City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 10/3/2013 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, September 19, 2013 5:38PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Muenzmay ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Linda Bob; Albert Eckian ; Michael Holland ; Karen LeHeup-Smith ; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 13221 Workshop on City-Owned Property Dianne Kramer, Acting City Manager/Development Services Director, explained the purpose of the workshop to review nonresidential City-owned property and discuss the possible uses for the sites, marketing and possible sale. She reviewed the downtown sites and commented on their current uses including the following parcels: 1) parking lot behind Lake Community Action building; and 2) parking lot adjacent to City Hall. She then reviewed the lakefront properties including the following: 1) the parcel currently being used for the employee fitness center and parking for businesses; and 2) the property currently being used by the art museum. She cited the master plan the City completed for Ferran Park and all of the lake front properties and commented on the need for the lakefront to remain visible. She cited the Lakeshore Drive area properties and the possibility that area could be a catalyst for development. She reviewed the area around the aquatic center and the plans for that area. Ms. Kramer then reviewed the larger City-owned parcels including the following: 1) 73 gross acres on the north side of CR 44 with over half of the site within the 100 year flood plain; and 2) 40 gross acres on south side of CR 44 along Hicks Ditch Road. She provided her recommendations for use of the properties beginning with the downtown parcels stating they are too small to be developed for an hotel, which was one idea put forth for the downtown area. She commented on their current usage for parking and stated that the location behind the Lake Community Action Agency building would be a good location for a future parking garage. She emphasized that she would not recommend any of the downtown properties for private development. She recommended the City follow the master plan for the lakefront properties. She noted the possibility that the employee wei/ness center could be leased for commercial use; however, offering the other properties for development would obstruct the view of the lakefront and Ferran Park. She suggested advertising the CR44 property for sale and recommended concentrating on the property on the north side. She stated that, initially, the City could put up a sign on the site and emphasized the need for the City to be very strategic in determining what type of development would be appropriate for those sites. She cited the City's desire to attract more employment. She recommended retaining the property south of CR44 until a decision is made regarding a fire station or public safety complex. She also noted that the property near the art museum is already planned for construction of a new playground. She added that she is unsure whether the property in that area could support any larger structures. II. Commission Discussion The Commission concurred with Ms. Kramer's recommendations with the following additional comments: 1) in addition to the kayak launch, developing other ways for the public to get into the water in Ferran Park such as a boat ramp; 2) possibly selling a portion of the site south of CR44; and 3) how the City would market the north side property. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 912512013 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final September 19, 2013 Ms. Kramer responded they could start with signage to see what type of response is received. She stated that, to do a RFP would require the City to perform a lot of due diligence first. She recommended the City start with signage and see what kind of response is received and then move forward with the more expensive method. The Commission questioned whether staff has sufficient information to strategically market the site. Ms. Kramer responded that the property on the north side has a MCI designation which is a very broad land use designation. She stated that the south side is public and would probably have to be redesignated for development. She added that there is a big difference between sprayfield property and the CR44 north side property. She explained that the sprayfield property is an asset which can be sold. However, for the property within the City, it is more important what is to be developed on the property rather than just to sell it for the money. She further explained that by putting up sign it lets people know the City is open to development on the site. III. Public Input Joan Bryant, 707 Poinsettia Drive, asked for a clarification of the location of the CR44 property. She expressed concern regarding the property across from the Trout Lake Nature Center noting the desire for a trailhead at that location. Colleen Rotella, 217 E. Badger Ave., asked the number of acres of property with Ms. Kramer responding it is approximately 73 acres but it is not all usable. Ms. Rotella commented on the City's opportunity and encouraged the City to hold out for the best plan for use of the property. There being no further public comment, public input was closed at 6:01p.m. IV. Commission Direction The Commission commented on the need to attract something to the north side property that will bring more people to the City, either through employment or housing. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for staff to proceed as recommended. V. Adjournment- 6:02 p.m. KRESS T . MUENZMAY 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.eust1s.org and chck on the v1deo for the meeting in question . A DVD of the entire 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 Page2 Printed on 912512013