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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-2026 04 27 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.pdfIncorporated 1959 CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 27, 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 27, 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 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 made and the agenda was adopted. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Rob Elliott, Winter Springs shared concerns regarding a letter sent to Oak Forest Lake residents warning against tampering with the weir, objected to what he described as a threatening approach, and alleged concerns about possible Sunshine Law violations. John Pagano, Winter Springs asked about planned expansion and availability of reclaimed water service. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs requested assistance with a damaged light pole near Michael Blake Boulevard, asked for continued oversight of the Wetlands Park property and pump equipment, and encouraged the Commission to consider informal public engagement events. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Approval of the Minutes: Monday, April 13, 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. Not Used REGULAR AGENDA 500) Discussion on Recruitment and Selection of City Clerk City Manager Kevin Sweet recommended an internal recruitment process led by Human Resources in coordination with the City Manager's office, with finalists narrowed and three final candidates presented to the Commission for interviews and appointment consideration. Discussion followed on where the position should be advertised and the potential use of an external recruiter. City Manager Kevin Sweet briefly noted cost considerations and impacts on the timeline for filling the position. City Clerk Christian Gowan noted that Deputy City Clerk Tristin Tarrant would be willing to serve in an interim capacity as needed and at the Commission's discretion. MOTION TO PROCEED WITH THE RECRUITMENT OF THE CITY CLERK INTERNALLY WITH THE OPTION TO RETURN LATER TO DISCUSS OTHER OPTIONS IF NECESSARY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (AYE); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. 5011 New Business Deputy Mayor Resnick requested that City Manager Kevin Sweet prepare a stormwater project timeline so residents could better understand planned creek clearing, culvert work, and seasonal preparation efforts. Deputy Mayor Resnick requested a future presentation from City Manager Kevin Sweet and City Attorney Anthony Garganese regarding the potential effects of Live Local legislation on major undeveloped properties in the city. Discussion followed regarding concerns about reduced local control over development, Senate Bill 208, conservation protections, and property rights. Deputy Mayor Resnick requested that the interlocal agreement with the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections be finalized and returned at the next meeting. Staff confirmed it would be ready for the next agenda. Discussion then followed on the planned gas tax increase, Seminole County's plans to construct a new airport connection on State Road 417, and a request that municipalities forgo any additional revenue for a period of time to facilitate this construction. City Manager Sweet noted representatives from the County and Expressway Authority would be in attendance at a future meeting to further discuss this request. Commissioner Bruce requested that staff compare in-house versus outsourced approaches for stormwater pond maintenance functions. City Manager Kevin Sweet stated that analysis would be worthwhile and noted that major capital work was planned to remain outsourced. Commissioner Bruce also asked that staff explore the possibility of early voting at the city's senior or civic facility in a future election cycle. Staff explained that this would require coordination with the Supervisor of Elections and that feasibility issues had historically included building availability and security requirements. Staff agreed to evaluate the matter. Commissioner Bruce further asked for legal review of whether protections on conservation easements, particularly on the golf course property, could be strengthened. Mayor McCann expressed support for reviewing options, including possible charter -level protections. Commissioner Diaz expressed opposition to further restricting property rights. The Commission reached general consensus to have the City Attorney review potential options and report back. REPORTS 600. City Manager Kevin A. Sweet City Manager Kevin Sweet reported Duke Energy's pole near Seahawk Cove Extension was reported on April 9, with an expected response time of six to eight weeks. He also provided an update on reclaimed water and Vistawilla design completion by late 2027 as well as ongoing projects on Michael Blake Boulevard and noted expansion of reclaimed was a priority of the city. City Manager Sweet further noted that NRCS-funded sediment removal at Deer Run, Tioga Court, and Solary Canal ponds was slated for late May or early June, noted work on Roberts Family Lane related to the Wawa project, and finally recognized the Communications and Public Works and Utilities departments for recent awards they had received. 601. City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese No report. 602. City Clerk Christian Gowan City Clerk Christian Gowan reported that the Florida League of Cities had agreed to attend the first Charter Review Committee meeting to provide the presentation previously requested by the Commission and noted he was working with the City Attorney on scheduling. 604. Seat Two Commissioner Victoria Bruce No report. 605. Seat Three Commissioner Sarah Baker No report. 606. Seat Four Commissioner/Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick Deputy Mayor Resnick announced an upcoming Rotary pickleball tournament and a potential future 5K event with the Chamber. He further addressed the Oak Forest Lake weir issue, highlighted city repairs, and urged community support to maintain them. Finally, Deputy Mayor Resnick mentioned plans for a public meet -and -greet at City Hall in early June. 607. Seat Five Commissioner Mark Caruso Commissioner Mark Caruso reported concerns regarding Oak Forest Lake, including the condition of the weir, aeration and utility issues, and the need for a resident update meeting. He also raised concerns about cleanup and restoration work following paving in Oak Forest and asked staff to look into reported yard debris collection issues in Winter Springs Village. 608. Mayor Kevin McCann Mayor Kevin McCann discussed attending community events, including a ceremony at the Hindu Society of Central Florida to honor teachers and other civic meetings from the prior week. Mayor McCann then inquired about an upcoming public meeting related to the Lake Jesup boardwalk grant application and spoke about the value of the Lake Jesup waterfront and boardwalk idea. He concluded his report by wishing everyone a happy early Mother's Day. 603. Seat une Commissioner Faul Luiaz No report. PURLIO INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs offered additional comments regarding public engagement meetings, noted stormwater responsibilities in hybrid pond communities and asked for further clarification, and noted concerns about reclaimed water and future development capacity. Art Gallo, Winter Springs expressed support for Commissioner Brute's request for an analysis of alternatives for stormwater work, particularly whether outsourcing certain pond -related activities might be more cost-effective before additional fees or funding decisions were made. Kyle Stewart, Winter Springs expressed support for the internal City Clerk recruitment process, urged caution regarding Seminole County's request for gas tax revenue, and noted his support for strengthening protections on conservation easements, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIN McCANN o� VN inter, p 1959 b o'e � o County NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the May 11, 2026 City Commission Regular Meeting.