HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2022 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 8, 2022
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 5:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, I" Floor,
City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Patrick Austin
Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
City Attorney William L. Colbert
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: Commissioner Patty Mahany
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.
1. Update on Draft Report for Race, Equality, Equity and Inclusion (REFI)
Committee, by Dr. Velma H. Williams and Jeffery Harvey, Esq.
Nicole Osburn, Director of Community Relations and Neighborhood
Engagement, provided a brief history of the REEI Committee. She introduced Rachel
Allen, Director of Peace in Justice Institute (PJI), and Co-chairs Dr. Velma H. Williams
and Jeffery Harvey, Esq.
Ms. Allen said since the Committee began there are approximately 15
dedicated members. Ms. Osburn began attending meetings a few months ago. To date,
the Committee has held three work session meetings. The Committee sent out surveys
and has held three Sanford Speaks events. She said the City received a total of 166
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AUGUST 8, 2022
WORD SESSION
surveys. Ms. Allen thanked Teresa Teague, Administrative Specialist III, for all of her
assistance. She introduced Dr. Williams and Mr. Harvey.
Dr. Williams said the surveys were discussed, analyzed and REEI formulated
recommendations. She said the Sanford Speaks sessions were attended by residents, non-
residents, City employees and visitors. She read a few of the comments from the surveys.
She said the citizen's complimented the City for all of the support with this Committee,
however, there is still much work to be done. The surveys reflected that `All Lives
Matter', there is a disparity of City services, a lack of businesses in the black
communities, a lack of black and brown representation in public schools and a lack of
food supplies in the black communities. Dr. Williams said REEI would need financial
support from the City to be able to educate the community and for the task
recommendations.
Mr. Harvey expressed the importance of the City's continued commitment
and communications making sure the City promotes the meetings on social media.
Dr. Williams said the citizen's expressed concerns with the quality of food
that is available and public transportation. She asked the City to please review and assess
the current Lynx contract for the Goldsboro community. She asked for the City to be
more supportive in increasing the number of non -profits. She asked if the City would
create an incentive to bring businesses into all low-income areas, not just the Goldsboro
area. She asked for the City to continue to support businesses, promote the Goldsboro
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WORK SESSION
Museum and the Downtown Sanford Museum and for the Police Department to continue
communicating with the residents.
Mayor Woodruff thanked the REEI Committee members for all their hard
work. He asked if the committee would like to keep the original members or would like
they like to form a new committee. Dr. Williams said the committee would like to
continue with the existing members.
Commissioner Britton said she was proud to see the diversity in all the
meetings and asked how the committee felt the City did with all the outreach meetings.
Ms. Allen said she was very impressed by the turnout.
Dr. Williams thanked the Commission members who were able to attend
the Sanford Speak events and how impressed she was to see everyone stay for the entire
sessions.
Commissioner Wiggins thanked the committee for the event.
Mr. Bonaparte thanked the Commission for establishing the committee.
Commissioner Britton asked when the Commission would receive more
feedback from the committee. Mr. Bonaparte said at the September 26th City Commission
meeting.
2. Update on William Clark Court Property by Craig Radzak, Assistant City
Manager
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Mr. Radzak said the City did a boundary survey of the property that shows
the property is on 7.97 acres. He said the City would work on the title search with the
Assistant City Attorney and the Sanford Housing Authority.
3. Regular Meeting Items — additional information
4. Briefing Items
Mr. Bonaparte introduced Glenton Gilzean, President and CEO of the
Central Florida Urban League. Mr. Gilzean said the Central Florida Urban League is
pleased to move their headquarters from Orlando to Sanford. The proposed location
would be on the Henderson Property that the Central Florida Urban League would like to
purchase for $50K and offer services for the community. He explained the services the
Central Florida Urban League would provide to the community; Job Training & Career
Planning, Financial Education, Small Business and Entrepreneurship support,
Community Gardens, Bridging the gap between Law Enforcement and the community,
Community Health and Wellness Clinic, and Youth Enrichment and Learning Centers.
Mr. Gilzean said the Central Florida Urban League is a 45 year old organization and is
dedicated to success.
Mayor Woodruff asked how the City would get the assurance this project
would happen. Mr. Gilzean said the funder who is going to help finance this project is
Mark Williams, the President and CEO of Bank of Tampa. H would underwrite the entire
project going forward. Mr. Gilzean promised he has full support of his board to make this
project a success.
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AUGUST 8, 2022
WORK SESSION
Vice Mayor Austin expressed concern with this project as the City has a
contract on a project for the last five years and it has not even broke ground. He would
like to see a clause in the contract that states after a specified period of time the City can
buy back the property, if there is no progress.
Mr. Bonaparte said the property was appraised at approximately $3 1 OK,
which is substantially lower that what the Central Florida Urban League is offering.
Commissioner Wiggins said the opportunity of this project would bring
great things to our community.
After further conversations the Commission agreed to approve the Central
Florida Urban League's headquarters be moved from Orlando to Sanford and a contract
be drawn up by the City Attorney and approved by the City Commission.
Dr. Williams expressed her concern with this project and would like to see
a copy of the contract once it is available.
5. City Manager Comments
Commissioner Britton said she would be pulling Consent Item 6.M for
further discussion on tonight's agenda.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:18 PM.
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Attest:
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City Clerk
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