City Council Meeting

Minutes Crystal River City Council Regular Council Meeting Monday, February 26th, 2024 5:30 p.m. Citrus County Welcome Center 915 N. Suncoast Blvd. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Meek called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Council members present: Mayor Meek, Vice Mayor Cindi Frink, Council member Ken Brown, Council member Ken Frink, Council member Robert Holmes Staff present: Interim City Manager Troy Slattery, City Attorney James Hartley, City Clerk Mia Fink, Community Engagement Director Leslie Bollin, Human Resources Director Mary Helprin, Finance Director Michelle Russell, Growth Management Director Jenette Collins, Growth Management Assistant Director Carly Hanson, Visitors Services Director Andrea Hullstrung Council member Robert Holmes led the invocation and Mayor Meek led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion to adopt the agenda made by Council member K. Frink; seconded by Council member Brown. Motion carried 5-0. 3. PRESENTATIONS A. Engineer’s Week Proclamation Mayor Meek presented the proclamation to Alan Garri and Savannah Kirwan of Kimely Horn and Alan Garri discussed the theme “Welcome to the Future” and facilitation of the “Math Counts” Competition, in which 8 areas schools participated. B. Presentation by Stringfellow Planning & Design of the Draft Community Development Code (Form Based Code) as a public workshop to receive public comment Alex Stringfellow and Simon Hardt of Stringfellow and Associates made the presentation and addressed Council questions and comments regarding tree preservation, replacement of commercial waterfront zoning with Urban Center 2 and related vesting. Building height, waterfront setbacks and front porches were also discussed, as well as flood venting and consistency with Florida Building Code and rear parking waiver option. Council discussion regarding marinas (needing more detail), residential stormwater, variance approval process and

docks. Mr. Stringfellow also addressed questions regarding front and side setbacks, and discussion was held regarding tree preservation incentives. Public Input: Terry Thompson- Crystal River- Discussed rear commercial access, waivers, towers, density and porch requirement. Chris Ensing- Crystal River- Discussed porch requirement and alternatives, density and inquired about rear access. Mindi Hastings- Discussed tree preservation, density and roadway capacity. David Lighty- Discussed property values, mixed use zoning, affordable housing and environmental impacts. Gerry Mulligan- Discussed overall project impact and building height. Bo Braccio- Discussed removal of marina section. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion and consensus regarding recruitment options and motion to approve a compensation adjustment for Interim City Manager Human Resources Director Mary Helprin presented potential recruitment options and Finance Director Michelle Russell-Maynard confirmed funding availability (reallocation from Assistant City Manager position). Council member Brown discussed preference to handle recruitment internally. Council member K. Frink discussed the benefits of recruitment firm. Mayor Meek noted forward momentum under Interim City Manager. Council member Holmes and Vice Mayor Frink discussed the benefits of a recruitment firm. Consensus was reached by Council for staff to move forward with procurement of a recruitment firm. Council discussion was then held regarding compensation adjustment for Interim City Manager, noting minimum paygrade amount of $120,000, and staff recommendation of $110,000, at Mr. Slattery’s suggestion. Council also suggested inclusion of vehicle allowance. Motion to increase Mr. Slattery’s pay rate to an annual amount of $110,000, retroactively, beginning January 22, 2024, and inclusion of vehicle allowance was made by Council member ken Brown; seconded by Council member K. Frink. Motion carried 5-0. 5. PUBLIC INPUT Bo Braccio- Crystal River- Discussed City Manager recruitment and need to expedite process, noting issues to be addressed and benefits of local knowledge. David Lighty- Discussed City Manager recruitment, and selection of Mr. Slattery. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

A. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held February 12, 2024 B. Monthly Departmental Report summary for the month of January C. Motion to approve the setting of two Special City Council meetings to be held September 4, 2024 at 5:01 p.m. and September 25, 2024 at 5:01 p.m. to accommodate the two Public Hearings related to the FY 2025 Budget adoption Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council member Brown; seconded by Vice Mayor C. Frink. Motion carried 5-0. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Consideration of Ordinance 24-O-01 (Application No. PZT23-0005) for an amendment of the Land Development Code for the prohibition of medical marijuana dispensing facilities on Final Reading Mayor Meek introduced the item and City Clerk Fink read the Ordinance by title only. Staff Presentation: Ms. Collins presented the staff report. Public Hearing: Logan Opsahl- Lowndes Law- Representing INSA- 215 N. Eola Drive- Discussed previous request for Zoning Verification Letter, closing on property selected for INSA facility, subsequent moratorium and proposed legislation. Charles Stone- 5415 Allaway Street- INSA District Manager (Florida)- Discussed the organization, business model, product quality, etc. and addressed Council questions regarding delivery options and existing locations. Council Discussion: City Attorney Hartley addressed questions regarding exceptions, city ability to regulate Medical Marijuana Dispensing Facilities, and zoning. Council discussion was held regarding benefits of adoption. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 24-O-01 (Application No. PZT23-0005) for an amendment of the Land Development Code for the prohibition of medical marijuana dispensing facilities on Final Reading was made by Council member Holmes; seconded by Council member K. Frink. Motion carried 5-0. 8. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 9. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Hartley provided an update regarding 579 US Hwy 19, LLC property, providing a status update on the filing of foreclosure suit and noting emergency status of the order. He also addressed questions regarding city ability to enter property, with Council member K. Frink noting benefits of chosen route taken to address the blighted structure.

10. CITY MANAGER A. Motion to approve two Task Orders with AtkinsRealis for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs and the FEMA Public Assistance Program. Mr. Slattery presented the item, discussing funding categories, expenses eligible for reimbursement and recent Town Hall meeting. Motion to approve two Task Orders with AtkinsRealis for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs and the FEMA Public Assistance Program was made by Council member K. Frink; seconded by Council member C. Frink. Motion carried 5-0. B. Motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the amendment to the Emergency Agreement between the City of Crystal River and E.P. Consultants, Inc. Mr. Slattery presented the item. Mr. Slattery presented the item, noting expiration of original agreement and need for Council ratification of 180 day extension by deadline (02/27/24) for reimbursement purposes. Motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the amendment to the Emergency Agreement between the City of Crystal River and E.P. Consultants, Inc. was made by Vice Mayor C. Frink; seconded by Council member Brown. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. Slattery also provided an update regarding the HMGP program, discussing cost shares, application process, extension of deadline (03/01/2024) and upcoming webinar scheduled for 02/27/24. 11. CITY COUNCIL 12. COUNCIL MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Mayor Meek B. Vice Mayor C. Frink C. Council Member Brown discussed issues on the water related to paddlecraft rentals and manatee tours and related enforcement options. D. Council member K. Frink discussed city representation on the Manatee Best Practices Working Group, Army Corps permit approval for creation of Kings Bay channel, and parking issues related to the Three Sisters Springs Visitors Center. Council discussion was held regarding potential solutions, trolley utilization and strategies to stimulate local economy. Council discussion was also held regarding the Arborist position and consensus was reached for staff to eliminate the position. E. Council Member Holmes

13. PUBLIC INPUT 14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Meek adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.