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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 1, 1999 Minutes to be Approved MINUTES Council of Local Governments in Seminole County (CALNO) Sanford City Hall, Second Floor 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford Florida September 1, 1999 1. Call to Order The chair called a regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by a moment of Silent Meditation. 2. Roll Call PRESENT: Chair Cindy Gennell, Commissioner, City of Winter Springs Member Linda C. Hart, Commissioner, City of Casselberry Member Daryl McClain, Seminole County Commissioner Member Diane Bauer, Seminole County School Board Member Tom Hagood, Jr., Councilman, City of Oviedo Member Paul Lovestrand, Mayor, City of Longwood Member AA. "Mac" McClanahan, Commissioner, City of Sanford Member Brady Lessard, Commissioner, City of Sanford Member Gary Brender, Commissioner, City of Lake Mary Member Dr. Stephen Caldwell Wright, Seminole Community College ABSENT: Member Diane Bauer, Seminole County School Board Member Eddie Rose, Commissioner, City of Altamonte Springs ALSO PRESENT: Randy Morris, Seminole County Commissioner Citizen Stanley Stevens 3. Approval of the June 2,1999 Minutes Chairperson Gennell asked if everyone had read the minutes, and if there were any additions or corrections. Member Hagood moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Seconded by Member Brender and carried by a unanimous vote. 4. Treasurer's Report Member Gary Brender reported the balance in the account is $736.70, and there were no expenses, and none anticipated. Dues will be paid in January. Member McClain moved to approve the Treasurer's Report. Seconded by Member Hagood and carried by a unanimous vote. 5. Program A: Responsibility of Leadership Member Brady Lessard introduced Seminole County Commissioner, Randy Morris. Commissioner Morris spoke on how government has changed over the last 30 years with less respect and moral breakdown, although State government is stronger, with less corruption, than it has ever been in the past. He stated in 1974, which was an off-presidential election year, 45% of people under the age of 35 voted. In the last Presidential Election less than 20% of people under the age of 35 voted. He further stated that the two-party system, which has been in this country for over 200 years, is financially and influentially dominant. Commissioner Morris asserted that when people do not participate, they do not comprehend, but government is becoming more accountable, especially when it comes to election laws. He continued that if you are going to be a leader, and you recognize you are a student of what you want to lead (which is the government), and you know there is a declining belief in what you lead (a declining understanding), and if you accept that and you understand your role, then you are left with only being true to yourself Further, we have seen an evolution in government, dramatically in the last fifteen years, in the Federal, State and Local governments. In the prior 100 years the roles were pretty well defined, but, in attempting to shrink the Federal Government (which never happened), Local Government responsibilities have been passed down from the Federal and State Governments. This has caused the local elected officials to work harder at lobbying at the State and Federal levels, to get the money to pay for programs at their local levels. In lobbying, it completely changes the local government budget. It has now been mandated that local government entities must justifY every line item in the budget hearings based on the mission of the department, and local special bills or any new assignments of money, unless they are based upon something in your mission statement. At the same time we have the demand put on us, in our leadership roles, to listen to the people, but there are fewer people paying attention who understand what we are talking about. We are told we need to take the issues of the day to the people and let the people vote on them, but the people who are voting and making the decisions are a very small portion (15% to 17%) of the registered voters. That is not representative democracy, it is participatory democracy, so our roles have changed again. So, how do you lead? To thine own selfbe true. Try to explain yourself, and what you do, to anyone who will listen. Also, build as many relationships as you can. We have to be true to ourselves as leaders. 6. Program B: Commissioner Lessard introduced Debra Groseclose who gave a brief presentation on Kids House in Seminole County. Kids House of Seminole is a child advocacy center to aid abused children. This aid includes reporting, investigation, treatment and prosecution, in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Kids House was incorporated in 1996 with membership including all the Police Departments in Seminole County, the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court, Department of Children and Families, Seminole County Friends of Abused Children, Inc., Guardian Ad Litem Program of Seminole County, Child Protection Team, Office of the State Attorney - 18th Judicial Circuit, Seminole County Mental Health and Seminole County Sheriffs Office. The Seminole County Commission and Sheriff's Department donated a house at 5467 St. Rd. 427 for the Child Advocacy Center. It has been remodeled so the child can be interviewed in a private area, and representative's from each agency can observe the interview without being seen, so the child only has to go through the story once, and it is taped. The only thing needed now is funding for a physical examination room and counseling staff. Seminole County Commission committed $75,000.00, if Kids House could match it. Home Depot donated $1,000.00 and lots of skilled labor, Rosier Plumbing donated, as will as Bob Parsell of Ace Hardware. The house will be ready to open in six weeks. Ms. Groseclose distributed flyers telling a little more about the facility. Commissioner McClain encouraged each of the cities in Seminole County to look in their budgets and see if they could find funds to donate as matching funds. Ms. Groseclose reported she is available to speak to any group she is asked to speak with. 7. Other Business Chairperson Gennell announced there is a meeting of the Government TV Council on September 8, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Building in the Sheriff's Office. She further reported she felt CALNO should plan to meet at the Airport for a future meeting. Ms. Gennell reported next month's meeting will be in Oviedo and will include a presentation on the Light Rail. On November 3, the Seminole County Commission will do a program on the Court House update. December's meeting will be hosted by the Seminole County School Board. Paul Lovestrand reported he would like to hear from Martha Haynie's Office, the Orange County Comptroller, who has a unique way of funding the Sheriff, which gets rid of double taxation. He reported in Orange County everybody pays for the jail, but the City's pay 15% and the County pays 85% (approximately) for the Sheriff. Ms. Gennell reported they will calendar the next year's program at the January CALNO meeting, and possibly a representative from the Comptroller's office could speak at that meeting. After discussion it was decided to have the Comptroller's program at the Longwood meeting in May, 2000. 8. Reports from Members Mayor Paul Lovestrand, Longwood -- Reported Longwood is in their budget process. Also, they have twenty-three Charter amendments to go on the ballot on November 2. There was an initiative that forced seven of them. There will also be three people running for election. Councilman Tom Hagood, Jr., Oviedo -- Reported they had an election yesterday. The parks and bond referendum passed with 75% support to take existing revenues and use them to fund a $5.5 bond to build a gymnasium and ball field at their sports complex, build a new trail head and expand the trail system in Seminole County, and build a skate board park. They elected Mayor Mary Lou Andrews (73% of the vote) and Council Members Tom O'Hanlon and Chris Jepson. Commissioner A. A. (Mac) McClanahan, Sanford -- Reported their will be a joint meeting of the City Commission and the Planning & Zoning Board to decide on a definite direction for growth in the bordering areas, primarily the County areas that will be annexed, and the utility service. ~.J_'ll 1:.1 J ...-..-.- . -;:'~t Dr_ Stephen Caldwell Wright, Seminole Commnnity College ~ re~ ~rAIbtnttm<fa>DC68jJ,ehWifei~~<stl!a~Hll1R~~s at ii1I s ~ r, ey have two representatives from the student body witb the Community Colleges of State Governments, the president and the treasurer. The renovations are moving along on the old Science Building, and should be completed by January, 2000, which should make SCC the most advanced Science education facility in the region. Ground is being cleared for the Oviedo campus, and one of the priorities for funding in the coming year will be for a joint use facility with UCF on tbe SCC main campus. They have about twenty-two classes heing offered by UCF on the SCC main campus right now. They now have on-line registration and pay options. - Commissioner Daryl McLain, Seminole County Commission __ The Charter Review Committee will be meeting this month, and their budget will be in the month of September. Board Member Diane Bauer, SeminOle County School Board-- Reported she doesn't know the reason Seminole County Schools rated so poorly on the State A + program, it could be because of attendance, drop-out rate, it could be the number of students tested, or a number of other issues. It is not just a check-list that they use for rating, it is much more involved. Possibly during the December program they can include a detailed explanation of how the rating system works and what is involved. She also reported the POtential closing of Crooms as an alternative high school and having it replaced by an elementary school has been reported in the media. There are approximately 462 students at Crooms now, and there was a recommendation by Staff, and possibly a misconception that '1he School Board said", it should be closed. On September 14, 1999, members of the community have been invited to come to the School Board for a work session, during which they have every right, responsibility and invitation, to come and tell what they want the Board to know. No decision has been made, and will not be made, until the Board members are able to do the research necessary to detennine what is in the best interest of the students. Commissioner Cindy Gennell, Winter Springs - The Town Center project is moving along slowly, and the grand scale has not been ruled out. Also, the newspaper reported Winter Springs as being 0% Y2K compliant, when in fact they are I 00% compliant. The paper used a report from the State, which was in error. Winter Springs has qualifYing going on right now for an election for the Mayor and two Commission seats. Commissioner Eddie Rose, Altamonte Springs __ Not present. Commissioner Linda C. Hart, Casselherry -- Reported Casselbeny was also reported they were not Y2K compliant, when in fact they are. The comer of 17-92 and 436 has broken ground for improvements, and a few buildings have been contracted. Kane's fumiture is moving to a new bUilding across from Bob Evans. They also have a new gated community with some homes already constructed. Commissioner Gary Brender, Lake Mary -- Reported they broke ground last week for their new police station. The estimates were $4.3 million, and through value engineering they are now at $3.9 mill ion, exclusive of the I and. It will be about a $4.5 to $4.7 mi lIion project, Interim Vice President Dr. Stephen Caldwell Wright, Seminole Community College -- Reported enrollment at the college is up about 4% or 5%, but it is not in the double digits as hoped. Further, they had the number one program for cooperative education student in the nation last year. They have two representatives from the student body with the Community Colleges of State Governments, the president and the treasurer. The renovations are moving along on the old Science Building, and should be completed by January, 2000, which should make SCC the most advanced Science education facility in the region. Ground is being cleared for the Oviedo campus, and one of the priorities for funding in the coming year will be for a joint use facility with UCF on the SCC main campus. They have about twenty-two classes being offered by UCF on the SCC main campus right now. They now have on-line registration and pay options. Commissioner Daryl McLain, Seminole County Commission -- The Charter Review Committee will be meeting this month, and their budget will be in the month of September. Board Member Diane Bauer, Seminole County School Board -- Reported she doesn't know the reason Seminole County Schools rated so poorly on the State A + program, it could be because of attendance, drop-out rate, it could be the number of students tested, or a number of other issues. It is not just a check-list that they use for rating, it is much more involved. Possibly during the December program they can include a detailed explanation of how the rating system works and what is involved. She also reported the potential closing of Crooms as an alternative high school and having it replaced by an elementary school has been reported in the media. There are approximately 462 students at Crooms now, and there was a recommendation by Staff, and possibly a misconception that "the School Board said", it should be closed. On September 14, 1999, members of the community have been invited to come to the School Board for a work session, during which they have every right, responsibility and invitation, to come and tell what they want the Board to know. No decision has been made, and will not be made, until the Board members are able to do the research necessary to determine what is in the best interest ofthe students. Commissioner Cindy Gennell, Winter Springs -- The Town Center project is moving along slowly, and the grand scale has not been ruled out. Also, the newspaper reported Winter Springs as being 0% Y2K compliant, when in fact they are 100% compliant. The paper used a report from the State, which was in error. Winter Springs has qualifying going on right now for an election for the Mayor and two Commission seats. Commissioner Eddie Rose, Altamonte Springs -- Not present. Commissioner Linda C. Hart, Casselberry -- Reported Casselberry was also reported as not being Y2K compliant, when in fact they are. The comer of 17-92 and 436 has broken ground for improvements, and a few buildings have been contracted. Kane's furniture is moving to a new building across from Bob Evans. They also have a new gated community with some homes already constructed. Commissioner Gary Brender, Lake Mary -- Reported they broke ground last week for their new police station. The estimates were $4.3 million, and through value engineering they are now at $3.9 million, exclusive of the land. It will be about a $4.5 to $4.7 million project, with $1.6 million bonded and the rest coming out of the General Fund. It is about 28,000 square feet which will be about 1/3 empty when completed, to be available for future growth. It will be on Lakeview Avenue, about two blocks from City Hall. They would like to turn the downtown into a southern colonial style architecture, with streetscaping and lighting. There is a lot of office development in Lake Mary, and Lake Mary Preparatory School opened Monday with 250 students in grades K-9. They will be adding a grade each year until they reach K-12. The current building of 40,000 sq. ft. will house up to 500 students, and they have already requested a land use change for an additional 11.5 acres to add another 30,000 sq. ft. building to house up to a thousand in a K-12 private, non-denominational school. Learning International Unlimited Schools is the owner, and they own two or three others including three schools in Ohio, one in Pennsylvania, and one in St. Martin in the Bahamas. Also, the 30,000 sq ft. building probably will also have a 50 meter indoor swimming pool. The students have a choice of three uniforms. Tuition is $7,900.00 for seventh, eighth and ninth grade, which includes a laptop that is issued to every student. Middle school is $5,900.00 and elementary is $4,900.00. They expected one class for each grade level, and they have already had to expand to two classes for kindergarten, second, fifth and seventh, because they do not want to go over fifteen students per teacher. Chairperson Gennell requested members to think about meeting in July and August because several things have come up such as SCC wanting to host a meeting, and the possibility of meeting at the Airport (and seeing the Sheriff's office with the Emergency Management Center). Stanley Stevens, citizen, reported the Development Advisory Board is a group of people that meet regularly with the planners and staff of Seminole County. This Board seems to be the best kept secret. Commissioner McLain reported it has not been a secret, the business community that works on a day to day basis with County Government (building inspectors, building department and planning department) requested they have an opportunity to make recommendations to County staff for consideration of changes that would streamline government and make their jobs easier. It was never focused on land and planning, but rather around building departments, inspections, procedures, how and when water hookups are paid for, etc. A prior Board decided they should hear what the people who use their services think needs to be done to change things to make it better for them and cheaper for government. Right now the concern of the Development Advisory Board is how the County calculates density. The County staff agreed to look at the way density is calculated and have it as a plan or text amendment, and it was a recommendation from the Development Advisory Board. All of those were thrown out, but may be reconsidered. There are many other committees that involve ordinary, everyday citizens. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted by: Ma~~ i!ryp Deputy City Clerk, City of Sanford