02-14-2022 WS MinutesW!5
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES � • 925. 96;a
FEBRUARY 149 2022
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 4:00 PM, in the City Commission Chambers,
I" Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Patrick Austin
Commissioner Patty Mahany (Arrived 4:38 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 4:08 PM.
1. Discussion on the 417 Connector to the Sanford Airport by Seminole County
Commissioner, Bob Dallari.
Commissioner Dallari discussed the 417 Connector Project that would
connect from 417 directly to Red Cleveland Boulevard into the Sanford Airport. He said
this project would help alleviate traffic congestion on side streets and allow the airport to
grow. The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFEA) is in charge of this decision.
Commissioner Dallari said the County is not asking for funds for this project, just looking
for the City's support with the project. Seminole County sent a letter and a Resolution in
support of this project to the CFEA and asked the City Commission to take this into
consideration. Mayor Woodruff met with staff and provided a draft letter for the
Commission to review.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 149 2022
WORK SESSION
Commissioner Austin expressed interest for the road to be a surface road
for potential future growth.
Commissioner Britton had no questions at this time and is not ready to
send a letter. Commissioner Dallari said he would meet with each Commissioner to
discuss the project in detail and answer questions.
Mayor Woodruff suggested the Commission make a decision by the next
meeting to send a letter to the CFEA.
Tom Nolan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sanford Airport
Authority, said with increasing economic development, the evolution of this airport
would continue. The intermodal capabilities must be efficient, without this interchange
the airport would not work efficiently. He is confident this project would be beneficial for
the airport and he too. Offered to meet with each of the Commission for further
discussion. He thanked the Commission for the time to speak.
well.
Mr. Bonaparte said the City's planning staff is available for questions as
Commissioner Austin introduced Stephanie Williams from the Central
Florida Zoo. Ms. Williams said on behalf of the Board of Directors, she invited the
Commission to attend a Meet and Greet with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
candidate this Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Central
Florida Zoo. She said, Dino Ferri, the Zoo's current CEO is retiring at the end of March.
There would be additional candidates scheduled in the future.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 149 2022
WORK SESSION
2. Police Officer New Hire Recruitment Bonus Program by Cecil Smith, Police
Chief.
Chief Smith said the City has been having problems recruiting officers.
There are officers retiring and others taking positions elsewhere. He gave thanks to Fred
Fosson, Human Resources and Risk Management Director, the City Manager and Cindy
Lindsey, Finance Director, for putting together an incentive program entitled `Police
Officer New hire Recruitment Bonus Program'. He said the department surveyed over 20
surrounding agencies on incentive programs they offer. This program would be for
officers that were hired on or before January 1, 2022 and would have three levels
depending on the total number of years of service the officers have. Each level will
require the officer to sign a 4-year Commitment Agreement. He said currently there are
16 cadets who just completed training. Chief Smith said this program would help the City
to be competitive and be able to hire young officers. This program is being funded
through the current department's vacancies and requesting Commission approve to more
forward and post tomorrow.
The Commission unanimously agreed to approve the Police Officer New
Hire Recruitment Bonus Program.
Mr. Bonaparte stated that he, Chief Smith, Andrew Thomas, Community
Relations and Neighborhood Engagement Director, met with Matthew Petty from
WMFE, the public radio station, regarding a segment to be aired on next Thursday,
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
WORK SESSION
February 24, 2022, recognizing the differences the City has made from 2012 to now,
especially with the African American Community and the Police Department.
3. Discussion on Special Events
Jennifer Brooks, Special Events Coordinator, said the Special Events
Review Committee (SERC) would like additional comments from the Commission on
how they would like to see the application revised. The Commission stated that they had
just received the email from Ms. Brooks with the list of topic discussions. Ms. Brooks
had the email displayed on the projector for the Commission to review.
Ms. Brooks said SERC would like more clarification on having multiple
events throughout the City. Commissioner Britton provided the example of multiple
events; the Jingle Jam, Tour of Homes and a show at the Ritz Theater. She said although
the show at the theater is not a special event, it still attracts people and parking is a
problem as well as all the street closures.
Mayor Woodruff suggested that Ms. Brooks include a list of events on the
same day when submitting special event memos. Commissioner Britton said she is only
referring to the large events that include multiple road closures.
Mayor Woodruff asked Ms. Brooks if the Commission would be able to
view the current special event application and the draft application to compare them. Lisa
Jones, Parks and Recreation Director, said these documents have been discussed with
staff and are in a draft format only. Mayor Woodruff provided the document from the
email that was distributed to the Commission
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
WORK SESSION
Commissioner Mahany said she does not want to eliminate reoccurring
events. Commissioner Britton asked if there has been a break in reoccurring events. Ms.
Brooks said the Celery City Cruisers no longer have a reoccurring event.
Mayor Woodruff said he would like to say the City should have no events
on the first Saturday of every month unless it is approved by the Commission.
Commissioner Mahany is concerned about using the words "unless approved by the
Commission first". Ms. Brooks said the Commission should use caution with how they
word the revisions. After brief discussions the Commission agreed that whatever is
decided, they will have to follow through with their decision.
Tony Raimondo, Director of Development Services, reviewed a few
sections of the Noise Ordinance. His suggestion is that the City follow the same
ordinance as Seminole County. Commission Austin said he is concerned with that as the
County is not similar to the City. Mr. Raimondo also suggested that the City hire a night
time compliance officer. The Commission agreed that this would be beneficial, especially
for the snipe signs and pop up businesses on the weekends. Commissioner Britton asked
staff if the City fines the applicants of special events. Ms. Brooks said if the applicant
does not follow the rules. Commissioner Britton suggested putting a policy in place for
the applicants who do not follow the rules after so many times, stating the applicant may
not hold a special event for a year.
Mayor Woodruff suggested signs be posted stating no open containers past
this point. Commissioner Austin suggested having receptacles for trash and recycling.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
F'EBRUARY 149 2022
WORK SESSION
Paul Williams, West End Owner, stated his business tried doing recycling, but there is a
lot of cross contamination, it takes time to ensure it is being done properly and it is more
expensive. Mayor Woodruff said he would like to include on the special event application
for the applicant to pick up trash/litter one block out from the event footprint.
Mayor Woodruff asked about parking for special events. Ms. Brooks said
parking is being addressed. Commissioner Britton suggested painting curbs that are close
to events downtown in yellow that say no parking past this point. Mayor Woodruff said
that is something for Public Works to look into. He said the grass lot across from the
Civic Center is not designed to be used for parking. He said the City currently has a law
suit in reference to that. Ms. Brooks said the City would not use that area for a special
events as it is not an approved area.
Commissioner Austin asked the City to advertise events at the Wayne
Dench Theater on the City's website out of kindness. Ms. Brooks expressed concern with
placing the events on the City's website.
Mayor Woodruff suggested Ms. Brooks provide a written recap of this
discussion and send the Commission before the next meeting.
4. Regular Meeting Items — None
5. Briefing Items
Cindy Lindsey, Finance Director, said the City received the final rules
regarding the ARPA Fund. There were not many changes in the Broadband and
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
WORK SESSION
Wastewater Infrastructure. There were some minor changes in the revenue and the City
does not have to qualify for this section any longer.
She did mention that there was a big change in the premium pay section.
The City now qualifies for this part of the program. The big change was essential workers
have been expanded, to all government workers as long as they touched things that
everybody touched and had contact with others. Ms. Lindsay described a plan the City
devised to fund this program. She said the City would have to take $lM out of the $13M
(Water Meter Project) to pay $100 per employee, per quarter until the grant runs out, for
approximately 11 quarters. Mayor Woodruff expressed concern regarding paying this
back in 30 years. He said he likes to reward the employees, but is concerned about the
future of the children in our community that will have to pay this back. Commissioner
Austin suggested reducing this to five or six quarters. Mayor Woodruff agreed.
Commissioner Britton expressed concern taking the funds from the Water Meter Project.
Commissioner Mahany said when we are talking about $lM it sounds like a lot of
money, but when you break it down to $100 a quarter, that's only an additional $25 a
month, and that is not a lot of money. Mayor Woodruff and Commissioner Austin said it
is a lot of money to many of the employees.
Mayor Woodruff asked if the Commission would be able to think about
this and make a decision at the next meeting. Ms. Lindsey said that would be fine.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
WORK SESSION
Ms. Lindsey wanted to confirm that July 61" at 2:00 PM would be a good
date to meet with the Commission regarding the budget, with an additional date of July
131h at 2:00 PM if necessary. The Commission confirmed July 6th would be a good date.
6. City Manager Comments
Mayor Woodruff reminded the Commission there are vacancies for the
Museum Committee and the Public Art Commission that will require appointments.
Mayor Woodruff asked if Commissioner Britton would be able to attend
the 9:00 AM Metroplan Meeting in Orlando and if she would serve as an alternate for the
Sanford Airport Authority. Commissioner Britton agreed to both.
2022.
Mayor Woodruff appointed Commissioner Austin as the Vice Mayor for
Mayor Woodruff said he would attend the Community Service Block
Grant meetings.
Mayor Woodruff would like to include assessing the Civic Center and
look into the National Register of the Civic Center at the next Work Session.
Commissioner Mahany asked for the Commission to approve a $1K
sponsorship for the Cat Show.
Mayor Woodruff said Commissioner Wiggins will read the Resolution for
Gabriel Davis and the Commission will all present him with the key to the City at
tonight's meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM.
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2022
WORK SESSION