FOMDENEHCHS Town Council Meeting January 13, 2025 at 6:001 PM Howey-in the-Hills Town Hall 101 N. Palm Ave., Howey-m-the-Hl5, FL: 34737 MINUTES Mayor Wells called the Town Council Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Mayor Wells led the attendees int the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Councilor Reneé Lannaman delivered an invocation. ROLLCALL Acknowledgement of Quorum MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Graham Wells STAFF PRESENT: Mayor Pro' Tem Tim Everline I Councilor. Jon Arnold Councilor Reneé Lannaman I Councilor David Miles] Sean O'Keefe, Town Manager! Tom Wilkes, Town Attorney Sean Parks, Town Planner! Morgan Cates, Public Services Director] Amanda Moldan, Library Director John Brock, Deputy Town Manager/Town Clerk AGENDA APPROVALREVIEW Motion made by Councilor. Arnold to approve the meeting's agenda; seconded by Councilor Lannaman. Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Everline, Councilor Arnold, Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Miles, Mayor Wells Mayor Wells introduced the Town's new. Library Director, Amanda Moldan, to the Town Council. The Library Director, Amanda, introduced herselfto the Town Council, sharing her extensive background. and passion for libraries. With a Master's in Library Science from the University of South Florida and an MBA from the University ofWest Florida, she emphasized her lifelong dedication to learning, reading, and fostering al love Motion approved unanimously by voice vote. Voting Nay: None for books, inspired by her own childhood spent in libraries. Councilor. Lannaman welcomed Library Director Moldan to the Town. CONSENT AGENDA Routine items are placed on the Consent Agenda to expedite the meeting. IfTown Council/Siaffwish to discuss any item, the procedure is as follows: (1). Pull the item(s), from the Consent Agenda; (2) Vote on the remaining item(s); and (3). Discuss each pulledi item and vote. 1/Page Councilor) Miles requested toj pull Agenda Item #1 and Agenda Item #5 from thei meeting's s Consent Agenda. 1. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation ofa all' Town Council actions at the November: 25, 2024, Town Council Meeting. (This item was, pulledfordiscussion by Councilor Miles.) Councilor. Miles stated that the' Town Council had just been sent these minutes for review the morning Motion made by Councilor Miles to table this item to the next meeting; seconded by Councilor ofthe meeting and that hel had barely had time to read them. Lannaman. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote. Voting Nay: None Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Everline, Councilor Arnold, Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Miles, Mayor Wells 2. The approval oft the minutes and ratification and confirmation ofa all' Town Council actions ati the 3. The approval ofthe minutes and ratification and confirmation of all' Town Council actions at the 4. Consideration and Approval: FDEM/FEMA Mitigation Grant Funding Contract December 10, 2024 Town Council New Councilor Orientation Workshop. December 17, 2024 Town Council Wastewater Workshop. 5. Consideration and Approval: Milestone Audit Assistance Contract Approval (This item was, pulled Councilor Miles stated that he would have aj problem with approving this item in future years because he believes that the Finance Supervisor should be able to dot this without the assistance of] Milestone. Martha MacFarlane, 63 Camino Real - Former Mayor, Mrs. MacFarlane, endorsed this vendor, for discussion by Councilor Miles.) Mayor Wells opened Public Comment for this item only. stating that they had as strong skillset. Mayor Wells closed Public Comment for this item. Motion made by Councilor Miles to approve the Milestone Audit Assistance Contract; seconded by Councilor Lannaman. Motion approved unanimously by roll call vote. Voting Nay: None Yea: Mayor Pro' Tem Everline, Councilor. Amold, Councilor Lannaman, Councilor Miles, Mayor Wells Consideration and Approval: Binney Accounting & Assurance Services Auditing Agreement Motion made by Councilor Miles to approve the Consent Agenda (which consisted of Agenda Items #2, #3, #4, and #6); seconded by Councilor Lannaman. Motion approved unanimously by roll call vote. Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Everline, Councilor Arnold, Councilor Lannaman, Councilor. Miles, Mayor Wells Voting Nay: None PUBLICHEARING None 2IPage OLD] BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 7. Consideration and Approval: Central Lake CDD Amended and Restated Wastewater Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, introduced this agenda item. This agreement provides wastewater capacity for 1,600 equivalent residential units (ERUS) to serve approved developments within the Town. Mr. O'Keefe noted that, while the agreement was in its near-final form, minor corrections were needed, including updating four references from 60 days to 90 days regarding acquisition decision timelines. The Town Attorney, Tom Wilkes, emphasized the agreement's significance, noting that it incorporates extensive feedback from the Council and reflects the outcomes of thorough negotiations. Mr. Wilkes confirmed that the: agreement does not grant long-term exclusivity beyond the 1,6001 ERUS, which The Council discussed the allocation of ERUS among various developments, including Thompson Grove and planned commercial projects, and clarified the Town's role in administering reservation and maintenance fees (RAM fees) without assuming financial