City of Gainesville
General Policy Committee Meeting
AGENDA

Thursday, March 09, 2023 at 1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

City Hall Auditorium

200 East University Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

 

Commission Members

Mayor Harvey L. Ward, Jr.

Mayor Pro Tempore Desmon Duncan-Walker (District 1)

Reina Saco (At Large, Seat A)

Cynthia Moore Chestnut (At Large, Seat B)

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 an 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.

 

---

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.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

C.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Approval of Minutes from the January 26, and February 9, 2023 General Policy Committee Meetings (B)

• Recommendation: The General Policy Committee approve the January 26, and February 9, 2023 minutes.

D.

BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

2022-545 Natural Gas Appliance Rebate Discussion (B)

Department: Gainesville Regional Utilities

Description: This item is to relay the UAB’s recommendation for the Utility to eliminate its gas rebate program, and staff’s alternate recommendation.

Fiscal Note: Potential decrease in incremental revenue growth.

• Recommendation: The General Policy Committee direct GRU to continue the use of natural gas appliance rebates at this time with a commitment to re-evaluate the rebates as GRU works to establish its path to meet the net zero resolution goal by 2045.

2023-206 GRU Service Area and Extension Policies (B)

Department: GRU Sustainability Department

Description: Current service areas and extension policies for electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and reclaimed water will be presented and discussed along with recommendations for future service areas and extension policies. This item is a follow-up to discussions at the February 11, 2021, UAB meeting and the February 18, 2021, City Commission meeting.

Fiscal Note: Changes in extension policies may have significant impacts on future utility revenues.

• Recommendation: The General Policy Committee hear a presentation and take action deemed necessary.

  Staff Recommends: 1. Continue electric service growth in GRU electric service territory. 2. Continue gas service growth to customers and neighboring communities.
  3. Develop a long-term plan for natural gas system as part of the plan to achieve net zero by 2045.
  4. Continue current policy for extension of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water in accordance with the City of Gainesville and Alachua County Comprehensive Plans.

2023- 213 Review of The Knot Climbing Gym Unsolicited Proposal (B)

Department: Sustainable Development

Description: This item presents the Knot Climbing Gym unsolicited conceptual project proposal for redevelopment of the former RTS Maintenance and Administration facility located south of Depot Park.

Fiscal Note: The proposal offers $2 million as an acquisition price for the subject site; the proceeds of which would need to be returned to the Federal Transportation Agency (FTA) per federal regulations.

• Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) hear a brief presentation; 2) direct staff to post a solicitation as recommended by the Department of Financial Services -Procurement Division; 3) concurrently continue to work with the Knot Climbing Gym on the proposal regarding the identified outstanding items and additional considerations inclusive of: site due diligence (updated property appraisals, environmental and infrastructure analysis); and documentation of proposed fiscal impacts.

2023-257 Schedule Special Meeting – Exclusionary Zoning (NB)

Department: Office of the City Commission

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The General Policy Committee approve a Special City Commission meeting on April 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm regarding exclusionary zoning.

2023-258 Sponsorship and Naming Policies (B)

Department: Office of the City Clerk

Description: The Policy Research Team will share research on donation, sponsorship, and naming policies from municipalities around the country.

Fiscal Note: N/A

• Recommendation: The General Policy Committee hear a presentation from staff and discuss.

E.

MEMBER COMMENT

F.

NEXT MEETING DATE - March 23, 2023

G.

ADJOURNMENT