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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 09 24 Consent 205 Approval of Town Hall Meeting 090407 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Town Hall Meeting of Tuesday, September 4, 2007 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 7:00 p.m. at the Highlands Clubhouse (2200 Shepard Road, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). The following individuals were present: Mayor John F. Bush Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis Commissioner Robert S. Miller Commissioner Rick Brown Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs City Manager Ronald W. McLemore Mayor Bush introduced the City Commission, the City Manager, and Staff who were in attendance. Mayor Bush also introduced former Commissioners Michael S. Blake and Edward Martinez, Jr. A presentation on the City's VISIOn and accomplishments was shown to those III attendance by Mayor Bush. Mayor Bush said, "We can Improve the VISIOn for our City and further service improvements, that is one thing that we can do. We could maintain the vision or maintain the correct service levels and then the third thing is, we could give up the vision and reduce service levels." A PowerPoint presentation was then displayed awhile Mayor Bush spoke of the various City of Winter Springs' Departments, their functions and servIces. The Property Tax Reform issue was discussed. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Ron Ligthart, 1036 Winding Waters Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: as a Committee Member on the Ad Hoc Winter Springs Citizen Property Tax Reform Mitigation Study Committee, Mr. Ligthart spoke of the City's Pension Plan. Discussion followed on the City's Pension Plan and retirement plans. :~~~~:~, C"'f.7-~'i'l ~~.lfm',~ ;;~J~ ~~~J #!~...,."e'iiif;. ~,!~ ~ ~ ,,~ ~ ~ CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4,2007 PAGE 2 OF 4 Tape I/Side B Further discussion. Ms. Angela Massa, 452 Club Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: mentioned her concern with real estate taxes and the Winter Springs Golf Course property. Discussion followed on the Winter Springs Golf Course property. Mr. George Seely, 211 Birch Terrace, Winter Springs, Florida: commented favorably about the Town Hall Meetings; mentioned natural gas lines in the City; issues with roadways; buses dropping off children at the Splash Park; vendors without business licenses at Park events; and lawn service companies without a license. Regarding the gas line, Mr. Kip Lockcuff, Director, Public Works Department said, "It is not a City function. We can check - and see if they have a replacement plan or share the concerns Mr. Seely has. I never heard of them being certified." Discussion ensued on User Fees and Occupational Licenses and unlicensed Vendors selling food. Regarding operating businesses, Manager McLemore stated, "These people that are in and out all the time are quite difficult, but I would agree that we could probably do a better job. It just takes man hours and we have to question what we allocate those and our resources." Mr. Seely then mentioned people living in Soldiers Creek Park. Regarding Soldiers Creek Park, Captain Kevin Brunelle, Police Department said, "It is not even in the jurisdictional limits of Winter Springs. We wouldn't have any jurisdiction back there anyway, but I can check into it and see what Seminole County is experiencing. " Mr. Benjamin Cola, 315 Montrose Street, Winter Springs, Florida: inquired about people being here legally or not, and what one can ask. With further discussion on the safety of gas lines, Manager McLemore said, "I will certainly look forward to asking that and seeing what we find out, but I'll tell you, it is unbelievably regulated industry for safety." Commissioner Rick Brown asked, "Can we possibly get a copy of their most recent Reports?" Manager McLemore said, "Sure." Commissioner Brown added, "And Inspection Reports?" Manager McLemore said, "Sure." Discussion followed on Code Enforcement Staff. .~,~ ~w.rr.~ ir:- ;""''11! ,,,,,,,,,,.sr.,,,,,,,! ;:;~~~l C~ ~ ~lM,{l Q...~ ~ ~: ~ CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE30F4 Mr. Walt Willis, 523 Shane Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke about the funding and the Property Tax Reform issue. Mr. Bob Henderson, 635 White Ibis Court, Winter Springs, Florida: commented about the lawsuit with the Highlands. Ms. Laurie Marsell, 458 MacGregor Road, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on environmental issues, development, and the Highlands community. Tape 2/Side A Further discussion continued on the Winter Springs Golf Course and the City's Tree Program. Ms. Marsell said, "Why don't we at least make them go tree for tree - I would love to know exactly what the replacement program is." Manager McLemore said, "Come down and we'll show it to you." Mr. Richard Grogan, 1 North Fairfax Avenue, Winter Springs, Florida: said he supported Ms. Marsell's comments, and said that Developers just replace trees with dwarf trees which he did not agree with. Discussion. Ms. JoAnn Mattie, 685 Fortrose Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: commented favorably on the Budget; and noted the importance of the Police and Fire Departments and suggested volunteers be used to help the City. Next, Ms. Mattie suggested that State Road 434 be kept up, and commented on the paint colors of some commercial buildings. Further discussion. Mayor Bush said, "When the City brings a Code which is a Law, it takes two (2) Public Hearings of which - will have to be read and people have a chance to respond to it one way or the other and then after the second Meeting, the Commission can adopt the Code." Mr. Richard Grogan, 1 North Fairfax Avenue, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke in support of expenses related to the Cross Seminole Trail pedestrian bridge. Discussion continued on the Cross Seminole Trail. Mr. Leroy Holloway, 705 Glasgow Court, Winter Springs, Florida: thanked the City Commission for coming and said he would not like to lose any services. ~~:::; ~~ ~W,~ tC'~~ 11I''',,50' "" !IIs>rn-<!b,<"l/Iij ~)~ ~v... ~"'" ~ CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE40F4 Mr. Benjamin Cola, 315 Montrose Street, Winter Springs, Florida: as President of Highland Village, Mr. Cola spoke briefly about the Winter Springs Golf Course and his concern with increasing taxes. Discussion. Mayor Bush recommended viewing the Seminole County Property Appraiser's Website. Tape 2/Side B Discussion ensued regarding the Pension Plan. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Town Hall Meeting at 9:33 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: JOAN L. BROWN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND ANDREA LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MA YOR JOHN F. BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the , 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting. ~ ~ :;.,..~ 1f''''''c<""'""",,,, ~t'Z.:-ill:.;1Il ~"'~ !\jll$"'a>.K"""", C~ ~ ~ ;----jI CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Town Hall Meeting of Tuesday, September 4, 2007 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 7:00 p.m. at the Highlands Clubhouse (2200 Shepard Road, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). The following individuals were present: Mayor John F. Bush Deputy Mayor Sally McGinnis Commissioner Robert S. Miller Commissioner Rick Brown Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs City Manager Ronald W. McLemore Mayor Bush introduced the City Commission, the City Manager, and Staff who were in attendance. Mayor Bush also introduced former Commissioners Michael S. Blake and Edward Martinez, Jr. A presentation on the City's VISIOn and accomplishments was shown to those III attendance by Mayor Bush. Mayor Bush said, "We can Improve the VISIon for our City and further service improvements, that is one thing that we can do. We could maintain the vision or maintain the correct service levels and then the third thing is, we could give up the vision and reduce service levels." A PowerPoint presentation was then displayed awhile Mayor Bush spoke of the various City of Winter Springs' Departments, their functions and serVIces. The Property Tax Reform issue was discussed. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Ron Ligthart, 1036 Winding Waters Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: as a Committee Member on the Ad Hoc Winter Springs Citizen Property Tax Reform Mitigation Study Committee, Mr. Ligthart spoke of the City's Pension Plan. Discussion followed on the City's Pension Plan and retirement plans. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4,2007 PAGE 2 OF 4 Tape IISide B Further discussion. Ms. Angela Massa, 452 Club Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: mentioned her concern with real estate taxes and the Winter Springs Golf Course property. Discussion followed on the Winter Springs Golf Course property. Mr. George Seely, 211 Birch Terrace, Winter Springs, Florida: commented favorably about the Town Hall Meetings; mentioned natural gas lines in the City; issues with roadways; buses dropping off children at the Splash Park; vendors without business licenses at Park events; and lawn service companies without a license. Regarding the gas line, Mr. Kip Lockcuff, Director, Public Works Department said, "It is not a City function. We can check - and see if they have a replacement plan or share the concerns Mr. Seely has. I never heard of them being certified." Discussion ensued on User Fees and Occupational Licenses and unlicensed Vendors selling food. Regarding operating businesses, Manager McLemore stated, "These people that are in and out all the time are quite difficult, but I would agree that we could probably do a better job. It just takes man hours and we have to question what we allocate those and our resources." Mr. Seely then mentioned people living in Soldiers Creek Park. Regarding Soldiers Creek Park, Captain Kevin Brunelle, Police Department said, "It is not even in the jurisdictional limits of Winter Springs. We wouldn't have any jurisdiction back there anyway, but I can check into it and see what Seminole County is experiencing. " Mr. Benjamin Cola, 315 Montrose Street, Winter Springs, Florida: inquired about people being here legally or not, and what one can ask. With further discussion on the safety of gas lines, Manager McLemore said, "I will certainly look forward to asking that and seeing what we find out, but I'll tell you, it is unbelievably regulated industry for safety." Commissioner Rick Brown asked, "Can we possibly get a copy of their most recent Reports?" Manager McLemore said, "Sure." Commissioner Brown added, "And Inspection Reports?" Manager McLemore said, "Sure." Discussion followed on Code Enforcement Staff. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE30F4 Mr. Walt Willis, 523 Shane Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke about the funding and the Property Tax Reform issue. Mr. Bob Henderson, 635 White Ibis Court, Winter Springs, Florida: commented about the lawsuit with the Highlands. Ms. Laurie Marsell, 458 MacGregor Road, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on environmental issues, development, and the Highlands community. Tape 2/Side A Further discussion continued on the Winter Springs Golf Course and the City's Tree Program. Ms. Marsell said, "Why don't we at least make them go tree for tree - I would love to know exactly what the replacement program is." Manager McLemore said, "Come down and we'll show it to you." Mr. Richard Grogan, 1 North Fairfax Avenue, Winter Springs, Florida: said he supported Ms. Marsell's comments, and said that Developers just replace trees with dwarf trees which he did not agree with. Discussion. Ms. JoAnn Mattie, 685 Fortrose Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: commented favorably on the Budget; and noted the importance of the Police and Fire Departments and suggested volunteers be used to help the City. Next, Ms. Mattie suggested that State Road 434 be kept up, and commented on the paint colors of some commercial buildings. Further discussion. Mayor Bush said, "When the City brings a Code which is a Law, it takes two (2) Public Hearings of which - will have to be read and people have a chance to respond to it one way or the other and then after the second Meeting, the Commission can adopt the Code." Mr. Richard Grogan, 1 North Fairfax Avenue, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke in support of expenses related to the Cross Seminole Trail pedestrian bridge. Discussion continued on the Cross Seminole Trail. Mr. Leroy Holloway, 705 Glasgow Court, Winter Springs, Florida: thanked the City Commission for coming and said he would not like to lose any services. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE40F4 Mr. Benjamin Cola, 315 Montrose Street, Winter Springs, Florida: as President of Highland Village, Mr. Cola spoke briefly about the Winter Springs Golf Course and his concern with increasing taxes. Discussion. Mayor Bush recommended viewing the Seminole County Property Appraiser's Website. Tape 2/Side B Discussion ensued regarding the Pension Plan. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Town Hall Meeting at 9:33 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: JOAN L., BROWN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND / AND A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: Q;j~ ~HN F. BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the September 24, 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting.