08-28-2023 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 289 2023
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 4:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, 1St
Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patrick Austin
Commissioner Patty Mahany
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
Assistant City Attorney Lonnie N. Groot
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: City Attorney William L. Colbert
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 5:07 PM.
Mr. Bonaparte began the meeting stating he attended two Emergency
Management Meetings today regarding emergency management preparedness for the
upcoming weather events. He introduced Chief McNeil, Fire Chief, to provide an update.
Chief McNeil said Hurricane Franklin has turned away from Florida.
Tropical Storm Idalia is projected to become a Category 3 Hurricane and is anticipated to
make land fall late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning around the Big Bend area
of Florida's Northwest Coast. The City would be drafting a no wake order. There are now
two locations for sandbags in Sanford. The first is off of Fulton Street located outside the
Public Works Complex and the second location is at 18th Street off US 17/92 in the field.
Public Works is working on the right to enter forms for the private subdivisions and
cleaning inlets. Waste Pro is going to continue services unless the wind gets too strong.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 289 2023
WORK SESSION
Vice Mayor Britton asked if there is anything the Commission can ask
residents to do to help. Chief McNeil said if the residents would stop blowing leaves in
the street it would help the storm drains flow better. He is not asking the residents to
clean the gutters, just bag up debris in lieu of blowing everything into the streets.
Presentation of Main Street Report by Dan Ping.
Mr. Bonaparte said he stopped in to the Sanford Information Center (SIC)
today and received a smiley face sticker. Mr. Ping said he found a stash of stickers and
started to give them to visitors and kids for fun.
Mr. Ping provided a second quarter report on the number of visitors that
have come in to SIC. The 2nd Quarter brought in 1,635 visitors from 360 different Cities
and Countries. Some countries as far away as Peru, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and
even Tasmania. He said the numbers would probably drop a little depending on what the
storm does. Also, HGTV had a book signing that attracted approximately 40 to 50
visitors to Sanford. Main Street Inc. (Main Street) hosted two art shows. The first was
featured artist Sahana Rasa from Seminole High School. The second was featured artist,
retired City Attorney, Ken McIntosh.
SIC has hosted a few meetings and trainings. Seminole County NAACP
held their monthly meeting, Seminole Art Alliance held a meeting and Thermotane held a
training at SIC. Main Street was contacted by a few businesses who would like to move
their businesses to Sanford. Mr. Ping said he is still doing a visitor of the day and just
started the `Business of the Month' program that featured Victoria Robinson Wilson
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 28, 2023
WORK SESSION
Bake Shop. Mr. Bonaparte asked Mr. Ping to coordinate with Lisa Holder, Chief
Communications and Cultural Affairs Administrator, to post these events on social
media. Mr. Ping said Main Street hosted one of their biggest events in July, Christmas in
July. Main Street handed out passport cards to visitors that had to go the local businesses
on the passport for each business to sign for a raffle prize. He said Main Street also hosts
Small Business Saturday, encouraging the community to shop local.
Mr. Ping said he receives several positive comments from visitors, that
range from the beautiful landscaping, to the great lighting downtown to the variety of
places to shop and eat.
Mr. Ping shared a video of the Sanford Jazz and Art Night in April. This
event happens every third Thursday night in April. Mayor Woodruff said this event
qualifies for an Art grant. He said he would get together with Mr. Ping to discuss.
Mr. Ping said Main Street is meeting regarding a strategy session in
September. He would like to host a monthly pancake breakfast, organize a community
cookbook and work on Jingle Jam being more profitable.
2. Presentation of the 2nd Quarter Financial Report by Cindy Lindsay, Finance
Director. [Commission Memo 23-160]
Ms. Lindsay presented the 2nd Quarter Financial Report. She discussed the
deficiencies in the revenue fund. Mayor Woodruff asked what the City would do if it ran
out of money. Ms. Lindsay said the City would either use Utilities revenues or apply for a
bank loan. She said the pension funds are increasing this year.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 28, 2023
WORK SESSION
3. Presentation RE: Disposition of surplus land near City Cemetery by Craig
Radzak, Assistant City Manager. [Commission Memo 23-161]
Mr. Radzak provided a brief presentation regarding the 13 acres of vacant
land located by the City Cemetery. There was a brief discussion of keeping this land for
the expansion of the Cemetery and the decreased revenue the City currently receives
from the Cemetery. The consensus is for the City to move forward with this item.
This is an action item on tonight's agenda.
4. Presentation RE: Mayfair Clubhouse by Craig Radzak.
Mr. Radzak recognized the Mayfair staff. He introduced Matt Ganes of
ZHA Consultants. Mr. Ganes provided a brief presentation of the design for the new
Mayfair County Club.
5. Regular Meeting Items — additional information
1. Approve a plan of action relating to legal counsel relating to the PFAS and 1,4
Dioxane contamination issues. [Commission Memo 23-148.H] (RM 6.1-1)
Lonnie Groot, Assistant City Attorney, provided brief information
regarding the PFAS claim and the cost of Legal Council to represent the City.
This is an action item on tonight's agenda.
6. Briefing Items
7. City Manager Comments
Mr. Bonaparte continued the discussions regarding salaries to the
September 11, 2023 Work Session. He said Ms. Lindsay is working numbers to provide
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 289 2023
WORK SESSION
to the Commission. Vice Mayor Britton requested to meet with Mr. Bonaparte to discuss.
Commissioner Austin suggested a hiring freeze until the salary issues are resolved. He
expressed concern that City Hall continues to hire new people and the Public Works,
Utilities, Police and Fire Department are all under staffed. Mayor Woodruff suggested the
Commission to present a plan.
Vice Mayor Britton asked for staff to be more realistic with the timing of
the Work Session discussion Items.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:27 PM
Mayor Art Woodruff
Attest:
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