City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We'll call to order the City Commission meeting of Tuesday, September 15th to order. Will you get a roll call, please?

Commissioner Davis. Here. Commissioner Dollison. Here. Commissioner Birdsong. Here. Mayor Bertram Mercer. Here. And Mayor Yates.

Here. We'll have invocation led by Pastor Danny Bennett of St. John's Methodist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by City Clerk Vanessa Castillo. Please stand to fable.

Thank you. For those who pray, I invite you to join me in prayer. For those who practice a different faith or no faith at all, I invite you to receive these words in the spirit of hope, service, and a shared commitment to the well-being of our community. Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for the city of Winter Haven, for this community we call home, and for the people who make this city what it is. We are grateful for the many ways this city continues to grow, to serve, and to seek a brighter future for all who live, work, learn, and worship here. We give you thanks tonight for the individuals who serve our community through elected office, city departments, public safety, parks and recreation, public works, and so many other areas of service. Give them wisdom as they make decisions, patience when the answers are not easy, courage when difficult choices must be made, and a spirit of cooperation as they work together for the good of our community. Remind us that behind every ordinance, every budget, every project, and every decision are real people whose lives are affected by the work done in this room. May the work of this commission always lift up the lives of the people of Winter Haven, strengthening our neighborhoods, supporting our families, creating opportunities for our children and young people, and helping our community to flourish. And especially, oh God, keep before us those whose voices are too often unheard, those who struggle to make ends meet, those without stable housing, those who live with disabilities, those who are isolated or forgotten, those who are new to our community, and all who find themselves on the margin of society. Give us eyes to see them, ears to hear them, and hearts willing to make room for them. May we measure the strength of our community not only by how well those who are doing well are able to thrive, but by how faithfully we care for those who have the least power and fewest resources. Help us to remember that a city is more than its buildings, its roads, its businesses, and infrastructure. A city is for people. May this city continue to be a place where people are valued, neighbors care for one another, differences are respected, and every person has the opportunity to live with dignity and with hope. Bless the work that will be done here tonight to guide this commission and all who serve our city and grant them wisdom, compassion, integrity, and a shared commitment to the common good. May all that is done in this room contribute to a city that is stronger, kinder, and more welcoming for everyone. 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.

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. We have two presentations for you this evening in the form of proclamations. Our first proclamation is for Find the Good Day proclamation. This will be received by Elizabeth Davis, President, and Maya Pearson, Community Vice President of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven. And certainly if you want to come to the podium, and we'll stand for a photo afterwards with all of, I'm assuming the people with the yellow flowers on them. Our proclamation reads as follows. Whereas the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven is dedicated to promoting volunteerism, empowering women, and enhancing communities through effective leadership and action. And whereas Find the Good Day, observed on September 17th, 2026, encourages individuals to recognize and celebrate the positive aspects of their communities and take action to uplift others. And whereas on this day, we acknowledge the importance of kindness, compassion, and community service in fostering positive change and building stronger, more resilient communities. and whereas the Junior League continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for significant community initiatives and empowering individuals to make a lasting impact. Now, therefore, William Bryan Yates, Mayor of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby proclaim September 17th, 2026 as Find the Good Day in the City of Winter Haven, Florida, and encourages all citizens to participate in acts of kindness, volunteerism, and community service. In witness whereof, he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the City of Winter Haven, Florida to be affixed on this 15th day of September, 2026. Signed, William Brian Yates, Mayor. Attest, Vanessa Castillo, City Clerk.

Thank you. Good evening. Mary Yates commissioners and members of the city of winter Haven. I am Maya Pearson on behalf of the junior league of greater winter Haven. I am honored to serve as a community vice president and to accept this proclamation, recognizing find the good day, which takes place this Thursday, September 17. Find the good day is dedicated to finding the good in yourself, your community and the world around you. This day is more than just a date on the calendar. It represents a movement and reflects the timeless spirit of Junior Leagues, a legacy of kindness, empowerment, and meaningful community impact. As Junior Leaguers, we believe that positive change happens when people come together, recognize the needs within their communities, and take action. Find the Good Day gives us an opportunity to do exactly that, to celebrate the good that already exists around us while challenging ourselves to create even more of it. This year, the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven partnered with the Junior League of Greater Lakeland to support the Hearth Project's Fill a Bag initiative, which provides essential hygiene items to students who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Through the generosity of our league members and community partners, we were able to collect and donate hygiene necessities to help meet a very real need for students right here in our community. And that is what finding the good looks like. It can be something as simple as donating a few essential items, volunteering your time, or recognizing an opportunity to make someone's day a little better. When those individual acts come together, they can make a tremendous difference. At this time, I would like to ask any members of the Junior League who are here this evening to please stand and be recognized. Thank you again to the city of Winter Haven for this meaningful recognition and for the continued support you graciously extend to the Junior League and our efforts throughout the community. We are proud to be a part of a community that continues to find the good and put it into action. Thank you. And we also have a certificate of appreciation that is proudly presented to the city of Winter Haven.

Mayor and Commissioners, our next proclamation this evening is in recognition of Florida Redevelopment Week. I'd like to invite Angela Hibbard, our CRA manager, and Samise Lee, our CRA coordinator, to come forward to receive this. And I believe they have some members of the CRA board, the CRA downtown and Florence Villa advisory committees. Whereas community redevelopment agencies, also known as CRAs, and redevelopment programs play a vital role in revitalizing neighborhoods, addressing areas of slum and blight, strengthening local economies, revitalizing downtowns, and improving the quality of life for residents and businesses throughout the state of Florida. And whereas redevelopment initiatives encourage private investment, support small businesses, improve infrastructure, enhance public spaces, and expand housing opportunities, thereby fostering vibrant, resilient, and equitable communities. And whereas the Florida Redevelopment Association, in partnership with municipalities, counties and community stakeholders, promotes best practices, professional education and collaboration to advance community redevelopment efforts throughout Florida. And whereas Florida Redevelopment Week serves as an opportunity to recognize redevelopment achievements, highlight transformational projects, engage residents and stakeholders, and celebrate the economic, social, and cultural benefits of community revitalization. And whereas the observance of Florida Redevelopment Week will raise awareness of the importance of community redevelopment and inspire continued public and private investment in Florida's neighborhoods, downtowns, and commercial corridors. Now, therefore, William Bryan Yates, Mayor of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby proclaim the week of September 14th, 2026 as Florida Redevelopment Week in the City of Winter Haven. and encourages all residents, businesses, community organizations, and public officials to recognize and celebrate the contributions of community redevelopment programs and to participate in activities highlighting the importance of revitalization efforts across our communities. In witness whereof, he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the City of Winter Haven, Florida to be affixed this 15th day of September 2026. Signed, William Brian Yates, Mayor. Attest, Vanessa Castillo, City Clerk.

Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Thank you for recognizing the first ever Redevelopment Week in the State of Florida in the City of Winter Haven. I truly love being a part of developing and making a difference in the city where I live and I love and work. Samise and I are privileged to be the people recognized as the CRA staff, but redevelopment is not just a staff task. In 1999, the city commission had the vision to take on the task of establishing a community redevelopment agency. And in 2000, the Winter Haven CRA came to life. There have been many partners along the way, including Main Street, the CDC, the advisory committees and board members, both past and present, private developers, local businesses, residents, the community, and most every department within the city of Winter Haven. Many people from these groups are here today and we're thankful for those relationships still. In conjunction with the investments of the CRA, the city has won awards such as the APA 2019 Great Places in Florida People's Choice Award, participated in wonderful projects such as the library in the downtown and Reuben Williams Sports Complex, among the many, and supported redevelopment in both downtown and Florence Villa. We are not done, but I do feel like we are just beginning and we're picking up momentum. Eric and I were actually talking before coming in here and thinking about who all should be included in the picture. The room is just not big enough for all the people that participate in the CRA, you guys included. So on behalf of everyone that's involved, I want to say a simple thank you.

