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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2025 WS MinutesUn #6 eae a0ab6 JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION CITY COMMISSION MINUTES The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in a Work Session on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in the City Commission Chambers, 1‘ Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Vice Mayor Patrick Austin (arrived at 4:29) Commissioner Sheena Britton Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. Commissioner Claudia Thomas City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. Assistant City Attorney Lonnie N. Groot Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio Absent: City Attorney William L. Colbert City Clerk Traci Houchin Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. Introduction of Hector Corrales, Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration. 1. Discussion RE: The Waterfront Property Survey Summary by Elizabeth Jones, Performance Manager Coordinator. Ms. Jones provided a power point presentation regarding the Waterfront Property Survey Summary. The City received 926 responses, of which 76 were Sanford residents. Most responses preferred the site to be used for green/open space use, parking, and more retail businesses. The lowest response was for additional housing. Craig Radzak, Assistant City Manager, thanked Ms. Jones for all the work she did on this survey. He said that he will work with Ms. Jones and put together a Request for Purchase (RFP) to present to the Commission in February. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION Commissioner Britton said she would like to see the amphitheater presented again. She would like to hear from the Economic Development Director. Mayor Woodruff said he was not surprised by the responses. He likes the green space and the bandshell ideas. He said that it is like what he presented. Commissioner Thomas said she would like to include entertainment as well. Das Update - Open for Business by Tony Raimondo, Director of Development Services. Mr. Raimondo said the Development Service staff has been working on standardized communications, making things easier to understand. Pre-application meetings are held every Tuesday morning until noon. He has hired a Permitting Manager to oversee this process. He said staff has been working with Ms. Jones on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and they have all been meeting the deadlines. Mr. Raimondo stated that when the Breezeway Expansion Project is completed, there will be kiosks and staff available to assist customers. He said staff has been working to make the Wayfinding signs in City Hall easier for the public to understand. Mr. Raimondo introduced Amy Michaels, the new Permitting Manager, who provided a brief introduction. Commissioner Britton suggested changing the approach of stop work notices. 3. Update on Downtown Projects by Brady Lessard, Economic Developer. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION Mr. Lessard provided an update on The Palmetto Project. He said Mr. Matthews, Owner of the Palmetto Project, will be speaking at the next Commission meeting. Gomez Construction is the contractor for this project and has a good reputation in the City of Sanford. Pamela Lynch, SCRA Executive Director, and Economic Development Project Manager, said the Workspace Collective project will begin construction this month. Mr. Lessard said 115 N. Laurel Avenue, the former Horstmeyer building, will be turned into the Ace Café. Philco Construction is the contractor, funding is in place and is scheduled to be opening in the late summer. The Nations Site is ongoing. Located near this site, was Miller Lights the local business that had a fire destroy their building. The business has moved locations, and the property is now for sale. At 110 South Palmetto Avenue, the upstairs will be the Gilbert Miller family headquarters, and downstairs will be walkable retail. The City is working with them on obtaining the easement for a lift station. The new owners of 400 S. Sanford Avenue will be Brewlando. Their brewmaster used to work at Yuengling and will be providing tours of the brew process. They are scheduled to open in March. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION At 414 Sanford Avenue, there will be a new ice cream shop, called Violets Ice Cream. This is an Amish Ice Cream shop that makes ice cream in small batches. So, the menu will constantly change. DR Horton will be at the Historic Preservation Board meeting on Wednesday night to discuss finishing the project next to Henry’s Depot and finally, The Seminole Town Center Mall will be turned into a Costco. As for the Dragon Vault, that is a very complicated project with many moving parts. 4. Regular Meeting Item — additional information A. Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Goldsboro West Side Community Historical Association, Inc., and the City with a joinder and covenant by the Goldsboro Front Porch Council Inc. [Commission Memo 25- 001.B] (RM 6.B) This is an action item on tonight’s agenda. B. Approve and accept the 2022-2024 Final Report from the City’s Race, Equality, Equity, and Inclusion (REEI) Advisory Committee. [Commission Memo 25-001.E] (RM 6.P) Nicole Osburn, Community Relations and Neighborhood Engagement Director, provided additional information. Commissioner Thomas said she attended the Sanford Speaks events and is pleased to see this on the agenda. This is an action item on tonight’s agenda. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION C. Approve the third amendment to the Contract for Sale of Real Estate between the City and the Sanford Housing Authority for the properties known as William Clark Court. [Commission Memo 25-001Q] (RM 6.Q) 5. Briefing Items Mayor Woodruff mentioned the Special Commission Meeting will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9 AM — Noon if everyone agrees. Ms. Jones will be sending the Commission a survey and the Commission will be discussing the Joy of Governing on how the Commission meetings are being run. Mayor Woodruff asked the Commission if they would like to move the Citizen’s Participation to the beginning of the Regular Meeting. After a brief discussion, the consensus was to move the Citizen’s Participation to the middle of the meeting after Public Hearing. Mayor Woodruff said the City will be coming to the end of an era, as the City Attorney Group for the City of Sanford is closing their firm at the end of April 2025. The City Attorney’s will be greatly missed. Mr. Bonaparte said the City will be discussion this at the next meeting. 6. City Manager Comments Vice Mayor Austin asked Mr. Groot for an update on the billboards before he retires, and Mr. Groot said it is in the vendor’s hands. Vice Mayor Austin asked for the status of the lawsuit regarding ‘The Henry’. Mr. Groot said he is bringing this up at tonight’s meeting. A litigation strategy is scheduled for February 2, 2025. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2025 WORK SESSION Mr. Groot said he would be bringing a revised trespass Ordinance to the City Commission for approval at tonight’s meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 PM. Mayor Art Woodly '/ Attest: f f Nie rh City Clerk (CL)