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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-2024 WS Minutesia-q-aoa4 CITY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2024 WORK SESSION The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in a Work Session on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM, at the City Commission Chambers, Is' Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Vice Mayor Patty Mahany Commissioner Sheena Britton (Arrived at 5:07 PM) Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. Commissioner Patrick Austin City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. City Attorney William L. Colbert City Clerk Traci Houchin Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. Discussion RE: City Manager's Evaluation Sharon Kraynik, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, handed out copies of the compilation report from the four Commissioners that have completed the City Managers Evaluation. Mayor Woodruff began the discussion with a few positive highlights and discussed the accomplishments from 2024: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement for the Sanford Marina is in progress and the City has posted a Request for Quotes (RFQ); the Mayfair Golf Course is under construction; the City has had the Fire Station groundbreaking while working through some water management issues; in September 2024, with the large amount of rainfall the City received, the vacuum sewer system pulled through; the Utilities Department has only received one vacuum sewer call in the last month, and City Staff responded immediately; the Georgetown Stormwater Project is in progress as well as the CITY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2024 WORK SESSION Washington Avenue Stormwater Project; the Police Department pay raise is on tonight's agenda; there has been some improvements in communications and social media; it appears that there will be a closing on the mall soon; the City has ended the Heritage Park Project so this will allow them better development on the site; employee moral seems to be improving; on Sunday, November 24, 2024, City Staff will participate in the Sofa and Sud's race downtown; the 1,4 Dioxane issue has made tremendous progress; there is the Permit Supervisor position and interviews are in progress; the last four Department Head hires Nikki Osburn, Director of Community Relations and Neighborhood Engagement, Brady Lessard, Director of Economic Development, Brynt Johnson, Director of Public Works and Utilities, and Sharon Kraynik, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management have made tremendous improvements. He said the City has accomplished many good things in this past year. Mayor Woodruff suggested the Commission review the report with any item that had a rating of three or below. Commissioner Mahany expressed her feelings and said that at times she feels as if the City Manager does not like the ideas that the Commission brings forward. One example that she provided is that City residents can pay their Utility bills at Amscot locations. Commissioner Austin expressed his concerns with communications, not establishing a City 101 pamphlet for the residents, to inform them what the City does. He said there are repetitive issues with water bills. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2024 WORK SESSION Vice Mayor Mahany also expressed her concerns with the Utilities customer service and leadership. She suggested leadership be revamped. Commissioner Austin suggested hiring someone who knows the nuts and bolts of Utilities as Mr. Johnson has enough work with Public Works. Commissioner Austin would like to hear the long-term goals of the department. Mayor Woodruff suggested Mr. Bonaparte's style of management is for the Commission to take the lead. Commissioner Austin said reading and checking emails is not productive. Although the City Manager's monthly report is good, it does not tell the Commission what the City Manager is doing. Mayor Woodruff asked the Commission to provide a list of annual goals to Ms. Kraynik to discuss at the December 9, 2024, Work Session. Commissioner Britton stated she has not completed the City Manager's Evaluation at this time. It will be a very detailed evaluation, and she hopes that the Commission takes her evaluation seriously. Mayor Woodruff said our outgoing communications can use some assistance and he hopes the media specialist position helps this. 2. Regular Meeting Items — additional information 3. Briefing Items 4. City Manager Comments CITY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2024 WORK SESSION Vice Mayor Mahany said Mr. Bonaparte has come a long way. He has proven the ability to manage in a crisis, he has tremendous ethics and integrity, represents everyone in this community, and is extremely fair. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:22 PM. Mayor Attest: k ��f-OR'6 mil'