Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2025 04 28 City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 289 2025 AT 6:30 PM CITY HALL -COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the Regular Meeting of Monday, April 28, 202S of the City Commission to order at 6:33 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall,1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor Kevin McCann, present Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick, present Commissioner Paul Diaz, present Commissioner Victoria Bruce, present Commissioner Sarah Baker, present Commissioner Mark Caruso, present City Manager Kevin A. Sweet, present City Attorney Anthony Garganese, present City Clerk Christian Gowan, present Pastor Kyle Stewart led the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100) Certified Municipal Clerk Recognition Presentation Gwen Peirce, City Clerk, Satellite Beach, Central East Director of Florida Association of City Clerks recognized City Clerk Christian Gowan and presented him with his Certified Municipal Clerk certificate and pin. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Mr. John Morrisey, 3905 Woodglade Cove, Winter Springs - Chair of Seminole County Libertarian Party - noted opposition to any tax, fee, or rate increases and encouraged seeking alternative funding sources. Mr. Peter Ballasy, 227 Tides Road, Winter Springs noted opposition to a proposed rate increase and asked that money be moved from the general fund to address stormwater issues. Mr. Paula Partyka, 1693 Wingspan Way, Winter Springs thanked the Mayor and Commission for participation in the Rotary golf tournament and PBAS meeting, noted projects lined up for the Town Center, and encouraged the Commission to take action to address issues with wastewater and stormwater including raising fees as needed. Mr. Rick Mould, 705 Tioga Court, Winter Springs spoke about concerns with Pond 59 and impacts of development and road work on State Road 477. Dr. Kurt Miericke, 7820 Seneca Boulevard, Winter Springs - representing Tuscawilla Homeowners Association (THOA) - spoke about Pond 59, creek conditions, and noted he was in favor of raising the stormwater rate if the city could address this issue. At the some time, Dr. Miericke encouraged the Commission to identify alternative funding sources where available. Ms. Laurel Ross, 7778 Seneca Boulevard, Winter Springs thanked the City for their work on the Veteran Committee resolution, noted wanting to stay at seven members, noted interest based on applications, and asked that the five current members be retained. MS. Ross also noted she was president of Chelsea Woods subdivision and reiterated issues with Pond S9 Seneca Boulevard. Mr. Robert Miller, 679 Silver Creek Drive, Winter Springs noted agreement with Mayor Partyka, previous discussions on raising taxes/rates, and encouraged the Commission to do the right thing. Mr. Miller also noted a story in the Oviedo Community News regarding Veolia and comments on difficulty in working with the city and submitted documents for inclusion in the record.' Ms. Leah Weisman, 713 Brookshire Court, Winter Springs noted 200S was the last time stormwater rates were raised, commented on State Road 434 culvert work, and noted the effects of inflation. Ms. Weisman further discussed flooding concerns and the increasing frequency of heavy rains and hurricanes. Mr. Matt Benton, 474 Cedarwood Court, Winter Springs noted a transfer from government to Tuscawilla Ill that he had seen in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and asked about the funding of the wall at Hawk's Reserve. Ms. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs thanked the Commission for allowing Winter Springs Police Department (WSPD) to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and noted that she thought the stormwater rate needed to be increased to keep up with needed repairs and maintenance. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Ongoing Sidewalk Repairs Program - Northwest Quadrant No discussion. 301) Surplus Assets No discussion. 302) Resolution 2025-05: Amending and Restating the Purpose and Function of the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Brief discussion on the Veteran's Committee recommendation to remain at seven members and ensuring the resolution reflected this in all sections. 303) Acceptance of Donation: Fishing Poles from Fish Florida No discussion. 304) Approval of the Monday, March 31, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes No discussion. "MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 400) Ordinance 2025-09: Town Center Corner Store with Gas 1 Documents submitted by Mr. Miller are attached to the end of these minutes. Ms. Terrilyn Rolle, Director, Community Development Department introduced the item, noted the Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation to remove some language from the proposed ordinance, and Staff's recommendation to maintain the ordinance as written. Discussion followed on electric vehicle chargers and Attorney Garganese noted there was no language prohibiting a developer from adding electric vehicle chargers if they deemed it warranted by demand and the market. Ms. Rolle noted the city's previous charger pilot program and issues with costs and low voltage. MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Attorney Garganese read Ordinance 2025-09 by title. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Item 400. Ms. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs noted she thought this was a targeted approach to one specific corner, shared traffic concerns, and noted an existing gas station already in the Town Center. Ms. Sheila Benton, 474 Cedarwood Court, Winter Springs noted a 2075 Development Agreement stating additions to the Town Center should keep with the character and didn't think a gas station would keep with the character of the area. Ms. Karen Meyer, 747 Andover Circle, Winter Springs asked about limited gas verbiage. Mr. Robert Miller, 679 Silver Creek Drive, Winter Springs noted he was in office with the groundbreaking of the Town Center, thought the city had strayed from that vision and encouraged that any gas station be made to be the best -looking gas station in the state. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Item 400. "MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 400." [HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FIRST READING AND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 2025-09.] MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 401) Ordinance 2025-10: Parking Regulations Ms. Rolle introduced the item and noted the ordinance proposed to allow off -site parking when certain conditions were met. She further noted recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Board related to driveway depth which were incorporated into the ordinance for consideration bythe Commission. MOTION TO READY BY TITLE ONLY. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Attorney Garganese read Ordinance 2025-10 by title and noted this ordinance was drafted at the Commission's request related to church parking at Oviedo Community Church. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Item 407. Ms. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs noted the need to consider stormwater and flooding potential. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Item 401. In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Dan Lacich, Pastor at Oviedo City Church noted the intent was for the parking lot to be permeable and stormwater retention was included in the plans. Attorney Garganese confirmed this ordinance would be applicable to C-1 zoned properties throughout the city which would need to meet drainage code and noted ownership of the pond would be determined as part of the site plan process. Brief discussion followed on clarifying where C-1 zoning was located and a neighboring business in support of the church's proposed project. "MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 401." [HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, FIRST READING AND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 2025-10] MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 500) 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Ms. Holly Queen, Director, Finance Department noted the early completion of the 2024 ACFR, thanked the Finance Department, family, staff, and auditors for their work and assistance. Ms. Queen then Introduced Mr. Ron Whitesides and Mr. Pearce Hogan with Purvis Gray to review the audit. Mr. Whitesides presented the audit results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, noted the city was back on track after experiencing some issues in the previous two years, and noted there were no new issues to report. Mr. Whitesides thanked city staff and reviewed what Purvis Gray had done including a federal single audit and noted that the city had been rendered an unmodified opinion with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control found. Mr. Whitesides further noted that one carryover finding from 2023 related to the pension and the timing of benefits remained while six others had been cleared, and no new comments were added. Finally, Mr. Whitesides reviewed the financial highlights of the general fund, enterprise funds, and pension. Discussion followed on the role of the audit, internal control issues found in previous years, the ability of the city to transfer money between certain funds, and issues that had been resolved. Mr. Whitesides noted no issues with internal controls meriting comment in this audit, noted turnover was the primary factor related to previous findings, and noted the audit did not look at infrastructure conditions or account for upcoming capital projects. Discussion followed on ownership of the budget, the role of the Commission, pension funding levels, and the city's financial position. "MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AS PRESENTED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH 2O24. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 501) Discussion and Possible Action: Transfer from General Fund to Stormwater Enterprise Fund Commissioner Diaz explained his request, noted his concerns about a rate increase, and proposed this transfer to complete projects sooner. Discussion followed on purported uneven impacts to bills, expenditures on promotional items, the priority of maintenance, proposed use of reserves, and the yearly deficit in the stormwater fund. Mayor McCann entered photographs showing flooding, a list with $13 million worth of stormwater projects, an additional document with information about the stormwater rate, and an editorial published by the Sanford Herald into the record.2 Further discussion followed on the proposed effective date of the rate change, previous decisions and mindsets prioritizing doing more with less, and the need to do the right thing and address deferred maintenance. Brief discussion also occurred on an International City and County Manager Association (ICMA) course that the Commission was enrolled in to learn about roles and responsibilities in the council-manager form of government. All commissioners were encouraged to participate in the course. City Manager Sweet commented on staffing levels at the city compared to others and agreed that doing more with less was no longer an option. No action was taken 502) Matters Related to Boards & Committees City Clerk Christian Gowan noted a vacancy existed on the Code Enforcement Board and two vacancies existed on the Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee. DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK NOMINATED PAUL DILLMAN TO SEAT FOUR OF THE VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. 503) New Business Deputy Mayor Resnick asked about a Code of Conduct for the Mayor and Commission and asked that the City Manager and City Attorney look into the matter and bring suggestions for modernizing existing language in the code. Deputy Mayor Resnick also asked that information about the Florida League of Cities Legislative Policy Committees, the wall in Tuscawilla III, and the budget process be brought to future meetings. Commissioner Bruce asked about impact fee calculations based on square feet as opposed to per 1000 square feet and asked that this be looked into and potentially adjusted. 2 Attached to the end of these minutes REPORTS 600) City Manager Kevin A. Sweet City Manager Kevin Sweet thanked Holly and the Finance Department for their work, provided updates on bids, Lift Station 7W, and inlet cleaning, noted the 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report was available on the city website, and noted upcoming events including National Drug Takeback Day, a school supply drive, and the May 151h food truck event. Finally, Manager Sweet noted that 1,200 trees had been delivered as part of the city's Arbor Day tree giveaway. 601) City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report 602) City Clerk Christian Gowan City Clerk Christian Gowan reiterated his thanks to those in attendance to see his receipt of his Certified Municipal Clerk and thanked all the Seminole County Clerks for reaching out and offering their support. City Clerk Gowan further commented on the high quality of his coworkers and thanked Assistant Clerk Tristin Tarrant for her work as well. 603) Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce Commissioner Bruce noted that she had been asked to serve on the board for the Winter Springs Performing Arts Center, ongoing issues with the fountains at Tuscawilla, her attendance at an event to clean Tuskawilla Road on Earth Day, and noted an upcoming meeting on MaylstwithCity Manager Sweet and residents of Hacienda Village to discuss their concerns and potential soutions. 604) Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker Commissioner Baker congratulated City Clerk Christian Gowan on his CMC designation and thanked Ms. Queen and the finance team for their work on the ACFR. Commissioner Baker also noted her enrollment in the ICMA training course as well as additional training opportunities she had sought out, noted her attendance at the City of Oviedo's 100 year celebration, noted a visit to Kid's House and discussed their work, and finally noted she had been discussing pond issues with residents of Oak Forest. 605) Seat Four Commissioner Deputy Mayor Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick noted he would not be in attendance at the May 12th Commission meeting as his daughter would be in a performance. Deputy Mayor Resnick also noted his attendance at the City of Oviedo's 100 year celebration, encouraged support of Kids House and their work, and discussed the condition of medians in the Highlands, specifically along Sheperd Road needing attention. 606) Seat Five Commissioner Mark Caruso Commissioner Caruso congratulated City Clerk Christian Gowan on his CMC designation and thanked Ms. Queen and the finance team for their work on the audit. Commissioner Caruso also noted his attendance at the City of Oviedo's 100 year celebration and the Mustard Seed. 607) Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor McCann noted he had completed his 2025 ethics training, noted he hoped all had a happy Easter, noted his attendance at the Seminole County Veterans luncheon with Veterans Committee Chair Laurel Ross and the funeral of Code Enforcement Board Member Jim Thomson. Mayor MCCann also noted his attendance at the Florida League of Cities Institute for Elected Municipal Officials II (IEMO II) training and commended Commissioner Diaz for completing IEMO I and IEMO 11 so quickly. 608) Seat One Commissioner Paul Diaz Commissioner Diaz congratulated City Clerk Christian Gowan for his CMC designation and thanked him for his work. Commissioner Diaz also discussed his governing philosophy and the importance of differing opinions, voiced opposition to any proposed Code of Conduct that would not allow dissent, and said he would continue to speak out. PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Ms. Laurel Ross, 7778 Seneca Boulevard, Winter Springs - noted upcoming Memorial Day remembrances/events and encouraged reflection. Ms. Ross also offered to help check and replace city flags that were fraying or discolored. Ms. Sheila Benton, 474 Cedarwood Court, Winter Springs commented on previous inaction related to water quality and expressed concerns about a code of conduct that could limit commissioner's ability to add items to the agenda. Ms. Leah Weisman, 113 Brookshire Court, Winter Springs discussed the stormwater fund and the need to use stormwater funds for maintenance and general fund money for other city functions. Mr. Art Gallo, 799 Nandina Terrace, Winter Springs discussed the need to protect and continue funding the pension, discussed the fairness of water rates, and encouraged civil discourse. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIN McCANN of W i U0 a 1959 1O Dro �o County, F NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the June 9, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting.