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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-98 MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 3, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Following a moment of silent prayer, Mrs. Hilda Ems led in the pledge of allegiance. City Clerk Grafton called the roll and declared a quorum present. PRESENT:. Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass (arrived at 7:28 p.m.), Howell and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Director of Community Relations/Projects Resnik, Planning Director Wagner, Public Works Director Smith, Building Official Flippen, Fire Chief Strosnider and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Vandergrift introduced Gene Autry, FEMA representative, who explained the process of using FEMA services. He left forms in the lobby for the public. For more information call 1800-462-9029. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT - WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL WARRIOR BAND, MRS. C. Lupo, BAND PARENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. Mayor Vandergrift invited Stacy Hannweber, David Hannweber, Nikki Lupo, Patrick Gleason and Kelly Grubbs of the West Orange High School Warrior Band to the lectern. Each band member, in turn, gave a brief history of their band and asked for the City's support. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to donate $1200 to the West Orange High School Warrior Band with the funds to come from either Community Promotions or the Commissioners Discretion Fund. Motion carried 5-0. SIGN ORDINANCE - MR. ED MAGEE, TUSCANY SALES MANAGER, THE PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA REAL TY. Mr. Ed Magee, Sales Manager for Tuscany Homes, asked for a variance in Ocoee's sign ordinance to allow them to place directional signs within the Ocoee City limits on Saturdays and Sundays so that consumers have an easier time finding the entrance to their residential community, which is located in Winter Garden. Discussion ensued and Commission reached consensus to keep the sign ordinance as is. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ATTEND THE VOLUNTEER ApPRECIATION DINNER. Community Relations/Projects Director Resnik assisted Mayor Vandergrift as he presented plaques and certificates to the following board members who could not attend the Volunteer Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3, 1998 Appreciation Dinner: Lisa Morton-Burkhart, Richard Davis, Nora Gledich, Darlene Rhodus, Ruth Aycock, Pat Bond, Bill Chambers, Lester Dabbs, Bruce Holmes and Jim Sills. PRESENT A T10N OF YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS. . 5 YEARS - EDWARD B. BENNETT . 10 YEARS - ELLEN M. KING . 20 YEARS - LEONARD P. DOTY Mayor Vandergrift invited Edward B. Bennett, Ellen M. King and Leonard P. Doty individually to the lectern and gave a brief history of their years of service to the City before handing them their awards. Their department heads then spoke highly of their achievements. Mayor Vandergrift read a proclamation proclaiming March 1998, NATIONAL RED CROSS MONTH in the City of Ocoee. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, D and E. Commissioner HowelL seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meetine: of February 17.1998 and Town Meeting of Februarv 16.1998. B. Approval and Authorization to Grant Request for Fee Waivers for St. Paul's Presbyterian Church Related to Their Applications to Expand Their Use to the South. C. Approval and Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Quit Claim Deed for Parcel ID No. 19-22-28-0000-00012 to Geneva Meeks. Harold R. Meeks. Allen M. Meeks. and William N. Meeks. D. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to execute Work Order #14 for Gee & Jenson for Master Site Plan for Public Works Facility. E. Approval and Authorization for Blue Ox Contractinl! to Correct Drainage Problem - Lakeshore Dr. - Reece Residence. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENSIPUBLIC Mr. Lester Dabbs, 619 Caborca Court, announced his 36 wedding anniversary, gave a brief summary of his background and commended the community and Commission for being caring and responsible. Mr. Willie Snead, representing the Youth Football League, gave a brief synopsis of his background and education, and asked Commission's permission to use the Bull Dog Football Field for spring practice. Discussion ensued and Commission reached consensus that it would not be a good idea to have this additional use of the field at this time, as the sod needs more time to become firmly rooted. 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3,1998 COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE Commissioner Parker: 1) Thanked all City Departments who assisted those in need during the tornado. 2) Thanked the West Orange Alternative Resource Center for providing counseling and assistance to those in need throughout Orange County and the tornado victims; and asked that Commission donate $500 to their "back to school" party. Commissioner Parker, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to grant $500 to the West Orange Alternative Resource Center for their "back to school" party. Motion carried 5-0. 3) Announced the Community Forum on Construction Concerns meeting Thursday, March 5, 1998. 4) Asked, now that the County determined that the Center Street ditch was Ocoee's responsibility, what the City plans on doing about it. City Manaeer Shapiro said the City contests their decision and will meet with the County to discuss the matter further. Another problem is that part of the ditch is on private property and there is no easement so that the problem could be dealt with. Commissioner Glass: 1) Announced that the Health Central Family Reunion would be held Saturday, March 7, 1998, from 11 :00 a.m. to 3 :00 p.m. at 1 0000 West Colonial Drive. 2) Announced the Big Orange Games Golf Tournament in the City of Clermont Sunday, March 8, 1998. For more information call the Ocoee Recreation Department at 656-3103. 3) Announced that the Lake Whitney Elementary School "Dads Committee" is having a workday Saturday, March 7, 1998, to paint the hallways and playground area of the school. Commissioner Howell: 1) Announced the Ocoee "Road Show" for District No.1 Thursday, March 26, 1998, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Spring Lake Elementary. 2) Announced the Little League opening day parade Saturday, March 7, 1998, at 8:00 a.m. with the ceremonies and games starting at 9:00 a.m. Mavor Vanden!:rift: 1) Announced the RSVP No. 656-2218. 