City Council Meeting

Minutes Crystal River City Council Regular Council Meeting Monday, August 26, 2024 5:30 p.m. Citrus County Welcome Center 915 N. Suncoast Blvd. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Meek called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Council members present: Mayor Joe Meek, Vice Mayor Cindi Frink, Council member Ken Brown, Council member Mindi Hastings, Council member Robert Holmes Staff present: Interim City Manager Troy Slattery, City Attorney Mac MacKay, City Clerk Mia Fink, Community Engagement Director Leslie Bollin, Finance Director Michelle Russell- Maynard, Growth Management Director Jenette Collins, Assistant Growth Management Director Carly Hanson, Interim/Assistant Public Works Director/ Project Manager Paul Wammack, Visitors Services Director Andrea Hullstrung Council member Robert Holmes led the invocation and Mayor Meek led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion to adopt the agenda as amended was made by Vice Mayor Frink; seconded by Council member Hastings. Motion carried 5-0. 3. PRESENTATIONS 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5. PUBLIC INPUT Alison Pinkston (and Board members)- Crystal River Main Street- Presented Florida Main Street Local Leader of the Year award to Mayor Meek. Anna Loughridge- Spoke against Amendment 4 and requested Council action. Mike Augh- Spoke against Amendment 4. Linda Burrows- Spoke against Amendment 4.

April Wnuk-434 W. Cobblestone Loop, Hernando- Read text from Amendment 4. Paul Laughton- Spoke against Amendment 4 and requested resolution opposing. John Labriola-Inverness, FL- Spoke against Amendment 4 and requested motion to adopt resolution opposing. Margie Eller- 5921 W. Desert Ct., Beverly Hills- Spoke against Amendment 4. John Labriola- Spoke against Amendment 4. Brian Sullivan- Spoke against Amendment 4. Joe Paff- Spoke against Amendment 4. Sharon Mcdonough- Spoke against Amendment 4. Charlie Kish- Crystal River- Discussed proposed boatlift project and related concerns (access). Larry Schenavar- Crystal River- Discussed proposed boatlift project and related concerns (access and safety). Mike Engiles- Homosassa- Discussed manatee tourism and related benefits (revenue), regional manatee health and established Manatee Distress Network. Mayor Meek addressed comments made regarding Amendment 4, directed staff to request notifications from SWFWMD and FDEP regarding permits applications with in city limits, and noted need for balance between tourism and environmental interests. Council member Brown noted previous updates received from SWFWMD regarding permit applications, addressed Amendment 4 comments and manatee tourism related comments. Vice Mayor Frink addressed comments regarding Amendment 4 and spoke in support of local manatee tourism. Council member Hastings discussed TDC-related efforts to incentivize best practices and addressed Growth Management Director Jenette Collins regarding notifications related to permit applications from outside agencies. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

A. Motion to approve minutes of the Special City Council meeting held July 30, 2024 B. Motion to approve minutes of the Budget Workshop held August 1, 2024 C. Motion to approve minutes of the City Council meeting held August 12, 2024 D. Monthly Departmental Report Summary for the month of July Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council member Holmes; seconded by Council member Hastings. Motion carried 5-0. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Conduct a Public Hearing for consideration of Resolution No. 24-R-27 to amend and add items to the City's Fee Schedule, Exhibit "B" Building Permit Fees and Exhibit "E" Visitor Services Fees Interim City Manager provided a brief overview of the item, noting potential revision to Exhibit E. Council member Brown discussed proposed fees associated with pickleball and basketball courts. Assistant Public Works Director Paul Wammack provided clarification regarding the proposed fee structure and further Council discussion was held regarding options moving forward. Public Hearing: Gail Kostelnick- Crystal River- Spoke in opposition of proposed fees associated with pickleball and basketball courts. Chris Ensing- Crystal River- Spoke in opposition of proposed fees associated with pickleball and basketball courts. Gerry Mulligan- Crystal River- Proposed additional tennis courts. Ricky Feacher- Crystal River- Spoke in opposition of proposed fees associated with pickleball and basketball courts. Joe Paff- Spoke in opposition of proposed fees associated with pickleball and basketball courts. Assistant Public Works Director Paul Wammack provided further clarification regarding the proposal and brief Council discussion was held regarding options moving forward. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-R-27 to amend and add item to the City's Fee Schedule, Exhibit "B" Building Permit Fees, and exclude proposed item Exhibit

"E" Visitor Services Fees was made by Mayor Meek; seconded by Council member Brown. Mo9tion carried 4-1 with Council member Holmes in opposition. B. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-R-26 Indian Waters, Phase I Sewer Expansion Project Annual Rate Resolution Interim City Manager Troy Slattery provided a brief overview of the item. Public Hearing: No one spoke for or against. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-R-26 Indian Waters, Phase I Sewer Expansion Project Annual Rate Resolution was made by Council member Holmes; seconded by Vice Mayor Frink. Motion carried 5-0. 8. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 9. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Mac MacKay provided an update regarding the 579 US Highway 19, LLC property and related litigation, including cancellation of pending sales contract and pursuit of foreclosure. 10. CITY MANAGER A. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-R-28 and approve the purchase of a building at 255 SE 7th Avenue, Crystal River for $1, 539,000.00 for the purpose of a temporary City Hall Mayor Meek introduced the item, noting tentative reimbursement amounts associated with Hurricane Idalia, funding strategy and potential costs associated with alternative options (rehabilitation of existing City Hall). Interim City Manager Troy Slattery discussed timeline, contractual provisions, and funding strategy, with Mr. MacKay confirming inclusion of contractual provisions protecting the City’s interest. Brief Council discussion was held regarding timeline, location and benefits of purchase. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-R-28 and approve the purchase of a building at 255 SE 7th Avenue, Crystal River for $1, 539,000.00 for the purpose of a temporary City Hall was made by Vice Mayor Frink; seconded by Council member Hastings. Motion carried 5-0. 11. CITY COUNCIL A. Discussion regarding constitutional amendments Council member Holmes introduced the item, noting the need to educate voters regarding constitutional amendments, specifically Amendment 4, and sought input regarding options moving forward.

B. Colin, Baezinger & Associates Memorandum regarding City Manager recruitment process Mayor Meek presented a memorandum (provided after the closing of the agenda deadline) regarding “City Manager Search and Next Steps” (now attached under item 11B of agenda packet). Consensus was reached to move forward with City Manager Interviews and Selection at a special meeting on September, as proposed by Colin, Baezinger & Associates. C. EPA Notifications Council member Brown discussed need to receive notifications from FDEP regarding permit applications for projects occurring within the City. 12. COUNCIL MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Mayor Meek noted opposition to Amendment 4. B. Vice Mayor Frink noted opposition to Amendment 4. C. Council member Brown thanked staff. D. Council member Holmes noted recent attendance to CCCCF meeting and successful audit results. E. Council member Hastings discussed Coastal Partnership Initiative Grant application submitted by city on behalf of SWFWMD and USFWS. 13. PUBLIC INPUT Charlie Kish- Crystal River- Offered to share FDEP contact. Joseph Happ- Spoke against Amendment 4 and related resolutions passed. Anna Loughridge- Spoke against Amendment 4. Ron Ross- Discussed manatee tour operators and manatee interactions (positive), source of issues, and potential solutions. Larry Schenavar- Crystal River- Spoke in support of manatee tourism industry, discussed related issues, and need to resolve them.

Dave Perry- Crystal River- Spoke against Amendment 4, discussed fees for pickleball courts and potential use of revenue. 14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Meek adjourned the meeting at 7:29 P.M.