Commission Meeting Minutes

Draft Minutes of the December 14, 2020 2 P.M. Special Commission Meeting

This special 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 2 p.m.

A. Call to Order

Mayor Ruth Kussard

B. Roll Call

Commissioner (Ward) Present
Hannan (Four) YES
Kussard (One) YES
Holden (Two) YES
Vincent (Three) YES

STAFF PRESENT

Attorney Sasha Garcia for Town Attorney Derek Schroth; Thad Carroll, Interim Town Manager; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; Julia Harris, Administrative Assistant to Town Manager; and Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk

H. New Business

1. Interview(s) and Discussion of Applicant(s) for the Ward 5 Commission Vacancy

Mayor Kussard began the meeting by asking the one applicant for the vacancy, Mr. James Rietz, to make a statement.

Mr. Rietz introduced himself. He stated he has lived in the Lady Lake portion of The Villages for the past 14 ½ years and is originally from Illinois. He spoke of his background, which included knowledge of construction and the trades from working with his father, a stint in the Air Force, working in the trucking and towing industry, and then working as a commercial appraiser in the tax assessor’s office. He stated his career in working with computers began there, which included programming, web sites, etc. He stated he shares his knowledge of computers by participating in clubs here in The Villages.

Commissioner Hannan acknowledged that Mr. Rietz’s resume is impressive. He asked him to expound on his Air Force career.

Mr. Rietz replied that he enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and was trained in electronics. He stated he attended classes on nuclear warheads and was at the ready to launch at enemy satellites during the cold war.

Commissioner Holden stated that Mr. Rietz seems well-rounded, and he asked him what the most important thing he may do in working as a Town Commissioner.

Mr. Rietz replied that his most important contribution is to make sure he can assist the Town to keeping going in a positive direction as determined by the current Commissioners.

Commissioner Vincent asked Mr. Rietz what his motivation was in applying for the vacancy. He asked him why he has never attended a Commission meeting before. He also asked if Mr. Rietz has appeared before a zoning board before.

Mr. Rietz replied that a friend informed him of the vacancy, and he decided to step up as he likes to lead, and he feels his experience in building and zoning areas can be helpful to the Commission. He stated he has been president and vice president of a condo association and of three different clubs as well.

Mr. Rietz stated he has attended past Commission meetings and spoke at one about ten years ago. He stated he has not appeared before a zoning board before.

Mayor Kussard stated she is happy to have Mr. Rietz as an applicant. She stated Mayor Richards was a very valuable asset to the Town’s Commission, and she believes Mr. Rietz will be as well.

2. Selection of an Applicant to Fill the Ward 5 Commission Vacancy

Mayor Kussard asked for a vote for the one applicant to fill the Ward 5 Commission vacancy.

Upon a motion by Commissioner Hannan and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the appointment of Mr. James Rietz to fill the Ward 5 Commission vacancy by the following roll call vote:

Commissioner Vote
Hannan YES
Kussard YES
Holden YES
Vincent YES

Mayor Kussard welcomed Mr. Rietz as a member of the Town of Lady Lake Commission.

Mayor Kussard noted that Wreaths Across America will be conducted at the Lady Lake Cemetery this Saturday at approximately 11 a.m. She stated wreaths are placed on veteran’s graves during this ceremony.

Commissioner Vincent stated that he wanted to address the fact that Commissioner Hannan filed a complaint against him, which was denied. He stated that put Commissioner Hannan in jeopardy of filing a false complaint and he spoke to legal people about this but has decided to turn the other cheek in this case. He stated the attorney warned him that Commissioner Hannan’s statement at the bottom of his email is a violation, and he said if he sees it again, he will proceed

D. Adjourn

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.

_____________________________
Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk

_____________________________
Ruth Kussard, Mayor

Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Interim Town Clerk