Town Commission Meeting and Public Hearing

 Town of St. Leo, Florida

Town Commission Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda

January 8, 2024 7:00 PM

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.

TOWN OF ST. LEO

TOWN COMMISSION MINUTES

COMMISSION MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

JANUARY 8, 2024 7:00 PM

OPENING      Mayor D’Ambrosio

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE    Mayor Pro Tem Hallett

ROLL CALL   Vincent D’Ambrosio - Mayor

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

                        Donna DeWitt, O.S.B. - Commissioner

                        Curtis Dwyer - Commissioner

                        William Hamilton - Commissioner

STAFF           Patricia Petruff, Esq. - Town Attorney

                       Tom Ashburn, AICP - Town Planner

                       Andrea Calvert, MMC - Town Administrator and Clerk

                       Rebecca Merwin - Assistant Town Clerk

                       Gabriel Quinn – Intern

                       Luke D’Ambrosio - Intern

MINUTES      MOTION: TO APPROVE THE 12/11/23 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

                       MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                       SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dewitt

                       VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

EXPENSE AND BUDGET REVIEW

                       MOTION: TO APPROVE THE 01/08/24 FINANCIAL REPORT.

                       MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hallett

                       SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                       VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

DEPUTY’S REPORT - None

PUBLIC COMMENT   -None

PUBLIC HEARING

Ordinance 24-04 Adding Hay and Sod Farms to Permitted Uses in RDR

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TOWN OF ST. LEO CODE OF ORDINANCES PART III, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE RELATING TO THE PERMITTED USES OF THE ZONING DISTRICTS; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, TOWN OF ST. LEO; PART III – LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 7.3 PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS TO ALLOW SOD AND HAY FARMS AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE RURAL DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (RDR) ZONING DISTRICT; PROVIDING FINDINGS FACT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The Ordinance was read by title. The Public Hearing was opened.  There were no comments; the Public Hearing was closed.

                    MOTION:   TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 24-04.

                    MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                    SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                    VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

MAYOR’S REPORT

Proclamation 24-02 Declaring October as Mary Canon Cabot Beautification Month

The Proclamation was read by Town Administrator and Clerk Andrea Calvert. Present were Bob Cabot, Liam, Kristen and Ryan Brady. The Town plans to host several beautification events during the month of October, including a roadside clean-up.

Proclamation 24-03 Honoring Intern Gabriel Quinn

The Proclamation was read by Administrator and Clerk Andrea Calvert. Present was Kelly Quinn. Gabriel spoke about his time as a Town Intern. He thanked the Commission and staff for the opportunity to learn how local government works.

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Comprehensive Plan Update

Sister Donna Dewitt spoke about scheduling the next Steering Committee meeting, as well as the numerous ways for those interested to participate in the future.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Legislative Update

Attorney Petruff discussed proposed legislative changes that will impact the Town, particularly bills containing more preemptions and changes to zoning rules and regulations.

Attorney Services Contract

Attorney Petruff proposed a temporary solution for Town Attorney services; she and Attorney Thanas will remain with the Town until summer (June or July) until a new attorney is secured. Petruff suggested looking for a local attorney.

Fire and Building Inspection Services Update

Attorney Petruff recommended an interim partnership with the County for fire inspection services and seeking a private firm for building inspection services if needed.

                    MOTION:   TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE LETTER TO PASCO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CARBALLA FOR INSPECTIONS.

                    MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                    SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                    VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

                    MOTION:  TO HAVE THE ATTORNEY, MAYOR, AND ADMINISTRATOR TO DRAFT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING SERVICES FROM PRIVATE COMPANIES AND TO ISSUE AS SOON AS IT IS NEEDED.

                    MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hallett

                    SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                    VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

PLANNER’S REPORT  

County Transportation Plans - Objection to the Handcart Road Extension

Planner Ashburn attended the Pasco 2050 Transportation Plan Update meeting on 12/12/23 in Dade City. He reiterated the Town’s objection to the Handcart Road extension, as well as the Town’s desire for a multi-use trail.

Town Center Update

Planner Ashburn stated that the Town is incorporating the roundabout and the Blackman property into the Town Center design.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Qualifying Period

Qualifying Period for Seats 1, 3, and 5 starts on 02/13/24 at 12 PM and ends on 02/20/24 at 12 PM.

Fair Booth     The theme set by the Fair Association for the for the 2024 County fair is “Buckets of Fun for Everyone”. The Town Administrator asked for interested parties from the Town and the Community for their assistance. The University is interested in assisting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Zip Code Boundary Review Update

Mayor D’Ambrosio announced that all of the Zip Code and Boundary information had been sent to Congressman Bilirakis’ aid Summer Blevins for review before it is submitted to the United States Postal Service.

Town Holiday Dinner

The Town's Holiday Dinner will be held at the Green Door on 8th restaurant on 01/11/24 at 6:30 PM.

12/19/24 Grass Carp Released into Lake Jovita

There were 80 Grass Carp released into Lake Jovita on 12/19/24 per Lakewatch's recommendations. 

Fire Inspections

Commissioner Hamilton spoke about the University not fixing the problems stated on the reports and authority figures no doing walk throughs with contractors.  Sister Donna and Bob Cabot (a member of the Board of Trustees) indicated that Monastery and University officials do walk throughs with the fire companies as they install or do work at the Monastery and University.

Orange Belt Trail

Administrator Calvert heard that the Orange Belt Trail route that goes through St. Leo along CR 52 s going to be presented to County Commissioners for approval.

NEW BUSINESS

Grand Opening of Jon's Gourmet Products at Café 36 on 01/16/24 at 11 AM

The Grand Opening of Jon’s Gourmet Foods at Café 36 inside the Saint Leo University Wellness Center will be on 01/16/24 at 11 AM. Commissioners were encouraged to attend.

Blood Drive at Town Hall   

The next Blood Drive is at Town Hall on 02/02/24.

Resolution 24-03 Authorizing Participation on 02/01/24 Municipal Association of Pasco Meeting

                        MOTION: TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-03.

                        MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                        SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dewitt

                        VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

Annual Employee Bonuses

                        MOTION: TO APPROVE ANNUAL EMPLOYEE BONUSES

                        MOTION BY:                                               Hallett

                        SECOND BY:                                               Dwyer

                        VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

ADJOURNMENT

                        MOTION: TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:33 PM.

                        MOTION BY:                                               Commissioner Hamilton

                        SECOND BY:                                               Commissioner Dwyer

                        VOTE:                                                           Unanimous for Approval, 5/0

Luke D’Ambrosio, Intern

Andrea Calvert, Town Administrator and Clerk