City of Groveland Minutes City Council Meeting Monday, July 01, 2024  The Groveland City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 01, 2024 in the E.L. Puryear Building located at 2435 S. Lake Avenue, Groveland, FL 34736. Mayor Evelyn Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Vice Mayor Mike Radzik, Council Members Barbara Gaines, and Dina Sweatt. City officials present were City Manager Mike Hein, City Clerk Virginia Wright, Sergeant-At-Arms Sergeant Pena and City  Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver.  Excused Absences: Council Member Skyzinski.  As an alternate option the public was provided the opportunity to attend the July 1, 2024 City Council Meeting virtually in listen/watch mode only. A public notice with instructions to participate was posted to the City'sw website under "public notices" at www.grovelano-.gov4 and in the display  board at City Hall. OPENING CEREMONIES  Pledge of Allegiance led by' Vice Mayor Radzik  Invocation provided by Joseph Goldovitz, Congregation Sinai. Mr. Goldovitz read a statement into the record, attached to these minutes as. Attachment 1.  GUEST SPEAKER, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS  Deputy Police Chief Armando Loney thanked Council and residents for the support and consideration they have given to the Police Department. He reported on the Police Department's  reaccreditation with the State of Florida.  CONSENT AGENDA  A. June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes  B. Ordinance 2024-09 Repealing and Replacing Subsection (9) of Section 25-3 in Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Groveland Creating the Small An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Groveland, County ofLake, State of Florida repealing and replacing Subsection (9) of Section 25-3 in Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Groveland creating a Small Business Improvement Grant Program with eligibility requirements, outlining eligible improvements and prohibited improvements, specifying program structure, payment permit requirements and maximum amount of grant; setting forth requirements for competitive bidding of proposed work, general conditions and contractual agreement; providing for codification; providing for A request to repeal and replace Subsection (9) of the City of Groveland Code of  Business Improvement Grant Program = Second Reading  severability and conflict; providing for an effective date.  Ordinances with the Small Business Improvement Grant Program.    JULY 1, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  C. Ordinance 2024-15: Cypress Bluff ROW Vacate - Second Reading  An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Groveland, Florida, vacating certain rights of way in cypress bluff shown on the plat of Groveland Farms, as recorded in plat book 2, pages 10 and 11, of the public records of Lake County, Florida, located southeast of Villa City Road (County Road 564) and lying in section 1, township 22 south, range 25 east; vesting of title; providing for severability; providing for conflicts and scrivener's errors; and A request to vacate an existing Groveland Farms' 15ft. wide right ofv way for the future City Clerk Wright read the ordinance titles and headnotes and the resolution titles into the  providing for an effective date.  development of Cypress Bluff residential community. record for Ordinance 2024-9 and Ordinance 2024-15.  Motion: Vice Mayor Radzik moved to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by  Council Member Sweatt. Public Comment: None.  Motion passed with all Council Members present voting aye.  OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1.  Consideration of Approval Ordinance 2024-4: Adopting the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report dated July1,2024, prepared by Raftelis; Amending Chapter 125 of the City of Groveland Land Development Code to incorporate legislative findings and the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report: adopting updated water and wastewater connection fees also referred to as water and wastewater An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Groveland, Florida, adopting the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report dated July 1, 2024, prepared by Raftelis; amending Chapter 125 of the City of Groveland Land Development Code to incorporate legislative findings and the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report; adopting updated water and wastewater connection fees also referred to as water and wastewater impact fees applicable city wide, including in the Green Swamp, an Area of Critical State Concern designated pursuant to S. 380.05, Florida Statutes; providing for annual adjustment of fees and use of fees collected; repealing section 78-118 of the code of ordinances; providing for codification; providing for severability and conflicts; and providing an effective date.  impact fees applicable city-wide = First Reading  An ordinance adopting the newreport'study in support ofr new water and wastewater connection fees, or impact fees; the report/study also supports a new utility rate structure to be addressed. by separate ordinance at a later time. The ordinance also adopts a new city-wide fee schedule including the new water and sewer impact fees amounts forresidentiala andnon-residentiald development: Water = $3,830 per typical  2    JULY 1, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  home, Sewer= $10,090. The ordinance amends a section oft the Land Development Code to include the legislative findings of the report/study. The water and sewer impact fees are proposed at significant amounts in order for new development to be responsible for covering the costs of their impacts to the City's utilities systems.  City Clerk Wright read the title and head note into the record for Ordinance 2024-4.  Transportation & Public Works Director T.J. Fish provided a recap of the utility system. He noted in 2019 Woodard & Curran was enlisted to manage the utility system and perform an assessment. In 2020 Council embarked upon a Utility Masterplan that was adopted in 2022. Mr. Fish reported today's agenda item is to discuss future growth needs and provide a financial solution. Joe Williams, Senior Manager with Raftelis/Local Government & Utility Management Consultants provided a presentation as follows as Attachment 2 as attached to these minutes:  Ordinance Actions  Utility Connection/lmpact Fee Objectives Existing Water System Overview Water Capital Improvement Plan Water Connection Fee Calculation Existing Wastewater System Overview Wastewater Capital Improvement Plan Wastewater Connection Fee Calculation Calculated Connection Fees Local Comparison - Connection Fees  Next Steps  Council Member Gaines reported she received questions regarding potable and reclaimed water that she was unable to answer. She asked if this would be the appropriate time to inquire. Mr. Fish stated ifit pertained to the proposed connection fees it would be appropriate now. Ifnot, he would be happy to provide an individual review at another time. Council Member Gaines stated  she would review with Mr. Fish one on one.  3    JULY 1, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  Vice Mayor Radzik inquired what the reference to treatment assets versus transmission assets meant. Mr. Williams replied there were investments at the treatment plant sites and lines that would transfer water throughout the City. These fees were calculated separately in the event a new development opted to complete a line extension or major transmission investments. The City Vice Mayor Radzik inquired if the Sampey Road Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was a forty (40) year old plant. Mr. Fish reported the original permitting dated back to 1980. The real expansion that made it a real plant was in 2007. Now the plant is dramatically in need of modernization. Vice Mayor Radzik asked if Sampey Road WWTP was always intended to be expanded upon in the future. Mr. Fish stated apparently someone had that dream. We are very limited in the expansion that's even pending contract. This would add another six hundred to seven hundred thousand (600,000 - 700,000) gallons. But the City is constrained at that site by the wetlands and that is why also this Villa City wastewater plant. Mr. Fish reported it is truly from a wastewater treatment standpoint; the solution long term for the City of Groveland. Mayor Wilson requested resident Dan. Anderson share a letter that he had previously sent to City Council. Mr. Anderson read his letter into the record as attached to these minutes as Attachment  could opt to provide credit specifically towards transmission.  3. Mr. Anderson is in support of Ordinance 2024-4.  Vice Mayor Radzik thanked Mr. Anderson and stated he appreciated his expertise.  Vice Mayor Radzik stated there is an obligation to the approximately twenty thousand (20,000) Council Member Sweatt thanked Mr. Anderson. She also thanked Mr. Fish and his staff for their hard work. Council Member Gaines thanked Mr. Anderson, as did Mayor Wilson.  residents in the City to ensure that growth pays for itself.  Motion: Vice Mayor Radzik moved to approve Ordinance 2024-4: Adopting the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report dated July 1, 2024, prepared by Raftelis; Amending Chapter 125 of the City of Groveland Land Development Code toi incorporate legislative findings and the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report; adopting updated water and wastewater connection fees also referred to as water and wastewater impact fees applicable city-wide = First Reading; seconded  by Council Member Sweatt. Public Comment:  Keith Keogh stated there are more than twenty thousand (20,000) homes approved. He asked if there was a limit to the capacity and how the twelve dollar ($12) per gallon fee compared to other cities, and what impact it would have on commercial. Mr. Fish stated the growth plan was not tied to this study. He noted impact fees were structured the same for commercial and residential. Mr. Fish reported that wastewater plants are not cheap. The nature of the work, labor, materials, and  keeping facilities updated is very expensive.  4    JULY 1, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  Amy Carroll inquired if Mascotte would be serviced as well. Mr. Fish stated there would be a Villa City wastewater treatment plant built. Currently, the Sampey Plant was already a regional wastewater treatment plant. He reported Council had an agreement with Mascotte from 2013 that was updated in 2023. Originally, Mascotte would have paid per house. Now the agreement was structured for Mascotte to buy two hundred and seventy-five thousand (275,000) gallons per day of treatment at Matthew Baumann asked when the last study was completed. Mr. Fish stated seven (7)years ago. Mr. Baumann stated costs had gone up since the last study. He added ifwe do not get ahead of the curve residents would end up paying the bill. Robert Proper stated he was grateful for how far the City had come thus far. He reported he had heard at a previous meeting that projections were based on six hundred (600) homes per month regarding growth. Mr. Proper felt things would be slow in the year to come. He stated currently Trinity Lakes Subdivision has fifteen percent( (15%)oftheirl homes for sale. Mr. Proper stated he would like to understand the Mascotte agreement and had more questions. However, he understood the agenda item was just the impact portion. Mr. Proper noted his personal utility bill had an increase of fifty-three percent (53%). He stated it was becoming increasingly  the Sampey Plant.  harder to live in the City of Groveland.  Motion passed with all Council Members present voting aye.  PUBLIC COMMENT  Marty Proctor stated voting would be vital this year at the August 20th primary election. Lake County, Supervisor of Elections, the School Board and Lake County Commission were all seeing  interesting challenges. Mr. Proctor encouraged all to vote.  REPORTS  Council Member Sweatt  Council Member Sweatt stated there are sO many accidents on the corner of Highway 50 and CR 565/Villa City Road that something needs to be done. She personally emailed Commissioner Doug Shields after the latest accident at this intersection asking that some be done at this location as well as fort the overall safety on CR 565. Council Member Sweatt noted that people are traveling at a high rate of speed. Council Member Sweatt plans on attending the August 27th Lake County Board of County Commissioners Meeting. 6/21 - attended the Utility Rates & Impact Fee Study Workshop. 6/22 - attended the Hope International Alumni Event for its new school.  6/28 - attended the CRA Budget Workshop.  Council Member Gaines  6/21 = attended the Utility Rates & Impact Fee Study Workshop. Attended the South Lake Chamber Executive Meeting. Attended the South Lake Chamber Breakfast Meeting.  5    JULY 1, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  Attended the Strategic Planning Open House. Attended the Groveland Grown Committee Meeting. 6/28 - attended the CRA Budget Workshop.  Vice Mayor Radzik  Attended many of the same meetings as council members have noted. Met with Jason Brown, President of the Groveland Historical Society & Museum to discuss plans to get a historical landmark designation for buildings over one  hundred (100) years old.  Mayor Wilson  Attended the MPO Meeting. State Road 50 Realignment is still a top priority. The study for SR 19 is in the top twenty (20) projects at number 17. Mayor Wilson spoke with Commissioner Shields regarding Villa City Road, as it was a major issue. Mayor Wilson reported if anyone was interested in being a part of a safety committee with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) there was a pamphlet available she would provide. The safety committee was established to help combat speeding issues in Central Florida. 6/20-a attended Thrive Pop-ups. Seventy-five (75) kids were in attendance. Police and Fire Attended the Hope International Alumni Presentation. It included a tour of the school. Mayor' Wilson reminded everyone the City'sJuly 4th event is being held at Lake David Park  departments participated in the pop-ups as well. Attended the Strategic Planning Open House. on Thursday, July 4th from 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.  City Manager Hein Nothing to report at this time. City Attorney Geraci-Carver Nothing to report at this time. ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.  Groveland FLORIDA Cityw MathNatumlcham  dleer Mayor aillh Virgihia Wright, City Clerk  Gm  Attest:  6    ATTACHMENT 1    That America Fulfil the Promise ofIts Founding Mordecai Kaplan 1945 OGod, who is Liberator and Redeemer, Lawgiver and Judge, who rules over all mankindand presides over the destinies ofnations, we invoke your continued blessing on our Republic,which your grace called into being,and your love has sustained to this day.May America remain loyal  to the principles of the Declaration ofIndependence, and extend their applicationto ever widening areas oflife. Keep out ofour life all manner of Ppresionperecutionand unjust discriminationsave us from religious,racial and class conflicts; may our country be a haven ofi refugeto the victims ofinjustice and misrule. Instruct us in the art of living ogether,ofreconceling differences of opinion  and averting clashes ofinteresyofhelping one another to achieve-a harmonious and abundant life. Give us the wisdom to elect to leadership capable, conscientious men, men ofintegrity  who will govern our peopleaccording to your law ofrighteousness.  Bless the enterprise oft the American people, that they may utilize the natural resources ofthe land for the highest good ofa all men.! May America be ever. hospitable  to new revelations oft truth in science and philosophy, ever sensitive to the appeal ofbeauty in nature and art, and the spirit ofreligious consecration and worship; And may Americans SO love their country that they shall withhold no sacrifice required to safeguard its life and to fulfil its promise; may ever wave o'er the land ofthe free and the home of the brave.  ever responsive to the call of duty.  That the Star-Spangled Banner,the symbol of our American democracy,    ATTACHMENT2    City of Groveland  Utility Connection Fee Study Ordinance Adoption  July 1, 2024  RAFTELIS    Ordinance Actions  Adopts the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report dated  July 1, 2024, by Raftelis  Adopts a fee schedule as it relates to water and wastewater  connection fees  Amends the Land Development Code, Section 125, to incorporate the report along with legislative findings  Provides for annual adjustment of the connection fees per the  Consumer Price Index (CPI) of inflationary factors  2    Utility Connection/Impact Fee Objectives  Connection/mpact Fees, are charged by a Utility to fund expansion  of the system to meet future capacity demands  Growth paying for growth  Generally, one-time" charges for a new service location  Update the Connection Fees to reflect the current infrastructure  costs (water and wastewater & reclaimed water)  Currently making large investments to upgrade existing facilities and planning  for new capacity  Development of a proposed Connection Fee Compare Connection Fees with other utilities  3    Existing Water System Overview  5 existing water treatment plants  223,500 linear feet - transmission mains (10-inch and larger) 510,000 linear feet = distribution mains (less than 10-inches) Elevated Tanks, Ground Storage Tanks, and High Service  Pumps  Description TreatmentAssets Transmission Assets Total System  Amount $3,666,725 23,332,638 $26,999,363  4    Water Capital Improvement Plan  Villa City Water Plant (expected grant funding)  Various upgrades/Improvements to existing plants Line extensions and upsizing to accommodate new  development  Description Treatment Assets Transmission Assets Total System  Amount $8,560,400 14,330,700 $22,891,100  5    Water Connection Fee Calculation  Description  Amount $26,999,363 22,891,100 $49,890,463  Existing Facilities Capital Improvement Plant Total Costs Recovered  Capacity (MGD) Unit Cost per Gallon  4.100 $12.17  Level of Service (gallons per day) Calculated Water Connection Fee  315 $3,830.00  6    Existing Wastewater System Overview  2 existing wastewater treatment plants with reclaimed water syste  - Sampey and Sunshine  Sunshine will be repurposed with construction of new Villa City WWTP  61 Lift Stations  335,800 linear feet collection lines  Description Treatment Assets Transmission Assets Total System  Amount $5,271,985 9,872,580 $15,144,565  7    Wastewater Capital Improvement Plan  Sampey Upgrade and Expansion (grant portions excluded)  Villa City Wastewater Treatment Plant  Line extensions and upsizing, as well as New Lift Stations and Reclaimed Pump Stations to accommodate new development  Description Treatment Assets Transmission Assets Total System  Amount $93,558,800 39,448,650 $133,007,450  8    Wastewater Connection Fee Calculation  Description  Amount $15,144,565 133,007,450 $148,152,015.  Existing Facilities Capital Improvement Plant Total Costs Recovered  Capacity (MGD) Unit Cost per Gallon  3.670 $40.37  Level of Service (gallons per day) Calculated Water Connection Fee  250 $10,090.00  9    Calculated Connection Fees  Fiscal Year Existing Fee Calculated  $Change  % Change  Fee $3,830 10,090 $13,920  Water Sewer Total  $2,337 4,478 $6,815  $1,493 5,612 $7,105  63.9% 125.3% 104.3%  10    Local Comparison = Connection Fees  Proposed Rates Groveland FY25  $13,9201  Collier County Lake Alfred City of Ocoee Mount Dora Polk County City of Apopka Palm Coast Howey-in-the-Hills Auburndale Regional Utilities City of Clermont South Walton Utilities City of Minneola Existing Rates Groveland Orange County City of Umatilla City of Tavares Town of Lady Lake Montverde Fruitland Park City of Leesburg Mascotte City of Eustis Town of Oakland City of Winter Garden  $12,0841 $11,3541 $10,2801 $9,3151 $9,2071 $8,8291 $8,7931 $8,3751 $8,0441 $7,9171 $7,6661 $7,3831 $7,0291 $6,8151 $5,5401 $5,3791 $5,3241 $4,7571 $4,5321 $4,0651 $3,9531 $3,5601 $3,5221 $2,9361 $2,8531  Water a Sewer  11    Next Steps  Vote to approve Ordinance 2024-04 on 1st reading as  recommended, including adoption of the 2024 Utility Rate and Connection Fee Report, to now be dated July 1, 2024  Future Meeting Dates (have already been noticed to customers)  July 15, 2024 - Connection Fees 2nd Reading  July 29, 2024 - Utility Rates 1st Reading - August 12, 2024 - Utility Rates 2nd Reading    RAFTELIS  Thank  you!  