Regular City Commission Meeting

CITY OF EAGLE LAKE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 7: 00 P. M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS 675 E EAGLE AVE EAGLE LAKE, FLORIDA 33839 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Coler called the meeting to order at 7: 10 p.m. II. INVOCATION The Invocation was dispensed with as it was done at the previous meeting. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was dispensed with as it was done at the previous meeting. IV. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler ABSENT: None V. AUDIENCE Mayor Coler opened public comment period. Public comment was given as follows: Pam Chaney 790 N 8th St. addressed the commission. There being no one else who wished to speak Mayor Coler closed public comment period. VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS/ PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS A. Staff Reports Library Director Kristen Barns updated the Commission regarding the library statistics and events in the library. Code Enforcement Officer Nadeau updated the Commission regarding the Code Enforcement cases in the city and permits issued in the city. City Manager Ernharth stated the Certificate of Use Program is on hold at this time; Code Enforcement Officer Nadeau advised staff will discuss the program with the City Attorney regarding pricing, inspections and how to address exemptions. Discussion of the program ensued. Sgt. Turner updated the Commission regarding the events that have occurred in the city. Deputy Chief Gonzalez updated the Commission regarding the events that have occurred in the city. 1 Regular City Commission Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Ernharth advised the city approved the new fire station; he advised he requested for a set of plans. There was discussion regarding the previous request for a baby box; Deputy Chief Gonzalez will investigate the status. B. City Manager Report City Manager Ernharth stated the 7- 11 is moving forward; they are projecting grand opening in March or April of 2026. Manager Ernharth stated Southwest Florida Water Management District ( SWFWMD) contacted the city regarding our water consumption; he was advised our population will be approximately 12, 166 by 2034 and the city' s water consumption will be 1 million 17 gallons per day. Mr. Ernharth advised staff is working with SWFWMD to increase our permitted capacity until the Polk Regional Water Cooperative and Green Acres Water plants come online. Mr. Ernharth stated the Sports Association would like to have artificial turf installed at the ballfield at a cost of$ 43, 447. 83; he advised he budgeted$ 50, 000 for ballfield improvements. MOTION was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Metosh to approve artificial turf for the ballfield in the amount of$ 43, 447. 83. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None C. Consideration of the appointment of Zac Marius to the CRA Board Seat# 7 ( filling remainder of term to expire May of 2026) MOTION was made by Mayor Coler and seconded by Commissioner Metosh to appoint Zac Marius to the CRA Board Seat# 7( filling remainder of term to expire May of 2026). Mayor Coler asked for audience and Commission discussion; there was none. The vote was as follows: AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Consideration of the second reading of Ordinance No. 0-25- 17, An Ordinance of the City of Eagle Lake, Florida Extending the Corporate Limits of the City of Eagle Lake, to Include Therm Additional Territory Lying Contiguous and Adjacent to the Present Boundaries of the City of Eagle Lake; Describing said Additional Territory; Repealing all Ordinances Conflicting Herewith and Providing an Effective Date.( General Location: four parcels of land totaling approximately 20. 17 acres in size lying east of Eagle Pines Blvd and north of Golden Bear Dr. with a street address of 1381 Gilbert St. Eagle Lake, Florida 33839 and 0 Gilbert St. Winter Haven, FL 33880) Duy Nguyen Inc. Property effective upon second reading Attorney Maxwell read Ordinance No. 0-25- 17 by title. 2 Regular City Commission Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 3 of 6 City Manager Ernharth explained the ordinance to annex property into the city. MOTION was made by Commissioner Metosh and seconded by Commissioner Pita to approve Ordinance No. 0- 25- 17. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None B. Consideration of the second reading of Ordinance No. 0-25- 18, An Ordinance Amending the City of Eagle Lake, Florida 2030 Comprehensive Plan by Revising the Future Land Use Map Series to Assign Medium Density Residential. Future Land use to Four( 4) Annexed Parcels; Amending the City of Eagle Lake, Florida Zoning Map to Apply Planned Unit Development- Housing ( PD- H) Zoning to the Same Certain Parcels; Repealing all Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and Providing an Effective Date. ( General Location: four parcels of land totaling approximately 20. 17 acres in size, lying east of Eagle Pines Blvd and north of Golden Bear Dr with a street address of 1381 Gilbert St. Eagle Lake, Florida 33839 and 0 Gilbert St. Winter Haven, FL 33880) Duy Nguyen Inc. Property effective upon second reading Attorney Maxwell read Ordinance No. 0-25- 18 by title. City Manager Emharth explained the ordinance to assign a city zoning classification to the property. MOTION was made by Commissioner Metosh and seconded by Commissioner Pita to approve Ordinance No. 0-25- 18. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None C. Consideration of the first reading of Ordinance No. 0-26- 01, An Ordinance of the City of Eagle Lake, Florida, Submitting to the City Electors Proposed Amendments to Section 3. 02 of the City Charter to Change the Date of Municipal Elections and to Change the Length of City Commissioner Terms; Providing For Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date. Attorney Maxwell read Ordinance No. 0-26- 01 by title only. MOTION was made by Mayor Coler and seconded by Commissioner Metosh to approve Ordinance No. 0-26- 01. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. Mayor Coler stated the ordinance formalizes the charter referendum language for April 2026. Attorney Maxwell stated if approved elections will move from April to November in odd year and the second change would be to extend commissioner terms from 2 years to 4 years. She 3 Regular City Commission Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 4 of 6 stated if this passes it would take effect immediately; to align terms and ordinance would be brought forward to align terms with new election cycle. There was discussion that the Supervisor of Elections is looking to have better turn out for elections by aligning with November elections and for cost savings. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Consideration of the Contingency Request for Additional Services Proposal# 1 for Eagle Lake City Hall Complex Mr. Ernharth explained due to changing the scope of work the architects would like to utilize the Design Contingency. MOTION was made by Mayor Coler and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve Contingency Request for Additional Services Proposal# 1 for Eagle Lake City Hall Complex in the amount of$ 68, 143. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None IX. NEW BUSINESS There was no New Business. X. CONSENT AGENDA A. Accept City Hall Design Plan Meeting Minutes 09/ 09/ 2025 B. Approval of the Regular City Commission Minutes 09/ 17/ 2025 MOTION was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Metosh to approve Consent Agenda items A. the City Hall Design Plan Meeting Minutes of 09/ 09/ 2025 and B. the Regular City Commission Minutes of 09/ 17/ 2025. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The vote was as follows: AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 C. Approval of Financials— August D. Approval of Financial— September 4 Regular City Commission Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 5 of 6 MOTION was made by Commissioner Billings and seconded by Commissioner Metosh to approve the Financials for August and September. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The vote was as follows: AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 E. Approval of the Bad Debt List 2, 934. 56 MOTION was made by Commissioner Billings and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the Bad Debt list$ 2, 934. 56. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The vote was as follows: AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 F. Approval of Surplus List MOTION was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Billings to approve the Surplus List. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The vote was as follows: AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 G. Approval of Closing Documents for Clevenger Property and Authorization to transmit wire transfer with closing funds( documents are in preparation and will be provided prior to meeting) Attorney Maxwell stated the closing documents have not been received and she would ask the Commission to authorize the City Manager to wire transfer up to$ 135, 000 and to sign necessary documents. She stated this will be brought back to the November 3' meeting for the Commission to ratify. MOTION was made by Mayor Coler and seconded by Commissioner Williams to authorize the City Manager to wire transfer up to$ 135, 000 and to sign necessary documents. Mayor Coler asked for audience and commission discussion; there was none. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Billings, Williams, Metosh, Pita, Coler NAYS: None 5 Regular City Commission Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 6 of 6 XI. CITY ATTORNEY Attorney Maxwell had no report. XII. CITY COMMISSION Commissioner Pita asked the City Manager if he could contact FDOT and have the street signs on US 17 replaced due to dilapidated condition. There was discussion of the Eagle Lake aluminum sign at Squires Grove. There was discussion of the limited space for a sign. Commissioner Williams asked Manager Ernharth for an update regarding investing of city funds for a higher rate of return. Mr. Ernharth stated he is working with SouthState Bank. There was discussion regarding the increase in the city' s population and the need to hire more people. Commissioner Williams updated the commission regarding the meeting with architects and working to bring costs down. There was discussion to continue to update city' s forms and to move forward with technology. Commissioner Metosh had no report. Commissioner Billings had no report. Mayor Coler was supportive of the use of technology for better engagement with residents, especially communication during emergencies. XIH. ADJOURNMENT MOTION was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Billings to adjourn at 8: 01 p. m. The vote was as follows: III„ I I,,//// AYES: 5 F.••' ''•• 0 • R4TF.f. NAY rsAL P• Mx1 ORVO•• ATTEST: l11! I I I* W 0a, CITY UAI) CLERK DAWN . k GHT 6