Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-95 '-' MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP HELD DECEMBER 14, 1995 The meeting started informally, and Mayor Vandergrift at a later point in the meeting verified that all commissioners were present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Johnson, Anderson, Glass, and Gleason. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, PPTD Supervisor Elmore, Planning Director Wagner, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None REVIEW AND DISCUSS: KISSIMMEE AVE/STORY ROAD AND MARSHALL FARMS/MAGUIRE ROAD INTERSECTIONS; MAGUIRE ROAD; DRAINAGE ISSUES. City Manager Shapiro introduced the three items to be discussed, (1) Kissimmee Ave/Story Road and Marshall Farms/Maguire Road Intersections, (2) Maguire Road, and (3) Drainage Issues. Administrative Services Director Beamer introduced the PEC representatives present, Ken Hooper, David Hamstra, Gregg Teague, and Lisa Steele, and the First Union representatives, Philip Roberts, and Mark Galvez. Ms. Beamer reviewed the background '- and discussed money in the bank, $5.95 million. She said the City would recommend (1) utilizing some of the existing funds to begin construction on the improvements and (2) working with Orange County for a contribution to be made to the improvements due to the Services building on Story Road. Commissioner Gleason asked about the realistic participation of the county. Ms. Beamer said this would be considered a 100 percent City project but the county and the state would be asked for contributions. The engineering for this project is in place to ask the state for 80/20 monies. City Manager Shapiro said the City has managed each case on its own and is taking the position that this can be done, but if the citizens can be saved some money, there should be an attempt to do so. Ms. Beamer then discussed Maguire Road and the successful acquisition of the necessary right of way on a number of parcels that adjoin the road to do the improvements. She discussed the timeliness of doing the engineering to apply for 80/20 money, and also looking for cooperation from other jurisdictions or agencies. Mayor Vandergrift asked about the $621,000 yearly debt service and the expected impact fees from the mall. Ms. Beamer referred to the road impact fee chart and stated there is a possibility of approximately $600,000 more from Lake Lotta. Mr. Vandergrift asked if our normal growth would take care of Clarke Road with impact fees, and Ms. Beamer answered in the affirmative. Mr. Shapiro advised that regular growth has covered necessary road impact fees for road-building. ~ 1 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ~ DECEMBER 14, 1995 There followed a discussion of bonds and the effect of the fluctuating interest rates on the bonds and the possibility of refunding at a later date. Three points were made for consideration for refunding: (1) a two-point drop in the interest rates; (2) the possibility of a larger bond; and (3) what could be changed in the pledges. There followed a discussion of pledges. KISSIMMEE AVE/STORY ROAD AND MARSHALL FARMS/MAGUIRE ROAD INTERSECTIONS; MAGUIRE ROAD Ken Hooper, PEC, discussed the intersection improvements, which were started in May 1993. Using the overhead projector he displayed the Kissimmee Ave/Story Road and Marshall Farms Road/Maguire Road areas and discussed the information provided in the packet. He advised that appraisals and title work are necessary. In discussion about the amount of traffic on Maguire Road and how the construction would progress and keep traffic moving, he said an option would be working at night, which usually adds 25% to 35% to the cost. City Manager Shapiro mentioned the other road work that would be ongoing at the same time. Mr. Hooper explained the 80/20 program established by the DOT. A question was asked about the five-year plan, in which the City is not included, and Mr. Hooper stated there has not been a formal request from the City to be included - but it has been discussed with Joint '-" Planning, and it is one of the next steps. Mayor Vandergrift raised a question concerning a swap with the state involving Highway 439. Thus far, the state has declined the swap. Mr. Hooper referred to the packet information on Acquisition Costs Associated with Kissimmee Avenue/ Story Road/Marshall Farms Road Improvement Project. Attorney Rosenthal explained that, from an acquisition standpoint, the City would like to take an approach similar to the one taken on Clarke Road to see if there could be some donations, but he indicated this particular project might not lend itself to donations like Clarke Road. Basic information would be needed so aD informed decision could be made, as the number of voluntary acquisitions versus involuntary acquisitions would make predicting costs more difficult. Once appraisals are in hand, the City will be in a much better position to estimate costs for the project. In response to his question whether the southwest and southeast sides of the intersection of Maguire and Story Roads are in unincorporated Orange County or in the City, Mayor Vandergrift was advised that they are in the City, and further, that right-of-way of those parcels was acquired with the annexation, but the corner clips have to be acquired through purchase. '-" 2 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP ~ DECEMBER 14, 1995 A question was raised about The Real Estate Consortium and Matonis MacDermott DeRango Sorich and the two different delivery dates. Discussion followed. Attorney Rosenthal discussed the fees from Fidelity Title and Guaranty Company for title search reports. MAGUIRE ROAD Mr. Hooper began discussion of Maguire Road, indicating this project is more complicated and the road has some high growth potential. The first phase of the widening of Maguire Road would be from Roberson Road to Tomyn Road in anticipation of the widening of the Maguire Road Turnpike overpass. Mr. Hooper explained the advantages of planning this roadwork as it relates to the Turnpike overpass. He said this should be on the Comprehensive Plan with the construction date of March 1997 set so a meeting can be held with the Expressway Authority to state the intent of the City and how it relates to the Turnpike overpass. If the Expressway Authority declines to widen the overpass, the project would be stopped and would be considered "constrained." Mr. Hooper stated the authorization to do Phase I would be presented at the first meeting in January, and he referred to the planning-level cost estimates for design and construction of the three (3) phases, indicating they are estimates only. '-' Mr. Shapiro further explained the advantages of doing Phase I first, citing especially the beautification and the desire to make the neighborhood a good one. RECESS 8:15 P.M. TO 8:40 P.M. DRAINAGE David Hamstra from PEC presented the city-wide storm water management program. The presentation contents were (Part I) Ocoee Drainage Assignments and Basin Studies; (Part II) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NPDES Program; (Part III) Storm Water Drainage Maintenance Program; (Part IV) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) For Drainage Problem Areas; (Part V) Proposed Storm Water Utility Rate Increase. OCOEE DRAINAGE ASSIGNMENTS Mr. Hamstra indicated that the City selected PEC to perform studies of the sixteen (16) drainage basins contributing storm water runoff to the City's water bodies but that due to excessive rainfall during 1994 and 1995, PEC diverted its attention towards investigating various problem areas throughout the City. He advised that recently a permanent exemption was granted by St. Johns Water Management to clean and reshape the ditch behind Pioneer Key I adjacent to Mrs. Robbins' '-' 3 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP '-" DECEMBER 14, 1995 property to remove the water more efficiently from the mobile home community. There was an investigation of the retention pond off Silver Star Road and First Street and a detailed investigation of the 28 problem areas throughout the City in developing the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Hamstra stated an area north of the City recently annexed is called the McCormick Road drainage basin by PEe. This brings the number of drainage basin studies to do over the remaining five-year period to twelve (12). PEC will address issues such as flood control, water quality, and problem areas. PEC has distributed the basin studies over the five-year period with the areas for which they felt the highest concerns scheduled first, and with those planned for the last three years subject to change based on developing conditions. '-" EPA NPDES PROGRAM Mr. Hamstra discussed the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972, the Water Quality Act of 1987, and the Federal Storm Water Regulations of 1990, and he explained why the City had to submit a two-part application to the Federal Government regarding storm water. He explained the Part 1 Permit Application and the Part II Permit Application. He stated the NPDES Program is a federally unfunded mandate requiring the local level municipalities to fix their problems; there will be no contribution from the Federal Government toward costs. Once the permit is issued, it is good for five years. At the end of five years, the program can be redefined. The most important component of the Part II Application is called the Storm Water Management Program, which is the program the City proposed to the Federal Government to clean up their water bodies to the maximum extent practicable, (which is defined as doing the best the City can physically and financially handle). The only concern of the Federal Government on this permit is water quality, not flood protection. Mr. Hamstra read and explained the Storm Water Management Plan, which consists of nine (9) components. In order to handle the programs the City has to put in place and regulate, PEC suggested the City hire an additional engineer. Mr. Hamstra stated the City Manager was in the process of selecting a Public Works Director and if that person has enough experience regarding drainage, possibly he could do the Public Works job and delve into the NPDES Program, precluding the requirement of a full time person dedicated strictly to the NPDES Program. Mr. Hamstra stated much of this program involves education of the public in order to improve water quality. He said PEC staff would coordinate with the City attorney to develop ordinances. ~ 4 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP '-" DECEMBER 14, 1995 Mr. Hamstra discussed the Storm Water Drainage Maintenance Program, which involves a pro-active method (scheduled or preventive maintenance) and a reactive method (unscheduled or non-repetitive maintenance), data collection, present PPTD responsibilities, drainage equipment, and staffing. City Manager Shapiro said implementing the program would require the acquisition of a street sweeper as the old sweeper is broken again. Mr. Hamstra reviewed the maintenance program description and the frequency of maintenance using current staffing. He stated in order to achieve the maintenance frequency that was requested a couple of years ago, and specifically to address the NPDES requirements, the additional staffing and equipment as listed in the handout are needed. Commissioner Glass asked if the NPDES requirement concerning the street sweeper included a schedule for frequency of sweeping. Mr. Hamstra said no, but PEC did an earlier inventory on the City streets which indicated how frequently the streets could be maintained. A question was raised about private companies that do street-sweeping and it was determined that they do exist but are expensive. City Manager Shapiro indicated that using a vacuum would be the preferred method. He said if a company were hired, some of the inlets could be vacuumed also. He said the cost of hiring a company compared to the cost of having the equipment and staff to operate it is being investigated. The consensus was the savings in the long term would be in having the equipment and personnel, but the private company cost is being given for comparison purposes. '-" Mr. Hamstra reviewed the estimated cost of the program over a five-year period. Capital Improvement Program for Drainage Problem Areas Mr. Hamstra explained how the twenty-eight (28) problem areas were determined. Drainage Problem Area No.1 - Dovetail Court (Coventry Subdivision) The problems were discussed with the recommendation on alleviating the problem. He indicated the correction of the groundwater seepage problem has to be balanced against the recovery of retention ponds. Mr. John Fergus, 2558 Dovetail Court, owner the last house of the six mentioned in the first problem area, indicated he probably had more problems than anyone else because of the direction of drainage. He said he still has water in the back of the house and has cut trenches along the back and one side to divert the water away from the house. Following was a discussion of the origins of the water and means to control it. Mr. Ray Bronner stated he is a geologist and has lived in the third house of the six-house area four years. He gave his analysis of the problem and indicated the control of the groundwater was necessary to alleviate the drainage problem. ....... 5 ~ MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 19, 1995 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Commissioner Anderson led in the prayer and Mrs. Frances Watts led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, Glass, Gleason, and Johnson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Personnel/Employee Relations Director Psaledakis, Building/Zoning Official Flippen, Planning Director Wagner, Recreation Director Beech, and City Clerk Grafton. ABSENT: None PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATION - MARK BRACE, CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PuBLIC BUYER. Mayor Vandergrift recognized City Buyer Mark Brace who recently had qualified for accreditation as a Certified Professional Public Buyer. ~ PRESENTATION OF CITY OF OCOEE WATCHES FOR 5 YEARS OF SERVICE. Mayor Vandergrift expressed appreciation to the following employees with 5 years of service with the City, and awarded City of Ocoee watches to them: Building Department - Fire Department - Personnel Department - Police Department - Public Works - Recreation Department - Utilities Department - Eddie Hendrix James Kelley, Jr. Peggy Psaledakis, Debbie Bertling Brad Dreasher Judy Henry, Richard Jeunette Bruce Nordquist Ted Moore, Glen Brimer Employees with 5 years of service who were unable to attend the meeting were: Administrative Services - Building Department - Fire Department - Police Department - Public Works - Utilities Department - OTHER A WARDS ~ Lisa Strickland. Jim Washington, Eddie Hendrix. Dennis Trimble, Ken Minnick, David Whitaker, Joe Moy. Brad Dreasher, Billy Adams. Alice Tate-Barnett, Keith Keller. Jeanne Washington, Ernie Kovacs. OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP '--' DECEMBER 14, 1995 DRAINAGE PROBLEM AREA NO.9, NO. 10, AND NO. 19 Mr. Hooper indicated all three areas are related to the Sawmill Subdivision. He advised that an existing natural depression was utilized as a storm water management facility. With the high rainfall in 1994 and 1995, this depression exceeded its historical peak flood stage. Because the depression cannot recover quickly enough, PEC is recommending a control structure that will discharge water to the lake to the south when necessary. City Manager Shapiro indicated this is an example where capitalization of the correction of the problem is probably going to be less expensive for ten to fifteen years than the continued cost of removing trees, fences, sod, etc. Mayor Vandergrift asked about the new part of Clarke Road that flooded, and Mr. Shapiro said that was the result of poor maintenance by the contractors of the new facility, and the problem has been corrected. There followed a discussion of the problem