HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes1 | Page
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
October 7, 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 Commissioner Wilsen. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and
declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, and Commissioner Oliver
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:18 PM
Fire Prevention Month Proclamation - read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson, accepted by
Ocoee Fire Department staff.
Purple Heart City Proclamation – read and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson, accepted by Military
Order of the Purple Heart Representatives Lou Barnes and Steven Sparrow.
Update on Tiger Minor Park 6:35 PM
Public Comments were heard out of agenda order. The following persons addressed the City
Commission:
- Kim Drury, Ocoee Resident, explained how she is an avid pickleball player and
expressed her thankfulness for the pickleball courts and her hope for a resolution that
will accommodate everyone.
- Dave Denmark, Ocoee Resident, expressed his concern for the noise level at the park
at certain times of the morning and evening and shared his hope for a resolution.
Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson presented a PowerPoint summarizing staff’s
proposed solutions to address concerns raised by residents at the previous City Commission
meeting. These concerns included patrons using the park too early or too late, pickleball court
lights and noise level, vandalism in the park, and cars entering and exiting the park at certain
hours of the night. The recommended solutions included installing gates at each entrance to be
opened and closed daily, setting designated pickleball court hours from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM,
placing the court lights on a timer, and adding a sport sonic guard along with landscape barriers
to help reduce noise.
- Andrea Jones, Ocoee Resident, expressed her appreciation to staff for the presented
recommendations, but stated her concern with the suggested hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00
PM. She suggested switching the pickleball courts with the tennis courts.
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October 7, 2025
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Mayor Johnson suggested setting the closing time for the pickleball courts to 9:00 PM and
stated that switching the courts with the tennis courts would not work, because they were made
specifically for pickleball.
Commissioner Kennedy expressed his concerns with discussing this issue as a presentation
instead of a regular agenda item and suggested bringing the item back to the Commission
under the regular agenda, to be discussed.
Commissioner Wilsen stated that she appreciates the mitigation measures suggested in the
presentation and she is in favor of them, as she feels they are fair and reasonable.
Commissioner Firstner stated that he supports the recommendations presented and he
suggested that the sound mitigation efforts should be pursued in the budget.
Commissioner Oliver stated there must be a reasonable and amicable compromise from both
the residents and the citizens and he will support the 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM or 8:30 PM suggestion.
- Rhonda Connect, Ocoee Resident, asked for clarification on the 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM park
hours, questioning if those will be the hours for the entire park or specific to the pickleball
courts and Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson addressed her question.
Motion: Move to approve the Tiger Minor Park hours being set to 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
daily, establishing pickleball court hours from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, installing gates at
each entrance to be opened and closed daily, and adding sound mitigation measures to
the pickleball courts only; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner
Oliver; Motion carried 4-1 with Commission Kennedy opposing.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 7:03 PM
City Manager Shadrix announced that due to recent rain, the site conditions for the Police
Department Training Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony are currently unfavorable. A
determination will be made tomorrow on whether to relocate the ceremony to the Ocoee
Lakeshore Center.
City Manager Shadrix also noted that the City Commission will receive a memorandum
summarizing the history of permits and actions related to the fiberoptic hub located on Johio
Shores Road. Regarding the Christmas lights discussed at the previous meeting, he reported
that staff have completed testing all outlets and provided Duke Energy with a list of those that
are not functioning.
City Manager Shadrix further advised that he is working with staff on appropriations requests
to the State Legislature for the upcoming session, focusing on funding related to hurricane
resiliency, septic-to-sewer conversion, and reclaimed water projects. The City is also seeking to
include a public safety appropriation request. He announced that the Rewis Street waterline and
sidewalk replacement project has been completed, with project closeout currently underway. The
next phase is resurfacing which is expected to begin within the next few weeks.