You can have a CRA board meeting.

And on three, Laura, we have to see

Okay, we've got no developments of note this evening. We do have four sets of minutes that are sent for approval. Commissioners?

Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of all four sets of minutes.

Thank you. Motion's been made. Any further discussion or questions on any of the sets of minutes? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. all right this evening we do have our first uh budget reading so i do have the mayor statement to go over and i will read that now state law requires the first substantive issues to be discussed at the hearing are name of the taxing authority city of winter haven Rolled back rate is 6.5567 mills. The percentage increase in the millage over the rollback rate is 0.51%. Millage rate to be levied is 6.5900. The reasons ad valorem tax revenues are increasing, the ad valorem proceeds resulting from the difference between the proposed millage rate and the rollback rate will be used to offset increased operating costs and fund capital projects. With that, we will move forward with Ordinance's first reading.

City Attorney, title only. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and if you don't mind, I'll read the entire ordinance if that works for you.

Try to make it faster.

All right. Ordinance number 0-26-22, an ordinance of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, adopting a millage rate to provide sufficient funds for projected expenditures of the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, providing for severability and providing for an effective date. Whereas on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the City of Winter Haven held a public hearing as required by Florida Statute 200.065. And whereas a budget has been prepared estimating expenditures and revenues of the city for the ensuing year with detailed information including revenues to be derived from sources other than ad valorem levy and recommendations have been made as to the amount to be appropriated for the ensuing year and whereas the city of winter haven strives to provide a level of service consistent with the express desires and demands of its citizens and whereas it is necessary that taxpayers of winter haven also be willing to share the common expenditures of said services and to provide funds therefore Now, therefore, be it enacted by the people of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, as follows. Number one, the millage levy for fiscal year 2026-2027 is hereby set at a rate of 6.5900 mils. Number two, the millage rate of 6.5900 is 0.51% higher than the rollback rate of 6.5567 mils. Number three, if any word, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this ordinance for any reason is held to be unconstitutional, void, or invalid, the validity of the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby. Number four, this ordinance will take effect on October 1, 2026. Introduced on first reading this 15th day of September 2026, Mayor, Commissioner. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, this is the first reading. So the second reading will be on September the 28th. And we will move forward to Ordinance O-26.

Mr. Mayor, you do vote on this tonight. Oh, we do need to vote on it? Oh, I'm sorry. It is a tentative millage rate. And you'll also vote on the second ordinance.

This is my first budget as mayor, okay? Very good. Hang with me. I am. All right. So we do need a vote on this. Commissioners?

I think the ordinance is presented is the same thing as within the fact sheet. I will say that when we get to the actual budget, we'll present that summary report, and then I'll give a short presentation on the budget. Mr. Mayor?

Yes. Move approval of ordinance 02622 on first reading.

Okay. Motion has been made. We will 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 discussions? Commissioner Davis.

Good evening. Tonight is one of those nights where the rubber meets the road. The votes we take will be consequential and they go straight to the convictions that brought each of us into public service. My votes will reflect my principles and my judgment about what is best for Winter Haven and they're not personal toward anyone on this dies. I respect every commissioner here, and I respect our staff and leadership. We may disagree, but we are all striving for the best outcomes for our city. Honest disagreement is part of governing. What matters is that we face these decisions with clarity, integrity, and a shared commitment to Winter Haven. My vote tonight is guided by a simple governing philosophy. A responsible city budget begins with the question, how much do we need to run Winter Haven efficiently and effectively? What we have done instead is begin with the question, how much money do we receive if we keep the millage rate the same, even when that choice raises taxes on our residents during an affordability crisis? We were told earlier this summer that rolling the millage back to avoid a tax increase would cost the city $1.5 million. That number was wrong. The actual difference is $165,509, a number so small in the context of our budget that it is effectively negligible. And yet, despite having $4.5 million in excess unassigned fund balance, $3 million of which remains after our commitment to Sertoma Park, we are choosing to collect that additional $165,509 from taxpayers rather than relieve even the smallest amount of their burden. We have already exceeded our own best practice policy of maintaining a 30% unassigned fund balance. We are sitting at 35% with millions in excess. When we have that level of cushion, and when rolling back the millage costs us nothing in terms of service delivery, it is disingenuous to tell residents that we respect their burden and are best positioned to cut their taxes, only to raise those taxes anyway. Home rule means we listen to our residents. It means we respect their lived reality. And right now, their reality is fear, frustration, and exhaustion. They see no end in sight to rising costs. They are angry. They are scared. Their emotions are being exploited in the statewide debate over Amendment 3. And I believe local government has a responsibility to demonstrate that we are not indifferent to their circumstances. When we have $3 million in excess funds and when the cost of preventing a tax increase is only $165,509, refusing to adopt the rollback rate is not fiscally responsible. It is a choice to take more from taxpayers simply because we can. Those dollars belong to the people of Winter Haven, not to us. I cannot support raising taxes under these conditions. I cannot support a budgeting approach that starts with maximizing revenue rather than determining need. And I cannot support telling residents we understand their hardship while refusing to take the smallest possible step to ease it. For these reasons, I am voting no on the proposed millage rate.

Commissioners, any other questions or comments?

Okay.

I'll just add, I think, you know, based upon our conversation that we had at Agenda Review, I had a chance to kind of go back and do the math and look at it. And while I think we discovered it was going to be less than about $6 a house for the year, that $165,000, I think I did the math on my house, and it was $165,000. less than twenty bucks for the whole year uh... and then i look at the fact that we're getting raises to firefighters police officers city employees and certainly that makes up that difference where we have cut tremendously from previous years in this budget so i think there's a lot more discussion to be had i look forward to that discussion but in this instance adopting the rollback rate i'll just use the analogy that the juice isn't isn't necessarily worth the squeeze as again we are giving raises to city employees the firefighters the police department and uh... you know i think that's where the rubber meets the road and uh... so i i i don't uh... necessarily support adopting the rollback however i do support many more discussions going forward on how to rework expenses and lower costs throughout the city so that we can give an adequately appropriate millage rate decrease going forward. So with that, those are my thoughts. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. No. Motion carries.

And the record will reflect that there were four commissioners voting for this. That's important because, as I've advised you, in order to adopt the millage rate that you've just tentatively adopted, there needs to be four out of five.

Yes.

The same will hold true next time.

Yes. Next week as well. Okay. Ordinance O-26-23, Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 through 2027. City Attorney.

We'll read. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-23, an ordinance making appropriations of funds for defraying the expenses of the municipal government of the city of Winter Haven for fiscal year 2026-2027, adopting the budget of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026, as the official budget of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, fiscal year 2026-2027, providing for severability and providing an effective date. whereas Florida statutes require each taxing authority to annually adopt tentative and final budgets, and whereas the City of Winter Haven has held workshops and commission meetings regarding the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, and whereas estimates have been made by the City Manager of the City of Winter Haven as presented in the budget of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026, showing that the sum of $377,268,776 will be required for defraying the expenses of maintaining the government of the City of Winter Haven, Florida for the fiscal year 2026-2027. And whereas the budget of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026, anticipates sufficient revenues to fund projected expenditures of $377,268,776. Now, therefore, being enacted by the people of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, as follows. Number one, the sum of $377,268,776 is hereby appropriated out of all of the various revenues accruing to the City of Winter Haven and set aside for the purpose of paying the expenses of and maintaining the government of the City of Winter Haven for fiscal year 2026-2027. Number two, the budget of the City of Winter Haven, Florida fiscal year commencing October 1, 2026 on file in the Office of the City Clerk is hereby adopted by reference as the official budget of the City of Winter Haven, Florida for fiscal year 2026-2027. Number three, if any word, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this ordinance for any reason is held to be unconstitutional, void, or invalid, the validity of the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby. Number four, it is the intention of the city commission that sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or re-lettered and the word ordinance may be changed to chapter, section, article, or such other appropriate word or phrase in order to accomplish such intentions and that sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or re-lettered in the correction of typographical and or scrivener's errors which do not affect the intent may be authorized by the city manager or his designee without need of public hearing by filing a corrected or recodified copy of same with the city clerk. Number five, this ordinance shall take effect on October 1, 2026, introduced on first reading this 15th day of September 2026. Thank you.

