04-11-2022 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 119 2022
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 4:00 PM, in the City Commission Chambers, 1St
Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patty Mahany (Arrived 4:51 PM)
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
City Attorney William L. Colbert
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: Vice Mayor Patrick Austin
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM.
1. Presentation: Public Art Commission Project Updates
The Public Arts Commission (PAC), Virginia Poe, Chair; Kim House,
member; Sally Dehler, member; Reggie Santilli, member; and Lisa Holder, Staff Liaison
provided updates on the PAC projects. Ms. Poe described the Utility Box Wrap process
and reviewed costs. PAC is looking to continue this project with additional utility box
wraps in the City.
Ms. Holder shared a video of the Seagull Project. There are three more
seagulls on order. Ms. Poe said the seagulls are easily removable in the event of a major
storm event.
Ms. Poe said there was a decaying tree in front of the Civic Center that
had to be removed. She said Elizabeth Harkey Arborist, asked PAC if they would like to
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WORK SESSION
have a carving made out of the tree. PAC agreed and a chainsaw sculpture artist was
contacted and made a marvelous carving out of the trunk of the tree. Ms. Poe said PAC
has a Mural Program in the works for buildings downtown, Public Art in City Hall and
continued Art in Chambers Exhibits. She said the receptions for the art in chambers
exhibits have changed since COVID and are now virtual. Ms. House introduced the video
of Dale Rogers with The Big Dog Show. She said the tour is $25K with a credit of $12K
and each piece is approximately $5-6K a piece. Commissioner Britton thanked all the
members of PAC for doing a phenomenal job. Ms. Poe said there is a church located in
Georgetown that would be donating to place on the other side of the steeple at the
entrance to Sanford Avenue.
2. Presentation: Utilities Project, by CPH, Inc.
Bilal Iftikhar, Director of Public Works and Utilities, presented a slide
show and an update on the North Wastewater Plant project. He said the plant would be
able to take the solids and make fertilizer. This project is for a 10 Million Gallon
Reclaimed Water Storage Tank. He said this tank will be visible from the Riverwalk so
there will be a City logo on it to make it look nicer.
Mr. Iftikhar introduced Ben Freeze from CPH, Inc. Mr. Freeze said this
tank would ensure the City has enough reclaimed water available to customers. CPH, Inc.
is assisting the City in obtaining grant funding for the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District with a
50150 match in the amount of $3.325M. These improvements include construction of a
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WORK SESSION
new reclaimed water ground storage tank, a new transfer pump station and the
rehabilitation of the existing reclaimed water distribution pump station. Mr. Freeze said
the tank will reduce the nutrient loadings of nitrogen and phosphorus being discharged in
to the St. John's River during wet weather events and reduces the volume of reclaimed
water sent to Site 10 for storage.
Mr. Iftikhar said he would not be attending tonight's meeting.
3. Presentation: East Lake Mary Boulevard Small Area Study, by Eileen Hinson,
Planning Director and Tom Tomerlin, Economic Development Director.
Eileen Hinson and Tom Tomerlin presented a power point presentation on
the E. Lake Mary Boulevard Small Area Study. Ms. Hinson said the study is made up of
50% residential and 50% commercial creating a partnership with Seminole County, the
City of Sanford and the Orlando Sanford International Airport for development along
Lake Mary Boulevard. Mr. Tomerlin said the areas that are included are; the Airport
Entrance District, South Airport Entrance, Boombah Sports Complex Entrance, the
Fastenal Project, east Airport Entrance, Crossroads Commerce Corridor and the East
Lake Mary Boulevard Business Center. Mr. Tomerlin said this study can be used to
inform developers this is the vision of the City.
Mayor Woodruff said there are many areas that still have a long way to
go. He would like to see the speed limit reduced in this area of East Lake Mary
Boulevard. Mr. Iftikhar said he would inform Seminole County of the request.
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Mr. Bonaparte thanked Economic Development and Planning for working
together on the study.
4. Discussion re: Redistricting of Commission Districts
Mayor Woodruff stated there will be no public comment during the Work
Session. If residents would like to speak on this topic, please come to tonight's meeting
and speak during the Citizen's Participation portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Britton reminded the audience that the Commission is
under the Sunshine Law and does not allow the Commission to discuss items outside of
meetings. The Work Session is designed for the Commission to have these discussions.
six districts.
Mayor Woodruff asked what is the need or purpose for the City to go to
Commissioner Britton said to take away from the minority/majority
district. She feels that going to six districts will allow the Commissioners to spread out
because of growth.
Commissioner Mahany said she disagrees with Commissioner Britton by
redistricting on residential numbers because of all the commercial businesses. She said
she does not have her mind made up yet and concerned everything is becoming too
political now.
Commissioner Wiggins said he has heard from both sides. Currently the
only candidate running for the District 2 Commissioner with Commissioner Wiggins is
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Mario Hicks. He said so District 2 will still have majority representation regardless of
who wins.
Commissioner Britton said District 1 has parking issues, special events
and 60% of new growth. Mayor Woodruff said District 1 goes lake to lake and is a huge
challenge.
Commissioner Britton said she has been looking at the legal documents
from the lawsuit and directed the conversation to Bill Colbert, City Attorney.
Mr. Colbert said the lawsuit began in 1982 and later in 1992 there was an
order releasing the City from the lawsuit.
Commissioner Britton said she is for the six districts and asked why the
Commission wants to stay with four.
Mayor Woodruff said he is concerned with fragmentation of
representation and having seven people trying to get staff to do the things they each want.
He said he is struggling with a reason to change to six districts.
Commissioner Britton said she is not making any new decisions without
listening to the public.
Mayor Woodruff said there is no need to do this right now.
Commissioner Britton said she disagrees and it is important to take care of
this now.
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Commissioner Mahany asked if it would be easier for the Commission to
decide with a consensus. She said this is a powerful decision to make that is going to
affect the lives of all the people in the City.
Commissioner Wiggins said even with a minority/majority district it is
still a guarantee for a black Commissioner.
5. Regular Meeting Items — additional information.
A. City of Sanford Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY ended
September 30, 2021. [Commission Memo 22-10 LE] (RM 6.E)
Bill Blend from Moores, Stephens, Lovelace, presented the City of Sanford
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. He thanked City staff for their assistance. He
provided a brief summary of the report and told the Commission if they would like
additional information on the report he would sit with them individually.
Mr. Bonaparte told Mr. Blend nice work on the report and thanked City staff
for their cooperation.
6. Briefing Items.
Mr. Bonaparte said staff is waiting for information from the Sanford
Housing Authority for the Westside property.
Mr. Bonaparte said the City Clerk has asked if the Commission would like
to continue the seating at the Dias as is. Commissioner Britton and Mayor Woodruff said
they like the seating the way it is because they take up a lot of space. Commissioner
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Mahany requested the Work Session be moved back upstairs to the Railroad Depot
Room. Mayor Woodruff said he likes the round table for discussions.
7. City Manager Comments.
Mayor Woodruff said the Citizen's Academy Graduates will be at
tonight's meeting. He will bring up the route changes for the Lupus Awareness Walk in
his comments at tonight's Meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:21 PM.