Commission Meeting

23718 W US HWY 27 Telephone: (386) 454-1416 High Springs, Florida 32643 Facsimile: (386) 454-2126 Web: highsprings.gov HIGH SPRINGS CITY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 8, 2026 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Miller called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM ROLL CALL CITY COMMISSION: Mayor Andrew miller – Present Vice Mayor Wayne Bloodsworth – Present Commissioner Tristan Grunder – Present Commissioner Chad Howell – Present Commissioner Katherine Weitz- Present STAFF PRESENT: Jeremy Marshall, City Manager Angela Stone, City Clerk Jami Echeverri, Asst City Clerk Kiersten Ballou, City Attorney Diane Wilson, Finance Director Antoine Sheppard, Police Chief Kevin Mangan, PIO Joe Peters, Fire Chief Montavis Miner, Police Officer Kristyn Adkins, Planning Technician Richard Cason, Public Works Jason Kytle, Public Works Director INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Invocation: Jacob Newton, High Springs Church of God APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Agenda for the January 8, 2026 Commission Meeting Motion: Commissioner Weitz moved to approve the agenda. Second: Commissioner Howell Vote: Motion carried 5–0. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 11, 2025 COMMISSION MEETING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 2 of 7 Motion: Commissioner Howell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Second: Vice Mayor Bloodsworth Vote: Motion carried 5–0. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON A SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT City Manager Marshall provided an explanation of the item and introduced Kevin Smith with GFL to provide a presentation regarding the solid waste franchise. Kevin Smith with GFL explained that their availability does not currently align with the City’s timing and Alachua County. Dana Miller with WastePro introduced herself, thanked the Commission, and advised that WastePro hopes to continue its partnership with the City. She stated that CPI would not be increased until 2027 and that it had not been raised for 2026. Public Comment: None Motion: Commissioner Howell moved to adopt the five-year solid waste franchise agreement with WastePro. Second: Commissioner Grunder Commissioner Weitz requested clarification regarding the potential CPI increase. Ms. Miller advised that she could not determine the CPI at this time but estimated approximately 3% if required to provide an estimate. Vote: Motion carried 5–0. CITIZEN REQUESTS AND COMMENTS (Items Not on Agenda) David Linch expressed disagreement with the High Springs Brewery using the City’s name in its business name. NEW BUSINESS 1. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON DECLARING PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS AS SURPLUS Staff member Kytle provided a brief explanation, advising that equipment had been replaced and staff requested authorization to surplus the older equipment. He also noted that a plotter from the sign shop had never been used. COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 3 of 7 Motion: Commissioner Weitz moved to surplus the listed items. Second: Commissioner Howell Public Comment: None Vote: Motion carried 5–0. 2. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON APPOINTING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO ATTEND THE ALACHUA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE City Manager Marshall advised that the School Board had requested a City representative. Mayor Miller stated the item was brought forward due to his unavailability. Commissioner Weitz expressed appreciation for the invitation. Commissioner Howell volunteered to attend. Motion: Commissioner Weitz moved to appoint Commissioner Howell as the City’s representative. Second: Commissioner Grunder Public Comment: None Vote: Motion carried 5–0. 3. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON SITE PLAN FOR ACORN STORAGE EXPANSION AT 17770 NW US HWY 441 Staff member Adkins provided a brief explanation of the project and advised that the Planning Board recommended approval, voting 5–0. Attorney Ballou advised that this item, and the following item, were quasi-judicial matters and swore in those wishing to speak: • Garrett Buzzbee • Bill Menadier • Shane Cantrell • Kristyn Adkins (staff) Attorney Ballou asked the Commission to disclose any ex parte communications. Commissioner Weitz advised that she discussed the item with City Manager Marshall and Staff Adkins. COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 4 of 7 Vice Mayor Bloodsworth advised that he also discussed the item with staff. Both Commissioner Weitz and Vice Mayor Bloodsworth stated that their communications did not influence their decision. Motion: Commissioner Grunder moved to approve the site plan. Second: Commissioner Howell Public Comment: None Vote: Motion carried 5–0. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON SITE PLAN FOR CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATED ON PARCEL 00925-000-000 Staff member Adkins provided a brief explanation of the project and advised that the Planning Board recommended approval, voting 5–0. She stated that updates were made to the façade to better align with the historic district. Vice Mayor Bloodsworth asked whether the applicant would consider installing a privacy fence to buffer sound for nearby residents. Mark Shane-Cantrell, the applicant, advised that they would be willing to work toward that accommodation. Commissioner Weitz stated that she attended the Planning Board meeting and thanked the applicant for being willing to make amendments and concessions to improve the design. She commended the Planning Board for its work and expressed concerns regarding sinkholes, soil borings, and potential impacts to private wells. She asked how the Commission could be assured that all conditions would be followed. Bill Menadier explained that his professional license would be at risk if plans were not followed and that this served as quality control. He further explained that sinkholes are a general risk in Florida regardless of development. Vice Mayor Bloodsworth asked for clarification regarding drainage impacts to neighboring properties. Mr. Menadier advised that all proposed improvements and approved construction plans would be followed. Mayor Miller expressed concern that dark-sky lighting could potentially create safety issues if the area became too dark. Motion: Commissioner Grunder moved to approve the site plan for the convenience store located on Parcel 00925-000-000. Second: Commissioner Howell COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 5 of 7 Public Comment: None Vote: Motion carried 5–0. 