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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2026 04 13 City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesInrnrporated 1959 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 13, 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, April 13, 2026 of the City Commission to order at 6:32 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 by telephone 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, Trinity Presbyterian Church, provided the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McCann asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Commissioner Baker asked for two additional items, one regarding Commissioner's use of credit cards Cl"d another for board appointments. There was no objection and the agenda was adopted as amended. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Art Gallo, Winter Springs requested an update on the status of reclaimed water service in the Tuscawilla area. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Approval of Sewer Main Lining Project —Galloway Drive and Sheoah Boulevard No discussion. 301) Sea Hawk Cove Extension at Blake Commons Final Site Acceptance No discussion. 302) Surplus Assets No discussion. 303) Approval of the Minutes: Monday, March 23, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting No discussion. 304) Approval of the Minutes: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 City Commission Workshop No discussion. "MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. DISCUSSION, VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400. Not Used REGULAR AGENDA 500) Third Generation Infrastructure Surtax— Project List Holly Queen, Director, Finance Department introduced the item and explained that it was brought forward to provide transparency and clarity around the allocation of additional proceeds received beyond the original $19 million projection. Ms. Queen noted that the city received approximately $9 million in additional proceeds, plus interest and grant returns. Continuing, Ms. Queen noted two FY 2026 projects — the Wetlands Park project and the Tuscawilla Crossings Pond Rehabilitation — were being moved to FY 2027 due to delays in procurement and permitting. Discussion followed on the current ending balance, a stormwater rehabilitation allocation, and compliance with state and local requirements for expenditures. Ms. queen noted no vote was required on this item. 501. Fourth Generation Infrastructure Surtax— Revised Project List Ms. Queen presented the revised Fourth Generation Infrastructure Surtax project list and noted that the allocation added funding for street resurfacing based on current pavement management conditions, funded priority projects from the city's adopted stormwater master plan, and added funding for citywide stormwater capital rehabilitation. She emphasized that the projected timings should be viewed as estimates and noted the project list would be incorporated annually into the city's five-year capital plan. Discussion followed on funds for bridge assessment and repair, compliance with requirements for infrastructure surtax expenditures, efficiency considerations, and money for stormwater improvements. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 501 (FOURTH GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX REVISED PROJECT LIST). MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. 502) Approval of Resolution 2026-07: FY 2025-2026 Budget Amendment Ms. Queen presented Resolution 2026-07, the mid -year budget amendment for FY 2025-2026 and noted that most adjustments fell into one of several categories: rollover purchase orders from FY 2025 that carried into FY 2026, timing differences related to transportation grant agreements, minor variations between budgeted and actual revenues, and budget releases for projects being moved into FY 2027. During the discussion, Commissioner Bruce asked to permanently remove the Trotwood Lacrosse Wall project from consideration rather than simply carry it into the FY 2027 budget. City Manager Kevin Sweet encouraged the Commission to express that preference clearly rather than having staff assume it would be included in the upcoming budget. MOTION TO REMOVE THE TROTWOOD LACROSSE WALL PROJECT FROM THE FY 2027 BUDGET. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARUSO, VOTE: BAKER (NAY); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 3-2. Further discussion followed on the timeline for Wetlands Park and the Tuskawilla Crossings Pond rehabilitation. City Manager Sweet explained that the Wetlands Park project had undergone a redesign and that regulatory approvals from St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) were anticipated imminently. City Manager Sweet further reviewed the timeline for Tuskawilla Crossing pond rehabilitation. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 502 (RESOLUTION 2026-07: FY 2025-2026 BUDGET AMENDMENT). MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. ADD -ON ITEM A) Discussion on Commission Use of Credit Cards Discussion followed on the absence of formal, elected -official -specific guidelines for city -issued credit card use, with consensus that the existing employee P-Card policy is not fully applicable. Members supported developing a tailored policy, including clearer standards for travel, per diem, and allowable expenses. It was noted that internal controls have been effective, as any improper charges were identified and reimbursed, leaving the city financially whole. City ManagerSweet proposed that Finance Director queen and City Attorney Garganese worktogether to develop a formal elected official travel and credit card policy for Commission adoption. ADD -ON ITEM B) Matters Related to Boards and Committees Commissioner Baker noted that she needed to replace her original nominee to the Charter Review Committee, Paul Partyka, due to scheduling conflicts. COMMISSIONER BAKER NOMINATED JOSEPH DIONNE TO SEAT THREE Or THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK, VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. 503) New Business Mayor McCann advised the Commission that he had been invited by the American Flood Coalition to travel to Washington, D.C., to speak at a national event and share Winter Springs' experience using federal funding for stormwater fee recovery. Mayor McCann requested guidance from City Attorney Garganese regarding the ethics implications of having his travel covered by the organization and noted the city is a member of the coalition. City Attorney Garganese advised that if the American Flood Coalition directly covered the Mayor's travel, hotel, and meal expenses and those costs exceeded $100, the expenditure would need to be reported as a gift on the quarterly Florida Ethics Commission gift disclosure form. He noted that if the city were instead billed directly, the reporting obligation might differ. The Mayor indicated he would obtain a firm dollar amount and proceed with the required quarterly disclosure. Commissioner Bruce discussed concerns she had heard about development in the Town Center and noted that the area had been designated for high -density development at its creation and reviewed other related requirements. Discussion followed on how plans had changed over the years, changes in legislation at the state level that impacted local control, consideration of private property rights, and a potential land acquisition fund for conservation. REPORTS 600. City Manager Kevin A. Sweet City Manager Kevin Sweet reported several employees) had completed the inaugural offering of Florida Institute of Government Supervision Cl"d Government Training Program, provided Cl" update on a cross connection survey of approximately 1,000 irrigation connections, noted continuing Oak Forest road resurfacing, announced the stormwater rate study presentation had been rescheduled to May 11, noted five police recruits graduated and would begin field training, and announced that a previously conducted national interview was published. City Manager Sweet then provided an update to the Commission on a recent Board of Trustees meeting and an actuarial review of proposed pension enhancements that was in progress, with results expected in May to inform the FY 2027 budget. Finally, City Manager Sweet provided an update on reclaimed water operations and noted that service was expected to resume shortly, though interruptions remained possible until system upgrades were completed. 601. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report. 1 Alvaro Britos, Peter Crespi, Michael Krist, Kevin Monser, Clifton Mullis, Jose Romero, and Matthew Winnie 602. City Clerk Christian Gowan City Clerk Christian Gowan announced his resignation effective May 15, 2026' having accepted the position of City Clerk -Auditor with the City of Deland. He expressed gratitude for his seven years of service to Winter Springs and committed to ensuring a smooth transition and to remaining available to assist following his departure. Mayor McCann and members of the Commission expressed appreciation for his service and extended congratulations. 603. Seat One Commissioner Paul Diaz No report. 604. Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce Commissioner Bruce thanked city staff for improvements at the 7-Eleven location and commended the Parks Department for the success of the Winter Springs Farmers Market, noting strong attendance at recent markets. She reported that the Wendy's restaurant on SR 434 in Winter Springs had closed, along with the Oviedo location, both under the same franchise owner, with no plans yet announced for the space. She also noted encouraging signs of activity from the "Living Life" development and encouraged residents to spread the word about the Dominic's space in Tuscawilla, which remains available for lease. 605. Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker No report. 606. Seat Four Commissioner/Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick thanked the Tuscawilla Homeowners Association (THOA) for the invitation to the Tuscawilla Family Fun Day event and acknowledged police department staff who were present. Deputy Mayor Resnick commented positively on City Manager Sweet's published interview and suggested that selected portions be distributed more broadly to the community. Deputy Mayor Resnick further remarked on the stormwater rate discussion and noted that while raising fees was not a popular decision, it was one that responsible leadership must consider given the city's documented infrastructure needs, provided an update on the Sheoah Boulevard project, noted that debris in waterways along Alton Road were being addressed through a permitting request to SJRWMD, and raised the idea of creating a public -facing dashboard for public records requests to reduce redundant submissions. 607. Seat Five Commissioner Mark Caruso Commissioner Caruso congratulated City Clerk Gowan and expressed appreciation for his service. He noted an upcoming meeting with Oak Forest lake -area residents to discuss neighborhood concerns and then discussed an incident during the Oak Forest road resurfacing project in which a contractor vehicle drove across his front yard and heavy equipment was parked on easements, damaging residents' lawns. 608. Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor McCann wished residents a belated Happy Easter, discussed the recent stormwater workshop held on April 1 and noted it was informative and reinforced the importance of addressing infrastructure proactively rather than deferring it, and praised the Tuscawilla Family Fun Day and thanked Parks and Recreation staff. Finally, Mayor McCann noted that the East Wastewater Plant project was approaching groundbreaking, estimated to be approximately 60 days out. z Letter of resignation is attached to the end of these minutes PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input, Art Gallo, Winter Springs thanked City Clerk Christian Gowan for his service and wished him well. He further spoke on the credit card issue and agreed that a policy should be put in place and discussed Town Center setbacks. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIN McCANN � inter S U = a 19 59 `% 4No Owe Cox, NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the April27, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting. OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 32708 U Incorporated 1959 40Z32Z5999 40 Z 32 Z 6560 CI TYCL ERK@ WI NTERSPRI NGSFL.ORG APRIL 13, 2026 Honorable Mayor and Commission, It has been my pleasure to serve the City of Winter Springs for the past seven years. I have recently gone through the application and selection process with the City of Deland and have been chosen as their next City Clerk -Auditor. This letter serves as notice of my resignation as City Clerk of Winter Springs effective May 15, 2026. Work is already underway to ensure that operations continue to run efficiently in the department, and I will make myself available to every extent possible following my last day with the city to assist with the transition. Thank you, Christian D. Gowan, MPA, CMC City Clerk