City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 10/17/2020 - ~ = - • :- q.• ,~ortu,, 11 . L. , ~ • - ...-- MINUTES City Commission Workshop Meeting 5:30 PM - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - City Hall CALL TO ORDER: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE PRESENT: Commissioner Marie Aliberti, Commissioner Emily Lee, Vice Mayor Karen LeHeup-Smith , Commissioner Robert Morin , and Mayor Michael Holland 1. WORKSHOP ITEM #1 Parks and Recreation Programs Summary and Facility Expansion Ron Neibert, City Manager, stated the Commission requested a discussion regarding the City's recreation programs . Joe LaPolla, Parks and Recreation Director, explained he would provide a summary of the current City programs, facility challenges , and information regarding the requested scoreboard. He reviewed a list of current programming including the scheduling and number of participants. He added they also offer a Kids Cafe program after school, served over 1,000 students during the school year and also provided breakfast and lunch over the summer to over 1,000 students. He reported they are hoping to re-start a teen leadership program which would help with resume creation , interview skills and community service hours. Mr. LaPolla then commented on a new program they hope to start called E-sports which involves video game tournaments and leagues. He commented on the youth scholarship fundraisers including the Georgefest 5K run and the upcoming golf tournament. Mr. LaPolla then reported on the programs' physical capacity stating they are currently operating at capacity due to space limitations. He provided photographs of the existing facility consisting of approximately 2800 square feet. He then reported on the recent upgrades to the Carver Park complex totaling $300,000 and including the following: 1) Carver Park street sign; 2) parking lot resurfacing; 3) building power washed and painted and two new canopies installed ; 4) FRDAP grant program - basketball court resurfacing and repainted with new benches; 5) Shade structures and bleachers for basketball court and new backboards and rims and storage shed; 6) Pavilion power washed and painted and new sink and grills installed. He noted that all of the improvements have been well received by the community. He cited the increased use of the facility by the community. Mr. LaPolla continued reviewing the improvements including: 1) Carver Annex soccer field laser graded; and 2) installation of Carver Annex Field bermuda turf. He then explained that the City Manager recently proposed to him an expansion of the Carver Park facility. He stated that staff met to discuss what could be done and what it would  cost. He stated that for the $1 million cost they came up with a 4,000 sq . ft. expansion. He explained that staff felt that the best use of the space was a multi-use room that could be used for multiple age groups. Examples of ideas included the following: 1) indoor pickle ball; 2) indoor soccer; 3) exercise classes for all age levels; 4) instructional classes and a number of other passive and active activities. He explained they proposed a sport/court surface and additional restroom facilities. He provided a draft schematic of the expansion space and confirmed it would be interconnected with the existing building. Mr. Neibert explained that with the $1 million allotted the expansion would not accommodate a basketball court. If an additional $400,000 were allotted, a basketball court could be included. He suggested they keep that in mind as they discuss the other proposals during the meeting. 2. COMMISSION DISCUSSION, PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMISSION DIRECTION ON WORKSHOP ITEM #1 The Commission expressed support for a larger facility to be able to add a basketball court. Mr. LaPolla then reviewed the specifications for the proposed electronic scoreboard at an estimated cost of $18,000. Mr. Neibert asked if the Commission wants the scoreboard included in the upcoming budget year. He explained there is not currently a football league; however, the scoreboard could be used for other types of leagues. He noted that a soccer league is inexpensive to put on; however, a football league is a lot more expensive with the cost of equipment and insurance. He indicated the City would be happy to work with anyone trying to organize a league. Mr. LaPolla noted that the high school girls have been practicing at the City facility and for a while the middle school team used their field. Mr. Neibert noted he would be meeting with the middle school principal and would mention the improvements to the field. Antwan Douglas reported that he is still working on getting a board for the football league set up stating that he is looking for two more members. Mayor Holland asked him to contact the City Manager so the City can be involved in helping develop the league. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for staff to include the scoreboard in the FY2019-20 budget. Mr. Neibert indicated that, once a decision had been made regarding the other proposal for the night, that staff would begin to get input from the community regarding what to include in the proposed expansion . Tim Tyrer, Sr. asked about the scoreboard and whether or not it would be wireless with Mr. LaPolla explaining that with current technology almost all scoreboards are wireless and due to the distance there would have to be underground wiring in order to not be wireless. Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 2 of6 August 20, 2019  Mayor Holland then commented on a request to name the Carver Park Annex field after the late Parks and Recreation Director Corey Rolle. He asked to have that discussion on the next agenda. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission to begin the process for the naming of the Carver Park Annex field on the next agenda. The Commission discussed what could be included in the recreation building expansion if an additional $400,000 is included with Public Works Director Rick Gierok explaining that in order to include basketball the ceiling would have to be a lot higher which drastically increases the per square foot cost. The Commission discussed increasing the funding for the expansion. Mr. Gierok then reported on the status of the dog park noting that procurement is beginning on equipment and quotes for the fencing. Once the fencing is moved, the parking lot construction will begin . He estimated that the dog park will be complete by December. 3. WORKSHOP ITEM #2 Discussion on Proposed Construction of Eustis Sailing and Conference Center Mr. Neibert explained that the City's strategic plan included the development of a commercial marina on the lakefront in the downtown area. Since a commercial marina is already being constructed on Lake Eustis, and the City already has an excellent sailing organization, staff proposed that the City create a sailing facility. He commented on the benefits of sailing to the community and why Lake Eustis is the best location for such a facility. Mr. Neibert then explained how the facility would be managed and organized and cited those organizations that will partner with the City on the facility including Eustis Sailing Club, Eustis Youth Sailing Foundation , U. S. Sailing, University of Central Florida, Full Sail University, Trout Lake Nature Center, Lake County schools, and university and high school sailing teams. He commented on the history of sailing events on Lake Eustis and provided examples of possible events including sailing regattas and cited the growth in hotel nights. He commented on plans to encourage spectator engagement which would include the proposed technology which would give the facility a competitive advantage over other sailing facilities. He indicated the technology would also help the City attract fishing tournaments. Mr. Neibert cited additional opportunities such as sailing equipment suppliers, e- gaming, satellite center for the rowing center in south Lake County, small and mid-size conferences could be held in the facility and destination weddings. He then explained the marketing strategies for the facility and the use of matching grants to help fund the marketing. Mr. Neibert then commented on potential hotel sites to meet the demand for hotel rooms including the old Lowe's property, the downtown parking lot adjacent to Wells Fargo, and the land behind Mellow Mushroom . He then presented plans for the building construction and artist's renderings of the facility explaining the need to build Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 3 of6 August 20, 2019  in flexibility. He explained that staff met with representatives of the sailing organizations to develop the plans for the facility. He further explained that the majority of the exposed windows will have roll down protection in case of hurricanes. He reviewed the plans for each level of the facility. Mr. Neibert stated the community building activities will be located on the second floor. He explained that the current building allows only for 250 people and the new facility will accommodate over 400 people just in the main indoor meeting room . He indicated that additional seating could be expanded out onto the observation deck. He then cited the rooftop open air venue with a covered deck and catering kitchen . He added that a full service kitchen will also be located on the second floor. Mr. Neibert then reviewed the planned project schedule. He explained they are looking for a consensus of the Commission for staff to move forward with applications to Lake County and to place a referendum on the presidential primary ballot in March 2020. If the referendum is approved, design and permitting would begin immediately with construction to beg in in September 2020 with the grand opening planned for January 2022. He then stated the estimated total cost would be $16.35 million and reviewed the funding as follows: 1) $3 million of City reserves; 2) $3.5 million of Lake County funding ; 3) $10 million from the bond or debt referendum . He stated they would also seek funding from the State of Florida and from private and corporate donors for naming opportunities as well as other grant opportunities. He added that any additional funds received could reduce the necessary debt. He stated with the $1 million for the recreation facility expansion would be a total of $11 million for the bond referendum. He stated that over 20 years that would only requ ire an additional $.75 per $1 ,000 of taxable value. 4. COMMISSION DIRECTION, PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMISSION DIRECTION ON WORKSHOP ITEM #2 The Commission discussed the following concerns: 1) Talking to Lake Sumter State College and Lake Tech about partnering or offering sailing clubs ; 2) The need for additional hospitality training ; and 3) plans for the current community build ing uses during construction. Mr. Neibert noted that both Lake Sumter and Lake Tech already offer some programming. He explained that staff will work with the organizations currently utilizing the community building to make sure the City can accommodate their needs with other facilities. Stephanie Carder, Chamber President, cited the Mieluz's banquet facility that could be utilized noting the Chamber breakfast would be held there in October. Mr. Neibert recognized John Pearl for his involvement with the project and the Lake Eustis Youth Sailing Foundation . He thanked Mr. Pearl for all his work on the project. The Commission then discussed the following issues: 1) The project will be a north Lake project, not just a Eustis project; 2) the residents will need to help get the Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 4 of6 August 20, 2019  referendum approved since the City cannot lobby for it; and 3) where would parking be located. Mr. Neibert explained there will be parking in front of the building and on the side as well to expand the Crazy Gator parking lot partially into the Historical Museum property. He further explained the gazebo will be moved to the side of the house. He added that there are also two other downtown parking lots that the City owns that could be reserved for boat trailer parking during events and the sailors could be shuttled back to the facility. Mayor Holland opened the floor to public comment at 6:43 p.m. Daniel DiVenanzo spoke in support of the project and cited concerns regarding the actual cost and maintenance needs. Craig Yates, Lake Eustis Youth Sailing Foundation, noted they didn't mention the dock and boat house. He indicated he is from Auckland, New Zealand, known as the City of Sails and which has the most boats per capita in the world. He commented on the a unique opportunity the City has due to being able to have a sailing/ conference center in the downtown area . Mr. Neibert reviewed the lakefront boathouse and dock which will extend out into the lake and noted the location of the boat ramps. He explained there would be some additional fingers for moorage attached to the Lake Walk boardwalk. He commented on how different heats in an event could be staged. David Moore, current Commodore of the Sailing Club, explained there will actually be two sets of two ramps with no parking which will allow vehicles to move in and out. He stated the facility will be well capable of getting a large number of boats in the water very quickly. The Commission discussed the need to get the rest of the community involved particularly the downtown businesses with Mr. Neibert indicating there was a gentleman present that, with direction from the Commission, will provide marketing for the project. Dave Jass, the architect who put together the floor plan and artist rendering, explained there is a lot of reality built into the plans such as the roll down shutters and the glass wall is Miami Dade rated hurricane glass. He stated his belief that the estimated figures are accurate. Mr. Neibert stated that the estimated cost includes furnishings and asked for a consensus for staff to move forward. CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for staff to move forward with the project. 5. ADJOURNMENT: 7:00 P.M. Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 5 of 6 August 20, 2019  ~~ j '{D,& M~~ONTEZ MICHAEL L. HOLLAND 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. Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 6 of6 August 20, 2019