Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 10 27 City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES N DAY, OCTO B E R 27, 2025 AT 6:30 PM CITY HALL -COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the Regular Meeting of Monday, October 27, 2025 of the City Commission to order at 6:31 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor Kevin McCann, present Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick, present Commissioner Paul Diaz, present Commissioner Victoria Bruce, present Commissioner Sarah Baker, present Commissioner Mark Caruso, present City Manager Kevin Sweet, present City Attorney Anthony Garganese, present City Clerk Christian Gowan, present Pastor Bob Melhorn provided the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McCann asked if there were any agenda changes. No changes were noted and the agenda was adopted. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100) Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200) Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Art Gallo, Winter Springs spoke in favor of regular agenda items SOO and 507. He recommended the Park Impact Fee Fund item for Trotwood be renamed "Trotwood Lacrosse and Soccer Rebound Wall" to make it clear it could be used for both sports. Mr. Gallo expressed strong opposition to the Seminole County Legislative Delegation's 4-1 vote supporting a local bill to force changes to Winter Springs' charter and shared his concerns about the process, state overreach, and thanked Representative David Smith for voting no on the proposed bill. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs thanked Mayor McCann, Commissioner Baker, and Commissioner Caruso for speaking on behalf of the city at the recent legislative delegation meeting, shared frustrations with unanswered calls and efforts to contact Representative Rachel Plakon. Ms. Shafer also raised concerns about flood insurance needs in her community due to inaction on Wetlands Park and questioned why commissioners use phones during meetings without disclosure. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Approval of the Minutes: Monday, October 13, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting No discussion. MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400) Not Used REGULAR AGENDA 500) 2026 Capital Budget Items Commissioner Bruce initiated discussion on several capital budget items she had previously brought up and thanked City Manager Sweet for a memorandum provided to the Commission on October 271n which provided staffs justification for the proposed budget items. Commissioner Bruce asked that a similar memo be provided each year. Commissioner Bruce then addressed the proposed Trotwood lacrosse wall, questioning the $100,000 expense relative to the projected fund balance, noted never having heard a desire for this project unlike field lighting in Central Winds Park, and further discussed what she saw as wants versus needs. Following further questions from the Commission, Mr. Brian Dunigan, Director, Administrative Services and Operations Department, noted that park impact fees derived from residential developments, including both single-family and multi -family units. He explained that the initiative originated in 2011, initially proposed by a Parks and Recreation Advisory Council member, and received unanimous committee endorsement in November2024. Further discussion followed on the allowable use of parks impact fees with Mr. Dunigan emphasizing that such funds were to be utilized for the expansion of facilities rather than maintenance purposes. Bried discussion followed on previous pricing for field lighting and the need for the correct lighting to support the events which occur on the fields. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE TO PAUSE THE EXPENDITURE OF $100,000 FOR THE LACROSSE WALL AT TROTWOOD TO BE REVIEWED AGAIN NEXT (FISCAL) YEAR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 Commissioner Bruce then discussed Arbor Fund expenditures. City Manager Sweet clarified the tree giveaway budgetwas reduced to $49,000 for FY2026from the historical $83,000-84,000. Mr. Dunigan detailed planned landscape renovations along SR 434from SR 417 west to Tuskawilla Road estimated at $300,000. He mentioned that while FDOT contributes $100,000 annually for maintenance of the corridor, beautification expenses remained the city's responsibility. Further discussions encompassed City Hall landscaping renovations (estimated at $100,000) and a Tuskawilla Crossings project replacing live oak trees with Little Gem Magnolias in a two-phase process totaling $500,000 over two years. Brief discussion followed on the city's obligation to replace these trees and the expected survival rate of transplanted oaks. 501) Consideration of Creating a Charter Review Committee The Commission discussed the action taken bythe Seminole County Legislative Delegation endorsing a local bill to require a charter amendment referendum related to the composition of the City Commission and role of the mayor. Deputy Mayor Resnick noted conversations with Representative Rachel Plakon and Senator Jason Brodeur and proposed that the Commission place a referendum that would eliminate the separate mayor position, maintain five commissioners elected by district, and allow the selection of mayor and deputy mayor annually by peer choice. Deputy Mayor Resnick suggested that the proposed effective date be in 2030 and noted that the local bill would likely be withdrawn if the city pursued these changes. Discussion followed regarding concerns about losing influence to build relationships and go after appropriations with a rotating mayor, a proposal for single -member districts for elections while commissioners would continue to represent the city at -large, concerns about increased division, and how the current charter had served the city. Attorney Garganese noted that the conversation related to a city -initiated referendum was off -topic to the posted agenda item and suggested that any action related to this take place under New Business. He noted that the posted agenda item was regarding the consideration of creating a charter review committee. Discussion followed on the need for a charter review committee given it had been 15 years since the last review, the process of establishing a committee, associated guidelines, and timelines. The commission ultimately agreed to proceed on two tracks: immediate action on a referendum for the 2026 ballot addressing the mayor issue to be further discussed under New Business and directing the City Attorney and staff to bring forth a proposed resolution establishing a charter review committee for comprehensive review targeting the 2028 election. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0 502) New Business MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DIAZ TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW VOTING DURING NEW BUSINESS. SECOND BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0 MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE FOR A REFERENDUM ON THE 2026 BALLOT THAT WOULD: REMOVE THE INDIVIDUALLY ELECTED POSITION OF MAYOR EFFECTIVE 2030, MAINTAIN FIVE CITY COMMISSIONERS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, HAVE COMMISSIONERS CHOOSE A MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR ANNUALLY BY PEER CHOICE, AND MOVE TO SINGLE -MEMBER DISTRICT ELECTIONS WITH COMMISSIONERS SERVING AT LARGE. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO. DISCUSSION Mayor McCann opened Public Input related to this motion. Art Gallo, Winter Springs, shared concerns about bowing to pressure from the Legislature and suggested that any proposed referendum be made unappealing to ensure defeat. Mr. Gallo shared frustration with the attack on home rule and noted he was in favor of maintaining the city's existing governmental structure. Maurice Kaprow, Winter Springs, noted his support for the current governance structure of Winter Springs and agreed with making any proposed referendum language unappealing, potentially including the addition of partisan municipal elections. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs, voiced her support for putting something on the ballot, was supportive of single -member districts, and also mentioned the idea of including party affiliations. Aaron Ash, Winter Springs, warned against further dividing the community and emphasized the importance of unity. Linda Freeburn, Winter Springs, criticized the expedited process being considered to restructure the city's government. Joan Jansen, Winter Springs, urged residents to engage in the process by emailing state representatives to express opposition to the proposed local bill and echoed the sentiment of making any forced referendum unappealing to discourage its passage. Mayor McCann closed Public Input related to this motion. VOTE: BAKER (NAY); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 REPORTS 600. City Manager Kevin A. Sweet No report. 601. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report. 602. City Clerk Christian Gowan No report. 603. Commissioner Mark Caruso Commissioner Caruso reported on the successful Hometown Harvest event and also mentioned that his daughter recently attended the homecoming dance. 604. Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor McCann noted it had been a busytwo weeks since the last meeting and expressed pride in the community, noting Winter Springs'top 10 ranking for low crime and excellent schools. 605. Seat One Commissioner Paul Diaz Commissioner Diaz explained his absence from Hometown Harvest due to attending the Running for Heroes gala supporting fallen first responders. He praised Zachariah Cartledge for starting the organization in Winter Springs and encouraged continued community support. 606. Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce Commissioner Bruce asked the community to remember three Seminole County students who lost their lives this month and urged everyone to be kind to each other. Commissioner Bruce further noted that she planned to attend one funeral the following day. 607. Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker No report. 608. Seat Four Commissioner/Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick echoed condolences for the students' families, praised the Hometown Harvest event and staff efforts, reminded about Halloween approaching, discussed email training insights from the Florida League of Cities conference, warned about home rule erosion statewide. Deputy Mayor Resnick also noted the upcoming Chamber Music Festival, and noted the December 6 holiday parade. PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Linda Freeburn, Winter Springs, asked why the city was obligated to replace trees in Tuskawilla Crossings and noted that she was supportive of native plants in the medians. Ms. Freeburn reiterated that she felt the charter amendment discussion and decision felt rushed. Art Gallo, Winter Springs, expressed skepticism that Representative Plakon would withdraw her bill, further discussed the importance of home rule, and questioned if the Seminole County Legislative Delegation had handled the issue correct procedurally. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs, suggested appointing former Districting Commission members to the charter review committee. She further discussed tree problems in Winter Springs Village where scheduled oak removals were cancelled six years prior and associated sidewalk damage. Finally, Ms. Shafer emphasized park impact fees and the need to continue enhancing city parks. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CIVIC inter S, CITY CLERK o�pora O� C l� cn � a APPROVED: v, 1959 v Ole County MAYOR KE IN McCANN NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the November 10, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting.