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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-93 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING HELD January 19, 1993 '-" The regular meeting of the Ocoee Board of City Commissioners was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Vandergrift in the commission chambers. Pastor Burgess 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 Combs, Foster, Johnson, and Woodson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, Planning Director Behrens, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Building Official Flippen, Public Works Director Brenner, and City Clerk Grafton. Absent: None PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Proclamation - Bill Breeze Mayor Vandergrift presented a proclamation to Bill Breeze proclaiming January 11 to be Bill Breeze Day in Ocoee in honor of his 75th birthday. Presentation of 5 Year Awards: In recognition of their five year anniversary of employment with the City, Mayor Vandergrift presented a City of Ocoee watch to Kim Kirkland, Janet Resnik, Sherry Seaver, Kenneth Strickland, Jr. and Glenn Treanor. Others who were eligible but not present were: Jerry Bolton, Bruce Combs, Dennis McDaniel, and Fred Ostrander. ........ Presentation for Youth Center Expansion. Sherry Wise, Mona Best, and Commissioner Johnson presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the City to be used for the Youth Center Expansion project. This group had sponsored youth dances and other projects to raise money for this purpose for several years. Mrs. Wise announced that she was retiring from the sponsorship and introduced her successor, Yvette Hurst. State of the City Address - Mayor Vandergrift. Mayor Vandergrift delivered the State of the City address as prescribed by the City Charter. A copy of the address is on file. CONSENT AGENDA The proposed consent agenda consisted of items A and B. A. Acceptance and Approval of Minutes of Commission Regular Meeting of December 14, December 15, and December 16, 1992, and January 5, 1993. B. Approval and Authorization to Expend the Amount of $2,800 from Water Contingency Account for Vater System Improvements Required Due to Orange County's Lakewood Avenue Sidewalk Project. Commissioner Foster, seconded by COllDlissioner Combs, moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried with unanimous vote in favor. '-' COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Mr. James R. "Ray" Meeks, 102 N. Cumberland Avenue, said that he has lived here many years and the Code Enforcement Inspector has been harassing him regarding doing minor repairs on his property, telling him he must have a permit for work ~ Page 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January If 1993 he feels should not require a permit. Mayor Vandergrift said that the matter will be reviewed by staff and someone will get back in touch with him. PUBLIC HEARING - None OTHER BUSINESS Eaergency Repairs - Jamela Vater Treatment Plant. City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, in his staff report, described a problem with the Jamela water treatment plant which must be repaired in a timely manner to ensure that the plant is operating reliably before the work is started for the third well at Forest Oaks. Mr. Shira recommended that this repair be declared an emergency and that Layne Atlantic be authorized to provide the needed repair services as a sole source, due to their knowledge of the plant, and the availability of backup equipment, in an amount not to exceed $10,000. funded from the Water Repair and Renewal account. Commissioner Combs, seconded ~ Couissioner Woodson, moved to approve staff recommendation. Motion carried with unanimous vote in favor. RECESS 8:20 - 8:35 P.M '-' Discussion on Minimum Standards Codes. Mayor Vandergrift said there has been some confusion regarding the purpose of this meeting with the owners/residents in the trailer parks as he had intended to have a forum for those with concerns to be heard and the City Staff is prepared to present the Minimum Standards Code document for review. Mayor Vandergrift said that as the Minimum Standards Code will be presented at two meetings in February he felt it appropriate to continue with the forum as he had intended, as he wished to try to work with the citizens to make those areas more li vable. Couissioner Woodson remarked that a citizen had just handed him a document which appeared to have deed restrictions that applied to Pioneer Key Parks and Commissioner Combs said that he had been given a copy of that document some time ago but he has not completed his research on it. City Manager Shapiro said that those documents were copies of Ordinance No. 620 and that ordinance included certain statements that were not enforceable. City Attorney Rosenthal confirmed that the City does not have the authority to adopt deed restrictions and he said that Ordinance No. 620 may have been passed but it was unenforceable. The enforcement authority is the homeowner association rather than the City. Mr. Rosenthal stated further that the Minimum Standards Code will address some of the issues regarding the trailer park problems and that a review of those points possibly would reduce the scope of the matters to be brought up by citizens at this meeting. The issues raised by citizens follow with the staff response underlined: Bart Rostiser, 90 E. Circle Key, said that the property value and safety of the area both keep going down. '--' '-' '-' '-'" Page 3 Ocoee City Coaaission Regular Meeting January If 1993 Raymond Daniel, 232 Security Circle, said that the loud sounds, radio and otherwise, are difficult to live with. The City does have a noise ordinance but the police officer has to be there and hear the noise to determine whether or not it constitutes a nuisance. Mayor Vanderarift said that another city has an ordinance stating that the a noise is considered a nuisance if it extends beyond the property line. Consensus was that this possibility should be investiqated further in the restruc~urinq of the City's ordinance. Raymond Cooper, 46 Coral Key Drive, had many issues to raise: 1) They have a street that is almost a dirt road again. When will it be resurfaced? Must solve the drainaqe problem before the street can be resurfaced. 2) There have been no recycling tubs delivered to their neighborhood, yet they are being charged for the service. Recyclinq is not yet mandatory for the whole city and that area is scheduled to begin on the program next year. Ther~ is no change in the sanitation charqe for recycling. 3) There is only one police patrol in the area and that is early in the morning. 4) They have been charged for the maintenance of the drainage system for several years and the ditches are never trimmed. The drainage in this area is definitely a problem, and the City is still doing planning of that entire basin to determine a solution. 