City Commission Workshop Meeting

City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes May 1, 2024 (APPROVED) 5/1/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Mayor Jack Hilligoss, Robin Gibson, Danny Krueger, Daniel Williams, Keith Thompson Staff Present: James Slaton, City Manager; Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk; Albert Galloway, Jr., City Attorney Mayor Hilligoss called the meeting to order at approximately 2:00 p.m. 2. City Manager Comments James Slaton, City Manager, reported that the audit on the Florida Development Corporation (FDC) should be done this week. 3. PRESENTATION - Erin Killebrew Kinlaw, Citrus Connection Erin Kinlaw, Director of External Affairs for the Citrus Connection, gave a slide show on updates on the Citrus Connection routes in Lake Wales. Ms. Kinlaw reported on the five routes that service Lake Wales. She explained that route 35 down to frostproof was discontinued and then converted into our circulator route. There have been 33,911 boardings from bus stops in Lake Wales since November 2022. She shared the number of users of the new Lake Wales circulator since it went into operation in October of 2023. She said that the numbers were better than expected. The cost to add this route to the next contract is 30,285. The total cost of the route is 151,432 or $9.63 a mile. The number of trips for transportation disadvantaged writers over 19 months is $2,624. This cost is borne by the state of Florida. The previous fair share cost for the City of Lake Wales was $143,182.37. This cost will now go up to $173,467.37 with the addition of the Lake Wales circulator. James Slaton, City Manager, announced that just recently the Lake Wales Library was added as a stop to the circulator route. Ms. Kinlaw confirmed saying it was added a few weeks ago. Ms. Kinlaw announced that the squeeze will be coming soon to downtown. This service will begin on May 13th. She has worked with Ronni Wood, Main Street director, to identify stops on the route. The shuttles will go on an 8-minute loop during lunch time hours. They will only have one cart for now but if there is a need they can add the second cart. The carts will be stored at the Lake Wales Police Department. Deputy Mayor Gibson said that they like it. Ms. Kinlaw agreed saying they are very excited about this.  one cart for now but if there is a need they can add the second cart. The carts will be stored at the Lake Wales Police Department. Deputy Mayor Gibson said that they like it. Ms. Kinlaw agreed saying they are very excited about this. Commissioner Thompson asked if these funds come out of the general fund. Mr. Slaton confirmed this and asked for consensus to include this amount in next year's budget. The commission consented to this. 4. Presentation - EDC/Chamber Of Commerce This presentation was postponed. 5. Planning Advisory Services Agreement With Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: The City Commission will consider entering into a Planning Advisory Services Agreement with Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC). RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission take the following actions: 1. Approve the Planning Advisory Services Agreement with Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has been awarded a Competitive Florida Partnership Grant by FloridaCommerce in the amount of $40,000 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The Competitive Florida Partnership Grant Program provides technical assistance to help Florida communities find creative solutions to fostering vibrant, healthy communities. Lake Wales has partnered the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) to prepare an action oriented Economic Development Strategy. The strategy will include a review of existing economic development documents, a comprehensive inventory of assets, and community engagement opportunities. The planning services agreement is for the amount of $40,000. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve the Planning Advisory Services Agreement with Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC). FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact is a cost of $40,000. [End Agenda Memo] Deena Drumgo, Assistant City Manager, reviewed this item. Commissioner Thompson said he looks forward to seeing what they come up with. Mr. Slaton said the deliverables will be received at the end of May. 6. Reserve At Forest Lake Phase 1 – Final Plat [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: KB Home Orlando, LLC., owner, requests approval of the Reserve at Forest Lake Phase 1 Final Plat. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the Final Plat for Phase 1. Neither a recommendation from the Planning Board, nor a public hearing is necessary for approval of a final plat. Provided the plat  SYNOPSIS: KB Home Orlando, LLC., owner, requests approval of the Reserve at Forest Lake Phase 1 Final Plat. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the Final Plat for Phase 1. Neither a recommendation from the Planning Board, nor a public hearing is necessary for approval of a final plat. Provided the plat meets all of the requirements of state statutes and local ordinances, approval by the City Commission is a formality. BACKGROUND The subject property for Phase 1 is located south of Chalet Suzanne Road, east of US Highway 27, and north of Hickory Hammock Road. The Forest Lake Planned Development Project received a recommendation of approval at a Special Meeting on April 12, 2022 by the Planning and Zoning Board for a 295-lot single-family Preliminary Subdivision Plat. City Commission approved this Preliminary Subdivision Plat on May 17, 2022. An application for the Site Development Permit for Forest Lake was submitted to the City upon approval of the PDP on May 25, 2022, and a year later, construction plans were approved and distributed at the pre- construction meeting held on May 25, 2023. The City’s consulting surveyor approved the Reserve at Forest Lake Phase 1 Final Plat in April of 2024. Pursuant to Section 23-223.4 of the City’s Land Development Code, the developer is providing a performance bond in lieu of constructing certain improvements, as allowed by code. The cost estimate for the performance bond was approved on March 18, 2024 by the Public Works Director, and language for the bond was reviewed and approved by the City Attorney on April 4, 2024. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of the final plat enables the construction of Phase One for 82 new single-family detached homes and 62 single-family attached homes. Conservatively estimating a taxable value of $200,000 per unit, it could potentially result in over $28.8 million in taxable value, and generate approximately over $205,000 in ad valorem taxes. *Adjusted values for potential homesteaded properties have not been factored into this estimate. [End Agenda Memo] Autumn Cochella, Growth Management, reviewed this item. 7. Award Of Bid ITB #24-546 To Innovative Pipeline Systems (IPS) [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Lift station service areas 1, 2 and 3 Sewer shed Evaluation ITB#24-546 memo to award Innovative Pipeline Systems to perform Closed Circuit Televising (CCTV) in order to identify areas of intrusion and infiltration that will be repaired through the process of sliplining. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve entering into an agreement with Innovative Pipeline Systems to perform CCTV in the sewer shed for lift station service areas 1, 2, and 3. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents associated with the contract, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City, as part of its collection system, owns, operates, and maintains 121 Miles of 8 to 16-inch Gravity Sewer Line and 75 Miles of 2 to 16-inch Force Mains. The wastewater facilities have been experiencing higher flows at the wastewater treatment plant and higher lift station run times for Lift Stations 1, 2, and 3 during wet weather events. Staff believes this is a result of inflow and infiltration (I&I) in the old clay gravity sewer mains. City staff contracted with Kimley Horn to help facilitate the planning and bidding process. A Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan was awarded to assist in the first step of selecting a company to perform the cleaning, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) and videoing of the gravity mains selected by city staff. Approximately 115,000 LF of small gravity mains predominately 8-inches in diameter were selected for this phase. Staff with the assistance of Kimley Horn will review reported results of the CCTV, make recommendations for rehabilitation, import data into GIS, evaluate alternatives for the rehabilitation, and develop a preliminary opinion of probable costs.  process. A Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan was awarded to assist in the first step of selecting a company to perform the cleaning, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) and videoing of the gravity mains selected by city staff. Approximately 115,000 LF of small gravity mains predominately 8-inches in diameter were selected for this phase. Staff with the assistance of Kimley Horn will review reported results of the CCTV, make recommendations for rehabilitation, import data into GIS, evaluate alternatives for the rehabilitation, and develop a preliminary opinion of probable costs. Staff recommends the Commission take the following action, approve entering into an agreement with Innovative Pipeline Systems (IPS) for $489,888.50 and authorize the City Manage to sign a11 documents pertaining to this award. The heavy cleaning quantities are estimates and included in the bid submittal to allow for pricing in the event the contractor runs into this type of situation. IPS was not the lowest bidder; however, IPS was the most responsive bidder. The base bid and additive were taken into consideration, along with the following parameters: cost, experience, references, equipment quality, and complete bid submittal. OTHER OPTION None. By not addressing the infiltration and intrusion of ground water into the sewer system, allows for unnecessary run times of lift stations and the wastewater treatment plant. Continued infiltration and intrusion of ground water reduces the amount of available capacity to service additional development and makes the expansion of the wastewater plant occur sooner rather than later. FISCAL IMPACT State Revolving Loan Funding (SRF) under agreement CWSRF WW5303C $419,600. [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. Commissioner Thompson asked if this is just to identify problems. Ms. Kirkland confirmed this. 8. Industrial Screening For Two Chlorine Contact Chambers [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff requests City Commission approval to expend funds in the amount of $39,500.00 for the installation of an industrial sunscreen system for the chlorine contact chambers at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, utilizing Industrial Sunscreens. STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve the expenditure of funds in the amount of $37,500.00 to Industrial Sunscreens for the installation of industrial sunscreens on the chlorine contact chambers. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales operates a Wastewater Treatment facility that has a permitted capacity of 2.19 million gallons a day. Environmental standards for discharge water, especially from wastewater treatment facilities, are being subject to more stringent effluent requirements. Among the requirements is the need to keep systems and facilities up to date with current environmental regulations. These regulations require the effluent to be disinfected and to maintain a certain chlorine residual. The raw sewage that enters the wastewater treatment facility goes through a process that eliminates the solids through filtration systems and sends the remaining water to as chlorine contact chambers. The chlorine chamber is where the disinfection, by chlorine, takes place. The chambers are in direct sunlight which causes algae growth to occur at a rapid pace. The amount of man hours, equipment, time and chlorine it takes just to keep the chambers free of growth is substantial. The installation of the industrial screening offers 90% UV protection which will reduce the chlorine use by 30% and virtually eliminate any algae growth. This installation will save approximately $12,683.56 in manpower, equipment, materials and tools. Also, it would give approximately 30% savings in chlorine which is equivalent to $25,210.83. Staff recommends the commission take the following action; approve expending funds for $39,500.00, for the installation of industrial screening on the two chlorine contact chambers, to Industrial Sunscreens.  manpower, equipment, materials and tools. Also, it would give approximately 30% savings in chlorine which is equivalent to $25,210.83. Staff recommends the commission take the following action; approve expending funds for $39,500.00, for the installation of industrial screening on the two chlorine contact chambers, to Industrial Sunscreens. OTHER OPTIONS None. FISCAL IMPACT The Wastewater Department has placed $200,000.00 in the FY 2023-24. [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 9. Lightning Suppression Devices [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff recommends the commission authorize the expenditure of $24,050.00 to the Avanti Company for the purchase of the EMP Defense model CMCE-120 Lightning Suppression Devices and/or EMP Defense model CMCE-55 Lightning Suppression Devices be installed at the Market Street Water Treatment Plant STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Authorize the expenditure and installation of the EMP Defense model CMCE-120 and/or EMP Defense model CMCE-55 Lightning Suppression devices at Market Street Water Plant to the Avanti Company for $24,050.00. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The city consists of four Water Treatment Plants and one Wastewater Treatment Plant, which all include multiple pumps, motors, transmitters, electrical panels, chlorination systems, etc., all of which are electrical driven. The City of Lake Wales is located on the ridge, the highest point in the state of Florida, with Florida being the lightning capital of the United States. This makes the water and wastewater plants highly susceptible to direct hits from lightning. Every year, the City’s treatment facilities experience damage to critical treatment process equipment due to direct lightning hits. Numerous different surge suppressors, lightning arrestors and various lightning protection devices have been used in an attempt to protect against lightening damage. The technological innovation of the CMCE Multiple Electric Field Compensator creates and maintains a balanced electric environment within its protective three-dimensional radius. As an electrostatic current passive capturing system, the CMCE: 1. Absorbs charges that appear in the surrounding electromagnetic field, 2. Arranges charges internally based on their natural form, 3. Creates a controlled flow of leakage current in harmless milliamperes – between 50a and 350mA in fair weather and 700a to 1,800mA in storm phase – through the ground wire to the earth. When the electric field changes, provoked by variations in the surrounding environment, the CMCE reacts by absorbing and draining excess charges into the ground. This process eliminates upward streamers and prevents the development of lightning within the device’s coverage radius. The upgrade to the facility will help save the city time and money by protecting expensive equipment from direct lightning strikes. Functionality of the treatment plant would increase by avoiding down times waiting on the replacement of equipment, motors, pumps and panels that have taken direct lightning hits. Staff recommends the commission consider taking the following action, authorize the purchase and installation of the lightning suppression devices at the Water Treatment Plant, by The Avanti Company, for $24,050.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents on the City’s behalf.  The upgrade to the facility will help save the city time and money by protecting expensive equipment from direct lightning strikes. Functionality of the treatment plant would increase by avoiding down times waiting on the replacement of equipment, motors, pumps and panels that have taken direct lightning hits. Staff recommends the commission consider taking the following action, authorize the purchase and installation of the lightning suppression devices at the Water Treatment Plant, by The Avanti Company, for $24,050.