By Marc Crail
District 4 Representative and Vice-mayor

I've selected several action and discussion items from the April 16th City Council meeting to tell you about. As you already know, I'm not reporting in any official capacity on behalf of city council as a whole, what follows comes from me as an individual.

Mayor Stile read aloud a Vietnam Remembrance Proclamation. Dozens of Vietnamese-Americans were on hand, many proudly dressed up in patriotic clothing. Several people spoke of the sacrifices of South Vietnamese and American soldiers as well as Vietnamese civilians during the long war. Many expressed their gratitude for the opportunities they and their families have experienced after immigrating to the United States. Like other groups of immigrants they have worked hard, raised their families and opened many businesses in and around Mount Dora. It struck me that their stories of sacrifice, struggle and ultimate assimilation into the USA are a large part of what America is all about.

I've heard from several folks concerned about the potholes on the upper part of Donnelly St. FYI, a contract has been let to fill those potholes. Our past wet winter likely contributed to the deterioration of pavement all over Central Florida. Paving companies are very busy as a result. We're in line to have upper Donnelly repaired but we have to wait our turn. Ours is a relatively small contract but the pavers will get to us as soon as they can. Help is on the way!

In my nearly 17 years in Mount Dora, parking has been a major topic of conversation and it still is. We approved a Resolution (not a Contract) ranking 3 proposals for parking shuttle transportation services. We also will be scheduling a workshop to discuss other options regarding parking in the downtown area. Many other cities and towns are jealous of our vibrant downtown business district while their downtowns are ghost towns. We'll continue to cope with our parking challenges.

Council has been discussing naming acting city manager, Vince Sandersfeld as our "permanent" manager. He has been with the City for over 14 years serving with distinction as our longtime Planning Director and has been our acting manager since January. Tonight, we voted unanimously to have our city attorney negotiate a contract agreement for Mr. Sandersfeld. Being a city manager is a difficult job but I believe when we have a ready, willing and able candidate, promoting from within our city staff is wise. There would be a significant "learning curve" involved if we were to hire a candidate who isn't up to speed on our city, our staff and our needs.

We're about halfway through our 2023-24 budget year. Our fiscal year begins October 1. As we do each year, we have amended and updated our budget to reflect our financial situation at this halfway point. There haven't been any extraordinary changes this year so far. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we avoid major summer hurricanes.

Filling pot holes, managing inevitable growth and working together are the jobs of your City Council. I was proud of my colleagues for their accomplishments during this meeting. Thanks too for the constructive criticism and comments from our interested residents. They remind us of our shortcomings.

I've got a quote today from Harriet Tubman famous for her efforts to help free enslaved people. She said; "If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."

Thanks for your interest in all things Mount Dora.

By Marc Crail
District 4 Representative and Vice-mayor

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

​I've selected several items from City Council's April 2nd. agenda to elaborate upon. As always, please keep in mind that I'm reporting to you as one individual council member, not on behalf of City Council as a whole. That being said, I need to make a correction to my report of our March 19th. meeting. I mistakenly said that the new construction going up along Limit Rd. is part of the Mount Dora Groves development. Actually, it is phase 2 of the Bristol Lakes apartment complex. I apologize for my error.

Every few years we contract for utility impact fee study status reports to make sure that the fees that Mount Dora charges developers to offset the costs of their new construction projects. are adequate. We do this for various utilities including water, wastewater and sewer. There are also impact fees for roads, schools, parks, etc. The idea is to help make sure that our current residents aren't paying for new infrastructure required by future residents and businesses. Developers should "pay their own way".

Today we heard a presentation about impact fee recommendations for wastewater. The current wastewater fee for each house constructed in Mount Dora is $4,215. It is likely that will increase to $7, 975. That 89% increase paid for by future developers is justified because those new houses will soon require construction of a new sewer plant. There was no voting on this recommendation today. There is a process including public meetings that must be done over the next several months.

Catty corner from city hall, at the intersection of 5th. Avenue and Tremain Street, sits the former law office of Potter Clement & Lowry located at 308 East 5th Avenue. This two story building has formerly been a school and Mount Dora's  library. Today, city council approved purchasing the 3,732 sq. ft. building with 15 parking places with potential for a few more for $1,975,000.  It's proximity to city hall makes this building a great location for our Planning Department. CRAs and code enforcement freeing up much needed space at city hall while preserving an historic downtown building. Funds from the building division will be used to pay for this building. There will be minimal impact to the General Fund. After renovations, we think the building will be ready for occupancy later this year.

We are required to conduct a review of our city charter (think of it as our city's constitution) every five years. That charter review will happen this year. Each council member has appointed a representative to sit on this ad hoc committee that will begin it's work this month and wrap up their work by mid-July. Those volunteers are much appreciated.

Our quote for today comes from Ron Shapiro, a citizen commenting on a Honolulu City Council meeting who quipped; "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." Ouch!

 Thank you for your continued interest on our wonderful town.
By Marc Crail
Vice Mayor and 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. 

When it comes to local government, there are lots of armchair quarterbacks and second-guessers.  In the end, there are only seven elected representatives in Mount Dora serving their community--one mayor and six council members--that have the final say on decisions. City residents can opt to have greater impact because some of those seats will have open elections this November and the qualifying period is just around the corner and the paperwork is now available.  In recent elections, many Mount Dora City Council candidates ran without opposition, so there’s no time like the present to throw your hat in the ring.    ​
 
​Here’s some timely information for Mount Dora residents interested in serving in their community:
 
1.  What are the requirements to run for City Council?
A candidate must be an eligible voter in Mount Dora for no less than 12 consecutive months prior to filing for candidacy.  Paperwork must be filed by the end of the qualifying period which is June 14 at noon.

2. What education and experience is required to run for City Council?
There is no particular experience or education required.  
 
3.  What and when is the qualifying period?
The qualifying period is the timeframe to turn in the paperwork, also referred to as “the packet.”   The qualifying period for the November 5, 2024 city election begins at noon on June 10 at noon and ends on June 14, 2024 at noon.  In other words, all of the paperwork must be completed and turned into the City Clerk at City Hall by that date and time.  The paperwork is currently available now and can be turned anytime before the June 14 noon deadline.  View and download the packet with complete instructions and forms here.
 
4. What are the city council seats up for election?
The Mayoral seat, as well as Council seats for District 1, District 4 and District 5.  View district map below (click to enlarge) or download PDF.