Contact: Joe Williams  Michelle Galvin mgaMin@ratels.com  407,960,1806/wllams@raltelis.com    ATTACHMENT3    230 Silver Maple Road Groveland, Florida 34736 June 14, 2024  Mayor Evelyn Wilson Vice Mayor Mike! Radzik Councilwoman Barbara Gaines Councilman Richard Skyzinski Councilwoman Dina Sweatt  Re: Letter of Support for Groveland Utility System Rate and Connection Fee Adjustments  Honorable Mayor,' Vice Mayor and Council Members:  Myr namei is Dan Anderson, and lam as seven year resident of the City. lama a retired utility financial consultant whot for over 30 years performed utility rate: studies, impact fee studles and debt financings for local governmental utilities, sucha as our fair City of Groveland. Iwrite yout thisl letter to support the adoption oft ther recommended utilityr rates and utility connection fee adjustments as proposed by our Severaly years agoa at the outset oft the utility master planning process, Ihad the pleasure of chatting with Justin DeMello of Woodard & Curran. impressed upon Justint that asaf former utility consultant and,a resident of the City, myk key concerni ist that of requiring utilitys system growth to payf for Its full, fairs share of capacity expansion costs. Based on W&C's presentation of April 29", lam pleased to see that Justin heeded my concern, andl Iwant to express my! heartfelt appreciation' to W&C for their hard work regarding our utilityf financial planning. In particular, W&CH has done excellent worki in helping to pursue low-cost funding for our capital Improvements, especially grants and low-interest: State Revolving Fund ("SRF") loans. Additionally, W&CH has determined: for the proposed capital improvement projects the splits between existing capacity requirements versus capacity expansion requirements, sot that the funding cant be assigned appropriately to existing customers andf future growth. Ihad the opportunity! to review the draft' "Utility Rate and Connection Fee Study" presentation with City staff andt the Raftelis rate consultant. Ibelieve Raftelis has performed an excellent study and considered allr relevant aspects oft thef financial needs for our utility system. Duet to my acute focus on growth paying itsf fulla andf fairs share of costs, perhaps the single mosti important statement for me ist found on page: 18: "Maintaining: strong Connection! Feel balances is necessary since connection fees are being used to pay debt service". Because future growth and receipto of connection fees occur over time, the moste efficient use of connection fees is and optimal combination of paying the apachyepansonreiated component of debt serviçe on! loans plus paying directly for the capital costs of certain projects. lamp pleased to state that Raftelis has takena ana approach thats should mitigate thef future utilityb billingi impact oni residents  rate consultant Raftelis.  a 0 la à  W  while meeting our utility's financial obligations.  a 3 S 8  D    The City Council updating connection fees as soon as possible to achieve thef full recovery of capacity expansion capital costsi is absolutely crucial ife existing customers are to avoid subsidizing growth. Any shortfall of capaçity expansion capital cost recovery by collection ofi insufficient connection fee revenues from near-term growth due to understated connection feel leveis cannot be recovered laterb by subsequent growth. (In the early: 1970's, the City of Dunedin, Florida, attempted to gouge developers in its financial exactions, and ther resuit was thel landmark "Dunedin Decision". That çase set very stringent legal requirements ont the computation, collection and application of connection fees. Wer now also have Florida statutory requirements governing connection fees.) As you will notef from the Raftelis presentation, the recommended utility connection feese effective as of this October: 15"are $13,920, more than double the current $6,815. Permit me to conclude with this thought: if updated utility connection fees are noti ine effecte earlyi in ther new fiscal year, then whenever you drive downa a: streeta and see groundbreaking for a new home, that represents over $7,000 ofc capacity-expansion: related costs which must be borne through utility rates! byy your existing constituents that voted fory yout tol look after  their interests. Thanky you fory your consideration.  yours,  Dan Anderson  Zbm  S o I  $ 8 3 S