City Council
Regular MeetingOcala, FL · January 16, 2024
Minutes
110 SE Watula Avenue
Ocala Ocala, FL 34471
City Council www.ocalafl.gov
Synopsis
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 4:00 PM
1. Call to Order
a. Opening Ceremony
1. Invocation
2. Pledge of Allegiance
b. Welcome and Roll Call
Present: Mayor Ben Marciano
Pro Tem Kristen M. Dreyer
Council Member Ire J. Bethea Sr
Council Member James P. Hilty Sr
Council Member Jay A. Musleh
Council President Barry Mansfield
c. New Employees
- Ngozi Ajufo, Growth Management
- Jeff Guilbault, Growth Management
- Marie Mesadieu, Growth Management
- Charlita Whitehead, Growth Management
- Shantel Bynes, Ocala Fiber Network
- Thomas Dameron, Ocala Fiber Network
- Scout Infanzon, Ocala Fiber Network
- Isaiah Robinson, Public Works
2. Public Notice
Public Notice for the January 16, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on December 5,
2023
3. Proclamations & Awards
3. National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists' Week Proclamation
3a. The National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month Proclamation will be
presented to the Marion County Human Trafficking Task Force
3b. Black History Month Proclamation will be presented to Dwanette Dilworth
3c. The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Birthday and Florida Arbor Day Proclamation
will be presented to Jacqua Ballas, President of Pioneer Garden Club and to Barbara
McGhee 2nd Vice-President of Pioneer Garden Club
Page 1 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
3d. Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell Proclamation
3e. Service Award - Peter Lee - City Manager - 15 Years of Service
3f. Service Award - Cody McCormack - Ocala Electric Utility - 20 Years of Service
3g. Service Award - Officer James Deas - Ocala Police Department - 25 Years of Service
4. Presentations
4a. Office of Homeless Prevention Presentation
5. Public Comments
6. Public Hearings
6a. Open a public hearing to review and receive comments concerning SunTran’s proposed
Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Budgets (Consolidated Capital Grant) using Federal Transit
Administration 5307 funds and toll road revenue credits for a total budget amount of
$8,330,655
Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
6b. Approve a request to amend the Chapter 163 Development Agreement, dated September
14, 2021, and recorded in Official Records Book 7570, Page 306, which relates to the
operation and development of the subject properties as a C&D Landfill (Friends
Recycling) on approximately 74.94 acres of property located at 2350 NW 27th Avenue,
Parcel Numbers 21476-000-00, 21478-000-00, 21477-000-00, 21480-000-00,
21494-000-00, 21474-002-00, 21474-001-00, and 21474-000-00 (DMA23-45468). This
is the second of two public hearings. The first public hearing was held at the Planning
and Zoning Commission Board meeting on January 8, 2024
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Kristen M. Dreyer
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
7. Second and Final Reading of Ordinances
(All are Public Hearings)
7a. Adopt Ordinance 2024-6 amending Chapter 106, Article IV concerning Affordable
Housing (COD22-44820)
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
Introduced By: James P. Hilty Sr
Motion amended: Adopt Ordinance 2024-6 amending Chapter 106, Article IV
concerning Affordable Housing (COD22-44820), with 10 years' affordability
requirement and lien reduction by 10 percent per year
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
Page 2 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8. General Business
8a. Approve the award of a piggyback agreement to Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., for
the provision of a water, sewer, reclaimed water, and miscellaneous fees rate study for an
estimated cost of $104,900
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8b. Approve the purchase of Sulzer pumps from Hydra Services Inc., with an estimated
annual expenditure of $150,000
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Jay A. Musleh
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8c. Approve Construction Services Agreement with Commercial Industrial Corp. for the
provision of construction services for Phase 1B of the SW 44th Avenue Extension
Project in the amount of $8,814,840, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a total
expenditure of $9,696,325
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8d. Approve agreement with Art Walker Construction, Inc. for the provision of construction
services for Phase II of the NW 44th Avenue Extension Project in the amount of
$5,299,999, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a total expenditure of $5,829,999
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8e. Approve Marion County’s standard professional services agreement for Emergency
Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funding for outreach services in the amount of $105,000
Presentation By: James Haynes
Page 3 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8f. Approve an agreement to purchase 7.80 acres (Parcel # 21512-000-00) from Armstrong
Land, LLC for a new fire station (#8) in northwest Ocala in the amount of $600,000
Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Kristen M. Dreyer
SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8g. Approve a mowing and lot clearing contract with Extreme Enterprises of Marion
County, Inc. for an amount of $283,800
Presentation By: Jeff Shrum
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8h. Approve the Territorial Agreement between the City of Ocala Electric Utility and Duke
Energy Florida, LLC
Presentation By: Doug Peebles
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8i. Adopt Resolution 2024-9 for the Federally Funded Subaward and Grant Agreement for
Hurricane Idalia, DR-4734, Agreement Number Z4062, approving the delegation of
authority to City Manager, Peter Lee, to execute funding agreements, amendments, and
compliance documents as the authorized agent for the City of Ocala
Presentation By: Peter Brill
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Jay A. Musleh
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
8j. Approve the purchase of various inventory items for Ocala Fiber Network from multiple
vendors in the amount not to exceed $220,310
Presentation By: Mel Poole
Page 4 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
9. Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote.
