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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes OCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida August 4, 2026 MINUTES 6:15 PM REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING • CALL TO ORDER 6:16 PM Mayor Johnson called the regular session to order at 6:16 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 Firstner. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and declared a quorum present. Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, and Commissioner Firstner Absent: Commissioner Oliver Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt • PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:18 PM HAPCO Jazz Fest 2027 – Joseph McMullen, HAPCO Music Foundation, presented a PowerPoint highlighting the nonprofit organization's programs, partnerships, student opportunities, and community engagement efforts. He also announced the HAPCO Jazz Fest 2027 and requested a partnership with the City of Ocoee in the amount of $25,000 to support expanded marketing, enhanced event production, and increased community engagement while maintaining free admission for residents. Mayor Johnson stated that the City is currently in the budget process and indicated that the request could be considered as part of those budget discussions. 2025 Healthy Selfie Day Proclamation read by Commissioner Wilsen and proclaimed by Mayor Johnson, and accepted by Dorcas Dillard, HUBB Community Resource Coordinator with Healthy West Orange. • STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW - None • PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:35 PM The following persons addressed the City Commission: - Nicholous Mirgoli, Ocoee Resident, commented on the Flock cameras installed throughout the community, expressing concerns that they may violate Fourth Amendment protections. He acknowledged the benefits of the cameras and voiced his support for the City's law enforcement efforts but requested that th e agreement be reviewed and that the cameras be removed. - Dr. Jim Moyer, Soil and Water Conservation District 2 Supervisor, spoke on the purpose of soil and water conservation districts and discussed measures that can be taken to promote water conservation and protect local water bodies within the community. He further announced that he is working to establish monthly office hours to assist residents in Regular City Commission August 4, 2026 2 | P a g e developing personal plans to support these efforts. He concluded by thanking the City Commission for including the approval of the office hours on the Consent Agenda. • CONSENT AGENDA 6:40 PM Motion: Move to pull item #4 for separate discussion and consideration; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy. Consent Agenda Motion Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-3 and Items #5-14 with Item #4 being pulled for separate discussion and consideration; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. 1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held July 21, 2026. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 2. Approval of New Appointment to the Code Enforcement Board. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 3. Approval of the Inspiration Planned Unit Development (PUD) Non-Substantial Amendment to PUD. (Community Development Administrator McFarlane) 4. Approval of Ocoee Pickleball Complex - Vasant Sports LLC Large-Scale Final Site Plan; Project No. LS-2026-008. (Development Services Director Lepp) Commissioner Wilsen inquired if the events hosted by the Pickleball Complex would be in the interior rooms only. Development Services Director Lepp answered in the affirmative. Motion: Move to approve Item #4 - Approval of Ocoee Pickleball Complex - Vasant Sports LLC Large-Scale Final Site Plan; Project No. LS-2026-008; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. 5. Approval of Extension of the City of Ocoee’s Banking Services Agreement with Truist Bank. (Finance Director Weber) 6. Approval to Piggyback OMNIA's Contract with Fifth Asset Inc. for the DebtBook Debt and Cash Management Software as a Service (SaaS) Platform. (Finance Director Weber) 7. Approval for Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District 2 Supervisor Jim Moyer to Use the Tom Ison Senior and Veterans Center. (Parks and Leisure Services Deputy Director Gaines) 8. Approval of Road Closure for the Ocoee High School Homecoming Parade on October 21, 2026. (Planner II Belizaire) 9. Approval of Purchase and Upfit of a Patrol Vehicle. (Police Chief Ogburn) 10. Approval of Resolution Establishing Fines for Micromobility Violations. (Police Chief Ogburn) 11. Approval to Trade in Older Rifles for Credit Towards the Purchase of New Rifles. (Police Chief Ogburn) Regular City Commission August 4, 2026 3 | P a g e 12. Approval of the One-Year Optional Renewal of the Continuing Contracts for RFP #21-005 Continuing Geotechnical Testing Services. (Procurement Manager Tolbert) 13. Approval of Award for RFP #26-008 Citywide HVAC Maintenance Term Contract. (Procurement Manager Tolbert) 14. Approval of Change Order No. 3 for ITB #24-008 Ocoee WWTF Electrical Upgrade & Expansion - Rebid Project. (Utilities Director Bolling) • FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None • SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING 6:42 PM 15. Second Reading of Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment. (Finance Director Weber) Finance Director Weber presented an overview of the Ordinance for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment and provided an explanation of the two items included as part of the amendment. City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance. The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Wilsen inquired about the final date for disbursement of ARPA Funds. Finance Director Weber addressed her question. Motion: Move to approve Ordinance 2026-15 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. 16. Second Reading of Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 of the City Code: Enforcement of Code. (Police Chief Ogburn) Police Chief Ogburn presented an overview of the Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 of the City Code related to Code Enforcement. He provided a background summary, discussed the evaluation of the current Code Enforcement Board structure, and outlined the proposed ordinance changes, including updates to applicable fines. City Attorney Geller read the title of the ordinance. The public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Kennedy provided feedback regarding the Code Enforcement Board meetings he had observed and shared his perspective on the roles and responsibilities of the Board Attorney and Board members. He expressed the opinion that members should take a more active role in their duties by applying discretion when reviewing cases, specifically with repeat offenders. Regular City Commission August 4, 2026 4 | P a g e City Attorney Geller commented that in cases involving repeat violators, the Board may proceed directly to the consideration of fines and is not required to provide additional time for compliance. Police Chief Ogburn advised that he was familiar with the case being referenced, as he has been attending the Code Enforcement Board meetings. He offered to discuss the matter with Commissioner Kennedy privately. Brief discussion ensued. Motion: Move to approve Ordinance 2026-16 Amending Chapter 7 of the City Code: Enforcement of Code; Moved by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. • PUBLIC HEARING – None • REGULAR AGENDA – None • MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 6:56 PM – 6:57 PM Mayor Johnson announced upcoming City events scheduled for August and September, as well as the dates and times for the upcoming Budget Hearings. • COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 6:57 PM Commissioner Kennedy – No further comments. Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 6:57 PM – 6:58 PM 1) Encouraged residents to attend the upcoming Budget Meetings and advised that the budget information is available on the City’s website. Commissioner Firstner – No further comments. Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 6:58 PM – 6:59 PM 1) Asked that residents review the budget and fire assessment fees to ensure they are prepared and informed when attending the upcoming meetings. City Manager Shadrix advised that City staff have been responding to resident inquiries received through the call-in number and advised that a website will be launched to provide additional clarification and resources. • ADJOURNMENT 6:59 PM APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee ______________________________ ___________________________ Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor OCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida August 5, 2026 MINUTES 6:00 PM BUDGET WORKSHOP • CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM Mayor Johnson called the workshop to order at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. 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, Finance Director Weber, Assistant Finance Director Lawitzke, Chief Accountant Meruena, and City Clerk Sibbitt • FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET OVERVIEW 6:01 PM Finance Director Weber provided a PowerPoint overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget, outlining the budget process timeline, key budget highlights, cost-saving measures, staffing comparisons, the proposed tax rate summary, gross taxable value, general fund revenues and expenditures, and the financial challenges impacting the City's budget. Commissioner Kennedy requested clarification on Slide 5 and asked that a more detailed breakdown be included if the presentation is used during the budget hearings. City Manager Shadrix shared that the City is facing unprecedented times and noted that a recent community survey identified public safety as residents' highest priority. He explained that the cost of providing public safety services has increased and outlined the City's efforts to improve transparency by more accurately reflecting those costs. He further explained that several internal departments provide support services to the Police and Fire Departments, and those associated costs have not previously been fully reflected. City Manager Shadrix mentioned the Fire Assessment Fee Public Hearing scheduled for August 18th, noting that staff will recommend setting the fire assessment fee at 45%. He also discussed the potential for credits or refunds and announced projected cost savings for most property owners under the new methodology, if Amendment 3 is not approved. He further thanked City staff for their work in preparing the budget and maintaining strong fiscal discipline. • DISCUSSION 6:15 PM Mayor Johnson opened the floor for questions from the City Commission. Commissioner Oliver shared that much of the feedback he has received from residents has centered around the loss of property tax revenue and asked the City Manager to clarify how the fire assessment discussions began last year, noting that they were not initiated as a result of the loss of revenue from the property tax amendment. City Manager Shadrix explained the growth of the Fire Department’s budget, noting that increased equipment costs are largely driven by factors outside the City’s control. He further explained the various costs associated with maintaining the Fire Department and noted that the City is competing in a market where there is limited supply to meet the demand. City Manager Shadrix advised that the City is taking a City Commission Budget Workshop August 5, 2026 2 | Page proactive approach to the fire assessment fee, which will help ensure the City is prepared and will not have to react to potential changes between now and January 1st should the proposed tax reform be passed. Commissioner Wilsen commented that the discussion is focused only on assessments imposed by the City; however, Ocoee residents also pay taxes and fees to other agencies. She noted that residents who are concerned about their overall tax bill should also contact those respective agencies. She also discussed the costs associated with Public Safety vehicles and further thanked staff for doing a great job developing the budget. Mayor Johnson thanked staff and the City Manager for maintaining the millage rate at 4.95 mills. He commented that residents have been paying the fire assessment fees for years and many did not even realize it. City Manager Shadrix explained the proposed maximum fire assessment fee which was reflected in the notice residents received. He noted that the fire assessment fee in Orange County is higher and emphasized that the City has kept its fee relatively low compared to many other jurisdictions that impose both MSTUs and fire assessments. He briefly explained the services provided by Orange County and the City and shared that his goal is to continue reducing the City’s reliance on property taxes. He emphasized that this is only the beginning and noted that the City is fortunate to be in a strong and healthy financial position. He noted that the budget includes the increased cost of reclaimed water resulting from the rate increase imposed by Orange County and commended the City Commission for not passing those costs onto the residents. Commissioner Kennedy commended staff for doing a fantastic job and further commented that many of the budget changes were not driven by property tax reform, but rather by a desire for greater transparency. He shared that the City has begun implementing a zero-based budgeting approach and expressed his interest in seeing the fire assessment fully fund the service so residents can clearly see what they are paying for and what services they are receiving. He added that he would like to see a similar model applied to other core critical service fees. Mayor Johnson thanked staff and the City Manager for all the work they did on the budget. Consensus of the City Commission was that the next Budget Workshop is not needed; therefore, the next budget meeting is the Tentative Budget Public Hearing scheduled for September 9th. • ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:41 PM. APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee ______________________________ ___________________________ Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor