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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-94 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSION '-" REGULAR MEETING HELD January 18, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting of the Ocoee Board of City Commissioners to order at 7:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. The opening prayer was led by Assistant Pastor Dave Colon of the Harvest Church of God. Mrs. Hilda Ems, Chairperson of the Seniors and Lawmen Together Council of Orange County (SALT), led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Combs, Foster, Gleason, and Johnson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, Building and Zoning Official Flippen, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Planning Director Wagner, Recreation Director Beech, City Clerk Grafton, and Clerk/Stenographer Lewis. ABSENT: None '-' PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Nancy Christman, Intergovernmental Coordinator of the St. Johns River Water Management District, gave a presentation showing the current program protecting water resources. Ms. Christman noted that one of their major projects was to close the many artesian wells that have been flowing freely for many years. Jim Connors, Surface Water Improvement and Management Program (SWIM) Coordinator, spoke about the restoration and cleanup of Lake Apopka and the way it will benefit other lakes in Orange County. He invited the commission and the community to visit the marsh flow-way project. Mr. Connors pointed out that a citizens group called Friends of Lake Apopka had been very supportive in the cleanup efforts. Mr. R. P. Mohnacky asked Ms. Christman questions on various points presented, expressing particular concern for the wildlife that depends on the artesian wells. Mayor Vandergrift asked if there were funds available to the City of Ocoee for cleaning up our lakes. Ms. Christman said to contact them at 897-4347 to talk it over. PROCLAMATION - ARBOR DAY Mayor Vandergrift read a Proclamation proclaiming April 29, 1994 Arbor Day in the City of Ocoee and asked citizens to advise the City when they are planting trees. 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. s...... ~ ... -~ (~ i '/I'/'Iv RECESS 8:38 - 8:50 P.M. '-' Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting '-' January 18, 1994 Commissioner Combs introduced Timothy Wright, 609 Gallego Avenue, who is the newly elected president of the Prima Vista Homeowners Association. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C. Mayor Vandergrift asked if bids would be taken for the trees (in item B) and if trees would be available for citizens to purchase. City Manager Shapiro said that was not part of the tree grant which must be on public land but that could be considered in the Tree City Project. Referring to item C, Mayor Vandergrift asked about the shallow retention ponds without fences and Planning Director Wagner explained that the temporary retention pond is shallow for the initial subdivision and it will go away as the second phase is developed. Mavor Vandere:rift. seconded bv Commissioner Foster. moved to aoorove the consent agenda items A. B. and C as oresented. Motion carried 5-0. A. Acceptance and Approval of Minutes of Re~ular Commission Meetin~ of January 4. 1994. B. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to Execute 1993 SBA Tree Plantin~ Grant. C. Acceptance and Approval of Final Plat for Griffin Center Subdivision - Phase I (Triple H Properties). '-" COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC There were no citizens comments at this time. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings scheduled. OTHER BUSINESS FY93 WATER AND SEWER FUNDS FINANCIAL AUDITS Elden McDirmit, with McDirmit, Davis, Lauteria & Company, P.A., reviewed the FY93 Water and Sewer Funds Financial Audits for the annual reporting requirements for the water/wastewater bonds. Administrative Services Director Beamer's memorandum to Commission explained that the Independent Auditors Comments will be included in the audit of all City of Ocoee funds to be presented at a later date. Commissioner Foster. seconded by Commissioner Combs. moved to acceot the financial audits as oreoared by McDirmit. Davis. Lauteria & Comoany. P.A. for the 1993 water and sewer funds financial audits. Motion carried 5-0. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 94-01, AMENDING BUILDING CODES. Second reading and public hearing scheduled for February 1, 1994 "" 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting '-' January 18, 1994 Ordinance No. 94-01, amending building codes, was presented by title only for the first reading. Mayor Vandergrift announced the time and date of the second reading and public hearing. City Manager Shapiro pointed out that this ordinance reflects changes throughout the state and by the Federal Building Code. RESOLUTION NO. 94-01, ADOPTING REVISED ZONING MAP. Resolution No. 94-01, adopting the revised Zoning Map, was presented by title only. City Manager Shapiro said this revision cleared up several scriveners errors and incorporated all the annexations/zonings since the adoption of the last Official Zoning Map. He explained further that this map is now part of the GIS system. Mavor Vandere:rift. seconded by Commissioner Gleason. moved to adoot Resolution No. 94-01. Motion carried 5-0. '-"" APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS POLICE ADVISORY BOARD-lO 3-year terms expire February 1994. The staff report indicated that 9 of the 10 board members were willing to be reappointed. However, Mary Ann Swickerath had served on the Council since it was established in 1988 and had asked that she not be considered for reappointment. Commissioner Johnson. seconded bv Commissioner Combs. moved to reaoDoint David Aho. Sherrall ADDlee:ate. Ruth A vcock. Bettv Hae:er. Nell Minor. Mel Shaner. Jim Sills. Tom Slimick. and Gene Snow to the Citizens Advisorv Council for Police Deoartment. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Vandergrift said that Ms. Swickerath had served well and will be missed. CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF ORLANDO AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY - to replace Jim Gleason. There was consensus to table this item until the February 1, 1994 meeting. STAFF REPORTS City Manager Shapiro said he had no reports at this time. City Attorney Rosenthal reported on the litigation with Orange County. He requested that a special attorney/client closed session be scheduled for January 27, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall conference room to consider the proposed litigation settlement agreement and that a public hearing be called for February 1, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the commission chambers. Mavor Vandere:rift. seconded by Commissioner Combs. moved to call both meetings as requested. Motion carried 5-0. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Foster: 1) Announced the Recreation Department Golf Tournament at 8:00 a.m., March 27 to benefit the Big Orange Games. '-" 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting \.r January 18, 1994 Commissioner Combs: 1) Announced a Free Tennis Clinic conducted by the Recreation Department on Saturday, January 22 at Tiger Minor Park. 2) Announced the Recreation Department Second Annual Starke Lake Fishing Tournament to benefit the Big Orange Games coming up shortly and also asked when the next WalkAmerica meeting was scheduled. 12:00 p.m.. January 19. in the Youth Center. 3) Expressed concern over the dirty lakes in Ocoee and called attention to an article "Could It Be People Returning to Once Popular Starke Lake" that had appeared in the newspaper and said there are still some fish there and some people still fish in it. 4) Complimented the Ocoee Police Department for The Informer that the Commissioners had received, adding that they had been busy people in Pioneer Key II, I, Coventry, Hammocks, Forest Oaks, and said that Sawmill has a lot of crime. ~ Commissioner Gleason: 1) Commended staff regarding the Tree City USA and matching grants for some of the City parks. Wants to approach developers re: adding trees to Clarke Road plan. 2) Expressed his appreciation to Fran Gosnell, Buddy Elmore, and Montye Beamer for their help in responding to Mrs. Peoples concern on Starke Lake. Wants this to be considered at mid-year budget to determine the action to be taken regarding this area. 3) Announced the Ocoee Elementary Jamboree on February 11, 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. for financing children's education. 3) Said that we should make an effort to assist the people in California, adding that it had not been that long ago since the public assisted Miami with the hurricane relief. He also said that the Red Cross asked for financial assistance rather than clothing. Added that we should be sure our emergency programs are in place. 4) Commented on Dr. Martin Luther King Day and challenged local churches to administer programs to alleviate crimes. Commissioner Johnson: 1) Asked about the city sign at the intersection of Clarke Road and State Road 50. City Manae:er Shapiro said that a new sign had already been ordered as a result of an automobile accident and that the individual was paying for the replacement sign. 2) Asked about the Kimberly Street/Ocoee Hills Road cleanup and said that his yard was beginning to look like a place for recycling. 3) Asked about the road into Sorrenson Field. City Mana~er Shaoiro said the road is being cut into Sorrenson Field. Mayor V ander~ift: 1) Said that he had received a thank-you note from the Assistant Principal of Ocoee Elementary for supporting the KIDS WHO CARE Program. He also said that he supported working ~ 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting ~ January 18, 1994 closely with the schools. Recrea!ion Director Beech pointed out that the volleyball program had begun that evening. 2) Asked about a turn signal at Silver Star and Bluford which appeared to need a signal more than Silver Star and Clarke Road. City Mana~er Shapiro said that the DOT warrant system takes time and is in the process now. 3) Asked about the placement of the median strip in relation to the turn entrance to the back of the Albertson's store, north of Silver Star Road on Clarke Road, adding that trucks are turning into the area. City Attorney Rosenthal said that it was designed to prevent left turns into the back entrance. City Mana~er Shapiro said that he would have the Ocoee Police check into the problem and also said that the design criteria would be looked at. Recreation Director Beech said that he would like to correct for the record the number of students attending the three days at Walt Disney World was 73 instead of seven previously mentioned during the Mayor's State of the City address. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. '-" Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee f 5~,,'\ U~ S. Scott Vandergrift, Ma 0 '-' 5 ,~ , '-" ~ t--Jfv ~q ~~ 1f;19f4~ Citizens of Ocoee and surrounding communities, Commissioners, and staff. According to the Ocoee City Charter Article III Section C.20, the Mayor shall prepare and present to the city an annual state of the city message in the month of January of each year in which the Mayor holds office. This then is that state of the city message. First let me thank all the staff who helped with information in the preparation of this message, my wife Beth, the editor, my volunteer secretary and good neighbor Cindy Bowen, Commissioners, staff and citizens of our community. The preparation of this message is no easy task, to separate out the political and real agenda and accomplishments and goals for the city requires many hours of thought and consideration starting in mid December of each of the past two years. A memo is sent out to all staff and commissioners asking for input to help make this message accurate and reflective of the true accomplishments of our city. In addition to our accomplishments and goals, the cornerstone for this years message is the many volunteers that are the backbone of not only our city, but of any democracy. Volunteers allow us to keep taxes down and keep services good within our city. The volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. They include commissioners who go beyond two meetings a month for $100.00 to emerse themselves in the community and outside of the community-to serve on committees of regional importance and of substantial influence to our city and the central Florida area. Volunteers also include the city staff and workers who volunteer themselves beyond the time paid for by tax dollars to improve our quality of life above an beyond the call of duty. Volunteers on the Planning and Zoning board, the Code Enforcement Board, the Police Advisory Board, the Trustees for the pension funds, the Historic Commission, the Chaplain's Group, and the Board of Adjustment all meet and give input and make decisions that help guide our city. These people constitute a few of the hundreds of fellow citizens fulfilling our obligations to the continuation of the betterment of our community. You, too, can become active by contacting the city commissioners, myself, or the city clerk's office for more information. The various clubs, seniors groups, churches, schools, athletic organizations, little league, Bull dogs, and adult sports leagues, that also supply the city with support that our tax dollars alone just could not buy. Thanks. 1 '- Now on to our major accomplishments for the year. 1. We established revenue bonds to allow expansion of our sewer system without raising rates. The expansion is under way and will be accomplished early this year in connection with the public golf course, which is slated to open on January 28. 2. The golf course will be used to spray the recycled water from the sewer system. The course is operated by a professional team of golf enthusiasts that have put up about 4 million dollars in private sector funds to accomplish a public service and recreation entity that will be wholly for the benefit the community. A win-win situation. Golfers of the city will be given special discounts to be able to play on the course. The course will employ 19 full time people and 7 part time people over the years. 3. About half the fleet of police cars were replaced with new cruisers that offer more safety for our officers and a better patrolling ability for our neighborhoods. 4. The big orange sanitation trucks were leased/purchased to replace our fleet of aging garbage trucks with a capability to move toward a more efficient collection system for our city. A new fire truck was ordered and delivered just recently and is on line as we speak. ~ 5. A new City Hall and Police Station was started and will be completed in the spring of this year. Last March, Health Central, a new concept in a health care type of hospital opened it doors for business in Ocoee, This state of the art 65 million dollar building is a welcome to our landscape and will fulfill the communities health needs for years to come. 6. A comprehensive building code was adopted that has and will continue to have a significant impact on the buildings in our community to enhance safety and appearance. 7. Volunteer annexations of 1800 acres of unimproved land was annexed along with the planning and zoning of same that will bring Ocoee to the second largest city in land space in Orange County. 8. A comprehensive policy for the rules and rights of employees was hammered out. This policy will, for the first time in the history of Ocoee, remove as much as possible the jobs of employees from political harassment and define what is expected of them in return for that job security. Since this policy was adopted, several cities have requested our ordinance to use as a guide for their own revised policies. This was accomplished after many months of meetings of staff, Peggy Psaledakis, former mayor Lester Dabbs, and other volunteers from all departments meeting at 7:00 am to get the very best plan possible. Congratulations to them all! ~ 2 '-' \..- \.,- The Historic commission with help from staff member Montye Beamer secured a grant form the state that almost totally restored the exterior of the Maguire House. There is an application for a grant this year for $180,000, if we receive this grant, the house will come very near being restored. Go Team! 9. The opening of Clark Road will serve the community for a long time to come and will help the development of commercial and residential areas to the north and east of our city. 10. The Albertson's shopping center was finished in November with an Eckerds as an anchor store, a welcome neighbor to many of us. Over 200 trees were planted in and around the parking area that will continue to mature in the coming years and enhance the beauty of our city. 11. We now have a greatly improved TV coverage of commission meetings with the assistance and direction of West Orange Vocational Center under the direction of Gary Young and a staff of volunteer students at no cost to the city. TV coverage also includes taping and broadcast of major events in the city-including the opening of Clark Road, little league opening day, and the Christmas parade. Continued improvement and increased coverage will be forthcoming. 12. Studies for the mall to be built on Clark Road commenced in order to establish the impact on the city and on communities up to ten miles from us. The studies are being conducted by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council with input from our staff to assure that this large project will enhance the city, rather than be a detriment. Public hearings will be held in late spring or early summer for all the citizens to be allowed input into a project that has the potential to change our city so dramatically. If all the questions are answered, construction could begin in late fall to early winter with a shopping date set for the late fall of 1996. A special thanks to the employees of a business and a good neighbor in our community, Sysco, for all the work you do at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Police Department Chief -- John Boyd The department responded to 23,063 calls in 1993 up 6% from the same period in 1992. We established police department chaplain's program headed by Pastor Lester Weldon and consisting of local ministers who help the department and city when social needs of our staff and citizens cannot be fulfilled by the government... all by volunt,eers. We added four new police patrol officers on the road to better protect the city. 3 '-' The police department, through officer Conyers, taught a drug prevention program D.A.R.E. in our two elementary and middle schools. This program establishes in the mind of our young children that drugs are harmful. The program was nationally recognized for its innovation. The department has received high praise from the principals of all the schools. We were first in county to establish the "CAT" program, that's "Citizens Auto Theft." It's a prevention program where if your car. is out after certain hour in the evening a tag on the car will tell an officer it shouldn't be there and he or she will investigate. Call the department for more details. Officers attended culture awareness classes and some are enrolled in spanish classes to better prepare themselves to handle the public. We have the second lowest crime rate in Orange County, with an above national average crimes solved rate, including solving 100% of twelve bank robberies. Let this be a warning to criminals everywhere if you do the crime in Ocoee you had better be ready to do the time. The State Attorney's office praised our department for a 95% conviction rate on cases that officers prosecuted. ~ A special effort was made at Christmas time by the Police Department, under the direction of Rose Hatcher, Secretary to the Chief, to collect toys and money for the "Toys for Tots" campaign. This is with the cooperation of other city departments