Thank you. City Manager?

Mr. Mayor, I'm going to ask our CFO, Mr. Christopher Reeder, to present the fact sheet, and then I'm going to go through a very revised or shortened version of my July budget presentation for the benefit of the audience and those who may be watching online.

Mr. Reeder? Thank you, T. Michael. Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Florida statutes requires each taxing authority to annually adopt a tentative and final budget. The law also requires that the local government hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of each of those budgets. The trim notice, which was sent to all property owners in August, notified the City of Winter Haven property owners of the proposed millage rate and dates of the first public hearing on the millage. The city will advertise the adoption of the final budget and the notice of tax increase prior to the second public hearing in accordance with state law. The second and final hearing will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026. The tentative budget has been prepared based on the city's needs. and commission directives authorized at the budget workshop held on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026. Those directives included the adoption of the current millage rate at 6.5900. The budget has been prepared in compliance with the city's policies and requirements and appropriate state statutes. The financial impact of our city budget for fiscal year 2627 is $377,268,776. The budget aligns with our strategic pillar, responsible government, and exemplifies fiscal accountability and resiliency. And with that, I complete my presentation.

So, Mayor and Commissioners, we're going to see if Ms. Hill is able to keep track with me as I go through my notes and she manages the slides. So, hopefully what I'm saying aligns with what's on the screens before you. We'll see how we go here. So I want to start off by extending appreciation to the City Commission for providing staff with guidance and direction specific to the preparation of the fiscal year 27 budget. I also want to extend my appreciation to Mr. Reeder, Mr. Alan Weeks, and Mr. Brandon Bousier. Their work in the finance department, that's who compiles all of the budgets that come out of our departments. Ms. Hill for her work on preparing the final budget digital product that is available online. So if residents want to see that fiscal year 27 budget, it is there under the finance page of the city's website. And of course, to all the department directors for their diligence in prioritizing their respective operational needs. The fiscal year 27 budget is first and foremost balanced. We have to have a balanced budget for state law. It is also a conservative budget with respect to recurring expenses such as those associated with personnel and ongoing operations. This is driven not only by a sense of fiscal responsibility but also by the uncertainties of revenues in future years as we wait the future vote on Amendment 3 and what impact that will have on tax dollars that are available. Expenses that we include in a budget today we have to anticipate will we be able to afford those beyond this day given changes in revenue streams and even with the conservative budget there would likely be significant alterations or adjustments to the budget the budget however is very capital heavy primarily in the water department as we've discussed we are at a point in time where this commission is charged with having to make key decisions regarding legacy projects in the areas of water production facilities and wastewater treatment facilities. The capital expenditures, however, do not require any increase in taxes. They are funded through earmarked funds that the city has accumulated for those specific investments. As an example, when we talk about the investment in the new parking garage, those are dollars that were bonded for many years ago and that we have supplemented with cost savings that we've realized on other projects so that we're not seeking new dollars for that. We are simply taking earmarked funds for it. When we look at water and wastewater projects, and the potential for a bond issue to help support those, the debt service on bond issues within water and wastewater operations was contemplated as recently as 2024 when rates were set for our water operations so that they would account for the debt payments on that. I think it's a very important piece to point out. You know, we look at impact fees, connection fees, dollars they're specifically marked for those capital projects you're not seeing increase in tax dollars to simply support capital projects this has been noted several times the budget for fiscal year twenty twenty seven for the entire city organization is three hundred and seventy seven million two hundred and sixty eight thousand seven hundred seventy six dollars which includes one hundred and seventy nine million seven hundred seventy nine thousand nine hundred fifty three dollars just for capital projects one-time expenditures again it had been funded based upon the earmarking of revenues over the years to support those. I think the bigger item that comes into play when we talk about budgets, particularly at a time when property tax is such a prevalent discussion topic, is the general fund itself. The general fund for fiscal year 27 is $86,103,602. That is approximately 8% above where it was last year. or current year, fiscal year 26. Keep in mind that the city of Winter Haven is not immune to the increases that we see at the fuel pumps. We fuel fire trucks, police cars, solid waste vehicles, and we're paying the same rates for fuels that the general consumer is paying when they visit one of our gas stations. As insurance goes up on residential properties, we see insurance increases on our own municipal infrastructure and properties. The cost associated with consumable goods and what we're seeing when we buy things because the cost of delivering those goods to a destination is a result of increases in diesel fuel, we see the same thing in that regard. Gross taxable property values in Winter Haven increased by 4.97% over the prior year. More than half of that growth in the taxable value is associated with new properties that came onto the tax rolls. This is one of the lowest increases, smallest increases we have seen in Winter Haven in the past five years. The budget includes 776 positions, You can see from the slide that approximately 660 of those are full-time positions. The budget includes a total of six new bodies to Winter Haven's workforce. One position, and that one position is funded at, bless you, that one position is funded at half a year within the general fund. The other ones exist within our proprietary or business oriented operations. The budget does include a 3% cost of living adjustment, as well as the continuation of our STEP program for our workforce that occurs on their anniversaries. When we look at Winter Haven's tentative millage rate, as was approved on first reading this evening, it is the eighth lowest of the taxing jurisdictions here in Polk County. even if it were to go to the rollback, it would remain at the number eight position within all of the 18 that are displayed on your table in front of you. The largest portion of the budget, 51.54%. Katrina, we're gonna go one slide ahead of that. The largest portion is within the water department. again a hundred ninety four point five million the bulk of that is housed within capital purchases or expenditures second largest is the general fund that makes up twenty two point eight two percent of the annual budget And then the third and fourth largest funds are your transportation fund and your construction fund. Again, very heavy in the capital side. In fact, within the transportation and construction fund, it is purely only capital expenses that are assigned there. A lot of times we hear in local government, we wish you operated more like a business. I've said on many occasions we do operate like a business where it makes sense to operate in such a fashion. We define those as our proprietary fund operations. And you can see that 56.8% of our budget is tied to business operations. That is your water department, solid waste department, golf course, dark fiber fund, as well as the storm water operations. None of those operations, with the exception of Willowbrook Golf Course, which receives a small stipend at present time from the general fund, all the other ones that I just mentioned are funded entirely by the user fees that are established for them. So they're not getting any property tax going into them. Capital is the single greatest expense in fiscal year 27, representing 47% of the budget. Almost $180 million will be reinvested into infrastructural improvements for our community. I go back to what I've said on many occasions now. Water and sewer, the investments that we are beginning to make specifically in that area, the last time that those facilities were improved to the level that they need to be now was over 50 years ago. They are designed to last that long. It is a one-time upfront major investment. It will take us probably four years to fulfill the investments that need to be done within water and sewer. And then those facilities should not require the same investment for another 50, hopefully closer to 70 years based upon modern designs and technologies. The general fund, again, is at $86,103,602. Property tax revenue accounts for $33,153,796 of the revenue required for the general fund. When we look at the departments that are funded within the general fund, these are the most common municipal services. I'll point out that public safety remains job number one for a community. It needs to be the highest priority. And you can see in our case, police and fire are the two largest independent departments that make up the general fund. combined police, fire, and safe neighborhoods. Those are the three departments that comprise the public safety model. Their budget for fiscal year 27 is $39,197,358. That is $6 million greater than what the ad valorem revenue generates. So that is the delta that already exists within the budget there. The other major department within the general fund, parks, recreation, and culture, followed by public works, which is the streets operations. mentioned wages we do recommend a three percent cost of living adjustment uh... for our eligible employees we are still in negotiations with our fire union in our police union uh... those will continue as