January 13, 2025 City Council Workshop on Parking (2025-01-13)

CALL TO ORDER Have been duly advertised as required by law, at 6:00 p.m., Mayor Homich called to order the City Council Parking Workshop in the City Hall council chamber. Also Present Vince Sandersfeld, City Manager Jeanann Hand, City Clerk Adam Sumner, Deputy Planning Director Misty Sommer, Economic Development Director ROLL CALL Members Present James L. Homich, Mayor John Cataldo, Vice-mayor Cal Rolfson, District 2 Dennis Dawson, District 3 Marc Crail, District 4 Nate Walker, District 5 Doug Bryant, At-large FREEBEE UPDATE A representative (John Janusz, VP of Economic Development) from FreeBee reported on the first quarter of FreeBee’s operation as the city’s parking shuttle service. He described the ways the city is benefitting from this service and reviewed elements of the app. He spoke about expansion of services and ways the city could subsidize augmented service, including ad sponsorship and grant opportunities. Council spoke with Mr. Janusz about usage numbers, grant assistance, expansion plans, route selection and reliability, repeat users, and CRA restrictions. HISTORICAL PARKING REVIEW Mr. Sumner reviewed actions the city has taken to improve upon parking difficulties in the city. He spoke to Council about the current parking inventory. PARKING IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTED Council discussed directing staff to research options and draft the tools necessary to move forward with improvements, including options related to the Methodist Church parking lot. POTENTIAL PARKING IMPROVEMENTS Mayor Homich reported he had spoken with Mr. Larry Baker of Main Street Leasing about his willingness to enter into a relationship with the city to provide parking. At the request of the mayor, Mr. Sandersfeld spoke of possible revisions to the Land Development Code (LDC) that could help with the city’s acquisition of additional parking opportunities. The other Main Street Leasing parking lot was discussed. CITY OF MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP ON PARKING MINUTES REVISION 1 January 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Mount Dora City Hall 510 N. Baker St., Mount Dora, FL 32757

Mayor Homich opened public comment. Alan Hays, Mount Dora, who drives for Mount Dora Transit, spoke about the number of golf carts in the city. John Prentiss, 631 High Point Drive, who drives for Mount Dora Transit, spoke about parallel parking on Donnelly Street, delivery drivers, and limestone. Mayor Homich closed public comment. Mr. Sumner shared with Council the drawbacks of implementing the underground sensor method of paid parking, which include tripping hazards, order requirements, and longevity. Council discussed paid parking. Mayor Homich stated he was looking for a consensus on location and payment parameters. Councilmembers spoke about the Park Mobile app. They discussed the leasing of parking sensors and the benefits the data sensors might provide. They discussed Councilmembers agreed to look at paid parking as part of the downtown solution. Mayor Homich opened public comment. Steve Williams, Mount Dora, spoke about parking habits of downtown employees. Barbara Lang, Mount Dora business owner, spoke about parking enforcement. Juliette Davis, Yada Yada Pottery, spoke about parking experiences relayed to her by her students. Amy Becker, Becker’s Best Shoes, spoke about employee parking. Phil Rosenthal, First Avenue and Grandview, provided his opinion on paid parking and parking apps. Eric McDonald, 1826 Overlook Drive, spoke about individual parking and transportation choices, and the parking impact of these choices. Henry Ollendick, owner of downtown retail venue Papilio, spoke about his understanding of the city’s parking challenges, and shared suggestions. Melissa DeMarco, 2121 Suzanne Drive, spoke about timed parking. Mayor Homich closed public comment.01.13.2025 City Council Parking Workshop Minutes Revision 1.Page 2 of 3

Council discussed converting Baker and Alexander Streets, or other areas in the city, to one-way streets for diagonal parking. Staff mentioned safety concerns and emergency vehicle access. Council discussed transition periods if streets are converted to one-way. They discussed striping and signage, and other possible costs or savings. Council discussed the City's progress on the topic of parking, other areas in the city available for parking, and shuttle usage. They considered expanding the area serviced by the current shuttle program. They discussed the administration costs of parking enforcement, whether enforcement occurred through a parking app or through monitoring by City staff. Council further discussed paid parking. They discussed adjusting the hours currently posted for restricted parking, possibly reducing the time limit. Council discussed sidewalk safety for those using available parking lots, especially the United Methodist Church parking lot, and communication regarding parking availability, especially street signs. Mayor Homich confirmed with Council that Council is in favor of researching costs for converting Baker and Alexander Streets to one-way streets with diagonal parking, exploring shuttle use for the United Methodist Church parking lot. Mayor Homich directed staff to work on the mentioned issues based on these discussions. The Mayor suggested St. Patrick's Church's parking lot as a possible additional space for City parking use. Barbara Lang, 2 Bee Studios on Fifth Avenue, spoke about parking enforcement. City staff stated enforcement would take place. City staff spoke about creating a timeline and an implementation plan. Staff would seek additional input from Council, stakeholders, and merchants. Council discussed enforcement of posted parking restriction signs. Council and staff recognized a willingness to move forward. The use of an app for parking enforcement and related funding sources for parking improvements were discussed. Council considered the years-long discussion of the city’s parking challenges and spoke in favor of identifying specific goals to ensure progress. The benefits of a garage were discussed. Council discussed methods of parking enforcement, particularly as it relates to paid parking. There being no further business for discussion, Mayor Homich adjourned the workshop at approximately 8:22 p.m.01.13.2025 City Council Parking Workshop Minutes Revision 1.Page 3 of 3