City Commission Regular Meeting

City Commission Meeting Minutes June 17, 2025 (APPROVED) 6/17/2025 - Minutes 1. INVOCATION Rev Scott Markley gave the invocation. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hilligoss called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. after the invocation and pledge of allegiance. 4. ROLL CALL Commission members Present: Mayor Jack Hilligoss, Keith Thompson, Carol Gillespie, Robin Gibson, Daniel Williams Staff Present: Deena Drumgo, Assistant City Manager; Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, Albert C. Galloway, Jr., City Attorney, 5. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS 5.I. PROCLAMATION - Boys And Girls Club Week Mayor Hilligoss presented a proclamation designating June 23-27 as Boys and Girls Week. Representatives of the Polk County Boys and Girls Club accepted the proclamation. 5.II. PROCLAMATION - Juneteenth Mayor Hilligoss proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth in Lake Wales. Dorothy Scott Wilson accepted the proclamation. 6. COMMENTS AND PETITIONS Becky Wynkoop, resident, requested that the light at Central and Dr. M L King, Jr. be put back. Michelle Martin, resident, expressed concerns about safety on Lincoln Ave. Charlene Bennett, resident, spoke against the Hunt Club development. 7. CONSENT AGENDA  Michelle Martin, resident, expressed concerns about safety on Lincoln Ave. Charlene Bennett, resident, spoke against the Hunt Club development. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. by voice vote: Commissioner Thompson "YES" Commissioner Williams "YES" Commissioner Gillespie "YES" Deputy Mayor Gibson "YES" Mayor Hilligoss "YES" Motion passed 5-0. 7.I. Minutes - June 3, 2025 7.II. Special Event Permit - 4th Of July Festivities [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: The City of Lake Wales Recreation Department is applying for a special event permit for a 4th of July Celebration on July 4th 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Alcohol will be served. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Commission approve the permit for the 4th of July Celebration and the serving of alcohol at the event. BACKGROUND This event is an annual celebration held at Lake Wailes Park. The event will include vendors, live performances, inflatables, activities, contests and a firework show to conclude the evening. The City Commission approved the expenditure of funds, $35,000, in March for Fireworks with Pyrotechno. OTHER OPTIONS The Commission could decide to not approve the event. FISCAL IMPACT $40,800 is budgeted for the July 4th event. $35,000 is for fireworks. [End Agenda Memo] 7.III. Interlocal Agreement For Fire And Police Telecommunication Services [Begin Agenda Memo] SYNOPSIS: The City Commission will consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to continue providing fire and police telecommunication services from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Commission approve the Interlocal Agreement with Polk County Sheriff’s Office and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. BACKGROUND The annual cost for Fire Telecommunication Services is determined each year based on the number of fire calls for the City of Lake Wales divided by the total fire calls for service dispatched by the Sherriff’s telecommunication center multiplied by the direct fire dispatch operating costs. The annual cost for Police Telecommunication Services is provided in the Interlocal Agreement. This agreement is similar to those in place in Winter Haven, Auburndale, Frostproof, Fort Meade and  Polk County Sheriff’s Office and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. BACKGROUND The annual cost for Fire Telecommunication Services is determined each year based on the number of fire calls for the City of Lake Wales divided by the total fire calls for service dispatched by the Sherriff’s telecommunication center multiplied by the direct fire dispatch operating costs. The annual cost for Police Telecommunication Services is provided in the Interlocal Agreement. This agreement is similar to those in place in Winter Haven, Auburndale, Frostproof, Fort Meade and Davenport. The city of Lake Wales previously entered in to this Interlocal Agreement in 2021. OTHER OPTIONS Do not approve the agreement, purchase updated communications equipment and hire full time telecommunication personnel. FISCAL IMPACT $51,923 for fire telecommunication services beginning October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. $355,066 for police telecommunication services beginning October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. [End Agenda Memo] 8. OLD BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. CITY ATTORNEY Albert Galloway, Jr., City Attorney, reported that the Code Enforcement board authorized a code lien foreclosure of 351 Lincoln Ave. He reported that he is currently working with the attorney for the owner of a commercial property at 351 Lincoln Ave to draft a redevelopment agreement. This agreement is intended to be similar to the one used by the Care Center for their apartment complex on the church parking lot. They are discussing the use of a letter of credit instead of direct fund deposits. The goal of this agreement is to prevent the city from having to acquire and demolish the commercial property. Commissioner Gillespie asked what is there now. Mr. Galloway said a dilapidated 2 story building. 11. CITY MANAGER Assistant City Manager Deena Drumgo provided several updates: l The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Walesbilt hotel was released today, and interested developers can find more information on the city's website. l A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Linear Downtown Park is scheduled for this Friday at 10:00 a.m. l The next commission workshop is set for next Wednesday, June 25th, at 2:00 p.m. 12. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Gillespie began by thanking the Mayor for the proclamations, deeming both very important. She then referenced the Legacy Housing opening from yesterday, confirming it was well-attended by all commissioners due to their appreciation for these "legacy houses" and the visible improvements. She asked Ms. Martin if Her concern about commotion was related to "Friday night live" celebrations. Commissioner Thompson said no. Commissioner Gillespie said she wasn’t sure what was happening there. Commissioner Gillespie noted that the Hunt Club project was approved long before her time on the commission, so she couldn't comment on it. However, she expressed a strong hope that the city avoids granting too many "waivers" that might deprive citizens of protection against over-development, particularly in areas that are more picturesque. Commissioner Williams said he will pass on Ms. Martin’s concerns to the City Manager and the Chief of Police.  commission, so she couldn't comment on it. However, she expressed a strong hope that the city avoids granting too many "waivers" that might deprive citizens of protection against over-development, particularly in areas that are more picturesque. Commissioner Williams said he will pass on Ms. Martin’s concerns to the City Manager and the Chief of Police. Commissioner Thompson expressed his excitement about the Legacy Home ceremony, particularly because the owner was the grandmother of a former high school football teammate, which he found a heartwarming example of generational progress in the city. He also voiced enthusiasm for the upcoming Linear Park ribbon-cutting, stating it's good to see the "meat on the bones of the butterfly," and predicting it will become a popular spot for photographs in Lake Wales. He also shared an interesting detail about the moss used in the park being imported from New Zealand. Finally, he thanked Ms. Martin for speaking, affirming that the city wants her to operate her business on Lincoln Avenue. He found her comparison of Friday nights on Park Avenue versus Lincoln Avenue "very appropriate" and commended her courage for speaking up. He assured her that her concerns for Lincoln Avenue's future as a business-minded district would not go unnoticed. Deputy Mayor Gibson stated that he represents only the citizens of Lake Wales, whom he considers special. He emphasized that every Lake Wales citizen he represents is entitled to the same level of safety, protection, and support, regardless of who they are or where they live. He supported the comparison to Park Avenue, using it to underscore his point: if a particular area, like Lincoln Avenue, experiences twice the problems, then it requires twice the safety and security resources. He concluded by asserting that the commission's duty is to ensure all citizens receive this equitable level of safety, security, and support. 12.I. Commission Meeting Calendar 13. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Hilligoss commented that the Legacy Housing ceremonies are "always enjoyable and gratifying," noting that the recent one was the 49th since the program began, which has successfully remodeled and updated homes for citizens – a "great accomplishment." He expressed his anticipation for the opening of the Linear Park, describing the transformation of the entire downtown area as "beautiful" and the park itself as "gorgeous." Finally, he conveyed excitement about the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Grand Hotel being released, believing it will generate significant interest and lead to positive outcomes. 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. _______________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________ City Clerk