Mount Dora City Council Update: Recap of June 6, Meeting

ABOVE: Mount Dora City Hall (Mount Dora Buzz file photo)

By Dr. Marc Crail
​Vice-mayor and District 4 Representative

I've selected some discussion and action items from our June 6 meeting to share with you. As always, please keep in mind that I'm not reporting to you on behalf of City Council, I'm just one member and speak only for myself.

Mayor Stile added an agenda item that I didn't have any prior knowledge of, making a motion to fire City Manager Patrick Comiskey. She presented a list of her concerns, similar to the issues she brought up during our last May City Council meeting. She stressed that in her opinion, many hard working city employees are having issues with the Manager's leadership style.

When her presentation concluded, other City Council members spoke. The theme of their responses to the Mayor's concerns was that we are moving forward with our plan to ask department heads and other direct reports to the City Manager to anonymously relate their experiences (good or bad) working under the leadership of Mr. Comiskey. That process is underway and the results should be compiled and available to City Council members within a month. Most members said that they are in favor of allowing that plan to move forward. I heard the words "due process" mentioned a few times. When we voted on the Mayor's motion, it was defeated 6-1.

By another 6-1 vote (Cataldo voting No) we approved an amendment to the proposed Mount Dora and Lake County Joint Planning Area Agreement.

After a related discussion, our City Manager recommended getting a "second opinion" as to whether  the City can deny water or sewer service to new developments in our JPA.  We voted to seek the opinion of a specialized attorney who would meet with our City Attorney and staff to investigate if that is legal under Florida law.

We voted to approve a "Second-First reading" that could ultimately allow properly equipped golf carts to use certain city streets. There were several changes from the original proposal including reducing the golf cart registration fees to $25 for the first year and $10 in subsequent years. I asked that whatever rules we end up with, we make a one year trial run so that we can make revisions that might be needed regarding parking, etc. There's a second reading and possibly some more adjustments before this becomes law.

Our incoming Fire Chief, Joe Hightower was introduced. Chief Hightower will begin his new job soon.

The quote of the day is actually an ancient Turkish proverb. "When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king, the palace becomes a circus."

Thanks to everyone who loves our city and cares enough to spend their valuable time to voice their opinions.

By Dr. Marc Crail
​Vice-mayor and District 4 Representative

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