2) Announced that the Girls Club opened its Spring Season Rebel Games where 165 college teams throughout the country compete against each other in softball games. The games start at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday for the full month of March. He asked for volunteers to help with these games and encouraged all to attend. 3) Asked to do a Silver Certificate donation in the amount of $400 for tickets to the Shrine Circus for the children in the Recreation Department to use. Mavor Vandergrift seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to donate $400 for tickets to the Shrine Circus to be used for the Recreation Department's kids. Motion carried 5-0. 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3,1998 PUBLIC HEARINGS - None. OTHER BUSINESS DEMOLITION OF EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY AND PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION FOR CENTRAL PARK. Public Works Director Smith presented the staff report. He asked that Commission direct staff to advertise for bids on the demolition of the old public works facility and for the construction of Central Park's parking lot. Mr. Smith then responded to questions. Mrs. Laura Nemethy, representing Gee & Jenson, was present to answer questions. Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Glass, moved to direct staff to advertise for bids on the demolition of the existing Public Works facility and the construction of the Parking Lot for Central Park. Motion carried 5-0. Staff also requested that a Commissioner be appointed to serve on the selection committee along with a staff member from Public Works, Finance and Community Relations. Commissioner Howell, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to appoint himself to serve on the selection committee. Motion carried 5-0. CABLE TELEVISION - REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF THE FRANCHISE City Manager Shapiro advised that Cablevision Industries of Central Florida, Inc. had withdrawn without prejudice to resubmission at any time its request for the City's consent to the transfer of its franchise to its affiliated entity Time Warner Entertainment - AdvancelNewhouse Partnership. STAFF REPORTS - None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Howell: 1) Informed Public Works Director Smith about weeds overtaking some parts of the football field. 2) Informed Mr. Smith that some of the bleachers on the east side are in need of repair. Commissioner Anderson: 1) Announced that the Ocoee Women's Club is having a St. Patrick's Day celebration corn beef & cabbage dinner Friday, March 13, 1998, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a $6.00 donation per plate. 2) Thanked Vicky Prettyman and the Recreation Department for giving shelter to those in need during the tornado. 3) Asked if the City planned on doing anything regarding the road near the lake being under water. Mr. Shapiro said for the moment nothing could be done because of the water table being so high; and that he is more concerned with the upcoming months. 4) Commended the Public Works Department for staying ahead of the drainage problems. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3, 1998 Mayor Vandergrift asked Mr. Shapiro when the Activity Plan would be available. Mr. Shapiro said it would be out within a week or so. 5) Would like to see the City put a small amount of funds aside to come up with a master plan on how to take high priority homes around the lakes and put them on sewer. Mr. Shapiro said it would take a major amount of money between engineering and developing a master plan but that the City is researching other less expensive methods (Stepp System or Grinder System) to deal with this problem. 6) Would like to see a future master plan of what the City is going to look like 5 or 10 years down the line. Mr. Shapiro said a future master plan comes out every 5 years in the City's comp plan. 7) Now that the district lines have changed, would like a list of the registered voters. City Clerk Grafton will place the order. Commissioner Glass: 1) Thanked Janet Resnik and Judy Graber for all the work they put into the Volunteer Dinner. 2) Thanked all volunteers and employees for assisting the tornado victims. 3) Thanked the Station 3 Firefighters for attending the Publix Kid Fest on Maguire Road this past weekend. 4) Apologized for being late. He was waiting for traffic to clear so he could get on Maguire Road. He would like to see a traffic light installed at the Maguire Road/Roberson Road and Moore Road intersection. Mr. Shapiro said he would have staff look into it. Commissioner Parker: 1) Questioned several policies in the City's personnel rules and regulations. Feels like the system punishes the employees over and over when having to use the City's workers compensation. Mr. Shapiro explained that worker's compensation is according to state statute, and he gave the background of the current City policy. 2) Asked that each Commissioner be given a copy of the City's personnel rules and regulations. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Said the last time the personnel rules and regulations were approved, there were issues in them he did not approve of. Feels someone with Commissioner Parker's background should serve on a board that revises the personnel rules and regulations. 2) Asked that signs giving directions to the Girls Club and the golf course be put up throughout the City. 3) Asked if the Brentwood subdivision sign was going to be replaced. Mr. Shapiro said they were hoping their homeowners association would file for a grant to replace the sign because the City does not have the funds to replace it at this time. 4) Reported that the traffic lights between Apopka Highway and Silver Star Road, and Apopka Highway and Franklin Street needed to be coordinated. Mr. Shapiro said the Public Works Department would be re-timing all the lights throughout the City as soon as they can. 5) Inquired what was being done about the humps on Apopka Highway and Palm A venue that he reported at a prior meeting. Mr. Shapiro said the City has already contacted the State regarding that issue. 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 3, 1998 6) Would like a memorandum given back to Commission regarding Issues brought up at meetings. 7) Reported that there was a light out in the Commission Chambers. 8) Would like a sea wall constructed near the well in front of City Hall to prevent erosion. Mr. Shapiro said he didn't think it would be legal but that he would check into it. 9) Said he had mentioned in the State of the City Address a Visioning Process, which is what Commissioner Anderson had described earlier regarding a Future City Master Plan. Mr. Shapiro said Commission would be revisiting that issue within this next year. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee 6