City Commission Regular Meeting

MINUTES

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

A.

  

Meeting called to order at 10:01 a.m.  

B.

  

Invocation given by Bishop Christopher Stokes, The New Beginning Christian Worship Center, Inc.

C.

  
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

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

    Aye (5)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Book, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits
    Absent (2)Commissioner Chestnut, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Approved (5 to 0)

D.

  
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

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

    Aye (5)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Book, and Mayor Pro Tempore Willits
    Absent (2)Commissioner Chestnut, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Approved (5 to 0)
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

    Recommendation: The City Commission approve the January 15, 2026 minutes.

    Approved
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

    Recommendation: The City Commission receive the informational list.

    Approved
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

    Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) review and adopt the City of Gainesville Regional Transit System 2026 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.

    Approved
  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

    Recommendation: The City Commission appoint:
    - Jason Leagle to the Police Advisory Committee for a term ending, January 21, 2030.

    Approved

Nelson Moya, Police Chief, gave a presentation on the Gainesville Police Department Quarterly Update.

Commissioner Chestnut joined the meeting at 10:06 a.m.

Nancy Hallett, Police Captain, gave a presentation on the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Jamie Kurnick, Police Major, gave a presentation on the Operations Bureau Proactive Efforts.

Lynne Valdes, Police Sergeant, gave a presentation on Traffic Education and Enforcement.

Joseph Castor, Police Sergeant, gave a presentation on Hiring Statistics.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission receive the quarterly update.

    Heard
  • Recess: 11:08 a.m.

12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Break

H.

  

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

I.

  

To be presented by Mangyne Vivian Filer

Carol Velasques, Cultural Affairs Manager, introduced the item.

Oaklianna Caraballo, Chair - Gainesville Art In Public Places Trust Advisory Board, gave a presentation of their annual report.

Bring GAPPT issue to a future General Policy Committee.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission hear a presentation and take action deemed necessary.

    Heard

Joseph Hillhouse, Fire Chief, gave a presentation on the Gainesville Fire Rescue Quarterly Update.

Brian Singleton, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item related to updates on the new Fire Stations 3 and 9.

Brandace Stone, Director of Community Health Initiatives,  gave a presentation on the Community Health Division.

Brittany Coleman, Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager, gave a presentation on ImpactGNV.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission hear a presentation from Gainesville Fire Rescue.

    Heard

Dan Nee, City Attorney, gave an overview of the item.

  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Duncan-Walker

    Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

    Motion: Approve as recommended on second reading.

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

Q.

  

Commissioner Chestnut: 1) Gave a recap on the Comprehensive Plan Townhall and thanked staff and the community, 2) Mentioned that cold weather last week affected the homeless and are supported by Grace Marketplace and St. Francis, and would like to see the revitalization of the Interfaith Council that could help, 3) Mentioned Government Affairs and Community Relations Director, John Alexander, asked for blanket donations and received a good response, 4) mentioned the 16 parcels in Heartwood, and 5) mentioned lack of guidelines for scooters and Airbnb's, would like to discuss this at a future General Policy Committee, and 6) Mentioned that Singapore use hotspots to know where to place parks and would like that explored locally.

Mayor Pro Tem Willits: 1) Mentioned that UF graduate Erin Jackson, will be a flag bearer at Olympics, and 2) Mentioned Mr. Molina's public comment regarding the apartment complex violating parking, lights, trash compactor noise, and discussed issues with development encroachment on neighborhoods.

Commissioner Eastman: Mentioned a potential Charter Amendment regarding vacancies on the City Commission.

Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the amendment proposal, giving the history and process.

Commissioner Book: Raised the question of commission vacancies as to what other municipalities are doing; and mentioned the University of Florida (UF) Strategic Plan as it relates to transit and housing and would like to invite UF to a future General Policy Committee meeting in the summer to discuss.

Mayor Ward: Gave a recap of the US Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, and the meetings he held with federal legislators.

  • Moved byCommissioner Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Motion: Direct the City Attorney to review the City Charter to determine if a referendum should be called to make filling temporary vacancies on the City Commission by appointment by the City Commission.

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

R.

  

Meeting adjourned at 2:56 p.m.

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