City Commission - Regular Meeting

1 City Commission Regular Meeting MINUTES February 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. City Hall Auditorium 200 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, Mayor Pro Tempore Willits Members Absent: Commissioner James Ingle _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 10:01 a.m. B. INVOCATION Invocation given by Bishop Christopher Stokes, The New Beginning Christian Worship Center, Inc. C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda. Aye (5): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Chestnut, and Commissioner James Ingle Approved (5 to 0) 2 D. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda. Aye (5): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits Absent (2): Commissioner Chestnut, and Commissioner James Ingle Approved (5 to 0) 1. Approval of Minutes from the January 15, 2026 City Commission Meeting (B) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission approve the January 15, 2026 minutes. Approved 2. 2024-556 Informational Item: Upcoming City Events List (NB) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission receive the informational list. Approved 3 3. 2026-65 Resignations from the City of Gainesville’s Advisory Boards and Committees (B) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission accept the resignation of Harold Monk and Nikolas Hill effective immediately. Approved 4. 2026-66 RTS 2026 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Annual Safety Certification and Adoption (B) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) review and adopt the City of Gainesville Regional Transit System 2026 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Annual Safety Certification and Adoption. Approved 5. 2026-74 Appointments to the City of Gainesville’s Advisory Boards and Committees (B) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission appoint: - Jason Leagle to the Police Advisory Committee for a term ending, January 21, 2030. Approved 4 6. 2026-86 Policy C-4 Compensation to Employees for Hours Worked During Incident Response (B) Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission approve revisions to Human Resources Policy C-4. Approved E. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS F. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - MORNING 1. 2026-84 Gainesville Police Department Quarterly Update (B) Nelson Moya, Police Chief, gave a presentation on the Gainesville Police Department Quarterly Update. Commissioner Chestnut joined the meeting at 10:06 a.m. Nancy Hallett, Police Captain, gave a presentation on the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Jamie Kurnick, Police Major, gave a presentation on the Operations Bureau Proactive Efforts. Lynne Valdes, Police Sergeant, gave a presentation on Traffic Education and Enforcement. Joseph Castor, Police Sergeant, gave a presentation on Hiring Statistics. Recommendation: The City Commission receive the quarterly update. Heard Recess: 11:08 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. 5 I. GAINESVILLE HISTORY MOMENT To be presented by Mangyne Vivian Filer J. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS K. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT La'Tasha Mann, Rena Demps, Andres Molina, Kelsae L. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - AFTERNOON 1. 2025-356 Advisory Board and Committee Report (B) Carol Velasques, Cultural Affairs Manager, introduced the item. Oaklianna Caraballo, Chair - Gainesville Art In Public Places Trust Advisory Board, gave a presentation of their annual report. Bring GAPPT issue to a future General Policy Committee. Recommendation: The City Commission hear a presentation and take action deemed necessary. Heard 2. 2026-85 Gainesville Fire Rescue Quarterly Update (B) Joseph Hillhouse, Fire Chief, gave a presentation on the Gainesville Fire Rescue Quarterly Update. Brian Singleton, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item related to updates on the new Fire Stations 3 and 9. Brandace Stone, Director of Community Health Initiatives, gave a presentation on the Community Health Division. Brittany Coleman, Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager, gave a presentation on ImpactGNV. Recommendation: The City Commission hear a presentation from Gainesville Fire Rescue. Heard M. RESOLUTIONS - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) N. ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) 6 O. ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) 1. 2024-315 Land Development Code Amendment Public Notice and Definitions (B) Dan Nee, City Attorney, gave an overview of the item. Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance. Motion: Approve as recommended on second reading. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits Absent (1): Commissioner James Ingle Approved (6 to 0) P. ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) Q. COMMISSION COMMENT Commissioner Chestnut: 1) Gave a recap on the Comprehensive Plan Townhall and thanked staff and the community, 2) Mentioned that cold weather last week affected the homeless and are supported by Grace Marketplace and St. Francis, and would like to see the revitalization of the Interfaith Council that could help, 3) Mentioned Government Affairs and Community Relations Director, John Alexander, asked for blanket donations and received a good response, 4) mentioned the 16 parcels in Heartwood, and 5) mentioned lack of guidelines for scooters and Airbnb's, would like to discuss this at a future General Policy Committee, and 6) Mentioned that Singapore use hotspots to know where to place parks and would like that explored locally. Mayor Pro Tem Willits: 1) Mentioned that UF graduate Erin Jackson, will be a flag bearer at Olympics, and 2) Mentioned Mr. Molina's public comment regarding the apartment complex violating parking, lights, trash compactor noise, and discussed issues with development encroachment on neighborhoods. Commissioner Eastman: Mentioned a potential Charter Amendment regarding vacancies on the City Commission. 7 Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the amendment proposal, giving the history and process. Commissioner Book: Raised the question of commission vacancies as to what other municipalities are doing; and mentioned the University of Florida (UF) Strategic Plan as it relates to transit and housing and would like to invite UF to a future General Policy Committee meeting in the summer to discuss. Mayor Ward: Gave a recap of the US Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, and the meetings he held with federal legislators. Moved by Commissioner Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Motion: Direct the City Attorney to review the City Charter to determine if a referendum should be called to make filling temporary vacancies on the City Commission by appointment by the City Commission. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan- Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Mayor Ward, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits Absent (1): Commissioner James Ingle Approved (6 to 0) R. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 2:56 p.m. _________________________ Kristen J. Bryant, JD, CMC City Clerk