regarding the retention pond and the lake in that area. '-" Mayor Vandergrift asked if Lake. Sawmill had been discussed with Orange County. Mr. Shapiro said the County had washed its hands of the situation, advising it is the problem of the City. Mr. Hamstra reported he had seen a memorandum from the County that listed problem areas throughout the entire County, one of which is the main pond next to the entrance to the Sawmill Subdivision. PEC contacted the Orange County Stormwater Management Department and Highway Maintenance. A two-page memorandum was prepared by those departments assessing the problem and stating three possible solutions. Mr. Hamstra advised it is the perception of the County that this is a joint problem on which the County will not proceed until the City approaches them. He said there would have to be a determination made on the amount of responsibility between the County and the City. A question was raised that if the problem was there 30 or so years ago why would it be perceived by the County to be the problem of the City. Mr. Hamstra replied that the area experienced a 20-year drought cycle and is returning to normal rainfall. The County sees the Sawmill Subdivision and the entrance road as possible contributors to the problem. More questions were raised about a long-standing problem, and a discussion followed. Mr. Shapiro advised that it is likely that when the City can show it has the capital to do these jobs, there will be a chance to get help from the County. Mr. Hamstra advised that underdrains would be subdivision-wide in Sawmill, and Mr. Shapiro stated that the majority of the water problems in Sawmill would be handled in Phase I. Mr. Shapiro advised that the City is in the process of getting the final settlement agreement for Amber Ridge and should have it in the next week or two. The funding is set aside for this project. '-" 6 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP '-' DECEMBER 14, 1995 More discussion followed concerning the Sawmill Subdivision problems. Special note was made of problems a Mr. Martinez was experiencing in that the County had put sandbags on his property to hold back the water. Mr. Shapiro said the majority of the problems would be solved by the first and second portions of the project. Mr. Hamstra next presented the two phases of the Capital Improvement Program: Phase 1 (Flood Protection and Localized Flooding) and Phase 2 (Stormwater Ponds). Eighteen (18) problem areas are listed in Phase 1 along with a solution to the problem and its estimated cost. He stated that last week a submission was made to the St. Johns Water Management District regarding permitting on the projects. A response was received December 13, 1995, stating the following projects are exempt from permits: Kimball Drive (install ribbon curb), Little Spring Hill/Northern Durango (replace damaged storm sewer pipes), Windswept Court in Highlands of Ocoee (install interceptor inlet and pipe), Sullivan/Silver Star Ditch (install inlets and pipes), Lakeview Village (replace inlet), Nancy Ann Terrace (replace damaged storm sewer pipes), Miscellaneous Drainage and Roadway Improvements (includes 59 individual projects throughout the City of Ocoee). Mr. Hamstra then discussed the cost of the two phases, funding, and yearly debt service. '- Mr. Hamstra then reviewed the proposed stormwater utility rate increase, indicating the yearly cost including operating expense, the maintenance program, and the NPDES Program. He discussed revenue from residences and the West Oaks Mall with proposed increases in the monthly storm water fee. Mr. Shapiro pointed out that the projected surplus for FY 2000 should be $114,589 instead of $14,589. Mr. Mark Eltin discussed financing options. He said there would be a mix of debt-financing and pay-as-you-go. The debt-financing portion would be to cover Phase I improvements, and the pay-as-you-go would cover 1999 on for Phase 2. He advised there are the options of bank loan versus bond issue, and fixed rate versus variable rate. With the interest rates low, the preference would be fixed rate debt. He discussed the pros and cons of bank loan versus bond issue and made recommendations regarding terms of financing. Discussion followed. Mr. Hooper summarized the presentation and offered to go with the Commissioners to the Homeowner Association meetings. Commissioner Gleason raised a question about the magnitude of the projects and the debt associated with them, and Mr. Shapiro assured everyone that the City is very conservative in its plans. Mr. Hooper said the presentation was the approach to be brought before the City on the January agenda. Mr. Shapiro suggested that anyone who wanted a particular drainage project changed or added should contact City Engineer Shira's office because this project would probably be presented the first or second meeting in January. '-' 7 OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP '-'" DECEMBER 14, 1995 Mr. Vandergrift stated he had a problem with the presentation as he is a fan of pay-as-you- go and he believed 60% to 80% of what was shown during the presentation could be done in-house. Mr. Hooper indicated there is not enough staff in the City to remedy the problems in-house. Discussion followed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. APPROVED: ~::riLrz~ S. Scott Vandergrift, May ~ \....- 8