City of Clermont council approves range of measures including police contract, fire-station dedication and property vacations

The City of Clermont City Council voted on a slate of ordinances, agreements and land-use requests at its April 8, 2025 meeting. Key outcomes included approval of a collective bargaining agreement with the police union, final adoption of an ordinance vacating Omar Street to allow a hotel project to proceed, acceptance of a donated parcel for a future fire station in the Wellness Way area, and a split vote approving a long-term license for the Lake County Rowing Association at the boathouse.

Council approved the police collective bargaining agreement and wage package that the city manager described as necessary to recruit and retain officers. City finance staff told the council the first-year cost exceeded the adopted budget by roughly $55,000 but that no budget amendment would be required this fiscal year because the pay increase starts in April and the agreement includes no retroactive pay. The council voted 5-0 to adopt the agreement.

Council adopted Ordinance 2025-010 vacating Omar Street (final reading) to allow a hotel and restaurant project to move forward; staff recommended approval and the vote was recorded as 5-0. The council also approved acceptance of a 1.75-acre donated parcel for a future fire station in the Wellness Way/Olympus development area and accepted related terms including an agreement on impact-fee credit; the dedication agreement passed 5-0.

A long-term license agreement for the Claremont Boathouse with the Lake County Rowing Association was the most contested item. Council debated a provision permitting the city to make improvements or changes; proponents said the clause protected the city’s ownership and future flexibility, while opponents said it unduly limited the rowing club’s exclusive use. The motion to approve the license passed 3-2 after discussion and an extended back-and-forth about adding a 90-day notice provision.

On land-use matters: the council approved a variance request from Kings Ridge Community Association to remove 31 canopy trees and replace them with understory crepe myrtles (vote 5-0), and denied a variance request for a gazebo and paver patio at 3262 Hanging Tide Street after staff and the homeowners’ association opposed the after-the-fact work (vote 5-0). The council also denied a proposed small-scale comprehensive plan amendment and a companion rezoning request after debate about entitlements and impacts on adjacent residential areas (each vote 3-2).

Other routine consent items were approved together, and staff provided updates on utility billing communications (Tyler Notify) and other operational matters.

Votes at a glance (formal actions taken) - Consent agenda items 1–3 and 5–10: Approved (motion recorded and passed 5-0). - Item 4: Police collective bargaining agreement — Approved (5-0). - Item 11: Ordinance 2025-010 — Omar Street vacation (final) — Adopted (5-0). - Item 12: License agreement, Lake County Rowing Association (Claremont Boathouse) — Approved (3-2). - Item 13: Variance request, Kings Ridge (tree replacements) — Approved (5-0). - Item 14: Variance request, 3262 Hanging Tide Street (gazebo/pavers) — Denied (5-0). - Item 15: Downtown City Center / Southlake Chamber proposals — Council directed staff to negotiate per Proposal 2 (motion to send to city manager passed; council instructed manager and attorney to prepare a contract consistent with Proposal 2 and economic-development metrics). - Item 16: Fire station site dedication agreement (Olympus parcel) — Approved (5-0). - Item 17: Ordinance 2025-012 small-scale comprehensive plan amendment (introduction) — Motion to deny carried (3-2). - Item 18: Ordinance 2025-013 rezoning (introduction) — Motion to deny carried (3-2).

Council statements and staff presentations that preceded votes are summarized in the separate articles that follow.