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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-99 ~ MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD MAY 18, 1999 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7: 18 p. m. in the Commission Chambers. Commissioner Anderson led in the prayer and Mrs. Frances Watts led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Howell, Johnson, and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Buyer Tolbert, City Clerk Grafton, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira, Planning Director Wagner, and Public Works Director Smith. ABSENT: None PRESENT A TIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR COMPETITIVE DANCE TEAM - JOAN CRAWFORD DANCE STUDIO PARENTS, SHERRY ALBRIGHT AND T AMELA VERCAMEN. Mrs. Tamela Vercamen, 2465 Andre Court, and Mrs. Sherry Albright, 4986 Timber Ridge Trail, said that their daughters were in a group of 40 students at Joan Crawford Dance Studio who wished to compete on a national level in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in July where the entry fee is $3,000. They requested support for this endeavor. Mrs. Vercamen told of the efforts made to date to raise funds. There was a brief discussion regarding the soon-to-be change in the procedure regarding grant applications, and Commission agreed to act on this request now rather than wait for the form and procedure to be in place. Commissioner Parker. seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved to grant $500.00 to the students toward their competition trip to Myrtle Beach. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Johnson asked that the Commission receive a follow-up report from the petitioners when the competition is completed. Commissioner Anderson announced that he had his laptop computer set up to receive e-mail messages from the public during the meeting at the address scott@scottanderson. net. Mayor Vandergrift announced that the telephone number for citizens to call in during the meeting was 656-2322 extension 169. NON-AGENDA ITEM Alana Beatty, president of the West Orange Senior FF A Chapter, asked that the FF A members with her introduce themselves. After the introductions Miss Beatty presented a plaque expressing the chapter's appreciation for the continued support given by the City Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 1999 Commission for the FF A projects. Mayor Vandergrift accepted the plaque on behalf of the City. WATER CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN KICKOFF - FIRM OF CARLMAN BOOKER REIS. Carrie Conley introduced the staff of the Public Relations firm of Carlman Booker Reis and described the events of the day dedicated to the kick-off of Ocoee's water conservation program, POWR. She concluded with a power-point presentation describing the campaign, adding that the marketing staff will be present each quarter to report on the progress of the program. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner HowelL seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of (1) City Commission Regular Meeting of May 4. 1999. (2) Work Sessions of May 3. 1999 and (3) May 11. 1999~ B. Approval and Acceptance of Staff Recommendation to Reject the Proposal Submitted by Insul~ard Corporation for RFP #99-003, Utility Counter Renovations, Installation of Bullet-Resistant Security Materials. . This was the only response received and bid was higher than funds available and did not meet specifications of bid. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Former mayor Lester Dabbs noted that the Commission had received $30,000 recently as a result of a lawsuit and challenged them to use it as seed money and look for ways to use it for affordable housing in the community. Mayor Vandergrift said that he had proposed a housing authority or housing committee in the past and this would be a good time to put it into action. Commissioner Anderson asked how much of the money was clear after the costs of collection and Mr. Shapiro said he would get a report for the Commission. He said, if given direction, he could set aside the money rather than have it go into the surplus general fund. Mr. Shapiro then listed some of the needs for truly affordable housing, including one man whose trailer is situated over a drainage line that has blown up. He advised looking at two standpoints: (1) look at the overall problem, and (2) deal with the trailer park problem and see as quickly as possible how to use the funds to negotiate to get the man who is in trouble out of there as well as the other people in the back of the trailer park whose lots are standing in water. Mayor Vandergrift proposed having Mr. Dabbs and some of his friends serve on a committee and get in touch with Habitat for Humanity, Homes in Progress, etc. and have a town meeting designed around taking a look at this, with $30,000 as an incentive to begin addressing the problem. Without objection Commissioner Johnson was designated to serve as liaison. Mr. Shapiro said he would provide staff for the project. 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 1999 COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Commissioner Johnson: 1) Reported that the double fine sign for speeding is missing on White Road. 2) Asked that the asphalt problems on Ocoee Hills Road be fixed. 3) Talked about the problem of the trailer at Pioneer Key Park II that is situated astride a drainage line that has blown up. Mr. Shapiro said that the City should buy that man's lot and relocate him. 4) Advised that he has not forgotten about Kissimmee Avenue city property. Commissioner Howell: 1) Congratulated his Little League team for a good season and said how much he enjoyed coaching them. Commissioner Anderson: No comments at this time. Commissioner Parker: 1) Announced the RSVP line number 656-2218. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Congratulated the graduating West Orange High School seniors. From this point forward all of the agenda items were taken out of order. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE FOUNDERS DAY ENTERTAINMENT AND FIREWORKS. In response to the Commission's query at the May 17 Work Session regarding whether the West Orange Chamber of Commerce would be willing to partner with the City in having a more elaborate Founders' Day celebration, Community Relations/Projects Director Shira introduced Tom Bohn, executive director of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bohn said they have been planning to do a large scale festival and could see a definite possibility for partnership. Discussion ensued about the scope of the celebration and Mrs. Shira was asked to prepare two proposals - one with alcohol available and one without. Commissioner Howell stated that he was totally against permitting alcohol to be a part of the celebration. After a lengthy discussion regarding the type of entertainment, etc., consensus was reached that Mrs. Shira should proceed. RECESS 8:35 P.M. - 8:49 P.M. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE LAKE JOHIO DRAIN WELL. City Attorney Rosenthal explained this related to the Lake Johio drain well and the issue was whether the City should extend water lines to Flora Estates, allow the connection of Flora Estates residents to the City water supply without requiring annexation and without obtaining a release 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 1999 from future claims and whether the City should assume maintenance and operational responsibility over the Lake Johio drain well. Mr. Shapiro added that the rate for water service would be 1.25% of the City's water rate. Mrs. Cindy Vees expressed appreciation for the Commission's action and asked that her house be connected first. Mrs. Louellen Ritter said she did not want Ocoee water as she preferred her well and she wanted the drain well capped. Mrs. Shirley Chastain stated that she was very satisfied with her well water and asked how she would be charged if/when they decided to use the City water. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira explained that it would not be possible to be using both her well and the City water as it was necessary to protect against cross connection. He clarified the procedure: the City would put the meter in, the County would pay to connect the house to the meter, and the well would have to be disconnected by removing a pipe. He said an alternate would be for the City to install the service - the meter box, but no meter - then when the citizen was ready to connect to the City service the meter would be installed. The impact fee of $966 for those who wished to connect immediately would be covered by the County. Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, moved to approve staff recommendation: i.e., (1) approve the extension of municipal water lines to Flora Estates with funding coming from the utility fund, (2) allow the connection ofthe Flora Estates residents to the City water supply without the requirement of annexation or a release from future claims against the City and in connection therewith accept payment by Orange County of the non- resident connection fees, (3) approve the transfer to the City of the DEP permit for the Lake Johio drain well and assume maintenance and operational responsibility over the Lake Johio drain well. and (4) authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, City staff and City Attorney to execute all documents necessary to accomplish the foregoing. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS First Reading of Ordinance No. 99-23, Commercial and Industrial Development Standards, Land Development Code Amendment. Second Reading and Public Hearing scheduled for June 1,1999. City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance. Planning Director Wagner was present to answer any questions. The public hearing was opened and, as no one wished to speak, the hearing was closed. Mayor Vandergrift announced that the second reading and public hearing were scheduled for June 1, 1999 at 7:15 p.m. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 1999 OTHER BUSINESS First Reading of Ordinance No. 99-24, Road Impact Fees (Second Reading and Public Hearing Scheduled/or June 1,1999 at 7:15 p.m.) City Attorney Rosenthal read the title only of the Ordinance. Mayor Vandergrift announced that the second reading and public hearing were scheduled for June 1, 1999 at 7: 15 p.m. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE WORK SESSIONS THAT FALL ON HOLIDAYS. In response to the question regarding whether to reschedule or cancel any work sessions that fall on a holiday, consensus was reached to cancel. ApPOINTMENT TO EDUCATION COMMISSION - THOMAS GREENE RESIGNED FROM TERM THAT EXPIRES AUGUST, 2000. Without objection, Mrs. Rosemary Wilsen was appointed to complete Mr. Thomas Greene's term which expires August 2000. CAPITAL PURCHASE - BOBCAT LOADER In his staff report, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira advised that a bobcat loader I had been approved in the budget for the amount of $25,000 and he had located one under government bid for the amount of$22,049. He requested approval for the purchase using the government bid. Commissioner HowelL seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to approve staff request as presented. Motion carried 5-0. STAFF REPORT There were no staff reports. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Johnson: 1) Talked about the Smart School groundbreaking at Ocoee Middle School site this past week. Commissioner Parker: 1) Receiving a lot of calls from Reflections Subdivision regarding the need for No Parking signs at Turtle Lake, both ends of Sparkling Water, Cool Springs, and Shimmering Sands. 2) Reported that she is receiving complaints about the hole at the new end of Sawmill Boulevard where the pavement is missing and the barricades have deteriorated. Commissioner Anderson: 1) Reported that he had received three e-mail messages during the meeting thanking him for bringing it up and one that pointed out that he should be a little more objective about his thoughts. He said he would save the comments on a floppy disk so they can be printed out and distributed and then be saved as part of the record. 2) Noted that the right-of-way across from the Hammocks needs to be mowed. Mr. Shapiro advised that he was waiting for the construction to be finished. Commissioner Johnson said it was at the sinkhole instead of the construction site. 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting May 18, 1999 Commissioner Howell: 1) Would like to set aside money for scholarship fund for deserving Ocoee students. Mr. Shapiro said it is a good idea, but the City cannot be involved in the choosing of the recipients. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Referring to Commissioner Howell's comment about establishing a scholarship fund, Mayor Vandergrift talked about an agency/organization that oversees multiple foundations that the City could associate with, and said he would find the information to be circulated. 2) Advised that he had a booklet with pictures of the progress of the Western Beltway to share. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. APPROVED City of Ocoee ! ~~t::~ 0- . Scott Vandergrift, Mayor ' 6