HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes1 | Page
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
June 17, 2025 MINUTES 6:15 PM
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:15 PM
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:15 PM in the Commission Chambers
of City Hall. The invocation was led by Ages Hart, Ocoee Resident, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag led by Winter Park Scout Troop #246. City Clerk Sibbitt called the
roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Oliver
Absent: Commissioner Firstner
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:20 PM
Juneteenth Independence Day Proclamation – read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
Mayor Johnson recognized Janet and Robert Zorn, Ocoee Residents, for their commitment
to cleaning the streets of Ocoee.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:27 PM
City Manager Shadrix announced that Item #2 on the Consent Agenda will need to be pulled
due to some changes that need to be made by the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP). This item is expected to be returned for consideration at the July 15th City Commission
Meeting. He also provided the City Commission with an update on Duke Energy’s Neighborhood
Energy Saver Program, noting that he recently met with Duke Energy representatives. A
presentation on the program is scheduled for August 5th, followed by a Dinner Community
Meeting at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center tentatively scheduled on August 12th. Additionally, he
provided a handout with the profit and loss revenue figures for Forest Lake Golf Course for the
Commission’s review and reminded the City Commission that the RFP for leasing and operating
the golf course is currently open for submissions. He emphasized that, during this period, no ex-
parte communication should occur with any companies intending to submit a proposal.
City Manager Shadrix announced that the Legislature has passed the State budget, which is
$1.5 billion less than the previous year. At present, the City still has $1 million allocated in the
State budget for the new fire station project. The City remains hopeful that the Governor will
not veto this funding. He concluded by stating that Public Works Director Krug would give a
brief update on the sidewalk and asphalt repaving program, and that Utilities Director Bolling
would provide an update on water-related matters emerging from Tallahassee.
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City Manager Shadrix briefly mentioned that he met with the County Administrator last week
to discuss several matters and took the opportunity to remind him about the letter authorized
by the City Commission regarding the traffic signal at Apopka Vineland and McCormick Road.
Public Works Director Krug provided an update on the City’s resurfacing and sidewalk projects
and informed the City Commission about how the public can access project details on the City’s
website. The City Commission inquired about how the online tracking system will function and
raised concerns about potholes in Sleepy Harbour Drive, tree roots damaging sidewalks, and the
budgeted funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
Utilities Director Bolling provided an update on the Utilities Department, covering the
discontinuation of fluoride in the City’s water, an explanation of the drinking water quality report,
and water conservation programs that will be available soon.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:54 PM
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Doug Gomber, Ocoee Resident, requested an update on Envision 2045. Development
Services Director Corless provided an update on the status of the transmitted documents
and noted that staff plans to present the plan for adoption at an upcoming City Commission
meeting. Commissioner Kennedy inquired if there were any Land Development Code
(LDC) updates forthcoming. Development Services Director Corless addressed his
question.
• CONSENT AGENDA 6:57 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Item #1; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen,
seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Firstner
absent.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held June 3, 2025.
(City Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval of the Florida Springs Grant Agreement SR005 from the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for the City of Ocoee Downtown Sewer Connections Project.
(Utilities Director Bolling)
This item was pulled at the request of City staff and will be brought back to a future
meeting.
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None
• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING 6:57 PM
3. Second Reading of Ordinances for 524, 518 & 508 Woodson Ave. - Legacy Homes FL LLC
Annexation & Rezoning from Orange County R-1 (Single-Family Dwelling District) to City of
Ocoee R-1A (Single-Family Dwelling District); Project No(s): AX-04-25-04, AX-04-25-03,
AX-04-25-02, RZ-25-04-04, RZ-25-04-03, & RZ-25-04-02. (Planner I Belizaire)
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Planner Belizaire presented a brief overview of the annexation and rezoning request of the
subject parcels located at 524, 518 & 508 Woodson Avenue. The properties are logical and
eligible for annexation and will further the City’s efforts to reduce enclaves within the city limits.
The properties are currently zoned County R-1 with Low Density Residential (LDR) designation
on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM). A rezoning to conventional City R-1A is proposed, with
the properties maintaining the LDR designation. City water is available, and the properties will
continue to utilize private septic systems.
City Attorney Geller read the titles of the ordinances.
The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Move to Approve Ordinance 2025-08 Annexation for 524 Woodson Ave - Legacy
Homes FL LLC, Project Number AX-04-25-04, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
Motion: Move to Approve Ordinance 2025-10 Annexation 518 Woodson Ave - Legacy
Homes FL LLC; Project Number AX-04-25-03, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
Motion: Move to Approve Resolution 2025-12 Annexation for 508 Woodson Ave – Legacy
Homes FL LLC; Project Number AX-04-25-02, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
Motion: Move to Approve Ordinance 2025-09 Rezoning for 524 Woodson Ave - Legacy
Homes FL LLC; Project Number RZ-25-04-04, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
Motion: Move to Approve Ordinance 2025-11 Rezoning for 518 Woodson Ave - Legacy
Homes FL LLC; Project Number RZ-25-04-03, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
Motion: Move to Approve Resolution 2025-13 Rezoning for 508 Woodson Ave – Legacy
Homes FL LLC; Project Number AX-04-25-02, as presented by staff; Moved by
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 4-0 with
Commissioner Firstner absent.