5. UPDATE ON FIRE AND POLICE BUDGETS City Manager Marshall provided an update on the fire and police budgets. He advised that the Fire Department experienced the most significant impacts due to staffing losses. He explained changes to time-off policies, noting that Kelly Days would be eliminated effective February 1, and that PTO changes would result in a savings of $171,350. He commended Chief Peters for making difficult decisions. Commissioner Weitz requested to review projected budgets once they become more concrete. Staff member Wilson advised that the savings had not yet been fully realized. Mayor Miller asked whether a more definitive overtime estimate could be provided. Chief Peters explained that overtime estimates are difficult due to staffing variables such as call-outs and vacations. He advised that the department is contractually required to staff four personnel per shift and that while part-time staffing is used when possible, some shifts must still be covered by regular staff or officers. Commissioner Grunder asked whether minimum staffing levels were permanent. Chief Peters advised that minimum staffing appears permanent at this time but expressed a desire to restore staffing levels as finances improve. Commissioner Weitz confirmed the presence of a county ambulance stationed in Newberry. Chief Peters confirmed. Commissioner Grunder asked when discussions regarding a potential fire assessment increase would occur. City Manager Marshall advised that discussions had not yet begun and suggested the second meeting in February. Chief Peters advised that information could be prepared by that time. 6. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT ON LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT Attorney Ballou advised that this item was administrative in nature, noting that in previous years the contract had been approved but not fully executed, and that it was being presented for formal execution. Commissioner Weitz asked for clarification regarding the designation of the Charter Officer. Attorney Ballou advised that the contract specifies any Florida Bar-certified attorney within the practice rather than naming a specific individual. COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 6 of 7 Commissioner Weitz expressed concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest due to the firm also representing the City of Alachua. Motion: Commissioner Grunder moved to approve the legal services agreement. Second: Commissioner Howell Public Comment: None Vote: Motion carried 5–0. ATTORNEY REPORT Attorney Ballou reported that she is working on several projects, including engineering services contracts. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Marshall advised of a joint meeting with Alachua County scheduled for May 14th at 6:30 p.m. He reported that the Priest Theatre contract is underway and that Parks and Recreation has upcoming events, including free Zumba classes on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. He advised that Chief Peters and Kevin Mangan attended the Fire and EMS Conference, where Kevin Mangan was named Public Information Officer of the Year. Mr. Mangan also attended advanced PIO training. COMMISSION REPORTS: Commissioner Howell: advised that Legislative Days are scheduled for the end of the month and noted the opportunity for a roundtable discussion that could serve as a workshop to allow citizen input. Commissioner Grunder: asked whether research had begun regarding a purchase order discussed at a previous meeting. City Manager Marshall advised that he had begun reviewing the matter and would provide a full explanation and presentation at a future meeting. He provided a brief overview of a software discrepancy that prematurely closed the purchase order. Commissioner Grunder expressed concern over how this occurred and wanted further information and clarification. Commissioner Weitz: asked whether the audit firm explained why the purchase order was not identified during the audit. Staff member Wilson explained that identifying such items is outside the audit firm’s scope of work and that the situation was highly unusual, resulting in a rare anomaly. Vice Mayor Bloodsworth: expressed support for Staff Wilson and stated that her response was appropriate. He questioned why the issue was being discussed before all facts were compiled. He mentioned that it seemed unfair to not allow staff to speak up and clarify, facts. COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 8 2026 PAGE 7 of 7 City Manager Marshall asked whether the Commission would like to hold a workshop prior to the next meeting. The Commission agreed to schedule a workshop prior to the next meeting. (Attorney Ballou exited the chambers at 8:03 p.m. and returned at 8:05 p.m.) Mayor Miller: asked whether the 2024 audit had been completed. (City Manager Marshall advised it was nearly complete.) ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Howell moved to adjourn. Mayor Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.