City Commission Regular Meeting

APPROVED:12/6/2018 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:00PM Woman's Club, 227 N. Center St. INVOCATION: Rev. Jonathan Pearson, Lifepointe Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Bob CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Morin - 6:03 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Commissioner Linda Bob; Commissioner Carla Gnann-Thompsen; Commissioner Michael Holland; Vice-Mayor Marie Aliberti ; and Mayor Robert Morin I. AGENDA UPDATE Ron Neibert, City Manager, announced that the Police Pension Board presentation would be postponed to a future date. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 18-0288 October 23, 2018 -Joint City Commission/Umatilla City Council Workshop November 1, 2018 - Regular City Commission Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Holland, seconded by Commissioner Gnann- Thompson, that the Minutes be Approved. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. III. PRESENTATIONS 18-0284 Presentation by Lake CARES regarding feeding the hungry Tim Bridges, LCAA Director of Program Operations, introduced Michael Robertson. He provided an overview of the Lake Community Action Agency's programs and how they benefit the community. He stated that 85% of the LCAA revenues go out in services with only 15% being used for operational expenses. He explained their assessment process to determine what services individuals need. He further explained their partnership with Workforce to help train 50 people in various fields in short-term training programs and to assist them in getting employment. He stated they were one of two pilot programs approved in Florida. He reviewed their current clients involved in the program. He commented they receive 200 to 300 applications per week. He spoke about a number of their success stories and emphasized the need for the community to be more proactive. He stated their current budget is approximately $5 to $6 million. He discussed how they are leveraging their funds through the Mount Dora CRA. He explained how they are trying to prevent people from becoming homeless and stated they service approximately 3500 people per year. Mayor Morin explained to the audience that the agencies were invited to speak as part of Lake County's "Homeless and Poverty Awareness Week". Michael Robertson addressed the Commission regarding the number of poor people in Lake County and LCAA's efforts to help people stay in their homes and become self-sufficient. He commented on the age of many of the homes in Eustis with an average construction date of 1973 and the issues that arise with older homes. He explained the Mount Dora CRA program to assist residents who live in substandard housing and noted that insurance companies will not insure substandard homes. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 1113012018 City Commission Meeting Minutes -Final November 15, 2018 He explained that LCAA is managing the construction process for the program and reviewed various repairs they are undertaking such as windows and doors and roof repairs. He commented on the number of substandard homes within the City of Eustis. He cited how the improvements help to re-invigorate the community. He encouraged the City of Eustis to consider a similar program and further explained that all contractors are licensed and all equipment put in homes must be Energy-star rated. Irene O'Malley, Lake CARES, thanked the City for its support of the Lake CARES food pantry. She cited an individual who contacted them for assistance and how individuals have to make decisions regarding expenses and food. She reported that last year Lake CARES fed over 36,000 people. She stated that Mount Dora represented 29. 7% of those people with Eustis residents representing 28%. She cited the amount of food they distributed and how that puts money back into the community. She commented on the need to build the neighborhoods by fixing the homes and feeding the hungry. She cited the number of Eustis residents that help distribute food at the Bates Avenue location and emphasized the need for all of the organizations and the City to work together The Commission expressed its thanks and commented on the need for local residents and businesses to assist and cited the need for a local storage facility. It was a/so noted that distribution needs to be more than once per week. Ms. O'Malley concurred with the need to find a larger location in the City of Eustis. She cited their weekend "backpack" program for Eustis Elementary. She noted they have received a request to assist Eustis Heights but noted their difficulty in doing so. The Commission explained that the City is implementing a committee to look at a housing program and asked for LCAA 's assistance. It was a/so noted the number of children attending Eustis Heights that are homeless or living in motels. 18-0285 Presentation by Police Officers' Pension Board regarding pension plan Postponed to a future meeting. IV. AUDIENCE TO BE HEARD Laneeka Caldwell, assistant principal for Eustis High School, addressed the Commission on behalf of their students and faculty. She noted the location of the high school and the number of students and faculty that come and go from the campus throughout the school day and between the two campuses. She cited an incident on October 23rd with a student who was hit by a car in the crosswalk. She stated there are no traffic calming devices on either Washington or Fahnstock and asked the City to consider speed bumps or caution lights to slow the traffic in the area of the school. Mr Neibert asked her to contact his office to set up a meeting with the Police Chief to determine what the options are. Gail Isaac Thomas addressed the Commission regarding the street sweeper and the need for the side streets to be swept. Rick Gierok, Public Works Director, explained the street sweeping is done on a rotation basis. He indicated he would call her to let her know when and how often the street sweeper is out there. Commissioner Gnann-Thompson expressed concern about the amount of mosquitoes currently being experienced. Darius Kenison announced December 15th would be the holiday comedy show. He thanked everyone for attending the shows. City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 1113012018 City Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 15, 2018 Lorenzo Hagins congratulated the newly elected City Commissioners. He cited the Constitutional Amendment that will allow felons to get their voting rights restored. He explained his efforts to help those effected get their packets submitted so that will occur He concurred with the traffic problems around Eustis High and also around Eustis Heights Elementary. He asked for police patrols around the cemetery and stated he has observed drinking and drug sales in that area. VI. ORDINANCES, PUBLIC HEARINGS & QUASI-JUDICIAL BEARINGS 18-0276 Resolution No. 18-100: Writeoff on Utility Uncollectible Accounts Receivable for Fiscal Year 2018. Derek Schroth, City Attorney, announced Resolution No. 18-100: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida, granting authority to the Finance Department to write off utility uncollectible accounts receivable for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Colleen Scott, Finance Director, explained the need for the City to write off uncollectible utility accounts. She further explained the write off process and stated that new service will not be provided to someone unless a write off has been paid. Mr Schroth opened the public hearing at 6:52p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 6:52p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Holland, seconded by Commissioner Gnann- Thompsen, to Approve Resolution No. 18-100. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5- Commissioner Bob; Commissioner Gnann-Thompson; Commissioner Holland; Vice-Mayor Aliberti ; and Mayor Morin 18-0290 Resolution No. 18-102: Approval of Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Contract Mr Schroth announced Resolution No. 18-102: A Resolution by the City Commission of the City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida, approving a modification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Eustis and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2021, as set forth in Exhibit "A" and authorizing the City Manager to sign said agreement. Mr Neibert explained the negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association for a new three-year contract to begin October 1, 2018. He stated that the PBA has ratified the draft contract. He reviewed the various changes from the previous contract noting that wages would be re-negotiated each year Mr Schroth opened the public hearing at 6:57p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 6:57p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Holland, seconded by Vice-Mayor Aliberti, to Approve Resolution No. 18-102. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Commissioner Bob; Commissioner Gnann-Thompsen; Commissioner Holland; Vice-Mayor Aliberti; and Mayor Morin 18-0274 Resolution No. 18-103: Refuse Collection Rate Increase Mr Schroth announced Resolution No. 18-103: A Resolution by the City Commission of the City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida, authorizing adjustment to City of Eustis rates for the Solid Waste Collections Services, to provide for the annual adjustment of the Garbage and Trash Rate Index provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor for Waste Management, Inc. of Florida to be effective January 1, 2019. City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 1113012018 City Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 15, 2018 Ms. Scott explained that the contract stipulates a rate increase/decrease each year based on the refuse rate index or garbage and trash index and stated that the City is using the Garbage and Trash Index as it is less volatile. The proposal for 2019 is an increase of 4.92% in the collection fees. She provided a companson with other cities noting Eustis is still/ower. Mr. Schroth opened the public heanng at 7:01 p.m. There being no public comment, the heanng was closed at 7:01p.m. A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Aliberti, seconded by Commissioner Gnann-Thompson, to Approve Resolution No. 18-103. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Commissioner Bob; Commissioner Gnann-Thompson; Commissioner Holland; Vice-Mayor Aliberti ; and Mayor Morin VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Bob asked for staff to review the traffic around all of the schools with Mr. Neibert indicating he would conduct an evaluation and bnng back a report. VIII. COMMENTS City Commission Commissioner Gnann- Thompson recommended that the City work to better inform the residents in order to reduce confusion and encourage unity. She stated the City needs to provide more updates on projects and community programs and those issues the Commission is working on. Mr. Neibert noted that staff has been sending out monthly project updates for several months as well as posting the updates to the website. He offered to start including those in the water bills. Commissioner Bob asked everyone to remember that school would be out the next week and to dnve carefully. Commissioner Holland wished Mr. Neibert a happy birthday. Vice Mayor Aliberti announced that the City's ice skating nnk would officially open on November 21st. She noted that several churches and other organizations would be serving Thanksgiving dinner. City Manager Mr. Neibert reported that the vendor who does the cam ivai for Georgest had offered to set up a ferris wheel dunng the holidays if staff can identify a safe location. City Attorney - None Mayor Mayor Monn thanked the community for the large number of Veteran 's Day events. IX. ADJOURNMENT-7:10p.m. c .lf1~ tY1 ~· --/-;;­ ~c.iGONT~{~ City Clerk ~ Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Page4 Printed on 1113012018