022492-Work Session MINUTES
City Commission, Sanford, Florida
February 24,
265
19 92
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida met in Work Session on Monday,
February 24, 1992 at 5:00 o'clock P.M. in the City Manager's Conference Room, City Hall,
Mayor-Commissioner Bettye D. Smith
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Robert B. Thomas
City Attorney William L. Colbert
City Manager William A. Simmons
City Clerk Janet R. Donahoe
Absent: Commissioner A. A. McClanahan
Commissioner Lon Howell
The Chairman called the meeting to order.
Presentation by Tom Oyler., Environmental Care, Inc.
(Commissioner Howell joined the meeting.)
Tom Oyler, Environmental Care, Inc. ("ECI"), appeared, distributed an informational
brochure, and reported that he has been in the landscape business since 1988, that he sold
his maintenance business to Environmental Industries, a California company, but retained
ownership of the landscape/construction business, and that he is the developer of Northstar
Business Park. Further, he has dealt with over 20 municipalities on the west coast, and is
trying to expand his business to the east coast. Mr. Oyler reviewed the
advantages/disadvantages of a contract arrangement with "ECI". He stated that there is a
financial benefit because his company is competitive, that it provides capital for equipment
as well as budgeting/accounting, which reduces administrative overhead, and personnel
management i.e. the system was designed for transition from in-house to private operation
with minimal disruption to employees. Further, employees have a greater potential for career
advancement, an improved benefits package, and an improved income level. Also, based on
budget information and preliminary estimates, the City would save a minimum of $200,000.00
per year by hiring ECT to maintain its park and other landscaped areas.
(Commissioner McClanahan joined the meeting.)
Mr. Oyler stated that he is interested in bidding for the grounds mainteance work. Also, the
core group of employees would be maintained, that all existing City employees would be
offered positions, however, there are no guarantees of future employment. Also, the
disadvantages to contract employment include: 1) Loss of flexibility with Staff, and 2)
Security (entrusting contracted company to screen employees).
After considerable discussion, the Commission concurred not to pursue privatization
of the grounds maintenance work at this time.
Presentation byMark Hardgrove, Executive Director, Commuter Rail Authority. Walter Kulash,
Senior Planner, Glatting, Lopez, Kercher, and Anglin, was also present.
Mark Hardgrove, Executive Director, Commuter Rail Authority, appeared and reported
that the Communter Rail Authority was established in 1989, and is financed by State grants
and local contributions. Further, the Commuter Rail Authority changed its original transit
concept into a guideway oriented mass transit long range planning effort, consisting of a
regional guideway plan; a north corridor analysis, looking specifically at potential guideway
routes between downtown Orlando and Sanford; a commuter rail, using railroad track to
outlying areas such as Deltona and DeBary; and a strategic plan, and a financing plan. Mr.
Hardgrove reviewed the results of a recent study pertaining to the regional guideway, and the
regional transit concept plan. He stated that the primary corridor runs north/south along
the I-4 corridor, with a projected volume of 25,000 to 30,000 passengers a day, and that
Sanford, Florida.
Present:
266
MINUTE.S
City Commission, Sanford, Florida
1992
there are two secondary corridors, one from downtown Orlando to the University of Central
Florida, and the other from downtown Orlando to Orlando International Airport. Also, the
federal government would like to use Central Florida as a workshop for transportation, which
translates into federal dollars.
Lease Proposals for Citrus Grove Operation on "Site 10". Richard Lee, Sanford Groves, Inc.
and Greg Humphries, Counsel for Sanford Groves, Inc. were present.
Assistant City Attorney reported that two leases have been prepared with Lake
Jessup Groves ("LJG"/George Wallace), both of which provide for "LJG" to purchase and plant
citrus trees in phases as well as operate and maintain the citrus groves. Also, one lease
provides lease payments to the City based on a percentage of gross revenue, and the other on
a percentage of net income. Further, a lease has been prepared with Sanford Groves, Inc.
("SGI"/Doug Doudney), which requires the City to purchase and plant citrus trees on the
entire 270 acres, and "SGI" to operate and maintain the groves, with lease payments to the
City based on a percentage of gross revenue only.
George Wallace, "LJG", appeared and reported that he has prepared a gross revenue
lease as well as a net income lease as requested by the Commission. Further, citrus freeze
insurance is not available this year or next year.
Doug Doudney, "SGI", appeared and reported that his proposal offers the City a
better share of income over the years. Further, his participation in the project hinges on
the availability of citrus freeze insurance, and that insurance underwriters have given
assurances that said coverage will be available. Mr. Doudney distributed informational
charts, which included a gross revenue percentage formula. He stated that the maximum tree
count would be 200 trees per acre, however, 175 trees per acre would be more realistic and
would reduce the City's cost to $200,000.00.
revenue on the first $1,000.00 per acre,
thereafter.
Further, the City would receive 5% of the gross
10% on the secOnd $1,000.00 per acre, and 40%
Commissioner McClanahan reported that after talking to several people in the citrus
business, he is not prepared to vote for either proposal tonight.
Mr. Wallace stated that the City will lose $18,000.00 a year in perpetuity if
citrus is not grown.
Mr. Doudney stated that it is his belief that citrus groves can grow and thrive in
this area with the use of today's microjet technology.
Code Enforcement Citation Program.
City Manager reported that such a program would give Staff the ability to fast-
track certain types of code enforcement violations, that said program would not replace the
present code enforcement procedures but rather supplement same. Further, City Attorney has
advised that for any code to be enforced under the code enforcement citation program, said
code must be included in the ordinance.
Commissioner Howell reported that according to the Florida League of Cities, Dade
County, Miami, Casselberry, Tampa, and West Palm Beach currently use a citation program and
that they speak very highly of same.
Assistant City Attorney reported that certain types of City Codes are violated and
corrected before said violation is heard by the Code Enforcement Board, and then repeated the
very next month. Further, such a program would help with respect to street peddler and
tenant/landlord matters.
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City Commission, Sanford, Florida
267
City Attorney reported that both Florida Statutes and City Ordinance provide for
a warning procedure before the issuance of a citation, and that said warning can be up to 30
days.
Assistant City Attorney reported that employees designated as code citation
officers would receive training as follows: 1) City Attorney's Office will provide two hours
of training, 2) Citation mechanics, citation psychology, and report writing (Police
Department), 3) Court procedures and testifying, and the rules of evidence in the
preparation of hearings (State Attorney's Office), and 4) Public relations (City Manager).
Further, fine amounts were set by Judge Hall for uniformity throughout Seminole County.
Personnel Related Items.
A. Proposed revision to Ordinance No. 3075, as amended, the "Classification and
Pay Plan", as described in memo dated February 5, 1992, from Personnel Director.
B. Proposed revision to Personnel Rules and Regulations, as described in memo
dated February 10, 1992, from Personnel Director.
C. Proposed adjustments to PERC Budget, as described in memo dated February 5,
1992, from Personnel Director.
After discussion, the consensus of the Commission was to authorize City Attorney
to prepare the proper ordinances regarding items A and B above, as described in memos dated
February 5, 1992, from Personnel Director and February 10, 1992, from Personnel Director
respectively, with the exception that the Employee of the Month/Year Program Committee
consist of Department Heads only. Further, to authorize transfer in amount of $5,930.00 from
the City Manager's Contingency Fund to the PERC budget, as described in memo dated February
5, 1992, from Personnel Director.
Amendment to Library-Museum Architect's Design Contract.
After discussion, and on recommendation of City Manager, the consensus of the
Commission was to authorize City Manager to execute Amendment to Library-Museum Architect's
Design Contract, with notice directing architect to proceed with Base Phase only, until funds
are received for Chase Phase.
The Commission recessed for approximately 10 minutes. The Mayor reconvened the meeting.
Second Meeting in May, 1992/Memorial Day. The Commission concurred to re-schedule the above-
referenced meeting to May 18, 1992.
Scenic ImDrovement Board Resignation. City Clerk reported that William Wilkins has submitted
his resignation from said board.
Request from Sanford/Seminole Art Association, for Special Event Permit, on March 6, 7, 8,
1992, from 6:30 A.M. until dark, at Ft. Mellon Park, for St. John's River Fine Arts & Crafts
Festival. Said item was referred to tonight's Regular Meeting for City Commission
consideration.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjdourned.
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