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents on the City’s behalf. OTHER OPTION The commission could choose not to go forward with these upgrades at this time. As a result, the treatment plants would still be highly susceptible to the lightning strikes as in past years. FISCAL IMPACT $200,000 was placed in the ’23-’24 operating budget for Water M&R Treatment Plants [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 10. Lift Station #1 Pipe And Valve Rehabilitation [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff is recommending the commission approve the expenditure of $81,272.94 to RCM Utilities for the rehabilitation of piping and valve at lift station # 1 (LS#1). STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve expending funding of $81,272.94, to RCM Utilities, for the rehabilitation of the piping and valves at lift station #1 (LS#1). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has over forty lift stations that transport raw sewage to the Wastewater treatment facility. The lift stations are compiled of numerous feet of piping and valves that have to be upgraded and/or replaced on occasion Lift station #1 was last upgraded in 1987 and has started showing significant wear and tear. In recent years the valve and piping for the lift station specs have been updated to operate more efficiently and at this point the station does not meet the requirement of the specification we have in place. It is imperative to keep our raw sewage lift stations in good operating condition to protect the surrounding water bodies, wildlife and humans from any cross contamination. The State’s environmental standards have become very stringent on things such as overflows, of any amount. It is a requirement to report any spills of raw sewage to the Department of Environmental Protection and State Warning point. A municipality or private entity can face fines or other enforcement action if it experiences a repetitive amount of overflows due to equipment failure. Staff is recommending the City Commission take the following action, authorize the expenditure of $81,272.94 to RCM Utilities to rehab the piping and valves at lift station #3, and authorize the City Manager to execute any documents on the City’s behalf. OTHER OPTION None. The risks to the environment and community would remain in the event of a pipe or valve failure. FISCAL IMPACT $250,000 is budgeted in the Wastewater Division’s FY ’23 – “24 Capital Improvement Plan for Lift Station rehab [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 11. Lift Station #3 Pipe And Valve Rehabilitation [Begin Agenda Memo]  Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 11. Lift Station #3 Pipe And Valve Rehabilitation [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff is recommending the commission approve the expenditure of $70,034.11 to RCM Utilities for the rehabilitation of piping and valve at lift station # 3 (LS#3). STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve expending funding of $70,034.11, to RCM Utilities, for the rehabilitation of the piping and valves at lift station# 3 (LS#3). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has over forty lift stations that transport raw sewage to the Wastewater treatment facility. The lift stations are compiled of numerous feet of piping and valves that have to be upgraded and/or replaced on occasion Lift station #3 was last upgraded in 1994 and has started showing significant wear and tear. In recent years the valve and piping for the lift station specs have been updated to operate more efficiently and at this point the station does not meet the requirement of the specification we have in place. It is imperative to keep our raw sewage lift stations in good operating condition to protect the surrounding water bodies, wildlife and humans from any cross contamination. The State’s environmental standards have become very stringent on things such as overflows, of any amount. It is a requirement to report any spills of raw sewage to the Department of Environmental Protection and State Warning point. A municipality or private entity can face fines or other enforcement action if it experiences a repetitive amount of overflows due to equipment failure. Staff is recommending the City Commission take the following action, authorize the expenditure of $70,034.11 to RCM Utilities to rehab the piping and valves at lift station #3, and authorize the City Manager to execute any documents on the City’s behalf. OTHER OPTION None. The risks to the environment and community would remain in the event of a pipe or valve failure. FISCAL IMPACT $250,000 is budgeted in the Wastewater Division’s FY ’23 – “24 Capital Improvement Plan for Lift Station rehab. [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 12. Lift Station #6 Pipe And Valve Rehabilitation [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff is recommending the commission approve the expenditure of $70,034.11 to RCM Utilities for the rehabilitation of piping and valve at lift station #6 (LS#6). STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve expending funding of $70,034.11, to RCM Utilities, for the rehabilitation of the piping and valves at lift station #6 (LS#6). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has over forty lift stations that transport raw sewage to the  1. Approve expending funding of $70,034.11, to RCM Utilities, for the rehabilitation of the piping and valves at lift station #6 (LS#6). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has over forty lift stations that transport raw sewage to the Wastewater treatment facility. The lift stations are compiled of numerous feet of piping and valves that have to be upgraded and/or replaced on occasion Lift station #6 was last upgraded in 1997 and has started showing significant wear and tear. In recent years the valve and piping for the lift station specs have been updated to operate more efficiently and at this point the station does not meet the requirement of the specification we have in place. It is imperative to keep our raw sewage lift stations in good operating condition to protect the surrounding water bodies, wildlife and humans from any cross contamination. The State’s environmental standards have become very stringent on things such as overflows, of any amount. It is a requirement to report any spills of raw sewage to the Department of Environmental Protection and State Warning point. A municipality or private entity can face fines or other enforcement action if it experiences a repetitive amount of overflows due to equipment failure. Staff is recommending the City Commission take the following action, authorize the expenditure of $70,034.11 to RCM Utilities to rehab the piping and valves at lift station #6 and authorize the City Manager to execute any documents on the City’s behalf. OTHER OPTION None. The risks to the environment and community would remain in the event of a pipe or valve failure. FISCAL IMPACT $250,000 is budgeted in the Wastewater Division’s FY ’23 – “24 Capital Improvement Plan for Lift Station rehab. [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 13. Lift Station #15 Pipe And Valve Rehabilitation [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff is recommending the commission approve the expenditure of $79,537.67 to RCM Utilities for the rehabilitation of piping and valve at lift station #15 (LS#15). STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve expending funding of $79,537.67, to RCM Utilities, for the rehabilitation of the piping and valves at lift station #15 (LS#15). 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents, on the City’s behalf. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales has over forty lift stations that transport raw sewage to the Wastewater treatment facility. The lift stations are compiled of numerous feet of piping and valves that have to be upgraded and/or replaced on occasion Lift station #15 was last upgraded in 1989 and has started showing significant wear and tear. In recent years the valve and piping for the lift station specs have been updated to operate more efficiently and at this point the station does not meet the requirement of the specification we have in place. It is imperative to keep our raw sewage lift stations in good operating condition to protect the surrounding water bodies, wildlife and humans from any cross contamination. The State’s environmental standards have become very stringent on things such as overflows, of any amount. It is a requirement to report any spills of raw sewage to the Department of Environmental Protection and State Warning point. A municipality or private entity can face fines or other enforcement action if it experiences a repetitive amount of overflows due to equipment failure. Staff is recommending the City Commission take the following action, authorize the expenditure of  water bodies, wildlife and humans from any cross contamination. The State’s environmental standards have become very stringent on things such as overflows, of any amount. It is a requirement to report any spills of raw sewage to the Department of Environmental Protection and State Warning point. A municipality or private entity can face fines or other enforcement action if it experiences a repetitive amount of overflows due to equipment failure. Staff is recommending the City Commission take the following action, authorize the expenditure of $79,537.67 to RCM Utilities to rehab the piping and valves at lift station #6 and authorize the City Manager to execute any documents on the City’s behalf. OTHER OPTION None. The risks to the environment and community would remain in the event of a pipe or valve failure. FISCAL IMPACT $250,000 is budgeted in the Wastewater Division’s FY ’23 – “24 Capital Improvement Plan for Lift Station rehab [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. 14. Special Event Permit For Lake Wales Woman’s Club Plant And Garden Festival [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Lake Wales Woman’s Club has submitted Special Event application to host a Plant and Garden Festival event on October 19-20, 2024 at their building. They request closure of a portion of Cypress Garden Lane and Park Avenue from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on October 19 and from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on October 20, 2024. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the application and the request to close a portion of Cypress Garden Lane and Park Avenue. BACKGROUND The Lake Wales Woman’s Club organization wants to host a Plant and Garden Festival at their building on Park Avenue. This event will include closure of Cypress Garden Lane, between the entrances to the parking area, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday October 19 and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday October 20, 2024. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve the application. FISCAL IMPACT Sponsor will reimburse the city 25% of its costs [End Agenda Memo] Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, reviewed this item. 15. New Appointments Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk explained that a new Deputy Mayor needs to be selected and that the appointments held by Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Krueger need to be decided on. There was discussion about this. Mayor Hilligoss said these will be discussed and decided on at the Commission meeting when Ms. Gillespie is seated. Deputy Mayor Gibson reported about his time serving on the Pension Board. The Pension is doing okay. The Chair, Bolet Salud is stepping down so a new chair needs to be elected. It is important and he enjoys serving. 15.I. Appointment Of Deputy Mayor 15.II. Appointment Of A Representative To The Airport Authority 15.III. Appointment Of A Representative To The Housing Authority  15.I. Appointment Of Deputy Mayor 15.II. Appointment Of A Representative To The Airport Authority 15.III. Appointment Of A Representative To The Housing Authority 15.IV. Appointment Of A Representative To The Ridge League Of Cities 16. ORDINANCE 2024-12 Charter Amendment Run-Off Elections – 1st Reading [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS ORDINANCE 2024-12 would put the issue of run-off elections on the April 2025 ballot and if approved would change the Charter and Code of Ordinances respectively. RECOMMENDATION Staff has no recommendation. If the Commission decides to move forward, they should approve ORDINANCE 2024-12 after first reading. BACKGROUND In 2007 the City Commission passed Ordinance 2007-01 to put the issue of removing run-off elections on the ballot. These charter amendments were approved by the voters in April of 2007. Approval of Ordinance 2024-12 will put the Charter Amendment on the 2025 Municipal Election ballot. If the voters approve the Charter Amendment, then the Charter and Code of Ordinances will be amended as described in the Ordinance. Reasons for removing run-off elections include cost. The cost for the 2024 Municipal Election was $12,091. The cost for a run-off election would be almost identical as the same advertising, Election materials and poll workers will be needed. This will extend the election season by four weeks. Staff and the Canvassing board would go through the same process as a regular election. ' The last run-off election held in Lake Wales was in September 1993 between Dixon Armstrong and Booker Young Jr. as there were 4 candidates in that race. If approved the first run-off election could happen in 2026. The schedule would be as follows Tuesday April 7th would be the Election for Seats 3 & 5 (Thompson & Gibson) Tuesday May 5th would be the Run-off election if needed. Wednesday May 6th Commission Meeting would be the swearing in of winners of the April 7th Election June 2nd would be the swearing in of the winner of the run-off election if needed as the charter says that “shall take office at the first regular meeting in the month following their election”. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve Ordinance 2024-12 or recommend changes. FISCAL IMPACT There is no immediate fiscal impact. [End Agenda Memo] Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk reviewed this item. Commissioner Thompson asked how often since runoffs were eliminated did it come up for us to need a runoff election? Ms. Nanek said not often. The first time Commissioner Gibson ran in 2016 a run off might have been needed. Deputy Mayor Gibson said that his race would not have needed a runoff as he won more than 50% of the vote. Ms.Nanek explained that in this draft a  Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk reviewed this item. Commissioner Thompson asked how often since runoffs were eliminated did it come up for us to need a runoff election? Ms. Nanek said not often. The first time Commissioner Gibson ran in 2016 a run off might have been needed. Deputy Mayor Gibson said that his race would not have needed a runoff as he won more than 50% of the vote. Ms.Nanek explained that in this draft a runoff is only needed if no one gets 50% or more of the vote. Mayor Hilligoss asked if cost was not the only reason that runoffs were eliminated. Ms. Nanek confirmed this. Mayor Hilligoss asked if this ordinance is approved then the voters make the decision. Ms. Nanek confirmed this because it is a charter change. Mayor Hilligoss stated that the recent close election in Seat 2 that might have been decided by chance is what inspired this. He asked if that method of determining a tie is dictated by state statute. Ms. Nanek and Deputy Mayor Gibson confirmed this. Deputy Mayor Gibson said the main thing is that we want those elected to the commission to win by a majority of those voting. 17. CITY COMMISSION AND MAYOR COMMENTS Commissioner Krueger said that he has enjoyed his time on the Commission. Commissioners Williams and Thompson thanked him for his service. Commissioner Williams commended City staff on their presentations Their professionalism helps the commission on making their decisions. Deputy Mayor Gibson said he is concerned about recent changes and issues. He said that the citizens don't need to worry about leadership in the City. He has confidence that the Commission can address any issue. Mayor Hilligoss asked when the construction on Park Avenue will be complete. James Slaton, City Manager, said September. Mayor Hilligoss asked about the upcoming Public Works Expo. Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director shared about that event. Mayor Hilligoss asked about the status of a town hall on water issues. Mr. Slaton said that Sara Irvine, Special Projects Administrator, is working on it. Mayor Hilligoss said he was excited by the presentation from the Citrus Connection. He is glad that many citizens are using the circulator. 18. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 p.m. _____________________ Mayor Mayor ATTEST: ____________________ City Clerk