Commission Meeting Draft Minutes

Draft Minutes of the April 5, 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 Ellen Pollock — New Covenant United Methodist 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 & Recreation Director; Lori Sadler, Library Director; Becky Higgins, Development Coordinator; Chief Robert Tempesta and Lt. Nelson Vargas, Lady Lake Police Department; and Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk

E. Public Comment

Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.

F. Introduction

New Town Manager — William “Bill” Lawrence

Mayor Kussard introduced and welcomed Bill Lawrence as  Lady Lake’s new Town Manager. She reported that Mr. Lawrence has worked in municipal government for over 33 years in Maine and Florida, serving as Police Officer, Police Chief, and Town Manager.

Mr. Lawrence was welcomed by a show of applause from those present.

G. Consent

1. Minutes — March 15, 2021 — Special Commission Meeting

2. Minutes — March 15, 2021 — Commission Meeting

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-1 and G-2. Commissioner Vincent seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

No old businesss.

1. Consideration of Approval for the Lady Lake Driving Range to Host Their Annual Volunteers’ Luncheon at the Parks and Recreation Building on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (Mike Burske)

Parks & 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, and hearing none, asked for a motion.

Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve the Lady Lake Driving Range to host their Annual Volunteers’ Luncheon at the Parks and Recreation Building on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

2. Consideration of the Reappointment of Richard “Doc” Jones to the Town of Lady Lake Library Advisory Board (Nancy Slaton)

The Interim Town Clerk presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mayor Kussard commented that Doc Jones does a good job on this board, and as liaison as well.

Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments, and hearing none, asked for a motion.

Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve the Reappointment of Richard “Doc” Jones to the Town of Lady Lake Library Advisory Board. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

J. Town Attorney's Report

6. Resolution 2021-101 (First and Final Reading) — A Resolution Urging All Members of the Florida Legislature to Oppose Unwarranted or Overly Broad Preemptions of Municipal Home Rule Powers (Thad Carroll)

Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the resolution.

Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this resolution.

Town Attorney Derek Schroth commented that there have been a lot of topics regarding preemptions discussed and efforts are occurring in Tallahassee to centralize control of items that municipalities would normally regulate.

Mayor Kussard stated she feels it is very important to pass this resolution. She 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 Holden and a second by Commissioner Hannan, the Commission approved the first and final reading of Resolution 2021-101 by the following roll call vote:

Commissioner Vote
Hannan YES
Kussard YES
Holden YES
Vincent YES
Rietz YES

7. Resolution 2021-102 (First and Final Reading) — A Resolution Adopting the Lake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (Thad Carroll)

Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the resolution.

Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this resolution.

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 Holden and a second by Commissioner Rietz, the Commission approved the first and final reading of Resolution 2021-102 by the following roll call vote:

Commissioner Vote
Hannan YES
Kussard YES
Holden YES
Vincent YES
Rietz YES

K. Town Manager's Report

Town Manager Bill Lawrence reported that he met with the department heads today and discussed everyone’s management styles. He stated it appears the department heads have similar styles and he looks forward to working with everyone. Mr. Lawrence stated he will be publishing a weekly manager’s report on the Town’s website to keep everyone informed of activities and projects happening in the Town.

Mr. Lawrence noted that Police Chief Tempesta was recognized for his work in an article in the Daily Sun this past weekend.

Mr. Lawrence reported that he has scheduled interviews for the Town Clerk position on April 21, 2021.

L. Mayor and Commissioner's Report

Mayor Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report. Thee were no reports.

M. Public Comments

Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.

N. Adjourn

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

___________________________
Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk

___________________________
Ruth Kussard, Mayor

Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk