Clermont City Council Transcript 5/12/26

14:14 I call this meeting to order. Welcome to our council meeting for May 12, 2026.
14:20 Virtual participation in council meeting are available on your computer or smartphone via Microsoft Teams or taught by telephone. You can learn how to
14:29 participate virtually by visiting visiting our website www.climoutfl.gov
14:37 and search for attend council meetings online in the interest of time efficiency and ensuring everyone who wishes to address the council given the
14:45 opportunity to do so. The following will apply to all comments made by the public in person and virtually. Each speaker
14:52 will be permitted three minutes to address the council in an effort to be respectful during the meeting. Please make sure your cell phones are turned to silence.
15:02 Thank you for participating in your city government.
15:06 Um today's invocation will be given by Pastor Jordan from New Jacobs Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Please rise
15:14 and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.
15:28 Can we bow our heads?
15:32 Oh heavenly father. Oh Lord, we come to give you grace. We come to thank you for watching over us, for keeping us, Lord,
15:40 we thank you for the grace and mercy that you done showed on everybody that's here. Lord, we ask that you look down upon every council person that's here, Lord. Lord, give them patience. Give
15:49 them longsuffering and give them a heart for your people. Lord, we ask that you look on everyone that's here. Let them know that they might not agree with We
15:56 might not all agree with the same judgment, but we know that it was a just judgment and is there for the betterment of the people of Clermont. Lord, we ask
16:04 that you look down upon every head that's presented here. Look upon the fire department. Look upon the police department. You touch every head that's
16:13 above that municipal office. Lord, give them patience. getting a longsuffering.
16:17 Lord, comfort them right now. Lord, the police department, the fire department have a tedious journey, have a long hard
16:25 job. And Lord, we praying that you will watch over them and give them strength.
16:29 Lord, let them be able to leave their house and return home as they as they left it.
16:34 Lord, we pray that you look down upon the city of Clermont right now, Lord.
16:38 That you will bless this city. Bless it financially, bless it socially, bless it spiritually. And Lord, we ask that you
16:45 look look down upon Clermont and make it like no other city here in Florida.
16:50 Lord, we pray for that and many more in thy glorious son name Jesus. Let every believing heart say amen. Amen. Amen.
16:59 I aliance of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
17:07 under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Amen. Thank you. Please be seated.
17:20 This afternoon we have two proclamation.
17:22 The first proclamation is for building safety.
17:25 Yes, ma'am. Whereas city of Clermont recognizes that our homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship, entertainment venues, and the
17:33 infrastructure that supports them are safer, more resilient, and more sustainable when they are designed, constructed, inspected, and maintained
17:41 in accordance with modern building codes. Whereas building safety month is an annual public awareness campaign sponsored by the international code
17:50 council each May that highlights how building safety professionals up-to-date building codes and effective code administration help
17:58 protect lives and property. Whereas the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of modern building codes along with a strong system of plan
18:06 review and inspection are essential to mitigate the impacts of natural and human-caused hazards, thereby reducing
18:14 injuries, loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption. And whereas code officials, building, fire,
18:21 plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural, together with architects, engineers, designers, contractors, trade
18:28 professionals, and first responders work tirelessly to keep our community safe through professionalism, education, and collaboration. And whereas building
18:37 safety month provides an opportunity for all residents, property owners, and stakeholders to learn more about the
18:44 importance of building safety and to participate in activities that promote safer, more resilient, and more sustainable structures across the city of Clermont.
18:54 Now, therefore, I, Tim Murry, mayor of the city of Clermont in the state of Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of
19:00 May 2026 as building safety month. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my
19:07 hands and cause the great seal of the city of Clmont to be affixed this 12th day of May in the year 2026. If I can get the building department to come down
19:16 front and get council members to join me down front.
19:29 Congratulations.
20:23 I did it.
20:44 The second proclamation is for GBS and CIDP awareness month. Miss
20:52 Miss K, I'm sorry. Miss Kerry Lee and is she's present.
20:56 Okay, go ahead.
20:58 Okay. Whereas the month of May is internationally recognized as GBS and CIDP awareness month to increase public
21:06 awareness of these rare neuro neurological disorders. And whereas Gillion bar syndrome is a rare condition
21:14 that can cause rapid muscle weakness, paralysis and in severe cases the need for life sustaining care. And whereas
21:22 chronic inflammatory demiolinating polyuropathy is a rare progressive disorder that may lead to weakness,
21:30 numbness and paralysis often accompanied by significant pain. And whereas the cause of GBS and CIDP is unknown and
21:39 these conditions can affect individuals of any age, gender or background. And whereas early diagnosis, treatment and
21:45 rehabilitation are critical to improving outcomes and supporting outpatients and families facing long and uncertain recoveries.
21:54 Now therefore, I Tim Murry, mayor of the city of Clen Mount in the state of Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of
22:00 May 2026 as GBS and CIDP awareness month in witness whereof, I have here unto set
22:09 my hand and cause the great seal of the city of Clement to be affixed as 12th day of May in the year 2026.
22:16 If I can have Miss Lynn join us up up front and um council members as well.
22:22 Just got just having y'all exercise today. That's all. Get those steps in.
23:16 Um, if I Is it on?
23:34 Yes, it's on.
23:34 Okay. I would just like to bring awareness to Gileian Beret syndrome.
23:41 It's not anything that anybody is aware of.
23:46 I didn't know anything of it until I woke up one day and I couldn't stand and I was paralyzed from the waist down and that was 19 months ago.
23:58 Please do your research. That's all I can ask. It is debilitating.
24:06 It has been a tasking effort on my boys
24:12 and I've been living on my own by myself but with the help of family.
24:21 Please, all I can ask is that you guys please look into Gileian Bray syndrome.
24:30 19 months ago, I didn't know that I was not going to be able to be walking again.
24:38 So, thank you for this honor. Thank you, mayor. You're welcome.
24:43 When I got this call, I was just like, you guys can't be like
24:50 serious. Like, how did you guys know about me? How did you know about Gileian Bray syndrome?
24:58 So, do your research and educate those. Thank you so much.
25:06 Thank you, ma'am.
25:12 I'm just learning how to walk again, so I apologize.
25:24 It really is.
25:40 All right. Um, I do not see Commissioner Parks is sir. Oh, okay. I'm sorry.
25:47 This afternoon, we have a presentation from uh County Commissioner Parks from Lake County Board of County Commissioner District 2. Yes, sir. I missed you, sir.
25:56 I was looking and didn't see you. Okay.
26:06 All right. Well, um, good afternoon, mayor, council members, and residents.
26:10 Um, very much appreciate the, uh, privilege and honor to be here in the beautiful city of Clermont to give you an update. Um, I brought some a little
26:19 bit of the fabulous team that we have at Lake County with me. So, I will introduce them very quickly. Um, because maybe you might want to drill down into
26:26 a little bit of the technical stuff. We might talk about roads. We know roads is a little thing that like is talked about a lot these days. Um so we do have Mike
26:35 Ola who will be with us. He is uh sitting right there. Funny thing about Mike is we've um his new boss uh Bobby
26:45 Benia who's the now assistant county manager who was also here sitting next to him um just made appointed him not
26:52 just but recently um we split the county into three areas north central and south and there's an engineer for each one of
26:59 those areas that they're responsible for all things road related and storm water too and some just engineering and so
27:07 Mike is my personal engineer as I tell people. Uh he is our South Lake engineer when he was first when he was first
27:14 appointed there by Bobby and Jennifer I said uh Mike I don't know you must have done something wrong to really make them
27:21 mad because he knows how we'll we I'll try to answer pothole calls and everything in between and that's what we're here to do but he's very much got
27:28 a servant's heart and so Mike will be here if as we get into this presentation we'll uh talk about roads I'm going to give you an update a little bit first on
27:36 a couple things u but Mike will come on up here and get into some of the specifics. We also have a South Lake
27:43 favorite with us, Kathleen Dial. Um she is uh here as well. So, really appreciate all them. They're they're they're awesome for us. So, uh love
27:52 them. Um just real quick before we get into the roads, um we do have a presentation on that. Uh want to update
28:00 you on the public lands referendum that was passed. So, the the the citizens committee that was set up uh not too
28:07 long ago. uh early part of this year has been meeting. We've actually had our first cycle of applications that were opened up. We received them. That cycle
28:16 has closed. Uh our staff underneath direction of Bobby uh is u looking through all those applications. There's
28:24 at least I think more than half a dozen between a half a dozen and a dozen that have come in to the county. So what we
28:31 do now is we will go through this uh they will do all the vetting going out to each of these sites. these applications for public lands. They will
28:40 vet them. Uh the citizens advisory board uh that was set up by the county commissioners. Uh we'll look at those as
28:47 well, make recommendations on what to purchase this first round uh to the county commission. Very exciting for me
28:55 personally. I think you know, I've talked about for years how important this is for us. We're going to hopefully get some properties in and start acquiring them and they will be open to
29:04 all of us to use. Uh access is important. Want to keep that as a key that some kind of access. Um there are
29:11 some easement type uh deals with uh that could be achieved uh in partnership with rural and family lands protection act
29:18 money as well. Um that's double bang for the buck on that. But not to get into the weeds with that so much, but the important thing for you to know and the public is is that process is underway.
29:29 Uh there's a time value of money. We got to get some of these lands acquired. um if it didn't make this first cycle uh and the city has something that is in of
29:38 interest or somebody in the public has some lands that of are of interest. We only take willing land owners by the
29:45 way. You can't nominate me my property to get me out of the county. But um it is willing land owners only. Uh we are
29:52 going to open that cycle back up probably the later this fall again for another round to look at it. There's $50 million that's available. um when you
30:00 match that with other programs and everything, it could be hopefully a lot more. So, that's very good news. Um our comp plan, just like the city is uh is
30:08 underway, our comp plan process is still underway. There'll be one more round that we have of of uh public forums and trying to gather public inputs because
30:17 it is a citizen-driven effort. It's supposed to be. I think what was interesting last time for us which was the second round was uh you know I asked
30:25 specifically that we go out to Gen Z and get their involvement. Um we had some really interesting results from doing that were a little bit different than
30:34 maybe the first round. Um I think it's uh it's pretty neat. I'm hoping that we incorporate some of what their uh issues
30:41 are which is affordable housing uh into the comp plan as well and trying to address that. So, the important thing for you to know is that that process is
30:50 still underway. You know, it takes a while. Um, it will be another cycle. Is it going to be this summer? This summer,
30:57 Kathleen, uh, and she's leading that effort. It'll be open to the public and by all means, we want everybody to
31:04 participate. Can't say it enough. Uh, even if you're 18, 16, whatever, get involved all the way
31:12 on up to however old you are. I won't ask questions. Be involved, though.
31:17 And then uh finally before we get into roads uh this is uh of course the 250th uh birthday of this incredible awesome
31:26 nation. Uh and we at the county we have a month that we've been doing for a few years dedicated to the pride and our
31:34 American patriotism and all that's good about this country. Um we don't ignore the flaws of course too but it's all that's good. We have an entire month that we've dedicated towards that July.
31:44 We've done that now for three or four years. It's especially big for us this year, the county. We always have lectures. Uh we have people that come
31:52 and speak before the county commission meetings on, you know, American history or values of of what it means to be an American to them. Um this year is
32:01 especially important. It's 250. Um but as much as we're doing, the cities can do it better celebrating 250. you have
32:09 incredible ability with the awesome events that you do down here to promote America 250. I I'm sure you're going to
32:16 be doing something already. Um, we're trying to partner the county as with all the cities. So, by all means, if there's something that you want to do and you
32:24 need county help to do it to to make it extra special or celebrate it, uh, let me know. I do have a little gift. I come I've come bearing gifts. I'm sorry.
32:33 Leadership, uh, management leadership. I only have five. So, it's one for each council member and the mayor, but they are a pin uh that I purchased uh for
32:42 each of you. It's not like it's just like this one of these. So, by all means, it's I'll pass those over to Dan.
32:48 That's my little gift for you today. So, thank you. You can wear those wherever.
32:53 So, let's get into roads. And Mike, you are you ready to come on up? We're going to be a tag team up here. We'll stick around if there's if you have obviously
33:00 if you have questions. Um, we'll answer them whenever, however the mayor wants us to do that. Um, we'll do it.
33:08 So, we have the presentation loaded up.
33:10 It's ready to go. Okay. Mike, are you ready?
33:15 As Commissioner Park said, uh, my name is Mike Holo, Lake County Public Works, engineering operations director for South Lake County. Thank you all for having us here today. So, we're going to
33:24 start with the South Lake transportation updates. Uh, just come updates. North Lake North Hancock Road extension and trail is completed. So we are now connecting North Hancock all the way from the turnpike up to County Road 455.
33:36 So there is a trail that is alongside that road. So next, please.
33:42 Can I ask a question or do you want me to wait till the end?
33:44 No, it's up. However you we're good with it either way. Yeah. Yeah.
33:49 Uh, I just wondered if Hancock would have the same design from Sugarloaf Mountain all the way to Wellness Way with the trail, the widths, so it's so it's uniform when it's completed.
34:01 I'm not aware of the trail widths staying the same. Um, I know there's rightway constraints for part of Hancock that would prevent it from being this
34:09 full uh two lane with the ride median, but we are working on trying to get as much connectivity as we can. Are you
34:17 talking about the existing section from 50 to Artwood Marsh?
34:21 Yeah, that's where he's saying the rightway is going to be a little harder to get to do a similar cross-section, but if we get new roads, right, Mike, I
34:30 won't speak for you, but we we uh typically try to make them the same cross-section as Perfect. Correct. Okay.
34:36 We're just trying right now that that section is specifically constrained right away.
34:39 We love the idea that a a bicyclist can come from Sugarloaf Mountain all the way to Wellness Way. It's 15 miles u from
34:47 the highest point in Florida to the headarters of the St. John's River. So, it's a real special thing if we can pull it off. Understood. Takes you and us and Minnola.
34:55 Yes. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.
34:58 Continuing with North Hancock whitening is the actual widening portion from the turnpike to 561A. The construction is
35:06 anticipated to begin fall of 26. The signal at Imperial Ridge is in operation. That is also known as Advent Health. The construction cost for the
35:14 entire project is $8 million and there'll be uh $3.5 million from the county to the developer.
35:22 Next is our planned continuation of Citrus Grove. Phase two is currently under construction. Phases one, two,
35:30 sorry, one, three, four, and five are all completed. So currently Citrus Grove is a fourlane
35:38 from 27 essentially to Black Still Lake with the exception of phase 2 which is at Scrub J which is currently under construction.
35:48 Next is uh Hook Street. This one's near and dear to those residents here in Clermont. This is an extension of the
35:55 left turn lane for Hooks at 27. This would be for eastbound traffic um to allow them to queue up to turn
36:01 left to go northbound on 27. Uh with that, that would enclose uh some restrictions at the East Manola Avenue.
36:12 Continuing on Hooks, we have the Hook Street extension. There's been a $4.5 million federal legislative request. The estimated construction cost is $21
36:21 million. Currently, we do not have funding for construction. Uh we are working with developers in the area to
36:28 try and make this project happen. And uh that would go from essentially Hancock East over to Ray Good Game County Road 455.
36:41 There is a construction safety project.
36:43 Uh it's estimated for 2627 is when we're trying to do construction. Uh $3.3 million 7.4 construction cost
36:50 announcement. This is for Villa City Road. This includes adding shoulders in different phases of the project at the
36:58 north shoulders stand shoulders at the turns and then improving drainage on the south side. And this goes from 50 to essentially US 27.
37:10 The next project is the county road 455 ray good game extension. Phases one and two are complete. Phase three is acquisition has finally completed. So we
37:18 will be uh working towards getting construction funding for that. three phase 3B which is John Lakes Road to Hartwood Marsh. We are still working on acquisition.
37:32 Wellness Way general updates. Uh we have the US 27 Wellness Way signal has been in operation for approximately a year.
37:40 We are working on fourlaning Wellness Way from US 27 to Hancock. We anticipate that to start in fiscal year 27. Hancock
37:48 from this way north to Hartwood Marsh is currently under construction and Hartwood Marsh fourlaning
37:55 for that same section. Sorry, Hartwood Marsh fourlaning we anticipate to begin construction. We're intent aiming for
38:02 this summer to start construction two months from now.
38:06 We're working we we're finalizing the rest of the acquisition and then we uh we just need final approval from FDOT to advertise.
38:14 With that said, the State Road 516 updates, just so everybody's aware, the connection to 455 Scoffield Road is
38:21 anticipated to open in 2027 with the rest of the construction and being open all the way to US 27 by 2029. And with
38:29 that, we have drone footage that the Turnpike Authority CFX has provided us.
38:37 Yeah, you might have to click. There you go. There's no audio on it.
38:44 Yeah. Um if it's not working, I got the Sorry. Oh, we need to do it. Oh, we have to click. Sorry.
38:52 Okay.
38:57 Yeah. I wanted you to see this. Um this is not this has not been available to pub. It's actually the first time you're seeing seeing this. This is drone
39:04 footage of the Lake County section of 516. So, it is under construction. Some people have asked for years, when is it
39:11 coming? It is under construction and you're going to see this part of it. I might we might skip over the Orange County part because it's about three minutes, but I mean if you want to watch
39:19 the whole thing, we can. Um but you'll see Orange County off in the distance there. That's the that's the 529. So you can see that 429.
39:27 Yeah. And that that part will be open um in 2027 to what would be uh 455.
39:36 Um, CFX, we have put a target out to complete the second half to 27. Um, we
39:43 put that time out a little ways because we'd like to uh beat expectations, but it's a couple more years, 29. Um, but I,
39:51 you know, with depends on how things go, could be quicker. Um, you know, we had a delay in that for about a year because
39:58 of uh there was the whole Supreme Court decision with wetlands and jurisdiction and there's being that there's federal wetlands that was held up with what is a
40:07 federal wetland line and that impacts things because you have mitigation that goes along with it. So, it was about a year delay because of permitting on that
40:15 uh project. So, um but nevertheless, as you will see that as you see here, uh it is under construction. Um this is this
40:24 part that's going through uh Lake County. So they're doing clearing and um there'll be a big
40:33 ribbon cutting I guess you would call it for roads like I said probably probably about a year from now for that first segment and of course we would want Clermont to be a huge part of that.
40:45 Are these funds coming from Lake County residents or the state?
40:49 The CFX is a total toll. It's a toll road. So it's a totally toll ri a toll um derived. Yeah. So it's driven by
40:57 tolls. They uh this was planned uh many years ago 12 to 15 years or or more. They do toll toll and revenue studies.
41:05 We call them TNRS. Uh they run through uh all kinds of uh risk tests and expectations of what might happen with
41:14 the economy. Essentially uh to prove what if the road can be built with toll dollars. It's a very businessoriented
41:22 approach, I will add. Um, the laws, not to get too in the weeds, but the laws do allow CFX to do a little different things with contractors and get things
41:31 done a little quicker. Hope there's no DOT officials in the audience, but we can do things quicker than DOT because of the legislative uh the laws
41:40 that allow us to do that. Um, and they we don't build a toll road if it doesn't um if it won't support itself because
41:47 there's, you know, 100 million. Well, we have four and a half billion dollars of toll roads uh in five years at for the
41:54 whole uh CFX uh region and we wouldn't do that if it didn't support its support it through tolls tolls only. So yes, long answer is it's toll driven only.
42:07 They're going to help us by the way Mike. Uh we love this um because they're going to be able to I think help us with
42:13 the extension further north uh from 455 uh north and get hopefully help us get that done that little segment in there between done quicker.
42:25 So I jumped in on you Mike but that was now I I talked over the three minutes so yeah we're we're up to Orange County now.
42:33 Yeah.
42:37 While we're looking at Orange County, and I apologize. I know it was up there, but I missed it. Can you speak to the timeline for uh Hancock extension from
42:46 Hartwood Marsh to Wellness Way and then the 50 to Hartwood Marsh when we can see those two segments?
42:53 Yeah, we'll go back.
43:02 Oh, you didn't have to go back. I'm good to just I'm just looking for dates when people ask. So the specific ones you want to do.
43:08 So the heart Hancock from 50 to Hartwood Marsh and then Hartwood Marsh to Wellness Way Hancock from 50 to Hartwood Marsh.
43:18 Hancock 50 to Hartwood Marsh.
43:20 We we don't have there is no timeline for Hancock for 50.
43:24 We don't have anything near I thought that was funded.
43:27 It's put it's Yeah. No, he he Hancock from Wellness Way to Hartwood Marshwood Marshed is funded and is currently under construction.
43:37 Yeah.
43:37 May I go ahead? Yeah.
43:39 And I think I think uh she was um I think she more or less referring to the first part of your presentation which was talking about Hancock back up to 455
43:48 which is to the north not back down towards Hancock.
43:51 No, I I was asking what I asked which is from 50 to Hartwood to Hartwood Marsh.
43:55 50. There's no it's not in the plans currently. There's no plans at all for the next five to 10 years.
44:01 Well, yes. So, it it's um it's on it's for it's unfunded on the long-term plan at the MO,
44:09 but Mike is absolutely right. It's not funded now.
44:11 Um it's basically that basically when you do that, it just means DOT is aware that it's a priority for the county. Yeah.
44:18 But there it's a 60 million.
44:21 It's going to be expensive to buy on the right.
44:23 It's a 60 million or more project just for that one stretch. Yeah. Uh yeah.
44:29 Well, it's 6 million plus. Well, 6 million sound a little low to me for that because I know we have to acquire a lot of land down through there, you
44:38 know. So, yes.
44:39 And the amount of land we have to acquire on both sides of the road to do all that. 60 million seem a little low.
44:44 60 was a four or five a fouryear or fiveyear number ago. Okay. Number. Yeah. Okay.
44:51 Yeah. So, it's you're right. It's probably more more now.
44:54 Yeah. And then the second section you were asking Hartwood Marsh to Wellness Way for Hancock Road.
45:01 Hartwood Marsh to Wellness Way for Hancock Road. That's under construction right now.
45:05 And when do we think that'll be complete?
45:07 Uh completion. I'd have to double check, but I think within a year and a half max.
45:11 Okay. And then the it it seems like the only other improvement in Clermont was something to do with Hook Street at 27, a left turn.
45:21 There's uh Hook Street over at US 27.
45:23 And we're adding the extension to the turn lane to provide more capacity for the left turn. The eastbound turn lane going north. Eastbound to turn. Yes. North.
45:31 Correct.
45:32 And then there's also the Hooks extension which is also in Clermont.
45:36 And how will that impact the road that's immediately the frontage road that's immediately west? I know a lot of people come. Essentially what it would do was
45:43 it it would prevent eastbound on hooks from being able to turn left onto many mini Minihaha Avenue. Sorry.
45:55 Um yes, East and that's determined to be an improvement.
46:04 It's to try and cut down on the amount of traffic that's stacking across Hook Street from East Minhaha.
46:12 So that I think the last time I saw a presentation I think I asked this question before on that same one. Uh we
46:18 didn't eliminate the asex from Frontage Road back up to Hook Street. We kept that in there. Correct.
46:26 So So yes, which is one of the real problem we having down there that that entrance uh off of Frontier Road trying to get in on the Hook Street there creating a lot of problem but we kept it in there anyway.
46:37 Yes. Okay.
46:37 So, people coming down Minihaha can still go westbound. They can't go eastbound.
46:42 People on Minihaha can go eastbound and westbound. Yeah.
46:45 People on Hook Street can't go westbound northbound on Minha. On East Minihaha. Correct. So, they would have to go on Bloxom. Correct.
46:54 But westbound would still be able to turn on to East Miniah Avenue.
46:59 Why isn't this a city road, a city street?
47:04 I I can't answer that. I don't know why we don't. It's a county.
47:08 It's a long time ago. I can speak to a little bit of history. Um, you mean Hook Street? Yeah. Hook.
47:13 Yeah. All these intersections because it's right in the middle of the city and county. Uh, Hook Street is, you know, been a county I'm
47:21 I'm sure for 40 may or may know, but for many years. Well, Hook Street is county over there.
47:25 There is Hook County all the way down the lake shore. But I I think there's always been some confusion on Minihaha which is city but then where it turned
47:33 into frontage road or somewhere. I think there's some confusion whether it's all the way down the hook street or mini haha because miniha come in we call it
47:41 frontage road there along uh where the restaurant all that used to be. So I've never gotten any clear justification on
47:50 whether it's city or county in that little section there. Yeah. And I I I will say with this intersection as well, um
47:59 way back in the day with uh Jim Stender when he was here, um he did worked earnestly with DOT when
48:07 they were doing the widening and then the overpass, right?
48:09 Because they did all the overpass 50 and 27 all in one shot and it went all the way down. This was part of the project,
48:17 right? and he begged and pleaded with them, "Do not do what the current alignment is because you're going to have the problems that we all see today." Yeah, we're going to put those businesses out of business.
48:27 Uh well, I mean, I think they're they're you can still have access there. Um with with the exception of that one direction
48:35 that was what was this I think was what was recommended back then on Well, we still need well in a way
48:43 fronted road is still needed. I thought uh the biggest thing we was trying to do eliminate the entrance into Hook Street
48:50 um from Frontage Road. We wanted to be able to get in off of Hook Street into frontage road, but didn't want people to be able to come out of front hook street
48:58 off the frontage road into Hook because they when they especially if they coming out and they trying to make a a left turn to go go east on on Hook Street off
49:07 of there off of frontage road that traffic get backed up way back. Well, this isn't going to change that.
49:12 No, it's not going to change. But I know what's been done there.
49:16 Well, we Well, I mean, we can redesign it.
49:18 We We can work with you on it. I mean, there's there's, you know, we're open to that. This is just I know it's been out there as a project. Yeah. Is this funded?
49:26 When is it funded?
49:28 I don't have it funded yet, but I Oh, it's not funded. Securing right now. Yeah. Yeah, we're securing it. Yeah.
49:33 So, there's still possibility to go back and and relook at look at it again. So, right. But I also know the people down there on Hook Street and living down
49:42 there along Hook Street, they ready for this to get done because of the problem they have down in there. So what is the problem that this solves?
49:51 The backup of traffic and uh you get such a large backup of traffic from Highway 27 back down towards Minihaha
49:58 Lake Shore Drive and everything. Um especially like I say, you're coming off frontage road. If people coming off front of the road and want to go make a left and go east, it get backed up
50:06 because they can't get there and they have to sit there and wait and wait for the traffic like the cycle and try to hopefully let some somebody let them out and Yeah, they have to wait.
50:15 Yeah.
50:16 I think um you're I know the FHP and and even CPD Yeah. will occasionally write tickets of people that don't want to wait and they
50:24 go they risk going across.
50:28 Yeah. From the church up to try to get to the green light and it causes sometimes it'll I've seen some Yeah. It's been Yeah. People get tacked
50:36 because they try to do dodge everything and end up getting ticket citations for it and everything. So yeah. Um did we have was there any more slides or was that the last?
50:46 That was okay. Now uh you said something. These are road the so these are uh I heard something at least these are uh these are some major projects
50:53 that if we had talked about from the last time I was here even some of them um don't road surfacing is a different
51:02 we don't have the list of road resurfacing so that is not I don't want you to think that this is the only thing that's happening in South Lake
51:09 County or Clermont uh you know if you want specifics on resurfacing of county roads and and even DOT because we work
51:17 with DOT on on the DOT roads 27 and 50 about plans for resurfacing and what they're doing. We could certainly get
51:24 that to you. We do meet with the manager uh monthly and uh Mr. Matthysse is part of that. Um we can we can um you know
51:32 give you those updates to get to you as well. Um so there's I don't I that's not in here and I wouldn't want to even
51:39 guess at when a road is going to be res because there's a long there is a long list. Now, also just remember really quick too with funding because I know a
51:46 question always comes up. Um impact so how roads are funded in Lake County. I'm you know this but sorry to be repetitive
51:53 but there's impact fees. Our impact fees have been the highest that we can legally charge impact fees for roads
52:01 Lake County has for probably five to six years now or more or maybe even more in south in the South Lake district to be
52:08 clear, not in the other parts of Lake County. Impact fees can only be used for new roads generally.
52:17 Uh there's some there's a lot of research I've done on this. None of us were around here, but between 98 and
52:24 2006, impact fees were probably for roads were only about 20 to 80% 20 to 50% of what they should have been. So
52:32 there's a large gap. I talked about this every time I was in here practically talking about roads. There's there is a large gap that cities and counties are
52:39 still trying to make up from that. And that growth period in that in that that period of time, believe it or not, is almost equal to what you're seeing now
52:47 in what happened percentage-wise in Lake County. So that is a struggle. Gas tax pays for mostly resurfacing, sometimes
52:54 additional, yeah, some adding of emergency lanes and shoulder work, sometimes safety projects.
53:02 Um, other than that, generally speaking, it's the general fund and the county commission is committed to contributing more and more every year at a general
53:10 fund property tax to road as well. It's trying to even out that bucket as we call it the portfolio of options to fund roads.
53:18 um all set up uh even long ago before uh I guess maybe I was it was a few years ago but by the capital facilities
53:27 advisory committee 18 very dedicated people Democrat Republican builders conservation tree huggers uh you name
53:35 the group was there and unanimously recommended that we go in some of these uh direction these these portfolio of options and we're trying to follow
53:43 through on those now but um I always just like to put that out there because you We we all want the roads done quick and I I I understand that and we're we
53:53 got to work together on all this to get that done and we're we're doing that. I I do see that. I appreciate that. Um particularly the city of Clermont um is
54:02 very passionate. I'm just like you. I want to get the roads done as sooner than than later. Um so we just have to
54:09 continue to find a way to work together uh better on that. Um and we'll we'll get there. It'll be it'll still be a few years. We we're going to have to
54:17 contribute more, I think, out of both the city and the county. We're asking cities to contribute more, too. You're not the only one. Other commissioners
54:25 are going around asking for that contribution as well. Um, but you know, you you've served on the no, some of you.
54:32 Yeah. As well. So, yeah, council. Yeah.
54:35 So, you know that this is uh some of this is not new, but it's how we get there quick.
54:40 A quick question on the Hancock Road extension. I mean I'm sorry to I mean the hook road extension is it is landscaping and trees and walkability
54:50 and any of these type of things you know are they taken into consideration or is it going to be like just kind of start it is now there was there's history of
54:58 county roads and city where that was not done okay um when you go back to the first wave of growth uh those things were not asked
55:05 for by the city there was not a lot of good dialogue at times um I mean not it was intentionally bad it just didn't happen between public works and your public works your planning and zoning and our planning and zoning.
55:16 And so that's why you see sometimes these roads that didn't have lighting on it, wasn't contemplated when it should have been asked for and who's going to pay for it. We're
55:24 trying to take care of all that now and you see that with new growth that that is being put in place, but it's it's, you know, working to change some of that. That's a great question.
55:33 Uh, and there's probably some projects I know to work on. I know Excalibur was was one.
55:38 Um, but there's there's more out there that we got to probably work together on as well. Uh go back to Hook Street Extension. Uh you have any idea when you're expecting funding for that?
55:49 Another question to go along with that before you talk about funding. Are we looking at two lanes or four lane in it?
55:55 I know there was I'll let him answer that question. Two, four lane. But I will say the funding really quick.
56:01 Um you guys are actually the city of Clermont has actually uh been very helpful with that. So I appreciate that because you are asking for development to help pay for that part of it. Mhm.
56:11 So, it's helping us. So, I want to personally thank you for that.
56:15 It's painful because we want that extension done now and it would make a big difference. It really would.
56:20 But, but it's where would you come up with uh what 20? Yeah. 21 million. Yeah.
56:26 21 million if the development wasn't going to pay for it. It would come out of from all of us. So, you know, it's it's probably worth making sure that development's
56:35 paying for that. They're going to be paying for a big part of that um for that extension. And that's part of what we're waiting on
56:42 and I know that right the yeah you're yeah we're working with the developer on that and we acquired all acquired all the
56:50 land we need to do I think there's one there's that one sliver that's still the missing missing piece right where where is that
56:57 you want I don't it's in between two and one B I'm not sure the exact location but I know we're still
57:06 um working on acquiring the last bit of right away okay that little black spot right there in between the green on the that that one loose section.
57:15 I believe it's so everything north of Senager. Okay.
57:18 Okay. Um and then the set of plans that I last saw was a fourlane. It's going to be four lane.
57:24 Four lane is what I the last set of plans.
57:27 Well, good. I know a couple years ago when we were talking about that they was talking about two lane and then of course I keep saying why we wasting our
57:35 money with two lane roads around here. I don't know. with four lanes. And if we're looking at four lanes, that's great.
57:40 Understood. And then uh as far as securing funding, I'd have to double check our five-year plan. I'm going to use the excuse I just got into the position a little bit. So, I'm still getting up to speed on our 5-year plan.
57:50 Okay. Well, well, we getting close and closer every day. So, the sooner we can get it done, the better because that'll make a big relief on Highway 50 out there. And
57:58 if you want to talk about 50 real quick, uh last year the county's traffic operations group with worked with FDOT to upgrade signals for that corridor,
58:05 right? And that corridor is currently being uh studied for retiming right now by FDOT.
58:11 Well, well, what we did out there on Highway 50 with the signals and and lighting and everything, I think it's working pretty great. Uh, however, I do
58:19 tell people if they not driving the speed limit when they out there, they can get caught by every light. But if they get caught in the cycle, right, and you stay with the speed limit, you can
58:27 almost go all the way through. I know what used to take me 45 minutes to uh trip to Winter Garden used to take me 45 minutes. Now it's only taking me 20
58:35 minutes, you know. So understood. Yes, sir. Uh based on DOT, the from 12th Street East all the way to Lake is a single
58:43 coordinated corridor now. So if you if you do the speeds and and and catch that green light wave, you will be able to roll through go through with no problem. Yes, sir.
58:51 A couple other question I do have on on roads though before we leave roads. Uh uh Ray Good game. You say you're still acquiring land on the Ray Good game?
59:00 Yes, sir. The extension through CMX.
59:02 that uh didn't we acquired a piece there from John Lake Road over to Ray Good and when we going to start trying to pave that one quarter mile?
59:12 I was under pressure we acquired that already and we're trying to get that one that that quarter mile unpaved road done so
59:20 we can have that extension because GPS is now sending people that way. Sure.
59:25 Uh there was possible construction for that phase 3A which was that John's Lake to Lost Lake section that you're talking about, right?
59:32 um possible construction for 2027 is what we're looking at.
59:35 So, next year we're looking to go ahead and get that done. Yes, sir.
59:39 Okay, good. Uh 12th Street and we
59:47 I know son, we've sat down a couple years ago with with state and everything have to do another study because we want to put the left turn light on on 12th
59:54 Street. We have no a left turn light up there. uh where we have the turn lane but no light uh on 12th Street and with this new project that's coming in down
1:00:03 off of 12 street the lumber yard project we we need to do something about that it's already a big problem on Sunday
1:00:10 mornings after church uh Catholic church let out over there so so concerned 50 and 12th 50 and 12th right
1:00:17 I will convey that over to FDOTU well I know we met with DOT a couple years ago son and we sat down and I can read
1:00:25 believe it or not Mike has our first meeting coming up with DOT. He'll be in it. We're actually meeting the DOT district 5 um secretary.
1:00:33 That is on the list. We like the mayor has said we've asked about that for has it been four or five years now?
1:00:38 I guess about about maybe about three years.
1:00:41 Yeah. To to do something because it's very dangerous. That is a very dangerous intersection where you're trying to turn left especially.
1:00:48 Yeah. We continue to have accident serious accidents up there in that in that intersection. Like I said, we have the left turn lane but no turn light.
1:00:56 and um you know so uh we can get that that done and I think after we met with them they they sent us a message they had did a study in 2019 but they were
1:01:04 willing to go back and do another study but I can't get another answer out on where we are on that.
1:01:09 Yeah. What's unusual about that is there's actually the DOT actually has rightway to the the on the northwest corner there.
1:01:16 Okay. Okay. And the happy news about that is in our comprehensive plan, the designer, Billy Hathaway, um actually designed a roundabout for that
1:01:23 intersection that doesn't require any land acquisition. So, we have some drawings that might be helpful to whoever is doing that intersection.
1:01:30 Well, give those to us before uh if you can as soon as possible because we got a meeting coming up with DOT5. We're al we'll we'll talk about definitely want
1:01:38 to know about that. Yeah. And you're right, the rightway is there. If you look on the map, DOT I don't know when they got it, but they had the rightway there. Okay.
1:01:46 So, what's We'll get them to you.
1:01:48 Yeah. Tomorrow. That'd be That'd be great. We'll we'll do it. We're here to help. Yeah. No, that's good. That's great.
1:01:54 That's perfect news. Um that's exactly what we can do. We're also going to talk about um uh what we can do at 50 in Hancock to uh you know, we're just we're
1:02:03 have that was one of the main reasons for the meeting was to see what we can do there with with signaling and turn lanes.
1:02:09 Right. Right. Turn lanes on 50. Not just 50 in Hancock, but also Citrus Tower in Hancock. Yeah, I'm in 50 as well. I've
1:02:16 been asking for those. Uh, and you mentioned Reef Haven and um I can't remember the last time I asked
1:02:24 you about it, but um Grand Highway from 50 North up to Citrus Tower. Uh any progress on looking at
1:02:33 when we can get that redone, paved and especially now with that new uh apartment complex that just came in over there uh town home rather.
1:02:41 He's writing it. Mike is writing it out.
1:02:42 We will find out. I know one thing was because of the storm water issue there, right?
1:02:47 There was some delays with something we may need. We're looking for right of way um and an easement for drainage there as well. So, uh we'll find out about that.
1:02:55 Yeah, we had the stage in right there at Mason Ridge, I guess. I'm sure. Uh I think we finally got that taken care of.
1:03:01 But, uh we also having another issue with a little bit of flooding to the south of there. Right there below two good or homeg goods or whatever it is.
1:03:09 Correct. Right in that area. But the whole road need need to be reworked all the way all the way from Citrus Tower back to Highway 50 and everything as
1:03:17 well. And I been asking for that to be put on on your radar. And other thing, Sean, I know you sit on the board for
1:03:24 CFX and everything. And I know it's in Orange County, but are we have you been communicating with them about uh that big curve on Scoffield Road, the big
1:03:32 turn down on Scullfield Road, getting that eliminated with Orange County? Yes. Yeah.
1:03:39 So, what we can what we're working on is an actually an interim condition right now. Internally, we're redesigning to get rid of the the severess of that
1:03:48 S-curve right now. Uh we actually have plans in progress to straighten it out as much as we can within the rightway, but we are also reaching out to Orange
1:03:56 County to finish their connection. So then that that section wouldn't even be needed. But we are working to get a a
1:04:03 implement and a fix in there as a stop gap to make it less dangerous.
1:04:09 Less dangerous. Yeah. Well, we would appreciate that and as soon as we can get that done, it's fine. And I thought I heard you say uh 516 from 5 429 back
1:04:20 over to 27 won't be complete to 29, I think. Is that what you say? 27. 27 rather.
1:04:26 All the way to 27. We have a 29 to 30 time frame. But okay, but
1:04:32 a C look at CFX record to when we say we're going to have a road open and when we actually open it and you'll
1:04:40 you'll see we're usually moving pretty fast. Down that way a couple things will happen. So we don't want to we always want to we want to beat the
1:04:48 expectations and we will beat the expectations on that road. Trust me. Okay. Yeah. Okay.
1:04:53 And next year there'll be a a whatever we're calling it. Um and you'll of course be a part of it for the first segment from um 455 to the five uh 429.
1:05:05 Okay. Yeah.
1:05:07 All right. That Thank you. That's all I have on roll anyway. Anybody else? Anyone?
1:05:15 Thank you. Appreciate it. Yeah. All of you. Thank you.
1:05:18 If we can just get a Can we get a copy of the presentation sent to us? Absolutely.
1:05:23 Yeah, it's it's part of our embedded PowerPoint so you can get check we got a great um that's cool. We got a good roundabout plan that we need to know that. That's perfect. Good timing
1:05:31 on that and um we'll send you information if you want it about resurfacing projects, too.
1:05:37 Okay, quick question. This this is going to be the first road that's going to have the magnetic charging underneath it.
1:05:43 There is there is dynamic charging in it. That's right. Um that's um 516.
1:05:47 How is that going to How did So, how did people pay for that as part of the there won't be a charge. That actually uh was remarkably
1:05:55 uh I mean relatively for what you would think it would cost was not what you would think it was would cost. Um so that's a that's a it's a pilot
1:06:03 project. It's part of it. They're going to study it for a couple years and then open it. Um, we're working CFX, when I
1:06:11 say we, in this case, with um, logistics companies that use electric vehicles and they're going to
1:06:17 put these charging devices on it and it's going to be uh, studied.
1:06:23 Um, this this is the only road of its kind. There's one other one in in Michigan, but they wanted to study this one because of Florida's humidity and heat.
1:06:32 Yeah. My my understanding I guess what it's going to cost you is you have to have a special part hooked to your uh purchase for your car in order for it to
1:06:40 work well a good start would be to have an electric vehicle first but then you will have a a special device that goes underneath it right
1:06:48 um now as that evolves um of course uh cars may Tesla I I'm just saying they may once they see it becomes viable that
1:06:57 may be a standard feature that's the you know free market will take dictate that um It's almost like your phone, right?
1:07:04 It It's similar technology. It's not I mean, you you were seeing it at Disney World a lot of it for 10 or 15 years now.
1:07:12 Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
1:07:18 Oh, I'm sorry, Sean. I did have one more one more note here. Sure.
1:07:22 Hook Street, did I hear you say you all going to plan for lighting on these street on the on the new streets?
1:07:28 Which part of Hook? Oh, the new the new ones. all all well I'm going say all future streets like like you say Excalibur I know I'm in the process we're in the process of trying to get
1:07:37 lighting out on Excalibur in the old part of Hook Street uh because there is no preparation for lighting to put put out there and we
1:07:44 working with Duke Energy right now to try to get some type of lighting out there.
1:07:48 Um he's going to double check. I'm going to say I'm pretty sure it does because I know this project pretty well. There was many a couple years ago there was talk
1:07:57 about the trail and everything that would be on the side or the w the widewalks if we're calling it and lighting and the landscaping. So it's all part of the plan for that.
1:08:05 I I just thought I heard you say you all going back and looking at things and starting to look at uh making preparation for lighting on these streets where you didn't do it in the past, you know.
1:08:14 Yeah. The county roads to the city. Uh exactly. Yes. and that and our our meetings with the manager monthly are very helpful for those
1:08:23 because we'll go through that your planning staff uh Kurt is there so it's very helpful for that.
1:08:28 Okay, good. He made he made I see he made a note of it so so hopefully we get in the plan to have lightning on you know we will get it and we'll get it to the manager for sure.
1:08:36 Thank you.
1:08:37 Yeah, appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Huh? Yeah.
1:08:44 Anymore you get to go.
1:08:46 Okay. No, I'll stick around for a few more minutes.
1:08:48 Yeah, that's all right. Uh, let me tell you, when I'm out briefing people, that's I spend more time on roads than anything else. That's the main thing people want
1:08:56 to talk about around here, the roads, you know. So, thank you.
1:08:59 But thank you, Sean. We appreciate it. I hadn't seen you. You hadn't been here for quite a while, but we appreciate you coming in.
1:09:04 I can start coming back. And this is Mike's first Clermont meeting. So, okay.
1:09:08 Maybe uh welcome to Welcome, Mike. And then we'll we'll come back. Mike and I will come back. All you got to do is ask. I don't want to I always don't want
1:09:16 to intrude but just ask and we'll come as as I said and it still as I I gave you told you before and as they still
1:09:23 stand with me uh you're welcome to come at least once a month or whichever meeting once a month and give us update however but that okay
1:09:30 that offer still stands with me okay like once a month thank Yeah.
1:09:45 All right. Next uh item on the agenda is public comment. If you wish to address the council in person, please come to the microphone and state your name and
1:09:52 address. Once in-person comments are concluded, we will move on to virtual comments. If you are participating online
1:10:00 on Microsoft Teams or wish to provide comments, please raise your hand and you will be called on to unmute your
1:10:08 microphone when it is your turn to speak. If you're participating by phone, you will press star five on your phone to raise your hand. When called upon,
1:10:17 you will press star six to unmute your microphone. For all virtual participants, if you wish to comment on other items on the agenda, please stay
1:10:26 on the micros on Microsoft Teams or your phone and raise your hand when the item comes up on the agenda. This portion of
1:10:33 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 address the council is given opportunity to do so,
1:10:42 each speaker will be permitted three minute three minutes to address the council. To avoid disruption of the meeting, speakers should avoid
1:10:50 inappropriate language, personal attacks, and derogatory statements and direct comments to the city council.
1:10:55 Everyone is requested to be respectful of each other, even when we disagree. Yes, ma'am.
1:11:14 Okay. Hey, Danny Paige, Clermont. Uh, I'm actually beyond tired of this CPD treating uh public records like private property and the public like an
1:11:22 inconvenience. And quite frankly, I'm tired of the silence from leadership while it continues to uh while it
1:11:29 continues and basically to the point of enabling it. Um, case in point, I uh I requested footage from the public facing
1:11:38 lobby of the CPD involving a verbal altercation between myself and uh Captain Corbett while Captain Strickland
1:11:46 stood nearby. And suddenly, for the first time ever, uh I'm being told this footage is exempt under some sweeping
1:11:54 security systems uh theory. But here's the problem. That exemption doesn't come from some neutral review of the actual footage. I question whether the footage
1:12:02 was even viewed quite frankly. Uh it came from the very police officers uh captured in that footage. So an
1:12:10 exemption your own records custodian indicated she had never even heard of before. And so laughably this city has
1:12:17 previously released countless requests for surveillance footage to me and others without issue which you are now
1:12:25 in receipt of Mr. Wah. The statute that is being thrown out there uh does not
1:12:31 distinguish between city hall and police department lobbies. It broadly references government buildings
1:12:39 generally. So if surveillance footage from other public-f facing government facilities was released before without
1:12:46 issue as it was, the obvious question becomes then what exactly changed here?
1:12:52 Mr. While yesterday I I sent you a detailed email asking direct questions regarding this denial, you didn't answer a single one. Instead, I received a
1:13:00 generalized response citing a fifth district case involving a homeland security funded mass transit surveillance system that was actually
1:13:08 used in anti-terrorism training exercises. Circumstances that in no way
1:13:15 compare to a public-f facing municipal lobby with one openly visible camera. If there was an issue, however, you are
1:13:22 required by statute, as you are well aware, to redact the exempt areas and release the rest. I don't have to remind
1:13:29 you all that uh exemptions are narrow in scope, not broad. So, it is my opinion that a blanket denial completely
1:13:38 refusing me non-exempt footage is unacceptable.
1:13:44 And why was similar footage released countless times before? I think it went back to 2021. Sir, I'm actually sick of
1:13:52 contradictory explanations and watching the CPD continuously expand secrecy for their own self-preservation because that's what it looks like here.
1:14:02 Some of you uh received an email yesterday from me as well that you were CCed on it. So, some of you are aware of what's going on. But at some point, this
1:14:10 council needs to decide whether transparency actually matters. as others have always mentioned, transparency or
1:14:17 protecting their police department. I'm respectfully requesting the footage that I requested. And if there needs to be
1:14:23 any redactions for safety, uh, please do so and give me the um the areas of the video that was not exempt. And I'm
1:14:30 pretty sure that covers my body and the other two officers bodies. I don't think our bodies are exempt from footage. Thank you.
1:14:38 Thank you. Anyone else?
1:14:50 I am farmer Banks Halffick. I live in the Clay Road District. Farm tip of the day. Uh it is time to put the summer
1:14:58 crop into the ground. Crops into the ground such as watermelons, black eyed peas, peanuts, okra, and believe it or
1:15:06 not, loofas. Yes, those exfoliating scrubbies. You can actually grow them in Florida. You can actually consume them
1:15:15 too when they're green. U they taste like a cucumber. Um
1:15:22 mayor, council, distinguished guests, I'd like to talk about a farm that's uh up near the Lakeidge Winery. It is on
1:15:31 seven acres. It has 15 different gardens. It is a teaching farm. It's a
1:15:38 regenerative farm. It's a sustainable farm. Uh it has three workers that work the farm, three farmers. These three
1:15:46 farmers participate in what's called crop share.
1:15:49 So any yield is um dispersed to the three of them and then the rest is given away to the public. Uh the farm has 15
1:15:58 different gardens from u an orchard of 88 fruit bearing trees to um a food
1:16:04 forest to a sugarcane roll row which is actually used uh for a harvest in uh May
1:16:13 March make it u there is also a cassava harvest which is in December where the community is invited to come out to the
1:16:20 farm and work the farm and take it with them home. There's a raised bed garden.
1:16:27 There is a vegetable garden, an herb garden, a Monae garden when the flowers are in bloom, a pineapple patch, and a
1:16:34 wild blackberry patch. One time a month, the farm is opened up to the public for anybody who would want to come. The gates are opened up for a farm tour.
1:16:44 It's roughly 90 to 120 minutes in length. It is a taste. Everything is organic. There's no pesticides, no
1:16:52 herbicides. So, we eat right off the tree. We eat right off the ground. We even eat right off the bushes and the
1:16:58 plants. It is a teach. The whole concept of this farm is to teach others how to
1:17:05 grow their own foods. One of the ways to bring down food costs is to grow your own groceries. And it is a takeaway
1:17:13 where trees and plants and seeds are given away. Now this farm is not owned by the master farmer. No, this farm is
1:17:23 owned by the children and grandchildren of this farmer and this farm is apppropoy named the giving farm.
1:17:33 I am farmer Banks Hellfrick, advocate for South Lake County, candidate for state house district 25
1:17:41 and also I reside on this farm. May you all be blessed. Thank you for allowing
1:17:46 me to speak. Thank you. Anyone else see public comment? Anyone in the public
1:17:53 wish to uh address anything that's not on the agenda may come to the microphone, state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:18:08 Good afternoon, mayor, members of the council. Paula Hoisington, 564 East Street. Um, several meetings back I came
1:18:14 to the council and requested that the no parking signs on Scott and Dotto Street be replaced.
1:18:24 I don't know how long it takes to replace the sign. I don't know if it's a problem with getting the signs created.
1:18:31 I don't know which department is responsible for them, but the signs have not gone back up. I also ask that when they are put back in that particular
1:18:40 area that they are secured in a manner to which they cannot just be pulled up again. My other question to you is
1:18:51 who polices the no parking or are we just doing a window dressing to say no parking and hoping that those who obey
1:18:58 the rules won't park? But it's obvious that that area they do not obey the rules. They park there. So, who enforces
1:19:07 the parking? And what is the penalty for parking? Is the penalty enforced? If we're not going to take this serious, I
1:19:15 don't know of another community in this city that this would be tolerated.
1:19:21 There's not another community in this city where this will be tolerated.
1:19:28 And we, the residents of Dninnesota Street and Scott Street, are tired of being overlooked,
1:19:36 act slowly, and just treated as if our concerns don't matter. We'd like to see the signs up. We'd like to see them
1:19:44 secured to where they cannot be replaced or pulled up, and if they are not being followed, that the no parking citations are issued. Thank you.
1:19:57 Thank you. Anyone else?
1:20:02 It's Yes, sir.
1:20:24 Good afternoon. My name is Kurt Shu. I restricted ages from the work I did in the military. Um, last month we had a great meeting in this very room with all
1:20:33 the veterans group in Central Florida from Lake County and Clermont area. We had a great presentation from Jeff about the meet us in the middle project. um a
1:20:41 lot of representation from all the main veteran groups all South Lake County and um I think it was Chris the former post the
1:20:49 other day called for a vote. We voted was unanimously supporting the current um design that Jeff put together. It was
1:20:56 went through multiple iterations and um I think Jeff's going to present it to you guys in the next month or so. Um May
1:21:04 is an important month for everybody. Um we just celebrated Mother's Day and in just over just less than two weeks we'll celebrate Memorial Day. Um a lot of
1:21:12 people don't know that Memorial Day didn't start out as Memorial Day.
1:21:16 Started out as a men's day after the Civil War and more than half a million Americans were killed. Mostly men but
1:21:23 some women too, famous women. Um, we've been trying, I know I have
1:21:31 personally since 2014 to get some type of veterans memorial going on. And, um, it's kind of ironic when I started this project about a year ago when the VFW
1:21:40 asked me to and some other veterans group. Um, because I'm trying to balance out what meet in the middle means for
1:21:47 me, for the 2,000 veterans that live in Clermont City. Um, it's kind of like we went like 95 yards. We served our
1:21:56 country in peace and war. Um, we saw our friends die and blown apart in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know I did. Um, I'm
1:22:03 getting ready to travel back up north with Army Buddies and we're going to talk about all those people who died and bled. Um, it's a huge thing for us and
1:22:11 we're celebrating, as Sean Parks just said, our commissioner, the 250th anniversary of this great nation. It would not be possible. We would not be here if not for the Minute Man of 1775.
1:22:24 The people that fought in Boston, Valley of the Forge, which actually was a place, there was a forge in that valley. Who crossed the Delaware, who
1:22:33 bled, froze, frostbite. My father fought in World War II, two fought in World War I. My father-in-law was Navy from 49
1:22:42 through Vietnam. For those people, we do not have this country. for those men, the 20 million who served in World War II, we don't have Europe does not exist.
1:22:53 It doesn't speak doesn't speak English and French. It would have been ran by the Germans. If we didn't come in this country and we didn't fly over there in World War II and go on those boats and
1:23:01 come back dead after World War I from from the Spanish flu pandemic, we don't have a country. It does not exist.
1:23:10 So, I would ask you, I've got a trophy up here. So, for those that might know, it's a shirt that looks just like mine.
1:23:16 Anybody can can tell me about a young Florida resident who sacrificed his life in the last 1015 years.
1:23:26 I've got a proclamation passed here in 2009 to celebrate him. I'm going give a copy to the mayor. Anyone know? Can you turn the camera on, please, sir?
1:23:37 I didn't mind.
1:23:41 Anyone want to guess? I got a t-shirt up here. Win a t-shirt. His name's on the side of Highway 50. Anybody know? Years.
1:23:51 Who? What did somebody say? Alexander Miller.
1:23:53 Miller went to East High School, died 2009, July 31st.
1:24:00 He grew up here. He lived here. He would be 39 years old this year.
1:24:08 He did everything he could.
