City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, we're going to call the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. City Council meeting, regular meeting. Roll call. Kaylee. Council member Thompson is absent. Vice Mayor Grim here. Council member Stafford here. Council member Richardson. Council member Darmms here. Council member Knight here. Mayor Marks here. And we have the invocation by Pastor Mark Sears from Valia County Baptist Church. Please rise and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance.

Good to see you all again. It is a privilege to open your meeting in prayer. We teach our church to pray for you all because the Bible tells us to.

1 Timothy chapter 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the privilege of meeting in this free country. I pray now for wisdom and protection be upon President Trump and Governor DeSantis. I pray God that you would give a special wisdom Lord to our mayor and every council member tonight. Lord, guide the discussions, give them solutions to problems and Lord, give them guidance for the future. I pray for all the city staff, Lord. Thank you so much for all that they do for Orange City. I thank you, Lord, for our police officers. Keep them safe, God. Lord, they do a a very difficult job so that we can live in peace. I pray for every firefighter. Lord, keep them safe as well as they rescue people. And Lord, I thank you so much for Orange City and what it means to all of us. Bless every person who speaks, guide their speech. May it all be pleasing to you tonight. And we give you the glory in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. years. Okay. Absences, we have none.

Uh, two, presentations and proclamations, we have none. Uh, number three, citizens comments. I think we do. Oh, wait. Let me back up. Huh? Yep. Sorry. We do have a presentation. Sorry, we do. Yeah. Yeah. Right here. I don't have that online.

Okay. Let me let me start over here. I got I got two different agendas here. So, I apologize. Okay. Before I start, I'm going to do my uh I just want to do a quick opening of saying that once again um to keep the quorum, we are going to have issue your first warning. If anybody calls out or disrupts the meeting, so we cannot conduct city business, you will be asked to be removed. Um and then also I want to address the fact that we had pulled item 7 C tonight from the agenda after discussion. Uh the items needed more work uh to make a constructive vote for the council. The item was pulled by staff and we will bring it back at another meeting. If anybody has any uh citizen comments today and you would like to speak on it, you still can speak on it. If you don't want to, I'll call your name out and you don't have to, but I will still call you. Okay. So, we're gonna go on to presentations and proclamations, which is 2A, curb appeal, fourth quarter 2025, a word presentation. Joe Ruiz. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, good evening, uh, city council and respected members of the public. Joe Ruiz, development services director. Um, so before you today is our, uh, quarter 4 curb appeal for the 2025, uh, year. And so, um, as always, we're happy to be able to celebrate and, um, honor and acknowledge people who have done, uh, the most, um, with their properties to try to keep a higher standard, um, and an aesthetic and an appeal to our city, uh, to keep our city beautiful, right, with an initiative that started back in in 2012 and that we continue, um, today. And so, um, in appreciation today, um, I I know of the residential um, property owner being present. I believe they're here. I don't know if the the commercial is, but uh we shall see. Um but in appreciation, we do uh present the certificate of award, a $50 gift card. Uh we post a sign outside of their property for acknowledgement, and also it's announced on the city website. Um, by the way, if anyone knows of any commercial properties that uh deemed worthy for curb appeal nomination, please uh send that up to us here at staff, whether it's the council or the residents. Um, as we are falling short of uh nominees for commercial, but um we we welcome any nominations. Uh so today for fourth quarter uh for commercial winner uh we have a launch credit union uh located at 2277 Veterans Memorial Parkway. Uh, Launch Credit Union was built in 2015 and has seen several aesthetic changes over the years. Uh, today the Greystone and cream stuckle of the building and roof are complemented by distinctive orange trim and accents that match their modern logo and provide a pop of color. Oaks have matured in their landscaping areas and provide shade for the parking lot. Several species of shrubs provide an abundance of texture, while the hardscaping near the entryway includes several water-wise plant species. Thank you, Launch Credit Union, for keeping Orange City beautiful. And if there's a representative of Launch, I'd ask him to come up to the front.

Doesn't look like it. We will make uh their award and gifts to them um and and drop it off. Uh so for the residential winner, um the residential winner is Ada Marie Lewis um over at 2853 Stags Leap Drive. Um it was helpful for nominations uh with the um holiday contest, the lighting contest because staff was able to go around and and do judge judging and also see properties that maybe we don't typically uh see on our daily. Um and so um this modern stuckle stuckle home was built in 2004. The earth tone uh brick driveway and sidewalks complement the warm tan exterior and cream stylized emblems embanding around the entryway, windows, and garage. Despite the winter chill, the lawn is thick and well-maintained. Several fun blue green pots provide pops of color along with drought tolerant tropical shrubs, a palm, and seasonal flowers within a hardscape area to the right of the entry. So today, we want to say thank you to Ada for keeping Orange City beautiful. It does not look like Ada's here, so Oh, you're here. Oh, awesome. Come on up, please. Yeah, let's go get a picture.

The council come down and get a picture.

It wheels very easy. Oops. Oh, sorry. That way there's room. I didn't name it. Yes.

Okay. Now we're going to move on to citizens comments. Our first one is uh Leah Brooks. Please state your name and address for the record.

Certainly. Leah Brooks, 313 West French A, Orange City. Um, good evening, council mayor. Um, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Uh, I didn't have much time to prepare because I missed the fact that the council meeting was going to be revamped. I missed it on the agenda today. I was looking through it. I had like a five minute break from work and I was like, "Oh my gosh." But that made me think, how are people supposed to prepare for agenda items if they're only given 12 hours notice? People have work and they're busy. So that is one concern that I truly have. And also, if we're only given 2 minutes to speak on an agenda item, that's a 33% reduction in speaking time, which is quite a bit. So, um, so I just have a couple things to say because like I said, I didn't have time to prepare, but our citizens have had a strong voice in this community, in this city business for over 140 years, and I don't see any reason to change this now. There are better ways to handle the ongoing conflict that's happening between citizens and the council and our leadership than to stifle the voices of the people. In addition, oh, I already said that part. Um, so I think that you guys really should look at, you know, maybe resolving some of these issues instead of trying to squash the voice of the community. I understand this is tough. You've had a lot of people say things that were very difficult to hear, maybe out of line, um, and and you know, but people are rightly concerned, and I think those things need to be addressed. So that's that's all I have to say. Thank you. Mark Dickinson. Hi. Greetings, council. Mark Dickinson. Address is confidential and exempt. Um, I just wanted to say that it is pretty

sad that after whoever was thinking about voting yes to fire the city clerk or or voted yes, I don't remember. Um, but but basically the the person that that caused all that got their ass handed to them and now they want to stifle the citizens. I think every one of you should vote no to make these changes to stop your residents from having a voice and whatever other types of uh restrictions that you're going to have are going to be in there should be voted no as well. That's it. Thank you. I'll let the citizens have their time. Daryl Victor,

please state your name and address for the record. I'll hand it.

Good evening. Daryl Victor, 244 North Levit Avenue. Uh I will be brief and quick out of respect uh for the council. Uh I just wanted to give an update uh and unfortunately because they're having issues with the historic board getting quorum I have to keep coming in front of the council but I'll be very quick. It's just an update of my presentation last time. Um, you guys can access the presentation tomorrow of these slides if you wish to, but basically what it comes up to out to is we have gotten some new information. We have a picture from the 1890s where we can see Levit Avenue in the background and we're able to identify some of the structures. We know it's post freeze based on the trees and the condition of the orange groves at the time. And we also were able to um find within um the library association that we don't have direct access to their files. I'm not sure why we don't have direct access to their files. We have a photocopy of it of uh the Abigail Gun House on Levit Avenue and we were able to compare it to the Gun Museum where their pictures say it's her house in Connecticut. But based on the plants, it looks like they have a host of photos of Orange City that are misidentified. And um so I'll be very quick as well. There's also a news article that we I found from 1895 from Connecticut talking about Orange City where it clearly says that Woolsey Levit uh built his house in 1876 and calls uh uh Levit Avenue, but especially Orange City, the Connecticut colony, and lists specifically all the family members that came down from Connecticut and where they were from in Connecticut that came and founded Orange City and out of respect for the council and their time, I thank you. Um, thank

you very much. I would like to know um if it's possible that we can punt it to the next um session uh if we could get Levit Avenue included into the historic district. That way we can protect the elementary school and kind of hug the neighborhood as well. Thank you very much. Thank you,

John McHugh. Okay. All right. Thank you. It was written on the Michelle Fowler.

Check it again. Please state your name and address for the record.

Good evening. My name is Michelle Fowler, 1595 Brown Avenue, Orange City, Florida. I want to come here and give a thank you to the city, particularly the police department, fire department, and parks and wrecks for our manity festival this past weekend. We had a wonderful turnout on Saturday. Sunday was a little little uh slow, but we had a great festival. So, thank you very much. I would like for you to reconsider the inkind donation in your upcoming budget. Um, we bring a lot of people to this city this past weekend. In the two days, we brought almost 3,000 people to this city. Not only do they stay in our hotels, they eat in our restaurants, and they shop in our stores. So, please reconsider that. Um, we would greatly appreciate it. Also, you guys are elected officials. You are a voice for the citizens of this city. Please don't silence them. Yes, we are angry. Yes, we have outbursts, but we need you to stick up for us. And by silencing the citizens of this city, that is not going to happen. The more you try to shut us up, the more we're going to speak out. Thank you, Sharon Stafford. Can I ask what subject this is about because you have four filled out

all of um citizen concern. Are they four different concerns? Yes, they are. Okay. Thank you.

Sharon Stafford, Earn City. Good evening all council members. I would like to speak on a statement that was made by Mayor Marx during the closing remarks on January the 13 meeting. The statement regarding former city manager Dell Arrington being uncomfortable when approaching me at the Fourth of July activities. Afraid of pulling the black race car. This appeared to be very unfair and disturbing statement. In fact, I was in shock. I'm still shock about this statement. In fact, I had to Google, you know, I'm old. I had to Google this to better understanding pulling the race card where it states someone brings up race in a discussion often to gain advantage, sympathy or defect criticism by suggesting racism is a reason for a situation even is if it's not relevant or true to clear things. Dale van tutor at that time now Dale Arrington and my and myself we attend Daytonal Community College back in 1975 1976. We both rode together to our employer, ate together during lunch breaks, studied together. I would like to request the documents reflect the real truth. Dale and myself were not afraid of each other in 1975 and 1976.

So therefore, it's unclear why 60 plus years later Dale would have be afraid to approach me after many years of us writing together, studying together, eating together, working together. We were then as well as now about justice, equality, and fairness for all, not pulling the race card. As Mayor Mark states, I would like to encourage council members to please, please refrain for this type of statement during their closing comments regarding anyone without giving that person that person a chance to defend theirel. Due process is essential. This type of statement could result in legal action. EIS was just acting for equality and fairness that was given to Kelly Mark's nonprofit organization previously, not the fact of pulling the race card as Kelly Dot.

Okay, time. Okay, I'll call you back up for the other ones.

Okay, uh Christy Gonzalez. Good evening. Chrissy Gonzalez, 470 Redwood Avenue, Orange City. Um, I wanted to touch on agenda items that have since been removed last minute. Um, regarding the limited to two minutes to speak instead of three. I feel like that is highly unfair to the citizens who live here. Three minutes is barely enough time for most topics um to for everybody get to get what out that they need to. So by reducing it to two minutes, that doesn't give us adequate enough time to speak. Um also regarding no citizen comments allowed during special meetings except for agenda items, uh written comments no longer being read at council meetings. Um and the mayor may ban residents from speaking at council meetings for any reason. Um this kind of combines going against our first amendment rights, Florida state laws and the sunshine law. So we need to look at what all that entails and how this will greatly affect our rights as citizens who live here and whether this could be seen as being bullied by one or more uh individuals on the council. I know this doesn't apply to everybody. Um, but I do know that

enough has come through that there's a lot of unrest in the city and that's not right to go against the law, go against our rights just because you don't like what is being said. And I also want to point out um going back when you were running, Mayor Marks, you said your slogan was it's not about me, it's about you, Orange City. A lot of your actions the whole council.

Our mayor, her her slogan, her actions, her words go directly against that. It's not about us anymore. She's turning it into about herself. And now to see these agenda items pop up that only more solidifies that she's only trying to look out for herself and not for the people who are here and deserve to have the right to speak and to be heard. All of you on the council, you are to represent us. I pray that you start to listen to us, start making actions to correct the a lot of the unrest and, you know, truly do what's right for us and following the law. Thank you. concerned citizen.

I'd like to um retain my fourth amendment rights if our dear leader would permit it. Um I think that we're all kind of missing the point here. I think that we should have left the agenda as it was. I think we're celebrating 250 years. 250 years of of our Bill of Rights, of our First Amendment. Don't you guys think that 250 years is enough? I think that if if the mayor or anybody wants to to stifle the the citizens voices that it should be permitted. They know better. These are our bettererss. These people on the dis up here are our betters. We are the lowly surfs. We are the lonely surfs. And we should know our place. We should know our place. If if somebody if somebody if somebody makes some potentially racist comments and it's brought up by a citizen, we don't want that to come to light. I mean some things we should just keep in the dark. You know if we have racism on the dis I I realize there's there's a conflict here because I see some color on the dis but in private or even in public as long as it's not brought up here. If if people want to be racist you know that's okay right? We elected them. They are our bettererss. Going to the uh the idea of limiting the public comment

from from 2 minutes or from 3 minutes to two minutes. I realistically I I Why do we even get that long? I mean, isn't 30 seconds enough to to let you guys know how good you're doing and how much we love you? We we sure do. You guys are doing so great. Now, I'm wondering I'm running out of time here. I have so much praise to give. Mayor Dorms, can I give you or Mayor Mayor Marks, can I please give you some praise? I think that as far as mayors go, racism aside, that that she is potentially the best mayor to ever have been a mayor anywhere ever. Not just here. Not just here, anywhere in America. You don't worry if there's some, you know, potential racism.

That's it. That's all I got. Thank you. I'll be back.

