Commission Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the September 20, 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 Debbie Casanzio - Lady Lake United Methodist Church
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Roll Call
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Hannan (Four) | NO |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Vincent (Three) | NO |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
STAFF PRESENT
Derek Schroth, Town Attorney; Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; Chief Robert Tempesta, Lieutenant Nelson Vargas, Detective Matt Duryea, Records Supervisor Elvia Ruiz, Sgt. Joseph Ostrom, Officer Marc Manders, Officer Josh Redmond, Officer Jesse Pettis, Sgt. Tom Sarakinis and Officer Robert Chausse, Lady Lake Police Department; Lori Sadler, Library Director; Tamika DeLee, Human Resource Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; Nancy Wilson, Deputy Town Clerk; and Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk
E. Public Hearing
1. Resolution 2021-110 (First and Final Reading) — Adoption of Final Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2021—2022 (Pam Winegardner)
Finance Director Pam Winegardner presented the background summary for this agenda item and read the resolution by title (on file in the Clerk’s Office).
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners or the public on this resolution. There were no comments.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Holden and a second by Commissioner Rietz, the Commission approved the first and final reading of Resolution 2021-110, adopting the final Fiscal Year 2021-2022 millage rate of 3.3962, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
2. Ordinance 2021-16 (Second and Final Reading) — Adoption of Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021—2022 (Pam Winegardner)
Finance Director Pam Winegardner presented the background summary for this agenda item and read the ordinance by title only (on file in the Clerk’s Office). She reported on several adjustments that were made since the budget workshop.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners or the public. There were no comments.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Holden and a second by Commissioner Rietz, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-16, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 operating budget, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
F. Consent
3. Minutes — September 8, 2021 — Commission Meeting
4. Consideration of Approval to Formally Designate Tamika DeLee, Human Resources Director, to Serve as the Town’s Representative on the Public Risk Management of Florida Property/Casualty or Group Health Trust Board of Directors, and to Formally Appoint William Lawrence, Town Manager, to Serve as Alternate Board Member on the Public Risk Management of Florida Property/Casualty or Group Health Trust Board of Directors (Tamika DeLee) (The background summary for this item is on file in the Clerk’s Office.)
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners had any questions regarding the consent items, and hearing none, asked for a motion.
Commissioner Rietz motioned to approve Consent Items F-3 and F-4. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0.
G. New Business
5. Consideration of Approval of the Re-Opener Changes to the Agreement between the Town of Lady Lake (TOLL) and the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for the Period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (Tamika DeLee)
Human Resource Director Tamika DeLee presented the background summary for this item.
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Rietz motioned to approve re-opener changes to the agreement between the Town of Lady Lake (TOLL) and the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0.
Commissioner Holden motioned to approve the facial hair memorandum of understanding agreement; to be separate from the contract. Commissioner Rietz seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0.
6. Consideration of Approval for the Town to Partner with the American Cancer Society to Host the Tri-County Relay for Life at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex Soccer Fields on Saturday April 23, 2022 and Waive the Field Rental Fees Associated with the Event (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 from the Commissioners. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Commissioner Holden made a motion to approve for the Town to partner with the American Cancer Society to host the Tri-County Relay for Life at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex Soccer Fields on Saturday April 23, 2022 and waive the field rental fees associated with the event. Commissioner Rietz seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0.
H. Town Attorney's Report
7. Ordinance 2021-09 (Second and Final Reading) — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment — Linden Street Development, LLC — Change from Manufactured Homes High Density (MH-HD) to Commercial General – Retail Sales & Services (RET) for Approximately 22.29 Acres Owned by J.T. Beahan IV; Referenced by Alternate Key 1771421, within Lake County, Florida (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this ordinance.
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 second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-09, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
8. Ordinance 2021-10 (Second and Final Reading) — Rezoning — Linden Street Development, LLC — Redesignating Zoning Classification from Manufactured Homes High Density (MH-9) and Heavy Commercial (HC) to Planned Commercial (CP) for Approximately 27.82 Acres Owned by J.T. Beahan IV; Referenced by Alternate Key Number 1771421, within Lake County, Florida (Thad Carroll)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this ordinance.
Mayor Kussard asked if the Commissioners or anyone from the public had any comments or questions.
Commissioner Holden asked what percentage of the property will be set aside for recreational use.
Mr. Carroll replied that the developer is planning a large open space in the central area of the property, and the plan will be presented to the Commission during the site plan approval process.
With no further discussion, Mayor Kussard asked for a motion.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Holden and a second by Commissioner Rietz, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-10, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
9. Ordinance 2021-12 (Second and Final Reading) — An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 of the Town of Lady Lake Code of Ordinances; Deleting and Replacing Ordinance 2020-10 in its Entirety; Reassigning the Management of the Town’s Community Building to the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department; Setting Forth New Procedures for the use of the Town’s Community Building and Library Meeting Rooms (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. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Rietz and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2021-12, by the following roll call vote:
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
10. Ordinance 2021-20 (First Reading) — Amending Chapter 10.5, Pensions and Retirement, Article III, Police Officer’s Retirement Trust Fund, of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Lady Lake (Pam Winegardner)
Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the title of the ordinance.
Human Resource Director Tamika DeLee presented the background summary for this ordinance.
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 Rietz and a second by Commissioner Holden, the Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 2021-20, by the following roll call vote:/
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
I. Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Bill Lawrence reported that the Father/Daughter Dance occurred this past Saturday at the Community Building and was a great success. He thanked Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske, and gave special thanks to Julia Harris and Dawn Wood for their assistance in the preparation and setting up for this event, and actually staying for the event on their weekend off. He stated they were all also involved in the Community Building Open House earlier in the day.
Mr. Lawrence noted Last Thursday, 9/9/21, Lady Lake Officers responded to 305 W. Lakeview Street for a domestic incident call with reported gun fire. Responding officers: Sgt. Joseph Ostrom, Officer Marc Manders, Officer Josh Redmond, Officer Jesse Pettis, Detective Mathew Duryea, Sgt. Tom Sarakinis and Officer Robert Chausse set up a perimeter around the scene. There were also members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Fruitland Park Police present. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested but was not needed as the suspect was taken into custody without incident. During the incident, a reverse 911 call was initiated to notify neighboring residences to stay inside their homes.
Mr. Lawrence noted that Commissioner Holden asked to step down as the alternate for the Canvassing Board and another needs to be appointed. Mayor Kussard agreed to be the alternate for Commissioner Rietz on the Canvassing Board.
J. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Mayor Kussard asked if any of the Commissioners had anything to report. She read and presented a proclamation to Police Chief Robert Tempesta designating the month of September 2021 as a month to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty (although no Town of Lady Lake officers have been killed in the line of duty).
Mayor Kussard stated she was asked to create a welcome letter from the Mayor of Lady Lake for businesses or people who were thinking of relocating to Lady Lake. The letter would highlight what a great town Lady Lake is, and would be handed out to people who stop by the Chamber of Commerce. The other Commissioners were in agreement for the Mayor to do this.
K. Public Comment
Mayor Kussard asked if there were any comments from the audience. There were no comments.
L. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
s/ Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk
s/ Ruth Kussard, Mayor
Minutes transcribed by Nancy Slaton, Town Clerk