Recap of the August 1, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting

Mount Dora City Council

Mount Dora City Hall Board Room

510 North Baker Street, Mount Dora, Florida 32757

August 1, 2023, 6:00 PM

PRESENTATIONS

1. Mount Dora Fun Fact - the building that is currently home to one of Downtown’s most popular restaurants, 1921, was originally a doctor’s office and small hospital. Young women that were unwed were sent there to give birth and these children were put up for adoption. Later Dr. Montgomery had his medical practice there up until it became the Garden Gate Tea Room.

2. Public Works Complex Project - Update of 60% Estimate. Work is scheduled to begin January 2024 and take 56 weeks to complete.

CONSENT AGENDA - please see each item below because several changes were made between the time the agenda was originally published and the time the Consent Agenda was approved.

1. Request Approval of Agreement between the School Board of Lake County and the City of Mount Dora for School Resource Officer Program 2023-2024. This item was moved to Action Item #5. This passed with a 7-0 vote.

2. Request Approval of Piggyback Agreement Between the City of Mount Dora and ENCO Utility Services Related to Utility Billing Services. This was approved with the Consent Agenda 7-0.

3. Request Approval of the Task Authorization with Faden Builders for Information Kiosks. This item was pulled from the agenda completely before tonight’s meeting.

4. Request Authorization to Purchase Electric Distribution Materials from Gresco Utility Supply Inc., in the amount of $134,683.50. This was approved with the Consent Agenda 7-0.

5. Request Authorization to Apply for a Broadband Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program Grant From the Department of Economic Opportunity. This was approved with the Consent Agenda 7-0.

6. Request Authorization for Mayor to Execute an Engagement Letter with Susan L. Trevarthen, Esq. of Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole + Bierman for an Opinion related to Utilities/Joint Planning Agreement. This item was pulled from the agenda completely before tonight’s meeting.

7. Request Approval of Meeting Minutes - This was approved with the Consent Agenda 7-0.

x July 10, 2023 Budget Workshop Minutes

x July 18, 2023 Regular Session Minutes

ACTION ITEMS - Item #3 was moved to action item #1

1. Request Authorization for Mayor to Execute an Engagement Letter with Daniel F. Mantzaris, Esq. of de Beaubien, Simmons, Knight, Mantzaris & Neal for Interim City Attorney Services. This item was tabled by 6-1 vote (Councilmember Bryant voted against).

2. Request Approval of Task Authorization/GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) with Faden Builders, Inc., Related to the Downtown Streetscape Repairs and Enhancement Program. This passed with a 7-0 vote.

3. Discussion and Decision Regarding the Hiring of Outside Counsel to Address Employee Complaint Against the City Manager. A motion was made to engage Attorney Lindsay Greene to investigate the complaint against the City Manager. This passed 7-0. An additional motion was made based on this discussion to suspend the City Manager immediately with pay. This motion failed 3-4. (Councilmember Rolfson, Walker and Mayor Stile voted in favor).

4. Authorize the City Manager to settle disputed billing with Wharton-Smith, in an Amount not to Exceed $50,000. This passed with a 6-1 vote. (Councilmember Rolfson voted against).

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Request Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-29, Early Equipment Procurement and Owner Direct Purchase for Mount Dora Public Works Facility. This passed with a 7-0 vote.

DISCUSSION ITEM

1. Strong Towns Work Session - a work session will occur at a later date.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT - the City has had two new claims filed since our last meeting. Council will be updated on those as they progress.

FUTURE MEETING DATES

• August 15, 2023, 6:00 PM, Regular Session

• August 28, 2023, 6:00 PM, Final Budget Workshop

• September 7, 2023, 6:00 PM, Regular Session

• September 21, 2023, 6:00 PM, Regular Session

ADJOURNMENT - we adjourned at 9:30 pm

Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening at City Hall. Should you have any questions at all feel free to reach out to me or any members of your City Council.

Crissy Stile

Mayor, City of Mount Dora

352.408.4693

Stilec@cityofmountdora.com

The foregoing is the Mayor’s recap of certain discussions taken place at the Regular City Council Meeting held on August 1, 2023. The information expressed in this message is meant to be a factual summary of events. If you have questions about the statements herein, please do not hesitate to contact Mayor Crissy Stile at stilec@cityofmountdora.com

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