City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED:6/18/2020 MINUTES City Commission Workshop 5:30 PM - Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - City Hall CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 P.M. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE PRESENT: Commissioner Marie Aliberti, Vice Mayor Emily Lee, Commissioner Karen LeHeup-Smith, Commissioner Robert Morin, and Mayor Michael L. Holland 1. WORKSHOP ITEM Presentation regarding North Lake (River to Hills) Trail by Michael Stephens Mike Stephens, Chairman of the Lake 100 Trails Committee, reported on the North Lake Trail plans. He explained they have been providing presentations at other municipalities regarding the planned regional trails and cited the Lake County Trails Master Plan. He commented on the benefits to the community of the regional trails. He pointed out the Coast to Coast Trail, Heart of Florida Loop, and the River to Sea Trail being funded by the state. He cited the four regional trails that will run through Lake County, explained the status of each and where they will connect including the Wekiva Trail, the Lakeridge Trail, and the Gardenia Trail. He then stated his intent to focus on the North Lake River to Hills Trail that will run through the heart of Lake County from north Lake through to Clermont. Mr. Stephens provided a map showing the North Lake Trail and noted sections that will not require right-of-way acquisition so they can begin work as soon as the PD&E study is completed. He noted the County has applied for a federal grant in the amount of $25,000,000 to run the trail along the rail line which is mostly used for storage as it does not meet the requirements for passenger trains. He then reported on the Trout Lake and Lake May trails stating those were both very high on the County's master plan priority list and would tie in to the North Lake Trail. He stated those are only conceptual at that time. He then reported on the North Lake Trail Phase 3 feasibility study and the best route for the trail. Mr. Stephens then stated the focus is to move the North Lake Trail from conceptual status to reality. He said the first phase is a feasibility study for the section to run through Eustis. He stated they need to work with Umatilla and Tavares since the trail will connect all three. If the feasibility study can be completed for the Eustis, Tavares area, that will move it up on the priority list. He cited sections that have already been completed in the south Lake area . He indicated there was a bill before the legislature in the current session for funding to connect two sections of the Hancock Trail. Mr. Stephens then announced that FOOT had recently stated they will no longer be funding feasibility studies. He indicated that those studies are not that expensive and estimated it would cost approximately $250,000 for that study and then applications could be submitted for a PD&E study and construction. Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 1 of 3 March 1B, 2020  2. COMMISSION DISCUSSION The Commission questioned what would be the next step following the feasibility study with Mr. Stephens responding that would be followed by the PD&E study then right-of- way acquisition, final design and construction. The Commission then asked what section of the trail the $250,000 would cover with Mr. Stephens indicating the phases blend in between cities so it would be good to work together with Tavares and Umatilla. Ron Neibert, City Manager, asked if there is a continuing contract with a consultant to do the study with Mr. Stephens indicating they are all individually contracted. Mr. Neibert confirmed that they are looking to the local communities to fund the feasibility studies since the state will no longer fund them. Mr. Stephens indicated they would also be contacting the County towards the end of year to get funding through gas tax money. He commented on where the funding could possibly come from for the City with Mr. Neibert explaining that sales tax funds are typically used for bricks and mortar projects and the CRA funds can only be used for that portion that would run through the CRA district. He then asked what should the City's next step be. Mr. Stephens suggested contacting Tavares and Umatilla and see where they are and determine what the cost to the City would be. He indicated the sooner the better. Mr. Neibert confirmed they are looking to get the study budgeted in the next fiscal year. The Commission discussed the economic development in Winter Garden due to their trail, where connections would be made and the possibility that the trail could be a catalyst for the City. The Commission confirmed federal and state funding would be used to construct the trail with Mr. Stephens explaining the process through the Lake Sumter MPO and how the projects are prioritized. The Commission then asked who would be responsible for maintenance of the trail with Mr. Stephens indicating that whoever the section runs through is usually responsible for maintenance of that section of the trail. Mr. Neibert questioned how revenue would be generated for the City with Mr. Stephens responding through sales tax and bed tax and with Mr. Neibert indicating those revenues all go to the County and the State. Mayor Holland recommended the Commission discuss at a regular Commission meeting the possibility of creating a trail committee. Commissioner LeHeup-Smith suggested staff contact other cities to see what they have done and expressed concern regarding maintenance. Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 2 of3 March 18, 2020  3. PUBLIC INPUT Nan Cobb asked about the area around Trout Lake Nature Center and Pine Meadows area and confirmed those are options which a study would be needed to identify which would be the most viable location. She then asked who paid for the Umatilla study. Mr. Stephens responded that FOOT funded that study with leftover funds but that is no longer an option. Ms. Cobb asked if the $250,000 would be for just the Eustis portion or all of it with Mr. Stephens indicating that, if the studies are done separately, they may be $250,000 each but may be less expensive if done together. Jim Budzynski commented on the benefits he had seen in other communities throughout the country due to trails. He stated it was the best idea he had heard for Eustis in a long time. He questioned how long it would take from start to finish with Mr. Stephens indicating it depends on the funding source and the dedication of the community. He stated if the local community funds the initial studies it can move the project up faster on the funding lists. He provided as an example the City of Tavares is trying to get the funds in the current year, design it the next year and construct it in the third year. He indicated they are applying for a federal grant for the trail. The Commission and public further discussed the possibility of obtaining federal, state and grant funding and the need for the entire area to work together to accomplish the trail. Mr. Neibert asked about the length of the Tavares - Mount Dora trail with Mr. Stephens stating it will run from Sorrento to Tavares. He noted that Leesburg previously bought all of their railroad right-of-way and built trails on them but now are trying to connect to the regional trails. He estimated the cost for trail construction at $1 million per mile. Tami Roundtree noted that a lot of people come to the Eustis Chamber and ask where there are trails and they always have to send them outside of Eustis due to no trails being located in Eustis. 4. COMMISSION DIRECTION Mayor Holland stated he would ask the Commission to appoint a committee and work to coordinate with other cities. He reminded everyone there would be a CRA meeting at 5:30 p.m . on Thursday with the Commission meeting to be at 6 p.m. He explained the limited seating available due to the required social distancing and encouraged residents to view the meetings via online livestreaming . He explained they would be able to submit any questions or comments by email. 5. ADJOURNMENT: 6:19 P.M. *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 Cieri< for a fee. \ City Clerk MICHAEL L. HOLLAND Mayor/Commissioner ' Eustis City Commission Workshop Page 3 of 3 March 18, 2020