City Commission Workshop Meeting

City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, January 17, 2013 6:30PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Muenzmay -7:58p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Linda Bob; Albert Eckian; Michael Holland; Karen LeHeup-Smith ; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 13011 Preliminary Lake Front Master Plan and Final Ferran Park Master Plan Workshop Joe LaPolla, Parks and Recreation Director, introduced Frank Bellomo, Bellomo Herbert and Company, Inc. Mr. Bellomo reviewed the Ferran Park final master plan citing changes made pursuant to the previous workshop. The Commission discussed issues for the performers at the bandshell with the sun with Mr. Bellomo noting that the bandshell is on the historic register so nothing can be attached to it. II. Commission Discussion The Commission discussed the continuity for all of the entrances to the park, the need to have visual cues to bring visitors into the park, and relocating the Clifford traffic signal to Macdonald or Magnolia. III. Public Input Mayor Muenzmay opened the floor to public comment at 8:19p.m. Gary Harvison, 1505 S. Center Street, expressed support for the Ferran Park master plan as presented. Sue Hooper, 621 N. Eustis St., confirmed the parking space between John Roberts Realty and the barber shop would not be lost. Danielle Moulden, 560 S. Exeter St. , asked about previously discussed changes to the heron sculpture fountain. Mr. Bellomo explained the thought is to redo the fountain and construct a new base for the heron with the possibility of making it somewhat interactive for children. The Commission discussed the need for safe places for people to bike and the problem with long lines at the park restrooms with Mr. Bellomo noting the restrooms will be completely gutted and the new fixture count should help with that problem as well as meet all ADA requirements. There being no further public input, the public comment portion closed at 8:25p.m. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 112412013 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2013 IV. Commission Direction Mr. Bellomo presented the proposed Eustis waterfront master plan concept. He expressed support for the City having a bike trail to connect with Trout Lake. He pointed out for the audience the overall area to be considered indicating it ran from Wilt Avenue on the north to Sunset Island Park on the south. He reviewed the following recommendations: 1) creating a dog park at the northern end; 2) removing a section of North Shore A venue from Park to Bates to make the Community Center and historic museum feel more like part of the open space and also to create a Bay Street parking lot for the Community Center; 3) develop a passive park adjacent to the Crazy Gator replacing a portion of the parking area; 4) utilizing the Main Street building possibly for a trailhead, a renovated community building, or a commercial use such as a restaurant; 5) renovating Ferran Park as discussed; and 6) extending the waterfront promenade across the Sharp's property with possibly an outdoor sculpture garden behind the art museum. He commented on the Sharp's property being for sale and the need to protect that area with the possibility of creating a public use easement. He further commented on the possibility of changing the Lakeshore Drive alignment to end at Smith Street which would help eliminate cut through traffic and would assist with redevelopment of the Sharp's property. He continued reviewing the proposed elements with suggestions for adding a skate park and more parking at Sunset Island. The Commission discussed the addition of a dog park, constructing a trail, the possible skate park, obtaining a large copy of the plan for review, moving forward sooner with a skate park, construction of the playground going into Ferran Park, the benefits to the Sharp's property by relocation of Lakeshore Drive and the resulting improved possibility of getting an easement through the Sharp's property. Mr. Bellomo further commented on the importance of the realignment of Lakeshore Drive and the positive reinforcement for the youth by the construction of the skatepark. Paul Berg, City Manager, commented on County recreation efforts. He noted that a developer had approached the City about placing a hotel on the waterfront in the Sunset Island vicinity with a restaurant and boats/ips. He asked for Commission and public comment on the idea. He added the City could also request redevelopment proposals for the Main Street property. He commented on the possibility of placing a similar development on the far side of Ferran Park near the art museum. The Commission expressed support for pursuing possible development projects in the areas suggested by Mr. Berg. Derek Schroth, City Attorney, confirmed for the Commission that the City would not have to do an RFP to either sell or lease the subject properties. The Commission discussed the need to property review the financial situation of any proposed developers. Mayor Muenzmay opened the floor to public comment at 8:58p.m. Nancy Muenzmay, Chamber Director, emphasized the need for adequate parking at the Community Building for events. Steve Moulden, 560 S. Exeter Street, confirmed the location of the proposed hotel development and questioned the amount of available property near the boat ramp and how much green space might be lost. Joan Bryant, 707 Poinsettia Avenue, expressed support for the hotel being on the south shore so it would not block the view of the lake. She asked about adding a canoe and kayak launch and expressed support for retaining some type of regular boat launch facilities. Sue Hooper, 621 N. Center St., expressed support for the plan and reported that she has heard resident support for dead ending Lakeshore Drive to eliminate the cut through traffic. City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 112412013 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2013 The Commission questioned who controls Lakeshore Drive noting that it runs into a state road with Mr. Berg confirming that Lakeshore Drive is on the master list for the County to tum over ownership of the north end to Eustis and the south end to Tavares. Mr. Bellomo stated that the realignment would not require anything in the state right-of-way so the City should not need input from FOOT. He noted that there is already a canoe/kayak launch planned for Ferran Park. He indicated that another viable location would be in conjunction with the hotel development. He noted that the canoe/kayak launch should not be adjacent to the boat launch with the motorized boats. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for the City Manager to work on obtaining a proposal from the developer for the hotel development including a financial report on their company. V. Adjournment-9:10p.m. "--- \ KRESS T. MUENZMA Y 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 cl ick on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the enti re meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meetmg can be obtamed from the office of the City Clerk for a fee . City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 112412013