By Marc Crail
District 4 Representative and Vice-Mayor​

Here's the scoop from City Council's August 2nd. meeting. I've selected four important items from the agenda to tell you about today. This report comes from me and not on behalf of City Council as a whole.

We approved an agreement with Round Lake Charter School to provide for a school resource officer there for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Round Lake Charter will reimburse the City $69,781 to defray the cost. We also provide resource officers at Triangle Elementary, Mount Dora Middle School and Mount Dora High School. I sleep better knowing that our school students are under the protection of well trained police officers. Our school children are among Mount Dora's youngest citizens and they deserve the best safety that we can provide for them.

Plans are moving ahead for a Community Resource and Recreation Center. There will be multiple partners involved in the operation and programming of this resource center. We selected Borrelli & Partners firm to do the design and engineering for this center. Of course rising construction costs are of concern and we discussed that but your City Council voted unanimously to approve $385,624 for phase 1 design and engineering costs and $638,954 for phase 2 design and engineering. Please note that these design costs will come out of the Northeast Community Redevelopment Agency's budget and not the City's general funds.

Over the past few months I've reported that the Lake County Water Authority Board has approved having their 153 acre Wolf Branch Sink Preserve annexed into the City. Now Mount Dora City Council has approved the first reading of of an ordinance that will change the zoning of that ecologically fragile property from "Light Manufacturing" and "Residential" to "Greenbelt" which is will, when finalized, provide the highest level of protection from future development for Wolf Branch Sink and the surrounding acreage owned by the Water Authority.

We also approved the first reading of an ordinance voluntarily annexing 36.61 acres for a future development called Mt. Dora Hills to be located on the south side of SR 46 and east of Buttercup Lane adjacent to the railroad tracks . This property is in the Wolf Branch Innovation District area. We heard from the developer at a June meeting regarding his exciting plans for this parcel.

FYI, we heard from staff from Mount Dora's electric utility department that the price of natural gas that is used to generate electricity is getting much more expensive and is expected to stay high through 2023. Mount Dora Electric must raise its fuel cost rate to cover those exponentially higher costs. SECO, Duke Energy and other electric suppliers have or very soon will raise their fuel cost charges as well.  Get ready for higher electric bills no matter who supplies your home or business.

Our quote for today was adapted from a quote by Damian Barr. "We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm. Some of us have yachts, some have canoes, and some are drowning. Just be kind and help whoever you can."

Thanks for your continuing interest in our wonderful City.

By Marc Crail
District 4 Representative and Vice-Mayor

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​Be sure to follow  Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram and Twitter for more local info.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can wreak havoc on Florida cities.  Roads, utilities, emergency services and infrastructure can be strained or interrupted during and after these tropical storms.  Hurricane season doesn’t seem to be an optimal time for a city to forgo permanent department leadership in critical departments like Public Works and Fire Rescue, and Police, but that’s the position the City of Mount Dora currently faces.

Mount Dora is also in the middle of planning its budget and determining its tax rate, yet it hasn’t had a permanent finance director since February.  

The longest permanent management vacancy is the city’s Fire Chief, which has been vacant for over a year.  Since then Deputy Chief Rich Loewer has been serving as the prolonged and capable Interim Chief.  Loewer, who has served with the department for almost two decades and is an integral part of the City’s emergency management and ISO and accreditation processes, has yet to have the permanent position extended to him by the City Manager.

Interim Police Chief Mike Gibson, a former MDPD captain and respected 27-year veteran of Orange County Sheriff’s Office, has been in his current interim position as Interim Police Chief for the shortest period of time due to the resignation of Chief Brett Meade last June.  

City Managers can opt to hire the qualified interim department heads or conduct an outside search for their replacements.  According to the City, no searches to fill the crucial positions are underway, so it's unclear why the interim managers haven't been offered the permanent positions. City Manager Patrick Comiskey did not respond to Mount Dora Buzz's questions about the reason for the lack of searches or whether the interim management personnel were likely to become permanent.  Comiskey also didn't respond to whether the interim directors were being compensated appropriately for their added responsibilities.

The potential short-term benefit of not making interim directors permanent or searching for replacements is saving money, while the potential longer-term outcomes are low morale, job uncertainty and the risk of qualified interim directors and their staff seeking employment elsewhere for professional recognition and salaries commensurate with their responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the budget for the city’s 2022-2023 fiscal year is being prepared by Interim Finance Director Rita Meade.   The City's budget and tax rate will be adopted in September.  

​​​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​Be sure to follow  Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram and Twitter for more local info.

By Marc Crail
Mount Dora Vice Mayor & District 4 Representative

On Monday, July 22 City Council held a 10:00 a.m. Budget Workshop meeting. What follows comes only from me and isn't from City Council as a whole. Coming up with a budget for a public entity is always a drawn out process. We are continuing to work toward formulating our budget for fiscal year 2022-23 that begins on October 1. Nothing is for certain at this point but there are some "Key Drivers" to be aware of. We are in a time of unusually high inflation so it seems very likely that we will see an approximate 10% increase in our Property and Casualty Insurance rates, a 15% uptick in Workers Compensation costs not to mention needed pay raises. Inflation CPI last month was 9.1% which as we all know, is budget wrecking territory. None of this makes our job any easier.

You should receive by mail your proposed property taxes from the Lake County Property Appraiser a "TRIM Notice" in late August. That TRIM Notice will show the highest possible millage rates from each Lake County taxing agency. In the case of the City of Mount Dora, they will be on the high side and should be reduced in the end.

I'm expecting that all of us will see increases on our FY22-23 real estate tax bills averaging in the neighborhood of $7.29 per month or about $87.48 for the year. Please don't think that those numbers are for sure. They are definitely not. They are only my "guesstimates" for an "average" house. As we get closer to final adoption of our new budget the numbers will become more accurate.

Today we reviewed only the operating general fund budget, not our wages/ health insurance costs which are a large part of the tax equation. Those numbers will be forthcoming.

We still don't have several important numbers necessary for completing our budget building task. This is par for the course for this point in time but concerning too because of the inflationary climate we find ourselves in this year. This is one of City Council's most important tasks and from what I've seen, everyone involved is interested in doing the job as well as possible.

Upcoming budget related meetings include August 29th, at 10:00 a.m., September 6th at 6:00 p.m., for setting the Fire Assessment Fee and also adoption of our tentative millage and budget and September 20 at 6:00 p.m. for final millage and budget approval.

I got some flack when I forgot to include a quote in my most recent report. I won't make that mistake today! Our quote comes from Kathleen Casey Theisen. "Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it."

​​​​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​Be sure to follow  Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram and Twitter for more local info.

4. What are the three city council seats up for election?
Council seats for District 2 (includes Country Club of Mount Dora), and District 3 (including Lake Gertrude and Eudora Road areas), plus an at-large council seat (includes entire city).  View district map below (click to enlarge) or download PDF.

5. What is the difference between ”district” council members and “at-large” council members?
District candidates are elected by voters residing in that defined district (see district map).  At-large council members are elected by all the voters throughout the City.   
 
Additionally, the at-large city council seat and the mayoral seat allow candidates to live anywhere within the City limits. District council members are required to live in their specific district.  (See district below)  ​  Mount Dora City Council has five district council members and one at-large, plus the Mayor which is an at-large seat. ​

By Marc Crail
Mount Dora Vice Mayor and District 4 representative
​
Here are several items from the June 21 Mount Dora City Council Meeting that you might be interested in hearing about. You probably are already aware that what follows comes from me and not on behalf of City Council as a whole.

We heard an interesting presentation on a new business called Olde Mount Dora Carriage Company. Two Mount Dora residents are planning to offer electric carriage tours and carriage ride dinners throughout downtown. Their vehicles have all the charm of a traditional carriage but without the horse. Instead they are electric powered. They plan to begin testing their concept in the next few months. It sounds like fun to me.

If you are looking for a convenient place to park for FREE just a few blocks from downtown, use the parking lot across the street from the First United Methodist Church on 5th Ave. We renewed our 10 year lease with the church. Feel free to park there anytime except for major festival weekends.

We took the first step in the process of setting the Fire Services Special Assessment for the upcoming budget year. We will discuss the proposed amount of that fee which is currently pegged at $209 for homes. This fee can only be used to pay for fire related capital items such as fire trucks and our new fire stations.

The cost of everything seems to be going up these days. We authorized the purchase of up to 600 new water meters before a July 1 price increase. They are getting hard to find with a lead time of 4-20 weeks. If we decide to buy all 600, we will save about $45,000.

We approved the final reading to annex 154 acres of property owned by the Lake County Water Authority into the City. We want to help ensure that this ecologically fragile land is protected from future development.

If you didn't have a chance to experience the Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday you missed out. Fun, food and fellowship were all there in abundance. It was a hot day and wet for a few minutes but plan on attending next year.

While this next item wasn't a part of the City Council meeting, it was included in the City Manager's Report. Close to 300 Lakes of Mount Dora residents met Tuesday 6/21 to hear an update on the proposed traffic light at the intersection of Lakes of Mount Dora Blvd. and SR 44. The project has been approved and design work is now underway. FDOT is streamlining what is normally a 3 year long process into 6-8 months because of significant safety concerns. Design should be completed by early fall and they hope that the traffic signal will be installed shortly after the new signal going in at 44 and Britt Rd. With supply concerns, FDOT is doing "early ordering" of items with long lead times. Our meeting was encouraging to say the least!

Our quote of the day comes by way of Father Nathan Monk of Welsh Church. "At the end of the day, I'd rather be excluded for those I include, than be included for those I exclude!"

Thanks to the opportunity you have provide me to serve as your District 4 Council Rep. and Vice-Mayor.

By Marc Crail
Mount Dora Vice Mayor and District 4 representative

By Marc Crail
Mount Dora District 4 Representative & Vice-Mayor
​​
I've selected some action items from the meeting agenda to tell you about and I'll also talk about several discussion items and presentations that were also significant. Let's begin with the action items. Please keep in mind that I'm reporting as an individual, not on behalf of City Council in any official capacity.

The Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization is responsible for creating a list of urgently needed road related projects each year. The MPO is made up of representatives from the cities and county governments. We approved our support of their 2022 List of Priority Projects last night. Two of the top seven will be very impactful to Mount Dora residents. This list will be sent along to the State for consideration. Priority Project #3 is the road widening of SR 44 B between 441 (Publix store) and the Circle K gas station on the corner of SR 44 and 44 B. This project is projected to cost about $24 M.

The second project has a price tag of more than $22 M. It is widening US Rt 441 between the Publix plaza (Donnelly St.) to just north of SR 46 where the new flyover is located.

Please keep in mind that various funding sources come into play and even these top priorities may not be funded for a few years.

By a 5-2 vote (Rolfson & Gunther voted no) Council approved the final reading of an Ordinance pertaining to placing the contentious downtown building heights Charter Amendment on the November ballot. I voted to put it on the ballot although I adamantly believe that this isn't something that should be in the City's Charter. Please educate yourself on the cons and pros of this ballot issue.

We approved a preliminary plat for a 125 unit townhome development called Villages of Loch Leven. These will be homes, not apartments to be located off SR 44 and Meadenhall Blvd.

We approved the first reading of a request from the Lake County Water Authority to have their 153.79 acre preserve called Wolf Branch Sink located off of Robie Ave. annexed into Mount Dora. This property will be protected from future development by a conservation easement and unified under one title if it is finally approved at our next meeting.

In addition to the agenda items above, we heard two proclamations involving Juneteenth holiday marking the end of slavery and LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. I'm proud that Mount Dora is in the forefront of celebrating and including all of our citizens.

Several residents spoke about the positive contributions of Police Chief Brett Meade who resigned last week. He hasn't yet publicly spoken about his reason(s) for resigning.

Former Mount Dora Mayor, Nick Girone and County Commissioner, Leslie Campione have teamed up to try to convince FDOT to reduce the speed limit on SR 44 between Rt 439 and the Circle K station at the intersection of 44 and 44 B from the current 55 mph to 45 mph until the proposed traffic lights at Britt Rd. and Lakes of Mount Dora Blvd. are completed. City Council agreed to write a letter of support for that speed limit reduction.

Speaking of traffic lights, Lakes of Mount Dora residents are encouraged to attend a meeting with FDOT officials on Tuesday June 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the LoMD social hall. We held a similar meeting with FDOT about three months ago. There have been some recent developments that will be announced. Please plan to attend!

My quote for today comes from "Skopelosnews". I think it sounds as if it could have been written about those of us who live, work and play in Mount Dora. We are very fortunate indeed.

"We live in paradise and
we fight over unimportant matters.
We live in paradise and
we are impatient.
We live in paradise and
are in a hurry.
We live in paradise and
we don't realize it half the time.
This is paradise!

By Marc Crail
Mount Dora District 4 Representative & Vice-Mayor

On June 1, Mount Dora Police Chief Brett Meade abruptly quit, leaving residents and city leaders stunned and saddened.  Last month, the City’s police department received media scrutiny due to a use-of-force incident that occurred in September 2021 and was captured on an officer’s body camera footage.  The incident received no internal investigation last year and the Department took no disciplinary actions, according to the City.  

Due to a Channel 9 television reporter’s request for the body camera footage on May 9, the City Manager, Mayor and council members became aware of the seven-month-old incident.  According to documents, City Manager Patrick Comiskey, who was hired in October 2021 as the City’s top administrator who supervises the Chief of Police and other City departments, wanted an independent third-party investigation.  Independent reviews can be done when there is conflict of interest if the investigation is done internally, according the Florida statute.  In this case, a perceived conflict of interest could derive from the lack of an internal investigation over the six months preceding the media exposing the incident. City documents show Meade repeatedly sought for the belated investigation to be handled internally.

Here is a brief timeline of events that preceded Meade's resignation on June 1.  The timeline is taken from public records.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021:  
Mount Dora Police body camera captured a use-of-force incident that appears to show an officer forcefully ram a non-violent man’s head into a police car.  The incident happened in the Dollar Store parking lot on U.S.  441.

MAY 9, 2022:  
A reporter from Channel 9 News made a public record request for the body camera footage of the incident.  That request is how the Mount Dora City Manager, Mayor and City Council became aware of the incident that occurred over six months prior. (see body cam video and news story here)
​
MAY 9, 2022, evening:
According to an email, Comiskey spoke with Deputy Chief Mike Gibson to advise that an outside agency should review the use-of-force incident, as well as perform any resulting internal investigations their review might deem necessary.  

MAY 11, 9:53 a.m.:  
Comiskey, who was hired by Mount Dora's previous Mayor and City Council, instructed Meade to seek an outside review of the case from State law enforcement and expressed it was imperative this case be reviewed by an outside agency.  The email also directed Meade to set up a training class on the use of force and de-escalation and have each officer participate in it over the next 90 days, as well as set up a multi-day use-of-force and de-escalation training program for each officer to go through on an annual basis beginning next fiscal year.  Gibson had advised Comiskey that other law enforcement agencies do this, according to the email.  Comiskey also sought cost estimates from Meade for that training and the cost for officers to undertake the annual State-required training for annual certification.   

MAY 11,  9:38pm:
Mount Dora City Attorney Sherry Sutphen advised Comiskey that she reviewed new 2020 legislation regarding Florida Statutes, Section 112.533(1)(b) and provided her legal interpretation. 

MAY 12:
An internal investigation was opened and pending a request for an independent external review.

In a memo, Sutphen advised Comiskey that he had the legal authority to authorize the outside investigation pursuant to City of Mount Dora City Charter, Article V, Section 19. which states "the City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Mount Dora and shall be responsible to the City Council for the administration of all City affairs placed in his charge."   

Sutphen wrote, "The City of Mount Dora Police Department is a department within the City which has been placed under the charge of the City Manager. The position of Police Chief is not a separate Charter office within the City. As such, the City Manager is considered the head of the agency for purposes of Florida Statutes, Section 112.533, as well as for any and all other matters related to the Police Department."

MAY 16 morning:
Sutphen spoke to the City of Kissimmee City Attorney and later reported to Comiskey via email that they were interested in entering into an agreement with the City of Mount Dora to conduct reciprocal internal investigations under Florida statute in the event of conflict of interest. She advised the City Manager that he had signature authority under Resolution 2017-150. 

MAY 18:
In a letter to Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Comiskey sought their assistance to determine if the use-of-force incident should involve an internal affairs investigation on the officer; and if so, requested their investigator perform the investigation and provide the City with findings.    “It is my opinion the content of the video should be reviewed from an outside party trained in police investigations and level of conduct.  I also want the investigator to review the action or inaction of Corporal (name withheld by Mount Dora Buzz), who was also on the scene; and if he/she deem warranted, perform an internal investigation on him.  It may appear the city has a conflict in reviewing the case since it was aired on the regional news and warrants the review of an outside agency,” Comiskey also stated in the letter.

MAY 19, 5:39 p.m.:
Comiskey advised Meade that he was working on securing an outside agency to perform a review of the September 21 event which was aired on Channel 9 in May.   

MAY 19, 6:06 p.m.:
In an email to Comiskey, Meade re-stated his opinion that an external administrative investigation was not a legal option and asked for a meeting with Comiskey and whomever was advising him.  

The City Manager, Mayor, City Council members, and members of City staff rely on the City Attorney Sutphen for legal opinions who is the person hired to provide them.

MAY 25, 6:22 p.m.
Sutphen advised Comiskey that the City of Kissimmee Police Chief  had no concerns with the concept of an agreement to conduct an independent investigation in conflict situations.

MAY 26, 3:11 p.m.:
In an email, Comiskey reiterated to Meade that the City Manager was working on securing an outside agency to review the use of force in two cases.  

MAY 27:
In a memo to Comiskey, Meade provided his interpretation of the Florida statute relevant to the matter. Meade stated that the investigation would be conducted internally, rather than the independent investigation sought by Comiskey.

MAY 31, 8:45 a.m.:
Via email, Meade sent his position statement and opinion regarding the investigation to Comiskey.  Meade interpreted the Florida statute and a 1997 Attorney General Opinion (AGO) to mean that the investigation must be done internally under him.  Meade stated he was proceeding with the internal probe and would inform the City Manager of its findings.   

The AGO supplied was written prior to a 2020 change in the statute and Mount Dora City Attorney’s legal opinion differed from Meade’s.  Comiskey, the Chief's superior, relies on the legal opinions and interpretations of the City Attorney, who is hired to provide them. 

MAY 31, 7:45 p.m.:
In a response email, Comiskey stated. "I appreciate the attached information you provided.  If you have any additional support documentation for your position, please bring it by and I will review it.  However, under no circumstances are you to begin an IA investigation regarding Officers (names withheld by Mount Dora Buzz).  I am working on securing an outside investigator to review the events of the night in question and to determine if an IA is needed; and if so, to conduct it.  The outside agency will also review the results of the other IA’s your staff is currently conducting.  As I have advised you, this is being done for the good of the agency, yourself, and the officers in question."  Comiskey also informs Meade that if he disregards that directive, he will be subject to termination.

JUNE 1, morning:
Four individuals (two residents and two City employees) informed Comiskey that Meade was discussing internal personnel matters of Mount Dora Police Department and City government with residents and business operators, according to the City's Public Information Officer.

JUNE 1, 11:10 a.m.:
Comiskey emailed Meade to cease and desist the behavior or face disciplinary action, including possible termination. 

Mount Dora Buzz asked the City to provide the specific policy that Meade’s behavior violated, but that information was never provided.  

JUNE 1, 11:31 a.m.:
In an email, Meade responded that he was writing his letter of resignation and would have it to Comiskey by that afternoon, which he did.

JUNE 2:
In an email to Sutphen and members of City staff, Comiskey advised of the acceptance of Meade’s resignation and expressed appreciation for his service.  He also stated,  “We are in the process of trying to secure an outside agency to review the events from the Dollar Store parking lot of last September and advise what, if any, actions should occur and if any internal affairs investigations are recommended.  We are also asking the same agency to review the results of a case currently in process and advise if they concur with the findings and the way in which it was conducted.  Said reviews and possible investigations may present information, findings, or recommendations that make us uncomfortable; however, we have to do what is best for the community, as well as fair to city workers.” 

JUNE 3:
A reciprocal internal investigation agreement was formed between the City of Mount Dora and the City of Kissimmee.

Mount Dora Buzz requested additional public records, but they were not provided.  Mount Dora Buzz opted to withhold the names of the Mount Dora Police Officer and Corporal from the September 21, 2022 incident pending the outcome of the outside investigation.  However, that information is public record.  

​Follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​

​Follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​

By Marc Crail
District 4 Rep. and Vice Mayor

Mount Dora City Council held its second in a series of budget workshops on May 23rd.

We build our city's budget following several guiding principles. These include; Maintaining our City's infrastructure, Maintaining the public's safety, Compliance with all federal, state and local laws, and Retaining employees by providing competitive pay and benefits.

Two increased service levels will be considered for the upcoming budget year.

1. There is a proposal to hire a part time arborist at the cost of about $30,000 to continue to improve our efforts to take down dangerous or diseased trees on city property and to properly replace them.

2. There is a proposal to add a street sweeping machine dedicated to the downtown CRA area at a cost of about $210,000 and hiring a 20 hour per week street sweeper operator to run it. This new street sweeper would be paid for by the CRA and not included in the general fund budget.

FYI, our millage rate for the city over the past 10 years has ranged from a low of 5.6667 mills in 2013 and 2014 to a high of 6.3000 mills in 2018. For the past 2 years our millage has been set at 5.9603 partially because of our receiving supplemental Federal Cares Act Funds in 2020 and America Rescue Plan funds in 2021.

We don't yet have figures from Lake County for this year but we think that our Gross Taxable Values will increase by about 5%. We should have the actual increase figure within the next month.

The elephant in the room this year is inflation. Through April, the CPI, or inflation rate is up 8.3% year over year. We expect that trend to continue.

Due to growth we may need to add a Senior Planner and possibly 3 part time police dispatchers but nothing has been decided yet.

We will continue to meet over the next several months to develop a budget that will meet our guiding principles mentioned above while at the same time protecting our citizens from big tax increases. It's always a juggling act. You can count on lots of discussion of the data moving forward.

I forgot to include a quote to my last report and I apologize. To make it up to you, I've got 2 budget related quotes today.

The first is by Phil Gramm. "Balancing the budget is like going to heaven. Everybody wants to do it, but nobody wants to do what you need to to get there."

The second quote is from Dave Ramsey. "A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went."

By Marc Crail
District 4 Rep. and Vice Mayor