City Council Meeting (2024-05-15)

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 16 TAVARES CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 15, 2024 – 4:00 PM TAVARES CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 201 EAST MAIN STREET, TAVARES COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Bob Grenier, Mayor Sandy Gamble, Vice Mayor Lori Pfister, Council Member Walter Price, Council Member Troy Singer, Council Member STAFF PRESENT John Drury, City Administrator Lindsay Holt, City Attorney Susie Novack, City Clerk Antonio Fabre, Interim Community Development Director Scott Aldrich, Community Services Director Bob Tweedie, Economic Development Director Lori Houghton, Finance Director Richard Keith, Fire Chief Crissy Bublitz, Human Resources Director James Dillon, Public Works Director Mark O’Keefe, Public Communications Director Sarah Coursey, Police Chief Phil Clark, Utilities Director I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. He asked those who wished to speak on an agenda item to complete and submit a Request to Speak form. II. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Tab 1. Pastor Tom Cavanaugh, Retired

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 16 Pastor Tom Cavanaugh, Retired, provided the invocation and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Grenier asked if there were any changes to the Agenda. Mr. Drury said staff had no changes. MOTION Troy Singer moved to approve the Agenda, seconded by Walter Price. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. IV. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS Tab 2. Update on Live Local Act and Approved Developments Mr. Fabre and Community Development Deputy Director Terri O'Neal provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Live Local Act Senate Bill 102 and how it applies to Tavares. Vice Mayor Gamble asked if the income levels for the Live Local Act were per person or household. Ms. O'Neal said she would confirm and provide the information to the Council. Vice Mayor Gamble inquired about the maximum building height allowed. Ms. O'Neal said three stories or sixty feet, whichever is highest. The Live Local Act has height restrictions next to single-family residents or a community, which is 150% of the highest structure. Council Member Pfister asked if the City could opt out of the Live Local Act. Attorney Holt said no, as it was state law. Mr. Fabre said staff would be proposing a performance ordinance in the future that would include noise restrictions to address the Live Local Act and assist with the quality of life for those homes in the commercial and industrial zoning areas. Council Member Pfister said it was her understanding Lake County may be able to opt out of the Live Local Act. Attorney Holt said she was unaware of an option to opt-out and could do research. Lake County Commission Chair Kirby Smith, present in the audience, said Lake County was researching their options. Mr. Fabre discussed Live Local Act projects in the City. Council Member Pfister inquired about residential growth projections. Mr. Fabre said the City was on target with growth and homes in Tavares.

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 16 Council Member Price said he would like to see the cities and counties in Florida come together to see what could be done about the Live Local Act as it takes away City and county sovereignty. Vice Mayor Gamble asked if the Live Local Act projects would not be subject to a Planning and Zoning Board review. Mr. Drury confirmed that the development had to be located in industrial and commercial-zoned areas. Council Member Singer said the ability of Florida cities to decide what was best for communities was being taken away through the Live Local Act. He inquired about properties affected by the Live Local Act in Tavares. Mr. Fabre said the Live Local Act affected industrial and commercial zoned areas. He said some planned developments did not qualify for the Live Local Act because they were negotiated zonings. Mayor Grenier said the cities and citizens no longer have control over what their City would look like and how they would develop. Vice Mayor Gamble asked if the Council could create facade requirements that the development must comply with. Mr. Fabre said each project must meet the City's architectural code, and Live Local Act developments are not exempt from meeting those codes and standards. Council Member Pfister said Tavares worked hard to build the commercial corridor with no residential to achieve a fair and equitable distribution of taxes. Mr. Fabre said changes to architectural standards would apply throughout the City. Council Member Pfister said commercial impact fees could be discounted with stricter residential requirements. Council Member Singer noted the Live Local Act passed almost unanimously in Tallahassee. He encouraged the audience members to speak with their representatives and let them know they support Home Rule, where decisions are made in their communities. Council Member Price said he met with the City's representatives and expressed displeasure with the Live Local Act. V. SWEARING IN BY CITY ATTORNEY AND DISCLOSURE OF EXPARTE COMMUNICATIONS Attorney Holt stated there were no quasi-judicial matters before the Council for consideration. VI. READING OF ALL ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS INTO THE RECORD Ms. Novack read the following ordinances by title only: RESOLUTION 2024-08

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 16 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TAVARES, FLORIDA; PROVIDING NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PENDING ORDINANCE AND DIRECTING STAFF TO DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 21, CITY OF TAVARES CODE, ENTITLED ELECTRONIC GAME ROOMS; PROHIBITING THE ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC GAME ROOM FACILITIES DURING THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21, CITY OF TAVARES CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. VII. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Grenier asked if anyone wished to pull an item from the Consent Agenda for discussion. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve the Consent Agenda [Tab 3. Approval of the May 1, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes], seconded by Sandy Gamble. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Tab 3. Approval of the May 1, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes Approved on the Consent Agenda. VIII. RESOLUTIONS Tab 4. Resolution 2024-08 – Amending Chapter 21, Electronic Game Rooms Attorney Holt said the proposed Resolution 2024-08 was a product of recent discussions from an ongoing concern of the Council regarding electronic game rooms. Attorney Holt said Chapter 21, Tavares City Code, was adopted following concern regarding electronic game rooms as more were coming to the area. The Ordinance was created to control the game rooms; up to 3 were allowed in the City. The Florida Electronic Gaming Commission indicated local codifications restricting game rooms had caused confusion over the legality of the game rooms and machines. The Council asked that a proposed resolution be brought back for consideration. She said the proposed Resolution was based on the pending legislation doctrine that notifies the public and business owners that the Council intends to consider an amendment to the Ordinance and a change to Chapter 21, Code of Ordinances. The Resolution would notify the public that there was an intent within six months to consider an amendment and change to the current Chapter 21. The recommendation is to approve and adopt Resolution 2024-08, implementing the pending legislation doctrine while amendments to Chapter 21, City of Tavares, Code, Electronic Game Rooms are considered. She said

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 16 the Resolution includes a Council directive for the staff not to process any applications, including renewals, while the Resolution is in place. Mayor Grenier asked for comments from the Council. Council Member Price said he would like to reduce the time to consider an amendment to Chapter 21, Code of Ordinances, to three months. Mr. Drury said if the Resolution passed, it would not allow the City to renew licenses and noted it could take longer until an amending ordinance was passed. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve Option 1, seconded by Sandy Gamble. Council Member Singer asked how the Resolution would affect the two remaining game rooms. Attorney Holt said the game rooms would not be licensed and could be code- enforced. She discussed a recent code-enforced property that did not seek a proper renewal and was shut down by order of the Special Magistrate. Council Member Price asked if the Resolution could be extended. Attorney Holt recommended that the Council keep the Resolution as is, and if there was any directive, a proposed ordinance could come back within six months. Mr. Drury said an ordinance would come back for the Council to consider within six months and noted the time frame could change. Council Member Pfister asked for confirmation that Game Rooms could not renew their licenses and that new licenses would not be issued. Mr. Drury confirmed. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. IX. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING First Reading Second Reading X. GENERAL GOVERNMENT Tab 5. Friends of the Tavares Library Horizon Team Update Mr. Aldrich made the following presentation: At the March 20, 2024 regular City Council meeting, Mayor Bob Grenier joined the Friends of the Tavares Library MOU Horizon Team, to work with the City Administrator, Community Services Director and Library Director and the Friends executive board to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would give transparency, clarity and understanding of the relationship between

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 16 the Tavares Library and the Friends of the Tavares Library not-for-profit charitable group. Mr. Aldrich said the Tavares Library Horizon Team met with representatives from the Friends of the Tavares Library (Friends) Executive Board on April 29, 2024. He said staff believed any funds raised by the Friends should be spent on the Tavares Library. The Friends indicated they wished to raise money with the Tavares Library name and brand and provide funds to the Tavares Library and other organizations, not-for-profits, hospitals, and daycare centers. Mr. Aldrich reviewed the Friends Articles of Incorporation and identified their purpose was to raise funds for the Tavares Library. He said the Friends Executive Board countered with its own MOU, allowing funds to be provided to other organizations. Mr. Aldrich noted the Council was given a list of items the Tavares Library requested and denied by the Friends. He said Friends fundraising efforts continued, and the Tavares Library had not been provided with any financial information on how money was raised, where money was spent, or how the Tavares Library brand was used. Mr. Aldrich said the community donated to the organization with the anticipation any funds would go to the Tavares Library. Mr. Aldrich said the staff had not been able to work out differences with the Friends Executive Board, and there was a decision to take a six-month hiatus to allow the Friends to re-evaluate their mission and direction. The City asked the Friends to stop using the Tavares Library name in their organization. He said staff was asking for Council’s support in a motion for a six-month hiatus. Mayor Grenier said the City needs to protect its brand and name as the Friends deviated from its original mission. Council Member Pfister recommended an immediate cease-and-desist order rather than waiting six months. Council Member Singer asked if the staff requested the Friends to stop using the Tavares Library name. Mr. Drury confirmed. He said Friends is considering the request and continued to use the name. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to separate the relationship with the Friends of the Tavares Library, for the Friends not to use Tavares Library in their name, and have the City Attorney issue a cease-and-desist order, seconded by Walter Price. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Tab 6. Tavares Fourth of July Parade Discussion

