Commission Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the November 2, 2020 6 pm 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 Pro Tem Ruth Kussard presiding. The meeting convened at 6 p.m.
A. Call to Order
Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Kussard
B. Invocation
By Rabbi Zev of the Temple Shalom of Central Florida
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Roll Call
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Hannan (Four) | YES |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Vincent (Three) | YES |
| Richards (Five) | NO |
Derek Schroth, Town Attorney; Thad Carroll, Interim Town Manager/Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; John Pearl, I.T. Director; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; Lori Sadler, Library Director; Chief Rob Tempesta, Deputy Chief Jason Brough, Elvira Ruiz & Mary Mullins, Police Records, Sergeant Charles Gehrsitz, Jan Miller, Administrative Assistant, Pat Hughes, Staff Assistant, Lady Lake Police Department; Maureen Gochee, Human Resource Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; and Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk
E. Public Comment
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.
F. Proclamation
1. Proclaiming November 6th and 7th, 2020 as “Poppy Days” in Lady Lake (Mayor Pro Tem Kussard/Carolee McReynolds of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347)
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard read the proclamation proclaiming November 6th and 7th, 2020 as “Poppy Days” in the Town of Lady Lake and presented it to Carolee McReynolds of the American Legion Daughters of the American Revolution.
G. Recognition
Police Chief Rob Tempesta reported the circumstances which resulted in a nomination and award of the Leesburg Rotary “Service Above Self” Award to Sergeant Charles Gehrsitz as Lake County’s Officer of the Year for 2019.
H. Consent
2. Minutes — October 19, 2020 — Special Commission Meeting
3. Minutes — October 19, 2020 — Regular Commission Meeting
4. Consideration of Approval to Formally Appoint Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll to Serve as the Alternate Representative on the Public Risk Management of Florida Property/Casualty or Group Health Trust Board of Directors (Maureen Gochee) Background Summary on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
5. Consideration of Approval for the Appointment of Wendy Then, Senior Planner, as the Representative of Lady Lake to the Metropolitan Planning Agency’s (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee, and Reassignment of C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director, as the Alternate Member to the Committee (Thad Carroll)(Background Summary on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners regarding the Consent items. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve Consent Items H-2 through H-5. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
I. Old Business
J. New Business
6. Consideration of Approval of the Contract and the Award of RFP 2020-0002 for Executive Search Firm Services to Colin Baenziger & Associates (Thad Carroll)
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll 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. There were no comments.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve of the Contract and the Award of RFP 2020-0002 for Executive Search Firm Services to Colin Baenziger & Associates. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
K. Town Attorney's Report
7. Ordinance 2020-08 (First Reading Tabled from Oct. 5, 2020) — Tabled to January 20, 2021 — An Ordinance of the Town Commission of Lady Lake, Florida, Adopting the Eleventh Amendment to the Amended Development Order for the Tri-County Villages Development of Regional Impact Lake County (Thad Carroll)
8. Ordinance 2020-09 (First Reading Tabled from Oct. 5, 2020) — Tabled to January 20, 2021 — An Ordinance of the Town of Lady Lake Requesting Amendment of the Planned Commercial “CP” Zoning Classification for Certain Property Owned by the Villages Operating Company; Located in the Vicinity of Main Street, Alvarez Avenue, and Del Mar Drive in Lady Lake, Florida; Providing for a Second Supplemental Agreement to the Regulations of The Village Downtown Center (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth reported that the applicant requested that the first reading of these ordinances be tabled to the January 20, 2021 Commission meeting.
L. Town Manager's Report
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll reminded everyone that tomorrow is Election Day and that the polls are open if anyone has not voted yet. He reported that the Lady Lake Library is now open at 9 a.m. effective today.
Commissioner Kussard noted that the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow.
M. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report.
Commissioner Hannan commented regarding the value and expertise that the Special Magistrate for the code enforcement hearings brings to the Town.
Commissioner Holden stated that when he stopped by the Town’s community building last Friday to check on the progress of the renovations, the doors were unlocked and a couple of children were inside. He suggested that another entrance door be installed between the newer and old section to widen it, and also that the other Commissioners stop by in case they have any other suggestions while the building is still a shell. He stated the new front doors look very nice.
Public Works Director C.T. Eagle stated that the Fire Inspector suggested the location of the doors, but he will check into the suggestion for another door. He stated now is the time to make any changes as the renovation is nearing completion after many delays because it is hard to acquire materials. Mr. Eagle stated the doors are now able to be locked and they will make sure the building is secured. He stated there is a new roof on the building, with a new storage room that will be accessible to the public.
Commissioner Vincent remarked that apartment issue in The Villages seems to be on-going focus of The Villages. He stated they may want to explore other ideas for leasing these spaces to technical or medical support companies, although parking issues would have to be studied.
Mr. Carroll stated The Villages is just looking at apartments as an option at this time; they can still lease the commercial space if they choose to.
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard reported that Mayor Richards is currently recuperating at home with home health rehabilitation and his health is improving at this time.
N. Public Comments
Mayor Pro Tem Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.
O. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
s/ Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk
s/ Ruth Kussard, Mayor Pro Tem
Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk