City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. If you would like, bow your head in prayer.

Thank you. It is now 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, and the meeting of the Ocala City Council is called to order. Clerk, please call the roll.

Here. We have two new employees. When I called your name, if you would, if you would stand. April Stark with electric, and Lori Brown, growth management. Welcome to the Ocala City family. The clerk will provide the public notice for this evening's meeting.

THANK YOU. ITEM 4A IS A PRESENTATION OF THE MAYOR CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD TO HEAVEN COLON.

All right. Every month we recognize citizens doing outstanding work in our community and heaven. Is it heaven? Heaven is doing great work, so I'd like to read your nomination. Throughout the year, Heaven offers free classes to raise awareness for domestic violence and mental health, breast cancer, autism. She gives free classes twice a month at Howard Academy Community Center in connection with the Community Home Project. These classes help promote physical wellness, create a safe and encouraging environment where community members can come together, build confidence, and improve their overall

ITEM 4B IS A PRESENTATION OF THE CONSTITUTION WEEK PROCLAMATION TO HARLEY DENTON, THE REGENT OF THE O'KELLER CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Proclamation for Constitution Week. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves as posterity to ordain. and establish the Constitution for the United States of America. Whereas on September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the federal convention in Philadelphia met for the last time to approve these familiar words above now enshrined not only in our nation's basic instrument of government, but also in the hearts of our cit

Item 4C is the resolution honoring and celebrating the life of Reverend Dr. Lorenzo Stanley Edwards, Sr., presented to Richard Edwards.

Right there is good. Right there is good. So I don't know how many of you knew Dr. Edwards, but Dr. Edwards was one of the former city councilmen. And he passed away a little better than a week ago. And while we're on that subject, another one of our councilmen passed away about a month ago in the person of Mr. Charlie Roos. We also lost a former police chief within the last week. So keep all of these families in prayer. At this time, we have a resolution, and it reads as follows. Whereas on August 17th, 2026, the city of Ocala lost an extraordinary man, civil rights activist, well-known pasto

ALL RIGHT, ITEM 5A IS THE PRESENTATION OF HEALTHY O'KELLER ANALYTIC REPORT BY JEAN HOUSER, FOUNDING PRESIDENT, CREATIVE SPRINGS, LORI DEBIT, BRAND STRATEGIST, CREATIVE SPRINGS, AND DEBRA VALLEZ, COO, MARIN COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

I'll make a comment quickly, if you don't mind. When you first rolled this out, I think you may have come before us one other time, right? I actually had a meeting with somebody whose child was self-harming, and she didn't know who to contact. So I was able to send her the link, and she contacted somebody through the behavioral health options that you provided. So I'm super thankful that you at least have made it easier for us to connect people and definitely our citizens just by themselves. Yeah. Thank you for doing that.

I would just say this is one of the things I'm most proud of, that I've been able to work with the hospital district and Creative Springs. I mean, lives are being changed from this. We talk about health, mental health today is, I think it's one of our biggest issues our country's facing. And it's sad to hear the numbers that are going to the site because it obviously means that people need help, but people are getting help. And I do think we're changing lives. So I'm very grateful for the work that we've done together. I'm grateful for the hospital district support. You guys have been my bigge

Simply outstanding. Thank you. Thank you. Item 5B, the presentation of the United Way of Marion County 2025-2026 Outstanding Campaign Coordinators Award to Christopher Ramos and Artania Brunel.

Well, it is my honor to recognize our staff for just the work that you're doing. And again, it just, one of the things that I love is that I do believe we have the, our staff in the city have the heart to serve and you guys have gone. Over and beyond last year. So I'd like to recognize Chris Ramos and Natanya Brunel. Did I say right? Are you sure? Okay. Who were recently named 2025-2026 Outstanding Campaign Coordinators by United Way Marion County. Chris and Natanya put tremendous amount of time and energy into leading the city's United Way campaign this year. They organized luncheons, brought

So thank you, everybody. I don't want to drop these. That's hers. And that one's yours. And let's get a picture. Did you want to come up?

5D. I want to make sure I ain't passed nobody. 5C is the presentation of the Florida Public Relations Association Government Team of the Year Award to the Public Information Office.

You got a big team. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congrats. Congrats. All right. I'd like to take a moment to recognize the Public Information Office, which was recently named the Government Team of the Year by Florida Public Relations Association, receiving the Gold Pinnacle Award. That's an amazing accomplishment. I know firsthand how much this team does for our city, whether it's keeping our residents informed, promoting our programs and events, working with our departments, or simply making sure that we are telling Ocala's story the right way. They are consistently wor

5D, THE COMMUNICATION UPDATE FROM THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, GREGORY DAVIS.

I have none. Any questions from the public? Can you reshare that city and county post about the state and county roads? That would be awesome.

Thank you, Greg. All right. Item six is our consent agenda. Are there any items which council would like removed from the consent agenda for individual discussion or consideration?

I motion for approval of the items on the consent agenda.

Second. Are there any comments from the public? Any comments from the council? Having none, call the roll.

On item 9, public hearing and second reading of ordinances. 9A is the adoption of the sale of beer, wine, and liquor for on-premise consumption for Sri 03530 LLC doing business at Laquista Inn and Suites. Is there a motion?

Chief Planning Official Endurance Matt Rivera. I'm getting good.

Is there any comments from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Aye. Item 9B is the adoption of sale of beer, wine, and liquor for off-premise consumption for Moormax Beverage Corp. doing business at BJ's Wholesale Club. Is there a motion? Second? Second. Ms. Manry-Barron, you are back up.

Any comments from the public? Ho, ho, ho. Come up here, sir. State your name and address, please.

You're welcome. Any comments from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Aye. Items 9C through 9F of all future land use changes on parcels owned by the City of Ocala, which are intended to make the future land use designation comply with the use of the property. So we will open the public hearing for all four items. Here are the staff presentations. and take public comment on all four items together, and then vote on each one separately. 9C is the second and final reading and adoption of Ordinance 2026-28. Councilwoman Drow, who introduced this item, is recognized for a motion.

Council President, I move that Ordinance No. 2026-28 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based upon evidence presented to City Council, except that adoption by sections on second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk Jacobs, will you read the ordinance by a towel?

Item 9D is the second and final reading and adoption of Ordinance 2026-29. Councilman Musling, who introduced this item, is recognized for a motion.

Council President, I move that ordinance number 2026-29 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala and based upon evidence presented to City Council, accept that adoption by sections on second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk Jacobs, will you read the ordinance by a towel?

9E is the adoption of Ordinance 2026-33. Councilman Manfield, who introduced the item, is recognized for a motion.

Mr. President, I move that Ordinance No. 2026-33 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based upon evidence presented to City Council, except that the adoption by sections on the second reading be waived. Is there a second?

Second. Jacob, will you read the Ordinance by Talon?

Item 9F is the adoption of Ordinance 2026-34. Councilwoman Dreyer, who introduced this item, is recognized for a motion.

Council President, I move that Ordinance Number 2026-34 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based upon evidence presented to City Council, except that the adoption by sections on second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk, Jacob, will you read it?

Now, Ms. Madravaran is recognized for staff presentation.

So all four of those pieces of property that we went through is up at this time. So what I am asking you, do public, do you have any questions in regard to those four pieces of property? And we are going to vote on them one at a time, but just want to know, do you have any questions about those four pieces of property? Having none, we are ready to vote. First, for item 9C, ordinance 2026-28, the clerk will call the roll.

Aye. Next. For item 9D, ordinance 2026-29, the clerk will call the roll.

Aye. Item 9E, ordinance 2026-33, the clerk will call the roll.

Aye. And finally, for Item 9F, Ordinance 2026-34, the clerk will call the roll.

Aye. Item 9G is the adoption of Ordinance 2026-30. Councilman Hilty, who introduced this item, is recognized for a motion.

Council President, I move that Ordinance No. 2026-30 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based on evidence presented to the City Council, accept that adoption by sections on the second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk Jacobs will read the Ordinance by Talon.

Ms. Magna Barron will recognize for presentation.

Aye. Item 9H is the adoption of Ordinance 2026-31. Councilman Mansfield, who introduced this item, is recognized for a motion.

Mr. President, I move that Ordinance No. 2026-31 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based upon evidence presented to City Council, except that the adoption by sections on the second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk Jacob, read the ordinance, please.

Ms. Magna Barron is recognized for presentation.

Any comments from the public? Council? So I have a question in regards to the tower building. that sits on that property, changing the zoning is not going to affect, in other words, having to move that tower or anything, will it? Okay, thank you. All right, call the roll.

