City Commission - Regular Meeting

Commissioner Davis here. Commissioner here. Commissioner Bson here Mercer here. And Mary

here. Invocation will be led by Pastor Perez of Good Samaritan Christian Church at Winter Haven. And then the pledge of allegiance will be led by Vanessa Castillo, city clerk. Please stand if heavenly father, we thank and praise you for all of your mighty work in the city of Winter Haven. You are so loving and so good because you allow each of us to live and enjoy this great community. We thank you for our city. Thank you for our elected officials and all its employees, businesses, churches, families, and all of the individuals that make our great city. Grant our city the will to be known as a righteous city. A city that is a shining light on a hill for all to see. A city that leads the state in low crime, low poverty, high prosperity, high peace, and a city that declares you, Jesus, as Lord. Let your peace be felt in every home. Let your hope grow in every heart. Let every house be a happy home. Let us be a city that welcomes the stranger, cares for the needy, and defends the innocent from evildoers. Lord, we pray for our luremen, those that apply the law as prescribed by our state. We ask you that you protect them. Give them the wisdom and the fortitude to apply the fear of God to those criminals. Lord, we pray for truth and justice. Bring to light all that is kept in the darkness. I pray that this council meeting tonight be a great meeting. Give the council members wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them. In the name of the Father, Yahweh, the Son, Jesus

Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth. Amen.

United States of America and to the Republic for it stands nationy and justice for all. All right. Good evening, mayor and city commissioners. We have two proclamations for you this evening. Our first will be for National Public Works Week. Uh Britney Hart, our public works director and team are here to accept. So whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of Winter Haven. And whereas these infrastructure fac infrastructure facilities and services cannot be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals from state and local governments in the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation's transportation, solid waste systems, natural resources, storm water utilities, fleet, and other infrastructure essential for our citizens. Whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in Winterhaven to gain knowledge and to maintain a pro progressive interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas the American Public Works Association has celebrated the annual National Public Works Week since 1960 and 2026 marks the 66th celebration. Now therefore, William Brian Yates, mayor of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby proclaim the week of May 17, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the city of Winter Haven, and urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies and activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our health, safety, and quality of life. and witness whereof, he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of Winter

Haven, Florida to be affixed this 11th day of May, 2026. Signed, William Bates, mayor. Let's ask Vanessa Castillo, city clerk.

Good evening, mayor, city commissioners. On behalf of our public works team, we want to thank you for recognizing National Public Works Week with this proclamation. We appreciate your continued support and recognition of our men and women of public works who serve our community here in Winter Haven each day. From streets and traffic and storm water to fleet maintenance and solid waste, these teams work behind the scenes, often very early in the morning, late at night, and during emergencies to provide essential services to our community that help keep us safe, clean, connected, and operating smoothly. This year's theme, American Public Works is rooted in service powered by community. And this truly reflects the commitment of our employees and the pride that they take in the service to Winter Haven's residents. Again, we want to thank you for taking the time to recogni recognize their hard work and dedication impact to our Winter Haven community. Thank you. Ask the assistant city manager, Charlie Bird, to do our next proclamation for us.

Honorable mayor and commissioners, whereas law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms which have been grant guaranteed by United States Constitution to every American citizen. And whereas it is important that people throughout our community know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, and that members recognize their duty to serve the people of the community by safeguarding life and property by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation. And whereas law enforcement agencies unceasingly provide a vital public service. And whereas the city commission has designated the week of May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as police week in recognition of the contribution law enforcement officers have made to our ci civilization through their dedicated and selfless efforts in enforcing our laws. It is also designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the federal, state, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Now therefore, William Brian Yates, mayor of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby proclaim the week of May 10th, 2026 as Police Week in the city of Winter Haven, and call upon our citizens to join in commemorating police officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to this community. In so doing, they have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. In witness whereof, he does set his hand and cause the seal of of the city of Winter Haven, Florida to be affixed this 11th day of May, 2026. William Brian Yates, mayor, attested by Vanessa Castillo, city clerk.

Good evening, mayor, commissioners. On behalf of the men and women of Winter Police Department, I want to sincerely thank the city commission for recognizing National Police Week and Police Offer Memorial Day. Each year, National Police Week gives us an opportunity to pause and honor the brave law enforcement officers across this country who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It is also a time to recognize the officers who continue to serve with courage, professionalism, and dedication every single day. This week, we honor and remember Sergeant Luther Thomas Howard. Sergeant Howard was born on September 24th, 1898 in Chancellor, Alabama. On December 15th, 1958, that service cost him everything. Sergeant Howard responded to a violent domestic disturbance on Central Avenue East. A man intoxicated and armed with the knife and threatening his family. Uh Sergeant Howard and another officer entered the seminal apartments and attempted to make an arrest. During the violent struggle, Sergeant Howard was thrown against the wall, striking his head and losing consciousness. Though help came quickly, he was later pronounced deceased at Winter Haven Hospital. He gave his life in the line of duty in service to others. Sergeant Howard will be honored at the National Memorial in Washington DC. He was previously honored at the state memorial uh April 26 and 27th and at our local memorial last Thursday. I also want to thank the commission and the citizens of Winter Haven for your continued support of our police department. Your trust, encouragement, and partnership are vital to our success and deeply appreciated by every member of our agency. We are proud to serve this great city and we remain committed to keeping Winter Haven a safe and strong community for all. I have a couple members here that would like to speak.

Hello. Um I'm Officer Frasier. If you don't know me, I'm the DARE officer for the city. Um I just want to say thank you. I really do appreciate you guys acknowledge and recognizing us. We don't get that very often and we're lucky enough to work with a city that does. Thank you. Hello, I'm Detective Meredith Moore. I work uh in investigative service bureau. I work for violent crimes. Um again, thank you so much. We do appreciate the recognition. Um so, thank you for this proclamation. It means a lot to us. Thank you.

Good evening, mayor and commissioners. My name is Sergeant Patrick Condor and I want to sincerely thank you for this proclamation which recognizes law enforcement's officers service and sacrifice for the work that we do every day and serving this community. We all have a partnership with the community and we are honored to continue to protect it. In this coming October, I will have worked for the city of Winter Haven for 15 years. It's been a pleasure to serve our citizens and I'll continue to do so in the years to come. Recognizing law enforcement service is something that does not happen in every city in this country. And I appreciate the fact that we work in a city that has a cohesive relationship with its employees and the community as a whole. I appreciate your thoughtful leadership and I thank you for the time tonight and the dedication to our community. Tuesday, 26. All right. Perfect.

Okay. So, we have no developments of note this evening. However, we do have three sets of minutes for approval. Mr. Mayor, yes. Move approval of all three sets of minutes. Thank you. Any discussion or questions on any of the minutes presented? All those in favor signify by saying I opposed like sign. Motion carries.

All right. Comments from the audience. We do not have anyone that has signed up this evening. However, if you wish to speak on any nonaggended item, now is your opportunity. So, is there anyone from the audience who would like to speak? All right, we'll move forward. We've got ordinance second reading public hearing a meeting amending ordinance O-25-29 appropriating fund for fiscal year end September 30th, 2025, assistant city manager. Would you like me to read the title, Mr. Mayor? Yeah. Okay. You always feel like you got to do something, don't you? If you'd like for me to do that, I Please do so. I apologize.

No worries. Ordinance number 0-26-14, an ordinance of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, amending ordinance number 0-25-29 regarding appropriation of funds for deferring expenses of the municipal government of the city of Winter Haven for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025, providing for severability for the administrative correction of scrimmage errors, and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy City Man.

Good evening, Mayor and City Commissioner. So, on February in February of 2026, the city selected Ascent Aviation Group as its primary fuel provider. As part of that agreement, the company provided a $50,000 business development grant uh that can be specifically used for facility improvements. Airport staff has proposed using those funds to install new carpeting in the terminal, which complements the uh recently updated painting. Envirrobuild, which is a continuing contractor uh with the city, submitted a quote for $34,280. A budget amendment is required to authorize the additional expenditure and the funding source. And the requested amount uh the requested amendment will recognize that $34,280 of commission fuel revenue to fund the carpet installation uh at the airport. Staff recommends the city commission approve ordinance 02614 and authorize the city manager or his designate to sign all documents and take all necessary actions related there too. Thank you commissioners. Mr. Mayor,

move approval of all 2614 second reading public hearing. Thank you. Motion's been made, we'll close the commission meeting, open for public hearing. Anyone from the public wish to speak to any item on the consent agenda? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. City commission, any other questions or comments on this item? All those in favor signify by saying I. Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries. Consent agenda. Mr. Mayor, yes. Move approval of the consent agenda in its entirety.

Thank you. Motion's been made. We'll uh close the uh commission meeting, open public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to any item listed in the consent agenda. Now's your opportunity. Seeing none, we'll reop close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or comments on anything within the consent agenda? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. opposed like sign. Motion carries. We do have couple resolutions. R-26-11 city attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-26-11. A resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, approving a standard grant agreement between the city of Winter Haven and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FD under agreement number WS127 for funding for the construction of an alternate water supply transmission loop parenthesy reclaim transmission loop project close parenthesy and authorizing the city manager and appropriate city officials to execute set agreement and to take all other necessary actions regarding said reclaim transmission loop project and agreements related there too, providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy City Manager.

The city is constructing an alternative water supply transmission loop uh to interconnect and expand the city's reclaimed water distribution system. This phase of the construction comprises approximately three miles of new infrastructure, extending the transmission lane from County Road 653 and Thompson Nursery Road to Cypress Gardens Boulevard near the state farm facility. This expansion is a key step towards completing the overall goal of a six mile transportation loop which will give us a loop system. In 2025, the city applied for funding through FD and was awarded $ 1.5 million in grants. The grant does not require matching funds, though the total estimated construction for the project is 4 million. The work includes pre-construction activities such as design, permitting, and construction, and is anticipated to be completed in September of 2029. Funds for the design phase are budgeted for in fiscal year 26 and uh planned for in fiscal year 27, 28, and 29. Staff recommends the city commission approve resolution R2611 and approve and approve the Florida Department of Environmental Protection WS127 grant agreement with the city for the reclaimed transmission loop project and authorize a city manager and other city officials to execute the grant agreement and for the city manager or his designated to take any and all further actions necessary there too. Thank you, commissioners.

Mr. Mayor, yes. Motion for approval of R 2611. Thank you. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. Reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or comments on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries. Resolution R-26-14. City Attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution number R-26-14, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Winterhaven, Florida, approving a public transportation grant agreement between the city of Winterhaven and the Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, under contract number G30007 and financial project number 4581-61-1-94-1 for funding for the airport high- security gate at the Winter Haven Regional Airport, Gilbert Field, and authorizing the city manager and appropriate city officials to execute set agreement and to take all of the necessary actions regarding ings had project and agreements related there too providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. Thank you. Thank you deputy city manager.

The airport is seeking approval of a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to fund replacement of the existing gate 19 system with a highsecurity hydraulic sliding gate. The primary access point into Brown SE plane base and ultim gate is the primary access point into Brown SE plane base and ultimately connects to gate 18 which provides direct access to the field. The current gate system operates on a lowquality door opener mechanism that's prone to frequent failures, creating a significant security vulnerability. Project the project includes the installation of highsecurity hydraulic sliding gate system. And by seeking approval of this FDOT grant, the airport aims to strengthen perimeter security, reduce maintenance issues, and ensure safe and controlled access to the airfield. Project has an estimated cost of $40,000. The public transportation grant agreement provides 80% of the funding. The city share of the project, which is 20%, is about $8,000. While the project was not specifically budgeted in the city's matching funds in the city's budget, the city's matching funds are available within the airport's 4602 repair and maintenance account. Staff recommends the city commission approve resolution R2614 and authorize a city manager or his designate to execute the subject agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation grant number G37 and take all other necessary actions incidental to the implementation of the same.

Thank you, commissioners. Mr. Mayor, yes. Motion for approval of R 2614. All right. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting. Open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item. Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. Reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or comments on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose like sign. Motion carries. All right. We have two ordinance first readings this evening. There will be no vote on these items. Uh the the second readings will be on May 26, which at that time we will vote. However, let's go ahead and go through the first readings. 026-12, city attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-12 an ordinance amending chapter 21 of the code of ordinances of the city of war Florida by reszoning one parcel from mixed use MX zoning district to commercial highway C3 zoning district providing for the administrative correction of scrutinous errors repealing or ordinances in conflict you're with and providing an effective date the general location 2001 first street north the area covered by this request is 0.46 46 plus or minus acres. Thank you. Thank you. Deputy city manager,

