Doug Gaines

This Capital Improvements Element outlines the City of Ocoee's approach to managing infrastructure through sound fiscal policies to meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses. It details the evaluation of public facility requirements, cost estimation, fiscal capacity analysis, and the adoption of financial policies. The document includes an inventory of capital improvement needs, financial resources, and local practices, along with a fiscal assessment of revenues and expenditures. A key component is the five-year schedule of capital improvements (FY 2021-2026) for areas such as parks and recreation, stormwater, transportation, and water and sewer utilities, aiming to ensure adequate public facilities and coordinate land use with financial capabilities.

This document, an Infrastructure Element/Solid Waste Sub-element for the City of Ocoee, serves as a roadmap for solid waste management from 2000 to 2020. It addresses existing facilities, projects future solid waste generation, and identifies necessary infrastructure. The plan's overarching goal is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring the reduction and proper management of solid wastes, including hazardous waste, and by providing a safe and efficient system with adequate facilities for growth. Key strategic objectives include coordinating with Orange County for facility capacity, maintaining a reduced per capita solid waste generation through recycling, monitoring hazardous waste, and providing efficient and effective solid waste services.

This Conservation Element of the City of Ocoee's Comprehensive Plan aims to promote and enhance the conservation, use, and protection of the City's natural resources, ensuring the highest environmental quality consistent with appropriate growth and development. Key focus areas include maintaining air quality standards, protecting surface water bodies and groundwater quality, preserving the natural functions of floodplains and wetlands, reducing soil erosion, and safeguarding ecological communities and endangered species. The plan also addresses water conservation through efficient use and reuse, and outlines hazardous waste management strategies. The overall vision is to manage natural resources effectively to support the City's long-term environmental health and sustainable growth.

The Code Enforcement meeting addressed several cases involving property code violations. Discussions included non-permitted pavers and concrete, scattered junk and debris, and excessive grass and weed growth. The board reviewed each case, considered evidence and recommendations from code enforcement officers, and imposed fines or extended deadlines for compliance. A motion to cancel the November 28th, 2023 meeting was made and passed due to anticipated lack of quorum.

The commission meeting included an update on a meeting with Orange County regarding proposed boundary and annexation amendments. Discussion centered on whether the cities should formally engage with the county concerning amendments to the county charter related to rural boundaries and annexation restrictions. A draft letter was prepared to request coordination between the county and cities on these issues. Public comments included a discussion on the need for additional tennis courts at Tiger Point Park due to the construction of new pickleball courts and the resulting scheduling conflicts. Several residents also voiced concerns about the overpopulation of community cats and requested that the city create a budget item to assist with trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) programs to address the issue. The commission discussed the pros and cons of such a program, including the potential for unintended consequences and the need for a city facility to handle the cats.