04-08-2024 WS MinutesP�M
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2024
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, I" Floor,
City Hall, at 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Patty Mahany
Commissioner Sheena Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patrick Austin (Arrived at 4:24PM)
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 4:06 PM.
Mayor Woodruff mentioned that Commissioner Austin would be running
late.
1. Legislative update from the Southern Group.
Kaley Slattery and Oscar Anderson of the Southern Group provided a
power point presentation on the 2024 Legislative Update. Ms. Slattery said the state
received ten more bills than in 2023. 1,957 bills were filed this session. 325 bills were
passed in both chambers and 2,196 amendments were filed in both chambers. 43 floor
sessions were held, and 3,051 votes were taken. She said once the Governor receives the
final budget, he will have 14 days, per the State Constitution, to line item, veto or
approve the budget. The City is proposed to receive $2.6M for the Sanford Nutrient
Reduction at Lake Jessup Lake Monroe.
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APRIL 89 2024
WORK SESSION
Mr. Anderson said the budget for FY 2023/2024 totals $117.5 B, including
$10 B in reserve funding. There are several Affordable Housing programs,
Transportation Funding programs, and Environmental programs to be approved. The bill
prohibiting the public from using gas leaf blowers has been continued until July 1, 2025.
Also included in the budget are the Visit Florida and the Job Growth Grant fund for
approvals.
Mr. Anderson said there are several bills to be approved that include
Affordable Housing Clarifications, Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping
(during the legislative discussions this topic generated major discussions), the Annual
Adjustment to Homestead Exemption Value, Expedited Approval of Residential Building
Permits, Alternative Mobility Funding System, and Vacation Rentals.
Commissioner Britton requested to discuss the Public Camping and Public
Sleeping Bill in more detail. Ms. Slattery stated there were many questions on this bill.
She said the City is responsible for moving the homeless, not responsible for providing
shelter for them. They are not allowed to stay in the same location. Commissioner
Wiggins expressed concern about where the City would put them since all of the City
facilities are full. Commissioner Austin said the City is going to just ask them to move
their location. Cecil Smith, Police Chief, said he has had multiple conversations on this
bill as it has put the Police Department in a tight spot. Sanford is the dumping ground for
all the homeless people in surrounding Cities. He said the Mission is wonderful and
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2024
WORK SESSION
Seminole County has programs for drug abuse and mental therapy. Many of these
services are not what many homeless people want.
Mr. Anderson said the Committee Weeks will commence after the general
election on November 5, 2024, and will formally be announced in the summer. The
Regular Session begins on March 4, 2025.
Mayor Woodruff and the Commissioners thanked Ms. Slattery and Mr.
Anderson. He said the City needs to take advantage of Southern Services regarding
delegation.
2. Presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report by Bill Blend of
MSL.
Mr. Blend provided a power point presentation on the required
communications for FY 2022/2023. He did a brief overview of Audit Responsibilities,
Management Responsibilities, Internal Controls and Compliance, Significant Matters,
Management Representation. He reviewed the Independent Auditors Report, Financial
Reporting and Compliance, the audit and accountants report, and the final letter. He
reviewed the general fund, the proprietary fund and asked the Commission if there were
any questions. Being there were no questions the Commission thanked Mr. Blend for his
presentation.
3. Update on Cybersecurity by Bob Keegan, IT Manager.
Mr. Keegan thanked the Commission for allowing him to provide them
with information and to be able to keep up with the challenges with Cybersecurity. The
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2024
WORK SESSION
City holds new employee training and annual employee training regarding Cybersecurity.
He said it is not only the responsibility of the IT Department. It is everyone's
responsibility to contribute to a safe network. He explained how the department sends out
phishing attacks unannounced, explained data breaches, and ransomware. There is a law
in the State of Florida that states Florida Agencies do not pay ransom. Commissioner
Britton asked if the City has a paper trail of the backup system. Mr. Keegan said backup
is the quickest recovery, depending on the application of the attack. Mr. Bonaparte
commended Mr. Keegan.
4. Continued discussion RE: Utilities ability to handle new construction, by Brynt
Johnson, Director of Public Works, and Utilities.
Mr. Johnson said there was an issue this weekend with the vacuum sewer
downtown at Tuffy's and Hollerbach's. Utilities crews were dispatched immediately, and
the issue was corrected with no interruption of services. Commissioner Austin said there
were two big events at Tuffy's, and the City was the laughingstock at the event.
Commissioner Britton expressed extreme frustration with the timeframe of the solution.