Sharon Stafford. Good evening and again all council members. Public concern the public information request which is a form of process to access documents either by the email per in person phone or etc. When asked by a council member why Mayor Marx was taking pictures of a public request form, her response was is public information. Yes, it may be public information. However, the process to obtain these documents were not should be followed by everyone. Rules for thee and not me. That request has that request to speak has since been placed on a social meter platform. The request showed the speaker's private and personal information. Again, rules for thee and not me. This could place that person in very dangerous situation. And during research, I was unable to locate documents to verify the statement that was made by Mayor Marks, whether it was true or not. Please understand that's a process for information under the public rights request. Therefore, it appears that Mayor Marks may have violated the process at the

January 13th council meeting as well as place that individual in danger. This when acting as a mayor, she took photos of the request from speaker's form. That action requests requires a public information request, not a photo because Mayor Markx wants to. Again, it appears the rules for thee and not for me. This is Is this justice and equality for all? Remember your platform, Mayor Marks, when you were running for mayor? Justice, equality for everyone. That's weird that she made him not address you when he was complimenting you.

Carrie Donaway. Thank you.

Hello, council. Carrie Donaway, 347 West University, Orange City, Florida. I uh was prepared for the resolution that we're all speaking towards today. So, I'm going to read as quickly as I can to stay within the current three minutes that I have and uh hopefully express to this council the seriousness of what this proposal pertained and the reaction you will continue to get. Okay. First, the proposal rules reclassify one of the city's required monthly meetings as a special meeting. While the city's workload remains unchanged, special meetings traditionally carry narrower opportunities for public comment. Reclassifying meetings necessary to conduct regular city business effectively reduces meaningful public participation. Second, the rules reduced citizens comment time from 3 minutes to two minutes, which represents 33. Add on two of the meetings per month that we have being totally taken away, you're at over 50% of reducing citizens interacting with this council. That's not going to fly. I'm going to skip through some of this because I'm putting this uh in for public record and skip to um let's see. Clarification and reconsideration of these provisions is respectfully requested and request that this total agenda change just be dropped completely. It leaves us open to suit. It leaves council members that vote for it, should it pass, open to sunshine laws, and we're not going to stop. I was really worried till I came here and heard my

fellow citizens tonight. I feel really good. Thank you,

Thomas Huitt. Which one you got me down for? Um, Sunshine Law.

Sunshine Law. My name is Tom Huitt and 1060 Tap and Circle. I know there's been a lot of uh talk and a lot of over the past month or so uh complaints and whatnot. And I'm not a big on politics. I am not. Uh, but I this week I went out and I talked I called up to the attorney general's office in uh, Tallahassee and they told me that if there is if anybody has anything that says that you feel there is corruption going on in in this city via the via the council or whoever, they need to get in touch with the attorney general. They can voice their opinion here, but it should not ever be personal. You're talking about somebody's job. You're talking about what they're doing. And as far as the code of ethics, as far as anybody saying that the sunshine law has been broken, like I said, I have nothing against anybody. You need to get in contact with the office of the commission of ethics. If you feel there's been an ethic violation, they're the ones to report it to, not bring it up here and do personal attacks. And I understand that y'all need to voice your opinions. But please, I'm asking everybody to voice their opinions on the job. Okay? If if there you feel there's somebody's been slighted personally or whatnot, please these guys and I and I understand you guys got a lot to do. All right, but the office commission I'm going to give you the guy give you guys their uh number is 8504887864.

Now, in order to file for a ethics violation, you have to have proof. You have to have knowledge, personal knowledge of the ethics violation. Be it in an email, be it in a pictures, be it in a recording, whatever. But that needs to be done because you have to sign up saying, "I hereby certify that this has happened." And you have to you have when you get it sent in and it's against the law. If you file if you file it and nothing's going on and it's a false report, it can be you could be under under penalty of law. So, I understand people are frustrated and stuff and I'm tired of hearing it, too. I I really am. I'm I'm tired of hearing the bickering and stuff, but that's the legal way to do it. Thank you. Sharon Stafford again. Good afternoon all council members. I'm going to speak on the Robert rules of order which is a standard guide for conducting orderly meetings focusing on fairness, efficiency and majority rule while protecting the minority rights. It uses like structural motions, debates, and voting procedures such as requiring a second motion and allowing one speaker at a time to manage organizational business under the Robert Russo order. What I

research the chair presiding officer must remain impartial facilitating business by forcing rules not by engaging in a debate. The key points follow the agenda, maintain order, ensure fairness, effectiveness procedures are in place. The chair should not micromanage or override the assembly will. The chair should not rush through proceedings to prevent motions or debate. The chair should not interrupt a speaker except to enforce a point of order or handle that emergency. Thank you.

Concerned citizen This is a different subject, right? I' It has to be a different subject. Thank you. I'd still like to retain those fourth amendment rights. Um sorry, I don't understand.

Imagine that. Um, you know, I listening to all the complaining, it got me thinking, how am I up here speaking again? It doesn't even make sense. I mean, I need I think I need to revise. Can I just touch on one thing just real quickly? If we could just revise the 30 seconds down to 10 or 15 seconds, I think that we could get through the meeting a little faster and we wouldn't have to worry about, you know, any potential. Uh, you know, sir, I have to interrupt you for a second because you already spoke about that. Oh, so has to be a different Well, I didn't talk about the 15 seconds, but Okay.

I'm I apologize, dear leader. I I I will not let it happen again. It's okay.

Um, one of the speakers brought up the public records and do you guys do you guys see the problem with releasing the public records? If you guys release the public records that show that there might be corruption, then there could be some accountability and we can't have that. We listen. The lowly surfs need to know their place. And our place isn't really even to stand here and speak. It's to just give you our tax dollars and shut the [ __ ] up. That's what we should do. We should just give you our money and tell you that we love you and that you do a good job. you know, because public records, you know, they can be a [ __ ] Like the police department, for example, they just released some public records that were exempt from disclosure. So, one way that we can stop disclosing records to the public that aren't supposed to be disclosed to the public is not disclose any records to the public. If we disclose no records to the public, then you guys don't you guys think your job would be easier if you didn't have to disclose what you guys were doing. I'll take your silence as Yes. So, you know, I don't want to maybe I'll have to fill out another card so I can get back up here and give you guys some more praise. Um, this is my first time to an Orange City meeting and let me tell you, I like what you guys are doing. I do the surfs back here. If it's possible that we could just quiet them down, it would be so much better for you guys. We need to make your jobs easier and and that's really it. You know, we love

you. You guys are the best. Don't ever stop doing what you're doing. Carrie Donaway,

I want to address the warning system that has just changed. Um, it's not illegal. Uh, but it's not either it's it's not accepted generally and widely within the state of Florida. I know some of you are not from Florida. Maybe you should go back to where you're from. But here in Florida, the acceptance uh procedure for warning public comments or disorderly meetings is not done as generalized as you do in the opening. That will be discussed when it comes up on your next agenda and will come under the purview of review from the AG. So what the procedure should be and what the procedure commonly is in our state of Florida is an individual individual not a group is warned once they're warned given a chance and told or directed once then warned then removed so that they can correct their behavior. This is the accepted even under Robert's rules. So once again, we have the mayor that is trying to silence Orange City, Florida residents. Thank you, Sharon Stafford. Again, Sharon Stafford, I'm going to speak speaking on the First Amendment. We are

in our 250th year of our great country. The first amendment of the United States Constitution is a part of that. It protects citizens for government consistence of interference. govern the right to practice religious express your opinion public publish information etc. I would like to suggest that all council members to please remember and understand the first amendment act which was established by our great country 250 years ago. And remember rules for thee and not for me. Is that justice?

Thomas Hwitt again. Tom Huitt 1060 tap and circle. I was uh going to speak on and I still am going to speak on the uh meeting changes, but I need to get something. Uh according to the charter, Arm City's charter, and I'm looking at the charter right now. It says uh section 2.06 06 meetings. The council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution except that it shall meet regularly at least once each month. And then down towards the bottom of it, it says the mayor or two count two members of the council may cause special meetings of the council upon at least 12 hours written notice to each member and other notification as approved by by councel and the public meeting shall be and the public shall be informed by posting the notice in city hall and Orange City post office. Action taken at this meeting shall be limited to the purpose the purpose for which the meeting was called. So if y'all have if y'all could call a a meeting a special meeting at any time. Okay. Now in sections in section uh 2.07 07 because there is an ordinance attached to section 206. And section 207 says, "The council shall determine its own rules and procedures. It shall require a journal or minutes of its proceedings to keep, recorded, transcribed, and retained by the city

clerk. The journal or minutes shall be open to public inspection." Now, what y'all decide on doing is up to you guys. There's not a lot the city can do other than voice their opinion. But one thing I need you guys to think is that if you guys don't feel like you have enough time to do the job that you're supposed to do in these meetings, turning it down to one meeting a month where you have public uh comment is going to make it even longer. Number two, and if you feel like you shouldn't be up here or the meetings are too long because hey, y'all finally got a public that's here that's participating, that's listening. Now, if y'all don't feel like you're up to it, leave. Quit your job. Give it to somebody else that might be willing to sit up here and listen. Even if it's even if it's the most mundane thing in the world. The public has a right to speak. The public has a right to redress their grievances against the government.

Thank you. Okay. At this time, that concludes uh public comment except for the ones that are on the agenda items. Moving on to uh four, consent agenda. We just would need a motion for that. Madame Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to accept the consent agenda. A second. We have a motion. We have a second. Kaylee. Vice Mayor Grim. Yes. Council member Stafford. Yes. Council member Richardson. Council member Darmms. Yes. Council member Knight. Yes. Mayor Marks.

Yes. And the consent agenda passes. Moving on to five ordinances. First reading. 5A. Ordinance number 697. Will you read that into the record, Mr. Waters.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. This is item number 5A, ordinance number 697, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Orange City, Florida, amending chapter 10.5, parks and recreation, article 2, use regulations section 10.5-9 rules and regulations of the city of city code ordinances for prior codeability and effective first reading. Thank you, Ashley Gay.

Good evening, Council Mayor. Ashley Gay, parks and recreation manager. Uh, thank you for your time this evening. I'm very excited to be able to bring this back to you. Um, you asked me to bring this ordinance back um last time and regards to some changes you wanted to see at Mil Lake before um you could move on a couple of them. So reading through the ordinance again. Um for the first one, um we used to have a fireplace at Valentine. We no longer. So just trying to as you start to read back through the rules, you're like, why didn't we remove that? So that was just a minor change. So this year, Mil Lake received cameras and we've always had lighting around the lake, but the last time I brought this agenda was in regards to the safety um concerns by not having the cameras operational before council made a decision. So currently our parks are open 30 minutes prior to sunrise and 30 minutes after sundown each day. So, we have many groups that utilize Mil Lake Park specifically outside of those hours, those time constraints. And two of the groups are Valuchia runners and they start um they're two days a week out there, Tuesdays and Fridays from 5 to 7. And then on Tuesdays, we have another group that comes in at 7. And then there's also a group that comes in in the evening time. It's about 6:45. So that's the Valuchia runners. And then I don't know if you are familiar, we have a new group that's out there that's called the F3. That's actually part of our mayor's fitness challenge. That stands for the fitness fellowship and faith. and they also it's a men's group and they're also meeting at Mil Lake at 5:00 am. So

again, we're asking council to go ahead and approve our request to open the park at 5:00 a.m. uh with closing at 900 p.m. I will tell you with looking at the data since November of the park usage between that hour of between 7 and 8, there is under 100 people that utilize it. and then it drops down between that eight and nine to less than 50 people within this is looking at just the last three months of data. So we do see that those people that are getting off at work, feeding their family, coming back out out after dinner, we just feel like allowing them to use the park later than normal. And then this is the park selected since it does again has cameras and is well lit. So, um, the last one is we're con we're seeing a lot of those gender reveal parties. And so just saying to put language in there because we already know that we don't want people to to release lanterns, releasing balloons, use of glitter, use of the confetti can cannons, aerosol string, or the release of any other substance that causes pollution, litter, nuisance, or poses a danger or burden to the environment and wildlife or the aesthetics and cleanness of the park. It takes us about an hour to clean up those confetti cannons. So really trying to get the word out. Please don't use them. We don't mind those the ones that you release that are just, you know, aerosol. No, they can't use aerosol now. But I'm just saying it it's really been increasing a problem. So that's why we're asking council to allow us to make those changes. So um just uh what are your thoughts, council? And is there any questions that you have for me?

Any questions, council staffer? Yes. Thank you. Um, I was wondering, you're saying, is that just for Mills Lake? That's not for veterans and all the rest, the confettes and all this other stuff. Is this only for Mills Lake, this particular ordinance? That's that this is the park ordinance. This would apply to all the parks. Okay. And the only specified is just is just the times for Mil Lake. Thank you. Any other questions from the council? Okay.

Looking for a motion from the council to approve um this ordinance on first reading. Madame Mayor, I'll make a motion that we approve resolution 413-25. It's ordinance ordinance 277-355. No, ordinance. 697. Oh, thank you. Okay. To adopt ordinance number 697 on the first reading. A second. We have a motion. We have a second. Kaylee, thank you. Oh. Is there any public comment on this? Come on up.

Listen, I'd still like to retain those rights if if possible, dear leader, balloons, and glitter in the parks. Listen, if if we want to bring our families to the park and have a birthday party with some balloons and some glitter, I don't even think that we should be allowed in the parks for more than 15 minutes a day. In fact, if it's possible, could I bring a resolution to the board where we require the residents to stay in their house for all but 30 minutes a day? I think that if we want to really exercise our control over the community, we need to get much more aggressive than lanterns, balloons, and glitter. We need to really keep them in their houses. The parks are not for the people. They're for our dear leaders. So if our dear leader wants the park open a little earlier for her run club, I don't even think she should have to ask. I don't think the public should be allowed in the parks. I think it should be reserved for the deer leader and her friends. And if they want to um keep us from bringing our balloons and our glitter because they pose a danger to the environment and wildlife, glitter and balloons. Wonder if this is evidence-based or if we're just speaking words. That's the problem with speaking words, you know,

is words mean things and we shouldn't be allowed to speak them. We should know our place and our place is really not even to be here. I heard about public participation increasing at these meetings. That isn't what you guys want. We elected you to make decisions for us without our consent and without our uh well-wishes and it's deeply troubling to me that we're allowing people into the parks. Can we put a rider on this this ordinance that that limits the the surfs the normies from entering the park? because I I can see how it can get out of control fast. Public property and access to public property, especially if people bring balloons and glitter. Thank you.

