CITY OF LABELLE MARCH 14, 2024 5:30 P.M.  REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING  CALLTO ORDER, INVOCATION. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Mayor Wilkins called the regular commission meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Hugo Vargas spoke the invocation. Commissioner Bobbie Spratt led the pledge ofallegiance. Ar roll call was taken. Members present were Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Mayor Julie Wilkins, IMPACT FEE RESENTATION-Nigin Kamp, AICP, of Benesch made a comprehensive impact fee presentation describing the fees involved in development areas in Hendry County such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, libraries, schools, and transportation. Also, the technical study's findings and suggestions for impact fees specific to the City ofLaBelle were presented, along with implications for revenue projections and comparisons to other jurisdictions. The presentation revealed ai financial strategy for  Commissioner Jackie Ratica and Commissioner Daniel Akin.  maintaining the level of service in the face of future growth. 1. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION  Attorney Derek Rooney swore ini those members oft the audience who wished to speak on any of the public  hearing items up: for consideration.  a. FIRST READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023-12, BIRKLAND PUD  Attorney Derek Rooney read the title block into the record.  Alexis Crespo, City ofLaBelle consultant planner presented thej proposed ordinance for the Birkland Planried Unit Development (PUD). She told the Commission that the proposed ordinance involved amending the LaBelle zoning map for aj property located north of State Road 80 just west of East Fort Thompson Avenue to rezone the 15.95+/- acres from R-1A to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concerns were raised about the project's compatibility with the surrounding single-family area and building height. Staff recommended al lower density and height, while the applicant argued for  zoning district to allow for mixed-use development known as "Birkland".  proceeding with theiri initial plans.  Speakers for the applicant were Christine M. Fisher, AICP Principal Planner from Johnson Engineering Members of the public Marcus Allen, Mark Lapp, Christina Davidson, John Prosser, Daniel Rodriguez, and Denise Caputo voiced their concerns with the project. Their concerns included the possible opening ofCypress Street, infrastructure capability, compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood, drainage, Joseph Geller spoke to the emergency access points, and Amanda Martin stated that there was no objection to reducing commercial prominence. She also spoké to the concerns oft the members oft the  Inc., and Joseph S. Geller, Esq., Greenspoon Marder, LLP, Counsel to Birkland.  and emergency access roads.  public.    A motion was made by Commissioner Ratica to move the proposed ordinance to. second reading as After) further discussion, the conditions ofrestricting secondary access on Ft. Thompson. Avenue., a reduction ofthe commercial area on Ft. Thompson. Avenue, a conservation easement, for the two abutting lots in the R-1 district, and aj fence on all sides ofthe property that did not) face State Road 80  outlined in the staffreport.  The motion was seconded. by Commissioner Vargas.  were added to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  Mayor Wilkins called for a five-minute recess at 6:52 p.m. The meeting commenced at 6:57 p.m. b. FIRST READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES 2024-01. 2024-02., 2024-03-RACETRAC ANNEXATION. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT (CPA) AND PLANNEDI UNIT Attorney Derek Rooney read the proposed ordinance title blocks into the record.  DEVELOPMENT (PUD) REZONE  Commissioner Akin recused himself from voting ont the item.  Josephine Medina, consultant planner for the City ofLaBelle explained that staff found the applicant's requests consistent with the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan and recommended Neal Montgomery, representing the applicant provided additional details on landscaping and buffering.  approval subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report.  Mayor Wilkins requested that daycare use bei removed from the schedule of uses.  There was then discussion on the renderings oft the building and the Commission requested a more "Old Florida Vernacular" color scheme. Mercedes Gregoria from RaceTrac told the Commission that a color  board would be available for review at the next public hearing for the item.  There wasi no public comment.  A motion was made by Commissioner Ratica to move all three items to second reading.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Vargas.  The motion carried 4-0. Commissioner. Akin abstained.  HOLLAND VARIANCE REQUEST  Ms. Crespo explained to the Commission that the variance was needed in order to shift the property line North into 201 Campbell Street to allow for the driveway of165 Campbell Street to be wholly within the parcel it served. She noted that the applicants intended to file a lot line adjustment. Once the lot line is moved north to allow the driveway to be wholly within 165 Campbell Street, the existing garage. structure on 201 Campbell Street would only be 5 feet from the new property line and thus non- conforming. She stated that staff recommended approval subject to the conditions listed ini the staff  report.  Kevin Holland, the applicant elaborated on the request.  A motion was made by Commissioner Spratt to approve the variance as outlined in the staffreport.  Commissioner. Akin seconded the motion.  2    There was no, public comment. The motion carried 5-0.  d. LABELLE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION CORPORATION (LDRC) SPECIAL EXCEPTION Ms. Crespo then addressed the request from The Downtown LaBelle Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) for ai new special exception to allow for up to two food trucks in Barron Park and allow for the special Kelly Boone, Executive Director ofLDRC told the Commission that the fees for the food trucks to participate were going into a Barron Park improvement fund. There was brief discussion about the  REQUEST  exception to be valid for up to three years from date of approval.  location oft the trucks within the park. There was no public comment.  A motion was made by Commissioner Spratt to extend the Special Exception for the requested three  years and allow the additional food truck. Commissioner Ratica seconded. the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  DEREK'S DETAILING SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUEST Commissioner Akin recused himself: from the item.  Ms. Medina told the Commission that the proposed 3,000-square-foot facility with three wash bays along Selma Daniels Avenue warranted the need for a Special Exception. She noted several conditions outlined in the staff report relating to access, andscapingburlerng. and building design/architecture to uphold the aesthetics oft the site and mitigate impacts to the SR 80 viewsheds. A condition was added that elevations ofthe building with additional buffering between the church were to come back before the Commission Matt Rentz, and the applicant, Derek Ridderman assured the Commission that there was a commitment to àn environmentally friendly operation and respect for the neighboring church as they would be operating during normal business hours. Issues such as truck access and road visibility were raised. Additional conditions added were no operations on Sundays, and condition nine on the staffre report was stuck. Carla Timms, also the owner told the Commission all conditions would be complied with.  prior to any vertical permits being issued.  Commissioner Vargas motioned to approve the special exception as outlined in the staff report as well as  the additional conditions spoken. Commissioner Spratt seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. Commissioner. Akin abstained.  2. NO-PUBLICHEARING ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION a. KUTTYI DUPLEX TREE REMOVAL REQUEST  Ms. Medina told the Commission that the request was for the removal of seven significant oak trees from the property located at 307 Bryan Avenue South to support the development ofa 40-unit duplex development, with on-site mitigation. The Commission decided to move the item to the following month  $0 that the applicants could be present at the meeting to answer questions.  3    Commissioner Spratt motioned to move the item to the April meeting.  Asecond was made by Commssioner4kin.  The motion carried 5-0.  b. BEN MOORE DEVELOPER AGREEMENT  Attorney Derek Rooney explained that the proposed development agreement provided for prepayment of 50% of fees to reserve capacity for 137 homes. Due to the pending rate study, the agreement provided that Pulte will be required toj pay the balance difference of any new rates adopted within two years.  A motion to approve the developer agreement was made by Commissioner Vargas.  A second was made from Commissioner Spratt.  The motion carried 5-0.  BELLE ARBOR ROAD DEDICATION DISCUSSION  Attorney Rooney plat for Belle. Arbor subdivision dedication to property owners association maintenance ofroads within the subdivision. It was the recommendation oft the Superintendent to acquire the  thoroughfares ofLong Branch Drive and Belle Arbor Blvd. for maintenance.  There was discussion over accepting roads for ongoing maintenance within the Belle Arbor Subdivision. The Commission was in agreement to accept Belle Arbor Blvd. and the eastern portion ofLong Branch Drive for maintenance. Mitchell Wills, the Superintendent ofPublic Works, and the property owner presented updates and clarifications regarding the utility placements and the overall layout. Concerns were' raised about future city responsibilities for private roads within subdivisions. After further discussion the Commission eventually made the decision to accept maintenance of certain roads. A motion was made by Commissioner Spratt to accept for maintenance Belle Arbor Blvd. and the East  portion ofLong Branch Drive. Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  Alexis Crespo told the Commission that Red Rooster formally requested a waiver ofthe restriction to apply for a variance within the same year and be present at the. April meeting to reapply for the variance. Commissioner Spratt motioned to reconsider the vote for the Red Rooster variance at the. April  meeting ofthe Commission. Commissioner Vargas seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5-0.  d. SURPLUS 2008 FORD F-550  Commissioner Spratt motioned. to declare the truck surplus and to sell the truck. Mayor Wilkins asked that a clarification be added to the agreement that the apparatus had been  Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion.  removed. The motion carried. 5-0.  4    e. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES  Commissioner Vargas told the Commission that there was a shortage of staff to maintain the water plant. Hei informed them that there was a grant available to develop a school for training. He: noted that the Superintendent of Hendry County Schools was interested in applying for the grant. Peter Simmons of Woodard and Curran told the Commission that Woodard and Curran were seeking permission to move. forward with the School Board to pursue the grant. Gracie Morton Finance Director advised the Commission to be aware of the possible additional costs if The Çommission decided it was favorable to the project but would like the City to step out oft the equation and have the School Board and Woodard and Curran move forward together with the  the City was involved in the pursuit ofthe grant.  appliçation process.  3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS and noted her opposition of the proposed second bridge project.  Laurie Wells addressed the Commission about getting the truck traffic out oft the city with a truck bypass Mark Lapp addressed the Commission to urge them to choose contractors that had tangible prior  experience for future projects and developments.  4. CONSENT AGENDA  The consent agenda was approved with amendments done to the September 7,2023, meeting minutes. The Hendry County Sheriff's Office report and the check register were pulled for individual consideration. A motion to approve the consent agenda with amendments and exceptions to items pulled for  discussion was made by Commissioner Spratt. Asecond was done by Commissioner. Akin.  The motion carried 5-0.  There was discussion on a transaction that was done in an emergency fix capacity. Gracie Morton, Commissioner Akin, as well as the remainder ofthe Commission, expressed the need for additional monitoring and ticketing of speeders and dump trucks throughout town, especially on Hwy 80 and Bridge Therewas briefconversation about increasing the penalty fees for Code Enforcement violations. Attorney Rooney suggested labeling Ford, Sunset, and Pinewood Communities as redevelopment areas. His reasoning for doing sO was that it would allow for architectural standards to be put back inj place and Graciè Morton, Finance Director told the Commission of the increase in funds from previous years due to Code Enforcement Officer Zane Mungillo writing citations, and from the Sheriff's Deputies writing  Finance Director clarified the transaction.  Street:  create' additional funding that would: not increase taxes.  additional speeding tickets.  5    Commissioner Ratica made a motion to approve the remaining items from the Consent Agenda, the  Hendry County Sheriff's Office report, and the check register.  Commissioner. Akin seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE  The Superintendent of Public Works, Mitchell Wills updated the Commission on thej progress and challenges with current public works projects including the septic to sewer conversions, road work following the completion of utility upgrades, and the provision of goods like garbage cans for Barron The expected completion period for the paving project in Zone 1 oft the septic to sewer conversion project was moved to the end of April due to contractor delays. Mention was made of the issues with Kid City's pending connections and assurances were given that the remaining work would soon be concluded. Commissioner Vargas shared updates on various initiatives and meetings he had been involved in, with particular emphasis on efforts related to coming up with ways tol lower energy costs via solar power, economic development, voter engagement, utilities, work with educational institutions, and community events. Hei noted that Barron Library had invited a Commission member tol become a member of the Commissioner Ratica thanked Mr. Mungillo for his hard work. Theré was discussion about facilities and  Park.  CITY RELATED BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS  library board.  lights in Barron Park:  Commissioner Akin thanked staff for all of their hard work.  Itv was decided that the Christmas lights in Barron Park would come down. were allowed anywhere single family homes were allowed due to state statute.  Mayor Wilkins requested bleachers for the Easter sunrise service. She also noted that modular homes  Commissioner Spratt motioned to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Ratica seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.  APPROVED:  00901 DANIEL. AKIN, VICE-MAYOR  Antest:  LANS Auhow SZBXDADERVATCINS  6