City of Gainesville
City Commission Regular Meeting
AGENDA

Thursday, February 01, 2024 at 10:00 A.m. - 10:00 P.m.

City Hall Auditorium

200 East University Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

 

Commission Members

Mayor Harvey L. Ward, Jr.

Mayor Pro Tempore Cynthia Moore Chestnut (At Large, Seat B)

Reina Saco (At Large, Seat A)

Desmon Duncan-Walker (District 1)

Ed Book (District 2)

Casey Willits (District 3)

Bryan Eastman (District 4)

 

The City Commission makes policy and conducts City business in an open forum. For information on how to attend the meeting and submit public comment, visit the City Agendas & Meetings website. 

Neighbors are welcome to attend meetings in person. Seating capacity may be limited. Fill out a comment card and give it to the meeting clerk to request to speak. Speakers will be called to share their comments in the order of sign-up.

 

The City Hall Auditorium and Roberta Lisle Kline Conference Room are equipped with hearing loop assistive listening systems. When using your own hearing aid, you must switch your device to Telecoil or “T” mode. If your hearing aid does not have a Telecoil mode, broadcast staff can provide a headset.

 

If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at [phone] at least two business days in advance. TTY (Text Telephone Telecommunication Device) users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service). For Speech to Speech (STS) relay, please call 1-877-955-5334. For STS Spanish relay, please call 1-877-955-8773.  For STS French Creole relay, please call 1-877-955-8707.

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A.

CALL TO ORDER

Agenda Statement: The City of Gainesville encourages civil public speech. The Gainesville City Commission expects each person entering this chamber to treat others with respect and courtesy. Speakers are expected to focus on agenda items under discussion and avoid personal attacks or offensive comments. Threatening language is not allowed. Anyone who repeatedly disrupts the proceedings will be asked to leave. Signs, props, posters, food, and drink should be left outside the auditorium.

B.

INVOCATION

Pastor Beth Snarr, First United Methodist Church

C.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Includes Consent and Regular Agenda Items

D.

CONSENT AGENDA

1.

Approval of Minutes from the January 18, 2024 City Commission Meeting (B)

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the minutes from the January 18, 2024 meeting.

2.

2024-20 Appointments to the City Commission Advisory Boards and Committees (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The City Commission Appoint:
  
  Fernando Garcia to the City Beautification Board, for a term ending 11/01/2026;
  
  Claudia Garcia and Penny Wilson Weber to the Nature Centers Commission, for a term ending 11/1/2026;
  
  Frances Williams, Evelynn Foxx, Norbert Dunkel, and Simone Liang to the Police Advisory Council, for a term ending 01/21/28;
  
  Taite Miller to the Public Recreation and Parks Board as a Student Member for a term ending 06/30/24;
  
  Megan Atwater, Mary Lou Hildreth and Michael Pellett to the SHIP Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for a term ending 12/31/2025;
  
  Erick Smith and Ryan Klein to the Tree Advisory Board for a term ending 01/17/2027.

3.

2024-103 Resignation from the Police Advisory Council (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Description: Resignation of Milford Griner from the Police Advisory Council.

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The City Commission accept the resignation of Milford Griner, effective immediately.

4.

2024-81 City Clerk Employment Agreement (B)

Department: Human Resources

Description: Approve corrected City Clerk Employment Agreement.

Fiscal Note: The salary of up to $123,000 is approved in the FY24 budget.

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the employment agreement of Kristen Bryant.

5.

2024-119 Latoya Richardson o.b.o. GH, a minor, v. City of Gainesville, Florida; Case No. 2022-CA-3390; Eighth Judicial Circuit, in and for Alachua County, Florida (NB)

Department: City Attorney’s Office

Fiscal Note: Funds are available in the City’s General Insurance Fund.

• Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Attorney to enter into a settlement agreement to resolve the claim of Latoya Richardson, on behalf of her minor son G.H., arising from an incident that occurred on or about February 24, 2022 when G.H. had his ear bitten off during an altercation with another passenger on a City bus.

6.

2024-121 Request for Qualifications Award Recommendation for Continuing Construction Management Services for Minor Projects (B)

Department: Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area

Description: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Continuing Construction Management Services for Minor Projects was issued by the City of Gainesville and GRU jointly, and staff recommends awarding the RFQ to 14 firms.

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) Request for Qualifications Award Recommendation for Continuing Construction Management Services for Minor Projects to 14 firms, as listed in the Explanation section of this agenda item, for a period of 4 years, with the option to renew for an additional 1-year term, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

E.

EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Members of the public who are unable to wait for their agenda item(s) to be called during the meeting may speak during Early Public Comment. Comment is limited to three (3) minutes on one agenda item or five (5) minutes on two or more agenda items. Speaking during Early Public Comment waives the right to comment on later agenda items.

F.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - MORNING

1.

2024-110 Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area Community Partnership Grant Program Update (B)

Department: Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area

Description: Staff to provide an update to the City Commission on the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area’s Community Partnership Grant program and propose program modifications.

Fiscal Note: No change to the FY 2024 Budget.

• Recommendation: City Commission hear a presentation and approve the recommended Community Partnership Grant Program modifications.

2.

2024-124 Gainesville Police Department FY24 1st Quarter Update (B)

Department: Gainesville Police Department

Description: Quarterly Update to the City Commission on community engagement, events, data, and statistics of the Gainesville Police Department.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission receive the GPD quarterly update.

G.

RESOLUTIONS – MORNING (Roll Call Required) 

Unless mandated by statute to occur in the evening; may include Advocacy Resolutions and Binding Resolutions.

H.

GAINESVILLE HISTORY MOMENT

Ms. Donna Waller

I.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Members of the public may speak for up to three (3) minutes per meeting on any item not on the agenda. General Public Comment may be submitted in advance by pre-recorded voice message only. The General Public Comment period shall not exceed 30 minutes total.

J.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - AFTERNOON

1.

2024-91 Discussion Item: Mayor Ward – Charter Officer Evaluation Process (NB)

Department: Office of the City Commission

Fiscal Note: This item does not have a fiscal impact at this time.

• Recommendation: The City Commission discuss and take action deemed necessary.

2.

2024-136 State Legislative Update (NB)

Department: Office of the City Manager

Description: 2024 Legislative Update

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The Commission hear a presentation from staff.

K.

RESOLUTIONS - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

1.

2024-120 Commissioner Willits – Non-Binding Resolution Opposing Florida House Bill 601 (B)

Department: Office of the City Commission

Description: Florida House Bill 601, Complaints Against Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers, seeks to eliminate all police Civilian Oversight Agencies in Florida. This non-binding advocacy resolution would state that the Gainesville City Commission opposes the passage of this law.

Fiscal Note: This item does not have a fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the non-binding resolution opposing the passage of Florida House Bill 601.

L.

ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

M.

ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

N.

ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

O.

COMMISSION COMMENT

P.

ADJOURNMENT

If later than 10:00 pm, the Commission may waive the rules to extend the meeting or may schedule a date/time to continue the meeting.