next fiscal year, and not pursue the idea of rescinding the original actions. The opt-out
provision was researched and included in the ordinance that was subsequently adopted. He
advised he will bring back information at the September 13, 2006, Special Session as to the
implications of not signing the tax roll certification.
I D. COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Hood 1) announced the Hispanic Heritage Event on Sept 16, 2006 at 10 a.m.
being put on by the HRDB Board, 2) said Ocoee High School football team won last week 3-0,
and we play against Freedom High School Friday, 3) asked about the Ingram Road closing;
Engineer Wheeler distributed a diagram of the new road closure that was worked out with the
Page 2 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
developer that will still allow two lanes of traffic to flow throughout the construction, and it will
be enforced by Ocoee PD. The detour should go into effect in approximately a month.
Commissioner Anderson 1) read an email from Patricia Thursby which said she would like to
see some type of recognition be done for Edwin Pounds, Cliff Freeman, Delmar Fields, and Ben
Griffin. She advised in addition to building homes and shopping centers, they built a Little
League Field instead of more homes so that Ocoee could have a place for the kids. He said he
will discuss a tribute at the end of the meeting.
Commissioner Johnson-none
Commissioner Keller- none
Mayor Vandergrift - 1) read a letter from the Ocoee Historical Commission acknowledging
receipt of our application for Founder's Day Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, October 21,
2006.
I E. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval and Acceptance of the Regular City Commission Minutes of August 15, 2006.
(City Clerk Eikenberry)
ADDroved on Consent, motion carried 5-0.
2. Approval to Cancel RFQ #06-02 and Reject All Qualification Packages for the Security
Systems Installation, Maintenance, and Monitoring Services for City Water Treatment
Plants. (Purchasing Agent Tolbert)
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised with the intention of soliciting statements of qualifications
from qualified security systems providers to provide installation, maintenance, and monitoring services for the
City of Ocoee Water Treatment Plants. The City Commission short-listed four (4) service providers for
proposals at the June 6, 2006, City Commission meeting. The Police Department has advised they will be
evaluating the overall security needs of all City properties. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of the City
to include the security systems at the water treatment plants in that plan.
ADDroved on Consent. motion carried 5-0.
3. Approval to Reject All Bids for Bid #06-02-R Intersection Improvements for Bluford
Avenue at Orlando Avenue. (purchasing Agent Tolbert)
The City intended to award a contract for the Intersection Improvements for Bluford A venue at Orlando
Avenue. This project was re-bid and came in approximately 56% over the budgeted amount of $450,000.00.
Staff intends to add the work contemplated by this project to the proposed Bluford Avenue Phase II Project.
ADDroved on Consent. motion carried 5-0.
4. Award Bid #B06-04 Silver Glen Reclaimed Water Distribution System to Young's
Communications Co., Inc. for $787,637.05. (purchasing Agent Tolbert)
The Engineering Department and Finance Department have reviewed all bids. Staff recommends awarding the
bid to Young's Communications Co., Inc. as the most responsive and responsible bidder per recommendation
from David Wheeler, City Engineer. The total bid amount for the Silver Glen project is $19,946.05 above the
original project budget. Staff additionally recommends that this amount be allocated to the Silver Glen project
from budget currently allocated to the ReservelReflections reclaimed water distribution system project, which is
still under design.
ADDroved on Consent. motion carried 5-0.
Page 3 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
5. Approval to Authorize Contracts and Expenditures with MCCi for the Document
Management Project. (Information Systems Director Ross)
On June 21,2005, the City Commission approved the expense of funds in the current and subsequent budgets
for the Document Management project to R&S Integrated as the most responsive vendor. The City has worked
with R&S Integrated for the last 12 months for the initial installation of the document imaging system. Now, as
the project moves towards records retention, staff would like to contract with MCCi which specializes in
working with City Clerk Offices.
ADDroved on Consent, motion carried 5-0.
6. Approval of Community Merit Awards Recommendations to Award Grants.
(Community Relations Manager Wright)
The Community Merit Awards (CMA) Board met on August 2,2006, to discuss the 13 applications received
during the April 2006 grant application cycle. The CMA Board expressed that they would like to award various
amounts to the 13 organizations. The amounts total the $5,000 allocated for the Community Merit Awards.
ADDroved on Consent. motion carried 5-0.
7. Approval of Increase in City Clerk Capital Outlay Account to Cover Costs for the
Commission Chambers Digital Recording System over the Budgeted Amount
($3,069.00). Funds will be transferred from a Line Item Account within the City Clerk
Budget. (City Clerk Eikenberry)
The City Commission approved the FY2005/06 budget of the City Clerk which included a capital outlay item
for the Commission Chambers digital recording system in the amount of $5,000. After seeking estimates from
the two companies providing this service, the estimate in the amount of$8,069 for the DCR Express system was
found to be best suited to the needs of the City. A slightly different configuration of the DCR System from BIS
Digital and the FTR Gold system required the purchase of a laptop and would have cost more once that cost was
figured in.
ADDroved on Consent. motion carried 5-0.
I F. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Approval for Purchase of Property for Police Headquarters. (Advertised in the Orlando
Sentinel Legal Classified on Friday, August 25, 2006). (Assistant City Manager Croteau)
On July 26, 2006, a work session was held to review potential sites for the new Police Headquarters. Four sites
were reviewed for possible acquisition. The four sites were: (1) the Roper property at the comer of Maguire
and Story Roads; price: $392,749/acre (2) the Certi-Fine & Crittenden properties at the comer of McKee and
Kissimmee; price: $567,000/acre (3) the Silvestri property located at A.D. Mims and Clarke; price:
$250,000/acre (4) property adjacent to the City owned property on Bluford between McKee and Oakland; price:
unknown. The fourth site would require the City to purchase at least three separate parcels, possibly through
the condemnation process. Staff recommended the approximately 14 acre site located at the comer of A.D.
Mims and Clarke Road. This site is located next to the Fire Station on Clarke Road and is zoned commercially.
In discussions with the owner of the property only 12 acres are currently available for purchase. The owner has
expressed a desire to retain 2 acres for future development. The price for the 12 acres is $3.5 million or
$291,667/acre. Based on the consensus of the Commission, staff has pursued this option. An outline of the
purchase contract is attached. It is anticipated that the new Police facility will need approximately 4 acres of the
12 acres available. The City could use the remainder ofthe site for a park, city facility or other city need. Or
the additional acreage could be sold at a later date to offset some of the facility costs. The property will be
purchased through a combination of general fund dollars, impact fees, and bond funding.
Assistant City Manager Croteau advised that staff proceeded with the Silvestri Property, at
the comer of A.D. Mims and Clarke Road as per the Commission consensus at the August
21, 2006, workshop. The property is a 14 acre parcel, and the owner is asking to retain 2
acres of the site and sell 12 acres. The original cost was proposed at $250,000 per acre, but
Page 4 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
with the two acres removed it is approximately $292,000 per acre. The City will get back
$445,000 in impact fee credits. Staff recommends moving forward with this purchase. The
seller agreed to allow the City to select the 2 acres parcel that they will keep, as long as they
have 2 feet along the Clarke Road frontage for every 1 foot off. It was reviewed with
Community Development and it would still allow the City to have additional property that
they could sell at a later date if they chose not to use it.
City Attorney Rosenthal said that there are a few minor changes in the contract presented
with the agenda, one of those is the provision which said it would be a two-to-one ratio of
frontage to depth in terms of the configuration, but the purchase agreement has a provision
which says that will be determined during the feasibility period, mutually agreed upon by the
parties.
Mayor Vandergrift opened the Public Hearing.
R.P. Monacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Blvd, asked why we need a new station. Assistant City
Manager Croteau said we have outgrown our current location which is 7,000 square feet,
and we had a study done in 2001 that indicated we needed 32,000 square feet. There is also
no real holding area for prisoners while they are being processed and it lacks other security
features. Police Chief Reffett explained that many divisions of the Police Station are being
forced to work out of Public Works, the Fire Departments, and other facilities. He also asked
about the City owned property which Assistant City Manager Croteau explained would
have required taking property from residents not interested in selling to get a large enough
parcel, and the City did not want to do that.
William Hodges, 1711 Sparkling Waters Circle, asked if there will be additional siren noises
and traffic, or more criminals in the area. Police Chief Reffett explained that the sirens and
traffic from Police vehicles will not be occurring around the station, but rather in their
assigned zones. He said that arrested criminals will be brought in for processing on a regular
basis, but they will be driven into the holding area and the doors closed before they are taken
from the vehicle. Many other times arrestees are processed at the County facility. It is
anticipated that the new Police facility will need approximately 4 acres of the 12 acres
available. The City could use the remainder of the site for a park, city facility or other city
need.
Mayor Vandergrift closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Hood. seconded by Commissioner Johnson. moved~DDrove
the Durchase this 12 acre Darcel. Der staff recommendations at the corner of
A.D. Mims and Clarke Road from Silvestri Investments of Florida. Inc. at a cost
2f..j3.5 million dollars. to be Dartially used for the site of the Police Station
Headauarters and will be Durchased throuah a combination of aeneral fund
dollars. imDact fees. and bond fundina. Motion carried 5-0.
Email Received
Commissioner Anderson advised that there are citizens who were here to ask about the progress
on Jay Street and Cardinal Street, they are now watching at home and he wanted to advise them
that the application is in on the road tables. Public Works Director Krug said they will be
addressing the Center Street issues, but it is now open. Assistant Public Works Director
Elliott advised that the paving is completed but they are still working on this project.
Page 5 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
SECOND READING
9. Proposed Ordinance Chapter 136 - Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators - Child
Protection Recommendation Committee. (Advertised in the Orlando Sentinel Orange Extra on
Thursday, August 24, 2006). (Deputy Police Chief Goclon)
The Child Protection Recommendation Committee (CPRC - a citizen board authorized by the City Commission
to make recommendations to help keep children in the community safe) is deeply concerned about recent
occurrences in our state and elsewhere, whereby convicted sexual offenders and sexual predators who have
been released from custody repeat the unlawful acts for which they had originally been convicted. The CPRC
recommends City adoption of an ordinance that provides heightened protection of the lives and persons in the
City of Ocoee and would prohibit sexual offenders and sexual predators from establishing a residence within
two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet of certain locations within the City. The Child Protection
Recommendation Committee recommends that the Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners adopt
the proposed City Ordinance Chapter 136 - Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators and that the City implement
a background check application for people who volunteer for City boards and who help with City programs.
The ordinance allows for a $1000.00 a day penalty for violations of the ordinance. As violations could result in
imprisonment, the cases have to be heard by a criminal court judge. Nominal court fees may be assessed to the
City if the violator is found "not guilty."
This item was heard before Item #9.
City Attorney Rosenthal read the title of the ordinance.
Mayor Vandergrift opened the Public Hearing. There being no one wishing to speak,
Mayor Vandergrift closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Anderson. seconded bv Commissioner Hood. moved to adoDt
Ordinance 2006-015. reaardina sexual offenders and sexual Dredators as
recommended bv the Child Protection Recommendation Committee. Motion
carried 4-0. with Commissioner Johnson away from the dais.
