January 21, 2025 City Council Regular Session (2025-01-21)

CALL TO ORDER

Having been duly advertised as required by law, at 6:05 p.m., Mayor James L. Homich called to order the January 21, 2025 Regular Session of the Mount Dora City Council in the City Hall Council Chamber.

ROLL CALL

Members Present James L. Homich, Mayor John Cataldo, Vice-mayor Cal Rolfson, District 2 Dennis Dawson, District 3 Nate Walker, District 5 Doug Bryant, At-large

Also Present Steve Langley, Assistant City Manager Patrick Brackins, City Attorney Jeanann Hand, City Clerk

Members Not Present Marc Crail, District 4

PRESENTATIONS

1. Economic Development and Redevelopment Presentation

Ryan Culp of Retail Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in community development and revitalization, attended via Zoom and provided a presentation on action plans and methods for redevelopment. Council spoke with Mr. Culp about his presentation and his familiarity with the areas of interest in Mount Dora, mentioning especially the Golden Triangle, Grandview and Highland districts.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ROLFSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA; COUNCILMEMBER WALKER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE.

1. Request Approval of Meeting Minutes

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MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ROLFSON TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA; COUNCILMEMBER WALKER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED WITH A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Request Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Mount Dora and the Northeast CRA for Line of Credit

CRA Administrator Adam Sumner explained that this is the companion item for the interlocal agreement that was just approved at the Northeast CRA Board meeting. The City is issuing a $16,000,000 line of credit to fund the Northeast Community Resource & Recreation Center. The agreement is in conjunction with the line of credit and secures payment of the debt obligation from the Northeast CRA's TIF revenues. Staff recommended approval of the item

Mayor Homich opened public comment. No one spoke.Mayor Homich closed public comment.

MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER WALKER TO APPROVE THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MOUNT DORA AND THE NORTHEAST CRA FOR LINE OF CREDIT; MAYOR HOMICH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED WITH A 6-0 ROLL CALL VOTE.

\| YES \| Walker Homich Rolfson Bryant Dawson

Cataldo \| \| \-\-\- \| \-\-\- \| \| NO \| None \|

2. Witherspoon Lodge

Mr. Sumner provided an update on the status of this item and recent discussions from the Northeast CRA Advisory Committee. Staff, Council, and the Northeast CRA Committee recognize the need for action. The building is of historic significance and is deteriorating rapidly. The City made efforts over the years to clarify custody so that reparative action could be explored, but each time, the forward course was unclear. The Masonic Lodge that formerly used the building did not sign over the assets of the lodge to the parent lodge, which is the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Jacksonville.

That Jacksonville lodge is trying to find ownership and help the City move toward maintaining the building for historic purposes, and putting it back in service to the community. The Northeast advisory committee is in favor of this course of action.

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Staff requested a consensus among Council to proceed with the legal work to move toward saving the building.

Council spoke with Mr. Brackins about possibilities for moving forward. They discussed the building's historic significance.

Council agreed that the City Attorneys should proceed to explore the best way to accomplish the preservation of the building and later present a proposal to Council.

Mayor Homich opened public comment.

Ozell Ward, 341 Alexander Street, spoke about the significance of the building to the Northeast community. He thanked the mayor for putting it on the agenda.

Mayor Homich closed public comment.

PUBLIC HEARINGS-RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES

1. Request Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-03, Approving a $16,000,000 Line of Credit for Construction of Northeast CRA Community Recreation Center

Mr. Brackins read Resolution 202503 by title only.

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-03

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING A NONREVOLVING DRAW-DOWN LOAN FROM REGIONS CAPITAL ADVANTAGE, INC. IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $16,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FINANCING FOR A COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND RECREATION CENTER TO BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA AS DESCRIBED HEREIN; APPROVING THE FORM OF AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LOAN AGREEMENT WITH THE LENDER AND AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A CITY OF MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT REVENUE NOTE, SERIES

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Mr. Langley and Mr. Sumner explained this resolution would authorize a line of credit for the construction of the Northeast Community Redevelopment Agency (Northeast CRA) Community Recreation Center. Bond counsel Joel Tindall from Hilltop Securities was present to answer questions. Staff recommended approval.

Council expressed appreciation for this project moving forward after many years of preparation.

Mr. Tindal explained the benefit of drawdown financing for this project.