This week’s commission meeting brought local officials together to discuss the packed agenda and address a wide range of pressing issues impacting the community.
The consent agenda included authorizing the city manager to execute a utility easement with TECO for Lift Station 2, the City’s largest lift station that provides almost 30% of the Plant City collection system basin. The improvements to the lift station, located at 960 Pennsylvania Ave., requires the removal of a current TECO power pole that services the station control panels and installation of a transformer and underground power service connection, which are more reliable and durable in the event of a weather-related impact.
Another item on the consent agenda included the setting of a public hearing for a final plat entitled Varrea Phase 2A, with an increased potential for 196 residential lots, for the commission meeting on Monday, July, 10 at 7:30 p.m.
During Reports of Officers, Board and Committees, Solid Waste Department Director Jill Sessions presented a request to replace a Front-End Load refuse truck that was totaled as a result of an accident in January after a large pickup truck ran a red light and collided with the city vehicle. The insurance company, which deemed the vehicle a total loss, paid the City $239,848. The replacement truck is a 2024 Peterbilt 520 from Rush Truck Centers of Florida, Inc. that costs $375,994.35. Including the wrecker service cost ($2,585), the difference between the cost of the truck and the insurance payout was $138,731.35, which is available in the Fleet Repair Fund. The commission unanimously approved the request along with an amendment to the budget.
City Manager Bill McDaniel then turned the commission’s attention to vehicle and equipment purchases as a whole, which are approved as part of the annual budget process. While the marketplace for traditional cars and trucks has improved for the average citizen, governments, who require heavier equipment, aren’t as lucky because the market is still highly volatile in price, parts and availability. Manufacturers are opening ordering windows earlier than usual and, in order to effectively source and secure vehicles and equipment, the Fleet Division asked for approval to purchase items for fiscal year 2023-2024 ahead of schedule.
The proposed list of vehicle and equipment purchases include 17 police vehicles, one traffic aerial device, five commercial front/rear-loading garbage trucks, four pickup trucks and 25 pieces of large equipment including a mobile emergency fuel trailer, sand bagger and compact utility tractor.
Funds for the purchases will be taken from the Fleet Replacement Fund, established to replace vehicles and large equipment that have exceeded their useful life and funded through department lease payments. Commissioners approved the resolution authorizing the acquisitions of the vehicles and the amendment to the Fleet budget for fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.
During the legislative and quasi-judicial public hearings, the commission heard from an applicant that was requesting a Future Land Use designation change from Commercial and Residential-6 to Residential-20 for a 17-acre parcel located on the west side of Park Rd. near the new hospital. The request would allow the consideration of up to 362 multi-family dwelling units. A similar request was sought for the site in 2020 but in 2021 the city commission voted to deny the request based on the North Park Road corridor being designated as a commercial corridor as per the Northeast Master Plan. After several lengthy presentations, which included a plan to ensure one acre of land abutting Park Rd. for commercial uses, commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner Sparkman, couldn’t be convinced to approve the request.
“This facility is only 18 acres and to me that’s not a huge commercial identity, with the number of employees in the area I don’t see a problem with it being apartments,” he said. “I think we need them, as indicated we don’t have any apartments north of I-4.”
A quasi-judicial public hearing was then held on an ordinance for a modification to the Coventry Community Unit District, a 1.36 acre assisted living facility located at 415 N. Wilder Rd., to label a detached structure in the rear of the property from storage only to administrative offices and a name change to Coventry Planned Development District. The request unanimously passed.
A resolution approving the final plat entitled Park East Phase 1A creating a 118-lot residential subdivision within the North Park Isle Planned Development District was also unanimously approved by commissioners.
Lastly, a resolution was approved by all commissioners to allow a 180-day extension for the property owner of 101-103 N. Palmer St. to commence alcoholic beverage sales. The tenant Brandon Snyder, is remodeling the space and plans to open a new restaurant/bar concept.
The next city commission meeting is Monday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.