the petitioner, Beacon 6 Holdings LLC, as the city attorney stated, request the city reszone one parcel from mixeduse zoning district to commercial highway C3 zone. Uh the part the parcel is approximately 0.46 acres and the petitioner owns the parcels to the south, west, and southwest of the subject property, all of which are currently zone C3. The petitioner proposes to devel redevelop the site with a convenience store with fuel sales in conjunction with the three adjacent parcels under their ownership. The use is not permitted within the MX zoning district, but is allowed within the C3 zoning district. These parcels within the block located at a major intersection of First Street um and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The adjacent rightway is included in the Florida Department of Transportation's the Cern Park Road State Road 544 widening project segment one portion of that project which is currently in the design phase. Rightway acquisition is anticipated to begin later this year, followed by utility relocation and construction. The primary mixeduse f primary mixeduse hub future land use designation will remain unchanged. No additional impacts to public infrastructure are anticipated beyond what is currently permitted and a final concurrency determination will be made at the time the property receives site plan approval and is developed. All notifications for this request were met and the planning commission at its April 7th, 2026 meeting voted to recommend approval with no me and no members of the public spoke. Staff recommends the city commission advance ordinance 02612 to second reading.

Thank you commissioners. Any questions or comments on this item? Seeing none, we'll move forward 026-15. City attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-15, an ordinance of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, amending ordinance number O-25-29 regarding appropriation of funds for defraining the expenses of the municipal corporate government of the city of Winter Haven for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025, providing for severability and for the administrative correction of scriers errors and providing for an effective date. Thank you.

Thank you, WC manager. This item accompanies item 10G that was on the consent agenda for RFQ 1215 which is the GMP for the improvements at Doflex. Uh the GMP for that is not to exceed 2,341,36 and a budget amendment is required to authorize the additional expenditures and the funding sources. So we're pulling some funding from different funding sources to close the gap on that project. The requested amendment will transfer $100,000 within the construction fund, 32,858 from the transportation fund primarily to fund sidewalks and 15,000 from the general fund for additional expenditures in the amount of $188,859. The balance of the additional expenditure is $41,01 is available from the cost savings within the Diamond Flex Softball improvement project. Staff recommends the city commission advance ordinance 02615 to second reading. Thank you commissioners. Any questions or comments on this item? Seeing none, again we will read these for second reading on the commission meeting on May 26 at that time. So we'll move forward. There's no new business. City commission liaison reports. Commissioner Berso.

All right. Thank you. Well, I have a couple of things, three things. Attended the public's uh grand opening on Dundee Road and amazed that over 200 people were standing in line to get in there at 7 a.m.

for the ribbon cutting. So, it was good. It's a fabulous store. Uh the other item is the Northeast Cultural Center. Uh was truly uh well attended and I was shocked at the number of people that were there as well. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen that kind of gathering for any single event other than at church or funeral. So, it was a a great event. The staff has done a fabulous job and the building itself is fabulous and uh man, we're just looking forward to it for many, many years for this community. And the final thing, I attended the uh Heritage Day Festival that was put on by First Missionary Baptist and the staff uh participated in that as well. And we showed them how the the city struts it stuff. So, uh that was a good event as well. And most important, the weather cooperated. I mean, it was overcast all day. It didn't rain until right at the end. and we were done. So, it worked out fine. That's it. Mayor Fton Mercer.

Um I'm just going to go down the list. Seven Rivers. I attended that water festival. Um the ribbon cutting also at the Winter Haven Recreation and Culture Center and Leadership Winter Haven Alumni and Girls Inc. for the recognizing the leadership in that group and the women's club of Winter Haven and the FMBC heritage day.

Commissioner Dawson redundant but uh the ribbon cutting for the cultural center was exceptional. Uh I will add that uh we had the response has been amazing to say the least. I think they had uh to enter the building you have to have this tag. The tags that they have in order to access the various rooms they had uh I think a thousand of those. On the uh ribbon cutting day they uh gave out over 400. The thousand are gone now. Uh so there's been an amazing response. There were a couple incidents that happened since then and uh met with uh chief of police today just to uh one um say that we as a community are concerned and he also shared that these things do happen. They happen at both complexes. you know, people will be people wherever they are. And uh but we wanted to get ahead of something like this to make sure that people feel safe and uh we know we live in a society in a time where uh people are concerned about their their surroundings and they should be uh but we want to make sure and ensure that we can make it as safe as possible for everyone who would love to come to the center. It is a beautiful addition to our community. Many people have already been raving about it and again we just simply want to uh continue to be proactive and not just reactive to things that do happen. But you know sometimes you do have a bad actor or someone who may uh bring a different agenda to that situation. So we're not going to allow that to deter us. We're going to continue to forge ahead and continue to to see wonderful memories made in that new facility. The heritage day was truly a a great success in the

sense that 31 years uh we've been able to do this event and uh it was not downtown Winter Haven originally uh but the city of Winter Haven has supported our effort for over 20 plus years. So our hats off to the parks and recck department and the entire staff for the outstanding job of cooperation and support that you continue to give for this event. celebrating all heritages. And so we thank you for just being great partners in doing such a wonderful job. And uh the girls Inc. lunchon was uh unique because it was held at the Ritz and uh unique venue to say the least and uh so we really enjoyed every aspect of it and certainly to congratulations to those who were honored uh welldeserving and uh just a wonderful event that they put on annually. So, I was happy to be there. Support. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis.

