Town Commission Meeting and Public Hearing

 Town of St. Leo, Florida

Town Commission Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda

November 13, 2023 7:00 PM

TOWN OF ST. LEO

TOWN COMMISSION MINUTES

COMMISSION MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 7:00 PM

OPENING     Mayor D’Ambrosio

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE    Mayor D’Ambrosio

ROLL CALL Vincent D’Ambrosio - Mayor

                      James Hallett, O.S.B. - Mayor Pro Tem

                      Donna DeWitt, O.S.B. - Commissioner

                      Curtis Dwyer - Commissioner, Absent

                      William Hamilton - Commissioner

STAFF          Patty Petruff, Esq. - Town Attorney

                      Tom Ashburn, AICP - Town Planner

                      Deputy Steven Bunner - Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

                      Andrea Calvert, MMC - Town Administrator and Clerk

                      Rebecca Merwin - Assistant Town Clerk

                      Luke D'Ambrosio - Intern

MINUTES    MOTION: TO APPROVE THE 10/09/23 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner DeWitt

                      VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

EXPENSE AND BUDGET REVIEW

                      MOTION: TO APPROVE THE 11/13/23 FINANCIAL REPORT.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hallett

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                      VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

DEPUTY’S REPORT - None

PUBLIC HEARING

Ordinance 24-03 Rezoning

                      AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO SECTION 166.041, FLORIDA STATUTES, ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN OF ST. LEO OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 21.5 ACRE TRACT GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTH OF LEMON STREET AND FIRE LANE ON THE WEST SIDE OF WICHERS ROAD TO AMEND THE ZONING FROM MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (MDR) TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF ST. LEO VILLAGES CONTAINING A MAXIMUM OF 86 ATTACHED AND DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES; PROVIDING FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

                      The Ordinance was read by title. Planner Ashburn stated that this application includes a concept plan, not the final plan.

                      The Public Hearing was opened. Richard Christmas questioned the size of the homes on 20-foot-wide lots. Todd Vande Berg, Urban Planner for RDP V, LLC, stated that the homes can be a mix of one or two stories and will have dense landscaping. Shirlene Smith is concerned with increased traffic on Fire Lane and Lemon Street. The Public Hearing was closed.

                      Attorney Petruff stated that if the Planned Unit of Development is approved, the PUD will transfer with the property.

                      MOTION: TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 24-03.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hallett

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner DeWitt

                      VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

MAYOR’S REPORT

Daniel Willis, Regional Coordinator LAKEWATCH, University of Florida

                      Daniel Willis, Regional Coordinator LAKEWATCH, University of Florida, discussed the health of Lake Jovita (Clear Lake). Daniel Willis stated that it is well-functioning lake for this area. The plant life has increased in recent months; if the Town adds grass carp into the lake, Willis suggested to start with 80, reevaluate the plant life after that, and add more if needed. 

                      Terry Schrader met with Charles Thompson with Florida Fish and Wildlife. The eelgrass near shore has increased since March. Thompson suggests adding grass carp. Terry Schrader has a permit for grass carp, and found a fish farm in the area with 8 to 10 inch grass carp available in December for $15.00 a carp.

                      MOTION: TO ALLOW TERRY SCHRADER TO PURCHASE 80 GRASS CARP AT $15.00 A CARP ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner DeWitt

                      VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

Blackman Property Purchase

                      On 11/06/23 the Town closed on the Blackman property (two parcels adjacent to the Town Center).

Cocoa and Cookies with the Mayor

                      Cocoa and Cookies with the Mayor will be located at the blue house on Lemon Street on December 5, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

                      Municipal Association of Pasco Meeting

                      Commissioner DeWitt stated the Town of St. Leo hosted and Dade City chaired the Municipal Association of Pasco Meeting on November 2, 2023 at the Wellness Center. Peter Altman, City of Dade City Interim Finance Officer and New Port Richey Councilman, spoke on the new State required Form 6 financial reporting. Mayor Pro Tem Hallett discussed the possibility of a constitutional amendment to promote clean water in Florida. The event was catered by Papa Joes.

Fire Inspection Request for Proposal

                      Mayor Pro Tem Hallett discussed the purpose of his October motion to postpone the Fire Inspection Request for Proposal. He reviewed the July 2022 Minutes. Town Administrator Calvert and Hallett had meetings with representatives from Holy Name Monastery and a discussion with Jose Caban and Saint Leo University's Chief Financial Officer. Hallett believes it is in the best interest of the Town to move forward with the release of the Request for Proposal.

                      Inspector Barnett encouraged the Commission to have Fire Inspection Services go out for bid but for the right reasons.

                      Attorney Petruff stated that it is in the Town's best interest that requests for proposals are done regularly.

                      MOTION: TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATOR CALVERT TO ISSUE THE FIRE INSPECTION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner DeWitt

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Hallett

                      VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

                      Attorney Petruff recommended the Commission to have the Attorney position go out for proposal. She would like to help with a smooth transition for the new attorney. Attorney Petruff and Administrator Calvert will draft a Request for Proposal for the next meeting.

PLANNER’S REPORT  

San Antonio Truck Route Ordinance

                      Planner Ashburn stated that the City of San Antonio is considering an Ordinance to designate truck routes for Pompanic Street from Michigan Avenue to County Road 52. Ashburn and Calvert have no issues with this Ordinance.

                      Attorney Petruff stated that the City of San Antonio has no authority to regulate the Town's side of the road. Administrator Calvert will let San Antonio know if their attorney has any questions, he can contact Attorney Petruff.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Agenda Items

                      Administrator Calvert stated that only Agenda items should be discussed during the Commission Meeting.  If there is something that the Commissioners would like to discuss, let her know, and she will add the item to the Agenda.  For Public Hearings, all discussion about the subject needs to be discussed during that portion of the Commission Meeting.

                      Assistant Clerk Rebecca Merwin's Florida Association of City Clerks Graduation

                      Assistant Clerk Rebecca Merwin graduated from the Florida Association of City Clerks in October. This three-year track is required for her to receive her Certified Municipal Clerk's Certification.

                      Assistant Clerk Merwin thanked the Commission for allowing her to continue her education. She will apply for scholarships to help with her education costs.

Tree Lighting and Christmas Village at Saint Leo University

                      Administrator Calvert invited everyone to the Tree Lighting and Christmas Village at Saint Leo University on 11/30/23 at 5:30 PM.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Zip Code Boundary Update

                      Intern Luke D'Ambrosio stated that Saint Leo University and the First Baptist Church of Dade City have sent in letters of support for the zip code boundary change.  Mayor D'Ambrosio stated that Congressman Gus Bilirakis fully supports the Town's zip code change.

Form 6          Mayor D'Ambrosio informed the Commission that if they would like the Town's accountants to fill out their Form 6, they will need to contact the her.  Administrator Calvert will provide the accountant's information.

Town Holiday Dinner

                      Mayor D'Ambrosio stated that the Town's Holiday Dinner will be at the Green Door on 8th.

NEW BUSINESS

Saint Leo University Student Government Food Bank - Khristian Parrish

                      Khristian Parrish, President of the Saint Leo University Student Government, thanked the Commission and Town residents for their contributions to the University's Food Bank.

CR 52 FDOT Roadwork - Wichers Road Crosswalk

                      Administrator Calvert stated that FDOT is planning to resurface CR 52 and install a crosswalk with flashing signals near Wichers Road.

ADJOURNMENT

                      MOTION: TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:51 PM.

                      MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                      SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner DeWitt

                      VOTE:                                                          Unanimous for Approval, 4/0

Rebecca Merwin

Assistant Town Clerk

ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION:  Each person addressing the Commission shall first give their name in an audible tone for the record and shall secure the permission of the presiding officer. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Town Commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting, they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record included the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should call the Town Clerk at (352) 588-2622 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting day.  ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION TIME LIMIT:  Each person addressing the Commission shall have a reasonable amount of time subject to the rulings of the Mayor.