City of Gainesville
City Commission Regular Meeting
AGENDA

Thursday, February 06, 2025 at 10:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

City Hall Auditorium

200 East University Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

 

Commission Members

Mayor Harvey L. Ward, Jr.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bryan Eastman (District 4)

James Ingle (At Large, Seat A)

 Cynthia Moore Chestnut (At Large, Seat B)

Desmon Duncan-Walker (District 1)

Ed Book (District 2)

Casey Willits (District 3)

 

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 Karl Anderson, Upper Room Ministries

C.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Includes Consent and Regular Agenda Items

D.

CONSENT AGENDA

1.

Approval of Minutes from the January 6 (2), January 16, January 23, and January 29, 2025 City Commission Meetings (B)

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the minutes from the January 6 (2), January 16, January 23, and January 29, 2025 meetings.

2.

2025-53 RTS 2025 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Annual Safety Certification and Adoption (B)

Department: Transportation

Description: Request for the City Commission to review and adopt the updated City of Gainesville Regional Transit System 2025 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.

Fiscal Note: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item, however it is required to maintain eligibility for continued FTA assistance in the future.

• Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) review and adopt the City of Gainesville Regional Transit System 2025 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Annual Safety Certification and Adoption.

3.

2025-59 Appointments to the City of Gainesville’s Advisory Boards and Committees (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The Commission appoint Jim Harper to the City Beautification Board for a full term expiring November 1, 2028.

4.

2025-64 Resignation of Nathaniel Pelton from the City Beautification Board and Lynn Buchanan from the Nature Center Commission (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The Commission accept the resignations of Nathaniel Pelton and Lynn Buchanan effective immediately.

5.

2024-556 Informational Item: Upcoming City Events List (NB)

Department: Office of Communications & Marketing

Description: An informational report to summarize upcoming events of interest to the City Commission.

Fiscal Note: There is no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: The City Commission receive the informational list.

6.

2025-76 Precious Brown v. City of Gainesville (NB)

Department: City Attorney

Description: On April 1, 2023, fraudulent activity occurred at an ATM in Gainesville. The victim was from Lake City, and reported the matter to the Lake City Police Department. Lake City officers developed Ms. Brown as a suspect based on the fact that she had conducted a transaction at the same ATM within minutes of the fraudulent transaction, and they circulated still-frame pictures of her in an attempt to identify and locate her. A detective from the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) then identified Ms. Brown, and a sworn complaint was later filed against her. She was arrested around 9:45 a.m. on August 10, 2023, and spent approximately 6 hours in jail before bonding out. Should the matter proceed to suit, Ms. Brown’s attorneys would urge that her criminal case was dropped after it came to light that the actual perpetrator committed the crime at the ATM three minutes after Ms. Brown left it. Furthermore, her attorneys would likely claim that the GPD detective who filed the complaint that led to Ms. Brown’s arrest was disciplined for failing to thoroughly investigate the matter.

The City’s liability limit is $200,000 per the application of Florida’s limited waiver of sovereign immunity contained in section 768.28, Florida Statutes. As a result of settlement negotiations, Ms. Brown has agreed to accept $25,000.00 in full and final settlement of the claim. It is the recommendation of the City Attorney’s Office and the Risk Management Department that the City settle the claim for $25,000.00 and avoid the risk of greater liability at trial.

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

• Recommendation: The City Commission 1) approve the terms of the settlement; and 2) authorize the City Attorney to settle the claim of Precious Brown v. City of Gainesville.

7.

2025-84 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Award (B)

Department: Gainesville Police Department

Description: Request for City Commission approval to accept the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the United States Department of Justice for Fiscal Year 2024.

Fiscal Note: The total Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant allocation from the United States Department of Justice for Fiscal Year 2024 for the City of Gainesville and Alachua County is $107,752. The expected grant amount of the City’s portion is $80,130 and there is no local match requirement.

• Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and accept the grant, execute the memorandum of understanding and any other necessary documents, subject to review by the City Attorney as to form and legality, for the grant application and establish budget associated with the grant funding agreement.

8.

2025-85 Use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Funds for Purchase of Visio Software (B)

Department: Gainesville Police Department

Description: Request for City Commission approval for the use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture – Justice funds for the purchase of Visio 2024 software.

Fiscal Note: The anticipated cost of the Visio 2024 software will not exceed $62,262. The uncommitted balance of the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Fund – Justice as of September 30, 2024 is $359,373.

• Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the use of Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture – Justice funds for the purchase of Visio 2024 software in an amount not to exceed $62,262.

9.

2025-99 Request for Qualifications Award Recommendation for Architectural and Engineering Services for Eastside Bus Transfer Facility (B)

Department: Transportation

Description: Request for the City Commission to award the Request for Qualifications for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Services for the Eastside Bus Transfer Facility to the top ranked firm, Monarch Design Group LLC.

Fiscal Note: This project is funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant (FTA-FL-2023-048) in the amount of $600,000.

• Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) approve the Request for Qualification award for A&E Services for Eastside Bus Transfer Facility (Rebid) evaluation rankings; 2) award the Request for Qualifications to Monarch Design Group LL, the top ranked firm; 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to negotiate an agreement with the top ranked firm and move on to the next highest ranked firm if negotiations are unsuccessful; and 4) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute an agreement, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

10.

