TOWN OF ASTATULA MAYOR. ANDTOWN COUNCIL MINUTES  FASTA OUNTN  REGULAR: SESSION TOWN HALL  TUESDAY SEPTEMBER: 12,2023  Having been dulyadvertised as required byl law, Mayor Mack called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:32pm. He gave thei invocation and led thel led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Members Present: Mitchell Mack, Mayor Gayle Sikkema Orita Issartel Zane' Teeters Absent:  StaffPresent: Graham Wells, Town Clerk Wally Hoagland, Police Chief  Stephen Cross, Vice-Mayor  Roll Call was performed, confirmation of the meeting notification was acknowledged, and it was determined thata a quorum was] present. The Mayor welcomed Theresa LaBree from the Planning  &Zoning Committee.  CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND COMMENT  Mr. Banks Helphric 9100 Sams Lake. Road Clermont, who is running for State House District 25 gave a short talk on character and integrity and promoted his farm, orchard, vineyard and vegetable garden at Sams Lake Road in Clermont which is open the second Saturday of each  month. AGENDA REVIEW  There were no changes to the agenda. MEETING MINUTES  Approval of Minutes for August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting. Approval of Minutes for August 8, 2023 Local Planning Agency Meeting. Approval of Minutes for August 29, 2023 Emergency Council Meeting.  MOTION by Councilwoman Sikkema to approve the minutes shown above; SECONDED by  Councilman Teeters For: Sikkema, Issartel, Teeters, Mack MOTION CARRIED 4-0 STAFF REPORTS  Town Attorney. - Heather Ramos - Absent  Town ofA Astatula Meeting! Minutes September 12, 2023 Page 1of6    Police Department - Chief Hoagland - the four new patrol cars were in and waiting on reimbursement from the grant. He talked about the Food Drive on December 9th and the three events coming up; Halloween, Thanksgiving and Light up Astatula Event on December 1st. He recognized officers Jackie Lajeunesse and Michael Tisdell for completing the Field Training Officers Course. He gave an update on code enforcement, public works, the tree trimming and the] projecton Georgia Avenuer which wasi nowi finished. He: advertised thel Mothersa against Drunk Driving (MADD) walk which is on Saturday at 8:00 am. The road condition in front commercial  units on Monroe Street was also discussed. Town Clerk & Finance Officer- - Graham Wells-NONE BUDGET ANDI FINANCE. REPORT REVIEW available on the town'swebsite.  The Clerk gave his report on the financial health of the town for all funds. The full report is  The Bank balances on July 31, 2023 are: shown below.  Generall Fund: Impact Fees: Transportation Fund: Infrastructure Fund: Enterprise Fund: Cash Drawer: PUBLICHEARING ANDCHARGES.  792,266.28 142,440.43 74,766.39 95,576.95 10,555.03 150.00  FINALI READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-15ADOPTING THE TOWN'S WATER RATES. FEES AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF ASTATULA, FLORIDA RELATING TO WATER RATES, FEES AND CHARGES; PROVIDINGFINDINGS:CREATING CHAPTER 401 INTHETOWASCODEOFORDINANCESTOBE TITLED' "WATER;" ADOFTINGTHETOWNSWATER RATES, FEESA AND CHARGESANDI PRESETI INCREASES THROUGH, 2028) FORI RESIDENTIAL, NONRESIDENTIAL. AND INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS; PROVIDINGFOR SEVERABIITY,RATIFICATION, CODIFICATION, CONFLICTS,AND. AN EFFECTIVE DATE. An independent water rate study has been conducted by the Florida Rural Water Association. The Water Rate Study has determined that the rates must be modified each year to ensure that the Town can reach its goals of collecting sufficient revenue to prudently operate its water system andi morei fairlyallocate: and distribute the costs ofthewater: system amonga all customers The Mayor asked for a motion to read by title only. Councilwoman Sikkema made the motion, seconded by Councilwoman Issartel. The motion passed 3-1 with Councilman Teeters voting against. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Resident Michael Hopper asked what the new rate will be. The Clerk responded that the increase was 15%t to existing and new users following the recommendations of a rate study that had been completed by the Florida Rural  and classes of customers.  Water. Association.  Towno ofA Astatula! Meeting! Minutes September 12,2 2023 Page2of6    Hea added that as an enterprise fund it had to be: sustainable and stand on its own feet. The study recommended a 15% increase each year for the next five years to ensure that all expenditures Thei increase to provide safe water and testing had gone up substantially. Mr. Hopper said that it was particularly important to him as he was on the water system that the water qualityv was kept high. Het thought that the increase would be more towards 25 to 30 percent. David Quiros asked what the life expectancy was on the pipes in the ground. The Mayor responded that it was typically forty years. Mr. Quiros said he felt that it was necessary to increase the cost to ensure Being no further questions from the public he closed public comment as asked for comments from the board. Councilman Teeters said that he had not received the original study done that hel had requested two months ago. The Clerk apologized and said that he woulds send it. He added that when the original study was done, there was no data and' between comparisons with other Motion by Councilwoman Sikkema to adopt Ordinance 2023-15 adopting the water rates,  and future expansion can be met.  that there was sufficient: money in the future to replace the pipe.  towns and the FRWA, arate had to be established.  feesand charges; SECONDED by Councilwoman Issartel  Aroll call vote was taken. Sikkema YES Issartel Teeters Mack  YES NO YES  MOTION CARRIED 3-1 NEW BUSINESS  DISCUSSION LAND APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE/ AND INSTALLATION OF NEW 6-FOOT This project was talked about at a previous council meeting. The fence will replace the four-foot fence on the north side of the publicv works compound. The cost of $5,990 will be funded in the current year from the infrastructure fund. The Mayor stated that the bid was from Hercules Fencing who had done good work for us in the past and were generally the cheapest. He asked MOTION by Councilman Teeters to approve the purchase and installation of new 6-foot fence and gate for publicy works compound; SECONDED by Councilwoman Issartel.  FENCE AND GATE FOR PUBLICI WORKSC COMPOUND.  forany comments and a motion to approve.  Aroll call vote was taken.  Sikkema YES She said that she would have liked three bids  Issartel Teeters Mack  YES YES YES  MOTION CARRIED 4-0  Town of Astatula Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023 Page 3of6    DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF MOWHAWKI LMF-12-3SA 12,000LB An amount of $9,600.00 was] puti into the 2023-24 Infrastructure fund budget for the purchase of a vehicle lift. The lift that was planned is no longer available and did not include the installation. An alternative has been selected which does include the installation and the new  VEHICLELIFT,  amount) has been added toi thel budget. Following discussion this item was] put on hold.  DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICESTO PREPARE, Al DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVINGI FUND (DWSRF) WATER To facilitate responding to imminent and future infrastructure requirements, the Town is considering funding for water needs through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) low interest loan program. Planning documentation required for SRF funded projects includes al Drinking Water This plan willl have a 20-year planning period, based on a 20-year SRF loan period. Preparation of this plan will assist the Town in quantifying the scope and cost of infrastructure to serve existing needs as well as future growth. The Mayor gave more details of what the plan was designed to do and the cost of$25,000 for Saltus Engineering to complete the plan. MOTION by Councilman Teeter to approve the proposal for professional engineering services to prepare a drinking water state: revolving fund (DWSRF) water facility plan at  FACILITYPLAN.  Facility Plan.  ac cost of $25,000 plus or minus; SECONDED by Councilwoman Sikkema.  A roll call vote wast taken. Sikkema YES Issartel Teeters Mack  YES YES YES  MOTION CARRIED 4-0  DISCUSSION ANDAPPROVALFORSCHOOL/ONESPED ENFORCEMENTPROGRAM. Chief Hoagland gave a presentation on the speed camera system in the school zone. Councilwoman said that it was a no brainer that we get the system and that it was the best product. There was extensive discussion and: some: issues raised with terms oft the contract. MOTION by Councilwoman. Sikkema thatwet tablet thisto thei next council meeting pending the comments on the contract from the attorney; SECONDED by Councilman Teeters.  For: Sikkema, Issartel, Teeters, Mack MOTION CARRIED 4-0  EINALDISCUSSION ONTHE: 2023-24 BUDGET.  Town of Astatula Meeting! Minutes September 12, 2023 Page4 4of6    Thel Mayor said that as we arei movingi into the final stages of thel budget which would have tol be advertised, council should give their final okay to go forward. The clerk went over the changes that would be made fromi tonight'si meeting. It was decided tol leave the $26,000 for thel lifti in the Councilman Teeters asked if the new police sign and call box was included in the budget. The clerk responded that they were not: as they had been discussed but not formally approved. The was $26,000: available for the lift and a surplus int the infrastructure fund to dol both these items The Clerk reminded council of the dates for the preliminary and final budget hearings which were extremely important. A full board was traditionally required to approve the budget. Councilman Teeters brought up thej position of Public' Works Director and that the Chief should bej paid for doingt the job.) He said that itl had been discussed previously: and that a date ofthe first Councilwoman Sikkema asked how many extra hours was the chief working in order to do the public works job. She felt that ifl he is doing it within the normal working week then he should not be paid extra, anymore than anyone taking on extra duties. This made sense to the other board members. She added that this year, the council preferred to give thel higher level ofraises tot the Police along with additional hours for both Scott and Heather. The Mayor suggested that A decision could not be taken as thei issue was not on the agenda. It was decided that thel budget would move forward to the Preliminary Public Hearing as presented, and any further action  budget even though it was not approved.  ifcouncil approves them once exact costs havel been established.  oft the year should be] put in place to resolve thei issue.  the Chiefwasl looking for an additional $500.00 per month.  would bet taken ini the new financial year.  COUNCILDEPARIMENT & COMMITTEE LIAISON REPORT  Councilman Cross (Finance) A ABSENT contacts that he was pursuing with FGUA.  Mayor Mack (Public Works) - Apprised the Council on ai meeting that he and the Clerk had had with Senator Baxley. He gave an update on the progress with the Tula Parc development and  Councllwoman. Sikkema PublicSafety/Code Enforcement)-NONE Councilman Teeters (LDR's, Ordinances, Legal, Grants) - NONE Councilwoman Issartel (Economic Developmenty)-NONE  REVIEW  Items for Workshops: and possible dates - NONE Items for Next Regular Council meeting. - NONE  Items for Special Meetings and possible dates - Solid' Waste Hearing and Preliminary Budget Hearing-s September: 14, 2023: and Final Budget Hearing. - September 28, 2023.  Towno ofA Astatulal Meeting! Minutes September 12, 2023 Page 5of6    COUNCIL MEMBER MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS  NONE ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9.01 pm.  Respectfillysubmited,  Mitchell Mack, Mayor ATTEST:  Graham Wells, Town Clerk Dass  Town of Astatula Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023 Page6of6