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City Manager Shadrix provided clarification on Item #10 of the Consent Agenda and updated
the City Commission on the City’s efforts with the U.S. Postal Service and legislative bills before
Congress to unify its five zip codes into one. This year, the Zip Code Unification Bill (HR 672)
successfully passed the House and is now headed to the Senate. Ocoee is part of a coalition of
cities supporting this legislation, and it is recommended that representatives and two elected
officials attend the lobbying event in Washington, D.C., scheduled for November 4–6. Item #10
also gives the City Commission the option to cancel its November 4th meeting and reinstate the
November 18th City Commission meeting. Commissioner Wilsen spoke about the Rose Hill
Annexation and the hardship residents have faced due to their inability to change their zip code.
She expressed interest in attending the lobbying event and recommended that the Mayor also
attend, given their long-standing involvement in the zip code unification effort. Mayor Johnson
agreed and confirmed his desire to participate. Consensus of the City Commission was to
send Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Wilsen as the two Elected Official
representatives to attend the lobbying days in Washington D.C.
• PUBLIC COMMENTS - Heard out of agenda order under Presentations
• CONSENT AGENDA 7:11 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to pull Item #10 for
clarification to ensure there were no concerns regarding the cancellation of the
November 4th meeting and the reinstatement of the November 18th City Commission
meeting. No objections were raised with the cancellation of the November 4th City Commission
Meeting.
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-10; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen,
seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 5-0.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held September 16,
2025, and the Final Budget Public Hearing held September 17, 2025. (City Clerk
Sibbitt)
2. Approval of a 30-day Extension to the Temporary Operator Agreement with SSS Down
To Earth OPCO LLC, Extending the Term from October 31, 2025, to November 30, 2025,
for Interim Operation of the Forest Lake Golf Course. (Assistant City Manager Rumer)
3. Approval to Submit an Application for the Florida Department of Health Emergency
Medical Services Grant for the Purchase of Active Shooter Equipment. (Deputy Fire
Chief Van Camp)
4. Authorization to Apply for Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Drone
Replacement Program Grant. (Deputy Fire Chief Van Camp)
5. Approval to Consider Amending Section 124-8 through Section 124-11 of the Code of
Ordinances for Smoking Prohibited in Portions of Recreational Property. (Parks and
Leisure Services Deputy Director Gaines)
6. Approval for Purchase and Upfit of Budgeted Vehicles. (Deputy Police Chief
McKinstry)
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7. Approval of Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Lease. (Police Chief Ogburn)
8. Approval of Law Enforcement ISO ClaimSearch Access Memorandum of Understanding.
(Police Chief Ogburn)
9. Approval of the Off Duty Management Sourcewell Agreement. (Police Chief Ogburn)
10. Approval to Reinstate the November 18, 2025, City Commission Meeting and Approval
to Cancel the November 4, 2025, City Commission Meeting. (Assistant City Manager
Rumer)
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None
• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING - None
• PUBLIC HEARING - None
• REGULAR AGENDA - None
Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming City Events for the months of October and
November.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:13 PM
Commissioner Kennedy – No Comments.
Commissioner Wilsen – No Comments.
Commissioner Firstner – No Comments.
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:14 PM – 7:15 PM
1) Shared that he had a great Town Hall Meeting on September 18th, which is available to
view on his website, or you may email him to request a copy.
2) Shared that he attended the Car Show, which was a great event despite being rained
out, and encouraged residents to attend next year.
3) Read an inspirational quote.
Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 7:15 PM - 7:18 PM
1) Read an email from a resident representing the Angel Tree Foundation and asked the
City Commission for their thoughts on supporting the placement of a charity tree within
the City, allowing residents to select tags and sponsor a child during the Christmas
season. Commissioner Oliver provided a summary of the Angel Tree Foundation
Program. Mayor Johnson asked the City Commission if they support having staff work
out the details regarding placement. Commissioner Kennedy expressed concern about
setting a precedent, and a brief discussion followed. Mayor Johnson concluded by
stating he would contact the resident to obtain additional information to share with staff.
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• ADJOURNMENT 7:18 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ___________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor