050691-Work SessionCity Commission, Sanford, Florida
May 6,
~991
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida met in Work Session on Monday,
May 6, 1991 at 4:00 P.M. in the City Manager's Conference, City Hall, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor-Commissioner Bettye D. Smith
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Robert B. Thomas
Commissioner A. A. McClanahan
City Attorney William L. Colbert
City Manager William A. Simmons
City Clerk Janet R. Donahoe
Absent: Commissioner Lon Howell
The Chairman called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was a discussion regarding Hovnanian Park Expansion.
City Manager reported that when land acquisition for Hovnanian Park was initiated,
Staff was under the assumption that the ZOM and Crawford properties would offer a-'-comparable
a site for reclaimed water disposal as other City properties, that estimated reclaimed water
capacity is significantly less than anticipated, and, therefore, recommended that the City
Commission "opt out" of the acquisition contract with ZOM Properties, unless the Commission
is intere~s ed in pursuing an alternative funding source to bring Utility Department costs
down to something comparable to "Site 10".
Commissioner Howell joined the meeting.
City Manager further stated that the legal description hiatus is still unresolved,
and if the City Commission is still interested in pursuing land acquisition, Staff would need
to request a contract extension.
Commissioner McClanahan stated that he was in favor of "opting out" of Hovnanian
Park land acquisition.
Commissioner Howell concurred, and proposed that a recreation center be built at
Pinehurst, to include a gymnasium and another baseball field.
City Manager reported that he has drafted a proposed Interlocal Agreement with the
Seminole County School Board, that the general specifics of same is a 50/50 dollar cost split
between the City and the School Board, with a portion of the board's funding to come from the
Pico Grant ($250,000.00), or a pro rata share split of operation and maintenance costs for
the pool on the number of hours per year committed to the school board or the community, and
that the overall agreement is conditioned upon the school board receiving the Pico Grant,
which is an educational grant, that can only be applied for by the school board.
Commissioner Eckstein stated that he was opposed to Staff negotiating with the
school board, and that Staff does not always reflect what elected officials want. Further,
he understood the intent of the school board was to give real dollars, and asked if it would
be possible to move forward without Pi¢o Grant funding.
City Manager reported that both parties want an operational contractor to routinely
operate and administer the swimming pool, such as the YMCA, which is interested in preparing
a proposal regarding same. Also, the American Red Cross is interested in providing water and
safety training. Further, Staff is attempting to finish negotiations with the school board
to submit the Pico Grant by July 1, 1991, which would provide funding in early fall of 1992.
The consensus of the Commission was to "opt out" of land acquisition contract with
ZOM Properties.
City Manager reported that said item will be placed on the May 13, 1991 Regular
Agenda, and recommended that the City Commission direct Staff to terminate said acquisition
contract.
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City Commission, Sanford, Florida
May 6,
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the Conrad property. The Commission concurred. He further stated that immediate action is
not required regarding the Crawford property.
The next item of business was a discussion regarding Stormwater UtilitY.
City Manager recommended that the City Commission authorize City Attorney to
prepare the proper ordinance to create Stormwater Utility.
Cal Conklin, Conklin, Porter and Holmes, appeared and reported that the consensus
of the City Commission at the April 22, 1991 Work Session, was to create a stormwater utility
using the ERU system, and that the revised figures as set forth in the second progress report
were based on same. Mr. Conklin briefly reviewed other tentative agreed-upon issues as
follows: 1) FY 1991/92 funding level furnished by Staff to accomplish operation and
maintenance with minor improvements is approximately $700,000.00., 2) Not to fund major
projects through a revenue bond issue until Stormwater Utility has been operating for a
couple of years, and has a proven revenue stream, 3) Initially, undeveloped lands will not
be charged, 4) A credit will be provided for people who already have existing retention
facilities, 5) The City will have an appeal procedure, and 6) Stormwater utility charges will
be billed monthly through the City utility bill; said month charge ranging from $2.50 to
$3.00. He'stated that the Seminole County Tax Assessors's records are not complete or usable
for the purpose of City/Governmental/Institutional Lands, that the City's Comprehensive Plan
and City properties were used to determine developed and undeveloped lands and their uses,
that there are approximately 2100 acres of City land, which is comprised of 1400 acres of
developed land and 600 acres of undeveloped land.
Mr. Conklin reviewed projected revenue table, and contemplated method of billing
for developed residential/non-residential land, and stated that in order to meet Staff's
recommended funding level of approximately $700,000.00, a $2.50 to $3.00 monthly charge would
be required.
The Commission concurred on the following issues:
1. Utilization of E.R.U. System.
2. Funding level to accomplish operation and maintenance of City program is
approximately $700,000.00; monthly cha~es ranging from $2.50 to $3.00 to
support said program.
3. Billing and reactions of various groups, customers and citizens.
4. Two billing categories.
5. A credit will be provided for people who already have existing retention
facilities.
6. Initially, undeveloped lands will not be charged, but will consider charging
in the future.
7. The City will have an appeal procedure.
8. Stormwater utility charges will be billed monthly through the City utility
bill.
9. City Attorney to prepare the proper ordinance to create Stormwater Utility.
Commissioner Eckstein asked what type of increase of employees to staff would be
required to implement said program.
City Manager reported that Public Works Director, Mr. Conklin and he recognize that
the existing maintenance system has not been adequately funded, that much of the fix will go
for piping open ditches, which will eventually significantly reduce maintenance, and that
over a period of time there will be a slight transition as successful in piping ditches.
Further, he envisions some increase in personnel as funded by the portion of this revenue
1991
City Commission, Sanford, Floriu~a ~48y 6,
stream. Also, all design for major, improvements would be done by consultant contract, and
construction of major improvements would be by construction contract.
City Manager reported that City Attorney will prepare an ordinance to create
stormwater utility, for City Commission review.
The consensus of the Commission was to schedule budget Work Sessions the week of
June 24, 1991.
The next item of business was a discussion regarding Utility Financing.
City Manager reported that alternative funding is necessary to move forward with
various City projects, which have imposed deadlines, and that Art Diamond, Financial Advisor,
recommends that the City not pursue short term borrowing. Further, Staff has been working
on what is specifically required to finish execution of the program, that the City has been
tracking the program since 1985, that there still remains 3.6 million dollars of validated
bond capacity from the 25 million dollars originally validated in 1985. City Manager
recommended that the City move forward with validation of an additional 12 million dollars
of utility bonds, and leave unused validated capacity out there.
City Manager reported that the two year funding needs for the southeastern area for
water and sewer planning is $100,000.00, that the City of Sanford has an Interlocal Agreement
with Seminole County, which established the utility service area, that if said service is not
supplied within five (5) years, it will trigger the agreement, and that an in-depth study
will be necessary before the-City is capable of supplying water/sewer service in said area.
City Attorney reported that he will prepare a Bond Validation Resolution for City
Commission action at the May 13, 1991 Regular Meeting. Further, the consulting engineer will
have a report within 30 days for review, and that the Commission will need to make final
decisions regarding funding in late June or early July. Also, the bond market is very good
right now.
The next item of business was a discussion of a request from the City of Lake Mary,
for City participation to organize an inquiry to the State of Florida Public Services
Commission to include north Seminole County in the Orlando local calling area.
The consensus of the City Commission was to authorize the City Manager to write a
letter of support, for the Mayor's signature, as long as it does not affect the City's
residential rate structure.
The next item of business was a discussion regarding Solid Waste Management. Memo
dated May 3, 1991, submitted from Public Works Director regarding same.
Public Works Director recommended implementation of Solid Waste Alternative No. 3.
The consensus of the Commission was to utilize Alternative No. 3, and to place said
item on May 13, 1991, Regular Agenda for authorization for City Attorney to prepare the
proper ordinance to establish the City as the unified Solid Waste Management and Recycling
provider within the City.
