Government & Education news

NEW DOWNTOWN MOUNT DORA PARKING LOT OPENS OCT. 15

10/14/2019

Just in time for the city’s upcoming busy tourist season that kicks off next month, Mount Dora will open a new downtown parking lot late Tuesday afternoon. The new grass lot on the southeast corner of 3rd Avenue and Baker Street will have 49 spaces, including two handicapped spots. The cost for each parking space is $16,285 for the land only. The cost for design, engineering, creating the lot and landscaping is additional.

The new lot brings the total number of downtown parking spaces to 769.  The spaces range in size from 8 1/2 to 9 feet wide, which will accommodate compact cars only according to the City’s code.

In 2018, the City purchased the property for $798,000 as part of City’s long-term plan to expand the number of downtown parking spaces. At that time, the City estimated the property would accommodate 60 to 85 spaces.

The new grass parking lot’s spaces are laid out in a geogrid of rock with Bahia sod. This allows for the absorption of rain and moisture into the grid, so a retention pond isn’t required. According to the City, the geogrid is durable enough to support the weight of vehicles, but it’s unclear how the new sod will not be killed by the continual parking of cars or how the markings will remain after mowing.

To date, no specific plan for a downtown parking garage is scheduled to come before the City Council. The post office property was considered an option, but that property was sold after negotiations ended with the City.

RELATED STORY: Mount Dora Post Office No Longer Parking Garage Option

The SunTrust Bank property was also informally discussed. A public-private partnership with G3 Development which could incorporate property owned by the developer on Baker Street, as well as the city-owned parking lot, is still a possible option, but it is not currently being discussed.

RELATED STORY: Parking Garage Partnership Pitched to Mount Dora

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA CITY COUNCIL UPDATE: Sept. 19 Meeting

9/20/2019

By Mount Dora City Council member Marc Crail,
District 4 Representative

'll begin with my usual admonition that I am reporting to you entirely from my own perspective and not on behalf of City Council as a whole. I've selected some topics that we discussed and/or acted upon today that I think you might like to hear about.

Our meetings began with a 2:00 Work Session around the topic of continuing to revise our Special Events Ordinance and Policies. We've been reviewing Special Events (festivals) for awhile and after conversations with event organizers, downtown merchants, city staff, etc. we aim to clarify, simplify and update our Ordinance and Policies. Mount Dora is known as "Florida's Festival City" and our festivals and other events are a big part of our tourism and our commerce. Thanks to a great deal of hard work by our city staff we are closing in on the completion of this project. We got an update today and should have a final product soon.

Next up was our Final Budget Public Hearing. After nearly 6 months of hard work, we have asked our City Manager to reduce the proposed budget by $114,000 which represents .1 mill. We voted 6-0 to reduce the millage rate from 6.3 mills currently in effect to 6.2 mills for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget year that begins October 1. That new budget will be about $98,822,000. Because of the addition of new houses and businesses over the past year and rising property values we will take in more real estate tax dollars next year even though the millage rate will be slightly reduced.

During our Regular Meeting a proposal to award a contract to a company called GAI for planning renovations to the Lincoln Park pool, locker rooms and a proposed splash pad failed on a 3-3 vote. Mayor Girone, Mr. Massey and Mr. Rolfson voted "yes' while Mr. Tucker, Ms Stile and I voted "no". I can't speak for the others but my reason for voting no was that GAI was the company that produced our Parks & Recreation Master Plan over the past year and I was not happy with their work. I favor the idea of improving the pool, locker rooms and adding a splash pad but I think we should find another company to do the work and possibly save some money too.

We approved the final reading of an Ordinance to change the zoning of the property the City owns on Limit Ave. so that a fire station and a new public works building can be constructed there. These are important projects and I'm glad to tell you that we are moving forward with them.

Everybody wants to strive for success and my quote for today is from Tim Fargo who said; "Success is normally found in a pile of mistakes". In my experience I think he's spot on.

Thank you for the opportunity to help represent you as your District 4 City Council Member.

Dr. Marc Crail
Mount Dora City Council
District 4 Representative

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

PROJECT IN MOUNT DORA'S HISTORIC DISTRICT DRAWS CONCERN

9/16/2019

Mount Dorans love their historic downtown, the crown jewel of the city. So it was no surprise last week when residents and two city council members raised concerns about a new public right-of-way construction project that popped up seemingly without warning to residents at downtown’s biggest gateway.

The project, reportedly funded by Main Street Leasing (MSL), reconfigures the sidewalk and streetscape on the north side of Fifth Avenue stretching from Alexander Street to the corner of Donnelly Street in front of the two-story, New Orleans-style building. The project also includes a retaining wall and railings, thereby changing the streetscape.

At the September 12 Mount Dora City Council meeting, it was confirmed that Mount Dora Historic Preservation Board was not briefed on the project, nor was the City Council. Council Members Laurie Tillet and Crissy Stile strongly voiced their concerns to City Manager Robin Hayes about the lack of clarity on the project’s scope, details and process, and asked Hayes to stop work, thus preventing concrete for the sidewalks from being poured, until the Council could review the plans. Mayor Nick Girone flatly rebuffed the request by stating the project, allegedly paid for by MSL, was not on the meeting’s agenda. Hayes said the work was approved and would continue. She mentioned she only saw the plans for the first time that day for about 60 seconds, but anticipated giving the Council more information at an upcoming meeting.

According to documents provided by the City, the only final plan it has is a single-page engineering drawing of the ADA compliant sidewalk construction showing necessary specifications for rebar placement, measurements and other important functional details. However, the drawing does not convey views of the project’s design or elevation, as are required for commercial and residential projects that seek the City's review and approval. Since the City has no such documents, it’s impossible to know what the completed project and altered streetscape will look like and how it will affect the appearance of historic downtown’s most visible intersection.

In a quick about-face on September 13, the City issued a partial “Stop Work Order,” stating that “written construction approval was not obtained prior to work commencing” for the sidewalk and right of way. On the same day, Hayes notified the City Council by email that approval for pouring a sidewalk had not been approved.

The order did allow concrete to be poured for curbing to direct drainage, plus specific other elements needed for safety. A possible fly in the ointment was several vertical rebar poles, approximately 3 feet tall, that were set into the concrete after the Stop Work Order. At this point it’s unclear if that violated the order.

Mount Dora Buzz reached out to Larry Baker of Main Street Leasing for clarity about the overall project, but he did not return the call or reply to our email.  All of the properties that abut the nearly block-long project are owned by MSL and the project was reportedly funded by the company.

The City’s lack of transparency surrounding the current project is remarkably similar to the controversial process surrounding the 2017 sidewalk and wall project that transformed the area in front of Cafe Gianni on Alexander Street.

The 2017 project was also not reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board, the CRA or the City Council in advance, nor did it have any plans, according to John Peters, the City’s Public Works official at the time. That property is also owned by MSL which proposed the change.

Later the lack of plans would prove problematic, when a portion of the project had to be redone due to significant drainage issues.

During the public backlash over the 2017 project and the City’s policy, city council members firmly advised Hayes they were dissatisfied with the process that eroded the public’s trust and that the City should be held to the same Historic Preservation Board approvals and permitting standards as residents and businesses. Council members also advised that multiple design options should have been presented, in order to ensure that the best remedy for downtown was selected. One council member at the time, Mark Slaby, passionately warned Hayes and his colleagues about the potential for incrementally destroying downtown’s uniqueness.

Fast forward two years: The City has again commenced a seemingly unvetted project on taxpayer property involving the same property owner without presenting options, without reviewing it with the Historic Preservation Board, and without having architectural plans of its finished design. The difference this time is that the project is on the most visible intersection of the historic district, and no one at the City knows what the completed project will look like.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

MOUNT DORA CITY COUNCIL: Sept. 5 Update

9/6/2019

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By Marc Crail
District 4 City Council Representative

Mount Dora City Council held two meetings on September 5. The first meeting concerned the 2019-20 budget and the second mainly focused upon a proposed new residential development called "Cottages on 11th". I'm reporting to you from my own personal perspective and not as a spokesperson for City Council as a whole.

Our budget meeting was held to meet the legal requirements to pass resolutions to set the TENTATIVE millage rate for FY 2019-20 and to define the amount of the proposed budget. There is a state required timeline and this is another step in the long budget building process. I need to stress that this was not the final step of adopting the budget. That final budget adoption will take place on Thursday September 19 at 5:30 p.m. that will culminate a six month long journey that began back in March involving many hours of discussions, asking thousands of questions, and resulting in getting seven divergent council members to agree on the "right" budget for our city. That's how good government works.

Important city needs were left unmet in previous years mostly due to a long and deep recession. We've been playing catch up during my four years on city council. Progress has been made but we still have miles to go and our "rainy day" reserves are nowhere near adequate in my estimation. I favor keeping our millage rate the same as it has been at 6.3 mills. I consider myself to be a fiscal conservative and to me that means that we should restrain our spending when we can but also that we must provide for our city's needs in a fiscally responsible way. There were rounds of applause from the audience when token millage rate cuts were suggested, but I remain unconvinced that doing so would be prudent. After another long debate the tentative millage rate resolution remains at 6.3 mills after a 5-2 vote with council members Tillett and Stile opposing and the proposed budget amount being $98,800,000 on a 6-1 vote with Ms Tillett voting no. The final millage and budget amount for FY 2019-20 will be determined on September 19.

The second meeting was dominated by conversations about a proposed 27 home residential development off 11th Ave. The developer would like a zoning change from R-1A to PUD. This would allow smaller lot sizes in exchange for higher end architectural designs including garages in the rear of the homes. I thought that the many community members who spoke, as well as the developer, made excellent points. There was a great deal of unanimity among city council members who expressed concerns that setbacks, landscaping, parking, drainage, traffic on 11th Avenue and the number of houses need to be addressed. I sensed that there is a willingness to compromise in order to resolve these issues so that this exciting project can move forward. We approved the Preliminary PUD and over the upcoming months the developer and city planning staff will work together to tweak the concept before asking for final council approval.

My quote for today comes from the well known philosopher, Groucho Marx who quipped; "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies."

Thanks for your interest in Mount Dora!

Marc Crail
District 4 City Council Representative

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month , click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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6 LAKE COUNTY SHELTERS OPEN TODAY AT NOON

9/2/2019

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Hurricane Dorian is now a Category 5 Hurricane. The hurricane is expected to move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night.
In Lake County, hurricane hazards may include heavy rainfall, high winds, inland flooding and tornadoes. Some hazards may come with little to no warning
“Some uncertainty remains in the forecast. A Florida landfall cannot be ruled out. Monitor closely for changes as Dorian is forecast to move very slowly as it makes its closest approach to the area.” said Thomas Carpenter, Director of the Office of Emergency Management
To accommodate residents of Lake County, special needs clients and those who may be evacuating from coastal counties, Lake County is opening the following six emergency shelters at noon on Monday, Sept. 2.

SHELTER LOCATIONS

GENERAL PUBLIC SHELTERS

Mount Dora High, 700 N. Highland St., Mt. Dora

PUBLIC AND PET FRIENDLY SHELTERS

Round Lake Elementary, 31333 Round Lake Road, Mt. Dora
Spring Creek Elementary, 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley

PUBLIC, PET FRIENDLY AND SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERS

Leesburg Elementary, 2229 South St., Leesburg
Lost Lake Elementary, 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont
Umatilla Elementary, 401 Lake St., Umatilla

SUPPLIES TO BRING TO SHELTERS

One gallon of water per person and pet for three days
Non-perishable food and snacks for three days
Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
Prescriptions and emergency medications
Important personal documents and identification
Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys
Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
Chargers for small electronic devices like cell phones, tablets and laptops. Please do not bring household appliances.
Books, games and other ways to entertain your family and yourself

PET SHELTER RULES & GUIDELINES

Pets must be brought to shelters in a carrier or crate that is marked with the owner’s name, address and two phone numbers. Owners must have documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccinations for their pets. Owners are responsible for taking care of their pets. It is recommended pet owners bring all pet supplies, such as food and water, litter and litter box and leash. Pet owners are welcome to stay with their pets in the shelter's designated pet area until a lockdown is ordered.
A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service dogs may remain with their owners at any emergency shelter. Comfort pets and emotional support animals will be treated as all other pets in pet-friendly shelters and must remain crated.
Pet friendly emergency shelters are open only to domestic pets only. No livestock will be admitted. For livestock, it is recommended to safely mark animals and leave them in pastures.

CITIZENS INFORMATION LINE

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, the Citizens Information Line will remain open 24/7 until further notice. Those needing information should call 352-253-9999. To receive emergency notifications, register at www.alertlake.com.

SAND BAG LOCATIONS

Sandbags will be available at five Lake County locations from 7 a.m. until dusk (or supplies run out.) Residents must bring their own shovels and are allowed to take 20 bags of sand per household per 24-hour period. No tools will be provided at sand deployment sites and residents are responsible for filling their own sandbags. Sandbags will only be offered during designated times before a storm threat. No sandbags will be dispensed during storm conditions. Sandbags operations will cease as announced after the storm threat is over.

Fire Station 10
23023 State Road 40, Astor
Fire Station 14
18840 County Road 42, Altoona
Fire Station 39
31431 Walton Heath Ave., Sorrento
Fire Station 110
6234 County Road 561, Clermont
Solid Waste Residential Convenience Center
1200 Jackson St., Lady Lake

LAKE COUNTY HAZARDS

mO. Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location during an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit to include important personal, medical and legal documents.
All residents, especially those living in manufactured homes, should have a safe shelter plan before an emergency strikes, to include access to a friend or relative’s site-built, fortified home 24 hours a day.
To be notified quickly of weather emergencies, residents should purchase a battery-powered NOAA weather radio. Get more hurricane tips here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNT DORA SET FOR SEPT. 5 HEARING

8/30/2019

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ABOVE: Aerial of property and surrounding area (click to enlarge)

It’s the only tract of land of its kind within Mount Dora’s city limits. On September 5, Mount Dora City Council will hold a public hearing for a proposed new development titled “Cottages on 11th," which would have a maximum of 27 single-family homes.

The hilltop 10.9-acre property with a view of Lake Dora is between 11th Avenue and Old U.S. Highway 441 near Helen Street, just west of downtown. The land can be identified by its old orange groves perched on the hill a short distance past the van Gogh House.

The property is owned by Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible School, Inc. The applicant for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) is Florida Realty and Development Inc.

According to the developer, the lots will vary in size and the luxury custom homes will range in price from $650,000 to over $1 million.

The application seeks approval to allow for narrower lots with a minimum square footage of 6,000 feet, rather than the current 10,000 square feet required. The proposed project will stay within the 2.5 acre density currently allowed.

ABOVE: Preliminary site plan and rendering submitted by developer.

Mount Dora Planning & Zoning Commission (P & Z) approved the project at an August 21 public hearing.

The public hearing will be at the beginning of the regular Mount Dora City Council meeting on Thursday, September 5 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Comments from the public are allowed.

ABOVE: View of property from its 11th Avenue border and looking south toward Lake Dora.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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SANDBAGS AVAILABLE AT 5 LAKE COUNTY LOCATIONS

8/28/2019

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Sandbags will be made available at five Lake County locations beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday. Residents must bring their own shovels and are allowed to take 20 bags of sand per household per 24-hour period. No tools will be provided at sand deployment sites and residents are responsible for filling their own sandbags. Sandbags will only be offered during designated times before a storm threat. No sandbags will be dispensed during storm conditions. Sandbags operations will cease as announced after the storm threat is over. Pickup hours are 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the following locations:

·         Fire Station 10
23023 State Road 40, Astor
·         Fire Station 14
18840 County Road 42, Altoona
·         Fire Station 39
31431 Walton Heath Ave., Sorrento
·         Fire Station 110
6234 County Road 561, Clermont
·         Solid Waste Residential Convenience Center
1200 Jackson St., Lady Lake

Additional sandbags may be made available by municipalities. Check with local cities for locations, availability and hours.

“Lake County Emergency Management is closely monitoring Dorian and communicating with national, state and local stakeholders to prepare,” said Thomas Carpenter, Director of Lake County Office of Emergency Management. “Residents should have a communications plan in place, prepare a disaster go-kit, stock up on supplies, have a working NOAA weather radio and continue monitoring reliable sources for the latest information.”

For Lake County-specific information, residents may call the Citizens Information Line at 352-253-9999 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. beginning Thursday morning.  To sign up for the latest emergency notifications, visit www.alertlake.com.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING WITH DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERS TODAY

8/27/2019

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Like everywhere, doing business in downtown Mount Dora has its challenges. The City of Mount Dora invited commercial property owners to a work session today to discuss their issues owning property in the downtown corridor.

During the public meeting, an open panel discussion is planned between the City Council and the property owners, according to the City’s invitation.

The questions distributed to the owners attending include:

Do you require a business plan from potential tenants?
As a commercial property owner, what do you look for in a prospective tenant?
What challenges do you face when considering a new tenant?
What concerns are potential tenants sharing with you?
Where do most of your leads for new tenants come from?
What are the biggest reasons why tenants have left your properties?
Do you allow similar businesses to occupy the same building?
Do you have prospective tenants you do not have space for?
How do you view the effect of vacancies in your building on other businesses?

Additional questions may be raised by City Council members during the work session that takes place in the lobby at the Mount Dora Community Building located at 520 North Baker Street. Two hours have been allotted for this discussion which is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m.

The commercial property owners were asked to limit their answers to three minutes in order to allow time for any final comments and additional interaction with the Council. The meeting is open to the public.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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NEW TAX BILL REFLECTS INCREASE TO SUPPORT SCHOOL SAFETY

8/26/2019

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It’s that time of year when tax bills are being delivered, and Lake County taxpayers are taking notice of an increase on the line item that reads “Public Schools -- By Local Board.” That increase reflects the 0.75-mill additional property tax that voters supported in an August 2018 referendum for school safety.

Specifically, the tax is to help the school district implement the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act, which imposed new safety requirements for all Florida public schools in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at the Parkland high school for which the act is named.

In Lake, the 0.75-mill increase is expected to generate $18.1 million per year between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2023. It creates a sustainable funding source that is being used to help the district hire and retain school safety employees, including social workers, counselors, mental health liaisons and nurses. It also helps pay for recommended in-house alternative education programs and in-school suspension programs.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA GOLF CLUB DEBACLE: Separating Fact from Fiction

8/13/2019

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Local tongues are wagging after Mount Dora residents were made aware through social media last week that earlier this summer the City of Mount Dora had included all of the historic Mount Dora Golf Association's (MDGA) course, a public golf course, in a Request for Offers (RFO) titled "Sealed Offer to Purchase Real Property." Here's what taxpayers need to know:

What is an RFO (Request for Offer)?
RFOs are typically used when price is not the only consideration in awarding a contract. For instance when a city or company has more complex needs to solve a particular problem, a winning solution is needed. Respondents to the RFO will provide their bid and solution based on the details provided in the RFO. The title of the City's RFO pertaining to the MDGA property is "Sealed Offer to Purchase Real Property."

How many Mount Dora Golf Association acres are currently included in the RFO?
The entire club, 84.23 acres.

Who owns the property?
The City of Mount Dora. MDGA has a valid long-term lease on the entire golf club property.

Was MDGA aware of the change (Addendum 1) that added 70.58 acres to the RFO?
No, according to MDGA Chairman Colonel Robert Schmitz. The Association learned about Addendum 1 last Thursday after a resident’s Facebook post. Originally, only 13.65 acres of the golf course was in the RFO. The acreage in the original RFO plus the acreage in the Addendum 1 equals the total golf club.

Did Mount Dora City Council Members know in advance that the golf course’s remaining 70.58 acres was being added to the RFO?
No. The members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board also did not know. The change to add the 70.58 acres (Addendum 1) was a City administrative action by the City Manager and purchasing department.
Mount Dora City Manager Robin Hayes referred to the May 21, 2019 City Council meeting as to when it was discussed with Council Members, however the audio of that meeting clearly shows the City Manager discussed only 12 acres of the golf course for an Invitation To Bid (ITB). The audio also reflects that is the same amount of property last discussed with Schmitz in December, 2018. At no time during the May 21 council meeting was there a discussion about the inclusion of the entire golf course in a RFO of "Sealed Offer to Purchase Real Property."

ABOVE: The historic golf course's plaque dedicated to the WW2 veterans that built it. (click image to enlarge)

Did the City of Mount Dora have prior discussions with MDGA about developing some of the additional 70.58 acres or adding them to the RFO?
According Schmitz and Ballinger, the development of the full 13.65 acres in the original RFO was never agreed upon by the Association. There was a handshake agreement that the City could replace the existing old tennis courts with pickleball courts, providing the City paved the parking lot and an adjacent grass area. According to MDGA, there was no discussion about adding the 70.58 acres to the RFO and they only learned about it last week from social media. Mount Dora City Manager Robin Hayes recollected it differently stating the City has “been in contact through this entire process.”
(See answer to previous question .)

Does the RFO or Addenda 1,2 or 3 provide a specific caveat to developers that the golf course must be preserved as part of their offer?
No. The RFO, "Sealed Offer to Purchase Real Property," has 13 specific caveats and two addenda (changes), but a requirement that bidders must preserve the golf course isn’t included. A third addendum was issued on August 12 the same day Hayes met with Schmitz. The new addendum recognizes MDGA’s lease and now states the property is not for sale, despite the title of the RFO. However, it does not state the golf course must be preserved as part of a bid.

Do incomplete or changing parameters in an RFO affect the process?
Yes. To create a professional response to this particular type of RFO, a company would spend $30,000 to $50,000 on the conservative side for consulting fees, renderings, preliminary site plans, presentation graphics and other expenses, according to Gerry Guenther, Managing Principal of G3 Development which is not bidding on this RFO. RFOs (or RFPs) that don’t provide all of the caveats for a project, can invalidate the bids thereby wasting resources of the companies that respond. At that point, a reputable company may opt not to invest more money in a flawed bidding process. Long term, this directly affects taxpayers because the City may not get the most advantageous bids for their project(s) in the future.

Is there any other City property included in the RFO?
Yes, Addendum 1 also added the adjacent 44.45-acre spray fields.

(Click image to enlarge)

What safeguards the golf course’s preservation?
After the City RFO deadline on September 20, the City will review and then accept or decline offers. It would be MDGA’s decision whether to allow its lease to be purchased or negotiated.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.