Commission Meeting Draft Minutes
Draft Minutes of the February 1, 2021, 6 p.m. Commission Meeting
The meeting of the Lady Lake Town Commission was held in the Commission Chambers at Lady Lake Town Hall, 409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake, Florida with Mayor Ruth Kussard presiding. The meeting convened at 6 p.m.
A. Call to Order
Mayor Ruth Kussard
B. Invocation
By Reverend Nancy Bryson of the St. George Episcopal Church
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Roll Call
Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
Hannan (Four) | YES |
Kussard (One) | YES |
Holden (Two) | YES |
Vincent (Three) | YES |
Rietz (Five) | YES |
STAFF PRESENT
Derek Schroth, Town Attorney; Thad Carroll, Interim Town Manager/Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; John Pearl, I.T. Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; Becky Higgins, Development Coordinator; Chief Rob Tempesta and Deputy Chief Jason Brough, Lady Lake Police Department; and Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk
E. Public Comment
Mayor Kussard announced that Items I-11 and I-12 have been tabled to the March 1, 2021 Commission meeting at the request of Sun Communities. She asked if there were any comments from the audience.
Fred Schweitz, owner of Too Your Health Spa in Lady Lake, stated that he is in the process of trying to open a health food store and restaurant and has been since 2016. He stated he is trying to get a Certificate of Occupancy and noted they were shut down for a while because of the Covid pandemic. He stated he received a 60 day extension, and that he is now asking for an additional extension regarding the permit.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented some background regarding this permit, which has been open since 2016. A 60-day extension was given by the department on November 17, 2020, rather than the 30-day extension requested by the applicant. The former building official stated that the 2016 permit needed to be closed out and a new permit pulled. A temporary certificate of occupancy was issued to help the applicant and to allow one of his tenants to move in.
Inspectors have found that further work such as window changes and a hood have been installed without permits. Mr. Carroll stated he has offered to close out the 2016 permit and issue a new permit. He stated he feels staff has gone above and beyond to work with Mr. Schweitz.
It was the consensus of the Commission to support staff’s decision to close out the 2016 permit and require the applicant to apply for a new permit.
Mr. Schweitz again asked for more time; stating his project is 99% complete and that it is a hardship for him.
Mr. Carroll reiterated that the applicant needs to pull a new permit and may have to find a new contractor.
Mayor Kussard stated that staff has worked with Mr. Schweitz and he will need to pull a new permit as per the consensus of the Commission.
F. Consent
1.Minutes — January 20, 2021 — Special Commission Meeting
2. Minutes — January 20, 2021 — Regular Commission Meeting
3. Consideration of Approval for New Song Community Church of Lady Lake to Host Easter Sunday Sunrise Services at Veterans/Log Cabin Park on April 4, 2021 (Mike Burske) The background summary for this agenda item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
4. Consideration of Approval for the Lady Lake Historical Society to Host their Spring Rummage Sale on March 20th at Veterans/Log Cabin Park (Mike Burske) The background summary for this agenda item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
5. Consideration of Three Reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Board (Nancy Slaton) The background summary for this agenda item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
6. Consideration of Three Reappointments to the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Committee (Nancy Slaton) The background summary for this agenda item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
7. Consideration of Approval of the Contract with Lassiter Transportation Group (LTG) to Prepare the State Required Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan on Behalf of the Town of Lady Lake (Thad Carroll) The background summary for this agenda item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners regarding the Consent items.
Commissioner Hannan asked that Item F-6 be pulled.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve Consent Items F-1 through F-7; excepting Item F-6. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
Commissioner Hannan asked if Doc Jones was in the audience. He was not present, and Commissioner Hannan stated he had no other comments regarding Item F-6.
Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve Consent Item F-6. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
G. Old Business
H. New Business
8. Consideration of Approval to Host the Annual Lady Lake Easter Egg Hunt on March 27, 2021 (Mike Burske)
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the request for the Town to host the Annual Lady Lake Easter Egg Hunt on March 27, 2021. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
9. Consideration of the Water, Sewer and Reuse Utility Agreement for Lake Ella Estates Subdivision ― Proposing a 232 Single-Family Residence Subdivision, to be Developed in Three Phases, on a 67.47-Acre Vacant Parcel Zoned RS-6, Located on the North Side of Lake Ella Road Approximately 3/4 Mile East of Rolling Acres Road and Approximately One Mile West of South Highway 27/441, Identified by Alternate Key Numbers 1283159 and 3462858 (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Holden clarified that the revenue received from this agreement will be for goods and services; it is not a windfall.
Mr. Carroll agreed, stating these impact fees goes toward the expansion of the Town’s infrastructure such as sewer and water lines.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the Water, Sewer and Reuse Utility Agreement for Lake Ella Estates Subdivision. Commissioner Vincent seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
10. Consideration to Utilize COVID-19 Reimbursement Funds Received from Lake County to Purchase Items Eliminated from the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget (Thad Carroll)
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated this was discussed at the last meeting and he has brought a proposed list of items to purchase for the Commission’s consideration. They include two police vehicles for $103,000 (or $241,000 if five vehicles were purchased), a turbo diesel truck for Public Works for $62,439, sun shades for the dog park at $16,000, fiberoptic improvements for $20,465, with additional requests if capital asset funds were approved to be used. Mr. Carroll stated the current amount proposed to be used from the COVID-19 reimbursement funds totals $203,904 for items that were taken out of the budget for last year. There is currently a balance $242,000 left that has not been allocated. Since this agenda item was published, the Library Director has requested approximately $15, 000 to replace snagged carpeting in the library that could be a safety issue.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Holden stated he would be in favor of purchasing two police vehicles and the other department items requested using the funds received from Lake County.
Commissioner Vincent stated he feels that the Town should go ahead and purchase all five police vehicles as he feels the Town will be deferring debt if they only purchase two at this time.
Mr. Carroll stated this will be at the Commission’s discretion whether they would like to purchase additional items using other funds.
Police Chief Robert Tempesta stated that per the five-year program, five vehicles were removed from the fleet last year per the advice of Public Works and were not replaced. Five new vehicles were proposed in the police budget, but due to the pandemic, many items were cut from the budget department-wide.
Mayor Kussard noted that if all five police vehicles were purchased using COVID reimbursement funds, it would take up the balance and leave nothing for the other department requests. She stated that she is not in favor of doing that or taking additional money from the capital asset fund to purchase an additional three vehicles. She stated they could be included in next year’s budget.
Commissioner Vincent stated that it appears the Town will be hedging on the fact that the vehicles will last longer than the warranty period of five years.
Commissioner Rietz confirmed with Public Works Director C.T. Eagle that they need a replacement truck.
Mr. Eagle agreed and stated that this truck is more of a specialty vehicle.
Commissioner Hannan asked if an additional warranty could be purchased past the original car warranty.
Mr. Eagle stated the five-year vehicle warranty is already an extended manufacturer’s warranty, past the normal three-year warranty period. He stated he is not in favor of after-market extended warranties, which are not manufacturers’ warranties.
Commissioner Holden asked how many miles the police vehicles have on them at this time. He stated they are built to last around 300,000 miles.
Chief Tempesta replied that the vehicles currently have between 60,000 to 100,000 miles on them.
Commissioner Hannan stated he is in favor of purchasing the five police vehicles now, and Commissioner Vincent agreed.
After further discussion and a poll of the Commissioners on this issue, Mayor Kussard asked for a motion.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve utilizing COVID-19 Reimbursement funds received from Lake County to purchase items eliminated from the Fiscal Year 2021 budget as presented by the Interim Town Manager. Commissioner Rietz seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 2 (Hannan/Vincent).
I. Town Attorney's Report
11. Resolution 2020-112 — First and Final Reading — Tabled from January 4, 2021 — Sun Water Oak Expansion LLC & Sun Communities Finance LP — Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 5-4).h).7).D).1).d)., a Variance Request to Reduce Front Yard Setback from 25 Feet to 20 Feet for Residential Structures within the Water Oak Hilltop Expansion Phases 1-5 Development Proposed South of Griffin Avenue and East of the Water Oak Country Club Estates, Referenced by Alternate Keys 1238111, 1770483, and 1238277 (Thad Carroll)
This item was tabled to the March 1, 2021 Commission meeting at the request of the applicant.
12. Resolution 2020-113 — First and Final Reading — Tabled from January 4, 2021 — Sun Water Oak Expansion LLC & Sun Communities Finance LP — Pursuant to Chapter 15, Article II). Section 15-52).D).3), a Variance Request to Allow the Construction of Internal Private Roads within the Water Oak Hilltop Expansion Phases 2 through 5 to be 20-Foot Paved Roads to Keep Consistency with the Construction and Layout of the Existing Water Oak Country Club Estates, Referenced by Alternate Keys 1238111, 1770483, and 1238277 (Thad Carroll)
This item was tabled to the March 1, 2021 Commission meeting at the request of the applicant.
J. Town Manager's Report
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll reported that the candidates for Town Manager will be arriving on Wednesday and they will be given a tour of the town and facilities, and then they will meet with department heads at Town Hall at 3 p.m. Interviews will take place the following day, on February 4, 2021, at a special meeting of the Town Commission, and hopefully, a decision will be made that afternoon.
K. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Mayor Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report. She stated the Art in the Park event at the Log Cabin was well attended and included 71 vendors this past week, and everyone seemed to be wearing masks and social distancing.
L. Public Comments
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.
M. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
___________________________
Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk
___________________________
Ruth Kussard, Mayor
Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk