MOUNT DORA BUZZ
  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Government & Education
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Kindness Matters
    • Health & Wellness
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Who Knew?
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Holiday Event Guide
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
  • The Best of....
    • Best of Mount Dora
    • Best of Eustis
    • Best of Tavares
    • Best of Mount Dora Take-out
  • Things to Do
  • Dining
  • Live Music
  • Lodging
  • Photos
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • City Scenes
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe

Government & Education

MOUNT DORA CITY COUNCIL UPDATE:   March 17 Meeting

3/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mount Dora Buzz file photo
By Marc Crail
District 4, Mount Dora City Council Representative

Our meetings this evening had a decidedly different feel. With the advent of coronavirus, we were seated about six feet apart from one another and public attendance was minimal. We are trying to comply with state and federal health/safety recommendations while continuing to do the business of our city. This is an ever changing challenge and a late breaking Executive Order from our Governor was read aloud outlining new restrictions on bars, pubs and restaurants limiting seating to 50% of capacity among other things. Many local businesses are open for business and working hard to serve their customers while keeping everyone safe. Please continue to shop locally and stay safe yourself.

I'm reporting as usual not in any official capacity on behalf of the City Council, but as just one member of the Council.

After our previous meeting, I reported my opposition to an ordinance for PUD (Planned Unity Development) approval for a development called Donnelly Woods. This development is proposed to be built on 16.69 acres fronting on Limit Road. and bordering Donnelly Street. It would include 24,000 square feet of office space and 112 apartment units in buildings up to 45' high. District 1 Council- member Pam Burtnett joined me last time voting "no". The other five members voted "yes". Tonight we were scheduled to vote on the final reading of that Ordinance. At-Large Councilmember Crissy Stile said that she had heard from numerous constituents who voiced their concerns about the PUD. Since Cal Rolfson (District 2) was absent this evening it was decided to postpone the vote on the final reading until our next meeting scheduled for April 7th. If you have opinions for or against you should feel free to contact your elected officials to put your two cents in.

We unanimously approved a Resolution for a Police Department Incentive Program. This is critically important since we have been losing many experienced police officers to other nearby departments that pay better that we do.  There are several components to this package that include a 7% pay raise as well as the opportunity to cash in 40 hours of vacation time twice a year and the opportunity to cash in 40 hours of accrued compensatory time per year. This will cost the City about $196,000 a year, but we must be able to attract and retain top notch officers. I am happy that working cooperatively with our police department, we have taken steps to help make our pay and benefits competitive. In my estimation, this will be money well spent.

We had a good initial discussion on several ways we might be able to address the need for "attainable housing" in Mount Dora. It's very early in the process, but helping to have infill homes built on empty lots by partnering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity sounds promising. Helping homeowners of modest means make repairs and improvements on their homes is another possibility. I'm looking forward to moving forward ASAP with possible solutions.

While your City Council members often agree, sometimes we don't, but in my opinion our occasional disagreements are opportunities to listen to opposing views and compromise for the betterment of our wonderful City. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a part of that process.

A friend sent me a quote from Danny Thomas who was a well known actor but will be remembered forever for his  charity work. "Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself, it's what you do for others." Tens of thousands of deserving kids and their families have benefited from Danny Thomas's generosity.

By Marc Crail
District 4, Mount Dora City Council 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.  ​​​​
Sign up for Mount Dora Buzz
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Terms of Use
Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2021



  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Government & Education
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Kindness Matters
    • Health & Wellness
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Who Knew?
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Holiday Event Guide
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
  • The Best of....
    • Best of Mount Dora
    • Best of Eustis
    • Best of Tavares
    • Best of Mount Dora Take-out
  • Things to Do
  • Dining
  • Live Music
  • Lodging
  • Photos
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • City Scenes
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe