General Policy Committee Meeting

MINUTES

-
City Hall Auditorium
200 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Members Present:
  • Commissioner Book, 
  • Commissioner Chestnut, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, 
  • Commissioner James Ingle, 
  • Mayor Ward, 
  • and Commissioner Willits 
Members Absent:
  • Commissioner Duncan-Walker 

A.
CALL TO ORDER

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

B.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved byCommissioner Willits
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Motion: The General Policy Committee adopt the agenda moving 2025-723 Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project to first on the agenda. 

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)

C.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

  

1.
Approval of Minutes from the October 9, 2025 General Policy Committee Meeting (B)

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved byCommissioner Willits
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Recommendation: The General Policy Committee approve the minutes from the October 9, 2025 meeting.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)

D.
BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

  

1.
2025-723 Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project (B)

This item has attachments.  

Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, introduced the item.

John Wachtel, Neighborhood Planning Coordinator, gave a presentation on the Funding Recommendation for Local Government Area of Opportunity Project.

Mary Lou Hildreth, Chair, SHIP-Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, gave a presentation on the board's recommendations.

Public Comment: Alex Kiss

  • Moved byCommissioner James Ingle
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Recommendation: The General Policy Committee: 1) hear a presentation from staff and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; 2) approve funding the Hope @ Debra Heights Affordable Rental Housing Project in the form of a loan in the amount of $460,000.00 with a 5% annual interest rate with a balloon payment at the maturity of the first mortgage, and a 30-year amortization period; and 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any documents necessary to such funding, subject to City Attorney approval as to form and legality.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)

2.
2025-771 Discuss City Manager Recruitment (NB)

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Laura Graetz, Human Resource Director, gave a presentation on the City Manager Recruitment process.

Public Comment: Donald Shepherd

Item will return to the City Commission in March 2026.

  • Recommendation: The General Policy Committee discuss City Manager recruitment considerations.

    Heard

3.
2025-662 GRACE Marketplace Property Discussion (B)

This item has attachments.  

Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, gave an overview of the item.

John Thomas, Grace Marketplace, spoke to the item related to the property having liability insurance, but not property insurance; as well as grants and funding; 36% of $5.1 million is the city's portion of Grace Marketplace's budget.

Public Comment: Donald Shepherd, Kenney Gaines

  • Moved byCommissioner Chestnut
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Recommendation: The General Policy Committee discuss and provide staff direction.

    Motion: Direct staff to bring back a resolution for the transfer of the property.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)

4.
2025-848 Solid Waste Division Update (B)

This item has attachments.  

Jarod LLoyd, Operations Division Manager, gave a presentation on the Solid Waste Division Update.

Public Comment: Kevin Smith (GFL), Bill Brinkley (Republic Services), Levin Gaston (Gaston Tree Service, Recycling), Donald Shepherd, Matt Buszco, Richard Devereaux (O Town Compost), Maryvonne Devensky (Sierra Club), Janice Gary, Aahan Tacthcer, Jenny Gavilanez-Slone

Brian Singleton, Acting Chief Operating Officer - Governmental Operations, spoke to the item related to the costs reported from haulers.

  • Recommendation 1: The General Policy Committee directs City Manager to: 1) sunset the Curbside Food Waste Collection Pilot Program effective December 31, 2025; and 2) research and return with options to address staff concerns related to construction and demolition haulers.

  • Recommendation 2: The General Policy Committee direct the City Attorney to work with the City Manager to advertise an ordinance to: 1) eliminate multi-family food waste collection requirements; 2) eliminate front of house food waste collection requirements; 3) permit pharmacies to have options other than containers for drug collection; 4) add mandatory reporting requirements of violations for haulers; and 5) require haulers to provide collection container types and sizes.

  • Recommendation 3: The General Policy Committee 1) hear feedback from haulers regarding the commercial franchise fee restructuring; and 2) provide feedback or direction to Staff regarding commercial franchise fee restructuring.

  • Moved byCommissioner Book
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Motion 1: Direct City Manager to sunset the curbside food waste collection pilot program effective Dec 31, 2025.

    Aye (4)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Willits
    Nay (2)Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (4 to 2)
  • Moved byCommissioner Book
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Motion 2: Direct the City Manager to 1. Have staff develop an ITN and/or RFP for a food waste collection program, evaluate, & bring back recommendations to the City Commission, 2. Consider other aspects of a food waste program that may be practical and cost effective such as but not limited to collection centers, opt in programs, and enforcement mechanisms, 3. Research and return with options to address staff concerns related to construction and demolition haulers.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)
  • Moved byCommissioner James Ingle
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Motion 3: Direct the City Attorney to work with the City Manager to advertise an ordinance to: 1) permit pharmacies to have options other than containers for drug collection; 2) add mandatory reporting requirements of violations for haulers; 3) require haulers to provide collection container types and sizes, and 4) Move forward with commercial franchise fee restructuring, and brokering licenses. 

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 0)
  • Moved byCommissioner Willits
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Motion 4: Direct staff to postpone the multi-family food waste collection until the City Commission receives the results from the invitation to negotiate.

    Aye (3)Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Willits
    Nay (3)Mayor Ward, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Failed (3 to 3)
  • Moved byCommissioner James Ingle
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Motion 5: Direct staff to begin enforcement after January 1, 2026.

    Withdrawn

E.
MEMBER COMMENT

  

Commissioner Willits: Would like to revisit the Santa Fe license agreement at a future City Commission meeting.

Andrew Persons, Interim City Manager, spoke to the comment related license agreements versus rights-of-way.

Commissioner Chestnut: Echoed Commissioner Willits' comments; Mentioned the community sponsored forum on the ballot initiative on October 28, 2025; Mentioned to have a staff presentation on the new legislation “Yes, in God’s Backyard”, which is a tool for affordable housing.

Commissioner Eastman: Echoed Commissioner Willits' comments; Mentioned the Special Election on November 4, 2025 and there is early voting starting October 31, 2025; and mentioned Fest occurring next weekend.

Brian Singleton, Acting Chief Operating Officer - Governmental Operations, spoke to the comment related to the Santa Fe license Agreement includes improvements to pedestrian rights-of-way.

Mayor Ward: Requested the Santa Fe License Agreement be added the next City Commission regular meeting agenda.

F.
NEXT MEETING DATE - November 13, 2025

  

G.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.

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