HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-21 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES oca
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 4:00 PM, in the City Commission Chambers,
1St Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Presen
t: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patrick Austin
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
Assistant City Attorney Lonnie Groot
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Patty Mahany
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:10 PM
1. Presentation re: Building Inspection Fee Study by Raftelis.
Cindy Lindsay, Finance Director, introduced Tony Hairston, Vice
President of Raftelis. Mr. Hairston introduced Joe Williams of Raftelis who
provided a power point presentation regarding the Building Inspection Fee Study.
Mr. Williams reviewed the study objectives which included: identify the cost of
providing service, update schedule of fees and charges, evaluate the ability of
building fees to fund revenue requirements and ensure the City is compliant with
Florida Statutes. He presented and discussed the existing permit fees. He said the
building department is part of a special revenue fund generated by processing
permits, the amount of this fund is determined by the amount of construction
activity. Mr. Williams provided historical activity from 2011 to 2020 to show how
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
WORK SESSION
the building inspection fund has accumulated a balance of approximately $8M
over the last 10 years. He said this balance currently exceeds the statute
limitations for operating reserves and the City should lower permit fees by 60% to
meet statutory requirements. This willreduceoperating funds nearly $500K per
year. He said the City should establish a capital reserve within the building
inspection fund to set funds aside for future capital needs and should monitor
permit fee levels annually to ensure the fee levels are adequate and are achieving
intended goals.
Commissioner Austin said he is concerned how this balance became so
large. He said there are pay issues that could have been addresses instead of hiring
contractual staff to perform work.
budget.
Mr. Bonaparte said staff is looking for new ways to reduce the $8M
Mr. Williams said the handout is a report on the impact fee comparison
that the Commission requested at the last meeting.
Mayor Woodruff and Commissioner Austin asked why the City does not
have impact fees on roads. Bilal Iftikhar, Public Works and Utilities Director, said the
City did consider it at one time, however the majority of new development is on County
roads.
2. Presentation re: Public Art Commission
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
WORK SESSION
Mr. Bonaparte introduced Lisa Holder, Communications Officer and City
Liaison for the Public Arts Commission (PAC), who then introduced Virginia
Poe, PAC Chair Person and Kim House, PAC Board Member. Ms. House
presented a power point of the Seagulls ontheRiverwalk Project. She said the
artist's name is Dale Rogers, who lives in Massachusetts, however is a frequent
visitor of the Central Florida area. She said PAC would like to install the five
seagulls behind the brick building by the roundabout on the new Riverwalk. She
said PAC has met with City staff and Chris Smith, Project Manager, who said the
City can come up with a nice foundation, where the seagulls will be high enough
so that no one can touch them. They can be installed so they can be removed in
the event of bad weather. Ms. House said PAC is asking the City to help them
with the cost of $17,610 for landscaping. She said the Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is providing funds for the lighting.
After a brief discussion, the City Commission agreed to assist PAC with
the $17,610 for landscaping. Ms. Lindsay said she will process a budget amendment for
the next meeting.
Commission Austin asked for an update on the Utility Box Wrap Project.
Ms. House said PAC is currently working on the one located at 1st Street and Park
Avenue.
3. Interviews for Boards/Committees
Traci Houchin, City Clerk said the Commission needs to reappoint Josh
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
WORK SESSION
Snyder, CRA Board Member and Joyce Qualls, Museum Board Member at tonight's
meeting. Mayor Woodruff, Vice Mayor Wiggins and Commissioner Austin interviewed
several applicants for open board member positions. After interviewing there was a brief
discussion. The Commission agreed to discuss their -recommendations with
Commissioner Britton and Commissioner Mahany at tonight's meeting.
4. Regular Meeting Items — additional information
5. Briefing Items
Mr. Bonaparte asked Mr. Thomas, Community and Neighborhood
Engagement Director to update the Commission on the status of the property located at
the Westside Community Center. Mr. Thomas said the City has had a couple of
discussions with the Sanford Housing Authority and the Orlando Housing Authority in
regards to the 4.6 acres on William Clarke Court. He said there was a market study was
performed on the land in 2020 that came back at approximately $400K. He said the
Housing Authority was not looking to sell the property at that time, but to save it to
negotiate a trade. The first proposal was for the City to do a 99 -year lease on the
property. He said after discussions with the City and representatives of the Housing
Authorities, it was decided that the first proposal was not in the best interest of the City
He said the second option was that the City would purchase the property and provide
office space for the Sanford Housing Authority. He said the other property the City is
interested in is the Henderson property for a federally certified health clinic. Mr. Thomas
said the City is in the process of obtaining a market analysis on the Henderson property.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
WORK SESSION
He said Mr. Smith is working on drawings for what the City could place on the property.
He said the City is very interested in the Henderson property. He said there have been
some scheduling conflicts, in getting all parties who need to attend the meeting discuss
the swap of the properties.
Commissioner Austin asked Mr. Bonaparte why the City is against a 99 -
year lease. Mr. Bonaparte said if the City is going to invest in this kind of money, the
City should own the property outright. Commissioner Austin asked if the market study
included discussions in recreational space. Mr. Thomas said yes, that was part of the
Goldsboro Transformation Plan that the land would not be developed for housing, but
considered for recreation space for parks.
Mayor Woodruff asked what the size is the land by Mulberry and
Westside. Mr. Thomas said there is about four acres. Mayor Woodruff asked what the
property was appraised for. Mr. Thomas said about $370-$380K. Mayor Woodruff said if
the City comes up with a good plan it might be easier to just purchase the property. He
said if the City purchases it, he wants to know what the money would be spent on. He
said he wants the funds to be spent on something big and would like to see a resource
center or some kind of facility that would be advantageous for the Goldsboro
Community.
Commissioner Austin said if the City wants to offer to buy the property,
and not have any commitment or ties to any other deals with the Housing Authority, then
does the City have a say of what to do with the funds.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
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Mayor Woodruff said the Sanford Housing Authority are supposed to be
developing housing for our residents.
Mr. Bonaparte said City staff is looking at different options into acquiring
- the property and ideas to turn them into fields. - -
Commissioner Austin asked Mayor Woodruff if the Commission should
give staff an amount of money they feel is adequate for the purchase. Mayor Woodruff
said he does not wish to provide an amount, he would rather let them negotiate.
Commissioner Austin asked if the City has a real estate person contracted to assist the
City with the purchase. Mr. Bonaparte said the City has access to that.
Mayor Woodruff asked what the plan is for the other side of Mulberry
Avenue. Mr. Thomas said Castle Brewer Court will be single family, for sale units, about
four sections, totaling about 90 units.
Commissioner Austin asked if the Henderson property belongs to the City.
Mr. Thomas said yes. Mr. Bonaparte said it has some restrictions on it and that is what
the City is working on with the Housing Authority. Commissioner Austin asked if the
City is thinking along the lines of a land swap. Mr. Bonaparte said the City is looking
into getting in a mutual agreement. Vice Mayor Wiggins said basically the City needs to
schedule the meeting with the Housing Authority the find out where things stand.
6. City Manager Comments
Mr. Bonaparte wanted to publicly thank Tom George, Deputy City
Manager, and all the City staff who assisted on the USW Agreement on tonight's agenda.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 279 2021
WORK SESSION
Mr. George provided information regarding the Agreement that is on
tonight's agenda. He said the main item that changed was the wage article and non-union
employees.
Mayor -Woodruff- said the Commission received an email regarding
concerns about special events. He said he will pull those special event items and review
then at tonight's meeting.
Vice Mayor Wiggins said he went to a Habitat for Humanity open house
for a family who spoke very highly about Mr. Thomas for all the work he did with them
during the process. He said Habitat for Humanity is looking to build a few more homes in
the community.
Mayor Woodruff said the representative who was assigned to the
Seminole County Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Board has been having
scheduling conflicts so he is appointing Commissioner Mahany to serve on this board.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 PM.