Clermont City Council Transcript

4:16 Smartphone via Microsoft Teams are by telephone. You can learn how to participate virtually by visiting our
4:23 website www.climilefl.gov and search for attend 10 10 council meetings online. In the interest of time
4:32 efficiency, excuse me, and ensuring that everyone who wishes to address the council given the opportunity to do so,
4:38 the following will apply to all comments made by the public. Each speaker will be permitted three minutes to address the council. In an effort to be respectful
4:47 during the meeting, please make sure your cell phones are set to silence.
4:53 Thank you for participating in your city government. Tonight's invocation will be given by uh Minister
5:00 Tyrone Jordan of New Jacob Chap Missionary Baptist Church. Please rise and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.
5:10 Turn it on. Kirk, can you turn it on, please?
5:18 Can we bow our heads? Oh heavenly father, Lord, we just give you thanks.
5:22 We just give you glory. Lord, we thank you for all the blessings that you have given to us. Lord, we ask that you come into this meeting, Lord. Lord, that you
5:29 will give our council strength, give them guidance, give them wisdom. Lord,
5:33 we ask everybody that came through them doors that you will watch over them,
5:36 bless them. Lord, we ask for a special blessing for this council. We ask for a special blessing for our police force and our fire department. Lord, we ask
5:43 that you will watch over them while they're in a line of duty. As they leave their house, we ask that you would protect them so they return home just like they left. Lord, we ask for the
5:52 strength, the patience for this council for everyone that's here. We ask that you will give this council the wisdom of
6:00 Solomon in the heart of Moses that they'll be able to guide you and guide and and uh take care of your people,
6:07 Lord. Lord, we ask that you look down upon everyone that is here, Lord. Let them know that every judgment they might not agree with it, but it would be a
6:16 just judgment. Lord, we ask that you look down upon this city of Claremont.
6:20 That you will bless this city in a mighty way. Lord, that this city be able to prosper socially, financially. And
6:27 Lord, we ask that you look down upon this city and make it like no other city here in Florida. Lord, for every believing heart, would you please say amen?
6:35 Amen. Amen.
6:38 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under
6:46 God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated.
6:55 Let me I want to take a minute and just apologize. If if you're having trouble hearing me, let me know because I basically I'm having trouble with my
7:03 voice. I know Mr. Peterson over there battling some things too. Uh on Friday I had no voice at all. Okay. Uh I even had
7:10 to have my wife speak for me at a at a function on Friday morning. I think Mr.
7:14 Peterson is having some issues over there too. So you can't hear us, please let us know and we'll try to speak up.
7:19 But uh this afternoon we have a presentation from uh chairperson uh Keepon of the Lake County Board of
7:27 County Commission District 4. So please uh let's welcome hers. Well, good good afternoon everyone. Um,
7:35 it's great to be here in Claremont. I was here a couple weeks ago and I had the honor of participating I loosely participating in your fallen heroes um,
7:45 run. Um, I walked um, but it was it was just gorgeous and I just love the fact that the city was just buzzing with
7:52 activity um, kids, you know, all ages and it's just a real testament to the good work that you're doing here in the
7:59 city of Claremont. So, congratulations on that. Um, what I wanted to do today is basically open myself up for any questions that you might have about
8:07 issues that um that we both are involved in and and um things that we're working on together. Um, but primarily I wanted
8:14 to be able to provide you with an update um on the um ambulance deployment and response times in Claremont um since I
8:23 last corresponded um with your council on um back in November of last year. So,
8:30 in November of last year, um the county had committed to um um bringing two new
8:38 ambulances dedicated to to Claremont. Um so, a lot has happened since then, a lot of really good things. So, I just want
8:46 to walk you through kind of where we're at now. Um so, at that time in November,
8:52 the county's minimal ambulance staffing was 20 ambulances per 24-hour shift with two ambulances dedicated to Claremont.
8:59 in November. Um, in my letter, um, we committed to bringing two more on board by April of this year. Um, so where we
9:08 are now, um, we've been able to deliver those two, but we've actually delivered another two. Um, so let me walk you
9:15 through how we got there. Um, in December, um, we added the first additional ambulance. Um, now that's it's it's located at the we call it the
9:22 Minnola Hub. Um, that one's dedicated to Claremont. Um, so at that point, our minimal staffing went up to 21
9:29 ambulances per 24-hour shift with three of the ambulances dedicated to Claremont. In order to enhance our peak
9:37 hour coverage, we also added three 13-hour peak load ambulances that were not technically part of the required minimum um ambulance staffing. Um, we
9:46 used those with personnel that were available for overtime purposes. Um, but we had at that point 21 ambulances on a
9:52 24-hour shift and um a total um of 24 that were available um for 11 hours a
10:00 day. Then in January on January 7th, we were able to convert another one of those peak load ambulances to a 24-hour
10:06 full-time. Um we made the two remaining peak load ambulances part of our minimal uh ambulance staffing. So, that brought us to 22 ambulances, 24-hour shifts,
10:18 plus two additional ambulances at 13 hours during those peak hours for a total of 24 um during those peak times.
10:25 And then in February, we converted another one um to a 24-hour full-time ambulance, bringing us to 23 um that are staffed at 24 hours plus one peak load.
10:34 And then yesterday, we brought on um the last one. Um, so now we're at 24 um
10:41 24hour full-time ambulances and um as promised we've delivered the two but we
10:48 have another two as well right here in the Claremont area. Um so as you can imagine um it is impacting the response
10:56 times positively and that's a really good thing because ultimately that's what I think all of us want to see,
11:02 right? We want to make sure that when somebody calls and they need help that we're going to get a paramedic to them as quickly as we can, whether they come on a fire truck or they come on an
11:11 ambulance. But we know that um Chief Ozelle, he his target was um fire response. I believe he was looking at um
11:19 four to six minutes on fire response with a paramedic on that truck and then 8 to 10 minutes on the transport. Um, I
11:28 can tell you a couple. Well, we're do we're tracking by the week and we actually had an an um data that shows
11:35 that we're we're in some instances getting our transport there even sooner than the firet truck. So, we're we're we're getting closer and closer to those
11:43 targeted times. Um, without going into all the details on the response times, I did bring I did bring a team with me today to answer all the hard questions because they collected all the data.
11:53 They evaluated the data. um they broke everything down to 90 percentile as well as averages. And then they took it a step further and they actually vetted
12:02 every single call since we started to add the additional ambulances. And by vetting, what that means is they would actually look at cameras on the
12:11 ambulance and they could tell whether the dispatch when it showed that we had someone on scene, did we actually have somebody there sooner so that we could
12:19 actually have another set of numbers that we're looking at? What's a real time that somebody was actually on the scene? So for the people of Claremont,
12:26 that means in most instances those vetted numbers were lower than just using strictly dispatch. So it I think it gives everyone a a level of comfort
12:35 that we're making tremendous progress and we're actually getting very close to hitting all of those those those targets. Um so that that's the good
12:43 news. um we think we can do better and so we're hoping that you all will consider those existing agreements that are out there um for housing um at least
12:53 two ambulances inside the city limits it would help tremendously. I mean, it would be great if you would house four.
12:59 Um, we wanted to at least present a concept. Um, if you would at least look at the possibility of your public safety
13:07 training um, complex as a possibility for an ambulance that could address calls on the west side of 27 because
13:14 right now everything's pushed over on the east side. Um, so that could be helpful if there's room, if there's a way to do that. Um, those old
13:22 agreements, I call them old, I mean they never they never were terminated. Um they do say that um that Claremont will
13:30 provide a location in return we provide the dispatch services. So there was you know there was a consideration there
13:37 when those were put into place. So I would just ask that that be something that you all would would take a look at because I think it would tremendously
13:45 help um even lower those times more for residents that are actually inside the city limits. Um so that's that's really
13:53 the update on the ambulances. We can drill down on response times if you actually want to get into that. Um, John
14:00 Simpson is here from EMS. He's got all that information pretty much memorized.
14:04 I mean, I have a sheet that has all of it. Um, with very little little tiny writing, so I brought my glasses in case I had to try to read off of that, but um
14:13 I'm open to to questions and um would love to hear your thoughts.
14:22 Well, I think one of the I'm sorry, my voice is kind of shy, but um one of the things we were talking about
14:30 for housing ambulances is that if the ambulance is in one of our firehouses,
14:34 do we control the ambulance or is does county control the am as far as you know like it the ambul the fire department is
14:42 like it's like a military organization is ranking and there and commands have to be given. It's almost like having somebody else from another country come
14:50 in here and and not be not obeying the orders that that our military give them. So, is that going to be an issue?
14:57 Well, I think that from a um chain chain of command standpoint, I mean, they're they're going to answer to the EMS
15:05 system and their superiors, but it doesn't mean that they're not required to comply with all of the rules and regulations of that brickandmortar
15:13 station. So, as I understand it in talking to our folks is that they're very committed to making sure that any rules that apply would be adhered to.
15:23 Um, I think some issues came up during COVID as I understand it. Um, that was,
15:28 you know, as we all know, that was somewhat of a unique time and a unique situation. Um but um I I you know I
15:37 without having them come up and answer you. We've had some discussions about what happened in the past versus what
15:44 you know the the policy would be going forward. And I think it would be clear that any rules and regulations of that station would be followed. Um but that
15:52 as far as answering calls and answering to superiors, your your EMS would have to still stay within their chain of command.
16:03 I have a question for you. So, when you were talking about all the ambulances,
16:07 um, were you saying four in total were dedicated just for Claremont and then the rest is for all of Lake County?
16:14 Well, four, um, dedicated for Claremont and we have an additional two that we brought on that are right here in the
16:22 area. Now, they're not inside your city limits because we don't have a place to put them. What we've been doing in order to deploy them faster is um we've been
16:30 able to reach agreements with um Advent and UF Health and they're allowing us to use their standalone facilities during the daytime hours and then um another
16:39 one is stationed over at the sheriff's substation. So, we're able to actually get those inside the city, but that's not ideal, but it does get them um closer um during those daytime hours,
16:50 those peak hours. Um, but where they're sleeping, they're they're they're sleeping outside of the city. Okay. Thank you.
17:02 Go ahead. Thank you, mayor.
17:04 Um, thank you, Chairwoman, for being here. Um, just for clarification, so the two ambulances, can we go back to last
17:12 November when you when you uh uh addressed the the council in in your letter? At that time, there were two ambulances kind of serving the the
17:20 Claremont area. Yeah, they were actually, you know, dedicated to being available. Where are those locations of those two?
17:28 Um, those two are actually over at the Miniola hub. Yeah. John, do you want to help me with that to um We have two We
17:36 have two locations, but they're outside of the city.
17:39 Yeah, that's fine. I just want to try to get a better picture of locations and everything. Certainly. Uh, thank you, council members, and Mr.
17:47 Mayor for having me up here. So the way we're stationed back in November, those two units were stationed over the Miniola hub, station 80, which is the former Minola fire station.
17:56 Okay.
17:57 Since that time, we have finished renovations on station 109, which is over on Lakes Shore. So 109, which was
18:05 at the hub, moved back to Lakeshore. 89 remained at at the uh hub station. We've now added the four ambulances, which is 101, 102, 103, and 104.
18:17 102 is housed over with 109 on Lakeshore and then 101, 103, and 104 deploy out of the hub with 89. So there's actually
18:26 four ambulances there. So now there's a total of six ambulances in the immediate surrounding Claremont area with three of those deployed into the city proper
18:34 stationed at Advent Health Claremont freestanding UF freestanding and the sheriff substation during peak hours of the day.
18:41 Peak hour. Now, are those peak hours defined uh on a weekly or monthly basis or are those set as these are the peak hours no matter what?
18:49 Excellent question. So, it is set from 9 to9. Okay?
18:53 Because that is true peak demand. If you take a look at our demand charts, we look at utiliz utilization of ambulances. It really ramps up about
19:00 9:00 in the morning and then begins dropping off 9:00 at night. Around midnight, we see a precipitous drop until about 6 o'clock in the morning when it starts creeping back up again and then it begins to spike.
19:10 Okay. Um,
19:13 and I think uh I I looked at I'm not sure if you're familiar, but we get as as
19:21 council members, we get a um what's called a city manager update um on a somewhat regular basis. Um, and since
19:30 I've been up here since November, um, I went back and looked at all of the emails that I got from that that
19:37 contained a report or information from our fire department. And it started out uh, my first email that I received was
19:45 on November 7th. And at that time, the ambulance dispatch to arrival performance at the 90th percentile based
19:53 off initial dispatch of incident to arrival time of the first transport unit. Now, I know that there's some conversation about what that should be
20:01 or what the um NFPA indicates and so forth, but I don't want to get into the politics of that. I just want to say
20:08 that's what the report data shows. And on November 7th, that 90th percentile timing was 16 minutes and 26 seconds.
20:18 Um, I'm happy and elated to share that our most recent email that we received on on March 6th showed 11 minutes and 6 seconds.
20:28 Yes, sir. Um, and if I did my math correctly,
20:32 that's a 33% reduction in 4 months in time in the 90th percentile. And I think
20:39 that um and I want to say thank you not only to to you folks for doing that, but to our to our own fire department for
20:46 the collaboration there. Um because I've said this to our fire department.
20:52 I've said this to our former uh firefighter union president and and I'll say it to to you folks uh here today.
21:00 When I'm out talking with residents, I I've never had someone come to me and say, "It must say City of Claremont,"
21:06 or, "It must say Lake County on the side of an ambulance." All they want is a responding unit when they need assistance.
21:16 And I'm appreciative of the fact that we've gotten beyond the point of what I felt was more of an argumentative
21:25 confrontational perspective to an actual deliverable of services and um protection and um and
21:34 and service to our residents. And so I'm appreciative of that. Um, and I think that it shows that when when we are
21:43 willing to collaborate and put the interest of our residents and our community first and not some sort of
21:51 tribalism with with with who's doing it and who's who's in charge. You know, I appreciate Mr. uh council member
21:58 Peterson's question, but I do think we do have an example of of what we call our station 4 on Ray Good game where we
22:05 have some collaboration already occurring where Lake County and and city of Claremont are working together. I think we can work those things out. Um
22:13 and I'm appreciative of that. I was unaware that these peak hour units are
22:19 now in 24-hour service. um that was not communicated to me at least as a council member from anyone except for today.
22:28 That is brand new news to me. And so I'm incredibly uh happy to hear that. Um and
22:36 um I want to uh ask the question I've been asked by residents is
22:43 how do we know this is going to be maintained moving forward? And I don't mean to to try to say that in a
22:51 political way or anything, but it's I think it is a legitimate question of how do we know we're going to have these
22:58 ambulances at our ready um and moving forward making sure that we're addressing this when we kind of have
23:06 still in our immediate most recent past the confrontations that took place.
23:14 A couple things. Um, first of all, I'll tell you that you can expect that to remain and only improve, especially if we're able to work out something to get
23:22 these ambulances sleeping in your in in the city. But as far as going forward, I mean, ambulance system is is run on a
23:30 combination, as we all know, of the MSTU as well as um billing. Um 70% of it is is billing. Um, we have an obligation,
23:41 you know, to have response times that are um are excellent. I mean, that that's our goal. We ran into issues just like people all over cities, counties,
23:53 all over Florida during COVID, literally with with recruiting. There was this huge exodus of of paramedics. Um, there
24:02 was a shortage. So, everybody everyone was vying trying to get whoever was still out there that would actually sign up to work. Um, so we've had to start a
24:09 whole new process of recruiting and educating and um, and that's really where we find ourselves now is that
24:16 we've been able to um, recruit. We've been very successful at that. Um, the shifts that we're using are working really well. The certifications going
24:25 single certification working extremely well. Um, so it's we feel that this is the trend and it will only improve in
24:32 Lake County and you certainly have my word, my commitment and I feel like I can speak on behalf of the the organization that uh if anything we're
24:41 only going to get um improved response times and with the uh for clarification of the
24:47 um staffing I know prior to making these more permanent if if that's the right lingo to use here uh that they were peak
24:56 hour and it was overtime time I think is what you referenced.
24:59 That was just as we were as you were transitioning our transition.
25:02 Are these all now fully 4 hour and is it assigned staffing to these or is it still overtime uh serviced?
25:13 So, we've implemented a number of programs to recruit folks in. We have an in-house six-month paramedic class. We have a paramedic academy that we established that allowed us to meet our
25:21 timeline much sooner than we originally expected. So, our strategic plan all along has been to add ambulances throughout the county, particularly here in the south end because there was a
25:29 shortage of units. So, we've achieved that. These units are now full-time,
25:33 fully staffed. Okay? When they were peak load overtime units, that was why we were waiting for paramedics to clear the provisional process to become cleared staff paramedics in the system, cleared
25:41 by the medical directors. And so, those are now fully staffed. And so, they are considered minimum staffing, which means if let's say someone calls out, someone gets mandatory to be on that unit.
25:50 Okay. Okay. That's why I need to get some clarification just to make sure. I I thought that's what I heard, but I wanted to make sure. Okay. Um I think those are my only uh questions with that
25:59 and and uh I think um it's incumbent upon then the rest of us as as the city and as a council and as city leadership working with our fire department,
26:08 working with our city manager's office to um to continue the collaboration and figure out ways to maintain and enhance that moving forward. So, thank you.
26:18 Great. Any other questions on any other topics? Yes, I thank you for coming. Um,
26:24 I appreciate you being here and I want you to know that I feel like we as a council and also the citizens of Claremont have been heard in this
26:31 process and so I just want to speak that to you that there is that feeling of being heard and I and I do appreciate you being here. For me, a lot of the
26:39 information you've given is is new. And so, I think this is a very important decision. And what I want to do is one,
26:46 set up future meetings, and two, let you know kind of what's going on in my head as well, so the public can know what's going on in my head. I do think that this is moving forward in the right
26:55 direction. Um, I appreciate our firefighters and what they've done the last six months year as they've been pushing to have ambulatory care here in
27:04 Claremont because I think we've created an iron sharpens iron type of approach to having better service for our community members.
27:12 So the thoughts that I have that I would want to address in future discussions on this um are one the both cost and well
27:21 there's a lot of efficiency comes to mind and so I see efficiency from a cost perspective from a service perspective
27:28 from a management perspective if you have dual fire and ambulance it makes a lot of sense what was explained to me by
27:37 our fire chief and I'm mindful that we on this council sit here representing the citizens of Claremont and and you
27:45 folks good folks represent the citizens of Lake County which include which is a small part. Correct.
27:52 But my fear would be um you know the ultimate question that I would ask is why is it better for
27:59 Claremont to have multiple agencies involved in the city limits? because there comes a point of efficiency versus
28:06 inefficiency and there comes a point of management and then you you get into turf wars and we see this it's just human nature and Claremont being the
28:14 largest city in the county um I'm mindful that we're uniquely situated as the largest city in the county and we may have more opportunities or resources
28:23 than other cities in the county. So I'm aware of that and I don't want to ignore that in the conversation. And I want to be mindful of it because the fear that I
28:31 would have in moving forward with a dual role ambulatory system would be that we
28:39 lose as citizens of Claremont something that we have that is very precious. Our fire department is really beloved in our
28:48 city. Um they're good men and women and they do really good work and they have a really high standard. And so
28:57 I would want to address in this process if we could be more efficient, if we could be more cost-effective, what do
29:04 those numbers look like? And then how does that affect the overall experience
29:11 and quality of our our our first responders in Claremont? And I don't expect you to have this debate with me
29:19 or discussion with me. It's just those are the things in my mind.
29:22 Yeah. And um and and just a little bit of information I can impart just because I've been around this for a while. Um
29:29 early on when I was first elected to the commission, one of the big drivers was our firefighters wanted to have the dual
29:36 certified system. They wanted to also transport. Um when that started to be put into action, um I'm just going to be
29:46 transparent here. Um it impacted um um the work environment. It was very um it
29:55 was very difficult. It was uh the call load especially in an urban area such as this um is very high and it's a very
30:04 different experience when you're running calls on an ambulance all day long um or all night long. And uh what we found is
30:12 that the it impacted morale. Um and and so we had at one point they wanted it and then eventually they didn't want it.
30:21 And um so while it seems efficient,
30:25 they're just it it's I I would just caution against assuming that because they're coming out, you know, they're paramedics. They're are
30:33 paramedics on a ambulance. They're paramedics on a firetruck. Why shouldn't we be able to maximize that and have them do both? The problem I think with
30:41 doing both is that it it tends to put a heavy heavy burden on them and um it'll work for a while maybe but then quickly
30:50 you you have difficulties with staffing and so forth. So that's just one side of it, one perspective. Um but but it it is
30:57 not uncommon that firefighters see that as a possibility to bring more revenues into the overall program. Um, but the
31:04 reality is that what we see is that with the revenues, the larger your transport system, the more efficient your
31:12 transport system is because you literally can move your resources where you need your resources. So, while you may have six ambulances that are right
31:19 around Claremont working in and out of Claremont, um you may have days when you need 10 to 12 here, um, and you have
31:27 those because we bring them and move them and shift them where they need to be. If you have your own independent system, you're limited to those
31:34 ambulances that you have and that you're staffing. If you end up having multiple calls out of the city or you have high acuity calls all at one time, you're
31:42 going to be relying on your adjacent jurisdictions. And if they're available,
31:47 I'm sure they'll come and they will help. If they're not available, you are at their mercy because they they literally can't provide. So the larger
31:55 the transport system, my experience has been the the better for everyone across the board. And even in a place like
32:03 Claremont where you have such a high population, you have a high call load.
32:07 It actually gives you the best of both worlds. It gives you dedicated ambulances right here, but it also gives you those added resources that can be
32:15 moved here when you need additional ambulances here.
32:19 No, that's that's very helpful. and the wisdom of your experience and and those the years of going through that is it's definitely good for us to know because
32:26 at the end of the day whatever happens in the next two years four years 10 years by decision makers from the disd
32:37 and any information that you have that would speak to those things I'm open to hearing it love to grab lunch crooked spoons right down the street we got a
32:45 beautiful downtown so anytime any it'd be great and I know you love your firefighters.
32:50 We love our fire. You know, the firefighters are they're great. You know, they will help people in need. They will do about anything that needs to be taken care of.
32:59 Um and and I I'm glad to hear, you know, how embraced they are in the community.
33:05 And um and and this is not to take anything away from that. Um it's just simply about the two different services.
33:13 one being the transport, one being, you know, the first to arrive and and the firefighting side of it. Um, so,
33:21 but I again, I'm surprised I haven't gotten any road questions or intersection questions. We can do that another day. We can do that if you want.
33:30 We're happy to do that.
33:31 All right. Well, I'll come back or I'll send Commissioner Parks. Yeah.
33:35 No. Well, I I do have We like you being here. That's good.
33:38 Happy for you. that this uh one of the other reasons I bring you down uh like to bring county commissioners down and everything to get the public cuz we do
33:45 have a large population around here that's uh live in unincorporated as we like to call them uh clim which you're responsible for. So I like to let them
33:54 have a chance to come down since they can't always make the meetings and everything. If anyone out there in the audience have any question for the commissioner please
34:03 come to the podium and and state uh state your name and address and ask away. But I and I do have another topic
34:10 I would like to talk to you about. Uh when but right now we concerned about the ambulance. I think Mr. Mayor, just for a point of
34:18 information, Miss Campion, we're starting our expansion more than likely on station two. Uh it should be coming
34:26 before the council this month for a final vote. And if that's passed, then we'll be vacating station two and being
34:34 mobile. And then one of the additional station or fire trucks is going to go to station one. So one and two will
34:42 absolutely not be able to be used for a season. So I I just want to make sure and I think our agreement is with one and two. Chief Hoey could help me if
34:51 that. But that's my understanding looking at the agreements that we have together. So I just wanted to say that outlet two and three and three.
35:01 Okay. So, if there's anything I'm missing you want to add, Chief Hoey, I would be grateful for your input. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
35:09 Yes, sir. Thank you.
35:12 Uh Vincent, Regency Hills. Uh quick question. Actually, I have uh three questions al together. Number one, uh
35:21 I'd like to thank the county commissioners for getting that loan so we could simply get Hartwood Marsh
35:29 expanded. My question is, last time I was there, they said sometime March
35:36 through May. So, I like a a pinpoint exactly what month we could expect it for my surrounding communities. Number
35:45 two, Hancock, since we already gave them the impact fees to LAR, when are they going to start? I mean, they're saying
35:52 they're already in working, but the section they're supposed to complete hasn't been touched. All right. They're parking their vehicles there, but it hasn't been touched. The third question,
36:03 I'm just a little confused. And it's with dealing with the ambulances.
36:07 So, if Lake County, which I'm appreciative of, supplies to four ambulances, does that mean Claremont can't have no services?
36:18 What is that? Can you reframe the question?
36:20 Okay. So, if the countyy's given us ambulances, excuse me.
36:25 Can we have ambulances as well? So, like I see that's the question I'm asking. So, in other words, if they're supplying ambulance service,
36:33 does that halt our ambulance service?
36:35 Cuz to me, the more the marrier. All right. Thank you for letting me have this moment. Thank you.
36:43 I can I can answer on um Harvard Marsh.
36:46 Um I've been told summer, Jennifer, that that's the target on summer. um as far as the the start um you know, we're
36:54 dealing with um contracts and contractors and so forth, but you know,
37:00 we we we took out the $10 million loan in order to move that project ahead with the county being paid back over time
37:09 from FDOT. So, um we're anxious for it to be started as well, and we're certainly not doing anything to impede
37:17 that, but um Hancock I'd have to look into. I don't know the answer to what's going on and we're trying to find the answer to that. And then the third
37:25 question about um having ambulances that are um I guess owned or operated by the city of
37:33 Claremont. Um the there are a couple issues there. Um one, you know, we have um we have a medical director. Um we
37:42 have an MSTU that funds a countywide system. as long as those um ambulances could actually take a call if needed
37:50 outside the city limits that that becomes more doable. Um they would have to be certified under the medical
37:57 director um and so forth. But if they were only isolated to Claremont, then we wouldn't be able to use the MSTU funds for something that was other than a
38:05 countywide integrated program. So that would be the rub there.
38:10 And I can I can add the developer uh Lar I had a communication sometime during the comprehensive plan and I'm going to
38:18 get it wrong but I think he said to me that Hartwood Mar or that Hancock would be finished in the fall of this year.
38:24 So I don't remember falling fall. Okay.
38:28 So that's the Hancock extension up to Hartwood Marsh. Okay. So six months.
38:33 Okay. Uh any anybody else? Chief, did you did you have sir?
38:43 Yes, sir.
38:44 The question was about fire station one and two or two and three and the local the agreements were with two and three.
38:49 I believe the last ambulance we had in Claremont was out of station one. Have we addressed at all from a legal
38:57 perspective the if we have an agreement with two and two is under construction,
39:01 are there any concerns that we should be talking about before we pull those guys out of the station? Are there any current legal concerns? Sure.
39:09 Or will there be?
39:11 We're going to have discussions about it. Okay. Okay. So, that's on the radar.
39:14 Yeah. Uh but as far as Yeah, the construction of station two um a unit will be moving to station one, you know,
39:21 for the foreseeable future for probably at least a year. So there'll be no room at station one, no room at station two.
39:27 There's currently no room at station three because that station is full.
39:30 There's no room in the bays. Um, so you have station four, but that's split between two engines.
39:35 When you say no room, do you mean for the ambulance company? Ambulance company? Yes.
39:39 That currently has an agreement to be in these locations. Correct.
39:43 Okay. Are we making any accommodations for the ambulance company at the Ark while we're relocating our firefighters to the Ark? No.
39:54 Okay.
39:54 That'll be a um be able to fit four personnel. Would this council support a
40:01 request um to the city manager to the city manager and our attorney to help with drafting contracts around how
40:09 we can create a temporary space for the Lake County ambulance during the construction of fire station
40:16 2 so that we're not forcing ambulances outside of the city limits or on the perimeter of the city limits while we sort through this.
40:24 How long would it take to get something like that in front of us?
40:29 Yeah. How what do we think? Next meeting or the April meeting? Does the April meeting maybe give you time?
40:37 How much?
40:38 I know. That's what I wanted to come back before. When are we moving the guys out?
40:41 Uh probably May is what the guesstimation is. So let's say the first meeting in April.
40:46 Are we okay with that direction to have some sort of plan? Chief, just a quick question. Yes, sir.
40:51 One of the things that was addressed um by the commissioner was that if we had our own ambulances, then we would be we would and we let's say we got overloaded by six,
41:01 we wouldn't be able to go outside for mutual aid. Is that true or false? And what's your position on No, you would have you would be able to
41:08 if you have automatic aid and mutual aid agreements, you'd be able to go outside of your boundaries and have people come inside your boundaries.
41:15 So, what is your position on us having our own ambulances versus versus using Lake County for ambulance service?
41:22 Um, uh, to their point, they there has been a drastic change in the response times. We've been, you know, sending the weekly updates and, um, you know, do
41:31 you think this is because back in November, we started to to uh, shake the tree a little bit and had meetings about getting our own? You think
41:39 I don't I don't I don't know if I you know I can comment on that and and say that's why they're you know why we may be putting him in an uncomfortable position with these
41:47 questions. I I think you know if you're going to ask my personal opinion would I rather have our own ambulance service? Yes, I would. Uh but I'm not going to sit there and say
41:56 the reason this is happening is because we shook a tree.
41:59 But I think I agree with Commissioner Commissioner Bane. Nobody cares what's what color is as long as an ambulance is there. You know, I mean that's a primary
42:07 thing and response time is is a critical thing, you know, for certain conditions,
42:11 you know, stroke, things like that, but we need to have transport. We need to have a paramedic and transport them, get them to the hospital within that golden hour.
42:20 Yes, sir. So, response times are very important. Yes.
42:24 Do we have an item on the agenda for workshop in April? Do do we have an April workshop subject?
42:34 financially.
42:37 This might be this might be good for the April workshop and we could have, you know, a chance to learn more about what's happening in the county and how
42:45 our firefighters want to handle it. And we've got the station coming up. Are we okay putting this on the April workshop? Is that good for everybody?
42:53 I I would prefer to have it on the April workshop before bringing it for action to the council. Yeah. Uh I'm not willing to take action without getting
43:01 additional information and having additional conversations particularly given that um we've set a budget already
43:09 for station two. Um we could have had a station two that would have accommodated ambulance. So um I think we need to be
43:17 careful about how much we keep adding to that.