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 16 Mr. Aldrich made the following presentation: At the October 18, 2023, regular City Council meeting, the Council discussed several options surrounding the Main Street parade during the Fourth of July Celebration. Based on these discussions, the Council asked staff to explore the option of moving the parade to later in the evening to flow into the fireworks and bring back our findings to a future meeting. Community Services staff worked with the Tavares Police Department and several regular parade participants to explore the possibility of starting our parade along Main Street later in the evening, around 7:00 pm. Doing so would most notably create a public safety concern and challenge with the number of people maneuvering through downtown at the later time. History has shown us that between the hours of 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, thousands of people converge on the downtown to make their way to the waterfront for fireworks viewing. Mixing that traffic with parade traffic, road closures and restricted access would be problematic. Additionally, staff has spoken with several downtown businesses, and they are all in favor of keeping the parade at the 5:00 pm start time, ending around 6:00 pm. It also seems to work well for the flow of the event. Entertainment and traditional family-oriented / kids activities all start right after the parade ends at 6:00 pm and segways right into the fireworks show at dark. Staff recommended Option 1, to keep the Fourth of July Parade start time at 5:00 p.m. Council Member Pfister noted her support. Council Member Singer said the Council’s main concern was the heat and rain. He spoke with several downtown business owners who were indifferent to the timing or preferred a 5:00 p.m. parade schedule. Council Member Price said a 5:00 p.m. parade was better for the downtown businesses and noted his support. Mr. Aldrich said staff also spoke with businesses who preferred a 5:00 p.m. parade schedule. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve Option 1 to keep the Fourth of July Parade start time at 5:00 p.m., seconded by Troy Singer. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Tab 7. Annual Council Goals for City Administrator to Implement

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 16 Mr. Drury made the following presentation: Every year, as part of the performance evaluation process, the City Council members identify at least five goals for the City Administrator to implement over the ensuing year. Below is a listing of each Council member's proposed goals for the City Council to collectively weigh-in on and approve or remove. It is recommended that the City Administrator read each goal into the record and provide the Council with an opportunity to adopt them as presented or make changes. Mr. Drury read the following Council goals for the City Administrator to implement: Mayor Bobby Grenier: 1. Plan well the development of the new Tavares Frontier along highways 19, 561, and 448. Prevent sprawl, and be mindful of the needs and desires of our citizens in the development of residential, commercial, industrial, and conservation land. 2. Purchase the Major Alexander St. Clair-Abrams home. The most significant historical structure in Lake County and Tavares could be lost if the city does not acquire it and protect it. Council Member Singer asked for confirmation the Council voted not to pursue purchasing the Major Alexander St. Clair-Abrams home. Mr. Drury confirmed that the Council voted to pursue grant funding, not property taxes. 3. Provide the resources the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments need to maintain a superior level of services to our citizens and visitors. 4. Provide the Tavares Library the updated resources they need to serve our citizens and patrons and the Tavares History Museum to promote and protect the history and heritage of our city. 5. Continue to improve Streets, Alleyways, and Infrastructure to meet the needs of the future. Vice Mayor Sandy Gamble: 1. Deliver a balanced budget with pay raises for the employees. 2. Maintain the same or greater level of service. 3. Continue and finish capital projects. 4. Adopt New Impact Fees. 5. Sidewalk replacement or installed where necessary. 6. Continue to lower debt. 7. Do our best to keep or reduce the tax rate. Council Member Lori Pfister: 1. Implement raising of impact fees. 2. Implement an enforceable, restrictive gaming ordinance.

