HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2000 03 20 City Commission Workshop Minutes
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION
WORKSHOP
MARCH 20, 2000
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Workshop of March 20, 2000 of the City Commission was called to order by Deputy
Mayor Cindy Gennell at 6:32 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal
Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708).
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Paul P. Partyka, absent
Deputy Mayor Cindy Gennell, present
Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present
Commissioner Michael S. Blake, present
Commissioner Edward Martinez, Jr., present
Commissioner David W. McLeod, present
City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present
City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent
II. WORKSHOP AGENDA
Discussion Regarding The Use Of City Lands And The Future Use For Parks And
Recreation Areas.
A. City Lands
1. Development Of Areas Within Perc Ponds (Shepard Road) - Attachment A-I
Mr. Chuck Pula, Parks and Recreation Director introduced this issue, and initial
discussion ensued on providing practice areas for football.
Mr. Bill Starmer, Consultant was recognized and introduced to the Commission.
Members of the Commission, Mr. Ronald W. McLemore, City Manager, and Mr. Starmer
discussed whether the ponds would need to be moved; budgeted amounts; restroom
facilities (which were quoted to cost approximately $63,000); wants versus needs;
parking (and the related paving issue); that possibly about 240 children could be expected
to be at the site, at anyone time; planned staffing at the proposed practice site; possibly
acquiring a mobile unit type of restroom facility; changing demands for particular fields
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and facilities; costs for paved parking versus restroom facilities; how the Perc Ponds
function; and how restroom facilities could be built for less.
Manager McLemore offered to walk the site with Commissioner David W. McLeod.
Further discussion ensued on the fields; the Perc Ponds; whether the fields would need to
be sodded for practice; realistic costs for improvements to this park; types of sod and
irrigation; funding; and the use of the fields.
Deputy Mayor Gennell summarized, "In order to - we access this property to give a relief
valve for practice fields, initially, right? So now we have to determine whether we want
to grade it, upgrade the sod; and if we're going to do all that - of course, do we want to
do it with or without restrooms? That's what's here in front of us - and parking."
Deputy Mayor Gennell stated, "The consensus along here has been to go for graded - just
rough graded parking, and come back with some restroom alternatives, and bring it back
to us." Further discussion ensued on "intensive" use, and the "sod issue" was also a
concern.
2. Property Around Police Station (Sunshine Park) - Attachment A-2
This subject started with discussion on the nature of the fields being typically "T-Ball"
fields, which probably would be cost prohibitive; mitigation costs (which could cost
approximately $50,000 per acre); and that the tennis courts would not be lighted.
3. Trotwood Park Batting Cages - Attachment A-3
Discussion on where batting cages might be situated; how batting cages would work in
this City; how City owned and operated batting cages might affect other "Batting Cage"
businesses, already in business - in the City; monies that are possibly available from
Little League towards the building of batting cages; this as a potential "cost-sharing"
venture; supervision responsibilities; and related liabilities.
Tape IISide B
There was continued discussion as to where the first batting cages should be built; actual
mitigation cost ratios; exploring a higher use for some lands; safety concerns; levels of
supervision; more intense uses; "T-Ball" use; rescheduling the fields; proper design;
construction; proper "management" of the batting cages; utilization of the batting cages;
sensitivity to the neighbors; the need for practice fields; pursuing the recommendation(s)
of Staff; and that the batting cages would most likely be locked.
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The Commission discussed their preferences for batting cages (there was support for
building the first batting cage at Trotwood Park); and to build a ball field at Sunshine
Park.
Discussion ensued on possibly repositioning the baseball diamonds; the size of such
fields; and ownership.
Commissioner Robert S. Miller left the dais at 8: 12 p. m.
Further comments covered mitigation concerns; the fence line on Edgemon A venue;
parking; and "T-Ball" fields.
Commissioner Miller returned to the dais at 8:14 p.m.
Members of the Commission then discussed practice fields; and Torcaso Park.
Commissioner Miller asked that mitigation numbers be brought back to the Commission.
Discussion followed regarding ownership; the purpose of tonight's Workshop; that the
Commission was pleased with the cost estimates that were provided; budgeting;
mitigating the wetlands; Little League fields; moving the Public Works compound
sometime in the future; accepting Staffs recommendation; what future plans for parks
and city lands might be; protection of the wetlands; mitigating the wetlands; Attachment
2; and the Master Plan.
Tape 2/Side A
Discussion followed regarding whether mitigation should be further reviewed by the
Parks and Recreation Department; what the options are; and the intent - as planned.
Commissioner McLeod suggested that dates be added to the documents that are
generated.
Deputy Mayor Gennell asked the Commission, "Is it your desire to have the Staff explore
commercial value of the property adjoining the Police Station?" Deputy Mayor Gennell
summarized, "The consensus is to look at it and find out what it is worth."
Discussion regarding the difference between wetlands and environmentally senSItIve
lands, and the different degrees of differences. Deputy Mayor Gennell then referenced a
"Starmer-Ranaldi letter of December 14, 1999." Discussion.
Commissioner Michael S. Blake left the dais at 8:50 p.m.
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Next, discussion covered reviewing the wetlands issue more completely; exploring
possible options; what kind of consultant should possibly be hired; what would such a
consultant do; and what criteria would be needed to analyze a five-acre piece of property.
Commissioner Blake returned to the dais at 8:53 p.m.
A previous City Commission meeting was next mentioned; along with comments on
parks; what costs have already been incurred for mitigation, and ball fields.
Deputy Mayor Gennell then queried the Commission regarding "Are you interested in
having the Staff bring us back the budgetary amount that it would cost to explore the
wetlands - that piece of property." The consensus was "To do it."
Deputy Mayor Gennell called a break at 8:59 p.m.
Deputy Mayor Gennell called the Meeting back to order at 9:21 p.m..
Deputy Mayor Gennell mentioned that Commissioner Martinez had to leave in order to
take of some personal business.
Deputy Mayor Gennell consulted with the Commission regarding completing this
Agenda and that this Workshop may need to be continued to another date. The best date
to continue this discussion was determined to be Monday, April 3, 2000. *
4. Ranchlands, Moss Park, Murphy Road and Buttonwood Park - Attachment A-4
Discussion began about the property formerly known as Grizzley Park, and what the
status was. The consensus was stated as "It appears to be a dead issue."
Next discussed was Buttonwood Park; and that there is some citizen opposition to this
park. Also covered were such matters as access; ownership; green space; and the
opposition to developing this into a park.
5. Elementary And Middle School Property And Private Property (Shepard Road)
- Attachment A-5
Mr. Pula advised the Commission that 'We are working with the School system to
develop practice sites at the elementary and middle schools, to make them available to
our youth organizations." Photographs were shown of various sites by Mr. Pula, and Mr.
R.T. Hillery, Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent. Discussion ensued on
possibly leasing or purchasing a piece of private property, "Located on the corner of
Shepard Road," which is currently owned by the Great American Life and Property
Insurance Company. The direction from the Commission regarding working with the
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of this property, then making a decision; and considering a Referendum with the
November (2000) election. The Commission asked that options that should be
considered, be brought back to the Commission.
Commissioner Miller left the dais at 10:21 p.m.
Brief discussion followed on how the contract could be written; and what options the City
might have.
Commissioner Miller returned to left the dais at 10:24 p.m.
The Commission was asked if they wished to try and complete the rest of this Agenda.
The consensus was to go ahead with the Agenda.
B. Central Winds Park
1. Game Only Sports Fields/Practices in Amphitheater and Pavilion Areas -
Attachment B-1
Discussion began with comments about the excellent quality of the fields; passive areas;
irrigation; and practice areas. Commissioner Blake stated that the baseball and soccer
fields "Are truly some of the finest fields I've seen." Commissioner Blake added, "And
Staff is to be commended for job that you've done."
Members of the Commission and Manager McLemore then discussed the different kinds
of recreation; that unstructured play is just as important as sports leagues; City policy
regarding practice play; informing the general public; and bringing back a policy which
outlines which fields could be used for practice.
Commissioner Blake stated, "Point of Order. 1 mean, 1 just want to - again, make it
absolutely clear - I'm absolutely in favor of no practice at all on the manicured fields."
Discussion ensued on the passive areas; bahia grass; practice fields at Central Winds
Park; and how the high school uses some of the fields as part of an Interlocal Agreement.
Deputy Mayor Gennell spoke of the Interlocal Agreement, and clarified, "Beyond that,
we don't have any practice on the finish fields and we don't want to have any organized
practice on the Amphitheater or the passive area."
Mr. Pula added, "We're looking for a policy from you for the Park which basically
covers the Amphitheater and the passive area."
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schools was to do so, with consideration of related costs. The Commission discussed
staff time; related costs; and the Commission then suggested that the City check with the
owner of the private property regarding price and whether they are willing to sell; and to
then bring this information back to the Commission.
.:..:. AGENDA NOTE: THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS NEXT
DISCUSSED, AS DOCUMENTED. .:. .:.
D. Proposed City Swimming Pool- Attachment D-l
Discussion covered such topics as the asking price of the Parker property; the appraised
value of the Parker property; and that this should be a part of the general Central Winds
Park discussion. Members of the Commission suggested that we review the proposed
pool concept, and return with a modified version; and that we check into an alternative
which has sprays of waters shooting upwards. Also discussed were previous suggestions
by a consultant; "water park" type of pools; possibly involving the School Board; other
neighboring cities that also have pool facilities; considering a "competition" type of pool;
and the City of Oviedo's pool.
Tape 2/Side B
Possible partnerships in such a venture was next discussed; access; that we consider both
sides of the question; that the Commission was not looking for a "water theme park" type
of concept, but a site where children could go and learn to swim, or attend summer
recreational programs; and lifeguards. Discussion followed that the Commission might
consider a project in the $500,000.00 to $750,000.00 price range; possibly incorporating
the School Board in such a project and if so, then combining both competition and play;
otherwise it would be primarily for community recreation.
Discussion followed regarding where (at Central Winds Park) such a pool could be
located; the size of the previous "Putt-Putt" area; how much space a pool would take up;
and would additional parking be needed.
.:..:. AGENDA NOTE: THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS WERE NEXT
DISCUSSED, AS DOCUMENTED. .:. .:.
A. City Lands
6. Parker Property - Attachment A-6
Regarding the Parker Property, the appraised value of the property was discussed; along
with the asking price; grant money that could possibly assist, and would any restrictions
apply; what other options might be available; a possible Referendum; pricing the acreage
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2. Fees for Youth Sports Field Usage - Attachment B-2
Mr. Pula advised the Commission that "The City of Winter Springs spends approximately
$161,014 annually to maintain these ball fields at Central Winds Park;" and was
interested in reimbursements to the City for some of the maintenance costs. Discussion.
3. Current Fee Resolution And Ordinance - Attachment B-3
Discussion ensued on possibly putting "fees in place;" and how much revenue would be
generated. The consensus was that several options should be put together for the
Commission, including information pertaining to fees; percentages; and what the
surrounding communities have done.
4. Sponsorship/Partnership - Attachment B-4
Mr. Pula began this discussion by saying, "Another factor that can be involved in fees
and charges is doing "Partnerships, instead of fees and charges." Discussion ensued on
the City being more involved in "The promotion of their programs, and those types of
things;" and how did the Commission feel about this being pursued.
Discussion ensued on monies that have been contributed; the current involvement with
basketball organizations, and that further partnerships could be agreed to with area
football and soccer organizations.
Commissioner Miller asked about getting an analysis of the related costs.
Further discussion covered the present involvement of the City; and staffing. Mr. Pula
explained that there was not much more information that could be provided.
Tape 3/Side A
Discussion continued on partnership programs; our responsibility; training that is being
provided; that we are "Offering a better program;" goals; consistency; structuring this in
an agreement; and registration information. Mr. Pula added, "We spell out all those
particulars in the agreement - it's in the Basketball Agreement."
Commissioner Miller stated, "Madam Chairman, Point of Order - it's after eleven
0' clock."
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Discussion continued on the subject of newsletters; promotions; and partnering efforts.
Commissioner Blake said "I would like to see exactly what Mr. Pula just pointed out, that
he suggested, something with a little more structure, like that - what we're doing with the
organizations." Commissioner Blake added, "What their responsibilities are as well."
Deputy Mayor Gennell summarized - "I think we'll here more about it."
c. School Facility Use by Parks and Recreation - Attachment C-I & C-
I-A
In related discussion, Manager McLemore spoke of recent comments made about the
possibility of a new elementary school being built, and said, "Again, just to put on the
table, 'cause that becomes another opportunity to pick another field or two, particularly if
we can get involved in some way, in the layout of the fields."
Commissioner Blake then mentioned that audiotapes that he recently listed to were very
difficult to understand. Brief discussion.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Partyka adjourned the Workshop at 11: 11 p.m.
*NOTE: AN ADDITIONAL MEETING POSSIBLY CONSIDERED (AND
MENTIONED ON PAGE 4 OF THESE MINUTES) FOR APRIL 3, 2000, WAS NOT
NEEDED NOR HELD, AS MOST AGENDA ITEMS WERE ADDRESSED AT THIS
MEETING.
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Respectfu?~y Submitted By,;:
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Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces
City Clerk
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