The next item of business was a discussion regarding City Transportation Impact
Fees.
City".
The Commission did not review; said item was referred to another Work Session.
The Commission next discussed Commissioner Eckstein's proposal for a Baseball
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City Commission, Sanford. Florida
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Co]mmissioner Eckstein reported that the community is becoming culturally diverse,
and that due to the City's revenue shortfall, there is a problem building a field house, and
swimming pool complex. Further, the City of Cocoa Beach spent $400,000.00 for a team sports
complex on school property, which included baseball fields, swimming pool, tennis courts,
soccer field, practice football field, and a golf course, etc., to be jointly utilized by
City school children and adults. Also, the community has a craving for recreation and
community recognition, and that the cheapest vehicle to become the "Friendly City", and have
a program in which all ethnic cultures would participate, is to identify the City of Sanford
as a "Baseball City". Further, he is asking for a plan, that he envisions a recreation
program which is focused around most kids being involved, which would include an outdoor
heated pool and recreation complex, with Seminole High School involvement. Further, the City
Commission may want to consider a general obligation bond or earmarking a portion of taxes
generated by the mall for said program.
Commissioner Howell reported that he liked the "Baseball City" concept; the
possibility of an additional baseball field at the high school, and a recreation complex at
Pinehurst, however, a recreation complex or gymnasium should be the City's first priority.
He suggested joining in with the Little League Association instead of the Florida
Association, which would afford more recognition.
Commissioner Thomas reported that he was supportive of Commissioner Eckstein's
proposal, that there could possibly be a Little League World Series in Sa~ford, which would
generate income, and enhance the image of the City, and that the City needs to move forward
regarding same. Further, he is in favor of Commissioner Howell's proposal, that the
citizens of Sanford would embrace a community project such as this, and that "Baseball City"
would compliment it.
City Manager reported that in conjunction with discussions with school board
representatives relative to the swimming pool, he asked if they would be interested in an
Interlocal Agreement to jointly develop land where the City would have a stake in it under
a use schedule, and that he found considerable interest in the concept. Also, the school
does not have excess facilities. Further, school board representatives expressed an interest
in building an additional baseball field, two or three softball fields, soccer field, and an
eight tennis court complex to run inner scholastic tennis tournaments. Further, he requested
that they submit a proposed list of desired facilities, send a copy of a print which shows
available land, and eventually prepare an interlocal agreement for funding, maintenance, and
specified periods of usage.
Commissioner Eckstein proposed that the City move forward with a plan, and
determine the cost of such a project over the next fiscal year or possibly over three or four
years, excluding funds from the Pico Grant.
Commissioner Thomas stated that the Youth Advisory Committee, on two separate
occasions, recommended that a swimming pool be built, and that according to two surveys, kids
have expressed a desire for a swimming pool facility.
City Manager reported that the memo dated May 6, 1991, from the Parks Director, is
simply demonstrative of the type of pricing as a result of Friday's meeting. Further, the
estimated cost for the swimming pool facility is $394,000.00, and that they have not gotten
to the point of splitting of capital or operation and maintenance.
City Commission, Sanford, Florida
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Recreation Director stated that all the items discussed need to be addressed,
however, the community center is an immediate need.
City Manager reported that he will be meeting with school board representatives
within the next two weeks to begin polishing up the proposed agreement for a swimming pool,
which will give him the opportunity to discuss the sports complex, and that he will find out
whether the school board is willing to allocate $250,000.00 cash. Also, Staff will prepare
cost estimates for the. sports complex, and swimming pool, and alternative sites for said
facilities, and report back to the City Commission at the JUne 10, 1991, Work Session.
Commissioner Eckstein reported that at the May 1, 1991, CALNO meeting, he discussed
the traffic problems at Groveview and Academy Manor, and asked if another formula for
signalization could be used, that Commissioner Pat Warren and Seminole County Manager Ron
Rabun stated that they would consider other criteria, not just traffic count, and suggested
that Police Chief initiate another request.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
f'A~R
Attest:
erk