Recap of April 2nd Mount Dora City Council Meeting

​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. 

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