2025-54 Children’s Trust of Alachua County Amended Funding for Gun Violence Prevention (B)

Department: Gainesville Fire Rescue

Description: Request for the City Commission to accept the Children’s Trust of Alachua County additional funding allocation to the City for Gun Violence Prevention.

Fiscal Note: The original funding amount was $205,150.00 and will be increased by $30,000.00 to $235,150.00.

• Recommendation: The Commission: 1) accept the amended funding not to exceed $235,150.00; 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into an agreement with the Children’s Trust of Alachua County to memorialize the funding allocation; and 3) execute necessary documents subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

11.

2025-108 Proposed General Government Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Development Calendar (NB)

Department: Office of Management & Budget

Description: Request for City Commission approval of the dates for discussion and public hearings relating to the General Government Fiscal Year 2026 budget development process

Fiscal Note: The cost, if any, of conducting these meetings is available in the FY 2025 Adopted Budget.

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget development calendar.

12.

2025-123 2025 Finance Committee Meeting Dates (NB)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Fiscal Note: There is no fiscal impact at this time.

• Recommendation: The City Commission approve the 2025 Finance Committee meeting dates.

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.

2025-52 Adoption of the RTS 10-Year Transit Development Plan (TDP) FY2025 – FY2034 (B)

Department: Transportation

Description: Request for the City Commission to review and adopt the 10-Year Regional Transit System Transit Development Plan for FY2025-FY2034.

Fiscal Note: During Fiscal Year 2024, the City of Gainesville received $3,681,436.00 in transit block grant funds from the Florida Department of Transportation.

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the 10-Year Regional Transit System Transit Development Plan for FY 2025-FY 2034.

2.

2025-103 Gainesville Police Department FY 2025 Quarterly 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 for October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (first quarter of FY 2025).

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission receive the quarterly update.

G.

RESOLUTIONS – MORNING (Roll Call Required) 

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

12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Break

H.

CALL TO ORDER

I.

GAINESVILLE HISTORY MOMENT

Ms. Donna Waller

J.

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.

K.

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.

L.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - AFTERNOON

M.

RESOLUTIONS - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

N.

ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

O.

ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

1.

2024-618 Quasi-Judicial – Rezoning 6 Acres of Property Located North of NE Waldo Road and NE 39th Avenue Intersection (B)

Department: Office of the City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2024-618

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Zoning Map Atlas by rezoning approximately 6 acres of property generally located north of the NE Waldo Road and NE 39^th Avenue intersection, as more specifically described in this ordinance, from Airport Facility (AF) to Limited Industrial (I-1); providing directions to the City Manager; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

2.

2024-510 Evergreen Cemetery Ordinance Chapter 7 Revisions (B)

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2024-510

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Chapter 7 – Cemeteries Sections 7-1, 7-2, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7, 7-11, 7-12, 7-13, 7-16, 7-17, 7-18 and 7-20 to make certain revisions and additions, including to the definitions, provide for natural burials and a pet cemetery, revise rules for disposition and use of cemetery revenues, revise rules for burials, installations, vaults, monuments, memorials, mausoleums, and conduct, and to make other revisions; and providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

Fiscal Note: The updates are expected to increase revenue for Evergreen Cemetery and the City through additional sales.

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

P.

ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - AFTERNOON (Roll Call Required)

1.

2024-903 Solid Waste Collection Fees Ordinance (B)

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2024-903

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Appendix A Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges of the Code of Ordinances by increasing residential solid waste collection fees; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

Fiscal Note: A 20% increase in residential solid waste collection rates is estimated to generate an additional $1 million in revenue for the solid waste fund this fiscal year.

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

2.

2024-320 Text Change - Amending Transect Zone Side Setback Dimension (B)

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2024-320 An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Section 30-4.13 of the Land Development Code (Chapter 30 of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances) to reduce side setbacks in transect zones U4-U7; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

Q.

COMMISSION COMMENT

4:30 - 5:30 PM Dinner Break

R.

CALL TO ORDER

S.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Manhood Youth Development Foundation 

T.

PROCLAMATIONS & SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

1.

2025-75 Brie Komanski Day (B)

Department: Office of the City clerk

Description: Proclamation

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: To be presented to Brie Komanski.

2.

2025-79 LaVern Porter Mitchell Day (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Description: Proclamation

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: To be presented to Joy M. Banks and Vivian Porter Hamm.

3.

2025-80 People Against Violence Enterprises Day (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Description: Proclamation

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: To be presented to Karl Anderson.

4.

2025-98 Manhood Youth Development Foundation, Inc Day (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Description: Proclamation

Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

• Recommendation: To be presented to Charlie Ray Jackson.

U.

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.

V.

RESOLUTIONS - EVENING (Roll Call Required)

 Required by state law to be heard at 5:00 pm or later.

W.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS - EVENING

X.

PUBLIC HEARINGS (Including Planning Petitions)

Y.

ORDINANCES: ADOPTION READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required)

Z.

ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required)

AA.

ORDINANCES: FIRST READING - EVENING (Roll Call Required)

1.

2024-879 Quasi-Judicial - Historic Designation of The Florida Theater (B) 

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2024-879

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, approving the nomination to the local register of historic places and amending the Zoning Map Atlas by imposing a historic preservation/conservation overlay on property commonly called “The Florida Theater” generally located at 233 West University Avenue, as more specifically described in this ordinance; providing directions to the City Manager; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance..

• The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

AB.

COMMISSION COMMENT

AC.

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.