REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

HISTORIC TOWN OF EATONVILLE, FLORIDA REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 7:30 PM Denton Johnson Center 400 Ruffel St, Eatonville, FL 32751 SPECIAL NOTICE: These meeting minutes are presented in an abbreviated format intended as a public record -in-the-Sunshine law. Meetings are opened to the public, noticed within reasonable advance notice, and transcribed into minutes for public record. **Audio CALL TO ORDER AND VERIFICATION OF QUORUM: Mayor Gardner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and a quorum was established by Town Clerk. PRESENT: (5), Councilwoman Wanda Randolph, Councilman Tarus Mack, Councilman Rodney Daniels, Vice Mayor Theo Washington, Mayor Angie Gardner STAFF: (7) Demetrius Pressley, Chief Administrator Officer, Marlin Daniels, Interim Chief Administrator Officer Veronica King, Town Clerk, Ryan Knight, Town Attorney, Katrina Gibson, Finance Director, Lieutenant Jones, EPD, Valerie Mundy, Public Works Director INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Invocation through a moment of silence led by Mayor Gardner followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Mayor Gardner Motions to APPROVE the meeting agenda with AMENDMENT removing item #7 Approval of Resolution 2025-20 Transferring Ownership Property Owned TOE to the CRA; Moved by Councilwoman Randolph; Second by Councilman Daniels; AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (4) Jane Turner) Appointed to the (Historic Preservation) board, in March of 2023, have not had any input from the mayor, nor town council on things that have transpired, hope that administration see the historic preservation board as partners an important part of the town as an historic designation, funds have come in from the trust (National) in DC and from the state, had no knowledge of it (grant), the board need to be updated in preparation when it comes time to vote, was given some information but not all the information, this money is available for historic preservation, administration should acknowledge the board as partners and board members need to be able to perform their job, this historic town is precious and is under siege nationally and globally, we can be wiped out at a minute's notice, there are people that would like to see our historic designation eliminated, have to make sure that we work together in unison for the town of Eatonville and for the nation because we are the first incorporated townships in the United States, look forward to seeing one of you or somebody take interest in what we are doing, when things come into this town that affect the historic board, do not wait until the last minute and expect us to vote on it when we are not up to date on what is going on Councilman Daniels inquired about the duties and responsibilities In response, we have the responsibility of applying for state and even national grants to enhance the town, it is not for just demolition of property, we are undergoing a survey and our aim is to expand the limits of our historic boundaries, we would like to have the whole town considered. Mr. Fly is basically looking at what we have and what has happened. Councilman Daniels we need to bring resolution or ordinance the historical district the whole town, I will champion to get this established, the whole town being the historic district. 1 of 4 09162025CouncilMeetingMinutes  Kelvan Franklin (133 Thompson Avenue, Maitland, Florida) An Ambassadors for the Chamber of Commerce, the State of the Chamber event is this Saturday at 133 Thompson Avenue, Maitland, Florida (10am 1pm), if you want to have a voice in the direction that the chamber is going, we would love to have your input on the surveys that will be available at the event, tickets are not available on the day of the event, please reach out to Ms. Lavon at the chamber to get tickets. Angela Johnson gave thanks to Mr. Pressley (Chief Administrative Officer) for his dedicated service to the town, it may seem that we may not be on the same page, they are not always challenges but ways we can all work together and grow, understanding that we are going to have differences of opinion, appreciates his leadership commitment, and dedication to the town; due to health, I was not able to make the budget hearings, the mayor made the announcement that Mr. Marlin Daniels will be fulfilling that role (Interim Chief Administrative Officer), is there an official end date (For Mr. Pressley), is there an official start date (For Mr. Daniels)?, from the perspective of a budget, what will be the salary paid to Mr. Daniels?, is there a salary range for the position, does it have to come before counsel?, making sure that we stay within the budget, saw that the position had a 10% increase from $90,000 to a $100,000 for the year, what would be the current salary and range for the position?; Concerning the historic site preservation, suggested that we look at these markers (historic), they are not legible and have not been for several years, we want the tourists but I would not want to invite anyone to come and go on a tour when you are looking at markers that are not legible, the street signage (Welcome to Eatonville) and other things are easy fixes, suggest putting up some new and clear signage; What is the status of the question brought forth back in November and December and January on the water bill where we talked about the charges and discussed the billing per thousand gallons that we know that was the intent of the town, but the table attached to the agenda that the council voted was not indicative of what was intended, would like a status update Joyce Irby Acknowledged the speaker Ms. Turner who spoke during Public Participation period, in the council meetings we are advocating and talking about grants for historic preservation, people are talking about not destroying buildings, helping to push through grants and the National Trust, if you all (the historic preservation board) can get grants that would great, there are things that are discussed openly here with citizens, this is the venue (Council meetings) that is used, if you come here (to council meetings) you will get a lot of information and know what is going on, nice to meet you. APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Gardner Motions to APPROVE the Consent Agenda; approving Town Council Meeting Minutes September 2, 2025, Resolution 2025-26 A Reappoint (1) One Citizen to the Planning and Zoning Board As A Regular Board Member, Resolution 2025-27 A Reappoint (3) Three Individuals to the Historic Preservation Board As Regular Board Members, Resolution 2025-28 A Reappoint (1) One Citizen to the Code Enforcement Board As A Regular Board Member, Resolution 2025- 29 A Reappoint (1) One Citizen to the Board of Adjustment Board As A Regular Board Member, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between Crush Gruuv Productions Inc. and the Town of Eatonville for the Annual Droville Music