CC01-16-17Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
January 16, 2017
6:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Joe Durso
Deputy Mayor Brian D. Sackett
Commissioner John C. Maingot
Commissioner Ben Paris
Commissioner Mark Weller
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Jon C. Williams, City Manager
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
Troy Hickson, Director of Public Safety
Chris Capizzi, Leasure Services Director
Lee Ricci, Human Resources Director
David Dowda, Interim Police Chief
Chris Kintner, Interim Community Development Director
Richard Kornbluh, Division Manager Utilities
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Durso called the meeting to order at 6:00
p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION.Dr.Ron Smith, Pastor with Waterstone
Church gave the invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following
announcements.
A. Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday,January 18,2017
from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.,Longwood City Hall
(Chambers), 175 West Warren Avenue. This month's feature
is Deep Water Horizon.
B. The City of Longwood will host the Historic Longwood
Farmers &Artisans Market weekly on Saturday from 9:00
a.m. until 1:00 p.m.,in the Historic District of Longwood
located at the corner of North Ronald Reagan Boulevard and
West Church Avenue.
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5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
A. District#2 Presentation of the Business Person of the Month
Award for January 2017 to Lance Butterfield, Owner and
Brett Mason, Owner of The Hourglass Brewery, located at 480
South Ronald Reagan Blvd.
Mayor Durso gave a brief history of The Hourglass Brewery and
of the owners and then presented them with the Business Person of
the Month Award for January 2017. Photographs were then taken.
B. Presentation of the Martin Luther King,Jr. Good Citizenship
Award to Sheriff Dennis Lemma.
Commissioner Maingot read a Proclamation recognizing Sherriff
Dennis Lemma and presented him with the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Good Citizenship Award. Photographs were then taken.
C. Presentation of the Martin Luther King,Jr. Good Citizenship
Award to Ms. Isabel Brislenn.
Deputy Mayor Sackett read a Proclamation recognizing Ms. Isabel
Brislenn and presented her with the Martin Luther King,Jr. Good
Citizenship Award. Photographs were then taken.
D. The City of Longwood to recognize the sponsors of the
Celebrate the Season and Tree Lighting event which occurred
on December 2,2016.
Mr. Capizzi,Director of Leisure Services and Ms. Coad,Parks and
Recreation Board Member presented the sponsors of the Celebrate
the Season and Tree Lighting event with a certificate. Photographs
were then taken.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A. District#4 Nomination to the Parks &Recreation Advisory
Board.
Commissioner Weller requested to defer the nomination for thirty
(30) days.
Nomination was deferred for thirty(30)days by a
unanimous voice vote.
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation.
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111 Ms. Dee Woolford, 1560 Orange Avenue, Winter Park spoke about
the eighth(8th) annual GR8 to DON8 5K. She said this is a 5K/8K
run/walk for organ donation that begins and ends at Lyman High
School,with runners going through the City of Longwood. She
said it is the 8th annual race and will take place on Saturday,April
1, 2017. She thanked Chris Capizzi,the City of Longwood,the
Police Department, and Russell Williams,Athletic Director at
Lyman High School, for supporting them, as well as the members
of the community that became sponsors. She said they started at
Lyman High School because there was an organ recipient who
attended school there eight years ago. She said they represent ten
counties for organ and tissue donations, and all the money raised
helps with their educational efforts. She encourages people daily
to make a decision about organ and tissue donations. She said she
expects 1,500 people this year, and they raise thousands of dollars
through this large event. She thanked the City and everyone
involved in the event for helping them.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District#2. Mayor Durso stated he does not have a report for this evening
but will have some recommendations at next month's meeting regarding
committee structure within the City, a few transportation issues and couple
other items to discuss.
District#3. No report.
District#4. No report.
District#5. Deputy Mayor Sackett said he wanted an update on Santa
Visits Longwood and asked if there were any areas missed,the over-all
response from citizens, so we can review to see if we continue this next
year. He also asked what were the strengths of it and what could we do
better. He stated he drove by the portables at the Fire Station 17, and they
are in pretty bad shape. He wanted to know what is going to happen with
them as far as painting and making it look like the environment it fits in.
Mr. Williams said the portables are still being set up;ramps are being
installed, and once they are completed they will be painted, landscaping
installed, as well as a fence to be reinstalled.
Deputy Mayor Sackett said Babe Ruth is very concerned they have no
storage space and who will be housed in the portables.
Mr. Williams stated CERT, COPs and Longwood Volunteers will be
housed in the portables.
Deputy Mayor Sackett said he received a letter from Utilities, Inc. which
is six pages long and he is not sure what it means. He said it would be
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nice if we could figure out what it means regarding rate increases since
many subdivisions within Longwood would have received this. He also
mentioned business signs in the City that have changed their script and
stated we need to look at the Code for acceptable signs. He mentioned
there are some street signs that are leaning from when Hurricane Matthew
hit and asked that they be addressed. He thanked Bill Black and the City
Manager for having the lights fixed in Harbour Isles. He stated a few
years ago they talked about having someone walk the City to note all the
dark spots without lights and get them addressed.
Mayor Durso stated the neighborhood watch group in his area did it in his
District and created a map.
District#1. Commissioner Maingot said he wanted to congratulate our
City Clerk for having earned the designation of Florida Certified Records
Manager. He noted the American Muslim Association have opened a free
Healthcare Clinic and attended their opening ceremony.
9. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes of the December 19,2016 Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for December 2016 and
January 2017.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for December 2016.
D. Approve an Environmental Protection Agency Grant Award
Agreement(No.NF010) between the State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and the City of
Longwood providing for Federal Financial Assistance and
funding reimbursements relating to the South Longwood
Septic Tank Removal Project.
E. Approve the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.)
Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement (2017-2020)
between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the
Longwood Police Department.
F. Approve 'The Senator' Artwork Gift Agreement between the
City of Longwood and Seminole County.
G. Approve a Ground Lease Agreement between the Church of
God at Longwood and the City of Longwood.
H. Confirm Appointment of Chris Kintner,AICP as Community
Development Director.
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Approve and Award a Construction Service Agreement for the
South Longwood Septic Abatement Project—Phase I and
approve a purchase order in the amount of$5,227,691 to
Cathcart Construction Company.
Commissioner Maingot moved to approve Items 10A
through 10I as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Paris and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 16-2106,a Large
Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment(CPA 01-16) for a
property on Bay Meadow Road.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2106 by title only.
Mr.Kintner recommends continuing this public hearing until the
February 6th meeting. He stated they are waiting for comments to
be returned from the Department of Economic Opportunity and
were advised they would have comments back to us by January
28th.
Mayor Durso stated he would allow public testimony even though
they are going to postpone the Item. He then opened the public
hearing.
Jay Jensen,232 Lazy Acres Lane, Longwood spoke in opposition.
He said he has a property adjacent to this property. He stated the
issue is we are in the middle of an agricultural zoned area, and we
are now taking a medium density city-zoned area and putting it
right in the middle of an agricultural area that has been the same
since the 1970s. He is asking if the proper studies have been done
to see if any habitats have been damaged around the property, and
if the correct utilities can be brought in to service the property. He
said there is nothing surrounding this except for some woods and
other utility right-of-ways.
Mr. Kintner addressed Mr.Jensen's comments. He stated the
habitat studies and traffic studies are both requirements for a
subdivision of this size. He stated the applicant would have to
have the proper studies done and comply with any regulations. He
said the City does not regulate wildlife habitats,but a study is
required and you do have to get a proper permit. He said it would
be the same for a low and medium density residential project. He
said it would be the same for a traffic study. He stated as far as the
location of it for medium density residential(MDR),the applicant
is applying for an MDR 7,which is a maximum of seven dwellings
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an acre. He stated the County has zoning as four units an acre in
the surrounding area and the applicant is proposing four units an
acre for their project.
Mayor Durso asked if the applicant is developing it under what the
County would currently allow, which is four units an acre.
Mr. Kintner said they are proposing four units an acre right now.
Mr. Jensen asked if the proper studies have been done and made
available to the public.
Mr. Kintner replied and stated the studies are done as part of the
development review process, so this is a conference plan map
amendment. He said when the applicant comes in for the actual
subdivision,he will have to comply with the required studies at
that time.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Item.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Paris and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Mayor Durso moved to continue Ordinance No. 16-2106 to
the February 6,2017 Commission meeting until after the
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity(DEO)
completes its review. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Sackett
and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
B. Read by title only,set February 6,2017 as the second public
hearing date and approve the first reading of Ordinance No.
16-2107, a Longwood Development Code Amendment
increasing impervious surface ratios in residential districts,
allowing more flexibility in design review, and other general
updates.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2107 by title only.
Mr.Kintner reviewed the Ordinance.
Mayor Durso opened the public hearing.
Jo Anne Rebello, 301 Loch Lomond Avenue,Longwood spoke in
opposition. She said listening to Mr. Kintner she has concerns and
it sounds like a sellout to developers. She said they are not going
to come unless we give them more impervious surface. She said
we just spent a lot of money a few years ago doing a stormwater
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assessment of all the problems in the City based on current
standards. She said if you increase the impervious surface ratio,
we are looking at a disaster down the road. She said we will start
having flooding where we don't have flooding right now. She said
she is concerned we will also have an increase in stormwater fees.
She thinks this has to be studied. She said other Cities have
flooding because they decreased impervious surfaces. She thought
one would have to be responsible for doing stormwater on your lot.
She stated she is concerned if we do this,we are looking at
something down the road that will be a disaster.
Mr. Kintner addressed Ms. Rebello's comments and said there are
two or three subdivisions coming in right now. He said regardless
what the impervious surface is,they have to come in and show
they can retain the stormwater on site for whatever percentage it is.
He said it gets reviewed by our engineering team as well as St.
Johns Water Management who reviews it for stormwater quantity
and quality. He said it is all going to be what the developer brings
in,and the developer will have to maintain it on site at their cost.
He said the applicant will be addressing that as part of their site
plan.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Item.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Weller and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Maingot moved to approve Ordinance No.
16-2107 and set February 6,2017 as the second public
hearing date. Seconded by Commissioner Paris.
Discussion ensued and questions were asked and responded to
regarding impervious surface for established subdivisions and the
impact of increasing it now City-wide, along with questions
regarding business signs in the City.
Motion carried by a four-to-one (4-1)roll call vote with
Deputy Mayor Sackett voting nay.
C. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 16-2108,a Small
Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment(SPA 04-16) for a
property at 439 West Church Avenue.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2108 by title only.
Mr. Kintner reviewed the Item.
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Mayor Durso opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to the Ordinance.
Deputy Mayor Sackett moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Maingot and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Maingot moved to adopt Ordinance No. 16-
2108 as presented Item 11C. Seconded by Commissioner
Paris.
Commissioner Maingot read the following comment into the
record: The applicant has also provided a letter signed by a
qualified consultant and a letter from the Department of
Environmental Protection. The City Engineer and Planner have
reviewed the proposed amendment and are satisfied that the
requested change in in line with the Comprehensive Plan and
Longwood Development Code.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
D. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 16-2109,a Small
Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment(SPA 03-16)for a
property on 14th Avenue.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2109 by title only.
Mr. Kintner reviewed the Item.
Mayor Durso opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Weller and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Maingot moved to adopt Ordinance No. 16-
2109 as presented Item 11D. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
Sackett.
Commissioner Maingot stated for the record that the applicant
would be required to provide any required buffering from any city,
state or federal agency regarding future land use.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
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E. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 16-2110, updating
Chapter 18 of the City Code related to Building Division
administration and hours of construction.
Mr.Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2110 by title only.
Mr.Kintner reviewed the Item.
Judy Coad, 1695 Grange Circle, Longwood, said her concern is
expanding to 7:00 a.m. for construction to begin because everyone
comes a lot earlier than that. She suggested a compromise of 7:30
a.m.
Mr. Kintner said if the Commission desired 7:30 a.m.that would
be no issue.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close. Seconded by
Commissioner Weller and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
Commissioner Maingot moved to adopt Ordinance No. 16-
2110 as presented Item 11E. Seconded by Commissioner
Weller.
Commissioner Weller stated the earlier you start, especially when
re-roofmg,the better it is for the homeowner and for the Building
Official because you have a limited time during the summer with
potential for rainstorms. He said the hour you are getting in the
morning helps tremendously,between the heat and getting on and
off the job as quickly as possible.
Deputy Mayor Sackett stated his concern is having workers line up
and wait prior to 7:00 a.m.,but said we can try it and see what
happens.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
F. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 16-2111,amending
Article II—Water and Wastewater Chapter 90 of the
Longwood City Code regarding installation of irrigation
meters for residential customers.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 16-2111 by title only.
Mayor Durso reviewed the Item.
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Deputy Mayor Sackett asked how long does the fee hold.
Mr. Williams said the fee is coming down to $385 and will remain
in place until such time there is a recommendation to increase it
and will come before the Commission again.
Commissioner Weller recommended that this be advertised with all
the Home Owners Association Presidents more than one time.
Mayor Durso reminded everyone this is for City of Longwood
customers for sewer, not Utilities Inc.
Mr. Williams said if this does pass,he requests the Commission
give him and staff authorization to issue refunds for irrigation
meters that have been installed since October 1St. He said they
were installed at a higher increase, so this would be lower and we
would refund the difference.
Mayor Durso asked Mr. Langley if we can do this as a secondary
motion or can we include it in the passage of the ordinance.
Mr. Langley said he would do a motion for the Ordinance first and
then do a second motion.
Mayor Durso opened the public hearing.
Jo Anne Rebello, 301 Loch Lomond Avenue, Longwood said she
has questions. She asked if we install the meters now for
irrigation, are they in use now or is this for reclaimed water.
Mayor Durso said it will be for immediate usage. He said the long
term goal for the City is to have a reclaimed water system similar
to Altamonte Springs.
Mr. Williams said the old aqua utility site within the Industrial
Park has been purchased, and that is going to be decommissioned
as a waste water plant. He said ninety percent of that site is going
to be converted into a larger regional stormwater pond that has a
reclaimed water component to it.
Mayor Durso said you can use the meter now and when we get
reclaimed water that will be hooked up to the irrigation meter. He
also stated the reclaimed water will be a step by step process and
take a while to get to everyone.
Ms. Rebello asked questions regarding if the reclaimed water is
treated sewer water.
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Mr. Williams indicated that reclaimed water for the system in the
Industrial Park is stormwater and has a treatment component.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Paris and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Maingot to adopt Ordinance No. 16-2111,
Item 11A. Seconded by Commissioner Paris and carried by
a unanimous roll call vote.
Deputy Mayor Sackett moved to approve the City
Manager's proposal to make rebates to October 1, 2016 in
this situation for irrigation meters that have already been
installed. Seconded by Commissioner Maingot and carried
by a unanimous roll call vote.
G. City Commission to hear a public request for Special
Exception (SPE 06-16) for an increase in the maximum
Impervious Surface Ratio(ISR)in Low Density Residential
(LDR) from an allowable 42% to 65% per lot on 14th Avenue,
for a proposed subdivision.
Mr. Langley stated this is a quasi-judicial matter and anyone
wishing to speak on behalf or in opposition to this agenda item is
requested to step forward, stand and be sworn-in. He said if you
have not already done so,please complete the form Request to
Speak at a public hearing and return it to the City Clerk. He said
the applicant may have the right to cross examine anyone who
speaks for or against the item and those who speak have the right
to cross examine the applicant. He then swore-in those wishing to
speak.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item. He said this special exemption
relates back to a subdivision known as the Bell-Air Property. He
said it is a proposed 41 lot family subdivision on 11.47 acres. He
said the applicants had the mandatory pre-application meeting with
staff as well as the Citizen Awareness and Participation Plan
(CAPP)neighborhood meeting with surrounding residents. He
stated the current code allows for 42 % low density residential and
the developer is proposing larger homes on smaller lots that would
lead to a higher impervious surface ratio (ISR). The applicants are
asking to go to 65 %ISR on this lot. He said this project is to the
north of the Treasure Hill Project,which received a special
exception for a range of impervious surfaces. They have between
50 and 69%on different lots. He said they had 10 lots at 52 %, 15
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lots at 55 %, so there is precedent for such a request. He stated we
have seen a larger demand from developers for these smaller lots
with a higher ISRs. He said the applicant in this case will have to
do everything related to stormwater management. The applicant is
proposing significantly more than the 2.5%open space required by
code. He said from our perspective,because there is more open
space than we would require, staff sees this as an opportunity to
require the applicant maintain the 5 %open space. He said staff
recommends that if the special exemption is approved and that the
impact of that special exemption be mitigated by requiring the 5 %.
He said we have confirmed that with the applicant, and they are
okay. He stated we are comfortable with that; and the applicant is
coming in with a new site plan that will meet all stormwater
management standards, so with those considerations, staff
recommends approval of this item.
Mayor Durso asked the Commission to disclosure any ex-parte
communication they may have had regarding this particular
project.
There were no ex-parte communications.
Mayor Durso opened the public hearing.
Mr. Charlie Madden, 431 Horatio Avenue,Maitland,with
Madden, Moorhead& Stokes,they are the civil engineering
company representing the contract purchaser. He said Raymond
Harrison is also here this evening. He said we agree with staff's
recommendation, and wanted to make you all aware we are here to
answer any questions or concerns brought up.
Jo Anne Rebello, 301 Loch Lomond Avenue said she has the same
concern about the impervious surface ratio. She has talked with
residents on 1st or 2nd Place, and they are at a lower elevation than
14th Avenue and had flooding issues. She said Mr. Kintner has
mentioned Longwood Plantation, which backs up to a body of
water, and that is also the same body of water that Pt or 2nd Place
feed into. She is concerned about increasing the impervious
surface ratio, and that body of water rises,that will cause issues in
both Longwood Plantation and the people along 1st or 2nd Place.
She stated that is her main concern, stormwater issues and
flooding.
Mayor Durso said one way or another when the applicant develops
the property they have to address the water. He said that water has
to go somewhere either in a pond or redirected to a body of water,
applicant has to get a plan approved, and it's paid for by them. If
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the body of water is determined not to be able to handle it,they
have to build stormwater capacity somewhere else.
Ms. Rebello stated she has concerns with the stormwater and said
engineers make mistakes. She spoke about a subdivision that is
not within the City along Ronald Reagan Boulevard and had issues
when it was being built. She said they got all their permitting and
there was so much flooding that it was a major issue and very
costly. She just wants to be sure we don't end up in the same
situation.
Mr. Madden said part of our job is to design a stormwater system
that will accommodate whether the lots are 42, 55 or 65 %, our
stormwater pond has to accommodate the runoff accordingly,
whatever that ISR is approved at. He said the reason we requested
this is, it is anticipated that it will be needed by the national
builders looking at the project. He said if you include a pool, 65 %
is not that unusual. He said if you are looking to sell homes from
$300,000 up, it takes a good size house and a nice pool to meet that
market demand. He said with this particular property on the north
side,there is a flood plain, so it is known when a hurricane hits
down in that area,there is a slough in the north side of this
property that backs up. He said we will have to look at the
elevations and what is going on in that wetland to make sure we do
not cause any downstream impacts to the people that live down
there. He said that is part of the analysis required today that fifteen
years ago was not as scrutinized as it is today. He said we are
dealing with a known FEMA Flood Plain that our stormwater
system pops off to, so there is flooding there during big storm
events, but it is our job to make sure we don't make that worse or
have any adverse impacts to downstream property owners.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Item.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Weller and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Maingot moved to approve Special
Exception(SPE 06-16) as presented Item 11G. Seconded
by Commissioner Weller.
Discussion ensued and comments made that expressed confidence
in approving based on staff having oversight and being involved in
the decision making.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
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H. City Commission to hear a public request for Special
Exception (SPE 07-16)to allow a total of 10% of the total lots
as flag lots on Bay Meadow Road,for a proposed subdivision.
Mr. Langley stated this is also a quasi-judicial matter and anyone
wishing to speak on behalf or in opposition to this agenda item is
requested to step forward, stand and be sworn-in. He said if you
have not already done so,please complete the form Request to
Speak at a public hearing and return to the City Clerk. He said the
applicant may have the right to cross examine anyone who speaks
for or against the item and those who speak have the right to cross
examine the applicant. He then swore-in those wishing to speak.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item. He said this is related to the
Meadow Bend Subdivision located off Bay Meadow Road and the
applicant is requesting the ability to have flag lots. He said we
removed the ability to have flag lots out of the Code in August,
2015. One of the reasons for that is flag lots often created
situations where you have houses looking out across other houses
in ways you would not normally expect in a planned subdivision.
He said in this case, staff considered some mitigating factors in its
recommendation. In the middle of the property there is a feature
they cannot build on and have to keep a state maintained buffer
around it. He said the irregular shape of that,combined with the
County-maintained twenty-five foot right-of-way strip, are factors
that we considered and don't see an issue with the flag lots creating
an issue with the neighboring property. He said staff found, due to
the unique conditions of the site, staff recommended approval of
the special exemption in this instance.
Mayor Durso asked for any ex-parte to be disclosed.
Mayor Durso is the only one who had discussions with staff,the
developer, and the engineer.
Deputy Mayor Sackett asked about the percent of play area.
Mr.Kintner said the code requires 2.5%and the applicant will be
required to do that.
Mayor Durso opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to the Item.
Commissioner Maingot moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Weller and carried by a
unanimous roll call vote.
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Commissioner Maingot moved to approve Special
Exception(SPE 07-16) as presented Item 11H. Seconded
by Commissioner Paris and carried by a unanimous roll call
vote.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. City Commission to hear a request to mitigate a Code
Enforcement Lien in the amount of$16,900 on a property
located at 1120 West State Road 434.
Chief Dowda presented the Item. He said the owner of the
property, BPD Fitness is requesting a waiver or reduction in
the lien, which began on July 18, 2016.
Mr. Williams stated as part of the agenda packet there is an
email indicating compliance pursuant to the cure plan.
Mayor Durso stated in the past with these situations, the
property is up for sale and pending closing based on our
decisions. He said fines have generally been viewed by the
Commission in the past as a way to compel compliance and to
keep people honest with their properties. He said we have
also desired to keep properties on the tax roll if someone is
going to buy it and do something potentially productive with
it, then we always want to encourage that. He said
traditionally, we have always accepted an administrative fee
and a portion of the fine, not wiping it away, but collecting a
portion of that fine and forgiving the rest of it. He stated that
is where we should start the conversation.
Commissioner Maingot recommended that they reduce the
fine to $1,690, plus the administrative fee.
Chief Dowda said the administrative fee was $150 and paid
on January 11, 2016.
Mayor Durso asked if there was anyone here representing the
property.
Michael Curtain with Watson Realty was there representing
his client, BPD Fitness. He said the work has been done and
they are ready to close.
Mayor Durso asked if the ten percent is acceptable.
Ms. Kansol, the owner of the property said she has paid the
administrative fees already, and the property has been redone
several times to try to get into compliance. She said she has
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planted plants and dug up asphalt and feels she has gone
above and beyond on this and spent $10,000. She said this is
the third time trying to get into compliance and none of her
neighbors have had to go through this.
Mayor Durso responded and said your lawyer has come in to
speak with him and the City Manager. He said a lot of people
made a lot of money on the properties when Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) took them. He said
there were only four properties that did not come into
compliance with a cure plan that happened immediately after
FDOT wrote the check. He said the immediate remedy
should have been done when FDOT purchased the property
and gave the check. He said that is part of what FDOT pays
for. He does not know what the delay was in that, but your
lawyer would stipulate that did not happen right away. He
said in general what we have done is accepted an
administrative fee and then accepted a smaller portion of the
fine to cover costs expended by city staff.
Deputy Mayor Sackett said he has lived across from that
property for many years. He stated it took five years to get
those plants planted two weeks ago. He said you are well
deserving of the $16,900 fee because you let it sit and said
you did not know about the cure plan. He said he is not in
favor of$1,690 reduction because that place looked awful for
five years.
Commissioner Weller asked about covering the city costs and
if we know what the costs are. He feels the $1,690 is too low.
Commissioner Paris said he agrees with Commissioner
Maingot and the ten percent reduction. He stated we don't
need any more empty properties along State Road 434.
Commissioner Paris moved to reduce the amount of
the lien down to ten percent of the original amount of
$16,900 to $1,690 on the property located at 1120
West State Road 434. Seconded by Commissioner
Maingot.
Mr. Langley suggested to put a deadline on that payment in
order to make that effective with a 15 or 30 day time frame
and give Mr. Williams authorization to issue the Satisfaction
of Lien upon payment of the reduced fine. He said sometimes
we require an escrow agent to state they will hold the lien
document in escrow pending our receipt of those funds from
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the closing proceeds. He said or you can require the owner to
pay it now before we will even produce that document.
Commissioner Paris amended his motion to include
that the payment of$1,690 be paid no later than
January 19, 2017, allow the City Manager to sign the
Release of Lien and if not timely paid the amount will
not be reduced. Commissioner Maingot seconded the
amended motion.
Motion carried by a three-to-two (3-2) roll call vote
with Commissioner Weller and Deputy Mayor Sackett
voting nay.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Williams said the first lift of asphalt is down in the Industrial Park
with two more lifts to come. He said there will be some under-drainage
that will take place over the next few weeks. He said paving stops just
past UPS and was done by design. He said the reason being there is a
future stormwater project planned for that section of the Industrial Park,
and we did not want to be in the situation where we put brand new paving
down and came back six months later and dug it up to put in a 18 inch
stormwater pipe. He said Reider Park has been paved, and the brick
access around the Fire Station will be starting within the next week. He
said then they will move over and start some milling in the area of Church
Avenue, so there will be some road closures coming and some long term
road closures coming within the next six months.
14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. No report.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT. No report.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor Durso adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
Jos or
ATTEST:
MiichelCe'Longo, CMC, City Clerk
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