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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2026 04 01 City Commission Workshop Minutes.pdfIncorporated' 1959 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026 CITY HALL —COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the City Commission Workshop of Wednesday, April 1, 2026 of the City Commission to order at 9:00 a.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 Sweet, present City Attorney Anthony Garganese, telephone City Clerk Christian Gowan, present present via Mayor McCann asked that everyone observe a moment of silence which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McCann asked if there were any changes to the agenda. No changes were noted and the agenda was adopted as presented. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Stormwater Pond Maintenance Program and Stormwater Rate Study Update Clete Saunier, Director, Public Works and Utilities Department introduced the comprehensive Stormwater pond maintenance program and rate study update and consultants from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Pegasus Engineering, and Raftelis. Julia Falter, Kimley-Horn, noted that the city's Stormwater infrastructure challenges following Hurricane Ian and other storm events and explained that the team conducted extensive research to classify the city's 345 Stormwater ponds into three categories: public ponds (43 total), hybrid ponds (78 total), and private ponds (176 total). Ms. Felter reviewed the definitions for these pond classifications and the recommended maintenance approach of public and hybrid ponds. She noted that hybrid ponds would receive infrastructure maintenance for inflow, outflow, and control structures, whereas public ponds would receive infrastructure maintenance in addition to aquatic vegetation control, mowing, and debris removal. Staff recommended that the city maintain all public ponds completely and maintain only the infrastructure components of hybrid ponds, as the city lacks legal access to the pond surfaces on private property. Ms. Felter noted that the infrastructure maintenance for hybrid ponds was estimated at $152,000 per pond with a 15-year life cycle and an estimated six ponds per year at a cost of $912,000 annually. She noted that this would result in an additional $4.36 per month to the stormwater rate. Joe Williams, Raftelis then presented the comprehensive rate study showing current stormwater rates at $10 per month, the proposed service enhancements, and the financial forecast which recommended a phased rate increase to reach approximately $20 per month by 2030. Mr. Williams noted that staff planned to use third and fourth generation infrastructure tax monies to fund capital projects identified in the Master Plan and therefore avoiding additional impacts to the stormwater rate. Discussion followed on pond interconnectivity, private pond impacts on flooding, creek maintenance, limitations due to environmental regulations, the distinction between infrastructure maintenance versus full pond maintenance, concerns about increasing rates amid other rising costs, extending the city's responsibilities to include more ponds, and alternatives to rate increases. Mayor McCann emphasized two key takeaways: clarifying maintenance responsibilities to eliminate informal agreements, and addressing aging infrastructure that had lacked systematic maintenance. The commission reached consensus to proceed with the proposed pond classification system, maintenance recommendations, and rate structure. Mr. Saunier noted that an ordinance would be required to adopt the stormwater rate and advised that staff would work to schedule these public hearings, with the first potentially April 271h PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Rick Mullen, Winter Springs discussed pond ownership and discrepancies identified across multiple documents related to his own property. He asked that information about pond responsibilities be made clear for all involved. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs asked about the facility credits, eligibility, and noted challenges with runoff from the town center affecting their community ponds. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. WAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIN McCANN �'�nter S'bfi °race U � CU 1954 �° Courk`3 NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the Apri113, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting.