City of Gainesville
City Commission Regular Meeting
AGENDA

-
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 accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (352) 334-5051 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.

  

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.

  

Dr. Saaed Khan

C.

  

Includes Consent and Regular Agenda Items


 

D.

  

Department: Transportation

Description: Request for the City Commission to approve the updated agreement.


Fiscal Note: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Expected cost to remove the designation of parking spaces can be absorbed into the operational funds in the Transportation Department.

  • Recommendation: 1) City Commission approve the Interlocal agreement and 2) authorize the Mayor or designee to execute the agreement with Alachua County, and any other necessary or related documents, on behalf of the City, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: Public Works


Description: Ordinance amending Chapter 23 – Article VI Public Right-of-Way Use by Gainesville Regional Utilities removing exemption from the Code requirements.


Fiscal Note: The estimated permit fees generated with the proposed Ordinance change is approximately $150,000 annually. The fees would offset the cost associated with field construction standards inspections and traffic safety inspections currently absorbed in the general fund budget and offset the cost associated with permit reviews and processing.

  • Recommendation: City Commission direct the City Attorney to advertise an Ordinance Amending Chapter 23 – Article VI – Public Right of Way Use by Gainesville Regional Utilities removing Gainesville Regional Utilities’ exemption to the code requirements.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for the City Commission to approve the Sixth Amendment to the Agreement for Collection of Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and Yard Trash with GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC.


Fiscal Note: Funding for this agreement, in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000 annually, will be allocated from the FY24 Solid Waste Operating Budget and Solid Waste Fund Balance.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the Sixth Amendment to the Agreement with GFL Solid Waste Southeast, LLC., for collection of solid waste, recyclable materials and yard trash, which extends the term of the agreement through September 30, 2026, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 2) approve the expenditure in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000 annually during the term of the Agreement.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for City Commission to approve the Method of Source Selection for Solid Waste disposal through Alachua County for Fiscal Year 2024.


Fiscal Note: The estimated cost is $1.6 million; funding for this purchase is available in the Solid Waste Fund.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) approve an expenditure for fiscal year 2024 in an amount of $1,600,000.00 to pay for tipping fees with Alachua County for solid waste disposal; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the Method of Source Selection for solid waste disposal with Alachua County for $1,600,000.00 for fiscal year 2024.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request the City Commission award a Request for Proposal to CDM Contracting, Inc. totaling $791,040.00 and enter into a Design-Build agreement for miscellaneous sidewalk, curb ramps and bus stop ADA Improvements throughout the City.


Fiscal Note: Funding is available from a Florida Department of Transportation – Transportation Alternatives grant in the amount of $550,000.00 for the base bid plus bid alternates 1 and 2 totaling $540,540.00. Funding is available from a Florida Department of Transportation Public Transportation Service Development Program grant in the amount of $330,300.00 for bid alternate 4 totaling $250,500.00; this grant requires a 50/50 match, as such, $125,250.00 will be funded with the grant and $125,250.00 will be funded with Transportation Mobility Program Area Fund. Funding is not available for bid alternate 3.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission 1) award the Request for Proposal for Miscellaneous Sidewalk, Curb Ramp and Bus Stop ADA Improvement to CDM Contracting, LLC in the amount of $791,040.00 for the base bid plus bid alternates 1, 2 and 4; and 2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into a Design-Build Agreement with CDM Contracting, LLC, subject to approval of the City Attorney or designee as to form and legality.

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Fiscal Note: This item does not have a fiscal impact.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission approve the removal of Fraleigh Krause from the Development Review Board, effectively immediately.

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission accept the resignation of Taite Miller, effective immediately.

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact

  • Recommendation: The City Commission Appoint:
    - Saga Kumar to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development for a full term ending November 1, 2026.
    - Michael Granto to the City Beautification Board for a full term ending November 1, 2024.
    - Natalya Schoenwether to the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board for a full term ending September 30, 2026.
    - Richard Allen, Nickolas Hill, Joakim Nordqvist to the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area Advisory Board for a full term ending March 10, 2025.
    - Savanah Partridge to the Historic Preservation Board as Student Member for a one year term ending September 30, 2024.
    - Scot Smith to the Police Advisory Council for a full term ending October 18, 2027.
    - Sean Johnson to the Public Recreation and Parks Board for a full term ending June 1, 2026.

Department: Gainesville Police Department


Description: Request for City Commission to approve applying for and, if awarded, authorize the City Manager to accept the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant totaling $159,380.00.


Fiscal Note: There is no match requirement for this grant.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) approve the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant application, 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to accept the grant if awarded, and 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Funding Request form, and any other necessary documents, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality for the grant application.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for approval of a Task Assignment under the Professional Services Agreement for Architectural and Engineering Services with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the design of the SW 47th Avenue Extension which includes designing a new two-lane roadway connecting the eastern terminus of SW 47th Avenue (east of SW 34th Street) to existing terminus of SW 29th Drive.


Fiscal Note: Funding for construction of the project is available in the amount of $480,783.78 in the Transportation Mobility Program Area Fund.

  • Recommendation: City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a Task Assignment Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $480,783.78 for the design of the SW 47th Avenue Extension, subject to approval of the City Attorney or designee as to form and legality.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for approval of a Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement with Oelrich Construction, Inc. for Catalyst Building Renovations to relocate Gainesville Fire Rescue Administration.


Fiscal Note: Cost of the renovations are $457,882 and is funded with the Street, Stations and Strong Foundations Program (1/2 cent infrastructure surtax).

  • Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement with Oelrich Construction, Inc. in the amount of $457,882 for Catalyst Building Renovations, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: Office of Management and Budget


Description: To request approval of discussion and public hearing dates related to the General Government Fiscal Year 2025 budget development process.


Fiscal Note: Any costs associated with conducting these meetings is available in the FY 2024 General Government Operating Budget.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget development calendar.

Department: Gainesville Police Department


Description: Requesting retroactive approval from the City Commission to apply for, and accept, if awarded, the Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Office’s FY 2024 Subgrant Funding for traffic safety initiatives, totaling $249,000 in grant funding awarded for four (4) individual applications submitted by the Gainesville Police Department for traffic safety initiatives.


Fiscal Note: There is no match requirement for these grants. The City will receive a total of $249,000 of Florida Department of Transportation grant funds as follows: City of Gainesville Safe Gator Program $72,000; City of Gainesville Motorcycle/Scooter Safety and Education Program $72,000; City of Gainesville Distracted Driving Program $45,000; and City of Gainesville Occupant Protection Program $60,000.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: (1) retroactively approve the Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Office’s FY 2024 Subgrant application for traffic safety initiatives, and (2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept each of the four Florida Department of Transportation subgrant awards for the above-listed traffic safety-related initiatives, and to execute any necessary documents related to the grant awards, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

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.


 

Department: Housing and Community Development


Description: Request for the Commission to accept the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee’s 2023 Incentives and Recommendations Report which recommends actions, initiatives and incentives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing, while protecting the ability of property values to increase.


Fiscal Note: In order to continue to receive funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, the State requires that each year the City’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee adopt an Incentives and Recommendations Report, and that the City submit that Incentives and Recommendations Report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. SHIP funding varies from year to year. However, staff anticipates annual SHIP Program allocations of $1 million to $1.6 million for FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026, as appropriated by the State of Florida.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) accept the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee’s 2023 Incentives and Recommendations Report; 2) approve the submittal of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee’s 2023 Incentives and Recommendations Report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation by December 31, 2023; and 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents required for the submittal of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee’s 2023 Incentives and Recommendations Report, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs


Description: Requesting City Commission approval of a task assignment amendment with Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. in the amount of $469,318.00 for the professional design, permitting, procurement assistance and construction administration associated with the partial restoration of the Thelma A. Boltin Center as directed by the City Commission on April 27, 2023.


Fiscal Note: Funds in the amount of $469,318.00 are available for professional design services from the Wild Spaces Public Places Fund Thelma Boltin Center project account.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contract documents and other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs


Description: Request for the City Commission to award the Request for Proposal for the Construction Manager at Risk Services for the Thelma A. Boltin Center project to D.E. Scorpio Corporation.


Fiscal Note: Funds are available for the Thelma A. Boltin Center project from the Wild Spaces & Public Places ½ cent Fund. A guaranteed maximum price proposal for construction will be brought before the City Commission for approval once the project design is further along and additional public feedback is provided.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission 1) approve the Request for Proposal award to D.E. Scorpio Corporation and 2) authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute all contract documents and other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: City Auditor


Description: The City Commission select a City Auditor.


Fiscal Note: The anticipated total fiscal impact for the search for a City Auditor is estimated to be approximately $30,000. Funds for this search will come from the Human Resources budget for Charter Officer Recruitment.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission (1) select a City Auditor (2) authorize the Human Resources Department and City Attorney’s Office to work with the Mayor to negotiate an employment agreement with the selected candidate.

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


 

12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Break

H.

  

I.

  

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.

  

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.


 

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Fiscal Note: This item has no fiscal impact

  • Recommendation: The City Commission approve the Mayor’s appointment of Stephanie Seawright to the Gainesville Housing Authority Board.

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for City Commission to approve applying for and, if awarded, acceptance of Federal and State Grants for Traffic Operations.


Fiscal Note: Grant applications will be prioritized for those grants that do not require matching funds, however, if any grants that are applied for do require a match, grant applications will be limited to those in which existing budgeted funds can cover the match requirements.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the Resolution that authorizes the City Manager or designee to apply for, accept, if awarded, and execute grant agreements, and any other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality, for Traffic Operations projects and initiatives with United States Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Management Services, the University of Florida, the National Science Foundation or the Transportation Research Board.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-825: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Zoning Map Atlas by rezoning approximately 0.16 acres of property generally located at 1222 NW 16th Avenue, as more specifically described in this ordinance, from Residential Single-Family (RSF-1) to Urban 4 (U4); 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.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-827: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, to vacate, abandon, and close a certain public right-of-way generally located in the portion of SW 3rd Avenue and SW 1st Street abutting tax parcels 14557-000-000, 12994-000-000, and 12997-000-000, as more specifically described in this ordinance; providing directions to the City Clerk; 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.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-904: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Section 30-3.3 and Section 30-3.4 of the Land Development Code (Chapter 30 of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances) to delete the requirement for a probationary period for members of the City Plan Board and Development Review Board; 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.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-905: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Section 30-2.1 – Definitions and deleting Section 30-4.10 – Occupancy Limitation of the Land Development Code (Chapter 30 of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances) to remove regulations relating to residential tenancies or the landlord-tenant relationship as preempted by Section 83.425, Florida Statutes; 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.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-1144: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Sections 4-1, 4-4, and 4-59 of the Code of Ordinances relating to the sale, dispensing, possession, and consumption of alcohol; 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.

  
4:30 - 5:30 PM Dinner Break

R.

  

S.

  

Gainesville High School Navy JROTC

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Description: Proclamation


Fiscal Note: N/A

  • Recommendation: To be presented to Natalie Davis Douglas, Marvene Edwards, and Regina Livingston.

Department: Office of the City Clerk


Description: Proclamation


Fiscal Note: N/A

  • Recommendation: To be presented to Eastside High School and Abraham Lincoln Middle School Speech and Debate Students.                

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.


 

Department: City Commission


Description: An update on the “A Very GNV Holiday Parade” which was held on Saturday, December 2, 2023.


Fiscal Note: This item does not have a fiscal impact.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission receive an update on the “A Very GNV Holiday Parade.”

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


 

Department: City Manager


Description: A resolution to support naming 8th Avenue from Northwest 6th Street to Waldo Road in memory of Charles S. Chestnut III, Civil Rights leader and former Alachua County School Board and Alachua County Commission member. As the section of 8th Avenue between Northwest 6th Street and Main Street is a state road (SR 20), the dual naming of that portion requires action by the Florida Legislature.


Fiscal Note: No fiscal impact.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: (1) adopt the resolution supporting the request to dual name 8th Avenue between Main Street and Waldo Road as “Charles S. Chestnut III Avenue,” and (2) request supportive action by the Florida Legislature to extend the dual naming of “Charles S. Chestnut III Avenue” to 8th Avenue between Northwest 6th Street and Main Street (SR 20).

Department: Public Works


Description: Request for the City Commission to approve, via Resolution as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, an application for the use of State-owned uplands for the South Main Street Drainage Improvement Project.


Fiscal Note: The Application for the Use of State-Owned Uplands fee is $300.00. The application fee will be funded from the Stormwater Management Utility Capital Improvement Budget.

  • Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) adopt the Resolution, and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute an application for the Use of State-owned uplands along the Gainesville to Hawthorne Downtown Connector Trail and related documents, for the South Main Street Improvement Project, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality.

Department: City Attorney

Description: Ordinance No. 2023-615: An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Zoning Map Atlas by rezoning approximately 26.09 acres of property known as Magnolia Parke generally located in the vicinity of the 4600-5000 block of NW 39th Avenue, as more specifically described in this ordinance, to Planned Development (PD); providing land development regulations; 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.

AB.

  

AC.

  

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.

No Item Selected