Loading...
01-08-2024 WS MinutesP. 5 CITY COMMISSION MINUTES Of - A2. .JANUARY 8, 2024 WORK SESSION The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work Session on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, I" 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. City Attorney William L. Colbert City Clerk Traci Houchin Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:10 PM. Introduction of Brynt Johnson, New Public Works, and Utilities Director 1. Discussion RE: Goldsboro Plaza Proposal by Pasha Baker. Pasha Baker, Frances Oliver, and Dr. Velma Williams provided a presentation for the Goldsboro Plaza Proposal. Ms. Oliver asked the Commission to consider helping finance the project. She is looking for the City to contribute $300,000 over a period of 50 years. This would allow both organizations to share one building, each with its own entry. Ms. Baker said she has received $500,000 from a federal grant that will be going towards the project. Vice Mayor Britton said that the Commission would need to see a proposal along with plans. Ms. Oliver said they will have to devise a new plan. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2024 WORK SESSION Commissioner Mahany suggested that in lieu of getting a formal proposal, perhaps they should get with a contractor to help draw up a contract and price it out. could use. Ms. Oliver asked if the City had a sample of a proposal or a contract she Commissioner Mahany reminded the Commission about the length of time that it took for the Public Private Partnership that the Sanford Airport did, therefore, she offered her assistance and said that she could reach out to some contractors or engineers to see if they would be interested in assisting them. Ms. Baker expressed frustration having to start all over on the process. Ms. Oliver reassured her that it can be frustrating, however, they will do what they need to do to submit a proposal to the City. Ms. Oliver is currently in negotiations for the vacant land behind Dr. Williams building. The Commission asked Ms. Oliver what exactly they are looking to accomplish. Ms. Oliver said they would like a 50 -year lease for the building from the City. The City would own the building. She also mentioned that they would like to keep one of the trailers for storage. The Commission requested Ms. Baker bring back a contract or proposal, with something that clearly lists who is responsible for each item. In the meantime, Mayor Woodruff will meet with Mr. Bonaparte to discuss. He also suggested that Ms. Baker look into the National Trust Grant. 2. Discussion RE: Litigation Against Miller Construction. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2024 WORK SESSION Nicole Osburn, Community Relations & Neighborhood Engagement Director, gave a brief explanation on the litigation and is available to answer any questions to the best of her knowledge. Vice Mayor Britton asked why this has gone to litigation. Ms. Osburn said Mr. Miller was not collecting rent, performing income certifications, or following the Management Agreement. She said in 2021 the State lifted laws to not allow eviction. The City hired a forensic accounting firm who found Miller Construction owes the City approximately $20,000. This is an action item on tonight's agenda. 3. Update RE: Gravity/Vacuum Sewer Line and the affected businesses, by Bill Marcous, Utilities Support Services Manager and an update on the Stormwater Drainage project near Ft. Mellon Park by Mike Cash, Public Works Manager. Mr. Marcous provided an update on the vacuum sewer project. He said there have been 100 action items resolved with a few trouble areas remaining. The three lift stations for Hollerbach's, Sanford Brewing and Tuffy's have been completed by the engineers and will be ready in the next few weeks to put out to bid. Mr. Marcous said Brady Lessard, Economic Development Director, is assisting the Utilities Department in this process. He said the Utilities Department has made some big strides and major improvements are coming soon. Vice Mayor Britton expressed frustration regarding a meeting she scheduled with the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager, City staff and downtown CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 89 2024 WORK SESSION businesses regarding the status of the vacuum sewer project and showing no action being taken. Mr. Marcous apologized for not being prepared. Mr. Marcous said the request for bids should be placed soon, they are trying to stay ahead of the weather. Vice Mayor Britton said this has nothing to do with bad weather, she has seen issues with the sewer backing up when there has been no rain. The business owners