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 16 3. Aggressive attitude toward economic development. 4. DETER RESIDENTIAL GROWTH. Our infrastructure cannot support what is already approved. 5. Work with county and/or additional partner to fund the rebuilding of Golden Triangle East Campus. 6. Begin planning stage of Senior Center and secure funding. 7. Put PONTOON PROMENADE on map with identity markers and plan future economic development on the promenade. 8. Present balanced budget, with competitive employee consideration, comparable city services, and all safety issues (lighting, etc..) addressed with funding. 9. Resuscitate the Mayor’s Youth Council with Liberty Christian or another local educational facility. 10. Start discussion and planning for the east parking garage. With current economic development in the works, the garage will be needed sooner than later. Council Member Pfister asked Mr. Drury to include the hospital golf cart crossing in her list. 11. Hospital golf cart crossing. Council Member Price inquired about future economic development on the promenade. Council Member Pfister said she sought to bring more visitors and activity along the waterfront daily. Mr. Drury said there was a vacant piece of property next to a hotel that would make an economic engine for the area. He said the staff was working with the property owner for ideas to utilize the property. Council Member Walter Price: 1. Continue to support hometown rule as more and more local authority is being averted to Tallahassee every year. 2. Achieve a balance between lowering taxes and providing needed city services. 3. Have the city attract higher end/national retail growth into Tavares. 4. Have a traffic signal added to the intersection of County Road 561 and State Road 19 due to continual traffic backups as that intersection. 5. West Main Street gateway project Council Member Troy Singer 1. Maintain our “tight community” quality of life as we continue to grow smartly 2. Continue to keep our millage rate as low as possible 3. Stay involved and engaged with the community as a whole 4. Fairly compensate all the city employees 5. Continue investing in our infrastructure 6. Continue to provide a business friendly environment 7. Pursue grants to offset tax burden on city residents and businesses

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 16 Council Member Singer said he wished to take care of all City employees, including the City Administrator. He said Mr. Drury had done a fantastic job leading the City for 17 years. He noted Mr. Drury had not received a raise over the past several years and wanted to ensure he received a raise in the next budget cycle. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve Option 1, seconded by Sandy Gamble. Mayor Grenier said the goals brought forward were excellent and commended the Council. Council Member Singer asked if the motion included a raise for Mr. Drury. Council Member Pfister confirmed. AMENDED MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve Option 1 [Approve the developed collective goals for the City Administrator to implement over the ensuing year], including a raise for Mr. Drury and hospital golf cart crossing]. Seconded by Sandy Gamble. A discussion was held regarding compensation for the City Administrator. Council Member Pfister said she would like to discuss the City Administrator's compensation at a future meeting so a balanced budget could be brought back to the Council with a raise included. Mayor Grenier commended Mr. Drury and said what he had done for the City and Council was beyond fantastic. The amended motion carried unanimously 5-0. Tab 8. Charging Station Update Mr. Dillon said there were 4 complimentary charging station locations downtown with designated parking spaces. According to the staff’s assessment, the total electric consumption cost for all charging stations in 2023 equated to 19,152 kilowatts, costing the City approximately $1,800. Mr. Dillon provided three options provided to the Council for consideration as follows: 1. Charging as a Service: NovaCharge would manage and maintain the system entirely and return the electric cost to the City and a portion of the profits with no cost for repairs or replacements. 2. ChargeUp and NovaBot: Self Management of the system through NovaCharge for a minimum contract price of $199/year/charger, providing access to the platform to set pricing as we determine appropriate.

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 16 3. ChargeUp and NovaBot: Self Management of the system through NovaCharge for an annual fee of $399/year which includes an extended warranty on the equipment through December 31, 2024. Mr. Dillon said staff recommended Option 1, Charging as a Service: NovaCharge would manage and maintain the system entirely and return the electric cost to the City and a portion of the profits with no cost for repairs or replacements. He said there would be no fiscal impact with Option 1. Council Member Pfister asked for confirmation that Option 1 paid for the kilowatts used, there was no cost to the City, and a small portion of the profits would pay for lost parking spaces. Mr. Dillon confirmed and said the systems were turnkey. Council Member Pfister asked if a golf cart plug could be included. Mr. Drury said each system had a golf cart plug. He said the golf cart was free, with a charge for the plug-in. He said it was a nominal trickle charge. Council Member Pfister asked if signs limiting charging times could be installed. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve Option 1, seconded by Sandy Gamble. Council Member Singer said the City of Tavares was a golf cart community and supported including golf cart plug-ins. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Tab 9. Request for Code Enforcement Fine & Lien Forgiveness for 107 Ruby Street Mr. Drury said an updated agenda summary was provided to the Council. Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 2 of the City sets forth the Enforcement of Municipal Codes. Ordinance 2011-12 established the provision for the creation, establishment and levy of a lien against properties which have unpaid utility charges by the owner. Currently, there is one outstanding, unresolved, Code Enforcement Case with fines assessed on the property located at 107 Ruby Street, identified by the Lake County Property Appraiser records as Alt Key No. 3890032. Case CET1810-0010 listed above went before the City of Tavares Code Enforcement Special Magistrate on January 22, 2019. A re-inspection of the property was conducted on the day of the hearing and Sections 12-13, 12-23, 20- 5, 12-16 of the LDR as well as Section 12-4 of the Code of Ordinances

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 16 remained active. The Special Magistrate found the property owner guilty and issued a corrective action deadline of February 28, 2019. Fines began accruing at a rate of $25.00 per day per violation (Sec. 12-13, 12- 23, 20-5, 12-16) and $75.00 per day for Sec.12-4. The fines continued to accrue for Sections 12-13, 20-5, 12-16 and 12-4 until July 9, 2019. The fine for Section 12-23 continued until September 14, 2021. All violations were finally cured 2 years and 332 days from the date the case was initiated. Fines totaled Outstanding fines remained unpaid, and a code enforcement lien was recorded on March 27, 2020 of $28,982.04 with fines for Section 12-23 continuing until September 14, 2021 which was when fines were cured (2 years and 332 days from date of case initiation date). A copy of the recorded lien is attached for Council’s review as well as details for the case. Fines accrued from recording on March 2020 from $28,982.04 to $42,957.04 It should be noted that Code Enforcement Case, CET1810-0010, originated when the property was owned by the previous owner: Elvey T. Kirkland. Staff recommended Option 1, for Council to hear Emad Shahid, current property owner of 107 Ruby Street, and Council holds discussion for reduction of Code Enforcement Lien for Case CET1810-0010. Council Member Pfister said years ago, previous Councils' were relieving fines, and a decision was made to discontinue. Mr. Drury noted the two homes had been in disrepair for many years and code enforced. He said the current owner purchased property through cash, removed the code violations, and invested in the property. He said the current owner inherited the previous owner's violations. Ms. Houghton said the prior owner created the violation, and a lien was filed in March 2020. Mr. Drury said if the new owner had completed a traditional property transaction with a title search, the violations would have been discovered, and the new owner would have come before the Council requesting a reduced lien amount before purchase. Council Member Singer asked if the property owner was present. Ms. Houghton said the property owner was notified. Mr. Drury said the property owner was not present. Council Member Singer said he did not wish to set a precedent. Ms. Houghton said the Council would be unable to forgive the administrative fees, and if approved, the reduction amount would be $42,750. Council Member Pfister discussed the previous condition of the property. Mayor Grenier said he did not wish to set a precedence.

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 16 Council Member Price asked if the violations continued and when the property was purchased. Mr. Drury said the house was renovated, and violations were cured. Ms. Houghton said the property was purchased in March 2021. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to deny the request, seconded by Troy Singer. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. XI. NEW BUSINESS XII. OLD BUSINESS Tab 11. Employee Holiday Addition Council Member Pfister said she would like to revisit a discussion to give employees an additional holiday, Good Friday. She noted other area agencies that observed Good Friday and said she wished for the City to be more competitive. Mayor Grenier noted his support. Doug Keown, 1955 Magnolia Circle, Tavares, said he concurred with Council Member Pfister and Mayor Grenier. He said the City had great employees and supported the City showing its appreciation by providing an additional day to spend with their families. Gary Santoro, Royal Harbor, noted his support for providing the additional day off for the employees. Bruce Peterman, 3303 Seven Seas Drive, Tavares, noted his support for a raise and having Good Friday off. Pastor Watkins, 805 Summerall Avenue, Tavares, noted his support for the employees to have Good Friday off. Mayor Grenier noted Pastor Cavanaugh mentioned in his opening prayer that Good Friday was as important as Easter. MOTION Lori Pfister moved to approve the addition of Good Friday as an annual employee holiday, seconded by Sandy Gamble. The motion carried unanimously 5-0. Council Member Pfister thanked the Council. XIII. AUDIENCE TO BE HEARD

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 14 of 16 Pastor Watkins, 805 Summerall Avenue, Tavares, noted his support for Mr. Drury and the employees to receive raises. He commended the Tavares Library for completing over 900 tax returns and other community programs they provide. Pastor Watkins asked if the Major Alexander St. Clair-Abrams House would be purchased with grants. Mr. Drury said the purchase would remain in the capital program as unfunded, and grants would be pursued for the purchase. The Council would then review any awarded grants. He confirmed no property taxes would be used to purchase the property. Pastor Watkins commended Debby Blais, Community Services Coordinator, for her work at the Tavares Historical Museum. He said she was doing a great job. Pastor Watkins commended Pete Sherrard, Deputy Director of Recreation, for his efforts at the ballfield. He said the parents and children appeared enthusiastic. Kaitlin Brody, 2155 Kalin Way, Tavares, said she purchased a home from DR Horton. Ms. Brody said some inspections should have failed to pass and asked the Council to hold builders more accountable. She said there were code violations at her home, including broken tresses, and the builder is not honoring its warranties. She noted the builder was blaming the City for the issues. Mr. Drury said staff would review the case and speak with the building inspector. He thanked Ms. Brody for bringing her concerns to the attention of the City. Gary Santoro, Royal Harbor, said he appreciated the goals provided to Mr. Drury. He thanked Council Member Singer for making well-deserved comments regarding Mr. Drury. Mr. Santoro said Mr. Drury deserved a raise as much as the City staff, and his team was as successful as it is because of his leadership. XIV. REPORTS Tab 12. City Administrator Report Mr. Drury noted an upcoming Tavares Chamber of Commerce luncheon would be held at the hospital rather than the Civic Center, as depicted in his report. Mr. Drury said street lighting had become an issue in the community due to increased costs by SECO and Duke Energy, which would negatively affect the budget. Mr. Drury said he initiated a Horizon Team to include the Public Works Director, Finance Director, and himself to review the number of lights in the City and explore all available options. He asked if a Council member would like to join the Street Lighting Horizon Team. Council Member Singer volunteered to be on the Street Lighting Horizon Team. Mayor Grenier thanked Council Member Singer for joining the Horizon Team.

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 15 of 16 Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Drury for joining him at a recent presentation at the hospital in recognition of Nurses Week. Mr. Drury discussed how Mayor Grenier and the Proclamation he delivered resonated with the hospital staff and said it was a great event. Mr. Drury recognized Board of County Commissioners Chairman, Kirby Smith, as being in the audience. Chief Coursey noted an upcoming annual summer send event at the elementary school. She said Detective Seargent Schmidbauer was recently honored at the Leesburg Rotary Club for her outstanding service. Mr. Dillon said the Public Works Facility on Captain Haines Road was at substantial completion, a phenomenal project, and thanked the Council for their support. Mr. Clark thanked the Council and citizens for supporting the City employees. Ms. Bublitz thanked the Council for adding an additional holiday and said it would help with the recruitment process. Mr. Aldrich said the Tavares Library hosted and AARP Tax Aid Help completed 900 tax forms for the community. Mr. Aldrich provided an update on the All-Star Teams. Ms. Houghton thanked the Council for an additional holiday for their employees and for their comments and support of staff. Tab 8. City Council Member Reports Council Member Pfister thanked Commissioner Smith and the employees in the audience for attending the City Council meeting. Council Member Price encouraged those present to research the Live Local Act and contact their legislators in Tallahassee. Council Member Singer said he had the honor of attending the Lake County Sheriff’s Office annual Officer memorial. He recognized Commissioner Smith and Chief Coursey, who was the keynote speaker. Vice Mayor Gamble congratulated Ms. Bublitz's daughter for her efforts on the Eustis High School Softball Team, which was headed toward state competition. Vice Mayor Gamble said the Council may need to look at fence and vegetation height restrictions on zero lot lines at intersections to ensure no visual impediments to oncoming traffic. XV. ADJOURNMENT

May 15, 2024 – Tavares City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 16 of 16 There was no further business, and Mayor Grenier adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Respectfully, Susie Novack, MMC, FCRM City Clerk