Commission Meeting Minutes
Draft Minutes of the December 7, 2020 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 Pro Tem Ruth Kussard presiding. The meeting convened at 6 p.m.
A. Call to Order
Mayor Ruth Kussard
B. Invocation
By Reverend Ron Hartley of the Lady Lake Assembly of God
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Roll Call
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Hannan (Four) | YES |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Vincent (Three) | YES |
Derek Schroth, Town Attorney; Thad Carroll, Interim Town Manager/Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; John Pearl, I.T. Director; Lori Sadler, Library Director; Chief Rob Tempesta, Lieutenant Nelson Vargas, and Sergeant Andy Crogan, Lady Lake Police Department; Maureen Gochee, Human Resource Director; 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. Consent
1. Minutes — November 16, 2020 — Special (Conceptual) Commission Meeting
2. Minutes — November 16, 2020 — Regular Commission Meeting
Mayor 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 F-1 and F-2. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
G. Old Business
No old business.
H. New Business
3. Consideration of Approval to Create a Part-Time System Administrator Position in the I.T. Department (John Pearl)
Information Technology Director John Pearl presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He noted that there would be no benefits paid for this position because of the part-time status.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Hannan asked if the person who has been assisting with these duties for the past ten years will still be here.
Mr. Pearl stated this person will be retiring and the position will be posted internally.
Commissioner Holden confirmed with Mr. Pearl that no benefits would be paid other than FICA.
Commissioner Vincent asked if this person is now employed.
Mr. Pearl replied that the person who was assisting with these duties is now retiring from the police department.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the creation of a part-time System Administrator position in the I.T. Department. Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
Commissioner Vincent stated he thought that there would be no new staff changes until the new Town Manager is put in place. He stated he thought the Charter stated a retiring employee could not be re-hired until after a year.
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll replied that this item regarding a retiring employee filling this position came before the Commission back in February, and everyone was in favor of it. He stated this person is familiar with the work and will not be receiving any benefits, including retirement benefits from the Town. He stated that he does not believe there is a prohibition in the Charter for filling this position.
Town Attorney Derek Schroth looked into it and stated he did not find any prohibitions in the Charter.
4. Consideration of Approval for Town Staff to Replace the Digital Sign at Town Hall Utilizing the Lake County Contract with Don Bell Signs (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.
Commissioner Holden asked how much maintenance is involved in maintaining these signs.
Mr. Burske stated maintenance can be very expensive. He noted the warranty will pay for itself and is for the original one year, plus an additional five years, for a total of six years of warranty.
Commissioner Hannan motioned to approve the replacement of the digital sign at Town Hall utilizing the Lake County Contract with Don Bell Signs. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
I. Town Attorney's Report
5. Ordinance 2020-10 (First Reading) — An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3, of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Lady Lake, Deleting and Replacing Ordinance No. 2012-11 in its Entirety, Setting Forth New Procedures for the Use of the Town’s Community Building and Library Meeting Rooms, Establishing Fees, Deposits, Limitations and Exemptions on Rentals (Lori Sadler)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the ordinance by title only.
Library Director Lori Sadler 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 or the public. 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 2020-10 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
6. Ordinance 2020-14 (First Reading) — An Ordinance Adopting Corrections, Updates and Modifications to the Capital Improvements Schedule of the Town of Lady Lake Comprehensive Plan (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the ordinance by title only.
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 or the public.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Holden and a second by Commissioner Hannan, the Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 2020-14 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
7. Resolution 2020-116 (First and Final Reading) — A Resolution Supporting the Florida Association of Counties Adopting a Policy Statement to Expand the Use of Tourist Development Taxes for Feasibility Studies, Design and Engineering Costs (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the resolution by title only.
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 or the public. She noted that Mr. Carroll answered her questions before the meeting.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Holden and a second by Commissioner Hannan, the Commission approved the first and final reading Resolution 2020-116 by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner | Vote |
| Hannan | YES |
| Kussard | YES |
| Holden | YES |
| Vincent | YES |
J. Town Manager's Report
Interim Town Manager Thad Carroll reported that Waste Management will have changes in their holiday pick-up schedule. The Christmas Friday curbside pick-up will be done on Tuesday, December 29th, and the New Year’s Day Friday collection will be done on Tuesday, January 5th instead. He stated he will send out an email regarding this and will try to get the information on the website.
Mr. Carroll stated that other communities such as Leesburg, Mount Dora, Tavares, Clermont, Fruitland Park, Wildwood, and Lake County will be closed on Christmas Eve and some have confirmed New Year’s Eve as well. He asked the Commissioners if they would approve staff having Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off this year, as well as Christmas day and New Year’s Day.
It was the consensus of the Commissioners to allow these two extra days off as holidays for staff.
Mr. Carroll stated that the Luminary Walk will happen this Friday and Saturday evening (December 11th and 12th), starting at sundown. He stated that Santa and a Movie will be on Saturday, December 19th, beginning with visits with Santa at 5 p.m.
K. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Mayor Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report. She mentioned the Light Up Lady Lake at the Log Cabin is lit up. She also stated the parade was held this past Saturday and was wonderful, lasting an hour. She stated she received comments from some who had never seen Lady Lake’s parade before, and they were impressed.
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 6:28 p.m.
_____________________________
Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk
_____________________________
Ruth Kussard, Mayor
Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk