110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

City Council

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Call to Order

Roll Call

Mayor Ben Marciano

Present:

Pro Tem Ire J. Bethea Sr

Council Member James P. Hilty Sr

Council Member Barry Mansfield

Council Member Jay A. Musleh

Council President Kristen M. Dreyer

New Employees

- Richard Crile, Electric

- Clay Surdam, Electric

Public Notice

Public Notice for the July 15, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on

June 10, 2025

Proclamations and Awards

The Mayor’s Citizen Recognition Award will be presented to Ashley Gerds

RESULT: POSTPONED

4a.

Service Award - Doug Peebles - Director of Ocala Electric Utility - 25 Years of Service

4b.

Mayor Marciano and City Manager Pete Lee presented a service award to Doug Peebles

in appreciation of his 25 years of service to the City of Ocala.

Presentations

15.

City Attorney's Report

15a. Approve the Special Election Qualifying Procedures and Schedule

City Attorney Sexton discussed the approval of the special election qualifying procedures

and schedule. The City is proposing to hold the special election on September 16, 2025,

which is the same date of the original election. Mayor Marciano issued a proclamation

calling for a special election to be held on September 16, 2025. The City is requesting

City Council approve a qualifications period from 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025,

to 12:00 p.m. noon, Friday July 18, 2025, and qualification requirements used for the

general election.

Mark Clark, 4989 SE, 5th Avenue, Ocala, FL, expressed concern the proposed special

election qualifying procedures negatively impact City Council’s ability to vote, due to

conflict of interest.

Mr. Sexton confirmed Council Member Hilty does not need to be recused from the vote.

Furthermore, he clarified the qualification regulations.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Consent Agenda

Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote.

There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of Council or the public

request specific items to be removed for separate discussion and action.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approve additional expenditures for field service assembly and testing services for

power transformers under the agreement with Virginia Transformer in the estimated

amount of $98,700

6a.

Presentation By: Doug Peebles

Approve a task work order with McFarland Johnson, Inc. to provide design services for

the T-Hangar Taxilane Rehabilitation project in the amount of $85,506

6b.

6c.

6d.

6e.

6f.

Presentation By: Matthew Grow

Approve additional expenditures under the agreement with Chuck’s Stokes Electric of

Central Florida, Inc. in the amount of $62,059 for a contract total of $502,059

Presentation By: Darren Park

Approve expenditures for utility services provided by SECO Energy for Fiscal Year

2024-25 with an estimated expenditure of $76,000

Presentation By: Peter Brill

Approve the sale and purchase contract of Surplus Parcel #2260-171-009 to Laverne and

Nathaniel Abiaka in the amount of $13,168

Presentation By: Tracy Taylor

Approve Jeff Shrum, Growth Management Director, and Tom Duncan, Transit

Administrator, as designated “Officials” for the Federal Transit Administration Transit

Award Management System

Presentation By: Tom Duncan

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-164 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to

appropriate a donation for the development of current and future exhibits at the

Discovery Center in the amount of $15,000

6g.

Presentation By: John Spencer

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-165 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept

and appropriate community donations for K-9 related expenses in the amount of $1,100

6h.

6i.

Presentation By: Michael Balken

Approve the purchase of various inventory items for Ocala Fiber Network from multiple

vendors in an amount not to exceed $160,838

Presentation By: Mel Poole

Approve appointment of and establish compensation for Dana Dammar as Assistant City

Attorney

6j.

6k.

Presentation By: William E. Sexton

Approve minutes from July 1, 2025 City Council meeting

Presentation By: Angel Jacobs

Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion

Should any items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, they will be discussed at

this time.

Introduction and First Readings of Ordinances

Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings / Adoption of Ordinances

Public Hearing to consider an amendment to a Site Concurrency Development

Agreement pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes (New Old Town Village LLC) for

approximately 38.9 acres located in the 4300-4600 block of E Silver Springs Boulevard

(Parcels 27028-004-03, 27028-004-00, 27028-004-01, 27029-000-02, 27028-003-00, and

a portion of 2735-000-002) (DMA23-45430); this is the second of two public hearings;

the first was held on June 9, 2025, before the Planning and Zoning Commission

9a.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

Council President Dreyer opened the public hearing for items 9(a) to 9(f).

Growth Management Director Jeff Shrum discussed the adoption of Resolutions 2025-29

and 2025-30 and Ordinances 2025-29, 2025-30, and 2025-31. The property owners are

swapping parcels to support their development plans. He provided a brief overview of

the subject properties, proposed amendment, acreage correction, PD plan, and staff

findings. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.

Jimmy Gooding, Applicant’s Attorney, 1531 SE 36th Avenue, discussed how the

proposed design will remedy parking challenges at Mojo's and support development for

both property owners. The future land use will be applied to the subject properties, and

the PD plan provides buffering for residents located to the south. The proposed plan will

satisfy both property owners’ development needs. He clarified the proposed development

does not contain an affordable housing component.

No public comment.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Resolution 2025-29 to abrogate a portion of NE 47th Court between Block I, Lot

2 and Block F, Lot 17 of Glynnwood Unit 1 as recorded in Plat Book G, Page 91, of the

public records of Marion County, Florida (Parcels 2735-0006-017 & 2735-009-002)

(Case ABR23-45418) (Quasi-Judicial)

9b.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Ordinance 2025-29 to change the Future Land Use designation on approximately

0.78 acres for property located in the 1900 block of NE 49th Avenue (Parcels

2735-006-017 and 2735-009-002) from Neighborhood to Low Intensity (Case

LUC23-45427) (Quasi-Judicial)

9c.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

Ire J. Bethea Sr

Introduced By:

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Ordinance 2025-30 to rezone approximately 6.83 acres for property located at the

southwestern corner of the intersection at NE 49th Avenue and E Silver Springs

Boulevard (Parcel 2735-000-002, 2735-009-001, 2735-009-002, 2735-006-017, and a

portion of parcel 27028-004-03) from PD, Planned Development, R-1, Single-Family

Residential, & B-2, Community Business, to PD, Planned Development (Case

PD23-45431) (Quasi-Judicial)

9d.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

James P. Hilty Sr

Introduced By:

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Ordinance 2025-31 to rezone approximately 0.59 acres for property located at the

southwestern corner of the intersection at NE 49th Avenue and E Silver Springs

Boulevard (a portion of 2735-000-002) from PD, Planned Development, to B-2,

Community Business (Case ZON23-45419) (Quasi-Judicial)

9e.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

Barry Mansfield

Introduced By:

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Resolution 2025-30 to approve a resolution for a Planned Development Plan and

Standards Book for property located at the southwestern corner of the intersection at NE

49th Avenue and E Silver Springs Boulevard (Parcel 2735-000-002, 2735-009-001,

2735-009-002, 2735-006-017, and a portion of parcel 27028-004-03), approximately

6.83 acres (Case No. PD23-45431) (Quasi-Judicial)

9f.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Ordinance 2025-33 to rezone approximately 18.24 acres for the property located

southwest of the intersection at SW 48th Avenue and SW 49th Place (Parcel

23832-000-00 and a portion of 23894-002-00) from R-3, Multi-Family Residential, to

B-2, Community Business (Case ZON25-0007) (Quasi-Judicial)

9g.

Presentation By: Emily Johnson

Ire J. Bethea Sr

Introduced By:

Council President Dreyer opened the public hearing.

Senior Planner Emily Johnson discussed the adoption of Ordinance 2025-33. The

applicant requested to rezone the subject property from R-3 (Multifamily Residential) to

B-2 (Community Business), to accommodate future commercial development. She

provided a brief overview of the property’s history, rezoning, and staff findings. The

Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.

Jimmy Gooding, Applicant’s Attorney, 1531 SE 36th Avenue, stated the property owner

is requesting to revert back to the original zoning, due to a failed real estate transaction

with the adjacent property owner, who previously requested to purchase the property to

expand the development of multifamily housing.

No public comment.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

10.

General Business

Adopt Resolution 2025-34 providing for the reimposition of non-ad valorem Fire

10a.

