DISCUSSION TO REDUCE NUMBER AND REQUIRE RESIDENCY RESULTED IN NO VOTE.
Mayor Nate Kilton called the December 9 Regular Meeting of the City Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. Also present at the dais were Vice-Mayor Jason Jones, City Commissioner Bill Dodson, City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis, City Commissioner Michael Sparkman, City Attorney Kenneth Buchman, City Clerk Kerri Miller, and City Manager Bill McDaniel.
Reverend Joe Bowles from Shiloh Baptist Church gave the invocation. He thanked God for the City Commissioners giving their time and good decisions to serve, and for all those who work for Plant City. The assembly followed with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
During the time the floor opened for public comments, several residents stood to bring items to the attention of the City Commissioners. Among these were: comments that the City Commission should stop approving growth that is changing the small-town atmosphere of Plant City and that is increasing traffic; a request for PCPD presence because a detour due for construction on Grant Street is bringing drivers who are speeding through a residential area; a query about how to handle Hurricane Milton FEMA funding denials; a request for documentation of the last time the City had culverts cleaned out in the Renfro Street area; a request for reevaluation of how the City and County will address flooding near Itchepackesassa Creek, and information that Wreaths Across America will be laying wreaths on veterans graves beginning at 10 a.m. on December 14.
The routine items on the Consent Agenda passed with no discussion, and in one motion 5-0, Including the below item.
24-574 – A resolution setting a transmittal public hearing for map amendment PC/CPA 22-10, located at the northwest corner of Charlie Taylor Road and Swindell Road. This is a privately initiated future land use amendment for 145.5 acres.
The City Manager brought three items before the Commission for consideration. The City Commission passed the three items 5-0 in separate votes.
24-523 – A resolution waiving bid requirements based on a sole source vendor and to authorize the purchase of an HVAC automation system for City Hall from Building & Agricultural Automation Systems. The software to control heating and cooling in City Hall is outdated and no longer works well. The current vendor would charge $300,000 to update. City staff found this alternative that works better and cost $160,000 less.
24-566 – A resolution accepting a bid and award of contract to C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc. for the Street Resurfacing Project 2024. The total cost to resurface 20.5 miles of streets is $7,639,000 and the funds are available in the current budget.
24-569 – A resolution accepting bid and award of contract to Hazen and Sawyer,P.C. for the water reclamation facility (WRF) Process Evaluation Project. The facility was built in 1951 and several components for water treatment are nearing end of life. The funding is to conduct a detailed analysis of the WRF treatment process to identify upgrades and develop a plan to replace components. The cost is $850,000.
The City Attorney had no items to air for discussion. However, the City Clerk raised three items for consideration.
24-579 – A discussion relating to residency and reduction of members appointed to serve on the Planning Board. This item was proposed for discussion in a previous meeting by City Commissioner Bill Dodson. The Commissioners agreed these are valid points to discuss whether to require residency within Plant City city limits and whether a Board membership of seven is too many to be efficient. The Commissioners discussed pros and cons for about 10 minutes, then decided not to put this to a vote and to leave the Planning Board as is.
24-561 – Consideration of a resolution appointing members to the Planning Board.
24-562 – Consideration of a resolution appointing members to the Board of Adjustment.
The Commission then turned to matters of quasi-judicial public hearings:
24-570 – A public hearing on a resolution approving a final plat entitled Holloway Landing (PB-2023-25), which passed 5-0.
24-572 – This resolution passed 5-0 for setting a quasi-judicial public hearing on an ordinance to rezone 19 acres along the eastern frontage of James L. Redman Parkway, north of Trapnell Road (PB-2024-27), to the Urbon at Plant City Planned Development District.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. This was the last Commission meeting in 2024.