• PUBLIC HEARING - None
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• REGULAR AGENDA 7:07 PM
4. Approval of Code Enforcement Board Reappointments and Discussion on Changing
Meeting Day. (City Clerk Sibbitt)
City Clerk Sibbitt explained that the staff report consists of two parts and began by addressing
the reappointments. She noted that three regular member seats have terms expiring in June
2025. Staff contacted the three members, Joe Bandur, William Mann, and Laini Schultz, to
confirm their interest in reappointment and requested updated applications. Members Bandur
and Schultz have expressed interest in continuing to serve and have submitted updated
applications. However, Member Mann has not responded, and as a result, his seat will be
considered vacant at the end of the month.
Motion: Move to approve the reappointment of Joe Bandur and Laini Schultz to the Code
Enforcement Board for another three-year term to end June 2028; Moved by
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Oliver:
Commissioner Kennedy pointed out that, unlike other advisory boards, this board does not
have equal representation from all districts. He noted that District 3 currently lacks a
representative. Discussion followed regarding the shortage of applications from District 3,
concerns about maintaining a quorum, and the open alternate member seats.
Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Firstner absent.
City Clerk Sibbitt explained that at the May 20th City Commission Meeting questions were
raised about the cancellation of the Board’s November and December meetings. Upon
reviewing past meeting minutes, staff determined that the Board began canceling its December
meetings in 1993, with subsequent cancellations continued by Board motions in the following
years. If the City Commission prefers that the November and December meetings continue as
scheduled, staff recommends considering a change in the meeting day to the third Thursday of
each month to help avoid conflicts with holiday weeks. Brief discussion ensued.
Motion: Move to change the Code Enforcement Board Meeting Day to evenings of the
third Thursday each month as soon as possible; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen,
seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Firstner
absent.
5. Discussion and Direction on Planned Actions in Reference to Code Enforcement and
Parking Concerns. (Police Chief Ogburn)
Police Chief Ogburn provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining parking violations and
enforcement, prohibited parking zones, commercial and industrial parking restrictions, and
regulations related to home occupation parking. He concluded the presentation by presenting
several options for the Commission's consideration, along with proposed next steps.
Following the presentation, City Commission comments included support for implementing the
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strictest level of enforcement and the highest possible fines, exceeding those for red light
camera and speeding violations. Additional suggestions included placing a hold on vehicle
registrations, as well as backing the use of 48-hour notice stickers that could result in vehicle
immobilization or towing at the owner’s expense. Further discussion ensued regarding the
current fines in place and the feedback provided by the City Commission. Additionally, staff
noted that a future meeting will include a discussion on implementing a lien program aimed at
recovering the $3.6 million in outstanding non-homesteaded lien fees. Discussion ensued on
the re-vamp of the foreclosure program, and commercial code violation enforcement.
City Attorney Geller read and explained portions of the City Code that outline the maximum
allowable fine amounts and how they may be applied. City Manager Shadrix explained that
the purpose of having staff present this evening was to facilitate this dialogue and allow City
staff to receive clear direction moving forward. He advised that they received extensive
feedback from the City Commission, which was their goal, and stated they will bring an item
back for the Commission’s approval at a future meeting.
6. Approval of Ocoee Remembers Event - November 1, 2025. (Parks and Leisure Services
Deputy Director Gaines)
Parks and Leisure Services Deputy Director Gaines presented the proposed program for
the upcoming 2025 Ocoee Remembers Event. He noted that during the planning phase, the
City was unexpectedly contacted by the Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ), who, without prior
coordination, informed staff via email of their intention to host their own remembrance events
for descendants on November 1st and requested the City’s partnership. City staff informed ATJ
that the City was already in the process of planning its own event and would follow up once a
final decision has been made.
Staff addressed the question from Commissioner Kennedy about whether ATJ had clarified
what they meant by partnership. Following a brief discussion, the City Commission unanimously
expressed support for the proposed program presented by City staff.
Motion: Move to authorize city staff to move forward with the Ocoee Remembers Event
to be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025; Moved by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by
Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Firstner absent.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:57 PM
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:57 PM – 8:01 PM
1) Announced that the Habitat for Humanity’s Restore Program is now open and accepting
applications and provided their contact information.
2) Attended the City’s Comprehensive Plan meeting and stated that it is an excellent plan;
he is very proud of the plan and encouraged residents to take a look at it on the City’s website.
3) Addressed the traffic light at the intersection of McCormick and Apopka Vineland Road;
he requested a copy of the approval of the plan made with the Developer and Orange County.
City Manager Shadrix stated that a copy will be sent to the Commission, and he confirmed
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that the County has been provided with a copy as well; an answer on schedule and timing is
forthcoming.
4) Read an inspirational message.
8:01 PM - 8:04 PM
Mayor Johnson announced the Florida League of Cities’ Annual Conference and requested
a decision be made on a voting delegate.
Motion: Move to elect Mayor Johnson as the voting delegate for the Florida League of
Cities’ Annual Conference; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by
Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Firstner absent.
He further announced the upcoming City events for the months of June and July.
Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 8:04 PM – 8:05 PM
1) Announced the cancellation of the July 1st City Commission meeting.
2) Acknowledged the Casting With A Cop event, which was held this past Saturday and
encouraged residents to attend city events throughout the year.
Commissioner Kennedy – Commented on the following: 8:05 PM - 8:08 PM
1) Thanked Commissioner Oliver for his comments on the Ocoee Remembers Event. He
also confirmed that the Ocoee Remembers event is open to the public.
2) Thanked City staff for the Forest Lake Golf Club financial update.
Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 8:08 PM - 8:09 PM
1) Announced that he attended the grand opening for The Backyard and stated that they
did a great job.
2) Expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone, especially the City of Ocoee, for their
compassion and support during his and his family’s recent time of mourning following the loss
of his son.
• ADJOURNMENT 8:09 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ___________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor