03-11-2024 WS Minutes49
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES i
MARCH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, March 11, 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 4:06 PM)
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 4:04 PM.
1. Presentation of Annual Update of the Sanford Information Center, by Dan Ping,
Executive Director, Sanford Main Street.
Mr. Ping reviewed the handouts provided regarding the annual update of
the Sanford Information Center. There was a total of 5,043 visitors from 48 states and
306 visitors from 34 international countries. England and Canada have the highest
number of visitors internationally. He said he gets great feedback from some of the
visitors. The international visitors are typically here for two to six weeks at a time and are
looking for something to do, other than theme parks. One visitor said they googled cool
places to visit in Florida and Sanford popped up. Last year the editor of the Edible
Magazine came to visit Sanford for a few days to write an article on Sanford. They stayed
at an Air B and B downtown, visited several restaurants and fun places to go. Mr. Ping
said he has come up on being a Sanford resident for 25 years. He invited the Commission
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MARcH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
to join him for a few hours at the Sanford Information Center to view daily occurrences
and meet some of the visitors to provide them with a new perspective on Sanford. He
reviewed the 2023 Downtown Economic Activity information. There have been 15 new
businesses that opened in 2023 and there was a private investment of $2,465,329.
Mr. Ping said the next venture is to work with the Villages on providing
bus tours regarding the City's History, Brewery tours and much more. The Villages have
a diverse group of residents that enjoy activities and are well organized. He will be
working with the Sanford Information staff and the Villages as well as attending Travel
Expo's.
He provided information off the Placer.ai handout that, a company that
provides mobile analytics platforms for companies that provides information for things
such as crime, planned development and traffic counts. This particular report displays
annual information on how often cell phones were pinged to look up something in
Sanford, how many visitors were in Sanford, and the frequency of the same visitors. He
thanked Pamela Lynch, Seminole County Community Redevelopment Agency Director,
and City of Sanford. Economic Development Project Manager, providing him with this
information. He said Brady Lessard, Director of Economic Development and Ms. Lynch
make a great team together.
Mr. Ping had two requests for the Commission to consider when going
through the budget process for the following fiscal year. First, he asked the Commission
to consider a contract with Placer ai to provide the City in the approximate amount of
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
$25,000. This would provide the City with detailed information on events, daily
activities, and annual information. Second, he asked the Commission to consider hiring a
cleaning service to assist in daily and weekly cleaning maintenance of the Sanford
Information Center building. He said City staff is greatly appreciated, however
sometimes there is an incredible amount of activity that flows through the building and
restroom use is high. Especially after an event, there are hundreds of visitors using them
and they get trashed, the carpet gets dirty, and it is hard to keep it clean. He is looking for
someone to clean the restrooms daily, take the trash out daily, and vacuum once a week.
Commissioner Britton thanked Mr. Ping for his services and how well he
greets the visitors. She spoke with a couple in the Information Center, who said they
heard on the trolley that there are restroom facilities in the Information Center. Mr. Ping
said there are some signs out in front of the building stating they are an internet caf6, that
he would like to take down. Most people think of an internet caf6 as a coffee shop. He
would like to stop advertising the free lockers, as he is seeing residents looking to store
items there and the lockers are to be for AMTRAK customers.
Mr. Ping said the visitors are looking for more retail outlets downtown.
The visitor guide needs to be updated. Mayor Woodruff would like the guide to include
information regarding public art and some history of Sanford. Vice Mayor Mahany
would like to include Event Centers and the Cultural Guild.
2. Discussion RE: Stability Pay by Sharon Kraynik, Director of Human Resources
and Risk Management,
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MARCH 11, 2024
WORD SESSION
Ms. Kraynik and Cindy Lindsey, Finance Director provided a power -point
and provided handouts. Ms. Kraynik said last year the Director proposed looking into
longevity pay for the employees based on the number of years of employment. The MAG
Calculation was for the time the employee has been in the position. There were lengthy
discussions regarding Flat Rate Pay, Stability Pay and Longevity Pay. Ms. Lindsey said
currently the City does not have longevity pay. The employees receive market value and
cola increases.
Commissioner Austin expressed he wants the employees to receive
longevity pay for the employees to receive money for their years of service across the
board.
Ms. Kraynik said she would sit with each member of the Commission and
explain it in more detail.
Mayor Woodruff said this is something the Commission needs to decide
for budget time.
3. Discussion RE: Commission Goals for the City Manager
Mayor Woodruff provided a handout of a list of goals for 2024 for the
City Manager. The Commission reviewed the list and commented. Mayor Woodruff
suggested the discussions with the County Services building should be handled through
the City and County Managers.
Commissioner Britton agreed to the list of goals with a couple of
additional goals. She suggested Mr. Bonaparte and the Economic Development Director
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MARcH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
meet with the businesses to explain the steps they need to get things done. She would like
to have "Open for Business" meetings like Mr. George had. She said the Community
Redevelopment Agency is sunsetting next year and the City should have a plan for the
remaining projects and funds.
Commissioner Britton and Commission Austin both expressed they like
the monthly reports.
4. Regular Meeting Items — additional information
S. Briefing Items
6. City Manager Comments
Mr. Bonaparte said the Goldsboro Museum met with him and will be
getting information together to report back to the Commission.
Mr. Radzak said there are additional handicapped spaces available
downtown, three in the old Wells Fargo parking lot, two in Magnolia Square and three by
the Ritz Theater. Survey work is being completed on Palmetto Avenue between I" Street
and 2nd Street.
Vice Mayor Mahany said there are artificial palm trees at the Retirement
Home on SR 46. She asked Tony Raimondo's, Director of Development Services, his
opinion of these trees. Mr. Raimondo said he did go out and investigate this and the
developer provided the commitment of real trees that were on their plans. Eileen Hinson,
Planning Director, said the City's Code does not prohibit the use of fake trees.
Commissioner Austion said if the developer is meeting the minimum landscaping
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
requirements, it should be fine. Chris Smith, Project Manager, said the developers are not
allowed to use artificial grass. Plants and trees are ok. He said the City is losing trees due
to certain bugs and diseases and is concerned the City may lose many Sabal Palms. Vice
Mayor Mahany expressed she is not in favor of fake trees. Mr. Smith said artificial trees
and plants are used in many hardscapes design around pools and ponds.
Commissioner Britton attended the Merchant's Meeting and inquired
about the Welcome Packet residents that used to be handed out to new customers. She
would like to include an Economic Development packet to show the residents and
business owners how the City does business and to show Sanford is a friendly place to do
business. She visited the north plant with Mr. Bonaparte and Mr. Johnson and thanked
Richie Cassella, Utilities Plants Manager, for the tour and information.
Mayor Woodruff said the Baluga Airbus carrying a satellite landed today
at Sanford Airport. The Air Show is the weekend of April 10, 2024. This year there will
only be one day for the VIP guests on April 20, 2024. Chief Smith, the City Manager and
the airport are working toward coverage for the event and looking for a way for the City
to be reimbursed. He said Sanford will be hosting the CALNO Meeting in April. He has
invited Chris Ham, Chief Operating Officer of the Rescue Outreach Mission, to come
speak. He would like to hold Volunteer appreciation at the second meeting in April.
Commissioner Britton would like to pick up trash on Sanford Avenue and
asked if she could please have a stick to pick things up with.
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MARCH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION
Traci Houchin, City Clerk, said the Clerk's Office has received one
application for the Museum and will place the opening for the CRA as well. She will
check with the applications on file to see if the applicants are still interested in serving
and also informing them the CRA is sunsetting in 2025.
There being no further business, the meeting vas adjqumed at F:13 PM.