Regular City Council Meeting (2025-06-02)

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195 Christoba

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MARY ESTHER CITY COUNCIL June 2, 2025 - 6:00 PM 1 Road-North, Mary Esther, FL 32569

CITY COUNCIL PRESENT

Chris Stein, Mayor April Sutton, Councilmember Kenneth Woods, Councilmember

Bernie Oder, Mayor Pro Tem Larry Carter, Councilmember Richard Lawson, Councilmember

Jared Cobb, City Manager Hayward Dykes, City Attorney Dillon Morris, City Clerk

Kelvin Cherry, Code Compliance Officer Heather Day, Finance Director Shawn Lindsey, Public Works Director Tyler Reed, Community Development Director

OTHERS PRESENT

Chad Rewis, OSCO Captain

Jeff Wagner, OCWFD Chief

1. INVOCATION

Jeff Wagner, Fire Chief, Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District, gave the invocation.

2. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Stein at 6:02 p.m.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Stein led the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. ROLL CALL

The City Clerk called the roll as reflected above. Mayor Stein asked for a motion for Councilmember Carter to participate virtually. Councilmember Sutton initiated the motion, seconded by Councilmember Coxwell. The motion passed unanimously.

| RESULT: | PASSED(4-0) | | --- | --- | | MOVER: | Councilmember April Sutton | | SECOND: | Councilmember Susan Coxwell | | AYES: | Bernie Oder,April Sutton,Richard Lawson,Susan Coxwell | | NAYS: | None |

5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Stein asked if the council wished to make any changes to the agenda. Hearing none, Mayor Stein asked for a motion. Councilmember Sutton initiated the motion, seconded by Councilmember Lawson The motion passed unanimously.

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6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.1. Yard of the Month

City Clerk Morris presented the submissions for Yard of the Month. Councilmember Coxwell mentioned liking 152 Brewer Cir. City Manager Cobb stated the city reached out to the properties and confirmed they were interested in participating. Councilmember Coxwell made a motion to select 152 Brewer Cir. as Yard of the Month, seconded by Councilmember Sutton.

| RESULT: | PASSED(5-0) | | --- | --- | | MOVER: | Councilmember Susan Coxwell | | SECOND: | Mayor Pro Tem April Sutton | | AYES: | Larry Carter,Bernie Oder,April Sutton,Richard Lawson,Susan Coxwell | | NAYS: | None |

Mayor Stein discussed future procedures for submissions, which should include the entire front yard. City Manager Cobb stated that submissions would also be posted a week in advance. The Mayor and Council then discussed who is allowed to submit submissions, whether it should be open to residents or anyone, and whether anonymous submissions should be allowed.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

| RESULT: | PASSED(5-0) | | --- | --- | | MOVER: | Mayor Pro Tem Bernie Oder | | SECOND: | Councilmember Richard Lawson | | AYES: | Larry Carter,Bernie Oder,April Sutton,Richard Lawson,Susan Coxwell | | NAYS: | None |

7.9. Minutes of the May 5,2025, Regular Council Meeting

7.1. Financial Report

8. CITIZENS WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA

7.2. Public Works Report

8.1. John McLean, 265 Argyle Court, Requesting a Utility Bill Adjustment

7.7. Law Enforcement Report

7.4. Fire Department Report

John McLean did not attend the meeting. The Mayor and Council discussed how to address the utility bill adjustment and what had caused the high bill. Heather Day, Finance Director, provided background information on the request, including attempts to contact John McLean, the timeframe of the high water usage, a 12-month agreement, and his living situation. The

7.5. Community Development Report

* * *

Mayor and Council discussed options for addressing the problem, possible causes of the high usage, and removing the sewer from the bill. Mayor Stein asked for a motion to remove the sewer charge and leave the agreement as is for 12 months. The motion was initiated by Councilmember Lawson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Oder. Councilmember Carter said that if John McLean does not show up to sign for a couple of days, then send the sheriffs to do a wellness check. The motion passed unanimously.