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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-98 Town Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE TOWN MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 16, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Lester Dabbs, Jr. led in the prayer and Orange County Commissioner Bob Freeman led in the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Howell and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Clerk Grafton and Deputy City Clerk Gosnell. ABSENT: Commissioner Scott Anderson and Commissioner Scott Glass. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTSNIPS Mayor Vandergrift introduced the Ocoee City Commission and Staff. Also introduced were Orange County Commissioner Bob Freeman, Barbara Trovillion Rushing, candidate for OCSB, Dr. Michael Mekdeci, Associate Superintendent - Governmental Relations for Orange County, Nora Gledich, OCPS, Dr. Nick Gledich, OCPS Area Director, Joe Worsham, OCPS, and former mayor/commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. DISCUSSION: FORMING SPECIAL ADVISORY BOARD TO CITY COMMISSION ON OCOEE SCHOOLS Mayor Vandergrift discussed the Public School Construction Study Commission handout and volunteer forms which were available for anyone to pick up, and announced that the City of Ocoee was selected as one of two cities to be on a committee initiated by the Orange County School Board to resolve shortfall issues in the schools. Mayor Vandergrift discussed the State of the City Report made in January to the City Commission, specifically having to do with schools. Also, Mayor Vandergrift suggested the information received from the City of Delray Beach and suggested goals could be used as a footprint for forming the committee. Former Mayor/Commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. spoke of the opportunity for misconceptions to be cleared up with everyone sitting at the same table, and welcomed the opportunity for all those concerned with education and quality to "get on the same page" to discuss problems and solutions. Mr. Dabbs stated that he does not support an "Ocoee School System" and stated that children should go to quality schools and quality buildings. Mayor Vandergrift stated that he will be asking the City Commission at the February 17, 1998, meeting to appoint Mr. Dabbs to head this committee. Ocoee Town Meeting February 16, 1998 Commissioner Howell stated that he was attending tonight's meeting to hear what everyone had to say, and that he was not convinced that we need a committee, but wants to do what is best for the schools. Commissioner Parker spoke to the issue of families wanting safe, sensible, sound buildings, and that families want to be close to schools, and that all schools should be equal - that sensible buildings that are functional could be built. She stated that the taxpayers, voters and parents should be listened to. Mayor Vandergrift opened the floor for citizen comments with regard to the forming of a committee, and announced that there will be an Orange County School Board Hearing on the issue of Ocoee schools and other issues at 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 1998, at the School Board facilities. Former Commissioner Jim Gleason spoke to the issue of redistricting, and how parents must research issues, attend school board meetings, and work together as a community with elected officials for this to be successful. Mr. Gleason challenged everyone in the room to get involved. Mayor Vandergrift stated that he was concerned with safety of the children in his neighborhood who would have to walk to school with no sidewalks around the lake. Mr. Steve Petrowske, 2529 Dovetail Drive, stated that he wanted the children in the neighborhood to stay in the "envelope" of the community, and that the sense of "closeness" is lost if children are moved to other schools. Mr. Vic Cappiello, 856 Enola Way, stated that he wanted his children to have a very good education, and would like to see it happen in public schools. Mr. Jeffrey Ingram, 2383 Greywall Avenue, President of the HOA, stated that he has two children going to Spring Lake Elementary. Mr. Ingram spoke to the issues raised at the last OCSB meeting and thinks that the OCSB should fast-track a new school for the Ocoee area. Mr. Ingram stated that everyone needs to get involved and have civic pride. Ms. Candi Eberle, 2621 Coventry Lane, stated she was strongly against rezoning. Commissioner Howell expressed his concerns for the safety of the children at Spring Lake and asked the OCSB to make sure they follow-up and resolve those issues. Mayor Vandergrift agreed that safety is a very important issue, along with traffic circulation and seeking alternative access to Spring Lake Elementary. Mayor Vandergrift expressed his concern for the children crossing Palm Drive when the Beltway goes in. Mayor Vandergrift asked Ms. Barbara Rushing if she had any comments. Ms. Rushing responded that she came to listen and see what everyone had to say. 2 Ocoee Town Meeting February 16, 1998 DISCUSSION: SPRING LAKE ELEMENTARY REZONING ISSUES Former Commissioner Jim Gleason addressed the issue of redistricting and advised those who intend to appear before the School Board that certain words and phrases would close the ears of members; i.e., Pine Hills, crime, race, gangs, value of homes, etc., but the issues of feeder patterns, overcrowding, neighborhoods, participation in sports and other extracurricular activities would invite member participation in the discussion. Mr. Gleason suggested parents find the population of the schools in the area and potential sites that are being considered around Clarke Road. He said that only 3-4 speakers who are efficient, organized, prepared, and professional should be selected to speak on behalf of the group. Ms. Karen Cappiello, 856 Enola Way, asked how to get involved and obtain information. Mayor Vandergrift responded that parents could volunteer on committees and that he advocated a TV network awareness program. He also is proposing a City-wide newsletter. Orange County Commissioner Bob Freeman spoke to the issue of getting back to community schools, and that people want to feel safe going to and from school. Commissioner Freeman stated that it is rare to see School Board members attend these types of controversial meetings, but that Mrs. Rushing is everywhere. Mr. Mickey Spencer, 2620 Greywall A venue, reminded parents regarding the School Board meeting on February 24, and spoke to the issues of the last School Board meeting, specifically the proposals addressed having to do with Hiawassee and Spring Lake. Mr. Spencer stated that School Board member Bill Spoone wanted him to express that he wanted Ocoee children in Ocoee schools. Mr. Spencer requested that Dr. Mekdeci explain the fifth proposal as proposed to the School Board. Dr. Mekdeci responded that the proposal is still being worked on and it is early enough in the year so that other proposals may be discussed. Miss Amanda Boyle and Miss Jennifer Boyle, 2459 Andre Court, asked if anyone had asked the kids what they thought about going to another school. Mayor Vandergrift asked the girls what they thought. Jennifer Boyle responded that she did not want to move because her teachers were very nice and she wanted to follow in her sister's footsteps. Ms. Amy Gehring, 2438 Stricker Drive, requested the address and directions to the School Board, and asked if the School Board would allow 5th graders to stay in the same school in order to graduate. Dr. Mekdeci gave the location and directions to the School Board, and stated that the graduating issue was a court issue, and is a continually asked question. Ms. Cathy Adams, 2639 Cedar Bluff Lane, stated that she had a daughter going to Spring Lake and the class has less than 20 children, and would like to know where the overcrowding is. Dr. Mekdeci responded that overcrowding does not occur in the classroom, but rather in the core facilities -- media center, computer class, lunchroom, traffic, etc., and stated that he visited the Spring Lake site and saw for himself the traffic/safety problems. 3 Ocoee Town Meeting February 16, 1998 Former Mayor/Commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. requested Dr. Mekdeci to answer two questions: (1) Is it true that Frangus is not overcrowded, and (2) with reference to the Court Order, he recalled that School Board member Katie Adams was interested in revisiting this issue so that neighborhood schools would be a reality, and wanted to know the status. Dr. Mekdeci responded to the questions: (1) Not true. Frangus is over capacity, and is expected to peak over 900. It is 225 - 250 over capacity right now; and (2) they did go back to Court and reduced 85% of the cross bussing, and stated, for the most part, we do have contiguous schools. Mayor Vandergrift asked Dr. Mekdeci if, in relationship to the school committee, he could see a visionary process. Dr. Mekdeci responded that Dr. Smith applauds the city for the interest in their children and schools, and the School Board embraces it and will work with the city. Commissioner Howell spoke to the issue of safety at Spring Lake Elementary and asked if there were any plans for renovations or new sites to build. Dr. Mekdeci stated they are looking at additional renovations for Spring Lake Elementary, that safety was their primary concern also, that he had met with Russ Wagner and the Planning Department, and they had been helpful in providing information for sites. Ms. Candi Eberle, 2621 Coventry Lane, asked Dr. Mekdeci if the School Board planned on Hiawassee as a relief school for Spring Lake. Dr. Mekdeci replied that it was relief for F rangus/Hiawassee. Former Mayor/Commissioner Lester Dabbs, Jr. reiterated that it is not the intention of this committee to work outside the established lines of communication, and that it will be made up of people concerned about where they are going and what they can do. Ms. Martha Lopez-Anderson, 2438 Alcobe Circle, announced the next meeting of the Ocoee Homeowners Association on February 26, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. in the West Oaks Mall Community Room for everyone in the community to share proper information. Contact Martha at 293-9333, or Susan Falls at 656-3787. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Vandergrift declared meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: City of Ocoee ~~~t14 S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor dJuv;v ~ Fran Gosnell, Deputy City Clerk (Clerk's Note: At the Regular Session of the City Commission Meeting of February 17,1998, this committee was established as the Commission on Education.) 4