Aye. 9-I is the adoption of Ordinance 2026-32. Councilman Hilty, will we introduce this item? It's recognized for a motion.

Council President, I move that Ordinance Number 2026-32 be adopted as provided by the Charter of the City of Ocala, Florida, and based upon evidence presented to City Council, accept that the adoption by sections on the second reading be waived.

Is there a second? Second. Clerk Jacobs will read the Ordinance by Tyler.

Ms. McNamara is recognized for presentation.

Is there any comment from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Aye. Item 13. AGENDA ITEM 10, GENERAL BUSINESS. ITEM 10A IS THE ADOPTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH MCSHIELD CONTRACTING LLC. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?

PUBLIC WORK DIRECTOR DARREN PARK IS RECOGNIZED FOR PRESENTATION.

One question I'm always noticing on, now they do have on this one, remove existing marking and grinding. So they are taking care of that because remember some of the ones we had in the past, they just went on top. They did not grind down and they're left off.

So what's their definition then of grinding? Maybe you can get back with me on that. I've got a question about that. Sure. You would please. I won't take up. Is the threshold easy to.

What I'm talking about specifically, there's a couple of roads out there, um, One of them is right down here, right away, you know, going. And if you measured it, I'll bet you it's probably three-quarters of an inch. It's been topped and topped and topped. So I would like to look at that, please. I mean, I don't want to go back and make our roads look bad, so we just paid a bunch of money on getting some of them paved.

And for the comments from the council, call the roll.

Aye. Item 10B is the approval of a three-year agreement with Atlantic Pike Services, LLC. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Parks, you once again is recognized.

Comments from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Aye. Thank you. Item 10C is a one-year renewal of a contract with Odyssey Manufacturing Company. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? So moved. Is there a second? All right. Water Resource Director Brian Heller is recognized for presentation.

Any comments from the public? Council? Call the roll.

Aye. Item 10D is the purchase of equipment and accessories from Hack Company. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Heller, you're recognized once again.

Any questions from the public? Council, call the roll.

Aye. Item 10E is a one-year renewal with Mike Lassa, Inc., doing business as Perfection Collisions Car Star. Do I hear a motion to approve this item?

Fleet Management Division Head Lisa Holti. WALMARK IS RECOGNIZED FOR THE PRESENTATION.

Comments from the public. Council. Call the roll.

Aye. Thank you. 10F is the approval of a three-year agreement with Restocon LLC. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? I move. Is there a second? Second. Facilities Division Head Gary Cruz is recognized for staff presentation.

Aye. 10G, the approval of a one-year contract renewal with VIP Security and Investigations LLC. Do I hear a motion to approve this item?

IT Director Christopher Ramos is recognized for staff presentation.

I would just say that our security team does a great job. I see Tracy and his team here. They obviously do a great job protecting us, but they also provide great service under some tough situations sometimes with citizens coming in. Just think we're blessed to have them.

ITEM G IS THE APPROVAL OF ONE-YEAR CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH VIP SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION. DID I JUST DO THAT? ITEM 10H IS THE APPROVAL OF A ONE-YEAR RENEWAL AGREEMENT FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. CITY ENGINEER SEAN LANIER IS RECOGNIZED FOR STAFF PRESENTATION.

Aye. Thank you. 10I is the approval of the purchase of inventory items for O'Kellar Fiber Network from Gresco, Inc. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? So moved. Is there a second? Fiber Network Director Mel Poole is recognized for staff presentation.

Council? Council? YES, SIR. PUBLIC COMMENT. CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? YES, SIR.

OKAY. SO ACTUALLY THAT SHOULD BE AT THE END OF OUR.

Thank you. Any questions? All right. Let's move forward. Move to vote. Yes. Move.

Aye. Thank you. TNG. Aye. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND.

Aye. Item 10-K is the selection of an applicant for appointment to the Airport Advisory Board. City Clerk Angel Jacobs is recognized for staff presentation.

All right. 10K is the adoption of resolution 26-53. Do I hear a motion to approve this item? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Groh, you're still there.

Any comment from the public? Council? Is that a matching grant? Is that a matching grant?

Okay, thank you. Item 10L is the selection of an applicant for appointment to the Airport Advisory Board. City Clerk Angel Jacobs has recognized the staff presentation.

No problem. Do we have an in public comment in regards to advisory board applicant? Yes, please. Come up. You have to come up, sir. State your name.

No problem. Mr. President, can I comment? If you don't mind. Usually I don't comment on these. However, I have a personal knowledge of Camp Clifford. I would say this. He lives at the airport. I know this because he lives in the same hangar as my son has, and I think he's there all the time. But I'm just saying he's a good young man, and I think we need some good young people on the board. I think it would be a good asset.

I'd like to make a comment, too. I've known Robert Little for 34 years. I've worked for him at two banks. He hired me one time, and he didn't regret it. I also know Camp. I know his family, and it comes from a very, very good family. Fine young man. Robert also owns a plane and has it in a hangar at the airport, and I think he would make a good addition, as Camp would. Don't know the other gentleman at all.

All right. There was no comments from other than one. So now we're back here. So cast your vote. And do you have an extra sheet over there? I need one.

Yeah, you have to count these out loud now.

Agenda item. Let me make sure because y'all have been on me today. All right, agenda item 11, internal auditor's report.

You talk about the forensic audit in there. Just a couple of questions. One is, who's responsible for paying that? Would that be the city responsible for paying that, or would that be the pension plan that would pay for the audit?

And obviously, you don't have any idea as to what the cost of a forensic audit would be because of the large sum in the pension plan or anything like that?

Right. But as our internal auditor, you're recommending in this report forensic audit?

And would that be your normal assumption under a report like this? Or because of some of the recent findings we've had at the city that it would be advisable for full transparency to do something like this? Sure.

So I guess the next question is who authorizes the, I mean, since you work for us, but yet the CFO works for the city, who authorizes the union?

Again, I'm not trying to imply any impropriety, but when you look at the report and the fact that you're recommending it and then you have an employee that's no longer here, what's the reason that she's no longer here? Could be she went to another job.

Yeah, I'm just talking from the general public when they look at something like this here. Those are the questions that they would ask.

I know he also points out that an error is very easy to happen when you're dealing with something like that.

So one last question, and I'll let anybody else say. When Purvis and Gray, that is their audit of the city, do they do the mention plan? Yes, sir. They do. Okay.

But they're doing – if I may – I mean, they're doing it with the information that's provided. So if you – I mean, we're talking about $400 million. And I agree with you. We're not – there's no accusation of impropriety. But sometimes, as we know, we'll go down a road with an audit, with a theory, right? You asked a question. And sometimes the audit will – travel different directions and it will reveal several other things. I mean, it's actually very common. And so I think that we err on the side of caution here and go before the pension board and I think that that should be our request to just

Without knowing how much it costs for the, I mean, I've read the report, and I don't see anything in here that would alarm me that you need to do a deep dive. I do think that Vincent's a relatively new auditor to us, and this is a little bit, I'm thinking it's a little bit out of your comfort zone because it's finance, but everything I've seen, But if you want to take it to the pension boards, then since we've talked about it, it won't hurt to take it to them and let them decide whether they want to engage a forensic audit and what the cost would be. We'll do that.

If they decide, that kind of helps us out in making sure we've done our due diligence.

I do think while we're talking about our new auditor, congratulations, I think that we should give him the blessing that things that he is capable of doing, like when you go down roads that lead you in different directions, just keep going. I know that this is beyond the scope of what your office can do, but anything that your office can do, I think we should just give the blanket blessing to just do it. Just let us know at the end, but just keep going until you've exhausted all efforts.

Thank you. Will those lanes be closed until the hotel opens?

And I think you said earlier that you're going to do some kind of blast so that everybody knows. of how many parking is downtown, also where all the new parking is, and then where, you know, you can and can't park. So I think that would be very important to all.

So you have a tentative date for the hotel?

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? All right. Police Chief Mike Balkins. Balkins.

Good evening, Clint Wellborn. Fire Chief.

That's his name? FEED THE FEARLESS. FEED THE FEARLESS. FEED THE FEARLESS.

Thank you. Thank you. Anybody have any questions?

Mr. Ryan . Will you pronounce your last name for me? Ryan .

Do you have any questions for me? Well, we thank you for coming. And I don't think none of us trying to brush you off. We was dealing with situations at one time. Our investigation was not finished. And we don't talk about ongoing investigations and things of that nature now. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING.

LISTEN TO ME. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU HANDLE YOURSELF. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS YOU DIDN'T COME UP HERE SCREAMING AND HOLLYING, ALL RIGHT? YOU'RE ASKING, YOU'RE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE. AND WE'RE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE BACK. WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU CALLED THE CITY MANAGER OR THE POLICE CHIEF OR ANY OTHER DIRECTOR OF A DEPARTMENT They're supposed to get back with you in a timely manner, and I believe they're doing their best to do that.

This is what I think. A month. I think that the staff, period, tried to communicate with you. Hold on. Now, you said, let me. Sure. And you was a little irate. You got upset.

Okay. So then they could not talk to you. Listen to me. If I'm going to talk to you, you need to hear me just like I'm hearing you. We don't have to agree, but you have to hear me. And we can't keep going back and forth. There'll come a time that we have to stop. I think the staff have tried to talk to you, try to reconcile this, whatever way it is that you think that we're supposed to do. But we are trying to do a job here, and all of us are professionals, and we are working to try to handle the business of the city of Ocala. You may not agree with the way we do it. Yes, you're right.

Everything is concerning to me. All right. I say to you...

No, that's not necessarily true. And listen, I'm going to stop. If that's how you feel. Yes, sir. Thank you for coming. God bless you. God bless you too, sir. Okay.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST COMMENT WE HAD. IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. AGENDA ITEM 17. You review that, you know, they're telling you about all the upcoming meetings that we have, communications that we have. If there's nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.

Comments by mayor, council. Comments by mayor, comments by council. Man, what's wrong with you?

Trying to cut me off today. It's all good.

All right, Mayor. Just make it fast. Go ahead, Mayor.

I'll try to make it fast. We attended the county commission meeting this morning, and they recognized just the work done by all the local governments on America 250. I thought it was just a great example of how local governments come together and citizens come together for a great event. But I want to just bring up this topic on Kratom. AND THE POLICE CHIEF, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FOCUS ON SYNTHETIC CREDIM IN THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO OVER THE DETAILS OF IT, BUT I'M GOING TO BE USING MY PLATFORM TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE HARMFUL

I think for sure, at least on my end, I would totally agree. We should look into it. It's a good first step. Exactly. And see what it is. I would agree that we need to do something. Okay.

I agree. All right. Thank you. Okay. So Mr. Manfield. Any comments?

Mr. Hilty. Just a couple of thoughts. I know over the last few meetings there's been some controversial things that have happened. And I just want to say over the past few meetings we've heard from residents regarding their concerns and certain administrative actions like we heard again tonight. I acknowledge that I share their frustration when I hear about these issues, and I recognize that operational errors do occur. However, while there must always be conductive accountability, I want to explicitly state my firm support for the city staff, because I know there's been some feelings that wer

Yes, sir. Thank you. Really quick. The mayor and I were having a conversation about a business that's coming into town. It's an indoor batting cage business that's right down the street, and the county was charging them $100,000 in transportation impact fees. So it brought us back to the conversation of 2025 when we talked about the adoption of their EMS impact fee and the adoption of their transportation impact fees and how we had wanted to implement more of a mobility fee type methodology within the city of Ocala and the surrounding area that positively impacts the city of Ocala. So with tha

Okay. I mean, council was in full agreement, all of us and the mayor, that we should have control over that. This is money that's coming out of our city, going to them, that they can then use anywhere within the county that they please. We have needs in the city. 20th is one of those needs on top of a long list of others. So if they desire to continue with this interlocal agreement, they have to get on board.

Thank you. Thank you. Is Ms. Sherry Teague here? Ms. Sherry Teague. Teague. Teague. Teague. No. She's not here. With Cam Lawn Care. No. Maybe she went home. I understand. She was tired. Everybody, hope y'all...

I just want to say thank you to the staff, too. It's been, I think, a difficult month. Y'all have done a very professional job, and I appreciate it. I'd also like to single out Will. You are under no obligation to give any legal advice to anybody else other than council or a staff member. So good job. Thank you for not even acknowledging the question.

Thank you. Doesn't surprise me. Nothing else.

Positive. Ladies and gentlemen, you all have a good night. Meeting adjourned.

Hey. I know it's fine. I'll see you later. Okay. Take care. Oh, did they not want that?