Bes HOWPN-THEHILLS Town Council Meeting October 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM Howey-in the-Hills Town Hall 101 N. Palm Ave., Howey-n-the-Hils, FL34737 MINUTES Mayor MacFarlane called the Town Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor MacFarlane led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Councilor Reneé Lannaman delivered an invocation. ROLLCALL Acknowledgement of Quorum MEMBERS PRESENT: MacFarlane Councilor Reneé Lannaman Councilor George Lehning Mayor Pro Tem Marie V. Gallelli Mayor Martha MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENT: Councilor David Miles STAFF PRESENT: Sean O'Keefe, Town Manager Tom Wilkes, Town Attorney Rick Thomas, Police Chief] Morgan Cates, Public Services Director John Brock, Deputy Town Manager/Town Clerk AGENDA APPROVALREVIEW unanimously by voice vote. Motion made by Councilor Lannama to approve the meeting's agenda, while removing agenda items #1, #2, #3, and #4 from the Consent Agenda; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli. Motion approved Voting Nay: None CONSENT AGENDA Yea: Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Lehning, Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli, Mayor MacFarlane Routine items are placed on the Consent Agenda to expedite the meeting. fTown Council/Staff wish to discuss any item, the procedure is as follows: (1). Pull the item(s). from the Consent Agenda; (2) Vote on the remaining Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, asked toj pull Agenda Item #81 from the Consent Agenda for discussion. item(s); and (3). Discuss each pulled item and vote. 1Page 1. The approval oft the minutes and ratifiçation and confirmation of all Town Council actions at the. June 24, 2024 Town Council Meeting. (ITEM REMOVED. FROM. MEETING DURING AGENDA 2. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation of all' Town Council actions at the. July 08, 2024 Town Council Meeting. (ITEM. REMOVED FROM MEETING DURING. AGENDA 3. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation ofall Town Council actions at the. July 22, 2024 Town Council Meeting. (ITEM. REMOVED FROM MEETING DURINGAGENDA 4. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation ofa all Town Council actions at the September 9,2024 Town Council Meeting. (ITEM REMOVED FROM MEETING. DURING 5. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation of all Town Council actions at the September 23, 2024 Town Council Public Hearing on Final Budget and Millage Rate. 6. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation of all Town Council actions at the APPROVAL) APPROVAL) APPROVAL) AGENDA. APPROVAL) September 23, 2024 Town Council Meeting. 7. Discussion: Deaccession ofTown Inventory Motion made by Councilor Lannamai to approve Consent Agenda Items #5, #6, and #7; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli. Motion approved unanimously by roll call vote. Voting Nay: None Yea: Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Lehning, Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli, Mayor MacFarlane 8. Consideration and Approval: Number Two. Road Right-of-Way Dedication Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, explained that Hillside Groves Development's exit ontol Number Two Road would require the dedication ofsome' Town-owned land to comply with Lake County requirements. Lake County is requiring that the Hillside Groves exit onto Number Two Road will only be allowed tot turn right out oft the subdivision and that there be a merging lane after the exit from the Mayor MacFarlane opened Public Comment, but seeing no comments, Mayor MacFarlane closed the Motion made by Councilor Lannamaf to approve Agenda Item #8 with Town Attorney amendments, contingent on agreement with the amendments by the Town Attorney, Town Engineer, and the Town Manager; seconded by Mayor MacFarlane. Motion approved subdivision. Public Comment. unanimously by voice vote. Voting Nay: None PUBLICHEARING None Yea: Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Lehning, Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli, Mayor MacFarlane 2IPage OLD] BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 9. Discussion: Talichet Lift Station Adoption/Upgrade Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, explained that Councilor Miles had made numerous requests fort the Town stafft to research taking over the HOA owned/managed Talichet wastewater lift station. Duet to those requests, staff met with the Talichet HOA and the HOA lift station sub-committee to see ift the HOA would bei interested and to determine the costs associated with the request. Mayor