liability. Questions were raised about the adequacy of capacity for future development and the potential impact of upcoming wastewater studies. Mr. Wilkes assured the Council that the agreement allows flexibility for future decisions based on the Amendments to the agreement were also proposed during the meeting. These included updating outdated maps and legal references, filling in undefined unit numbers in Exhibit E, and correcting typographical inconsistencies for clarity and accuracy. Councilor Lannaman made the motion to approve the agreement with the proposed amendments, which was seconded by Councilor Miles. Agreement addressed concerns raised by Councilor Lannaman. findings oft these studies. Mayor Wells opened Public Comment for1 thisi item only. Eric Gunesch, 448 Avila PI. - Mr. Gunesch had questions about the Right of] First Refusal agreement Martha MacFarlane, 63 Camino Real - Mrs. MacFarlane had questions related to the three annual and the Town'sl ISBA area. raises in rates the Central Lake CDD was approved to make. Mayor Wells closed Public Comment for this item. Mayor Wells asked Mr. O'Keefe to restate all the contingencies or changes that the Council had Mr. O'Keefe stated that there were: five changes that needed to be made (the: first four to the Central Lake CDD Amended and Restated Wholesale Wastewater Treatment. Agreement and the final change to the Right of First Refusal Agreement). Mr. O'Keefe stated that the first change was that there were four references to 60 days, primarily in section 13.2 oft the Central Lake CDD agreement, that should have been 90 days. Mr. O'Keefe stated that the second change would need to be in (page 10) section 3.4,(c), (i), in which uppercase letters. A, B, and C were used when they should have been lowercase letters. Mr. O'Keefe stated that the third change to the agreement would bet that Exhibit B (Map ofHowey 180 Utility Service Area) would need to be update to ai newer map. Mr. O'Keefe stated that the fourth item that would need to be changed was that approved development: numbers would need to be added into Exhibit E. Mr. O'Keefe stated that the fifth and final change was that the mapi in Exhibit A oft the Right discussed that would need to happen before approval oft the agreement. of First Refusal Agreement, needed tol be added (asi it was missing). 3Page Motion made by Councilor Lannaman to approve the Central Lake CDD Amended and Restated Wholesale Wastewater Treatment Agreement and the Right of] First Refusal Agreement (with Sewer & Water Plant Investment, LLC) with the five changes that Mr. O'Keefel had just restated; seconded by Councilor Miles. Motion approved by roll call vote. Yea: Councilor Arnold, Councilor Lannamai, Councilor Miles, Mayor Wells Voting Nay: Mayor Pro Tem Everline Mayor Pro Tem Everline stated that he voted no because he would have preferred tol have waited for the completion oft the Clean Water Study that' Woodard and Curran was doing for the Town. 8. Consideration and Approval: Resolution 2025-001 -] Rules of Order The Town Council discussed Resolution 2025-001, proposing new Rules of Order for conducting Council meetings. Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, outlined the legal framework for adopting these rules, referencing the Town Charter and Code, which allow the Council to determine its own procedures. The draft document wasi reviewed by the Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Attomey, and the Mayorto Council members debated various provisions, including a guideline for completing meetings within two and al halfhours. Some members expressed concerns about mandating this timeframe and suggested using the term "endeavor" to allow flexibility. Discussions also addressed quorum protocols, rules for public comment placement, and the use of electronic media for council member participation, The timeline for agenda and packet preparation was reviewed, with agreement that the agenda and packet should be published by' Thursday, with no changes to the agenda allowed after Friday at 5 p.m., except by supermajority vote. This provision aims to ensure transparency while allowing for urgent, Audio recordings ofr meetings were another key topic. While state law recommends retaining recordings fori two years, some council members suggested extending this to five or eveni ten years for historical and legal purposes. The Town Attorney supported this idea, highlighting the potential value of The Council also discussed clarifying the process for placing items on the agenda. It was agreed that, while the Town Manager has initial discretion, Council members can appeal decisions toi the full Council for final determination. Additionally, aj provision for waiving rules by a supermajority was After deliberation, the Council agreed to table the resolution to incorporate suggested revisions. The tailor it to Howey-in-the-Hlls specific needs. emphasizing fairness and practicality. last-minute items to be added. recordings as part of the Town's history. proposed to address urgent or unforeseen circumstances. updated document will be presented att thei next Council meeting for approval. Mayor Wells opened Public Comment for this item only. Eric Gunesch, 448. Avila PI.-I Mr. Gunesch was ini favor oft the proposed rules. Tom Ballou, 1005 N. Tangerine Ave. - Mr. Ballou stated that he wanted to make sure the remote Town Councilors attending future meetings electronically would be allowed to vote. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Everline to table this item to the next' Town Council meeting, directing the Town Staff to make the various changes that were discussed; seconded by Councilor Arnold. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote. 4IPage Voting Nay: None Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Everline, Councilor Arnold, Councilor) Lannamani, Councilor Miles, Mayor Wells 9. Discussion: Library Director and the Charter The Town Council discussed the classification and hiring process for the Library Director in light of the Town Charter. This item was introduced by) Mayor Pro' Tem Everline, who raised concerns about whether the Library Director qualifies as a "Town officer" under the charter. He noted that the charter states each department and office must be administered by an executive officer, and since the library is defined as a department, he questioned why thel Library Director is excluded from this designation and Mayor Wells and Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, explained the charter'si intent, clarifying that only specific positions-such as the Town Clerk, Police Chief, and Public Services Director-are defined as executive officers. They also addressed that thet term "director" is as standard title within the library profession but does not confer executive officer status. Councilor Miles suggested that the Town Council have input on hiring department heads reporting directly to the Town Manager, but staff noted potential complications, including delays ini the hiring process and candidate privacy concerns. After extensive discussion, the Council acknowledged thei need forj procedural clarity and agreed to consider amendments to the charter or ordinances ifnecessary. The discussion concluded without any from requiring council confirmation. formal action. Mayor Wells opened Public Comment for thisi item only. Lynne Husemann, 671 Avila PI. -I Mrs. Husemann was upset that the Town Council was attacking the staffagain and not trusting the staff. Mrs. Husemann was opposed tot the micromanagement of administrative decision. Mrs. Husemann stated that the attack on the Town Manager's family was disgusting. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 10. Town Hall This report was: included in the meeting's packet. This report was included in the meeting's packet. 11. Police Department 12. Code Enforcement None 13. Public Works 14. Library This report was: included in the meeting's packet. This report was included in the meeting's packet. 15. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board / Special Events 5Page None 16. Town Attorney None 17. Finance Supervisor 18. Town Manager This report was included in the meeting's packet. Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, stated that there would be aj public hearing to allow for public participation in the grant process fora a CDBG-DR grant that the' Town was submitting. Mr. O'Keefe reminded the Council oft the federal holiday on January 20th and that Town Hall and the A date and time was selected fora a' Town Council Workshop on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The Workshop would be on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 2pm to 5pm. Councilor Miles stated that he wanted Public Services Director, Morgan Cates, to submit ai revised 5-year road improvement plan at Library would close for the holiday. the CIP workshop for the Town Council toi review. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS 19. Mayor Pro Tem Everline Mayor Pro Tem Everline provided an update from the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting, sharing key transportation projects and their potential impact on Howey-in-the-Hills. He noted that in 2026, SR-19 resurfacing iss scheduled from Lakeview Drive through the Town, making the only planned improvement fori the area within the next 20 years. He also discussed the MPO's long- range transportation plan, which spans 25 years, and the List of Priority Projects for the next five years. During the MPO meeting, discussions also focused on traffic safety, including a statewide "Zero Fatalities" initiative aimed at reducing highway fatalities. Everline highlighted concerns raised by Groveland officials about traffic hazards near the Amazon and Kroger distribution centers. A Groveland-Howey. Developmental Survey" will study traffic from Route 50i in Groveland to 561, stopping at 455, due tol Howey-in-the-Hills policy against four-lane roads through the Town. Mayor Pro Tem Everline reported that state representatives expressed interest in a three-lane option to mitigate Mayor Pro Tem Everline also shared updates on Turnpike construction, with completion dates for segments near Howey projected between 2026 and 2028. Additionally, discussions with the Florida Department ofTransportation (FDOT) included the potential for aj pedestrian crossing signal at Central The conversation shifted to fire station planning. Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, recounted Lake County' s analysis of potential fire station locations, noting that the current site on Number Two Road is no longer considered viable by the County. The County' 's preference is for a site near the Mission Inn entrance, which would optimize emergency response1 times, but lacks available land. Mayor Pro Tem Everline mentioned conflicting reports about the County' s reasoning for withdrawing from thel Number Two Road site and suggested further discussions to clarify the matter. Mr. O'Keefe agreed to: follow up These plans allow for adjustments to address urgent needs. traffic congestion. Avenue to coincide with the 20261 resurfacing project. with County officials for more information. 6IPage 20. Councilor Arnold Councilor Arnold expanded on thel Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) update, emphasizing the importance ofproactively advocating forj projects to secure prioritization. While the MPO operates with long-term planning ini mind, Councilor. Arold highlighted that] projects can move up thej priority list with strategic efforts, including Council action and effective advocacy. Councilor Arnold shared insights from a discussion with T.J. Fish, City of Groveland's Director of Transportation and Public Works, who suggested that the Town could advance aj pedestrian crossing project by reframing it as a safety issue rather than ai traffic or infrastructure issue. Passing a Council resolution to designate the crossing as a safety improvement could expedite its placement on1 the MPO's priority list, as safety projects receive heightened attention through state programs. Councilor. Arnold committed to gathering specific resolution requirements from Mr. Fish and proposed that the council take steps to draft and approve the resolution at a future meeting. Councilor Arnold underscored the potential benefits for residents who rely on safe pedestrian crossings. 21. Councilor Miles Councilor Miles asked about the status of the possible transfer oft the' Talichet Lift Station to Town property. Mr. O'Keefe asked resident Joshua Husemann to speak about the Talichet Lift Station Resident Joshua Husemann addressed the Town Council regarding aj proposed solution to bring the HOA-managed lift station up to Town standards and potentially transfer ownership to the Town. Mr. Husemann emphasized the challenges faced by the HOA ini funding the required upgrades, which include compliance with current codes, integration with the SCADA system, and the addition ofa diesel backup pump to prevent overflow incidents. He noted that thel HOA cannot apply for federal grants, a Mr. Husemann proposed spreading the costs over: ai five-year special assessment: facilitated by the Town, which would ease the financial burden on residents. Hel highlighted that the HOA's direct funding approach would require an immediate payment of $2,000-$3,000 perl household, a significant hardship fori many. The five-year assessment would provide ai more manageable annual payment. Mr. Husemann also stressed the urgency of addressing thel lift station's Vulnerabilities, citing ai near- overflow incident that could have resulted in environmental damage and: federal involvement. Mr. Husemann reiterated the HOA's willingness to cooperate with the Town, including securing the necessary 761 homeowner votes for approval, provided the financial impact is mitigated through the situation. capability the Town could leverage ifita assumes ownership. proposed assessment plan. 22. Councilorlamnamai. Councilor Lannaman raised significant concerns about the Town's waste management service provider, GFL, citing numerous issues, including damage to roads int the Venezia neighborhood, diesel spills, delayed or skipped pickups, and broken-down trucks left on-site for extended periods. She also criticized the additional $20 charge for bulk item pickups despite an overall increase in service fees. Councilor Miles suggested documenting these issues thoroughly to ensure accountability and to address The Council discussed the possibility ofi revisiting the waste management contract when it is due for renewal. Town Manager, Sean O'Keefe, confirmed he would review the contract terms to determine if service: failures could constitute cause. for renegotiation or termination. Council members also recommended specifying smaller truck sizesi in future contracts to minimize road damage. Concerns were echoed about GFL's performance in other areas of the Town, including trash spills and delayed potential disputes about responsibility for damages. service. 7IPage Additionally, Councilor Lannaman highlighted visibility issues with the street sign at the intersection of Venezia Boulevard and State Road 19, labeling ita al hazard. Public Services is already investigating solutions to address this problem. 23. Mayor Wells Mayor Wells asked the Town Councilors to look int their email account and review an email that the Town Clerk had forwarded the Council about the Lake County League ofCities Strategic Plan. PUBLICCOMMENTS 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 urged the Town Council to review the GFL contract and thanked the Andi Everline, 1012 N. Lakeshore Blvd. - Mrs. Everline stated that she did not believe that the playground equipment in Griffin Park was safe. Mrs. Everline stated that she did not think the playground equipment was ADA compliant and that the swings were slanting. Mrs. Everline. also stated that was no playground equipment at Griffin Park: for young children. Mrs. Everline also stated that the renovated pier on Lakeshore was not ADA Banks Helfrich, 9100 Sams Lake Rd, Clermont FL 1 Mr. Helfrich spoke about the theme of "We thel People". There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Councilor Lannamai to adjourn the meeting; Councilor Miles seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. name and address. Three (3) mimutes is allocated per. speaker. Town Council for their hard work. compliant and needed tol have a ramp to be compliant. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Attendees: 35 OF ATTEST Mayor Dse John Brock, Town Clerk 8IPage