Assessments, establishing proposed rates for Fiscal Year 2025-26, directing preparation

of the Fire Assessment Roll, setting a date for a public hearing, and directing publication

and mailing notices of proposed Fire Assessments

Presentation By: Tammi Haslam

Budget Director Tammi Haslam discussed the tentative millage rates for Fiscal Year

2025-26. She stated the final action will take place at a public hearing scheduled for

Thursday, September 11, 2025.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt the Fiscal Year 2025-26 tentative millage rates: Basic City - 6.6177; District A -

1.7185; District B - 1.6332; District C - 1.4699

10b.

Presentation By: Tammi Haslam

Budget Director Tammi Haslam explained the City must provide its tentative millage

rates, rollback rates, and date, time and place of the public budget hearings to the Marion

County Property Appriaser no later than August 3, 2025. The tentative millage rates

become the ceiling for the rates and staff recommends the tentative rates remain the same

as Fiscal Year 2024-25. She noted the budget will be discussed further at the August 12

Budget Workshop.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

Ms. Haslam offered Council two options for meeting schedules. The preferred option

would move the first Council meeting in September to Wednesday, September 3, to

minimize the number of meetings Council would be required to hold.

City Council agreed with the City’s preferred option schedule.

City Manager Pete Lee confirmed staff will perform significant public outreach regarding

the meeting dates.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-166 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to provide

a supplemental appropriation to reconcile cash balance forward accounts and for the

continuation of projects not completed in Fiscal Year 2023-24 in the amount of

$3,786,945

10c.

Presentation By: Tammi Haslam

There being no discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approve a task work order with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, PLLC, for

design services for the A12 Hangar Infrastructure project in the amount of $147,741

10d.

Presentation By: Matthew Grow

Airport Director Matthew Grow clarified the sales marketing process for available spots

with Council Member Mansfield.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approve a task work order with McFarland Johnson, Inc. to provide design services for

fuel farm expansion, aircraft wash pad and vehicle parking pads in the amount not to

exceed $102,117

10e.

Presentation By: Matthew Grow

Airport Director Matthew confirmed the public is allowed to use the aircraft wash pad

with Council Member Mansfield. Furthermore, the fuel farm will be operated and

maintained by Sheltair Aviation.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approve a contract between the City of Ocala and Cummins, Inc D/B/A Cummins Sales

and Service for engine and transmission replacement services on an as-needed basis not

to exceed $1,340,270

10f.

Presentation By: Tom Duncan

Transit Administrator Tom Duncan clarified the life expectancy of the engine with

Mayor Marciano.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approve a one-year renewal with HM Insurance Group to provide stop-loss insurance for

the City's self-insured health plan, with an expenditure of $1,977,347

10g.

Presentation By: Todd Swanson

Director of HR & Risk Management Devan Kikendall noted a correction to the agenda

item: the policy renewal represents a 6.41% increase in premiums.

Council Member Musleh expressed concern regarding the high premium increases.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

Approval of agreement with Marion County School Board for the School Resource

Officer Program with receivables over three years of $5,946,781

10h.

Presentation By: Mike Balken

Police Chief Mike Balken confirmed the department will be servicing all of Ocala’s

public schools located in the City with Council Member Bethea.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Musleh, and Dreyer

11.

12.

Internal Auditor's Report

City Manager's Report

City's storm preparation

City Manager Pete Lee reported the City will continue to monitor the stormy weather

along the east coast.

13.

Ocala Police Department Report

Overview of Crime and Traffic Stops

Police Chief Mike Balken reported on the Police Departments efforts for a two-week

period, June 30, 2025 to July 13, 2025: 44 significant crimes, 203 arrests, and 1,218

traffic stops. Vehicle crashes on State Road 200 yearly (January-June) comparison: 105

vehicle crashes for 2024 and 122 vehicle crashes for 2025. The department arrested three

individuals involved in a series of vehicle burglaries.

Council President Dreyer encouraged pedestrians to drive slower to prevent vehicle

crashes on State Road 200. Furthermore, she requested staff present information

regarding the types of vehicle crashes at a future meeting.

Mayor Marciano noted U-turns are the major cause of vehicle crashes.

Council Member Musleh discussed how the medians impact the public traveling to

merchant destinations.

