City Commission Meeting

1 CITY COMMISSION MEETING HAINES CITY, FLORIDA MINUTES April 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Hall Commission Chambers 620 E. Main Street, Haines City, FL 33844 Phone: 863-421-9921 Web: hainescity.com Present: Commissioner, Anne Huffman Commissoner Morris West Vice-Mayor, Omar Arroyo Commissioner, Vernel Smith Commissioner, Kim Downing Staff in Attendance: City Manager, James Elensky City Attorney, Fred Reilly City Clerk, Sharon Lauther Erica Sanchez _____________________________________________________________________

2 1. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the City Commission Meeting to order at 7:13 PM on April 3, 2025 in the City Commission Chambers, located at 620 E Main Street, Haines City, FL. 2. INVOCATION Bishop Anderson led the invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the pledge of allegiance. 4. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS 4.a Child Abuse Prevention Month Tracy Deel, Community Engagement Specialist, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Heartland for Children 4.b Autism Awareness Proclamation City Clerk Lauther read the proclamation into the record. The following schools were recognized as having students with the autism spectrum disorder: Kids Academy Special Education, run by Iris Padilla; ABA Academy run by Joseph Burgos & Maritza Trinidad; Puzzle's Love Autism Foundation, run by Iris Janet Arvelo; and Esther's School, run by Yeleni Barrueta. Teachers, Principal, and educators expressed gratitude and thanks for the acknowledgement. On the 1st Saturday in April, a run will honor the awareness. Mayor Arroyo thanked everyone who attended and asked for continued advocacy. Mayor Arroyo would like to have a resolution at the next meeting to honor the walk that will occur on the 1st Saturday in April. Vice-Mayor West thanked the mayor for advocating autism awareness in Tallahassee. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Approve consent as a whole. 5.a Commission Meeting and Workshop Meeting Minutes-March 20, 2025 City Clerk Lauther advised the Commission that the incorrect minutes were attached for review. At this time Commissioner West made the motion to remove item 5a from the Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Smith. All voted yes. Motion carried unanimously.

3 The rest of the consent agenda was voted on 5.b Cemetery Deeds Moved by Kim Downing Seconded by Vernel Smith Carried Unanimously 6. NEW BUSINESS At this time Item 6c was heard. Omar DeJesus presented the resolution authorizing a loan agreement for Trinity Village. 6.a Ordinance No. 25-2098 – Large Scale Land Use Amendment for RWS Ranch Access Property – State Submittal April Brown, Planning Manager introduced Ordinance No. 25-2098 to request approval for a large-scale land use amendment for the RWS Ranch Access Property. This is 1.1 acres. Large Scale Land Use Amendment (LUPA) by adopting and reclassifying the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan. Discussion took place. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West opened the public hearing. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Downing introduced Ordinance No. 25-2098. Attorney Reilly read the ordinance into the record. Moved by Vernel Smith Seconded by Kim Downing Staff requests the City Commission to authorize staff to forward for approval and authorization, the proposed land use amendment to the State for Ordinance No. 25-2098 regarding a Large-Scale Land Use Amendment for RWS Ranch Property from County Residential Low 4 (RL- 4) to City Medium Density Residential (MDR-NR). Carried Unanimously 6.b Resolution No. 25-1858 - Amendment No. 3 to Grant Agreement I0126 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Omar DeJesus, CPA, Finance Director, presented Amendment No. 3 to Grant Agreement I-0126 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator. Discussion

4 took place. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner opened the public hearing. No one came forward, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Huffman introduced Resolution No. 25-1858. Attorney Reilly the resolution into the record. Moved by Kim Downing Seconded by Anne Huffman Staff recommends the City Commission approve Amendment No. 3 to Grant Agreement I0126 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator. Carried Unanimously 6.c Resolution No. 25-1860 Authorize Local Government Area of Opportunity (LGAO) Loan Term Commitment Letter and Loan Authorization for Trinity Village, Ltd. (Heard earlier on the agenda) Omar DeJesus, Finance Director, CPA presented resolution No. 25-1860. This resolution is for the local government are of opportunity loan term commitment and loan authorization for Trinity Village, LTD. Discussion took place. Commissioner Downing inquired about a groundbreaking for this property, advertising to Haines City residents. Bishop Anderson stated that advertising will be done for Haines City first and also will have to follow the applicable laws to ensure a fair practice has been done. A total of 102 units will be for this project. A groundbreaking is tentative for mid-June. Mayor Arroyo opened the public hearing. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. At this time Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West introduced resolution No. 25-1860. Attorney Reilly read the resolution into the record. Roll call vote was taken: Commissioner Downing- yea Commissioner Smith- yea Mayor Arroyo- yea Vice-Mayor West-yea Commissioner Huffman-yea Moved by Morris West Seconded by Kim Downing Staff recommends a 2% interest rate for the Local Government Area of Opportunity loan commitment to Trinity Village. While prior similar

5 projects have typically secured loans with lower interest rates—including many at 0%—this recommendation reflects the current higher interest rate environment and seeks to balance affordability with responsible fiscal stewardship. The developer has expressed satisfaction with the proposed terms, and the 2% rate ensures the City maintains flexibility for future funding opportunities while still supporting the creation of low- cost housing. Carried Unanimously 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS - REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Sharon Garrett- off of Carl Boozer Road- complimented the Commission on how nice they all looked in honor of Autism Awareness Month Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West introduced Miss Polk County and thanked her for attending our meeting. Miss Polk County stated she was porud to be in attendance to support the proclamation that was read to proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. 8. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Elensky gave a report of the new businesses that have come to the City since 2022. A total of 55 new businesses along with nine (9) that are confidential and pending. Due to numerous meetings with the CEO's of new businesses and the travel necessary, there are times that he is unable to make ribbon cuttings at times. James Keene, recently appointed to Deputy City Manager and introduced publicly. City Manager will be taking a vacation and will be off next week. Loyd Stewart and James Keene will be available for any needs that may arise. 9. CITY CLERK'S REPORT City Clerk Lauther announced the run-off election to be held on April 29, 2025 from 7A- 7PM 10. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT None. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Huffman- stated that City Manager Elensky's has done a lot since he has been the City Manager. Congratulations to James Keene on his promotion.

6 Commissioner Smith- gave an update on the TPO meeting that he attended. The next meeting will be on Monday, April 21, 2025 @ 6 PM-7:30 PM at the Tom Fellows Community Center. This meeting is vital to transportation and the road work Commissioner Downing-Wanted to know about certain items that was going to be on the agenda. An inquiry about when there was a vote about shortening the meetings. Commissioner Downing is waiting on information that was requested months ago and still has not received an answer or updates. Commissioner Downing wanted to know about the responsibilities of the CRA consultant as he is now involved in Parks and Recreation and there is a current Director for that department. Commissioner Downing is not happy with how the CRA Department is being run. Beer and Garden was awarded over $17,000 and in November. The building has since been sold, and the process needs to start to get the funds back as the owner is breach of the contract. CM Elensky stated that at the staff level that things that have been approved during the budget process will not be put on the agenda again. City Manager stated that if the CRA Board is not happy with the consultant, then advertising for the position and interviews can be conducted by the Board. Omar DeJesus, Finance Director can be in charge of the hiring process. Commissioner Huffman stated that it takes a while to fix problems. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West- A CRA Manager is needed. More discussion can take place at the Special Meeting. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner wants to see a more proactive approach to the policing in the Oakland area. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West states that he will remain neutral during the election process. Vice-Mayor/Commissioner West does not want his name being dragged through the election process in a negative manner as he is not running. Mayor Arroyo- thanks to the City Clerk about the T-shirts. City Clerk Lauther stated that Deputy City Clerk Sanchez came up with the idea. The officials will continue to push for the Sun-Rail. Reminder of the 5K run to honor Autism. 12. ADJOURNMENT Without any further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 PM. Roy Tyler, Mayor Sharon Lauther, MMC, City Clerk