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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes OCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 1 N. Bluford Avenue Ocoee, Florida August 18, 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 Kennedy. 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 - None • STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW - None • PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:17 PM Mayor Johnson read the civility code and announced the time frame allowed for public comments and for public hearings. The following persons addressed the City Commission: - Chris Adkins, Ocoee Resident, commented on his reasons for closely following the City’s budget, discussed the implementation of the fire assessment fee, and asked about the process for reviewing the City Manager. • CONSENT AGENDA 6:23 PM Consent Agenda Motion Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-8; 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 August 4,2026, and the Budget Workshop held August 5, 2026. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 2. Approval to Ratify Appointment of the Fifth Trustee to the General Employees’ Pension Board. (City Clerk Sibbitt) 3. Approval of the Certification of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for Stormwater Inclusion on the Orange County Tax Roll for FY 2026/2027. (City Engineer Womack) 4. Approval of Clear Village Inc. Agreement for Software Support and Maintenance. Regular City Commission August 18, 2026 2 | Page (Development Services Director Lepp) 5. Approval of the Utility Easement Agreement for 501 Franklin Land Trust (Ocoee Village Project). (Development Engineer Keaton) 6. Approval of Educational Affiliation Agreement with Orlando Medical Institute. (Deputy Fire Chief Van Camp) 7. Approval of Award for RFP #26-007 Landscaping, Landscape Maintenance and Mowing Services. (Procurement Manager Tolbert) 8. Approval of the Certification of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for Solid Waste Inclusion on the Orange County Tax Roll for FY 2026/2027. (Public Works Director Krug) • FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE - None • SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING - None • PUBLIC HEARING 6:24 PM 9. Public Hearing to Adopt the Annual Code Enforcement Abatement Assessment Resolution to Certify FY 2027 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Tax Roll for Abatement Cost Recovery. (Police Chief Ogburn) Police Chief Ogburn briefed the City Commission on the collection of abatement costs utilizing the special assessment process. He announced there is a total of $3,833.16 which can be applied to the FY 2027 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Tax Roll for abatement cost recovery. City Attorney Geller read the title of the resolution. The public hearing was opened. The following persons addressed the City Commission: - Ms. Thomas (first name inaudible), Ocoee Resident, inquired if the property is auctioned when it has a lien placed on it. Police Chief Ogburn addressed her question. The public hearing was closed. Motion: Move to approve Resolution 2026-12 adopting the Annual Code Enforcement Abatement Assessment Resolution to Certify FY 2027 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Tax Roll for Abatement Cost Recovery; Moved by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. 10. Public Hearing for Adoption of the Amended and Restated Final Resolution Pertaining to Fire Protection Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. (Assistant City Manager Rumer) Assistant City Manager Rumer provided a background summary of the Fire Assessment Regular City Commission August 18, 2026 3 | Page Services Program and the resolution proposing the final fire assessment. His presentation included an overview of the proposed FY27 fire assessment percentage and the maximum funding level of 70%, as outlined in the mailers. He also clarified comments regarding the sidewalk and road paving programs, the Forest Lake Golf Course and downtown projects, and the methodology used to calculate the assessment. He concluded by stating that the request before the Commission was to approve the resolution establishing a maximum funding level of 70% of the five-year average assessable Fire Budget, resulting in a maximum allowable residential fee of $597.16, and setting the FY27 assessment at 45% of the five-year average assessable Fire Budget, resulting in a flat residential rate of $383.90. City Attorney Geller read the title of the resolution. The public hearing was opened. The following Ocoee residents spoke in opposition of the fire assessment resolution: - Jacob Garber, Ocoee Resident - Fanny LeMorvan, Ocoee Resident - Joe Bandur, Ocoee Resident - Jacqueline Lewis, Ocoee Resident - Romeo Paquette, Ocoee Resident - Betty Haas, Ocoee Resident - Mark Mazza, Ocoee Resident - Mark Brisson, Ocoee Resident - Jonathan Lee, Ocoee Resident - Glenda Jackson, Ocoee Resident - Vincenza Curry, Ocoee Resident - Bobby Haas, Ocoee Resident - Frank Cavalli, Ocoee Resident - Cathy Sills, Ocoee Resident - Nicole Shelley, Ocoee Resident - John Thompson, Ocoee Resident - Gary Boyer, Ocoee Resident - Barbara Blair, Ocoee Resident - Tim Swope, Ocoee Resident - Maribel Vazquez, Ocoee Resident - Valeri DuCharme, Ocoee Resident - Dwayne Lewis, Ocoee Resident - Yolanda Bedoya, Ocoee Resident - Claudia Ausley, Ocoee Resident - Imarmil Sollet, Ocoee Resident - Cristina Carter, Ocoee Resident The public hearing was closed. City Manager Shadrix shared that the methodology had been legally vetted by attorney Heather Encinosa with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson and that they stand by their recommendation. He Regular City Commission August 18, 2026 4 | Page further explained the increasing costs associated with providing fire services and how the five- year average used to calculate the proposed fees was determined. He noted that fire personnel salaries account for 86% of the assessable fire budget and emphasized that the City has an excellent Fire Department. He also discussed the benefits of maintaining a City-operated Fire Department and explained that salary rates in Orange County and the City of Orlando are driving the market to unprecedented levels, creating a highly competitive environment for the City to attract and retain qualified firefighters. He explained that consolidating the Fire Department with Orange County would still result in an increased cost to Ocoee residents, as the County charges a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) for fire services. He further outlined the services provided by Orange County that Ocoee residents currently contribute toward. He noted that reductions had been made to the proposed budget and that internal forensic audits had been conducted to make the budget more transparent. He clarified that the proposed assessment represents a maximum of $597.16, while the recommended residential rate for FY27 is $383.90. He explained that, depending on the outcome in November, the matter may need to be revisited. At the Commission’s direction, he can report back at mid-year with an update on revenues collected, projected revenues and, depending on the outcome, consider providing credits to property owners. Mayor Johnson inquired about the average fire assessment cost for residents in FY 2026. Assistant City Manager Rumer addressed his question. Commissioner Kennedy announced that he would address the public comment during his Commissioner’s Comments, as it did not pertain to the fire assessment public hearing. He further stated that public participation is important and is how the process is intended to work. He shared that in 2013, he was not an elected official but attended numerous meetings as a resident and ultimately decided to run for office after becoming dissatisfied with his Commissioner. He noted that residents had the opportunity to voice their concerns during the May and June meetings, when the decision was made to implement the demand and availability methodology. He further explained the purpose of the maximum assessment and why it is necessary. He also discussed the public audit and the cleanup efforts implemented for water collection under the direction of the current City Manager. He concluded by addressing several comments made by residents during the public hearing, as well as concerns raised in a letter he received from a veteran regarding the financial hardship caused by the fire assessment. Commissioner Wilsen commented that she agreed with resident Ms. Sollet that residents should voice their concerns to the County regarding how the fees they pay are being allocated. She shared her personal expenses for services provided by both the County and the City and explained that, while the costs are comparable, she can clearly see the services and benefits she receives from the City. She concluded by addressing several comments made by residents during the public hearing. Mayor Johnson addressed the comment regarding the zip code change for Rose Hill from Orlando to Ocoee. Commissioner Firstner shared that, over the past 15 years, the Ocoee Fire Department has worked diligently to achieve national accreditation, which they successfully attained. He shared that Ocoee has some of the highest-quality Fire, Police, and EMS services that can be provided. Regular City Commission August 18, 2026 5 | Page Mayor Johnson commented on the water collection and cleanup efforts mentioned by Commissioner Kennedy. He also inquired about the average cost of providing services through the General Fund, which City Manager Shadrix addressed. He further shared that, over the past 11 years, the City has not increased the millage rate and has instead lowered it to 4.95 mills. He concluded by responding to several comments raised by residents during the public hearing. Mayor Johnson allowed another 2 minutes for additional public comments on the fire assessment resolution. The following persons addressed the City Commission: - Jacob Garber, Ocoee Resident, inquired why fire revenue is increasing by $4.7 million if public safety spending has decreased by $1.8 million. City Manager Shadrix addressed his question. - Imarmil Sollet, Ocoee Resident, asked about the services provided by Orange County to Ocoee residents in exchange for the $15 million paid by the City residents. She further inquired how much the City could save by changing the garbage fees and eliminating recycling services. City Manager Shadrix addressed her questions. - Name not provided, Ocoee Resident, inquired whether the City owns any land that could be utilized for future residential development as an incentive for an employee compensation package. Assistant City Manager Rumer addressed his question. - Chris Adkins, Ocoee Resident, commented on non-ad valorem fees, the percentage of municipalities that utilize them, and the assistance received through ad valorem versus non- ad valorem fees. He concluded by stating that the lack of completed projects is hindering the City from receiving the tax revenue needed. Mayor Johnson addressed his concerns. - Scott Graber, Ocoee Resident, commented that he respects the City’s first responders and believes they are underpaid, which contributes to them leaving smaller cities for larger municipalities. He shared that he does not mind paying more for these services, as he considers them essential. Motion: Move to approve Resolution 2026-13 adopting the Amended and Restated Final Assessment Resolution for the FY 26-27 Fire Protection Assessments using the Demand and Availability method for assessing a Fire Service Assessment Program, establishing the maximum Fire Service Assessment Rates equal to 70% of the five-year average assessable Fire Budget, and setting the FY 2026-27 Fire Protection Assessment rates to cover 45 % of the five-year average assessable Fire Budget; and further, direct staff to come back at mid-year with an assessment of the City’s revenue valuations, provide a report detailing how the assessment revenues will be utilized by the Fire Department, and present recommendations based on the City’s financial position at that time; Moved by Commissioner Firstner, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Oliver absent. • REGULAR AGENDA – None Regular City Commission August 18, 2026 6 | Page • MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 9:03 PM Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming budget hearings and City Events for the months of August and September. • COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 9:04 PM Commissioner Firstner – No further Comments. Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 9:04 PM – 9:09 PM 1) Commented on the zip code issue and shared that the City is closer than ever to resolving it. Mayor Johnson commented on the process for the zip code change and shared it has been close to 16 years that they have worked on getting a resolution. Commissioner Kennedy – Commented on the following: 9:09 PM – 9:12 PM 1) Addressed the public comment made by resident Chris Adkins regarding the City Manager and the fire assessment fee increases since 2013. Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 9:12 PM – 9:16 PM 1) Asked how many residents contacted Tallahassee regarding the proposed tax reform changes. 2) Commented on the City Manager’s contract and addressed concerns raised on social media regarding his residency. • ADJOURNMENT 9:16 PM APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee ______________________________ ___________________________ Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor