Commission Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the March 7, 2022, 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 Jim Rietz presiding. The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
A. Call to Order
Mayor Jim Rietz
B. Invocation
Pastor Lynn Miller – North Lake Presbyterian Church
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Roll Call
| Commissioner (Ward) | Present |
| Hannan (Four) | YES |
| Kussard (One) | YES |
| Holden (Two) | YES |
| Rietz (Three) | YES |
| Rietz (Five) | YES |
STAFF PRESENT
Attorney Derek Schroth, Town Attorney; Bill Lawrence, Town Manager; Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; Pam Winegardner, Finance Director; Tamika DeLee, Human Resources Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Chief Rob Tempesta and Lieutenant Nelson Vargas, Lady Lake Police Department; Nancy Wilson, Town Clerk
E. Proclamations
1. Proclaiming March as “Irish American Heritage Month” in Lady Lake (Mayor Rietz)
Mayor Rietz read the proclamation and presented it to John Gaffney, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians – Division 1, Lake County, FL
2. Proclaiming March as “Flood Awareness Week” (Mayor Rietz)
Mayor Rietz read the proclamation and presented it to Senior Planner Wendy Then who said the Lady Lake Library will be posting flood awareness information on their Facebook page.
F. Consent
3. Minutes – February 17, 2022 - Workshop
4. Minutes – February 23, 2022 – Special Commission Meeting
5. Minutes — February 23, 2022 — Commission Meeting
6. Consideration of approval to increase the off-duty police detail flat rate
7. Consideration of reappointments to Planning & Zoning Board
Commissioner Kussard made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; Commissioner Hannan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
F. New Business
8. Consideration of Approval to Reinstate the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) and select five candidates for the Upcoming Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Application Submission by the Town of Lady Lake to the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Nancy Wilson)
Town Clerk Wilson said that the appointment of a Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) is recommended by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Having a CATF in place adds points to the total points awarded to any given grant proposal. The more points a proposal has, the better chance there is of being awarded a CDBG grant. The point is to involve the public in grant funded project proposals.
Commissioner Kussard asked if the Commission should choose the members to which the Town Clerk responded that the Commission could select the members or staff can. Commissioner Hannan asked who among the staff would be responsible for the selection to which the Town Clerk responded that it would be the Town Manager, the Public Works Director and the Town Clerk.
Commissioner Freeman made a motion to approve reinstating the Citizens Advisory Task Force and having staff choose the members; Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. Lot Split – Christina Lloyd – Pursuant to Chapter 8, Section 8-4). b)., Requesting Lot 7 of the Hidden Oaks Subdivision, a .35-acre parcel zoned RS-3 and identified by alternate key 3620259, to be split into two lots; one lot being approximately 8,500 square feet and the other 6,552 square feet in area; to be aggregated into addresses 1101 Teal Lane and 209 Shannon Lane each respectively. (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Carroll said the owner of is requesting to split vacant lot 7 into two lots with each lot later being aggregated into properties at 1101 Teal Lane and 209 Shannon Lane; the empty lot is located behind those two properties. There is a dirt road running behind the subdivision so sometime in the future, the Town may be able to acquire an easement at the rear of the property on Teal Lane. The owner has said she would be willing to grant a 15-foot easement for electric, water, sewer and a right-of-way behind her property.
Commissioner Kussard made a motion to approve Lot 7 of the Hidden Oaks Subdivision to be split into two lots and to be individually aggregated into 1101 Teal Land and 209 Shannon Lane; Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
G. Town Attorneys Report
Town Attorney Schroth talked to Ms. Taylor, owner of the property on Taylor Avenue. After looking at the litigation file and speaking to her, he is comfortable moving forward with the transaction, in exchange for $8,000 she will provide a deed. Ms. Taylor will not be able to complete the transaction until March 22nd. The Town Attorney’s advice is to wait and see what happens at that time.
H. Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Lawrence gave a shout out to Human Resources Director, Tamika DeLee. She received certification as a Public Human Resource Professional through the Florida Public Human Resource Association.
The Town Manager also reported on the Commission Chambers renovation that will utilize remaining funds from CARES in the amount of about $42,000. The improvements include a podium with a wireless microphone in the center-front of the room for the public, new carpeting and LED lighting.
I. Mayor and Commissioner's Report
Commissioner Kussard said the Rolling Acres Sports Complex is just that- a sports complex. It is not meant to be used as a doggy bathroom. Dog feces is being seen on all the sports fields. The fields were designed for children and adults to use, not for dogs. It is time for owners to be more responsible and clean up after their pets. Thanks go to those who do clean up after their dogs. There is a nearby dog park with extended hours.
Also, golf carts who park on the golf cart path and then chip, putt and drive from the path, should refrain from that activity; adhere to the signs.
Commissioner Freeman thanked Finance Director Winegardner for spending time with him the previous week. He said the Town should be very happy that we have her on staff and he hopes never to lose her. Mayor Rietz agreed.
Mayor Rietz asked how the other Commissioners felt about live streaming meetings. Commissioner Hannan liked the idea but Commissioners Kussard and Holden did not, mainly because of the costs associated with implementation. Commissioner Kussard said that when she looks at what the Town needs such as a new Growth Management building, water and wastewater plant improvements and roads, she doesn’t want to spend the money on something that she feels is not needed. Commissioner Holden agreed with her.
Commissioner Hannan commented that we have to keep up with technology.
Commissioner Freeman said he would like to see some numbers before deciding.
Mayor Rietz said the cameras are already installed and 99% of the technology is in place. He would also like to see numbers because he does not think it will cost that much.
Mayor Rietz, Commissioner Hannan and Commissioner Freeman were in favor of looking into streaming technology; Commissioner Kussard and Commission Holden were not.
There was more discussion on the topic that concluded in a workshop being scheduled for March 14th at 4:30 p.m.
The Mayor also commented on the opening day of soccer season. He was amazed that kids from 4-14 were playing on different sized fields and that six games were going on at the same time.
J. Public Comment
Kathy Sikkenga - 620 Holly Circle
Ms. Sikkenga had a concern about the intersection of CR25 and Griffin Avenue where the apartments are being built. Of greatest concern is when driving east, the left turn lane backs up and in order to go straight, cars have to drive in the dirt. She said the turn lanes need to be addressed.
Mayor Rietz said that they are both county roads that we have no control over.
Growth Management Director Carroll said he will look at the project plans because he thinks there will be improvements associated with that intersection when the apartments are built. He said he will email a copy of those plans to Ms. Sikkenga.
Linda Schaab - 308 Willow Lane
Ms. Schaab commented on the four mile stretch of construction on 441. Could it not be done in sections and why is it taking so long? Discussion ensued about the dangerous traffic conditions and Mayor Rietz responded by saying that the construction is an FDOT project and there is not much we can do about it.
K. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
s/ Nancy Wilson, Town Clerk
s/ Jim Rietz, Mayor