HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-2026 MinutesOCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1"N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
May 19, 2026 MINUTES 6:15 PM
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
-CALL TO ORDER 6 :`i 7 FFI
Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:17 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 Oliver. Deputy City Clerk Parks called the roll
and declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver
Absent: Commissioner Kennedy
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, Deputy City Clerk Parks
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS : 0 DMI
Presentation of John Land Years of Service Award to Mayor Johnson by Florida League of
Cities
Eryn Alcorn, Member Services Coordinator with Florida League of Cities, presented Mayor
Johnson with the John Land Years of Service Award and proclamation. Mayor Johnson
accepted the award and shared his gratitude and love for the City of Ocoee with the audience.
National Public Works Week Proclamation — read by Commissioner Wilsen and proclaimed
by Mayor Johnson.
Forest Lake Golf Course Update. (Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson)
Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson gave an update on the Forest Lake Golf
Course, highlighting upcoming improvements, golf operations, aerification, maintenance, food
and beverage services, and financials. Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson also
acknowledged key golf course staff members that were present.
Mayor Johnson gave kudos to the staff members, stating they are doing a great job.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:40 PM
City Manager Shadrix asked City Attorney Geller to give an update regarding the Ocoee
Gateway vs. City of Ocoee lawsuit. City Attorney Geller gave a litigation update and requested
a motion and approval authorizing the law firm Fishback Dominick to consider, evaluate, and if
deemed appropriate, bring a counterclaim to enforce the development agreement governing the
property.
Regular City Commission
May 19, 2026
Commissioner Oliver inquired about the mention of a Senate Bill 180 claim and whether it had
been ratified; City Attorney Geller addressed his inquiry.
Motion: Move to approve and authorize the law firm Fishback Dominick to consider,
evaluate, and if deemed appropriate, bring a counterclaim to enforce the development
agreement governing the property; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by
Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Kennedy absent.
-PUBLIC COMMENTS 6: 4 ffJ
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Jim Moyer, Water and Soil Conservation District 2 Supervisor, gave a presentation on
water conservation and challenged everyone to practice conserving water.
- Norine Dworkin, Editor in Chief of Vox Populi, announced and explained the Vox Populi
Spring into Summer Fundraiser and encouraged residents to donate.
-CONSENT AGENDA 6.4 PI1
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-12; Moved by Commissioner Firstner,
seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Kennedy
absent.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held May 5, 2026. (City
Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval of Reappointments to the Human Relations Diversity Board (HRDB). (Deputy
City Clerk Parks)
3. Approval of a Resolution Supporting U.S. Senate Bill 4505. (Assistant City Manager
Rumer)
4. Approval of the Utility Easement Agreement for 720 N. Lakewood Ave. (Development
Engineer Keaton)
5. Notification of Name Change and Request to Move Forward with Piggyback Contract with
UES Professional Solutions, LLC f/k/a Universal Engineering Sciences, LLC.
(Development Services Director Lepp)
6. Approval of Ratification of the Ocoee Professional Firefighters Union, I.A.F.F. Local 3623
Collective Bargaining Agreement with the City. (Human Resources Director Wilson)
7. Approval of Ratification of Police Officers and Sergeants Collective Bargaining
Agreement, Article 16: Wages. (Human Resources Director Wilson)
8. Approval of a 6-month Extension to the Temporary Operator Agreement with SSS Down
To Earth OPCO LLC, Extending the Term from June 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026, for
Interim Operation of the Forest Lake Golf Course. (Parks and Leisure Director
Johnson)
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Regular City Commission
May 19, 2026
9. Approval of Contract for the 2026 Ocoee Music Festival Entertainment. (Parks and
Leisure Services Director Johnson)
10. Approval of FDLE Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement S.A.F.E. Initiative.
(Police Chief Ogburn)
11. Approval of Declaration of Additional City Surplus Property. (Procurement Manager
Tolbert)
12. Approval of the One (1) Year Optional Renewal of the existing Continuing Contracts for
RFQ #21-004 Continuing Contracts for Utilities Engineering Services. (Procurement
Manager Tolbert)
At 6:50 PM, Mayor Johnson handed the gavel to Commissioner Firstner and excused
himself for the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner Firstner continued presiding over the
meeting as Mayor Pro Tem.
-FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE
13. First Reading of Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid -Year Budget Amendment.
(Finance Director Weber)
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 June 2,
2026, at 6:15 PM or soon thereafter.
-SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE — None
• PUBLIC HEARING
14. Approval of Resolution for Vacation of 5-ft Utility Easements on Lots 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, 36,
37, and 48 of the Magnolia Reserve Townhome Subdivision; Project No. VAC-26-
041. (Concurrency & Commitment Coordinator McFarlane)
Concurrency & Commitment Coordinator McFarlane gave a brief presentation on the
requested easement vacation, stating that the townhome subdivision is located in District 1, and
the request is relative to the side yards of the eight lots.
The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.
City Attorney Geller read the title of the resolution.
Motion: Move to approve Resolution 2026-03 for Vacation of 5-ft Utility Easements on
Lots 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, 36, 37, and 48 of the Magnolia Reserve Townhome Subdivision;
Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 3-0
with Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Kennedy absent.
Regular City Commission
May 19, 2026
•REGULAR AGENDA
15. Discussion of Reappointment/Appointment of Members of the Planning and Zoning
Commission. (Development Services Director Lepp and Deputy City Clerk Parks)
Development Services Director Lepp stated that this item is for discussion and appointment
of members to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He explained the current vacancies and
the expiring terms of seats that need to be filled.
Motion: Move to appoint Kelton Butler and Joel Keller as regular members of the
Planning and Zoning Commission to complete their first initial three-year terms, and to
appoint Johnmichael Fernandez as an alternate member, with a term expiring in June
2029; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion
carried 3-0 with Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Kennedy absent.
16. Discussion of Reappointment/Appointment of Regular Members and Alternate Members
to the Code Enforcement Board. (Deputy City Clerk Parks)
Deputy City Clerk Parks stated that this item is for discussion and appointment of members
to the Code Enforcement Board. She explained the current vacancies and the expiring terms
of seats that need to be filled.
Motion: Move to reappoint Warren Lewis as a regular member to the Code Enforcement
Board to serve a full three-year term, to appoint Roderick Wilson as a regular member to
fill a vacant unexpired term ending in June 2027, and to appoint Annette Brown as
regular member to serve a full three-year term on the Code Enforcement Board; Moved
by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 3-0 with
Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Kennedy absent.
17. Discussion and Direction for Funding Emergency Medical Services with a Dedicated
EMS Enterprise Fund. (Deputy Fire Chief Van Camp)
City Manager Shadrix gave a brief explanation of this item in relation to upcoming tax reforms.
Deputy Fire Chief Van Camp gave a presentation on the proposal of funding Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) with a dedicated EMS enterprise fund highlighting the operational
alignment opportunities, division structure, enterprise framework (financial benefits and cost
allocations). Fire Chief Smothers highlighted the operational benefits of the proposal. He also
stated that the Fire Department recommends the City Commission authorize the establishment
of an Enterprise Fund to support the EMS Division, approve the hiring of twelve (12) full-time
single-cert paramedics and up to six (6) part-time single-cert paramedics to support staffing and
overtime coverage as needed, and approve the reassignment of personnel to staff the fourth
engine, including the reclassification of three (3) positions to Engineer and three (3) positions
to Lieutenant.
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Regular City Commission
May 19, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Firstner asked if the fund will allow surplus funds from one budget year to roll
over to the next budget year and City Manager Shadrix responded in the affirmative. Mayor
Pro Tem Firstner asked if any other cities have established this type of fund and Fire Chief
Smothers stated that it is fairly new, but highlighted that the City of Orlando, along with others,
have an established fund. Deputy Chief Van Camp clarified that while departments such as
Orlando are utilizing the operational model, they are seeing the enterprise fund framework more
through departments in South Florida. Mayor Pro Tem Firstner asked how long it would take
to transition, and Fire Chief Smothers addressed his question.
Commissioner Oliver asked if during the transition period, this fund would have the ability to
hire subcontractors to fill the void until fully staffed and Fire Chief Smothers stated that the
best benefit would be to take an aggressive approach toward securing permanent staffing. City
Manager Shadrix mentioned that he has explored private providers; however, this proposed
model provides faster, more efficient response times.
Mayor Pro Tem Firstner asked if this proposal will affect ISO rating. Fire Chief Smothers
stated yes and explained that after approximately nine months of data is pulled, a new
evaluation can be requested and the rating restored.
Motion: Move to Bring Back an Ordinance to Establish an EMS Enterprise Fund to
include the EMS Division and Enterprise Fund in the Proposed FY 2026-2027 Budget;
Moved by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wilsen; Motion carried 3-0
with Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Kennedy absent.
18. Presentation on the City of Ocoee Fire Services Assessment Fee Program to Include a
Revised Methodology and Set June 16th, 2026, as the Hearing Date to Adopt the Initial
Assessment Resolution for FY 26-27. (Assistant City Manager Rumer)
Assistant City Manager Rumer gave a presentation on the Fire Services Assessment Fee
Program, to include a revised Methodology. He highlighted that this methodology is a flat fee
rate that would increase revenue and lessen the burden on single-family homes. He stated that
the request for this evening is for the Commission to allow staff to return with a resolution to
review the demand -availability model and to consider his recommendation for the assessment
rate.
Commissioner Wilsen expressed her understanding of having to pay for services.
Commissioner Oliver asked how many years this methodology would sustain the City and
Assistant City Manager Rumer addressed his question.
Motion: Move to Authorize Staff to Update the City's Existing Fire Services Special
Assessment Program and set June 16, 2026, as the Hearing Date to Adopt the Initial
Assessment Resolution; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner
Oliver; Motion carried 3-0 with Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Kennedy absent.
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and encouraged residents to participate by completing the survey online. He also announced
that the Aquatic Center is now open and highlighted several upcoming City events scheduled
for May, June, and July.
Commissioner Oliver — Commented on the following- 8-18 PM 8-19 PM
1) Reiterated the importance of understanding tax reform.
2) Read an inspirational quote.
Victoria
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