City Manager Pete Lee stated the City will revisit establishing a cross-access agreement.

Department Highlights

14.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

Unit Responses

Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported on unit responses for a two-week period, July 1, 2025

to July 14, 2025. The two busiest units: Fire Rescue One (152-unit responses) and Fire

Engine Four (97-unit responses).

Service calls update

Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported on call type spotlights for a two-week period, July 1,

2025 to July 14, 2025: motor vehicle accidents 80, structure fires 4, and community

paramedicine/core 71, and 915 calls for service (13,366 calls-to-date).

Department Highlights

Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported the Florida Task Force 8 was deployed to Texas in

response to the devastating floods affecting the state. The department conducted several

successful search training courses at the AdventHealth Facility and hosted a successful

Mayor for the Day event.

16.

Public Comments

David Layman, 4567 NE 6th Street, commented on fiber installation issues

David Layman, 4567 NE 6th Street, discussed hazardous fiber installations jeopardizing

the safety of the public. A fiber installation project completed by a vendor known as

Lumen, caused a hazardous gas leak in the residential neighborhood. He suggested the

City evaluate allowing multiple fiber companies to access easements and perform audits

to protect the safety of the public.

City Manager Pete Lee stated staff will perform site inspections to support public safety.

The City will suspend a vendor’s permits if they cause infrastructure damage. The public

must report property damage to the City immediately, as vendors should not be

encroaching on private property and must restore the property back to the original

condition. Furthermore, the City’s Code Enforcement Inspectors have been allocated to

job sites to ensure the vendor is incompliance.

City Engineer & Director of Water Resources Sean Lanier stated the City has the ability

to suspend a vendor’s permits. The City has jurisdiction over the right-of-way; however,

residential damage caused by the vendor is considered a civil matter, due to the City’s

lack of jurisdiction.

City Attorney Sexton expressed concern about billing the vendor for fire services. He

requested Council consider creating penalties for vendors.

Council Member’s Musleh and Hilty support penalizing vendors for being negligent.

Mr. Lee expressed concern that assigning Fire Department employees to job sites will

impact public services. Furthermore, he suggested reevaluating fiber permit fees.

Council Member Dreyer favors Mr. Lanier’s suggestion to establish inspection fees.

Mr. Lanier noted the vendor must restore the right-of-way to the original condition.

Mr. Sexton advised City Council that the City has worked with vendors to restore

damaged properties back to their original condition.

Council Member Dreyer requested the City require vendors to issue notices to residents.

Jerry Lourenco, 2350 NW 27th Avenue, commented on the invitation to bid for the

disposal of Class 1 and Class 3 solid waste

Jerry Lourenco, 2350 NW 27th Avenue, expressed concern regarding an invitation to bid

that is currently under review for the disposal of Class 1 and Class 3 solid waste. He

questioned why the bid package would require vendors to haul certain items for free. He

discussed his concern about the inability to pass along any price increases to the City

over the term of the proposed five-year contract.

Council President Dreyer noted Council cannot discuss an open procurement process.

17.

Informational Items and Calendaring Items

- Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers

- Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 12:00pm - City Council Workshop Re: FY 2025-26 Budget -

Council Chambers

- Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers

- Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers

- Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 3:00pm - TPO Meeting - Marion County BOCC Auditorium

- Monday, September 1, 2025 - Labor Day Holiday - City offices closed

- Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers

- Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 5:01pm - City Council Special Meeting re: Fire Assessment -

Council Chambers

- Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers

- Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers

- Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - 3:00pm - TPO Meeting - Marion County BOCC Auditorium

Fully Executed Contracts Under $50,000

17a.

Monthly budget to actual report and Capital Improvement Project status report as of May

31, 2025

17b.

18.

Comments by Mayor

Recognition of the Parks & Recreation Department and Ocala Main Street for 4th

of July celebration

Recognition of the Electric Department for storm response

Mayor Marciano recognized the Electric Department for responding to a power outage in

the City.

Workout with the Mayor event scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 9 am,

location Tuscawila Park

19.

20.

Comments by City Council Members

Adjournment

Adjourned at 5:44 pm

Minutes