we work through the cba uh... according to how we your practices in that regard but all other employees are proposed to receive a 3% cost of living adjustment effective October 1st. I looked at the CPI as of August, and I believe it is right now just shy of 3.5%. I think it's 3.4 and change. So this is slightly below that. again six positions have been included in the budget one within the general fund which is a traffic sign specialist this is budgeted for half the year so it wouldn't come on board until late spring and that is subject to what happens with property tax reform should amendment three pass this position will not be funded because the dollars wouldn't be there to support it. The other five positions you can see are within, one within Public Works, which is in the stormwater proprietary operations. and that is to meet new requirements associated with Senate Bill 180, as well as the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. And then four positions within the Water Department tied to compliance for grants and regulations. A business analyst, again, this is our largest department and it operates as a business. And then two assistant superintendents to help manage our growing infrastructure within water and sewer. The general fund balance, unassigned fund balance is an important point to make reference to. City Commission has a policy that requires that we maintain a 17% fund balance for the general fund. A few years back, the commission in step with what the GFOA and good accounting practices would recommend was to set a goal of 30%. We estimate that our fund balance at the end of the fiscal year will be at 35%. your practice has been in his was written into the fiscal policy that anything above thirty percent i would bring back to you with the recommendation to dedicate those funds towards capital projects not recurring projects That 35% yields a delta of $4.5 million above the 30% requirement or goal. A million and a half of that has already been earmarked for improvements to Sertoma Park, and we're recommending the City Commission not do anything with the remaining $3 million until we understand better the outcomes of Amendment 3, as well as monitoring what some of our self-insurance costs will be in the year coming. In looking at some of the other funds that we have, and I'm going to go through these relatively quickly as we've discussed them at length prior, the airport fund has expenses of approximately $5.3 million. It is also supported by the general fund to the tune of about $1.17 million. and it is projected to have an ending fund balance of $687,434. There's a number of capital projects within the airport that are forthcoming. We partner closely with the FAA and FDOT, and at present time, the city's portion of those capital projects represents about 15 cents of every full dollar that is spent. The balance is coming from our state and federal partners. The library fund is projected to have expenses of $2.76 million. They also receive a contribution from the general fund that is projected to be $875,000 for the forthcoming fiscal year and will have a fund balance ending cash amount of $31,743. The cemetery fund is the third fund that receives a contribution from the general fund. Their total budget or expenditures for fiscal year 27 are just shy of $1.1 million. They'll receive $600,000 in a general fund contribution. and they show a negative fund balance. However, that is corrected because there has been a changeover in a position there with the retirement of a more tenured employee, thus that $3,847 is actually negated. In the construction fund, again, I mentioned that you have a number of projects that are forthcoming. The parking garage, which we have on the agenda this evening, an item pertaining to that. Funding for that comes from cost savings on some other transportation projects, as well as previously earmarked funds from a bond that were dedicated specifically for downtown parking infrastructure. The Pickleball Court project comes from Parks and Recreation impact fees. Sertoma Park renovations come from available funds within the general fund fund balance. Sertoma Park land, if we're able to make that acquisition in the coming year, will come from Parks and Recreation impact fees as it is an expansion of the service. And then we also have to pay in an interest expense. We go through an arbitrage exercise every year when you have bond funds. You can't earn money on those funds once you receive them. You're holding them. If they're earning more than what the interest rate was, you have to pay that back. We put that aside, and so we'll make that payment this year because the market performed better than what the interest rate was when we borrowed the funds. In the transportation fund, there's a number of projects that are lined up. Some of these are already underway, such as Roosevelt Drive is under construction at present time. The transportation improvement project, we're scheduled to make another $2 million in roadway improvements. We are still awaiting some final legal decisions with respect to intersection improvements on 6th, 8th, and 9th Street along Cypress Gardens Boulevard. That is a piece of property that we're seeking to acquire. and we are continuing to work through some of the challenges in establishing the quiet zones along the rail corridor. In the CRA funds, you have had meetings regarding the CRAs and their budget. You can see that the total ad valorem revenue about midway down the page for your downtown CRA is about 4.38 million, and for the Florence Villa CRA about 1.68 million. When we combine those with the other revenues, you can see the bottom line there of what their revenues would be coming in for next year specifically. Go to the next slide, please. In looking at the downtown CRA specifically, using the cash carry forward, so they have projects that they had budgeted for in fiscal year 26 that had not yet been completed, so we carry that project forward as well as the dollars that were assigned or appropriated for said project. They will spend $8.11 million in the downtown CRA in fiscal year 27, and they will end up with an ending cash fund balance of just shy of $825,000. In the Florence Villa CRA, when we factor in their cash carry forward, they will have total expenditures of $4,040,142, and they will have an ending cash fund balance of just shy of $1.9 million to put towards future projects. In Willowbrook, again, this is one of the parks and recreation facilities that on the day-to-day operations for the most part pays entirely for its expenses. It's in the capital side where they need support from the general fund. Their revenues at the golf course are projected to be over $1.6 million. for fiscal year 27, there is a transfer of approximately $365,000 from the general fund, again, associated with some capital that we did there, as well as some of their water expenses tied to improvements on the course. solid waste another business operated proprietary fund their revenues off of their fees and charges thirteen point one seven million dollars they'll spend thirteen million one hundred ninety six thousand one hundred ninety five dollars uh... leaving a balance of one million one hundred ninety eight thousand five hundred ninety six dollars in there ending cash fund balance that's important as those are dollars When we have to expand our services because of population growth and buy additional garbage trucks, that is how we pay for that. A garbage truck nowadays will cost us approximately a half a million dollars. In stormwater, again, stormwater funds are generated through a stormwater fee. And the way our stormwater operations or our ordinance that establish stormwater operations, those fees can only be used for stormwater. There's not a dividend that is paid out. It cannot go towards anything else. Their revenues for next year, $3.45 million. Their expenditures are at $4.42 million. They're using some of their unassigned fund balance, but we'll have a balance in that fund balance of $135,000 plus. Water and sewer, again, this is your largest fund that you operate, $194.5 million. You can see where your revenues come from. Again, we note debt proceeds. That is money that we anticipated borrowing, actually significantly more than that is what we had anticipated borrowing when we established the water and sewer rates in August of 2024. So those fees that are being paid now anticipate the need to pay down future debt. So those dollars are already earmarked. Connection charge reserves, those are charges when new developments occur. We set aside specifically for expansion of our operations and infrastructure. Next slide. Of that $194.5 million water and sewer budget, $141 million approximately is just for capital improvements. Two new water treatment production facilities and one, say, renovated and expanded wastewater treatment plant. Make up the bulk of that. In the water and sewer fund, a couple things to point out. And I should have mentioned this as well with the stilt with the solid waste fund Solid waste and water and sewer both pay a dividend back to the general fund in the case of solid waste It's one point two to eight million dollars in the case of the water and sewer fund You can see a contribution to the general fund of six point five four six million dollars that represents 12% of the prior year's audited financials. That is a commission policy that was established in 2017, and for the past five years, we've been able to hold that at 12%. Initially, it was significantly higher, and we worked to bring that down to the 12% policy. So in closing, again, the budget for fiscal year 27, $377,268,776. Balanced budget, it is balanced based upon the millage of 6.5900 mills. And I'll stand for any questions that you have. Again, this is a very abbreviated version, but summarizes what was presented to you at our budget workshop in July. I will note that if you were to go to the July numbers, they will be slightly different than this. We get more information as we go through the month of August. We have some employees that retire. We fill those with people that are less tenured at lower rates of pay. We have employees that reach their step, and there's some adjustments upwards that come with that. Fuel costs, all these things that we incur, we try and identify what those costs would be. But this is our final number for fiscal year 27. And I'll stand for any questions you have. Our recommendation is that the Commission approve Ordinance 26-23.

Commissioners? Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval on this 02623 on first reading public hearing.

Okay. Motion's been made. We'll close the commission meeting, open a public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any questions or comments? Commissioner Davis.

I'll just say I find it interesting. No one from the public has anything to say on this budget. It's pretty significant. I think that's a testament to the work that we put into it. And thank you, city manager, for that in-depth presentation. Thank you, sir. Being my first budget experience, I really feel like I got a grasp of the budget, and I really appreciate you taking the time to help us understand. I want to begin by saying clearly that I support the vast majority of this budget. Winter Haven has long distinguished itself by investing in the core responsibilities of municipal government, public safety, infrastructure, and public facilities that reflect the character and wishes of our residents. Cities are not the state and they are not the federal government. Our job is to provide the services people see, feel, and rely on every single day. Over the years, we have made tremendous investments that have transformed Winter Haven into one of the most desirable places in Florida for families and businesses, including those moving here from out of state. That did not happen by accident. It happened because prior commissions and our staff understood that strong local government is built on thoughtful planning, quality services, and amenities that make a city worth living in. This budget continues that commitment, and I want to thank our staff for their hard work and professionalism in preparing it. However, there is one segment of this budget that I cannot support, the grant and aid allocations. These expenditures do not reflect the core mission of municipal government. We are handing over tax dollars to organizations that do not need the money, that are using the money for administrative overhead rather than direct public benefit, and in some cases are contributing to our homelessness challenges by attracting nuisance activity without addressing the real needs of the transient homeless population. One example is Positively You. This organization is located next to a daycare and close to Grace Lutheran School. And with the support of city tax dollars, they are distributing condoms and gift cards just steps away from young children. That is not a public purpose. That is not a core municipal function. And it is not something I can justify to the taxpayers who expect their dollars to be used responsibly. Because this portion of the budget is likely to receive the most public attention, I want to be unequivocal. I do not support these expenditures, and I cannot vote for a budget that includes them. My vote is not a rejection of our staff's work, nor of the essential services that make Winter Haven strong. It is a rejection of a small but significant portion of spending that is outside our mission, outside our responsibility, and outside what taxpayers should be asked to fund. For these reasons, I will be voting no on the budget.

Okay, commissioners.

So I have a little bit different comments that I wanted to make on it. And, you know, you listen to all the rhetoric, you know, right now around Amendment 3 out of Tallahassee and all those that are in support of it. But you don't hear from them and it's not, I guess it's not a politically charged comments to make or it doesn't support their agenda. but just some some things to kind of think about where we were in 2020 when i was first elected to to serve on the commission and where we are today and just a couple bullet points to just just kind of think about so amendment 2 passed in 2020 that was raising minimum wage from i believe it's like 10 or 11 at that time on up to 15 over the course of five years That $15 got hit a few years prior to 2026. September 2026 is supposed to be 15. We had to be above $15 two years ago to stay competitive against the private market to continue to be sure that we hired the employees.

senior minute minimum wage in december thirty through december thirty first twenty twenty was dollars six cents little bit more than ten or eleven dollars we nearly dot double the minimum wage from where we were then

And as we saw on that slide, we've got to be at about $17.50 now just to try to stay competitive, to hire new employees, to ensure that services and residents are served to the best service possible. So that's one thing that doesn't get accounted for. We talked a little bit about fire trucks. So in 2020, the average basic fire truck, and Drew's gonna look at me like, what's the name of, what's the basic fire truck? It's like 500,000 in 2020. Today it's upwards of $1.2 million if you need that fire truck today. A ladder truck would have cost you a million dollars in 2020. Today it's gonna cost you nearly $2 million for that ladder truck. Police vehicles would have cost you about $40,000. Today they're going to cost you nearly $60,000 for a new police vehicle. Garbage trucks would have cost you around $300,000 in 2020. Today they're going to cost you $500,000. Meanwhile, all the fuel costs went up. All the maintenance costs went up. And why did this occur? It's because leadership decided to open the floodgates in the state of Florida. We want growth. We want growth. We want growth. And so everybody moved down to Florida because we're the free state. And that's great. I'm not, you know, I wish growth could have been a little bit more balanced the last five years. But who knew we were gonna be dealt the cards that we were dealt over the last five years. So in order to do that, city budgets had to increase over the last five years to keep up with just the general expenses of operating a city and make sure that the citizens' needs are met. So I think from the City of Winter Haven's perspective, we've done a phenomenal job in trying to keep things as low as possible. I think it was in 2020, we actually, 2022, we actually reduced the millage rate, but it was clear and evident that in subsequent years, you just, you couldn't do it. You didn't have the funds available to do it, given the fact that if a fire truck got into an accident, you had to buy a new fire truck. And certainly we all know how insurance works. Insurance is not going to fully replace that vehicle. Same for police cars or garbage trucks or anything else. Just something to keep in mind when you're hearing those sound bites out there about Amendment 3 and cities have bloated budgets. You know, I think in some areas, absolutely. I mean, is a million dollars for a statue in downtown appropriate in whatever city that occurred in? Probably not. But when you look at the City of Winter Haven's budget and how we've operated over the last five years, I'm proud of our staff. I'm proud of the commission. And I think we've done a phenomenal job and we've got a lot of work still to do, but we're going to do it regardless of whatever vote trait takes place in November. So that's just my piece on the budget.

I'll add just a comment to that. And I don't, this is not for me to editorialize or be political on, but another point within that is that you mentioned 2020. Winter Haven's population in 2020 was 49,119. It's presently 62,548 as of April of 2025. So we don't have 2026 numbers yet, but from 2020 through April of 2025, we saw over a 27% increase in the population we serve. And I don't know of a business that exists that is able to increase their customer base by twenty five percent or greater and maintain their operating expenses is what they were because the consumables that you're providing the services the farther you're getting to with your police and fire so i think that's an important point to couple with your statement sir

Okay, with that, all those in favor of the motion, did you want to add anything?

Yeah, I just want to say, you know, I think you all have done a hell of a job, and I didn't cuss either. I think you've done a phenomenal job with what you are up against. I do hear, Commissioner, you sharing about... Davis about grant and aid. And I agree we will probably have to revisit that situation and deal with that in a more responsible way in some areas because there's some things that I think certainly will need to be addressed. And I know that that will be done. And so I'm confident that that will be the way forward. So again, I appreciate, again, the staff and all the hard work that has gone into this. I think, you know, as a pillar, as a responsible government, this is essential. This is vitally important. And I think you have done due diligence with regards to this area. So my hat is off to all of you for the great job that you have presented for us tonight.

Thank you, sir. Okay.

Anybody else? All right. With all that, if you're – sorry, I lost my place. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign?

No.

Motion carries 4-1. Okay. We've got the – After all that, we've got comments from the audience. So we don't have anyone that's signed up. However, if you wish to speak to anything that's not on the agenda this evening, now's your opportunity. With that, is there anyone that would wish to speak this evening? Seeing none, we'll move forward. Ordinance second reading, public hearing, compensation for city commissioners and mayor. City attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I will read this one just by title, if you're okay with that. Ordinance O-26-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2-28 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, relating to compensation of city commissioners and continuing to provide for an automatic annual adjustment equivalent in value to any across-the-board cost-of-living percentage increase to be awarded city employees, if any. Repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith, providing for severability, codification, the administrative correction of scriveners, and providing for an effective date.

Thank you.

City Manager?

I'm going to ask the city attorney to share again on this item as he's done the bulk of the work of this and stand for any questions that I can help answer.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. City Manager. This is, you know, the second time you've been presented this, probably the fourth time that you've actually discussed it or more as it relates to commissioner compensation. This ordinance is a revision to Chapter 2, Section 28 of the city's Code of Ordinances, which, as you may know, that provision establishes a monthly base salary and expense allowance. for city commissioners and an additional expense allowance for the mayor in recognition of some additional duties that the mayor may have in his ceremonial or her ceremonial position. The city commission adopted various ordinances over the years, and as we mentioned, it's codified in our code in the sections I cited. earlier this year Commissioner Davis provided the memo I believe it stated May 17th of 2026 where he analyzed the issue of Commissioner compensation and suggested and requested that the matter be presented to the Commission for its review and consideration Commissioner Davis suggested that the increases to the so say basic compensation and expense allowance of the commission, be more in tune with what he felt was the scope and grasp of services and extent of the community and its growth. I'm certainly not Commissioner Davis, so if he has anything more to add on that. And then there was information provided to you by the city manager which gave you a comparison of other city commissions and what their salaries were. And what you have before you tonight is an ordinance, again, for you all to decide. There's no recommendation being made by either myself or the city staff on this. This is purely something for the commission to determine within the bounds of whatever you determine is appropriate. It provides, as the fact sheet notes, for an increase in commissioner salary of approximately, effective this fiscal year, overall total of approximately $31,026.60. For a commissioner, it's an additional $6,129.21. And for the mayor, it's an additional $6,509.76. There is a chart that's set forth on the fact sheet that's been posted to the website and is part of your agenda packet which reflects what it would currently be if this ordinance did not pass and under the current ordinance in the book as codified in Section 2-28, it would go up by 3%, assuming that is the ultimate budget that's adopted by this commission because that's what you're affording incumbent employees across the board. There's no anticipated direct compliance issues. We have prepared a business impact estimate for this ordinance, as is required by statute, just to illustrate what, if any, impacts this may have on private for-profit businesses in the city of Winter Haven. It does not appear that there would be any direct economic impact based on what is presented to you. And I think you have the ordinance. So there you have it.

commissioners look for a motion first okay so that's a motion to approve the commissioner's compensation

So is this a motion to approve ordinance 02621? Yes.

Ordinance 02621. Okay. All right.

We'll close the commission meeting, open a public hearing. Anyone from the public wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, commissioners, any questions or discussion? Commissioner Davis.

This is my last prepared statement. Thanks for bearing with me. I'm going to close by explaining clearly why I support this measure, why I brought it, why I believe it is the responsible and principled decision. Winter Haven Commissioners currently earn roughly $13,000 in compensation plus a local expense allowance that brings the total to about $17,000. For a city of our size, our growth, and our responsibilities, that figure is not aligned with reality. We are the second largest city in Polk County and yet our compensation is lower than Haines City, Bartow, and Lake Wales. That is not rational and it is not reflective of the work expected of us. To determine an appropriate figure, I looked at the average per capita compensation for Polk County municipalities excluding the smallest cities under 6,000 residents because their numbers are skewed by low population. Using that objective data-driven method, the appropriate compensation for Winter Haven commissioners is about $20,000 or about $24,000 including the local expense allowance. That is a rational basis grounded in facts. Serving on this commission is an honor, but it is also a job. We are responsible for a $370 million budget, for policy decisions that affect tens of thousands of residents, and for the long-term stewardship of one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. Expecting commissioners to perform that work as volunteers is not responsible. Those who argue that commissioners should not be paid for the job expected of them are the same who believe government should somehow be free. It is not. Quality government requires qualified people, time, preparation, and accountability. The criticism that raising the commission's salary by roughly $7,000 constitutes wasteful spending or personal enrichment is emotionally charged but factually unsupported. It does not reflect the data, the responsibilities of this office, or the standards of comparable cities. Aligning compensation with regional norms ensures that future commissioners, regardless of personal financial circumstances, can dedicate the time required to serve effectively. At our last meeting, I offered an amendment that would allow any commissioner who opposes this increase to forego their salary if they believe strongly that public service should not be compensated. No one took me up on that offer. That tells me that even those who disagree with the policy are still willing to accept the compensation, which underscores the practical necessity of aligning our salaries with the responsibilities of the office. This measure is not about indulgence. It is not about self-interest. It is about ensuring that Winter Haven's elected officials are compensated in a manner consistent with the work we do, the size of the city we serve, and the standards of the county we belong to. For these reasons, I support this adjustment, and I believe it is a rational and responsible choice for Winter Haven.

Okay.

Any other questions, comments?

Okay. I've been a no on this from the beginning. I'll still be a no on this tonight. To me, this is an honor of a lifetime to serve in this capacity, my hometown, my city. I just think we've kind of contradicted some of the stuff that we've said here tonight. um but that's okay so commissioners all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed like sign no so that is three to two motion carries Okay.

With that, we will move forward to the consent agenda. Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of the consent agenda in its entirety. Okay.

We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to any item on the consent agenda? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or comments on the consent agenda? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. On to resolutions. Resolution R-26-21. City Attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-26-21. A resolution of the City Commission of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, approving the Local Housing Assistance Plan, Amendment Number 1, as required by the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program Act, Subsections 420.907. THROUGH 420.9079 FLORIDA STATUTES AND RULE CHAPTER 67-37 FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED BY THE STATE, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU.

CITY MANAGER.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We had discussion on this during the workshop. I'm happy to elaborate as you feel necessary, but basically what this does is, in compliance with Senate Bill 594 that was passed this last legislative session, that bill requires us to account for mobile homes within our LHAP. And this resolution does so by adding into the LHAP the strategy that pertains to the relocation assistance and or the provision of lot rental assistance not to exceed six months when a mobile home park ceases to exist. So we'll happily answer any questions. I think we have a pretty good discussion on this Wednesday, though.

Commissioners?

Mr. Mayor? Yes. Move approval of resolution R2621.

Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public comments. Anyone from the public wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close public comments, reopen the city commission meeting. Commissioners, any other questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries. Resolution R-26-22, City Attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-26-22, a resolution terminating, abandoning, vacating, and releasing a section of a public utility and right-of-way easement in favor of the City of Winter Haven as recorded in Official Records Book 227, pages 495 to 496, Public Records of Polk County, Florida, providing for administrative correction of scrivener's errors, severability, and providing an effective date. The general location, 200 Avenue R, Northwest. Thank you. City Manager?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This item pertains to a easement. So in November of 1958, the city was granted a 40-foot-wide perpetual easement and right-of-way to excavate, construct, and maintain underground works or utilities. uh... as well as alley streets upon that surface you can see the area designated within the blue rectangle although it appears as a city road it's actually not a public right away it is an easement that was granted to us by the owner of those lands first missionary baptist church Church is now requesting the city vacate and release a 558 square foot section on the western portion of the easement to allow for the construction of a new fellowship hall and associated loading zones. That area is shown within the blue easement is the hashed out black box you see there. This would be outside of the travel lane. and actually takes what are presently parking spaces and I believe is going to convert those to a drive-through portico shade drop-off area. So we don't anticipate any impacts whatsoever to traffic flow through that area. We have contacted all the local utility companies as well as routed this through the city's engineering and utility departments and no objection letters were received to the vacation that has been requested. There's no known public or franchise utility infrastructure within the easement that is to be vacated either. There's no direct financial impact to the city with this request, and we are recommending the City Commission approve Resolution R26-22 and would recommend that Commissioner Dollison and Commissioner Birdsong complete the necessary forms to abstain from voting on this due to their affiliation with the owner of the easement.

Commissioners?

Mr. Mayor? Yes. Motion to approve resolution R2622.

Okay. Motion has been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open to public comment. Anyone from the public wish to comment on this item? Seeing none, we'll close public comment, reopen the commission meeting. Commissioners, any questions, comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries 3-0. Thank you. Ordinance first reading, O-26-20, request by Abbot Polk North.

City Attorney? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number O-26-20, an ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Winter Haven, Florida, by amending Plan Unit Development Ordinance O-24-47, providing for the administrative correction of scrivener's errors, repealing all ordinances in conflict to do with and providing an effective date. General location 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The error covered by this request is 41.4 plus Remindsacres. Thank you.

Thank you.

City Manager.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm going to ask Mr. Labbe, the Director of Economic Opportunity and Community Investment, to speak to this as it is more of a planning expertise matter.

Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, Advent Health Polk North is the petitioner. The petitioner is proposing to amend Planning and Development Ordinance 02447 to address conditions related to hospital building height and also parking requirements for the property. I believe you're familiar with the property, but it's just south of River Lake and north of Cypress Gardens Boulevard, right adjacent to the emergency room hospital that was recently constructed on the property. The building height amendment is to amend the maximum height from 85 feet to 100 feet, only within the red boxed area, the internal portion of the property, the exterior boundaries of the property. would remain at 85 feet. The other amendment to the ordinance with respect to parking is to exempt it from section 21-144D of the code of ordinances. This is a section in our code of ordinances that requires Any parking that is above 110% of the minimum required parking in the code has to be of a pervious nature. So this was put in our code to encourage more pervious surface or more green space. They would have to put in pavers or something like that. As hospitals grow, They tend to put in structured parking. This requirement would prohibit structured parking. You can't make pervious structured parking on a particular piece of property. Additionally, there's some safety concerns. Hospitals are a little bit of a different animal. You don't necessarily want people who are injured or disabled or in wheelchairs trying to traverse pavers across the parking lot and so the the request is to amend that section they still have to comply with the maximum sixty percent impervious surface ratio on the property so they still have to comply with that this was heard by the planning commission they recommended approval and staff does recommend approval

Mayor and commissioners, this is a first read, so it will advance to second reading on September 28th. Okay.

Commissioners, any questions or comments? All right, seeing none, we'll move forward to new business, the environmental cooperation agreement. City attorney, city manager. And we're going to go one step further. I get you guys confused all the time.

Well, we look a lot alike. It's pretty close.

I'll take that as a very nice compliment.

I'm going to pass this one off to the man whose beard is quickly turning as gray as mine, Mr. Carnevale, as he has done the legwork on this and deserves the honor to present it this evening.

Thank you, sir. Good evening, mayor and city commissioners. We went through this item in pretty deep detail on Wednesday evening, but in May of 2026, the city commission entered a comprehensive agreement between the city, 610 LLC, and Urban Action LLC for along with a task order with Kimley Horn to serve as the owner, representative, and technical advisor on this effort. That comprehensive agreement defines the terms, duties, rights, and responsibilities of the parties pursuant to permitting, construction, and sale and purchase of a new 292-space parking facility for public use as a City of Winter Haven capital asset. That agreement contemplates as a condition of closing the city's purchase a cooperation agreement. So the cooperation agreement goes with the comprehensive agreement. And that was included to address reaching closure, which is final approval from DEP that a site has been effectively remediated. And this is to address a known contamination issue on site from a historic underground tank. So a few items from that agreement. Urban Action and 610 shall at their sole cost and expense perform or cause performance of all site rehabilitation activities necessary to gain that FDEP closure. They'll be responsible for regulatory compliance and all construction coordination. They'll be responsible for actually pursuing that closure with DEP. Grant some accesses and licenses necessary to do the work. It states that the city shall reasonably cooperate with Urban Action's institutional or engineering controls. Specifies some insurance requirements and outlines the recorded instruments necessary to finalize that transaction. So no direct financial impact from this to the city at this time. And staff recommends the city commission approve the environmental cooperation agreement with Urban Action LLC and 610 LLC and authorize the mayor and other city officials to execute the agreement and further authorize a city manager or his designee to take any and all necessary actions related thereto.

notice at a couple editorial comments this item so there are no underground tanks on this property be very clear with that you go back into the nineteen forties to nineteen sixties nineteen seventies gas stations were very common throughout downtown uh... some might suggest it seems like every corner had one at one time uh... the state actually has a program that when those closed down and the tanks were removed, a program to help fund the mitigation and remediation of any contamination that would have been associated with that. This site is part of that program, so the costs associated with it are, for all intents and purposes, funded through that state program. But in the event that anything should not be, those fall back to Urban Action as the land owner on that, and the cooperation agreement provides us The risk protection associated with the site, they are in the process of getting full closure on that and our expectation and our intent is that will be achieved before we have an actual closing tied to our purchase of that completed capital asset.

All right. And I will abstain from voting on this item. I don't feel I've got a conflict of interest, but some indirect financing could be rolling through Citizens Bank and Trust, which is my primary employer. So just as an abundance of caution, I'm not going to vote on this item. Commissioners, any questions or comments? Seeing none, we will open public comment on this item.

Anyone from the public?

I thought somebody already did it. It's been a long time.

We approved the agreement.

All right. Well, there's a motion. Now we'll open public comment. Seeing none, we'll go back to the commission. Any questions or comments? Okay. Again, I'm abstaining. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion carries.

Mr. Mayor, just for the record, so we're clear, and this would have been also for the resolution R2622, the commissioners and yourself that are saying you'll file Form 8B. Already did. With the city clerk, and they'll be part of the minutes. And so I just want to make sure that's on the record for the meeting tonight. Thank you.

Yep. So that motion carries 4-0. All right, Commissioner's liaison reports. Start off with Commissioner Bertzong. All right.

All right. I was elected the chair of the, the vice chair of the Holtz TPO. local disadvantaged organization yesterday. Attended a couple of ribbon cuttings, which is the latest car wash on Dundee Road. Attended the Main Street annual celebration. Basically, really enjoyed it. And I finally attended the TPO meeting that was held in Bartow a week before last. That's it.

Okay. Commissioner Davis. All right. It's been a few weeks since we've been here. A lot has happened. I attended the first CityU session. I want to say hi to all of our friends over there watching us with CityU. I attended the Polk Vision Annual Meeting, the Polk County Clerk's Lunch. Thank you very much for hosting us. Very nice meal. Theater Winter Haven's Perot Awards. That was a fun evening. We have so much talent in this community. If you ever need to really feel proud of what we have to offer here unique to other communities, go see a Theater Winter Haven production, and you will be impressed, and you will be very proud of your city. Congratulations to all the award winners from the Perot Awards. I attended as a liaison for the Planning Commission, the Main Street Winter Haven Annual Meeting as well. I also attended a funeral for my friend Tim Scarborough. He was a Winter Haven police officer when I was a kid. In fact, he was our DARE officer. I don't know if you remember him, Mayor. But it was a bittersweet time to come together and remember and celebrate his life. I attended a judicial investiture for five judges that have joined the bench or have been elevated. The Ridge League of Cities dinner that we hosted here at Winter Haven, excellent job to everybody who was involved in planning that. The Welcome to Winter Haven luncheon for our new employees. And then our Honoring Our Heroes walk we just had last Friday. That's all I got.

Commissioner Dollison.

evening uh happy belated belated birthday to mr john thank you sir bless you and uh i was able to attend the uh welcome to the new employees great energy uh you know it's good to see the city uh growing and uh just great employees that uh starting their new journey with the city of winter haven and have a chance to speak with a few of them as well and just enjoy the orientation process and how we try to assimilate them into the new culture here and work. And I think you guys go above and beyond doing a great job with that. Also able to be here for the 9-11 acknowledgement. I mean, that was great just to be there 25 years now. And but for many of us who were certainly alive and remember, we all remember that day. I think no matter what you were doing, it comes to mind. And I think about those precious souls that perished on that day, and the great heroes and sheroes that didn't run away from but ran to, to help those who were stranded, those who were literally, and even now, people are still suffering today to know that our nation and our cities are doing what we can to try to make sure those people are made as whole as possible. He attended the Ridge League as well, and that was really nice because what made it really special, our own mayor, Mayor Yates, was sworn in to assume the duties of our leader. So that was, I was glad to see that. He's well-deserving. I think he'll do a great job of leading the league. And that's pretty much all I have.