All right. Um, first, the public's ribbon cutting. If you haven't been to one of those, we don't get to have them too often in Winter Haven, but we do have another one coming up soon. That was pretty spectacular. Um, it was so so neat to see a new Publix opening in Winter Haven. And to see that that brand loyalty, people just really embracing their neighborhood Publix. And I posted about it. And the interesting thing I learned, I didn't know my great-grandfather and great uncle helped landscape the original supermarket. So, the things the things you learn, the connections that that we have. Um, so very cool. Highly recommend showing up for the Ruby Lake one when it opens. Uh, the rec center opening. I was there as well. Um, I also attended the welcome to Winter Haven orientation lunchon. That was uh nice to greet some of our new employees. I finished my own orientation with our department heads. Uh, nice to have that behind me and we'll go into phase two while hopefully get to do some ride alongs and some site visits and get to know the city a little better that way. Uh, also attended the Seven Rivers Water Festival. the First Missionary Baptist Church Heritage Festival, which is very nice. Thank you so much for for putting on such a great event. And then I just want to end with uh we start graduations across the county this Saturday and into next week. I know we're all to attend some of those. You have Lake Region graduating in on Tuesday, Winter Haven next Friday. So, congratulations to all of our graduates and I look forward to seeing some of them.

All right. at risk of repeating anything that was already mentioned tonight. I'll skip anything that I already attended that uh that was already mentioned. So, I'll I'll just reiterate though that that was the opposite of a funeral at the uh uh cultural center. That was an awakening of that property and uh it's really exciting to see everything that's going to happen there uh going forward. So, it's it's just so so awesome for the community um to have that in in large. So, with that, I'll move right along to city attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor Commission. And following what Commissioner Davis said, I understand there might be 7,000 hands that have to be shook as part of the graduation process all throughout. So, that that's quite a lot of um quite a lot for the graduates of the Poke County school system, but I have nothing to report tonight and wish you well on your trips uh your trip and safe travels. And I hope that it is very productive. Thank you,

Deputy City Manager. Uh just a couple things this evening sir. So I just wanted to make everybody aware that the uh notice to proceed was issued to Tucker Paving uh today for the Third Street project. So we have about in the next two weeks you'll really see activity uh start to kick up there with some road closures. Uh extensive coordination happening between our teams in public works public safety and parks, recreation culture to make sure that that corridor which you know has a lot of city business that happens but also becomes kind of a key uh corridor during special events. We're doing a lot of coordination work is happening around that. So, I just wanted to give a heads up on that. Then I wanted to ask Katrina if she would give an update on uh some changes to the agenda for the trip to DC.

Yes. Good evening. I won't go through it line by line because you guys have seen it. I just wanted to point out a couple things that changed since last Wednesday. So, you're aware. Um our schedule tomorrow got a little bit crazier. We um added in our meeting with the FAA tomorrow afternoon. So, we're going to do a little bit of a divide and conquer approach tomorrow between the White House and the FAA and we'll sort all that out in the morning. Um, on Wednesday, the US Economic Development Administration off office meeting was actually moved to Wednesday morning because we slotted in Senator Scott's office on Thursday morning and we added in Senator Moody's office on Wednesday afternoon. So, all those pending meetings got scheduled. Um, but we are looking forward to a bright and early start tomorrow at 4:00 a.m. Don't forget could be a little rainy, could be a little chilly Wednesday evening. Um, and driver's license or we can't get into the White House

or on a plane or on the Well, you can kind of get around it on the plane. All right. Any other questions for tomorrow morning? All right. And then uh just last reminder, uh, our next meeting due to the Memorial Day holiday will actually be held on Tuesday, May 26th. That will be notices will be adjusted appropriately. City clerk, nothing this evening. Deputy city clerk. Hi. We haven't forgot about you. All right. Uh with that, uh no emergency matters. So motion to adjurnn. Then we're adjourned.