City Commission - Regular Meeting

1 City Commission Regular Meeting MINUTES September 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. City Hall Auditorium 200 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, Commissioner Willits _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m. B. INVOCATION To be presented by Dr. Marie Herring, Dayspring Baptist Church. C. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Move 2025-662 Request to Adopt a Resolution Declaring City Owned Parcels as Surplus for Conveyance to GRACE Marketplace for Operation of a Continuum of Care Facility (B), to the October 23, 2025, General Policy Committee meeting. Public Comment: Anthony Gray, 2025-698 Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda.

2 Aye (7): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan- Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Approved (7 to 0) D. CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Motion: The City Commission adopt the modified regular and consent agenda. Aye (7): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan- Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Approved On Consent (7 to 0) 1. Approval of Minutes from the August 21, 2025 City Commission Meeting (B) Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission approve the minutes from the August 21, 2025 meeting. Approved On Consent 2. 2025-647 State-Funded HM-3B Grant Award (B) Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or their designee to accept the award for funding not to exceed $55,000.00 and to enter into the grant agreement and to execute necessary documents subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality. Approved On Consent

3 3. 2024-556 Informational Item: Upcoming City Events List (NB) Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission receive the informational list. Approved On Consent 4. 2025-698 Age-Based Fare-Free Service Agreement with Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (B) Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Age-based Fare-Free Service Agreement with Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality. Approved On Consent 5. 2025-703 ICMA Economic Special Assistants Program Subaward Agreement (B) Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Duncan-Walker Recommendation: The City Commission approve the subaward agreement from ICMA. Approved On Consent E. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS F. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - MORNING 1. 2025-658 Interim City Manager (NB) Zeriah Folston, Equal Opportunity Director, spoke to the item and the choice of Andrew Persons as Interim City Manager. Stephen Mhere, City Auditor, spoke to the item.

4 Andrew Persons, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item, accepting the appointment as Interim City Manager. Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission discuss the Interim City Manager. Motion: Authorize the Mayor to negotiate an employment contract with Andrew Persons for the position of Interim City Manager. Aye (7): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Approved (7 to 0) 2. 2025-660 Gainesville Fire Rescue Quarterly Update (B) Shawn Hillhouse, Fire Chief, gave a presentation on the Gainesville Fire Rescue Quarterly Update. Brandace Stone, Director of Community Health Initiatives, gave a presentation on Community Health Happenings. Brittany Coleman, Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager, gave a presentation on Impact GNV Activities. Recommendation: The City Commission hear a presentation from Gainesville Fire Rescue. Heard Recess: 11:24 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 To be presented by Ms. Donna Waller.

5 J. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Public Comment: Jim Konish, 2025-690, Kali Blount, 2025-315 K. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Jim Konish, Kali Blount L. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - AFTERNOON 1. 2025-663 Presentation by Wild Spaces & Public Places on the Thelma A. Boltin Center Project (B) Elizabeth Waite, Wild Spaces Public Places Director, gave a presentation on the Thelma A. Boltin Center Project. Brian Singleton, Special Advisor for Infrastructure, spoke to the item related to a needs study that was done in the 1990s. Leslie Ladendorf, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, spoke to the item related to available state grants. Roxana Gonzalez, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, spoke to the item related to being able to program the space if renovated. The current Wild Spaces Public Places project list spreadsheet with budgets and remaining balances was handed out to the commission and is attached to the minutes. Public Comment: Paula Stahmer, Karl Jasinski, Anthony Ackrill, Melanie Barr, Diane Bellamy, Kathleen Watson Pagan, Miha Kim, Susan Powers, Kim Tanzer, Matthew Hurst, Elizabeth Hurst, Robert Mounts, Pam Lahiff Melanie Barr spoke to the item related to the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Thelma Bolton Center group, and stated they had $20,000. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Seconded by Commissioner Willits Recommendation: The City Commission authorizes the City Manager to proceed with Option #5 – Building Demolition and Floodplain Restoration or proceed with Option #3 - Partial Restoration: Restore the auditorium, Demolish the multipurpose wing, and Construct a new support wing. Motion: Adopt the staff recommendation and allocate the remaining funds toward reimagining the site as a trailhead along the

6 Sweetwater Trail Loop system, connecting Depot Park, the Matheson History Museum, Tom Petty Park, and the 6th Street Trail. The reimagined site should honor the historic and cultural legacy of the location and Thelma Boltin’s contributions, incorporating the folk art tradition she spent her career elevating, the site's World War II history, along with usable outdoor community space, stormwater improvements to reduce flooding in the neighborhood, and a community garden element to promote sustainability, education, and neighborhood connection. Staff should partner with local artists, cultural organizations, neighborhood groups, and the Historic Preservation Board in a community engagement process to create a unique public space that reflects community identity and supports local needs. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Nay (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 1) Recess: 3:47 p.m. Reconvene: 3:57 p.m. 2. 2024-315 Community Meetings with Notice Text Change LD23-000160 (B) Nathaniel Chan, Planner III, gave a presentation on the Community Meetings with Notice Text Change LD23-000160. Jennifer Smart, Communications and Marketing Director, spoke to the item related to incorporating notices in city emails and other media. Peggy Carr, Gainesville Voices United, Applicant, gave a presentation on Added LDC Definitions and Enhanced Public Notice. Kim Tanzer, Applicant, gave a presentation on Enhanced Public Participation. Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item.

7 Forrest Eddleton, Director of Sustainable Development, spoke to the item. Public Comment: JC Derrick, Peggy Carr, Kim Tanzer, Moksha Now Andrew Persons, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item related to email and website notifications being added to the Land Development Code. Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The City Commission approve Petition LD23-000160 with modifications. Motion: 1) Revise the provided definitions for legislative decision and quasi-judicial decision per the Office of the City Attorney’s preferred definitions; 2) Revise the newspaper ad requirement per the Office of the City Attorney’s preferred language for codification into the Land Development Code; 3) Staff will research policy and procedures related to incorporating community meetings, website, and email options; 4) Remove community meetings from codification into the Land Development Code; and 5) Separate from this approval, the Planning Division can initiate process changes for improving the City’s website, email notification, newsletter notification, and more neighborhood partnerships to hear direct concerns from neighbors. Aye (7): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Approved (7 to 0) M. RESOLUTIONS - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) N. ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) O. ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-233 Land Development Code Amendment – Libraries and Daycares in SF Zoning (B) Nathaniel Chan, Planner III, spoke to the item. Public Comment: Moksha Now

8 Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance. Motion: Aye (7): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Approved (7 to 0) Recess: 5:40 p.m. P. ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required) Q. COMMISSION COMMENT 5:40 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Dinner Break R. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:15 p.m. Commissioner Eastman did not return from recess. S. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE To be presented by Gainesville High School NJROTC. T. PROCLAMATIONS & SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS 1. 2025-661 City of Gainesville Awarded Gold LEED for Cities Certification (NB) Sarit Sela, City Architect, spoke to the item. Public Comment: Moksha Now Recommendation: The City Commission receive the presentation and celebrate this achievement as a milestone in Gainesville’s sustainability journey. Heard U. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

9 V. RESOLUTIONS - EVENING (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-690 Fifth Budget Amendment to the FY 2025 General Government Financial and Operating Plan Budget (B) Susan Boyd, Budget Analyst Senior, gave an overview of the item. Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Commissioner Book Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed resolution. Motion: Approve as recommended. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Approved (6 to 0) W. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - EVENING 1. 2025-662 Request to Adopt a Resolution Declaring City Owned Parcels as Surplus for Conveyance to GRACE Marketplace for Operation of a Continuum of Care Facility (B) Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) adopt the Resolution declaring Tax Parcel # 08197-009-000 and a portion of Tax Parcel # 08197-011-000 as Surplus Property Not Designated for Affordable Housing; 2) authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the Special Warranty Deed to GRACE and direct the City Manager, or designee, to execute all other appropriate documents to dispose of the property per the City's Real Property Policy, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality. Referred to the General Policy Committee to be heard at the October 23, 2025, meeting. No Action Taken X. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Including Planning Petitions) Y. ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required)

10 Z. ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required) AA. ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required) AB. COMMISSION COMMENT AC. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. _________________________ Kristen J. Bryant, JD, CMC, City Clerk