Commission Meeting Draft Minutes

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).