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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2026 03 23 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.pdfCITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDA I / MARCH 23, 2026 CITY HALL —COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 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 (arrived 6:34 p.m.) 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, Integrity Church, 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 presented. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Rob Elliott, Winter Springs expressed concerns about the condition of Oak Forest Lake and displayed a picture showing dead fish. Matthew Benton, Winter Springs noted he thought the city should have further addressed and commented on the follow-up from the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLACJ and expressed concerns about interference from Commissioners with city administration and city staff. Sheila Benton, Winter Springs noted comments she had made at previous meetings related to transparency, encouraged the Commission to further discuss the JLACfollow-up findings, and discussed concerns with the use of city -issued credit cards by members of the City Commission. Suzanne Gordon, Winter Springs expressed her concerns about Oak rarest Lake and a fish kill that had occurred. She asked the city to commit to a plan including muck treatment, aerator installation, culvert filtration systems, fish restocking, non-invasive shoreline plants, and continued monitoring by Solitude Lake Management. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs discussed a recentstory in the Oviedo Community News regarding commissioner's use of city -issued credit cards, noted the importance of transparency, and asked for an explanation. Art Gallo, Winter Springs thanked utilities for the restoration of reclaimed water services for irrigation and addressed the Oviedo Community News article which he thought was a policy or training issue. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Approval of the Minutes: Monday, March 9, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting No discussion. "MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO, DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400. Second Reading of Ordinance 2026-02: 290 and 300 Tuskawilla Rd and 1258 Milky Way Voluntary Annexation of Real Property Attorney Garganese read Ordinance 2026-02 by title and noted no changes since first reading. Jenale Garnett, Senior Planner, Community Development Department was present and available for questions. City Clerk Christian Gowan asked that the Commission disclose any ex-parte communications that they may have had related to this matter. The Mayor and Commission advised of no ex-parte communications. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Item 400. No one addressed the Commission. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Item 400. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 400 (SECOND READING/ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 2026-02). MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. 401. Second Reading of Ordinance 2026-03: Small -Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment of three (3) parcels located at 290 and 300 Tuskawilla Rd and 1258 Milky Way Attorney Garganese read Ordinances 2026-03 and 2026-04 by title. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Items 401 and 402. No one addressed the Commission. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Items 401 and 402. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 401 (SECOND READING/ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 2026-03). 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. 402. Second Reading of Ordinance 2026-04: Rezoning of three (3) parcels located at 290 and 300 Tuskawilla Rd and 1258 Milky Way MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 402 (SECOND READING/ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 2026-04). 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. 403. Adoption of Resolution 2026-06: Blake Commons Lot 1 Lot Split John Rabon, Senior Planner, Community Development Department presented the Blake Commons Lot 1 lot split application and noted staff's recommendation of approval. City Clerk Christian Gowan asked that the Commission disclose any ex-parte communications that they may have had related to this matter. The Mayor and Commission advised of no ex-parte communications. Brief discussion followed on the preservation of the large oak tree on the property and proposed projects. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Items 403. Francis Vella, Winter Springs inquired about the bank that was proposed for the lot. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Items 403. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 403 (ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2026-06). MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. REGULAR AGENDA 500) 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Holly Queen, Director, Finance Department introduced the item and representatives from Purvis Gray. Ms. Queen thanked the finance staff for their contributions to the audit and audit team and briefly covered the process following the presentation and acceptance by the Commission. Ron Whitesides, Purvis Gray presented the audit results and required communication. Mr. Whitesides noted the city had received an unmodified opinion. He reviewed the federal single audit requirement, internal controls, compliance, and other matters to be reported. Mr. Whiteside further noted that the city had cleared the remaining finding from 2023 regarding pension eligibility, noted ongoing recommendations related to IT systems, the adoption of a new accounting standard (GASB 101), and reviewed financial highlights. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 2025 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT. MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE, VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. 501. Winter Springs East Water Reclamation Facility — CMAR (Wharton -Smith) Guaranteed Maximum Price Scott Richards, Carollo Engineers began the presentation on the East Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), briefly reviewed the process to date, and provided a schedule update. Eric Anderson, Wharton -Smith reviewed the evolution of the project cots, reviewed the bidding process and noted 85 bidders to the 37 bid packages evaluated by Wharton -Smith and Carollo. Mr. Anderson noted the total GMP with contingency was $65,847,589, reviewed project contingencies and allowances, and noted that the construction schedule was on track with anticipated mobilization in early June 2026 and anticipated completion in November 2028. Mr. Anderson then reviewed next steps including executing the construction contract, issuance of purchase orders and subcontracts, continued value engineering, continual review of risk register, and owner direct purchases with sales tax savings. Erica Stone, Carollo provided an update on the design process. Ms. Stone noted that the East WRF design was complete with the West to follow. She further noted that Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permitting was complete, with additional permitting underway. Ms. Stone further noted that funding was secured with the utilization of state and federal monies from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and ARPA funds respectively, and additional state appropriations related to recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and stormwater grant money from Protecting Florida Together. Finally, Ms. Stone noted that the next approval sought would be in June 20276 related to the West WRF. Mayor McCann made brief comments and than noted that this was the last vote related to the East WRF and highlighted the success of the city in this achievement. 502) Matters Related to Boards &Committees COMMISSIONER BRUCE NOMINATED KARL FURNO TO SERVE ON SEATTWO OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (TERM TO END JANUARY 1, 20281. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. The Following nominations were made for the Ad -Hoc Charter Review Committee: SEAT ONE —COMMISSIONER DIAZ NOMINATED JEAN HOVEY, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT, SEAT TWO —COMMISSIONER BRUCE NOMINATED ART GALLO. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SEAT THREE —COMMISSIONER BAKER NOMINATED PAUL PARTYKA. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SEAT FOUR —DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK NOMINATED LOUIE HILAL. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SEAT FIVE —COMMISSIONER CARUSO NOMINATED DAVID BEAR. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. AT -LARGE (1) —MAYOR McCANN NOMINATED PHILIP KAPROW. AT -LARGE (2) — MAYOR McCANN NOMINATED EDDIE RIVERA. MOTION TO APPOINT THE MAYOR'S NOMINEES (KAPROW AND RIVERA) WAS MADE BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE, MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. 503) New Business Commissioner Bruce asked that the Commission further discuss the fish kill and ponds. It was noted that a workshop was planned for April 1 on this topic. Clete Saunier, Director, Public Worl<s and Utilities Department noted the agenda would be posted no later than Friday, March 2/ City Manager Kevin Sweet commented on a communication sent out regarding Solitude and planned treatment and clarified that the lake was not dead. Mayor McCann commented briefly on fertilizer use and the impacts on waterways. REPORTS 600. City Manager Kevin A. Sweet City Manager Kevin Sweet noted the city was seeking permanent aeration quotes for Oak Forest Lake, noted the upcoming egg hunt March 28th, announced that Arbor Day registration had closed and distribution ottrees would begin April 20, highlighted a firearm safety class for residents, gave an update on reclaimed water availability, and congratulated the utilities department on being awarded a public communications outreach award from FWEA. 601. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report. 602. City Clerk Christian Gowan No report 603. Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor McCann noted that the city had got a lot of good news recently, especially related to the ACFR and East Water Reclamation Facility and thanked staff for their hard work. 604. Seat One Commissioner Paul Diaz No report. 605 Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce No report. 606. Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker Commissioner Baker echoed the comments of the Mayor and thanked staff for their hard work on numerous projects. 607. Seat Four Commissioner/Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick thanked the Winter Springs Police Department for their recent Coffee with a Cop event and spoke about an improvement in the work culture of the city. 608. Seat Five Commissioner Mark Caruso Commissioner Caruso noted his attendance at Coffee with a Cop and discussed a meeting he attended regarding Oak Forest Lake in which he thought residents were on board with the city's planned improvements. PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Linda Freeburn, Winter Springs encouraged the Commission to address the Oviedo Community News story regarding use of credit cards and asked for an update on the I uscawilla T11 property. Chief Matthew Tracht, Winter Springs Police Department provided a brief update on the status of legal proceedings and allowable actions by the city. Sheila Benton, WinterSprings spoke about enforcement of construction site management ordinances and requiring fences and encouraged the Commission to enforce its rules. Maurice Kaprow, Winter Springs commended the city staff and the Commission for their accomplishments related to the annual audit and the east wastewater treatment plant. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIN McCANN o� W inters C>°Cp0ra b`tr 'to��e county .�`ot NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the Apri113, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting.