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Home My WebLink About2007 09 05 Town Hall Meeting Tuscawilla Country Club Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 CALL TO ORDER The Town Hall Meeting of Wednesday, September 5, 2007 of the City Commission was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 7:00 p.m. at the Tuscawilla Country Club (1500 Winter Springs Boulevard, 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 Members of the City Commission introduced themselves. Mayor Bush commented on the Vision for the City of Winter Springs. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed next and Mayor Bush spoke of the various City Departments and their functions and services. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Richard Gennell, 706 Meadowbrook Lane, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke about the Fire Assessment District. Mr. Dale Kirby, 122 Seville Chase Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the Fire Assessment Fee; Property Taxes; and related issues. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore said, "We're going to know in about a week what those numbers are. We had estimated somewhere between a hundred and fifty [dollars] ($150.00) and two hundred dollars ($200.00) a year which equates to fifteen dollars ($15.00) a month." Discussion. Mr. Don Ryter, 673 Cayuga Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of Fire Department consolidation with Seminole County. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE 2 OF 5 Tape 1/Side B Discussion continued on City services. Mr. Greg Tidwell, 486 Green Spring Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the Homestead Exemption. Mr. Bob Rucci, 973 Turkey Hollow Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on a possible override related to the Property Tax Reform issue. Ms. Laura-Leigh Wood, 713 Sybilwood Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: asked that Chief of Police Daniel J. Kerr, Police Department comment on the consequences should the City's law enf90rcement resources be reduced. Chief Kerr spoke on Law Enforcement related issues in the City of Winter Springs. Mayor Bush stated, "We have the fewest sworn officers, but we have the lowest crime rate. Well, I think that is the leadership he provided for the Department, and for the people he has hired - our Police Officers. They do a great job - and I can say that about every Department Head we have in the City. They are all professionals - they have the education that is required to do the job and they are just really great people. So, I think that we're all very lucky to have our - City employees." Ms. Linda Miller, 925 North Wedgewood Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke favorably about the Cell Tower outcome and suggested the need for a Library. Discussion. Ms. Dolores Germain, 939 Wedgewood Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: commented about the condominiums along State Road 434. Continuing, Mayor Bush said to those in attendance, "You have seen the three (3) options the Commission has - do we charge forward; keep it the same; or fall back. What do you want to see them do?" With discussion, Mayor Bush asked, "How many would like to see the Commission roll the Taxes back to the way the Legislature has said - it would be a nine percent (9%) cut for us?" Mayor Bush noted, "One (1) person." Mayor Bush then asked, "How many want to see it - keep it the same? How many would want to see it moving further up?" Discussion ensued on the University of Central Florida Incubator Program and the Seminole W ay effort. Mr. Greg Tidwell, 486 Green Spring Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: mentioned he did not want to lose any Police services. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE30F5 Mr. Tony Marasco, 1311 Deer Run, Winter Springs, Florida: inquired if the proposed County Park at State Road 434 and State Road 417 was on hold. Discussion. Mr. George Torres, 1040 Winding Waters Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: asked if the City Commission was in agreement on the Property Tax Reform issue. Ms. Ethel Beecher, 1207 Winter Springs Boulevard, Winter Springs, Florida: inquired if proposed programs were going to be eliminated. Discussion. Mr. Dale Kirby, 122 Seville Chase, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the new building for the University of Central Florida Incubator Program. Mr. Mike Kocak, 1438 Mount Laurel Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke about Tax Revenue received. Tape 2/Side A Discussion ensued on City expenditures in the City. Mr. Tony Marasco, 1311 Deer Run, Winter Springs, Florida: asked about the status of the proposed Hospital between Oviedo and Winter Springs. Mr. Wes Rose, 955 Glen Abbey Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: commented about the growth plan for the City. Discussion. Mr. Stephen Hunnell, 1486 Connors Lane, Winter Springs, Florida: briefly spoke on the Cross Seminole Trail. Mr. Jim Exter, 752 Bear Creek Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: mentioned he had Voted against the property increase; noted he was disappointed in the Town Center appearance; and his concerns with parking at the Town Center and school access. Commissioner Robert S. Miller said, "Point of Clarification" and noted that the Winter Springs Town Center was a commercial project. Discussion followed on the Town Center; growth in the City; residents being encouraged to visit City Hall and view the Master Plan; and to also attend City Commission Meetings. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE40F5 Mr. Don Ryter, 673 Cayuga Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke on traffic issues at the Town Center. Mr. Wes Rose, 955 Glen Abbey Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: asked about setbacks. Discussion ensued on parking in the Winter Springs Town Center. Ms. Laura-Leigh Wood, 713 Sybilwood Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: commented about shopping at Publix and noted she did not have a problem with parking there. Mr. Jim Exter, 752 Bear Creek Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: noted he was concerned about parking in the Town Center. Mr. Richard Gennell, 706 Meadowbrook Lane, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke favorably about the Town Center design and praised the City Commission. Ms. Linda Miller, 925 North Wedgewood Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the need for restaurants and mentioned Winter Park Village. Mr. Dewey Vaughn, 1023 Pebble Beach Circle East, Winter Springs, Florida: voiced his concerns with the Town Center and overcrowding in the future. Ms. Dolores Germain, 939 Wedgewood Drive, Winter Springs, Florida: asked about school demographics and area growth. Ms. Ethel Beecher, 1207 Winter Springs Boulevard, Winter Springs, Florida: spoke of the original concept for the Town Center. Mr. Samuel Dixon, 105 Viewpoint Place, Winter Springs, Florida: noted his concern with the Winter Springs Golf Course. Tape 2/Side B Further discussion ensued on the Winter Springs Golf Course and the Conservation Easement. Mr. Samuel Dixon, 105 Viewpoint Place, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on the fountain on Tuskawilla Road and asked if the roadway would stay a semi-circle. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Dale Kirby, 122 Seville Chase, Winter Springs, Florida: suggested that everyone attend the upcoming City Commission Meeting as a "Red Light Camera" Agenda Item was going to be discussed. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION TOWN HALL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 PAGE 5 OF 5 Mr. Greg Tidwell, 486 Green Spring Circle, Winter Springs, Florida: commented on Property Tax relief. Further discussion. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Town Hall Meeting at 9:18 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: JOAN L BROWN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND A LORENZO-LUACES, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: 7.{~ NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the September 24, 2007 Regular City Commission Meeting.