110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

City Council

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Call to Order

Roll Call

Mayor Ben Marciano

Present:

Pro Tem Kristen M. Dreyer

Council Member Ire J. Bethea Sr

Council Member James P. Hilty Sr

Council Member Jay A. Musleh

Council President Barry Mansfield

Municipal Officers/Others Present: The meeting was also attended by City Manager Peter Lee,

City Attorney William Sexton, Assistant City Manager Ken Whitehead, City Clerk Angel

Jacobs, Deputy City Clerk Pamela Omichinski, Fire Chief Clint Welborn, Police Chief Michael

Balken, Internal Auditor Randall Bridgeman, Assistant Finance Director Peter Brill, City

Projects Director Tye Chighizola, Sanitation Division Head Dwayne Drake, Multimedia &

Communications Coordinator Danielle Dyals, Director of Airport Matthew Grow, Planning

Director Aubrey Hale, Budget Director Tammi Haslam, Community Development Services

Director James Haynes, Director of Parks & Recreation Julie Johnson, HR/Risk Management

Director Devan Kikendall, City Engineer & Director of Water Resources Sean Lanier, Chief

Financial Officer Janice Mitchell, Director of Public Works Darren Park, Director of Electric

Utility Doug Peebles, Director of Ocala Fiber Network Mel Poole, IT Director Christopher

Ramos, Strategic & Legislative Affairs Administrator Jeannine Robbins, Procurement &

Contracting Officer Daphne Robinson, Growth Management Director Jeff Shrum, Chief of Staff

Chris Watt, Ocala Police Dept Representative, IT Representative, The Press and other interested

parties.

New Employees

- Robin Shetter, Facilities Management

- Timothy Swanson, Facilities Management

- Matthew Colon, Fleet Management

- David Sanchez, Fleet Management

- Derek Masseo, Growth Management

Public Notice

Public Notice for the October 1, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on September 9,

2024

Proclamations and Awards

Proclamation and Plaque honoring Professor Ira Holmes

4a.

Mayor Marciano presented a proclamation and plaque honoring Professor Ira Holmes'

contributions and service to the City of Ocala. City Projects Manager Tye Chighizola

requested Council adopt a resolution honoring Professor Holms as Chairman Emeritus of

the Ocala Preservation Advisory Board, in appreciation of the 42 years he spent on the

board.

Adopt Resolution 2025-2 honoring Professor Ira Holmes as “Chairman Emeritus” of the

Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board

Presentation By: Tye Chighizola

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

The National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Proclamation will be presented to the

Director of Information Technology (IT) Department Christopher Ramos and IT

Department Staff

4b.

Mayor Marciano presented a proclamation for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The City proclaims the month of October, as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

IT Director Chris Ramos discussed the importance of cybersecurity in the workplace and

highlighted this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month activity. He awarded the 2024

Cybersecurity Awareness Award to Chief Financial Officer Janice Mitchell.

The Public Power Week Proclamation will be presented to Doug Peebles, Director of

Ocala Electric Utility; Tyler Puckett, Supervisor, Public Education, Outreach &

Administration; Tammy Warren, Public Education & Outreach Coordinator; and OEU

Staff members

4c.

Mayor Marciano presented a proclamation for Public Power Week. The City proclaims

October 6, 2024 to October 12, 2024, as Public Power Week.

Director of Electric Utility Doug Peebles recognized eleven employees for their

emergency support efforts during the aftermath of the storm in Swanee Valley.

4d.

James Melton Day Proclamation

Mayor Marciano presented a proclamation for James Melton Day. The City proclaims

October 10, 2024, as James Melton Day. Brad Rogers thanked the mayor for the

proclamation and discussed James Melton's legacy as a popular singer and performer in

the 1930s.

Presentations

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.

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

RESULT:

AYE:

APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA

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

Adopt Resolution 2025-1 approving the City of Ocala's State Housing Initiatives

Partnership Annual Report for program closeout for the 2021-2022 funding cycle

6a.

Presentation By: Robin Ford

RESULT:

ADOPTED

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-100 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to accept

and appropriate program income for the City of Ocala’s State Housing Initiatives

Partnership grant program in the amount of $14,050

6b.

6c.

Presentation By: Robin Ford

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-101 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to

appropriate funds from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Reserve for Fund Balance account

for software-related expenses in the amount of $39,000

Presentation By: Michael Balken

Approve additional expenditures under the agreement for city-wide pressure washing

services in the amount of $50,000

6d.

6e.

6f.

Presentation By: Gary Crews

Approve the Winding Oaks Commercial Phase 1 Revision Conceptual Subdivision Plan,

SUB24-45665

Presentation By: Aubrey Hale

Approve Partial Termination of Developer’s Agreement and Amendments for the

Paddock Park Commercial Center

Presentation By: Aubrey Hale

Approve additional contract expenditures with The Notice Company, Inc. for claims

administration services in the amount of $54,646

6g.

6h.

Presentation By: Emory Roberts

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-102 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to support

additional expenditures for the fire fee reimbursement process through a transfer from

the General Fund Reserve for Contingencies account totaling $54,646

Presentation By: Emory Roberts

Approve additional expenditures under the contract with Allen, Norton, & Blue for the

provision of labor and employment legal services in the amount of $64,000

6i.

6j.

Presentation By: Devan Kikendall

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-103 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to transfer

funds from the General Fund Reserve for Contingencies account to support additional

employment legal services contract expenses totaling $64,000

Presentation By: Devan Kikendall

Approve an access and utility easement agreement between City of Ocala, (Grantor),

6k.

Mercy Village LLLP (Tenant/Grantee), and Saving Mercy Corporation

(Landlord/Grantee)

Presentation By: Tye Chighizola

See Item 7

6l.

6m. See Item 7

Approve minutes from September 17, 2024 City Council meeting

Presentation By: Angel Jacobs

6n.

Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion

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

this time.

Approve the Contract for Sale and Purchase of surplus parcel #22525-001-00 to Aashka

and Rose Group, LLC totaling $9,164

6l.

Presentation By: Tracy Taylor

RESULT:

POSTPONED

Approve the Contract for Sale and Purchase of surplus parcel #2848-001-002 to Aashka

and Rose Group, LLC totaling $14,981

6m.

Presentation By: Tracy Taylor

RESULT:

POSTPONED

Introduction and First Readings of Ordinances

(Second and Final Reading - October 15, 2024)

Introduce Ordinance 2025-1 to rezone approximately 4.63 acres for property located at

1712 SE Lake Weir Avenue (Parcel 2920-010-008) from INST, Institutional to B-2A,

Limited Community Business (Case ZON24-45752) (Quasi-Judicial)

8a.

Presentation By: Emily W. Johnson

Jay A. Musleh

Introduced By:

RESULT:

INTRODUCED

Introduce Ordinance 2025-2 to rezone approximately 8.85 acres of a 9.16 acre property

located in the 2600 block of NE 36th Avenue (Parcel 24241-010-00) from M-1, Light

Industrial, to M-2, Medium Industrial (Case ZON24-45799) (Quasi-Judicial)

8b.

Presentation By: Endira Madraveren

James P. Hilty Sr

INTRODUCED

Introduced By:

RESULT:

Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings / Adoption of Ordinances

Approve the sale, production, and distribution of beer, wine, and liquor for on-premise

consumption, on-premise consumption outside of an enclosed building, and off-premise

consumption for Midtown Eateries, LLC d/b/a Midtown Eateries (Quasi-Judicial)

9a.

Presentation By: Jeff Shrum

Council President Mansfield opened the public hearing.

Growth Management Director Jeff Shrum discussed a liquor license application for

Midtown Eateries. The applicant will be issued a provisional license during the

construction phase; staff recommends approval.

No public comment.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve Community Development Services’ application for the U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban Development’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant

in the amount of $7,000,000

9b.

Presentation By: Natalia Cox

Community Development Services Administrative Coordinator Natalia Cox discussed a

housing grant application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The maximum grant amount is $7 million, with no match required. The grant funds will

be used to increase affordable housing opportunities in the City. She provided a brief

overview of the HUD process, deadlines, and public meetings. Staff recommends

approval.

No public comment.

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

General Business

Approve the first renewal and additional expenditures under the Agreement for

10.

10a.

Underground Boring and Conduit Installation Services with Bellmore Enterprises, Inc.

for the new contract amount of $3,000,000

Presentation By: Doug Peebles

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve the use of multiple cooperative purchasing agreements for the purchase of

citywide information technology equipment in the estimated amount of $565,260

10b.

Presentation By: Christopher Ramos

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

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

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-104 to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept

and appropriate $790,550 in Public Transportation Grant Agreement funds from the

Florida Department of Transportation and $796,550 in local matching funds to support

the Ocala/Marion County Public Transit System, SunTran, for a total amount of

$1,587,100

10c.

Presentation By: Tom Duncan

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

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

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-25 umpire referee services expenses in the amount of

$110,000

10d.

Presentation By: John Spencer

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

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

Approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement for SunTran Transit Management

Services with RATP Dev USA, Inc. with an anticipated aggregate expenditure amount of

$11,010,410

10e.

Presentation By: Tye Chighizola

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve a one-year contract renewal for holiday lighting services to Rileigh’s Outdoor in

an amount not to exceed $170,000

10f.

Presentation By: Amy Casaletto

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Approve three-year agreements for continuing professional architectural services with

various firms for citywide projects requiring architectural services

10g.

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

City Engineer Sean Lanier clarified the architectural services with President Mansfield.

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:

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

Approve utilizing the State of Florida contract for the purchase of tires, tubes, and

services with an aggregate annual expenditure of $275,000

10h.

Presentation By: Liza Warmuth

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer

AYE:

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

Approve annual agreement for business creation, retention, and attraction services with

the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership in the amount of $190,000

10i.

10j.

Presentation By: Aubrey Hale

RESULT:

PULLED

Approve contract award to Morse Communications, Inc., for monitoring and support

services related to the upgrade of the City’s phone system in the amount of $821,983

Presentation By: Kenneth Jamerson

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

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

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-105 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to transfer

building-related expenses and revenues from the General Fund to the newly created

Building Fund totaling $4,836,433

10k.

Presentation By: Matt Leibfried

Building Services Director Matt Leibfried and City Manager Pete Lee clarified the

impact fees will remain in a separate account for reporting purposes.

Internal Auditor Randall Bridgeman confirmed the impact fees are tracked in a separate

account.

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:

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

Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual renewal of maintenance and support services

for Computer Information Systems’ computer-aided dispatch software in an amount not

to exceed $135,318

10l.

Presentation By: Joshua Sasso

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Kristen M. Dreyer

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

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

Vote for one applicant to fill an unexpired three-year term ending March 1, 2027 on the

Recreation Commission

10m.

Presentation By: Angel Jacobs

City Clerk Angel Jacobs announced City Council appoints Kelly McAtee to the

Recreation Commission by ballot vote. Council Members Dreyer, Hilty, Musleh and

Mansfield voting for Kelly McAtee. Council Member Bethea voting for Zara Torres.

11.

12.

Internal Auditor's Report

City Manager's Report

Hurricane Helene update

City Manager Pete Lee discussed the City’s outstanding emergency response efforts during

Hurricane Helene. The storm caused minor damage to City buildings, and power was fully

restored to residents by Saturday. The City is working hard to cleanup debris and repair damage.

Recognition of Emory Roberts retirement

City Manager Pete Lee announced Emory Roberts, Director of Finance, will be retiring. He

wished him well in his future endeavors.

Director of Finance Emory Roberts thanked the City for the opportunity to serve the public.

13.

Ocala Police Department Report

Police Chief Mike Balken – Public Safety Opioid Response Efforts

Police Chief Mike Balken discussed the public safety Opioid response efforts for September 16,

2024 to September 29, 2024. The Police Departments Opioid response efforts 4, overdose deaths

0, Narcan leave behind 2, and Amnesty participation 4. He provided a brief overview of the

department’s emergency response efforts for Hurricane Helene.

14.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

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

Deputy Fire Chief Clint Welborn discussed the public safety Opioid response efforts and

community paramedicine program, for September 16, 2024 to September 29, 2024. The

overdose response efforts 2, overdose deaths 0, Narcan leave behind 0. For the month,

community paramedicine calls 66, OD2A calls 94, motor vehicle accidents 144, and structure

fires 7. He provided a brief overview of the department’s emergency response efforts for

Hurricane Helene.

15.

16.

17.

City Attorney's Report

Public Comments

Informational Items and Calendaring Items

- Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - Community Redevelopment Area Agency meeting - 3:45pm,

Council Chambers

- Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - City Council Meeting - 4:00pm, Council Chambers

- Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - TPO Meeting - 3:00pm, Marion County Commission Auditorium

- Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - City Council Meeting

- Monday, November 11, 2024 - Veterans Day Holiday - City Offices closed

Critical purchase of emergency environmental restoration services rendered by ETC

Services on June 20, 2024, in the amount of $50,106

17a.

Power Cost Adjustment Report - August 2024

17b.

17c.

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

August 31, 2024

18.

Comments by Mayor

Recognition of City efforts during Hurricane Helene

Mayor Marciano recognized the City for their emergency response efforts for Hurricane Helene.

He was delighted to see the community working together to help each other during the aftermath

of the storm.

Workout with the Mayor event

Mayor Marciano encouraged the public to attend the last Workout with the Mayor event and

explore the new fitness equipment at the Mary Sue Rich Center. The new smoothie bar will be

opening this coming Saturday to the public. A new Mayor’s fitness challenge will be launching

for public schools.

19.

Comments by City Council Members

Council President Mansfield and Council Members thanked City staff for their support efforts

during the storm

20.

Adjournment

Adjourned at 5:08 pm

Minutes

_______________________________

Barry Mansfield

________________________________

Angel B. Jacobs

Council President

City Clerk