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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-97 MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD JANUARY 21, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the commISSIOn chambers. Commissioner Anderson led in prayer and Mrs. Hilda Ems 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, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Assistant City Engineer Wheeler, Personnel/Employee Relations Director Psaledakis, Planning Director Wagner, Senior Planner Horne, Public Works Director Corwin, Public Works Superintendent Solomon, City Clerk Grafton, and Clerk/Stenographer Rivera. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Mayor Vandergrift read the State of the City address, which is attached to these minutes as Exhibit A. CONSENT AGENDA The consent agenda consisted of items A, B, C, and D. Commissioner Glass asked City Attorney Rosenthal if he should declare a conflict of interest regarding item C as he and his wife have pledged funds to the West Oaks United Methodist Church and Mr. Rosenthal responded that there was no conflict of interest. Commissioner Glass. seconded bv Commissioner Anderson. moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval and Acceptance of Minutes of City Commission Regular Meetinl! of January 7. 1997. B. Approval and Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to execute Chanee Order No.2 with Wharton-Smith for Forest Oaks and South Water Treatment Plant Ground Storage Tanks and Well Pumvs. Co. Approval and Authorization to Grant Waiver of Fees relating to Annexation/ Rezoning for West Oaks United Methodist Church. D. Approval and Authorization to Purchase OPTI-CON Emitters for Police Department. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS/PUBLIC Fred Gardner, 261 Wescliff Drive, paid tribute to Betty Hager for her service as Chairman of the Ocoee Founders Day Committee. Mr. Gardner then asked for volunteers and donations, and he asked citizens to phone him with any ideas for Founders Day at his home (656-2538). He announced the next regular scheduled meeting at the Community Room at the West Oaks Mall, at 7:00 p.m. on February 12th. Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January 21, 1997 Steve Anderson, 1716 Ison Lane, expressed concerns about large gas powered motor boats in Prairie Lake; that trucks come in through the woods and access the lake illegally. City Manager Shapiro said that he'll try to notify the owners of the land so that they can put No Trespassing signs up, and then police can deal with trespassers. Vern Combs, 310 Sabinal St., thanked City Manager Shapiro for the many good things that he has done for the City, and thanked him for taking the City into the' 90's. Frances Watts, 43 Shell Key Court, about the new bicycle law regarding wearing helmets, and said that Arnold Palmer Hospital has helmets for sale for $10.00. Commissioner Gleason added that the Ocoee Rotary Club and the PTSA may have free helmets. PUBLIC HEARINGS SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE No. 97-05, REVISING THE EMPLOYEE RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING DISCIPLINARY ACTION/TERMINATION AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. City Attorney Rosenthal read title only. Personnel Director Psaledakis explained the contents of Ordinance No. 97-05, relating to Employee Rules and Regulations regarding Disciplinary Action/Termination, and the process of the Grievance Procedures. The public hearing was opened. R.P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Blvd., had questions about the procedure, and Personnel Director Psaledakis explained the process to Mr. Mohnacky. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Gleason. seconded by Mayor Vandergrift. moved to approve Ordinance No. 95-05 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES (SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 4, 1997 AT 7:30 P.M.) ORDINANCE No. 97-06, BURNDEN PARK ANNEXATION (PHASE II), CASE No. AR-95-08-04. City Attorney Rosenthal read title only. Senior Planner Horne said she was available to respond if someone from the County was present with questions. Mrs. Horne gave the Staff report and explained that on January 14, 1997, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a de novo public hearing for the proposed Annexation and the related Annexation and Developer Agreement. Several surrounding property owners appeared before the Planing and Zoning Commission to state their concerns about drainage, traffic, and the paving of Hackney-Prairie 2 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January 21, 1997 Road. Staff explained that the stated concerns were extraneous to the annexation request. After a lengthy discussion of all of the issues, the Planing and Zoning Commission recommended that the Mayor and City Commissioners approve the requested annexation as recommended by Staff with the additional condition that Staff ensure that no property is landlocked. Staff recommended approval of the requested annexation and adoption of Ordinance No. 97-06. Commissioner Johnson asked about the money that was collected for this some years ago. City Manager Shapiro said that no one assumed that this would take that long to finish and 1986 dollars would not cover this job. Mayor Vandergrift announced the time and date for the second reading and public hearing. ORDINANCE No. 97-07, BURNDEN PARK (PHASE II) REZONING, CASE No. AR-95-08-04. City Attorney Rosenthal read title only. Mayor Vandergrift announced the time and date of the second reading and public hearing. RESOLUTION No. 97-01, AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF SURETY BOND FOR AMBAC INDEMNITY CORPORATION (FOR 1993 BOND ISSUE.) City Attorney Rosenthal read title only. Finance Director Horton gave the Staff Report and she explained that Resolution No. 97-01 authorizes the City to purchase a Surety Bond to replace the current $649,875.00 held in the reserve fund for the Series 1993 Bonds and authorizes the moneys to be expended on the 1997 Water and Sewer Improvement Project. Staff requested approval of Resolution No. 97-01 and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. Commissioner Gleason. seconded by Commissioner Glass. moved to approve Resolution No. 97-01 as presented. and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: RE-ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL FUNDS FOR PuBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Director of Public Works Corwin explained that Capital equipment purchases were approved in the 1996-97 budget which had been prepared by the previous Public Works Director. During the months of budget hearings the new Public Works Director had made an effort to become familiar with the City and Public Works operations before making any recommendations for change. In the following budget submittals, an equipment evaluation was launched and several pieces of equipment were identified as either repairable or unnecessary. Staff recommended that funds budgeted for the purpose of purchasing new equipment this year be re-allocated to other needed equipment and operating expenses to repair, rebuild and repaint existing equipment. Funds requested for re-allocation are from the following sources: 3 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January 21, 1997 From Public Works Dept.: 001-541-6400: Gravely Mower. $14.000: Ford Tractor. $9.000: 2 Flail Mowers. $8.000: Reflectometer. $3.500. From Dept.: 001-541-6401: John Deere Backhoe Lease. $6.400: John Deere Loader- Lease: $16.000. Commissioner Gleason. seconded by Commissioner Anderson. moved to adopt the Re- allocation of Capital Funds for Public Works Department according to Staff request. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY MANAGER. City Attorney Rosenthal explained that Labor Attorney Allen has had a discussion with City Manager Shapiro and prepared a draft agreement that would be circulated after his and Personnel Director Psaledakis' comments are considered. This would be placed on the January 28th agenda. DISCUSSION/AcTION RE: DEVELOPERS AGREEMENTS FOR WATER/SEWER CAPACITY. City Attorney Rosenthal gave the Staff Report and explained that in 1988 and 1990 the City entered into development agreements for water and sewer capacity with a number of developers. Under the terms of the agreements, the developers agreed to purchase water and sewer capacity over a three to five year period and to pay revenue and maintenance fees on capacity which was purchased but not utilized. These agreements formed the basis of the expansion of the existing water and sewer utility systems. Under the terms of the agreements, capacity purchased by a developer reverts to the City five years after the last cash payment to the City is made if the capacity is not utilized. Revenue and maintenance fees paid annually to the City for unused capacity are a significant source of revenue to the water and sewer utility fund. Believing it to be in the best interest of the City to offer to extend the term of capacity an additional ten years, Staff recommended that a letter be sent to developers holding capacity under these agreements offering to extend capacity for ten years. If any developer agrees to this extension an amendment to the developers agreement will be prepared for execution by the Mayor. City Manager Shapiro said that it was a concurrency issue, and that when 9-J-5 came into existence, home rule lost control of when development would happen. Because the City has Capital issues to consider, giving the developer ten (10) years instead of five (5) years based upon the number of units that had to be constructed, made more sense. Commissioner Glass. seconded by Commissioner Gleason. moved to adopt Staff recommendation: that a letter be sent to developers holding capacity under Developers Agreements for Water/Sewer Capacity offering to extend capacity for ten years. and if any developer agrees to this extension an amendment to the developers agreement will be prepared for execution by the Mayor. Motion carried 5-0. 4 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January 21, 1997 STAFF REPORTS None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Gleason: 1) Announced again the meeting at Ocoee Middle School with Principal of West Orange High School Preisser on Thursday, January 23. 2) Announced that the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Leadership '97 Class which starts Wednesday has no one enrolled from Ocoee. It was suggested that Nancy Parker be enrolled, as she was the only candidate running for a Commission seat unopposed. Commissioner Gleason. seconded by Mayor Vanderl!rift. moved to appoint Nancy Parker to represent the City of Ocoee in the West Oranl!e Chamber of Commerce Leadership '97 Class and to pay the $500 fee from City funds. Motion carried 5-0. 3) Thanked Orange County Commissioner Bob Freeman for the $75,000 grant for capital improvement projects which will be used for sidewalks for A.D. Mims Road, south end of Orlando Avenue to Lakewood Avenue, and (with additional funds) completing the sidewalks on the east end of White Road. 4) Invited the public to the Open House at the Community Center from 7-9:00 p.m. to meet the candidates for the position of City Manager. Commissioner Glass: 1) Commended the Historical Commission for the job that has been done on the Withers- Maguire House. 2) Said that Girl Scouts will be around selling cookies and to please be careful and keep an eye out for them. Commissioner Anderson: 1) Reported fire ants at Russell Park, a fallen tree and brush at the culvert on the NE side, and a need for trash pickup in that area. 2) Asked who stocks the lake with fish. No one. 3) Asked about the procedure for the questions to be used in the interviews in Friday's meeting. Consensus was to free form the meeting. 4) Read a prepared statement in support of Ellis Shapiro as City Manager. Commissioner Johnson: 1) Asked if Public Works Department checks the streets for pot holes. Public Works Director Corwin responded that the street sweeper is supposed to report any holes found. 5 Ocoee City Commission Regular Meeting January 21,1997 2) Said if the recycling program is to be continued some re-educating of the public is needed. He suggested preparing a program and addressing the service organizations, schools and homeowners associations City Manager Shapiro advised that there are funds available from the County to do such a program and he would instruct staff to do it. 3) Reported that some street signs need to be replaced and he proposed having school/college colors, as well as reflective material to make them more visible. Mr. Corwin advised that they are presently using a high grade of reflective material and are beg:inning to place the signs in high volume traffic roads. 4) Advised that not all the existing street lights are working and there are some areas that need lights that have never had lights. City Manager Shapiro advised that it is nearly time to look at the overall street lighting plan now. Mayor Vandergrift: 1) Displayed several signs from Apopka and indicated that he would like to see some of those features incorporated in Ocoee' s signs, i. e., an emblem, such as the City Seal or flag, and street numbers. 2) Wants to be sure there is a sign up for the new recreation complex when completed. Karen Woodard, chairman of Ocoee Historical Commission, asked that a sign directing public to the Withers-Maguire House be placed on the main roads. 3) Announced the West Orange Girls Club Spring Soft-Ball Registration and try-out days, January 23 & 25. 4) Announced Little League sign-ups January 24 & 25. 5) Withers-Maguire House will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 2-4:00 p.m. with an admission charge. 6) Thanked all who contributed to the State of the City address, and noted that copies would be available in the City Clerk's office. 7) Announced the RSVP number - 656-2218. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee 1 /5; :{; L;{~~,\-/ s. Scott Vandergrift, 6