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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-97 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD DECEMBER 16, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Pastor Luis Pluguez, New Life Christian Church, led in the prayer and Hilda Ems led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Howell and Parker. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Planning Director Wagner, Senior Planner Horne, Public Works Director Smith, Police Chief Mark, Community Relations Director Resnik, Acting Recreation Supervisor Prettyman and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None. PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS PRESENTATIONS DR. DENNIS SMITH, SUPERINTENDENT, ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS. Mayor Vandergrift invited Dr. Smith to the lectern and asked him to recognize his staff. Dr. Smith introduced John Martin, Land Acquisition, Joe Mittiga, Community Relations, Dr. Dennis Jackson, Pupil Assignments, and Kate Clarke, Principal at Ocoee Middle School. Dr. Smith then spoke to the issues regarding Ocoee Schools. Mayor Vandergrift announced that citizens who wish to ask Dr. Smith questions may call 656- 2322 Ext. 169. Commissioner Howell asked Dr. Smith for his opinion regarding the two-mile rule for bussing, especially for elementary and kindergarten students. Dr. Smith explained that it was generally a good idea except in hazardous situations. Mayor Vandergrift gave a presentation regarding overcrowded schools in Orange County and suggested creating an Ocoee School Advisory Board. He proposed building a high school in the City of Ocoee and thanked Dr. Smith for attending the meeting. Commissioner Glass asked Dr. Smith for an update on the cost and construction time frame regarding Lake Whitney Elementary and its brethren schools. Dr. Smith said construction costs for those schools were high due to fast tracking the building, but that the next set of schools should be considerably lower in cost. YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS. . 5 YEAR - STEPHEN BERRY. . 10 YEAR - KIM KIRKLAND, BRUCE COMBS, JERRY BOLTON, FRED OSTRANDER. Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting December 16,1997 Stephen Berry and Jerry Bolton were not present to receive their awards. Mayor Vandergrift invited Kim Kirkland, Bruce Combs and Fred Ostrander 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. RECESS - 8:08 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. NON-AGENDA ITEM Mrs. Kate Clarke, Principal at Ocoee Middle School, announced that Evelyn Chandler, Assistant Principal, will be moving to Apopka Middle School to work on her principal certification, and introduced Richard Vale who would be filling her position. She also thanked Commission for backing the Ocoee Police Department in its purchase of new radios for the school. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A and B. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Glass. moved to accept items A and B of the consent agenda as presented. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Rel!ular Meetinl! of December 2. 1997. B. Approval and Authorization to Purchase Reel Mower for Parks Department. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Mrs. Frances Watts, 43 Shell Key Court, announced that next year would be 20 years that Seniors have been under the umbrella of the Recreation Department. She expressed appreciation to the City for providing a place for seniors to hold their meetings and thanked the Recreation Department for all their help in setting up the facility for them. She also gave special thanks to James Mobley, their bus driver, Mayor Vandergrift, for ice cream, Commissioner Anderson, for bringing his baby to share with them, and City Clerk Grafton for all her help. ANNOUNCEMENT/CORRESPONDENCE BY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Anderson: 1) Noted that after discussions between Gee & Jenson and staff, Gee & Jenson lowered their price. He thanked staff for saving the City $3000. Commissioner Parker: I) Announced that City Staff and Commission plan to hold meetings in different sections of the City to help educate people about government. One of these meetings will be held each quarter. The first "Road Show" will be on Thursday, January 29, 1998 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or Saturday, January 31,1998,6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Commission reached consensus to have its first "Road Show" meeting on Thursday, January 29, 1998, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting December 16, 1997 2) Announced that the Youth Leadership Program has the use of a bus; however, they need a driver with a CDL license for one Wednesday per month to volunteer his or her time. 3) Reminded citizens to use caution when shopping this Christmas season. Mayor Vandere:rift: 1) Announced the RSVP No. 656-2218. 2) Received a thank you card from a Preston and Connie Russell thanking him and the City Commission for all the support given to the Pee Wee Cheerleaders. 3) Announced the winners of the Christmas lighting contest: 1st place, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stein, 2614 Coventry Lane; 2nd Place, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Griffey, 713 Crooked Creek Drive; and 3rd Place, Mr. Jerry Powell, 611 Banderas Avenue. 4) Read letters from the Trinity Lutheran 6th grade class in appreciation for their tour of the wastewater treatment plant. 5) Commended the Sewer Plant Department for all their great work. PUBLIC HEARINGS ORDINANCE No. 97-33, RELATING TO THE SCHEDULE OF MONTHLY CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICES, AMENDING SECTION 173-4. A OF CHAPTER 173 OF THE CODE. (CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 2, 1997) City Attorney Rosenthal read this Ordinance by title only. City EngineerlUtilities Director Shira distributed and reviewed handouts from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) giving statistics of water consumption in the average household, spoke of water conservation and announced that citizens would receive a Home Water Use Survey in their next water bill. City Manager Shapiro suggested putting information in citizens water bill for several months before increasing rates. Mayor Vandergrift suggested having a Volunteer Program the first year to see if the City could come up with an alternative program to conserve water on its own. Commissioner Anderson asked that departments set example by reducing their water consumption. Mr. Shapiro said the City had done a great job conserving water over the last 10 years, bringing its water loss down from 28% to 10%. Commissioner Howell asked Mr. Shira why the City of Orlando's main rate was so much lower than Ocoee's. Mr. Shira said it's because they are so much bigger and their staff has been in place a long time. The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. City Attorney Rosenthal explained that because there was a motion by Commissioner Glass, seconded by Commissioner Parker, to adopt the Ordinance at the last meeting, that failed, and the motion to reconsider brought it back, the changes must be re-enumerated. Mr. Shira did so. 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting December 16, 1997 Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner HowelL moved to amend Ordinance 97- 33 by amending the proposed provisions of Sections 173-4 A-l(b) of the City Code in the proposed Ordinance. to change 12.000 to 15.000 and 12.001 to 15.001 so that that section reads plus volumetric gallons charge of 60 cents per one thousand gallons UP to 15.000 gallons. plus 92 cents per 1000 gallon for use over 15.001 gallons. UP to 25.000 gallons. plus $1.25 per 1000 gallons for use over 25.001 gallons. Motion carried 4-1. with Mayor Vandergrift voting no. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to start the new inclined water rate. effective March 1. 1998. by changing Section 5 of the proposed Ordinance to reflect that this Ordinance shall become effective on March 1. 1998. Motion carried 4- 1. with Mayor Vandergrift voting no. RECESS - 9:07 p.m. - 9:10 p.m. Mayor Vandergrift moved to amend proposed Ordinance 97-33 to add a Section 6 entitled "Sunset" which would read, "this Ordinance shall no longer be of any force in effect one year from its effective date unless re-enacted by an ordinance by the City." Motion died for lack of a second. OTHER BUSINESS DISCUSSION/AcTION RE: OCOEE SCHOOLS. (TABLED FROM DECEMBER 2, 1997 MEETING.) Commissioner Glass. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to approve the "Indemnity Agreement" providing Coca Cola and its attorneys agree with the additional language added by the City Attorney. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION/AcTION RE: RESOLUTION No. 97-16, RELATING TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION ApPRAISAL REpORT. City Attorney Rosenthal read this Resolution by title only. Senior Planner Horne presented the staff report and reviewed the need for the City Commission to choose a group of citizens and business owners to serve on the "representative advisory group". Staff recommended approval of Resolution 97-16 and added John Pryor and John Lombeck to the list of nominees. Commissioner Anderson. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to approve Resolution 97 -16 adopting revised public participation procedures for the Evaluation and Appraisal Report process. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION/AcTION RE: RESOLUTION No. 97-17, SUPPORTING FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES' CONSTITUTION REVISION RESOLUTION. City Attorney Rosenthal read this Resolution by title only. Mayor Vandergrift. seconded by Commissioner Howell. moved to approve Resolution No. 97- 17. Supporting Florida League of Cities' Constitution Revision Resolution. Motion carried 5-0. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting December 16, 1997 DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: CURFEW REPORT. City Manager Shapiro introduced Sergeant Morris, who heads the Juvenile Division at the Ocoee Police Department. Sergeant Morris gave a brief presentation on the different statistics involving juvenile crime with the City Curfew in effect and with it presently being defunct. She said the Department was recommending that the curfew be reinstated in Zones 5 and 6 of the City, but that it not be applied to the West Oaks Mall. The West Oaks Mall being private property would make the curfew too difficult to impose. Former Commissioner Gleason spoke against having a curfew. Commissioner Glass. seconded by Commissioner Parker. moved to direct the City's legal counsel to prepare an ordinance to reinstate the curfew in zones 5 and 6 as before with no sunset provision. Motion carried 5-0. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Parker: No comments at this time. Commissioner Glass: I) Thanked Mrs. Frances Watts and the Senior Citizens for the Christmas treats. 2) Wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Commissioner Anderson: I) Announced the Ocoee web site address, www.ci.ocoee.fl.us. 2) Wished everyone a Merry Christmas from the Anderson Family. 3) Asked that everyone say a prayer for Ms. Peggy Psaledakis. Her surgery was today. Commissioner Howell: I) Wished all a Happy Holiday, especially those not as fortunate this Christmas season. Mavor Vandergrift: 1) Commended staff for the live Christmas tree on the balcony. 2) Said the drain on the north side of Starke Lake may be stopped up and needs to be checked. 3) Some Christmas lights downtown are out and need to be replaced. 4) Commended the City for improvements on the drainage system. 5) Wished everyone a Happy Holiday. STAFF REPORTS - None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. 5