City of Groveland Minutes City Council Meeting Monday, March 03, 2025 The Groveland City Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 03, 2025 in the E.L. Puryear Building located at 243 S. Lake Avenue, Groveland, FL 34736. Vice Mayor Barbara Gaines called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. with the following members present: Council Members Amy Jo Carroll and Judith Fike. City officials present were City Manager Michael Hein, Clerk Virginia Wright, Sergeant-At-Arms Chief Shawn Ramsey and City Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver. Excused Absence: Mayor Keith Keogh and Council Member Mike Radzik. As an alternate option the public was provided the opportunity to attend the March 3, 2025 City Council Meeting virtually in listen/watch mode only. A public notice with instructions to participate was posted to the City's website under "public notices" at www.groveland-lgovy and in the display board at City Hall. OPENING CEREMONIES a. Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice Mayor Gaines b. Invocation provided by Spiritual Leader Joseph Goldovitz, Congregation Sinai GUEST SPEAKER, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS Swearing In of Groveland Police Officers: Officer Jordan Douglas and Officer Mya Salas Chief Ramsey performed the swearing-in of officers Jordan Douglas and Mya Salas. Officers were pinned by family members. Proclamation = Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Council Member Fike read the proclamation into the record in its entirety. Paula Whetro and Jullian Powell accepted the proclamation on behalf of Building Block Ministries. Proclamation Irish American Heritage Month Council Member Carroll read the proclamation into the record in its entirety. Greg Sean Canning Florida State Secretary, Past State President and National Director of the Ancient Order of Hibernians accepted the proclamation. CONSENT AGENDA Consideration of Approval: A. January 6, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes B. January 21, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes C. February 3, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 1 MARCH 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Motion: Council Member Carroll moved to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by Council Member Fike. Public Comment: None. Motion passed with all council members present voting aye. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Resolution 2025-10: Acceptance of Ownership of Greenwood Cemetery A resolution of the City Council of the City of Groveland, Florida, approving agreement regarding ownership and maintenance of Greenwood Cemetery, Groveland, Florida; authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement; authorizing the City Manager to execute any and all closing documents and providing directions to the City Manager or designee; providing an effective date On March 17, 2023 the Mayor and City Council directed staff to assume ownership and maintenance of the Greenwood Cemetery. This item is budgeted in this fiscal year. Vice Mayor Gaines read Resolution 2025-10 title into the record. Motion: Council Member Fike moved to approve Resolution 2025-10 Acceptance of Ownership of Greenwood Cemetery; seconded by Council Member Carroll. Public Comment: None. Motion passed with all Council Members present voting aye. Julia Law expressed her appreciation of the City's stewardship. She thanked City staff and City Council on behalf of the Edge United Methodist Church, for acceptance of ownership of the Greenwood Cemetery. 2 MARCH 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENT Alejandra Joyce expressed conçemns regarding the Palisades upcoming lot split and zoning change; is opposed. City Manager Hein confirmed that a rezoning request had not been submitted as of yet. Allen Joyce expressed concems regarding the Palisades upcoming lot split and zoning change; is opposed. James Feidner expressed concerns regarding the Palisades rezoning; is opposed. Raymond Beyers expressed concerns regarding the Palisades rezoning; is opposed. Debbie Beyers expressed concerns regarding the Palisades rezoning; is opposed. Edward Sanderson expressed concerns regarding the Palisades proposal to sell the property as commercial property; is opposed. Hezekiah Beltran expressed concerns regarding the Palisades upcoming lot spilt and zoning change request; is opposed. Gina LaRosa stated she is opposed to the Palisades & rezoning. Jeff LaRosa expressed concerns regarding the rezoning of Palisades request for a lot split. Mike Coletta expressed concerns regarding the Palisades request for a lot split and rezone; is opposed. Cary Rispoli expressed concerns regarding the conversion of property behind Palisades to commercial property; is opposed. Robert McRoy expressed concerns regarding the Palisades request for a lot split and rezone; is opposed. Tina McRoy expressed concerns regarding Palisades request for a lot split and rezone; is opposed. Banks Helfrich discussed the importance of compromising in the creation of constitutions. Kelsy Barton representing Westwood of Groveland requested clarification as to why an approved development sing was later deemed non-compliant. City Manager Hein stated he would look into this. Douglas Faivre discussed safety issues at Highway 27 and State Road 19 due to inadequate acceleration lanes. He requested the city address the concerns with the Florida Department of Transportation. 3 MARCH 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Keith Breedlove reported he was opposed to the City recognizing particular tribes via proclamations. He felt all people were important and could celebrate cultures in a variety way, rather than presenting a proclamation for a specific tribe. Jimmy Nussbaumer representing Groveland Baptist Church reported a significant spike in the church's water bill. Mr. Nussbaumer requested a review of the city's billing process. Vice Mayor Gaines requested the necessary staff meet with Mr. Nussbaumer to investigate the matter. REPORTS Council Member Fike > Neighborhood Huddle for Council Member Fike District 4 will be held on April 24th located at Cherry Lake Park. Food trucks will be available starting at 5:30. The huddle will start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. 2/05 - Fire Chief Carroll provided a tour of the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville for Council Member Fike and her husband. 2/06 = meeting with Cherry Lake Preparatory Academy and Chief Ramsey and Chief Carroll to engage as the school prepares to open In August. Further meetings are calendared. A 2/07 = attended the South Lake Chamber Networking Breakfast > 2/07 - attended the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville dedication ceremony. 2/13 = attended the Police Ball in recognition of the City's Police Department with Awards of recognition in a variety of categories presented. Sergeant Landis Delp received the Heart of the City award for his award for his amazing work providing toys for needy families at Christmas. Sergeant Delp's wife Karen was recognized as well for her contributions. 2/14 - attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for GP Construction with the South Lake Chamber. > 2/14 - attend the Lake League of Cities luncheon. > 2/14 = attended 2nd Friday Block Party and celebrated Black History Month. > 2/15 - attended the Black Friday Month celebration in Mascotte. Vice Mayor Gaines was a speaker for the event and provided a very empowering speech. 2/18 = meeting with Building Blocks Ministries. The organization continues to look for services with Day Training Program Transportation, Supported living/personal supports/residential lvingresptelpehavoral analysis and supported Employment Companions. > 2/19 - attended the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council board meeting. > 2/19 - attended the 2025 East Central Florida Diamond Awards Luncheon. 2/19 = meeting with Cherry Lake Preparatory Academy and the City's parks department to discuss several ideas to partner with the school. 2/20 - meeting with Hope International Academy. > 2/21 - attended the South Lake Chamber breakfast. > 2/21 = attended the Groveland Baseball League opening day. > 2/22 - attended the eco Expo at Lake David. > 2/28 - attended the Star Party at Cherry Lake Farm. 4 MARCH 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES > 3/02 - attended the employee picnic that was held at Casani Estates. > 3/03 = attended the Chamber coffee at the Groveland Exchange - 3/03 = toured Cherry Lake Farm. Council Member Carroll > Attended the same events as Council Member Fike A 2/21 - attended the Neighborhood Huddle for District 5 Vice Mayor Gaines > Attended the same events as the other Council Members. > Met with Tim Maslow, Community & Economic Development Director regarding the Villa City Plan. - Attended the Farmers Market for Veterans in Clermont, FL. > Will be attending the March 12th trip to the State Capitol to meet with legislators. 3/1 = attended the Keep Lake Beautiful Community Clean Up and the One Love Reggae Festival at Lake David Park. City Manager Hein Nothing to report at this time. City Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver Nothing to report at this time. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Gaines adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. Groveland LORIDA City with NaurfChar Keith Keogh, Mayor Attest: Virginia Wright, City Clerk 5