The ordinance as adopted carries the following title:
ORDNINANCE NO. 2006-015
AN ORDINANCE OF lHE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, PROHIBITING SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND SECUAL
PREDATORS CONVICTED OF UNDER CERTAIN STATUTES OF FLORIDA OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS FROM LIVING
WIlHIN 2500 FEET OF SPECIFIED LOCATIONS WI1HIN THE CITY OF OCOEE; PROHIBITING PERSONS FROM
LElTING, RENTING OR OTHERWISE ALLOWING THE USE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, PLACE, STRUCTURE,
TRAILER OR OTHER CONVEYANCE, OR PART THEREOF, WITH lHE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT WILL BE USED AS A
PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF A SEXUAL OFFENDER OR SEXUAL PREDATOR WITHIN
2500 FEET OF SPECIFIED LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF OCOEE; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
FIRST READING
10. Ordinance for Residential Front Yard Regulations. (Advertised in the Orlando Sentinel Orange
Extra on Thursday, August 24, 2006. Public Hearing Second Reading Scheduled for September 19, 2006).
(Community Development Director Wagner)
In 2005, several members of the City Commission brought to staffs attention concerns regarding fence and
front yard parking problems in residential areas. Staff researched these issues and conducted an inventory of
the Land Development Code and City Code of Ordinances to determine if future amendments were necessary to
correct these problems. On August 16,2005, staff presented a summary of findings to the City Commission for
recommended action. That presentation related to canopy covered parking structures, boats, R V s, and campers
parked in front yards, parked vehicles overhanging sidewalks in residential neighborhoods, parallel street
parking in the grassed easement between the street and sidewalk, the placement of mechanical equipment on
corner lots, front yard parking, conversions of garages to living space, and fences in front and side yards. Staff
has drafted an ordinance proposing amendments to the Land Development Code and the Code of Ordinances
Page 6 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
per the direction of the City Commission regarding issues of concern in residential areas. On August 8, 2006,
the Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed amendments to
the Land Development Code and City Code of Ordinances.
City Attorney Rosenthal read the title of the Ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Anderson said he feels that this will not be fair to many residents, and he feels
the issue needs to be discussed in more detail at a workshop.
Community Development Director Wagner advised that many of the Commissions concerns
at the workshop were addressed and incorporated into this ordinance. The ordinance also took
into consideration the opinion of the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z Board) and resident
complaints.
He said after the workshops, staff found additional conflicts in the Code that needed to be
revised, and those were presented to the P & Z Board and are noted in the agenda packet.
Community Development Director Wagner said he can review it by section, if the
Commission would like. He said one issue we need to address is the open space requirements
and how much enforcement will take place. The requirement that there cannot be more than
50% of the total lot having an impervious surface, includes stone which builds up over time and
is considered impervious. There was discussion that this will also address homes with cars
parked allover the yard. Mayor Pro Tem Anderson advised citizens that they should review
the ordinance online, and inform Commission if they have any issues on the changes on or
before the next Public Hearing on September 19,2006.
Mayor Pro Tem Anderson opened the Public Hearing. There being no one wishing to speak,
Mayor Pro Tem Anderson closed the Public Hearing. Mayor Pro Tem Anderson announced
the second reading and Public Hearing will be held on September 19, 2006, at 7:15 p.m. or as
soon thereafter as may be heard.
I G. REGULAR AGENDA
11. Approval for Purchase of Property at 17 E. Oakland Avenue. (Assistant City Manager
Croteau)
Staff has been approached by Kim Crews, a City employee, regarding whether or not the City would be
interested in purchasing her property located at 17 E. Oakland Avenue. This property is adjacent to the City
property on Bluford between Mckey and Oakland. Map attached. The property would be purchased for future
use due to its proximity to the City Hall complex. Ms. Crews is asking $330,000 for the property. She has also
requested to remain on the property until July of 2007. Ms. Crews has an appraisal on the property from
November of2005 valuing the property at $280,000. In March, Public Works requested a new appraisal. This
appraisal showed the value at $262,000. However, the square footage used for this appraisal is 300sflower then
the Property Appraisers data and the 2005 appraisal. Therefore, staff believes the $262,000 is much lower then
the actual market value of the property. Using the Property Appraiser's square footage, and the square footage
value from the most recent appraisal, would give a property value of approximately $312,561. Although the
$330,000 asking price is higher then the calculated value, if the City waits to purchase the property or pursues
the property through condemnation the cost would most likely be higher then the current value. Therefore,
Staff recommends purchasing the property for $325,000 and allowing Ms. Crews to continue to occupy the
property through the end of June 2007. Funds for the purchase could be assembled from a variety of general
fund sources including the $98,000 set aside in this year's budget for the expansion of parking in downtown
Ocoee.
Assistant City Manager Croteau advised that a City employee approached them about
purchasing her home on Oakland A venue, which is contiguous to property that we already
own. Her asking price is $330,000, but she is willing to accept $325,000. The estimated
Page 7 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
current value of the property is a little lower than what we are offering, however if we were
to take the property at a later date, or go through condemnation it would cost much more,
therefore staff is recommending the purchase of this property. The current owner has also
asked to stay in the home through June 2007 and a lease agreement is included in the
contract. Funds for the purchase could be assembled from a variety of general fund sources
including the $98,000 set aside in this year's budget for the expansion of parking in
downtown Ocoee. Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Anderson expressed that
this would be a good acquisition for the City because it is located in the downtown area
where we have been trying to purchase property.
Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Hood. moved to aDDrove
the Durchase of the Crews DroDertv at 17 East Oakland Avenue, in the amount
2f...$325.000 Der staff recommendations. and to authorize the Mayor to sian the
contract DaDers as needed. Motion carried 4-0. with Mayor Vanderarift away
from the dais.
12. Approval of Mowing and Landscape Maintenance Contract. (Public Works Director
Krug)
a. City Wide Right-of-Way Mowing and General Mowing Contract with Groundtek.
The City has terminated the mowing and landscape maintenance contract with the previous contractor due
to nonperformance. Due to the emergency nature of securing reliable continued service, the mowing
portion of the contract has been separated out for pricing by a contractor specializing in this type of
maintenance. The contractor requested a one-year contract to provide the emergency work at the best
possible price. The City will begin the re-bid process for this work in six months. This work is adequately
funded in the 06/07 budget.
b. Landscape Maintenance Contract with Valley Crest.
The City has terminated the mowing and landscape maintenance contract with the previous contractor due
to nonperformance. Due to the emergency nature of securing reliable continued service, the landscaping
portion of the contract has been separated out for pricing by a contractor specializing in this type of high
profile maintenance. The contractor requested a one-year contract to provide the emergency work at the
best possible price. The City will begin the re-bid process for this work in six months. Part of this process
will involve Public Works developing a competitive cost to perform the maintenance in house and
determine if out sourcing is still the best option for the City. This work will be funded by the unfilled
Public Works positions that were proposed for a landscape maintenance crew in the 06/07 budget. The
positions will remain vacant until such time as it is determined that Public Works can provide the same or
better services at a [mancial benefit to the City.
Public Works Director Krug said that we terminated the previous landscape and mowing
contract, and sought separate contracts to ensure better service. Both contractors have asked for
a one-year contract. The mowing contract was included in the budget, and the landscape
maintenance was going to be taken in-house, but we were not in a position to do that when this
contract terminated. We will determine at a later time if it can be taken in house at a benefit to
the City.
Commissioner Johnson. seconded bv Commissioner Keller, moved to aDDrove
Item #A City Wide Riaht-of-Way Mowina and General Mowina Contract with
Groundtek and Item #B LandscaDe Maintenance Contract with Valley Crest. Der
staff recommendations. Motion carried 4-0. with Mayor Vanderarift away from the
dais.
Page 8 of 10
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
13. Richard T. Crotty Annual Scholarship and Volunteers Award Dinner. (Mayor
Vandergrift)
Tabled until the next aaenda.
I H. STAFF REPORTS - none
I I. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Keller- 1) asked about adopting a pitbull ordinance. City Attorney Rosenthal
said there is current legislation at the state level taking away municipal powers to ban pitbulls.
They are still looking into other options, but adopting anything specifically against pitbulls has
been taken out of our hands, 2) asked about the cable television issue, and City Attorney
Rosenthal advised they have Special Counsel looking into that issue.
Commissioner Johnson 1) asked Community Development Director Wagner about looking into
doing a moratorium on the big box stores for the next 180 days until the CRA overlays are
completed. Community Development Director Wagner explained that "Big Box" stores are
often defined by square footage, some as low as 60,000 sq. ft. City Attorney Rosenthal advised
that Orange County adopted a one-year moratorium on big boxes, and we can bring back an
ordinance modeled on theirs, because theirs has not been challenged. They are doing some
extensive studying now, and we may be able to piggy-back on some of the up-front costs.
Commissioner Johnson. seconded bv Commissioner Anderson. moved to direct
staff to brina back an ordinance creatina a one-year moratorium on Bia Box
Stores over 80.000 SQuare feet alona the Hiahway 50 corridor. Motion carried 5-0.
2) thanked the staff for the great job that was done on the dedication of the Ison Veteran's and
Senior Center, 3) wished the Ocoee High School Football team more success this season.
Commissioner Anderson- 1) received a phone call from Ms. Penderson, on Hawaii Drive about
paving on Center Street, and said staff advised the paving would continue from Cardinal down to
Orange Avenue next year. He didn't understand her question about the park, but he will call her
after the meeting. 2) referred to the email he read earlier from Patricia Thursby which said she
would like to see some type of recognition for Edwin Pounds, Cliff Freeman, Delmar Fields, and
Ben Griffin, who built a Little League Field instead of more homes so that Ocoee could have a
place for the kids. He asked that we think about some type of tribute to them on the Central Park
property .
Commissioner Hood 1) said the flag needs to be placed differently so that it can be seen from
the minor field and the rookie field, and he suggested a flagpole and monument are placed in the
retention pond by the concession stand, and possibly a memorial to the four men Ms. Thursby
mentioned, 2) asked about the need for a park in the area of Ingram Estates. Community
Development Director Wagner said we considered a 35 acre parcel a few years ago for
construction of a park and trailhead for West Orange Trail and Recreational Facilities at
$35,000/acre and for some reason a decision was made not to pursue it. Today it is valued at
$100,000/acre. He is negotiating with Beezer Homes to get a school site in Arden Park Homes
(925 units); the School Board and developer have expressed an interest. 3) Community
Development Director Wagner said they are negotiating with Centex Homes on the Coke
Property to construct a park as part of their development, and we would pay for the construction,
they have discussed costs of approximately $2,000,000 to build the park. If this project is
Page 9 of 10
~
City Commission Regular
September 5, 2006
successfully negotiated, it should begin in nine months to one year, 4) asked about the progress
on the Jemela Tank, and Utilities Director Smith said it is scheduled for Monday, November
13,2006, unless they can do it sooner.
Mayor Vandergrift 1) said that Ocoee Middle School FF A has an animal husbandry program,
but the High School does not. He said he has been contacted by FFA and 4H. He said the
School Board agreed to give the 4H Club five of the sixty acres of the property around Ocoee
High School, and they are looking at potential sites. He said we still have agricultural roots in
our community and maybe we could assist them in some way. Commissioner Anderson said
we should look into the protected eagle area to see if the grounds could be used for
animals/livestock. Consensus was that the City Manaaer. Mayor and School
PrinciDal could meet and discuss this issue. He urged anyone with good ideas to call
him and advise.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Attest:
APPROVED:
City of Ocoee
3;): / ~ tiLl;.
s. Scott Vandergrift, Ma r
Page 10 of 10