Mayor Nate Kilton called the November 25 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.
Mayor Kilton thanked Brian Stowe, Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Plant City for the church’s work in supporting the community after Hurricane Milton. Among other things, the church supplied 4,000 meals to people who needed the help. Stowe then gave the invocation.
After the prayer, the assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
During the public comments section of the agenda, one woman stood to ask if the runoff storm water from East Roseland Avenue flows into the East Canal. She also asked who she should speak to about closing an alley behind her property. Mayor Kilton asked for her contact information, so city staff could get back to her with answers.
The City Commissioners passed the routine items on the consent agenda with a 5-0 vote.
The City Manager and his staff brought the below items before the Commissioners for a vote.
24-532 – A resolution authorizing the purchase of Zoll X Series Advanced Monitors and Zoll AED Plus Units from Zoll Medical Corporation. Plant City Fire Rescue’s defibrillators are nearing end of life. The total cost is for two new units and accompanying equipment is $105,477.42.
24-533 – A resolution authorizing the City Manager to contract with ENCO Utility Services, Inc., to provide utility billing services under the City of Alachua, FL contract No. 25-007FN-DR-PB. The current provider does not wish to extend the contract. The new vendor rate is 1.2 percent higher than the current cost.
24-539 – A resolution authorizing the City Manager to contract with Witt FenceCompany, for park fence repairs under Hillsborough County contract ITB23-24318. Milton caused the damage, so the $248,450.00 cost is reimbursable from FEMA.
24-542 – A resolution authorizing the purchase of 35 network switches from Agilant Solutions Inc. The total cost of switches, set up tech support, and five years of support and maintenance is $257,000.
In an unusual move, City Manager McDaniel left the dais to walk to the presenter podium to speak to the commissioners. He referred to Milton as one of the hurricanes that will be talked about by future generations because of its devastation. He bore witness to something he saw during and after Milton. He spoke about how Mayor Nate Kilton went above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrated genuine care for citizens and staff, worked with an energetic and tireless approach, a focus on getting things solved, and exhibited outstanding leadership. For these reasons, the City Manager presented an award for outstanding leadership as a token of appreciation to the mayor.
The City Manager also honored PCPD Chief Richard Mills with a Medal for Distinguished Performance for his innovative and decisive decisions, calming presence, and protection of the safety of staff and residents during Milton.
The below public hearings passed with 5-0 votes.
24-544 – A public hearing on an ordinance to vacate a portion of the utility easement located within sections 27 and 34, Township 28 South, Range 22 East, Hillsborough County.
24-547 – A public hearing on an ordinance to adopt the annual update of the five-year capital improvement schedule projects for FY25-FY29 (PB-2024-35).
24-548 – A quasi-judicial public hearing on a resolution approving a final plat entitled Central Florida Commerce Park Phase 4 (PB-2024-01).
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.