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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2005 08 01 City Commission Workshop Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP AUGUST I, 2005 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Monday, August I, 2005 of the City Commission was called to order by Deputy Mayor Michael S. Blake at 6:38 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). ROLL CALL: Mayor John F. Bush, absent Deputy Mayor Michael S. Blake, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore, present Commissioner Sally McGinnis, present Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent A moment of silence was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 300. Office Of The City Manager Budget Review. Mr. Bill Starmer, Architect, Starmer, Ranaldi Planning and Architecture (sri), 890 Northern Way, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on the proposed "City Hall Addition" and presented renderings of the project. Much discussion. Tape l/Side B With further discussion on the proposed plans, Commissioner Robert S. Miller said to Mr. Starmer, "The Courtyard, does this include some kind of a feature in the courtyard?" Mr. Starmer said, "It would include pavers, and landscaping, but in terms - of benches, or sculptures or something like that, it did not include it." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FWRlDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST I, 2005 PAGE 2 OF 10 Deputy Mayor Blake said, "What do you want to tell the Manager?" Commissioner Sally McGinnis stated, "Proceed. Move with that." Funding and other issues were brought up next by Commissioner Miller who stated, "We need to talk about Parking Garages. We need to talk about several other things that are going to require going out I think, for long-term loans." Commissioner Miller then said, "I think as far as where I am coming from, I think we ought to tell the City Manager to press on with this in the forthcoming Budget Meetings. We will address this issue again of how we - address the cost question on this one." Deputy Mayor Blake said to Commissioner Miller, "So your recommendation is Alternative..." Commissioner Miller explained, "... They are all tied to Impact Fees, and I would like to see us go ahead with the City Hall concept that he has laid out - the expansion, but I don't know if I want to have this brought forward at the next Meeting where we are going to go ahead and approve it based on Impact Fees." Commissioner Joanne M. Krebs stated, "Number '3.'." Commissioner McGinnis also said, '" 3. ", Commissioner Donald A. Gilmore also noted, "I will go with '3.'." Deputy Mayor Blake then asked the City Commission, "How does everybody feel about alternative '5.'?" Then, Deputy Mayor Blake commented, "The question is, do you want to eliminate the fa~ade?" Commissioner Miller remarked, "I do not want to eliminate the fa~ade treatment." Commissioner Krebs said, "No to number '5.' for me also." Commissioner McGinnis added, "Right." Deputy Mayor Blake summarized that "The direction of the Commission by Consensus is that they want to go down the road of continuing to develop this through as funded by - alternative number '3.', and the Commission apparently has suggested that they want the front of the building redone as well." Commissioner Gilmore added, "I would like to incorporate into this, something in this Plan Review Group over here to take care of their space." City Manager Ronald W. McLemore said, "Okay." Deputy Mayor Blake said to Manager McLemore, "I want you to write on to the 'Add- On's', the questions of the Information Kiosk out front - City Hall please." Manager McLemore added, "Okay." Regarding whether there was a Consensus for what Commissioner Gilmore just suggested - Commissioner Gilmore said, "I have asked for a Consensus that we ask the City Manager to incorporate into these plans - providing enough space for the people in the Plan Review Group - on this side..." Deputy Mayor Blake pointed out, ".. .Community Development Department." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST I, 2005 PAGE 3 OF 10 Deputy Mayor Blake then said, "Does the City Commission want the City Manager to take specific action in the Plan for the more effective use of space in the Community Development Department as part of the Phase 1, City Hall Expansion Plan?" Commissioner McGinnis said, "Following the vacation of Public Works." Deputy Mayor Blake said, "I don't think that Commissioner Gilmore asked for a specific time frame." Commissioner Krebs said, "I would support after the vacating of Public Works." Commissioner McGinnis added, "I would too." Commissioner Gilmore noted, "I do." Commissioner Miller remarked, "Okay." Discussion ensued for the Record, about the Public Works Department offices moving. Central Winds General Obligation Fund: Deputy Mayor Blake noted, "To allow the Millage charge on that Bond that is outstanding, to reduce to whatever level is required to pay the current Principal and Interest." Deputy Mayor Blake added, "It is a low interest rate Bond; it is a long-term Bond and it only makes sense for somebody who lives here in 2020 to pay their fair share for the Park that will still be here and be used by them, at that time, instead of front- loading it." Deputy Mayor Blake added, "My position on that would be to allow the Millage to continue to decline on that to whatever it will each year - pay it at maturity in other words." Commissioner Krebs remarked, "I agree." Commissioner McGinnis said, "I agree." Commissioner Gilmore noted, "Sure." No objections were noted. ADA Paratransit: Manager McLemore noted, "We'll bring this to you on the 8th as an Agenda Item." Discussion. Deputy Mayor Blake noted, "So does everybody understand this, or have any questions so that when it comes back before us a week from now, we will be able to take final action on it?" Commissioner Gilmore said, "We agree." Commissioner Krebs remarked, "Yes." No objections were noted. Fire Department: Medical Transport was discussed. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST I, 2005 PAGE 4 OF 10 Deputy Mayor Blake called a Recess. The Workshop was called back to order at approximately 8:24 p.m. Parks and Recreation Department: Discussion ensued on the Senior Center. Tape 2/Side A "Senior Center Computers on Internet" and connectivity was discussed next. Community Development Department - Building Division: Regarding the "Development Services Enterprise Fund", discussion followed on Building Codes and increased costs. Manager McLemore noted, "The cost is - such that we can't continue to deal with it and try to provide the same level of service without addressing _ the increase that we need to." Mr. Randy Stevenson, AS LA, Director, Community Development Department and Mr. David Alamina, CBO, Building Official, Building Division, Community Development Department discussed the Codes and valuations. Deputy Mayor Blake said to Manager McLemore, "You are going to have to bring an Ordinance to us, or, can we do this by Resolution?" Manager McLemore stated, "Do it by Resolution." Manager McLemore noted, "We need to bring this back to you in the form of a Resolution." Deputy Mayor Blake asked, "Will that be next week or three (3) weeks from now?" Manager McLemore stated, "I am ready to go. I think the earlier we do it the better." Commissioner Krebs stated, "I agree." Commissioner Krebs asked, "Was that a Consensus?" Commissioner Gilmore stated, "Yes." Commissioner McGinnis stated, "Yes." No objections were noted." Miscellaneous: Discussion ensued regarding a "Thirty (30) year - One Million Dollar ($1,000,000.00) Bond" for City Projects. Commissioner Miller stated, "I think this is something that we need to do - the Paw Park thing. I also think we need to put in the splash - the shade thing. If you have been over to Torcaso Park; and there's people all over the place; and there is absolutely no place to go and hide from the sun." Commissioner Miller pointed out, "I think we ought to add all these things on - I am talking also about the Fruitwood Park. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FWRIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1, 2005 PAGE 5 OF 10 Furthermore, Commissioner Miller noted, "Code Enforcement, for me, has been an area that has convinced me over time that as the City becomes more and more filled in, as ours has, and more and more developed and reaches a higher standard, because you have people that are living closer together - Code Enforcement becomes a very important issue - we all know that Public Safety is probably our number one. So, we have Police and we have Fire out there that are to guarantee the public their safety issues. But, then there is also the rest of it and I mentioned this about eight (8), nine (9) years ago, when I first came into Office." Commissioner Miller then said, "But, today I think Code Enforcement is an issue that needs to be one of our priorities from the standpoint of manpower right now. I think we need another person - we may even need two (2). I do not know. I am sure the City Manager is going to say, 'We can do very well with what we got right now', but there are issues that keep coming up." Commissioner Miller then stated, "I become more and more convinced, as time goes by, that the Police Department needs to be beefed up; we need more people. We may not need to do it all in one year. But, I think we should at least set up a plan where we do it in three (3) years. Maybe one-third, one-third, one- third, so that we arrive in three (3) years from now where we have a number of Police on the beat constantly who are able to handle all these new development areas that are coming up." "So, I would like to see some serious thought given to that", added Commissioner Miller. Regarding Code Enforcement issues, Commissioner Krebs stated, "I see us being reactive and not proactive." Furthermore, "To Commissioner Miller's point - there may be reason to get some more people involved in this", stated Commissioner Krebs. Commissioner Krebs added, "I really think we need to do something about that." Manager McLemore stated, "Okay." Discussion ensued regarding "Splash Pads" in the City of Winter Springs, and Commissioner Krebs stated, "I have been watching the Torcaso Park, and if we could, I don't know what it cost to put a 'Splash Pad' in - but I would support another 'Splash Pad' in the City because those kids are absolutely loving it. And then I thought we are going to need to get a person there to watch and all that other stuff. But I also thought about that and you don't have somebody man it twenty-four (24) hours. You only have to have somebody man it when it is open; and you can have that Park scheduled for certain times and if you have to use temporary employees or rotate them through the day, or something. But, I really think you should have a 'Splash Pad' in another part of the City." In addition, Commissioner Miller said, "I was going to propose one (1) in Central Winds Park, one (1) in Trotwood Park, one (1) in Moss." Commissioner Miller added, "I wanted to see us put it on the Budget, and, if we have to put a Bond out there, I don't know, but let's include this and let's build it because they add an incredible value to the community. " CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FWRIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1, 2005 PAGE 6 OF 10 Furthermore, Commissioner Miller said to Manager McLemore, "I am talking about one (1) for Central Winds [Park]; one (1) for Trotwood Park; and one (1) for Moss Park in this next Fiscal Year..." Deputy Mayor Blake said, "...In addition to the one at Magnolia." Commissioner Miller added, "I would like to see us build three (3) next year..." Manager McLemore stated, "...I think one of those next year could be the one at Magnolia Park..." Commissioner Miller stated, "... Well, then we build four (4)." Manager McLemore commented, "Do we need to show you the cost of operating those?" Commissioner Miller said, "I would like to see that in this list of things that we need to decide what we want." Manager McLemore stated, "Weare spending a lot of money for Recreation for people that live outside of the City of Winter Springs." Commissioner Miller noted, "I don't want that to be a negative thing - that would stop this." Additionally, Commissioner Miller stated, "You show me in the next couple of months - let's have a discussion on this thing and then you bring to us proof where this is being abused at some point. And, then we can take a look at that. But, 1 don't think this is the time to bring up the point that we really don't want to put in a public swimming pool because people from other cities are going to use it." Commissioner Miller added, "I think this Commission's position ought to be, 'Do we want this for our residents', and then you figure out a way to stop people from coming in from other cities." Tape 2/Side B Commissioner Krebs suggested, "If we do consider 'Splash Pads' - that we also consider shade to go with that 'Splash Pad' - that should be a part of it." Deputy Mayor Blake stated, "It is just a matter of setting the correct design standards to include shade structures. " Next, Commissioner Miller asked about "Entrance Monuments" for the City to which Manager McLemore stated, "We actually are doing some design concepts on it to bring to you..." Commissioner Miller stated, ".. . But not before October of this year though?" Manager McLemore responded, "Yes." Commissioner Miller then noted, "I would like to see it on the Budget because these are items that will come up next year if we do not get around to it this year. But, 1 would like it to be on the list." Commissioner Miller pointed out the locations suggested were "Tuskawilla [Road] and Red Bug [Lake] Road..." Deputy Mayor Blake added, "...[State Road] 434 on each side and south Tuskawilla [Road]..." Commissioner Miller added, "... There may have been a fourth on - [State Road] 419?" CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1,2005 PAGE 7 OF 10 Commissioner Miller then brought up the issue of "Community Activity Centers - Central Winds Park we talked about that last year." Commissioner Miller added, "Now that we have got the Park pretty much done, I would like to see another go-around on that so that - it is in next year's Budget - if you need it for the Consultant. I would like to see something come back." Deputy Mayor Blake said, "We also need to make sure that if we put a structure like that someplace that it is not in a place that is already too overactive. Central Winds Park, now with the expansion even more so, I think we are going to be generating a huge amount of traffic there on a daily basis. It may be a better alternative to put that type of a structure not right there." With further discussion, Commissioner Miller added, "I think we need to look at this." With further discussion on Community Centers, the Longwood Community Center was discussed to which Commissioner Miller said, "The only thing we need to do Ron [McLemore] is make ours better - we need to do it - yes, we need to have something." Commissioner Krebs noted, "I will go look" at the Longwood Community Center. Manager McLemore said to Commissioner Krebs, "I will take you over there." Discussion ensued next regarding a Parking Garage. Commissioner Miller stated, "I think we need to look very seriously right now at building a Parking Garage; and maybe we need to issue a Bond and do that." Deputy Mayor Blake stated, "I think we need to be very, very careful in how we approach - the Parking Garage question and make sure that we give the for-profit Developer there every opportunity to find a way to fund it." Commissioner Miller noted, "We are going to have a Meeting with the Developer - the 15th." Commissioner Miller added, "Now we are loading up the streets with parking and then pretty soon the Town Center looks like a Parking Garage because you cannot get around the streets. That is why I think we need to look at this particular alternative of somehow rather looking at building our own Parking Garage." Commissioner McGinnis remarked, "A couple of years ago, there was talk about a Hearing Officer." Commissioner McGinnis added, "I really like that concept so - I am looking forward to hearing more about that." Regarding the issue of a Police Department Staffing study to be done, Manager McLemore noted, "We're working on it." Commissioner McGinnis further said to Manager McLemore, "You haven't finished that yet?" Manager McLemore stated, "No, we'll try to get it to you before the end of this Budget process. And in addition to that, we're doing another study that would show us the timing based on all of this development when occupancy would occur." Deputy Mayor Blake added, "And, part of that will be Fire Services, as well?" Manager McLemore stated, "We can put all of that together, yes." Commissioner McGinnis stated, "Good." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1,2005 PAGE 8 OF 10 Next, Commissioner McGinnis stated, "I fully support a 'User Pee' - certain things, 1 think certainly the Senior Center, 1 have real concerns about. We just got a Grant, we are building a nice, new facility there." Commissioner McGinnis added, "We just may want to look at how other areas do that." With further discussion regarding the Longwood Community Center, Commissioner McGinnis said, "It is an example of how a Community Center can look inside and our Senior Center inside is a disgrace. And, 1 have said it before, we need to enhance the interior of our Senior Center." Manager McLemore agreed and stated, "I do." Commissioner Krebs also said, "I do." Commissioner McGinnis added, "It was not a Consensus the last time 1 brought it up." Commissioner Krebs added, "Bring it up again." Commissioner Miller suggested, "When they expand it - put it in." Next, Commissioner McGinnis noted her priority was "Pursuing a PubliclPrivate Partnership to continue our housing rehab. It is time for us to move on this. And - you have mentioned recently - that you have made some overtures, but workforce housing is crucial. But we need to continue - we have some blighted areas. We cannot put it off any longer." Manager McLemore said, "We have had a - difficult time finding a partner." Commissioner McGinnis suggested, "Well, we just have to keep trying and maybe we will have to be creative in a different way or maybe we will have to assume some of that - I just feel it is cruciaL" Commissioner Krebs commented on the Parking Garage concept and stated, "I definitely am behind that a hundred percent (100%) because 1 do use the Town Center. 1 do go there." Commissioner Krebs added, "It is awful now to try to find a parking space. And, something has to be done. There are units that aren't rented out yet. If they come rent it out, where will they park? Weare talking about that next phase that is going to have a restaurant. 1 just have visions of Panera Bread where you try to go over into that area, you cannot park." With further discussion on the Kingsbury property, Manager McLemore said, "We actually have done some planning for the Library to try to figure out the amount of acreage we needed and planning for a 300 car Parking Garage there, just so we can start to begin to understand what it would be like, what it would cost, that kind ofthing; but right in this area, if that Library comes, that is going to facilitate a lot of parking." Commissioner Krebs noted, "I support that." Commissioner McGinnis noted, "We agree." Regarding the blighted areas ofthe City and the related costs, Commissioner Miller asked Manager McLemore, "How much did it cost us? How much have we lost on that?" With discussion, Commissioner Miller added, "I personally would like to see now the final number; what is it that it really cost us when you add all the manpower." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1,2005 PAGE 9 OF 10 Furthermore, Commissioner Miller added, "We need to finish this job. And that was what Commissioner McGinnis just told you, so - if you are having difficulty understanding the commitment of at least two (2) of us up here, I want to see us do whatever we have to do to get it started again, and let us finish it." Manager McLemore said, "Are you willing to go to condemnation?" Commissioner Miller stated, "Yes." Commissioner McGinnis also said, "Yes." Next, Commissioner Miller remarked, "With regard to that Library, if we get the Library Contract and it turns out that we need to put it on Magnolia Square, I think you need to speak with the City Attorney about what we need to do - this is my personal opinion. I think you need to get him to give us some advice on what we need to do to take that property on the southwest comer. . ." Manager McLemore stated, ".. . Kingsbury. " Discussion ensued regarding "Traffic Calming" to which Manager McLemore stated, "If you want to do - this 1.5 million ($1,500,000.00) improvement along [State Road] 434- medians, center medians, curbing, gutter and all of that, one thing we might want to consider - is taking Winter Springs Boulevard out of the One Cent Sales Tax, combining it with this and bonding it over thirty (30) years - that would give you 2.5 million ($2,500,000.00) dollars freed up in the One Cent Local Option Sales Tax." Commissioner Miller stated, "I would like to see you bring that back at our next Budget Meeting as a Line Item." Manager McLemore added, "So, we will look in those areas." Commissioner Gilmore then asked about the status of Soldier's Park. Manager McLemore noted, "Bill [Starmer] is finishing up the cost-out on the two (2) or (3) different park alternatives that we'd have there and then we bring that back to you and show it to you." Commissioner Gilmore then mentioned the Paw Park proposed for Jetty Point and asked, "Has there been any discussions with Oviedo about combining - going together on a Paw Park?" Manager McLemore stated, "That is one of the things we could probably jointly agree to do. So, yes that is an opportunity." Commissioner Gilmore added, "With them, we may be able to build an outstanding facility." Manager McLemore then said to the City Commission, "We have made a Public Records demand of the County and Oviedo based on their revised Joint Planning area where they plan to go all down Red Bug [Lake] Road and take over the rest of all areas out there, south of us. So I will keep you up to date on that one." Deputy Mayor Blake then asked Manager McLemore, "Are we also looking at the Records from the County's Approval last week of the four (4) per acre Development in the [Black] Hammock, that has a Pre- Annexation Agreement I have heard with Oviedo?" Manager McLemore stated, "We will also request that." With further discussion, Manager McLemore added, "I'll get that. " Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FWRIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP - AUGUST 1,2005 PAGE 10 OF 10 With discussion on upcoming Meetings, Manager McLemore stated, "It is scheduled for the 9th." Manager McLemore added, "You are scheduled for also that hearing on the Sewer Backup..." Deputy Mayor Blake stated, "... On the same date..." Manager McLemore commented, "...Same date. That was 6:30 [p.m.]. That one was set up as a Special Meeting. The other one is set up as a Workshop - I don't know if you are going to have any time left over..." Commissioner Krebs stated, ". .. For the Budget Meeting?.." Manager McLemore noted, "... Yes." Commissioner McGinnis said, "We will have to have another Meeting then." Manager McLemore said, "I have an Agenda Item ready for you tomoITow, which I will send out to you in draft form..." Deputy Mayor Blake stated, "...For the Meeting on Tuesday?" Manager McLemore stated, "Yes. I will probably go ahead and send it out in just final form. Read it very carefully. Please call me and give me your comments - as soon as you get it. Particularly relative to the process we may want to follow." With further discussion, Manager McLemore stated, "The Report is ready for you. I'll fine tune it a little bit today and we'll have it out to you tomorrow." ADJOURNMENT Deputy Mayor Blake adjourned the Meeting at 9:57 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: D$B, IE FRANKLIN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND 1fT i\! \ ; ",\,i, :,\\ \" ___~ _------- ", ..-~ " ANn~..I..ORENZO-LUACES, CMC CIT)[ ~LERK / /