MacFarlane asked what the costs would be for the Town to take over the Talichet lift station and bringi it up to1 the bare minimum standards for Town-owned lift stations. Morgan Cates, Public Services Director, stated that it would cost approximately $110,000 to connect the lift station toi the' Town SCADA system and to bring the lift station up to the basic standards for Town-owned lift stations. Councilor Lannaman stated that she was concerned about general Town funds being spent to improve Town Attorney, Tom Wilkes, stated that the Town Council could impose aj property assessment on the Councilor Lehning wanted tol know why the Town had allowed the Talichet developer to install a lift station that was below the standards ofTown-owned lift stations. Mayor MacFarlane gave a synopsis of Mayor MacFarlane asked the representatives from the Talichet HOA to come: forward, introduce themselves, and speak, Michael Huculak (Talichet HOA President). and Ernie Sharp came forward and introduced themselves as members oft the' Talichet HOA lift station subcommittee. Mr. Huculak stated that during Hurricane Milton (and the power outage that came: after), the Talichet lift station came Public Services Director, Morgan Cates, stated that, during the power outage that came after the hurricane, the Town Public Services Department had attempted to assist the Talichet HOA. Mr. Cates stated that, during the attempt to assist the HOA, he discovered that the Town's generator could not even plug into the lift station, as the plug on the lift station was not: natively compatible with the Town's Councilor Lehning stated that he would like to see the Town, or the HOA, acquire a compatible plug to allow the Town's generator to connect to the Talichet lift station ifthere was an emergency in the Mr. O'Keefe asked the Town Council if there was. an interest within the' Town Council to take over the Talichet lift station and ifso, what they would want to do as ai funding mechanism to bring the lift Councilor Lannaman stated that she did not believe there was an appetite on the' Town Council currently one specific HOA/subdivision. homes in Talichet to pay for thei improvements. the history. oft the lift station. within 51 feet ofoverflowing. generator. future. station up to the Town'sminimum standards. to do this. Mayor MacFarlane opened. Public Comment for this item only. 3/Page Matthew Pedlar, 414 Amola Way - Mr. Pedlar wanted tol know how the developer was allowed to do Eric Gunesch, 448 Avila PI. - Mr. Gunesch stated that he lived next to the lift station, and it was not fair that the' Town Council allowed the developer to do this in' Talichet, but not in Venezia. Eric Bright, 590 Via Bella Ct. - Mr. Bright stated that Talichet phase 21 had 20 new homes ini it that were going on the' Town's tax roll and those funds should be used to update the lift station. Tim Everline, 1012 N. Lakeshore Blvd. - Mr. Everline wanted tol know why there was no legal Miguel Martin, 583 Avila PI. - Mr. Martin stated that he did not think the Town was accepting any this. recourse to go after the developer for this. accountability for allowing this to happen. Mayor MacFarlane closed Public Comment for this item. The representatives from the' Talichet HOA subcommittee stated that they were looking for an answer to this problem that was palatable for all. The representatives from the Talichet HOA also stated that they had land that they were willing to trade to the Town as part oft the lift station transferal. Mayor MacFarlane states that she would like to see a comprehensive staff report or project plan int the future for this proposed project. 10. Discussion: Proposed Central Lake CDD Agreement Town Attorney, Tom Wilkes, stated that he was reviewing aj proposed amended agreement with the Central Lake CDD: for the Town's wastewater treatment needs. Mr. Wilkes stated that he would be ina better position to discuss the proposed agreement during the 10/28/2024 Town Council meeting. Mayor MacFarlane suggested that all' Town Councilor send copies oft their notes on this topic to Mr. Councilor Lehning stated that, if an agreement was worked out with the Central Lake CDD, he wanted the Town to have a representative. on the Central Lake CDD board. Councilor Lehning stated he could. not support an amended agreement with the Central Lake CDD without an independent assessment of Public Services Director, Morgan Cates, stated that the Central Lake CDD needed to make sure: that Wilkes for incorporation into a proposed agreement. the Central Lake CDD's sewer treatment plant. they had generators for use during emergencies. Mayor MacFarlane opened Public Comment for this item only. appear to be an expiration date on the proposed agreement. Mayor MacFarlane closed Public Comment for this item. Tim Everline, 10121 NI Lakeshore Blvd.-Mr. Everline said that he was. concerned that there did not Councilor Lannaman stated that she was concerned about the exclusivity that the Central Lake CDD was asking for int the agreement and would like to see a smaller termination timetable than 5 years. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 11. Town Hall 4Page This report was included in the packet for the meeting. This report was included int the packet for the meeting. This report was included int the packet for the meeting. 12. Police Department 13. Codel Enforcement 14. Public Works Public Services Director, Morgan Cates, gave an update on one of thei twol FDEM grant applications that the Town had submitted: for the purchase ofa Pump/Generator bypass for one oft the lift stations in Venezia. Mr. Cates stated that the Town had been awarded one oft the two grants and was still waiting Mr. Cates thanked the Public Works staff, Police Department staff, and residents for their work in clearing all roads int the Town within (with the exception ofIsland Drive) one day after Hurricane on ai response. for the second grants submission. Milton. 15. Library This report was included in the packet for the meeting. 16. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board / Special Events None 17. Town. Attorney This report was included in the packet for the meeting. This report was included int the packet for the meeting. 18. Finance Supervisor 19. Town Manager Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, stated the' Town surveyor George F Young was still working on the Citrus Ave Re-Platting project and had been delayed due to1 the past twol hurricanes. Mr. O'Keefe thanked all the Town's s staff for all their hard work in dealing with Hurricane Milton. Mr. O'Keefe stated that the Town was utilizing a contract it had with Lake County for storm debris removal and would update the Town with more information when he received it from Lake County. Mr. O'Keefe reminded the Town Council and public oft the Town Council Workshop scheduled: for Wednesday, 10/23/2024 at 6PM. The workshop was intended to bring veteran Town Councilors and Town Councilor candidates up to speed on the status ofall major development projects within the Town. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS 20. Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli 5/Page Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli asked for as status update on the Town's antique Fire Truck (which was in need ofr repair). Morgan Cates, Public Services Director, stated that thet truck would be worked on by Lake Tech at their new Institute of Public Safety Extension Campus. 21. Councilor Lehning Councilor Lehning asked about the specific procedures that would be used int thel November 12, 2024, Town Council Meeting for nominating and voting on the Town'st new mayor. Town Attorney, Tom Wilkes, stated that he would work with the Town Manager to create thej procedure that the Town Council would use at that meeting for this purpose, and they would communicate this to the Town Council during the October 28, 2024, Town Council meeting. 22. Councilor Miles None 23. Councilor Lannaman Councilor Lannaman thanked the Town's Public Works Department and Police Department for their hard work during Hurricane Milton. 24. Mayor MacFarlane Mayor MacFarlane also thanked the Town's Public Works Department and Police Department for their hard work during Hurricane Milton. Mayor MacFarlane also thanked the Town staff that worked in the Mayor MacFarlane stated that she wanted to see a cost/benefit comparison between utilizing the Central County EOC during the storm. Lake CDD: and Groveland for wastewater treatment solutions. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to address the Mayor and Town Council and who is not on the agenda is asked to. speak their Eric Gunesch, 448 Avila PI. - Mr. Gunesch thanked the outgoing Town Councilors for their hard work over the past few years. Mr. Gunesch thanked the Town Police. Department for its hard work during Hurricane Milton. There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Councilor Lannaman to adjourn the meeting; Mayor Pro Tem Gallelli seconded the motion. Motion was: approved unanimously by voice vote. name and address. Three (3) minutes is allocated per speaker. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.] Attendees: 32 Mayor Martha MacFarlane PAALL A AST - RL Sohn Brock, Town Clerk 6IPage