Minutes_02-03-2026

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 – 6:30 P.M. PIERSON TOWN CENTER 1. Call meeting to order1 2 Mayor Gray Leonhard called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. and asked Town Clerk Yvonne3 Braddock to take the roll call.4 5 2. Roll call6 7 PRESENT:8 Mayor Gray Leonhard9 Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund10 Councilmember Jimmy Anderson11 Councilmember Linnie Richardson12 Councilmember Brandy Peterson13 Deputy Clerk Ryan Smith and the Volusia County Sheriff were also in attendance.14 15 3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance16 17 Councilmember Linnie Richardson gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of18 Allegiance.19 20 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mayor Gray Leonhard21 22 23 a. Regular Meeting Minutes February 3, 202624 25 Mayor Gray Leonhard read the title and asked if there were any additions or deletions, if not he26 would entertain a motion for approval.27 28 Council Member Linnie Richardson made a motion to approve the above listed minutes as29 written; seconded by Council Member Jimmy Anderson. All agreed, motion carries.30 31 5. NEW BUSINESS32 33 a. Skip McCall GFL Environmental Solid Waste Removal Town of Pierson – Deputy34 Clerk Ryan Smith35 36

Skip McCall started off by greeting the council. We are up for renewal, and we want to continue37 to provide services to the town of Pierson. Deputy Clerk Ryan Smith explained to the council that38 they have two options for solid waste pick up in Pierson, renew with GFL or go with FCC Contract.39 Town Attorney Scott Simpson stated FCC’s contract cannot be renegotiated we must follow40 Volusia Counties contract we are just piggy backing their agreement. Skip McCall from GFL41 stated that FCC’s contract is up for renewal next year and may not be renewed. He also stated that42 contract is for more money than GFL’s. The council asked Deputy Clerk Ryan Smith to be43 included in the FCC contract, and he stated solid waste pick up, recycling pick up, yard waste pick44 up and they pick up bulk items’ same day as trash service. Councilmember Brandy Peterson45 explained her reservations to go with GFL due to the commercial issues we have had in the past46 and the stickers and trash being picked up. Skip McCall stated if we do an assessment on the tax47 roll that will fix a lot of the problems. I also can say we will supply all new trash cans to the48 residents and get rid of all the mixed matched cans. Mayor Gray Leonhard explained a story when49 he requested a new trash bin that he received one with a science experiment inside of it and that50 he called and they brought him another can that was brand new. Skip McCall apologized to the51 mayor for that happening. Skip McCall explained how right now the sticker process is not working52 and confusion with picking up the trash because of that issue. Councilmember Linnie Richardson53 explained that she has a resolution that the drivers are given a list each morning and they follow54 that and not use the sticker. Skip McCall explained that adding to the tax roll will eliminate a lot55 of those problems. Skip explained that they will be implementing GFL 1 system and each driver56 will have a tablet to follow. Councilmember Linnie Richardson asked and this is for 1 day pick up.57 Skip McCall stated in good faith we can work with you and will bring a proposal back to you.58 Town Attorney Scott Simpson explained that GFL would be an easier transition for that town,59 especially since in the same year you will be doing an assessment of the tax roll. Also, residents60 will continue to pay for the trash until it is added to the tax roll in October and you won’t need to61 take money from the reserves. Now if you go with FCC you will have to borrow the money from62 reserves and contract will start March 1rst. The residents will be hit with a bill for a entire year63 and 10 months all at once. Town Attorney Scott Simpson stated these are my thoughts, this will64 be a big transition for everyone and a lot put on the staff. Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund expressed65 his concerns with taking money from the reserves and Mayor Gray Leonhard agreed. Deputy Clerk66 Ryan Smith suggested that we can add it to the water bills until September 31, 2026. Town67 Attorney Scott Simpson stated I don’t have a dog in this war and that this is a big transition and68 work for the staff. Mayor Gray Leonhard asked when the contract with GFL is up. March 1, 2026.69 Mayor Gray Leonhard asked about adding yard debris and/or bulk pick up. Skip McCall said we70 can investigate adding a supplement to the contract for that.71 72 Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund made a motion to go into discussions for an extension with73 GFL environmental for solid waste pick up in Pierson; seconded by Council Member Linnie74 Ricahrdson. All Agreed, motion carries.75 76 Town Attorney Scott Simpson reminded Mr. McCall that they must have the contract by next77 meeting or otherwise town will go with FCC because they will have no other options.78 79 80 b. Ordinance 2026-01 Parking of Boats and RV’s - First Reading81 82

