The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01 Approval of Minutes1 | Page OCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida March 3, 2026 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 a Boy Scout Member. Deputy City Clerk Parks called the roll and declared a quorum present. Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, Deputy City Clerk Parks • PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:18 PM Black History Month Essay Contest Winners – Community Event Specialist Ochoa recognized the first-place winners and the overall winner from the participating schools, and the overall winner read their essay. She also expressed her appreciation to Dr. Sandria Foster and Chick-fil-A for their award donations. • STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW - 6:33 PM City Manager Shadrix announced that the City received its Water and Sewer Bonding Capacity rating from Fitch, which remains strong at AAA. He also provided an update on the sidewalk replacement program, as requested by Commissioner Oliver, outlining the areas that have been completed and those scheduled to begin. The program commenced in January. • PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:34 PM The following persons addressed the City Commission: - Bishop Mary Barnes, Deeper Life Assembly Church, requested a partnership from the City on a community event hosted by the church and gave a brief overview of the event and its mission. - Dr. Jim Moyer, Orange County Water and Soil Conservation District 2 Supervisor, announced that he is hosting a Stake Lake cleanup on Saturday, March 7th. He went on to discuss climate change and its impact on daily living. - Norine Dworkin, Editor in Chief of VoxPopuli, announced a $500 journalism scholarship for high school seniors and gave information on the scholarship and how to apply. - Dakara Merthie, Ocoee High School Student, announced that the Ocoee High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team has advanced to the State Championship. They requested a donation of $2,000 from the City Commission. Commissioner Firstner offered $2,000 from his discretionary funds. Page 7 of 812 Regular City Commission March 3, 2026 2 | Page - Joseph Bandur, Ocoee Resident and Code Enforcement Board Chair, commented on the February 3rd meeting and addressed what he described as misconceptions presented to the City Commission. He requested an opportunity to meet with the City Manager or the City Commission prior to a decision being made at the second reading of the ordinance concerning the Code Enforcement Board. City Manager Shadrix encouraged Mr. Bandur to contact Assistant City Manager Rumer to share his concerns and advised that the information would be provided to the City Commission. He also briefly expressed concerns regarding the letter sent to the Code Enforcement Board members, noting that the letter did not violate any statutes or the City Charter. Mayor Johnson explained what was voted on by the Commission and welcomed Mr. Bandur to speak at the public hearing. • CONSENT AGENDA 6:57 PM Consent Agenda Motion Motion: Move to adopt the Consent Agenda Items #1-6; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 5-0. 1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held February 17, 2026. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 2. Approval to Appoint the Mayor Pro Tem. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 3. Approval of a New Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB). (City Clerk Sibbitt) 4. Approval of Replacement Vehicle Purchase Request. (Police Chief Ogburn) 5. Approval to Award Invitation to Bid (ITB) #26-003 City of Ocoee Downtown Septic to Sewer Connections Project. (Procurement Manager Tolbert) 6. Approval of Motor Replacement in Fire Department Engine 26. (Public Works Deputy Director Rigwood) • FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 7:00 PM 7. First Reading of an Ordinance providing for an Amendment to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances related to the Ocoee Code Enforcement Board and Special Magistrate Ordinance. (Police Chief Ogburn) City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance, and it was announced this will be presented as a second reading and public hearing at the City Commission meeting scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 6:15 PM or soon thereafter. • SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING – None • PUBLIC HEARING – None Page 8 of 812 Regular City Commission March 3, 2026 3 | Page • REGULAR AGENDA 7:01 PM 8. Approval of Commission Liaisons to Various Boards. (City Clerk Sibbitt) Deputy City Clerk Parks explained that this is the annual selection of the liaisons for the City advisory boards. Each commissioner expressed their desire to keep the current liaisons as follows: * Required by * Required by Organization ** Required by Code or Bylaws *** Not required by Code or Bylaws Motion: Move to keep all advisory board liaisons the same and appoint Commissioner Firstner as the Alternate Member to the MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC); Moved by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Kennedy thanked the City Clerk for providing the board summary and by- laws requested at the previous meeting. He also encouraged the liaisons to ensure their respective board chairs emphasize and remain focused on their board’s intended mission. • MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 7:05 PM Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming City events in the month of March. • COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:05 PM Commissioner Kennedy – Commented on the following: 7:05 PM – 7:08 PM 1) Informed Mr. Bandur that a private group meeting with the City Commission cannot be held; however, individual meetings with Commissioners are permissible. He also stated that he would be happy to schedule a conference call with him to share his perspective. 2) Asked if the timer size on the screen could be reduced as it tends to cover a portion of the presentation. Parks and Recreation Board *** Commissioner Wilsen Citizens Advisory Board for the Police Dept. *** Commissioner Kennedy Citizens Advisory Board for the Fire Dept. *** Commissioner Firstner Human Relations Diversity Board ** Mayor Johnson Personnel Board ** Mayor Johnson Tri-County League of Cities * Commissioner Wilsen W.O. Chamber of Commerce * City Manager Shadrix Education Incentive Board ** Commissioner Oliver MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) * Commissioner Kennedy. Alternate member Commissioner Firstner. Page 9 of 812 Regular City Commission March 3, 2026 4 | Page 3) Shared that he attended the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) gala event and was pleased to see that most members of the Citizen Advisory Council for the Police Department (CACOPD) were in attendance, noting that they have supported this event each year. He expressed that their presence allowed them to hear firsthand the mission and testimonials of police survivors, which aligns with their continued support of the event. Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 7:08 PM – 7:10 PM 1) Announced the Shred-It event date, time and location. 2) Commented on instances where yard waste is not collected when piles exceed the permitted amount and inquired about what proactive measures can be taken to prevent this from becoming an issue. City Manager Shadrix addressed her concern. Commissioner Firstner – No further comments Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:10 PM – 7:13 PM 1) Stated that he is pleased the sidewalk project is underway and encouraged residents to remain patient as the work progresses. 2) Announced that he had dialogue with Mr. Warren Lewis regarding the Code Enforcement Board and shared his thoughts. 3) Read an inspirational quote. Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 7:13 PM – 7:16 PM 1) Stated that he contacted Mr. Lewis, but did not receive a call back. 2) Shared that he also attended the COPS gala event and noted that hearing the stories from the survivors and their families was truly heartbreaking. He further commended the Ocoee Honor Guard for doing an outstanding job. 3) Mentioned the need for additional speed bumps throughout the City, specifically highlighting Orange Avenue as an area that requires them. 4) Noted that the roundabout on Lakewood Avenue continues to deteriorate and emphasized that it needs to be repaired. 5) Briefly shared an encounter with an Ocoee resident who still had an Orlando zip code, highlighting the importance of the City’s efforts to address and correct this issue. • ADJOURNMENT 7:16 PM APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee ______________________________ ___________________________ Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor Page 10 of 812 1 | Page OCOEE CITY COMMISSION City Hall Antechambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida March 19, 2026 MINUTES 6:00 PM SPECIAL SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION MEETING • CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM Mayor Johnson called the special session to order at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Recording Clerk Justice called the roll. Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Oliver Absent: Commissioner Firstner Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorneys Langley and Geller, Attorney Greene, and Recording Clerk Justice City Attorney Langley provided instructions regarding this meeting. In accordance with those instructions, Mayor Johnson announced that the public portion of the meeting was closed and that the attorney-client closed-door session would begin in the antechambers. After the closed session, Mayor Johnson reopened the Special Meeting of the City Commission and announced that the closed attorney-client session had terminated. The time was 7:02 PM. Mayor Johnson asked City Attorney Langley if there was any business he would like to discuss relating to the pending Ocoee Gateway LLC litigation. City Attorney Langley responded that he did not. • ADJOURNMENT 7:04 PM APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee ______________________________ ___________________________ Miranda Justice, Recording Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor Page 11 of 812