General Policy Committee

1 General Policy Committee Meeting MINUTES October 23, 2025, 1:00 p.m. City Hall Auditorium 200 East University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, Commissioner Willits Members Absent: Commissioner Duncan-Walker _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m. B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Motion: The General Policy Committee adopt the agenda moving 2025-723 Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project to first on the agenda. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0)

2 C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. Approval of Minutes from the October 9, 2025 General Policy Committee Meeting (B) Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The General Policy Committee approve the minutes from the October 9, 2025 meeting. Motion: Approve as recommended. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) D. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-723 Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project (B) Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, introduced the item. John Wachtel, Neighborhood Planning Coordinator, gave a presentation on the Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project. Mary Lou Hildreth, Chair, SHIP-Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, gave a presentation on the board's recommendations. Public Comment: Alex Kiss Moved by Commissioner James Ingle Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Recommendation: The General Policy Committee: 1) hear a presentation from staff and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; 2) approve funding the Hope @ Debra Heights Affordable Rental Housing Project in the form of a loan in the amount of $460,000.00 with a 5% annual interest rate with a balloon payment at the maturity of the first mortgage, and a 30- year amortization period; and 3) authorize the City Manager or designee

3 to execute any documents necessary to such funding, subject to City Attorney approval as to form and legality. Motion: Approve as recommended. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) 2. 2025-771 Discuss City Manager Recruitment (NB) Laura Graetz, Human Resource Director, gave a presentation on the City Manager Recruitment process. Public Comment: Donald Shepherd Item will return to the City Commission in March 2026. Recommendation: The General Policy Committee discuss City Manager recruitment considerations. Heard 3. 2025-662 GRACE Marketplace Property Discussion (B) Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, gave an overview of the item. John Thomas, Grace Marketplace, spoke to the item related to the property having liability insurance, but not property insurance; as well as grants and funding; 36% of $5.1 million is the city's portion of Grace Marketplace's budget. Public Comment: Donald Shepherd, Kenney Gaines Moved by Commissioner Chestnut Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Recommendation: The General Policy Committee discuss and provide staff direction.

4 Motion: Direct staff to bring back a resolution for the transfer of the property. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) 4. 2025-848 Solid Waste Division Update (B) Jarod LLoyd, Operations Division Manager, gave a presentation on the Solid Waste Division Update. Public Comment: Kevin Smith (GFL), Bill Brinkley (Republic Services), Levin Gaston (Gaston Tree Service, Recycling), Donald Shepherd, Matt Buszco, Richard Devereaux (O Town Compost), Maryvonne Devensky (Sierra Club), Janice Gary, Aahan Tacthcer, Jenny Gavilanez-Slone Brian Singleton, Acting Chief Operating Officer - Governmental Operations, spoke to the item related to the costs reported from haulers. Recommendation 1: The General Policy Committee directs City Manager to: 1) sunset the Curbside Food Waste Collection Pilot Program effective December 31, 2025; and 2) research and return with options to address staff concerns related to construction and demolition haulers. Recommendation 2: The General Policy Committee direct the City Attorney to work with the City Manager to advertise an ordinance to: 1) eliminate multi-family food waste collection requirements; 2) eliminate front of house food waste collection requirements; 3) permit pharmacies to have options other than containers for drug collection; 4) add mandatory reporting requirements of violations for haulers; and 5) require haulers to provide collection container types and sizes. Recommendation 3: The General Policy Committee 1) hear feedback from haulers regarding the commercial franchise fee restructuring; and 2) provide feedback or direction to Staff regarding commercial franchise fee restructuring. Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut

5 Motion 1: Direct City Manager to sunset the curbside food waste collection pilot program effective Dec 31, 2025. Aye (4): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Nay (2): Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, and Commissioner James Ingle Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (4 to 2) Moved by Commissioner Book Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Motion 2: Direct the City Manager to 1. Have staff develop an ITN and/or RFP for a food waste collection program, evaluate, & bring back recommendations to the City Commission, 2. Consider other aspects of a food waste program that may be practical and cost effective such as but not limited to collection centers, opt in programs, and enforcement mechanisms, 3. Research and return with options to address staff concerns related to construction and demolition haulers. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0)

6 Moved by Commissioner James Ingle Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Motion 3: Direct the City Attorney to work with the City Manager to advertise an ordinance to: 1) permit pharmacies to have options other than containers for drug collection; 2) add mandatory reporting requirements of violations for haulers; 3) require haulers to provide collection container types and sizes, and 4) Move forward with commercial franchise fee restructuring, and brokering licenses. Aye (6): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, Mayor Ward, and Commissioner Willits Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Approved (6 to 0) Moved by Commissioner Willits Seconded by Commissioner Chestnut Motion 4: Direct staff to postpone the multi-family food waste collection until the City Commission receives the results from the invitation to negotiate. Aye (3): Commissioner Book, Commissioner Chestnut, and Commissioner Willits Nay (3): Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner James Ingle, and Mayor Ward Absent (1): Commissioner Duncan-Walker Failed (3 to 3) Moved by Commissioner James Ingle Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman Motion 5: Direct staff to begin enforcement after January 1, 2026. Withdrawn

7 E. MEMBER COMMENT Commissioner Willits: Would like to revisit the Santa Fe license agreement at a future City Commission meeting. Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, spoke to the comment related license agreements versus rights-of-way. Commissioner Chestnut: Echoed Commissioner Willits' comments; Mentioned the community sponsored forum on the ballot initiative on October 28, 2025; Mentioned to have a staff presentation on the new legislation “Yes, in God’s Backyard”, which is a tool for affordable housing. Commissioner Eastman: Echoed Commissioner Willits' comments; Mentioned the Special Election on November 4, 2025 and there is early voting starting October 31, 2025; and mentioned Fest occurring next weekend. Brian Singleton, Acting Chief Operating Officer - Governmental Operations, spoke to the comment related to the Santa Fe license Agreement includes improvements to pedestrian rights-of-way. Mayor Ward: Requested the Santa Fe License Agreement be added the next City Commission regular meeting agenda. F. NEXT MEETING DATE - November 13, 2025 G. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. _________________________ Kristen J. Bryant, JD, CMC City Clerk