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LONGWOOI) CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 dVest Warren Avenue
Longwood, :Florida
MINU'S'ES
I)ECElVIBEF:1, 2008
7:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Brian D. Sackett
Deputy Mayor John C. Maingo~t
Commissioner Joe Durso
Commissioner Mike Holt
Commissioner H.G. "Butch'' Bundy
Donovan A. Roper, Acting City Attorney
John J. Drago, City Administrator
Sarah M. Mirus, City Clerk
Tom Smith, Division Manager •of Streets/Fleet
Richard 1Kornbluh, Division Manager of Utilities
Laurie Mooney, Fire Chief
Carol Rogers, Director of Fi~lnancial Services
i Lt. Russ Cohen, Police Departnnent
~ Ryan Spinella, Executive Assistant
Paul Sizemore, Director of Community Services
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:1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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a. A moment of SILENT 1V)EDITATION was followed by the PLEDG-E OF
ALLEGIANCE.
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3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS.. Ms. Mirus read the following
~ announcements:
A. Celebrate the Season will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008
beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Downtown Historic District. There will
be musical performances, food, crafts for the children to create, an
j appearance by Santa and Mrs. Clause, and the lighting of the tree.
~ Canned goods will be collected for'the Longwood Fami ies in Need
Program.-
B. Santa Visits Longwood...
Saturday, December 13th -East of the railroad tracks.
Sunday, December 14th -West of the railroad tracks
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4. RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS.
A. District#~ Presentation of the Business Person of the Month Award
for December 2008 to Manoj Chauhan of Longwood Shoe Repair
located at 300 St. Laurent Street.
Mayor Sackett read a brief biography on Manoj Chauhan and presented
him with the Business Person of the Nlonth Award for December 2008.
Photographs were then taken.
5. BOARD APPOINTMENTS.
A. District #3 Nomination to the Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Holt nominated Aaron Rupp, 1505 Sparrow Street, for
reappointment to the Board of Adjustment. Nomination carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
B. District #3 Nomination to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Commissioner Holt nominated Bob Driver, 548 Seminole Avenue,. for
reappointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Nomination
carried by a .unanimous voice vote.
C. City Clerk recommends. that the City Commission discuss the ;
appointment of a representative to the MetroPlan Municipal Advisory ~
Committee and the Council of Local Governments in Seminole
County (CALNO).
Commissioner Durso said he was available and would be willing to serve
on both Committees.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he would serve on CALNO.
Mayor Sackett said Commissioner Durso has been nominated to serve on
the MetroPlan Municipal Advisory Committee and alternate. for CALNO.
Deputy Mayor Maingot was nominated to serve on CALNO. Nominations
carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6. PUBLIC INPUT.
A. Presentations. 1VIcDirmit, Davi"s & Co., LLC would like to discuss the
Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. i14, The Auditor's
Communication With Those Charged With Governance, which is
applicable to FYE 2008 audits.
Ms. Rogers introduced Kelly Leary, Partner, McDirmit, Davis, & Co.,
LLC, who will be explaining the new Communication Standards.
Ms. Leary said she would briefly review the new Statement on Auditing, ~
Standards, which require auditors to establish a tvvo way communication
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with those charged with governance. She stated they have the
responsibility prior to the audit starting to briefly describe what the audit
covers and provide an overvie~lw of what they will. task. This will allow the
Commission to express any concerns or questions. She said they do test
compliance with the various laws, rules and regulations that affect cities,
budget requirements and compliance with the Auditor General rules. If
they find something the City was not complying with, they would let the
Commission know. She stated they look at the intei~lal controls the
Finance Department has set up over financial accounting. In addition to
communicating with the Commission prior to the audit, they will continue
to report to the Commission when the audit is completed.
Deputy Mayor Maingot inquired what the .format would be of their initial
communication to the Commission.. He asked if it would be department by
department..
Ms. Leary said it was more ofan overview of what their responsibilities
are under general accepted accounting principles. She stated it did not go
into detail as to what they do in each department. They test: the controls
the City has setup to make sure. there is compliance. She said they audit .
the September 30~` balances and test the transactions, but they do not do
specific procedures in each department.
Mayor Sackett inquired if anything that would be considered significant
findings from that audit would be reported at the end of the; audit.
Ms. Leary said they would list any significant findings at the end when
presenting the completion of the audit. She stated if there was a matter of
real significance,. they would report that immediately.
Ms. Rogers said this was to open the door for the Commission to
communicate directly with the auditor. She stated it encourages
communication prior to the beginning of the audit and to make the
Commission aware the audit was going on.
Commissioner Bundy said this w,as the preview and they would move
forward with the auditing proces:~.
Ms. Leary said the Commission could raise any specific concerns. She
stated they would do the normal audit that they usually conduct. She said
the idea was to not communicate only with management, but also
communicating with the Commission.
B. Public Participation.
Marie. Fergurito, Ronald Reagan :Boulevard, said she owns a couple pieces
of commercial property in the City of Longwood. One properly is on
County Road 427 and another is not on a main road. She stated, as a result
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of the economic times, she has more vacancies than normal. She said this
was going to be discussed under Item 11 B and she was here to inquire if
the City would relax some of the rules they have on signage. She
requested they allow signs to be placed closer to or in the right-of--ways.
She confirmed the owners of property on 17-92 have given her permission
to place signs on their property to advertise- her property. She stated she
has checked with other cities. and not many of them are: doing this. She
said the City of Oviedo has relaxed their rules.
7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.
Mr. Drago reported he has contacted the County and they will.have a presentation
of the CRA at the December 15~' meeting.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
District #4. Commissioner Bundy thanked City staff for their hard work and
assistance at the Arts and Crafts Festival. He said the process went smoothly and
the Festiva] was very successful.
Commissioner Bundy said the Commissioners had received a letter from Mr.
Waggoner's Attorney. He suggested it would be appropriate for the Commission
to authorize the City Attorney to contact his Attorney to open the lines of
communication. ~ ~
It was. the consensus of the Commission. for the City Attorney to contact Mr.
Waggoner's Attorney.
District Mayor Sackett thanked the City for dealing with a problem that kept
him busy on the telephone regarding yellow water in the Woodgate Subdivision
this weekend. He spoke to Mr. Drago and Mr. Kornbluh and was informed the
yellow water was a result of hydrants being flushed. He also had a call from
Severn Trent and he appreciated that call He reported attending and presenting
the trophies at the closing of the Babe Ruth Baseball season and there was over
1,OQ0 people in attendance. He said at the end a young boy turned in an i-pod he
had found and said it vas the right thing to do. He advised the i-pod was returned
to the owner. He spoke with the Chief of Police and City Clerk and with a
consensus of the Commission they can recognize this, child for "Doing the Right
Thing" at the next Commission meeting.
It was the consensus. of the Commission to make this recognition.
Mayor Sackett .said Mr. Woo was before Codes Enforcement for his landscaping.
He stated Mr. Woo has had all of his landscaping done and now the City is ,
requiring him to put a hedge across the front. He said looking at the design of this
property and the ~vay it is landscaped that a hedge did not seem necessary to him.
He asked the Commissioners to drive by this property to see how it has been
upgraded. He stated the hedge was to be compliant. in hiding cars. He said there ~
were numerous places on State Road 434 without hedges that may have been
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prior to the Ordinance. He stated some with hedges were not in the best of
conditions. He said this was a wonderful. landscaping job and he would like to be
more flexible with this property.
Commissioner Bundy said he has been by the property while it was in the process.:
He stated it looks great and he was not sure a hedge would improve on this. He
said they may need to look at the rule to see if it needs to be amended. He
encouraged the other Commissioners to go by the property. He stated if there was
a consensus, perhaps they could place in abeyance any requirement for the hedge
until they can further investigate the rule.
Mayor Sackett said he went to the celebration of the. Mayor of the Year with
Deputy Mayor Maingot: The Mayor of T)estin won the Mayor of the Year Award.
He affirmed the video presentation done by Mr. Ed Bookbinder was very nice. He
stated he saw many people enjoying the Arts and Crafts Festiva]. He reported
there was a meeting tomorrow at Woodland's Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
regarding the Fire Station at Lake Emma. and Longwood Hills Road.
Ms. Mirus advised this meeting was noticed on the City's website.
Mayor Sackett said there was a meeting with the Florida Department of
Transportation in Orlando on December 3`d regarding the Commuter Rail. They
also would like to meet on Thursday to discuss the widening of State Road 434,.
He asked the Commission to consider if they would like to return 'to the same
Committees with the Florida League of Cities. He stated Commissioner Bundy
served on the Municipal Services Cor~nmittee, Deputy Mayor Maingot served on
the Home Rule Administration; and hie served on Urban Planning. He said
Physical Stewardship was Mr. Anderson's Committee and inquired if
Commissioner Durso would like to serve; on it.
Commissioner Durso responded in the ai:firmative.
District #1. Deputy Mayor Maingottha:nked those who attended the Florida
League of Cities Award Ceremony. He said the City of Longwood received a
. tremendous amount of recognition.
District ir2. Commissioner Durso extended an invitation to the Members of the
Commission and the public who would like to volunteer this weekend, December
6, 2008 bettiveen 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. at the CBC of Seminole and the
Seminole County Sheriff's Office Christmas Village. He works with abused and
neglected children. in the County and (said this was a countywide problem. He said
law enforcement and teachers work with these were children and i'amilies. He
stated with the economy in the state it was in, non-profits need to see the support
of their local governments.
District.#3. Commissioner Holt reported the Firefighters and Police Officers tivill
be holding their first annual Softball Gagne December 6th. He said our Annual
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Tree Lighting was also Saturday, December 6th. He stated he would have a report ~
on February 2°d regarding the Seminole County Alliance.
9. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approve Minutes of the November 10, 2008 Work Session and the
Minutes of the November 17, 2008 Regular Meeting.
B. Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends
payment of approved and estimated bills for
December 20.08.
C. Streets/Fleet Division of the Public Works Department recommends
the City Commission approve a purchase order with Luke Brothers,
Inc. in an amount, not to exceed, $70,000.00 for professional tree
services and authorize the City Administrator to sign all appropriate
documents.
D. The Police Department recommends the City Commission approve a
Blanket Purchase Order to Morganelli and Associates for an amount
not to exceed $38,000.00 and authorize the City Administrator to sign
the Purchase Order.
E. The Computer Services Division of the Finance Department
recommends the City Commission approve the purchase order in the
amount of $50,800.00 with Ricoh Business Solutions for annual lease
payments and copy charges for 6.1VIFP's (copier/printer/scanners) and
authorize the City Administrator to sign all appropriate documents.
F. City Administrator recommends the City Commission approve a
separation agreement for the City Administrator and authorize the
Mayor to sign the agreement.
Commissioner Bundy moved to approve the Consent Agenda as
submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Holt.
Discussion was held regarding Item 9.C.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
A. Finance Division of the Financial Services Department recommends
the City Commission read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 08-
1210 establishing the City's notice of intent to use. the uniform method
for collecting non-ad valorem assessments in 2009.
Mr. Roper announced having proof of p~iblication and then read
Resolution No. 08-1210 by title-only. ~
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Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke i~z favor or in
opposition to the Resolution.
Deputy Mayor Maingot rnoved to close the public hearing..
Seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
Deputy Mayor Maingot rnoved to adopt Resohrti'on 08-1210, as
presented, Item 10 A. Seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried
by a unanimous roll call vote.
B. The Finance Division of the Financial Services nepartment
recommends the City Commission read by title only arnd adopt
Ordinance No. 08-1880 which amends the Fiscal Year 08/09 Budget.
Mr. Roper announced having proof of publication and then read
Ordinance No. 08-1880 by title only.
Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or in
opposition to the Ordinance.
Deputy Mayor Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
~ Seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
Commissioner Holt movF;d to approve Ordinance r1o. 08-1880, as
presented. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Maingot anal carried by a
unanimous roll call vote.
11. REGULAR BUSINESS.
A. City Administrator recommends the City Commission read by title
only, set December 15, 2008 as a Public Hearing date, 2cncl approve the
first reading of Ordinance No. 08-1882 which amends the Solid Waste
and Recycling Collection Services. confiract.
Mr. Roper advised they were still conducting some legal rsaearch
regarding the bidding reduirements for adding the commercial. He advised
they could move fot•ward with Item 11 A as phrased.
Mr. Roper read Ordinance No. 08-1882 by title only.
Commissioner Holt move;d to approve the first reading of
Ordinance No. 08-1882 and set December 15; 2003 as the public
hearing date. Seconded b;y Commissioner Bundy and carried by a
~ unanimous roll call vote..
B. Mayor Sackett requests the City Commission discuss tc;mporary
signage for businesses that would like to .rent their buildings.
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Mayor Sackett said Ms. Fergurito came forward during Public
Participation. He received a call from her a few weeks ago regarding
temporary signage and he told her he would try to have this matter placed
on the Agenda. He spoke with Mayor Mary Lou Andrews of Oviedo and
they do have a temporary sign ordinance recognizing what was going on
in these economic times. He stated Oviedo's Ordinance was for six
months following the adoption. He said Mayor Andrews told him that very
few have applied to use this since it has been in place. He stated Oviedo
has this in place for the same reasons Ms. Fergurito was asking. for. He
said he had this on the Agenda for discussion only.
Commissioner Bundy said it has been approximately a year now that the
Commission looked at relaxing the standards for residential properties. He
stated there was a significant difference, because it was basically the
entrances to subdivisions for a minimal number of hours. He said he was
not opposed to doing something to allow for temporary signage in the case
of rental properties, but he was averse to having signage in the City right-
of-ways. He stated he would like to look at the off-site signage section of
the Longwood Development Code to see ho~v it applies not just to real
estate. He said they need to look at temporary signage .for businesses: He
stated he would like to see us allow listing available properties on the
website.
Deputy Mayor Maingotaaid he agreed with signage not allowed in the
right-of--way. He stated another area they can look at was to allow a sign
to be placed on another person's property with the permission of the
property owner. He suggested requesting, staff to come up with some
recommendations for discussion.
Mayor Sackett said they would move this forward to the December 15tH
City Commission meeting with staffs recommendations.
C. Mayor Sackett requests the City Commission discuss the next course
of action that the Commission would like to explore in order to find a
retailer for the Fifth Third Bank Property.
Mayor Sackett said they received a formal letter from Publix citing the
economic times. He stated he would like. to always keep this moving
forward. He spoke to Mr. White, developers and other grocery stores; and
declared there was heavy interest in this property. He said Mr. White
stated he would be contacting him often and keep us posted.
Deputy Mayor Maingot suggested we pursue contact with the Seminole
County.Economic Development Department. He said they have been
successful in landing two good deals for Lake Mary.
Commissioner Bundy said as an update on this property, there was a
developer that came forward for a Fresh Market there. He stated Fresh
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Market has indicated they are not interested in placing a Fresh Market at
that location. and the developler had as a Plan B an Aldi Foods. He also
received a call from people regarding a Neighborhood Wa1-Mart grocery
in that area and put them in contract with Mr. White. He stated he was on a
teleconference call with the CEO for Publix who was the deciding factor
on abandoning this project due to a fear it would conflict with the Wekiva
Springs store. He stated they needed to be more concerned with the
Jamestotivn store. Their commer.~t to him was that they were not interested.
at this time. He suggested the best thing they can do was 1:0 leave the
development of that property to the professionals. He affirmed Mr. White
has an extensive background in grocery and retail development.
Mayor Sackett confirmed that N[r. White said he would. keep him posted
through e-mail. .
Deputy Mayor Maingot reiterated Seminole County Economic
Development. could open other opportunities for the, property. He said they
should not discourage any further interest by Publix, but a.t the same time,
they should explore any additional interests being generated.
Commissioner Durso suggested also working with the Regional Chamber
of Commerce and any other business organizations to reach out to any
other interests for that property.
12. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. Mr. Roper said he would contact Mr.
Waggoner's Attorney. He also has asked Ms. Dawn Jackson to report it as a claim
to Public Risk Management. He stated h.e would report back to the Commission
regarding this matter.
Mr. Roper reported they had sent the Commissioners a copy o:E the D`v'D of th.e
internal inspection. on the Gamble case. FIe said the Cornrnission wvill be receiving
a packet of chronology of events prior to next Monday when they will hold the
closed session.
Mr. Roper said within the last month or ttivo they have been receiving a lot of
foreclosure cases naming the City as an interested party in the case, either due to a
Codes Enforcement Board lien or soiree type of lien the City has on the property.
He stated they would be providing a sununary of these cases to the Commission
to be able to review and determine if they have .any desire to come up with some
type of uniform protocol in dealing with these. To date, they have dealt with these
on a case by case basis and can continue to do that.
Commissioner 1-Iolt inquired if they would be looking into what C?rlando,
Daytona, and New Smyrna Beach has done.
~ Mr. Roper responded in the affirmative. He said this was becoming a big issue
across the board.
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Commissioner Bundy said he would like to see the language Windermere recently
had drafted. He stated this was one of the issues they were taking up under the
Florida League of Cities Municipal .Services Committee. He said the League of
Cities was looking into proposing legislation to have a statewide registry for.
foreclosed properties.
Commissioner Bundy said some of the information provided at the previous
Commission meeting. regarding the Gamble case had some of the information
Dave Aldrich had stated in his letter. He inquired if it would be possible for Mr.
Aldrich to attend the closed session. .
Mr. Roper advised this was not allowable at a closed session.
Commissioner Bundy inquired if it would be allowable to ask Mr. Aldrich any
questions he might have.
. Mr.-Roper responded in the affirmative.
13'. CITY CLERK'S REPORT. No report.
14. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Brian D. Sackett, Ma
ATTE '
aarah 1VI 1Vlirus, CMC, MBA
City Clerk
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