City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 2/20/2014 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Saturday, January 18, 2014 9:00AM Lakeview Room, Eustis Community Center 601 Northshore Dr., Eustis, FL 32726 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bob - 9:00 a.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5 - Linda Bob; Albert Eckian ; Michael Holland; Karen LeHeup-Smith; and Kress Muenzmay I. Workshop Item 14041 The Future of Eustis Dianne Kramer, Acting City Manager, opened the workshop stating that the purpose of the workshop was to provide the City Commission with the opportunity to talk and discuss their vision for the future of the City. She noted that staff provided in the packet a summary from the previous workshop held in November. She distributed a handout showing population-related statistics for various nearby communities and presented a graph showing the population projections for Eustis, DeLand, Mount Dora, Tavares, Winter Garden and Winter Park. She noted the differing median ages, home values, household sizes and number of building permits issued for each community. She stated that the Commission needs to determine if they want the rural portion of the City to remain rural or are they willing to expand out into the rural area. II. Commission Discussion Mayor Bob commented on the need for more jobs citing the high percentage of Eustis area students receiving free and reduced-price lunches. Vice Mayor Eckian commented on the need for the City to substantially increase its population to approximately 37,000, or to double over the next 20 years. He cited the compression on the City from the Villages on the west and Orlando on the east and noted the residential developments to the east of the City with residents who work in areas farther to the east or west of home. He explained the following reasons for needing more population: 1) With scale, you gain efficiency- stating the City could easily serve 25,000 to 30,000 people; 2) Revenue- citing the need to increase and diversify the City's tax base and noting that commercial property provides higher taxes but requires fewer services. 3) Additional revenue will allow the City to increase its services or add quality of life services or urban amenities. 4) Home building - He noted the number of residents who go elsewhere to shop and stated that the level of retail depends on the number of rooftops in the area. 5) He cited the need to redevelop the entire downtown core from Lakeshore Drive to Palmetto Plaza. Mayor Bob stated her agreement with the need for some growth and emphasized the need for more jobs paying in the $14 to $15 per hour range and the need to keep the neighborhood feeling of the City. She expressed her desire for slow growth with a maximum population of 28,000. Vice Mayor Eckian noted that if the City does not maintain reasonable growth, its state revenue sharing may be reduced. Commissioner LeHeup-Smith welcomed the attendees and asked them to introduce themselves. The following residents were in attendance: 1) Glenn Tyre, realtor; 2) Larry Turnbow, resident and Code Enforcement Board member; 3) Steven and Betty Vande//, owners of local medical building; and 4) Christie Bobbitt, Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce Director. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 21512014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2014 Commissioner LeHeup-Smith commented on the amount of recent growth in Orange County and questioned how the construction of the Wekiva Parkway will affect the SR 44 bypass. She cited the number of missed opportunities the City has had including the relocation of the hospital to Tavares and how far along Lakeshore Drive has been annexed by Tavares. She encouraged the development of amenities that will encourage residents to participate within the community and expressed agreement with population growth to 30,000 in the next 20 years. Vice Mayor Eckian cited property off Mount Homer Road that has already been annexed into Tavares and the Mount Dora city limits to the south and east of the City. He stated that any growth for the City will have to be to the north, northeast or northwest of the City. The Commission discussed whether or not friendships or other relationships present problems for the Commission and the need to base all decisions on what is right, regardless of the relationship. Commissioner Holland expressed support for the City's population to increase to 30,000 to 40,000 in 20 years. He commented on the need to create a sense of community and for the City to grow in housing and business development. He cited the development of their trail system as helpful to Winter Garden. He commented on the Sharp's Park property proposal and emphasized the need to help get the property sold to an appropriate developer. He noted that he has asked the Chamber Director to attend the workshop stating that business can't do it all and neither can government. He emphasized the need for community partners and expressed support for growth. Vice Mayor Eckian expressed agreement with Commissioner Holland and commented on the need to welcome investors to the community. Commissioner Muenzmay referred to previous discussion on the City's strategic plan and stated that the problem is how to get there, not where they want to be. He explained the effect of growth and at what point it becomes profitable. He stated the City's millage rate should be in the bottom quartile of the cities in the area if the City wants to attract growth. He commented on the differences between the various cities in the handout and emphasized the need for A-rated schools. Commissioner LeHeup-Smith noted the development of infrastructure within the downtown core and questioned what is the next step. Mayor Bob commented on City resources assisting in other areas of the County rather than within the City itself. The Commission discussed the need for more homes in order to attract more business and whether or not construction of the Wekiva Parkway would benefit the City. They also discussed the following: 1) the need to remain consistent even though results may not show immediately; 2) continuing to build or upgrade infrastructure; 3) cost of property within the downtown area; 4) the need for additional streetlights to attract both residents and businesses; and 5) the need to work with commercial realtors to help attract business. Commissioner Holland cited the need for funding for publicity and suggested that, instead of hiring an Economic Development Director, the City consider establishing an Economic Development Task Force consisting of people with a vested interest in the community such as business leaders, staff members and the Chamber. Commissioner LeHeup-Smith commented on the Commission 's previous agreement to focus on the development of Ferran Park. Commissioner Muenzmay cited discussion at the November workshop and expressed opposition to a development task force. He emphasized the need for a dedicated professional and the need to continue with the priorities previously set by the Commission. Mayor Bob asked the new arrivals to introduce themselves as follows: 1) B. E. Pace, resident; and 2) Carl Ludecke, Charlie Johnson Builders. City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 21512014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2014 Mayor Bob agreed with the need for better street/ighting and noted the need to be sensitive to how growth affects City services. Vice Mayor Eckian also commented on the discussion from the November workshop, expressed support for hiring an Economic Development Director and stated that the first priority needs to be the redevelopment of the center of town. He questioned how Winter Park was able to take a blighted area and tum it into a high-priced neighborhood, referring to Hannibal Square, and asked that staff research how that occurred. Ms. Kramer noted that she worked on the Hannibal Square project at its beginning, noting that project took 40 years to reach fruition. She stated that they began with a Community Development Block Grant project similar to what the City was doing in east Eustis and continued with steady investment over a 40 year period. Commissioner Muenzmay cited the need to ·establish benchmarks so individuals can judge the results and commented on the lack of adherence to the strategic plan and lack of focus. He reiterated the need for community involvement. III. Public Input Mayor Bob opened the floor to public comment. Larry, Turnbow, 2810 Pineapple Lane, commented on his experience on the Code Enforcement Board and as a guardian ad litem. He emphasized the need to attract people to the downtown and cited the need to develop Ferran Park with the addition of docking facilities. He noted comments he has heard from other residents "there is nothing to do here ". He suggested the need for more places to live downtown, the need for a larger community theater and complimented the City on the First Friday events. Glenn Tyre noted he is a lifelong City resident and thanked the Commission for holding the workshop. He commented on the negative publicity the City received during the building moratorium and stated there is a perception stemming from the moratorium that Eustis does not want any growth. He indicated that he has previously been told by developers not to show them any property located in Eustis. He commented on the need for improved communication and expressed support for hiring an Economic Development Director. He stated that the City's comprehensive plan needs to be written so it can be followed by developers without requesting waivers. He read an excerpt from a newspaper article and re-emphasized the perception that they are killing growth in Eustis. He stated that nonresidents and non-City taxpayers are having too much input on City issues. Christie Bobbitt, Executive Director for the Eustis Chamber of Commerce, reported on a recent Chamber board retreat which featured a SWOT analysis and stated that one of their strengths identified was their relationship with the City and other partnerships. She stated that, even with the hiring of an Economic Development Director, it would be beneficial to have a committee to assist and provide input. She noted that the Chamber will be working on various programs to help encourage development and cited various upcoming events and projects. She emphasized the need for more cooperative projects and expressed support for moving the "Light Up' event to Ferran Park. She stated they have other ideas but they will need to request additional City support to undertake them. The Commission discussed having an economic development committee with a director to oversee the process, the need for the City to have its own vitality and not just rely on events, and the possibility of installing charcoal grills on the lakefront. Ms. Bobbitt commented on the need for better marketing and to establish an identity for the City. Steven Vande//, 3809 Falcon Crest, noted he and his wife own the medical building in town; however, they live in the county. He stated most of the discussion has been about making Eustis a nice place to live noting that there are lots of nice places to live in Florida . He emphasized the need to create a business identity as there is no reason for people to come to the City for business purposes. He added the City needs to give businesses and developers the freedom to make things happen. City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 21512014 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2014 Vice Mayor Eckian asked Mr. Tyre his perception of the City's rules and regulations noting they are working on simplifying the development regulations. Mr. Tyre responded that the City needs to take the time to determine what adjustments need to be made but then to make them as quickly as possible. He recommended the City determine what will benefit the average commercial developer and what will attract them to the City. Carl Ludecke explained he lives just outside the City but owns property in the City. He commented on problems with environmentalists controlling growth and the amount of open space required in the City. He stated that, the problem with open space, is that it has to be maintained by the homeowner's association. He also stated there is a problem with the inability to sell lots in the City at a high enough level to cover the cost of the property. Vice Mayor Eckian asked Mr. Ludecke if he owned property east of Eustis would he be interested in annexing into the City with Mr. Ludecke responding that the County only requires 25% open space and the City requires 40% so there is no incentive to annex. He commented on other difficulties of developing within the City. He asked if the City has a development agreement with the County similar to Umatilla's (ISBA) with Ms. Kramer responding negatively. Mr. Ludecke noted various properties that have annexed into Umatilla and stated that the City can annex property that is not contiguous if they have an ISBA in place. He questioned why the City doesn't have such an agreement. He then commented on how he had assisted in attracting several businesses to Umatilla. He recommended using trade publications to attract businesses to the City such as boat rentals, bowling alley, movie theater or skating rink. He also suggested developing a music venue noting a similar venue located in Weirsdale. Ms. Kramer noted the controvery at the January 16th Commission meeting regarding an interpretation of a section of the comprehensive plan. She reported she worked with the City Attorney to reword that section of the plan and will include that revision with the other plan revisions. She reported that Randall Arendt would attend the March 6th Commission meeting to provide his presentation on open space. She recommended having J. P. Weisner attend the Commission's workshop on open space and indicated she had the funds available in the budget. The Commission discussed advertising the Randall Arendt workshop to the local realtors, contractors and developers with Mr. Ludecke indicating he would assist with that. Ms. Kramer confirmed that Mr. Arendt's workshop would be on March 6th following the regular Commission meeting. B. E. Pace commented on the previous Commission discussions regarding development of the waterfront and noted that the City was previously known as the "Citrus Capital". He also commented on the loss of Lowe's and the annexation of Huffstetler Drive all the way to Clay Boulevard by the City of Tavares. He questioned how much industrial property is available within the City and stated that the lack of streetlights in certain areas may be due to those areas not being in the City. IV. Commission Direction The Commission requested Ms. Kramer assess all of the comments from the workshop and use them to develop a list of things to be done in order to determine how to allocate the City's resources. The Commission then discussed the following: 1) the need to hire a new City Manager in order to ensure the success of the long-term process; 2) the need to proceed immediately rather than waiting until the new City Manager is hired; 3) the need for the public to keep track of meetings through the City's website and provide their input; 4) the need to proceed with hiring an Economic Development Director; 5) the need to receive input from citizens who know where the City has been and where it needs to go; and 6) consensus that the priorities set in November are still accurate. City of Eustis, Florida Page4 Printed on 21512014  Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2014 City Commission Workshop V. Adjournment - 11:22 a.m. J;JJF.~ {'. ~ MARc.oNTEZ 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 Page5 Printed on 21512014