There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of Council or the public
request specific items to be removed for separate discussion and action.
RESULT: APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Kristen M. Dreyer
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
9a. Approve Landowner Concurrence Form to Install Structural or Vegetative Activities
through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service for
Agri Land & Cattle Co., LLC at the City-owned Perry Reuse Site
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
9b. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Grant Agreement WG093 with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for citywide wastewater system improvements
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
9c. Approve a First Amendment to City Redevelopment Agreement for D&S Development,
LLC (GRM/210512) to construct affordable housing units on properties located in the
West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area subarea
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
9d. Adopt Budget Resolution 2024-121 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to accept
and appropriate the City of Ocala’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funding
for outreach services in the amount of $105,000
Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
9e. Adopt Budget Resolution 2024-122 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to
appropriate funds from the Building Fund Reserve for the ProjectDox software
integration with the Community Development software system in the amount of $33,000
Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
9f. December 2023 outside counsel invoices for general city business legal services in the
amount of $1,587.50 and for risk management-related legal services in the amount of
$3,419.00
Presentation By: William E. Sexton
9g. Approve Labor Attorney invoices for November 2023 in the amount of $520
Presentation By: Devan Kikendall
9h. Approve appointment of Darrell O’Kain to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board for
Page 5 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
an unexpired three-year term ending March 1, 2025
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
9i. Approve City Council meeting minutes from January 2, 2024
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
10. Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion
Should any items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, they will be discussed at
this time.
11. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances - None
12. Internal Auditor's Report - None
13. City Manager's Report
Strategic Planning Workshop update
14. Police and Fire Department Report
Police Chief Mike Balken – Public Safety Opioid Response Efforts
Fire Chief Clint Welborn – Public Safety Opioid Response Efforts & Community Paramedicine
15. Mayor's Report
Martin Luther King Jr. Day events
Law Enforcement Day 2024
16. City Attorney's Report
16a. Termination of Agreement for Class Action Notice and Administration Services with
The Notice Company, Inc. for claims administration associated with the City of Ocala,
Florida - Fire Fee Refund
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Jay A. Musleh
AYE: Dreyer, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Musleh, and Mansfield
17. Informational Items
17a. Calendaring Items
- City Council Workshop: Downtown Parking - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 12:00pm -
Council Chambers
- 25 Years of SunTran Celebration - Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 11:00am - 2:00pm -
SunTran offices at 1805 NE 30th Ave
- City Council Workshop: Fluoride - Thursday, February 15, 2024 - 12:00pm - Council
Chambers
17b. Comments by Mayor
Page 6 of 7
City Council Synopsis January 16, 2024
17c. Comments by Council Members
Council Member Bethea commented on Martin Luther King Jr. Day events
Council Member Hilty stated he will be attending the FMPA conference in Orlando on January
17, 2024
Council Member Dreyer commented on the location of a methadone clinic
Council President Mansfield commented on the professionalism of the sanitation team
17d. Informational
17d1. Executed Contract Under $50,000
18. Adjournment
Adjourned at 5:46 pm
Page 7 of 7
Agenda
Ocala City Council Agenda - Final
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Meeting Information WELCOME!
Location
Citizens are encouraged to participate in City of Ocala
Ocala City Hall meetings. Speaker cards should be filled out in advance and
110 SE Watula Avenue submitted to the City Clerk. Speakers will be limited to 3
Second Floor - Council Chambers (three) minutes. Additional time may be granted by the Council
Ocala, Florida President. When recognized, state name and address. Citizen
https://www.ocalafl.gov/meetings
groups are asked to name a spokesperson.
