REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING **Location Change** (2025-09-02)

HISTORIC TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM

Denton Johnson Center 400 Ruffel St, Eatonville, FL 32751

SPECIAL NOTICE: These meeting minutes are presented in an abbreviated format intended as a public record discussion of stated meeting according to the Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine law. Meetings are opened to the public, noticed within reasonable advance notice, and transcribed into minutes for public record. \*\*Audio Recording are available through the Town's website on the Council Agenda Page.

CALL TO ORDER AND VERIFICATION OF QUORUM:

Mayor Gardner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and a quorum was established by Ms. Bellenger.

PRESENT: (5), Councilwoman Wanda Randolph, Councilman Tarus Mack, Councilman Rodney Daniels, Vice Mayor Theo Washington, Mayor Angie Gardner

STAFF: (7) Demetrius Pressley, Chief Administrator Officer, Veronica King, Town Clerk, Ryan Knight, Town Attorney, Katrina Gibson, Finance Director, Chief Stanley Murray, EPD, Valerie Mundy, Public Works, Marissa Bellenger, Records Coordinator

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Invocation through a moment of silence led by Mayor Gardner followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE the meeting agenda with AMENDMENTS; Moved by Councilwoman Randolph; Second by Councilman Daniels; AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. Amendment: Adding Resolution 2025-25 Approving partnership with MASS Mammograms After Sunday Service

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION- (4)

Kelvan Franklin (and Darius Washington) - Greetings from the Eatonville Chamber of Commerce who just recently celebrated their anniversary. Franklin encourages residents to attend upcoming Chamber of Commerce meetings and events.

Angela Thomas - Came to council to speak on the old cemetery burial grounds, for the town to give our history away to someone to build a home on-God rest your soul.

PUBLIC HEARING

Approval of First Reading of Ordinance 2025-3 Rental Homes - (Preamble Read) Mr. Pressley - Just for clarity, there are a few items that are included in the previous ordinance, originally from 2022. The legal team and I have discussed that we should hear from them \[legal\] first before we proceed forward, and then we can

Joyce Irby - Made comments on the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Pressley and commented on the construction plans for the old cemetery, inquired about who determines if a home is built, who are the contractors, who is responsible for the money, inquired about money and opportunities for residents to work on projects in the town \[developments\], would like to see qualified residents participate.

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make a decision on how we would like to move forward. This was presented by Vice Mayor Washington. Vice Mayor Washington – We brought this \[ordinance\] in 2022, some laws changed in 2023. This is something to look at for changes in this ordinance, the legal team can discuss those changes. Attorney Knight – In 2023, the state did pass a preemption that specifically covers some portions of this 2022, Florida Statue 83.425 specifically says. This section supersedes any local government regulations on matters covered under this part, including, but not limited to, the screening process used by a landlord in approving tenancies; security deposits; rental agreement applications and it goes on, one of the provisions does reference tenant screening. There are subdivisions in here that we need to look through and figure out what exactly is preemptive and what is not, the way this is written \[Ordinance 2025-3\] it its current form does need to be amended. Vice Mayor Washington – We want to make sure the residents, business owners are approved, need to crack down on some of the rental properties, landlords and

2 of 7 09022025CouncilMeetingMinutes enforcement, putting an ordinance in place is not going to solve the problem. Councilman Mack- Concerned with overstepping boundaries when requiring criminal background checks, it is their business, it is important that we educate our people, so they do not lose their property, there is more than 200 rental properties in the community and getting worse by the day, need to implement something to prevent people from losing their property, it is heartbreaking to see longtime residents lose their homes due to technicality; code enforcement need help, want to hire another code enforcement officer, it is a lot of work for one person, need to address sooner or later before it gets out of hand; in favor of tabling the ordinance due to the stipulations, against the ordinance. Town Clerk - the legal ad \[for ordinances\] is not required until the second hearing, no money has been expended. Vice Mayor Washington - We want all properties to be respectful and beautiful, the code has not been enforced, regulation as part of the ordinance will us to address many issues \[due to absentee landlords, properties not being taken care of\], when the town have to get involved, the town has to

APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE the Consent Agenda approving Town Council Meeting Minutes for August 19,2025,and Funding for the Lead Service Line Replacement Grant/Loan Agreement; moved by Councilwoman Randolph; second by Councilman Daniels AYE: ALL,MOTION PASSES.

COUNCIL DECISIONS:

Approval of Extending the Completion Date of HostDime Requirements - Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE Extending the Completion Date of HostDime Requirements; moved by Councilman Daniels, second by Councilwoman Randolph. Discussion/comments: Mr. Pressley - The item is the same layout as last meeting, had several conversations with the owner and he is on Zoom. There were questions that came up in the last meeting that he wanted to answer, this $ ^{3 rd} $ amendment brought to the board, is to take effect up to December 31, 2025, he \[owner\] is aware that he is responsible for the fines that started as of September $ ^{1 s} $ \[based on the $ ^{2 n} $ amendment\], if Council approve this item \[ $ ^{3 rd} $ amendment\], fines will still be due unless otherwise stated by the Council, fines went up from 250 to 500 in the current amendment. Councilman Mack It was discussed at the last meeting for the $ 200,000 reimbursement to be given back to in good faith (with the extension), request to

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3 of 7 09022025CouncilMeetingMinutes faced, the $200,000 was a reimbursement for infrastructure-related costs, whether the project finished in January or February of this year, or November or October, it would have no implications on the town benefiting from a tax basis perspective, Orange County property taxes are accounted for in the following years of completion of a project and will not hinder the town's inability to collect tax revenue, even with project delays, the town has collected about $400,000 in taxes, it is up to the town if they want to enforce the $250 fine, some of the issues are uncontrollable, the CAO has been aware of some of the issues, there were issues with the building code done being enforced by Universal Engineering, there were additional constraints and delays in the construction of the project. Councilman Mack states that the $200,000 reimbursement was not something that he voted, the town appreciates the business brought to the town over the years, willing to give another extension, but it is more feasible for the $200,000 to be given back. Councilman Daniels is in favor of giving HostDime an extension without asking

4 of 7 09022025CouncilMeetingMinutes taxes being paid. Mayor Gardner - Manny, trying to walk away from the $250 daily fine, it was stated in the last meeting that you had tried to get waived. Councilman Mack-\[To Mr. Vivar\] You are protecting your own interest, and we are protecting the interests of Eatonville. Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to TABLE the Approval of Extending the Completion Date of HostDime Requirements; moved by Councilman Mack. second by Councilwoman Randolph. AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES.

Approval of Resolution 2025-20 Transferring Ownership Property Owned by TOE to the CRA-504 Eaton Street - (Preamble read) Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE Resolution 2025-20; moved by Councilwoman Randolph, second by Councilman Mack. Discussion/comments: Councilman Mack - I had the opportunity to listen to all the citizens tonight and took all of their concerns seriously. I would like to look more into this item and would be in favor of tabling. （All actions RESCINDED）to approve Resolution 2025- 20; Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to TABLE Resolution 2025-20; moved by Councilman Mack, second by Councilwoman Randolph. AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES.

Approval of Resolution 2025-24 - Accepting the Resignation of the Chief Administrative Office Mayor Gardner requests that this item be tabled because the resignation letter has not been extended, \[council\] were informed that he would be resigning but no date has been offered, \[Council\] will get the letter once letter is received, no date has been tendered. (Preamble read) Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to TABLE Resolution 2025-24; moved by Councilman Mack, second by Vice Mayor Washington. AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. Discussion/comments: Mr. Pressley left the room after item #5 and returned for walk-on item #7.

Approval To Purchase Bus and Van for The Town Community Policing And Recreation Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE the Purchase Bus and Van for The Town Community Policing And Recreation; moved by Vice Mayor Washington, second by Councilman Daniels. AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES.

REPORTS:

(Walk-On) Approval of Resolution 2025-25 Approving partnership with MASS Mammograms After Sunday Service in hosting the 3D Mammography Screening Event in providing community health education and screening to the Town of Eatonville - (Preamble read) Mayor Gardner MOTIONS to APPROVE Resolution 2025-25; moved by Councilman Mack, second by Councilman Daniels. Discussion/comments: Mayor Gardner - We have been asked to partner but this event has been out for a while, why would the Town become a partner at the end of the circulation of the event? Councilwoman Randolph - this was brought \[ to council\] back in March, the insurance was provided and could not find a resolution \[was an oversight\], asked her \[Mrs. King\] to put a resolution together. Mayor Gardner - to have this event placed on our social media, there had to have had some interactions, it is a great event. (Mayor Gardner calls for question) AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES.

TOWN CLERK: Veronica King - The budget meeting tomorrow will be held at Town Hall. Also, thank you for acknowledging the Clerk's Office and hats off to Marissa, who coordinated our wonderful event for Founders' Day.

MAYOR'S REPORT - Mayor Angie Gardner - Thank you Marissa and Mrs. King-you did a great job training her. In regard to Mr. Pressley's resignation, a date was not set, as soon as the date is set, the Council 5 of 7 09022025CouncilMeetingMinutes will be notified. The important thing for me right now is to make certain that there is no time lost. We will have to advertise for the position, but in the meantime, we need someone to stand in for that position and that person will be Marlin Daniels. If you remember my relationship with Councilman Daniels, it was not pretty and we butted heads, but we did not even know each other. I believe that sometimes there are factors that affect our jobs here and walls go up between us, one of the ways to prevent or mitigate those factors is by tearing down the walls. There is a lot that Marlin Daniels can give to this town. He was raised in the town and knows the town, he knows what goes on behind closed doors, which is important, if we are going to do the job, we need to know what you are up against. I do not want to bring someone in for 6 months and they leave in 2 \[months\] because of nonsense, this also allows someone from the town to have this position, we have not allowed a local person to learn how to be the Chief Administrative Officer of Eatonville, he will be a great asset. It was not Mr

TOWN COUNCIL REPORT/DISCUSSION ITEMS -

Vice Mayor Theo Washington- I support the decision of hiring Marlin Daniels as interim CAO. Coming into the meeting tonight, I saw 15 signs on a few streets. When we talked about code enforcement, I was like: what are we doing? We must drive this community.

Councilman Tarus Mack - Thank you for everyone for coming out this evening. Condolences to anyone who has suffered a loss within the community, praying for a young man out of Sanford who is a tremendous football player at Florida State University, thoughts are with his family. Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce for celebrating their 8th anniversary, they are important to this community, and it is our duty to make sure we fulfil their needs. I would also like to congratulate the Clerk's Office. I cannot speak enough on how Mrs. Kim and Marissa are doing a tremendous job. Mrs. King has been training her, and she is doing a sensational job. Thank you for the professionalism that you bring to the community, that person we depend on, you \[Marissa are being instructed by someone that I have my trust in. Congratulations to Mrs. Bracy for winning her election a big congratulations to a young man \[Marlin Daniels\] who was actually one of my opponents in the last election, cannot think of anyone else with more integrity to fulfill the need. In retrospect, to everything that Mr. Pressley has done, it is sad\ \ ADJOURNMENT Mayor Gardner MOTIONS for Adjournment of Meeting; moved by Vice Mayor Washington; second by Councilman Mack; AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. Meeting Adjourned at 10:01pm.\ \ 6 of 7 09022025CouncilMeetingMinutes\ \ * * *\ \ Veronica L King, Town Clerk\ \ APPROVED\ Angie Gardner,\ \ Mayor