By Marc Crail
Mount Dora City Council representative, District 4

I'm leading off my meeting summary tonight with this Mark Twain quote; "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please". It never ceases to amaze me how critically important it is avoid distortions of facts if our goal is to make progress and show respect for one another. We spent a good deal of meeting time today debunking assertions from a few people in order to assure city council members and city residents that the approved Stormwater Management Plan for Phase 3D at Medallion Home's Lakes of Mount Dora development has been carefully reviewed by Mount Dora city staff and correctly permitted by Saint Johns River Management District. Rumors have been circulating recently on some on-line sites that the safety of some Mount Dora residents was going to be compromised due to careless disregard for their property and wellbeing. In fact, information from City staff, Lake County Water Authority staff and the staff of Saint Johns River Management District has confirmed that those rumors are not true. I certainly believe that when citizens have questions or concerns they should be encouraged to ask their questions and get information to alleviate their worries, however we should be aware of Charles Spurgeon's wise admonition that; "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes".

The other discussion topic of import was in regard to the carefully planned and highly beneficial reclaimed water connection soon to be built between Apopka and Mount Dora. An easement has been purchased near the front of the Sullivan Ranch Development so that the underground reclaimed water pipes can be installed. Sullivan Ranch residents will have access to a good supply of reclaimed water to sprinkle their lawns and plantings as will other neighborhoods that depend on reclaimed water for irrigation. In my estimation their representatives are throwing up unreasonable roadblocks that could end up costing Sullivan Ranch residents and Mount Dora taxpayers time and money.

I've already voiced my views on two topics so I want to remind my readers that I am not writing as a representative of Mount Dora City Council as a whole. I am a city council member but I'm reporting only my own opinions.

We passed a resolution approving the purchase of about 739 linear feet of book shelving and a new circulation desk for the W. T. Bland Library's Children's section. This $69,000 expenditure is part of a comprehensive renovation of the children's area. Participation and circulation at the library are booming and we have donors and volunteers as well as a great staff to thank for their efforts for our youngest library users.

Resolutions were also passed that will extend our fiber optic upgrades and provide enhanced security system upgrades in several locations.

FYI, on April 23rd. we will celebrate the 66th. anniversary of Mount Dora becoming a "city" back in 1953. Happy anniversary to the best small city around for miles around!

We are beginning the process of developing our city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We will be holding a Work Session beginning at 9:00 a.m. on April 30th to work on our Capital Improvements Budget.

Despite a few frustrations, I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve as one of your city council representatives.

Dr. Marc Crail
District 4 City Council member

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By Marc Crail
Mount Dora City Council representative, District 4
 
There were two City Council meetings on 4/2/19. We had a 1:00 Work Session as well as a 6:00 Regular Meeting. I've picked out several items from each meeting to share with you. Please keep in mind that what follows comes from me alone. I am not representing City Council as a whole.

Work Sessions are meetings where we hear presentations and discuss topics. They are open to the public but public comments are not permitted. No final decisions are made and no formal votes are taken during Work Sessions.

During today's Work Session we heard an update from city staff regarding our Downtown Parking Implementation Plan. Very early on in my tenure as a city council member in 2015 we began the process of identifying multiple downtown parking solutions and we have been working on them ever since. Today we learned that some but not all of the eight "15 minute loading zones" will be eliminated. I had hoped that since most downtown deliveries like FedEX and UPS occur in the daytime (between 9:00-5:00) we could utilize those loading zone spots in the evening for restaurant patrons or evening shoppers. Apparently both FedEX and UPS are now making a second round of daily deliveries to downtown shops late in the day and into the evening due to Amazon same day fulfillments. Plans are still on track for a new surface parking lot near downtown.

You probably are already aware that passenger train service to Mount Dora is scheduled to end as of April 22 due to the need for expensive track upgrades required for passenger trains. Thousands of people use the train to get to downtown during festivals and on regular weekends as well. Mayor Girone held a meeting on March 22 to discuss this development with stakeholders. He reported the results to us. The situation is very complex since one company owns the land under the tracks, another company owns the tracks and a third company runs the trains. Both Tavares and Mount Dora are interested in pursuing ways to revive train service between our towns but this will be a long term project. Rail service will likely end in on 4/22 and probably won't resume anytime in the foreseeable future. There is strong interest in resuming rail service so we won't give up yet!

During the regular meeting we heard a quarterly update from Dr. Richard Levey who is our Economic Development Consultant. The Wolf Branch Innovation District will be comprised of about 850 acres (6 sq. mi.) near S.R. 46 and Round Lake Rd. He continues to refine the mix of residential, commercial and infrastructure to make Wolf Branch a unique place to distinguish it from other new developments.

In my estimation, the best news of the night was a great report about our upcoming summer camp programs. Parents of school aged kids often worry about providing safe and fun activities for their children during the long summer school break. In addition to the vastly improved 10 week Kidz Quest weekly day camps there will also be an Adventure Camp, a Fishing Camp, a First Responder Camp and a Kayak Camp. The prices are very reasonable and scholarships are available for families who can't afford the fees. This is amazing for Mount Dora's youngest citizens and their parents.

A couple of weeks ago we talked about the pros and cons of beginning our regular city council meetings earlier than our current 6:00 p.m. meeting time. Just for your information; Tavares meets at 4:00, Leesburg meets at 5:30 and Eustis meets at 6:00. By a 4-3 vote we decided to adjust our regular meeting time to 5:30 beginning with our next meeting on 4/16.

Sir Winston Churchill was a cynic with a wonderfully wicked sense of humor. He once quipped that; "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter". In light of what's going on currently in the U.K. and right here in the U.S. he might have hit the nail on the head!

Thanks for the opportunity to serve as your District 4 City Council representative,
Marc Crail

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates  here.     For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.