43:20 Our station two does accommodate an ambulance. The question is whose name is on it right currently? No, we don't have room for an ambulance. We don't have room for am the one that's being built the it could. Yes.
43:31 Yeah. Mhm.
43:31 Yeah. So we have room. It's just a question of whose name is on it.
43:36 You saying we have room at station 25 am? Not currently right now. No.
43:39 In the one that's under construction that we've designed. We have room for an ambulance. Correct.
43:44 Yes. We'll have three bays in that. Um so we could we do have other you know units and trailers that go to that station. So it could be a tight fit, but
43:52 but we have anticipated the need to provide ambulance ambulatory care and there would be room for an ambulance.
43:57 If we were to like if we were to take transport ourselves, we could stick an ambulance in our Okay. Um but Commissioner, I appreciate
44:06 again I appreciate you coming down and and addressing the issue with the ambulance and everything. I appreciate you being down here. It was a pleasure to see you down here a couple of weeks
44:15 ago in the uh participating in the fallen Hero 5K. And I know our police department appreciate it as well. So you come down. Uh, one of my goals has
44:23 always been since I get elected is to try to cooperate and work more more with the county because I feel like we are in this thing together. I know you
44:31 responsible for the county and we responsible for the city. But like I say, I have a I provide service for a large portion of your people around here as well and that live in the county. Um,
44:42 even because they utilize a lot of our services and everything. That's why it's so important for me to see that we work together. And I appreciate the fact that
44:50 you all went back and took the time and heard heard the complaints and was able to work this thing out and get the ambulance down here. Um, I guess my
44:58 problem is I was around here when we had our own ser ambulance services and I saw the problem we was having. Same thing that they was complaining about with you
45:06 all. We was having the same problem having with our own service and that was one of the reason we we got rid of it.
45:11 We didn't have enough room to house them and all. So, we had to get rid of them. Um, I think we still have room housing.
45:18 So, my thing is why are we trying to reinvent the wheel? It always been my point. Let's let's work with you all and see can't we make it better instead of
45:26 trying to go back and reinvent the wheel. Uh, say we had it before we got rid of it for these reasons and everything and the cost and all these
45:34 involved. And I'll be honest, I was one of those that was against getting rid of it in the beginning, but over the time it worked out pretty well. And I know
45:42 we've had some hard times since co and everything trying everything trying to man man ambulance and like everything else. So I think it sounds as though you
45:50 all got that all worked out. So we appreciate that. But my other question and the other reason I'm I'm concerned is um the last two quarters uh we've
46:00 been coming up to Leburg and we've been working on the uh as as the joint commission and managers and mayors
46:07 meeting. We've been talking about uh transfer uh property rights. My county and my council members here doesn't have
46:16 the pleasure of hearing all that. So, I was hoping you can explain to them what that's all about and everything because I'm starting to get a lot more questions about what what are they talking about
46:24 with transfer of property rights. So, if you can explain to them what's going on.
46:27 So, this really is an issue for Commissioner Parks. This is his baby. Um he is the TDR transfer of development
46:37 rights guru. Um he brought this forward in conjunction with joint planning areas
46:45 and the possibility of creating locations where rights like high densities on one property that's maybe
46:54 not an appropriate location for high density is shifted over to other properties that are more appropriate.
47:01 And you actually create um and Mr. Matthysse can probably help me out here,
47:05 but you almost create like a bank where let's say a developer has a right to 14 units to the acre, but they only have
47:13 six units to the acre on their on the land use map, but they could go to the to the bank or to another property owner that has some of these to sell. So you would take it off of one piece of land,
47:24 make that a lower density, maybe for conservation purposes, maybe for estate residential type uses, and then you
47:32 would shift that over to more urbanized areas. Is that kind of a You did a great job. There's there's
47:39 there's a few different ways you could do TDRs. And one of them is you have a sending zone and a receiving zone where you have zones where you actually say
47:47 we're going to re we're going to receive the land here and we're going to send it over to this land to get the higher density on land B, but in perpetuity,
47:56 land A would be under conservation easement. So they're basically selling all their rights. You could do it under under a sending zone, receiving zone.
48:04 You can do it under a private kind of a banking system like you described. So there's there's a lot of different options and I think Commissioner Parks is trying to figure out which one is the
48:13 best and I I offered to work with him on that. Um I've been involved in TDR processes, ones that have worked and ones that have not. So I think he and I
48:22 are going to get together sometime in the near future and start coming up with some discussions on this.
48:27 Okay. Yeah. So hopefully I answered enough to explain TDRs. I mean, I think the idea is at the end of the day,
48:34 you're able to conserve areas that probably aren't appropriate for development, maybe wildlife corridors,
48:40 environmentally sensitive property, or property that, you know, is more rural in nature, and you're shifting those densities over to more urbanized areas.
48:49 And then you give the benefit to that land owner for agreeing not to ever develop their property. Essentially,
48:55 they're getting paid to send those development rights somewhere else. It's complicated. And you know, we've gotten mixed reviews and some thoughts are that you'd have to do it in isolated areas.
49:05 Other thoughts are that you have to do it countywide. Um my my goal is not to let the joint planning agreement process with other we have a great relationship
49:14 with Claremont and the joint planning process um some of the other cities we don't have those in place. And so we really want to make sure we keep those
49:22 moving along and we don't get too bogged down on the TDR thing that we can't get those others across the finish line. Um,
49:28 so there's been some talk about kind of keeping those separate, but I know this is really near and dear to Commissioner Parks.
49:35 Yes. And actually, as I said, it's starting, I'm starting to hear more rumble out there about it every good or bad.
49:42 Well, people's trying to figure out which way to go with it, I guess,
49:46 because they, you know, at one point it seems good and then other side it seemed bad and even myself, I'm trying, oh, is this a good thing or it's a bad thing?
49:54 And of course, I can't sit in here because sunshine law and talk to my council members about it. So that's why I had the opportunity. Of course, Mr.
50:00 Matthews, he can probably sit down oneonone and explain it to him. So,
50:03 well, you know, we're in the midst of um updating our comprehensive plan, so we have to do that. Everybody has to do that uh periodically. What we found in
50:12 doing our um vacant land inventory, we actually had to evaluate basically every piece of vacant land in Lake County,
50:19 whether it was in the city or in the county. And what we found is that we actually have a surplus when you look at just what the land use designations are.
50:28 We have a surplus of property that's available to be developed. So from the standpoint of updating our plan, we don't need from the unincorporated area standpoint, we don't need to be adding,
50:40 you know, any more density. Um but without looking at every single city, um we when we looked at we looked all at
50:47 all the cities um to see how much is actually out there. Um, so some of that data might be helpful to um you all to
50:55 look at, you know, that analysis that was done of Claremont proper. How much do you have that's available and how does that line up to your your comp plan
51:04 densities? But I guess it brought me comfort knowing that we weren't going to be amending the plan and and having to tell people in Lake County in order to accommodate all the people moving to Florida, we've got to add more density.
51:15 We don't. We don't. And we've we've got enough to meet what the University of Florida is projecting. And even with the extreme growth um and influx of
51:24 residents to Lake County, we should have enough to accommodate it um per that comprehensive plan analysis. Okay.
51:32 Thank you, M. Mr. Wall, when I was saying I'm not sure whether it's good or bad, I I saw you shaking your head down there. I I of course have no personal opinions.
51:41 Um I I I think it's interesting. I mean,
51:43 the Florida Association of Counties really likes it. Um the Florida Association of Counties says that you know they think that you can save 20 analysis. We actually have the number.
51:52 So they looked at what you all had on your map and analysis. We actually have the number. So they looked at what you all had on your map and how much is
52:00 vacant and what you actually need in order to meet the population projections.
52:04 So I just said I need to ask my city manager to get with you all and get the get that data and everything instead of going out and doing the study yourself.
52:12 So, I got confirmation that we're in the process of buying the last two properties that we needed for the Hartwood Marsh expansion. Then we just have to have DOT sign off on that and
52:21 then we go out to bid. So, we're looking at summer is is looks realistic. And then on Hancock, um they're saying that
52:28 developer has started and that they're looking to the fall to be completed. August. Okay. August.
52:35 Last word. Last word I got on that. That was I heard they they got started and uh hopefully by fall they'll be complete.
52:42 However, one my one request to the county is the fact that when we building roads, can we start looking at four-lane roads instead of these two-lane roads?
52:51 Okay. I think it's a waste of our money.
52:53 They design it for the four knowing that they can't we can't afford it right now,
52:58 but we can afford the two. And then, you know, you grow into it. But it really it literally just comes down to, you know,
53:05 whether you're going to go ahead and get the road in place with two lanes um versus not be able to build it at all because the four lane is just way too expensive.
53:14 Right. I I understand that, but like uh the problem we having now is the fact that we building two-lane road and you say we grow into them, but as soon as we
53:22 open within 30 days, we already open all I perfect example is Scoffield Road. Okay. Uh we only build two lanes down. I mean,
53:31 wow. We can use four legs. We can probably The orange lake, I think, is slated to
53:37 do the They're looking at Gosh, I Okay, so we got a couple years before
53:44 it's completely done, but the Wellness Way Boulevard is is getting close to punching through to Orange. That should take some pressure off the scope.
53:54 Is the state when that would be You said it's getting close to the Orange County line. Do you know when that will be? Um,
53:59 Jennifer, do you know the exact date? I But it Yeah, we'll have to get back to you on the exact dates what they're projecting,
54:06 but they're we're making some real progress there.
54:10 Do we know if the state or Orange County are participating in the construction of that road or those roads on their side versus on our
54:19 I mean, what's their Well, we talked about Scoffield and Wellness Way, both of which basically take people who reside in Lake County to work and play
54:26 in Orange County. So my question is what role do the state as a kind of tourism is our number one industry right so people some of these people are doing it
54:35 for tourism purposes and then some are doing it because it's two cities or two counties that are adjacent to each other I mean I'm questioning because I don't
54:43 know if Orange County is matching our construction on the other side are they lower or you know is the state helping at all to help streamline that
54:52 so these um are definitely in our no plan and so we do receive um FDOT state money as part of our cap, you know,
55:01 their capital contribution. So, it's a combination of Lake County dollars,
55:04 impact fee dollars, and state dollars on our side because it is a rural area, so you don't have a lot of impact fees and taxes to
55:13 pay for those highways basically. I mean, it seems like it would be good for the state and potentially even federal.
55:19 You're coming off of US 27 and going over. I don't know. It's just Let me let me let me share this with you if I'm mistaken. Correct me if I'm
55:26 wrong, Mr. Van Wagner, but uh Fool's Wildness Way connection in the Independence Way. Orange County began they work on that last September,
55:35 October. So, um some years the original What's that? Is it as wide as you're saying?
55:41 No, it's still going to be my understanding still two lanes that they're doing, but they going to connect in right right now. We're finishing Wellness Way, which you was just
55:50 mentioning what we hope to be done by the end of the year. My understanding Orange County should be in do their connection by next summer, by the end of
55:58 the fall, fall next year. As I've always been saying for the last year or so,
56:03 we've been building the road to nowhere because if you take Wellness Way right now, you get there, you're going to have to turn around and come back because you can't get through. But we got Orange
56:12 County to move move their development up a couple years because I think originally he was talking five years and I think we talked with them a couple
56:19 times and they finally came back last year and say they they were going to start to work last September if I'm not mistaken. They broke ground. Am I right Mr. Ben Wagner?
56:27 That's my understanding too Mr. Mayor.
56:29 Okay. Now Scoffield Scoffield Road the Scurve and all that in there. I understand the county is kind of working on that as well.
56:37 Okay.
56:38 But my point is that these aren't county roads that are going. They're they're regional and and I hope and if you need
56:46 our help in with anything, I'm I'm happy to be part of it to put pressure on the larger organizations who are benefiting
56:53 from Lake County and Orange County building these roads and what I hope would be maintained as rural areas. I mean, their highways through the middle
57:01 of a rural area. I mean, who do they serve, right? And so I think if we look at who they really serve, they're not just serving Lake County residents or
57:10 Orange County. They're serving people who are visiting. And that's why it seems like a state and they're coming off 27, which puts us into federal. And hey, if you need our help, this guy
57:19 writes really nice letters. And we can we can I'd be happy to support that because I don't think that you should have a feeling that Lake County
57:28 residents or Claremont residents are solely responsible for building roads for people to come to Disney. I mean,
57:33 I'm just going to be candid about it. I mean, they come from all over the world to Well, what I'll do is I'll um I'll see if we can get you a breakdown so you can just look at where the dollars are
57:41 coming from on on our side, and if we can get any information on the other side, we will. Um but I can at least show you where the different um funding
57:49 sources are on um on these particular east west connectors.
57:55 Well, my it was my understanding for the connection to Well, no way, Independence Way, I guess, is side on Orange County.
58:01 It was all county. That's why we were negotiating with the county for a few years. We did all our negotiating with the county, not the state.
58:07 The argument is that, you know, they're economic drivers. Um whether it's tourism, whether it's workrelated, um whether it's convenience for people to get to the airport or to visit family,
58:17 friends. I mean, they they they are economic drivers. They open up opportunities. Um so, I think when when
58:24 you look at them from a regional standpoint, they're not just serving one single purpose. Um but um but they arguably impact us you know in a in a
58:32 positive way ultimately because of that and and I will reiterate too I haven't said it yet but on wellness way I mean our focus has always been on the
58:41 economic development side um the reservation of of land uses that have to be used for job creation and we have
58:48 kept those intact. It's takes time for those things to materialize. But those designated areas, they cannot be used
58:57 for residential purposes. They have to be used for commercial, you know, employment center type uses. So ultimately, you know, this
59:06 will facilitate that type of um job creation in Lake County.
59:13 Is there any plan for Wellness Way to ultimately be its own city?
59:17 I'm certainly not aware of anything like that. No,
59:24 but we're building a city in Wellness Way.
59:28 And this might be a good one to have over lunch. Okay, we can do that. Happy to do it. Yeah.
59:33 Well, I mean, I get this from folks in North Lake um in the Sarrento area. They have everything about their little community. They've got a park and they've got a library and they've got a
59:41 fire station and so the question comes up, should we be a city? and then they start calculating the numbers on what it would cost to actually put another layer
59:48 of government on top and they're like no no no we like our tax rate the way it is. So as a general rule that's a real big selling point to you know as long as
59:57 the services can be provided efficiently then you know it's it's beneficial for the people that choose to to live in those areas.
1:00:05 Well I do want to thank you publicly for something so that I'm never accused of thanking you in private for something.
1:00:10 Um, there is a project that will come before us at some point on Hook Street,
1:00:14 south of Hook Street, east of 27. And it is my understanding that the county has told that developer who has a project in the middle of Claremont, right in the
1:00:22 middle of Claremont, that you won't reszone, that they need to work with us.
1:00:26 And I want to thank you and the other members of the county commission for that support because that can get real tricky where people are coming to you to
1:00:34 try to get more property rights and then use that to get our services and not pay for it. And I just want to thank you for
1:00:42 standing firm to when something is in Claremont, you're letting us lead that.
1:00:46 And so I want to thank you for that publicly so they can use that against me all they want because I said it publicly. I appreciate it. You're welcome.
1:00:52 Thank you so much for allowing me to be here and thank you for coming. Thank you for being here.
1:00:57 We thank you for taking the time out of your schedule and coming down and and we appreciate it and all and thank you. Um I hope that wasn't too bad.
1:01:08 All right.
1:01:12 Uh we have two proclamations this afternoon. The first one is a proclamation for procurement month. Yes,
1:01:21 ma'am. Whereas the public procurement profession plays a significant role in the efficiency and effectiveness of both
1:01:29 government and the public sector by upholding the principles of transparency, fairness, competition, and integrity. And whereas procurement
1:01:37 professionals in Claremont are dedicated to ensuring the prudent use of public funds in pursuit of maximizing the value
1:01:45 received for expenditures, thereby contributing significantly to the fiscal health and stability of the city. And
1:01:52 whereas procurement professionals are tasked with navigating complex procurement laws and ethical p standards
1:01:59 while striving to achieve the best procurement practices and the highest standards of professional conduct. And whereas the procurement services
1:02:07 department recognizes, supports, and practices the public procurement values and guiding principles of accountability, ethics, impartiality,
1:02:16 professionalism, service, and transparency established by the NIGP,
1:02:21 the Institute for Public Procurement as fundamental tenants of the public procurement profession. And whereas NIGP
1:02:28 has recognized March as procurement month to further expand the awareness of the procurement professionals role to governmental officials, the public,
1:02:38 businesses, and corporate leaders.
1:02:40 Now therefore, I Tim Murray, mayor of the city of Clout in the state of Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of
1:02:47 March 2026 as procurement month. and witness where whereof I have here unto set my hands and called the great seal
1:02:55 of the city of Claremont to be affixed this 10th day of March in the year 2026.
1:03:01 Thank you. Let me come down. You will come join me.
1:04:07 Good. Good.
1:04:13 Okay, the next proclamation is in recognition of International Women's Day. Whereas International Women's Day observed annually on March 8th is a
1:04:22 global celebration recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls throughout history and across all
1:04:31 nations. And whereas women have played a vital role in shaping our community through leadership in government,
1:04:38 business, education, healthc care,
1:04:41 public safety, the arts, science, and volunteer service. And whereas the city of Claremont recognizes the invaluable
1:04:48 contributions of women who work tirelessly to strengthen families, build businesses, mentor youth, and serve our
1:04:55 residents with dedication and compassion. And whereas International Women's Day also serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing
1:05:03 pursuit of equality and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all women and girls have access to opportunities
1:05:11 that that allow them to thrive and reach their full potential. And whereas by celebrating the achievements of women and supporting their continued advancement, we help create a stronger,
1:05:22 more inclusive, and more prosperous community for all residents.
1:05:26 Now therefore, I Tim Murray, mayor of the city of Claremont in the state of Florida, do do hereby proclaim the 8th
1:05:32 of March, 2026 as International Women's Day. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and cause the great
1:05:41 seal of the city of Clout to be affixed this 10th day of March in the year 2026.
1:05:47 And I don't think we're doing a presentation there, right? Okay.
1:05:54 Next item is public comment.
1:05:57 If you wish to address the council in person, please come to the microphone and state your name and address. Once in-person comments are concluded, we
1:06:05 will move on to virtual comments. If you are participating online on Microsoft Teams and wish to provide comments,
1:06:12 please raise your hand and you will be called on to unmute your microphone when it is your turn to speak. If you are
1:06:19 participating by phone, you will press star five on your phone to raise your hand. When called upon, you will press
1:06:26 star six to unmute your microphone. For all virtual participant, if you wish to comment on other items on the agenda,
1:06:33 please stay on Microsoft Teams or on your phone and raise your hand when that item comes up on the agenda. This
1:06:40 portion of the meeting is only for items that are not on the agenda. In the interest of time, efficiency, and ensuring that everyone who wishes to
1:06:48 address the council given an opportunity to do so, each speaker will be permitted three minutes to address the council. To avoid disruption of the meeting, speaker should avoid inappropriate language,
1:06:58 personal attacks, derogatory statements, and direct comments to the city council.
1:07:03 Everyone is requested to be respectful of each other even when we disagree. Yes, sir.
1:07:09 My name is Wilbert Montgomery. Once upon a time, the last time me resident of Claremont but the past five years I have
1:07:17 been in Groveland Florida but Claremont have three so three source thumbs
1:07:25 my first one is Blossom Avenue now been nearly every major city in
1:07:32 Florida have a monu boulevard but clear mount have an honorary mark I
1:07:39 want to erase that and put block at least part of Blossom Avenue as Mu King Boulevard.
1:07:48 My second A Street.
1:07:52 You know, they've been talking about A Street for five years or longer. We came down here last last time I was down
1:07:59 here. They said they going to start a pier down there.
1:08:05 And we asked that they have a place for veterans.
1:08:09 And at the time, they say they had $7 million Clear mouth has $7 million and $7 million has $33,000 a year
1:08:19 interest but you're letting it sit there. My third is the pier itself.
1:08:26 Who believes what is good for the goose is good for the gardener.
1:08:31 That pier is a sore thumb. If anything was in clear mouth that look like that pier y'all be finding them right now.
1:08:40 So, what's the issue? That's it. That's it.
1:08:46 Okay. Thank you, sir. If you stick around, we may have some answers to some of those questions. Okay. At a later time. Thank you.
1:08:54 Yes, sir.
1:08:56 Yes. Uh, my name is Cedric Johnson. I live at 10151 Grand Loop in Claremont, Florida. 34711.
1:09:08 I know that uh two weeks ago they were in there changing the signs to the city of Claremont. So evidently it's an annexed property.
1:09:20 We have yet to hear anything from the HOA. It's only 75 homes in there. They didn't tell us whether you're going to be providing I did see the police coming
1:09:28 in and the fire department, but I have yet What about the sanitation?
1:09:33 And what else are they doing? Uh we are we going to be allowed to vote in the elections, the general I mean the city
1:09:40 elections since you've taken over the property? Uh we didn't get these answers yet. Do do you guys know anything about it?
1:09:47 Oh, and what what what subdivision is that?
1:09:49 It's uh called uh uh Grand uh Louisa Grand. Louisa Grand. Okay,
1:09:54 that's correct. It's right off 27 behind the uh next next to Vacation Village. That's correct. Okay. Yes. Okay. Well,
1:10:03 that's what I wanted to know. we can vote, you know, cuz the county had it and we couldn't vote in city elections,
1:10:09 but you know, the sanitation is still being done by it, but they came in and immediately changed the signs in the neighborhood uh two weeks ago and uh that was my question to the council.
1:10:19 Thank you.
1:10:20 Okay. Um if you hang around, we I'll try to get some of those answers for you later. Okay. Thank you, sir.
1:10:28 Yes, sir.
1:10:40 Farmer Banks Halffick. I live in uh on the Clay Road District, South Lake County. Farm tip of the day. It is March and it is time to put the spring crops
1:10:48 into the ground. Beans, peas, um perennials such as eggplants, peppers,
1:10:55 uh squashes, cucumbers, uh and also watermelon to name a few. Is it time to cut our leaves?
1:11:01 Cut them. Cut them. Yes. Cut them. Thanks. Mayor, council, distinguished guests,
1:11:07 the ways and means of bringing goods and services to uh customers via
1:11:15 corporations, businesses, and entrepreneurs is considered to be capitalism. Capitalism is the spark for
1:11:22 which many of us uh in this United States uh the American dream. Um many of us uh who have lived elsewhere and come
1:11:30 here to become citizens look for that opportunity for the American dream to create wealth to uh take that wealth and to do what we want with it to spend it
1:11:39 on homes or cars or motorcycles or crypto or gold or silver or the stock market. However, the one thing that
1:11:47 money does not buy is uh money does not buy happiness. Uh psychologists have found that happiness happens uh through
1:11:55 connections. um through people connecting with each other, people connecting with um their pets, people
1:12:03 connecting with earth. Um so how do we create uh happiness? It begins by
1:12:11 service and you all know by being on the dis that what you do is servicing this community. Uh you find it in those uh
1:12:19 men and women of the cloth who serve their flock. You see it in the military uh who those who serve our constitution
1:12:26 and our country. Um however before service comes showing up that's actually
1:12:33 being there being in front of people showing up at uh Groveland City Council uh speaking in front of people also
1:12:42 right here in uh Claremont as well. Um showing up uh creates connections. These connections build relationships.
1:12:52 relationships form into communities.
1:12:54 Communities are where you find um uh uh trust uh building trust in each other.
1:13:01 Our institutions, education, government,
1:13:04 uh this trust is where happiness is formed. Um so when it all comes back to showing up, many of you may ask
1:13:11 yourself, Banks, why do you show up at the city council meetings once a month?
1:13:16 Um I do that because I care. I show up here. I show up uh ladelling for the
1:13:24 citrus tower Thanksgiving for those who cannot uh eat or need food. Uh I show up at Love Groveland uh and card out food and ask those clients how they're doing.
1:13:36 Um I show up for here and it's not because I it's about me. I do it because this community matters.
1:13:48 I am Farmer Banks Halffrick, advocate for South Lake County, candidate for state house district 25. May you all be blessed. Thank you for allowing me to speak.
1:13:57 Thank you, sir. Yes, ma'am. The camera on, please.
1:14:12 Where do I just put it on the Yep.
1:14:19 Okay. Thank you.
1:14:30 Good afternoon, uh, city council. Uh, my name is Rosie Mholland. Uh I live in
1:14:37 Claremont on 12th Street and I'm here to speak on behalf of Lake Aawwa Preserve.
1:14:43 Uh you've heard me speak on that subject before.
1:14:47 Uh and just as a reminder, I have uh assisted the city in the past on grant
1:14:53 applications for Lake Hayawa Park. Um, I
1:14:59 I shared the 2008 management plan with the council yesterday via email.
1:15:05 There'll be a quiz here. I hope you all read it. Okay. Um, and what I gave you and what's displayed is um kind of a
1:15:12 nice synopsis. It's exhibit F, which is just the master site plan for for the park. provides a really simple summary
1:15:22 of the commitments that the city made in order to receive the Florida Communities Trust grant and
1:15:31 those so each of those boxes is kind of a commitment that the city made in that grant application and because Florida
1:15:40 communities trust money is also Florida forever money commitments are in existence in perpetuity and perpetuity
1:15:49 is a very long time. Uh the city has had in my personal opinion uh very little
1:15:56 followup on many of these commitments and we've certainly seen recently that the city's not really been managing the
1:16:04 area as the conservation area which was the intent of the grant that it would be a natural resource-based park. It wouldn't be an urban park.
1:16:16 So from my perspective, and I hope others, the city has a fantastic opportunity right now to kind of turn a
1:16:24 corner on the preserves management and to demonstrate that the city is
1:16:32 extremely capable of managing a nature preserve, which is different than a
1:16:39 straight out city park. to try to move that forward. Um, I would recommend that
1:16:45 the council would consider forming some kind of committee, a working group, whatever you all would like to call it,
1:16:53 that would be kind of an advisory capacity to help with getting the
1:17:01 management for Lake Hayawa preserve, you know, back on on track. So I would just ask that somehow, however you all do
1:17:10 that, it becomes an item to vote on for the council. So thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you.
1:17:17 Thank you, ma'am. I'll just leave that there.
1:17:24 You can bring it.
1:17:27 Hello, I'm Sandy Gapen. I live at 2690 Eagle Lake Drive in Claremont. Uh so to
1:17:35 go along with what Rosie was saying it there's about like I would say over a hundred acres of conservation area and
1:17:42 that's a huge task for anybody and I really believe that the community can take part in helping. So I along with
1:17:50 some other people have formed the friends of Hayawa preserve and it'll be our mission to protect, restore and
1:17:57 maintain the preservation area and we would like to work along with the city council the city government to do this
1:18:05 and then uh the first part about protecting it. I would suggest my recommendation is to establish a law to
1:18:13 protect the preserve and um prohibit the use of it for recreation and for special events.
1:18:21 So I think that would be very important because why bother restoring it if somebody can come along and just um use
1:18:29 it for whatever recreation use. And then the to form the committee would be the next step to start restoring the
1:18:36 preserve. And that's really important. I think the city government, the different departments that are associated with
1:18:43 Hayawa Preserve, the friends of Hayawa Preserve, we would love to be part of it. And we have a lot of experts in our community who would know how to do this.
1:18:54 I don't know, but I don't mind doing the dirty work and getting in there,
1:18:58 planting, cutting, whatever you have to do. So, I think it's important a next step. So today I would like to see if
1:19:05 you can vote to protect the park and to form a council. So thank you.
1:19:12 Thank you ma'am. Yes sir.
1:19:28 Good afternoon. My name is Kurt Shu. Mr.
1:19:30 Mayor, city council members distinguished panel members. Um, I had a couple questions after my last presentation to you two weeks ago and
1:19:39 um, coming from the intelligence community, I still work in DC. Um,
1:19:45 you don't move two carrier battle groups into the Middle East or the Indian Ocean without thinking someone's going to do something. And since we spoke last,
1:19:53 we've started other combat operations in the Middle East, Operation Fury. This is Captain Cody Court.
1:20:01 He joined the Florida National Guard in 2009 and he died this last week.
1:20:07 He was part of seven killed in combat operations in the Persian Gulf in Iran.
1:20:12 He traveled the world. He was in Saudi Arabia, GMO, Poland. He was in Korea, Kuwait when he was killed by a drone.
1:20:20 Um,
1:20:23 I keep bringing this up because I haven't heard a whole lot on meet us in the Middle. Um, I know we're having a meeting tomorrow about it. It's been
1:20:31 almost five months now since we haven't moved forward. We've talked about the planning. Um, five months is a long time. Um, I've talked about
1:20:40 post-traumatic stress because the family members, they live in Pulk County. He grew up here in Central Florida and he
1:20:48 gave everything he's going to be. His family will never see him again. He came home this last week into Dover. Um,
1:20:57 imagine if your son or daughter, your husband, your uncle, your father, and you're never going to see him again.
1:21:03 He gave all.
1:21:07 Um, it's a tough thing, those of us who have been to combat or served in war,
1:21:11 lost a firefighter or police officer in public service, when those people that were there are now gone. Um, I know in
1:21:18 my brain I've got etched all these names, people that I served with in combat and that are not here anymore.
1:21:26 And so as we continue combat operations,
1:21:29 striking targets, which was one of my skill sets when I was at US essential command, SOCOM and Socks, I did joint special operations.
1:21:39 Um, that's why I have a restricted address.
1:21:43 And so I would like us at least reflect on as we go forward and talk about meet us in the middle. We have a planning meeting tomorrow. I thank you all for your service. God bless.
1:21:52 Thank you, sir. Yes, ma'am.
1:22:00 Good afternoon. Valerie Shuitt, 931 West Montro Street. Um, my husband and I did a little experiment this weekend. We
1:22:08 decided to bike from our house here in downtown Claremont to check out the new Sprouts down 27. And so, this is my friendly little audit here to share with
1:22:17 you some takeaways that I think could be useful just in light of the conversations around expanding the greenway network. um we learned some
1:22:25 things. So takeaway number one, our trails are great, but they are very limited. So for that trek, we really
1:22:32 weren't on we couldn't be on trails for a majority of the time. Uh obviously Claremont and the county, they have some great trail segments. Um but they're
1:22:40 limited in where they go and they mostly function, I think, for recreation and exercise purposes for people. And so the real opportunity wind is obviously going
1:22:48 to be in expanding connections to routes that people can actually use for daily life and the things that they need to
1:22:55 get to. Takeaway number two is that a bike route doesn't have to be the shortest way to get somewhere for people to use it. So for us to drive there it'd be about a 15minute drive to bike there.