all volunteering their time and money. Outside volunteers included commissioners, members of the police advisory board, and the wives and husbands of all mentioned above. $9,917.83 in cash was raised to give 3 presents apiece to 584 children who might not have received gifts otherwise. Bravo! Through the efforts of the department and the interest of citizens we have 18 crime watch areas in the city. The police can't do it alone we need your continued support. Call the Police station and get involved for your protection and that of your children and neighbors. Keep up the good work. Public Works Department -- Ray Brenner, Director The city sanitation department increased efficiency and we are now covering 100% of our neighborhoods with our recycling programs. Keep up the good work. Working closely with volunteers in constructed a new field and upgraded our serve 500 to 800 youth in our community. use almost year round. our Little League, we current facilities that These facilities are in '-' We resurfaced seven streets and added and improved sidewalks 4 '-' throughout the city. The "Adopt A Road" program was expanded, and in cooperation with the Recreation Department we set up a "Park Pals" program. This program is similar to the Adopt A Road program except for parks. For information call the Recreation Department to get involved either as a participant or a volunteer. In the area of environment and beautification our horticul turist has led the way in establishing a greenhouse to raise many of the plants that we see decorating the city in various places around town. We have expanded the beautification of our cemetery, and in the future we expect to have a tree farm to help continue the forestation of our community. I would like to see a garden club established in the community to continue beautification of our individual homes and help people become more aware and knowledgeable of how this not only enhances our well being but helps make our properties more valuable. Dennis Curey and Steve Edmondson were awarded $1000 apiece for suggestions that will save the city $35,000 annually in the maintenance of our roadways and sidewalks. \.r The department will continue to work with the University of Florida in our lake watch program, whose goals are gathering information on our local lakes to trying to thwart the pollution of our lakes. I would like to call to the attention of all of the citizens this resource of recreation - or what I call "Lake parks." We must leave them as clean or cleaner after we use them than before. I would like to think that the restoration of our lakes has already begun and they will get no worse that they are today. Let this be the beginning of the end for pollution of our lakes. Recreational Department -- Jim Beach, Director Since last report we have added a full time Director in Jim Beach. Jim is a longtime resident of our city who has been active in all recreation areas of our city for a number of years as part- time director. Jim and his staff bring a lot of enthusiasm and innovation to the department that not everyone is familiar with. They go beyond the call of duty almost daily to preform the services that of their department deliver. Some of the activities include sports for children and adults, -- form flag football, softball, a new frisbee golf course, fishing tournaments, basketball leagues, and tennis lessons. There is also a golf group that meets regularly and has tournaments from time to time. Other games and specialties include dance, karate, aerobics, ceramics, baton, and any number of board games held at the youth center. Special events sponsored or cosponsored by the Recreation department through out the year include: Annual Starke Lake Bass Tournament, Annual Benefit Golf tournament, The Big Orange games '-" 5 ~ for the physically disabled (with Statewide Recognition and participation), Orlando Wheelchair Games, Walk America Program benefiting the March of Dimes, Christmas lighting contest, the Christmas carol program, easter egg hunt, Halloween Trick or Treat Night, and youth dances just to highlight some of the special events. ~ In addition I would like to thank all who participated in the wonderful event held at Walt Disney World called the "Worldwide Kids Party. You may have seen this event on NBC TV in November. Approximately 73 children from our community were treated to 3 days at Walt Disney World all expenses paid. I was contacted by Walt Disney World to pick 60 from our community to go. Jim Beach and the principals of the schools helped choose the children on the prerequisite that the children had never been to Walt Disney World and they were deserving to go. I went down and spent some time with the kids at Walt Disney World and I have never seen such smiles! I'm sure if nothing else hurt them after such and extended visit to Walt Disney World then their smile muscles had to be strained. Fun was had by all -- even the chaperons, and some very serious problems were discussed by Hillary Clinton and other children's advocates. Thanks again for your help. A grant of $35,000 from the state of Florida has been garnered by the Recreation Department with the cooperation of the Parks, finance, and planning departments to plant trees in several parks around the city. We hope that the users of these parks and citizens will be aware of any vandalism that occurs and report it to the proper authorities. This project will be completed by year's end. The benefits will be for us, our children, and grandchildren in the years to come. It is estimated that between 3500 and 5000 people were involved in some recreational activities administered by the city of Ocoee recreational Department with input from the volunteer recreational Advisory committee. Building and Zoning Department -- Don Flippen, Director This department is probably the busiest on a day to day basis of any department within the city. We don't see them, but they are there enforcing codes, and inspecting all new homes being built. This year 437 new homes were built, a 5% increase over 1992. Another 1324 accessory structure permits were issued for renovations and additions. The total inspections made on these and other related items such as roofs, commercial buildings, plumbing permits, and so on is 17% more than last year at 9960. The code inspections are based on the minimum standard codes adopted last February that are some of the most comprehensive in the state and required 611 inspections to be preformed. Code enforcement inspections were 327 for the year. In addition this \r. 6 ~ department issues occupational licenses and makes inspections of all new business buildings before issuance. This totaled 617 for the city in 1993. Reviews of our Zoning code, Occupational License ordinance, and the National Flood Insurance program for revisions and possible adoption are scheduled for this year. This is large order for a remarkable department and the volunteers that make up the Planning and Zoning board, code enforcement board, and board of adjustment. I am looking forward to the challenge it presents the commission to work side by side with all these people and staff in the upcoming months. The planning department, under the new director Russ Wagner, has been involved in all of the procedures that planners do in getting various home subdivisions, shopping centers, and industrial plans from conception to reality. At this time his department is busy with no less than 20 plan reviews in all stages of development including the Lake Lotta Mall. ~ In addition Russ is charged with updating our comprehensive Plan, finalizing an "Official" Zoning Map, preparing a revised city map that can be distributed to the public, and getting all of this into our GIS system which is a computerized system to tell us everything we need to know about how our city is functioning and the infrastructure. He does work late to keep up! Due to mentioning other departments accomplishments in the earlier text of this message and in some cases a lack of information concerning others, I am going to wrap up this speech with some challenges to my fellow commissioners, staff, and our citizens. We are faced with many challenges. You know this without my having to mention them. All we have to do is look around and there they are. One is to place politics on the shelf until an appropriate time and conduct ourselves in a manner that is responsive to our citizens needs, without malice toward the financial and or political influence of same. Another is to debate and have community in a manner that doesn't Mayor or another commissioner automatically has 3 votes against a dialogue about problems of result in a mind set that if suggests something that it. our the it One more thing on attitude, "we may be the only business in town but we try not to act like it", is a good slogan and should be shared with our citizens at any opportunity with good service and a good attitude. Our city is a living, breathing entity and all '-' 7 '-' ~ '-' citizens and staff should be treated in a manner in which we would like to be treated as individuals deserving respect and recognition. Some of the things I will be proposing in the upcoming months for dialogue and debate include: setting a date for the forthcoming elections ASAP, changes in the charter, a sensible and effective way to evaluate the City Manager similar to what other cities have achieved, a citywide newsletter already in the budget approved by this commission, a clean-up the city program involving two weeks out of the year, maybe spring and fall that the city will pitch in with citizens and haul anything away from the city, a town meeting as soon as we get into the new city hall, a downtown redevelopment district, a scenic route through town. Ours is not to live for growth, but to grow as we live and not leave a single person out of the experience. To do this we must tap resources within our city who will volunteer for the good of all to keep our city the "Center of Good Living." 3196 wOrds-20 minutes c:\wpSl\ocoee\cityaddr.94 8