Town Commission Meeting (2024-06-03)

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING TOWN OF LADY LAKE, FLORIDA

June 3,2024

The regular meeting of the Lady Lake Town Commission was held in the Commission Chambers at Lady Lake Town Hall, 409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake, Florida, with Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts presiding. The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

INVOCATION

Jim Knight - Retired Cowboy Church Pastor

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Led by Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts

| Commissioner (Ward) | Present | | --- | --- | | Regan(Four) | YES | | Gourlie(Two) | YES | | Sage(Five) | YES | | Freeman(Three) | NO | | Roberts(One) | YES |

STAFF PRESENT

Bill Lawrence, Town Manager; Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; C.T. Eagle, Public Works Director; Mike Burske, Parks & Recreation; Police Chief Steve Hunt, Lady Lake Police Department; Rebecca Higgins, Senior Planner; Elisha Pappacoda, Communications Director Aly Herman, Library Director; and Nancy Wilson, Town Clerk.

Proclamation Recognizing June 2024 as Pride Month was read and signed by Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts.

A. CONSENT

Town Attorney Derek Schroth was also in attendance.

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Commission Meeting Minutes June 3,2024

2. Consideration of Approval to Advertise a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Fire Inspection and Fire Plan Review Services

Commissioner Gourlie made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; Commissioner Sage seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

B. NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion of Allowing For-Profit Recreation and Event Businesses the Use of the Town's Park Facilities for Events and Activities.

Parks & Recreation Director Burske stated that the Town has a history of having partnerships with commercial ventures utilizing our park facilities. Over the years, we have had an outside organization utilize the Log Cabin to host the Farmers Market. This relationship ended when the construction of 27/441 began.The Town took over the event and has turned it around significantly. When we partnered with the Chamber of Commerce for Art in the Park, we had two companies that programmed and staffed the event.A donation was made to the Chamber and no rent or fees were paid to the Town.Both companies did a good job of staffing the event and they did most of the work.

One of the companies recently approached us through the Chamber of Commerce and asked to utilize Snooky Park to host Art in the Park in very early 2025. The company did a very good job staffing the last event. What I am asking this Commission is if the Town wants to pursue relationships with outside ventures such as this one and what type of fee we should be looking at. When it was discussed with the Commission about a year ago, there was not much of an appetite to charge for the use of the park and to keep the deposit low. Does the Town want to open our park areas to large events and charge a fee? Whatever is decided is what the Parks and Recreation Director will pursue.

Commissioner Regan asked Mr. Burske his opinion on the topic and whether outside people would still be able to use the parks when they are rented. Mr. Burske suggested that the Town develop its events and activities, adding that in the last six months, several people have asked to use Snooky Park for concerts and art shows. He suggested that they approach this on a case-by-case basis.

Commissioner Gourlie thinks it is a good idea if it does not cause undue expense or trouble to the Town. It may encourage people to come to Lady Lake where they will support local businesses.

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Commission Meeting Minutes June 3,2024

Commissioner Regan asked if there would be food vendors. Mr. Burske responded that there most likely would be but if we charge the person putting on the event, they will collect fees from the vendors that would not go to the Town.

Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts asked about pre-and post-event work required of Town employees. Mr. Burske responded that professional groups do their own setup and breakdown. However, services required from the Town would be an added expense for them.

Commissioner Sage likes the idea but says it should be approached with caution. We could have a couple events to see how it goes.

Town Manager Lawrence thinks we should charge for-profit entities to use our public parks. He recommends a set fee plus a security deposit.

Commissioner Gourlie asked about a percentage of the take. Mr. Burske responded that reputable entities usually pay a 10% fee.

Mr. Burske will bring back before the Commission a draft fee schedule.

C. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Growth Management Director Carroll said the ordinance breaks down the population (distributed as equally as possible) of each ward and shows the new boundaries. This information has been given to the Lake County Supervisor of Elections and they will make the voter rolls based on the new boundaries. On May 20th, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve this ordinance on first reading.

| Commissioner (Ward) | Vote | | --- | --- | | Regan(Four) | YES | | Gourlie(Two) | YES | | Sage(Five) | YES |

Commissioner Sage asked if a new list of voters per ward will be made available by the Supervisor of Elections. The Town Clerk answered in the affirmative.

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| Commissioner (Ward) | Vote | | --- | --- | | Roberts(One) | YES |

Motion carried 4-0.

2. Resolution 2024-103 - First and Final Reading - A Resolution of The Town Commission of The Town of Lady Lake, Florida, Granting A Variance to Allow a Freestanding Sign to be Within 100 Feet of Another Freestanding Sign In Accordance With the Provisions of Chapter 17, Section 17-3. E). 1). A)., of the Town of Lady Lake Land Development Regulations, on Property Owned By Benchmark Lady Lake 25 Associates, LLC, a Property Being Approximately 1.69 Acres of Land, Located North of the Intersection of Country Road 25/Teague and North Highway 27/441, Within the Town Limits of the Town of Lady Lake, Florida.