5) Because the street is flooded most of the time when it rains he cannot cut his grass. See response to #4. 6) Utility men cut the fence at the ditch during Hurricane Andrew and said they did it to help the water flow through the drain. It is still open. 7) He has reported the garbage piling up at a neighbor's house to Code Enforcement and they have not yet been cited. The paperwork starts with the report and drive through and it does take some time for the issue to come before the Board. Need to add another code enforcement officer next year. 8) Does the State have a code regarding the number of people who live in a dwelling? The City will include that in the Minimum Standard Code. Toaaie Sanders, 96 Deer Key Court, said that: 1) People park on the streets and block traffic; 2) At 92 Deer Key Court a Blazer is parked and the residents at that address use it to hold garbage. City Manaaer Shapiro said that he will create a task force to take care of the problems and he will personally accompany them to see that all the violations in the trailer parks are noted and that action is taken to correct them. Frances Watts, 43 Shell Key Court: 1) Wants something done about the kids and dogs, as she thinks people just bring them into the parks and leave them; 2) A CB radio antenna in the neighborhood interferes with TV reception. Commissioner Combs said it happens in his neighborhood as well and will be reported to the proper authorities. 3) Mrs. Watts will bring her copy of the Minimum Standards Code in to Mr. Shapiro's office to discuss it with him. '-'" Page 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Keeting JanuarY;f 1993 Williu Harness, 610 E. Lakeshore Drive, said that our City has the best representation around and they should be reimbursed for their expenses. .Nancy Wiggins, 13244 Lake Butler, Winter Garden, said that she owns rental property in the parks and is interested in the upkeep. She said that the cost of services in Ocoee is higher than in neighboring towns and Ocoee's services have been cut, i.e. no more furniture pickup, etc., which works a hardship on her when renters move out leaving a mess. She suggested a neighborhood organization to promote good care of property. Commissioner Johnson suggested that Mrs. Wiggins verify some facts with the City of Winter Garden and compare rates. He said that he rents property as well and does not expect the City to haul off his excess garbage when renters move out and leave a mess because it is his responsibility to take care of that as the property owner. Commissioner Johnson said that he wants to have a meeting with each park separately to review the problems in each area. '-" Joe Karbais, Sr., 702 Sullivan Avenue: 1) Said he is proud to say he is a citizen of the City of Ocoee. 2) He lived in Pioneer Key Park #1 ten years ago and the entrance was never brought up to grade, that he adopted the park, cutting the grass and picking up trash every week. He sees to it that there are no violations on his property and he hauls away his own trash when renters move out. 3) He wants to go to the park with Mr. Shapiro on Wednesday to review the general conditions of the park. 4) Said that the police want a visible place to put officers and he will donate a trailer for that use. 5) Said he feels that city employees out on jobs should stop and pickup trash when they see it, rather than riding by and ignoring it. Kayor Vandergrift said that he would go and help clean up the park and paint with volunteers on a weekend. City Kanager Shapiro cautioned the Mayor about making promises that the City cannot respond to. City Attorney Rosenthal reviewed some of the points covered in the new Minimum Standards Code and noted that the first and second readings will be held during the February regular Commission meetings. The City Clerk was directed to have copies of the Minimum Standards Code prepared and available for the public to either buy or temporarily take to read at no charge. RECESS 10:05 - 10:12 P.K. Report on Orange County Complaint re: Rezonings on .New Annexations City Attorney Rosenthal reported on the complaints filed by Orange County against the City for the recent annexations. STAFF REPORTS There were no staff reports at this time. "-' "-' .'-' '-' Page 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January.8; 1993 I' COHHEBTS FROM COHHISSIONERS Commissioner Woodson: 1) Reported that a Citizen had suggested glvlng citizens an opportunity to sponsor (pay for) the rocking chairs to be placed on the new city hall porch. 2) Asked for a three-way stop sign at First Street & Center Street intersection if it can be approved by the City Engineer. 3) Asked that PRIDE furniture be considered for the new buildings as well. Ms. Beamer advised they are already on the list. 4) Thanked Public Works for cutting the tree he had reported and for fixing the school signs. 5) Said the ditch at the Church of God of Prophecy has not been taken care of yet. Public Works Director Brenner advised they could not find the problem. 6) Need a citizen's work day to prepare for Memorial Day. 7) Lions Club is doing the Ocoee booth for the Central Florida Fair which is to be held February 25 - March 7. 8) Was serviced by the new orange garbage truck today and noticed the doors should be painted and also the safety sign was covered up by the welding. Commissioner Combs: 1) Welcomed Judy Henry back to work after her illness. 2) Asked somebody to find the orange truck for him. 3) Appreciated quick response from Police Department when he reported someone lifting something from Mr. Poston's car. 4) Complimented Public Works for the Adopt-a-Road signs. 5) Appreciated Public Works for taking care of the tire tracks in the road right-of-way in Lewis Whitehead's yard. 6) Reported that he will be in the hospital soon and will miss the February 2 meeting, but he still wants the packets delivered to him. Commissioner Foster: 1) His comments are already covered-and he has not seen the orange truck either. He asked Public Works Director Brenner for a picture of it. 2) When the citizens sponsor the rocking chairs for the new city hall, he would like for several to be motorized for himself and Commissioner Woodson. 3) Supports using PRIDE for the furniture supplier for the new city hall. 4) Appreciated the Adopt-a-Road signs and food at the kick-off ceremony for the program. 5) Thanked the horticulturist for the flowers near the lake. Commissioner Johnson: 1) Welcomed Judy Henry back to work. 2) Wants all of us to take pride in our town. should all work together to make it a good We all live and work here and and clean place. Mayor Vandergrift: Congratulated Commissioners for not tapping on the table and interfering with audio reception for clerk's benefit. '-' '--' ~ Page 6 Ocoee City Commission Regular Keeting January -8", 1993 /q ADJOURDDT The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Approved: CITY OF OCOEE ;1