Festival; moved by Vice Mayor Washington; second by Councilman Daniels; AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. COUNCIL DECISIONS: (PULLED By Councilman Mack) Resolution 2025-20 Transferring Ownership Property Owned by TOE to the CRA-504 Eaton Street NO ACTION TAKEN REPORTS: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: Demetrius Pressley Official date of employment is October th 17 ; will use up incurred leave time; the Interim CAO will facilitate the next meeting; Master Plan meeting is tomorrow at Lias Hall (5:30 pm); CRA meeting tomorrow; applied for several grants to address the markers (historic); recreation has applied for the furlough grant ($50,000 does not require an reimbursement); working on the storm water rate sufficiency study; on how to proceed with 2 of 4 09162025CouncilMeetingMinutes  the water rates; want to workshop to discuss the that the Finance Director received when meeting with , while get with legal to prepare; the MOU has been approved for the Droville (event), all services within the town will be paid for and by the event host, they will look at opportunities to support the town and give back to the town funds that are raised from that event; received the Zora Festival MOU, has been given to legal and the Chief (of Polic a workshop next week or next month to talk about the space being requested (Mr. Pressley believes it should be changed, are not meeting the standard that will suffice for the area being requested, have meeting with Mrs. Nathiri and Mr. Kendricks; company or a consultant to do the historic preservation resource survey, the historic (preservation)board was looking to pursue a grant, but that grant would have taken another year to get, next month there will be meetings and workshops with Mr. Ennis Davis who is leading this charge, has done work in the area of planning and on historic preservation side, (the survey) will cover the current mapped out space for the historic area in Eatonville and identify other areas, this will be a process that will require the board and the community members when considering areas to include; will require the approval of the town council, . ATTORNEY: Ryan Knight There are no new lawsuits TOWN CLERK: Veronica King Candidate packet for the upcoming election for 2026 will be ready for distribution by Monday, the objective is to make that (candidate package) available online as well as available for pick up at Town hall. TOWN COUNCIL REPORT/DISCUSSION ITEMS - Councilwoman Wanda Randolph Thanked everybody for coming out; the 3D Mammogram event that took place over a week ago (Saturday) was very successful, had 30 individuals screened, the group is looking forward to coming back next year that was a plus, thank the town, the support of administration and all who made the event a success; concerns on agenda item six with the acting in Interim CAO (Mr. Daniels) pertaining to the festival, the production, and the promoter. Councilman Rodney Daniels Thanked those who came out with their concerns, we work together as a team. Councilman Tarus Mack Thanks to everyone for coming out and being a part of town meeting, it is important that everybody stay engaged with the things going on in the community; condolences to all who have lost loves ones; lost a good friend this morning (Ms. Regina golden); great job to the staff for doing a sensational job; glad to be able to pass a balanced budget, acknowledged and the staff for professionalism; concerning the cemetery, had an opportunity to listen to a lot of different voices at the last council meeting and made a decision to remove the item from the agenda immediately, rather to table it versus taken a vote on it, ill never come back as far as I am concerned; The Chamber of Commerce are its State of (Chamber) Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 133 Thompson Avenue in Maitland, Florida, if anyone is interested come out, the Chamber of Commerce is an important mechanism in our community; and welcome to Mr. Daniels for fulfilling the need of having an Interim CAO, an important job in the community; thanks to (Mr. Pressley) for his professionalism and for the integrity, leadership, and knowledge brought to this town; master plan meeting tomorrow at 5:30pm located at Macedonia (Missionary Baptist) Church, advise anyone that want to know what is going on with our master plan, especially citizens to be present. Vice Mayor Theo Washington Thanks to everyone for coming out; thanks to Mr. Pressley for your services, our services, you will be missed; talked about the historic markers needing to be addresses as soon as possible; dilapidated, historic preservation, code enforcement, all of us need give a hand in getting these things done, look at it as beautifying Eatonville; condolences to all families who have lost loved ones; 3 of 4 09162025CouncilMeetingMinutes  and about, in a large group, you do not know what can happen (referenced the Charlie Kirk incident). (Mr. Pressley - Attorney General has rendered an opinion on the open carry of guns in public places, aske that legal and chief (of police) work to address what will be the standard expectations, (legal) places like this (town hall) will still be prohibited. - Mayor Angie Gardner , in that same family Attorney Morrell, the previous attorney who had passed away, his wife also passed and the same family also lost her brother. (sending condolences all around that family); gave Enriching Eatonville history, the Tuesday, October 7th from 5-6:30pm at the Eatonville Branch Library and also Thursday, October 9th from 5:30 7:00pm there will be a Zoom meeting, the historic survey is underway; was at an event sponsored by the AKA (sorority) for new mothers at the Denton Johnson Center, about 20 new expecting mothers was able to get starter packs for their babies; the chamber was filled with a group showing an example of the partnerships that are out there. (Mundy) the group in Virginia, then they came to Florida, their focus is on the quality of water in our small communities and black settlements, expertise excited to have them here, funded by the EPA; (Mayor Gardner Gardner) Thanks to the staff, thanks to Mr. Pressley Town of Eatonville, looking forward and thanked Mr. Daniels for taking on the responsibility, it will take someone that will care and protect the town, that is essential. (Town Clerk) d for the record an email that was received by Everett Fly in reference to Resolution 2025-20, council received a copy and copies were given to the public, he had asked that this information be submitted in the record for both the workshop and the meeting. Handouts: Agenda, Meeting Minutes, Flyer ADJOURNMENT Mayor Gardner Motions for Adjournment of Meeting; moved by Councilman Mack; second by Councilwoman Randolph; AYE: ALL, MOTION PASSES. Meeting Adjourned at 8:10pm pm. Respectfully Submitted by: APPROVED _____________________________ _______________________ Veronica L King, Town Clerk Angie Gardner, Mayor 4 of 4 09162025CouncilMeetingMinutes