110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

City Council

Minutes

www.ocalafl.org

4:00 PM

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

1. Call to Order

Opening Ceremony

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Welcome and Roll Call

Mayor Reuben Kent Guinn

Present:

Pro Tem Barry Mansfield

Council Member Ire J. Bethea Sr

Council Member Kristen M. Dreyer

Council Member Jay A. Musleh

Council President James P. Hilty Sr

New Employees

- Jeffery Bailey, Public Works

- Tyson Dallas, Recreation & Parks

- Steven Hill, Recreation & Parks

- Samantha Mormile, Recreation & Parks

- Tyson Powell, Recreation & Parks

- Chandler Reeder, Recreation & Parks

- Kyle Richardson, Recreation & Parks

- Rafeal Wagner, Recreation & Parks

Public Notice for the May 16, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on April 4, 2023

3. Proclamations & Awards

National Public Works Week Proclamation will be presented to Darren Park, Director of

Public Notice

3a.

Public Works; Dwayne Drake, Sanitation Division Head; and to Tom Casey,

Infrastructure Division Head

Mayor Guinn presented a proclamation for National Public Works Week. The City

proclaims May 21, 2023 to May 23, 2023, as National Public Works Week.

Director of Public Works Darren Park thanked Mayor Guinn for the proclamation.

Older Americans’ Month Proclamation will be presented to Phyllis Silverman, Founder

and President of Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala, and to Herb Silverman,

3b.

Marketing and Webmaster to Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala

Mayor Guinn presented a proclamation for Older Americans’ Month. The City proclaims

the month of May 2023, as Older Americans’ Month.

Phyllis Silverman, Founder & President of Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala,

thanked Mayor Guinn for the proclamation.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Proclamation will be presented to Bridgette Pace,

ABATE of Florida, Inc., Forest Chapter President; Joseph Kremer; Greg Smale; John

Melin; and Russell J. Pace

3c.

Mayor Guinn presented a proclamation for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The

City proclaims the month of May 2023, as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Bridgette Pace, ABATE of Florida, Inc., thanked Mayor Guinn for the proclamation. She

shared driving safety tips and encouraged the public to attend motorcycle safety classes.

Service Award - Sergeant John Hilton - Ocala Police Department - 15 Years of Service

3d.

3e.

City Manager Pete Lee and Mayor Guinn presented a service award to Sergeant John

Hilton in appreciation of his 15 years of service to the City of Ocala.

Service Award - Jeffrey Kerley - Recreation and Parks - 25 Years of Service

City Manager Pete Lee and Mayor Guinn presented a service award to Jeffrey Kerley in

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

Presentations

Public Comments

Public Hearings

Open a public hearing to receive comments concerning SunTran’s proposed budget for

6a.

FY 2022 which includes 5307 grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration,

Florida Department of Transportation Block Grant funding, toll road revenue credits, and

local matches from the City and County (total budget of $3,352,854)

Council President Hilty opened the public hearing at 4:22 pm.

Growth Management Director Tye Chighizola provided a brief overview of the proposed

budget for SunTran. The budget totals $3,352,854, and the FTA grant totals $1.891

million. Furthermore, the budget includes matches from DOT and local. The budget will

be used for operating expenses; and the City will be presenting a $6.3 million grant for

capital items at a future meeting; staff recommends approval.

Adopt Ordinance 2023-46 concerning a zoning change to R-3, Multi-family Residential,

for approximately 15 acres of property located on the east side of SW 43rd Court in the

3600 block (across from Saddlewood Elementary) (Case ZON23-45169) (Quasi-Judicial)

6b.

Kristen M. Dreyer

Introduced By:

Council President Hilty opened items 6b and 6c.

Growth Management Director Tye Chighizola provided a brief history of the requested

relief and development project. The applicant will not start construction until road

improvements are completed by the City.

Attorney Fred Roberts, 40 SE 11th Avenue, confirmed the applicant agreed to not start

construction until road improvements are completed.

Council President Hilty asked if materials will be stored/delivered in a separate location.

Mr. Roberts responded no; nothing shall commence until road improvements are

completed.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve a Chapter 163 Development Agreement for approximately 26.63 acres of

property located on the east side of SW 43rd Court in the 3600 block (across from

Saddlewood Elementary) (DMA23-45165). This is the second of two public hearings.

The first public hearing was held on May 2, 2023

6c.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve the sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption for BWO Investment,

LLC, d/b/a Best Western Ocala at 3701 SW 38th Ave. (Quasi Judicial)

6d.

Growth Management Director Tye Chighizola commented BWO Investment, LLC

submitted a new application for an alcohol license, at the Best Western hotel; staff

recommends approval.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

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

Second and Final Reading of Ordinances

(All are Public Hearings)

Adopt Ordinance 2023-45 revising the language in section (7) c. 1. increasing the

7a.

General Employees Retirement System benefit multiplier from 1.0% to 1.3%. The

benefit for current retirees, Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) members, and

vested terminated members shall change to reflect the 1.3 percent multiplier for all years

of service prospectively beginning with the October 1, 2023 payment

Ire J. Bethea Sr

Introduced By:

HR & Risk Management Director Devan Kikendall commented on January 17, 2023,

City Council approved increasing the benefit multiplier from 1.0% to 1.3%, for the

variable plan; will go into effect on October 1, 2023.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

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

General Business

Approve direct supply purchase of traffic signal equipment with awarded vendors

8a.

utilizing an approved Florida Department of Transportation contract in the amount of

$454,010

Mayor Guinn asked how the City utilizes removed lights/poles. Director of Public Works

Darren Park responded the poles are scrapped, and the equipment is added to inventory.

He explained the pole removal process.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve a three-year contract with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc.

for mosquito control services with an aggregate expenditure amount not to exceed

$240,000

8b.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve Task Work Order with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for engineering

services related to the wastewater force main upgrade from Lift Station No. 5 to No. 17

8c.

in the amount of $198,832

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve First Amendment to Miller Pipeline’s Services Agreement for Water Resources

Improvement Projects with an aggregate expenditure amount not to exceed $7,500,000

8d.

8e.

8f.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve the purchase of a John Deere 5105M Utility Tractor with attachments for the

Ocala International Airport in the amount of $113,763

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve the purchase of a Toyota Model 50-8FG80U forklift from Southern States

Toyotalift in the amount of $117,990

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve the All-Requirements Project - Solar III Energy Participation Agreement for up

to three megawatts of solar energy generation with the Florida Municipal Power Agency

8g.

Council Member Musleh requested the City clarify the request. Deputy Director of

Electric Chad Lynch explained the remaining three megawatts, not completed in Phase 1,

will be carried over to Phase 3.

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Adopt Resolution 2023-27 approving the FMPA All-Requirements Power Supply Project

- Solar III Energy Participation Agreement and the three megawatts solar transfer from

the Solar I to Solar III Participant Project

8h.

Council Member Mansfield asked where the solar field is located. Deputy Director of

Electric Chad Lynch responded the solar fields are located throughout the State of

Florida.

Council President Hility stated the City will be buying a share of the power supply to

comply with the FMPA.

Mayor Guinn requested more information regarding megawatts usage. Mr. Lynch

responded the summer peak totals 320-megawatts, which amounts to 54,000 customers

(commercial, industrial and residential).

Rock Gibboney, 597 NE 45th Terrace, spoke in opposition of utilizing solar energy. He

questioned why land is being destroyed to create solar farms. Furthermore, he noted the

City can opt out of solar energy.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve a one-year renewal of the contract with Florida Transformer, Inc. to refurbish,

repair and dispose of transformers with an annual expenditure not to exceed $75,000

8i.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Barry Mansfield

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve My 3 Rose Commercial Conceptual Subdivision Plan SUB21-44610

8j.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

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

Approve a three-year contract with Cogent Communications, Inc. for the purchase of 20

Gigabit of internet bandwidth for a fourth diverse route and IPV4 addresses in the

amount of $314,600

8k.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve five-year renewal with CenturyLink Communications, LLC d/b/a Lumen

Technologies Group for leasing dark fibers in the amount of $121,950

8l.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

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

Approve Fixed Base Operator Lease Amendment No. 2 with Sheltair Ocala, LLC to

accommodate hangar development expansion at the Ocala International Airport

8m.

8n.

8o.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve the purchase of a new SWAT transport vehicle for the Ocala Police Department

for $154,785

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve a two-year contract for professional concert production services with Oniram

Productions, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $142,350

Mayor Guinn asked if the City has any events scheduled at Citizen Circle this year. He

encouraged the City to utilize the location for future events. Interim Division Head for

Cultural Arts Leslie Nottingham confirmed the City has no events scheduled at Citizen

Circle this year.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

AYE:

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

Approve an easement agreement and a special warranty deed from the Hidden Village

Homeowners’ Association conveying SE 27th Loop and SE 27th Street to the City

8p.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Barry Mansfield

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

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: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve the Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report

9a.

9b.

Adopt Budget Resolution 2023-140 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget to

transfer funds from airport reserve for contingencies for the purchase of a John Deere

utility tractor in the amount of $113,763

Adopt Budget Resolution 2023-141 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget to

transfer funds from the gas tax reserve for fund balance for the purchase of traffic signal

cabinets in the amount of $254,010

9c.

Adopt Budget Resolution 2023-142 accepting a donation from Ocala Main Street to the

Ocala-Marion Mentorship Program in the amount of $8,453

9d.

9e.

9f.

Approve a one-year renewal with Brian Bombassei, Inc. for miscellaneous pavement

striping services with an expenditure not to exceed $30,000

Approve three-year contract with Thompson Consulting Services, LLC for the provision

of primary emergency debris removal monitoring services

Approve three-year contract with Tetra Tech, Inc., for the provision of secondary

emergency debris removal monitoring services.

9g.

Approve Labor Attorney invoices for the month of March 2023 in the amount of $78.00

9h.

9i.

Approve agreement with the School Board of Marion County, Florida for rental of buses

for the City's summer programs in the amount of $800

Approve the release of a Right to Cross Easement granted by Jake Jacobs

9j.

Approve contract with R&R Builders, LLC, for the rehabilitation of the Nelson residence

located at 1018 West Silver Springs Place for a total project cost not to exceed $59,465

9k.

Approve contract with R&R Builders, LLC, for the rehabilitation of the Hampton

residence located at 1324 SE 18th Place for a total project cost not to exceed $84,050

9l.

Approve Memorandum of Lease for PRP Hangars, LLC

9m.

9n.

Approve First Amendment to Commercial Contract for Purchase and Sale of seven acres

at the Ocala International Airport by Boyd-Mox Development LLC

Approve the Third Amendment to the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for the

Provision of Building Inspection and Plan Review Services with M.T. Causley, LLC

9o.

Outside Counsel Invoices - April 2023

9p.

9q.

Approve Regular Meeting City Council minutes from May 2, 2023

10.

Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion

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

this time.

11.

12.

13.

Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances - None

Internal Auditor's Report - None

City Manager's Report

Animal Control Ordinance Update

City Manager Pete Lee reported the County approved the Animal Control Ordinance on May 16,

2023.

Opening of Pools Update

City Manager Pete Lee reported the City is preparing to open swimming pools for the Summer

season. To note, the slide at Jervey Gantt will be out of service this year, due to high repair costs.

The City is working on securing a low bid to repair the slide’s platform/stairs.

Council President Hilty asked if the City pays separate insurance for the slide’s platform/stairs.

Director of Parks & Recreation Preston Pooser responded they will follow-up with Risk

Management.

14.

Police and Fire Department Report

Police Chief Mike Balken – Public Safety Opioid Response Efforts

Police Chief Balken discussed the public safety Opioid response efforts for May 1, 2023 to May

14, 2023. The Police Department's Opioid response efforts 7, overdose deaths 1, Narcan leave

behind 1, and Amnesty participation 1. The department is working on filling six vacancies; and

the Fallen Officer Memorial Service is scheduled on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 9 am, location

McPherson Campus.

Fire Chief Clint Welborn – Public Safety Opioid Response Efforts & Community Paramedicine

Fire Chief Welborn discussed the public safety Opioid response efforts and community

paramedicine program. The overdose response efforts 8, overdose deaths 0, Narcan leave behind

1, and calls for service 1,103. Year to date, 352 OD2A Program participants, and 269

community paramedicine graduates. Furthermore, next week is National EMS Week; and the

department responded to investigate a 3,000-gallon gas bill.

15.

Mayor's Report

FAFO Symphony Under the Stars Mother's Day Event Concerns

Mayor Guinn expressed concern regarding no singing performance of The Star-Spangled Banner

or Pledge of Allegiance at the past FAFO event. To note, the FAFO President acknowledged the

presented concerns.

City Manager Pete Lee stated the City will facilitate the pledge to the flag at future events.

Golf Course Update

Director of Facilities & Fleet Management John King confirmed the project is 90% complete.

The carpet will be installed next week; and the City will finish the kitchen build-out.

Courthouse Therapy Dogs

Mayor Guinn requested the City research the costs associated with the Courthouse Therapy Dog

Program.

House Bill 1369 Passed

Mayor Guinn reported House Bill 1359 will go into effect on October 1, 2023. Furthermore, the

Police Department recently made an arrest for 28-grams of fentanyl; future offenses involving

fentanyl will result in enhanced penalities and a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment

under the House bill.

Title 42 Expiration Immigration Concerns

City Manager Pete Lee confirmed the City has no plans to house immigrants at this time.

16.

17.

City Attorney's Report

Informational Items

17a. Calendaring Items

- Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday - City Offices Closed

- Monday, June 19 - Juneteenth Holiday - City Offices Closed

- Tuesday, July 4 - Fourth of July Holiday - Council Meeting Cancelled, City Offices

Closed

17b. Comments by Mayor