Town Attorney Scott Simpson read the ordinance. Town Planner Mark Karet stated that back in83 2018 something like this made it to the first reading but failed the second reading, so we dusted it84 off and updated and now Rebekah is going to go over this with you. Rebekah of Zev Cohen started85 to explain the ordinance, and it allows for us of RV for family for up to 30 days 2 times a year on86 the permit. Allows residents who are building a home to have an RV on property during building87 or after a disaster for up to 18 months. The parking space for the boat would be up to three boats.88 One in the front, one on the side and one in the rear. Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund confirmed no89 limits for indoor storage. Rebekah stated that is correct. Mayor Gray Leonhard asked the council90 and audience if they had anything else.91 92 Mayor Gray Leonhard stated he would entertain a motion.93 94 Council Member Linnie Richardson made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-01 as95 written; seconded by Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund. Roll call vote taken, all agreed, motion96 carries.97 98 c. Ordinance 2026-02 Charter Committee99 100 Town Attorney Scott Simpson explained the Ordinance to the council. Vice Mayor Robert101 Greenlund stated he would like to be able to take it home and read over it.102 103 Council Member Linnie Richardson made a motion to table Ordinance 2026-02 until next104 meeting; seconded by Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund. All agreed, motion carries.105 106 107 d. Stacy Jones Annexation, Rezoning, Comp Plan – Mark Karet Zev Cohen108 109 Town Planner Mark Karet of Zev Cohen explained the annexation process and how they are zoned110 differently by the county so we must do a rezoning and then a comp plan amendment. It will be a111 large comprehensive plan since it is over 50 acres. Discussion ensued. Staff is to notify Stacy that112 he needs to come in and speak with Town Planner.113 114 e. Pickle Ball dedication February 14, 2026, and Nets – Mary Kay Hansen115 116 Mary Kay Hansen started explaining the dedication and the hours they will be doing it from 10 –117 12 and will have a pickle ball instructor present. She then discussed that they have donated118 3,600.00 to the pickle ball court. She asked if public works could remove the rocks and grass off119 the pickle ball court. Council member Jimmy Anderson said that would not be a problem because120 when they mow, they leaf blow and can do it. Mary Kay Hansen then went on to explain the nets121 are the town property and we have them up at the town center and sign them out. Discussion122 ensued. Council member Brady Peterson stated that it wouldn’t work and Marci, the utility clerk,123 did not want responsibility for the nets, and we close at 4 and don’t work weekends. Resident124 Robin Powell asked to get permanent nets placed up there. Council member Brandy Peterson stated125 she is working with Ryan to get prices for permanent nets.126 127 f. Field improvements and Babe Ruth – Northwest Volusia Little League128

Scott Leffler with Northwest Volusia Little League thanked the council for their support. February129 7th will be a workday and they will be collecting volunteer forms. They plan on doing some130 painting of concession stands and bleachers. They will be working on the flagpole. The new lights131 are up and will save the town some money on electricity. February 21 st will be opening day. They132 would like to request Babe Ruth adding to the contract with Little League since Deland has backed133 out of coming to Pierson due to sheriff contract. Council member Brandy Peterson asked how that134 would work. Town Attorney Scott Simpson said they can make an amendment to the contract, and135 we just need insurance information. Discussion ensued about sheriff contract and same coverage136 as in Deleon Springs. Council members said that this is all for the children.137 138 g. 635 N. Volusia Ave water leak – Resident Antolin Benitez139 140 Staff explained that they had tree roots break the line and told us immediately of the leak. Vice141 Mayor Robert Greenlund stated that we have forgiven bills in the past and they had no control over142 this. Discussion ensued.143 144 Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund made a motion to charge the average bill cost to the residents145 for the leak; seconded by Council Member Jimmy Anderson. All Agreed, motion carries.146 147 h. 4th of July Vendor form approval for food trucks – Town Clerk Yvonne Braddock148 149 Town Clerk Yvonne Braddock asked council to review form being used for the 4 th of July food150 trucks. Council reviewed form.151 152 Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund made a motion to approve food Truck vendor form; seconded153 by Council Member Linnie Richardsin. All Agreed, motion carries.154 155 i. World Encephalitis Day February 22, 2026, RED4WED - Email Request156 157 Mayor Gray Leonhard explained that they would like everyone to wear red on February 22, 2026,158 in honor of World Encephalitis Day.159 160 6. OTHER BUSINESS (Mayor, Council, and Staff Reports)161 162 Mayor Gray Leonhard started off with we need to do something about public works trucks they are163 worn out. Louis’s truck needs fixed right now. Council agreed it must be fixed that’s just part of164 everyday things that need to be fixed. Mayor Gray Leonhard asked Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund165 about the wells and the freeze that happened over the weekend. Vice Mayor stated that they called166 CWS and they arrived quickly and Chris was in Deland and they needed something to insulate the167 pipes. The pressure sensor valve froze up, and pressure valve devise failed. Council Member Linnie168 Richardson explained how the pressure sensor works. Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund stated we169 should insulate all the pipes. Council Member Jimmy Anderson stated he was under the weather, but170 he is feeling better but has no energy so he was not keeping up with what the boys were doing.171 Council Member Linnie Richardson announce that cell tower was fixed and lit up like a Christmas172 tree. Deputy Clerk Ryan Smith explained about UF Health being at airport and clearing the lot for173 them the quote came in from Mand B Tree service quoted $4,500.00 Council Member Brandy174 Peterson stated that we need more than one quote. Town Attorney Scott Simpson stated we should175

not do anything until we have a contract with them, and we will negotiate the work cost. Deputy176 Clerk Ryan Smith stated he was just trying to get a consensus from the council. Town Planner Scott177 Simpson stated we need to get the lease first. Town Planner Mark Karet asked where they would fuel178 up, and Deputy Clerk Ryan Smith responded with Deland or Flagler. Discussion ensued about the179 amount per month, and the council chose to go high. Council Member Linnie Richardson brought up180 dead trees on US highway 17 and how someone can get hurt. Lester Pulley asked if he should bring it181 up at his next TPO meeting and council agreed. Town Planner Mark Karet stated he will be here182 Thursday to meet with the residents about their land use and zoning questions. Town Attorney Scott183 Simpson stated he had nothing.184 185 186 Mayor Gray Leonhard asked audience if they had anything. Melissa Thorn came to the podium and187 stated she is running for county council. She is here to discuss toilet to tap, and she is really against it188 and is looking for city support. Ormond is on board. Volusia has the right to vote on poop water.189 Vice Mayor Robert Greenlund asked if they wanted to put treated sewer water into the aquifer. Yes,190 and there are not a lot of regulations on the treated water as of now. Discussion ensued. Melissa191 Thorn gave us a copy of the petition and thanked council for their time.192 193 Mayor Gray Leonhard asked audience and council if they had anything else and with194 hearing no further business meeting adjourned at 8:37 P.M.195 196 The mayor then announced the next meetings and the happenings going on in the area.197 198 199 200 201 202 203 Minutes prepared by: Minutes approved by:204 205 206 ___________________________ ___________________________207 Yvonne Braddock, Town Clerk Gray Leonhard, Mayor208