Is there any other public comment on this agenda item? Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the council for action. Um, I just want to make it clear that that statement up there, um, Ashley, is only releasing of balloons, right? They're allowed to bring balloons. They're just not allowed to release them because it affects the environment. Is that correct? Okay. I just want to make sure because there is a lot of birthday parties in the park. Okay. So, we'll bring it back to council for action. We would need a motion. We have a motion. We have a motion. Sorry. Okay. We need to vote. Call the question, please. Council member Stafford, yes. Council member Richardson, yes.

Council member Darmms, yes. Council member Knight, yes. Vice Mayor Grim, yes. Mayor Marks,

yes. And uh, ordinance number 697 at first reading has been adopted. Okay. Moving on to six, public hearings and ordinances. Second and final reading. We have none. Seven, resolution 7A, resolution number 413-25. Mr. Waters, could you read that into the record? Resolution number 147. The property is 6.4 General providing for separate

Joe Ruiz. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, mayor, city council, respective members of the public. Joe Ruiz, development services director. Um, I am moving the lectern just so I can uh face the screen here. Um, not to go Joe,

not to turn my face to you all. Uh so um before you all was read into the record by our city attorney is a conditional use resolution uh for a truck to supply outdoor storage and display area. Um so uh with this resolution um just to be clear the the use of selling uh retail sales and service um of garden supplies or just general retail sales and service within the CG1 restricted zoning district um is a permitted use. Uh however um for the outdoor storage and display area uh there are requirements uh in our code specifically to that use um as an accessory to a principal use that does require a conditional use application to come through um before um the planning commission at minimum and then depending on the size of the property uh before the city council. And so u the conditional use uh involves u it's for a subject property of 1470 North Aluchia which on the map here you're going to see as property 2. However um it does involve um property one which is 1510 South Valuchia Avenue. Um as a total the acreage um of these properties is 6.48 acres. Um the reason why uh we didn't just split it up and did 1470 separately um is because on the conceptual uh plan for the conditional use you all see that uh this site um needs property 2 needs property one for development purposes. Uh so it is part of a of a phased uh development that the applicant is pro is proposing and so staff just didn't feel right that if they came in for conditional use that involve multiple properties and and acreage above 5 acres uh to not bring it before you all in this fashion. Uh so um because the plan the planning one of the planning commissioners did ask the question well it doesn't meet the threshold however the area affected does right so as a total property one is mentioned is 2 uh 62 acres and property 2 which is the conditional use property

is 1470 North Valuchia Avenue which is 3.86 acres. Uh total affected area as mentioned and as uh was on the the resolution header general commercial restricted and the future land use of commercial general Uh so just to kind of give you an overview of what the conditional use site plan uh provides uh as far as um staff has seen and everything that we've uh we've gone through with hurricanes and and uh bad development in many places, right? Long are the days uh gone are the days where we just do bubble plans and things like that. Um, so what staff usually looks at and and encourages developers to do is to provide somewhat of a detailed conceptual plan, right? Um, it doesn't have to be fully designed yet because it is only a conditional use. Um, and so it is at a conceptual stage. Um, and then understanding that site plan will come after. However, we like to understand the details because if if we're going to consider a use, there's details that we've got to look into and and and have um the facts and the information ahead of time to be able to make a recommendation and also for you all to make a reasonable um and understood decision. Uh so, as as you can see on this uh conceptual site plan, uh they are propo proposing access via North Falucia Avenue um and New York Avenue. So, here is 1792 uh North Falucia Avenue. Uh up here is the uh medical office to the north is the racetrack and then they are proposing an additional secondary u access which is required by code um along New York Avenue. Uh the shared cross access that you see so as mentioned uh property property one and two um there are going to be common infrastructure and common uh access and storm water shared areas. Um and so they kind of are they're codependent. they they need each other to to u exist in in the sense of how the developer is proposing the plan. Um and so here

you've got the uh tractor supply proposed building. Um and here would be their their gated or their fenced outdoor storage area and then to the north is a stormwater pond which uh again is conceptual um which final details will come through time of site plan. However, they're kind of designating that area based on preliminary um design that they have done. Um so uh with the use the tractor supply itself is approximately 21,000 square feet which is their prototypical site for the build or building size. And with the conditional use they're proposing 26,700 ft of outdoor storage area. Uh so as mentioned we've kind of colorcoded the uh square footages for the areas that they're providing. Uh the turquoise that you see there is is the 20,000 square foot um fenced area. Um, if you are familiar with Tractor Supply, you know, they they have that area in there where they where they have supplies, propane, different different things and services that they provide. Um, also along the front of the building, they're proposing 3,700 square foot of permanent sidewalk display area. Uh, as um, currently our code is written, uh, there's temporary display um, provisions under overhangs and things like that. Um, if they want outdoor, uh, display and storage, then they have to come through for this conditional use. And then also along uh 1792, the applicant is proposing 3,000 square feet of permanent um trailer and equipment display area. So it'll kind of be the low-lying trailers that you all uh if you visited their sites, they have um along in the parking lot for for sale. and um staff has has worked with them to make sure that um the future plans and the future design uh will have proper screening and adequate screening with shrubbery, with landscaping uh to ensure that we we keep the the corridor of the CRA um we keep it upkept especially with new development um and and we just maintain the aesthetic of our city. Uh so as uh with the outdoor

storage and display areas um our our code does have specific requirements for that, right? some conditional uses don't have specific requirements. Um this outdoor storage does right. So uh there's a four-point criteria and and this is uh not limited to right um these criteria but um obviously public hearings and and input from planning commission and also ultimate decision of city council um influences how they screen and how they um accommodate the outdoor storage. So when we look at our code in table 8.6.1 6.1. Uh it states it's got to be located at least 10 feet from the front property line. Uh so the front buffer here is a minimum of 20 foot required. So it it meets that 10 foot. Uh B is located at least 5T from the side and rear outlines. There are building setbacks that are greater than that. Um and everything is on the side here um and on the front along the building and also um outside of the the setback here on the south. uh street frontage landscaping including type, amount, and location of plant material shall be approved by the planning commission and city council. Uh the planning commission uh did make a recommendation of approval for this project with a condition um to be added to the the resolution and um essentially the the landscape plan that they provided that was provided to you on the packet um they they they found it suffice. Um they are proposing understory trees along 1792. That is not uncommon um due to the overhead lines. Um, a lot of the projects that we've done along 1792, we've accommodated that for um, right tree, right place, right tree purposes to make sure that oak trees and things like that are not conflicting with with the power lines. Um, and then also on the sign and rear yards that are but residential. Uh, so to the side to the east here, there is a a residential parcel. Um, and also to the southeast there's a residential par parcel here. This one is u, I believe R4 county. Um, and we have been talking with the resident. Um the resident did come to the planning commission meeting. I have not seen her in the audience, but I did we did encourage her to show up

today and and and express her thoughts and concerns um to the city council. Um but it says sire and rear yards that above residential shall be buffered with plant material andor solid barriers approved by the planning commission. Uh so few years ago 2023 the city council did approve an ordinance that any commercial um adjacent to single family required a minimum 35 foot landscape buffer. Um, so what the applicant is proposing on the tractor supply parcel is an existing vegetative buffer. So essentially they're they're not looking to interrupt anything that currently occurs in here um on the west side of it behind the building. They're um looking to supplement with trees back there. And then one of the conversation pieces that came up at the planning commission was the planning commission um requested that a physical 8 foot tall barrier be put between the property line or between uh the residential property and tractor supply. Uh the location was not um was not necessarily precise. Uh however, staff and the applicant do anticipate working with the resident to um ensure where that goes and to make sure that uh they are comfortable with where that's at. the the applicant and developer have an idea of where they plan on that. Um but those details will be ironed out and worked out. Um and so it was a physical barrier. So it can be a fence or a wall um depending on the input and depending on um working with the uh property owner to the east. So here's just a blowup of the um proposed development or the proposed uh conditional use. Uh so a lot of the uh northern area is going to be screened um uh really until this area is developed. There's they're going to be preserving the trees in this area up here and along the eastern buffer. Anywhere that doesn't need uh necessary infrastructure, they're going to be leaving alone until a further phase. Um also just to note, we are going to I'm going to show you some elevations in in a little bit. Um, but you that northern part there is going to be buffered by either a future building and also it's

it's it's going to be uh slightly visible from North Valuchia. Um, but with their outdoor screening or their outdoor screening and also um the plant things that they're providing, it'll have a nice aesthetic on the north side there. Uh, as far as parking, uh, they have requested a parking reduction to the TRC per chapter 8. Um, they can do that with a parking study. Um they did provide a study. Our consultant did review it and our consultant found that based on the use um that we can uh recommend safely a a reduction in parking um in planning at least our office we are always proponents of less parking right less impervious um and keeping more natural areas. Uh so just looking at this landscape as mentioned along the east side uh they're proposing a 35 foot buffer uh with the uh planning commission recommendation 8 foot tall uh barrier within this this 35 ft uh preservation of existing vegetation uh decorative planters and uh to screen display areas and permanent trailer and equipment display areas as well. So kind of just to give you an overview of the conceptual and the preliminary elevations. Um, so staff has been working with the applicant. Um, again, as stated, it is on our CRA. It is an area that we want to preserve and keep the the look and the upkeep and our city does value itself, right? And we have standards. Um, chapter 10 is a is a great chapter for architectural standards. Um, and and and I'm a big fan of it for the fact that we get good buildings with developments that come in here,

nicel looking buildings. And so we've been working with the applicant to provide um pitch roof forms. Um being it's a box building, usually that's hard to do. Um but the applicant has proposed certain pitches along the front facade. Um they've proposed outdoor canopy with um treated uh columns um that support the tractor supply canopy that they have out there. And then one of the things that we we talked about them with with the roof is um how can we find a way to kind of create some type of pitched effect on the roof, right? Um we understand modern architecture wants that flat roof look. Um and so what the applicant has proposed is a staggered roof um element from the the front of the building all the way to the back. Right? So it's not a pitched roof per se, but it does meet the intent of our of our land development code and what we're trying to accomplish with that with that flat roof look. Uh so this is the front elevation and this would be the elevation on the right side of the building which is um along the south side visible um right budding u the land motorsports. on the left side of the building as mentioned is that outdoor storage on on the northern portion. Uh so what the applicant has proposed is a rot iron fence. Um and then also planters right uh decorative planters to kind of screen that and break up the outdoor storage look. Um within the architectural elevations typically windows are required. um staff has been working with the applicant that as they treat this um really the windows along the north side would not be appreciated because of the displays that they're going to have um and things like that and the screening. Uh so they they are proposing screening along that northern side with uh with the planters along there. And so here's just a a a rear view uh where they got the loading area and then also the the storage area on the on the northern side. So when we look at these uses and conditional uses, it's not quite a resone, but it it it does affect the um the current zoning, the current land use

of the property, um we do do uh a land use compatibility chart u which you all are familiar with. And so when we look uh to the north we have the office, we have the racetrack, to the south we have the land motorsports, to the west we've got more commercial, and then really the the only residential is along the east. um and it is along our our main historic uh commercial corridor and so um it is a fitting use um staff has found for this site. Uh when we look at conditional use criteria um there are different criterias that that uh A through I that have to meet the land development code um whether it is with um what they're proposing or with certain conditions uh to be applied. And so when staff went through the evaluation uh with with the criterians, they meet uh they meet the criterion straight on or there's certain conditions that we've applied and certain waiverss to to be able to have them meet the criteria. Um, so today, uh, staff recommends that the city council approve resolution number 413-25 proposing outdoor storage and display areas as an accessory use to the tractor to supply condition use application at 1470 North Falucia Avenue with conditions and three waiverss, including the planning commission's recommendation on January 7th of an 8 foot tall physical barrier within the eastern buffer. uh staff uh has provided the conditions um in uh the PowerPoint should uh there be any questions. There is a an updated resolution that was provided to you all and really the only thing that was updated on there was number seven uh which essentially establishes that um the conditional use is only for the 1470 property. Should any expansion occur or there be an additional conditional use, it'll have to come back before you.

Any questions? Go ahead. um the resident that that lives to the east of the property, has their concern regarding the storm water design been addressed?

Um I I don't know that it's been addressed per se. Um we've explained to the applicant that stormwater design has not occurred yet because of the site plan uh application really in the site plan application is when the technical details come into review. Um so um the way the way and just to put it in simple terms track tractor to supply for example they their their use um relies heavily on outdoor storage right so one of the things they want to look at and and kudos to them because developers are usually eager they haven't submitted their site plan yet because they're waiting on this um because if the condition if the conditional use is not approved they're likely not going to do their track to supply because that's part of their business um so what we've explained to Mrs. likes um and she's been very pleasant to work with is that um when the when the site plan comes in uh there will be storm water calculations and storm water design that gets reviewed by both our city engineer and also our consulting engineer. And so, um, kind of one of the things I told her was before you kind of go, you know, uh, too far along on paying for things, uh, like, you know, for geotech or and engineer services, let's get the let staff get the data, review it, and then we will involve you in the process to make sure that all your concerns are addressed and that, um, you know, truthfully, I told her um, one of one of our our roles is to make sure that nothing is negatively impacting neighboring properties, right? um things may slip and things like that cuz we're not perfect. However, she has been very diligent and staff is working diligently with her to make sure that as this develops um she will be safeguarded.

Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from the council? I just wanted to make a comment. I um thank you for all the hard work and thank you to the planning commission because going through all this was a lot. Yeah. And um and I'm super excited about getting something like that in Orange City, but especially on that side of town because I feel like everything's over on Saxon and around that area. So I'm super excited to see some more development on that side of town. So I want to say thank you. That's enough. And mayor, the applicant is here um to to present or speak. Should should they be asked?

Does anybody have any questions for the applicant? No, I just have a comment. Um, I've looked through all of the diagrams of what it's supposedly going to look like and I'm feeling confident because I've been to to the one in Sanford and they did a nice job there. So, I know it's going to push over to here and that is a really good location. So, they should do very well as we should as as a town because we want to have prosperous uh businesses because that keeps us going.

Right. Right. And I will say uh we had several meetings on the architecture. Um they the architectural elevations have come a long way. Um which is why you see the the the brick which is why you see the elements. Um originally there was a lot of CMU block. Um and that has gone away and really you only see that kind of in those painted planter areas. So uh we've been working with them. We let them know what our code states and and staff stance and so um we've got a in my opinion a pretty good looking. So, is this the best looking tractor supply out of all of them? Yeah. Um, I'm hoping to say that like it really something else. Thank you for all your hard work.

Okay, we just need a motion. Madame Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve sol resolution number 413-25 proposing outdoor storage and display area as an accessory use to the uh tractor supply conditionary use application at 1470 North Luchia Avenue with waiverss and conditions. I second. Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Any public comment on this? We have one. Come on up.

Just come up to the podium, please.

My name is Anate and I'm the resident to the east of this uh project. I just want to say that I've been working with Ruiz and also the applicants and they've been all really great uh um just um considering my concerns. One of them continues to be mostly the overflow of water because I had last year with Milton a lot of water coming into the property. So this is the thing that concerns me but Mr. Le has that and also Dylan that they are working to do the best possible. So that's my concern. I just want for the record that I am um able to communicate with them and everything's going I'm pleased with them and the

great. So I just want to emphasize that that I am concerned about the overflow of the water storm water. And that's it. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment on this? Okay, seeing none, we'll bring it back for action. Any question? Council member Richardson, yes. Council member Darmms, yes. Council member Knight, yes. Vice Mayor Graham, yes. Council member Stafford, yes. Mayor Marks,

yes. And uh resolution 413-25 passes. Moving on to 7B. Resolution number 416-26. Excuse me. One second. I think it's Thank you. Thanks. Okay. Uh, where was I? John John Peters. Yes, ma'am. Madam Mayor, waiting for my PowerPoint. There we go. Read the res. Thank you. I got Thank you. Mr. Waters, will you read it into the record first?

Certainly. This is item number 7B, resolution number 416-26, a resolution of the city council of the city of Barn City, Florida, amending the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2025 2026 by adjusting revenue and expenses, repealing all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict here, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, John Peters.

All right. Thank you. Um this is actually about the uh Oak and East Grace intersection and pedestrian improvements. Um we um about a year ago uh the council had discussions about uh the intersection of uh Oak and East Graves. Uh we had a very lively discussion about different options. uh you ask staff to go back take a look at uh what options are available for pedestrian safety and improving the area. Um obviously pedestrian safety is is an issue but then there's some other deficiencies that play into this. For instance, at the um what is the southwest corner of the intersection um you'll see there's a large tree there. uh it impacts the slope of the um the sidewalk. Uh that sidewalk and both legs of that corner do not meet ADA requirements. That's a 5% grade or 2% cross slope. Uh it exceed both of those. Um and it made it extremely difficult uh to meet ADA would actually require removing that tree. Then um within the intersection you can see the alligator pavement. Uh there is a severe drainage problem. Uh it actually works its way across the sidewalk uh downstream to the swale uh between the uh eastbound and westbound leg of uh grace. Uh so that's a problem that we had to evaluate. Uh so this is the addition condition. the um the blacked out areas are areas of sidewalk that we felt that we were going to have to deal with. So um we had three options that we took a look at. First one is signalized

cross-section. These are the ones that have the high intensity lighting and uh that type of thing. Then we had looked at raised sidewalks and then we looked at raised intersection. the Senate pedestrian crossing. As you can see in this example, um you know, they have signs up that have high intensity, the yellow green colors. In this particular example, they actually had um lights that are on the pavement. Uh and given the nature of this intersection, that probably would have been what we looked at. Uh because it gets extremely dark in that area because of the tree cover. Um the pros of doing this, it obviously enhances pedestrian safety. The cons are it does not address the nonADA compliance sidewalls. Uh does not address the drainage problem. The site is not conducive to solar power resulting in higher electric cost. And then the site is not conducive to proper placement of the signage with the current sidewalk configuration. Then we looked at raised sidewalks. And I want you all to note here that this particular raised sidewalk is actually a midblock. And that's an important thing to remember here. It's not at an intersection. It's mid block. The pros are it provides visual evidence of a sidewalk. It slows vehicular traffic and it impartially enhances pedestrian safety. Um, and the reason I say that is because when you're at an intersection, you do raise uh sidewalk, it impedes the vehicle turning and then they're looking at the ground to turn and not at the pedestrian. So, you know, on one hand,

for people going straight through, it helps pedestrian safety. For people turning, it doesn't because they're focused on the pavement, not the pedestrian. Uh the cons on this location did not address the ADA non-compliant sidewalk without removing the large oak tree and actually make the current journey problem worse. So then we looked at a raised intersection. Um there are currently no raised intersections in the city. So this is an extremely new concept for this city. Um there are some really good examples in the central Florida area. Uh my favorite one is on Orange Avenue in Orlando next to uh Lake Avanho, just recently built. Um it really enhances the pedestrian safety. The people park on Highland. Um and then they walked down to go to the lake and so consequently fair amount of pedestrian traffic that crosses the road. By having the raised intersection, uh people really slow down and pedestrians uh are able to get across safely. The pros, it allow for the sidewalk on all four legs of the intersection. Right now, uh we have sidewalks on three legs. Uh the portion that crosses oak on both the north and the south side and then the portion that crosses each graves on the east side. The west side crossing uh each grave has no sidewalk. So if you're on the wrong side of Oak, you got to cross Oak, then cross East Graves, and possibly cross Oak again uh instead of having a direct connection. This design allows it to include that fourth leg. Um so that that's an improvement. It will allow for the sidewalks, all of them, to be fully ADA compliant because we're raising the intersection. And when we raise the intersection, the sidewalk

comes up with it. Uh so we will be able to be ADA compliant. It will slow traffic fees. Um typically um on a raised intersection that does not have a stop sign. Uh the speed drop to about 20 miles an hour. Um I'm sure many of you all been through there where people can see the light at 1792 green and they actually speed up. uh they're not going to be able to do that with this intersection because they'll have to slow down to cross the intersection. Um it enhances pedestrian safety. Um and it it's actually visually more pleasing. Um and part of that is when we went through the TRC review process, um the recommendation from TRC is that the crosswalk themselves uh following the uh the concept that we have throughout the CRA, we will do the color stamp uh herring bone brick crosswalk. So that'll be very visually pleasing. The ramp themselves will be concrete, so it will stand out. It'll be a lighter color than the pavement. So overall, it will be a much more pleasing look. The con quite honestly, it's uniqueness. Uh it is very unique and one of the things that concerns me is uh I think this will be a popular concept and we're going to be asked to do it more places. Um I already can envision we're putting a four-way stop at Levit and East Graves. I can see certain council members that may want to uh do a raised intersection there, but we'll deal with that after we see how this one works. So, the proposed improvements, we will install a raise intersection which will improve drainage, creates ADA compliant sidewalks without uh impacting the

existing trees, improve pedestrian opportunities and safety, and slows vehicular traffic. We will install new sidewalks on all four legs of the uh of Oak and East Grace intersection. We will install 20 permanent parking spaces. Um we will have 17 spaces along East Grave from Oak to Holly on the north side. Right now that pavement is 20 roughly 22 feet wide. Um, I have seen everything from people parking in that area to people passing me in that area. Uh, I can't tell you how many people have actually passed that they think it's a two-lane section and they pass people trying to get to 1792. Uh, by putting the parking in, we provide extra parking for uh, potential u future uh, redevelopment opportunities. Uh, we already have a parking shortage in the area. we all aware of. And then over on Oak itself, uh we don't really have designated parking spaces, but for those people who are familiar with the area, people park on the shoulder. Uh it is um at this point basically dirt. Um the trees are not really protected um in that area. So what we're doing is we're putting in defined curved parking spaces along Oak. We're widening Oak from what now is about 16 feet to 20 feet. So, it will be a true two-lane road with the parking on the side. Um, now speaking of parking, uh, the plans, if we show them, show 9 foot by 22 foot parking spaces, which is the national standard. Our ordinance, as it is right now, requires a 10 foot by

22 foot. So part of what we're going to ask you tonight and TRC recommended it is that we wave the parking dimension for parallel spaces from 10 by 22 down to 9 by 22 that meets national standards is safe and we're recommending that and then we will be installing stamp concrete pedestrian crosswalk similar to the crosswalk throughout the CRA. Important thing here is within the CRA um is actually thin brick uh in a concrete bed. What we're going to do is actually stamp concrete. Uh so we don't have loose bricks and that type of thing. It will be the same color. We will color match it, but it would actually be stamped concrete, not pavers themselves. Um and the total cost is anticipated to be $276,86. And I hope I'm not the low bidder. Um, so this is a plan that shows uh you will notice that on the left side of the intersection, the sidewalk is actually curved uh because there's a telephone pole there that I don't want to move. Uh so uh it will be curved, but there will be a curb protecting the pedestrian. Um you can see the three parking spaces along Oak. We're maintaining the uh handicap space for the bakery on the corner. And then at the very top going to the left, you can see the parking spaces along East Graves. This is an example of the stamp concrete what it will look like. So staff recommend city council approve a waiver of the proposed 9 foot by 22 foot parallel parking spaces as shown on the plan. Authorize the project to proceed to construction bid phase for

formal pricing and adopt budget amendment resolution number 416-26. Um, I would like to thank uh Dein Moore and the finance department for helping me with the budget resolution and I'd like to thank the uh planning staff uh for their excellent comments when they reviewed the plans. Uh, it made the project much better. So, with that, I will answer any questions you may have.

Any questions from the council? I have a so so option three obviously is the best option from what I can see what you're proposing. I love that it addresses the ADA the storm water issues because that's you know obviously very important and the parking because now if we're we're trying to create a downtown area that just adds to more parking for things that are happening. So I love that that's we're planning for the future you know now. So I great work on the project. Um when I I don't know how long ago we brought this forward to the council. Do you remember how it's been a while, right? About a year ago.

About a year. So the reason it was brought to the council was because a lady had stopped me. Um she was trying to push her baby across graves and there's so much traffic that you know it was like playing the game chicken, right? And she asked me if if I would ask you all if we could do this. And so, um, I think it's going to benefit a lot of residents in Orange City, um, to have a safer crossing there. I know it's close to Panny Pan, too, and a lot of people walk there in that area. So, um, I'm glad that this is finally coming to fruition, and I hope that we can pass it tonight. Um, and that that being said, uh, we just need a motion. I'd like to make a motion to approve a waiver the 9 by 22 foot parallel parking space requirement and authorize the project to proceed to the construction bid phase for formal pricing and adopt budget amendment resolution number 416-26.

Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Is there any public comment on this? Can you come up to Can you come up to the podium? I'm sorry. You have to come up. the three spaces on the spacing that you have set up there.

Excellent question. Uh it doesn't show up well on the plan, but it would protect the trees that are there now. Um when we yes when we put the additional width on the uh roadway that moves everything four feet then you put the parking spaces in uh we will be into where the trees are and so I wanted to protect the trees because they're healthy trees. Are there any trees on the opposite side of that tree? Um there are there's a tree at the corner um but no I don't believe there's any there may be one other tree on that side but I can't recall right off hand. That was my only question. Okay. the reason for the addition. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments?

Yeah. Yeah. Come on. Tom Hwitt, 1060 tap and circle. I'm just looking at this. Uh the proposal is just for the budget, correct? And like you said, you had another meeting resolution to for the project, correct? No,

no. Previously, we had a discussion and action under new business that was brought back and based on the the um instructions at that time, these plans have been developed and are now being presented for their approval or denial. My question is is this. If the resolution you have is just for a budget amendment, okay, would the approved waiver and the authorized project to proceed and whatnot be should be a different resolution for the project? They don't require a resolution. The only item that we're addressing that requires a resolution is to amend the budget. You're okay. So, you're only amending the budget. So by resolution

by and and I understand that but I I'm just trying if you're just amending the budget for the resolution is what I'm saying and you already have the project and the planning phase and stuff do you not should do you not need another resolution or meeting or whatnot in order to proceed for the changes that were that that are being done with the project? No. No. No. There's nothing that that's required. No. So, you could do a budget resolution and a project change at the same time. Yes. Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Thank you. Any other public comment? Come on up. Oh,

sorry. Daryl Victor, 244 North Levit. Just wanted to ask you a question. You had mentioned that there's going to be a four-way stop sign at Levit and Graves. Is that correct?

I should have kept my mouth shut. Yes, there is plan to uh put a four-way stop at that intersection. We had a request uh we have a uh process uh following the manual uniform traffic control devices uh that we evaluate intersections as to the appropriateness of four-way stop. Uh that particular intersection met the requirements of uh manual uniform traffic control devices. So we recommended we proceed. We have gotten pricing and uh FOS night is both to be doing the pavement marking uh within the next two weeks. May I ask followup question? Yeah.

May May I ask the council that at the next session that there be a presentation on any improvements on that intersection of Levit and Graves, please? Thank you. Well, we're not really on the Can Can you just put that on your You can bring that up. Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Um, so right now we're on this agenda item, so we can't talk about another agenda item right now. Note taken. We could always bring it up under new business. Okay.

Thank you. Any other public comment? We're good. Okay, we're going to bring it back for the question. Council member Darmms, yes. Council member Knight, yes. Vice Mayor Grim, yes. Council member Stafford, yes. Council member Richardson, yes. Mayor Marks, yes. And resolution 416-26 is approved. Thank you very Thank you.

Okay. Moving on to 5C, resolution number 418-26. Mr. Waters, you read that into the record, please. Certainly, Madame Mayor. This is item number 7C, resolution number 418-26, a resolution of the city council of the city of Orange City, Florida, approving and authorizing the acceptance of an employment contract with Christine Davis for the charter position of city manager, repealing all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict here with, and providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. Thank you, Madame Mayor.

Thank you, Christine Davis. Hi, good evening, mayor, council members. Um, first I'd like to start off by thanking you for the vote back on December 9th. Um, to approve me as the next city manager. Um, understand that during that time uh, we worked on um, looking at some comparables. I approach this similar to how we handle annual when we look at say union openers where we look at the wages and we do a market analysis and we see what is um the market currently paying and that review uh if you bring up item one um the first item or the first document we're going to look at is a Valuchia County um getting through get removing some outliers which would be the highest paid paid city manager in the city and the lowest paid and and arriving at somewhat of an average. I did take the information that was previously presented uh under Dale that pertained to the market survey and I tried to I worked to update it. Um so at this time the average based on the data up there is 26,500 and I believe $3 for the annual salary. The car allowances, they're kind of they kind of range, but the average was $648. So from there, um I'm currently making $180,250 and my ask is um below the average. We typically benchmark ourselves against the average when we're looking at our staff personnel. We re routinely do that for the union. We're currently doing that. uh you just approved a market analysis for all general employees and this is very similar to what we will be doing for every employee and every position under general and we don't do that every year. Um we do give you know

an annual salary adjustment to hopefully keep up in between those market analysis. However, with this, it's a it's a little unique only because it's the city manager and it hasn't been done in a while. And that h that's very normal. When a city manager accepts a job, they kind of run with either the general or they're out there all by themselves um quite honestly because they don't necessarily fall under your um policies and procedures. So, the next slide shows the data that is shared throughout the state. It's a database and it's for cities uh 11,000 to 19,000 and the average is a little less which makes sense. Typically what drives a city manager salary sometimes is the complexity of the city. How many employees are you managing? Next page. That's out. Yeah, that's a little outdated.

Do you have any paper copies of this with you?

This is very large. Um, so I I do not um but I can distribute them. So, but the overall conversation shows that these cities have an average of 199,000 uh annually with an average uh car allowance of 512. From there, um you can go back to to page one. your most two most recent appointed um city managers are in Daytona Beach Shores who was appointed this month and was promoted um from public safety uh into the city manager role at 190,000 and the second most recent is Edgewater which is a larger than us at 25,000 and that salary is 195,000 with 237 employees. employees. Um so at that point uh we're we're looking at know this is a starting point. Uh this is a public process. We um you know I've spoke to a number of you uh along the way and at this point I'm open to any comments or I'm sorry questions and we can go through it uh line item by line item. I do have a spreadsheet that is item number three. I don't know if you have that up yet. I'm sorry. That shows the comparison of the city manager interim contract to the proposed city manager contract. And from there on my form, I have notes where I can make notes based on each section. Um the term is the same as the previous city manager and most common and that's just an indefinite term. You are hired at as a um at will with a contract that can be terminated at any time with without cause or with cause.

And then there's the the standard 20 weeks that the state allows under state statute. Um, and from there we just we can move down or I can answer questions if if you've had a chance to review the contract and would like to ask any specific questions. Now, this contract was modeled off of the contract that your city attorney uh drafted and was adopted by the city of Daytona Beach Shores. So, we took that as a starting point and built from there. the different nuances about the salary, uh, pension, um, car allowance and so forth. Um, is where, you know, we have to have dialogue or or not, um, or ask questions and I can work to clarify. I did want to I I think most of you understand my career here. However, I would like to, you know, just reiterate I started in 1995. For six years I worked in finance and various titles and then in 2001 I was promoted to your finance director where I served as the finance director for the city for 23 years. Um it's quite an honor that I have done that and then in 2023 I was promoted to your assistant city manager where I worked for just over two years. Um I'm very dedicated to the city. I know this city. I have u much appreciation for both the city and staff and um the council and how this city operates and it's my pleasure to to work on this.

Any questions council? Can I just say something? Yeah, of course. I just want to say that when you stepped in, you had some big shoes to fill with Dell even and I had every confidence in you in the world. You've done a fantastic job serving as interimm city manager and you have handled the firestorms that we have gone through the last couple of months with grace and poise and professionalism and I just want to say that um I think you've done a fantastic job and thank you for that. Thank you.

There's your There's your e-haw. Someone's got a reminder. So, I don't I don't think that anybody's questioning your experience or things like that. We've already kind of decided we wanted to hear. I just This is a big audience. I'm on YouTube. No, the my only concern is like we didn't get I didn't get them to look at them and it's hard to read them on the screen to and I like to dissect things when it comes to money especially for the city and so when I look at it the the other one with the um the different cities and we talked about this earlier so it's not a surprise but sure

um you know we always do an average of all the cities and and we try to do our homework to see what the other cities are doing which is smart Um, but we don't really compare to all the other cities cuz like Deltona's got 100,000 people. So, they shouldn't even be on the average of the list because that's apples and oranges, right? Well, we don't cut them out for your fire and police. So, I would not want to do that. That's true. But when we're looking at a market, the market isn't driven just by population. It's driven by what's in the area.

Well, that's what I was going to say. So, she had clarified that it was a market search, which I understand that. Um, but what I was trying to say is that there's different things that you look at when you're trying to come up with a salary for anybody, not just you. And you know, the experience as a city manager. Um, for example, Dale Dale Arrington was with us for what, 10 years? 10 years. Um, and I think she was making about what you're asking for. Is that correct? No, she made what I'm making now.

Okay. Okay. So when I look at that and I'm like, "Okay, so Christine Davis wants more than Dale Arrington, but Dale Arrington had 10 years experience." So that was a red flag for me. And and then I, you know, I'm looking at I'm looking at the numbers. Just bear with me here. Um, but then also, um, like I said, the other cities, you always when you when you look at their salaries, you look at their experience, you look at, um, you know, what the other cities are doing or, um, how big they are, what their population is, and all those different variables. Um, I think that the contract is great. I didn't have any questions with the contract. I just kind of looked at that, and then I just saw the other sheets a couple hours ago before we got here, so I didn't really have a chance to look it over. Um and then we had originally talked about as a council that um we would give her 175 I believe when when we approved it

the initial the initial and she had pointed out that the cola now she's up to 180.

So she's asking for a little bit more than that of what she's already making. Um which I'm not opposed to. I just like to dissect all the numbers and and and you know just make sure we're doing the right thing with our money, right? So um so my you know my my only concern is the ex the 10-year experience versus two years assistant um because and no disrespect to 20ome years is finance because you were awesome finance you know and with a city manager there's different things there's you know you when you look for a city manager which we didn't go out for search so that's why I'm having this conversation because it's important to think about all these things but you know the different things that she brings to the table as far as city manager or any city manager when they apply for the job, right? Um whether it be finance, um economic development, um

planning, leadership, all those things. So, that's just something that, you know, we consider when we make up what we're going to what we're going to approve for the salary and that's what I wanted to put it out there. Okay. So, I hope I made sense. One thing to keep in mind, when Dell was here for 10 years, generally the the increase every year is around 3%. Yeah. If we were to hire Dell today, Dell would make over 200,000. So, that's something to consider.

I'm just putting it out there. I did some of my own research and it's all at home on my computer. I didn't print it out, but what she was asking for is a $9,000 increase yearly. Um, and really that's not bad compared to other cities around the state with our similar other municipalities with our population and um with our FTEES. So it was pretty right on point in in the in a middle range right for other municipalities around the state. I didn't just look at local. I looked to statewide. Um so that's why I I thought that was more than fair what she was asking for. I was surprised it wasn't more, but

and and that's why I brought it up because I didn't see those sheets until a couple hours ago. I didn't really look at them, so I didn't see and you did do that market research with around the state. Yeah, that you showed me real quick. So, I know she did do that, but I didn't see it. So, it was like hard to make a decision when I don't even know the facts. Right. So, that's why I wanted to bring that up. Um, so that's what that's what I was saying. I'm not against it. I just, you know, we we didn't get our agenda till Monday and it's Thursday. So, we usually have a whole week to read our agenda. So, it was like cramming for college and getting it done, right? And uh and then we had last minute things that were displayed right before. So, um that's why I brought it up.

I just wanted to share what I had done on my own research. Anybody else have any comments from the council? Counciloman Stafford. M. Yes. And I think it's a pretty fair after my research and so forth, I think it's a pretty fair salary that 189 uh for what all you're going to do. And with the 401k and the car allowance, I think it's pretty fair. Even if we went out, we would have to pay even twice as well, not twice as much, but close to. So, and I appreciate all you've done. Thank you. Okay, with that being said, we just need a motion.

I'd like to make a motion to adopt resolution number 418-26. I like to second. We have a motion. We have a second. I have a public comment here. Uh John McHugh. Oh, ma'am. I don't need to say. You're good. Okay. All right. Come on up, please. Once again, my name is Troy. Uh, just a quick question. When did Dale Arrington leave? 2022, 2023. Last year, last year. August of 2025. Okay. So, you've been doing the job for a year already. No, about four months exactly today, I believe.

Excellent. Yeah, that was my only question. I just wanted to make sure that we were taking into account, you know, the cost of living has increased about 8% over the last year. So, if that is the ask, I think that you should maybe bump it up a little. Thank you. Come on up. Wait a minute. Got one more ready. Go ahead. Ladies first, please. I did notice that um the mayor made the comment that they only had four days to look this over, but also you guys are asking us as citizens to to familiarize yourself with an agenda item in 12 hours. Come on up, Tom.

I personally Tom Hwitt 1060. I personally have no problem with the contract, nor do I have any problem with you voting in Christine Davis to do that. The only problem I have is that the council should let the procedure for looking at other hired people continue. Uh that's the only problem I have. All right. Is always the procedures. Not nothing against the people. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment? Come on up.

My name is Narita H. Williamson and I live at 811 Gunnison Drive. And no disrespect, mayor, but you keep saying that Christine doesn't have all the experience that Dale Arrington have. But we failed to realize that Dale Arrington also was training her all these years for her position. So she does she doesn't she might not have the qualifications on paper but whenever Dale Arrington was absent she was always acting in her position. If she didn't feel she was qualified for the position before she left office she would not have made that recommendation. And based on my experience working in HR and working for the state of Alaska whenever you have someone acting you know that they're in they're qualified to do the position. And I feel that Christine has done a wonderful job and that we need to stop downgrading all the experience that she have. Congratulations and thank you for your service.

Thank you.

Any other public comment? But I just must say this. I heard the gentleman said about how last time we sent we went out for a search for a city manager. I was sitting there when we went out for a search. The city of Orange City paid a whole bunch of money to go six miles south to get Dale. We had people coming in. I was at most all the meetings coming in from everywhere that the city paid for. And then we went six miles and got deal. So going out for a search wasn't feasible for the money that the city of Burn City have.

Any other public comment? Okay, bring it back for the question. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. And resolution number 418-26 passes.

Okay, we're moving on to uh eight discussions and action 8A good citizenship selection 2026 first quarter. Justin,

this one.

Good evening, uh, city council and mayor. Um, Justin Valley Joe, public information officer. Uh, so it's that time of year for the good citizenship nominations. So, the purpose is um, you know, for the good citizenship award program is as a way to recognize people who go above and beyond for our community. And this is just one way of being able to do that. So we have general guidelines. Uh nominations are they're allowed to be accepted throughout the year. Uh it can go to individuals, couples, groups um or organizations. Um while nominations can be submitted um without limit um an individual uh couple, group or organization is eligible to win only once or be nomin be nominated once a calendar year. Uh nominations are reviewed by city council quarterly which is uh why I'm doing this tonight and the council can select as many uh recipients um as they would like. Uh so we have a criteria and eligibility uh award recipients uh they can reside um in or outside of city limits. Uh, additionally, uh, eligible recipients, uh, should meet, um, at least one of the following, uh, requirements or criteria. Demonstrated, uh, exceptional volunteer service that shows a dedication to making Orange City a great place to live, work, uh, and play. Uh, made a positive difference in a fellow citizen's life, or has demonstrated a care, um, and concern for Orange City and its residents. uh worked with um or organized other individuals to solve problems uh in Orange City or has um or has had a mission uh to better Orange City in a positive way and display qualities of honesty, integrity, and service and is an example to Orange City residents. So, tonight we have two nominations. Um,

I'm going to do my best not to butcher his name. Michael Stradakio. And I apologize apologize if I messed it up. I know my name gets butchered every once in a while, so I try my best not to not to uh do it as well. And then we also have uh Trey Love Lawrence. So uh Mr. Michael is known for com he for is known for being compassionate uh and having judgment free service. He donates his time, resources to prepare and serve Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for hundreds of people. Um operates a food pantry to support residents in need beyond uh the holiday season. He organizes a Christmas toy donation effort to help local families and children. Um serves with a cheerful uh generous spirit and a strong commitment to the to community well-being. uh brings volunteers together around a mission of helping others and strengthening Orange City and creates a positive welcoming experience for those receiving help and those volunteering alongside him. And if I'm sure everyone is uh well aware, he is I believe the owner of uh Knuckle Sandwich. Trey love of Lawrence. Uh she demonstrates volunteer service through uh leadership and involvement in the community, including her nonprofit work for um I'm going to phase uh pillars of hope. Uh donates her time as a uh ro Rotarian. Uh participates in Orange City Chamber events and supports community initiatives and um you know organized family and kids focus events in December at Mil Lake Park, helping um create positive community experiences, which is what we just had. um uh last month with the um the winter wonderland event that was at Mil Lake. Uh promotes positiv um positivity in Orange City by creating welcoming spaces where residents uh artists, book clubs, and other local businesses um business owners can gather. uh designs events that support

the community in a new and engaging way and advocates for uh women's and children's health and wellness and works to increase community awareness uh through ongoing outreach and connections. So now um this is where you know council you guys can discuss um to uh if you would like to nominate or if you would like to uh select um either Michael um or Trey Love or both of them um for a good good citizenship award. If you are to um to uh to select them tonight, they will be invited to receive an award during the next city council meeting on February 10th. So now this is um this is where you guys can select.

I just have a question for you before we get into discussion. I know that Michael has one before. Has it been a year? I will look into that to make sure that hasn't been a year. I think it has, but I don't know. I I I I looked at previous ones and it looked like it it's been over one calendar year. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Any uh comments from the council?

Well, Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um I I don't know the other person, but but Mike Stradakio, he's taking care of first responders, free free dinners for t on Thanksgiving, free dinners on Christmas, and uh he's done a lot for the community, and he seems to be willing to do what whatever's necessary for the community. So, I like for this, providing he's eligible to receive it. Okay. Councilwoman Richardson, I think we should just nominate both of them. It's only two citizens that um that we have up there. I don't see the problem. Why? Why not?

Okay. Councilwoman Stafford. Yes. And like I said, both of them should receive the award. Trey Love, I've known her. She does a lot in the community. She does a lot of good outreach work for everybody. So, I think both of them are great citizens and she'll get the recognition. I think both of them are are well deserving of the award. Um, they both benefit and work and help the community in different ways, right? But they both have a great impact on our community. So, I think both should receive

I'll add to that. I met Traya when she first opened her wine shop and she's pretty fabulous and I know Michael. So, I'm I'm on board also with that. So, um I think we got a formal uh nomination from Councilwoman Richardson. Is that correct? Yeah. Okay. A second. So, we uh so a motion. You want to make a motion on that, please? Somebody if you want to. Yes. I'd like to make a motion that both both individuals be recognized as good citizens for the good citizens award. I second. Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Any public comment on this?

Okay, we'll bring it back for the question. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. and we will approve both names for the good citizenship award. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, moving on to 8B. Consideration of sponsorship special event request for Orange City Elementary PTA request for inind services for Roadrunner Road Race 5K Runwalk, Ashley Gay.

Good evening, um, council. I have with me this evening our new special event coordinator. For those of you that have not met Lzette Santiago, just wanted to make you be aware of her face and that she's going to be up here presenting these sponsorships going forward. So, all right. So, we have um the Orange State Elementary PTA request for inind services for their road runner race. So, just um just to reiterate the policy that council approved, it's an approval up to $1,000 of inind services. That's um it also can include the permitting fees, advertising assistance, staff time, and rental fees. So, this applicant has been running this race for four years now, and the primary um location is at the elementary school. This is a fundraiser for the PTA to bring in to items to it's raising funds to support teachers and various school projects. They didn't have a specific uh goal in mind um this year just again just to support the teachers and whatever needs that they have for the year. So they start out the elementary school and then they just do one lap through Mil Lake Park. So they're actually they're asking us for the use of the park, but primarily it's just a quick quick lap through there. um their event does start at 8:30 uh sorry 6:30 in the morning. So um what you're considering here is um when staff reached out to the different departments, fire is requesting um two personnel and police are requesting to as well for the two hours. So total staff cost um for the request is $460.

And then we have the fee for the special event permit is $50. So the total asks for council this evening is $510 for ENIND services. So um since they're well under the $1,000, um staff is recommending the approval of the Orange City Elementary PTA Roadrunner Road Race 5K runalk with the nonmonetary incind service fee of $510. I do have a um a speaker form for this. Would the council like to hear from them first or do you want to any comments? Yeah. Okay. Uh Audrey Jones.

Oh, sorry. She's our applicant. I'm so sorry. I meant to that.

She filled out a form, so I thought Good evening, mayor, council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight and thank you for your time and the service you give to our community. My name is Audrey Jones. I'm the current president of the Orange City Elementary PTA. Our group is made up of parents, families, educators, volunteers, and community members who are working together to support our students and strengthen the connection between our schools and our community. PTA's mission is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. This year, we are focusing on creating meaningful programs and events that support student enrichment, family engagement, and teacher appreciation while being mindful of limited budgets and rising costs. To help us do that, we have respectfully requested the inkind donations from the city of Orange City for the fire and police to assist with our fourth annual Roadrunner Road Race 5K. In kind donations make a real difference. It allows us to stretch every dollar further, expand our reach, and ensure our programs remain accessible to all families. Even small contributions can have a big impact. In addition, we would love to extend a warm invitation for any council member or community members who are available to attend the Roadrunner Road Race 5K on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 a.m. It's currently $30 to sign up for that race and it includes a t-shirt and a medal. Uh this is just a small way to support the school that everyone loves so much. We are also welcome welcoming anyone to attend one of our upcoming meetings or events. You can find those on our Facebook page. Uh your presence would mean a great deal to our families and students and it would give us an

opportunity to share more about our work and hear your ideas and perspectives. We are proud to be part of this community and we value the partnership between our schools, families, and city leadership. Thank you for your time and consideration and your continued support of our students and families and our beloved school. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions for the applicant? No. Okay. We just need a motion. I'd like to make a motion the sponsorship review committee recommends approval of the non-monetary income services fee of $510 for the Orange City PTA Roadrunner 5K. Do we get a second? I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Any other citizen comment on this? Seeing none, we'll bring it back for the question. Yes.

Yes. and sponsorship for the RNC elementary PTA request is granted. Okay, moving on to 8C, consideration of sponsorship special event requests from everyone is someone I think it's everybody is somebody, right? Okay, typo on here. um for ink kind services for the multicultural heritage festival. Ashley Gay.

Okay. So, everyone is someone inc. So, this is for the multicultural heritage festival that's going to um be held at Mil Lake Park on February 28th. The event time is 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. just like to bring council's attention. Since we received the application, there were three changes that we would like to make sure you were aware of. Um there on the application, it's listed that they're asking now to sell alcohol. Another one is the event hours. They were until 5 and now it's been changed to four. And food vendors were selected as no, but food is actually being sold. So, just want to bring that to your attention, please. Again, I'm sorry, the policy overview, the same applies. We're looking at approval of up to $1,000 in in services. So, for this location, since it's Mil Lake Park and it's um an all day event, so it will be a rental of the entire park. Um uh we're request the applicant is requesting to wave the fees for the park rental, the signed permit fee, advertising assistance, waiver of staff time and requesting only minimal staffing as required by the city and approval to sell alcohol. So um the departments came back with um the request for two fire for the six hours for the event and police as well. They've requested two police officers for the entire event for six hours and then um new for the parks department is we have reduced it down to one staff person um for six hours. So, the total staffing cost for the event would be $1,620.

So, including in that fee would be your your rental fee of the four pavilions. So, that's $320. And then the special event permit fee is $50. So, we're looking at total cost parks fees 240, fire fee 660, police fee 720, and the rental fees of $320, special event fee of 50. So, the total event cost is $1,990. So, um what we're seeking from council this evening is uh approval on two matters. of course, is to um the the the committee is recommending approval of the Orange City Multicultural Heritage Festival and the ENIND services of $1,000, which means the festival would be responsible to pay the city the $990. Council is also asked to consider the approval or denial of the request to serve or sell alcoholic beverages at the event. Excuse me. You have to wait until

Sorry, I'll call you up one minute. I promise. Um, so on our agenda, the second paragraph of the Um, okay, forget it. Nick said, I'm sorry, I read the wrong thing. Okay. Is there any comment from the council or would you like the applicant to come up like the last one and we'll have them comment first? Yes. All right. Come on up, Miss Stafford. I was reading that.

I just would like to make a correction. I was approached by a vendor at our chambers meeting for wine tasting and I'm not sure what it's all about and I have asked him to contact or be present today and since he has not did either I would like to pull that request for alcohol because I don't I don't know anything about it or it was for wine testing they won't sell it there you order it or whatever way that is and I would like to pull but since he's not here to explain it in full.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any other comment from the public on this? Okay. Seeing none, we'll bring it back for a motion. Madame Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve um the multicultural heritage festival and the provision of non-monetary income services valued at $1,000. I'll second that. And you got the second. Are we doing two different motions for this? Well, she's she pulled the alcohol together. I just want to make sure. Okay. So, we got a motion. We got a second. Kaylee alcohol.

Hold on one second. Okay. Okay. Did you have to say Are we okay? No, ma'am. We're good. Okay. Want to make sure. Richardson. Yes. Council member Darmms, yes. Council member Knight, yes. Vice Mayor Graham, yes. Council member Stafford, yes. Mayor Mark, yes. And the sponsorship is granted for everybody, somebody multicultural heritage festival for $1,000 plus the alcohol. Without the alcohol, right? No alcohol. Oh, no. That's what was pulled. Yeah, she pulled the alcohol. Oh, I thought they were still selling alcohol. No, no, the only thing written to the record was the first item. So, okay. Without the alcohol. No. No.

All right. Moving on to D 8D. Approve amendment number one to contract Q187-23 architectural engineering services for public facilities enhancements project. John Peters.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh this is for um architectural services to design the interior renovation of uh city hall. Um with the 100 year anniversary of the city, we have been very busy with regard to the building itself. Uh year ago, we um completed the roof uh replacement uh because we had a very serious water intrusion issue. uh we could not really pursue interior renovations until we dealt with the water. Uh that so far we haven't had any water in the building. So that worked. Uh last month you approved us uh moving forward with NB5 engineering uh to design the exterior landscaping and sidewalk uh replacement. And so now we're here to talk about the interior of the building. Um, very simply, um, this is the bottom floor. We're calling it the first floor. Um, I always called it the basement, former jail. Um, this is basically 3,000 square ft. Um, from an engineering standpoint, this is a really inefficient space. And the reason I say that is look at the white. The white is not being used. Um so you know there's a lot of empty space that's not being well utilized. So as we were going through alternatives what you'll see is the white is greatly reduced. So we're getting much more efficient in terms of uh uh the work being involved. Um the key here is this space is essentially a little bit more than twice the square footage of the first floor. uh what I call the main

floor. Um there is and the thing it gave me is there's a beam that goes right across here uh that holds up the next two floors. Uh so everything from that point is all new singlestory structure. Um and then the part on the uh below that line I was drawing is the original building. Uh so the plan is to uh this is the layout. Like I said, were much more efficient. If I go back all that white to much less white. Uh the off the estimate for this area is $295,000. Second floor. Um that is light blue, so don't think it's all white. Uh but there is significant amount of white space along the front of the building. Um and it's 1,400 square ft essentially. And then this layout um there's less white on the left hand side. Uh so this is once again a more efficient layout in terms of uh utilization of space. This has an estimate of 183,000. Um part of this is due to um having to move walls, actual walls with downstairs and more petitions. Um, and then the next one is the finance floor, which is right at 1,000 square feet. A lot of white.

Um, new layout, a lot less white. So, once again, much more efficient layout. More offices being created. Uh, it's a small area. Right now, it's basically an open floor plan concept except for uh, oops, sorry. except for offices over in this area. They're hard walled. Uh so this is a relatively inexpensive space. Um so the first floor has a estimate of 295,000, second floor 183,000, third floor 52,000 for a total of $530,000 for the whole building. Now remember, we're talking about uh roughly uh 5400 square feet, 5,500 square f feet of work. Um that's basically less than $100 a square foot that we're talking about, which is not a huge amount of money. JL2 uh proposes a fee of 83,000 for the full design services to complete plan for the renovation of city hall in accordance with the three options that presented. The fee is approximately 6% of the total estimate for the renovation. I'll be honest with you, I had a heart attack when I saw that number. So, I did a little research. Based on national standards, fees associated with design for renovating an existing building is typically between 15 and 20%. Given the complexity of a 100-year-old structure, staff believes a 16% fee is not only reasonable but very reasonable. Um, and due to the complexity of project, staff recommends the interim city manager, now city manager, have the authority to authorize to fend up to 10% contingency or $8,300

for unforeseen issues that may arise during design phase. Uh, I fully expect that we will have some unforeseen things come up. Um so with that the recommended motion is to approve amendment one to contract Q187-23 architectural engineering services public facilities enhancement project with JL2 architecture LLC in the amount of 83,000 and authorize the city manager to execute the amendment and authorize the city manager to execute any subsequent change orders not to exceed a contingency amount of 10% or $8,300. I'm available for any questions you may have.

Any council questions or comments? I think the designs that you have are are fantastic. The the way you've rearranged it and utilized the floor space. Pardon me. The way that you the designs that are there that the way that the floor space was utilized is fantastic. She said you did a great job. Yeah. Um, go ahead.

Well, I'd just like to add that this is under budget at this time based on what's appropriated. Um, and that the there will be amenities that we currently don't have. We currently don't have running water on every floor. The intention is to correct that. Um overall it's accommodating a marginal minimal amount of future growth and and and the positions and and where how we're going to manage it's you know you can only fit so many bodies into a thousand square feet or 3,000 or what have you. Um so I'm very excited about this. I will also note that we did a test area in the front entrance of city hall where we have already worked to remediate the water damage. Um by the time this is uh designed and bid, we will be probably at least nine months if not a year of that test to see how well it held up held up um now that the envelope's been addressed. So um as from a staff perspective, this is very welcomed. We're glad to see that it's appearing to be under budget. I I will I I will not hold my breath, but I will cross my fingers and toes. And then I would also like to caution due to the fact that we're we're working in a historic building, there are potential pitfalls that will uh we might have to bring back to you. I do not want to think for a moment. Um there's questions that pop up. We've gone back to Johnny with JL2 and said, "Well, what does this mean to you?" And he's like, "Well, I'm not a historic, you you know, so we will be working with the state as certain questions arise. So, I'm cautiously optimistic that the budget will hold, but just recognize with this historic structure that um when we just did that front little piece, I have pictures of when they opened it up, the the the amount of damage that you just didn't see. Um there have been numerous repairs in that area we didn't know about. And when we opened it up, we found out it

wasn't wood. It was putty that had been repaired year over year. I don't even I can't even tell you when. So, we we're we're very happy. Um and we're very optimistic, but it it is a big undertaking. Um so, I just wanted to caution on Didn't we have don't we have a million budgeted for it? We do. Yeah. I thought Yeah. So, yeah. Okay. That was going to be my first question to you. Is is 8,300 enough for contingency? Because it is an old building. It's like an old house. You never know what you're going to get into, right? But it looks like we got a little bit of buffer that we can bring it back if we need to. So,

I was I was actually going to bring a prop tonight. I have a um I um collect antique old engineering architecture books. And I have a copy of the original American Concrete Institute um code from 1921. Wow. Four years before this building was built.

So this building was built according to that code and when I flipped through it, it gives me um know back then 2,000 PSI concrete was really strong. Now it's like five or six. uh back then uh steel uh reinforcement was 20,000 KSI now 50

so you know it's not a strong building in terms of the code back then so um I'm like the city manager I worry about what we may find um when we did the repair work in the front there were some revelations that came out of it but I think u it was better than we expected in terms revelations. Well, I think I'm sorry. I think that um it's a gem in our city. It's it's a staple. It's beautiful and I hope that we can keep preserving it. So, I'm in favor. Councilwoman Darmms, pull your microphone down, please.

Pull your microphone down so you can hear. We can hear you. Sorry. Um I like the new layouts and everything. My question is, having been in there from the very beginning when I went in there, I looked at the walls and I saw how bad they looked. Is this going to incorporate replacing those walls or fixing those walls so they don't look so archaic? Miss Darn, um the area in the front lobby was the worst of the worst. Uh we obviously have some areas such as in the back of the city manage the current city manager's office uh where some water came down along that back wall. Um and there's some damage along that but that will be repaired.

Okay. Um most of the problems are pretty much centered on the exterior walls except for the flat roof toward the clerk's office. Uh but we did the major repairs on both of the flat roofs. So, that's not a problem. And we've done ceiling repairs. So, I feel pretty confident from a water standpoint that we've weathered the worst, pun intended. Thank you. Any other questions from the council, Vice Mayor?

Hey, John. Question. On the second floor, we go from 121, then 170, then 183. There's like four different renditions. Um, are we locked into the D option or are we I I don't know what how it was all broken down, but I was just curious. Yeah, that other Yes, sir. That is option C

and that was selected because if you look at the other options, you see more white. Um, that's the theme of this whole presentation is how much white do you see on the drawing? Uh this one has the least amount of white space which means we're utilizing it. We're gaining more additional offices. Uh so in addition we are putting some hard walls in uh the taking the current office and splitting it in half. So that adds some costs. So that means the city manager will get a big office. I don't know. Actually I believe she going to lose square footage. Will the walls be any thicker?

I don't know. We'll ask. We'll get an option. Right now, you can turn the biggest advantage break wind in the next room. I think the biggest advantage for the city manager if she wants to jump out the window is a shorter distance. All right. With that being said, we just need a motion. I'd like to make a motion to approve amendment number one to contract Q187-23. Go ahead, Madam Mayor. Public comment. I was going to do that after the motion. My Okay. And we need a second on that. Do Do I need to finish it? Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.

Gosh, Paul. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve amendment number one to contract Q187-23, Architectural Engineering Services Public Facilities Enhancement Projects with JL2 Architecture LLC in the amount of $83,000 and authorize the city manager to execute the amendment and approve and execute any subsequent change orders not to exceed a contingency amount 10% or $8,300. Second.

We have a motion. We have a second. Any public comment on this? I don't know the answer to, but I have a question. Since this is a historic building, have anyone look into the Florida Historic uh preservation to see if any type of funding can be attained uh to complete this project?

City manager. Um, I believe we will keep all our options open as we progress and if we can if we can get any, we will. Um, but I do John, have you looked at any grant opportunities for this building? I know we have in the past. Typically, that'll come with construction, not with necessarily design, but we will. I go ahead. Bas based on past experience, there's not very many opportunities for public grants. However, there are some private foundations that we may be able to look at um in terms of possible grant opportunities, but right now that's pretty tough tough market.

Would it be possible or feasible to check this? We will definitely be looking for all the opportunities we can. Any other public comment? Okay, seeing none, we'll bring it back for the question. Oh, Tom, sorry.

Tom Huitt, 1060 Tap and Circle. As a member of the Orange City Historic uh preservation board, uh we've looked into uh having possible grants and stuff even for the uh Orange City Shuffle board. The only time that you'll get a major grant or anything from the National Historic Board is it has to be noted as a historic site. If it's just listed on the board as a uh building of age and listed as a reference, that's fine. But it actually has to be like a national historic site or or a state historic site. That's the only time that you should get uh you will probably get grants for preservation and whatnot that I know.

Miss Stafford, can you come up to the microphone just so because it's being recorded so everybody can hear. Thank you. My question is now that I'm getting a little knowledge here. Is the city of Ernest City Town Hall listed on the National Historic Society? Can I? Yes. Come on. All right. The building is listed on the National Historic Site, right? As a historic building, but it's not a national what they would call a national registered site. In other words, in other words, like let's say uh capital building,

right, is a national historic monument. It's not listed as that. It's just listed as a historic building. But it has to be a monument before you get anything really anything from the from the federal government. Thank you. Educate. Any other public comment on this? So make sure. Okay, we'll bring it back to the per the question. Yes. Yes. Richardson.

Yes. Yes. And amendment number one to contract Q187-23 is approved. Moving on to 8E, Landscape Designs, Various City Properties. Ashley Gay. Hello. It's been a a long journey here. So, um, started this project back in 2023 with consultant Teresa Watkins with Sustainable Horiculture. um and she brought along with her the um our arborist. So when Mil Lake opened um there was specific landscaping for that park. So we said well do we want to just focus on one park? We want to focus on all of them. So um Teresa Watkins was brought in to assess every one of our parks. So, um it was very eye opening when we got the list back from the arborist um through the tree board and it was kind of disheartening to see okay all these trees need to be removed. So, it was a total of 24 trees. So um going through the arburish report trying to understand you know why he's selecting it you know does it need to come down today is it going to cause harm to someone you know so all those factors were considered and the city did take action on 12 of the trees immediately to mitigate any of the risk. Um also hurricane as well did bring some of the trees down. So, um, of the trees that were on listed on the arburish report, there were the again 12 that are remaining that still need to come down. And we just felt like, um, with losing trees for construction, um, around the various parks or other trees aging out or again losing them dur due to storms, we lost uh, nine trees in the dog park

alone. Um, that little F0 storm that happened a couple years ago. So, um, we're constantly losing trees. a lot of the trees were invasive trees. They just snap. Um, so we're really looking into how could we, you know, use the best use the city's tree bank funds. So, in lie of taking out the remaining trees and causing, you know, the community to wonder why we're doing all this because they don't see the bigger picture knowing that we're going to be bringing in all these beautiful new trees and this landscaping. So, um, sharing with you council tonight is our first up. Uh, sorry, I didn't I thought I was on that one. So, that was a whole long list that was provided by the arborist of the trees and the various parks and the conditions of those trees. Do I have any comment on that before I move out of that slide?

Any comments or questions, council? No.

Okay. So, um, as we've been going through this as well, um, it was, so for the landscape plans while Teresa was out here, Teresa Watkins was here on property, um, we also had her look at city hall and utilities. City Hall is not part of this pro this um, presentation this evening, but our utility department since they have the green sand filters, um, that was one of the areas we asked her to look at. So with the green sand filters, we're trying to, you know, hide the tanks from the 1792. So that the smaller project there, um, we were hoping to get kick kick that off to go ahead and and get those tanks hidden, which is the portion on the bottom of the plan, which would be, um, installing um, blueberry trees and um, bamboo. So on the park side, you'd see bamboo on covering those tanks. And on 1792, you see the blueberry trees would be covering them. So there is a plan for the entire utilities. We're asking you tonight to approve all the plans, but just know they'll be handled in phases because utilities, they are working on working with the CRA to change some fencing out there. So there's different um plans that are going on with that, but primarily I would like to focus on parks so I can get these two park projects done. So we focus specifically on the dog park and on Mil Lake. So, for the dog park, um, we're proposing to put in Teresa put this plan is to put in some tapoa trees, those beautiful trees that we have at Mil Lake with the yellow flowers that bloom now through March. And just to kind of give a shade break because right now, if you go on the small dog park, there's really not a lot

of shade break. So, and again, the area that was established as the beach area, those are where the um trees mainly came down during that small tornado. So, we're just trying to um give a a good break of trees off of Levit, beef up the beach area, and then give more shade for the small dog park. So, the biggest change is going to be for Mil Lake. So, while we do have a lot of trees out there, we do there's so many areas of the park where there's just no shade at all. So, you know, wanting to provide, you know, when you get on the other side of the lake, there's just there's just nothing. So, um trying um it's a long list of trees that we have up there. I'm sorry I can't read it from here, but hopefully you guys can see it um how many trees there are. Um, but some of them are to provide color during various seasons. So that's why you see the pink trumpet and the tapoyas on the bottom. And then leumar oak and the um to provide various colors throughout the year instead of just providing all of the um providing just live oaks, you know, so different various oaks. So a bigger one here. Yeah. So, it's a total of 26 live oaks, four mil lake, seven shoe oak, eight shag bong hickory, eight bald cyprus, four trumpets, and five um uh yellow trumpets. So, uh, we're just looking for a motion from the council this evening to approve the treeboard recommendations,

um, to once this project kicks off to remove the remaining trees as well as to approve these landscape plans for Mil Lake Park, Wagon Trail Park, and the utilities main plant. Councilwoman Stafford. Uh, you didn't say anything about Coleman's Park. They're not part of it.

I'm so sorry. Thank you for bringing that up. So, Coleman Park is currently in a redesign phase. So, there are trees that listed that are listed that need to come out of that park as part of the arburst report. Um, but they're all that will be handled during the redesign. So, um, council, you guys have already seen the the 30% plans, but you will be seeing the 100% that's for this fiscal year. And then that will include trees coming out and trees going in. And that is part of their design project that they'll they will be share sharing that with you. Alberta's cottage was evaluated and there weren't any trees that needed to go in in Alberta's Dickinson Park. They didn't feel like there was any trees. They felt like there was too many trees actually. Um what am I leaving out? Oak Park didn't have any trees installed. just um couple to one to remove and then Valentine Park has a lot to be removed and this year you guys funded for us to have a redesign beginning process a 30% design for for Valentine Park. So then the trees will be evaluated at that time along with that project. I think I'm leaving out for veterans and uh it was two trees I think that needed to be removed which were already done due to safety concerns and there weren't any that were proposed to go in.

Same manager.

I just want to note when we get down um to the end of this topic, the staff recommendation in the body versus the staff recommenda recommended motion are a little different. And for me, um, sorry I didn't catch this. The the staff request in the body is what I would like to see you all considered. And I'll I'll read that um just for the record and then we can move on. But at staff request council review and approve the tree service report and correct me if I'm wrong at any point and conceptual landscape designs including tree removal, installation of replacement trees and landscape improvements and authorize staff to initiate a competitive process to complete the work. It's a little more comprehensive than what we built in the recommendation. And so for me, this guy gives us our next steps. And so I wanted to point that out to council. If this moves forward, I would appreciate it if we could use that as the recommendation if you're agreeable once you get there.

Okay. Thank you. There any council comments? Counciloman Stafford, I still got a question. You said the for Coleman for the Coleman part the plans haven't been put into play yet because when we had a meeting a couple of years ago and Coleman Park was in that what happened? So 30% was approved by council I last maybe September. Mhm.

And so then now for the new fiscal that's starting now, we have the design plans to get us to 100% for construction. So you'll see those plans probably July. So, and then that will include all the design elements that people had requested and that we

if I may I think we run the risk if we do too much work in there now based on the design we may have to take it out and so it's better to bundle it with that redesign and come in with an overlay for the park not only for the ads but to address the landscaping based on that new design. So that's why it's kind of put the pause on it. It's not that it's not going to happen. It's that that's you're we're looking at a comprehensive redesign of that park and if we plant something now and it interferes with that redesign, it comes out, right? So we don't want we don't want to do that. Um and that's why it's it's going to be wrapped up with that 100% design for um redesign for Coleman. For Coleman,

does that help? Yeah, because I have some citizens that were concerned. Sure. So when we do do the redesign of it, they will be part of it. We'll be bringing back the 100% design for approval and so that's when when we'll have the opportunity to um address concerns, but are you go ahead and okay, we're going to bring it back. But what I'm asking before we even do anything, will the public have a chance to have input into the design? Can I answer this? So when it comes back and we discuss it, they'll get a chance to put their input in that item. Correct. Yes.

That's what I think you're trying to say. I know it's getting late, but No, that's not what I was trying to say. Well, I think you were asking if they're going to be part of the design, right? Be actively not when you bring it back. Not when you bring the design back, but before we come to the design. I think I'm hearing are we going to have a community meeting, right, about the 100% design before it comes to council? Yes, that's what you're hearing. Okay. Is that something we can do? We've done we have done a community uh before we went to the 30% I I believe we do.

So I I don't know if it's built into the program funded in the program at this time with your your the design law. Do you know Oh, there's below. I didn't know he was back there.

Uh uh for the record, uh uh Bill Alexar, public services director. Yes. Uh commissioner, we had a meeting uh the community meeting for Coleman Park, Kimy Horn did the 30% designs. We took the input from all the residents including the shade structures, the the the skate park, the trees. All that work is now being done on plan. So we have 100% plans with the additional trees included as a part of that plan. So we will bring that back to you. Uh we are not going to 90%. We are going straight to 100% after that. So that 100% with the trees built in will be brought back to the council. So yeah, no question about it. We are we are doing that. Any questions? Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Council Darmms. This is just a matter of curiosity. I mean, you're bringing these trees in. Do they meet a certain size uh in their criteria? Are they all the same size? Are they, you know, height and what? I mean, I guess they have to

the plan specified that they will be um 12 to 14 feet tall. Oh, wow. That's a lot. Yeah. And like even the gallon size on them as well. It's not on your yours, but I have that. And I think the whole goal was for shade, right? Yes. So that'll be great.

Okay. With no further discussion of the council, we'll look for a motion. I'd like to make a motion um to approve the tree services report and conceptual landscape designs, including tree removal, installation of replacement trees, and landscape improvements, and authorize staff to initiate a competitive process to complete the work. I second. Got a motion. We got a second. Any public comment on this? Seeing none, we'll bring it back for the question. Yes. Yes. Yes. Richard, yes. Yes. Mayor,

yes. And the landscape designs for the various city properties will be approved. Moving on to nine reports. City manager report. So to recap uh briefly uh council member Stafford and I have been to Tallahassee. It was very engaging, very busy. We had a tremendous support system between the Florida League of Cities and our neighboring cities. We feel it was very effective. I will let this this Miss Stafford join in or speak at her under um citizens comments whenever. But this is a handout. They asked us to consider bringing our story to our legislators and our representatives. And the story this year, we had a number of items including property tax, Senate Bill 180, the glitch bill, sovereign immunity, uh the caps, and or the the changes in limits and and the cap or no cap depending on whether you're looking at the House bill or the Senate. So, this was handed out to anybody we met uh with whe whether it was individually or as the group. Um, at this point, the the message was clear. They hear us. They have our they have our appropriations in hand. They're confident that they're going to do everything they can and believe that we'll make it into the budget, but they're not very optimistic about much staying in the budget this year given the current climate and temperature um in Tallahassee. So, that was a little sad. But, at this point, uh, they we had wonderful one-on- ones.

We had a great time with the group and we feel we were very successful and uh we'll keep we'll keep you posted as as the session moves on. Are there any questions for um us regarding that trip at this time? Because we're Did you get a Did you get a meeting with Senator Wright?

We we ended up having a meeting with Senator Wright's aid and the group had a meeting with uh Senator Wright, but that was did not include us at that at that time. We had uh they had asked us based on limited space because when we got in the room we knew who was going to talk with the group because you had 10 15 minutes and so we all kind of chimed in. We knew and so earlier in that day I had spoke with I think it was Mr. uh Pardington and so when we got there we had already been in his office and they couldn't fit all of us in. Right.

So they said since you met with his aid and it was Chris that we met with um would you mind? And so we said, you know, graciously, sure, you know, we get it. Um, so, but we did meet with, um, let's see if I can get it in order. Gentry, I'm drawing a blank. Traymont, I have a horrible selfie with him. I'm not I'm not good at selfies, so it will never see the light of day. Um, Partington and I'm drawing a blank. The first day, Barnaby, you picked up for me. I came back on Tuesday and so she she champion it in and went in on Wednesday and met with um Representative Barnaby

Leaks. I met with his uh a the you went in was stopped by the office. So what they had recommended is if we didn't get an appointment with somebody go by their office anyway.

Talk to them, shake hands, introduce yourself and give them your handout. Um a lot of times meeting with committee members and or aids is can be just as effective given how how daunting it is because we were exhausted. I can only imagine how how they were. So, um, but that's that's a high overview. It was very successful, very good teamwork, very big learning experience, and if I get to go again, I I I will be much more I'll be I'll be excited. I had I had I was excited with some trepidation, and um but very very very glad that I I got to go and and worked great with I think we did excellent,

council member Stafford. Yes, we made a great team. Um, regarding a grants, on the 20th, we received an email from uh a state agency saying, um, we have a grant opportunity. If you're interested, you have to apply by February 20th. We have every intention of applying and we're working on that. The signature authority is is at staff's level. So, I won't need to bring it up budget a minute, but I wanted to make you aware. Um, high overview is we're looking to purchase a needed piece of property that is part of our storm water system and became very apparent through uh, Hurricane Milton that that we would benefit from owning this property. So, I'll I'll I'll let that that be um, all I say at this time, but it it is a it's a good opportunity. It's going to help us acquire piece of property. Uh, it'll pay for the co the only thing it doesn't pay for is the survey. So, which is under $500 and we can get reimbursed up to a certain amount. So, we're we are going to pursue that and I'll I'll keep you briefed as we move forward. Um, I want to touch on Tuesday. We had a rather large event for our city. I want to applaud and thank the Orange City Police Department, the Valia County Sheriff and the Flee. They worked very well together. we do not like and want, you know, to to have these events, but they are part they are part of uh doing business and um what we're called to do. And I just wanted to let you know that I'm I'm I'm very proud to work uh alongside our police department and I appreciate as a group the efforts from the Bush County Sheriff and the FDLE.

So, all right. Well, that completes my report for tonight. I have a questions. Yeah. Um, I had a resident come to me and ask if we could put a stop sign at Thorp and Oak. I don't know if it's I don't know if it's East Oak or North Oak. I don't know that, but off of Thorp. Okay. Um, I guess their dog got killed because people race down that road. Okay. And they have uh I guess next door to her, she has a a lady that has twins, little littles, you know, and they're always playing out front

on their yard. But to be fair, she's just a little worried, so she asked. And I know we um someone had requested putting a stop sign at Lands down and Thorp, right? Yeah. We just got one there. Okay. Um I don't know where that came from. We had three recently. two ended up being a county intersection and there's one still under review, but we'll add that to the queue and if I need more information or staff needs more, we'll reach out. Yeah, I can give you her name and all that. Okay, that that's perfect. Okay, any questions for the city manager? Good. Well, thank you. Thank you

for everything. City clerk. Good evening. Um, so I actually don't really have a lot. Um, I know that all of you got an email invite for a community meeting at Orange City Elementary on February 3rd. Um, just so you're aware, um, it is considered a town hall meeting. It's not a publicly noticed meeting. It's not going to be recorded. There are not going to be any minutes taken. Staff's recommendation would be that the council designate one individual to attend that meeting and then to report back to the remainder of the council. We want to make sure that you stay within, you know, the guidelines of the sunshine law and that would be our recommendation. So, I'm not sure if you guys want to discuss that and choose somebody. Um, that's up to you all. The other thing I have is elections are in full swing. I have my first candidate that has filed and it is Dante Thompson for district three. Um, I have had a couple others pull packets, but they haven't turned any paperwork in yet. So, but we are full swing ready to go for elections. So, that's the update I have. If it's okay with the council, I'd like to go to the Arn City Elementary just because I've been meeting with the school board already with uh Christine and Joe. Um so we're kind of familiar with what they've been saying. I did get um a message from a person that's heading up the Save Orange City school and and and you all know I've always been a proponent of that. I would love to save it. I know that we have had conversations up here about that, you

know. We're kind of up against the wall right now and there really isn't many other options. But it would be nice to hear what they have to say um at that meeting because uh the the citizen that reached out to me when I read it was like it sounded like the city just kind of let it go and that's not the case. And I want everybody to know that from what I heard up here on the council, we all do care about the school and um if there's anything we can do, we would do it. Uh but we did talk about uh Christine had said about moving it that Young Blood it could not be moved because the building would not make the move. Um and there were so many other moving parts with it and I'm not sure that that person actually heard that meeting which maybe I I'll tell her to watch. But um maybe we can reiterate that at that meeting if we get a chance to speak um just so that I just want the community know that it's not we're not against that. I I didn't hear that up here that we we we would like to save it, but it didn't seem like it was an option anymore. And um kudos to the people that are getting the group together trying to save it. Um maybe they know something we don't. And um you know, it's a grassroots thing. So, we'll see what happens. Uh if the council's okay, I I would like to go and be the person and then um if I if something happens and I can't make it, vice mayor, be my backup if you're okay with that.

Sure. And if the council's okay with that, I'd be in agreement with that. Are you okay? Yep. Okay. That's all I had. Thank you. City attorney. Nothing to report. There's a lot going on, but nothing to report.

Any new business? Council, Councilwoman Knight. Um, in light of what was brought up earlier regarding the um, presentation for a four-way stop at Levit and Graves, I've had multiple people talk about that. So, I think it would be very beneficial if if a presentation could be done so people understand why a four-way stop is being placed there. Is that uh, something that we need to bring back on new business or is that something that the staff can be directed to do? or since we're we're talking about stop signs. I wasn't sure I wanted to ask. Well, I mean it's appropriate to bring it back to bring it back. So, I would finish up with the the Okay,

council, are you okay with bringing it back as new business? Okay. Any other new business? Okay. Going to move on to approval minutes. We already did that. Council and Mayor comments. We'll start with Councilwoman Knight.

I wrote all this down because I needed to make sure I have my thoughts together. So, I'm just going to read from it. Um, over the past couple of weeks, several Orange City residents have reached out to me privately about their concerns with speaking at our council meetings. I've been approached in Aldi, Chili's, Perkins, Walmart, Kohl's. Um, these aren't people tied to any groups. They're just regular citizens who want to participate without feeling intimidated. They've told me they're afraid that if they speak out against anyone on this council, they could be targeted or even pursued legally. That's a serious concern, and it tells me that the way we're handling certain parts of our meetings is coming across in a manner that this council should not want our citizens to feel. People are starting to feel like our meetings are becoming hostile and that's the opposite of what public participation is supposed to be. I understand the need to protect yourself, any of us, not just you. I'm just saying in general, to protect yourself, your family, business, and to correct false information when it comes up. But we have to find a healthier balance so our residents don't feel like their First Amendment rights are being chipped away. When people are scared to speak, that's a sign we need to step back and look at how we're handling things. We should not be creating an atmosphere where intimidation or fear keeps people quiet. There's that's not who we are as a city and it's not how local government is supposed to work. I think we need to have an honest conversation about how to address this and make sure our residents feel safe, respected, and able to speak without worrying about retaliation.

Anything else? No, that's all.

Okay. Councilwoman Stafford. And I need to piggy back on Dana for just a minute because the one young lady, she called me very upset uh because all of her information went on Facebook when it was taken by a private phone. What she wants the council to know, she will not be intimidated by anyone anyone. And I can't blame her because the intimidate I believe and this is my only belief uh with you having your lawyer sitting there and recording everybody. You're trying to intimidate the public and it's not going to happen. I got a beautiful smile for you as well, ma'am. It's not going to happen. Mayor Mark's famous race.

Okay, you can go. Thank you. Please escort him out. and shut the [ __ ] up. Nice. This is it's it's it's just it's not going to happen. And what we're going to wind up the city of Vern City is going to meet several suits that hopefully the budget can take. And I I personally felt like I was censored at the last meeting by you and vice mayor. So,

by who? the chair and the vice chair. I feel like I was and the intimidation of her sitting there recording me. I don't care. It's not going to happen. Your famous words. Is that all? Yes. Counciloman Richardson? No. Council Darmms?

No. Don't believe what you read on social media. It's trash. That's all I want to say. Okay. First of all, I want to say that I love when the residents come out and speak. I have always loved that. What I don't love is a disruption of the meeting. If we can get through our business, I don't mind when people speak. And I'm not trying to silence anybody. And I did not I'll make this for the record. I did not bring up the council rules and procedures. It was vice mayor. He was the one that said, "Can we bring it back on a new business to make that clear?" Was I in favor of that? I thought, let's take a look at it. It needs a little brushing up. But I also met earlier and uh with the city manager and the city attorney and discussed that we should pull it because we're not ready to do that. I feel like we really need to look at it so we don't appear as silencing the citizens. Okay, that's not what the reason for it I don't believe through vice mayor is why he brought it up. He brought it up because our goal is to get through these meetings and conduct city business and for our city to prog to progress and we cannot do that if we keep doing this. We need to be a team. We need to find a way to get together on all this and stop attacking each other. Okay, I don't think it's fair to attack anybody in the audience directly like that, no matter who it is. Okay, that is not professional. So, I don't appreciate that myself. I don't know how the rest of the council feels about that. But also, um, when when I'm here, I'm not trying to intimidate people. I'm trying to get my job done. I love being mayor and I want to do the right thing for the residents,

but I also have to I have to keep the quorum. And when I say I give you a warning or you're going to be thrown out or removed, maybe thrown out's a bit much. But my point is is that if you disrupt the meeting, we cannot get our city business done. And it also deters people from wanting to come to our meetings and getting more people here because someone had commented earlier that was there's usually like five people here and and now we have more people here. So that was that was something that I wanted when I ran for office was to have more engagement with the residents so that they have a voice and I've always said that. But there's a way to do it. And what I mean by that is is not to come up here and personally attack anybody up here. you know, state your case. We're listening. We hear you. Okay. But attacks are just not acceptable and and we need to get our business done. And the more we can come together as a council with the city manager, city clerk, everybody, I feel like we can get so much done. But this back and forth is just not progression. So, if we can find a way to get there, I would love it, Miss Stafford. I just I don't know how to get there. But I do know that there's a lot going on right now with all of us and um we just got to get there. So I just wanted to make that clear that we did not bring this forward to silence anybody. It was really just to to look at it and go, "Okay, we can't spend four hours on citizen comments, right? How do we do this and still get to city business?" because it was stated that our meetings cannot go past midnight. So if we do four hours with citizens comments and we get to midnight and we haven't got through half of this agenda because you see this agenda tonight, right? Then that just held up city that's held up city business and that's a shame because we're working for the residents.

So we need to get through this. All these wonderful things that happened tonight with the the crosswalk and you know the the parks, that's what we should be doing. That's what makes me excited to make our city better, not this. So, if we have personal things that are going on, let's keep it out of here. Take it up outside, but let's let's try to get together here and get something done. You got you girls went to Tallahassee. That's wonderful. Let's hope we get the money, right? But my point is is that this stuff that's been going on the last few months, I it's fine. If you don't like me, that's fine. You don't have to like me, but you have to work with me because we have to work as a team and that's how we get things done. And I mean everybody up here. I'm not just saying

no one more thing about I got the floor. Let me finish. Okay.

And I did I I want to I want to make a point on this. So, you know, we got public records requests. We got all kinds of things. We're all busy. Kayle's working hard on all that, too. That makes her job harder, too, right? So, I just we need to find a way to get back together here and move the city. And um I just can't stress that enough. As far as the you know the the uh the smear campaigns and all that, that's why I have an attorney. And and we'll leave it at that. And if you all want to do that too, you can. You all have that right. But it's personal now. Personal stays out of here. When you walk in that door, let's get some city business done. I just think we could do so much together if we could pull together. I really do. All of us, right? We had our differences. Some of us, we worked it out, okay? And I think it's going to make the city manager's job easier, too, and the city clerks if we can do this. So, I hope that we can get there. Um I I'm done with my rant, but I just wanted to say thank you for the uh the sidewalk on Landtown Avenue. It's beautiful. They're almost finished with it. Um, I haven't even seen a sidewalk like that since I lived here. It's really they really uh put some time into it and and it's gonna and it's making our residents safer to walk to the Dollar General now. People walk up and down that hill on lands down. It's so dangerous. So, we just might have saved some lives doing that. And that's what we do up here. And I I I can't stress enough. All of us have done so much good up here. Let's get back to that. That's all I'm saying. and let's put the other stuff aside and move on if we can. I I just hope that's my hope. Okay, so that's my rant. Council Stafford.

Yes, I forgot to also while while in Tallahassee, we did talk to uh several legislators and what they said that the city of Vern City, the city of Vern City at this time is not in need of lobbyists. They said that it would be the waste of taxpayers money. most of our problems is in appropriation and they are more than willing to take that ball and make it happen for our city. We don't they said at this time we do not need to hire who said that

uh about four of the representatives that we talked with I mean legislators on both sides of the fence they said right now we don't have that problem. Okay. Well, we could probably talk about that another time if it comes back up. It's kind of get late, but um thank you all. Council Knight,

I just want to I need to clarify something for our citizens. Um I uh had someone approach me and yell at me because as council members, we sit up here and you all want Kelly Marks removed as mayor and you want to know why the city council members are not doing anything to get her out of her seat. Number one, whether we wanted to or not, we do not have that kind of power or the ability. And number two, our hands are tied. We We just can't do anything. If If y'all want to see her removed from her seat, Tom Huitt got up and spoke and explained to you and gave you gave you direction. But please don't come after the council members thinking that we can do what you're wanting to do. We can't. Our hands are tied and it's not up to us. So I just want to make that very clear.

Okay. We just looking for a motion to adjurnn. Like to make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Got a motion. Got a second. All in favor?