Time The City of Ocala encourages civility in public discourse and
4:00 PM requests that speakers limit their comments to specific motions
and direct their comments to the Council. Cell phones should be
Council Members
Barry Mansfield, Council President turned off or set to vibrate.
Kristen Dreyer, Pro Tem
Ire Bethea Sr. The order of agenda items may be changed if deemed
James P. Hilty Sr. appropriate by City Council.
Jay A. Musleh
Mayor Citizens are encouraged to provide comments in writing to the
Ben Marciano City Clerk before meetings for inclusion into the
public record. Citizens may also provide input to individual
City Manager council members via office visits, phone calls, letters and
Peter Lee
e-mail that will become public record. In some instances, i.e.,
Quasi-Judicial Hearings, these particular contacts may be
prohibited.
Mission Statement
The City of Ocala provides fiscally APPEALS
responsible services consistent with the Any person who desires to appeal any decision at this meeting
community's current and future will need a record of the proceedings and for this purpose may
expectations. need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made that includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is made.
City Council's
Strategic Priorities ADA COMPLIANCE
If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate
Priority 1: Economic hub in this meeting, please call the City Manager’s Office at
Priority 2: Fiscally sustainable 352-629-8401 at least 48 hours in advance so arrangements can
Priority 3: Engaged workforce
be made.
Priority 4: Operational excellence
Priority 5: Quality of place
City Council Agenda - Final January 16, 2024
1. Call to Order
a. Opening Ceremony
1. Invocation
2. Pledge of Allegiance
b. Welcome and Roll Call
c. New Employees
- Ngozi Ajufo, Growth Management
- Jeff Guilbault, Growth Management
- Marie Mesadieu, Growth Management
- Charlita Whitehead, Growth Management
- Shantel Bynes, Ocala Fiber Network
- Thomas Dameron, Ocala Fiber Network
- Scout Infanzon, Ocala Fiber Network
- Isaiah Robinson, Public Works
2. Public Notice
3. Proclamations & Awards
3a. The National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Proclamation will be presented to the Marion County Human
Trafficking Task Force
3b. Black History Month Proclamation will be presented to Dwanette
Dilworth
3c. The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Birthday and Florida Arbor
Day Proclamation will be presented to Jacqua Ballas, President of
Pioneer Garden Club and to Barbara McGhee 2nd Vice-President of
Pioneer Garden Club
3d. Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell Proclamation
3e. Service Award - Peter Lee - City Manager - 15 Years of Service
3f. Service Award - Cody McCormack - Ocala Electric Utility - 20 Years
of Service
3g. Service Award - Officer James Deas - Ocala Police Department - 25
Years of Service
4. Presentations
4a. Office of Homeless Prevention Presentation
5. Public Comments
Page 1 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final January 16, 2024
6. Public Hearings
6a. Open a public hearing to review and receive comments concerning
SunTran’s proposed Fiscal Years 2019-2021 Budgets (Consolidated
Capital Grant) using Federal Transit Administration 5307 funds and
toll road revenue credits for a total budget amount of $8,330,655
Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
6b. Approve a request to amend the Chapter 163 Development Agreement,
dated September 14, 2021, and recorded in Official Records Book
7570, Page 306, which relates to the operation and development of the
subject properties as a C&D Landfill (Friends Recycling) on
approximately 74.94 acres of property located at 2350 NW 27th
Avenue, Parcel Numbers 21476-000-00, 21478-000-00, 21477-000-00,
21480-000-00, 21494-000-00, 21474-002-00, 21474-001-00, and
21474-000-00 (DMA23-45468). This is the second of two public
hearings. The first public hearing was held at the Planning and Zoning
Commission Board meeting on January 8, 2024
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
7. Second and Final Reading of Ordinances
(All are Public Hearings)
7a. Adopt Ordinance 2024-6 amending Chapter 106, Article IV
concerning Affordable Housing (COD22-44820)
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
Introduced by: James P. Hilty Sr
8. General Business
8a. Approve the award of a piggyback agreement to Raftelis Financial
Consultants, Inc., for the provision of a water, sewer, reclaimed water,
and miscellaneous fees rate study for an estimated cost of $104,900
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
8b. Approve the purchase of Sulzer pumps from Hydra Services Inc., with
an estimated annual expenditure of $150,000
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
8c. Approve Construction Services Agreement with Commercial Industrial
Corp. for the provision of construction services for Phase 1B of the
SW 44th Avenue Extension Project in the amount of $8,814,840, plus
a 10 percent contingency, for a total expenditure of $9,696,325
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
Page 2 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final January 16, 2024
8d. Approve agreement with Art Walker Construction, Inc. for the
provision of construction services for Phase II of the NW 44th Avenue
Extension Project in the amount of $5,299,999, plus a 10 percent
contingency, for a total expenditure of $5,829,999
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
8e. Approve Marion County’s standard professional services agreement
for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funding for outreach
services in the amount of $105,000
Presentation By: James Haynes
8f. Approve an agreement to purchase 7.80 acres (Parcel # 21512-000-00)
from Armstrong Land, LLC for a new fire station (#8) in northwest
Ocala in the amount of $600,000
Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
8g. Approve a mowing and lot clearing contract with Extreme Enterprises
of Marion County, Inc. for an amount of $283,800
Presentation By: Jeff Shrum
8h. Approve the Territorial Agreement between the City of Ocala Electric
Utility and Duke Energy Florida, LLC
Presentation By: Doug Peebles
8i. Adopt Resolution 2024-9 for the Federally Funded Subaward and RES-2024-9
Grant Agreement for Hurricane Idalia, DR-4734, Agreement Number
Z4062, approving the delegation of authority to City Manager, Peter
Lee, to execute funding agreements, amendments, and compliance
documents as the authorized agent for the City of Ocala
Presentation By: Peter Brill
8j. Approve the purchase of various inventory items for Ocala Fiber
Network from multiple vendors in the amount not to exceed $220,310
Presentation By: Mel Poole
9. Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote.
There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of Council or the public
request specific items to be removed for separate discussion and action.
9a. Approve Landowner Concurrence Form to Install Structural or
Vegetative Activities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service for Agri Land & Cattle Co.,
LLC at the City-owned Perry Reuse Site
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
Page 3 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final January 16, 2024
9b. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Grant Agreement WG093 with the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection for citywide
wastewater system improvements
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
9c. Approve a First Amendment to City Redevelopment Agreement for
D&S Development, LLC (GRM/210512) to construct affordable
housing units on properties located in the West Ocala Community
Redevelopment Area subarea
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
9d. Adopt Budget Resolution 2024-121 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24
budget to accept and appropriate the City of Ocala’s Emergency
Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funding for outreach services in the
amount of $105,000
Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
9e. Adopt Budget Resolution 2024-122 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 BR-2024-122
budget to appropriate funds from the Building Fund Reserve for the
ProjectDox software integration with the Community Development
software system in the amount of $33,000
Presentation By: Tammi Haslam
9f. December 2023 outside counsel invoices for general city business legal
services in the amount of $1,587.50 and for risk management-related
legal services in the amount of $3,419.00
Presentation By: William E. Sexton
9g. Approve Labor Attorney invoices for November 2023 in the amount of
$520
Presentation By: Devan Kikendall
9h. Approve appointment of Darrell O’Kain to the Municipal Code
Enforcement Board for an unexpired three-year term ending March 1,
2025
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
9i. Approve City Council meeting minutes from January 2, 2024
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
10. Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion
Should any items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, they will be discussed at
this time.
11. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances - None
Page 4 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final January 16, 2024
12. Internal Auditor's Report - None
13. City Manager's Report
14. Police and Fire Department Report
15. Mayor's Report
16. City Attorney's Report
16a. Termination of Agreement for Class Action Notice and Administration
Services with The Notice Company, Inc. for claims administration
associated with the City of Ocala, Florida - Fire Fee Refund
17. Informational Items
17a. Calendaring Items
- City Council Workshop: Downtown Parking - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 12:00pm -
Council Chambers
- 25 Years of SunTran Celebration - Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 11:00am - 2:00pm -
SunTran offices at 1805 NE 30th Ave
- City Council Workshop: Fluoride - Thursday, February 15, 2024 - 12:00pm - Council
Chambers
17b. Comments by Mayor
17c. Comments by Council Members
17d. Informational
17d1. Executed Contract Under $50,000
18. Adjournment
Page 5 of 5
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