110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

City Council

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Call to Order

Roll Call

Mayor Ben Marciano

Present:

Pro Tem Ire J. Bethea Sr

Council Member James P. Hilty Sr

Council Member Jay A. Musleh

Council President Kristen M. Dreyer

Council Member Barry Mansfield

Excused:

2a.

New Employees

- Ryon Lee, Electric

- Scott Minos, Electric

- Johnny Salcedo, Electric

- Melissa Lamb, Finance

- Kevin Brantley Public Works

- Coke Crawford, Public Works

Public Notice

Public Notice for the August 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on

June 26, 2025

Proclamations and Awards

Presentation of the National Purple Heart Day Proclamation to Stephen Petty, U.S.

4a.

Army, Captain; John Webb, U.S. Army, Captain; F.L. Brown, U.S. Army, Sergeant;

Henry Bolding, U.S.M.C., Lance Corporal; Reginald Nealy, U.S.M.C., Corporal and

Vito Giammanco, U.S. Army, Specialist

Mayor Marciano presented a proclamation for National Purple Heart Day. The City

proclaims August 7, 2025, as National Purple Heart Day.

Presentation of a lifesaving award to Orange Theory members Rafael Rosa, Mike Crimi,

Tom Culpepper, and Katie Freeman, by Ocala Fire Chief Clint Welborn

4b.

Fire Chief Clint Welborn presented Lifesaving Awards to Orange Theory Members, for

providing lifesaving actions to a citizen of Ocala.

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.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve the award of a two-year contract to Ayopa, Inc., for the provision of grounds

maintenance services at the City Complex with a maximum expenditure of $57,999

6a.

6b.

Presentation By: Darren Park

Approve the purchase of industrial products and services for tile and hard floor

restoration from Saniglaze International, LLC, utilizing the General Services

Administration Multiple Award Schedule with an aggregate expenditure of $85,000

Presentation By: John King

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-167 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept

and appropriate a North Florida Institute of Police Technology and Management grant

from the State of Florida in the amount of $47,099

6c.

Presentation By: Michael Balken

Approve a one-year renewal of the contract for continuing professional general aviation

engineering services with McFarland Johnson, Inc

6d.

6e.

6f.

Presentation By: Michael Baker

Approve a one-year renewal of the contract for continuing professional general aviation

engineering services with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, PLLC

Presentation By: Michael Baker

Approve Fiscal Year 2024-2025 renewal of GrayKey forensic software in the amount of

$69,520

Presentation By: Joshua Sasso

Approve minutes from July 15, 2025 City Council meeting

6g.

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

(Second and Final Reading - August 19, 2025)

Introduce Ordinance 2025-34, amending Sec. 90-20, Code of Ordinances, City of Ocala,

Florida, providing for limitations on enclosures under elevated buildings located in flood

hazard areas

8a.

James P. Hilty Sr

Introduced By:

Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings / Adoption of Ordinances

General Business

10.

Approve award of the contract for construction services for Phase 3 of the SW 44th/46th

Avenue Four-Lane Expansion Project to Commercial Industrial Corp. in the amount of

$3,433,678, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a total expenditure not to exceed

$3,777,046

10a.

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

Mayor Marciano questioned if the lanes would be open by the end of the year. City

Engineer & Director of Water Resources Sean Lanier responded in the affirmative and

stated the outside lanes will remain open during construction. Council Member Musleh

asked if there were nay other phases to the project. Mr. Lanier confirmed this would be

the last phase.

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-168 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to transfer

funds from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax reserve for contingencies account for Phase 3

of the SW 44th/46th Avenues Four-Lane Expansion project in the amount of $3,777,046

10b.

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve Task Work Order No. 10 with Black & Veatch Corporation for Professional

Engineering Services to prepare the City’s revised Federal Emergency Management

Agency Floodplain Zone AE model, letter of map revisions package, and corresponding

request for additional information responses in the amount of $186,243

10c.

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

There being no 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, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve Grant Agreement 25PLN17 with the Florida Department of Environmental

Protection for the completion of an Adaptation Plan consistent with the Florida

Adaptation Planning Guidebook in the amount of $300,000

10d.

10e.

10f.

10g.

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-169 appropriating funds from the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection to complete an Adaptation Plan consistent with the Florida

Adaptation Planning Guidebook in the amount of $300,000

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

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, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve Task Work Order No. 51 with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. for the

provision of professional engineering services related to the creation and implementation

of a Stormwater Master Plan for the City of Ocala in the amount of $462,170

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve one-year renewal of the contract with Odyssey Manufacturing Company for

liquid sodium hypochlorite supply and delivery services at Water Treatment Plant No. 1,

Water Reclamation Facility No. 2, and Water Reclamation Facility No. 3 with an

estimated aggregate expenditure of $625,000

Presentation By: Sean Lanier

There being no 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, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve the purchase of Hendrix cable system from Marmon Utility, LLC, with an

estimated expenditure of $168,534

10h.

Presentation By: Doug Peebles

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve a sixteen-month multi-award contract for emergency standby tree trimming and

line clearing to The Davey Tree Expert Co. and Burford’s Tree, Inc. with an aggregate

expenditure not to exceed $220,000

10i.

Presentation By: Doug Peebles

There being no 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, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve one-year renewal of the Agreement for Fuel Supply and Transfer Services with

Petroleum Traders Corporation in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000

10j.

Presentation By: John King

Council Member Bethea requested clarification on the partnership with the school board

on the contract. Director of Facilities & Fleet Management John King explained the City

partnered with the School Board to meet the million-dollar tier requirement. Council

President Dreyer questioned if the fuel gets dropped off to the school board’s facility.

Mr. King responded in the affirmative and stated the School District will be invoiced

separately for the fuel delivery fee.

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-170 to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to transfer

funds from the General Fund Reserve for Contingencies account to cover a projected

deficit in the Fleet Management account in the amount of $395,000

10k.

Presentation By: John King

Council Member Bethea questioned if the vehicle parts were received from places

outside the USA. Director of Facilities & Fleet Management John King confirmed the

City sources automotive parts globally.

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

RESULT:

ADOPTED

MOVER:

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve a one-year renewal of the contract with Wear Gloves, Inc. for annual litter

control and drain and inlet surface cleaning services in the amount of $433,472

10l.

Presentation By: Darren Park

Mayor Marciano commented the contract with Wear Gloves is a great program. Director

of Public Works Darren Park confirmed the City’s need for services from Wear Gloves,

Inc., has expanded with Mayor Marciano. He explained how funding impacts the ability

of the program to expand services.

Mayor Marciano and Council Member Hilty spoke in support of the vendors’ community

support efforts.

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve the re-award of contract for stormwater grounds maintenance services for the

City’s southeast section to Southern Charm Mowing & Landscaping, LLC in the amount

of $367,780

10m.

Presentation By: Darren Park

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve a one-year renewal of the agreement for elevator and lift preventative

maintenance and repair services in the amount of $225,000

10n.

Presentation By: Gary Crews

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Ire J. Bethea Sr

SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-171 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to

recognize a General Fund transfer into the Bank Loan Series 2022 debt fund in the

amount of $4,226,252

10o.

Presentation By: Tammi Haslam

There being no 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, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-172 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept

and appropriate funding from the Federal Transit Administration in support of the Ocala

Marion County public transit system, SunTran, in the amount of $3,938,144

10p.

Presentation By: Tom Duncan

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

ADOPTED

Jay A. Musleh

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

Approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 property, casualty, liability, and workers' compensation

insurance premiums and authorize the Human Resources/Risk Management Director to

execute the corresponding insurance policy applications with a projected expenditure of

$2,642,504

10q.

Presentation By: Todd Swanson

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

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

James P. Hilty Sr

SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr

AYE:

Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Dreyer

Mansfield

EXCUSED:

11.

12.

Internal Auditor's Report

11a. Internal Audit Report Issued – Unannounced Cash Counts Audit

Internal Auditor Randall Bridgeman presented the annual unannounced cash counts audit

report. He stated the objective of the audits was to verify the security and accuracy of the

fund balances. There are 25 funds in 8 different departments. No issues were found

during the audit, and the report will be available on the City’s website.

City Manager's Report

Budget workshop update

City Manager Pete Lee reported the budget workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, August

12, 2025. The City will present the proposed budget to City Council.

Notification letter and permit application for private fiber vendors

City Manager Pete Lee reported the City is prohibited from imposing the following

regulations for private fiber vendors: limiting the permit to thirty days, split project

geography, and requiring notification before the project starts. The City has decided to

install signs to notify the residents of the upcoming fiber installation projects.

Council Member Hilty spoke on resident challenges regarding the lack of completed

fiber installation projects.

City Attorney Sexton confirmed the Florida Statutes prohibit local government from

regulating permits.

Mr. Lee spoke on the City’s plan to partner with DOT to remedy the matter. Staff

monitors issued permits to ensure the vendor is incompliance with City regulations.

Mr. Sexton encouraged the public to speak with their state legislature to advocate for

increased regulation of private fiber vendors.

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, July 21, 2025 to August 3, 2025: 32 significant crimes, 151 arrests, and 981

traffic stops.

Department Highlights

Police Chief Mike Balken reported Police Officer Parker Morley was awarded the Sky

Valor Award, and department staff received several Life-Saving Awards from the HCA

Hospital. He encouraged the public to attend tonight’s National Night Out event.

14.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

Unit Responses

Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported on unit responses for a two-week period, July 15,

2025 to July August 4, 2025. The two busiest units: Fire Rescue Four (260-unit

responses) and Fire Engine Four (194-unit responses).

Service calls update

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

15, 2025 to August 4, 2025: motor vehicle accidents 131, structure fires 5, and

community paramedicine/core 93, and calls for service 1,575 (14,941 calls-to-date).

Department Highlights

Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported the department welcomed four new employees. The

department conducted several successful training courses and hosted a successful

Mayor/Chief for the Day event. The department responded to a train derailment incident.

He advised City Council that the toxic substance being hauled did not leak during the

derailment incident.

Council Member Musleh expressed concern regarding the lack of regulation for the

established train line running through the City of Ocala.

15.

16.

City Attorney's Report

Public Comments

John Barber, 101 SE Silver Springs Boulevard, #206, commented on the CSX rail

line

John Barber, 101 SE Silver Springs Boulevard, #206, requested City Council contact

CSX to remove the hazardous rail line running through Downtown. He anticipates the

removal of the rail line will have a positive impact, such as spurring economic

development, increased property values, and improving the quality of life for residents.

City Council unanimously agreed to direct the City Manager to contact CSX.

City Manager Pete Lee stated the City will schedule a meeting with CSX to discuss the

matter.

Council Members Bethea and Hilty spoke in support of removing the rail line to support

public safety efforts.

Council Member Musleh suggested creating a Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

Mr. Lee confirmed the removal of the rail line is part of the 2050 Vision.

Charles Calhoun, 9735 SW 92nd Court, spoke on the veteran community

Charles Calhoun, 9735 SW 92nd Court, thanked the Mayor and City Council for

honoring the veteran community. He requested on behalf of Veteran’s Helping Veteran’s

financial assistance from City Council with transportation needs.

17.

Informational Items and Calendaring Items

- 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

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

- Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers

- Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 5:00pm - 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

Executed Contracts Under $50,000

17a.

17b.

17c.

Power Cost Adjustment Report - June 2025

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

30, 2025

18.

Comments by Mayor

Sheriff's Office special operations

Mayor Marciano recognized the Sheriff’s Office special operations for apprehending

thirty-eight child predators. The City will be launching an awareness campaign to

encourage parents to monitor social media accounts, as predators are utilizing social

media platforms to target children.

Splash pad update

City Manager Pete Lee confirmed the splash pad improvements will be completed by

Spring 2026.

Public Works Department recognition

Mayor Marciano shared his wonderful shadow experience with the Public Works

Department and recognized the department for their community support efforts.

19.

Comments by City Council Members

Council Member Hilty commented on the FMEA conference and recognized the

Ocala Electric Department

Council Member Hilty shared his wonderful experience attending the FMEA conference.

The conference recognized the Ocala Electric Department for increasing reliability by

over ten percent. He noted, seventy-five percent of Florida’s electricity is derived from

natural gas.

Council Member Musleh thanked the community for their support

Council President Dreyer requested the City install a ramp in the Council

Chambers before the next meeting