City Commission Special Meeting

MINUTES

Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

City Hall Auditorium

200 East University Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

Members Present:

• Commissioner Book, 
• Commissioner Chestnut, 
• Commissioner Duncan-Walker, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, 
• James Ingle, 
• Mayor Ward, 
• and Commissioner Willits 

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A.

CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.

B.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

• Moved by Commissioner Chestnut
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman

  Motion: The City Commission adopt the regular and consent agenda.

  Aye (6)	Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and James Ingle
  Absent (1)	Commissioner Duncan-Walker

  Approved (6 to 0)

C.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

1.

2025-371 FY 2026 Budget Development Workshop (B)

Cynthia Curry, City Manager gave an introduction.

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave a presentation on the Fire Department budget.

Joseph Hillhouse, Fire Chief gave a presentation on the budget.

Commissioner Duncan-Walker arrived at 1:08 p.m.

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave a presentation on the Police Department budget.

Nelson Moya, Police Chief gave a presentation on the budget.

Jaime Kurnick, Police Major spoke to the budget.

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave a presentation on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department budget.

Roxana Gonzalez, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs gave a presentation on the budget.

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave a presentation on the Public Works Department budget.

Gail Mowry, Interim Public Works Director gave a presentation on the budget.

Brian Singleton, Special Advisor to the City Manager. spoke to tree mitigation.

Leslie Ladendorf, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs stated that she can get the numbers for interment vs. disinterment impacts at Evergreen Cemetery.

• Recommendation: The City Commission hear the presentation from staff.

  Heard

2.

2025-353 Fire Special Assessment Preliminary Rate Resolution (B)

Cynthia Curry, City Manager gave an introduction.

Joseph Hillhouse, Fire Chief spoke to the item.

Sandi Neubarth, Consultant for Government Services Group spoke to the item.

Steve Varvel, Director of Risk Management, spoke to the contribution rate.

• Moved by Commissioner Willits

  Motion 1: Postpone setting preliminary rate resolution and have staff return with a change in methodology from FY23 and FY24 for assessment. 

  Died for lack of second
• Moved by Commissioner Willits
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Eastman

  Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) establish the Preliminary Fire Services Special Assessment Rates as follows:

  Residential Property Use Categories                                         Rate Per Square Foot  

  Single Family Residential                                                               $ 0.0900                            

  Multi-Family Residential                                                                 $ 0.0892              

  Non-Residential Property Use Categories                                 Rate Per Square Foot  

  Commercial                                                                                    $ 0.1185  

  Industrial/Warehouse                                                                     $ 0.0884      

  Institutional                                                                                     $ 0.2267    

                 

  2) set the public hearing on the Annual Rate Resolution at 5:30 pm (or as soon thereafter as may be heard) on September 11, 2025; and 3) adopt the proposed Preliminary Rate Resolution.

  Motion 2: Approve as recommended.

  Aye (7)

  Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and James Ingle

  Approved (7 to 0)

D.

MEMBER COMMENT

Commissioner Chestnut - Thelma Boltin Center Update

Commissioner Willits - 1) 8th and Waldo Update with the School Board. Cynthia Curry, City Manager gave an update. 2) Tree mitigation.

Mayor Ward - Palm trees on SW 34th Street. Is going to propose to MTPO to have a more permanent monument in that space.

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff spoke to the Thelma Boltin equipment.

Jennifer Smart, Communications and Marketing Director spoke to the equipment at the Thelma Boltin Center. She will provide a cost breakdown to the City Commission.

Commissioner Duncan-Walker - Agenda a conversation regarding the cost breakdown regarding the equipment at the Thelma Boltin Center.

E.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 2:34 p.m.