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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2026 02 23 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes• CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES incorporMONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026 ated 1959 CITY HALL —COMMISSION CHAMBERS • • 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 23, 2026 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 Kyle Stewart provided the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McCann asked if there were any changes to the agenda. No changes were noted and the agenda was adopted as amended. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Recognizing the City of Winter Springs for 45 Years as a Council -Manager Form of Government by the Florida City/County Managers Association George Forbes, Senior Advisor for the Florida City/County Managers Association presented the City of Winter Springs with a certificate recognizing 45 years operating under the commission -manager form of government and briefly explained the structure's origins in the early 20th-century reform movement. Mayor McCann spoke briefly about the benefits of the commission -manager form from his perspective. 101. NBR-2026-0004: Non -Binding Preliminary Review for Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change at Suttons Crossings Jenale Garnett, Senior Planner, Community Development Department introduced the non -binding preliminary review for a proposed Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change at Sutton's Crossing on Tuskawilla Road within the Town Center's T-5 Urban Center Transect zone. Ms. Garnett noted that the project would require conditional use approval if it proceeded and further noted that staff had previously suggested exploring whether the business could be located further into the interior of property. Niru Sharma, owner of NNRJ Enterprises (the local franchise holder), presented on the proposed Strickland Brothers project and reviewed the franchise history, a nearby location in Longwood, services offered, and noted a commitment to cleanliness. Discussion followed on the size of the parcel and limitations on what could be put there, appropriateness for the Town Center, a lack of walkability, alternate locations, the desire for restaurants, and the ability to adjust aesthetics to blend with other structures while complying with any franchise requirements. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input, Sheila Benton, Winter Springs raised concerns about a dinner held during the Florida League of Cities annual conference in August 2025, attended by Deputy Mayor Resnick and Commissioners Baker and Caruso along with representatives of Woodard & Curran She questioned whether the dinner and gifts constituted an ethics violation.' Hallie Johnson, Winter Springs — representing the Glen Eagle HOA Architectural Review Board - spoke about recent installation of Verizon 5G towers and shared concerns about impacts to property values. Ms. Johnson further discussed communication she had with Verizon officials and thought Verizon was willing to work with the city on site selection. Michael Don Johnson, Seminole County, spoke regarding ethical and legal concerns surrounding incumbent Congressman Corey Mills. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Intent to Award ITB 01-26-01 CD Pond Sediment Removal Services No discussion. 301) IT System Purchase No discussion. 302) Approval of the Minutes: Monday, February 9, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting No discussion. "MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400. Not Used 1 Documents submitted by Ms. Benton are included at the end of these minutes. REGULAR AGENDA 500) Discussion on Charter Committee Responsibilities City Clerk Christian Gowan reviewed previous direction from the Commission to use the 2010 Charter Review Committee resolution as a template and noted the purpose of this agenda item was to gather any additional provisions commissioners wished to have incorporated. Commissioner Baker presented a document she had prepared that outlined a comprehensive review of the city charter and included a provision calling for a periodic charter review process. Discussion followed with Commissioners supportive of the document prepared by Commissioner Baker, using the most recent version of the Model Charter as a general guide, the need to include public input and workshops in the process, questions on the need for a Charter Review Committee absent calls from residents to change anything, and the previous efforts in Tallahassee to place a charter referendum on the ballot. City Attorney Garganese confirmed that the city charter does not currently require periodic charter reviews, that the commission has multiple procedural options available, and that the commission -initiated model using a citizen committee with a recommendation role has been the city's approach in the past two review cycles. He also clarified that any charter amendment ultimately requires a commission -adopted ordinance placing the question on the ballot. The commission agreed to move forward using the 2010 resolution as a foundation, incorporating Commissioner Baker's document as a guiding outline for the committee's scope of review, with the Model City Charter to serve as a general reference throughout, community workshops to be included, and a target of the 2028 ballot. 501) Matters Related to Boards & Committees DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK NOMINATED KYLE STEWART TO SERVE AS A VOLUNTARY CITY CHAPLAIN FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DIAZ. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. 502) New Business Responding to the public input from Hallie Johnson, Mayor McCann asked City Attorney Garganese to provide an overview of applicable state law as it related to 5G towers. City Attorney Garganese summarized the Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act, adopted by the Florida Legislature in 2017, which broadly preempted local governments from prohibiting or meaningfully restricting the placement of small wireless facilities (i.e. 5G) within public rights of way. He further reviewed strict procedural timelines to determine completeness of applications and request consideration of alternate locations The City Attorney also noted that the Act adopted by the Florida Legislature prohibited cities and counties from requiring a meeting before a communication provider files an application and the City cannot require direct or indirect public notification or a public meeting for the placement of communication facilities in the right-of-way. Finally, the City Attorney explained that the Act provides that cities have a very limited basis for denying an application and that improper denial of any application can be challenged by a communication provider in federal district court. City Manager Sweet confirmed that there are currently 15 applications in queue from Verizon. He noted that staff review is confined to the limited statutory criteria and that the city has no authority to require a pre -application meeting. He acknowledged the aesthetic concerns shared by the commission and described discussions with State Representative David Smith and counterparts in other Seminole County cities, all of whom share similar frustrations. He noted that FCC preemption also bars local governments from raising health or environmental objections. Discussion followed on the need for proactive exploration of alternative locations and an acknowledgement of aesthetic concerns. Commissioner Bruce noted that the City of St. Pete Beach was working on a protective wireless ordinance that may be worth reviewing. Following a request from the Mayor, City Attorney Garganese agreed to send a written summary of the applicable statutes to all commissioners. Deputy Mayor Resnick asked about establishing a formal, standing commitment to annual creek clearing and culvert maintenance prior to hurricane season via ordinance. City Manager Sweet and Director of Public Works and Utilities Clete Saunier both acknowledged the importance of the issue but advised that an ordinance may be too rigid given current staffing constraints and recommended instead that the commitment be formalized through a comprehensive Operations and Maintenance (O&M) plan. It was noted that a workshop on stormwater ponds was being looked at for the last week of March. Commissioner Bruce requested that staff engage Woodard & Curran to assess the Lake Jesup Reclaimed Water Augmentation Facility and identify best practices for returning it to operational status. City Manager Sweet noted that restoration of the reclamation facility was included in the utility capital improvement plan, though prioritization remained a challenge. Commissioner Bruce suggested exploring vinyl wraps or painted murals on utility boxes throughout the city. City Manager Sweet expressed support, noting he had implemented a similar program in a prior community using local artists. REPORTS 600. City Manager Kevin A. Sweet City Manager Sweet reported that hydrant inventory and testing was progressing into Zone 5, with approximately 600 hydrants completed. He reminded residents that the Arbor Day tree giveaway, which opened February 13, closes March 13 at 5:00 PM and congratulated Finance Director Holly Queen on earning the Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation from the Government Finance Officers Association. 601. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report. 602. City Clerk Christian Gowan No report 605. Seat Four Commissioner/Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick reported that City Manager Sweet had presented at a Rotary meeting the prior Friday to positive reception, with requests for a return visit. He also reminded residents about the Taste ofTuscawilla event on March 7th and encouraged attendance. 606. Commissioner Mark Caruso No report. 607. Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor McCann reported attending a luncheon for Pledge Central Florida, an organization dedicated to fostering respectful dialogue across ideological differences, and expressed interest in arranging a future presentation to the commission and community. He also attended a luncheon with former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, chief negotiator and first signatory of the Good Friday Accords, which he found inspiring. He noted his attendance at the State of the County address the prior week and confirmed completion of his mandatory annual ethics training. 608. Seat One Commissioner Paul Diaz No report. 603 Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce Commissioner Bruce reported that the TLBD Advisory Committee meeting had been postponed to March 4th, and that the committee had directed its $75,000 annual allocation toward a monument sign at the State Road 434 Tuscora entrance with lighting and new landscaping, plus funding for main entrance lighting improvements. Commissioner Bruce then relayed a constituent request that resulted in staff agreeing to explore installation of a standard swing set at Moss Park and she thanked the police department for monitoring trail activity, particularly regarding electric bikes. She announced that the Friends of Lake Jesup group was reconvening with an April cleanup planned and Publix expressing interest in participating. She also noted ongoing algae concerns at Oak Forest Pond, which the stormwater team and Solitude were addressing and she announced she would be throwing out the first pitch at Winter Springs High School baseball the following day. 604. Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker No report. PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Leah Weisman, Winter Springs, commented on 5G tower health concerns, advocated for more detailed minutes from Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meetings, raised accessibility concerns at Central Winds and Trotwood Parks (noting recent sidewalk improvements), and discussed a request for ADA-compliant seating near the baseball fields. Karen Meyer, Winter Springs, stated her support for the current commission -manager form of government and expressed the hope that the charter review process would focus on housekeeping and modernization rather than structural changes to the city. Maurice Kaprow, Winter Springs, commended the Public Works department for proactively repairing a sidewalk hazard near his home and spoke in favor of the charter review committee process, emphasizing that a citizen -led committee with town meetings and broad outreach was essential. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CIVIC CITY CLERK APPROVED: . � 14 r I��- MAYOR K VIN McCANN NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the March 9, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting. Good Evening Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, On August 15, 2025 during the Florida League of Cities annual conference our Deputy Mayor Resnick and Our Commissioners Baker and Caruso "decided to take a breather from the conference" and privately collectively met with representatives of Woodard and Curran for a lavished dinner and multiple gifts. This gives the appearance of a breach of public trust! • on May 12, 2025 the commission voted to award the Contract to Woodard & Curran, however the contract was in negotiations. NOT FINALIZED: • Social media posts and photographs by Commissioner Balser indicating Woodward and Curran were the "new provider of service" Not accurate ! As a resident of Winter Springs I am malting this records request public: • Did the whole commission and Mayor get an invitation to attend this lavished private dinner held at Epcot? • Who paid for the admission to Epcot to attend the dinner with Woodard and Curran? • Was there a public notice generated by the city of Winter Springs announcing this collective private dinner meeting with this future vendor and in attendance would be the Deputy Mayor and commissioners? • Tax payer dollars are spent to send the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Commissioners to Florida League of Cities Events -not to go a private dinner with a company who was in negotiations that the Deputy Mayor and Commissioners would soon be voting on. • Did the Deputy Mayor and commissioners forget they were in negotiations and would be voting on this contract soon? • What promises were made? • Was this dinner and gifts a bribe for the Deputy Mayor and Commissioners vote? • Were they sealing the deal or jeopardizing the contract with Woodard and Curran? On September 8, 2025, 3 weeps after this private dinner meeting, a contract for approval to accept Woodard & Curran to replace Veolia was approved and finalized. At no time during this discussion before the vote did the Deputy Mayor or Commissioners Balzer or Caruso disclose this meeting. How much tax payers' dollars are being spent sending mayor & our commissioners to ethic training, including hotel, food, and mileage ? Are tax payers' dollars being wasted by sending our commissioners to ethic training? They are not using their training. Did Our Deputy Mayor and Commissioners not learn any thing about ethic violations when they attended ethics training? Your prompt answers are expected Or do I have to ask Melinda M. Miguel for the answers. Cade's post ••• Cade Resnick is with Mark Caruso 10 and 2 others. sh•0 The City of Winter Springs team spending a few moments of a breather before we attend another event.... Florida League of Cities, Inc. conference brings us together as a team. Cade Resnick is with Mark Caruso and 2 others. Aug 15-0 The City of Winter Springs team spending a few moments of a breather before we attend another event.... Florida League of Cities, Inc. conference brings us together as a team.