By Marc  Crail
District 4 City Council member

I've just returned from a wonderful induction ceremony as Mount Dora welcomed 16 new firefighters and promoted two of our existing firefighters to Lieutenants. This kind of ceremony is called a "Pinning Ceremony" because the new firefighters have their badges pinned on them by loved ones and are welcomed into the Fire Department by their colleagues. Normally we pin firefighters or police officers during City Council meetings but usually there are only one or two at a time. Tonight, a couple of hundred friends and family members and most of our City Council members were on hand at First Baptist Church along with representatives from several other nearby fire departments to congratulate our newest hometown heroes.

You might recall that I told you several months ago that Mount Dora had been awarded over a $1,000,000 grant from a Homeland Security competitive grant called a SAFER Grant. This grant will pay the majority of the salaries for 12 new firefighters over the next three years. Four other new firefighters were brought onboard to replace others who have resigned or retired from our fire department. Our new lieutenants (one male and one female) were promoted from within the department which is great.

The new firefighters were led in by a departmental bagpiper. They are a great looking and diverse group of women and men who have chosen to be firefighters for a variety of good reasons all of which have to do with serving others and being a part of something bigger than themselves. One by one they took the stage along with their parent or spouse or perhaps a friend or relative who is also in the fire service. Once they received their badge they were welcomed by the fire chief, the city manager and posed for photos while the audience applauded. It was up-lifting.

I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when one new firefighter was pinned by his girl friend and then dropped to a knee and proposed (by the way, she said yes). Another new firefighter was accompanied by his wife and two very young kids who shouted out loud that they loved their daddy.

There were lots of very proud parents, spouses and friends with smiles all around. I was especially impressed by the number of representatives from other fire departments who were on hand to add their congratulations especially at this very busy time of the year. It was a heartwarming display.

Our fire chief, Tim Griner reminded everyone that the job they have signed up for will require each of the new firefighters to live away from their respective families one third of the time, miss one third of future Christmases with their families as well as one third of their weekends, etc. They will witness death and destruction that most of us can't even imagine so support from their families will be essential. Our job is to provide them with the best training and equipment available to help keep them safe and healthy.

I'm glad that this group of dedicated, bright, enthusiastic young women and men are now part of our team. While rock stars and professional athletes will make more money  and enjoy more accolades in their brief careers than these folks will in their entire lifetimes, I for one know that these young ladies and gentlemen have already earned my eternal respect and gratitude.

I have two quotes about first responders that I'd like for you to consider. Denis Leary said; "What firefighters and people in our military and cops do is separate from what the rest of us do; basically these people say, I'm going to protect all these strangers." And from Susan Diane Murphree; "Firefighters never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they save."

Based on what I heard and saw this evening we can all breathe easier. We're in very good hands!

Marc Crail
Your proud District 4 City Council member

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. ​ Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

By Dr. Marc Crail, District 4 City Council Member
​ 
 It would be a good idea for me to remind everyone that I'm not reporting to you in any official City Council capacity, I'm just one City Council member and I'm only speaking for myself. I've selected some items from our agenda tonight that I think you might like to hear about.

During almost every council meeting we take some time to recognize the hard work and extra special contributions of our city employees. I'm always impressed with their dedication. Firefighter Heather Churchwell was recognized tonight for 10 years of coordinating our local Toys for Tots campaign. Countless deserving Mount Dora kids have awoken on Christmas mornings for a decade now with toys and clothing provided by Toys for Tots thanks to Heather Churchwell and her helpers. They make Mount Dora someplace very special.

We also recognized Cathy Hoechst who opted not to seek re-election to city council in November. Cathy is a dynamo who has served as our mayor, a city council member and as a volunteer in many capacities over the years. We will certainly miss her and she will continue to serve in other capacities. Thanks Cathy!

We got an update on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan that is due to be finalized in February. Over 1,400 residents completed online surveys regarding our parks and our recreation programs. Over the next few weeks the masterplan will be reviewed and I'll give you more details. This will serve as a blueprint for providing multigenerational recreational activities in parks throughout the entire community. I am really excited about this because right now there are several parts of our town that lack parks within safe walking distance. Stay tuned for more on this topic in February.

We gave preliminary approval for 166 new single family homes (Phase 4) at Summerbrooke which is just off U.S. 441. The new homes will be located behind the Renningers property.

Months ago we approved an ordinance restricting the retail sale of cats and dogs in Mount Dora. Lake County Commissioners have approved a similar regulation but we needed to sync up the language in our ordinance to exactly match the County's. This was a first reading but I'm confidant that it will get final approval at our next meeting.

There are 2 ongoing city projects that are nearly finished but have been somewhat delayed. The Gilbert Park playground completion date has been stalled by the need to obtain some backordered parts. The reconstruction of the roadway and embankment on Magnolia Ending cul-de-sac in the Dogwood Mountain neighborhood which was a casualty of Hurricane Irma is significantly  behind schedule. It is critical that the contractor gets his work done asap so the street can be reopened. We were told that both projects should be wrapped up by month's end.

The holiday season is upon us. I've got a quote for you from Rabbi Lord Jonathon Sacks who said; "For though my faith is not yours and your faith is not mine, if we each are free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness of the world."

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
By Dr. Marc Crail, District 4 City Council Member

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. ​ Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

A seed was recently planted in Mount Dora.  One that could significantly grow the number of downtown parking spaces.

At a September 27 workshop, representatives of G3 Development presented the City Council with a preliminary public-private partnership (PPP) proposal to build a parking garage with 488 spaces.  The site combines contiguous lots currently being acquired by G3 with the city’s existing parking lot adjacent to the railroad tracks between Tremain and Baker Streets. The small part of Baker Street that dead ends and sits between the parking lot and the soon-to-be G3 lots would be the only other property included.  
​
PPPs are often used to bridge funding gaps for costly government projects. These partnerships vary greatly, but allow a government access to a private company’s resources, which can include financial, design, construction, technical, management, and operational expertise according to its specific needs.    A well-negotiated PPP marries the strengths of the city and its corporate partner to add quality and cost-effectiveness to a project. 
​
A prior study by the City of Mount Dora cited a parking shortfall of 275 spaces in the downtown core.   However, G3 estimates that 45,000 square feet of commercial space is currently vacant, and as more of that space becomes occupied, the parking deficit would probably increase.

The PPP is still in its embryonic stage, so it’s premature for renderings or detailed site plans.  However, Gerry Guenther and his son, Austin, of G3 Development, stated the structure would have entrances on Charles and Baker streets to reduce impact on the residential neighborhood to the east.  Additionally, the garage could remain within downtown’s critical 35-foot maximum height restriction.   To accomplish this, the structure would be two covered levels with a third uncovered rooftop level.

G3’s presentation included cost comparisons of two other parking solutions the city is already considering. The PPP garage would alleviate the current parking shortfall by yielding 488 parking spaces at a cost of approximately  $17,500 per parking space plus a 10% contingency.  The total estimated cost would be $8.5 million.

According to the developer’s presentation, a public parking lot at the post office site would yield 37 parking spaces, cost over $33,000 per parking space based on a land purchase price of $910,000, and incur a construction cost of $317,488 totalling over $1.2 million.  Another option, the Gobie property on Third Avenue, would cost $924,000 and yield 43 spaces at a cost of approximately $21,500 per parking space.  Both of those options would cost the city future property tax revenue and do not fill the city’s 275 space deficit. Additionally, each of those could have a 30% contingency, according to Gerry Guenther, however the City's amount could differ.