Mount Dora City Council update: Dec. 22 meeting

 I've selected a few items from our December 21 City Council meeting to share with you. My Christmas present to you is that I'm going to keep it short tonight!

Please keep in mind that I'm not sending this out on behalf of City Council. It comes only from me.

The Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has representatives from the cities in our two counties and also from both County Commissions. One of their responsibilities is to prioritize needed transportation projects for funding. We heard a report from our MPO. Several high priority projects are in or near Mount Dora. Once the priority list has been finalized I'll let you know what roadway projects in our area will be forthcoming.

Two meeting are on tap regarding the potential Simpson Groves development on  US Rt. 441 that I told you about two weeks ago. There will be a public presentation and Q & A on Monday January 10th at 6:00 in the Community Building. The project will come back before City Council at our January 18th  6:00 p.m. meeting. You are welcome to attend and participate in either or both of these meetings.

We got some very good news regarding some grants that Mount Dora will be receiving to help offset the costs of projects including a "Baffle Box" near Lake Gertrude. A baffle box helps maintain good water quality by filtering runoff water before that water runs into the lake.

After an long discussion Council voted 5-2 (Bryant and Stile voted no) to reduce a fine for uncut grass and litter on an empty lot located at 1209 Jackson St. to $5,000. The new property owner plans to immediately proceed with the construction of a new single family home there. In my opinion, that new house will be an asset to the neighborhood and produce property tax revenue for decades to come.

During our second meeting of the evening (Northeast Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting) we learned that Habitat for Humanity has raised $90,000 to match a like amount from the NECRA to renovate and upgrade 6 homes in the neighborhood. That's good news from my point of view.

I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2022. My quote for you today comes from our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge who has strong ties to Mount Dora. "To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

By Marc Crail
Vice Mayor of Mount Dora

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