Commission Meeting Minutes

7. Consideration of Approval for Creating a Part-Time Library Assistant Position (Marsha Brinson)

Library Director Marsha Brinson presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mayor Richards asked if there were any questions or comments, and hearing none, asked for a motion.

Commissioner Kussard made a motion to approve the creation of a part-time Library Assistant position. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. Consideration of Approval for The Villages Golf Cart Precision Drill Team to Utilize the Lower Portion of the Rolling Acres Sports Complex Parking Lot to Host Two to Four Rodeos for Interested Participants (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated that Kathy from the Drill Team is present if there are any questions.

Mayor Richards asked if there were any questions or comments, and hearing none, asked for a motion.

Commissioner Vincent made a motion to approve The Villages Golf Cart Precision Drill Team to Utilize the Lower Portion of the Rolling Acres Sports Complex Parking Lot to Host Two to Four Rodeos. Commissioner Holden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

9. Review of Data Collected from the Surveys for the Proposed New Community Building (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Commissioner Hannan stated there were some interesting comments in the 100 surveys received, although nothing new.

Commissioner Kussard agreed with Commissioner Hannan. She stated a full kitchen would be useful in the new building. She stated the requests that she took note of were those for an indoor pool, as well a place to hold children’s and senior activities.  Some respondents of the survey were concerned that taxes would be raised to cover the cost of a new community building.

Mr. Burske stated that although there were only about 100 surveys returned, he felt there was a lot of input on them.

Commissioner Holden stated that it seemed everyone wanted something different, and he felt it may be expensive to operate. He noted a walking or running track around the building may be a good idea. He stated staff should query other municipalities that have built a community building in the last 20 years and ask them if there was anything they would do differently. He suggested some research could be done on the internet as well.

Commissioner Vincent felt nothing new was seen in the results of the survey. He stated residents in his community of Water Oak felt they had everything they needed in their area already.

Mayor Richards felt that there should be at least 1,000 survey results to review. He stated a new community center should have $50,000 set aside in the budget each year to cover expenses to maintain it. Mayor Richards stated a pool would require additional staffing and insurance liability would be at a high cost.

Town Manager Kris Kollgaard agreed a pool is a high liability. She stated staff would like to see a community building built on the Town’s property across from the gazebo with a larger meeting space that could be rented out and could be used for wedding receptions as well. She stated it could be added onto in the future if the need arose as there is space available on that property.

Commissioner Vincent asked how the current community building is mostly used now.

Library Director Marsha Brinson stated that one of her staff manages the rental of the community building. She stated it is used approximately 20 times per week for birthday parties, baby showers, family reunions, some church services, and several other area groups and organizations. She stated classes are also sometimes held there.

Mayor Richards asked how much revenue is generated by the community building.

Ms. Brinson replied that she did not have the figures at hand, although quite a bit of revenue is generated.

Commissioner Hannan agreed with Commissioner Holden’s suggestion to look at what other municipalities have done, perhaps over the past ten years. He commented that the building could be a multi-use building, but not be in competition with the library.

Commissioner Kussard suggested that a new community building be built with the future in mind.

Commissioner Holden stated the old community building could continue to be useful for another 20 years.

Mr. Burske commented that he has looked at Clermont, Leesburg, and Winter Park, which was impressive. He stated Wildwood built a community building that was economically and tastefully done and easy to maintain.

After further discussion, Mayor Richards agreed staff should present a proposal that is efficient and that does not put the Town too far in debt.

Ms. Kollgaard stated staff will proceed with planning a proposal to further discuss with the Commissioners, as well as see what needs to be done at the current community building and to see if it could be expanded.

10. Consideration of Approval for the Lady Lake Police Department to Reclassify Both Captain Positions (Robert Tempesta)

Police Chief Robert Tempesta presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He noted that should both the Chief and Deputy Chief be out for any reason, the Lieutenant position would still be a command level presence.

Ms. Kollgaard noted this restructuring will help streamline the chain of command for the officers.

Commissioner Vincent asked if the Deputy Chief position would include a new salary range. He stated he did not see the need for this, and it appears the Lieutenant position will be taking on a lot of administrative duties.

Ms. Kollgaard explained that the job descriptions will change and the pay scale will remain the same. She stated the restructuring of positions is partly due to the documentation needed for accreditation, which is a lot of work in itself.

Chief Tempesta reiterated that there would be no fiscal impact to this proposed change. He reviewed the proposed changes to the organizational chart. He stated the administrative position for Lieutenant is currently vacant and this reclassification will simplify operations.

After further discussion, Mayor Richards suggested that the Commissioners accept the Chief’s professional recommendation.

Commissioner Kussard made a motion to approve the reclassification of both captain positions. Commissioner Vincent seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.