1:24:10 M. Mr. Kirk. Mr. Kirk, can I get you the old back to the microphone, please? Yes, sir.
1:24:16 And I knew Sumo. I met with the president of the
1:24:24 I know several gold star families. I met the president of the Goldstar family of Florida when I was the district commander. We hosted them.
1:24:32 I can tell you when my mom passed away, my dad passed away. I'm sure if anybody here lost a loved one, a mother, a father, a sister or brother, they know when they died.
1:24:41 And so I would ask all of us to reflect upon that and support the veterans voting unanimously for this memorial. I thank
1:24:50 each and every one of you. God bless you all that are mothers. God bless America.
1:24:56 Thank you sir. Yes sir.
1:25:08 Good afternoon. My name is Robert Mock.
1:25:10 I live at 270 Vision Street in Clermont.
1:25:14 I usually you see my face when I organizing the Clermont's uh Memorial and Veterans Day events. I just want to
1:25:24 put a plug in coming up on uh May 25th is the Memorial Day uh celebration at
1:25:32 the Ark Center. This year it's not at the uh waterfront uh waterfront. Uh this year again this
1:25:40 is the third consecutive year that the PGR the Patriot Guard writers decided that they would come and set up the
1:25:49 traveling uh Vietnam traveling memorial wall again third year in a row because they enjoy coming to Clermont.
1:25:58 Yes, they get such a good reception. And I just want to uh put out that hopefully everybody can be there, enjoy this a
1:26:06 different venue. It's inside. It'll be cool.
1:26:10 And um the uh black um Blackhawk uh pilot
1:26:17 association's also bringing their little LOS helicopter for static display. So hopefully uh everybody can make it. on
1:26:26 the follow up on what uh Kurt was talking about. There is no power greater
1:26:33 than a community discovering what it really cares about. It's by Mark J. Wheatley.
1:26:42 Veterans of First Responders Memorial transcend mere commemoration of individual sacrifices as they serve
1:26:49 crucial anchors for the community cohesion collective remembrance.
1:26:56 this memorial area that you guys voted on and we're really the veterans are getting really excited as this year's
1:27:04 going on getting close to the final uh rendering design going out for RFPs and bids and finally get the approval to move forward.
1:27:15 We'd like to take this memorial area. It will foster a shared sense of gratitude and healing, providing communal
1:27:24 sanctuary for honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and first responders. It will inspire it will
1:27:32 inspire future generations to value service and sacrifice.
1:27:37 And as Kurt was talking, remembrance is the promise we keep, a debt that can
1:27:45 never be repaid. So again, thank you for this uh opportunity and we're looking
1:27:51 forward to moving on this year towards uh establishing the Veterans of First Responders Memorial. We thank the council for that. Thank you.
1:28:02 Thank you. All right. This is public comment.
1:28:09 Anyone in the chamber wish to speak to anything that's not on the agenda may come to microphone state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:28:17 Anyone else?
1:28:20 Seeing no one else I close public comment for the chamber. Anyone online, sir?
1:28:26 Oh, I'll close public comments all together and we will move on to the next port uh part of the agenda. However,
1:28:34 before I go any further, is there any changes to the agenda, sir?
1:28:37 Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, item number eight has been withdrawn from the agenda. Uh, item number eight.
1:28:44 Yes, sir. That's just been removed completely. Yes, sir.
1:28:53 Mr. Well, we don't need any action on that one, right? That's correct.
1:29:00 Any other no other? The next part portion of the meeting is the consent agenda which
1:29:08 contain which contain items that have been determined to be routine and non-controversial. If anyone
1:29:16 in the audience wish to address the particular item on the consent agenda, now is the opportunity for you to do so.
1:29:22 Additionally, if any staff or members of the city council wish to speak or any items on the uh consent agenda, now is the opportunity for you to do so as
1:29:30 well. The consent agenda items for tonight is items one through 12 with the exception number one through 12 with the exception of number eight being removed.
1:29:39 Is there any request to remove any item from the consent agenda?
1:29:46 Item number one. Item number one. Yes. Okay.
1:29:53 Any item number 12, please. Item number 12.
1:29:59 And then I do have one question about item number two, but I don't need it to be pulled. I just have the question. Okay.
1:30:07 All righty. What's the question on item number two? Any other any other items?
1:30:12 So, we have items one and number 12 and a question on number two. Yes, sir.
1:30:18 Thank you, mayor. Um I item number two is for the um purchase of one of the um
1:30:25 sites for the dumpster enclosures in the um historic downtown area. Uh the next item on the agenda number three if you
1:30:34 see excuse me if you see that you'll see that it's for four sites. So, this agenda item two is just for one and I
1:30:43 was just wondering if the city attorney could give us kind of a brief update of where things stand with the remaining sites and what we might see as a
1:30:50 timeline for that. Yes. So, this is um item number two is just one of the four.
1:30:56 One of the four sites is owned already by the city. So, once if it is your pleasure to approve this, we'll we'll
1:31:04 have two in the bag, so to speak. Um the third we're doing a temporary license right now. It has been negotiated. We're
1:31:11 finalizing. It could be done by the end of the week. Um and then the last one, uh we got the final component this morning at 8 a.m. to finalize the fourth
1:31:20 contract. So, uh it will be on your agenda at the next meeting.
1:31:24 Fantastic. I know this has been talked about for a while and I I I get questions and I I'm sure the the downtown business folks and leaders
1:31:31 would be appreciative of knowing that this is finally coming to a fruition if we approve this tonight and and the
1:31:39 forthcoming two sites uh to get this moving forward. So, thank you.
1:31:45 Any other no other? I entertain a motion on item number 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 and 11.
1:31:55 I make a motion to accept 1 through 12 less two one and 12 2 through 7 and 9 to 11.
1:32:05 2 through 2 through 7 and 9 to 11. 2 through 9 7 and 11. 2 through 7. 2 through 7.
1:32:14 9 to 11.
1:32:15 911. I move to approve items 2 through seven and 9 through 11. I'll second. There we go. There we go. I got you.
1:32:24 Okay.
1:32:26 I have a motion for approval of consent agenda items uh 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 and 11.
1:32:33 Any further discussion? Hearing none.
1:32:35 All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose. And chair vote I as well.
1:32:42 Item number one. Someone in the audience asked for that to be approved. Yes, ma'am. Can you ask a question for clarity?
1:32:56 Again, Paula Hoington, 564 East Soda Street. It's on the minutes for the um council workshop on the 21st
1:33:03 and I'm looking at the section that addressed the joint meeting with the planning and zoning. I thought that I
1:33:11 heard when we were wrapping up that Councilwoman Strange would take lead on developing the
1:33:19 checklist and that it would be ready for the first meeting in May for draft and then we would look at the final meeting
1:33:28 or the what was done at the first meeting for the second meeting. And this just says it was given to staff to draft
1:33:36 a proposal for an ordinance amendment in May. So I'm
1:33:44 just asking for clarity, a timeline, and expectations. Are we looking now at July to be able to implement something? So
1:33:52 just some clarity, just a question and and I can speak to that, mayor. That was the hope. um if the ordinance could
1:33:59 be drafted basically in 24 hours. It was almost done in time to make the May PNZ, but because it'll have to go to PNZ,
1:34:06 it's only going to make the June meeting before it can come to council.
1:34:10 Okay. Thank you. I was corrected. Thank you. Thank you. Move to approve item number one.
1:34:18 Second.
1:34:19 I have a motion and a second to approve item number one. Any further discussion?
1:34:25 All in favor, let it be known by saying I.
1:34:27 I. I all oppose and chair vote I as well. Motion passes 10 item number 12.
1:34:34 Yes sir.
1:34:38 Thank you mayor. Um I am uh very happy that this is on the agenda. Um I do have
1:34:45 one um amendment and one um discussion point. The the first amendment in section two. I'd like to propose that um
1:34:55 when we move this uh in in this language right now we have that the city clerk will review the return forms averaging
1:35:02 the scores for each category compiling the comments from the three questions and then presenting that to us in the packet. Um in addition to doing those
1:35:12 things I would just like to have also each individual score for each item rather than just the average um be included for each of those items.
1:35:21 And then the point of conversation right now, we have this in here that it goes to council August 1st with a return date
1:35:28 of September 1st and then it goes on the first meeting in September. Well, I think we all know that at some point
1:35:35 September 1 is going to basically be the same week as that first meeting in September, which would make this
1:35:42 timeline out of whack. And so I'm just wondering if if as council if we could agree to potentially
1:35:50 shorten the time frame in which we get the responses back to the city clerk to maybe say August 15th and that would
1:35:58 give the clerk from August 15th to September 1st to get all that done and get it out there for that meeting in September to meet those deadlines. I'm
1:36:06 not sure clerk with the city clerk if that would work timing wise for that or if we would need to potentially just
1:36:13 bump up when we get it when it gets compiled to maintain that September 1st meeting or if we just bump this bump it to the second meeting in September. I'm
1:36:22 just trying to make sure that we don't run into any time frames because it the resolution actually has dates in there and I don't want our city clerk to not be in a position where she can't meet
1:36:31 that if we say that that's what she has to do.
1:36:33 Yeah. If if we get it by the 15th, that should be plenty of time to get it in the first meeting. Okay.
1:36:38 And we're also talking about creating this form digitally so you can just fill it out online and just send it right through.
1:36:43 Okay. All right. So that those would be the two amendments that I would propose forward um and uh you know open it up to
1:36:51 to public and we can bring it back and I'm happy to make that motion then.
1:36:56 Okay. This is a public forum. Anyone in public wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:37:04 This is a public forum. Anyone in the public wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:37:10 Seeing no one, I close public comment uh here in the chamber. Anybody online, sir?
1:37:16 No one online. So, we close public comment. I entertain a motion.
1:37:19 Thank you, mayor. Uh I would then move um item number 12, resolution number 2026-015R
1:37:28 with uh two uh changes. is one is to add that in addition to what the clerk is already providing in section two that they provide the individual scores for
1:37:36 each item in addition to the averages and that number two that we change the timeline for council members to complete
1:37:43 the evaluation from August 1st to August 15th September 1st
1:37:50 no just just the timeline that we complete it we get it back to the court by yeah and then we keep everything else the same you want to get it on August 1st and I'll second for purposes of discussion.
1:38:00 You want to get it on August 1st and have it returned by August 15th.
1:38:03 Yes. Y you had said August 1st.
1:38:07 You had said changed August August 1st to August 15th, but I think you meant September 1st to August 15th. You want
1:38:14 to start it August 1st and complete it August 15th. Yeah. So those two dates would change.
1:38:19 August 1st would stay the same, but we would change September 1 to August 15th. That clarification I'm good with.
1:38:24 I think it originally said you get it back on September 1st. So you're moving it up a couple of weeks. Yeah.
1:38:29 Yeah. I think I think we could probably get that done in 15 days.
1:38:33 And I would suggest that perhaps we could say and we don't need to amend it if you don't want to, but rather than saying it will be on the first regularly
1:38:40 scheduled council meeting, we could say on the agenda no later than the first regularly scheduled council meeting because it's possible under the timeline
1:38:47 we've given it could be on the second August meeting so that it would be a little quicker.
1:38:52 I have no problem with saying no later than the first meeting in September. um amending my motion to include that. Yep.
1:39:01 You mind if I take a stab at some language that might be a motion that would work? I I think I just made that.
1:39:08 Yeah, I'm fine. Amending my motion, my main motion. Yeah, that was clear. Okay, good. Is there a second? I've second it. I second.
1:39:17 Have a motion and a second for approval of resolution number 2026-015R
1:39:23 with the noted amendments. Any further discussion? Hear none. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I.
1:39:32 All oppose.
1:39:33 And the chair vote as well. Motion passes 5. All right.
1:39:43 Item number 13 is a varance request. Yes, ma'am.
1:39:49 Good evening, mayor, city council members, and guests. Justine Day with development services.
1:39:55 The applicant and owner, James Phillips, is requesting two variances to the land development code to install a swimming pool on his property at 168 East
1:40:04 Lakeshore Drive. The site overlooks Lake Minihaha, is zoned R1A single family low density residential, and is
1:40:12 approximately 11,300 square ft. The lot currently contains a single family home, shed, and boat dock.
1:40:21 The first variance request is to exceed the maximum imperous surface ratio of 55%. This would bring the ISR to an
1:40:28 estimated 57% for the proposed pool and deck. This estimate includes the portion of land adjacent to Lake Minihaha, which
1:40:36 may change the gross area of the site depending on the yearly rainfall. The second variance request is to place the pool in the front yard at a setback of uh 22 feet from the front property line.
1:40:48 Section 125520 of the land development code requires inground pools to be located behind the front building line, meaning they cannot extend further
1:40:57 forward than the wall of the main structure.
1:41:01 The R1A district requires a minimum of 35 ft for the front yard setback. The existing home sits at 54 ft from the
1:41:08 front property line, creating more usable space in the front yard than in the rear. Due to the placement of the home and the irregularly shaped lot, a
1:41:16 variance request would be required to permit the pool in either the front or rear yard of the property. To take advantage of the lakefront view, the
1:41:24 applicant is proposing the pool deck and spa to be constructed in the front yard rather than the rear. The applicant is also proposing to raise the pool deck up
1:41:33 and install landscaping around the deck to help reduce potential impacts. These improvements may slow storm water runoff
1:41:40 before reaching the overall drainage system for the area and provide screening from the public view while reducing glare from oncoming traffic.
1:41:50 Upon review of the applicant's request, staff is unable to support the pool being located in the front yard due to the potential increase in storm water
1:41:58 runoff that may occur if the pool was to overflow during a storm. The property naturally drains from the rear down towards East Lakeshore Drive and it is
1:42:07 unclear whether the additional runoff would be conveyed through the overall drainage and storm water system for the area or if flooding may occur. Under
1:42:15 land development code section 101246, a variance may only be granted with a positive finding on all review criteria.
1:42:23 Staff finds the application fails to meet one of the five required criteria.
1:42:27 Therefore, staff recommends denial of the variance request. This concludes staff presentation.
1:42:33 Thank you ma'am. Is the applicant present?
1:42:48 Good afternoon, Councilmen. Thank you so much for your time today. I'm Katherine Phillips. I am the wife of James
1:42:55 Phillips. I live over at 168 East Lakeshore Drive. Um, first again, thank you so much for your time for taking the
1:43:03 time to consider our pool project. Um, my husband has been a member of the Clermont community for 15 years. Um, so
1:43:12 he has lived at our house right now um over on East Lakeshore for the last
1:43:18 since 2015. Um, and when we met in 2020, we decided to stay in Clermont and uh
1:43:27 build our home, our forever home. We have our new daughter. She's a year old.
1:43:34 So, thank you. Um, so with this, we definitely we want to stay in Clermont.
1:43:39 We love Clermont. I don't know why I'm crying.
1:43:46 Um, with this we we want to stay in the community. We love our neighborhood and just want to make it a better home for
1:43:54 us. Um, and love everything that is happening here in downtown. Um, I can't wait to watch her little girl grow up.
1:44:07 Sorry. Um, so I'm here to answer any questions. Hopefully not crying. It's okay.
1:44:15 first first official Mother's Day I would say is getting to me. All right.
1:44:24 I can only imagine.
1:44:26 All righty ma'am. U if we have any other questions or anything we will call you back up at a later time.
1:44:33 I I know the impervious ratio is is a is a concern of the staff and we are willing to to work with them to get that
1:44:41 down. So okay.
1:44:44 All right. I said we will if we have any other question we will call you back at a later time. But right now this is a public hearing. Anyone in the public
1:44:52 wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:44:58 Anyone in the chamber wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:45:06 There's no one in the chamber. I close public comment in the chamber. You have anyone online, sir? No one online? and I call the public company and bring it back to council. What's the council?
1:45:14 I mean the initial thing here is the is um the storm water and has a license engineer been contracted to uh verify drainage capacity for this scenario?
1:45:27 Um not as of right this second because we wanted to make sure we would be able to move forward before involving an engineer and spending
1:45:36 spending extra money. But that is a part of the plan to ensure that we do have an engineer to look at everything. And um but you haven't gotten one yet.
1:45:45 Not at this moment. No.
1:45:48 And then you have also that you're going to use landscape landscaping to to mitigate the uh storm water. Yes.
1:45:54 How how can we how can we control that or enforce that as a city?
1:46:02 Is there a code issue?
1:46:03 The question is how can you force them putting the landscaping there? You know, how do you know if it could it could be a condition of the approval?
1:46:12 Okay.
1:46:14 And now by granting this, does this open up then us to have other types of swimming pools put in the front of
1:46:21 homes? Is it going to be a, you know, that we've allowed this one? Does that open it up then to everyone else?
1:46:29 Well, you have to you have to consider every variance on its own merit and everything, but it's been my experience when once you go
1:46:38 outside your normal orders and everything, you end up getting flooded with with a few more in the future.
1:46:44 I mean, legally, the answer is no. I mean, it says in our code, this is a case-byase basis. It doesn't technically set precedent, but it since in the past
1:46:53 couple months, you have seen the council granted variances for the pavers on the sidey yards with the
1:47:00 drainage and then more and more have come.
1:47:03 Uh so it it's a concern on a practical level. Let me let me say this and you know and I understand
1:47:12 most of the houses along Lake Shore there when they was built way back and when they built and I never understood it being a longtime residents here I
1:47:20 always never understood why they've put the property so far back from the water on the lake and I understand the need the problem but one of the problem I'm
1:47:28 having concern my concern with it all uh really is the pool in the front I don't like seeing the pools in the front yard but uh due to the circumstances is back
1:47:37 there. Um I'm tend to look at it a little bit different but uh the drainage is
1:47:45 concerned me and that's why I was concerned my question is is it if you haven't gotten engineer he asked about the engineers haven't gotten engineered
1:47:52 so we can get this engineered and maybe not exceed the 55% drainage problem. Now I can probably I myself can probably
1:48:01 live with it but I I'm a little concerned especially with everything already drainage towards the lake. Okay.
1:48:06 The property automatically drain towards the lake and so we're exceeding the uh uh percentage there and perfect surface there. Uh so now we sending a lot more
1:48:15 water towards our storm drain excess water and I'm concerned with that. But if we can get it back down to under there, we won't need that variance. And
1:48:23 I can I can really look at it because I think we can landscape it and do some things with putting the pool out front and not be so visible. So, um, that's
1:48:32 that's where I'm kind of looking at right there. So, maybe if you get engineer, can we table this or whatever?
1:48:37 Let that was my concern too was the runoff and having an engineer look at it. Yeah.
1:48:43 Well, I'm count to three and I think that we we can help this lady not have to come back here and talk in public again. Um, I'm gonna suggest if it's
1:48:51 okay with council that we attack this in two pieces. That we address first the pool in the front because that's itself inherently a variance
1:48:58 and then the second thing is the 55 to 57. We're talking about a 2% difference. Um, so I don't want to step on Mr.
1:49:06 Bain's time to talk. I'm going to tell you if I was to make a motion, I would move to approve the um the pool in the front and with respect to the 55 to 57,
1:49:16 I would I would move to approve the 57 if she has an engineer's report. Otherwise, to restrict it to the 55.
1:49:24 I agree with that.
1:49:25 So, how do you feel Mr. May that? I just made a note that that's what would my motion would be. So, uh I think you know that I would second that
1:49:33 motion then. So, so with the engineering report and with the engineer report come back saying you can't get it down to 55 where we stand.
1:49:40 Well, this gives her and staff the power to address it. If she can't get an engineering report or if the engineering report is not favorable and she chooses
1:49:48 not to share it with staff, she has to stay at the 55 and if it is favorable then she can go to 57. Does that work with staff? Does that does that
1:49:55 and I and I asked a question in my agenda review, Council Member Strange, just so you know, um about the little extra driveway that comes off of
1:50:02 Lakeshore there um and if maybe perhaps um you know, a Hollywood driveway or something like that. Staff staff
1:50:10 wondered that that they might be able to get closer to that 55. And I think it sounds like the applicant's willing to do some things like that that they're
1:50:18 not going to rip it out, but they could do some different maneuvering or maybe cut off a little bit of it closest to the house that would allow for the
1:50:25 drainage to work. So I think the motion I think the motion that you suggested and I'm willing to second is appropriate.
1:50:31 So I'll move to approve item number 13 subject to the condition that in order to exceed the 55% ratio that the applicant provide an engineering report.
1:50:43 Otherwise, that it be approved with the pool in the front subject to the 55% maximum. Second.
1:50:49 And can we can we put a stipulation in there mainly with the landscaping to make sure I know it said uh they looking to do the landscaping that they raise
1:50:57 more want to raise the deck but do the landscaping so it won't be so visible from the from the road everything. Uh is is that already in it or do I need It's not a condition.
1:51:06 It's not a condition yet approval. Then yes, I will amend my motion to include the landscaping suggestions by staff as presented in the packet.
1:51:15 I would second. I would have concur with that. The second condition. All right.
1:51:21 We're going to call the question. You got to wait. You got to get the final answer and then then you can breathe.
1:51:28 Okay. Uh, so I have a motion and a second for approval of uh item number 13, Vance request at 168 East Lakes
1:51:36 Shore Drive with the um stipulations. Yeah,
1:51:44 come off all the stipulation. Um, is there any further discussion? No sir.
1:51:50 Hear none. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose. And the chair vote I as well.
1:51:57 Congratulations. Thank you very much.
1:52:04 Item number 14 is for a utility agreement request.
1:52:11 Good afternoon, mayor, city council members, and guests. John Cruz Development Services. This is for consideration of utility agreement request.
1:52:22 The applicant, Islamic Center of Clermont, is proceeding with a site expansion at their current location in Lake County at 15020 John's Lake Road.
1:52:33 The project is located within the city's ISBA, JPA, and utility service area. The applicant is proposing an expansion at
1:52:41 the site which includes a new 4,800 ft worship hall, associated parking, and the conversion of an existing single
1:52:49 family residence into a non-residential occupancy use. The site is currently served by well and septic system. The
1:52:57 applicant needs city water in order to meet the demands for fire protection and portable water use.
1:53:05 The city has been requested by the county to provide a utility agreement in order to proceed with a site approval process. The project appears to meet the
1:53:13 district requirements for connection to both water, which our code says within our three 300 ft and sewer within 1,000
1:53:20 ft. The connection to the city water is adjacent to the property line. The distance to the nearest gravity manhole
1:53:27 is approximately 706 linear feet. And on the map, you can see the the red line with the the S for the sewer connection.
1:53:36 This is within the thousand foot requirement for connection. The requested demand is 1,000 gallons per day for portable water and 1,000 gallons
1:53:44 per day for sewer. The owner will be responsible for all cost of on-site and off-site improvements, including but not
1:53:51 limited to design, material, permitting, and installation of sufficient size lines, lift stations, and other
1:53:58 appearances necessary to allow the city to serve the property.
1:54:03 Staff has reviewed the applicant's request and recommends approval of the utility agreement with the understanding that they will have to meet all the city's requirements for development.
1:54:11 That concludes staff's presentation.
1:54:14 Thank you, sir. Is the applicant present?
1:54:25 Uh, good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. Afternoon, sir.
1:54:28 Mayor Pro Tim and all the council members and distinguished staff. I'm happy to be here. My name is Jimmy Crawford. I'm an attorney uh with
1:54:37 Crawford Modik and Hol and I do represent the Islamic Islamic Center of Clermont. My address is 702 West Montrose, Clermont, Florida. Uh we have
1:54:46 an entire contingent from the worship center here. We'd be happy to try to answer any questions. We would have
1:54:53 rather tried to annex now, but we're not contiguous. We hope we will be soon and whenever the city attorney and this
1:55:00 board apps that we can, we we want to come in and be a part of the city. Um, the only clarification I'd like to make
1:55:08 is that the non-residential use, we're converting the existing residence to is already in use. It's a community food
1:55:16 pantry. We're associated with Second Harvest Food Bank and we serve every weekend uh out of there right now. But
1:55:24 we are asking for a CFD amendment in our um in our county zoning for imperous
1:55:32 surface and and it's going from 35 to 45 is all that is. And uh with that we'd be happy to try to answer questions and I
1:55:41 can get Mr. Latib who is the president of the congregation up to try to answer any questions you might have of them.
1:55:48 Thank you sir. If we have any other question, we will call you back at a later time. But right now, this is a public forum. Anyone in the chamber wish
1:55:55 to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:56:01 Anyone in the chamber wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
1:56:08 Seeing no one, I close public comment for the chamber. Anyone online, sir?
1:56:14 No one online. I public close public comment and bring it back to council. what state council.
1:56:20 Uh thank you, mayor. Uh one thing I asked in my agenda review with the staff was about the design
1:56:28 standards of the project. Um because at some point it sounds like the applicant is uh would like to be annexed into the
1:56:36 to the city. uh we do have uh language included in the utility agreement that the city at basically any time can call
1:56:44 that card if you will and and annex the property. And so um I asked about the design standards and just for
1:56:52 clarification for for council and for the public the the designs are being uh done to the standard of the city of Clermont. There's it's it's not in a in
1:57:01 a county standard that may differ. It is actually uh in the language in the utility agreement that it's required to meet the city of Clermont.
1:57:09 Thank you, Council Member Bain. Uh yes, and without agreeing to the legality of forcing that
1:57:18 requirement on you, my clients are happy to do it. And so, yes, absolutely. Thank you. And then my only other question for Mr. Cruz, just for
1:57:25 clarification in the language, is that um this is for sewer and water and it's not for either or, it's for both.
1:57:33 Correct. That's that's how it's written in the utility agreement that it would be for both. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Any other questions?
1:57:42 Any other questions? Hearing none, I entertain a motion.
1:57:47 I'll move um item number 14, utility agreement request with the Islamic Center of Clermont, Inc. I second.
1:57:54 Okay. I have a motion and a second for approval. Item number 14, utility agreement request for the for the center
1:58:01 of Clmont. um as presented. Any further discussion?
1:58:08 I do have a question. Does section 2A, Mr. Wall, address Mr. Bain's concerns?
1:58:13 It just says according to It says developed according to city standards.
1:58:20 And I just want to make sure that developed includes constructed and designed and that city standards includes design standards.
1:58:30 It does. Okay, great.
1:58:34 Now, is this also taking into consideration annexing or is that a a future thing?
1:58:39 There's language in here that the that we can annex once they become continuous. What's our advantage to annex?
1:58:44 We're not doing it's we're not doing it right now, but it it would be potentially if it's contiguous.
1:58:50 Basically, as most of the agreements nowadays, if we decide to annex once we provide services and everything, we can come back and do that. Okay.
1:59:00 And that's already in there, right? in.
1:59:02 Yes, that's correct. Yeah. Section three. And both water and sewer being provided. Mhm.
1:59:08 Any other question? I I just want to make a a clarification.
1:59:12 The city um under this agreement would be able to annex regardless of contiguity because it's in the ISBA. So,
1:59:20 it's whether y'all end up wanting to or not is a policy question for later. Right. Right. Right. Thank you.
1:59:28 Thank you for that clarification. I would just like to point out in closing that there already is an Islamic center of South Lake. That's not us. We're the
1:59:36 ex Islamic center of Clermont. So we want to be in Clermont. All right. Clermont.
1:59:41 All right. Islamic center of Clout. I thought that's what I said.
1:59:46 All right. And this one out on Hancock and in L seminary. I think one you referring to 27. 27. Yep.
1:59:53 All right.
1:59:55 All right. No further uh discussion. All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose.
2:00:02 And the chair vote I as well. Motion carry 50.
2:00:06 Thank you. Item number 15 is for design approval of Bishop Phil.
2:00:15 Good afternoon. Brian Foreman, parks and recreation director. Staff engaged with the Bentley group to provide a design
2:00:23 for the grandstand and dugout replacement at Bishop Field. Um demol demolition of grandstand and restrooms,
2:00:30 dugouts, a new grandstand with 200 200 seating capacity, new restrooms, concession, new dugouts, additional parking, landscaping at an estimated cost of $2.5 million.
2:00:44 This is from the street and that's inside inside the field.
2:00:54 And then here's from above. So you could see some parking out in right field and center field and then
2:01:02 where the new where the new structures would be. And Bentley Group is here also to answer questions.
2:01:10 So what staff is looking for is direction on the design. Does council like it? And then how how council would like to move forward.
2:01:21 Uh that's it. That's it.
2:01:26 Okay. Well, in that case, let me I'll go to public first because I just had one question or so more or less with the parking. But this is a public hearing.
2:01:33 Anyone in the public wish to address this item may come to the microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:01:47 Hello, my name is Jeff Deodorf. I live in uh 18015 Victorian Drive, Clermont.
2:01:53 I've lived in Clermont for 42 years. Um I love it here. Um I'll go backtrack real fast, but uh Bishop Field means a
2:02:02 lot to me. Um I was drafted out of high school from South Lake High School. Um in the third round, played 10 years of professional baseball. Mhm.
2:02:12 Um my dad and I were on that field one day and a scout drove by and found me when Clermont was not Clermont like it is now. Yeah.
2:02:20 Um that field the way it looks, it's something that's special and I and I would want that to always be the pillar
2:02:28 of when I drive by that place. I've worked with over 50 kids to get scholarships from the Lake County area.
2:02:35 Um, the best story is Shane Green, who was from Eastridge, um, was drafted by us. We worked him out there. The Yankee
2:02:44 front office came there. He ended up playing in the big leagues for about seven years, made over $20 million. He is on my side with this of designing it
2:02:52 and helping and ideas and just making sure that it's just not a change that we're not used to seeing because it is a
2:03:01 special place for a lot of people in town that played on that field, grew up on that field, all that thing. And I just think it's something that we as a
2:03:09 city that just needs to make sure it's we hang on to the history of what it looks like. And there's ideas I have that I've been having for decades that
2:03:18 we could do to make it better. Um, maybe it's not changing too much. Add an astroturf, be the first one to have an astroturf field that we can actually
2:03:25 play games when it's doing what it's doing right now. Um, and just ideas like that and spending the money the right way instead of just doing a facelift and
2:03:33 it's just it's it is what it is. I think it just needs to be a little bit of both. So that's all I have on that. Mr. Dorf, you said we who is we?
2:03:42 Um, Jane Green. Jen Green. You said we worked him out. Who's that? Oh, the New York Yankees. Yankees.
2:03:48 Yeah, we are the New York Yankees.
2:03:50 He played the New York. So, I I'm Well, no one's perfect.
2:03:57 I didn't mention that, but I'm a scout with the Yankees for 19 years. So, I did I found that guy named Judge and some of those guys. So, I've been doing it for a little bit. So,
2:04:05 that's why that's why that Yankee emblem is on your shirt. Yeah. And I was wearing the ring.
2:04:10 There's a ring there, too. Yeah. But uh but yeah, no, I I what my point is I just want to make sure it is what it
2:04:17 what it's always been to a lot of people in town. That's it wouldn't be the first time that I've asked someone who stood at that podium if they'd be willing to help the city. Would you be willing to help?
2:04:26 Oh, 100%.
2:04:27 Oh, that'd be a great 100%. And I can get a lot of guys that can help to to do things that we could make it where it's special because it is special to a lot of It is. You're right.
2:04:36 It is. I mean, there's there's, you know, the way it looks is old, but I think if you pe everybody I always talk
2:04:43 to say that the it's the playing surface is what's the worst part and the balls flag out and hitting cars.
2:04:51 Um, and but the look makes them feel like it was back in the old days when they were just watching a baseball field. Yes. The way it's set up and the way it's designed and the way it looks
2:05:00 and the trees in the background. I remember the f I went over my time, but first time I hit one over those trees like all that means a lot to me. So, it's just it's is cool. So, that's that's that's what I'd say.
2:05:09 I have a question.
2:05:10 Okay. Yeah. Well, hold on before we get too far. Let me finish our public comment, please. Well, I have a question for this person.
2:05:15 I don't want to I need to bring him back up if if it it's okay. We back up. I'm not I can do that. Yeah.
2:05:22 Okay. You want me to sit down?
2:05:24 The mayor's in charge, not me. So, well, I I want to do other and and and uh let I see a couple other people want to do some public comment. We can always bring you back. Yes, sir.
2:05:36 try to get to public comment.
2:05:40 Uh my name is Patrick Bianke, 10 West Mantro Street. So I actually had the pleasure of playing with Shane Green. We were on the same team. I know you said
2:05:48 South Lake High School. I'm an Eastridge Knight, so we'll have our differences, but uh um 2004 I moved here. I played on
2:05:56 that field when I was 14 years old all the way through. Diamond sports are very special to me. Um, I think this field in
2:06:03 particular has a lot um that can bring in outside of Clermont. You can host a
2:06:10 lot of different national championships here. The fields boast, you know, it's 375 ft in center. Um, I've hit many home
2:06:19 runs over there. Um, and I think you should absolutely take this to a workshop and not force a design. Um because I think there's a lot of
2:06:27 tweaking to this design. Having been uh traveling around the state, look at Vieiera, USSA Space Coast is a great
2:06:36 example of what a state-of-the-art facility is. Turf being introduced over there. So I think we should take a step back, look at that, especially $2
2:06:44 something million. I really think we should be intentional on the design because this you get one shot at this and I think it be it can be great. Thank you.
2:06:52 Thank you. That's wise. Anyone else? Anyone else? This is a public form.
2:07:00 Anyone in the public wish to address this item, may come to microphone and state your name and address and have three minutes.
2:07:05 Seeing no one else in chamber, anyone online, sir? No one online. I'mma close public comment. And before I bring Mr.
2:07:11 Jeff back up, you can come on back up, Mr. Jeff, if you wish. But uh and uh let me say this. My concern,
2:07:21 you say you've been living here 42 years. I I I grew up on that field. I was seven, eight years old playing on that field. And like I say, I I've
2:07:29 always had concern concerns about redoing the field, but I want to make sure we keep the historical back uh concept to it because actually back in
2:07:38 my days, I used to my parents used to handle the snack bars, concession stands
2:07:45 there for the old Negro baseball league that we played there. Fantastic.
2:07:49 Okay. So, and I I've had to sell many Cokes and hot dogs and popcorns out of there. So, I I historical value of it
2:07:57 means a lot to me. And that field looking right now is the way it was when back in the 1950s and60s when it was out there. Nothing had ever been done to it
2:08:05 other than a little upgrade uh to the uh dugouts and everything. So, I am concerned with the design because not just I want to see something done with
2:08:13 the with the uh grandstand, but also um I would like to see upgrade with bat batting cages and all that put in there
2:08:20 as well. I I didn't see any of that unless I missed it in the proposal here.
2:08:24 So, I would like to take a step back and and have work with Mr. Jeff since you've seen a lot of if you don't mind working with staff to help do all that. I would
2:08:33 love to see that happen. Um, and the concern I mentioned other Brian was the parking along uh East Avenue. Um,
2:08:42 right now we have the parking along East Avenue right next to the next to it. And I'm finding lately it's been a big problem because they parking right up to the uh corner of of what's that? Broom Street.
2:08:52 Broom. And when you're coming out of Broom Street, you cannot see. It's very dangerous. So, we need to look at that parking area there and maybe set it back
2:09:00 a little bit because I mean the other night I came out of there coming from Autozone trying to go back home and almost got hit two or three times trying
2:09:07 to ease out of that traffic there. So, that's one of my concerns but and I wasn't sure on your plans whether you eliminated the parking there and put it all on the back side of the field,
2:09:16 you know, but these kind of things I'm worried about. And then if we put the light parking on the backside, make sure the lighting don't go into the
2:09:23 neighbor's house, the resident's home back there. they all go back towards the field. Okay, those are my concern. But anyway, I just want to say that and I'm
2:09:31 really I really like to take a step back and maybe look at re read re uh doing a little bit more with this and if you don't mind uh working with staff and
2:09:39 everything, I'll be happy to. But what say the rest of council? I'm in agreement. I think it should be workshop because I think there's a lot of variables that go into this, you know,
2:09:47 like the where are we going to find it 850? Is it going to be grants? Is it going to come from reserve future budget or like you were saying you know you
2:09:55 have other other areas that money might be coming from and also the design we want to make the design right I don't think we should vote on design now is
2:10:02 this a single source this Bentley Bentley products yes or is it or is no it's Bentley they're an approved vendor
2:10:10 approved vendor but what I am excited about is Mr. your doorf not to I know you're with the
2:10:17 Yankees and I understand what that brings with it. Um but there are some other pro baseball players and scouts here who live in Clermont as well, right? Former teammates of yours.
2:10:27 Yeah. Well, John Krono lives here who's played in the big leagues and now he's a scout with the Pirates. Matt O'Brien lives here, you know, and then you can even go back
2:10:35 to Francisco Lindor who's a shortstop with the Mets currently. He used to practice there all the time. So, um, you know, and I I think there's
2:10:44 things out there with MLB that they would be we be willing to help, you know, and and fund things. And I think it's just something that if
2:10:51 you know, we're the city of champions and there's a lot of great things going on here. And I think with with I think that's one thing that we're missing like the other gentleman just said that
2:11:00 you know not to bring in more people to Clermont maybe but there are a lot of things that we can do for for for value and bring you know money into our city
2:11:09 with you know ideas and even tapping Bishop Field into other fields and having tournaments and you know and just somewhere to play and somewhere like
2:11:17 there's no batting cages there's no indoor batting cages like everybody's calling me all the time where can I go for indoor batting cage you know and and just having like even almost, you
2:11:25 know, like a South Lake Eastridge Lake Miniola home run derby to bring in the community and the fans and and have a
2:11:33 barbecue and food trucks and make it a big ordeal like because this is a cool place.
2:11:37 It's very it's a very cool place. And they of course back when we only had the one high school, that's what they used.
2:11:43 That was the field they used back when it was come out high and everything. And it's it is really being utilized today.
2:11:48 Uh every Sunday morning just about I'm on my way to church, I have to deal with people down there. And then last week I noticed a couple nights last week it was oh there's so many people out there it
2:11:57 was I'm like okay. So it's very I often come home and I'll see those lights on and it's like a beacon like all right I'm getting close I'm close to home because those those lights are on.
2:12:07 So do we want to make a work but this is a workshop if I don't know why I got cut off earlier.
2:12:13 We really need to work on our rules. Um, but the reality is is that um, my question that I wanted to ask you was,
2:12:20 would you be willing to work with the parks and recck department? Cuz I don't I'm I'm going to disagree a little bit with the council. I don't think we need to workshop this because I think that
2:12:29 that creates a lot of um, I would like to see something brought to us to actually provide feedback for. And
2:12:38 I think a a select work group just a you it sounds like you are connected with some folks who could provide really Mr.
2:12:46 Bianke talked about some perspective that he had. Uh the mayor talked about some perspective he had. I'm talking about just a a small nimble workg
2:12:54 groupoup select passionate people in the community who could help Mr. foreman and Bentley or whomever come up with a
2:13:02 concept that that then it would come back to us for a workshop rather than us to try to design it in a workshop which ends up I think 6 months later we
2:13:10 finally get to approve something. if we could have a more nimble process to get to that point, um that might be beneficial for us. And if you're willing
2:13:19 to do that, um I think that we could probably, you know, ask city staff to reach out to folks like that and get
2:13:26 that workg group going. Um and and bring something back to us in a workshop rather than just workshopping it and we
2:13:33 sit here for two hours and we all have opinions and we don't really get anywhere. Well, and in in my experience working in softball, oftentimes when the
2:13:42 engineers are getting involved, it's your sports facilities tend to look like commercial buildings, um whereas folks
2:13:48 like Mr. Derdorf and his friends and former teammates, you know, they've seen these historic baseball fields and and I agree. I think this is special. And I
2:13:57 think a lot of people who don't know the connection that Bishop has to the community would not necessarily I'm going to go on a limb and say perhaps
2:14:06 you and your friends love it more than it deserves.
2:14:09 Um and anytime you can get people who love something more than it deserves to spend their time and talent on it. I I agree with you, Mr. Bain. I think that
2:14:17 and I would suggest to the council as well um that perhaps we form a committee maybe at least five people so we're
2:14:24 getting some sort of variation. Um, I'd like to see the local little league have a representation on that committee.
2:14:31 Maybe there's a high school coach or something, something that connects us to the youth, but I'm not going to ever say no to professionals in their field
2:14:40 offering their time uh to the city. So, I wouldn't mind three or four or five of you guys and and but I'd like to make sure that the youth programs are
2:14:48 included in the committee. Uh whether it's formal or not, I think I'd like to get legal counsel to your point about being nimble. Uh, Mr. Dordf, if we form
2:14:57 a formal committee, we may have to have sunshine, formal notice, you have to video it, all that stuff versus um, you know, maybe kicking around some ideas
2:15:05 with your friends before it becomes formal. I I don't know. Uh, we're used to being in the fishbowl. I'm not so sure that uh, the the public is used to
2:15:15 it. So, something to to think about. And then the idea of grants has come up. So I think what would be helpful for a
2:15:22 purpose of seeking grants and please staff correct me if I'm wrong. Um if we have some sort of idea of a budget a lot of times that helps when you're seeking
2:15:30 grants. We've been given a proposed 2.5 million. If we can grant half of that I am not having any real heartburn from
2:15:39 what I know of the budget. We've already approved a million on this. So we're only talking about 2 point you know
2:15:44 250,000 difference. I I wouldn't mind Yeah. Yeah. Depends on which year we year you're looking at it. I'm already
2:15:53 in 27. So, um I wouldn't mind empowering them for purposes of seeking grants
2:15:59 saying our idea is 2.5 so that they can go see what kind of grants they can get and and so that we're not sending them
2:16:08 out with pie in the sky. I mean, you Dots Stadium at Liberty is, you know, 35 million and the Oklahoma softball
2:16:15 stadium is 42 million. So, I'm not in that category of comfort. Um, but I don't think it's a problem to maybe
2:16:22 steer staff towards the 2.5 number. Go get see what grants you can get, get a little group of locals together. I'd love to see that. How do we do that as
2:16:31 the government? Christian, I think this is probably for you. What's the best way to structure what we're talking about? Do you want me to?
2:16:39 Oh, no. No. Yeah. Whatever.
2:16:41 Okay. So, if you just direct staff to get with some members and try to build a group to work with Bentley, I don't
2:16:49 think, if correct me if I'm wrong, Christian, I don't think that's sunshine because it's just staff putting together a group to advise Bentley to come back
2:16:59 with a couple different scenarios or a couple different renderings to come back to council and take those to you.
2:17:06 No. Is that still the legal the way that it is legally distinguishing. Well, let me tell you what the cases say first.
2:17:13 The cases say to the extent that you delegate any kind of decision-making authority to a committee, then it's subject to sunshine. But what the cases
2:17:21 say is if the group of citizens or the committee uh evaluates or ranks or
2:17:30 limits in any way the ideas. So so long as it's staff doing factf finding and this is a factf finding exercise
2:17:38 what works what doesn't what makes sense from the community perspective from the baseball perspective uh from those associated with the e evil
2:17:47 empire then that is a factf finding exercise um and would be fine. So what if we to to how do we do this? What if
2:17:56 we direct staff and then have a workshop invite the members of the community to come? If we sense any feeling that
2:18:03 something was lost, we can formalize a committee. But perhaps the going through staff could be I I suspect Mr. Derdorf
2:18:11 has been thinking about this for 20 or 30 years and it probably won't take him long to do a brain dump with staff.
2:18:17 That's my suspicion. Yeah, the factf finding. I like that concept of factf finding to to to say what would work, what wouldn't what wouldn't work, what
2:18:25 are ideas, what are suggestions, and then staff actually then works with the council to to to workshop that and make the decision. Do we like that?
2:18:33 I Yeah. And I think our I think our charter allows us to create um or ordinances, one or the other, if I remember reading somewhere about
2:18:42 creating kind of ad hoc committees or structures like this.
2:18:46 It does. So, do we have any workshops on the agenda in June? What's what's coming up? ABA, I think, is June.
2:18:54 Oh, perfect. That's the the recreation presentation. Yeah.
2:18:59 So, we're already in the recreation realm in June. You you need more time than that, sir. You're talking about 30 days.
2:19:05 That would be the third week in June, probably. 30 days. Uh, hang Let me see when the draft is. Hang on.
2:19:13 June uh should be good. Yeah, July is the draft. So yeah. Wow. Val that soon. Wow.
2:19:20 Yeah. But yeah, I mean I have I we have enough ideas that we could run things by and and you know then obviously the people that know how to design things
2:19:27 could probably come up together because you were saying about the lights.
2:19:30 There's lights now that point down that you don't even see them if you're without 40, you know, 40t away. So there's a lot of that stuff. Yeah.
2:19:38 So just like using maybe more of the backside and putting up a net in that field to have the parking back there. I mean there's a lot of things you could probably come up with. Well, like I I
2:19:46 mentioned the lights mesh when you're talking about putting the parking on the back side of the field because you put them in the wrong way, then they blinding the people on the field because then you got them into the house. So,
2:19:54 you got to really concern yourself with the lights out there if you're going to put them out there in the back of the back of the ball field. So, and that's so So, is there a motion?
2:20:03 I have to I have to pull the microphone down from just want to the lights are going to be addressed. That's part of that's part of
2:20:12 a larger RFP to convert all of the lights to LED in the city. So, that's already in work.
2:20:18 Well, I'm talking about the angle of the lights to make sure that'll be that'll all be taken care of. That'll take care of all the pollution.
2:20:23 Thank you. I just want to make sure you know that because especially when you put the parking there in the parking um did I hear you say a motion? Uh
2:20:31 yes. Do we do a motion to direct staff to coordinate with the community members to come up with a communitydriven design and bring it back to us at the workshop in June?
2:20:40 That sounds perfect. Can I get a second? Yeah, second. Okay, great.
2:20:46 Okay, we got a motion and a second uh for the staff to go in and work with uh community partners, I guess you can say, for me bring it back in June workshop.
2:20:56 Is the motion also to look at grants and Oh yes, to the extent that we can. I'll
2:21:03 I'll amend the motion to seek grants to help fund the construction of this project.
2:21:10 Don't we always do we always go out to seek grants for just about every project anyway? So we try to definitely if we're directed to Absolutely.
2:21:18 Yeah.
2:21:19 And I would say Yeah. And if there's any ability for things even like TDT money uh that that would be included in that category. Yeah, absolutely. I'd be okay with that.
2:21:29 Yeah. Okay. Any any further discussion?
2:21:32 Hearing none. All in favor let it be known by saying I.
2:21:35 All oppose. Chair vote I as well. The motion passes 50. Yes sir. Thank you for volunteering your time and uh we look forward to seeing what we can get.
2:21:46 Thank you Mr. Dearor. At this point we will begin reports.
2:21:52 Uh, Mr. Mr. Madness. So, thank you, Mayor
2:22:00 and Council. Uh, as you notice, we're missing one white beard here tonight. I just wanted you to Mr. Wag Van Wagner
2:22:08 had a family emergency this afternoon and uh or later this morning and couldn't be here tonight. But just please keep keep him in your thoughts
2:22:15 and prayers. His family, he should be back tomorrow. Should be fine.
2:22:20 on the report standpoint, the council workshop. We have a next workshop Tuesday, May 19th, to discuss the budget and the budget priorities. Also, please
2:22:29 note that city offices are closed Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day. We have some events coming up. Friday, May
2:22:36 15th is the downtown Winstroll from 6:30 to 9:00. And on Monday, May 25th, we have Memorial Day ceremony at the Ark at
2:22:44 11:00 am. Also, Wednesday, May 20th, we have the Ride of Silence at Waterfront Park Field from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2:22:54 And I also wanted to let you know that the uh St. John's Water Management District issued a water advisory, modified phase 2 severe water shortage.
2:23:03 So, what that basically means is that we're going to be going out to water restrictions. There will be information going out on social media tonight
2:23:11 as well as on the website. So hopefully today's rain and tomorrow's proposed rain will help alleviate some of that
2:23:18 that water shortage. But that is the end of my report.
2:23:24 Do you and the uh city manager? Yes, sir. That's for both of us. Both of you. Okay. Thank you, Mr. War.
2:23:31 Mayor, there are several um ordinances that have either been drafted or are currently being drafted and will be presented to you either at the next
2:23:40 meeting or the first meeting in June, including uh amendments to the code enforcement sections, one of which would
2:23:48 raise the maximum fines that the city can now levy. You're beyond 50,000 people, so you can now double the fines
2:23:56 that you have available. It's not requiring the code board to do so, but it's granting the flexibility um adding
2:24:03 provisions to the nuisance abatement code that will give again more tools to
2:24:10 the city to um engage in things that it needs to do to frankly clean up troublesome properties. On that note, uh
2:24:19 we did have a code board a special code board meeting earlier uh gosh, you know, Was it just two weeks ago?
2:24:30 Three weeks ago.
2:24:30 Three weeks ago. And uh it had never been done before in Clermont, but it was done. And we, you know, we asked the
2:24:37 code board to make a special finding uh of a violation even though it had already been corrected. My understanding
2:24:44 is that there has been a substantial cleanup, but problems remain. And so I am continuing to work with uh neighbors
2:24:53 on pursuing a possible lawsuit regarding 1919 Sunset Lane. Uh the owners have not fulfilled their obligations to avoid
2:25:01 that lawsuit. I can say that with certainty. Um and you'll hear more about that. Uh also there is an ordinance
2:25:08 regarding the notice uh that would need to be provided for uh basically land use and zoning issues to that would propose
2:25:17 to increase the distance so more people would get notice. Okay.
2:25:21 Um that's been drafted. Um it has some typos that have to be corrected but it's almost done. I think um we'll have some
2:25:28 meetings on that. Uh you had a a presentation at the beginning of the meeting about security cameras and public records. I want to explain a little bit about that.
2:25:37 Thank you.
2:25:37 So, uh I did get an email last night um fairly late um from Miss Paige uh indicating displeasure, you know, with
2:25:46 our practices and um that she felt that security that the front lobby footage should be uh available in a public
2:25:54 records request. And I think a lot of people would expect that actually. I mean, um, and so I am the reason I I think I'm the reason
2:26:03 why those records weren't released. And the reason is that when we look at Florida statute section 281301,
2:26:11 it says that there's an exception for security systems and surveillance systems. Now, if that's all someone saw,
2:26:21 someone might think, well, gosh, what what does a camera in the lobby of the police department or anywhere for that
2:26:28 matter really reveal about a surveillance or security system? That's what I think a lot of people say in their common sense. And there was a
2:26:36 judge who agreed with that common sense in Orange County, Judge Mihawk, a well-known judge, considered a good judge. And um he was appealed by some
2:26:46 lawyers who some of us know Pat Christensen, Kerianne Waznjak, and that went to the fifth DCA and the fifth DCA
2:26:53 unanimously overturned it. And what was the fact in that case? It was about cameras on a Lynx bus. I don't know how many of y'all have been on a Lynx bus in
2:27:01 downtown Orlando or anywhere near Orlando, but uh Channel 6 was trying to get access to the camera one of the buses because there was a a fight on one
2:27:10 of the buses. And what the fifth ECA said is no, that camera actually reveals the surveillance and security system of property owned by a local government.
2:27:21 So since then, other cases have confirmed that in different contexts.
2:27:26 There was an attorney general opinion 2015-06 which actually held that the surveillance cameras in a lobby of a governmental agency are indeed exempt.
2:27:37 There's just one nuance here. Sometimes when you have things that are um public records that are exempt, they're just exempt. And we actually still have the
2:27:46 ability to release them if they're exempt. But if they're exempt and confidential, we have no discretion.
2:27:54 Guess what? These are exempt and confidential. So I I can't speak as to what prior attorneys felt or their legal
2:28:03 I I don't know and I think a lot of governments learn or change policies over time. All I can tell you is it's going to remain my legal advice that we
2:28:12 not re release surve uh you know camera footage from the PD or frankly any other part of our government buildings based
2:28:20 on the very clear case law from the fifth ECA which we're subject to. And incidentally, I mentioned Kerianne Waznjak's name for a reason. She's now
2:28:28 an appellet judge on the sixth ECA. I don't think the law has changed.
2:28:33 Okay, so that's it. And by the way, I like I said, I think she has a very common sense. I honestly thought the same thing until I researched it a long time ago, but it is what it is.
2:28:42 How is a government space confidential?
2:28:48 Well, statutory. So in the in the statute there are several exemptions for like no one disputes these are public
2:28:56 records. They're definitely public records but they sat us they they are in the exemption for security systems and surveillance systems on government property.
2:29:05 But why is that confidential?
2:29:07 That's a decision the Florida legislature made. I don't know.
2:29:12 So I think what we're thinking is if a crime was committed so these can't be accessed then right if a crime was committed. crime was committed and somebody wants to access this to prove or disprove the the crime.
2:29:22 No. So, as I indicated in my email to Miss Paige, I actually said this may be discoverable in a lawsuit. It's not releasable as a public record.
2:29:31 Okay. So, it is discoverable then. Yeah. Sure. In a lawsuit. But you can't just do a witch hunt. Correct.
2:29:39 And then hope so.
2:29:40 I'm not saying this was a witch hunt. I mean, I think people very rightly might have an interest in seeing what a surveillance camera shows, especially if it's in a government building. I get that.
2:29:49 Um, it's just the law is the law. But what makes it confidential?
2:29:54 The Florida legislaturator's determination that it's confidential.
2:29:58 That So, there's exempt and then there's confidential. Correct.
2:30:02 My understanding of your interpretation is that the cameras and their footage are exempt. Correct. What makes them confidential?
2:30:10 The statute. So it says they are exempt and confidential.
2:30:13 And confidential. I see. It's a definition that the legislature gave it to make it non Yeah. Anytime we see something in
2:30:20 chapter 119 that says it's uh exempt and confidential, we know we have no discretion about cannot be released.
2:30:27 I see. Okay. And that law came out in 26, you said, or the case came out in the case came out in 2015. The attorney general opinion I gave you was from
2:30:35 2015. And there's uh another second DCA opinion on the subject at the very least.
2:30:45 And I don't want y'all, by the way, to take my word for it. I I'll share the case law with you. Um I just think it's a surprising result, but it is the case.
2:30:55 It is the case. So, I just want you all to know.
2:30:59 Thank you. I appreciate the clarification. All right. Anything else, sir? No, sir. Thank you. That's it. Okay. Yes.
2:31:07 All right. Council member Strange.
2:31:09 Thank you. Uh, Mr. Mayor, I was recently asked if I would serve as an honorary chair by New Florida Media for the 250th
2:31:18 celebration of our nation. Um, I'm ecstatic about that. I I absolutely accepted that. Um, one of the primary
2:31:27 tenants of this pro progress process is to have neighborhood block parties. Um, so in my meeting today with staff, uh, I
2:31:36 had some conversation about what we might be able to do as a city. Um, I didn't expect Commissioner Parks to bring it up, but I was excited to hear
2:31:44 him because we had some ideas rolling um, to maybe make this celebration of the 250th
2:31:51 maybe a little more than what we normally do. Uh when we funded this in the budget in 2026, we included the same
2:32:00 amount for the July 4th celebration as we normally do, which normally I like.
2:32:06 Um I would like to get maybe some feedback from those of you. Uh my perception of
2:32:15 our July 4th celebration, wonderful as it is, is that we put a lot of people in a very small space and we also are
2:32:23 inviting people from surrounding communities. It's not just a neighborhood thing. And so what I like about the block party concept is folks
2:32:30 who maybe don't want to get in their car and drive to downtown and deal with that would be able to do something on their streets. Um so I have a meeting tomorrow
2:32:40 uh with Mr. Mayworm at public works. He had some suggestions, I guess, that the last community he was in, they did block parties a lot. Um, and he had some ideas
2:32:48 of how the city could maybe provide barricades and some different things.
2:32:52 So, I'm very early on in this process, but there's only about seven weeks until July 4th, so there's not a lot of time.
2:32:59 Um, so I did wanted to bring it to your attention. I Things that jumped out at me, the block parties also, um, we talked about Bishop Field tonight. I
2:33:07 thought maybe that could be another location where we could encourage people to go to watch the fireworks. So, they're not necessarily only in waterfront. Um, and then the Wellness
2:33:15 Way area might be an opportunity for something fun. And what that means, I don't necessarily know right now. Um, because this is all kind of I hadn't
2:33:24 really given a lot of thought to it. Um, but there's still time to prepare. So, if there's any thoughts or ideas, um, I I
2:33:32 would love to hear them. I know we have one more meeting this month and so if you could maybe consider what we could do. Um I'm not sure I'm asking for any
2:33:41 sort of uh you know budget change but I I do feel like maybe um I didn't think about it for sure. I think maybe a
2:33:49 little more to go towards the 250th might have you know financially made sense this year and I don't want to make it a permanent thing but um that's
2:33:56 something that is in my mind. Um also we normally close the performing arts center on July 4th. I learned today.
2:34:02 Um, which maybe seems like it could have been an opportunity for a location for some sort of July 4th celebration.
2:34:09 Um, so I just want to put that out there for the four of you to think about for me if you're willing to.
2:34:14 Um, I had on my list to follow up on the planning and zoning checklist from the April meeting. Are we still on track to get that to planning and zoning? Yes.
2:34:22 Okay. I know you said that was the plan that Sorry, that was on my list. I I didn't mention it. Okay. Well, it's on three of our list.
2:34:27 So, as long as we all, you know, it'll get done at some point. Um, something that I did want to bring up because I hear it and I hear it spoken as a as a
2:34:36 conclusion and that concerns me a little bit is relative to Meet Me in the Middle, I know that we approved moving forward with drawings so that we could
2:34:44 get a better handle on what it might mean. But I fear that Meet in the Middle has been collapsed with the idea of a
2:34:51 veterans memorial and that the two are being treated as one and the same. And to me, they're not one and the same. To me, Meet Me in the Middle is a park on
2:35:00 the waterfront that perhaps could have a veterans memorial associated with it.
2:35:06 Perhaps should have a veterans memorial associated with it, but I never I don't think that this, as we're doing with Bishop Field, this idea was ever really
2:35:14 run through a public process to get a handle on what other options there might be. And when I went to the meeting last
2:35:22 month on Meet Me in the Middle, what I heard very clearly expressed by the veterans is that they want a place that they can go and have peace.
2:35:32 And even tonight, a member of the community spoke about a sanctuary.
2:35:38 And I do not believe that meet me in the middle will be a peaceful sanctuary for
2:35:46 people to go and reflect. I I my opinion uh at some point this is going to come to us for a vote on funding and how we
2:35:55 want to fund and if there are grants and whatnot. But we have if so I I want to consider I
2:36:03 encourage us to consider is the meet me in the middle location the best for a veterans memorial and and
2:36:12 we don't have to do it tonight. I just I do think we should talk about it because I think funding a veterans memorial is
2:36:19 an easy thing for us to do. I don't think that's a huge expense whereas meet me in the middle is 9 to6 million. And I
2:36:28 I feel this tension from the veterans groups who want to and and I think we should have an appropriate veterans
2:36:36 location, but it's feeling like the veterans interest and desire is so closely tied to meet me in the Middle,
2:36:46 you know, I think we're going to be able to move forward with other projects, right?
2:36:50 because they're smaller, less funding, and the goal is to have a serene and peaceful place for meditation as I'm
2:36:59 hearing. I I think that we're setting up for a great deal of disappointment.
2:37:03 That's that's all I have. We we don't need to workshop it, but I do want to I want to speak that so I'm not silent on that issue.
2:37:11 That's all I have for tonight. Okay.
2:37:14 Thank you, Council Member Bain.
2:37:20 Thank you, mayor. Um, I just want to make sure that uh residents know that the city is doing its citizens academy again and it's this summer. Um, and they
2:37:28 just put out some materials and there's several of us here uh in the chamber right now who have gone through some iteration of that. And I I will tell
2:37:37 you, as someone who sat out there in those chairs for quite a while before I was sitting up here, I thought I knew a lot about the city. But man, you learn a
2:37:45 lot more about the city and how it works and the finances and police, fire,
2:37:51 public works, all of the uh uh systems that make this city operational, but also go into making it the place that we
2:38:00 love to live. And so um it's it starts on May 27th. that's coming up. It's right after Memorial Day. It's on
2:38:07 Wednesdays. So, it's only 5 weeks though from 5:30 to 7:30. And I think maybe for the first time I it's at least the first
2:38:15 time I've ever seen it advertised this way that we're allowing folks uh residents who may be 16 17 under legal age uh adult age to be able to
2:38:24 participate with parent partic uh parent approval or guardian approval. So, uh if you have a young person in high school who's thinking I love government, I love
2:38:31 the city. I want to be I want to learn more. This would be an excellent opportunity for them to start their summer vacation for the first five weeks
2:38:39 on those Wednesdays to be a part of that. So, if you go to the city's website uh Clermontfl.gov/cca
2:38:47 or I'm sure there's a item right on the first page uh to sign up for the Clermont Citizens Academy uh and get in involved with that. It's limited part
2:38:55 participation. So, I really really encourage folks to get involved with that. It's a just a great opportunity to do. Um, and then, um, I do have a
2:39:04 question with for my fellow council members for our workshop next week. I think we all got the email request for
2:39:11 the 9:00 a.m. meeting start time. Um, uh, normally that wouldn't be a problem for me. I I've had a a client who is
2:39:19 closing on a sale of a house at 9:00 on that Tuesday. I'm happy to come at 10:00 uh or a ask uh folks if we could start
2:39:26 at 10:00. Um, otherwise, um, the 9:00 time is fine and I'll just be here an hour late. Um, so I guess I I put that
2:39:34 out there. I don't know what we are willing to do or can do with regards to timing and what our schedule is like for that full workshop.
2:39:41 Yeah, we're we're at your pleasure on this. We haven't advertised it yet, so we're at your pleasure if you want to move the time. agend
2:39:49 it's I think it's the budget workshop that we were that we requested as as starting the prior priorities and so forth to set the vision moving forward.
2:39:58 Yeah.
2:39:58 And so I think that's why it got moved up to the 9 versus the 3:00 time. Um and like I said, I'm I can come an hour
2:40:06 late, but I because we're a week out yet and it has been advertised, I thought I'd throw it out to see if we could start at 10 or 10:30. Well, actually, uh, I think I sent back a note on that
2:40:15 nine o'clock myself, as I've said many of times on Tuesday. I have other things and, uh, 2:00 will be better for me.
2:40:22 Okay. Uh, on that Tuesday and I think when this came up, I I stated that at the time, and if I'm not uh mistaken,
2:40:30 when we put this one on the on the on the uh, agenda, I think we had a 2:00 time on it. So, when it came out the other day at 10 9:00, I I sent it back a
2:40:39 note right away because I know I can't be here at 9 and 2 o'clock be better for me. So, well, I think we all need to be here. I can make 2:00 work. Um, I I don't want
2:40:49 to shorten the amount of time that we give the subject. So, yeah, I think 10 is better.
2:40:55 So, I mean, if we can go day or go later into the night, but I'm I'm
2:41:03 flexible. I think 10:30 would be the earliest to start, but I I don't I don't want to cut it short. Can I ask this question for Mr.
2:41:10 Matthysse? Um, what is the what is the agenda or approach that you guys are planning staff-wise to to work with us
2:41:20 on this workshop? Maybe that'll help this conversation.
2:41:22 We can do it a couple different ways. I mean, my understanding is that we were just going to go over the budget priorities, what what your priorities are. We had that exercise that one day
2:41:30 at the workshop and we just want to kind of go over those again and see if you have any changes of heart or any different priorities that you wanted to add that you didn't get in that day.
2:41:38 Okay.
2:41:39 I don't think we're preparing for a full every staff department giving you their presentation. I don't think we're ready for that yet. That's coming up a little bit later.
2:41:47 So that sounds like I was going to say then that sounds like a 2 o'clock could work out just fine with that. Are you good until 5, Miss Myers? Yes.
2:41:54 Okay. If we say 2 to 5, does that work for everybody? 2 to 5 is good. 2 to 5. Okay. 2 to 5:00 p.m.
2:42:02 Um and um I have a question. Uh Miss Strange, you
2:42:11 you talked about a chair. Could you you said the name of the organization? New Florida Media.
2:42:17 New Florida Media. Thank you. Um, it made me think about a question that I was actually asked uh earlier today by a
2:42:25 business owner. And what is the process for blocking off streets? If a if a a
2:42:31 business or a a citizen wants to block off or barricade streets, what's the actual process for that? And and and who do they talk to?
2:42:40 They they talk to our parks and recreation division. Okay. Usually if it's an event.
2:42:44 And is that a staff decision or when when would that not be a staff decision? How who decides those things?
2:42:51 I'm I'm not sure that is council. It's we don't have a process.
2:42:55 No, when you ask for street uh block off you, it goes to the parks and park make a report and they present it to the council. Council will do the approval.
2:43:03 Yeah. I don't I can't think of a small one that doesn't go to council unless it's like a neighborhood block party.
2:43:08 And Mr. Bain, if I can here because we're on the same page on this. Um I have a meeting with my purpose the
2:43:16 purpose of my meeting with Mr. Mayworm tomorrow is to talk about how we could potentially incorporate a way for citizens to create block party scenarios
2:43:24 in conjunction with parks and recreation because so much of our parks are done with public works. Yeah. So I am I
2:43:32 allowed to email Mr. Bain after my meeting. How does that work with Sunshine?
2:43:38 Uh well I'll let the city attorney answer that. I have a I have a thought on it but I'll let the
2:43:45 I mean as a technical matter. Yes. Um, you know, any one of you broadcasting your position on something, whether it's
2:43:52 on Facebook or email, it doesn't even need to be a position. It could be information, whatever it is.
2:43:56 Uh, a one-way channel with no response, does not violate the sunshine law, right? A response does. Yeah.
2:44:03 So, is it a best practice? Should you be doing it? No. But, you know, Well, and Exactly. But here's Well, I I
2:44:13 think we're on a similar page that obviously it's expedited for potentially what communities or neighborhoods would want to do for it for the 250th.
2:44:23 But to to your point that you brought up, Council Member Strange, about Mr.
2:44:27 Mayworm, in his previous community, um in a previous community I lived in, uh there were a lot of block parties in the summer. Um it was in Wisconsin, so
2:44:35 that's when you could be outside and so that's when you had those things. But there was a process to the mayor's point. There was a process where they
2:44:42 went through, you know, a department and basically any road closure that was a city street, even if it was for 2 hours
2:44:50 on a Friday night, came to the council on a consent agenda kind of thing, and um went through an approval process just
2:44:59 so that it wasn't arbitrary. It it it was done in sunshine and it wasn't a, you know, a favorable thing here or I like your business here kind of thing.
2:45:08 it was just done in in transparency in that way. So, if we don't have that actually in writing, I think that probably would be a good idea to have
2:45:16 because like I said, I did get this question in interestingly at coffee this morning by a local business owner who asked me what is the process for this.
2:45:24 Yeah, I'm pretty sure that is process in writing. It's only when it's a private road that they're trying to block off that it doesn't come to council.
2:45:30 Yeah. And that would make sense if an HOA within a gated community wants to do that that we would have no control over that um for a city street.
2:45:38 So maybe through this process with Mr.
2:45:39 Mayworm for the 22 250th we can revisit that and clear it up. Is it parks and work? Is it public works? And then we can bring that back to council. Does that sound good, Mr. Matthysse?
2:45:49 Sure. Okay, great. Um and then um I don't want to I don't want us to have
2:45:56 a completely big conversation about meas in the middle especially when it's not uh noticed in that way but I I think if
2:46:03 I'm not mistaken and staff can correct me when Mr. uh Peterson made that the last motion that was made was for um the the city to move forward with with Mr.
2:46:16 Powell to uh put together a design that did not exceed the the lower threshold.
2:46:22 I think it was like 8 or 9 million compared to where it was initially and that that would then go through the RFP
2:46:30 process and come back to the council for an actual approval. Yes. Um, and so and I think it, if I, if I remember correctly and understand correctly, it
2:46:38 was a it was a scaledback version of a dock with maybe some a few slips and it had a different version of a meet us in
2:46:45 the middle that did include a first responder and veteran memorial areas.
2:46:50 Um, so I think that's where that vote went. Um, and it's my understanding that we would that would go out to RFP
2:46:58 sometime this summer, I think, is what if I remember from that timeline. Um, and it would then come to staff for a for a vote. And I guess I leave it to
2:47:07 staff to indicate if it's anything different.
2:47:10 That that sounds very familiar. I'd have to go back and look at the minutes, but that sounds okay. Accurate.
2:47:15 So, I think maybe at that point, uh, we would need to if there's going to be an alteration, there needs to be some sort of action or official action that we
2:47:23 would need to take to to change that course. Correct. I believe you're correct. Yeah.
2:47:29 Okay. Okay. All right. I just want to make sure. Um, okay. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Council member Myers.
2:47:37 Um, the only thing I had to report is that I attended the NOAC Institute a week and a half ago and it was quite an quite um interesting to learn the processes with our FDOT system.
2:47:48 Okay. Council member Peterson.
2:47:52 All right. So, May is now GBS and CIDP awareness month. I think it's really important. Somebody came to us, you
2:48:01 know, to do this proclamation and this is a a very rare nervous disease that attacks the immune system and attacks
2:48:09 the whole nervous system causes weakness, numbness, sometimes paralysis.
2:48:14 CBS comes on suddenly where CIDP is a long-term vision, but both can turn and
2:48:21 turn a family upside down. In Clermont, your quality of life is not only parks and roads. It also means looking out for our neighbors, including those dealing
2:48:30 with serious health challenges. Some people you never have heard of. To anyone in our community living with one
2:48:38 of these conditions or caring for someone who is, we see you. We know who you are.
2:48:47 That's it. Thank you. And now for my report.
2:48:57 Wow, it was a busy week last week. Uh, this is why you took care of the CPD, the no parking signs. Can we get with uh
2:49:08 public works on the parking and PD department on the parking signs again, please, sir? Yes, sir.
2:49:13 All right. And uh I'm assuming when when they asked by who would enforce them, I'm assuming it's PD department.
2:49:20 Yeah. It's my understanding that the signs were replaced.
2:49:23 Okay. They may have been removed again a second time, but it's my understanding that they were replaced shortly after that last council meeting where you direct us.
2:49:30 Well, I know I got a call from you or Mr. Ben Wagner or one of you said they were being done at as they spoke to me, but when I walked outside, I didn't see
2:49:38 anybody out there doing any work and I didn't see the signs. So, u So, uh I went to check and they I
2:49:46 didn't see anybody working and I I saw no new signs added. So, all righty.
2:49:51 Habitat. I had the pleasure on last Friday morning being out in Mascot of Stucky uh with Habitat and South Lake
2:49:58 High School, Habitat for Humanity and I think it's a great program. Um but South Lake High School have a group of young men out there in construction and they
2:50:07 going around teaming with Habitat for Humanity and building homes for people and it was it was outstanding to see them the home. I was out there last
2:50:15 October, November, I guess when they broke uh raised the beam on it and all to go back out there Friday and see the h home completed. It was it was truly
2:50:22 amazing to see all these high school kids that actually built this home. So, it's outstanding program. If you know anyone that's um want to get into
2:50:31 construction, maybe steer them towards South Lake High School because that's the only uh out of all our three high schools, South Lake is the only one that
2:50:38 participate here. I think they also have the same program in Leburg as well. But it was great. Another great thing I was able to do was I mean our kids were just
2:50:46 showing out this weekend. Uh Friday I also had a chance to visit uh Reerial Cole Academy. I mean it was very
2:50:55 fascinating. Um our STEM program and STEM students over there had the opportunity to uh send a bunch of
2:51:02 questions. I think they sent about 25 questions to the uh to NASA. Okay. And uh it was I actually I went to the
2:51:10 ceremony. They actually hooked up with NASA over there the other morning and had the uh astronaut from the space station answer the about 15 of the
2:51:18 question. So it was really really fascinating to see our kids sit there uh uh fourth fifth graders and high school
2:51:26 kids ask the question. They also brought in some of the kids from from South Lake as well. So and they actually hooked into NASA in the space station and
2:51:34 seeing astronauts on the space station actually answer all these questions the other morning. So I I got a chance. So our kids are doing great things. And
2:51:41 then Saturday night, behold, I was at Lake Community Arts. And what happened?
2:51:48 Lake Community Art, a fantastic uh concert they gave. But guess what? We had about 20 kids, I guess it was, singing at the lake uh concert the other
2:51:56 night. And I was very fascinated. I said, "Wow, it's been a week full of kids for me." You know, everything attending included our young people and I'm glad to see all that. But to see
2:52:05 them out there singing uh in front of all them people about 700 people or more there Saturday night. I think Miss Strange was there as well. But to see
2:52:13 them kids get up there and do uh sing in front of all them kids and and did a fantastic job was I truly admired that,
2:52:20 you know. So So thank God. Uh also on Thursday morning, I attended a couple of prayer breakfastes. Uh prayer well I
2:52:27 attended one at six o'clock and then I went to another one at 7:15. So uh it was national prayer day. So I was able to attend both of them and both of them
2:52:35 are well received. I think the one that the view was the first time they're doing of course the one at the uh center over here Wesley Center uh one
2:52:44 that Kamana put on every year been doing it for years and it was well received too with a lot of people there. So so it was great and I got a lot of comment.
2:52:52 It's one of the better ones yet. So it was great. I thank everybody that came out to my lunchon. Also on Friday I attended the Wow man I had a busy day.
2:53:00 On Friday, I attended a local uh county uh FLC uh chapter uh called Heartland
2:53:08 League of Cities and everything. And they actually awarded me with the Hometown Hero Award. I got awarded with Hometown Hero Award. There actually five
2:53:16 of us from our our chapter that actually got awarded on Friday and everything.
2:53:22 myself, uh, mayor from Lady Lake, uh, one council member from Wildwood, and two from, uh,
2:53:29 Mount Dora. So, it was great. Uh, another fascinating thing I did, uh, was find, feed, and restore on Saturday. I
2:53:37 got a chance to go to the stimulation on on homelessness on Friday on Saturday as well. So, it was outstanding to sit there and and go through that exercise
2:53:46 and see what it's actually like and uh see what it's like. If you overnight lose your home, lose your finance, lose
2:53:53 everything and you out there nowhere, what would you do? And then you have to deal with the these different agencies and everything and trying to figure out where you going to stay, what you going
2:54:02 to do with your kids and all that. So, it was very fascinating. If you ever get a chance, I would say uh in the future when they hold one of these, if you get a chance, please attend it. It's it's
2:54:10 very eye opening and all. So, um, Miss Strange, I guess you said Miss, uh, New Florida Media asked you to do this.
2:54:18 Who is New Florida Media? Media Company.
2:54:23 I would think that may be a little bit of conf and I mean, I don't think I have any problem with block party, but we are
2:54:29 city um, park and rec. And I know I fought for years to get Fourth July
2:54:37 celebration and I know it's a uh special year celebration, the 250 year celebration. Uh if we want to do something extra, I think we can get with
2:54:45 with our park and recreation and include all that in there. And I don't think we need to have somebody else come in and then especially for when council member
2:54:53 the cherry that seemed like it'd be a conflict of interest when we got a coun uh a staff already program that's been doing this for years. uh maybe work with
2:55:01 him and give him some suggestion, but I I I I have a hard pro problem with that. Okay.
2:55:06 I said I'm meeting with Mr. Mayworm tomorrow to put together something with him and Parks and Rec.
2:55:11 Well, Parks and Rec, even for Florida media, I mean, I don't even know who they are. Never heard of them or anything. So, uh new Florida
2:55:20 media, so never even heard of them or anything. So, I I have a hard problem with that. I think that that convinced some kind of a conflict for them to come
2:55:28 in and ask you to chair something to go against what our own park and recreation has already been doing. They've been doing it for years and now uh all that
2:55:35 once we just walk in and try to try to take things away from uh can I okay say would it be okay for me to just walk
2:55:44 out and say hey uh I don't want to attend the city. I don't like what the city doing. So, I'm going to do all my I'm I'mma do some uh I'mma do some um
2:55:52 block parties and myself for the 4th of July do recognition. So, I I kind of think that we on a slippery slope there.
2:56:00 What rule do you think I'm violating? Huh? What rule do you think I'm violating?
2:56:04 Well, park and rec park park and recreation our own division in which this council not this uh council but
2:56:11 council in in the future in the past gave the responsibility of doing fourth of July celebration to our park and
2:56:19 recreation and and I said I'm meeting with them.
2:56:22 Well, that's fine. You won't meet with them but I still have a problem with and now we're trying to dictate to them.
2:56:28 Well, let me say if for one us to be up here and what you said to me a few months uh council me go trying to dictate to them
2:56:36 how to do everything. Okay. Uh trying to dictate to them.
2:56:40 When did I say you were dictating something?
2:56:43 When you accusing me you of the fact that uh I I told the police department what to do things like this. So isn't that somewhat the same thing here? Now we
2:56:51 going to go in and try to tell them uh without without this. But that's well I appreciate the clarification. I'm doing it to the council.
2:57:00 There's a conflict there.
2:57:02 Well, you know, Mr. Mayor, we could talk about the League of Cities and your participation in that if we if we want to bring it up and our service with other organizations, but I'm sitting
2:57:09 here talking to the deputy city manager who's the current sitting city manager and I'm disclosing it to this council and asking for your engagement,
2:57:16 participation after I sat with the deputy city manager and talked to the public works representative in my meeting with the deputy city manager. So
2:57:25 unlike the situation where you instructed staff what to do in a parking lot without going to the city manager and advising him of what happened, I'm doing it in partnership with the city
2:57:33 manager so that the entire city can benefit from what is one of the greatest celebrations in our nation's history. If the council thinks that I shouldn't be
2:57:42 able to volunteer that time, I can do it without the city's participation and and I'd be happy to do that. But it seems
2:57:50 like a good thing for the city to have options, citizens to have choices that don't require them to get into cars and to drive downtown, especially if you're
2:57:57 wellness way and you live 10, 15, 20 minutes away. I'm just trying to create another opportunity. I'm doing it with
2:58:05 the staff. I'm not alienating them or going around them.
2:58:10 Well, as I say, sound like you're alienating and then you're going against staff when we already have staff sitting here to do this. uh uh why why would I
2:58:18 as a council member which we've already informed them to do this which they are planning already uh to go out and do
2:58:25 this and part u in the drawing away from their their their parties they already again if you want to do the block
2:58:33 parties um outside of our fourth July celebration which I think they've already come to me and told me they they looking to do uh expand it even more
2:58:41 than what they've done in the past uh couple years and everything. So, um, it seemed like we f to fight against against our own own own department here.
2:58:51 Okay. And I I I I cannot support that.
2:58:53 Okay. Uh, for his meetings in the middle, I think Mr. Mr. Mr. Bain said it all for me for his meeting in the middle. I think this council voted, as
2:59:02 he said, we voted to to move that project forward. Um, and I think that's what's happening. My last I heard in
2:59:08 next month, the uh Mr. Jeff Power supposed to be bringing back the engineer and everything for us to and hopefully in July we can move it forward
2:59:16 with uh with procurement but that's what had been voted on uh so far and and passed by this council in the past and that's where we are with meet us in the
2:59:25 middle. Um anything else? That's basically all I got I have anyway. Mr. W. Um you said you took care of the CPD and no parking.
2:59:36 Okay. Thank you. Anybody else has anything else? Can I can I just ask a clarification question? I I'm not I I
2:59:43 don't I'm not trying to create a a a argument here. Um but
2:59:51 is the is the invol is the issue that council member Strange brought up.
2:59:59 Are you bringing it up, Council Member Strange, in terms of asking for council approval or or um consensus in having
3:00:10 staff be involved in planning alternative events to what's already being planned by the city?
3:00:18 Yes. A and and in turn that would mean staff involvement, funding, those types of things. or is it you're seeking
3:00:26 clarification as to what the process would be if this organization that you've been asked by
3:00:35 wanted to do things but they wouldn't be through the city.
3:00:40 So I have been asked to be the honorary chair of the 250th celebration here in the city of Clermont by this organization. I'm excited to do it. When
3:00:49 I mentioned it to staff today, staff was excited by the idea of it. So the natural conversation was what could we
3:00:58 do together? And that was what that's what came of it. The same way that I came to you and said I was
3:01:05 working with staff on the trails and the greenways project. So, I'm advising you of conversations that staff has brought
3:01:14 up to me and that I have brought up to staff so that I'm not operating in the dark. Um, but it's with the excitement
3:01:21 of staff and I sure hope that this council will support staff's excitement for something as monumentous as the
3:01:30 250th anniversary of our nation and that we don't take an approach of we have one thing and one thing only and nothing
3:01:38 else is supported by the city. I don't currently have an ask because I don't know where this is going to go. It is
3:01:45 new. But I'm adi advising everybody from the beginning that this is what came up and I think it's wonderful. Yes.
3:01:53 Um and so I I can't I'll tell you if the if the statement is as a private citizen
3:02:01 I'm not permitted to celebrate our nation's 250th. That's not going to go over well. I will celebrate the 250th
3:02:08 and I will sing it from the rooftops um in every every avenue that I have to sing it from the rooftops. But right now
3:02:16 I don't have an ask. But I kind of think you'll hear from staff soon that they have an ask because one of the comments
3:02:25 that was made was well we had wanted to do more for the July 4th um but it wasn't in this year's budget.
3:02:34 So I said well I think it's wonderful if you want to do more. So, I look forward to learning more about what excites staff on this on this celebration that's
3:02:42 coming up and I will happily report that back. I'll let staff do it at the beginning so that I don't violate sunshine, but when we come to the next
3:02:50 meeting, it's something I may have an item on the agenda to ask for additional things. Don't know yet. Um, just keeping you in the loop as as the situation progresses.
3:03:00 Yeah. And I I I don't think um you as a private citizen have any restriction on
3:03:07 what you'd like to do um with regard to celebrating or or promoting something. I think um the the
3:03:16 if we as a council member want to take the city in a different direction or
3:03:24 have staff involved and plan different events. I think that needs to be done in a in a transparent way with regard to if
3:03:31 we're asking uh the staff and and the city to work with an entity. I I'd like to know more about that entity um and
3:03:40 and know where that that entity lies and what who's funding this where I don't know who this
3:03:48 Florida media I'm sorry I don't know where my notes are here on it now. um, New Florida Media Group is. So, I just
3:03:57 want to make sure that that this is something that that uh I'm okay with as a council member. Um, that if we're
3:04:06 going to do additional activities, um, that it it's done with input and
3:04:13 with guidance and with um the the sunshine of who's involved and what it's all actually about and who's it for. Uh,
3:04:22 that's that's that's my concern. Um, so if there's going to be something more that comes back, um, then I I certainly would hope that it would be include who
3:04:31 who this in company or group is, um, and and what what their idea and plan is um,
3:04:39 so that we can decide whether or not we would want to uh, involve staff and provide funding for any of it before it actually happens in that way.
3:04:48 Sure. And that's why I bring it up. Okay.
3:04:53 Mr. Strange, you're an attorney and you're you have an attorney right next to you. So, I would imagine that you're probably very familiar with the with the
3:05:01 Sunshine Laws and how it not only applies to us, but especially how it applies to you. And I would think that you would never make an
3:05:09 error in judgment where you're going to put yourself in harm's way.
3:05:13 So, I think just bringing this up almost as like a vindictive thing of, well, look what you did to me last time, so now let me stick it to you. And I
3:05:21 thought we had that meeting where we're not going to have this kind of infighting and it seems like it just, you know, the ugly head has has turned around and done it again.
3:05:31 Well, I appreciate your support. Well, let me bring up let me disclosure.
3:05:37 You you Here's the thing is it's my understanding that this new media, this new Florida media is a
3:05:44 political organization that's doing this. And if that's the So why are we sitting here entertaining the fact that
3:05:51 we got a political group that want to come here and and throw themselves in the midst of our Fourth of July celebration and use one of our council members to do it as well. Okay. Bingo.
3:06:03 And that's what I'm saying now. Fine. If they want to go ahead and if city say they going to throw some ideas and everything out there, u that's why I
3:06:10 have a problem with it. Can I go out there and get other political groups to come in here and also join in and kick in in our celebration and everything? That's the problem I have with it.
3:06:19 But who said it was a political group because I've heard about the group.
3:06:23 Okay. You know, everything this is this is still CL positive media company in Clermont media. Well, I'm not going to
3:06:30 get in, but I do not support it and never will support it uh and everything.
3:06:34 Uh uh and then again, let me say this too because my wife just reminded me. I guess that's what she was trying to tell me is the fact that I probably can't
3:06:43 even make two be here quite at 2:00 on on the 19th. Uh because I know I have to have her at a medical appointment that
3:06:51 go up until about a quarter to two and I'll be coming from Winter Park. So I hope to be back in here by 3:00. Okay.
3:06:57 Uh but it's a medical appointment that she has has to have and been scheduled
3:07:03 um for a procedure and and everything on the 19th and she won't be able to drive afterward. So I'll be there.
3:07:10 So does 10:30 to 2 work better for you that day? Well, I I have I actually Well, she have to be there at
3:07:18 1:00 and I actually have what what did she just tell when I and I totally forgot about it, but yeah, she
3:07:25 has appointment her appointment is at 1:00. Hope the procedure is about 45 minutes and then I'll drive back here and be back here about 3:00. Okay.
3:07:33 So, 10 10:30 to 12:30. Would that be would you work with your schedule for that?
3:07:38 12:30 would be too late. It take me like about at least an hour.
3:07:41 Oh, that's right. You said it's at 1:00, not 2. Okay.
3:07:44 Uh I go back and I change some other things on my schedule for Tuesday morning. And uh Well, what about 3:30 to to to
3:07:51 Like I said, I'm hoping to be back here by 3:00. Oh, okay.
3:07:54 3:00. I'm hoping if everything goes right, we'll get it get it done. 45 minutes and I'll be back here by 3:00.
3:08:01 Are you good if we go until 6:00 that night?
3:08:04 I It was originally scheduled for 9:00, so it's a I know it's a big change, but that that's what she was trying to remind me of. when you call me in. I'm sorry. I did have one more thing.
3:08:15 I'm miss Can we Can we make sure we're clear on the timing of of the workshop?
3:08:23 Yeah. Okay. Okay. 3:00. 3:00. That's fine. We're at We're at three. I'm fine with three. Yeah.
3:08:31 Three. That's fine. Do three o'clock.
3:08:33 Keep in mind Tuesday, as I've always said, Tuesday has always been one of them days that I I do have always scheduled a lot to do and and try to
3:08:42 finish up by 1:00 on Tuesdays and everything, but usually on Tuesday morning, I schedule a lot of different things on Tuesday.
3:08:47 And and I think maybe can we there there might be an easy way or easier way to to address this if if we if we're going to
3:08:54 change the time, can we bring that up at the at at the meeting before rather than it just go out as an agenda or as a
3:09:02 meeting request? Maybe that would help cuz I I don't recall us saying it was going to be at 9:00 when we set the agenda. No, I don't I don't know if it was on that schedule or that sheet.
3:09:12 I had it on my schedule. Did you? Okay.
3:09:15 I'm just saying the the the the sheet that we approved at that meeting, I don't think it had it on there. So, if we do that change, if just to
3:09:22 accommodate, I'm not this is not a oneperson thing, but if we're going to make the change, just bring it to the meeting and so we can just discuss it
3:09:30 and plan for it rather than do it after the fact. That might be helpful. Okay. But uh three o'clock. Three o'clock.
3:09:37 Okay. Good. So three o'clock it is. Yeah. Okay.
3:09:41 Um I gave Mr. I was given the proclamation uh on Mr. Alexander. I'm going to let Miss Tracer read that into the record for us, please, before we adjourn.
3:09:51 Is it on the agenda?
3:09:54 It's if it's not on the agenda, we're going to we're going to either need councel to approve it or put it on the next agenda. What is it?
3:10:01 It's the this proclamation that was for back in 29 2009 that uh Mr. Kirk gave me
3:10:08 for Al Army Specialist uh Alexander Miller.
3:10:15 Oh, the one that he provided you soldier.
3:10:19 Yeah, it's we have to put this as in the agenda. You can't just throw in the reports.
3:10:25 I don't think is that Well, he only gave me the one copy. I forgot to give it to the count to read it for the next meeting. So everybody here can Can you do it for the
3:10:33 next meeting then since it wasn't in the agenda? It's a part of the record.
3:10:37 Is it part of the Do you want me to read? It's up to y'all. It's up to y'all.
3:10:43 Y'all are always in charge of what y'all want to do.
3:10:48 Are we issuing in the proclamation or we just reading it?
3:10:50 The proclamation was issued. He gave me the He only gave me one proclamation. It was issued in 29 uh in honor of
3:10:58 Alexander Smiller who's also has part of Highway 50 dedicated to his name uh and dedicated to his name as a uh veteran.
3:11:07 You know, I think a section right there be what's that in front of uh rising the section highway 50 rising down the Grand
3:11:15 Highway. I think if you go past there, you'll see a sign with his name on it and it's been there since 2009, you know. But uh the council way back in '09
3:11:23 did it and I remember when they did it back in 09. Hey, if you don't want to hit that's fine with me.
3:11:27 I don't think you can do a proclamation and reports that have doesn't have to be put into apparently been issued.
3:11:34 It was already issued apparently. So this isn't adding I I think the mayor's asking as part of his report for this to
3:11:42 be read that it was something that was given. I mean I it was okay. Would you like me to read it? It's your report. Okay.
3:11:49 Whereas Alexander J. Miller was born on December 30, 1987 and lived in the Clermont community for most of his life. And whereas Alexander attended
3:11:57 East Ridge High School and whereas Alexander served as an Army Specialist with the First Battalion, 32nd Infantry
3:12:03 Regiment, Third Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. And whereas Alexander was deployed to Afghanistan in
3:12:12 January 2009. And whereas on January 31, 2009, Alexander lost his life in Afghanistan while serving our country.
3:12:20 And whereas the citizens of Clermont through their elected representatives wish to convey their deep appreciation and profound respect to Army Specialist
3:12:29 Alexander J. Miller for his commitment to duty. And whereas the citizens of Clermont through their elected representatives wish to express
3:12:37 heartfelt condolences to the family of this brave soldier at this difficult time in their lives.
3:12:44 Thank you, ma'am. I've been saying anything else need to come before the council.
3:12:49 Yeah, I'd like to clarify since it was asked of me. Um, the website is america2250.org
3:12:56 and it's America's block party and that is the block party that
3:13:04 I I I will confess I have not done extensive research into it. I perceived it as something that would be fun for
3:13:11 our community and other communities to do in celebration of the 250th.
3:13:16 Um, if it is something that is somehow nefarious, I certainly would not
3:13:23 want to be associated with it. So, I perceive it as a nationwide activity. So, anything else?
3:13:35 And nothing meeting a journal.