1:23:06 It took about 30 minutes. Probably with a better path it could be more like 25 minutes. But I realized for me with the experience um a deciding factor is not
1:23:14 going to be primarily time. I would gladly take a little longer to get somewhere if it was going to be uh enjoyable and functional, you know,
1:23:21 because the other benefits are it's exercise and there's sunshine and Claremont is beautiful. Uh and we're saving on gas money. Takeaway number
1:23:29 three, um technically possible can't be the goal. Uh so most of our ride, our options were either to be in the road
1:23:35 with traffic um on bike lanes there in the street uh or on narrow single width sidewalks. And so that's very different
1:23:44 from having a low stress bike route or greenway option. Um there were bike lanes on 27 and there were bike rid uh
1:23:51 bike lanes on Hammock Ridge Road, but we did not ride in those lanes. We stuck to the sidewalk. There's a reason you don't see people ever in those bike lanes.
1:24:00 Technically, they're a bike lane, but absolutely not realistic or safe for most people in their minds. Um takeaway number four is that shade matters a lot,
1:24:09 but we do not have a lot of it at all.
1:24:12 And so when we hit the shaded areas, the ride became instantly more comfortable and even fun. Um, so I think making sure
1:24:19 that our greenways and in the conversations were really prioritizing having ample shade if we're going to make this investment that's just going to be key to usability for people and
1:24:28 people wanting to take these routes whether it be by bike, golf cart, or walking. Um, so it became apparent to us that this is not a ride now we're going
1:24:36 to make a habit of. Uh but it did actually make me optimistic uh because the potential is obvious for Claremont.
1:24:42 You know, we already have the great bones of a trail town. Um and now we just need to take the opportunity to connect these pieces and make them
1:24:50 usable for everyday life. There is no one solution to traffic. I want to acknowledge that. Um I think that's going to be an ecosystem of solutions.
1:24:59 Um but this I think is certainly a very actionable and doable thing that is more within the control of the city. Um, and
1:25:06 I can certainly see myself enjoying this more. Um, and as I did the ride and came back from that, I found myself thinking
1:25:14 more like, hm, I got to go somewhere. I wonder if I could bike to get there. And I think that's obviously the thought that we want to plant in people's minds in the future. Thank you.
1:25:22 Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else?
1:25:30 162.
1:25:32 Good afternoon, mayor, members of the council. Paulo Hoisington, 564 East Soda Street. I'm going to talk about some
1:25:39 things that happened um few few meetings back that because of schedule mom being
1:25:47 sick, I wasn't able to attend. Um so I'm really seeking some clarity and some answers. Um first I want to wish all the
1:25:55 women a um terrific wonderful women's monk all the contributions that we make particularly those that work for the
1:26:04 city thank you for your service and our council women and we talk about women one of the things that I wanted to bring up there was a meeting public meeting
1:26:11 where there was the discussion on women being safe and to in my mind it kind of tied to why we are now meeting at 3:00 versus 6:30.
1:26:22 So my first question is, do we have data to show that women are not safe in Claremont? And should we not only worry about women, but the safety of all of
1:26:31 our citizens? I know the police chief and his staff come and do a quarterly meeting in the Lincoln Park area. I haven't seen any data to say that women
1:26:39 are unsafe, whether it's during the day or at night. So if there is some type of data that can prove that, I would like
1:26:46 to see or have access to it or tell me where I can get it. And as our elected officials, our females, if you feel that
1:26:55 it is unsafe for women, my question to you as an elected official, what have you done to ensure that that is not
1:27:03 happening? What have you done within your powers to put processes in place to ensure that not only women are safe, but
1:27:09 all women, all people, all citizens are safe in the city of Claremont? as an elected official and a woman feeling
1:27:16 that she cannot leave this city hall at night. My other thing is because of the time in which we meet, elderly people,
1:27:25 just people in general that want to come and do business with the city are unable to find parking spaces. So, they're
1:27:32 having to park down the street and walk to do business at the city because we are now having city council meeting. Has that been in any consideration? And I
1:27:41 realize that we have talked about the time of this council meeting and you all have voted and said, "Nope, we're not changing it. This the way we want it and it's going to stay at 3:00." But I'm
1:27:49 asking you to please consider those who have to come here and do business and they're not able to do business. And you can say, "Well, they can do it online."
1:27:55 Everybody don't have access to be online. Everybody don't choose to be online. Some people want to actually come and meet the person in which they are paying face to face. But if I'm
1:28:04 coming down here and I got to circle and circle and circle and look for a parking space, you're giving a disadvantage to me. And when I come here and I see cones
1:28:13 in parking spaces that look like they are reserved,
1:28:18 why don't we all have a reserved parking space? Why is it necessary to have a reserved parking space? What is the data
1:28:25 to say that we need a reserved parking space? And I hope you'll give me a little bit more time there. So, I'm asking that when we make those comments,
1:28:35 are we doing what we can do in our positions to ensure that all citizens are safe and particularly that group in
1:28:42 which you are concerned about? And do we have the data? Can we get the data from the police department to show where there is a legitimate concern and there may be and if there is what areas?
1:28:52 Because I would like to know, should I go out at night? the women that are working at night that have no other choice. Are they aware that there may be
1:29:01 danger in the city for women? My other thing is when we take field trips and we take city field trips, there was a trip made to I think seaside. I think that's
1:29:10 the proper thing. And there were staff other than there were people in attendance that were not staff.
1:29:16 Councilwoman Strange, I don't know. I haven't seen the list, but I understand that there were people from your family. How do we do that? What's the process?
1:29:23 Paula might want to go one day. How do I find out that there is a trip? How do I get to go? What are the recommendations? Who pays for it?
1:29:32 How do we get that information? How do we decide who gets to participate and enjoy the things that our staff are going to see back the city? And do they
1:29:41 come back and do a public report of what they saw? So, can you wrap it up in 30?
1:29:46 I can, sir. I can, sir. So my question is can I get the data on the safety of the city and can I get a copy of the
1:29:54 process on how it is determined who gets to participate on any city function? Do we send it out so that anyone can say I
1:30:04 would like to be put on the list? Thank you sir.
1:30:06 Thank you. Anyone else? This is a public forum. Anyone in the public wish
1:30:21 Joe Pamasi 2693 Wellness Way um I've heard some of the speeches coming out of the council members here and I'm really
1:30:28 concerned about snide comments made about new residents moving here complain about traffic and that uh you know maybe they
1:30:38 should think about it they're the cause of it because they moved here to, you know, maybe not wanting to represent this whole city. I I feel like there's a
1:30:47 lot of divide coming out of here and I think that maybe you should revocus on wanting to represent all of Claremont and not only half of it.
1:30:56 I uh hear a lot Wellness Way especially, should my citizens be concerned?
1:31:04 You know, uh I'm my neighbors. We hear a lot of things that are coming out of here. New people, they cause traffic
1:31:12 problems. You're one minute you want us in the city, next minute you don't.
1:31:17 We're on the fringe. So, how should we perceive that from a government that claims they want to represent all of us?
1:31:26 Cuz I'm hearing you only want to represent half.
1:31:30 So, how about you refocus your speech of representing the whole of Claremont and not only half of it? Not only the old,
1:31:39 but the new as well. I think you know who I'm talking to.
1:31:44 Thank you. And I appreciate if you would make eye contact when I come up here cuz I give you the same respect.
1:31:52 Anyone else? Anyone else? This is a public forum.
1:31:58 Anyone in the public wish to address council at uh public comments can come to the microphone, state your name and address and have three minutes. Anyone else?
1:32:08 Seeing no one else I close in house. Anything anyone online sir?
1:32:13 No one online. So I'm going to close public comment at this time.
1:32:24 All right. Before we move on, Mr. Van Wagner, is there any changes to the agenda? No, no changes, Mr. Mayor.
1:32:30 Okay. The next portion of the meeting is for the consent agenda, which contain items that has been determined to be routine and non-controversial. If anyone
1:32:38 in the audience wishes to address a particular item on the consent agenda, now is the opportunity for you to do so.
1:32:44 Additionally, if staff or members of the city council wish to speak on a consent item, they have the same opportunity.
1:32:50 The consent items this afternoon is items one to uh one through three.
1:32:58 Is there any item that anyone wish to have pulled? Item number one. Item number one.
1:33:05 Okay. Any other items?
1:33:09 Seeing no other items, I will take a motion on uh for item two and three.
1:33:15 I move to approve items two and three of the consent agenda. I second.
1:33:18 Okay. Have a motion and a second to approve item two and three on the consent agenda. Any further discussion? No.
1:33:25 Hearing none. All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose. Chair vote. I as well. Motion carries 50. Item number one,
1:33:32 meeting minutes. Yes. On the last page of the meeting minutes,
1:33:36 page 21 in our packet, page 10 in the regular council meeting minutes. There's a reference to me raising concerns about two instances. The number should be
1:33:44 three, and I would like that to be edited for the record. So am I moving to edit the minutes?
1:33:54 You would move to approve subject to the change.
1:33:56 Move to approve item number one subject to the change of the reference to two instances to be three. Second.
1:34:03 Have a motion and a second for approval of item n number one with the subject ch uh pronouns this change. Any further discussion?
1:34:13 No.
1:34:13 None. All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I.
1:34:16 All oppose. Chair vote I as well. Motion carries 5.
1:34:21 Unfinished business. Ordinance number 2026-00003.
1:34:28 Mayor, I'll read the three of these titles together. Yes. The next three. Okay. Uh we'll go.
1:34:36 Well, what about three, four, four, five, and six?
1:34:39 Three, four, and five will be heard together. Is that correct?
1:34:42 No. Four, five, and six will be read together. Okay.
1:34:44 I'm sorry. We we vote on them separately. 45. Yes. Ordinance 2026003,
1:34:51 an ordinance of the city council of the city of Claremont, Lake County, Florida,
1:34:54 providing for the annexation of a certain parcel of land of contiguous to the present city boundaries providing for an effective date severability
1:35:02 recording and publication. Ordinance 2026004, an ordinance for the city of Claremont,
1:35:08 Lake County, Florida, adopting the small-scale comprehensive plan amendment for the city of Claremont, Florida,
1:35:14 pursuant to the local government comprehensive planning act, chapter 163,
1:35:18 part two, Florida statutes, setting forth the authority for adoption of the small-cale comprehensive plan amendment,
1:35:25 setting forth the purpose and intent of the small-scale comprehensive plan amendment. Providing for the adoption of the small-scale comprehensive plan
1:35:32 amendment establishing the legal status of the small-cale comprehensive plan amendment providing for conflict severability administrative correction
1:35:41 of scrier's error publication and effective date ordinance 2026005 an ordinance under the code of
1:35:49 ordinances of the city of Claremont Lake County Florida amending the official zoning map of the city of Claremont referred to in chapter 122 of ordinance
1:35:57 number 289 Code of ordinances reszoning the royal properties described herein as shown below providing for conflict
1:36:06 severability administrative correction of scrivener's error recording publication and an effective date.
1:36:15 Good afternoon mayor, city council members and guests. Nick Gonzalez development services. This is agenda item four, five, and six, perimeter park west phase three.
1:36:24 The applicant is requesting a voluntary annexation, a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment, and a resoning on the subject parcel for the purpose of
1:36:31 developing an industrial park. The property at approximately 12 acres is loaded is located a/4 miles south of Ray
1:36:39 Good Parkway from the State Road 50 intersection.
1:36:44 The property is located within the interlocal service boundary agreement and the joint planning area. The applicant is requesting city services
1:36:52 for the property on which the city can fully serve. The property is contiguous with the city limits along the north and west property line. The property meets
1:37:01 the requirements for consideration under Florida statute for annexation and is adjacent to the city limits. Staff recommends approval of ordinance ordinance number 2026003.
1:37:14 The proposed map amendment will change the future land use from Lake County's urban low to city's industrial. The per
1:37:21 the proposed end use of the property will be an industrial park. Several policies in the city's comprehensive plan will support the proposed map
1:37:29 amendment. In addition, the parcel adjacent to the west is industrial and is a compatible use. The change in the
1:37:36 future land use to the city's industrial category does not propose a conflict between the existing uses and land uses within the area. The proposed future
1:37:45 land use is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and its goals,
1:37:49 objectives, and policy. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval 42 staff recommends approval of ordinance number 2026004.
1:38:01 And lastly, we have the resoning. The applicant is requesting a reszoning on the subject property from Lake County Agriculture to City of Claremont Planned
1:38:10 Unit development to allow M1 industrial uses. The the PUD request provides flexibility in the site design while
1:38:18 allowing specific conditions to be addressed in the development of the project. The applicant proposes to develop the property as a third phase of
1:38:26 the perimeter park industrial park consistent with the PUD concept plan.
1:38:31 The uses of this phase will be similar to the previous uh phases and the permitted M1 industrial uses shall be permitted with the exception of no
1:38:40 automotive, truck, trailer, motorcycle or boat repairs, sales or leasing shall be conducted on site. The proposed PUD
1:38:49 ordinance will be required to be consistent with the applicant's conceptual plan along with the city's land development codes. The conceptual
1:38:56 plan includes approximately 185,000 square ft of industrial warehouse space distributed across three buildings. A
1:39:05 100 ft rideway dedication associated with the planned expansion of Hook Street will also be required due to
1:39:12 physical sight constraints of a relic depressional feature in the middle of the site. Waivers will be required for cut and fill. The maximum fill is up to
1:39:20 36 feet over 11% of the site and a maximum cut is up to 25 ft over 15% of the site. The city traffic engineer
1:39:30 reviewed the traffic study exemption request and due to the low traffic generation and the established left turn lanes on Hardle Road concurs with the granting of a tier one exemption.
1:39:42 Staff has reviewed the applicant's proposal and finds the proposed zoning at this location is compatible with the uses in the area. The requested PUD with
1:39:50 M1 industrial zoning is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and land development regulations. The planning and zoning commission recommended
1:39:58 approval for two with the added condition that a comprehensive tree survey is required prior to site plan approval. Staff recommends approval of ordinance 2026005.
1:40:09 And that concludes staff's presentation.
1:40:11 Thank you. Okay. Thank you. App and press.
1:40:21 Uh, good afternoon, mayor and city council members. My name is Jonathan Hules with the Louns Law Firm, 215 North Yiola Drive, Orlando 32801. And uh,
1:40:31 appreciate staff's presentation. It was um, very comprehensive. I do have my own presentation, but some of it is duplicative, so I won't spend time repeating what has already been stated,
1:40:41 but we do concur with uh staff recommendations included in the staff reports that are included in your agenda package recommending approval.
1:40:50 Uh this was also presented as part of staff's presentation, but this property is located south of State Road 50 on the
1:40:59 west side of uh uh Ray Good game. it it is um currently in an incorporated county which is one of the requests the
1:41:08 first request for annexation that's before you. Uh so of course that's the annexation, the smallcale comp plan amendment and the reasonzoning. These
1:41:16 maps were already presented as part of staff's presentation. But just for orientation, the map on the left side of the page is the county's future land use
1:41:24 map and the count and the map on the right side is the proposed cities
1:41:31 uh map after if if city council were to approve the uh requested future land use change taking it from urban low to industrial.
1:41:42 This once again uh is these are resoning maps and this shows uh the county current county map on the left side
1:41:50 followed by the proposed city map on the right side which would take the current agricultural zoning the placeholder
1:41:57 zoning to that uh PUD which would have the M1 restricted type uses as was mentioned there was going to be some
1:42:05 restrictions on the type of uses and that uh vehicular or boat repair sales or rentals would not be a permitted use.
1:42:15 A little bit more detail on the concept plan. It is broke it does propose three buildings uh to be developed totaling
1:42:23 approximately 165,000 square ft. Um the PUD would have restrictions in that uh
1:42:31 the the service bays and docking bays would be internal to the site and that none would be uh directly visible from
1:42:41 uh Ray Good game or the public right of way on the orientation I should have noted uh has north on the left side of
1:42:48 your page. So it's uh tilted on its side. But this uh site plan does show uh what we believe is a true benefit of
1:42:57 this project as part of the requirements of the PUD is that the uh northern portion or here on the left side of your
1:43:05 page uh would be a dedication being made to the county of 100 ft to allow for the future uh construction of the Hooks Road
1:43:14 expansion. this is the uh last piece of the puzzle to allow that project to move forward and that would be dedicated at
1:43:23 no cost to the county to allow that that project to move forward in the future.
1:43:29 Here's a a second uh example of the site plan. This one really illustrating uh the landscaping plan showing the
1:43:36 perimeter landscaping. It should be noted that this perimeter landscaping would be installed as part of the site work. So it's going to be as part of the
1:43:44 initial work uh that's going to be conducted out there. The uh planting plan will be the the plantings will be installed and then maintained moving forward as the project's built out.
1:43:56 Uh this just shows in and this one time the orientation is true with north being top of page showing that 100 foot area
1:44:05 uh that would be dedicated to the county along with just south of there within the property a 20 foot temporary
1:44:13 construction and slope easement that will be grant granted to the county. So when that work is completed to build the Hooks Road expansion, they'll have ample
1:44:22 room to complete that work. And then within the 10-ft uh um buffer requirement within the property, this
1:44:31 shows the the proposed plantings in that area.
1:44:35 So the PUD does include eight general conditions and nine specific conditions.
1:44:40 As I mentioned before, it does include the design constraints of how those uh the buildings along the public rideway
1:44:48 will be oriented so that any of the service bays will be uh back a house. Uh it does require as I said before that 100 foot dedication at no cost.
1:45:00 Uh, and this is just a illustration to show where the property is, where that right of way is is located and and that
1:45:09 this property kind of serves as comp fulfilling that missing piece of the puzzle so that the county now has a unified right of way to come in and
1:45:17 construct that improvement in the future.
1:45:21 These staff findings were already overviewed as part of staff presentation. Simply put, there's there's several comp plan policies that
1:45:28 support uh the requests before you this afternoon.
1:45:34 And just as I've already been mentioned,
1:45:37 uh staff is recommending approval of the annexation,
1:45:41 recommending approval of the comp plan amendment, and recking recommending approval of the reszoning. So, uh,
1:45:48 myself and the, uh, project engineer Dave Schmidt with Schmidt Engineering is here to answer any questions you might have and appreciate the opportunity to present it to you.
1:45:58 Okay, sir. Thank you. If we have any question, we will call you back at a later time. Thank you. Uh, this is a public hearing. Anyone in the public wish to address this item may come to microphone, state your name and address,
1:46:07 and have three minutes.
1:46:11 Anyone in the chamber that would like to address this item may come to the microphone, state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:46:18 Seeing no one, I close no one online. So I close public comment and bring it back to council. West say council.
1:46:26 I have some questions for the applicant. Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am.
1:46:34 Why do you wish to be annexed into Claremont?
1:46:38 Well, part of it is that this being the proposed third phase, the perimeter park project, the remainder is already within the city.
1:46:47 And of course, uh the the project will be um serviced from a utility perspective from the city. And uh we
1:46:57 believe that because of those two factors, it makes sense to come into the city and um ultimately be regulated
1:47:05 under the city's plan, you know, process as as we've subjected the ourselves to.
1:47:10 So those are the most most driving forces.
1:47:13 And do you anticipate a curb cut from your property onto Hook Street when it's built?
1:47:19 No, we won't. I don't think we'll need need it either because there are two a uh access points off Good Game. Um you
1:47:28 know, as we as you know, you've you've all I'm sure have driven it. Good game's a modern four-lane divided uh roadway uh
1:47:36 urban section and it and this project does have the two access points and we think that's enough to to to adequately provide access to and fro.
1:47:48 So, what do you perceive as the value to the city, the citizens of Claremont in you doing this project?
1:47:56 Well, one of which and and I think we heard a little bit of that atmosphere and environment earlier, you know,
1:48:02 what's what's it it it's kind of a partnership in a way in that the city has come to us,
1:48:09 your city staff, and said, "Look, if we're if as part of this project, we have this request, we have this need, we need this 100 ft in order to get it to
1:48:18 the county in order for a county to eventually in the future make an infrastructure improvement that's not
1:48:26 only going to be a benefit for county residents, it's going to be a huge benefit for city residents making that uh transportation corridor connection.
1:48:33 And so, uh the ability of having uh a cooperative development team and
1:48:40 providing that right of way once again dedicated at no charge really, you know,
1:48:47 allows that project to happen. it if if this project were to go away and and you
1:48:54 either there was no um proposal in the future in the near future or you had an
1:49:01 uncooperative developer then per to get this future right ofway improved. we might be forced to looking at other
1:49:08 means including potentially eminent domain which is at a cost to the county uh at a cost to the city and that that
1:49:16 there's a delay potentially in having that project um moved forward with. Right? The county is
1:49:23 not going to look to accelerate or or put it on their capital improvement plan until the ride ofway is likely all in place and this solves that issue.
1:49:32 So if we were to approve the comp plan amendment to give you industrial rights rather
1:49:41 than agricultural rights, the value of the real estate in an eminent domain situation would actually be more.
1:49:47 Well, the comp plan today is lowdensity residential up to four dwelling units an acre. So it's not it has an agricultural zoning, but the comp plan is low density
1:49:55 residential. Okay. Right. So if if it was going to move forward with a residential project in the county, they would be seeking something different
1:50:03 than agriculture. And that would be up to fore dwelling. It's a unit. And I think if it got into those type of discussions, I'm sure the the it would
1:50:11 probably result in a battle of appraisers where the owner's appraiser is saying this can be built as a subdivision to this many units on a
1:50:18 valuation standpoint. Luckily, we don't have to have those conversations because like I said, you know, part of your your good staff's um you know,
1:50:27 position and accepted position is this rightway is coming in as part of this project at no cost.
1:50:34 Well,
1:50:36 I see this right away as potentially just another Highway 50 um unless it provides a benefit to the citizens of
1:50:44 Claremont to stay in Claremont. And when I look at this parcel, I see residential on east, west, north. In our
1:50:53 comprehensive plan meetings, there was conversation from citizens who live in some of those neighborhoods on their desire to get to what would be a future
1:51:01 downtown center at the Waterbrook at the shops of Waterbrook, which is online,
1:51:06 hopefully coming to us soon as a new downtown center. And so to me, I see a potential value in having that a true
1:51:14 connection from those homes to not only the jobs that I would hope that this would create, but also to what would ultimately be a downtown center. And so
1:51:22 my question would be, is there any temperature or taste by the developer to actually go ahead and install something while we wait on the county, maybe a
1:51:31 10-ft pathway so that we could do a a golf, we have a golf cart ordinance, so we could do an off golf cart overlay,
1:51:39 uh, bicycles, so people could get to your employment center from Hook Street from both the neighborhoods to the east,
1:51:46 across the street on the north, and then to the south while we wait for the county to get around to building this street
1:51:54 and that would be um that's an interesting concept.
1:51:58 Just a couple questions. Um so it would be uh within the right of way that's being dedicated.
1:52:05 It would have to be okay. And the the what would the scope would be from from
1:52:14 well we ultimately would need to if we're going to connect these communities, we need to have a trail that goes from one community to the next. So, I'm looking at the space
1:52:22 between Ray Good Game and Emiliana to connect to Emlana so that the the residents across the street and to the east can get all the way to Emiliana,
1:52:33 which ultimately is where Waterbrook would be. And then also where, you know,
1:52:37 those would that would now allow people who live in the the mobile home park across the street and Waterbrook and then the apartments across the street
1:52:45 and the neighborhood to the east. it would allow them to get to your parcel to work and we don't have to put more cars on the road. Um,
1:52:53 I know we didn't get to talk before this.
1:52:56 I I I think it's a very interesting concept and I I do appreciate it. I I I
1:53:03 think the issue we might have and I can go over there and and speak with the development team in just a minute is one we don't have an idea of of the cost of
1:53:11 that to be able to react to it at this meeting and B I would hate to have a condition
1:53:20 added to this PUD where it's not the city that will be determine whether that's feasible or not but ultimately it's the county because it would be
1:53:27 county rightofway and I just don't know if uh Mr. Lynch over at at County Public
1:53:34 Works and his cohorts would see a similar vision and I'd hate to bind a condition where we don't control it. The
1:53:42 city doesn't control it and then we can't meet it because the county says no that's in conflict with what our vision is and we are going to build this this
1:53:50 road which we'll have sidewalks. Uh I'm I'm I'm any road that's now built today that sidewalks are a requirement. Um,
1:53:58 and then we're all of a sudden this project's found not in compliance.
1:54:03 Um, but I I it's a fascinating idea. I I I I think it's a you know, I I get it. I
1:54:10 just don't know if this project should be shouldered with that. And if Commissioner Campion was here, maybe we
1:54:17 could have started pressing her for that kind of interim. Uh, I can call her if you want.
1:54:22 I know, right? have, you know, for an interim kind of use of that ride ofway until they come through and and decide what they're going to do. And I think it
1:54:30 is I think that my understanding they have design plans for that that section already. So, um I think they're they're
1:54:37 very much whether you agree with it or not ch champing on the bit to make that improvement and create another potential corridor for both cars and and
1:54:46 pedestrians. Well, I did bring this up to your counterpart at your law firm when this came up to us on the first reading. Okay.
1:54:55 Um,
1:54:56 it was my understanding that there would be discussion and there that I that there shouldn't be a surprise that I'm asking this. I'm um I'm just in a
1:55:06 position that it it feels like I understand why it makes benefit why it benefits your client. I'm just not clear
1:55:14 how it benefits the citizens of Claremont.
1:55:18 I mean, Hook Street will be great if it ever happens, but to what end is it? Are we just creating more traffic or are we actually connecting a community? And so,
1:55:26 I'm not saying that speaking to a community connection here. So, that's where I'm at.
1:55:30 Yeah. And I I would just add I mean in terms of the traffic is as was mentioned this type of use doesn't produce the
1:55:39 volume of traffic that other uses that could be made of this property would.
1:55:42 For instance, residential would likely have a higher transportation generation than this. Uh that's why it did apply
1:55:50 for the waiver of not having to move forward with a formal transportation study as your staff had concurred with that conclusion. So I I I understand what you're saying.
1:56:00 appreciate. Okay. Anyone else? Anyone?
1:56:08 One on if we would go ahead with this. How many jobs would you anticipate being out there?
1:56:18 Full. Yeah. Let me let me get that data. Hang on one second. Okay.
1:56:28 as he's gathering that data, we do want to keep in mind that the number of jobs are also going to result in a number of vehicles on the road. And so when we
1:56:36 look at the impact of this project versus a residential project, it's currently zoned for 48 homes. So we have
1:56:44 to look at the value of the jobs and the traffic that they would also generate.
1:56:49 So in terms of job drag creators um it's it's going to be dependent on what the actual tenants that occupy the
1:56:58 spaces are but the estimate you know today is somewhere between 150 and 200 full-time jobs
1:57:05 150 do we have somewhat medium range of income anticipate full-time jobs and you know there's that
1:57:13 the range is there right it's going to be anyone from from folks that are going to be uh loading and unloading trucks
1:57:20 potentially to you have management and and and middle management and everything that go along and if it's a business
1:57:27 that uses as their headquarters then you have their you know CEO president CFO or accountant that could be there as well.
1:57:36 Okay. Had 100 anticipated 100 115 jobs anticipated how many would be pretty much reserved for local
1:57:44 res you know got to get we got to get past this stage first but well I'm just I'm just I'm just trying to say I know I know you going to bring in management and everything.
1:57:53 Yeah. No no I think I mean obviously I think there's a great opportunity. Uh it's it's going to be that's up to the
1:58:00 actual tenants that are going to occupy it, but ultimately they're going to be looking to hire people from this community to to work there. And
1:58:07 hopefully, you know, they're competing with other they have three other phases of this this park there that they have
1:58:15 to compete against. So they they're they're going to have their work cut out for them, too. I'm just I'm just thinking, hey, if we we get at least 75
1:58:22 jobs for the local, that's that's potential 75 vehicles we get off the road somewhat and and free up our traffic and everything.
1:58:31 However, I do understand the fact that if you we don't approve this and you go through the county, I know that density is a higher density and you can put a lot more out there than what it is.
1:58:41 That's why I'm I was interested in hearing that answer to the question that Miss M Miss Strange asked or what make you want to come in and do this in
1:58:48 Claremont when you get you get less uh for the zoning go. So,
1:58:54 you know, I think it's just a natural extension of what's already occurred on on the you know immediately next door and and that industrial park. And that's
1:59:01 the that's the vision for this this this developer.
1:59:05 Well, I I like it. I you know I have no problem with it and everything and I appreciate the fact that you're giving away the 100 ft for for Hook Street as
1:59:12 well. Um give back there and all um I think it's other industry out there already and I think that's one of the things we need to be looking at here in
1:59:21 Climat is finding to find ways to bring a little bit more industry industry here and uh so we can keep some few jobs here
1:59:28 and help reduce our traffic. So that's all I have. Yeah.
1:59:36 No one else. I entertain a motion on uh let's let's let's do this right.
1:59:44 Motion first motion should be on ordinance number 2026-003.
1:59:50 Okay. Make a motion to u approve ordinance number 2026-003. Okay. I have a motion.
1:59:58 A second. I'm sorry. I have a motion and a second for approval of ordinance number 2026-00003. Any further discussion?
2:00:07 No, sir.
2:00:07 Hearing none. Roll call. Council member Strange. Nay. Council member Bane. I. Council member Myers.
2:00:15 I. Council member Peterson. I.
2:00:18 And the chair vote I as well. Motion carries 4 to one. Uh, ordinance number 2026-004.
2:00:31 like to make a motion to approve ordinance number 2026-004.
2:00:37 A second. I have a motion and a second for approval of ordinance number 2026-0044. Any further discussion?
2:00:46 No.
2:00:46 Hear none. All I'm sorry. Council member Strange. Nay. Council member Bane. I. Council member Myers.
2:00:54 I. Council member Peterson.
2:00:56 Hi. and chair vote eyes as well. Motion carries four to one. Uh ordinance number 2026-00005.
2:01:09 We should make a motion to accept uh ordinance number 2026-00005. I second.
2:01:15 I have a motion and a second for approval of ordinance number 2026-00005. Any further discussion here? None.
2:01:24 Council member Strange.
2:01:25 Nay. Council member Bane I.
2:01:28 Council member Myers I.
2:01:30 Council member Peterson I.
2:01:32 And the chair vote I as well. Motion carried four to one. Good luck sir.
2:01:42 Thank you. Item number 7 8 and nine. We will hear them together and we just did we will vote on them separately. Yes ma'am.
2:01:50 Ordinance number 2026008.
2:01:53 An ordinance under the code of ordinances of the city of Claremont,
2:01:56 Lake County, Florida, providing for the annexation of a certain parcel of land contiguous to the present city boundaries providing for conflict
2:02:04 severability administrative correction of scrivener's error recording publication and an effective date. Ordinance 2026009,
2:02:13 an ordinance of the city of Claremont,
2:02:15 Lake County, Florida, adopting the small-scale comprehensive plan amendment pursuant to the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act, Chapter 163,
2:02:27 Part Two, Florida Statutes, Setting forth the authority for adoption of the Small-Cale Comprehensive Plan Amendment,
2:02:33 setting forth the purpose and intent of the small-scale comprehensive plan amendment. Providing for the adoption of the small-scale comprehensive plan
2:02:40 amendment establishing the legal status of the small-cale comprehensive plan amendment providing for conflict severability administrative correction
2:02:48 of scrivener's error publication and effective date ordinance number 202610 an ordinance under the code of
2:02:56 ordinances of the city of Claremont Lake County Florida amending the official zoning map of the city of Claremont referred to in chapter 122 of ordinance
2:03:04 number 289C code of ordinances reszoning ing the real properties described herein as shown below providing for conflict
2:03:12 severability administrative correction of scrivener's error recording publication and an effective date.
2:03:19 Good evening mayors, city council members and guests. Justine day with development services. Starting off with the annexation, Terara Terro as the
2:03:28 applicant's representative is requesting annexation, a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment, and a reasonzoning on the subject parcels for the purpose of
2:03:36 developing a new subdivision served by the city's utilities. The property is located a quarter mile south of the Ray Good Game Parkway and Hardle Road
2:03:45 intersection and is approximately 10 acres.
2:03:49 The subject parcels lie within the interlocal service boundary agreement and the joint planning area with Lake County. The city is able to provide
2:03:57 urban services and believes that the parcels would benefit from the annexation due to the parcel being an undeveloped pocket within a developed
2:04:05 area. The property meets the requirements for consideration under Florida statutes 171.044 044 for
2:04:13 annexation and is adjacent to the city's limits. For the comprehensive plan amendment,
2:04:19 the proposed comprehensive plan amendment will change the future land use from Lake County's regional office and urban low to the city's lowdensity
2:04:27 residential. The property is undeveloped and surrounded by properties consisting of existing residential development with lower density located on the north and
2:04:36 east side of the subject parcel that then transitions to a higher density residential subdivision to the south.
2:04:42 While the west side of the parcel transitions to more intense uses. The change in future land use to the city's lowdensity residential category does not
2:04:50 propose a conflict between the existing uses and land uses in the area. The proposed future land use is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and its goals, objectives, and policies.
2:05:02 Lastly, the resoning.
2:05:05 The proposed resoning request will change the zoning district from Lake County's agriculture to the city's R2 medium density residential district to
2:05:14 develop a residential subdivision that would be more consistent with the uses existing within the area. The proposed density is estimated to be at 2.4 4
2:05:23 dwelling units per acre for potential of 25 single family residential dwelling units. No variances to the city code are being requested as the applicant is
2:05:32 willing to comply with the city codes in order to develop the property. The R2 zoning does not propose a conflict to the existing uses and land uses in the
2:05:40 area. The proposed use is compatible with the adjoining properties as required by the comprehensive plan.
2:05:47 A concept plan has been provided in order to show the potential of the site in terms of layout and proposed transition to surrounding uses existing within this area.
2:05:59 Staff recommends approval of the annexation ordinance number 2026-008.
2:06:05 The planning and zoning commission recommended approval 4 to2 for the comprehensive plan amendment. Staff recommends approval of ordinance number 2026-009.
2:06:15 The planning and zoning commission recommended approval with the added condition that a comprehensive tree survey be required prior to site plan
2:06:23 approval. However, staff notes that this requirement is already addressed in section 123-38 of the city's land
2:06:31 development codes. Staff recommends approval of ordinance number 2026-010. This concludes staff presentation.
2:06:39 Okay. Thank you, applicant. Yes, sir.
2:06:46 Uh good afternoon again, mayor and city council members. My name is Jonathan Hules with the Loun Law Firm, 215 North Yola Drive, Orlando 3281. I should have
2:06:54 mentioned at the last uh public hearing that uh my colleague Tara Chedro is serving as applicant. Uh but she
2:07:02 introduced a new baby boy to the world last week and so she is on maternity leave. So I am uh we're her team and me
2:07:10 a part of it are covering all the bases for her so she can enjoy the time with her new son. Um okay so uh staff did a
2:07:18 fantastic job of of introducing the project. We we concur with all the staff's recommendations presented for
2:07:25 approval. Um I won't duplicate uh some I do have duplicative materials. I'll I'll run through those just very quickly. Um,
2:07:35 this project is just located a little farther south of the project that that was just before you. That's that they don't have any connection other than
2:07:42 some geographic proximity. Different different groups looking to do different things. But this one is is located off of Hardle Road, which is if you go a
2:07:51 little farther south, you make that left off Good Game and you're on to Hardle.
2:07:54 And and it's much more residential in character. That is a very much a residential road segment. Um
2:08:03 the project that's being proposed as part of this resoning is going to be consistent with the joint planning agreement entered between the city of
2:08:11 Claremont and Lake County. Uh these are a couple of maps just to demonstrate kind of going the different direction here from that last project and that it
2:08:18 has a split future land use with some non-residential uses regional and office. And the idea being is to unify
2:08:26 that future land use under the city with the lowdensity residential designation.
2:08:32 And then taking the zoning, you have a kind of an agricultural um uh county uh zoning and you would be
2:08:40 taking that to city R2. Here's just a a more u blown up site plan. I know that was just shown in a staff rep uh
2:08:49 presentation, but this just shows a little bit more detail being proposed is uh minimum of 75 foot with lots uh and up to 25 of uh residences. Of course,
2:09:03 that would have to go through actual final engineering review by your city staff and and that will actually determine whether uh that many uh homes
2:09:12 could be built in the subdivision. But there has been care taken in its design and putting uh the proposed storm water
2:09:20 uh that would service the the entirety of the community up towards the rideway and act as a little bit of u a buffer
2:09:28 between the rear of those homes and um the adjacent ride ofway and then the homes located on the other side that are lakefront homes that are in
2:09:36 unincorporate county. Um this was I'm not going to go through this in any detail. It just repeats what has already
2:09:44 been stated is that staff has found that the the requests are consistent with the applicable provisions of the comp plan
2:09:52 and the land development code and and that the the proposed uh community is is is compatible with existing uses in the area.
2:10:04 With that, u I'm happy to answer any questions. We also have uh the project engineer for this project, Jeff Summit,
2:10:11 in in attendance and happy to answer any questions you have and would um just ask to um address any comments if there are any from the public after public comment period. Thank you.
2:10:21 Okay, sir. As before, if we have any question, we will bring you back up later. But this is a public forum.
2:10:26 Anyone in the public wish to address this item may come to your microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:10:36 Good evening. My name is Vincent Nemik.
2:10:38 I live in Regency Hills and I am acting on the planning and zoning commission.
2:10:44 I believe it was last council meeting that we asked for a report from the planning and zoning. Both of these
2:10:51 projects were on across our desk after you asked for a report.
2:11:00 Uh, when I asked that at the planning and zoning council,
2:11:04 staff told me they didn't have time to get to it. They're still working on it.
2:11:08 I think our report would have been a little bit more valuable for certain people to make their judgment on these
2:11:15 projects. I'm not here to give a yay or nay because I'm speaking on behalf of the planning and zoning commission. I hold.
2:11:23 But, and it's a big butt,
2:11:27 you should ask him if every house, every lot size is 75 ft because it's not. Thank you. And you
2:11:36 should really stay on the planning and zoning to get our report across to you because I sit back there and I'm just shaking my head. We should have had more information on this from our point.
2:11:47 That's what we do. We're volunteers.
2:11:50 We spend time our weekend when we get the package to look it over. We go to the site. We take away and deprive our
2:11:58 family time so we could help the city of Claremont. And if our voice is not being heard, then we're going to be very disgruntled.
2:12:08 Thank you and have a blessed day. Thank you.
2:12:12 This is a public hearing. Anyone else in the public wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:12:32 Once again, my name is Wilbert Montgomery. I live at 1106 Imperial Eagle Street, Groveland, Florida. But I love the town of Clearmouth.
2:12:43 Now I see there's a many industries coming in Clear Mount, many uh jobs coming to Clear Mount. But the thing I would like to ask these guys,
2:12:52 you know,
2:12:54 the young kids in Clear Mount once they get here, what we going to do to keep them here?
2:13:01 We have kids coming out of school during the summer that have no jobs.
2:13:07 Is any of these warehouses that come in clear out going to have OJT on the job training?
2:13:13 uh you know they could be set up as ABC students. They must have at least a CR
2:13:21 and these jobs that coming into Clare Mount should have the will and the desire
2:13:28 to support the future resident of Clear Mount. Cuz as you all know, the city of Clear Mount average rent is over $2,000.
2:13:38 And if the guys coming up can't afford it, they're going to be steady leaving.
2:13:44 So you got to think about the future of Clare Mount as well as the adults of Claremouth. So we got to go forward with
2:13:52 the guys that wish to come to Clear Mount to look out for the future of Clear Mount. Not only
2:14:00 that, but uh you know, we have a lots of kids that underprivileged.
2:14:05 all these jobs coming in clear out. They should have some kind of farm that can get these kids in the athletic,
2:14:15 baseball, football, whatever and start and feed back to the city. You know,
2:14:22 lots of stuff goes on in Clear Mount on how many ballparks they have, but everybody can't pay the farm. If the the
2:14:31 people that wish to come to Claremont can have some kind of agreement to make the underprivileged kids red,
2:14:41 yellow, black or white,
2:14:44 you know, shove out a little bit. Help the kids that have no place to go. Thank you.
2:14:53 Thank you.
2:14:55 This is a public hearing. Anyone in the public wish to address this item, make on your microphone, state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:15:02 Anyone else? Anyone else wish to address this item?
2:15:09 There no one else in chamber. Mr. Wayne, we haven't been nobody online.
2:15:14 No one online. So, we're going to close public comment and bring it back to council. What say council? I'll start Mr. Mayor if that's okay.
2:15:22 Okay, that's fine. Um,
2:15:24 first thing I want to make sure we address um,
2:15:28 Mr. Neimik's uh, comments about the report. We actually did get a summary in our supplemental packet uh, of that meeting and the meeting from last week.
2:15:40 So, we do have summary uh, notes from the the past two PNZ commission
2:15:47 meetings. This one for this item and the one we just voted on was, I believe,
2:15:52 prepared by staff. It wasn't prepared by the commission. And the one from Tuesday was was prepared by uh the chairperson,
2:16:00 Chair Colby. So, we do actually have in our supplemental packet. So, hopefully that'll start um the uh the uh and
2:16:09 that's okay. I just want to make sure you know that we Yeah.
2:16:13 Um, and my question with regard to I guess it is more about
2:16:23 the reszone item. Um,
2:16:30 first just a clarification question I guess on first on the SSC CPA. No variance are being requested. Is that correct? That is correct.
2:16:38 Okay. And then with regard to the uh reszone,
2:16:42 um the current county zoning would allow for a residential
2:16:51 development of up to 40 dwelling units, four unit, four units per acre.
2:16:58 Uh and the county or for coming into the city, you would be um looking at a maximum of 25. Is that correct?
2:17:09 That's correct.
2:17:10 Okay. And I heard you make a statement about minimum 75 lots. Yeah. Could you clarify on that?
2:17:18 I can. So,
2:17:22 uh, site plan probably does the best job of illustrating it. Uh, so the every lot
2:17:29 has to have 75 foot width. Uh so if the lot is in a shape of a rectangle that would be along the street frontage that
2:17:38 75 foot foot width would occur. But a a few of the lots on the bend of the uh of
2:17:46 the street the internal road um those at the frontage if you measured along that curve would be less but they're in the
2:17:54 shape of a pie. So when you get to the actual building footprint where the home could be when you apply setbacks, that
2:18:02 has to be a minimum of 75 ft. So I guess it's in the eye of the beholder of if of whether that's a 75 ft width lot, but
2:18:11 each have to have a minimum of 9,000 square feet. And in fact, one of the lots that I I guess has less than that
2:18:20 75 foot width at the street frontage is actually one of the larger lots. Uh the largest lot in the in the subdivision. It's up there. I
2:18:28 can't read it right now with I think it's like number seven. It looks like maybe up in that corner.
2:18:33 I feel like I'm Does it look better in A or B? Um yeah, but so so you know there was discussion at planning commission. And I
2:18:41 don't I don't think that plan commission ultimately decided that um based on what that dialogue that they
2:18:48 were ready to support approval 4 to two vote and that's how it came before you today.
2:18:53 Okay. So then my follow-up question for staff um with regard to that language
2:19:01 whether it's uh 9,000 square feet or uh 75 uh foot lot at
2:19:10 placement of home whatever I don't see any language in here that's relates to that
2:19:17 they are requesting for straight reszoning so they would have to abide by the R2 zoning district and that's what I wanted to clarify is that the R2 zoning
2:19:26 requires what? For a minimum for the frontage. Yes.
2:19:31 So minimum would be 50 ft on the right of way and 75 ft at the building setback line.
2:19:37 At the building set back, which is what they're proposing, correct?
2:19:39 So that's why it's not listed in here as language. It's straight zoning based off of that request. Correct.
2:19:46 Okay. All right. Thank you. I appreciate that. You're welcome.
2:19:50 Anyone else?
2:19:53 Yes, I have questions. I think this is for Mr. Wah. Um, one of the apparent standard that's used by staff in making
2:20:00 a recommendation is that as articulated here, the parcels would benefit from annexation due to the parcel being an undeveloped pocket within a developed area. Is that our actual legal standard?
2:20:14 There's no legal standard per se. It's a staff decision as the basis for support which the staff can choose a lot of
2:20:23 reasons isn't please correct me. I thought that staff's role was to determine whether the proposal was compliant with the code and the comp plan.
2:20:33 No, not necessarily. Um on on a on a resoning, yes. Um and it has to be consistent with the comp plan.
2:20:41 That's true.
2:20:42 So this feels like policy to me. That's why I'm asking.
2:20:44 Yeah. F makes recommendations um as a policy matter quite often consistent with city management objectives.
2:20:52 Okay. So when I look at this I see the current the current zoning from the county is either going to be
2:21:00 agricultural or regional office and urban low future land use. But that's not the entire parcel being urban low.
2:21:07 It's only half of the parcel being urban low. There's also regional office components to this. So, what we're being asked to do, as I understand it, and
2:21:15 please, attorney wall, correct me if I'm wrong, we're being asked to change the use in the county to be which is
2:21:23 currently split between regional office and residential to making it entirely residential with the understanding that residential
2:21:32 property for cities when it comes to providing service are actually they cost us money. Residential properties don't pay for themselves. So if we incorporate
2:21:42 and allow more residential development without having some sort of corresponding now we have the industrial use across the street. So maybe that
2:21:49 will help. But if you don't if if we keep doing onetoone we're not going to solve our problem of having to raise the millillage in order to continue to
2:21:56 operate as we grow bigger and bigger. I had a conversation with a gentleman who held himself out to me as the property owner maybe five months ago, six months
2:22:05 ago. It was over the phone. Um maybe it was a year ago. I don't remember. It was one conversation and I did articulate to the property owner that these were my
2:22:13 concerns that residential does not pay for itself. So, we are being asked to annex, take into the city from the
2:22:21 county and provide utility services to a residential parcel. And I the applicant um says there was great
2:22:30 care taking taken in the design of this neighborhood, but unless I'm missing something, I don't see any connection to parks or trails or connections to basic needs like jobs or groceries or schools.
2:22:42 There's no missing middle housing. We've talked about that as our comp plan came up that this community needs places for college students and retirees. And I
2:22:51 just I feel like from my role as you know my fiscal responsibility to the city that this is actually making the
2:22:59 financial concerns that we might have worse. And so and I also feel like the owner had noticed that at least from my
2:23:07 perspective for for earning my vote here today that this basic plan is not something I could support. So, I won't be supporting this plan for those
2:23:15 reasons. So, I just want you all to know that. Okay. Anyone else?
2:23:21 May I ask just a just a follow-up question because something that council member Strange mentioned um brought up a question. I'm not sure, Mr. city
2:23:30 manager, if this is you or or um someone else on staff with regard to providing
2:23:38 utility to this parcel, whether it's water, storm water, um or combination thereof,
2:23:49 is that has that been already guaranteed by the city?
2:23:54 No. Regardless of whether or not this is annexed and reszoned
2:24:02 and the smallcale comprehensive plan is approved.
2:24:07 Try to follow along to most that has the are the utilities guaranteed to the site. Is that what I understand?
2:24:12 Yes. So my question, I guess where I'm going is is if we were to deny the these items and we didn't annex them in, we
2:24:21 didn't do a smallcale comprehensive plan amendment and we didn't change the reszone or resone it. We didn't change
2:24:28 the zoning and they went to the county and did whatever they wanted to do with the county whether it's a split zone or if they asked the county to to change it all to one zone or another.
2:24:41 Do we are we already obligated to provide utilities, water, sewer,
2:24:49 storm water to this parcel?
2:24:53 I don't believe obligated, but our utilities are in this area going down Red Good game Parkway.
2:24:59 So, who would make the determination if we were to not approve these three items if they went to the county did whatever
2:25:08 they did? And I don't want to speculate what they would do, but they would have the ability to go to the county and and put something forward and then they
2:25:15 could come to us and say, "I want services." Who would make that determination? We will.
2:25:23 Yeah.
2:25:24 Well, in other words, they give Yeah. I mean, they they give an maybe it's conditional on their approvement approval in the county that they have connection to our utilities here in the
2:25:33 city. They give an application. A lot of times what happens is we come before it comes before council and then
2:25:40 there'll be a utility agreement saying we can annex when we want to etc etc. So it be back in front of you. Yeah.
2:25:46 So it's so it would be like one of the neighborhoods that the
2:25:53 previous council annexed in of those three. The gentleman earlier brought up Louisa Grand. that was a that was a
2:26:01 neighborhood that essentially we was developed in the county. We provided utility to them. We said in a utility
2:26:10 agreement, we may bring you in and annex you at any point in the future. And then we provided the
2:26:18 utility but we did not get any impact fees associated with that development.
2:26:26 Correct. We get payment for the usage which pays for what we provide them but we didn't get any infrastructure
2:26:34 or uh uh continuing costs for new from those impact fees. Correct. Correct. Correct.
2:26:41 Okay. That's where I think that's where I want to make sure because I sometimes I I think we hear some of these proposals and it's not really clear
2:26:51 about what has been granted or not granted because sometimes these things take years uh to come before us for one
2:27:00 item and then years before the next item. And so I wanted to be very clear on on that. Um,
2:27:09 so that would be a decision that this city council would make. Yes. Yes. Okay. Um,
2:27:17 and do we know at that point
2:27:24 we what cost recovery would the city be able to collect by then providing that service?
2:27:35 Would we be able to charge for that connection? Would we be getting any any any costs from the developer from that?
2:27:44 But the impact fees would be going to the county if it's in the county.
2:27:48 Yeah. So, I'm just saying if if if we just did the utility agreement, we that would come out of our pocket.
2:27:55 Without getting any any anything to to uh to account for that on the other side of the ledger is is what I want to make sure I'm clear.
2:28:03 Not necessarily. I mean, we could negotiate the agreement. Um, but usually we don't, right?
2:28:09 That's my understanding is it I don't think it has been before that. But again, it would require a future council at some point
2:28:17 and at least three members of that council to implement whatever that utility agreement stated. And I just want to add for you. Yeah.
2:28:25 For the staff side, the county is going to ask us if there's capacity,
2:28:29 right? So that's our role is to let them know, but you guys decide if that usage is allowed or not. Okay. Okay. I I just want to make sure. Thank you.
2:28:37 If even if it's approved in the county,
2:28:39 they come to us, we can deny them water and utilities. We can deny that. Okay.
2:28:46 And they can go ahead and uh do their own utilities and everything, but we only talking what 10 acres of land here.
2:28:53 Okay. Um and if they approve it in the county,
2:28:57 they not do their own. you know, you're looking at 40 homes in compared to 25 homes. Okay? Um, right now it's it's zone agric most of it agricultural. So,
2:29:07 guess what? We're not collecting anything off of it anyway. You basically play no fees on agricultural land. Okay?
2:29:14 So, uh it's sitting there uh basically going nowhere. Um again, you know, I think it's a great
2:29:22 thing and and my main concern as I asked staff in my review yesterday was the lot. How big was the lots? Okay. And
2:29:30 when they told me they were at least 75 ft, I have no problem with it because I I'm really concerned about them somewhat incompatibility with the homes across
2:29:38 the street, which I think they have like 100 foot lots over there across the street. So, I'm some concerned. I don't want to have the little tiny homes and
2:29:47 small areas built out there right across the street from all these other homes out there for compatibility. When you guaranteeing me that most of them going
2:29:54 to be at the 75 ft, I'm okay. That problem I have. And besides, as far as I'm concerned, hey, we build them out there. Some of them can walk to work at
2:30:02 the at the industrial park. Okay? You know, it's in walking distance industrial park. So, I have no real problem with it. I I think it behooves
2:30:10 us to go ahead and annex it in because we control the density by putting it bringing it in the city and at the same time when it's there, we do collect
2:30:18 impact fees. Okay. Yeah. If they come in the county and we decide to give give service to them under the county uh
2:30:26 zoning, I if I'm not mistaken, Mr. W, we can still charge them a little bit extra for utilities because u they outside
2:30:34 that zone and that's basically all we get. Okay. Whatever we charge for utilities. So, um
2:30:41 and I'm almost guaranteed if they if they take it to the county, they going they going to get what they want in the county and it's going to come back to us one way or another. What we can do there
2:30:49 from there, I don't know. But that's how I feel. Yes. Anybody else?
2:30:56 No, I mean I understand what Councilman Strange was saying about we would make a lot more if it was commercial and if
2:31:03 it's residential, but the other side of the coin is that if we deny then they can go to county and just bypass us.
2:31:10 Yeah. And which happened quite quite often.
2:31:13 I mean the question I think becomes is this something that's good for the citizens of Claremont? If it is, then we annex it and we bring it in. But if it's
2:31:22 not, then you know the county, you heard me say coun uh commissioner uh Campion was here. The county recently had a
2:31:30 project that was in the city that they said, "No, you need to work with the city of Claremont."
2:31:35 And based on that, I'm optimistic that they would give the same response. I mean, this parcel could
2:31:43 comply with whatever the county's water utilities agreements are and build out whatever they're approved in the county,
2:31:49 but we just have to keep in mind that additional rights aren't guaranteed under the law. We talk about property rights and and certainly this property
2:31:57 owner has property rights, but the property rights aren't to annex, use our utilities, and build whatever they want,
2:32:03 and we just take it because because we don't know what they might do. I mean maybe maybe if we we deny it or if we delay it if they wish to delay it we
2:32:12 could you know talk about what might be nice here what what might be nice to be across the street from the lakefront properties what might be nice what could
2:32:20 be there but I'm not aware of any such conversations I think we got a design from an engineer and that's what we did it complies with
2:32:28 our code which we've all acknowledged isn't a great code and we're trying to fix it and so for me I don't think this is something that we should jumping at. So for me,
2:32:38 this is a denial. I'm willing to delay and and move to delay if that's what the applicant wants because I think it's probably a good application applicant.
2:32:47 I'd like to see something good happen here.
2:32:49 Well, I I would just respond that this this is this doesn't this isn't wasn't the first proposal of how this project
2:32:57 was going to look. This has gone through staff review, critique, comments to get
2:33:03 to where we are. Candidly, I think it the reason why it looks like today is because staff was cognizant of where
2:33:11 this property is located off Hardle Road, which is a small rural road segment, two-lane.
2:33:18 Uh what's a what's already been built and is accessed off Hardle Road are these these home larger lakefront homes,
2:33:26 different kind of a different context,
2:33:28 but it is residential and that's how we got to R2. I think candidly um most homebuilders would probably want to see
2:33:36 a higher density than what's being proposed here at 2.4 units an acre far less than what the county would require.
2:33:45 Um it we think it meets the requirements of annexation and and I think that's you know ultimately it is a a policy decision of this board.
2:33:55 Yes. Uh but we we felt that having the city having control what it looks like and locking it in with R2 with no
2:34:01 waiverss um was what garnered staff's support and we would ask for your support of it too. And I think the fact
2:34:09 that you know these are public noticed meetings and you can avail you don't even have to drive downtown. You guys have made it easy by having Zoom and
2:34:18 there hasn't been one uh neighbor in the vicinity that's come to either the planning commission the first reading or
2:34:24 the second reading to uh express right an opposite position speaks towards I
2:34:32 think what we think is a quality project and and let me let me remind you uh I'm
2:34:39 I get mad every day when I go along um what's the name of I can't remember Hammock Ridge Road now because it's a uh
2:34:48 project sitting out there now that end up getting our utilities when they came to us. We denied them. The county sent them to us. We denied it uh because they
2:34:56 didn't want to play by our ordinance and our rules and everything, but they went to the county and guess what? They did it. And I think we all catching catching it for that subdivision right now. So,
2:35:07 it's not guaranteed even if you go back to county that they going to work with us and give them the give them that. So,
2:35:12 uh, I think that's one of the mistakes we did make over there because it's even worse now than it was when they brought it. The the subdivision is worse now for
2:35:19 my I'm concerned than it was when it first came to us. Um, and we was denying the water and even when they went to the county. Now, we doing it. We just
2:35:27 annexed it into the city. It's the rental units that's out there on Hammock Ridge Road. So, I have and I'm I'm looking at only 10 acres of land here.
2:35:35 And like I say, my main concern is the size of the lots. I didn't want to see some a lot of home just crammed in
2:35:41 there. And if you if you're really uh ready to work with us here in the county
2:35:48 in the city and everything which give up some of the density I have no problem with it. Okay. As I said
2:35:56 well if no further discussion I entertain a motion either way. Uh, ordinance number 2026-00008.
2:36:09 Is there a motion?
2:36:09 I make a motion to uh accept ordinance 2026 there 008. A second.
2:36:16 I have a motion and a second for acceptance of ordinance number 2026-00008. Council member Strange.
2:36:24 Nay. Council member Bane. I. Council member Myers. I.
2:36:29 Council member Peterson. day council member I mean chair vote I as well motion passes three to two all right uh ordinance number 2026-
2:36:41 00009 make a motion to pass ordinance number 2026-00009
2:36:49 a second I have a motion and a second for the passage of the ordinance number 2026-009
2:36:58 any further discussion none councilmber Member Strange. Nay. Council member Bane. I. Council member Myers.
2:37:06 I. Council member Peterson. Nay.
2:37:09 And the chair vote I as well. Motion passes 3 to two. Uh ordinance number 2026-010.
2:37:19 Make a motion to pass. Ordinance number 2026-010. A second.
2:37:24 I have a motion in a second for the passenger of ordinance number 2026- 010.
2:37:29 Any further discussion? Council member Strange. Nay. Council member Bane. I. Council member Myers.
2:37:37 I. Council member Peterson. Nay. Nay.
2:37:42 Okay. I I And the chair I as well. Motion passes three to two. Good luck, sir.
2:37:51 Okay.
2:37:54 Item number uh 10 is for final consideration ordinance number 2026-012.
2:38:02 You do that.
2:38:04 Mayor, just a moment. Sorry, we have a little Okay, are we back on the computer first? Then I'll switch over.
2:38:22 We might have hit the wrong button.
2:38:24 Ordinance number 2026 012 an ordinance of the city council of the city of Claremont Lake County, Florida, closing and permanently abandoning a portion of
2:38:32 Short Street right ofway Johnson's plat according to the plat thereof recorded in platbook 8 page 71 public records of
2:38:40 Lake County, Florida and more particularly described as below. This ordinance will repeal and replace ordinance number 2025016
2:38:49 due to revised legal description providing for conflict separability administrative correction of scrier's error recording publication and an effective date.
2:39:01 Good evening mayor, city council members. Kurt Henchel, planning development services director. Uh for you is a rideway vacation. The city
2:39:10 as the applicant is requesting an amendment to ordinance number 2025-016 that vacated a portion of Short Street
2:39:18 Rideway. The 29 acre parcel of Rideaway is located north of State Road 50 and east of 12th Street within the downtown Claremont area. On June 10th of 2025,
2:39:30 city council previously approved a petition to close the same portion of Short Street. However, it was brought to the attention of our staff that the
2:39:37 legal description that was provided in ordinance 2025-016 did not specify a detailed enough description of the portion of the
2:39:46 rideway that was laying that was being vacated for the Lake County Property Appraisers office. In order to correct the legal description for the right of
2:39:55 way to be closed, staff is presenting the petition again with the understanding that the updated legal description would finalize the
2:40:02 previously approved um the previous approval of the property approver's office. They have agreed upon the current legal description in front of
2:40:11 you now already. Um Wayne, if you just don't mind switch Well, yeah, switch over if you would zoom all the way in.
2:40:25 This is just the same picture just pointing out that the red dotted line is the portion of the rideway being vacated and the portion over here going to 12th
2:40:34 Street is not being vacated. This is access actually to this parcel here and will remain access to the uh parcel in
2:40:41 the back here. This will essentially be one parcel here accessing 12. they will have access off the Carol Street and this parcel here actually has a driveway
2:40:50 off to off of Short Street. So, this portion is not being vacated.
2:40:54 Uh staff does recommend approval of ordinance 2026-012,
2:40:59 which uh repeals and replaces ordinance 2025-016 with a more detailed legal description.
2:41:06 That's staff's report. Thank you, sir.
2:41:12 This is a public hearing. Anyone in the public wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:41:39 Montgomery address 1106 Imperial Eagle Street. You know, Clement is a great town,
2:41:48 but they're making a terrible mistake.
2:41:52 The population is way over the road capacity.
2:41:57 The houses are being made entirely to close especially on when somebody's on a lakefront
2:42:05 got 100 ft maybe 150 ft in front of the house and across the street 75 ft.
2:42:13 You know, everybody have should have be able to own a home,
2:42:17 but I raised in a community that had 12 ft between each house.
2:42:25 And I don't agree with the maturity that's being made to build a house. Now,
2:42:30 everybody wonder why a house go up so fast. Press wood. You know what pressed wood is? Concrete and chips left over
2:42:39 that came over. A cheap way to manufacture something. And that ain't nothing but a fire hazard itself.
2:42:46 You know, like I said, everybody and that's another thing happened during that period of time.
2:42:52 Somebody had an insurance company benefited from it. If you like glue,
2:42:56 what going to happen? Like kerosene. If they don't put the proper material in a house because how pretty a house look,
2:43:04 how many rooms it got in it? It's dangerous.
2:43:07 You know, the government should be shaming itself for letting this happen.
2:43:12 I've seen a many houses go up because of the material was made out of them. The apartments that is being built around here press wood and glue.
2:43:23 We don't have the proper enough firemen around here to put it out. Darling, you know, it's a terrible thing that our
2:43:31 government let things go on like that there. Not one federal building have pressed wood
2:43:37 in it. Has a ridden plywood. No, I I worked in construction for 25 years
2:43:45 and I hated to see press work on anybody house.
2:43:49 They why my house went up so fast. You got a matchbox,
2:43:53 a real matchbox. So you got to think about what's coming on in clear mouth. I heard you talking about the fire
2:44:00 department and the r reaction time. It house the deal on a zero lot plan goes up. Press wood next door to it. What going to happen? It gonna catch a fire.
2:44:11 Two houses go up. The insurance company benefit from it and the owner have to fight the insurance company. It just don't make no sense. Thank you.
2:44:23 Thank you, sir. This is a public hearing. Anyone in the public wish to address this may come to the microphone and give your name and address and have three minutes.
2:44:32 Anyone else? Anyone else?
2:44:37 Seeing no one else. We have anybody online, sir?
2:44:41 Okay. With no one online, we going to close public comment. Bring it back to council. What say council?
2:44:48 If there's no discussion, since it's been acted on before, I would move to approve 2026-012.
2:44:56 A second.
2:44:59 Wow. Like a second. Okay. Okay. We have a motion and a second for approval of ordinance number 2026-012.
2:45:09 Any further discussion?
2:45:11 Hear none. Council member M. Strange I.
2:45:16 Council member Bing I.
2:45:18 Council member Myers I.
2:45:20 Council member Peterson I.
2:45:21 And the chair vote I as well. Motion carries 5. All right Kirk, we can get that. We got that straightened up. Okay.
2:45:29 Uh item number 11 is council member request to discuss resolution number 2024-0 4.
2:45:40 Yes. So this one's mine. Um several meetings ago there was an interaction
2:45:47 um here at council and and I have been advised and for any public watching if you ever question what the effect of the sunshine law is and what it's wonder
2:45:56 what it's like to sit in a fishbowl this is going to be one of those experiences for all of us. Um, we have a resolution
2:46:03 that talks about how we should conduct ourselves and I believe all if most if not all of us ran for this position
2:46:12 because we thought we should have a certain decorum on council and I think we generally I believe we generally all would agree with these standards that
2:46:19 are listed in the resolution. There was no discussion to change them on the night that um affected me a certain way.
2:46:27 Um I'll say as a woman I'm going to do it. I'm going to go there. Um, people call me councilwoman. I am a woman. Um,
2:46:35 I'm the mother of four children. I'm a small business owner. Um, and I do believe here we sit women's history or
2:46:44 international women's day, whatever we're celebrating for women. And um, I had an in an interesting situation happen. I hire a lot of women. I run the
2:46:53 world's largest college softball event which serves women. And I hire a lot of women and a lot of women work at the gates at my event. And I had an issue
2:47:02 come up last week where one of the women who worked for me was treated in a way that I found to be unacceptable. It was
2:47:09 by a man. Um, two men actually, well, I guess technically three. Two of the
2:47:16 three worked for the city. I'm not complaining. I've already talked to the city manager. Um, I will say that our
2:47:24 department head staff and our our staff did an amazing job handling the situation. But what I realized in the
2:47:30 process was we all
2:47:37 I had to look in a mirror because as bothered as I was at how
2:47:45 my two staff members, one is 72, she's my mother, the other is a young lady.
2:47:51 Um, as bothered as I was at how they were treated, I reflected and I couldn't stop reflecting on the meeting that we had several meetings ago.
2:48:01 We were talking about meeting times and I think what bothers me the most because I believe every one of us is up here because we can take the heat.
2:48:10 That's why we're in the kitchen. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with that. That doesn't bother me. But at that meeting,
2:48:19 I was aware going in just from sitting up here and listening to people that I was the swing vote on an issue that I think is very important to the public.
2:48:28 And I truly believed that I could get to what I believe the public wanted and I spoke what my concerns were.
2:48:40 And sorry, my heart is racing, so please excuse me. Um, but Miss Meyers, you
2:48:48 expressed I thought you were vulnerable in a moment. I thought that you were very personally vulnerable in saying something to the fact I don't want to
2:48:56 put words in your mouth, but you were concerned about yourself and me. And particularly what I heard was also our
2:49:03 clerk driving home at midnight. Our deputy clerk, for those who don't know,
2:49:07 lives 45 minutes away. So, she's driving through multiple cities to get home. And I felt, well, I don't necessarily have
2:49:17 the same fear as you had. I understood your fear. And um there was a question asked earlier about crime in Claremont.
2:49:25 I don't like talking about crime in Claremont. I like to only say nice things about Claremont. I like publicly to talk about how great it is. Come to Claremont. Um, but I am aware that the top three crimes in Claremont are DUI,
2:49:38 so people driving on the road at night after drinking, um, burglary and
2:49:44 domestic violence. And so I do believe that it's a rational fear to be concerned with our daughters and our
2:49:52 mothers and ourselves and all of us. But as women, I am aware that we do see things, many women see things in a
2:50:00 different way. um than many men do. And I appreciated your concerns. Whether I fully felt them, I appreciated them.
2:50:11 And Mr. Bane, I felt like your reaction to Miss Meyers was dismissive and I found it to be aggressive.
2:50:23 So much so, I had a physiological reaction to it with the elbows on the table and the pointing.
2:50:29 And I should have said something then. I I should have um but there is a habit of
2:50:37 this council in speaking to each other in a way that I don't think is the best way to speak to each other. And in that
2:50:44 moment, I was a coward. I was too afraid to say what I should have. I should I was afraid to do my job. And I shouldn't
2:50:51 have been that way. I should have said and nipped it in the bud in the moment.
2:50:55 I certainly know how. and then I wouldn't be coming back here today having this conversation. But it struck me that my cowardice
2:51:04 led to an example being set that when it happened to my mother, what could I do but look at myself and say, "You allowed this to happen."
2:51:13 I think that we as council should always be mindful that we're setting an example of how to behave and how to resolve differences.
2:51:23 And so I felt like after what I experienced sitting up here, but also in the public realm, and it happened that
2:51:32 it was my mother. There's another young lady involved. She's almost six feet tall. I mean, she's, you know, these girls, they handle stuff at the gate. My gate is good, you know, but we get it
2:51:40 every day from mostly men. People who don't want to acknowledge that it's mostly men. And when I put a man at the gate, it's, "Oh, dude, no bad. My bad.
2:51:49 I'll go around. No problem." And I see this. I see it every single day. in what I do and I don't complain about it but I
2:51:56 see it and I know it exists. So, I want to set a good example for the community of how we should all treat each other,
2:52:05 but I also want to set a good example in the community about how men and women should interact with one another.
2:52:11 And that could be taken certain ways from people, and I accept that result if that's what happens. But I do think I do
2:52:18 think it's important. And I apologize to you, Miss Meyers.
2:52:24 I really do. I should have been there for you and I wasn't. And so I'm sorry and I will go a step further because I
2:52:32 don't think this is conscious. I really don't. But I do want Mr. Murray, for you
2:52:39 to be aware that in the last meeting when you asked for us to not have the parking cone.
2:52:46 It is my understanding, Ms. Myers, that is at your request. It's one cone, an entire parking lot. If we have someone
2:52:54 on this council who has a fear, whether we perceive it to be rational or not, I think it's our responsibility to acknowledge that
2:53:03 I think it applies to we don't know what's going on in somebody's world. We don't know what's happening in their life. And when we see when I observe
2:53:12 what I perceived as I don't want to use the the word I'm thinking but I felt like it was an
2:53:19 aggressive approach to Miss Meyers and then subsequently a request to remove a device that gives a sense of safety. It
2:53:27 feels to me like an attack on her safety and I won't be silent about it.
2:53:34 I just am asking that we be mindful of our resolution. I'm giving notice to the council and the public that I will speak
2:53:43 out next time. Um, I will call for censure next time. A censure is just a slap on the wrist. It doesn't mean
2:53:51 anything, but it does communicate that this is not acceptable behavior and I welcome the same for me. I think we need to conduct ourselves in a more professional manner. So,
2:54:00 that's why I put this item on the agenda. Okay. Thank you.
2:54:09 All right. This is a public before I bring it back to Council. Uh this is a public hearing. Anyone in the public wish the addresses I make?
2:54:16 Uh well come to the council and come to this have
2:54:21 Taylor uh 3686 Kadesci. I think um I think it goes two ways.
2:54:30 We come here to the podium to speak and express our desires or wants and needs.
2:54:37 And I think we we feel as citizens a lot of times we feel it doesn't matter. So
2:54:45 that's why I think you see like here hardly nobody shows up. We move the time up
2:54:53 because we feel that we can get more people involved by bringing them online. Nobody's online.
2:55:00 Um,
2:55:02 it's gotten to the point that I think people that want to run for government,
2:55:11 they feel that there's it's it's worthless. I I personally would run again.
2:55:19 My wife is totally against it. So, my home is more important than this here.
2:55:26 But you know it's it's funny that uh you all you sit up as a woman you know men
2:55:34 and women are always going to have those differences and sometime we see something or we say something and it's not direct you know
2:55:42 it's not to be against you guys. I'm not saying you guys like um
2:55:49 yeah it's it's it's it's a tight thing but I I think what it is I think that respect goes both ways and it it's something as us as citizens and
2:55:59 community that we need to work with each other. We need to see what's we need to see each other you know
2:56:06 but it has to go both ways. It can't just be for up there. You guys can say whatever, do whatever. Then we come up to the podium and then we we leave with
2:56:15 our head down because we feel shame or whatever. I think we can do a better job. You know, more people would want to
2:56:22 run for government. Right now, nobody wants to. It's it's just so toxic. You know, you you're putting your life on the line. Hey, you know, last month,
2:56:33 um, I took a cruise back to back to back. I was gone three weeks enjoying my
2:56:39 life because I'm retired. I've done everything I I wanted to do in life and I'm still doing it, but I'm not going to
2:56:48 uh you know get into that position where I have I'm losing everything here and and destroying my home.
2:56:56 So, I think it needs to go both ways. I was at that meeting and I I personally thought I mean when she said about
2:57:03 women at night, my wife is always out at night.
2:57:08 I work with young folks and they're out at night. Kids, I I just didn't think our city was that bad to be I thought
2:57:16 that was just a a plot so we can keep the meeting early and not have it where most where reasonable people will come
2:57:24 in be able to Yep.
2:57:26 Okay. Um, so anyway, uh, I think it needs to go waste, but I think we shouldn't be using things like that to
2:57:35 say for the meeting because the meeting to me like today was a big inconvenience for me to stop in the middle of the day to come here and you say, "Well, you can
2:57:44 do it online." If you're doing it online, if I'm at home or if I'm somewhere working doing something, I can't, even if I stop and do it at home,
2:57:52 it's still an inconvenience during that time of day. So I think that might be something needs to be reconsidered the time of the meetings, but I don't think
2:58:01 it's a man and woman thing. I think it's just the heat of the moment. I think that comment came up and I think it was all about
2:58:10 an excuse not to move the meeting back to where it needs to be and I think that's where it got to where it was. But men and women are always going to have
2:58:18 those differences. We see things different. That's the way we are. Um I don't have the fear of walking or doing anything at night but I don't think but
2:58:26 I do have it some places I go was on a cruise there's some places I wouldn't go in the city that I was at at night time
2:58:34 so there are places that's really bad but we are in a good city and I think when we put that out there like that that oh it's not safe for women at night
2:58:43 it goes way beyond this and I don't think you probably when you said it I don't think you was thinking that I know you were saying it for a
2:58:51 But I think we need to be very careful about the things we say because it it it just it just creates other problems. So anyway, my take.
2:59:00 Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.
2:59:05 Joe from 2693 jump way. Once again, I'd like to apologize Miss Meyers and Council Member Strange because I should have stood up that night.
2:59:15 I recognize your scenario and I felt the same way while I was sitting out there and I was listening to you and I can identify with that. I'm a son and I'm a
2:59:24 father so I recognize that. Um, since you brought this resolution up, I think that uh one of the lacking things in it
2:59:33 is uh consequences for this particular actions. I think that in order for it to have teeth, you have to have
2:59:40 consequences for your actions. and also part of the investigation portion of it.
2:59:45 I don't think that it's fair to put the city attorney at the forefront of that.
2:59:50 Um, I have a suggestion that if a situation calls for an investigation like that, I recommend uh the Lake
2:59:57 County Clerk of Courts cuz they have a spectre inspector general portion of it and I think that that could be done
3:00:05 through interlocking agreement to investigate situations that happen like that. Uh, I think it'd be fair and impartial.
3:00:14 Um, just uh advice to help put teeth into it. Once again, uh, I hope that I
3:00:21 can do better communicating to you and I appreciate it. And, mayor, uh, I hope that we can
3:00:31 put our past to the side. We can shake hands and that we can get on a better foot. I'd like to to happen, sir. Thank you.
3:00:42 Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. You know, coming up,
3:00:53 I guess I wanted the meanest person around. I didn't have no barrier. But I went in the military,
3:01:02 got drafted at a early age. carried the same attitude there.
3:01:10 But my father told me before I left, he said, uh, you gonna meet a many peoples in this world.
3:01:17 You mean personality, nationality, but treat the person the way you'd love to be treated and you always be peace.
3:01:27 I got to a point when I went in after I became a sergeant, staff sergeant, I represented the whole battalion.
3:01:36 Anybody had trouble that knew me knew that if they come talk to me, I can talk to anybody. You know, I talk to colonels, general,
3:01:44 whatever.
3:01:46 And the enlisted man loved me cuz I let nobody push him around whether male or female.
3:01:54 But yet and still, I still had that inside of me. I hated to talk to somebody and they turn away from me like
3:02:04 I'm not there. I hate to talk to somebody that started yelling at me even though I did it sometime.
3:02:11 I fight all day and all night cuz you know it it went you know it went no
3:02:17 stopping. But I will not let a upper upper person liberate nobody.
3:02:27 I will not let no person in authority just push anybody around because of who you are, where you come from. It just ain't right.
3:02:39 If you don't want it done to you, don't do it to them. Thank you.
3:02:44 Thank you. This is 1759
3:02:54 Paula Hoisington 564 East Street um I think it's commendable that you did
3:03:03 stand up perception in which someone receives something is how is your truth and no
3:03:11 one can take away your truth because that's what you believe I said said this once before when we first went live with YouTube.
3:03:22 The behavior of the council was deplorable.
3:03:28 And it's not just the way that that particular meeting, the words that was said because I watched it and I didn't
3:03:35 see it to be demeaning, but that's your truth and how you perceived it. But the manner in which other meetings that have
3:03:44 been conducted with the previous council, there was never a discussion about this. The way that
3:03:53 exchange of differences was relayed to the mayor and I even said
3:04:00 once we are now on YouTube and this can go viral. Would you all want your children or the world or the nation to see how you get along?
3:04:10 So I would like for us to conduct ourselves in the proper manner but don't feel that because one person is a male
3:04:18 that he could be talked to in any way and disrespected at the same time. We should all treat as was said the way we would want to be treated.
3:04:30 But as you are treating someone some way,
3:04:34 think about how in which you are saying it, the manner in which you are saying it, the intention of what you're wanting
3:04:41 to get across. Because saying that it was unsafe to leave the city council building at night
3:04:50 to me says it is not safe for anyone to be walking around downtown Claremont or anywhere in Claremont. We have women
3:04:57 that are working shifts that have to leave at night.
3:05:03 Their safety is just as important. And because you are an elected official does not give you any greater
3:05:10 protection in my opinion than the person that put you in office to do your job.
3:05:16 Not saying that we should create a unhealthy environment, but to remember that everyone deserves that. And not to
3:05:24 minimize the way council woman may have felt, not to minimize that. But at the same time, remember
3:05:33 that everyone deserves respect. Whether you disagree with me or not, I still deserve respect.
3:05:41 Whether I'm a woman having a discussion with another woman, I should still be respectful. If I'm a woman having a
3:05:48 discussion with a man, I should still be respectful. He does not deserve any less respect because he's a man. So I just
3:05:56 ask that you all just think about how you talk to each other and as it was said when we come up here and we pour
3:06:04 our hearts out about an issue that we want to feel just as valued that it's not just going through the motion and you check the box that the things that
3:06:14 we bring to you that there's followup and closure otherwise it just stays open. Thank you.
3:06:20 Thank you. Anyone else? This is a public hearing. Anyone in the public want to address this item, come to microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
3:06:32 Uh Valerie Shu at 931 West Montra Street. This is off the cuff. I debated coming up here or not. Uh but I want to
3:06:40 make more of I think more people are making a macro point and that's kind of what I want to talk about too. I didn't relate to what you felt, but I validate
3:06:47 how you felt. Um and I respect that. But just zooming out to the bigger conversation which we're kind of talking about here with the rules of conduct and
3:06:55 just in uh what others have said you know I think one of the greatest ways that we can show respect to one another um both on the dis and to one another is
3:07:04 to take what's in front of you um and judge it based off of the merit of the issue and the idea not on who's for it
3:07:12 or against it or the vibes around those things but um and I I will say I mean I've seen that there is there can be a lot of that across the board sometimes.
3:07:22 Um, and I just think we do a disservice to our city when we oversimplify issues down to who's for or against or how does
3:07:31 this align um as opposed to the merit of the the individual merit of the things that um come in front of you. So that that would be my request. You know,
3:07:40 sometimes I I h I can relate to the feeling sometimes, not always. Um I've had great conversations with many of you up in this DAS and have felt very heard.
3:07:49 um but sometimes can relate to that frustration of feeling like there's other dynamics at play and what I have to say just as a citizen on the merit
3:07:57 merit is going to get lost um in those political dynamics. So um I think it works better when
3:08:05 when we approach issues and things like that and approach one another that way.
3:08:10 Um and for the most part I would say that that has been my experience with many of you up on this DAS and you're generous with your time. Um, but those are some observations that I've noticed.
3:08:21 So, thank you.
3:08:24 Thank you. Anyone else? This is a public hand. Anyone in the public in the chamber that wish to speak to this item may come to the microphone, state your name and address and have three minutes.
3:08:34 Anyone else in the chamber? Seeing no one else in the chamber. We have anybody online, sir? All right.
3:08:43 Online, you may go ahead and speak.
3:08:48 Yes. So, my name is Vernon Myers. I'm Shandra's Miss Meyers's husband, 1040 Glenn Raven Lane. So, I just have a few
3:08:54 points uh and and one is uh bias. So, I I heard one of the speakers talk about uh you know, the fact that he does not
3:09:03 feel uh you know, does he does he not he does not agree with the fact that uh my wife had something to say about being
3:09:10 safe? It's not up to you to understand or feel why somebody else doesn't feel safe. That's perception is reality. So if I perceive or if she perceives that
3:09:19 she's unsafe, she's unsafe. Period. In the discussion. So that's the first thing. The second thing is directed to
3:09:26 you, mayor. So at one point in time, I you know, when you were getting to it with uh one one of the other previous members, I said to you that you need to do better because as the senior leader,
3:09:38 you know, because I'm army colonel, you know, I've been in the military 26 years and a senior army civilian right now.
3:09:44 regardless of what you say, you do not win in a conversation where you are coming off uh responding negatively or emotionally or things like that. Right.
3:09:54 So, you know, after after my wife came home and told me about this this situation, I watched the I literally watched the video. There was one part of
3:10:02 the video where you off the cuff said females should not go off the go outside at night. 100% unacceptable. Are you
3:10:10 seriously saying that females shouldn't go outside at night? And oh, by the way,
3:10:14 in response to an issue about being uh fearful of being at night. Now, I understand people have their heads in the sand about Claremont, but there's crime. There's real crime in Claremont.
3:10:25 So, just because you don't say it, that does not mean it doesn't exist. So, my my first thing would be like, hey guys, regardless, get your heads out the sand.
3:10:33 There is crime in Claremont, and just because you don't say it, that does not mean it doesn't exist. There is crime.
3:10:38 Talk to talk to the police. And I think Allison mentioned three things about the fact that you know the number one crimes there's crime right so so regardless if
3:10:47 you don't agree with it there is crime and it is in Claremont so understand that that's the case period point blank the last thing I will say so so um there
3:10:57 there seems to be some issues about this this whole parking situation right so I understand that the mayor has a police escort right so I didn't hear anybody
3:11:06 talking about the fact that Shandra couldn't when she was parking way at the back end of the parking lot.
3:11:12 I didn't hear anybody complaining about that. If she shows up early, she's going to get that parking space regardless if the police officer puts that cone there
3:11:19 or not. So guys, what is the real issue here? Why why are we talking about a a cone in a parking space where if she got there early, she can get in that parking
3:11:28 space anywhere? So So you you guys represent the the the city of Cleland. Why are we dealing with these issues,
3:11:35 these weed issues when we got we got forest worth of of real bigger issues that we need to be focused on? We got to
3:11:42 stay out the weeds. A cone. Seriously, a cone. Come on, guys. We got to do better. That's all I have.
3:11:50 Thank you. Anyone else, sir?
3:11:54 Seeing no one else, we close public comment. Bring it back to council, state council. But I mean I have to
3:12:02 Well, mostly I just wanted to bring it up. I wanted to talk about the issues as as it specifically related to the night in question. It felt to me like an even
3:12:12 greater failure because I could easily have gotten to yes on a 6:30 meeting, which Miss Myers wouldn't have liked,
3:12:19 but I would have gotten there because we would have solved problems that were causing our meetings to go so long. And I felt like instead of working together,
3:12:26 we let the public down in a way that,
3:12:29 you know, had the hair on the back of my neck standing up. And so I don't think that's good. The capital G good. Um,
3:12:37 and before before we move on because maybe I should wait until the end or I'll reserve I have one other thing I want to bring up, but I think this conversation needs to happen first and
3:12:45 the conversation won't take long, but it is in our rules and I want to bring it up while we're here.
3:12:50 It's when I was at that meeting too and I can understand now like how I'm blind to it also that you saw something I
3:12:58 didn't see but now that you brought it out I did see it and you know I think I should have said something myself you know but like you said sometimes you're
3:13:07 you know you don't want to open your mouth and I apologize about that.
3:13:12 Well, I want to say thank you um to Allison and Bill and to Joe Famasi.
3:13:19 Um you know, I don't want to get emotional, but yeah,
3:13:27 you two did come off dismissive. That may not have been your intention,
3:13:32 but it was. And as a woman who has experienced and been on the back end of violence,
3:13:39 I'm very sensitive to that. I'm sorry, Mr. B.
3:13:47 Thank you. Um I certainly think there's a difference between intent
3:13:55 and impact. And um for those who don't know, I spent 20 years working in higher education. And part of that
3:14:04 responsibility working in higher education was holding students accountable for their behavior through the student misconduct process. And the
3:14:14 latter half of that career primarily focused on what uh would kind of be referred to as major incidents,
3:14:22 particularly um items of violence and and um and sexual assault. um those
3:14:30 those level of cases that came before us this deans the deina of students office and students would often say
3:14:40 I didn't mean for that not and I I don't mean it in in those larger cases but in in in general terms students would often say I didn't
3:14:49 realize that you know throwing that ball out the window that I would break a a a car window
3:14:58 that wasn't their intent. Their intent wasn't to cause harm, but it still caused harm.
3:15:04 And so, we had to have a conversation about intent versus impact.
3:15:10 And I watched the video. I've watched the video multiple times.
3:15:16 And I did in that moment take offense to the statements that were made. Um,
3:15:26 Council Member Myers, you you said it it's it's like you don't give a and you stopped yourself and and said a different word and it it it offended me.
3:15:38 It got me upset. Um,
3:15:42 but regardless, my intent was never to create a hostile environment or to make you feel unsafe.
3:15:53 Um, I think honestly it's if if you feel unsafe, then then own that. But to say
3:16:01 that it's unsafe in Claremont without just blanket statements like that, it's unsafe for particular category of people
3:16:10 in Claremont. That's not responsible behavior up here on the council. I just I think that it's it's creating an
3:16:17 environment where it's we're saying something that is really something that you feel and I'm and I want if that's how you feel, I want to respect that. I want to hear that. I want to I want to
3:16:26 recognize that and I want to work with you through that. Um,
3:16:31 but to si to say that a council member is proposing an item about a meeting
3:16:37 time because I don't give a whatever about women's safety is is offensive
3:16:46 statement and I apologize if how I told you that made
3:16:53 you feel uncomfortable. That was not the intent. My intent was to let you know that I I didn't think that that was an
3:17:00 appropriate statement and that that had no bearing on my conversation from my perspective as to why we were addressing
3:17:08 this, why we were talking about the meeting time, but again, it goes back to intent and impact. I understand it had a different impact than the intent and I I
3:17:17 want to recognize that and we can talk about it. I think that um you know there are different ways to go about doing that and council member Strange has
3:17:26 every right to do this as a council member request to talk about rules. Um,
3:17:31 I do worry uh to a degree that, you know, um I I I I it it actually led me to read these rules more closely and I
3:17:40 think we have some rules in here that quite honestly um wouldn't stand the test of time on a first amendment issue
3:17:48 uh related to serving in public. And I think it it is an issue and we're seeing it in other communities where other city
3:17:55 council members are are um um being told by their peers that something they said was whatever and they they've sued the
3:18:05 cities and they're winning. They're winning consistently in that area. And I just I I I worry a little bit about that
3:18:12 precedent. But I don't want that to take away from the fact that if I said something that made a council member uh
3:18:20 concerned then uh I I I realized that Sunshine doesn't allow you to pick up that phone and call me and say, "Hey,
3:18:29 right,
3:18:29 you know, um that that statement um made me feel uh uh uh concerned." Um,
3:18:38 but I would uh um you know I guess bring it up in your report as with any any one of us could do that we could address
3:18:47 that because I I I don't want it to go and sit out there if it is something that is a is a concern and I and and I
3:18:55 certainly will be more cognizant of how and what is said. Um, and um, I just,
3:19:04 uh, I I do though, going back to the underlying concern, have some concerns about making more blanket statements
3:19:10 about safety in our community. And I I get it. The cone thing, look, it it's not a
3:19:19 I didn't even know about it till last meeting. I I didn't know we were reserving two spark parking spots for council members. To me, it's a it's a
3:19:27 perk. It's a it's a bonus that we're giving council members. And I don't think that's right. Just like uh if I were to ask staff to to uh you know uh
3:19:37 give me uh a discount on my uh rate or to to uh uh you know make sure that I
3:19:44 have a button that gets me into the other HOAs to the gated communities. I I don't think we should give perks. If there was a item, if something happened,
3:19:53 if there was a direct threat that created a situation that a council member, all of us, any of us, I I would
3:20:01 I would hope that to the degree that police or city staff could let us know if it didn't directly affect us, so that we can call that out and make sure that
3:20:10 we stand united in safety and security of one another and our staff and our
3:20:16 citizens. Um, but I I think it it's it sends a really um cautionary message to
3:20:25 to reserve spots for council meetings for council members, particularly when um we're
3:20:34 hearing more and more concerns about residents not being able to do business in city hall. And and that's that's a concern for me. If it's a matter of
3:20:42 needing an escort into the building and an officer is here, um, and and then okay, I I guess, you know, that's what
3:20:50 we can do if that's what that council member needs to have done in coordination with the city manager. But I I I just don't want to create this
3:20:57 environment where it's out it's perceived out there that council members are getting uh getting kinds of perks
3:21:06 simply because they're a council member and not in relation to anything else. So with that, I apologize if my effect did
3:21:16 something more than the intent behind letting you know how I felt. So thank you.
3:21:20 I I appreciate your apology, but I do take it take concern when you said that I based it on what was it that you had
3:21:28 said about um making a position um because of how I felt the the the issue
3:21:34 is is it is at night time. They have data to show that crime goes up at
3:21:40 night. My concern was for our deputy clerk driving 45 minutes in the dark by herself. I don't have a long drive home,
3:21:50 but she does. And the other concern is is when you are at night, you can hit a pothole. Our streets aren't all perfect.
3:21:58 Guess what happens? You can get a flat tire. Somebody can come hit you because they don't see you. And I actually have a friend who lost a family member that
3:22:06 way on the side of the road. So these things do happen. And and I'm not saying that Claremont is, you know, um some
3:22:14 major city where it has all kinds of crime happening, but crime does happen.
3:22:18 We do have that in this city. And to act as if we don't, that's not really wise.
3:22:24 Um and for a woman is which the viewpoint I came I was coming from. when you do drive at night at dark by
3:22:32 yourself late in the hours that is a safety concern for me and for the other women on here that's not for you that's I see that that because you don't see it
3:22:41 that way but that's how I see that because being at on the road at 1:00 in the morning you are more likely to encounter drunk drivers or if you have
3:22:49 an emergency there are people who out who are out there who have intent to do harm to you versus if you're at 5:00 p
3:22:56 p.m. or 7 p.m. you know, and there is data that shows that crime does go up after 900 p.m. in this city and other
3:23:04 cities. That's the fact. Um, and my other concern with, and I know that was my main concern when I spoke on that was
3:23:12 the safety, but again, um, you know, the dismissiveness, and I appreciate you saying that, that you did not, that was not your intent. I appreciate that. Um,
3:23:25 but one of the things I wanted to talk about, um, before she even put this on was for us to have a workshop to learn
3:23:32 how to talk to one another because a lot of times, um, some of us as members, we take swipes at each other. We take digs
3:23:40 constantly, you know. I mean, it isn't it isn't as bad as it was before you came on, Mr. Bane, but it had been very
3:23:48 toxic, you know, and I don't think that's appropriate. Um, and sometimes we don't see ourselves. Sometimes we don't
3:23:56 realize how we're coming off to other people or whatnot, but I see a lot of times that we talk down to one another
3:24:03 instead of with each other. And I think we need help on how to communicate effectively with one another because my
3:24:10 concern here is the five of us have five different personalities coming from five different walks of life. We have been um
3:24:18 elected to solve the issues here in this city and some of these issues need to be solved in a creative solution type
3:24:26 manner. But how can we present that if we're always on guard because this person is going to take an insult at me
3:24:34 or this person's going to take an insult at me? You can't. It doesn't foster creativity. It fosters I'm just not going to say anything or I'm going to
3:24:42 say what I know to say and that's the end of that. You you know what I'm saying? doesn't come to being collaborative. And so I suggest I really
3:24:49 and hopefully you all be in agreeance for us to have a workshop next month,
3:24:54 part of our workshop on how we talk with one another. I do know of a lady that does this for a living where she helps
3:25:01 businesses um people to work together to learn how to talk with one another. Um because we don't do that very well here.
3:25:09 We just don't.
3:25:11 And I haven't spent any of my training budget this year. So, you can use mine to hire her. I'm okay with that. Thank you.
3:25:19 Well,
3:25:21 let me say I I first of all, let me say I commend your husband for for for supporting you and
3:25:28 standing up for you and everything. And um I went back and watched that meeting again a couple of times. And yes, I took
3:25:35 offense because I I'm always take offense to anybody that's gonna sit here and tell me you all your exact words is you all don't care about our safety. I'm sorry.
3:25:45 As I said that night, I not only care about women's safety, I care about everybody's safety. Okay? And for you to
3:25:52 say we don't care. I took very much offense to that because I'm a person sitting here and one of the reason I'm probably sitting on this council because
3:26:01 I work with our police department because it was so much drugs and crime in the neighborhood that I I as a civilian got out there and worked with
3:26:08 them to make sure the neighborhood and the place was safe. Okay. I had my life threatened several times out there working with the police department.
3:26:17 Chief Grace could tell you himself uh when he first came on. That's how I got started in the city and how they finally convinced me to come down here and join
3:26:26 the code enforcement because I was out there working with the police department. Okay. Because of safety. So being to hear you say I don't care about
3:26:34 people's safety when I've been out there doing this actually in the street fighting for the safety of the neighborhoods and have my life threatened. I have a community meeting
3:26:43 there every three months with the police department to make sure uh our residents can come out and voice the opinion about whether they feel safe in the community
3:26:51 and everything. Yeah, it offended me for you to hear hear me say that. And I'm sorry if you think I I went to you. I
3:26:57 don't think I when I looked at it. Um I voiced that and of course I went home that night I really thought about it and
3:27:05 really thought about it and I think I shared this with Mr. Mr. Van Wagner is the fact that I've been praying about it and praying about that meeting whether I
3:27:12 was going to address that issue or not in council meeting. I even asked Mr. uh police chief for some statistics to back
3:27:22 up what you were saying, okay, about people not being safe or women not being safe and is there any data out there for you to make that blanket statement and
3:27:30 with no data or anything? It bo it it concerned me. Yes. And I went and I tried to find the data and my understanding his his research said it
3:27:40 was zero zero incidents. So what basis are you basing this on? What are you basing this on?
3:27:46 Zero incidents with women, but the data showed that after 9 p.m. I'm sorry. I didn't want it. I'm sorry.
3:27:54 You know, okay. Well, well, I I know there is crime going on in the street.
3:27:58 Like I say, I work with my police department. Every every quarter, we sit down. and we go over statistics, all the different crimes in the neighborhood and and throughout the city and everything.
3:28:06 I get the reports just like you do,
3:28:09 but to say women aren't safe in the city and everything at night,
3:28:16 I think first of all, and then you make the statement about it's different for women than it is men out there. To me, that's a sexist statement. Okay,
3:28:25 that's sexist. And I'mma tell you now,
3:28:27 and that that that that really jumped out at me because as your husband say,
3:28:32 he's in the middle of I spent 23 years in the Air Force. And guess what? If I had made that kind of statement or said something anywhere like that, I would
3:28:40 have been in in in in uh sex sexual abuse training in a heartbeat in the Air Force because we they didn't tolerate them kind of
3:28:48 statement. When you talk you talk about the people in general, not by sex or anything. Uh you didn't distinguish from men or women, you know. Okay. So, I
3:28:56 looked at it as being a kind of a sexist statement for you to sit there and say women not say, not just women. Okay.
3:29:04 Is everybody got to be safe. And then another thing is I grew up with seven sisters. And guess what? I had used to
3:29:11 be their bodyguards all the time. I used to get mad at my dad because he used to make me walk out there and go to dances and things which I didn't care for, but
3:29:18 I had to go out there to be their bodyguard. See, so I I I do care about women. I have a wife. Like I I told you that night, I have a wife. So, I'm very
3:29:27 concerned. And when she's out there at night, you know what I'm doing? I'm sitting there by my phone or whatever and and listening to make sure she get
3:29:34 home. If she's not there by a certain time, yeah, I get concerned. Okay. But I feel like we're in a very safe city, you
3:29:42 know, and we shouldn't I shouldn't have to really worry about it. But hey, I do know things happen out there, you know.
3:29:49 I have a daughter out there that's driving back and forth from at 1 2:00 in the mornings. You think I'm not worried about it? Yeah, I'm worried about it.
3:29:58 But at the same time, I can't go out there and be with her all the time and that she make it safe. I can't have a police go with her all the time. So, I
3:30:06 have to trust that hey and pray that hey, nothing happened.
3:30:09 And then another thing I as I said to Mr. Van Wagner, you as a council member are responsible for the safety of
3:30:16 everyone here. We are responsible for the safety of everybody, not just women,
3:30:20 but every member of the city. And for you to sit and make that broad statement about women not being safe with no data
3:30:30 and then question came to me was as a council member, you responsible for everybody's safety. What steps have you taken to make sure everything everybody
3:30:39 is safe in the city? See, if you if you feel this, show me some action you taken to make sure everybody's safe. That's your responsibility as a council member.
3:30:49 And that's those things bother me. As I say, I I discussed it with the with the city manager and everything how I felt about it and decided and I waiting to hear some data. Okay? You know, so yeah,
3:31:02 I I'm always take offense when you tell me uh you directly look at me and say you all didn't care. Don't don't tell me
3:31:09 I don't care cuz I care. Uh and and yes, your husband did come up to me one night at at the dis and and tell me I need to, you know,
3:31:20 squash this. But you know, I looked at him, I'll be honest with you. I looked at him like he was crazy. Wait a minute.
3:31:24 I got all these council members holling at me, residents holling at me and I'm supposed to just sit here and take it and everything at fun point to
3:31:33 get and I do have people come up to me night after night after night through the day. One of the biggest compliment I get, I don't know. They look at me and say, "I don't know how you take all the garbage that goes on.
3:31:44 Mr. Mr. Famasi just came up here and talking about he hope he we can put I don't have anything against Mr. Forasi,
3:31:50 but every council meeting he come up here and take a gig at me. See, and I've I tried to be nothing but a friend to Mr. Mr. Famasi, but I'm the bad guy.
3:31:59 I've even I've even met with him to try to solve some of his issue at his first home." See, but I get th I you don't
3:32:08 know every night how many times I I get jumped on up here and everything and I sit back and I just take it and people commend me for the fact that I don't go off a lot of time.
3:32:18 But it it's just certain things that's going to bother now as the cone go.
3:32:24 I made that observation and I've been watching it for a while and I don't have no problem if she want to reserve park and that's fine. Those areas over there
3:32:32 is usually I I look at it. Let's reserve it for our customers. Okay? We're here to serve people and we got a uh business going on here in the middle of the day.
3:32:41 People come trying to pay their bill and all I want to do is make sure they be able to pay their bill. Hey, go out and put a reserve corner on this side if you need it. Okay? But I'm just looking at
3:32:50 an area out there we can reserve for the customer. So when we having council meeting, they come up, they can get out,
3:32:56 they can come up, park and and go and do their business. Okay. Uh and I I chose those areas. I looked at it not because
3:33:03 Miss Myers was parking there because basically I've always used there and looked at that because nine times out of 10 when I'm sitting out there watching
3:33:11 what's going on, most people come in to do the uh bills or do business in the city, they park in those spaces.
3:33:18 As I said to you the other week, you you asked me if I was just staring out in the space one night when I was just sitting out there watching the parking lot. No, there's a reason I'm sitting
3:33:27 watching things go on. I don't just come out nowhere. I w I I usually be done paid attention and watch these things before. I'm sorry. It's just the timing
3:33:36 may have been bad, but whatever. Um, and I'll be honest with you, I told my wife that night when I got a car, I'm going probably make somebody mad because I was
3:33:44 going to bring it up because that evening I watched two, three customers couldn't park.
3:33:50 Okay, the cones blocked off. They came in, they couldn't go. They want and they they rolled around in the parking lot and they left because I'm sitting there in my car watching them. So, I said,
3:33:58 "Well, it's time to say something."
3:34:00 That's why I brought it up. I'm sorry the timing was bad other night, but but uh at that point, it needed I felt like
3:34:06 it needed to be said. Um what else? But Miss Miss Myers, I'm sorry if you felt like I was jumping on you. It wasn't jumping on you. I was
3:34:15 trying to get some clarification. I felt like you was accusing me of something that I didn't do. I'm sitting here listening
3:34:22 to you and I'm trying to figure out how you come to that conclusion about the city isn't safe. Okay? Because I know
3:34:29 I'm out there and the other part is and I wanted to talk to my chief and say,
3:34:33 "Hey, how do you feel about the police department? How did the police department feel? We got a council member sitting up here saying our city isn't safe for women and everything."
3:34:42 See, it's a whole lot of things running in my head that night. Well, you're taking that out of context. Well, because there's context to everything.
3:34:51 Well, you may. Yeah, right. Okay. I'm I give you that. If you say I'm taking it out of context, I I I take it. But again, when you look towards me and you
3:34:59 look towards Mr. Bane and you said you all don't care about women's safety, I I I'm sorry.
3:35:06 If I may kind of bring this back to the the point of the the the item on the agenda um to kind of wrap it up, what I'm looking for is something in the way
3:35:14 of agreement. Mr. Bane makes a valid point about how some of these items on the resolution are perhaps not enforceable in law, but um to the point
3:35:24 that the gentleman uh from wellness way made, we we don't have any authority amongst ourselves to do a censure is
3:35:32 just a slap on the wrist. It's just saying don't talk to me like that or don't do that thing to get removed. It's an FDLE thing as I understand it. The governor has to get involved. I mean,
3:35:40 we're not talking about I'm not proposing and I don't think the rules have anything in them to say, "Oh, now you can't come to a meeting or you can't." There is no teeth. This is about
3:35:48 decorum and and professionalism. And and I bring it up because I think we've gone too far down a path of the way we
3:35:56 communicate with one another. And I think what I observed um Mr. Mayor and your conversation with Miss Meyers is and and even Mr. Bane to your point um
3:36:05 for what it's worth when I heard Miss Meyers say you all I actually perceived her speaking to the public I I didn't
3:36:12 see it as any two people or any one person on this dis I perceived her saying anybody who's asking me to stay here until midnight 1:00 doesn't care
3:36:21 about my safety now I would have flipped that and said anybody who asked me to stay here until midnight 1 o'clock doesn't care about me making good decisions because I don't think good decisions are made after nine
3:36:30 o'clock I just don't think that that's wise and But I think the the issue if I have identified at least I've identified
3:36:37 an issue is what I'd like us to work on and what I'm asking for agreement because this isn't a legal issue. This is how we conduct ourselves and we are the only ones who can hold ourselves
3:36:46 accountable is if one of us says something that any of us perceive as a personal attack or as offensive.
3:36:54 My request is that we simply look at that person take the time and say point of order I would like clarity. This is
3:37:02 how I received what you said. Is that what you meant? I took that personally
3:37:09 because I I'll be candid. Um, Mr. Bane and Mr. Mayor, I what I'm hearing in your response to Ms. Myers is, "Well,
3:37:17 you upset me." And so, and I would like us to get away from that to where we say, "Whoa, I do do you think I don't
3:37:26 care about your safety?" You know, do I do care about your safety? I don't think it's healthy for any of us, myself
3:37:33 included, to respond to a perceived attack with an aggressive response that only escalates the situation rather than
3:37:41 deescalating. And again, it come I come back to that night, I was trying to get to a 6:30 meeting time. I was the third
3:37:48 vote to get to a 6:30 meeting time. The public doesn't have a 6:30 meeting time because the choice was made to be in our emotions rather than to be in our logic.
3:37:58 And I think that we the public deserves better and we can do better. And that's why I brought this up because not only
3:38:06 is it a not a good environment, but it also caused in my opinion and observation us collectively to really
3:38:13 miss a chance to do something for the public. And that also weighs on me. I mean it was a apparently this night has weighed on a lot of us. And so I am glad
3:38:22 that I brought it up. Um well mean as as I was saying earlier if if it hadn't came up now I was still contemplating and I had talked to Mr.
3:38:32 Mr. bandwagon about it because it was still one of the things I wanted to address and everything because um yeah it bothered me big you know for
3:38:40 some of the reason I see it what what it make it like a police department look like is it unsafe you know and I know I work with women around here that like
3:38:48 when I was in that post office we go in at 10 12 2:00 in the morning and I know some of them used to drive from old coyo
3:38:56 or popka and everything else so so then I I'm sitting there thinking if the city is so unsafe safe and women as one of
3:39:03 her statements was women don't need to be out after dark. Okay, what about all the women working at Walmart? What about all these other women working everywhere else?
3:39:12 But what we didn't do, what we did in in the way that we collectively reacted was we shut down her feeling. We didn't explore why do you feel unsafe? We are not CEOs. We are not military officers.
3:39:24 We are not here to take the bullets. We are here to set policy.
3:39:28 And please excuse me if I misrepresent you in any way. I don't know you that well, but I believe that you are a homemaker. Is that accurate? Okay. So,
3:39:36 Miss Myers is bringing the perspective of a woman who has spent her entire life in a military structure with a a hierarchy. I mean, she's bringing a
3:39:45 perspective of a homemaker, a military wife. And it's important that we understand that perspective even if it's not our perspective or it doesn't
3:39:52 resonate with our background. I am disagreeable. I am a business owner. I I'm a different character. And so we're
3:40:00 all going to have different perspectives, but if our first reaction is to shut down the way somebody expresses, especially a feeling or to
3:40:08 say they're wrong in their feeling, it's dismissive and we're actually losing the opportunity to find out. I I think it's evident from her physical behavior and I
3:40:16 apologize that she has a real feeling around this. And if we don't understand why she has that real feeling, we can't help other people in the community who
3:40:24 have that real feeling. That real feeling may not be based in reality. It may not be based in fact, but it's a
3:40:32 real feeling. And if we don't control what is causing people to feel that way, is it an education seminar? What is it?
3:40:39 But frankly, I don't know that I'm ever going to be on board with, well, women should be driving at at midnight. I I think I say that to my daughter. I don't
3:40:48 it you do what you have to do, and we want to make a community safe,
3:40:52 but I I don't think that what she said in that respect was universally and fundamentally wrong. It was so I my concern is less about was she right? Were you right?
3:41:02 My my comment to her wasn't about dismissing her. I was legitimate concern about it but I was it was more taken me
3:41:09 by the fact that you accuse me of not caring about the safety and I'm sitting here say where's the data? What's this?
3:41:15 That's why I went back and asked for your dad. Well is something going on out here that I don't know about.
3:41:21 Okay. And my simple statement to her if I'm not recall if I can recall was the fact that hey don't say I'm not
3:41:29 concerned about women's safety. I'm concerned about everybody's safety. And at the same time I'm thinking about okay somebody something the police department
3:41:37 isn't telling me something my city manager isn't telling me going on in the city right you know and where's the data that's why I went and asked for the data. Give me
3:41:45 something to base this on. See but you could have asked her. Well, I I I want some statistic because basically
3:41:52 I need to know is there crime in in in the community far as I'm concerned. No, I'm not going to go to her to ask.
3:41:59 That's Sunshine Law. See, so I I went to the to the council, okay? And ask for the data. She didn't give us no data that night. But that's enough. But
3:42:07 again, I'm sorry if you mistook it mis taken that way. But um you know somebody made something made a statement earlier
3:42:16 about take taking the heat. I think I'm probably the most abused person sitting up here on this dis and it happens every
3:42:24 council meeting. Everybody. And I get abused by not just one but just about everybody up on this dis. Okay.
3:42:33 And and the public all the time. Okay.
3:42:36 Come in here. I go out there. I don't I don't try to mess with anybody. I I just sit back and I take it even tonight while we sitting here.
3:42:44 You know, Mr. Mayor, if I say something, let me know and I'll correct it.
3:42:50 See, been disrespectful as as we sit here and let everybody I let everybody speak and I say this quite often. I let
3:42:57 everybody speak, but then I keep getting interrupted when I'm speaking. Miss Myers did it. You did it twice. Okay.
3:43:05 Would you This is what I'm saying. This why I'm saying this. You everybody talk about disrespect and everything else but see we sit here and we can see
3:43:13 everything else as the old saying say you worried about the specking in in my eye when you got a plank in your eye.
3:43:21 Okay. See same we do. Okay. Watch watch what we do. Okay. Um,
3:43:28 and while while I'm sitting there saying that last council meeting, I I got accused of overstating my boundaries.
3:43:35 And if uh my duties and everything, if that's case, I apologize and I said to Mr. Ben Wagner at that time, I'll make sure everything I do not go through him.
3:43:43 But see, tonight one of the things I noticed happened tonight, uh, when M, I think it was Mr. Johnson came up and spoke, you got up off the dice and went and told Mr. gave direction to Mr. Mr.
3:43:53 Van White, Mr. Kirk to go do something. Me? Yeah. No, I did. Yeah. No, I didn't. See,
3:43:59 and everything. See, and I and I appreciate that. All right.
3:44:02 I didn't speak to Mr. Henchel, you accuse. Did you say I did? No, Mr. B. And I And I appreciate that.
3:44:08 And instead of me saying that, he did it. Okay. Okay.
3:44:11 And I And I appreciate that. Normally, a lot of times at the council meeting, I would do that.
3:44:17 But see, I wasn't about to do it tonight and be accused. And I appreciate Mr. Van Wagnet. Mr. Van Wagner do it. Okay. Um,
3:44:25 and anyway, again, I apolog if you did take if it took me the wrong way. I'm sorry, but please don't ever think I'm not not concerned about everybody's
3:44:33 safety. I've had my life threatened too many times out here in these streets fighting for the safety of everybody.
3:44:40 Okay? And when a police chief come to me and say, "Murray, you got Tim, you got to watch out because they out to get you." I take that serious when my police
3:44:48 chief come to me and say that. Okay? And that's happened to me several times. So,
3:44:53 and yeah, I'm sorry, but yeah, that you hit a so bar with me. Okay, thank you.
3:44:57 Uh, that's all I got to say. You had something else, Mr.
3:45:00 Yeah, one of the items I've been hearing it a lot from the public, and I don't know if anyone up here is considering it. There's only three of us that it would apply to, is the rules do require
3:45:09 us not to solicit political support from staff. I believe that that's a really important rule. Um, I personally don't believe that it's appropriate. I have
3:45:18 communicated this to the unions. I don't think it's appropriate for the unions to be endorsing political candidates. I know they take the position that they
3:45:25 will endorse the incumbents. And so I recognize that I'm declining any potential endorsement if they stick to that policy, but I just don't think it
3:45:33 puts staff in a good place. And when I was going back over the rules, I saw that. And so I'm asking Mr. Murray and Mr. Peterson, if you would join me in in
3:45:42 declining any support from the unions this time around when our political campaigns come.
3:45:48 Ma'am, I that 100%. Huh?
3:45:51 Well, I'm not I'm not going to agree with that. Basically, if the union want to support people and everything else,
3:45:56 I'm not I'm not going to uh deny them that that right. Okay. Um the thing is I'm hearing this, but I
3:46:04 hear other people went and asked for the endorsement, they didn't get it. So, now you want to deny other people from getting it. Uh, you know, I've heard
3:46:10 this several times, okay? Uh, when no one election, everybody, you know,
3:46:17 was out after the union endorsement, and I'll be honest with you, I've never really s uh asked for the endorsement.
3:46:23 They came to me, okay? And I have no problem. But, uh, I know in one election, you know, I was being accused of doing this and I wasn't asking for
3:46:31 it. When they they they decided to give it to me. Uh, come to find out, the other my candidate was the one that was seeking endorsement. But when all at
3:46:38 once when they didn't get the endorsement, everything was wrong. Okay. And no,
3:46:43 I'm not say it is against our ordinance and our rule to go to staff members and ask them to support us. Okay. Now, if
3:46:52 they union, that's a whole different that's a different ballgame. That's an organization and everything out there.
3:46:57 If they come together as as a unit and decide they want to endorse a candidate, that's their right. Well, they can do whatever they want.
3:47:04 The rule is that we won't solicit it.
3:47:06 Oh, I don't never solicit it. you've never seen. Now, if they they've come to me like last year, they came to me and say, "We would like to have a
3:47:13 conversation with you." Okay, fine. I'll sit down and have the conversation. Okay.
3:47:17 And and my position is I think it puts our employees in a bad position when we put them in the political limelight because the conversation that I had with
3:47:26 a person was um they had a fear that if I won that I would use use it against
3:47:33 them somehow. And I don't think it's good to put employees in that position where they fear the outcome of an election because they have a job and
3:47:42 that they're worried about having a job depending on who sits on the dis. And I think that applies to the firefighters and the the police as well. I have
3:47:50 already communicated that I will not accept an endorsement. I certainly won't promote one because I don't think it's in the right interests and when of the employees. And when I saw that in the
3:47:59 rules, I felt like, you know, it's February, it was time to bring that up. Um,
3:48:04 well, m Miss M. Strange, I've been operating under that principle. I've never actually went to the police. I've never went to the fire department and asked them for endorsement. And I've
3:48:12 always I even have candidates come to me and ask me for endorsement. And I usually tell them I don't believe in endorsing candidates a lot of time. Now,
3:48:19 I would give to your campaign and everything, but actually trying to endorse them a lot of time. I have a problem with that because I feel like as the mayor, you know, that that's doing a lot. Okay. Uh,
3:48:29 and I know there's one out there right now did some thing with, but you know, I've told him so, no, you know, okay,
3:48:35 I'll help you with a fundraiser and everything, but endorsement, no, I'm not I I don't think you'll find me endorsing no candidates, okay? You know, and I
3:48:44 won't do that. And that's why I won't go and ask other folks for endorsement. But if they come to me and they want to do that, that's fine.
3:48:51 Okay? But I'm not going I'm not going to sit here and say none of you all can get the firemen or police or whatever union endorsement. If they want to
3:48:59 endorse you, it's fine. Well, that's where we need clarity because I interpret our rules to say we can't go do that and I I started this by saying I wanted
3:49:08 us to go over these to have an, you know, discuss them so that because I I intend to enforce these rules.
3:49:18 And so if there's a disagreement about the rules, the time to talk about it is before there's an enforcement issue, right?
3:49:23 And I can anticipate this becoming an enforcement issue.
3:49:27 I say I I I agree with you. If you're going out there soliciting endorsement,
3:49:31 that's a different story. But if they come to you, I have no problem with it. So, I'm not going to sit here and say,
3:49:35 "No, I won't accept the endorsement if they decide to come to me." I actually they came to me and I think the police came to me last time uh and couple
3:49:42 times, but we never sat down and had that conversation. And I've never never really gotten it.
3:49:47 They the fire department, they came to me and they they basically sent somebody to me and say they want an endorsement.
3:49:53 That's fine. That's what they want to do. Okay? I did not solicit it and never will, you know, but I will if they come to me want to have a conversation, I
3:50:01 will have that conversation. Okay. Um that's not Is that okay with everybody? I mean, it's me talking and Mr. Murray talking.
3:50:09 There's five of us.
3:50:10 Yeah. Like I say, it's only people that I mean, my understanding was that they the unions only endorse the incumbents,
3:50:19 which puts a disadvantage about anybody that's running against them. point of fact like I you know when I came to them
3:50:27 they said oh we only endors well that's their right Mr. Peterson.
3:50:32 But let me tell you, they've endorsed from the first co uh first couple time second time I ran, I got no none of them endorsement. Not
3:50:40 from the fire department. Not not the police department. Okay. I don't think the police department ever endorsement me. Even though they would come to me and say, "Hey, we support you, but I don't never remember the endorsement."
3:50:50 Okay. Uh and far as the fire department,
3:50:54 when I first time I ran, they came to me and they they talked about endorsing me,
3:50:58 but they I don't think they never did it. Okay. They I don't think they endorse anybody in my first run. Okay?
3:51:04 And all I'm saying is if somebody want to endorse you, that's fine. But don't don't limit yourself. Okay? Go for what you know and that's fine. If you can get
3:51:12 the endorsement of an organization, a group out there uh and everything,
3:51:16 that's that's fine. Okay. Um um so so are we up to having a workshop on how we talk to one another in April?
3:51:26 Are do we have a consensus so that staff will know? It's fine with me. Is that Is that okay with you?
3:51:33 That's fine.
3:51:34 Any type of improvement to our ability to work together is welcomed.
3:51:42 Okay.
3:51:43 Okay. Uh we just for clarity is do you want to postpone the EMS discussion or have it at the same time? I don't know how long
3:51:52 our discussion is going to go. So just need some clarity for I I think we need We can do both, can't we? Huh? Yeah, we do both.
3:51:59 EMS going to probably take a while, but I don't know. I mean, you can try. Um I mean, I think if we have the facts up in front of the EMS meeting and we have
3:52:08 the reports from staff in the county, we can kind of see where we're at, ask questions. I don't think it needs to be an all day thing. And then usually a
3:52:16 workshop like this should be hour for the for the for communication. Yeah, hour for communication. I I I think it kind
3:52:25 of depends on is it a conversation or is it a presentation, workshop, training?
3:52:30 That's a that's a whole different conversation I think than than just a having someone talk to us about
3:52:39 communication. So, do we want to do interactive if it So, that's what I'm wondering is if you're looking if we're looking more for like a like a a seminar or a training session,
3:52:50 I think maybe we need to probably consider that either as a as a separate workshop time than than say the schedule
3:52:58 workshop time and try to coordinate an actual uh training session with like an agenda and here's what we're going to talk about if there's going to be some sort
3:53:05 of assessments, expectations, things like that. or is it just going to have somebody to come in and talk to us about
3:53:12 this is how effective groups communicate and is it more of a one-way presentation?
3:53:16 Can I throw this can I throw this suggestion out there? Sure, Mr. Ben Wagner if you would mind.
3:53:22 Uh if it's okay with the council contact the Florida League of City, they have uh speakers that does this kind of work all the time. The Florida League of Cities,
3:53:30 I've attended several the council in these workshops doing my conferences and everything. if they can find one. I don't know how much money y'all willing
3:53:37 to pay for this, but uh if we find one that we we suitable for us and everything, let's let's get them scheduled. Spend the money, get them scheduled.
3:53:44 Well, there's a lady here in Claremont that I would like us to use. Um she's a resident and this is what her whole job is.
3:53:53 Yeah.
3:53:55 I mean, you have a budget. We have a budget. I I don't know how much he charges, though. Yeah.
3:54:00 But he he's got a limit that's far in excess of what I would imagine it would cost. that he can send emails out and get budgets. So, I'm don't matter to me who does it.
3:54:10 And like I say, I know they go to Florida League of City conferences all the time and Florida Black Coff, which I got one
3:54:18 coming up next month and I guarantee they nine time 10 there have somebody teaching that. You know, usually we have one of them section just about every
3:54:25 conference I go to. So, I'm attending them.
3:54:28 I would like to use one of our residents though. If that's fine, that's fine too.
3:54:31 maybe start with just with in April and see just let her talk to us and see do we need something deeper because we may not.
3:54:40 Um are you all open to that? Yeah, I think if she's got if she's an expert or a subject matter, you know,
3:54:46 knowledgeable about communications and teamwork and and group dynamic kinds of things, I'm happy to just have her do a presentation as as the workshop. And if
3:54:54 it prompts us to really get into kind of like, hey, maybe we should explore this or look at this a little bit deeper
3:55:02 further. Uh we can then create some sort of workshop training session from that point forward.
3:55:07 Does everyone else agree with that? You you agree with that? That's fine. Yeah, sounds good. Thank you.
3:55:11 Okay, that's item number 11. That mayor, in the month of April, we have on our calendar that there will be a joint workshop with planning and zoning.
3:55:21 Oh, that's what I asked earlier.
3:55:23 That's that's on that's on the second uh that's the third third Tuesday of April, right? Correct.
3:55:30 Yeah, cuz I think I got the workshop and then the next day I'm I'm headed I don't know if you're going FB FBC. Yeah, we got FBC 15th and 16th. So,
3:55:40 all right. So,
3:55:41 and then I'm in Sanford or somewhere else. Cape Caner on the 17th. I sent that to you today all also. So,
3:55:50 yeah.
3:55:52 Okay. Well, can you schedule it and let us know? I can do whatever you'd like.
3:55:57 I think we need three things on the table.
3:55:59 I think we need the EMS before um we break ground on fire station 2. Um we have just one workshop in April or two
3:56:07 one just one do we want to do a morning and an afternoon two sessions
3:56:15 if that's something on that day.
3:56:18 Yeah I need to just let me double check my calendar. What day? Um that the third Tuesday. April 21st. 21st.
3:56:26 Yeah. 21st.
3:56:28 April 21st. I I could do morning and afternoon. Okay.
3:56:37 FPC is what? 15th and 16th. Yes.
3:56:40 And then uh Florida League of Mayors I think is the 17th and 18th. So like Yeah. Wednesday,
3:56:48 th Wait a minute. Something isn't right.
3:56:53 Uh 15th and 16th. Yeah. The 23rd and 24th. I'm in the Florida League of City the next week. Yeah. The 21st is fine.
3:57:02 So am I hearing a morning and an afternoon or do you want to do them back to back?
3:57:07 I prefer afternoon myself because I I have other things like kowanas. So usually meet about 11 11:30 kowanas.
3:57:17 So do you want to try to have it at 1 instead of in the morning to go 1 to 5 if need be?
3:57:23 I mean I know it makes a long afternoon but I'm open either way. So whatever works for the the majority, Mr. Mayor. One o'clock for you or no?
3:57:30 What about what about the people from P&Z? Are they available at that time of day?
3:57:36 P&Z because I think some of those folks work I I don't know.
3:57:39 So let's let's get with let's get with the members on PNZ because I'm quite sure quite a few of them working uh maybe at 1:00 in the day. So we have to go at night.
3:57:49 What you you've given me three things you want to discuss. So I'm wondering should we change the order then?
3:57:55 Because we could do the communication piece at 1:00.
3:57:58 At 1:00. Yeah. And then do my my thinking. And then you could do an EMS discussion second. And then third, you could have a
3:58:05 P&Z discussion. So because they're that'll make it easier for them. Do a long afternoon. Very long. But that's up to you guys.
3:58:12 Look more 2:00 cuz if I I go to my kowanas, it starts 11:30. I don't usually finish that up to about 1.
3:58:19 So give me a little time to get back over here from uh from the Okay. So you want to do two o'clock? Two o'clock. Yeah.
3:58:26 With those three subjects, right? Okay, we'll make that adjustment.
3:58:39 Okay,
3:58:40 wait a minute. Wait a minute. One o'clock make work cuz now that's the third that's the third uh wait. So is
3:58:48 that the third Monday of April? One third.
3:58:51 No, I'm I'm looking cuz actually third Monday. So I won't have kam kamanas on the 21st. I won't have it'll be Monday
3:58:58 night on Kana. So, yeah, one o'clock will work. No, I'm just thinking.
3:59:03 Is that early enough for you all? Do you want to do one or do you want to do it earlier?
3:59:07 I can do it earlier, but nine o'clock.
3:59:09 Yeah, being the third. We got to get my If you want 9:00, it's up to you guys. Whatever you'd like.
3:59:19 Did you hear 9? 9:00. No. Uh 1:00.
3:59:25 One o'clock. I have another group I meet with at 9:00 on Tuesday morning. So,
3:59:30 like I say, Monday, Monday, Tuesday is usually a pretty busy day.
3:59:36 We'll do one o'clock. Yeah, one o'clock. Mhm.
3:59:44 Yeah, sounds good.
3:59:49 All right, where are we? Item number 12 for ordinance introduction.
3:59:55 Before we do this, are we going to open this up to the public? Nope.
4:00:02 No, we don't have to. I just ask. Go ahead.
4:00:06 Ordinance number 2026 013, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Claremont, Lake County, Florida,
4:00:12 amending chapter 125 to establish procedures for the review and approval of recovery residences pursuant to amended section 397487,
4:00:23 Florida statutes. providing for conflict, severability, codification,
4:00:27 administrative correction of scrivener's error, publication and effective date. Okay.
4:00:35 I move to approve the intro of ordinance number 2026-013. Second.
4:00:40 I have a motion and a second for approval of item number 12, ordinance introduction in ordinance number 2026-013.
4:00:50 Any further discussion? Hearing none.
4:00:53 All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I I. All oppose. Chair chair vote. I as well. Motion passes 50.
4:01:02 Uh, lost track here. All right. Let's go. Mr. City Manager,
4:01:10 you have a report? Unfortunately, I do.
4:01:18 A number of items were brought up tonight, and I'm going to try to hit some of them. And if there's some additional things you'd like me to address any of your Mr. Mayor I check
4:01:27 off my list as you Okay. All right.
4:01:31 Workshop dates. We have a one workshop this month in March. That's March 17th at 3 p.m.
4:01:39 Okay. For upcoming events, March 20th at uh Friday, there's a downtown wine stroll.
4:01:49 Also wanted to let you know that the there has been two extra spots that are
4:01:56 reserved for you people paying their bills or customers. There will be two signs that go up to the east of the stairwell like we talked about, Mr.
4:02:07 Mayor. So, we'll have two signs that are coming up that list it's for utility customers. Also, we discussed with the
4:02:15 staff that we would like them to make those front areas available. So, we made an adjustment immediately this past week
4:02:23 to start giving up that parking so there would be more spots available for the customers. And we addressed with one of
4:02:30 our uh local groups that they're parking in our in their parking lot, all of our
4:02:38 parking lot. but it's creating a challenge by them parking every day in
4:02:45 the parking lot here. So, we asked them to please reconsider asking their staff to perhaps park on their property or
4:02:53 somewhere else because it's creating a challenge for people to be able to pay their bills. So, that's all been done since our last discussion.
4:03:01 Okay.
4:03:03 want to let you know that I've been in conversation with the county regarding lighting, street lighting on Excalibur
4:03:10 and Hooks. This is probably to give you perspective. Eight months, Mr. Mayor,
4:03:16 we've been talking about this. Nine months, a year.
4:03:18 You You and I may have been talking about 8 months, but I think the conversation started long before you and I got in.
4:03:23 It did. Yes, sir. And I've gotten the county manager. She's kindly agreed that
4:03:30 even though they don't put street lights on county roads, they were told telling me they're willing to do that and move
4:03:37 forward on Xaliber and they're willing to cover the cost to do that which will be anywhere from 57,000 to $71,000.
4:03:47 They are asking one thing from the city and this is a new president. Therefore,
4:03:53 I wasn't willing to make this decision on my own. They want the city to pay.
4:03:58 They estimate the bill about $300 a month. So, it would be a new precedent for the city to pay for a county road.
4:04:07 But this is the reason we're considering this is cuz it's dark for the kids going to school and it's a hazard. It's a
4:04:14 liability. So, that's why I'm bringing this to you. I don't want to set any new precedents without you all weighing in.
4:04:22 So I just need some So you ask you asking us for a motion to approve to pay the $300 a month I
4:04:29 which I think is very very cheap for the safety of our kids. Okay. Out there and everything. So
4:04:36 um but it's up to the council and you say they going and they going to pay the county going to pay to have lights put in? Yes.
4:04:43 71,000 anywhere from 57 to 71,000. They've agreed which they've said they never do but they're willing to do that in this situation. Okay.
4:04:52 Is this a situation where um a road was built by the county up to certain standards and impact fees were paid and
4:04:59 lights were just kept off of the construction? Like they've never been there.
4:05:03 Well, impact fees are paid for that area, right?
4:05:06 But I I wouldn't think the schools paying impact fees, though.
4:05:10 But but the county I don't mind paying 300 a month. I'm just wondering if this is something that
4:05:18 the taxpayers have already paid in the form of either school fees or county taxes. And again, I'm okay with it if it
4:05:27 was never planned for anybody and it's an upgrade. And I'm okay with starting it now, but putting a one year on it and then we need to sort it out, but it
4:05:35 seems to me like it was either left off and now we're fixing it, or it's something that should or was anticipated that we're now being asked to pay for.
4:05:44 And I just want clarity on that. But for to start it now for a year, I don't have a problem with that.
4:05:49 I don't have the answer to that. But I will tell you, I was told this has been discussed for years.
4:05:54 Yes. We've been we've been in this discussion for a couple years now. And Miss Miss Strange, keep in mind the fact most of the roads that the county
4:06:02 builds, they don't they don't build them with intention to put lights on them. That's what I was questioning. And now they start a new president.
4:06:09 That's why they do the uh CDDs and the MSTUs now. That's why they getting in there so they can start having them uh have a uh revenue to pay for those
4:06:18 things. My understanding that's why they start doing it like in the wellness way and the new subdivision so they can pay.
4:06:25 But uh Excalibur and if and anybody been around for a while know I've been complaining about Hook Street for years about how dark it was.
4:06:35 Now with the apartments over there and the new construction going there, it's given us a little bit of light. But prior to them, I mean, you go down there
4:06:42 and watch the kids walking home from ball games or something at night. It is dark down in Hook Street. Not just in that area, but the whole street all the way to 27.
4:06:52 Um, I know m Mr. Pervvis used to complain about it as well.
4:06:57 So, this is something we've been after for a while, but I think the only area we concerned with right now is Excalibur, where we have our kids walking to school in the dark in the
4:07:06 morning and everything. Well, I think this is the kind of thing when developers come to us and they're asking for, you know, a change in you change in
4:07:13 zoning and they, you know, when every time we change someone's zoning, we're we're increasing the value of their real estate. So, I just am always my
4:07:22 intention in asking the questions is to find out what do the citizens get for it. And so if lighting is something that we recognize wasn't planned for in the
4:07:29 past, maybe that's the kind of thing that we could start adding to our list of requests for when developers come in,
4:07:35 what what does the city get from this project? Because we know we're getting,
4:07:38 you know, traffic, but there's no amount of money that's going to help offset the cost of the frustration. So what do we get to make our community better? And I'll tell you, I hadn't thought about
4:07:46 street, you know, lights, but that's a great thing to add to the Okay, well,
4:07:50 can you put lights in, you know, on your street when the sidewalk goes in? That way we know we get lights. It's a fairly
4:07:57 efficient thing, I think, for the developer to be able to do in certain situations.
4:08:02 Street lights and street lights and sidewalks is one of my favorite things to talk about because I I think they add so much value and and talk about safety.
4:08:12 Reason I like sight and one of the things I used to tell the police chief um one area we was having a lot of problem with, I told him, uh they came
4:08:20 to me, I said, "We'll light it up like Christmas." Okay? And we went in and put a whole lot of lights in there. And remember one gentleman in the community came to me asked me what was going on. I
4:08:28 played like I didn't know but but it help it helped reduce the crime. Okay. So I believe in lights.
4:08:35 It clarification from the city attorney.
4:08:40 Is this something that we need to take a formal action on or is this a consensus item that we can just get consensus?
4:08:47 I would ask for formal action in order to ratify what the city manager is going to do. Then I would can we make that motion without without having it on the
4:08:55 agenda and vote on that? Okay. Then I'll make a motion to do that for a period of time not to exceed 18 months in as an initial way.
4:09:04 Oh, I was excited about it.
4:09:05 Well, I have a motion in a second to go ahead and give the city manager authority for 18 months to pay for street lights. Uh ju just I may have to come back.
4:09:17 Well, I got I got a question too. you know, after 18 months, what's happened?
4:09:21 Well, and and the reason I know that's where you're going, Mr.
4:09:24 Yeah. And the only reason why I put a caveat on there right now is I'd like for us to if this is a path forward of a
4:09:31 partnership between county and hopefully we can engage the school board, then uh it gives us time to lay some groundwork
4:09:38 for those conversations. And it may be that we're going to need more than 18 months. It may be that both of those parties say absolutely not. and it's the
4:09:47 will of this council in 18 months to say we will absolutely keep those lights on and we'll just we'll we'll put it in perpetuity at that point. But I would
4:09:54 like to try to create a a period of time where we don't have to worry about the lights, but we give us some opportunity to create a collaborative approach moving forward.
4:10:03 Let me let me say this. In the years we've been talking about it, school board didn't want to take no responsibility and the county didn't want to take any responsibility. That's
4:10:11 why we at the point we at and I'm I'm commending them for going ahead and collaborating to send you up there and install them for the 71,000. So did we vote?
4:10:21 No. Okay. No, let's don't forget to vote.
4:10:24 Yeah. But did they answer you the question you was you about to head up?
4:10:28 What happened after that? No, you you knew where I was going.
4:10:31 Yeah. So, uh well, we have a motion and a second for uh to go ahead and fund the street lights uh after the city I mean the county have them installed on Excalibur Road. Any further discussion?
4:10:42 Hear none. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose and chair vote I as well. Mr. Wagner, please proceed.
4:10:49 Okay. Thank you. Two couple more items.
4:10:52 Sorry to keep going. Um I need a I need to make a request for funding for Hook
4:10:59 Street. Um the county approached me and they are approaching the federal government to ask for $15.6 $6 million
4:11:08 to extend Hook Street and they would like us to be supportive in our letter and I just would like to get the council's approval
4:11:16 to send that letter. That's all they're asking for the letter.
4:11:19 Okay. The Yeah, I have no objection. I'll do it. Write it with you if you can.
4:11:24 Is that That's the entire Hook Street from uh Hancock all the way up to Ray Good game 15. Okay. Is it two lane or four lane? Thank you.
4:11:33 I think you know the answer to that like me. But that that was the request yesterday. So I just wanted to bring that to you.
4:11:41 And then a very unique request came to me today.
4:11:46 There's a riotta that's going to be taking place on the 27th and through the 29th of this month at the boat house. Yes sir. Okay.
4:11:54 and the lumberyard has begun dis construction on their project which is
4:12:00 encroached into that area and so now uh Mr. Vantrice saying this is a this is a
4:12:08 problem for them to be able to do this so he's asked me today if I would consider shutting down the trail for the
4:12:16 weekend to do that or reroute the trail and after looking at the rerouting with Mr. Matthysse, we are not comfortable at all putting people on 12th Street.
4:12:27 Wait, what's the you what what is the issue?
4:12:29 What are they encroaching on the trail? What's the problem?
4:12:33 He needs the he he needs the trail because of the way the construction's being done right now from the lumberyard area and the timing is just terrible and
4:12:43 it's all a mess over there. According to him, I have to go down there tomorrow,
4:12:47 but he said he needs that portion of the trail for what? to stage to have all the girls coming in for the Gata. He said he will
4:12:55 not be able to fit all the people there because the lumberyard he got that many people coming in.
4:13:01 That's what he said. And he said the lumberyard did things that he wasn't anticipating. He's not bad mouthing them. He's just saying they did the work
4:13:09 and I wasn't anticipating it and we can't fit everybody. So, my concern is 12th Street does not have proper
4:13:16 sidewalks and I just don't feel comfortable sending somebody out there,
4:13:21 whomever it might be, running on grass or not on sidewalks or trying to go back over. So, I just need to have the
4:13:28 conversation with you all as your city manager. I I my first priority is the safety of the citizens and I really want
4:13:36 the riata to have a good experience but I I have great concern and that's why I'm bringing it to you because I want you to be involved in this.
4:13:43 Is it I I guess one of my things Well, I I agree with you. 12th Street isn't no that's one of the give backs for the
4:13:51 lumber yard is to make sure we put sidewalks along 12 they they both put sidewalks and it's terrible over there.
4:13:58 uh with the regard is that they well they bringing in they got trailers and everything they carrying they they boats
4:14:05 and everything on. So if they put the boats there and park over in the other parking lot on by victory by uh uh what
4:14:15 you call it they're they're going to have a hard time putting more than one club in that whole space even if it's perfectly cleaned out. Right.
4:14:22 One. So this the two locations that are potential solutions in the long term. I mean I
4:14:30 know what regata this is and it's not a small number of boats. They're not going to be able.
4:14:37 So we need to find more parking.
4:14:40 I hate to be like I don't know what I know more than the experts because that's they're the experts. But I've seen those boats those trailers in that
4:14:46 for years. And you put one club, even if they pull the trailer out and you leave the boats, you still have to move the the Remember these boats are 60 ft long,
4:14:54 right? Right.
4:14:55 They're only asking for us to close that little section of the trail for that three days.
4:15:00 But remember, a pig on the pond is going to ask for the same thing. And we've always told them no. And there was probably a reason for that.
4:15:06 The reason is because of the construction now.
4:15:08 Yeah. the but the closing of the pig on the pond. I'm wondering can you walk into the lake from uh is it West Beach?
4:15:18 Can you walk into the lake? So, one of the locations that came up in the comprehensive plan was the idea of being
4:15:26 able to use that west side of the lake where there's all that I mean it's you may you may not notice it but where the trail is there's a huge amount of space.
4:15:34 A huge amount of space. Then they may be able to park along 12th Street. Yeah.
4:15:39 So if they park on 12th Street, then they could wet launch from West Beach.
4:15:42 I don't know if they Well, they should because we don't have our docks yet, do we?
4:15:45 Remember, we bought the other two pieces under there. So they're wet launching anyway. Yeah. I would I don't know. We'll look at that. Yeah,
4:15:53 look at that as a location. And is there anywhere that you can walk out?
4:15:59 I'm wondering if Waterfront Park creates a space that you could walk out because the start of the course is actually over by Waterfront Park and what I call
4:16:08 Festival Park is a great spot. You could come down on what is it fourth or fifth or third? Bring your trailer, drop off your boats, park the trailer.
4:16:17 They can probably like you say on West Beach, they come in on West Beach and you know go in I think they can actually get to the water, launch their their
4:16:24 boat and then come back out and park along 12 Street. Uh you got they staged the boats dock. Uh have they finished the dock over there on West Beach?
4:16:32 I didn't think so.
4:16:33 Okay. So the dock over there is being repaired right now. So yeah. And our pier too because that's a great viewing area for the finish line
4:16:40 of the raceourse. But I would I would look at festival park and also the west side of the lake.
4:16:46 Well, sorry. I call it I don't know what we call it. The waterfront park festival space. Oh,
4:16:52 isn't that going to be used for Is that going to be part of Pig on the Pond though in that whole area being used for that? 27th and 29th.
4:16:59 That's the Pig on the Pond is we're you're talking March, aren't you? Yeah. That's Pig on the Pond is the 27th, 28th, 29th.
4:17:06 Yeah, it's the same weekend. Yeah. Okay.
4:17:11 That's why I was like, wait, we don't think we could use that space.
4:17:14 Oh, how did that get by? We got both both of these events going on at the same time.
4:17:20 This wasn't a This wasn't an event you all voted on. No, this was an event they held,
4:17:25 but this is like the regional championships, right?
4:17:28 Yeah. But pig on the pond, they move they they move they move their they dates around each year now. So, Lord. Okay.
4:17:33 Well, I think they moved it back. Didn't they move it back to March like to kind of used to be going forward? Yeah.
4:17:41 Yeah.
4:17:42 The amount of space that was Yeah. I I don't know that we can use that. I I like the idea, but I don't know if we'll be able to use that
4:17:50 festival space. I think they're just going to have to try to use what they can in the West Beach area and and park on 12th and if there's anything we can do to help facilitate that.
4:18:01 Yeah. Park on the grass at Victory Point. Yeah, they could. It's up to you guys.
4:18:05 I mean, for the weekend to see a playground there, so let's tear it up and then we've got a reason to fix it.
4:18:10 Well, that's what I'm saying. If they if they if they come in and launch their launch their boats and everything and even park somewhere, can they come back over to uh Victory Point area and park?
4:18:21 Gentlemen from the audience suggested they use Victory Point as the parking area. It was originally set up to be for triathlon training. Do we know if we can
4:18:29 drive Can you drive trucks on that part of the trail there? Yeah, you have to move.
4:18:36 It's a pole. They they got a pole blocking people, but they can move that out anytime. I mean, these are huge trailers. They got 60 foot boats on them.
4:18:44 Is it possible for us? Someone's going to kill me. I know it. But I'm just concerned now. We got pig on the pond and we got this big regard going on at the same time.
4:18:53 I didn't want to do this on my own without your input on this one.
4:18:56 I didn't know how that What about blocking off the parking lot there between Historic Village and Salt Track? cuz that's where you could bring
4:19:03 the trailers in and then you could and then you could load the the boats up at Victory Point and I don't know if you can wet launch from there. It's worth talking to them.
4:19:14 It's too deep. Too steep.
4:19:17 Yeah, I think I I would be in favor of just parking on the Victory Point lawn and and any and anything in the West Beach area if they could utilize that
4:19:25 space to try to create space between what's going on with regular weekend downtown events and then the further you go to to pig on the pond.
4:19:35 It is not uncommon for rowers to walk these boats a long way. Yeah.
4:19:39 I think if we if they're coming in on Thursday, is that what it is? Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
4:19:44 Friday, Saturday. his pig on the pond Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
4:19:48 So, so are if they're coming in on Thursday, we could close down that parking lot for truck for for drop off.
4:19:55 It's just for drop off. They could unload their boats, walk them into Victory Point and over to the boat house. Now, you're getting to that boat house parcel. You're using it for that.
4:20:04 And that's not that's not unusual to walk the boats that far. And then the trailers could leave and go somewhere else. And then we don't have to put the trailers on Victory Point, but we could
4:20:12 put the boats. We even got parking over by uh the training fire fire uh house training and everything over there.
4:20:20 We brought that other the field area. They can park over there. Some parking.
4:20:23 It'd be awesome to use Victory Point for a rowing site. I never thought about that. It's a great solution.
4:20:28 So yeah, you got a lot of parking over on the other side of 12 street by the uh fire station training facility and everything is still parking over there as well.
4:20:36 When does pig on the pond start? What time of day? Well, we usually shut down at starting Thursday because they started about I know I'm supposed to be
4:20:42 open the event at 7 7:30. They got me in the morning on Friday. No, Friday evening.
4:20:47 Friday evening, I think is the Well, they'd be dropping off Friday morning. We could maybe make that.
4:20:52 But pick on the pun, I think they start setting up on Thursday, right?
4:20:57 Well, Brian and his team are going to be busy that weekend. Yeah. So, okay. Well, thank you. We'll try to work it out.
4:21:04 Yeah, I'll work on that. And the last thing I want to just mention, Mr. Mayor,
4:21:08 you made reference to being threatened and Otis made a comment about it as well
4:21:15 and I have also been threatened in this town being involved in previous councils and presently I deal with people trying
4:21:24 to harm me and or outside organizations outside of the city. So this is we we need to just be aware of this. This is
4:21:32 not a walk in the park where everything's fine and dandy cuz people threaten people's lives. Your life has been threatened. My life has been
4:21:40 threatened. And I respect anybody who sits up here. But I also have a healthy dose of reality and things seem to be
4:21:48 getting a little crazier around the world. And so I've made a commitment to all five of you. If any of you feel like you're not being safe and you need
4:21:56 protection, I will I will do everything in my power to provide protection to you. But I just I just need to echo what you said, Mr. Mayor. These things are real and they're they're present day.
4:22:06 They're not it's not just previous stuff. And I and people say, "Well, did you go to the police?" Yeah, I've been to the police in the past and I've discussed it. But people are cyber
4:22:14 warriors, too, now where they know how to do a VPN and they know how to communicate so they can't be found. So,
4:22:20 it's not the easiest thing, but they've done their they've done what they want to do just to create fear and a threat.
4:22:26 And I don't buckle under that. By the grace of God, I'm still sitting here.
4:22:30 But I will tell you, I get attacked frequently because of sitting on this sitting in this group with you all. And it's not just the inner uh discussions
4:22:40 we have where perhaps I may not appreciate some comments. It goes far deeper than that. That that's a picnic compared to some of the things in the
4:22:47 community. And I'm willing to take it too, but I'm watching I'm watching my back, too. And I watch your backs, you know. So, for what that's worth,
4:22:55 I see that, Mr. Van Wagner. And I I know it's real. Um I see everybody like my wife uh she's very paranoid. I know
4:23:03 that. That's why I take offense and everything because I mean I'm driving down the road and she watching in the mirror and telling me hey I think we being followed.
4:23:11 It happens on a daily basis. I mean I get that and and she real about oh well go around the block and see if this car I mean I'm constantly having duty things because
4:23:20 she has that fear. Okay. All right. I'm not so much as scared I guess. Uh but I do have the threats and even when I told
4:23:28 the chief before I say chief um I'm not really scared and I don't carry. I have a carry permit. I don't carry and I don't believe in carrying but if I
4:23:37 really feel that threatened I will start carrying and if I have to I shoot the kill period. Okay. Uh but I do have a carry for me. I don't carry because I
4:23:46 feel like we that we are safe and I feel like if people are going to do something we we can't stop them. But we need to be
4:23:53 very aware and I I I'm sorry to hear that you you being threatened and like I say, I'm constantly under attack. People don't realize how many how much I'm
4:24:00 being attacked uh in this seat here since I've been here. But this is my home and that's why I don't mind working with the police department and
4:24:09 everything. If I have a problem, we have a problem. Let's get it fixed. Okay? You know, and you show me the statistics.
4:24:15 Like I say, I do the quarterly meeting and I invited you all to have them come out and go in your
4:24:23 community and let you have the briefing in your own community. Set them up every quarter, every six months or whatever you need and let them teach teach you
4:24:30 some stuff. Let them know what's going on. Find out. I I think that's a great idea and every community should be aware of what's going on in their community.
4:24:39 Okay. But thank you for that, Mr. Van Wagner. Um, is that it? That's it.
4:24:46 Oh, wow. Uh, Mr. W.
4:24:51 Thank you, mayor. Uh, just a couple things. One is that I think we've completed the negotiations with Duke on the ordinance that will be presented to
4:24:59 you. Um, so the Hook Street and Excalibur was part of that. So, that's already been covered. Okay.
4:25:05 Um, they have agreed to our request after some lengthy demands for uh that come from uh Mr. Brunson for truck support when we're doing rightaway work.
4:25:14 So, they agreed to that and they say the lighting on Scott Street will be completed by the end of March and that's pretty much where we're at.
4:25:22 What about Highland?
4:25:23 I don't have an update on that. They're still working to get me an update.
4:25:27 Well, Scott Scott is peanuts compared to Highland.
4:25:31 Okay, I'll then I'll follow up with that. Okay.
4:25:33 And then um there are two Wellness Ridge CDD items coming up. One is the interlocal agreement which I think has
4:25:41 been agreed as to form between the staff. Uh it'll be presented to you and the public will have input. Um but
4:25:48 essentially it allocates the respons maintenance responsibility between the city and the CDD and we're required to do an interlocal agreement on that and
4:25:56 in addition there is the petition from the CDD to expand. Um, and we have the way we've kind of talked about it with
4:26:04 them is we've tried to link them together in order to get more favorable terms to kind of protect. In other words, they've told us that they expect
4:26:12 the assessments on the people in the CDD to go down by about 10% with the expansion. Um, so we're trying to work
4:26:21 some language in there to protect the residents on that score. So that for example that they don't raise the assessments right before the thing passes and then say oh here's your 10%
4:26:31 right after we jacked it up. So um we're working on that. Uh all of it will be presented to you in u I think either the
4:26:39 next meeting or in April but we'll we'll work that out.
4:26:42 That's that's all the uh is that the request I asked for on the CDDs and all that. I'm still wondering that because I
4:26:49 think it'll behoove us if we can get that work done where um we can lay out the CDDs, the MSTUs, each one of them
4:26:57 responsibilities and board meeting and all that information, get it to the council member because um and we'll know what we're dealing
4:27:04 with because I I'm I'd be totally confused on some sometime about what's going on down.
4:27:08 I doubt you would be confused, mayor. Um I doubt you I'll be confused sometime because I'm not sure what's what sometimes.
4:27:14 Well, I think that's fair. Um I I talked to staff today about it and I know it's being prepared so um we'll review it and get it out.
4:27:22 Uh finally, I I did receive a claim someone fell on a sidewalk. So uh we have another claim and it's been
4:27:30 referred to the Florida League of Cities and um other than that, where was this at? I'm sorry. Where was it?
4:27:37 I I don't know offhand. Um I can get that information.
4:27:41 Sad walk in bad condition or I doubt it. Um but I don't know. never went out and took pictures or anything. We just got the claim.
4:27:48 Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank it.
4:27:52 Yeah. Let's uh if you don't mind, let's find out where that's at and have if Mr.
4:27:57 Benwagon have have uh public works take a look at the sidewalk and and everything. We we always do. Okay.
4:28:06 Uh Miss uh Council Member Strange.
4:28:10 Um yeah. Uh, I thought the suggestion by the public to have some sort of um conservation committee was a good one.
4:28:17 It sounds like there's people who are interested in doing it. I had in mind as she was talking um maybe some sort of
4:28:24 committee like for nature preservation and enjoyment. So maybe the friends of Hayawwa could be part of the committee,
4:28:32 but maybe there's a group of people who might be willing to help us um not only with preservation and conservation
4:28:39 suggestions, but also um park and trail shading and maybe we could fund the
4:28:48 operations of that that committee with the tree fund because we have money in the tree fund and you know we need a plan for where to spend it. So um just
4:28:56 an idea. I wouldn't mind seeing that on the agenda. Um, not sure if it needs to be formally formed or if it's better to keep it out of sunshine. I'll trust our
4:29:04 attorney to suggest on that, but I like that idea. Does everyone else?
4:29:09 I one of the things I heard is saying she make an accusation accused us of not living up to the terms of the grant.
4:29:18 Okay. So, I would like for Mr. Madam Wagner to check into that, make sure we're doing everything we supposed to be doing. If not, we uh I mean, even so, uh
4:29:26 let's make sure we're doing what we've already doing and then we can also look at doing a committee. So,
4:29:30 I've already done a preliminary investigation on that, mayor. And look at you.
4:29:35 We've been told that, in other words, um I've corresponded with both public services and parks and wreck on that. Okay.
4:29:41 And we've submitted pursuant to the Florida Administrative Code the annual report required um since its inception,
4:29:49 apparently. And so what the what the law requires is that we submit the report to the FCT so that the um FCT can determine
4:29:58 whether we're in compliance. And they have always said that we're in compliance. Now they may be doing that based on the report. I don't know that they've sent people out there.
4:30:06 Um but we are transitioning from an annual report soon to an every five-year report precisely because now I haven't
4:30:14 personally investigated this but this is what uh this is the staff conclusion at this point. um because I was concerned as well. So,
4:30:21 I looked into that. Um some of the requests you heard from public comment would be illegal for us to do. In other words, the the uh declaration that
4:30:31 encumbers the property that we accepted and recorded in the public records. We have to offer certain recreational things. We have to have certain I think
4:30:39 it's volleyball. We have to have So, I'm I'm sure there's some stuff we can do that they want to do, but we'd have to think about that.
4:30:47 Okay.
4:30:48 Well, yeah. I'm thinking with the guidance of of council and but just to get people who are excited to be part of the community and I think I heard a lot
4:30:55 in that comprehensive planning the meetings a lot of people wanting to be closer to nature have more access to nature and frankly we have a million
4:31:03 dollars in our tree fund that is just sitting there that I'd like to have a plan for what we're going to do with it.
4:31:09 So you know I think if we could approach it twoprong. One is where are large places that we can be close to nature,
4:31:14 but also where are places that we can pepper, you know, trees and plants to make a more beautiful experience on the
4:31:21 trails. Um, so it's not all going into one place, but we can and but not spread it too thin. So having a plan and I think we have plenty of intelligent
4:31:29 people in Claremont who are far more qualified than I am to come up with that. So I would like to see that. Um
4:31:36 related to that um we had a member of the public who spoke about riding on bikes. I want to share with you all something that has been shared with me
4:31:44 that is a effective bike trail or walking path has four things. It's four components. One is purposeful, one is
4:31:52 safe, one is comfortable, and the last is interesting. If it's not purposeful and safe, it will never be used. In Florida, the fact is if it's not
4:32:00 comfortable, it will probably never be used. Um, but if it's interesting, that makes it the best kind of trail as well.
4:32:08 And I thought it was really striking when the member of the public spoke up.
4:32:11 She spoke to the issue of efficiency and how it doesn't have to be direct. And I thought about that and I went, that's not one of the four criteria. It just has to be purposeful.
4:32:20 So, it can get there slowly. Um, so that was interesting. Um, there was a gentleman who got up that said that
4:32:27 there is a meet us in the middle meeting tomorrow. Am I supposed to be at that? I didn't know about it. No.
4:32:35 Oh,
4:32:36 it is a meeting in the middle. They This meeting they've been having the veterans and city some of city staff been having
4:32:43 uh for months now. You know when is it? It's at 3:00 tomorrow. Where is it? Right here in the chamber.
4:32:51 Got it. All right. Um,
4:32:56 then I want to be responsible to my friends down at Wellness Way. I asked a question tonight of the county
4:33:03 commissioner about was Wellness Way intended to be its own city. And I want to distinguish for anybody who might be listening and perceive that in one way
4:33:10 or another that Wellness Way is being developed in the county. We have a couple neighborhoods that are accepted
4:33:18 as part of Claremont, but short of annexing all of it, which we have the authority to do as as developments come in. This is actually a project of the county, by the county, in the county,
4:33:29 and it's 20,000 homes and it's commerce and it's industry and it's being done in the county. And I don't agree that
4:33:37 counties should be building cities. I think that cities should be building cities and counties should be a agricultural and providing food for the citizens in the cities. That's I think
4:33:45 the nature I think that's a very basic explanation of the difference between cities and counties. Um so that is where I'm coming from in that. So to the
4:33:54 extent that anybody in wellness way might hear me ask that question of the county, it's more directed to in my where I sit the county's approach to
4:34:02 building what I perceive as a city inside the county without also requiring city infrastructure to be in place. And
4:34:11 and I don't think that's right. which is why I do support as much as we can annexing Wellness Way into the city of Claremont because I do think it should
4:34:18 be a city while I would much rather be a smaller city um and have two cities until such time as that is a possibility
4:34:27 I perceive the lesser of two evils being so to speak. Please don't misinterpret that either. um anybody who might be
4:34:35 listening. Um and on kind of a a happy note, a gentleman tonight spoke about what is happiness and one of the best
4:34:42 definitions of happiness I've ever heard is by RH Tony. He said, "The greatest happiness that a son of Adam can hope to have is to have good work and the time
4:34:50 and income to do it properly." And so I like that definition. So it guides me. So I hope it guides you too.
4:34:58 Thank you. Um well in this way I've always called that going to be a city within the city and I
4:35:06 think we've already annex pretty much all the residential portion. I think it's the oh I think it's a lot bigger than what we've annexed.
4:35:15 Uh well it's bigger than what we annexed but I think we've annexed about 5,000 of the 15 15,000 acres but most of it that haven't been annexed is the commercial
4:35:23 portion. the Memphis portion has been annexed. But I know I if I'm not mistaken, I'm hearing rumors anyway that some of them is coming to ask going to come in and ask to be annexed as well.
4:35:33 So,
4:35:34 uh, but I've always from the time I saw it and started getting into it always say wellness way going to be a city within the city because it's going to be that big by the time it's complete.
4:35:43 Okay. And I again I don't know like you I don't know why the county did all this without putting any real infrastructure
4:35:50 for irrigation ward all these things was not in place and everything when they did they launched all that so I don't understand it but we'll we'll deal with
4:35:59 it mayor if I may just I'm sorry just a reminder um that if y'all if more than one of you do show up to a meeting like
4:36:07 meet us in the middle you know it's not noticed yet so sunshine in effect. Yes.
4:36:13 I I'm usually there. I've always been there. Actually end up going and they I just showed up one time. End up like
4:36:20 almost like running the meet for some reason. But anyway, but if uh I will I will note that uh and thank you for the
4:36:28 reminder, Mr. Well, uh Council Member Bane. Thank you, Mayor. Um,
4:36:35 in relation to the to piggyback what council member Strange was talking about about the border commission, um, I was going to remind us as council that we
4:36:44 our workshop next week is about city manager goals and strategic vision,
4:36:49 strategic direction, evaluation, those types of conversations. And I think based off of what we've all heard
4:36:57 through the comprehensive plan process thus far and and here tonight that perhaps a great goal that we could
4:37:04 create or a direction of of future vision for the city manager would be to explore whether it's certain boards and
4:37:12 commissions to get that paperwork and process started because it would be ordinances. We would have to put it into
4:37:18 our code. Um and um also for us to just talk about in an open environment, what kinds of boards and commissions would we
4:37:27 like to see maybe long term? And then what can we how can we take a couple bites at the at the apple in terms of involvement and participation and
4:37:35 engagement and are there ways for us to be strategic about that based off of where the the maybe the some of the strongest uh desire is from our from our community members. So along those lines,
4:37:45 just think of other ways and ideas and maybe if we can point uh put put a small pin in that conversation until next
4:37:53 Tuesday and and talk about it in further detail and maybe create a goal and and direction for the city manager so that we he can have some guidance from us
4:38:01 concretely as to what we want to see for uh resident involvement and participation through boards and commissions. Um my other request I just
4:38:10 want to bring up because again it's weird we don't really have any other opportunity to talk about some of these things is I don't know if anybody went back and watched the um the last
4:38:19 workshop we had where we sat at the table out here but it kind of looked like uh a circus of all of us trying to go is this on is this on does this work
4:38:28 does this work I know I think even uh our IT staff has said we're not AV folks and we're trying to do our best but I
4:38:37 feel like we've 've got to fit. We've got to do something because those microphones keep dying and people can't hear. And even sometimes with these
4:38:44 microphones, the moment I turn to to try to make any eye contact, then my sound goes away and then I got to look back this way and people can't hear me. I know it's going to take some investment.
4:38:55 It has this is not a statement against our staff. This is we just haven't invested as a community, as a city, as a council in our equipment in this area.
4:39:04 But I think as we get more involvement and participation online and if we has those meetings where we're trying to like pass microphones around and and see
4:39:12 if it's working sometimes it's funny because if you go back and watch those microphones were working online. It's just that we couldn't hear anything in
4:39:19 here. Yeah. And so like you would bang on them and it would you could hear it on this on the video but we couldn't hear anything. And so I
4:39:27 think it's just we've got to figure out a better way moving forward to help our staff be able to support us and also help our residents hear the meetings and
4:39:36 understand the meetings and um and be able to hear people properly. Uh cuz it is difficult sometimes especially when
4:39:43 you're sitting out there to always hear what someone's saying even if they just try to look at a note or make an eye contact in a different direction how
4:39:51 that sound travels. So I just bring that up especially as we get into budget conversation. Um, and then, uh, I think
4:39:59 the gentleman did bring up, um, some questions about Louisa Grant. I don't I don't think I don't see him here, but if we maybe can address those questions um
4:40:07 to to the city manager um about city clerk uh or the city clerk, I don't know who
4:40:15 um about when when did that annexation take effect and and two, when do things
4:40:23 like sanitation services and police and fire services and voting uh go into effect? And then finally, when do we
4:40:31 communicate or how do we communicate those things to those neighborhoods?
4:40:36 I can speak on the elections part. Once the development was annexed, we provided that information to the supervisor of
4:40:43 elections office and they are eligible to vote.
4:40:47 Okay. So, we don't we you your office doesn't actually send anything to them saying you're now uh in the city and you can participate in city elections. Okay.
4:40:55 They provided her supervised election and supervised election should be sending them uh voters registration cards, my understanding.
4:41:03 So the annexations that were done in the in October, yeah,
4:41:08 they had the same precinct. Their precinct did not change. They did not receive a new precinct card.
4:41:13 So they won't really get anything. What I'm hearing is they don't get anything from the city or potentially that we're aware of from the supervisor of elections that they are now eligible to vote in the city election.
4:41:22 We did communicate with their HOA. Okay,
4:41:26 correct, Kurt. There were there were several meetings with the HOAs prior to the annexation and that question came up.
4:41:33 Yes, that's correct. We actually held a meeting in the at the ark and we invited those communities in. Now, not everyone came, but the main HOA presidents maybe
4:41:42 or the main folks did come to help spread the word that I did communicate that with the gentleman outside this this afternoon.
4:41:52 When does sanitation services or when do I should say sanitation services?
4:41:57 So, they have a contract currently with the county that's going to run out. That may take another year. I don't have the date, but okay. It's signing time really soon. Our public works department is
4:42:05 aware of that date and they will be ready to take over. Just give us give them our cans. It'll be seamless. But I don't have that exact date.
4:42:15 So, would it be the Did you have a statement you want to make before? Police and fire started already. Okay.
4:42:21 Um, would it be the the will of the council here just to maybe s to have the city from I don't from the city the city
4:42:30 the city council the city manager I don't I don't really care who comes from it. I don't think we need to have it from a person per se but the city that
4:42:38 says welcome as a new citizen of city city of Claremont. You now are eligible to vote. Contact
4:42:47 supervisor elections. your your uh uh sanitation services contract remains the same and when the time comes, you know,
4:42:56 this is the date that expires. I don't whatever it needs. But I feel like we should do something, not just communicate it to the HOA um to let
4:43:04 these residents know that they are now legally a resident of our city. Yeah, I agree.
4:43:10 Is there anything that we is that kind of And it doesn't have to be huge. Just a just a little letter. Yeah. One of our committees.
4:43:17 Yeah. or just a little just a letter a welcome letter. Maybe may have to confirm. Sorry. Yeah, please.
4:43:25 We were just talking. We're not I don't have proof right now, but we were discussing having our uh PIO send out something to them that
4:43:33 may have been done. I just can't tell you if it Okay. For sure. If it has, then just let us know.
4:43:38 Otherwise, I think maybe just something to at least let folks know. And I'm not thinking about that.
4:43:42 Yeah. And you know, the city clerk's office doesn't control elections. So, I don't want them to have to do things that are not in their purview, you know,
4:43:50 in terms of giving out specific information, but just at least letting folks know that you're not only eligible to vote, but you could actually run for
4:43:59 city council in well, 18 months. They would have to do the 18month piece, but but to know that even that that's a
4:44:06 that's a requirement or an an option, I should say. Um um and then um the other item that came
4:44:14 up again tonight and I appreciate the clarification council member Strange about uh wellness way and you know I think uh I certainly my
4:44:23 uh senses got heightened when I heard uh developing a new city uh during the comprehensive plan process and I and I
4:44:31 um I know that nothing was set in stone and concrete with that but when when words are spoken in meetings like that it does get heard. Um, and I think that
4:44:40 we need to uh my my position would be to not have anybody on the city suggest or
4:44:48 imply that it's not going to be uh a part of our community, that we're going to get rid of somebody. Uh I think there
4:44:56 was conversation previously about deanexation in Wellness Way and and that just creates a lot of angst and anxiety for folks who are paying right now to be
4:45:05 uh taxes in the city who are are involved and engaged in in our boards and commissions and and and voting in
4:45:12 our elections. Uh I share the same sentiment that I think that it is if you're developing a an urbanized area
4:45:21 and I know that that's a relative term but for our area Claremont is an urbanized area
4:45:29 that is not philosophically in my opinion the role of a county that is the role of a city and uh I certainly would
4:45:38 as as one individual council member welcome any conversations or planning or direct direction setting to see how and
4:45:45 when we could uh create some stability for those residents out there. Because the frustration right now is well that's a county development, right?
4:45:56 That's a county item. And while that's true, it also feels like we're passing the buck and and not a but but in some
4:46:03 cases we just aren't able to take responsibility and do something about it. But if we had more control and opportunity to to have a say in what's
4:46:12 happening out there, uh particularly if it's affecting um our residents and andor becoming development that similar
4:46:20 to what we talked about earlier tonight where we have agreements where we provide services and we can annex you later. I would just rather I think off
4:46:28 the top of my head think we ought to be talking about whether or not they just need to be city residents now and these need to be city parcels now so that we
4:46:37 can help be engaged and involved in creating the vision and and direction for Wellness Way and not have the kind
4:46:45 of the the issues of our past that we have right now on streets and roads and
4:46:52 neighborhoods where um you know uh Kohl's is well not a good example
4:46:59 because they don't want to come in a city uh but uh but you know say say a business you know kind of similar to in
4:47:06 in front of uh um uh some of those neighborhoods that are right behind Kohl's those are all county but then in front of that frontage is city and they
4:47:14 don't understand like wait a second I'm I'm in the middle essentially of Claremont how how can I not have a say
4:47:20 or sway in what's going on here and redress my issues or participate in something and and unfortunately
4:47:28 sometimes uh you know when they come up here and say well I'm in the county I'm not in the city uh and they're worried
4:47:35 that their word is not going to be taken into consideration and heard because of that I think we're creating um a lot of
4:47:42 issues and so um long-winded way of saying I I I certainly would not support uh building a new city out there and
4:47:50 telling our residents that they're a part of something else and that they're just going to be in the county or in a new city and thank you for for being a
4:47:58 part of Claremont for x amount of time so far. Uh in fact, I would be in in support of the reverse of or the opposite of that and say what can we
4:48:07 really be doing to bring more of these parcels into the city so that we can engage them, engage us and engage our vision for the future in that process.
4:48:17 May May I comment to that? I've been working with the Lake County staff and the commissioners and there is some
4:48:27 openness to allowing us to annex further southeast down there. Um there's one community that's contiguous to Olympus.
4:48:37 Olympus is in our area and the community right next to us has actually approached us and asked us to consider doing that.
4:48:46 But that I have discussed it and I I I think I got two and a half votes
4:48:55 and I'm and I'm very cognizant it's easy you know it sounds easier than than said than done. You know there's a lot that
4:49:02 goes into annexing uh particularly if there's existing homes in an area just like we just talked about Louisa Gran and those other neighborhoods. But I
4:49:10 think if if there is a way for us to be engaged and involved and I'm I'm happy to hear that that's already kind of
4:49:17 occurring uh uh between management of county and city to work work through those things. Uh I just um I think our
4:49:26 residents down there need to not feel like they're the the the afterthought.
4:49:36 um and um that that the city's moving on without them. Don't worry, it's not you,
4:49:43 it's it's it's me. And we're just going to leave them down there. And I I I I think we need to be very clear on that.
4:49:49 And I think we need to also be clear in our direction moving forward to see if there's opportunities for us to embrace
4:49:57 more of that area in the city so that we can have more input and decision authority in that.
4:50:03 Well, Mr. Bane if it helps to clarify where my mindset is is I think it's human nature to want to be autonomous and to control it's certainly an
4:50:10 American spirit to want to control your own destiny and where I'm coming from when I talk about wellness way potentially as its own city. I actually
4:50:18 mean when they're in Claremont there will come a day that the citizens who live in wellness way region say we want to govern ourselves. That's what I
4:50:26 anticipate would actually happen and because I can see that as a potential but you know for human nature that's why when you hear hear me talk about
4:50:35 infrastructure police fire water I want to make sure that everything that wellness way needs to be autonomous
4:50:42 exists in the boundaries of wellness way so that there doesn't come a point 25 30 40 years from now when the people in wellness way say well we don't want to
4:50:51 be Claremont we have our own identity well you can't because you don't have any water and we spent it all on our infrastructure here in in the historic
4:51:00 side of Claremont. So for me, I want to always create that opportunity for the people to make a decision. But I think
4:51:07 you make a really good point about what I'm hearing you say is if we have a vision of where we're going, then the people down there know what the
4:51:15 direction is. It's like, you know, if you don't know which port you're selling, no wind is favorable, right? So if we can I think that's a great part of the comprehensive planning process is to
4:51:23 say what could this look like and I second if is there a third I second the the direction to the city manager and to the
4:51:32 to the staff to get with county staff and if we need to get with the county commissioners to really talk about what would it take for what are the
4:51:40 boundaries what are the urban boundaries of wellness way I do think that we have a great team in place that we can help
4:51:48 facilitate a really bright future and I do think that the the uncertainty is really
4:51:55 I would imagine that it is uncomfortable for a lot of the people who live in that region. So I would like to bring comfort to those people. So if there is a second
4:52:03 or a third or a fourth I I'm definitely on that page. That's my report. Thank you.
4:52:11 Thank you. Council member Myers.
4:52:16 Good evening. I attended the no last week and they did a presentation. Um they are doing a study on state road 50
4:52:24 on how to improve the flow of traffic for us. Hopefully they'll come up with something. Um and I want to say happy
4:52:32 International Women's Day and I want to highlight our very own Tracy Akroyd How.
4:52:40 She serves as the city clerk for the city of Claremont.
4:52:44 a pos a position she has held since 2003.
4:52:49 Tracy has served as the president of the Florida Association of City Clerks during the 2015 2016 term and has
4:52:57 remained a dedicated member contributing to numerous committees throughout the years. She has also been a member of the
4:53:04 International Institute of Municipal Clerks since 1997.
4:53:09 Tracy holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Weber University. She achieved certified municipal clerk designation in 2002 and
4:53:18 earned the prestigious master municipal clerk designation in 2009.
4:53:24 She has also have notable achievements including receiving the Florida Association of City Clerks President's Award in 2012,
4:53:33 Lash V Laser Fish Visionary Award in 2014, and the Florida Leagues of Cities Home Rule Hero Award in 2016. Tracy is
4:53:42 married and has a daughter. She is active in the community by volunteering at her church and her daughter's school and we are so better to have her serving in our community.
4:53:54 And that concludes my report. And let let me just add that on Tracy.
4:54:00 Like I said earlier, I go to conferences and things all the time and I get compliments on you everywhere I go. I think I'm always coming back and saying
4:54:07 somebody say something to tell you hello or something and we have a great clerk.
4:54:11 So we commend you and she are active in the community. She was even out there at 6:30 in the morning on Friday opening up sprouts at 6:30 in the morning.
4:54:23 I was shocked. Okay. But Mr. Peterson, uh I'm not giving a report tonight. Get better.
4:54:30 Okay. Mr. Matthysse, I have nothing to report, Mr. Mayor.
4:54:33 Just glad to be back. Okay, I guess it's not time for my report. Uh,
4:54:39 Mr. Mr. uh, Van Wagner, I was out at Park Pal on Saturday throwing out the first pitch for the little league baseball. One of the things I noticed out there, and it was very noticeable,
4:54:50 was the pitching mouse on just about every one of the fields. They need some work. Okay. Um, home plate area. They
4:54:57 had basically batters having to stand in a hole in home plate areas on the field of field in the mounds. I mean I literally I
4:55:05 walked out there in the mound standing you know up just on top of the m on top of the pitching mount the pitching rubber rather and everything. So, so,
4:55:13 uh, I felt like they're very dangerous and I know in my career when I used to do ball fields and things during my Air
4:55:19 Force career, um, I would never let that happen and everything is safety hazards,
4:55:26 but so we can get our public work or park out there and look, take a look at all them and maybe
4:55:33 get some more clay and put in around the pitching um, and the batters box and everything would be great. Um, but they
4:55:41 did get kickoff on Saturday morning. We had a lot of little young future baseball players and major league baseball players out there running
4:55:49 around. Over 300 kids or so out there Saturday morning. So, it's always great to go out there and see them play. Uh,
4:55:57 I thank everyone that came out for the mayor's lunchon. It was at Harper International Pancake Day, which created some havoc. He was able to actually come
4:56:06 in and get a free stack of pancakes. And uh thank God I only had about 26 27 people there cuz I don't think too many people else could have held in the room
4:56:14 back there. Um gentleman brought up Bloxom Avenue.
4:56:20 Basically what happened a few years ago we we we uh made a proposal here at the city council and everything to change Batsom Avenue
4:56:29 name from Bloxom Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King A uh Avenue. um at the time
4:56:36 where of course uh the vote came out and they ended up not changing the whole name but they made it honorary uh Dr.
4:56:43 Dr. Martin Luther King. And I guess I'm I'm assuming what he asking, he's not here now. I'm assuming what he asking is let's go ahead and eliminate go ahead
4:56:51 and uh make a motion eliminate Blossom Avenue and just go ahead and make it Martin Luther King uh Junior Boulevard and everything. If you go through there on Blossom Avenue, you got another sign.
4:57:02 You got Blossom and you got another sign up say Martin Luther King honorary Martin Luther King. A lot of people in the in the community not happy with
4:57:10 that. So, um that's something that the council need to take up and make that uh decision. Um a street pier
4:57:18 was that's all part of the uh meet us in the middle project. Okay. So,
4:57:24 uh we'll we'll have to look and see where we are. I know we voted to go ahead and move forward with the meet us in the middle project. So, uh I guess what we need to do there is Mr. Van
4:57:32 Wagner to find out where we are with that project and everything. I guess uh because the egg street peers all part of that meet us in the middle. Okay. Uh, I
4:57:41 think you talked about Louis Louisiana Grand. We talked about how um,
4:57:48 what else I got here? All right.
4:57:52 I've been talking about the trail and I I'm becoming very very concerned. Here we go again. The safety on the trail.
4:57:59 Okay. We having a lot of ebikes and all the bike uh motorized bikes uh riding the trail and everything and it's
4:58:06 becoming very very unsafe down on that trail with these bikes these the speeds they moving at and everything. And if I'm not mistaken maybe you can get with
4:58:14 Chief uh Gracie if I'm not mistaken uh Tyler has just passed a new new law on ebikes and everything and find out what
4:58:23 that's all about. One of the proposal and one of the things I've been thinking about after sitting down and kind of watching watching our trail in the park
4:58:30 uh waterfront area, we had a marine marine patrol. I know Chief Brace may not like this, but we had a marine patrol. We put that in place a few years
4:58:38 ago to try to control the jet jet skiers that was out of hand on the mar out there on the water. But the water really isn't our responsibility. It's the
4:58:47 counties. I think we need to give that back to the county and maybe take take our marine patrol. Maybe we can take that and put them on, station them on
4:58:56 the trail to try to enforce some of the rules on on the trail with these ebikes.
4:59:00 I don't think we're going to be able to keep them off. Even though the trail say no motorized vehicles, we have to do something because it it's becoming very
4:59:07 dangerous out there. But one of my thoughts was to uh get rid of the marine patrol and make the county patrol our
4:59:14 waters like they should be doing because they have more responsibility out there than we do. We had to get permission from them to be able to do what we were doing out there. Okay. So give it back
4:59:23 to the county. We take that personnel and and maybe station them along our trails and try to uh enforce the rules and laws after we find out exactly what
4:59:31 what they are because I think um if I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong,
4:59:37 Mr. Mr. W, but the law that passed if they doing over 9 miles an hour, they have to be on the road. They can't be on sidewalks and trails.
4:59:46 I think it's 10, but I Well, like I say, over 9 miles an hour or is 10? Well, the speed limit's 10, I think, and within 50 feet of pedestrians. Um,
4:59:56 I don't think it's been signed by the governor yet. I I don't know.
4:59:59 Yeah, but I I know because it's a big big big concern, not just here, but all over the state and I land having a big issue with it because parents bought
5:00:07 these kids all these ebbacks, they they get out of school and they just bombarding the roads and everything.
5:00:12 Kids getting killed uh riding these things and all that. Uh, and I noticed we have a lot of problem, a lot of them on our trails. Even though we say no
5:00:20 motorized vehicles, but how can we stop it? I don't know. And everything unless we put a patrol down or maybe we need to
5:00:28 go back and look at our rules and change it and say, "Hey, okay."
5:00:31 I actually the the Claremont Police Department has given me some input on this and we'll be working on something.
5:00:36 Well, I I appreciate you taking a look at that and all. Um,
5:00:42 Mr. from Miy again I do not have any problem at Mr. for months and yeah just try to try to do the and treat everybody
5:00:50 all the residents whether they they attack me or whatever they whatever they want to do I'm I'mma still treat them as a resident and and show him love and all
5:00:58 so um I'll be happy to shake his hand and move on down the road if that's what he wish and he made a statement about new people yes I say this all the time I
5:01:07 get comments from people all the time about you know the traffic and this and that and come out and I will look at them sometime and I say uh and how long
5:01:14 have you lived here when they tell me two years or a year. So why are you complaining? Okay. Didn't you help
5:01:22 create this problem? You moved here. You came and found a piece of paradise, but now you wanted to close the door behind you and nobody else find paradise. Can
5:01:30 you just And my my thought process is can't we just work and get along? Uh I remember when I was here with only 5,500 people lived in Clema. Okay, we got 50
5:01:39 something thousand people here now, you know. But my thing is, hey, I I don't mind you being here, but hey, don't don't complain about the traffic when you help help increase the traffic,
5:01:50 increase these things. Let's figure out a way to get along and get around it. Uh like I've been doing all these years.
5:01:56 Yeah, since that we open up the door and start letting people in. So, um yeah, do I get mad at the traffic sometime? Yes,
5:02:02 I do. Uh but the thing is, hey, they're here now. Nothing I can do about it except for let's figure out a way to do
5:02:09 it. And and I will continue to ask that question to people when they come to me and and complain about the different things if it that's a problem. You only been here. What made you move here?
5:02:20 Okay, this traffic is it was here when you moved here last year and everything,
5:02:25 but you moved here anyway, so why complain now? Let's just work and get along. Okay. Um the last thing I really want to address is our PNZ board, Mr.
5:02:34 Van Wagner and Mr. Mr. uh W. if you don't mind. It's a lot of cities starting to go to MA uh special
5:02:43 magistrates, okay, for PNZ. And let me say, I'll be one of the first ones to tell you, I do not like special
5:02:49 magistrates. Uh I believe in having members of our own community make these
5:02:57 decisions, sit on these boards. But we seem to be having a lot of trouble with our board. And I I I I'm sorry. Uh to me
5:03:04 uh PNZ is becoming a real black eye on the city. Um after What do you mean?
5:03:12 If you sit down and listen to the actions and the thing that's being done in the PNZ board, it it is way out of hand. I know last month Mr. Mr. W sat
5:03:21 down and gave him training at our our request. We're in Dave training, but yet and still when you come in there for a simple process that should take no more
5:03:30 than 10 minutes and you in there arguing and saying things um members on the PNZ board asking question and going down avenue that has no reference and no
5:03:39 concern about what's what they talking about is bad. Um I got the big complaint in January board and then I know in
5:03:47 February they told me h somewhat went okay but you did the training at that one as well. um Wednesday when
5:03:54 Wednesday's um I started getting a lot of complaints about it and of course I went back and I said, "Oh boy, what are we going to do?" And of course I know
5:04:02 one of the things like right now some of the cities have come to me and they uh they've been talking to me about it. Uh they having some of the same issues they
5:04:10 they PNZ boards and all and they've looking to go to uh magistrates. So, if you all can find out and get some
5:04:18 information on that, if that if that's what we need to do and everything, um, that's what we need to do. And trust me,
5:04:24 I would rather have members of the community do it. But if you sitting on that board and not being objective and come there with predetermined thought
5:04:33 processes and everything, you don't need to be on the board. Okay? It is it is um a policy option that cities and counties
5:04:42 are increasingly adopting to have a special magistrate make recommendations on zoning things and and
5:04:50 and so that is something that's been happening more and more in the state.
5:04:55 Well, yeah, I I know I know it's a couple I think the city of Wildwood just went to one. I think I've talked to the
5:05:03 mayor up there and everything and a couple other mayors and that seemed to be the thing and of course when they came to me and first started talking to me about it last year I kind of like
5:05:10 blew it off but uh with the issues we having with our and the complaints I keep getting on our PNZ board and I know
5:05:18 I'm not the only one getting the complaints I know you've had them Mr.
5:05:20 Van Wagon, you probably had the complaints as well. Quite a few of us getting complaints uh about the PNZ board. We need we need to do something.
5:05:28 Um developers and everybody telling me that they refuse to come to Clim with any projects or anything else because they don't want to have to face a board.
5:05:37 Okay, it's it's I'm going leave it like that, but it is some members and everything on the board that that's a
5:05:45 little out of hand. Okay, and we did did the training. That's why we asked for Mr. W to do training with them, letting
5:05:52 them know what what their roles were and yet you know and this not the first time we did training. We did training for some of them. This may be the first time
5:06:00 a couple of them had training but the other ones had training before. So just give that some thought please. Uh and if you can find out the information
5:06:08 how we go about all that and everything is that the avenue we need to go down and and if you all want to
5:06:17 understand what I'm talking about I advi I I suggest you go back and and look at the PNZ meeting from last Tuesday night
5:06:24 and even the one from January and all this and just uh check check out the attitude and the questionings and all
5:06:32 this here uh that's going on u way beyond their responsib possibilities.
5:06:37 Okay? You know, so with that, that's all I have. Anybody else have anything for the good of the
5:06:46 council? Mr. Strange, you're sitting there looking at me like, "No, I'm interested. I'm I'm exhausted.
5:06:51 I'm not going to lie. Um, we are in the middle of peak week at the spring games. So, we have five complexes running.
5:06:58 We had 86 teams come in this weekend.
5:07:02 Um, so I'm just tired, but I'm I'm I've not seen the behavior that you're describing, so I'm processing it.
5:07:09 It's just that I haven't seen it. I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I have not observed it. So, have you watch?
5:07:15 I'll watch the two you suggested to watch. Yeah.
5:07:21 Yeah. If you ever see that face, just ask me because I don't always know what my face does. So well if there's nothing else meeting a
5:07:28 journal