City Commission Workshop Meeting

City Commission Work Session Meeting Minutes March 26, 2025 (APPROVED) 3/26/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Jack Hilligoss, Keith Thompson, Robin Gibson, Daniel Williams, Carol Gillespie Staff Members Present: James Salton, Executive Director; Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk; Albert C. 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, said the State of the City address is Friday. Mr. Slaton said that he will be on vacation for a week and that Deena Drumgo, Assistant City Manager, will fill in for him at the Commission meeting on Wednesday. 3. ORDINANCE 2025-02 Chapter 21, Division 3 Industrial Pretreatment Second Reading And Public Hearing [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Staff proposes an amendment to Chapter 21, Division 3 Industrial Pretreatment that is intended to satisfy the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Permit Renewal requirement related to industrial pretreatment. STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve Ordinance 2025-02 to amend Division 3 Industrial Pre-Treatment sections 21- 57 to 21-70 after 1st reading. BACKGROUND Domestic wastewater, commonly referred to as sanitary wastewater or sewage, is wastewater derived principally from dwellings, business buildings, institutions, and the like. In an effort to protect both surface and ground waters, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) requires that discharges of both domestic and industrial wastewater be permitted and monitored. Any wastewater facility proposing to discharge wastewater to surface or ground waters or into the distribution system for irrigation, must demonstrate to the FDEP that all required minimum levels of treatment will be provided and that all water quality standards will be met. If this demonstration is made, FDEP will issue a permit to the wastewater facility, which will include conditions for monitoring the discharge, as well as conditions for reporting the monitoring results (Discharge Monitoring Reports). FDEP approved the permit renewal on August 29, 2022, however, one of the conditions of approval was that the City of Lake Wales implement a Code of Ordinance for Industrial Pretreatment. Ordinance 2022-49 established the current pretreatment ordinance. Once FDEP reviewed the submitted document, further conditions were required. Updating Division 3 Industrial Pretreatment of the City’s code of ordinance will add additional stipulations and will satisfy additional requirements pertaining to the wastewater operating permit. Staff recommends the commission approve Ordinance 2025-02, an ordinance of the City of Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida, amending Lake Wales’ code of ordinances Chapter 21 Utilities, Division 3 Section 21-  renewal on August 29, 2022, however, one of the conditions of approval was that the City of Lake Wales implement a Code of Ordinance for Industrial Pretreatment. Ordinance 2022-49 established the current pretreatment ordinance. Once FDEP reviewed the submitted document, further conditions were required. Updating Division 3 Industrial Pretreatment of the City’s code of ordinance will add additional stipulations and will satisfy additional requirements pertaining to the wastewater operating permit. Staff recommends the commission approve Ordinance 2025-02, an ordinance of the City of Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida, amending Lake Wales’ code of ordinances Chapter 21 Utilities, Division 3 Section 21- 57 to Section 21-70 providing for severability; providing for an effective date. This approval allows for the City to maintain compliance with FDEP for the Wastewater Use Permit. OTHER OPTION None. FDEP requires the implementation of a Code of Ordinance to be in compliance with the Wastewater Use Permit requirements. FISCAL IMPACT No fiscal impact. [End Agenda Memo] Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, reviewed this item. Ms. Kirkland explained that the proposed amendment to Chapter 21, Division 3 Industrial Pretreatment is a result of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) feedback during the city's wastewater treatment plan permit renewal. After the city established a pretreatment ordinance in 2022, FDEP requested minor revisions, primarily involving changes in terminology and reporting procedures. These changes include using "non-permitted user" instead of "non-significant user" and clarifying how the city reports pretreatment violations. The amendment aims to ensure the city's ordinance aligns with FDEP's requirements. 4. Annual Pioneer Days Celebration And Road Closure [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Approval of this request will allow the Pioneer Days Celebration to take place on October 25 - 26, 2025 in Lake Wailes Park, allow vendors to set up RV’s in the park, allow for alcohol to be served. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Commission consider taking the following action: 1. Approve the special event permit application for the Annual Pioneer Days Celebration, to be held October 25 -26, 2025 2. Approve the request for alcohol in its designated areas. 3. Approve the request for RV’s and tents to be set up by vendors in Lake Wailes Park throughout the event subject to the conditions specified by staff. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Wales submitted a Special Event Permit Application for the Annual Pioneer Days celebration to be held from October 25 and 26, 2025 at Lake Wailes Park. Pioneer Days will include the serving and consuming of alcohol within the boundary of the park. This application also includes a request for vendors to set up RV’s and tents in Lake Wailes Park throughout the event. Some vendors would like to stay on site for security reasons and protection of their property. Per Sec. 18-82 q. of the Lake Wales Code, camping is prohibited in a City park unless specifically authorized by special permit. Staff recommends that approval specify the following conditions: • The RV’s will arrive no earlier than 9 a.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025 and must depart no later than 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025 allowing ample time for take down and clean up. • The RV’s, vehicles, and tents will be set up in areas as designated by the City. • No parking of vehicles will be allowed off pavement except in areas approved and designated by the City. • No vehicles shall be parked or driven within 15 feet of the trunk of any trees within the park.  p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025 allowing ample time for take down and clean up. • The RV’s, vehicles, and tents will be set up in areas as designated by the City. • No parking of vehicles will be allowed off pavement except in areas approved and designated by the City. • No vehicles shall be parked or driven within 15 feet of the trunk of any trees within the park. • No vehicles shall drive or park on the bike path or cross the bike path. • Vendors approved to set up inside the “horseshoe drive” across from the basketball courts, shall maintain a 15-foot distance from tree trunks. On Friday, October 24, 2025, vendors and participants will be setting up in Lake Wailes Park beginning at 9:00 a.m. The main event will commence on Saturday, October 25, with the Pioneer Hour at 10:00 a.m. and will continue throughout the day with events and activities until 5:00 p.m. Sunday’s activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will wrap up at 5:00 p.m. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve the Special Event Permit Application for the Pioneer Days Celebration or the request for the road closures. FISCAL IMPACT In-Kind services for this event provided by the City will be approximately $2016. [End Agenda Memo] Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, reviewed this item. 5. Special Event Permit: Wine Downtown April 10, 2025 [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS This is a request by Main Street to have a wine walk event called Wine Downtown on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The event will include alcohol. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends 1. That the City Commission approve the permit request to allow Main Street to host an event in the downtown on Stuart and Park Avenue and Scenic HWY and First Street to include the serving of alcohol on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. BACKGROUND Lake Wales Main Street is planning to host a wine walk type of event on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event will allow participants to stroll through downtown with alcohol. Police officers will be present for the event. No streets will be closed. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve the Special Event Permit. FISCAL IMPACT None. Lake Wales Main Street will cover the cost of off-duty officers. [End Agenda Memo] Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, reviewed this item. 6. City Attorney Performance Evaluation [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: Commissioners will discuss the performance evaluation of the City Attorney. Performance evaluation forms were completed by the City Commissioners and returned to staff as requested. Evaluation forms completed by the Commissioners are available for review in the Human Resources Department. This process provides for a yearly review of the City Attorney’s performance and summarizes the entire Commission’s experience with the Attorney during the past year. Ratings in the various evaluation categories have been compiled in a chart which is provided with this memorandum.  SYNOPSIS: Commissioners will discuss the performance evaluation of the City Attorney. Performance evaluation forms were completed by the City Commissioners and returned to staff as requested. Evaluation forms completed by the Commissioners are available for review in the Human Resources Department. This process provides for a yearly review of the City Attorney’s performance and summarizes the entire Commission’s experience with the Attorney during the past year. Ratings in the various evaluation categories have been compiled in a chart which is provided with this memorandum. [End Agenda Memo] Albert Galloway, Jr., City Attorney, thanked the Commission for their comments and he will take them under consideration. 7. CITY COMMISSION AND MAYOR COMMENTS Commissioner Williams said he has been in contact with a man who has a utilities concern. James Slaton, City Manager, said this resident has a utility concern of flies in his pipes. Sarah Kirkland, Public Works Director, said they are working on extra screens at the lift station. Deputy Mayor Gibson asked about the gentleman, Kajor Lawson, who came last time about issues with the trees and roots in his yard. James Slaton, City Manager, said staff is looking into it and are trying to find a solution. Commissioner Thompson asked about the Loos couple near City Hall and their tree concern from a few meetings back. Mr. Slaton said they are working on that issue as well. Commissioner Thompson and Deputy Mayor Gibson expressed significant concern regarding pedestrian safety, particularly for students, on Burns Avenue near Lake Wales High School. l Commissioner Thompson highlighted a recent schedule change to the school zone lights, which resulted in the lights not flashing during high school hours. He noted several near-misses involving students walking across Burns Avenue, especially in the darker morning hours, and praised the police presence that helped slow traffic after spring break. He also mentioned the expansion of the school zone to include Victory Ridge and Spook Hill, and expressed his approval of the change. He commended Chris Velasquez, Police Chief, in coordinating with the County on this. l Deputy Mayor Gibson echoed these concerns, citing a constituent's complaints about inadequate lighting on Burns Avenue. He described a dangerous dark corner near the family rec center where students are difficult to see until drivers are very close. He attributed the poor lighting to Burns Avenue being a county road but urged the city to collaborate with the charter school system to improve lighting and prevent potential accidents. He referenced a past fatality in the area to underscore the urgency of the situation. Commissioner Thompson and Deputy Mayor Gibson both addressed the upcoming city election and the charter amendment regarding runoff elections. l Commissioner Thompson emphasized the importance of voter turnout, urging all residents to participate and let their voices be heard. He expressed his support for the charter amendment, believing it to be a positive change, and stated his anticipation for the election results. l Deputy Mayor Gibson also advocated for the charter amendment, specifically the majority vote principle, believing it to be the "right thing to do." He argued that plurality voting encourages polarization and that a majority vote system would be more beneficial for the city. Deputy Mayor Gibson provided an update on the East Polk County Central Parkway, responding to Commissioner Gillespie's inquiry. He clarified that no official route selection has been made, but based on discussions at a meeting in Tower Wood, he believes the "blue line" route, which is farthest north and away from Bok Tower, is the likely choice. He also addressed concerns about the parkway potentially bisecting Lake Wales Commons, a recently approved development. He reported that, according to information he received, the parkway route traveling north to south is expected to terminate at Highway 27, avoiding the previously feared loop to Highway 60 that would have negatively impacted Lake Wales Commons. He emphasized that this information was not explicitly confidential but had not been officially announced, and he wanted to share it to reinforce that favorable decision. He reiterated that the blue line selection was his assessment based on the meeting's tone, not an official announcement.  Lake Wales Commons, a recently approved development. He reported that, according to information he received, the parkway route traveling north to south is expected to terminate at Highway 27, avoiding the previously feared loop to Highway 60 that would have negatively impacted Lake Wales Commons. He emphasized that this information was not explicitly confidential but had not been officially announced, and he wanted to share it to reinforce that favorable decision. He reiterated that the blue line selection was his assessment based on the meeting's tone, not an official announcement. Commissioner Thompson reported that six residents have contacted him expressing a desire to revert to the previous garbage pickup system, even if it means paying an additional $20. They are dissatisfied with the current arrangement. 8. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. _____________________ Mayor ATTEST: ____________________ City Clerk