City Commission - Regular Meeting

1 City Commission Regular Meeting MINUTES May 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m. City Hall Auditorium 200 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, Commissioner Willits Members Absent: Commissioner Duncan-Walker _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m. B. INVOCATION President Jonathan Pritt, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA UPDATES: None REGULAR AGENDA UPDATES: 2025-155 Structured Parking Text Amendment LD24-000114 (B) New Backup, Explanation: Requested by the Department of Sustainable Development 2025-170 Ordinance Amending Section 26-32 Relating to the Use of Traffic Infraction Detectors and Section 2-377 to Authorize the Special Magistrate to Hear Traffic Infraction Detector Contested Hearings (B) Revised Backup, Explanation: Requested by the City Attorney 2025-333 Citizens Field School Board Discussions Update (B) New Backup, Explanation: Requested by the City Manager

2 Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) D. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda. Approved On Consent 1. Approval of Minutes from the March 27th (2) and April 3, 2025 City Commission Meetings (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission approve the minutes from the March 27th (2) and April 3, 2025 meetings. Approved On Consent 2. 2025-323 Change Order #1 for Construction of Phase 1 Bus Stop Improvements (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute Change Order #1 with Blackwater Construction

3 Services LLC for Phase 1 Bus Stop Improvements, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality. Approved On Consent 3. 2025-324 National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. Youth Mentoring Program Grant (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) accept the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. Youth Mentoring Program Grant Award for Fiscal Year 2025 totaling $20,700.00 and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute any other necessary documents, subject to review by the City Attorney as to form and legality for the grant agreement. Approved On Consent 4. 2025-330 Adoption of the Hogtown Creek Watershed Master Plan (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission review and adopt the Hogtown Creek Watershed Master Plan for use in evaluating floodplain impacts. Approved On Consent 5. 2025-331 Removal from the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board for Non-Compliance with Meeting Attendance (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The Commission approve the removal of Avery Bender and Natalya Schoenwether from the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board, effective immediately. Approved On Consent

4 6. 2025-332 Appointments to the City Advisory Boards and Committees (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The Commission appoint Larissa Kulyk and Janet Ray to the City Beautification Board for a term expiring November 1, 2028. Approved On Consent 7. 2024-556 Informational Item: Upcoming City Events List (NB) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission receive the informational list. Approved On Consent 8. 2023-523 American Rescue Plan Act Quarterly Update (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission receive an update on the American Rescue Plan Act program for activity through March 31, 2025. Approved On Consent 9. 2025-341 Use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Funds for Purchase of Communication Equipment for SWAT Team (B) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture – Justice funds for the purchase of communications equipment in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Approved On Consent

5 E. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS F. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - MORNING 1. 2025-343 Increase of Local Business Tax Rates (B) Cynthia Curry, City Manager, gave an overview of the item. Russell Stiriz, spoke to the item relating to the history and need for the increase. Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission direct the City Manager or designee to work with the City Attorney to draft an ordinance increasing the local business tax rates by five percent for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2025. Motion: Approved as recommended Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) 2. 2025-336 Quarterly Housing Update (B) Corey Harris, Housing and Community Development Director, gave a presentation. Recommendation: The City Commission hear the quarterly Housing update presentation from the Department of Housing & Community Development. Heard 3. 2025-337 Gainesville Police Department FY25 Second Quarter Update (B) Cynthia Curry, City Manager, introduced the item. Nelson Moya, Police Chief, Gainesville Police Department, extended his sympathy to the family and friends of the victim of the Easter shooting who

6 recently passed away. He continued the presentation on the Gainesville Police Department FY25 Second Quarter Update. Paris Owens, Police Captain, gave a presentation on the statistics from the Gun Violence Unit. Lisa Scott, Police Lieutenant, gave a presentation on the statistics from the Operations Bureau on Houseless Outreach, Community Engagement, the Co-Responder Unit, and traffic fatalities. Shelley Postle, Police Sergeant, spoke to the response time and the safety measures employed of the Co-Responder Unit. Jaime Kurnick, Police Major, spoke to the item related to Recruiting and Hiring Statistics and the monthly officer/staff awards. Recommendation: The City Commission receive the GPD quarterly update. Heard Recess: 11:07 a.m. G. RESOLUTIONS – MORNING (Roll Call Required) 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Break H. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m. I. GAINESVILLE HISTORY MOMENT Conducted by Ms. Donna Waller. Heard J. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS K. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Melanie Barr, Bruce Frendahl

7 L. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - AFTERNOON 1. 2025-321 Downtown Parking Update (B) Deborah Leistner, Transportation Planning and Parking Manager, gave a presentation on the Downtown Parking Update. Public Comment: Lauren Miller, Mary Anderson, Linda McGurn Andrew Persons, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item related to the library lot parking. Recommendation: The City Commission direct the City Manager to: 1) continue monitoring parking operations and adjust as needed to facilitate the user experience, and 2) provide annual reports to the City Commission. Heard 2. 2025-155 Structured Parking Text Amendment LD24-000114 (B) Mayor Ward provided copies of a form letter that he received from community members organized by an organization, United for a Better Community. The letters are attached to the minutes. Ari Rabinovich, Planner I, gave a presentation on the Structured Parking Text Amendment. Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item as to it not being quasi-judicial at this time. Patrice Boyes, partner at Holtzman Vogel, gave a presentation on behalf of their client, Hillpointe on the Structured Parking Text Amendment. Forrest Eddelton, Director of Sustainable Development, spoke to the item. Nicole Neugebauer MacInnes, Associate, Sterns, Weaver, and Miller, gave a presentation on behalf of their client, Hillpointe on the Structured Parking Text Amendment. Dr. Bobby Mermer, a member of the City Plan Board, spoke to the item, in that the vote had one dissent. The City Plan Board was interested in bringing back design standards for parking, but the applicant requested a vote to deny due to the development timeline. Forest Eddleton, Director of the Department of Sustainable Development, spoke to the item related to Inclusionary Zoning data.

8 Public Comment: Dr. Bobby Mermer Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The City Commission approve Petition LD24-0010114 with modifications. Motion 1: Approve as recommended. Aye (5): Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Motion 2: Direct staff to return a proposal on design standards for parking structures outside of transect zones. Aye (5): Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) 3. 2024-344 Update on the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant by the Gainesville Housing Authority (B) Malcolm Kiner, Chief Operating Officer, introduced the item and passed out an Executive Summary and a Housing Market Analysis to the City Commission. Copies of these documents are attached to the minutes. Adam Rosa, Principal, Collabo Planning, gave a presentation on the Update on the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant by the Gainesville Housing Authority. Cynthia Curry, City Manager, spoke to the item that this would be an opportunity for the city to partner with GHA on a Streets, Stations and Strong Foundations project.

9 Recommendation: The City Commission General Policy Committee hears an update from the Gainesville Housing Authority on the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and provide feedback. Heard M. RESOLUTIONS - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) N. ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) O. ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-246 Ordinance Creating Valet Operations Regulations (B) Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item. Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance. Aye (5): Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) P. ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-170 Ordinance Amending Section 26-32 Relating to the Use of Traffic Infraction Detectors and Section 2-377 to Authorize the Special Magistrate to Hear Traffic Infraction Detector Contested Hearings (B) Karla Rodrigues Silva, Capital Projects Manager, gave a presentation on Ordinance Amending Section 26-32 Relating to the Use of Traffic Infraction Detectors and Section 2-377 to authorize the Special Magistrate to hear Traffic Infraction Detector Contested Hearings. Nancy Hallett, Police Captain, Gainesville Police Department, gave a presentation on the system logistics on how it will work, the fines that could be assessed, and the costs involved. Cynthia Curry, City Manager, spoke to the item that any funds would be isolated as the program is evaluated.

10 Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item related to the administrative intensity of the program; this is not a program that is intended to generate revenue. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance. Motion: Approve as recommended on first reading. Aye (5): Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (5 to 0) Q. COMMISSION COMMENT Mayor Pro Tempore Eastman: Mentioned the process for honorary street renaming, have staff look at it, and bring back recommendations to a future General Policy Committee meeting that give more guidelines. Commissioner Chestnut: Added to the discussion to ensure the public is notified, especially those who have gone through the current process. Commissioner Willits: Mentioned that there is an issue with Gainesville Regional Utilities deposits and referenced our City Code of Ordinances. Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item to give clarity to the issue that GRU is able to change its deposit. Recess: 4:15 p.m. 4:30 - 5:30 PM Dinner Break R. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. S. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Senior Chief Maurice Perine, NJROTC Gainesville High School

11 T. PROCLAMATIONS & SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS 1. 2025-226 Special Recognition – City Clerk, Certified Municipal Clerk (B) Recommendation: To be presented to Kristen J. Bryant. Heard 2. 2025-347 Professional Municipal Clerks Week (B) Recommendation: To be presented to Kristen Bryant. Heard 3. 2025-348 National Historic Preservation Month (B) Recommendation: To be presented to Jay Reeves. Heard 4. 2025-349 International Internal Audit Awareness Month (B) Recommendation: To be presented to Stephen Mhere and Lisa Siedzik. Heard U. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS V. RESOLUTIONS - EVENING (Roll Call Required) W. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - EVENING 1. 2025-333 Citizens Field School Board Discussions Update (B) Tina Certain, Alachua County School Board Vice-Chair, spoke to the item. Dr. Kamela Patton, Alachua County School Board Superintendent, spoke to the item. Andrew Persons, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item. Recommendation: The City Commission receive the update and provide direction as needed. Heard

12 2. 2024-603 Disposition of Former Gainesville Fire Rescue Fire Station #1 – 427 South Main Street (B) Phil Mann, Special Advisor to the City Manager, spoke to the item. Public Comment: Paula Stahmer Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: City Commission: 1. Set the reserve price for the property at $1,000,000; 2. Authorize the City Manager to list the property for sale for 45 days and take sealed bids; 3. Authorize the City Manager to move forward with the sale of the city property located at 427 South Main Street to the highest bidder and in accordance with the term sheet in the back-up. Motion: City Commission: 1. Set the reserve price for the property at $1,500,000; 2. Authorize the City Manager to list the property for sale for 45 days and take sealed bids; 3. Authorize the City Manager to move forward with the sale of the city property located at 427 South Main Street to the highest bidder and in accordance with the term sheet in the back-up. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) 3. 2025-329 Purchase of Real Property for Urban Forest Conservation (B) David Conser, City Arborist, spoke to the item. Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Property, (including all documents to effectuate a closing), with David K. Crapps, Trustee of The David K. Crapps Living Trust, for the purchase of approximately 51 acres of Tax Parcel number 08231-000-000, in the

13 amount of $1,820,000 plus any associated closing costs, subject to the approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality. Motion: Approve as recommended. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) X. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Including Planning Petitions) Y. ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required) Z. ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required) AA. ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required) AB. COMMISSION COMMENT AC. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. _________________________ Kristen J. Bryant, City Clerk