Commission Meeting Draft Minutes

4. Consideration of Approval of the 2020 Fall Event Schedule (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mr. Burske stated that it is difficult to plan these events during the pandemic and his biggest job is to work out the safety aspects.

Commissioner Kussard stated that she discussed this with Mr. Burske earlier and agrees that the health and safety of participants must be considered when planning events during this pandemic.

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners or the public. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.

Commissioner Richards made a motion to approve the 2020 Fall event schedule. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

5. Consideration of Approval to Accept the Design of the New Play Structure for Pyramid Park and to Contract for the Purchase and Construction of the Design (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners. Hearing none, she asked for a motion

Commissioner Holden made a motion to approve and accept the design of the new play structure for Pyramid Park and to contract for the purchase and construction of the design. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

6. Consideration of approval of the New Major Site Plan for Serenity Cottages of Lady Lake MJSP  06/20-001 ― Proposing to Develop a Memory Care Facility Complex Consisting of a 6,556-Square-Foot Administrative Building and Seven 13,815-Square-Foot Memory Care Buildings Hosting a Total of 144 Beds; with 89 Parking Spaces; to be Constructed on Lot 2 of the Lumen Park Commercial Plat, Addressed as 1165 Highway 466, Referenced by Alternate Key Number 3900680 (Thad Carroll)

Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). Mr. Carroll stated that the engineer is present if there are any questions.

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners. She asked if there is a target date for the completion of the boring under County Road 466 to get the infrastructure in place for the project.

Mr. Carroll replied that the boring started about a week and a half ago and will serve both Lot 1 and Lot 2. If Lot 2 construction begins before Lot 1, the infrastructure will be in place prior to construction beginning on Lot 2.

Commissioner Holden made a motion to approve the New Major Site Plan for Serenity Cottages of Lady Lake MJSP  06/20-001 with waiver as presented. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard stated that the Town Attorney’s report will be heard next before the compensation study item.

7. Presentation of the Compensation Study Findings by Evergreen Solutions (Maureen Gochee/Brad Brackins)

Human Resource Director Maureen Gochee introduced Brad Brackins of Evergreen Solutions LLC to present the study findings.

Mr. Brackins reviewed a presentation regarding the study and asked if there were any questions.

Commissioner Holden asked if the private sector was surveyed and how it compares to the private sector.

Mr. Brackins replied that the public sector was surveyed and included local municipalities as well as the county and did not include any private sector organizations. He stated many of the positions in Town are comparable to the private sector and should strive to be competitive, but there are also many Town positions that are unique to a municipality.

Commissioner Holden asked the Town Manager how many employees have quit their job in the last five years because of low pay.

Ms. Kollgaard replied that she would have to check with Human Resources and get back to the Commission with that information, although she believes it is low. She asked the Human Resource Director if she had an idea.

Ms. Gochee replied that she did not have an exact number although she agreed with the Town Manager that it is low.

Commissioner Holden stated he believed the private sector should have been included in the survey for comparison. He requested that this be tabled until a new Town Manager was in position.

Ms. Kollgaard stated for the record that the Commissioners were asked for input on who was surveyed and included in this study. She stated that changes were requested by some Commissioners, including Mayor Richards.

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard stated that she felt the study should include the other municipalities.

Commissioner Hannan commented that benefits should be looked at as well as wages. He stated that the Town’s benefits are equal or better than the private sector.

Commissioner Vincent stated that the report showed the Town paid $24,000 an employee for benefits. He asked what criteria or data was used for this study. He stated that Wildwood was the only local municipality that he felt was comparable to the Town.

Mr. Brackins stated they determined the list of 17 peers that represent the local market comparable by population and services offered such as police, fire, etc. He confirmed that Wildwood was included in the survey.

Mayor Richards stated that it appears that the study finds that employees should be paid in the middle of the pay range if they have been in the position a certain amount of time and rise seven percent a year versus tenure and merit raises.

Mr. Bracken addressed this comment by stating there are varying philosophies among municipalities about this such as that someone who has been in the position longer will be more proficient.

Commissioner Holden disagreed with that statement.

Mayor Richards agreed with Commissioner Holden and suggested that this be tabled so the study could be reviewed more thoroughly. He stated that it seems like the study is making a political statement rather than just a compensation statement.

Commissioner Holden stated he would like to have a workshop on this . He stated he did not want employees working for less than $15 an hour and if pay raises were given, give it to the lower tier. He stated there is too much discrepancy in the pay.

Mr. Brackins stated the study is in no way political and is based on an objective analysis of the survey of market peers. He stated compensation is not based purely on salary but includes benefits as well. He agreed the Town has a very competitive benefits package as a strength. He continued to review the study findings.

Commissioner Holden made a motion to table the consideration to accept findings and recommendations of the Compensation Study as presented. Mayor/Commissioner Richards seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 2 (Kussard/Hannan).

Commissioner Vincent stated he in favor of raising some of the pay. He suggested that the employees be offered a pension plan.

Commissioner Holden agreed with Commissioner Vincent in regard to offering a Florida pension plan for all employees.

Mayor Pro Tem Kussard thanked Mr. Brackins for his presentation tonight and was disappointed that the Commissioners did not follow through with addressing the recommendations tonight.