City Council
Regular MeetingOcala, FL · March 4, 2025
Minutes
110 SE Watula Avenue
Ocala Ocala, FL 34471
City Council www.ocalafl.gov
Synopsis
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 4:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Ben Marciano
Pro Tem Ire J. Bethea Sr
Council Member James P. Hilty Sr
Council Member Barry Mansfield
Council President Kristen M. Dreyer
Excused: Council Member Jay A. Musleh
2a. New Employees
- Matthew Alborn, Electric Engineering
- Gino Della Libera, Electric Engineering
- Crystal Richardson, Electric Engineering
- Felix Clint Smith, Electric Engineering
- Brian Smith, Ocala Fiber Network
3. Public Notice
Public Notice for the March 4, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting was posted on February 12,
2025
4. Proclamations and Awards
4a. Presentation of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Commendation to
Transitions Life Center Executive Director Sabrina Hughes, Board President James
Darren Ritch, and to Vice President and Founder Linda Paglia
4b. Presentation of the Flood Awareness Week Proclamation to City Engineering Director
Sean Lanier and to the Public Works Stormwater and Stormwater Engineering Staff
5. Presentations
5a. Public Information Officer, Gregory Davis - Communications Update
Page 1 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
6. 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.
There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
AYE: Marciano, Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
6a. Approve an amendment to the Ocala Fiber Network consulting agreement with Uptown
Services, LLC for additional implementation and support services totaling $89,000
Presentation By: Mel Poole
6b. Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-134 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept
and appropriate funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the School
Security Assessment Grant Program in the amount of $3,956
Presentation By: Michael Balken
6c. Approve the appointment of Dennis P. McFatten to the West Ocala Redevelopment
Advisory Committee for an unexpired term ending March 1, 2028
Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
6d. Honorary street name designation of “Whitfield Jenkins Road” for NW 24th Road from
NW 20th Street to NW 21st Avenue
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
6e. Approve minutes from February 18, 2025, City Council meeting
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
7. Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion
Should any items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, they will be discussed at
this time.
8. Introduction and First Readings of Ordinances
(Second and Final Reading - March 18, 2025)
8a. Introduce Ordinance 2025-18 to change the Future Land Use designation on
approximately 12.81 acres for property located at 3001 NE 21st Street (Parcel
24264-001-04) and the parcel directly to the east (Parcel 24264-000-00) from
Employment Center to Public (Case LUC25-0002) (Quasi-Judicial)
Introduced By: Barry Mansfield
Page 2 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
8b. Introduce Ordinance 2025-19 to rezone approximately 12.81 acres for the property
located at 3001 NE 21st Street (Parcel 24262-001-04) and the parcel directly to the east
(Parcel 24264-000-00) from M-1, Light Industrial, to G-U, Governmental Use (Case
ZON25-0002) (Quasi-Judicial)
Introduced By: James P. Hilty Sr
8c. Introduce Ordinance 2025-20 to change the Future Land Use designation on
approximately 12.42 acres for property located in the 1800 block of SW 15th Avenue
(Parcel 23656-017-00 and 23656-017-16) from Employment to Public (Case
LUC25-0001) (Quasi-Judicial)
Introduced By: Ire J. Bethea Sr
8d. Introduce Ordinance 2025-21 to rezone approximately 12.42 acres for property located in
the 1800 block of SW 15th Avenue (Parcel 23656-017-00 and 23656-017-16) from M-1,
Light Industrial (City) to G-U, Governmental Use (City) (Case ZON25-0001)
(Quasi-Judicial)
Introduced By: James P. Hilty Sr
9. Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings / Adoption of Ordinances
Page 3 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
10. General Business
10a. Approve agreement with Platform Group, LLC for design-build services for the Ocala
Skate Park Expansion Project in the amount of $884,561, plus a 10 percent contingency
amount of $88,457, for a total expenditure of $973,018
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Barry Mansfield
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10b. Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-135, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to
transfer funds from the General Fund Reserve for Projects account to increase available
funding for the Ocala Skate Park expansion project in the amount of $473,018
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10c. Approve Amendment No.1 to modify the Consumer Price Index language of the
five-year agreement with A.C.M.S., Inc. d/b/a Heart of Florida Environmental for the
disposal of City wastewater treatment plant biosolids
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Barry Mansfield
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10d. Approve additional expenditures under the agreement with Art Walker Construction, Inc.
for lime sludge hauling services at Water Treatment Plant No. 1 with an increased
aggregate expenditure amount of $416,700
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Barry Mansfield
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
Page 4 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
10e. Approve Interlocal Agreement with Marion County for the SW 40th/49th Avenue
Improvements Project in the amount of $2,195,281 plus a 10 percent contingency
amount of $219,528 for a total project cost not to exceed $2,414,809
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: Barry Mansfield
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10f. Approve continued use of the State of Florida’s alternative source agreement with
Motorola Solutions, Inc. for citywide purchases of radio equipment and consumables
with an increased estimated aggregate contract value of $207,782
Presentation By: Joshua Sasso
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Barry Mansfield
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10g. Approve the purchase of flooring and installation services utilizing Omnia Partners’
cooperative purchasing agreement with Engineered Floors, LLC with an aggregate
expenditure of $200,000
Presentation By: Gary Crews
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10h. Approve the purchase of inventory items for Ocala Electric Utility from multiple vendors
in an amount not to exceed $1,218,980
Presentation By: Doug Peebles
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
Page 5 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
10i. Approve award of a three-year contract to Solo Cats Services, LLC for stormwater
ground maintenance services for the City’s southwest section in the amount of $420,504
Presentation By: Darren Park
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
10j. Approve re-award of the contract for street sweeping services to Shosha Services, LLC
with an expenditure of $296,550
Presentation By: Darren Park
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: James P. Hilty Sr
SECONDER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, and Dreyer
NAY: Mansfield
ABSENT: Musleh
11. Internal Auditor's Report
Audit reporting transparency
12. City Manager's Report
Parking Garage #2 public meeting date to be determined
Solid Waste workshop to be determined
Annual Lineman Competition
13. Ocala Police Department Report
Overview of Crime and Traffic Stops
14. Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report
Unit Responses
Service calls update
Department Highlights
15. City Attorney's Report
Page 6 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
15a. Approval of property transfer transaction - including (1) transfer of drainage retention
area to B & W Land Holdings, LLC; (2) reservation of drainage easement; and (3) grant
of drainage easement - by Special Warranty Deed, Reservation of Drainage Easement,
and Grant of Drainage Easement together with authorization for Council President to
execute the same
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Ire J. Bethea Sr
SECONDER: James P. Hilty Sr
AYE: Bethea Sr, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, and Dreyer
ABSENT: Musleh
16. Public Comments
Lourene Ek, 5907 SW 59th Street, thanked City Council and City employees for their service
17. Informational Items and Calendaring Items
- Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 9:00am - Joint Meeting MCPS, Municipalities & MCBCC -
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium
- Thursday, March 13, 2025 - 9:00am - Joint City/County Workshop to discuss the Gap Analysis
TDC - McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 3:00pm - TPO meeting
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 8:30am to 3:00pm - City Council Annual Strategic Planning
Session - Reilly Arts Center
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
17a. Power Cost Adjustment Report - January 2025
17b. Informational item regarding the emergency purchase of two 500kW mobile generators
from Cummins in the amount of $594,416
17c. Executed Contracts Under $50,000
18. Comments by Mayor
Acknowledgement of Kut Different Members
Healthy Ocala
19. Comments by City Council Members
Council Member Mansfield commented on the following: Hillcrest School, parking garage #2,
and public complaints
Page 7 of 8
City Council Synopsis March 4, 2025
Council Member Hilty commented on the following: Hillcrest School, successful Lineman
Competition, and Parks & Recreations Department
Council President Dreyer recognized City staff for their hard work competing in the Lineman
Competition at WEC
Council Member Bethea commented on the following: Lineman Competition, Strawberry
Festival, and Ms. Ek's comments
20. Adjournment
Adjourned at 5:16 pm
Page 8 of 8
Agenda
Ocala City Council Agenda - Final
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Meeting Information WELCOME!
Location
Citizens are encouraged to participate in City of Ocala
Ocala City Hall meetings. Speakers wishing to provide public comments to the
110 SE Watula Avenue City Council should complete a written public comment form
Second Floor - Council Chambers and shall submit said form to the City Clerk prior to the meeting
Ocala, Florida being called to order. Unless otherwise permitted, no person
https://www.ocalafl.gov/meetings
shall be permitted to provide public comments to City Council
if they have not completed and submitted a public comment
Time card prior to the meeting being called to order. Speakers will be
4:00 PM limited to 3 (three) minutes. Additional time may be granted by
the Council President. When recognized, state name and
Council Members
Kristen Dreyer, Council President address. Citizen groups are asked to name a spokesperson.
Ire Bethea Sr., Pro Tem
James P. Hilty Sr. The City of Ocala encourages civility in public discourse and
Barry Mansfield requests that speakers limit their comments to specific motions
Jay A. Musleh and direct their comments to the Council. Cell phones should be
Mayor turned off or set to vibrate.
Ben Marciano
The order of agenda items may be changed if deemed
City Manager appropriate by City Council.
Peter Lee
Citizens are encouraged to provide comments in writing to the
City Clerk before meetings for inclusion into the
Mission Statement public record. Citizens may also provide input to council
The City of Ocala provides fiscally members via office visits, phone calls, letters and e-mail that
responsible services consistent with the will become public record. In some instances, i.e., Quasi-
community's current and future Judicial Hearings, these particular contacts may be prohibited.
expectations.
APPEALS
Any person who desires to appeal any decision at this meeting
City Council's will need a record of the proceedings and for this purpose may
Strategic Priorities need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made that includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
Priority 1: Economic hub appeal is made.
Priority 2: Fiscally sustainable
Priority 3: Engaged workforce
ADA COMPLIANCE
Priority 4: Operational excellence
Priority 5: Quality of place If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate
in this meeting, please call the City Manager’s Office at
352-629-8401 at least 48 hours in advance so arrangements can
be made.
City Council Agenda - Final March 4, 2025
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
2a. New Employees
- Matthew Alborn, Electric Engineering
- Gino Della Libera, Electric Engineering
- Crystal Richardson, Electric Engineering
- Felix Clint Smith, Electric Engineering
- Brian Smith, Ocala Fiber Network
3. Public Notice
4. Proclamations and Awards
4a. Presentation of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Commendation to Transitions Life Center Executive Director Sabrina
Hughes, Board President James Darren Ritch, and to Vice President
and Founder Linda Paglia
4b. Presentation of the Flood Awareness Week Proclamation to City
Engineering Director Sean Lanier and to the Public Works Stormwater
and Stormwater Engineering Staff
5. Presentations
5a. Public Information Officer, Gregory Davis - Communications Update
6. 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.
6a. Approve an amendment to the Ocala Fiber Network consulting
agreement with Uptown Services, LLC for additional implementation
and support services totaling $89,000
Presentation By: Mel Poole
6b. Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-134 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 BR-2025-134
budget to accept and appropriate funds from the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement for the School Security Assessment Grant Program
in the amount of $3,956
Presentation By: Michael Balken
6c. Approve the appointment of Dennis P. McFatten to the West Ocala
Redevelopment Advisory Committee for an unexpired term ending
March 1, 2028
Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
Page 1 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final March 4, 2025
6d. Honorary street name designation of “Whitfield Jenkins Road” for NW
24th Road from NW 20th Street to NW 21st Avenue
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
6e. Approve minutes from February 18, 2025, City Council meeting
Presentation By: Angel Jacobs
7. Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion
Should any items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, they will be discussed at
this time.
8. Introduction and First Readings of Ordinances
(Second and Final Reading - March 18, 2025)
8a. Introduce Ordinance 2025-18 to change the Future Land Use ORD-2025-18
designation on approximately 12.81 acres for property located at 3001
NE 21st Street (Parcel 24264-001-04) and the parcel directly to the
east (Parcel 24264-000-00) from Employment Center to Public (Case
LUC25-0002) (Quasi-Judicial)
8b. Introduce Ordinance 2025-19 to rezone approximately 12.81 acres for ORD-2025-19
the property located at 3001 NE 21st Street (Parcel 24262-001-04) and
the parcel directly to the east (Parcel 24264-000-00) from M-1, Light
Industrial, to G-U, Governmental Use (Case ZON25-0002)
(Quasi-Judicial)
8c. Introduce Ordinance 2025-20 to change the Future Land Use ORD-2025-20
designation on approximately 12.42 acres for property located in the
1800 block of SW 15th Avenue (Parcel 23656-017-00 and
23656-017-16) from Employment to Public (Case LUC25-0001)
(Quasi-Judicial)
8d. Introduce Ordinance 2025-21 to rezone approximately 12.42 acres for ORD-2025-21
property located in the 1800 block of SW 15th Avenue (Parcel
23656-017-00 and 23656-017-16) from M-1, Light Industrial (City) to
G-U, Governmental Use (City) (Case ZON25-0001) (Quasi-Judicial)
9. Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings / Adoption of Ordinances
Page 2 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final March 4, 2025
10. General Business
10a. Approve agreement with Platform Group, LLC for design-build
services for the Ocala Skate Park Expansion Project in the amount of
$884,561, plus a 10 percent contingency amount of $88,457, for a total
expenditure of $973,018
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
10b. Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-135, amending the Fiscal Year BR-2025-135
2024-25 budget to transfer funds from the General Fund Reserve for
Projects account to increase available funding for the Ocala Skate Park
expansion project in the amount of $473,018
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
10c. Approve Amendment No.1 to modify the Consumer Price Index
language of the five-year agreement with A.C.M.S., Inc. d/b/a Heart of
Florida Environmental for the disposal of City wastewater treatment
plant biosolids
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
10d. Approve additional expenditures under the agreement with Art Walker
Construction, Inc. for lime sludge hauling services at Water Treatment
Plant No. 1 with an increased aggregate expenditure amount of
$416,700
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
10e. Approve Interlocal Agreement with Marion County for the SW
40th/49th Avenue Improvements Project in the amount of $2,195,281
plus a 10 percent contingency amount of $219,528 for a total project
cost not to exceed $2,414,809
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
10f. Approve continued use of the State of Florida’s alternative source
agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for citywide purchases of
radio equipment and consumables with an increased estimated
aggregate contract value of $207,782
Presentation By: Joshua Sasso
10g. Approve the purchase of flooring and installation services utilizing
Omnia Partners’ cooperative purchasing agreement with Engineered
Floors, LLC with an aggregate expenditure of $200,000
Presentation By: Gary Crews
Page 3 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final March 4, 2025
10h. Approve the purchase of inventory items for Ocala Electric Utility
from multiple vendors in an amount not to exceed $1,218,980
Presentation By: Doug Peebles
10i. Approve award of a three-year contract to Solo Cats Services, LLC for
stormwater ground maintenance services for the City’s southwest
section in the amount of $420,504
Presentation By: Darren Park
10j. Approve re-award of the contract for street sweeping services to
Shosha Services, LLC with an expenditure of $296,550
Presentation By: Darren Park
11. Internal Auditor's Report
12. City Manager's Report
13. Ocala Police Department Report
14. Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report
15. City Attorney's Report
15a. Approval of property transfer transaction - including (1) transfer of
drainage retention area to B & W Land Holdings, LLC; (2) reservation
of drainage easement; and (3) grant of drainage easement - by Special
Warranty Deed, Reservation of Drainage Easement, and Grant of
Drainage Easement together with authorization for Council President
to execute the same
16. Public Comments
17. Informational Items and Calendaring Items
- Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 9:00am - Joint Meeting MCPS, Municipalities & MCBCC -
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium
- Thursday, March 13, 2025 - 9:00am - Joint City/County Workshop to discuss the Gap Analysis
TDC - McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 3:00pm - TPO meeting
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 8:30am to 3:00pm - City Council Annual Strategic Planning
Session - Reilly Arts Center
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 3:45pm - CRA Board meeting - Council Chambers
- Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - 4:00pm - City Council meeting - Council Chambers
17a. Power Cost Adjustment Report - January 2025
Page 4 of 5
City Council Agenda - Final March 4, 2025
17b. Informational item regarding the emergency purchase of two 500kW
mobile generators from Cummins in the amount of $594,416
17c. Executed Contracts Under $50,000
18. Comments by Mayor
19. Comments by City Council Members
20. Adjournment
Page 5 of 5
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