know when they hear the sound it only takes moments, and they need to clear everyone out before the sewer starts flooding. She said nothing has been done at Tuffy's in a year and a half. as possible. Commissioner Austin asked how the City could expedite the bids as soon Mike Cash provided an update on the Stormwater Drainage Projects. Lake front is completed through Ft. Mellon Park, 1st Street to Locust Avenue will take 150 days to complete, 4th Street to Orange Avenue in in Phase I with a total cost of $4M. The total project will take five years to complete with a total cost of $20M. Vice Mayor Britton asked if the Maplewood Avenue Project would be starting tomorrow. Mr. Cash responded, yes. 4. Review of the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency (SCRA) Special Event Criteria for Signature Events. Pamela Lynch, Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency, Executive Director and Economic Development Project Manager, provided handouts with some additional information. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 89 2024 WORK SESSION Vice Mayor Britton asked if the same event can receive funds every year and Ms. Lynch said yes, they can. Vice Mayor Britton asked what happens to the events when the CRA sunsets, for instance, will the City lose the Farmer's Market. Ms. Lynch said that the Farmer's Market is funded through Economic Development. The Alive After Five Event is funded through the CRA and they are looking into additional funding sources. Ms. Lynch said the City will receive 60% of the unspent funding from the CRA. Mr. Bonaparte said the City is preparing a spreadsheet with a list of the events and the Police Officers Downtown that the CRA pays for. Ms. Lynch said all businesses and special events have been notified the CRA will be sunsetting December 31, 2024. Mayor Woodruff requested the list of the events the CRA sponsor and financial data for the events the CRA supports. Vice Mayor Britton expressed concern regarding events leaving the City of Sanford and moving them to other Cities. She requested a list of what the City's Signature events are, with the amounts the events raise and the number of people who attend. Commissioner Mahany excused herself from the Dias at 5:39 PM and returned at 5:41 PM. 5. Presentation RE: Digital Transformation Project by Bob Keegan. Mr. Keegan gave a brief update on the status of the Digital Transformation Project. He said multiple departments have already began the transformation process and they are working with the Utilities and Police Department on workflows. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2024 WORK SESSION 6. Regular Meeting Items — additional information • Discussion regarding Human Resources, Classification and Pay Plan [Commission Memo 24-018] (RM Item 8.L) There was a brief discussion on this item. This is an action item on tonight's agenda. Mr. Bonaparte announced there was a last-minute item added to the agenda that the City Attorney was just informed about. Other Item 8.N was added by the City Attorney's Office regarding 1,4 Dioxane and safe drinking water. Mr. Colbert provided some additional legal information. This is an action item on tonight's agenda. 7. Briefing Items Mr. Bonaparte said the additional lighting at the Civic Center Parking Lot should be installed by the end of February. Some suggested locations from members of the Commission for the placement of banners are as follows: Seminole Boulevard from the Sanford Zoo to Mellonville Avenue, Sanford Avenue from 1St Street to 6"' Street, 1St Street from the Railroad overpass to Mellonville Avenue, and 17/92 from 1St Street to Park Drive. Mr. Bonaparte said the City received legal action from Sanford Waterfront Partners that will be discussed at the January 22, 2024 Commission Meeting. Lonnie Groot, Assistant City Attorney will contact each member of the Commission prior to the January 22"d meeting to discuss. CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANuaRY 8, 2024 WORK SESSION Mr. Bonaparte said he will be contacting each member of the Commission individually to discuss the results of his evaluation and goals for the coming year. Commissioner Austin excused himself from the Dais to attend a funeral at 5:56 PM. 8. City Manager Comments Commissioner Mahany asked about the bad weather for tomorrow. Ms. Osburn read the email from Fire Chief McNeil. Mayor Woodruff asked the Commission to please look at the Mayor appointed Boards they attend and will discuss at the next meeting. He inquired about the status of the striping on Sanford Avenue at the Rosalia Railroad Crossing. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:01 PM. City Clerk