Commission Meeting Draft Minutes
Draft Minutes of the May 17, 2021, 6 p.m. Commission Meeting
The regular 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 Pastor Jeff Hosmer – North Lake Presbyterian 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; Bill Lawrence, Town Manager; Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; John Pearl, I.T. Director; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; Lori Sadler, Library Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; Becky Higgins, Development Coordinator; Deputy Chief Jason Brough, Sargent Tom Sarakinis, and Officer Robert Chausse, Lady Lake Police Department; and Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk
E. Public Comment
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.
F. Proclamation
1. Proclaiming May 28th and May 29th as “Poppy Days” in Lady Lake (Mayor Kussard/Carolee McReynolds of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347)
Mayor Kussard read the proclamation and presented it to Carolee McReynolds of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347. The ladies of the Auxiliary passed out paper poppies and received donations to benefit veterans and our military in return.
G. Consent
1. Minutes — May 3, 2021 — Special Commission Meeting
2. Minutes — May 3, 2021 — Commission Meeting
3. Consideration of Approval of Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget Transfer (BT) and Budget Adjustments (BA) (Pam Winegardner) (The background summary for this item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
4. Consideration of Award of Bid #2021-0001 for Construction of Phase One of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements as Recommended by the Town Engineer, Jason Shepler with Mittauer & Associates, Inc. (C.T. Eagle) (The background summary for this 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. There were no comments.
Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve Consent Items G-2 through G-5. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
H. Old Business
No old businesss.
I. New Business
6. Consideration of Approval for the Proposed Events for the Parks and Recreation Department (Mike Burske)
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this item.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments regarding this item. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the proposed events for the Parks and Recreation Department. Commissioner Rietz seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
7. Consideration of Approval of the Lady Lake Commons Outparcel “D” ― New Major Site Plan MJSP 02/21-001 ― Proposing a Multi-Tenant Building Offering 3,600 Square Feet of Retail Space and 2,560 Square Feet for a Bank Institution with Drive-Through Facilities Featuring 39 Parking Spaces, Including Two Florida ADA Accessible Parking Spaces; Proposed on a 1.68-Acre Outparcel within the Lady Lake Commons Plaza Located at the Southeast Corner of North Highway 27/441 and Fennell Blvd.; Identified by Alternate key 3305451 (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated Robert Robb, the engineer representing the developer, is present if there are any questions.
Commissioner Rietz asked if the highway construction will affect this development.
Mr. Carroll replied that it will be in close proximity and they are aware of it.
Commissioner Vincent asked for clarification on the location of this parcel.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments regarding this item. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the Lady Lake Commons Outparcel “D” ― New Major Site Plan MJSP 02/21-001 with the waivers as requested. Commissioner Rietz seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
J. Town Attorney's Report
Mayor Kussard requested that Item J-11, the first reading of Ordinance 2021-08, be heard first.
8. Ordinance 2021-01 (Second and Final Reading) — Annexation — Triston Gustavo Meucci Life Estate, Shirley H. Meucci, and Louis Meucci Trustee — Annexing Approximately 269.15 Acres Located South of County Road 466 and East of Cherry Lake Road in Lake County, Florida; Referenced by Alternate Key Numbers 1279810, 3325451, 1279801, 1770700, 1279828, and 1279780 (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this ordinance. He stated Mr. Greg Belliveau is present if there are any questions.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any comments or questions. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Hannan and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-01 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
| Rietz | YES |
9. Ordinance 2021-02 (Second and Final Reading) — Large Scale Future Land Use Amendment — Triston Gustavo Meucci Life Estate, Shirley H. Meucci, and Louis Meucci Trustee — Change from Lake County Urban Low Density to Lady Lake Mixed Development District/Traditional Neighborhood District for Approximately 269.15 Acres Located South of County Road 466 and East of Cherry Lake Road in Lake County, Florida; Referenced by Alternate Key Numbers 1279810, 3325451, 1279801, 1770700, 1279828, and 1279780 (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this ordinance. He stated Mr. Belliveau is present if there are any questions.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners had any comments or questions.
Mayor Kussard asked Mr. Belliveau to address the following concerns previously brought up by nearby residents:
• There will be only one-story single family homes and no townhouses or attached homes along the eastern-most area of the property that would infringe on the privacy of residents of Via San Palo and Plum-Nearly Lane.
• Lighting from the commercial area facing CR 466 will not be so intrusive to the residents of Spring Arbor that it impacts their quality of life (dark sky), as per the Town’s code.
• The entrance/exit access of the commercial section of this development will not match up with the entrance to Spring Arbor.
Mr. Belliveau confirmed that these issues have been addressed.
Mayor Kussard asked Mr. Belliveau to explain the difference between workforce housing, affordable housing and low-income housing, and whether any subsidized housing will be built on the Meucci property.
Mr. Belliveau replied no; that nobody had approached his clients as these being any type of a funding source on this property. He stated workforce housing is for those working to support the community and surrounding environments. Subsidized housing is a housing complex that receives assistance in its financing and must comply with certain standards. He noted that HUD Section 8 housing is no longer in existence.
Mayor Kussard stated a major concern of residents is the traffic generated by this development. She stated that at the March 1st meeting, Mr. Belliveau mentioned that a percentage of funds for the use of Lady Lake only would be put in a proportional share agreement with Lake County to help fund the widening of Rolling Acres Road. She asked Mr. Belliveau to speak about this.
Mr. Belliveau stated it is not just Rolling Acres Road; they are also committed to a proportional share agreement for improvements to Cherry Lake Road. He stated they will have to proportionately share for improvements on any roads that are identified on the site plan as needing improvements. He noted that they will need to work with Lake and Sumter Counties for these road improvements.
Mayor Kussard stated that Mr. Crawford spoke up at the earlier meeting. At that time, he stated they will be squeaky wheels when negotiating with Lake County for the apportionment of road impact fees to make the necessary road improvements.
Jimmy Crawford, Attorney for the applicant, stated there is no way to legally force the county to prioritize road improvements. He asked that the Commissioner and residents try an email campaign as Clermont was successful in putting pressure on the county to improve failing roads in their area.
Mr. Belliveau agreed with Mr. Crawford’s suggestion about putting pressure on the county.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any further comments or questions. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Hannan and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-02 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
| Rietz | YES |
10. Ordinance 2021-03 (Second and Final Reading) — Rezoning — Triston Gustavo Meucci Life Estate, Shirley H. Meucci, and Louis Meucci Trustee — Change from Lake County Agriculture and Planned Unit Development to Town of Lady Lake Planned Unit Development-Mixed Use PUD for Approximately 269.15 Acres Located South of County Road 466 and East of Cherry Lake Road in Lake County, Florida; Referenced by Alternate Key Numbers 1279810, 3325451, 1279801, 1770700, 1279828, and 1279780 (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this ordinance. He stated representatives of the development are present if there are any questions.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any comments or questions.
Attorney Jim Crawford stated that three substantive points brought up by Mayor Kussard were not included in the Memorandum of Agreement for this ordinance and he recommended that they be written in as follows: no two-story homes in the southeast, lighting shall be dark-sky, and no connection across from Spring Arbor Lane.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any comments or questions. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Hannan and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-03 with the inclusion of the three amendments as requested by the applicant above, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
| Rietz | YES |
11. Ordinance 2021-08 (First Reading) — An Ordinance of the Town of Lady Lake Amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Division II of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Lady Lake, Florida, Setting Forth Procedures for the Use of Town Parks and Facilities and Terms and Conditions of the Use of Town Parks and Facilities, Including Providing for Enforcement and Penalties (Mike Burske)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this ordinance.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any comments or questions. There were no questions or comments.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Hannan and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 2021-08 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
| Rietz | YES |
Town Attorney Derek Schroth stated there has been a request to have another Closed Executive Session regarding the litigation with The Villages. He stated if the majority of the Commission wishes to hold this Closed Executive Session, he will seek advice from the Commission concerning the litigation.
Mayor Kussard polled the Commissioners, and there was a four to one (Vincent) consensus to schedule this meeting. After further discussion, the Closed Executive Session was scheduled for Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 at 1 p.m.
K. Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Bill Lawrence congratulated Nancy Slaton, who was appointed Town Clerk. Mr. Lawrence reported that the Town’s Police Department achieved a Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) clearance rate of 49.2%; with the national average being around 23%. He also noted that the Town’s Animal Control Officer Denise Williams was featured in last week’s Daily Sun in an article about animal control as a career.
Mr. Lawrence stated that Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske brought to his attention that Duke Energy is placing new light poles and some placements are slated to be in the middle of the Town’s sidewalk in front of the Log Cabin property. He stated a 10-foot wide easement granted to Duke Energy by the Town will be on the next agenda for the Commission’s consideration so that this can be avoided. He asked that any questions regarding this be directed to Mr. Burske.
Mr. Lawrence also reported that the Information Technology Department will be moving into the available space at the Library in the near future, making room available in the Town Clerk’s office.
L. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Mayor Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report.
Mayor Kussard stated she and Commissioner Hannan attended the Police Memorial at Veteran’s Memorial Park this past Saturday and read off names of fallen officers in 2020.
M. Public Comments
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience.
Mr. Jim Cipollone of 2162 Madera Drive in The Villages (Sumter County) asked if any of the discussion in the closed meeting will become transparent after a decision is made. He spoke about the proposed apartments in Lady Lake and the conversion of properties in Spanish Springs to apartments. He stated most Villagers are opposed to this.
N. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
___________________________
Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk
___________________________
Ruth Kussard, Mayor
Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk