11.18.2025-Town-Council-Meeting

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 6:00 PM CT at Esto Town Hall, 3312 2nd Ave South, Esto, FL 32425

The data reflected in these proceedings constitute an extrapolation of information elicited from notes, observations, recording tapes, photographs, and/or videotape. Comments reflected herein are sometimes paraphrased, condensed, and/or have been edited to reflect essential subject matter addressed during the meeting. Parties interested in receiving a verbatim account of the proceedings are responsible for coordinating with the Esto Town Clerk and providing their own representative and equipment pursuant to Chapters 119 and 283, Florida Statutes.

Town Council Members in Attendance

| Town Council Members in Attendance | | --- | | Seat 2- Greg Wells(GW),Council President | | Seat3- Heather Huckaby(HH) | | Seat4-Joshua Davenport(JD) | | Seat5-Teresa Harrison(TH),Council Vice Preside |

Seat 5 - Teresa Harrison (TH), Council Vice President

Seat 4 - Joshua Davenport (JD)

Town Council Members Absent

Ben Tew (BT), Town Clerk Billy Martin (BM), Public Works Director Cliff Kimble (CK), EVFD Fire Chief Michelle Blankenship Jordan (MB), Town Attorney Krystal Bien (KB) Danny Powell (DP) Cody Summers (CS)

Seat 1 - Vacant (formerly Phyllis Reif)

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

GW called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM CT.

JD motioned to approve the agenda. HH seconded. All in Favor Motion Carried.

- BT presented a letter from a real estate agent unable to attend the meeting but requesting temporary activation of water service at a home listed for sale. BT noted similar requests had occurred and that the Town has no formal policy for temporary water service.The Council discussed the issue and decided not

JD motioned to approve the previous meeting minutes and bills to be paid. HH seconded. All in Favor Motion Carried.

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to create a temporary service policy. Anyone wishing to activate water service must establish a full utility account and pay the full required deposit.

Special Agenda Items

- Resignation of Council Member Reif - Seat 1 Vacancy BT reported that Council Member Phyllis Reif submitted her resignation effective October 30,2025 to care for a family member. JD motioned to accept the resignation. TH Seconded. All in Favor Motion Carried.

GW invited anyone present to express interest in filling the vacancy. Former Council Member Krystal Bien (KB) stated she would be willing to serve. HH motioned to appoint Bien to Seat 1.JD seconded, and questioned Bien regarding her previous resignation in August. BT voiced reservations. Vote: HH - Yes; JD No; TH-No. Motion Failed.

TH said the vacancy should be publicly advertised and not filled immediately. GW proposed a special election.JD motioned to hold one; HH seconded. However, MB informed the Council that Esto's charter does not authorize special elections for mid-term vacancies.The proposal was withdrawn.

The Council agreed to advertise the vacancy and request interested residents to appear at the December 16,2025 Council Meeting.

- Former Lamb's Junkyard Property - Sale or Lease Discussion - The Council continued its ongoing discussion regarding the Town-owned former Lamb's Junkyard property, currently under a sales contract with Danny Powell pending FDEP environmental review.

A Commercial Lease Agreement with Option to Purchase had been submitted by DP's representative for consideration, allowing a three-year lease (Nov 2025-Oct 2028) with rent credited toward the eventual purchase price. GW stated he was not in favor of a lease arrangement.

MB reminded the Council that if leased, the Town would owe property taxes, though DP indicated he would assume those costs. JD expressed support for a lease option. DP said a lease would allow him to begin cleanup work immediately.

MB stated she had not fully reviewed the proposed lease and identified potential concerns. DP added he did not wish to complete the sale until FDEP clarified cleanup obligations.

GW reiterated he wanted the Town to divest the property. After discussion, the Council tabled the matter until December, when another FDEP report and initial cleanup plan are expected.

Title searches for all affected parcels

A survey of the area

Abandonment by ordinance only

Payment by the applicant of all advertising and preparation costs

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Property owner Cody Summers (CS) discussed how his parcel was subject to a 2020 abandonment attempt that MB stated had been incomplete, even though the county property appraiser accepted the Town's 2020 quitclaim deed. BT asked whether the Town should redo the abandonment correctly; MB said yes. DP said a survey already exists from the earlier process. CS offered to provide his more recent survey.

The Council will revisit adoption of a formal abandonment policy and proceed with a corrected abandonment of the Town's interest in the unopened roads/alleys on the Sherrer and Summers parcels.

- CDBG Grant-RFQs for Grant Administration & Engineering-BT reported that SERCAP is assisting the Town in complying with Florida Commerce requirements for selecting a grant administrator and project engineer for the newly awarded CDBG water line/park improvements grant. RFQs will be advertised on November 26,with responses due December 15,and Council evaluation and selection at the December 16 meeting.JD motioned to approve the RFQ advertisement and timeline.TH seconded.All in Favor Motion Carried.

Fire Department Report

- September Update - Chief CK reported 5 motor vehicle accidents,4 wood/brush fires,3 structure fires, 3 storm damage calls,7 medical calls,1 hazmat response,1 landing zone, using 1,100 gallons of water used in October.

Public Works Report

- Public Works issues discussed:

A beaver problem persists in the John Clark Park pond.