Mount Dora City Council update: Recap of December 17 meeting

​By Marc Crail, City Council Representative for District 4

I've selected several items from the December 17th. Mount Dora City Council agenda to share with you. Please keep in mind that I'm reporting to you as one individual and not in any official capacity.

Our police department has hired a crime analyst whose job it is to collect data that helps the department deploy officers and other resources based on the areas of town and times of day where and when crimes occur. She presented data that showed decreases in violent crimes in several categories. With just two weeks to go in 2024, the statistics are definitely trending in the right direction. In the upcoming months she plans to post this data on the city website.

The City Manager and his public safety team are expecting to receive a quote for construction of a temporary asphalt sidewalk on the east side of the Donnelly Street. This is a public safety concern. As soon as the quote is received and analyzed by our staff, we will get that project underway. In the long term, we hope to get final approval of our grant application that will cover the lion's share of the permanent sidewalk on the west side of the street very soon but that construction will take several months.

Another public safety priority is dealing with the noxious odor situation. As soon as we get the latest data report, council will meet to review that data and begin next steps to mitigate the problem. Residents and council members are rightfully frustrated and eager to resolve this issue.

We heard some good news on the long awaited Wekiva Rail-Trail Extension. The CSX railroad has relented and is now willing to sell the railroad property. We voted unanimously to sign a memorandum of understanding agreement to proceed with negotiations. We are now working with the Trust for Public Land, an organization that has long experience with similar projects. Our partner, Lake County voted to move ahead at their meeting on Monday and Tavares City Council is expected to approve their participation at their meeting on Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

There is also progress on some other projects around the city.  The new playground at Gilbert Park is looking beautiful.

Construction is well underway for converting the tennis court in Donnelly Park to pickelball courts. Construction of a new basketball courts at Summerview Park is finished. The tree planting campaign continues. You can check out the newly planted oak trees at Frank Brown Sports Park.

Our quote for today comes from author, Ernest Hemingway who said; "It takes two years to learn to speak and sixty to learn to keep quiet."

Thanks for allowing me to serve as your District 4 City Council Representative. Enjoy your family and friends during this holiday season.

Marc Crail
Mount Dora City Council District 4 Representative

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