Mayor Pro Tem Mercer.

I did attend the Main Street Annual Meeting, also the Ridge League, and I was going to say we now have a new president among us. And I want to thank all the staff that put that together. That was really nice. A lot of people commented on how nice it was and what a nice facility that that is. I also attended the Bar 2 TPO and the Polk County City clerk's luncheon, and that was a great meal. And I also did honoring our heroes and remembering the day, 25 years anniversary of the 9-11. Our police chief spoke, and also our fire chief, and we had a veteran plus, I guess, a political person, and all rolled into one. And that brought back a lot and it also gives you all the perspectives from all the people who made the sacrifice and some didn't make it. they were running towards what everybody was running away from and some of those did not make it out. So I think that was a good, it was a representative of every one that was there, all the volunteers, all the other people who got up and put on their uniform even though they weren't on duty and started towards the towers.

very respectful and really appreciate that so thank you all right thank you just a couple things uh wanted to mention did attend the tpo meeting as well i brought up some areas of concern just that the city of winter haven uh does not maintain these roadways but the impression i think is that city winter haven maintains all roads in polk county i think on social media um but there's some areas that were of concern and i wanted to to address those those be the areas i know um city manager i think you travel this this road pretty frequently on the way out to the parkways I mean, it's like a roller coaster on there, and my wife generally knocks me upside the head because she's bouncing around so much when we drive down. I'm like, it's not my fault. It's the road. It's not the city of Winter Haven. It falls on the county and the state as well. But I reiterated the importance of trying to solve those troubled areas of roadway. It's just getting to the point where it's just not safe. So we'll see what transpires from there. Ridge League of Cities dinner, yes, I appreciate the words this evening on that. It's an honor to serve as the president. That was not something that I ever intended on seeking or accomplishing that goal. Actually, when former Commissioner Powell passed away, I had the opportunity and support from the commission to sign on as the treasurer at that time. And with the way the Ridge League of Cities works, this is kind of you serve in each capacity all the way up to the president. I'll say that I don't necessarily agree with everything that comes out of the Florida League of Cities, and that's healthy. That's okay. So I intend to be a president that really puts focus on the right direction for Winter Haven, but as well be a good representative for all municipalities in Polk County and beyond. So I look forward to serving as president for the next year. I will say, it's important to add, and AJ's not here, but AJ really put a lot of hard work into that event. A lot of city staff, a lot of Parks and Rec team did, and just phenomenal. I did not hear anybody say, this place looks horrible. Everybody said it was phenomenal, it looked incredible. And so I appreciate that very much. But it's very important to say that that entire event occurred at zero expense to the taxpayers. That was an event that brought in multiple corporate sponsors uh... to sponsor all of the cost for that event and so that's just an important note it wasn't a party just for the mayor uh... it was a it was a celebration a a swearing in and uh... and it was not aboard by the taxpayers with that also wanted to mention uh... the nine eleven memorial was once again phenomenal you know people Every year they say, well, it looked like it was going to storm. It looks like it was going to rain. I'll go ahead and knock on the wood. But we have a dome that gets deployed for those ceremonies year after year. And the weather just goes right around us. And so don't ever be deterred to attend that event from the weather because it just does not rain during our ceremony. our memorial services. We're the only municipality in Polk County that has this memorial event to this capacity but many of the other municipalities come and join us on this event from Hain City to Lakeland to Lake Wales from all over the county and then actually this year we had the entire Tallahassee Polk delegation join us on stage. So that was great for all of them to come and be part of that walk and sit hand in hand in unison. to remember 9-11 and to celebrate our heroes. So I appreciate all the hard work and efforts to putting that event on year after year. It's something that I'm super proud that we do as a city of Winter Haven. And hopefully those crowds, every year they've gotten a little bit bigger, and I hope that we can really fill that park up one day. But I think it's just going to take perfect weather and no fear of storms, but we'll see how that goes. So with that, that's all I got. City Attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Happy birthday. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. I actually, interestingly enough, I have the privilege of sharing my birthday with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. It's kind of hard to fathom, but, you know, that is the truth.

He said the same thing about you. Oh, I doubt that.

But, Mr. Merritt, congratulations on your presidency. Originally, that's another worthy position. So kudos. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. City Manager?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Start off by first saying hello to our City U class, our cohort that are over there. This is their, I believe, between their fourth night with us. They have eight in total that they will spend. So they got to see how the sausage gets made. They spent time earlier this evening going through how we build an agenda and got to see probably what I think is one of the most impactful agendas that we do in any given year. This one particularly with umpteen different consent items and a major new business item that will have a legacy impact on Winter Haven. So I want to thank them for their interest in local government and hope that they become strong advocates for the good things that happen in local government. Also want to recognize Betsy Cleveland is here this evening, our President and CEO of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, and remind you all that celebrate winter haven is uh in two nights from now at normeo hall in the florida citrus building and we look forward to a wonderful evening to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 bankers cup and recognize and honor some of our local businesses and just a wonderful wonderful evening so i want to thank her and her team for that also want to share some recognition for some of our staff this evening. First off, and she's not with us this evening, but Morgan Volpe, who is the mental health clinician and coordinator within our public safety operations, was recently presented the Polk Young Professionals Legacy Builder Award. This was probably, what, three weeks ago maybe now? This recognizes a young professional who's dedicated their time and expertise to making a positive impact in the community while also helping build up the next generation of emerging leaders. She was recognized for her pioneering, such a big word for somebody that is still so young in their career, but her pioneering leadership in first responder mental health, something that is so important. She's transformed peer support across Polk County by creating the Polk County Peer Support Alliance, which unites 14 local agencies. dedication to serving those who protect our communities extends to her creation of next watch which is a vital initiative connecting retired first responders and military personnel to help them maintain identity and purpose after service so she is a phenomenal member of our team and when our law enforcement and our firefighters go on the calls that they have to go on that are the things that none of us would ever want to have to face. She is one of the people that is waiting for them at the end of that experience to help guide them through the challenges that so many of them will have to take on and deal with. So we are blessed to have her. This person I know is here, Brittany Hart, our Public Works Director, is hiding in the back. Brittany just came back from Texas where she received the American Public Works Association PACPOR Consulting Group National Young Leader of the Year Award. So this recognizes and encourages you. This recognizes and encourages a young American Public Works Association member who has demonstrated a commitment to the profession and the association and shows potential for future growth in the same. The award promotes the concept that length of career does not necessarily indicate leadership abilities or potential for service. She was recognized for her impactful forward-thinking leadership over the last eight years with the City of Winter Haven. She has continually modernized our systems, championed the city's APWA accreditation, which we're extremely proud of, and she has invested in the growth of those she leads and her peers through people-centered leadership and collaboration. known for advocating for public works professionals at both local and state levels, chairing the state's accreditation committee to elevate public works across the state, and honored with the APWA Florida West Coast Branch Community Involvement Award and Young Leader of the Award in recent years. She truly does exemplify what it means to be a public servant, and we are greatly honored to have her on our team. both her and Morgan and so many of our other employees that get recognized. I think it's important that you hear that and that the public hear that. I say it time and time again at that new employee orientation, we are fortunate, we are blessed to have some of the most exceptional and sought after leaders in their chosen careers working for us here in the city of Winter Haven. It is a pretty unusual situation to have such distinguished people on the same team and it's a true pleasure when i get to see them all work together as one to make it a championship team so just want to share that with you this evening and recognize morgan and britney that's all i have for this evening thank you thank you deputy city manager i just want to extend congratulations to those award winners also and uh wish john a happy birthday and that's all i have for this evening

City clerk.

Thank you. Okay, so no emergency matters received. So with that, we will adjourn.