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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-98 MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 17, 1998 SWEARING IN CEREMONY At 7:00 p.m. the swearing in ceremony was held for District 2, Commissioner Anderson and District 4, Commissioner Parker, with Mayor Vandergrift administering the oaths of office. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7: 15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Commissioner Anderson led in the prayer and Mr. Hartle Bowness led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared 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, Director of Community Relations/Projects Resnik, Planning Director Wagner, Senior Planner Horne, Finance Director Horton, Public Works Director Smith, Police Chief Mark, Fire Chief Strosnider and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None. PRESENT A TIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Vandergrift proclaimed AprilS - 11, 1998, NATIONAL RECORDS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT WEEK; proclaimed AprilS - 11, 1998, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING SAFETY WEEK; and proclaimed March 28, 1998, MARCH OF DIMES-HELP FUND BREAKTHROUGHS FOR BABIES DAY. NON-AGENDA ITEM Lion Hartle Bowness, representing the Ocoee Lions Club, presented the 1998 Community Exhibits President's ribbon won by the Lions Club for the City of Ocoee at the Central Florida Fair. Lion Ed Gordon spoke of how good it felt to be a part of the team putting together the display. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, D and E. Mayor Vandergrift pulled item III D out of agenda order for discussion. Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to approve A, B, C and E of the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 4- O. Commissioner Glass was not present. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meetinl! of March 3. 1998. and Canvassine: Board Meetinl! of March 11. 1998. For information only the Minutes of the Forum for Construction Concerns of November 12. 1997 and March 5. 1998. B. Approval and Authorization to Extend Certain Deadlines Related to Resolution No. 97-05 Vacatine: and Abandoning a Portion of Palm Drive. C. Approval of Appointment of Senior Planner Horne to Serve as Staff Contact for Census Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 17, 1998 2000 and Authorization for Mavor to Execute Necessary Documents for Participation in the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA). E. Approval and Authorization to Set Public hearing Dates of April 21. 1998 and May 5. 1998 for Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) - Final Transmittal Version. D. ApPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF SWORN PERSONNEL TO STAFF ONE POSITION IN HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA PARTNERSHIP TASK FORCE. Mayor Vandergrift asked Chief Mark how this position differs from the metro officer's position that is currently on staff. Chief Mark explained that this position would solely concentrate on apprehending drug offenders and would have no set jurisdiction. The officer could travel from state to state, county to county. Commissioner Parker said she likes the concept of the City's police officers receiving this type of training, but would also like to see the local protection strengthened as well. Chief Mark said he was considering applying for Federal Grants so that he could hire more officers. After brief discussion, Mavor Vandergrift. seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to approve item III D - Approval and Authorization for use of sworn personnel to staff one position in hi2h intensity dru2 traffickine: area partnership task force - as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Howell asked Chief Mark for a written analysis on crime at the West Oaks Mall from the time it opened until present. Chief Mark said he would provide the report as soon as possible. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC - None. COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE 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. Commissioner Anderson: 1) Announced the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon Saturday, March 28, 1998, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Mavor Vandergrift: 1) Wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day. 2) Announced the RSVP No. 656-2218. 3) Recapped the swearing-in ceremony for those who might have missed it. Commissioner Glass: 1) Apologized to Commission for arriving late to the meeting. His son is at home with a high fever. 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 17, 1998 Commissioner Parker: 1) Thanked staff members involved in putting together the March 5, 1998, Forum on Construction Concerns. She said that, due to the low attendance, she felt the forums should be discontinued until a specific need arose and in the meantime citizens should attend the Road Shows to receive their information. Mayor Vandergrift said, without objection, the Forums would be held on an as needed basis. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None. OTHER BUSINESS FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES ORDINANCE No. 98-05, VAN LANDINGHAM ANNEXATION, CASE No. AR-97-09-09. SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 21,1998 AT 7:15 P.M. ORDINANCE No. 98-06, V AN LANDINGHAM ZONING, CASE No. AR-97-09-09. SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 21, 1998 AT 7:15 P.M. ORDINANCE No. 98-07, RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION STANDARDS AND UPDATING CODE. SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 7, 1998 AT 7: 15 P.M. City Attorney Rosenthal read each of these Ordinances by title only. Mayor Vandergrift announced the second reading and public hearing of Ordinances 98-05 and 98-06 to be April 21, 1998, at 7: 15 p.m., and the second reading and public hearing of Ordinance 98-07 to be April 7, 1998, at 7:15 p.m. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: AUDIT REPORT FY 96/97. Finance Director Horton introduced Eldon McDirmit, of McDirmit, Davis, Lauteria & Company, P.A. Mr. McDirmit presented Commission with an independent audit of the City's accounting records for fiscal year 1996/97 and announced that the City had received its ninth Certificate of Achievement Award for excellence in financial reporting. He also commended staff in the Finance Department for doing such a great job and responded to Commission's questions. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Vandergrift, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to accept the Audit Report for FY 96/97 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. McDirmit thanked the Commission and staff for giving him the opportunity to serve the City. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: SELECTION COMMITTEE FORMVP AWARDS. Director of Public RelationslProjects Resnik announced that applications for the MVP Awards will be due Friday, March 20, 1998, and will be immediately reviewed by a Committee made up of staff and one member from Commission. Recommendations will then be included in the staff report packet for the May 5, 1998, Commission meeting. She asked that one Commission member be appointed to the Selection Committee, and that direction be given on whether the applicants should be prepared to make a presentation or just answer questions. 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 17, 1998 Commissioner Howell said that, since Commission will be provided with a report prior to the May 5th meeting, applicants should only be present to answer questions. Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Parker, moved to appoint Mayor Vandergrift to the Selection Committee and directed that applicants only be present to answer questions and not give presentations. Motion carried 5-0. ApPOINTMENT TO BOARDS. CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD - ApPOINT ALTERNATE MEMBER FOR TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 1998. Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to appoint .furr.Ellison to complete Alfred Luck's term as Alternate Member on the Code Enforcement Board. Motion carried 5-0. CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL OCOEE POLICE DEPARTMENT - TERMS OF MEMBERS EMS, BURKHART AND ULMER EXPIRE APRIL 1998. Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved to appoint Mrs. Hilda Ems to a new three-year term on the Citizens Advisory Council to the Police Department. Motion carried 5-0. (Mrs. Burkhart and Mr. Ulmer did not wish to be considered for reappointment.) ST AFF REPORTS City Manager Shapiro requested authorization to contact the House of Representatives and Senate in opposition to HB 3075, a bill that requires cities that collect money from the state for fire/police pension plans to include overtime as part of the top five years of pay when calculating retirement benefits. He stated that the bill is unfair and its passing would not be in the best interest of the City of Ocoee. Mayor Vandergrift stated, without objection, such authorization was granted. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Parker: 1) Read that legislators were trying to ban the use of Methyl Bromide which would severely cripple some farming industries. She would urge all to tell legislators to be very cautious of what they do because it is the proper use of these chemicals that allows the u.s. to feed its people the way other countries cannot. Without objection, Mayor Vandergrift asked that Commissioner Parker draft a letter on behalf of Commission expressing their disapproval of the ban. Commissioner Glass: 1) Asked if Volunteer Boards were invited to the Road Shows for recruiting purposes. Mr. Shapiro said they had not been invited as of yet but they would from now on. 2) Wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day. 3) Wished his alma mater luck in the Rebel Games. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 17, 1998 Commissioner Anderson: 1) Wished Code Enforcement Representative Alfred Luck good health and hopes he recovers fast from his illness. 2) Announced the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon Saturday, March 28, 1998, at 7:00 a.m. 3) Asked what could be done with regard to dump trucks running red lights and traveling at high speeds on Bluford Avenue and Silver Star Road. Mr. Shapiro said that receiving a very large ticket would put an end to that and he would so instruct the police. Commissioner Howell: 1) Asked if the City could find a way to have its own animal control so that citizens wouldn't have to deal with Orange County. Mr. Shapiro explained that the City had dealt with this issue three years before. There was no problem hiring someone to do the iob and supplying the truck. The problem was the huge expense in running a shelter. He said that although Orange County had denied them the use of their shelter three years ago, he would look into it agam. 2) Sent a prayer to Commissioner Glass's son, Connor, who was ill. 3) Congratulated Commissioners Anderson and Parker on being re-elected to the City Commission. 4) Thanked Director of Public Relations/Projects Resnik for all her work on the City Road Shows. 5) Thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission for all their hard work. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Asked for figure of carryover from last years budget. Would like to have road resurfacing included in this year's budget. 2) Has been asked by Amber Electric to host a table for the boy scouts annual dinner. The cost is $250 dollars a chair for those interested in attending. Commissioner Anderson asked if he could delay discussing this issue until the next Commission meeting so that Dan Petro, Chief Executive Officer of Amber Electric, could give more information. 3) Received a phone call from Commissioner Freeman notifying him that the State would be making matching grants available this week having to do with airports and would like to have Oscar Juarez lobby for one. Mr. Shapiro explained that the grant wasn't necessarily for building an airport, the money could be used iust to do a study. If the money were not used, it would then have to be returned. Mavor Vanden?:rift seconded by Commissioner Anderson, moved to seek out matching grants for a feasibility study for an airport. Motion carried 5-0. 4) Reported that the north drain at Starke Lake is not working. Public Works Director Smith said he had checked the drain and it is working. 5) Reported that the restrooms at Starke Lake are dirty and need latches on the door. 6) Reported that the walkway to the dock needs fixing. 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting March 17, 1998 7) Asked if the old Public Works facility was fixable. Public Works Director Smith said that the structure is not worth reusing, but that any existing concrete or pavement that can be used as either pavement or sub-base for new pavement will be used. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attest: Ji~~n,~ 6 OATH OF OFFICE I, Scott Anderson, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States of America and the State of Florida against all enemies, domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, loyalty, and allegiance to the same, that I am entitled to hold office under the Constitution; that I will faithfully perform all duties of the office of Commissioner of the City of Ocoee, which I am about to enter, so help me God. -~~ Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of March, 1998. OATH OF OFFICE I, Nancy J. Parker, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States of America and the State of Florida against all enemies, domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, loyalty, and allegiance to the same, that I am entitled to hold office under the Constitution; that I will faithfully perform all duties of the office of Commissioner of the City of Ocoee, which I am about to enter, so help me God. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of March, 1998.