She mentioned it makes her look like she does not care for the residents and business
owners in her district as their Commissioner. Mr. Johnson said there are no immediate
solutions at this time. Mayor Woodruff requested that the Vacuum Truck make it to an
issue in less than an hour's timeframe. He requested that as soon as the Department is
notified of an issue that the truck be dispatched with each call to be ready ahead of time.
Mr. Johnson said he would work on that to happen. Commissioner Mahany expressed
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 89 2024
WORK SESSION
extreme frustration as this is also a public health problem. Mr. Johnson said he has
established communications with the three businesses and sends them an alert, as soon as
possible. Mr. Johnson said the City is dealing with aging infrastructure and gravity issues.
Mr. Johnson provided a power point presentation on the Utilities Capacity
Analysis. It showed the Utility System Service Area, a list of all the construction that has
been approved or under construction, sections of the City where lift stations have been
added, and Capacity Challenges. The presentation also included the development in
progress within the City of Sanford (plans in review and proposed projects) and Seminole
County. The presentation included maps for existing wastewater collection and
Transmission System and water model updates. Mr. Johnson explained the features of the
Main Water Plant and the Auxiliary Water Plant. Provided a comparison of Projected
water demand, facility capacity and permitted conditions. The City's Consumptive Use
Permit (CUP) is up for renewal in 2026, however the City has submitted for renewal
early. He said the City has been doing a pilot study on how to turn brackish water into
potable water (this is an expensive process).
Mr. Johnson said the Sanford North Wastewater Reclamation Facility
projects include to re -rate the plant, altering biological treatment process and to expand
the plant. The Sanford South Wastewater Reclamation Center (SWRC) projects include
expanding the SWRC and seeking grant funding for increased nutrient removal and
expansion of the SWRC. He said flow projections could start to be an issue in 2043. Mr.
Johnson said this is not a panic mode, this is a planning mode. Commissioner Britton
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2024
WORK SESSION
inquired about the completion of the project downtown. Richie Cassella, Utilities Pants
Manager, by the end of the year. Commission Britton asked for the City to look into
paying for and placing the nice portable restrooms at the larger special events until the
Utilities Project is complete, so it shows that the City cares about your business. She
requested the costs and a resolution to the problem at the next meeting. Commissioner
Austin requested a backup Vacuum truck always be available.
5. Discussion RE: Placement of banners and locations.
Mr. Johnson handed out a spreadsheet, with requested locations, pole
ownership, location of the installation, total number of poles, pole type, estimated cost
per pole and overall cost per location for a total of $101,850. Commissioner Mahany said
this would encompass other organizations. Commissioner Austin asked if the City owns
the poles, why is a permit required to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
right-of-way. Mr. Johnson said the poles are on FDOT property. Mr. Colbert suggested
the City be aware of the content on the banners and to be sure they affect the public
purpose. Commissioner Austin suggested the City start with the poles that are on City
property and City owned poles. Commissioner Mahany volunteered to ride down the
roads that are City owned with Mr. Bonaparte and a staff member to narrow down the
number of poles.
6. Discussion RE: FY '25 Budget by Norton Bonaparte, City Manager and Cindy
Lindsey, Finance Director.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
I APRIL 8, 2024
WORK SESSION
Mr. Bonaparte and Cindy Lindsay asked the Commission if they had any
special requests for the next fiscal year's budget. Ms. Lindsay said the departments have
already submitted their budgets and Capital Improvement requests. Finance will be
meeting with staff this week. Commissioner Austin asked if the departments have been
requested to make budget cuts. Ms. Lindsay said the departments put together a zero -
based budget.
Commissioner Britton suggested seeing the Economic Development
Department expand and the Communications office needs digital help. She would like to
see the Sanford Information Center Director position, a Full -Time City position.
Commissioner Austin asked Mr. Bonaparte to add additional Police and
Fire personnel. He requested a list with the total number of personnel needed for each
apparatus at Station 40. He would also like a Code Enforcement Officer on the weekend
to pick up all the snipe signs. Commissioner Austin requested to hire another litter
control person.
Mayor Woodruff suggested looking into increasing the millage rate by
1/10th of a point. He sent Mr. Bonaparte a list to move forward with stability pay. He
would like to include a line item in the Commissions budget to include funds for the
Rescue Outreach Mission. He announced the grand opening for the Sanford Housing
Authority.
7. Regular Meeting Items — additional information
8. Briefing Items
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
9. City Manager Comments
There being no further business, the meeting
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Attest:
City Clerk
(CL)
APRIL 89 2024
WORK SESSION
adj 0, : rned at, 6:24 PM.