HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Approval of Minutes
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
October 20, 2026 MINUTES 6:15 PM
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING
• CALL TO ORDER 6:17 PM
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. City Clerk Sibbitt called the roll and
declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, and Commissioner Oliver
Absent: Commissioner Kennedy
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, City Attorney Geller, and City Clerk Sibbitt
• PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 6:19 PM
Florida City Week Proclamation – proclaimed by Mayor Johnson.
Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day Proclamation – proclaimed by Mayor
Johnson.
• STAFF REPORTS AND AGENDA REVIEW 6:19 PM
City Manager Shadrix congratulated City staff on receiving the APA Florida 2026 Award of
Excellence for the Envision 2045 Comprehensive Plan. He recognized this as a significant
accomplishment and noted that the City saved money by utilizing its talented in-house staff to
prepare the document. He also shared that other agencies are looking at the City’s opt-out option
as a model for their own Comprehensive Plans.
City Manager Shadrix brought up B C Terry Road, stemming from concerns raised during the
previous meeting. He asked Public Works Director Krug to present options for addressing the
issues brought before the City Commission. Public Works Director Krug outlined the two
issues identified and explained that drainage could be improved by digging swales on both sides
of the road and installing ditch blocks. He also presented an option to remove the existing asphalt
and replace it with recycled asphalt material.
Commissioner Wilsen shared her hope that the proposed improvements would address some
of the concerns raised by residents. She also encouraged residents living in unincorporated
Orange County to consider annexing into the City. Mayor Johnson expressed his support for
making the proposed road repairs if the residents annex into the City. He opened the floor for
public comment, inviting residents to share their input on the topic.
Regular City Commission
October 20, 2026
2 | Page
• PUBLIC COMMENTS 6:25 PM
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- Joe Joseph, Orange County Resident, stated that he knows their homes on B C Terry
Road are within the County limits, but the actual road is within the City of Ocoee limits; he
expressed the residents’ desire to get the road re-paved. Mayor Johnson inquired if the
residents would consider annexing into the City of Ocoee and a resident stated that he did
not see the benefit. Commissioner Wilsen stated that if they annex into the City, they will
receive all City services (i.e. emergency response services, trash pickup, etc.).
Commissioner Oliver reiterated the benefits they would receive by annexing into the City.
City Manager Shadrix stated that this item will be brought to a future meeting as an agenda
item for discussion and he will direct the Planning Department staff to contact the property
owners and discuss intent to annex.
- Jeffrey Donner, Donner Law Firm, requested reconsideration of the demolition order
for 611 N. Lakewood Avenue, by asking for their rehabilitation proposal to be reviewed and
the demolition be suspended until a rehabilitation agreement can be developed. City
Manager Shadrix stated that he would like City Attorney Geller to give a brief overview
of the case, and also stated that he would like to bring this case to the next City Commission
Meeting as an agenda item.
- Erich Spivey, Property Manager of 611 N. Lakewood Ave, stated that they have been
working to bring the property into compliance and gave a summary of their efforts,
requesting that the stop work order be lifted. Commissioner Oliver inquired about the cost
to bring the property up to code and Mr. Spivey addressed his inquiry. Mayor Johnson
asked how long the home had been vacant and inquired about the square footage and Mr.
Spivey answered his questions. City Attorney Geller gave a timeline of actions on this
property up to present day. He also stated that they are well beyond the deadlines imposed
by the Code Enforcement Board and any appeal deadlines for any orders that were issued.
After much discussion, Mr. Spivey stated that he would be able to pay the full amount
owed, which is $51,352.20, as stated by the City Attorney. Mayor Johnson stated that the
item will be bought back to the City Commission at the November 3rd meeting as an agenda
item.
- Dr. Jim Moyer, Orange and Soil Conservation Seat 2 Supervisor, announced the key
dates for the upcoming election, including that early voting has started. He also briefly
discussed the importance of water conservation.
- Robert Foley, Commander of Camp 1630, expressed that Camp 1630 is looking to be
a sponsor for Wreaths Across America, where during the holiday season they would like to
place wreaths on the gravesites of at least fifty (50) veterans interred in the Ocoee
Cemetery. Mr. Foley also requested that the City declare December 19, 2026, as Wreaths
Across America Day in the City and he provided a proclamation. A consensus of the
Commission was to proclaim December 19, 2026, as Wreaths Across America Day
in the City of Ocoee and City Manager Shadrix stated that a proclamation will be bought
to the next City Commission meeting.
- Cathie Starn, Ocoee Resident, stated that she does not agree with the City repairing B
C Terry Road.
Regular City Commission
October 20, 2026
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• CONSENT AGENDA 7:15 PM
Consent Agenda Motion
Motion: Move to adopt Consent Agenda Items #1-16; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen,
seconded by Commissioner Oliver; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Kennedy
absent.
1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Commission Meeting held October 6, 2026.
(City Clerk Sibbitt)
2. Approval of Lighting Service Agreements with Duke Energy for Street Lighting. (City
Engineer Womack)
3. Approval for Demolition of Structure at 1107 Wurst Rd. (CIP Administrator Gajadhar)
4. Approval of City of Ocoee Participation in Healthy West Orange Trails Connection
(HWOTC) FY27 Cost-Sharing. (Community Development Administrator McFarlane)
5. Approval of Grant Agreement with Foundation for Healthier West Orange.
(Development Services Director Lepp)
6. Approval to Upgrade Bulldog Football Field Lights. (Parks Operations Manager Abdo)
7. Approval of FY 2026-2027 Budget Equipment Purchases. (Parks Operations Manager
Abdo)
8. Approval to Piggyback on the Orange County Master Purchase Agreement to Purchase
Police Radios. (Police Chief Ogburn)
9. Approval of Award for RFP 26-010 Holiday Lights and Decorations. (Procurement
Manager Tolbert)
10. Approval of Change Order No. 4 for ITB #24-008 Ocoee WWTF Electrical Upgrade &
Expansion - Rebid Project. (Utilities Director Bolling)
11. Approval of Change Order No. 2 for ITB #26-004 Lakewood Avenue Gravity Sewer
Expansion Project – Phase 1 & 2. (Utilities Director Bolling)
12. Approval of RedZone Robotics to Complete the First Stage of Gravity System Condition
Assessment. (Utilities Director Bolling)
13. Approval of FY 2026-2027 Budgeted Utilities Fleet Vehicles. (Utilities Director Bolling)
14. Approval of Contract with Arrow Group Consulting. (Utilities Director Bolling)
15. Approval to Purchase Lift Station 7 Pump No. 1 Replacement. (Utilities Director
Bolling)
16. Approval to Purchase Standard Lift Station Pumps Up to 25 HP. (Utilities Director
Bolling)
• FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 7:16 PM
17. First Reading of Amendment to the City of Ocoee Code of Ordinances Relating to
Chapter 87, Updating the Impact Fee Schedule. TO BE CONTINUED BY THE CITY ON
A DATE TO BE DETERMINED. (Community Development Administrator
McFarlane)
Regular City Commission
October 20, 2026
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• SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING - None
• PUBLIC HEARING 7:16 PM
18. Public Hearing and Approval of Resolution for 859 Hammocks Drive - Staples Property
Easement Vacate Request Project No. VAC-26-042. (Planner II Belizaire)
Planner Belizaire provided a summary of the easement vacate resolution request for 859
Hammocks Drive. The request is intended to allow for the installation of a new retaining wall
in a different location to replace the existing wall. Notification letters were sent to the utility
providers, and no objections to the proposed easement vacation were received.
City Attorney Geller read the title of the resolution.
The public hearing was opened.
The following persons addressed the City Commission:
- William Cordell, Ocoee Resident, shared that he had no objections to the vacate request
but had received the 300-foot notice and requested clarification regarding the proposed
vacation. Planner Belizaire addressed his concern.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Wilsen shared that she conducted a site visit and no neighbors expressed
concerns after receiving the notice. Commissioner Oliver shared that he also received phone
calls from residents expressing support and directed them to the appropriate District
Commissioner.
Motion: Move to approve Resolution 2026-15 for 859 Hammocks Drive – Staples Property
Easement Vacate Request Project No. VAC-26-042; Moved by Commissioner Wilsen,
seconded by Commissioner Firstner; Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner Kennedy
absent.
• REGULAR AGENDA – None
• MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 7:24 PM
Mayor Johnson invited the City’s Economic Consultant, Angel de la Portilla, to the podium to
share exciting news. Angel de la Portilla announced that the City of Ocoee had received
approval from Orange County Government for a $30 million grant for the Forest Lake Golf
Course and Conference Center. He explained that the grant would be distributed over a five-
year period beginning in 2028. He provided an overview of the process leading to the grant
approval and recognized resident Doug Gomber for serving on a panel and assisting the City
in securing the funding. He also highlighted the events that will be headquartered at the golf
course and explained the next steps.
Regular City Commission
October 20, 2026
5 | Page
Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming City events for the months of October and
November. He further requested that the November 17th City Commission Meeting be
canceled as more than one elected official will be out of town. Consensus of the City
Commission was to cancel the November 17th Regular City Commission Meeting.
• COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS 7:30 PM
Commissioner Firstner – Commented on the following: 7:30 PM – 7:31 PM
1) Shared that he looked forward to the dedication of the new Law Enforcement Training
Facility scheduled for tomorrow, as well as the upcoming groundbreaking of the new Fire
Station.
2) Commended the City’s progress and thanked everyone involved in securing the grant
for the Forest Lake Golf Course.
Commissioner Oliver – Commented on the following: 7:31 PM – 7:32 PM
1) Shared his excitement about the grant funding news received earlier that day and
commended staff for their efforts in securing the grant.
Commissioner Wilsen – Commented on the following: 7:32 PM – 7:33 PM
1) Reminded residents not to park their vehicles across sidewalks, as doing so obstructs
access for individuals with mobility limitations. She noted that she has received numerous
calls regarding this issue and emphasized that parking in this manner is a ticketable offense.
Mayor Johnson – Commented on the following: 7:33 PM - 7:44 PM
1) Thanked and recognized Mr. Gomber, who was in attendance, for his assistance in
securing the grant funding. City Manager Shadrix acknowledged the internal staff who
contributed to the collaborative effort to secure the grant. Angel de la Portilla then provided
a brief explanation of the tourism development tax.
2) Shared an experience he encountered at a recent event involving misinformation
regarding the salaries of elected officials.
• ADJOURNMENT 7:44 PM
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
______________________________ ___________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor