The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About07-14-2025 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 149 20 REVISED WORK SESSION The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in a Work Session on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in the City Commission Chambers, lst Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Vice Mayor Patrick Austin Commissioner Sheena Britton (Arrived at 4:07 PM) Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. City Attorney Lindsay N. Greene City Clerk Traci Houchin Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio Absent: Commissioner Claudia Thomas Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM. Continued discussion of the "Great Chicken Caper" by Tony Raimondo, Director of Development Services. Mr. Raimondo provided a brief power point presentation. He recommends the City charge an annual fee for a chicken permit. The chickens are to be used for personal use only, meaning the residents are not to sell the eggs or the chickens for profit. The chickens must be screened from neighbors; the area must be kept clean and pest free and a storage container for the manure must be in place. The residents must keep track of their chickens and not allow them to wander in the neighborhood. There will be a statement of non -aggression for wandering chickens that get killed by a neighbor's pet. Commissioner Britton expressed concern about the distance requirements. Mayor Woodruff asked how staff came up with the distance requirements. Mr. Raimondo CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 149 20 REVISED WORK SESSION said these requirements are standard for other entities that allow chickens. Vice Mayor Austin said he is concerned with the regulations and the fees. He said the City should charge more for their services. Commissioner Wiggins said this will add more work for the Code Enforcement Officers. Vice Mayor Austin stated there are people in his new neighborhood who already have chickens, and he believes that the residents will want to sell the chickens and the eggs. Commissioner Britton said she grew up in Midway and her chickens were raised to eat. However, she does like the annual fee, as it shows the residents are serious. Mr. Raimondo said he has the Ordinance ready to be presented if the Commission would like him to move forward. The consensus of the Commission was to move forward. Mayor Woodruff asked the Commission to discuss the amphitheater item next. Chris Smith, Project Planner, Urban Design, shared slides of the polygon structures for the amphitheater, along with the video wall feature that include vandalism structures. Charles Davis, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Chairman, said the structure is currently at four feet from ls` Street. This is an action item on tonight's Agenda. 2. Discussion re: Sunsetting of the Lien Amnesty Program by Tony Raimondo. Mr. Raimondo said the Lien Amnesty Program was renewed in 2020 and will sunset in December of 2025. During the past five years, the City has resolved 233 properties and collected $750K in fees. The Municipal Leins are from the providing services such as lot mowings, demolitions, etc. This program is strictly in place for Code Enforcement Leins. All properties must be in compliance, pay a $100 application fee. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 149 20 REVISED WORK SESSION The program allows either $5K or 50% of the lien. The Commission can end the program, keep the program, or make changes to the current program. Mr. Raimondo suggested raising the program to $1 OK. Commissioner Wiggins said he is sure there are several repeat offenders. Vice Mayor Austin said the program is too soft and suggested the City should increase the Administration Fee. Commissioner Britton asked if the program has income qualifications for people who inherit properties that live out of state. After additional conversation, the consensus is to keep the program with the recommended changes. 3. Continued: Discussion on Parking Vested Rights by Eileen Hinson, Director of Planning. Ms. Hinson said there are four potential options: Leave the Vesting period closed; Re -open Vested Rights for a set period with specific standards for consideration; Modify Schedule H to create more relaxed parking codes for outdoor seating; and remove all parking requirements for outdoor seating. She explained the requirements for applying for vested rights which include no active code enforcement violations and no variance requests. Mayor Woodruff liked number three, site plans and layouts of proposed patios meeting LDR requirements. Vice Mayor Austin and Commissioner Britton expressed that they are not fans of outdoor seating. Mayor Woodruff asked staff to prepare amendments to Schedule H to allow the first 5,000 square feet of the building and/or patio seating to e exempt from parking requirements. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 149 20 REVISED WORK SESSION 4. Presentation of the City's I" Quarter and 2nd Quarter Financial Reports by Cindy Lindsay, Director of Finance. Ms. Lindsay asked if the Commission had any questions regarding the ls` Quarter Financial Report. She presented the 2nd Quarter Financial Report. The City is losing $7M in reserves. Mayor Woodruff would like to build back the fund once the Mayfair Clubhouse is built. She said Stormwater fund lost $1.4M due to the Seminole County School Board not paying stormwater fees. 5. Regular Meeting Items — additional information 6. Briefing Items 7. City Manager Comments Commissioner Britton said she will not be able to attend the Tri-County UCF meeting as she has a funeral to attend. Mayor Woodruff complimented staff on the handling of the July 4`h event and the fireworks. Attest: City Clerk (CL)