Those who came to the February 13th Clermont City Council meeting, expecting a controversial debate between the City Council and the Clermont Downtown Partnership (CDP) over the fate of Sunday’s Farmer’s Market and Merchant Faire, were disappointed. The Council only had good things to say about the changes being made to improve the Market.
Throughout the year, Mayor Gail Ash received complaints about the location, vendor set up, and all around running of the Market. When the CDP appeared before council to renew a one-year agreement to host the Market, the city approved a temporary, three-month agreement until the CDP could show that improvements were being made.
During the past few months, the CDP has been attempting to remedy its venue’s status. Under the management of its new Director Sandy Farnsworth, the CDP has improved the quality and number of vendors and is working closely with the downtown business owners to strengthen relationships. The Mayor said that there are fewer complaints and more compliments.
The council unanimously approved CDP request to continue hosting the market for a 12-month period under the advisement that CDP provides a quarterly update to the City.
Other Highlights of the Meeting
City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to include the City of Clermont in the county-wide Municipal Service Taxing Unit to fund ambulance and emergency medical services for one year. The money from city tax and county funds operates the county fire department and Lake County EMS.
Councilman Goodgame has voiced his concern that the county ambulance service has moved from Clermont Station 2 to the County’s Fire Station on Lake Shore Drive. Presently, the ambulance service takes approximately 10 minutes to reach residents in Kings Ridge, Legends, Heritage Hills and the homes along Hartwood Marsh Road. “The location and reaction time of the Ambulance Service on Lake Shore Drive is unacceptable. Our citizens need better ambulance service. The Ambulance Service at Fire Station #3, serving Summit Greens and LSSC, as well as most of the north part of the city, is working on a 13 hour a day schedule. This is also unacceptable”, stated the councilman.
Goodgame wants a workshop scheduled as soon as possible to discuss the City operating this service from the money which is now given to the county. If the city takes over the service, there will be some start-up costs, but he believes the city will be receiving better service than it’s currently getting. He said he realizes that the city cannot solve the situation immediately, but should begin planning now to provide better ambulance service in the future.
The city approved the annexation and change of zoning of 5.75+ acres of land on the southeast corner of Hancock Road and Trade Avenue. This will pave the way for Cubesmart, a 20,000 square-foot residential, self-storage facility.
