Public Meetings - Kissimmee, Florida

The Kissimmee City Commission met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, a swearing-in ceremony, public hearings on land-use and zoning amendments, pain management licenses, a budget amendment, consent agenda approval, advisory board appointments, and a Toho Water Authority Board appointment. All five commissioners were present: Mayor Jackie Espinosa, Vice Mayor Angela Eady, Commissioners Noel Ortiz, Carlos Alvarez III, and Janette Martinez. Proclamations and Special Presentations - Heart of Florida United Way Presentation: Jeff Hayward (President/CEO) and Kelley Astro (Senior Vice President of Community Impact) presented a community school initiative at Osceola High School, launching in August 2026. The school will provide wraparound services including on-site healthcare, after-school enrichment, tutoring, and family workshops. Partners include the School District of Osceola County, Orange Blossom Family Health, Rollins College, UCF, and Boys & Girls Clubs. The initiative is a 10-year commitment. - Swearing in of 8 New Firefighters: Fire Chief James Walls administered the oath to Firefighters Craig Bronson, Sergio Sandoval, Jackson Campbell, Ryan Womble, Nelson Alvarez, Joshua Nelson, Ryan Dennington, and Anthony Gonzalez. They have completed orientation and are assigned to shifts. Public Comments & Testimony (Items 4A/4B) - Jeremy Fetzer (local business owner) expressed opposition to the emergency resource center portion of the Yates Road project, stating it is incompatible with the Vine Street CRA redevelopment plan and could lead to encampments near Shingle Creek, burdening city police and fire resources. He supported the senior housing component. - David Tomak (Osceola County Deputy County Manager) presented in support, highlighting the project's preservation of Shingle Creek, transit access, and need for senior housing (over 11,000 seniors in the county live below poverty level). He proposed conditions including site plan review by the Commission, security and operational plans, and a reverter clause if Salvation Army does not use the property. - Andrea Ruiz, Tammy Madison, Kimberly Corcoran, Jessica Miranda, Iris Saldaña spoke in support of the Salvation Army facility, citing personal experiences and community need. Discussion Items 4A & 4B – Yates Road Land Use and Zoning Amendments (Ordinances 25-18 and 25-19): - Proposed changing 13.12 acres at 2001 Yates Road from Recreational (REC) to Institutional (INST) Future Land Use and from Open Space (OS) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning. - The project includes a 10,000 sq. ft. emergency resource center (operated by Salvation Army) and up to 100 age-restricted senior housing units (55+). Only 7 acres of the 13.12 will be developed; the rest preserves Shingle Creek wetlands and trail. - Planning Advisory Board recommended denial (4-0) on November 5, 2025. City staff recommended approval. - Commissioners expressed concerns: tax base impact (resource center is tax-exempt), duplication of services with Haven on Vine, public safety burden, encroachment on Shingle Creek woodlands, and compatibility with the Vine Street CRA. - Mayor Espinosa noted the discrepancy between staff and PAB recommendations and called for a workshop. - Motion to continue both the land use amendment (Ordinance 25-18) and the zoning amendment (Ordinance 25-19) to January 20, 2026, passed unanimously (5-0). 5A – Pain Management License for Avita Pharmacy (1080 Kevstin Dr., Suite B): - Approved unanimously (5-0) subject to standard conditions. 5B – Pain Management License for Kissimmee Pharmacy (905 W Oak St.): - Approved unanimously (5-0) subject to standard conditions. 5C – Adoption of Resolution to Amend FY24-25 Operating Budget: - The budget increased by $24,415,591 due to grants, donations, and lines of credit. Resolution 25-2025 adopted unanimously (5-0). Consent Agenda - Items 7A through 7J approved unanimously (5-0) in one motion. Key items: - 7A: Approval of November 4, 2025 minutes - 7B: $6,500 sponsorship from Toho Water Authority for 2026 Festival Series - 7C: City Hall elevators modernization with KONE, Inc. ($797,370 plus contingency) - 7D: Resolution (26-2025) approving affordable housing development under Florida Live Local Act (300 units, 15 at 35% AMI, 285 at 60% AMI) - 7E: Supplemental Agreement No. 3 with AECOM for Connect Kissimmee Complete Streets Project ($854,849) - 7F: Resolution (27-2025) requesting state support for Customs and Border Protection services at Kissimmee Gateway Airport - 7G: Piggyback agreement with Cathcart Construction for rapid response infrastructure services - 7H: FY24-25 budget adjustments - 7I: Accept patrol K-9 Ali from Plantation Police Department for $1.00 - 7J: Adjust Federal Law Enforcement Fund reserves for FY25-26 Advisory Board Vacancies (Item 8A) - Bryant Coleman appointed to Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (motion by Alvarez, second by Espinosa, unanimous) - Javin Lopez appointed to Planning Advisory Board (motion by Espinosa, second by Martinez, unanimous) - Vera Wilkerson appointed to Board of Adjustment (motion by Espinosa, second by Martinez, unanimous) Toho Water Authority Board Appointment (Item 8B) - Six letters of interest received. Motion by Mayor Espinosa to appoint Jeremy Fetzer, effective November 20, 2025. Passed 4-1 (Commissioner Martinez dissented). Hear City Officials - City Manager Steigerwald reminded of Small Business Saturday (Nov 27) at the rain garden and the Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29. - City Attorney Sanchez de Fuentes wished a happy Thanksgiving. - Commissioners gave remarks: Martinez and Eady to attend National League of Cities in Utah; Alvarez encouraged checking on elderly neighbors; Ortiz and Espinosa celebrated their one-year anniversary. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.

The Kissimmee City Commission held its regular session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at City Hall. Mayor Jackie Espinosa presided, with Commissioners Noel Ortiz, Angela Eady, Carlos Alvarez, III, and Janette Martinez present. The meeting included the swearing-in of six new police officers and a therapy dog, recognition of the Employee of the Month, a public comment on business regulation, unanimous approval of a 13-item consent agenda, and approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for airport redevelopment. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. Proclamations and Special Presentations - Swearing-in of Six New Police Officers: Police Chief Charles Broadway administered the oath to officers Nam Vo, Chris Serrano-Ortega, Arian Otero-Benitez, Madeline Rivera, Kimberly Ortega, and Melanie Duran. Assistant Chief McGinley read their biographies. - Swearing-in of K9 Bristol: Bristol, a 1.5-year-old Golden Retriever-Labrador mix, was sworn in as the department's first therapy dog. Donated by Valor Service Dogs and named in honor of fallen officer Spencer Bristol, he will support mental wellness for staff and community engagement. - Employee of the Month – Joshua Daniel: City Manager Mike Steigerwald recognized Joshua Daniel, Strategic Communication Manager, for his leadership in the redesign of the city's website. The award was determined by a peer-nomination committee. Consent Calendar The Commission unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (motion by Mayor Espinosa, second by Commissioner Martinez, vote 5-0), which included: - Approval of minutes from October 21 and October 27, 2025. - Acceptance of an additional $4,000 from FDOT for the High Visibility Enforcement for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (total $20,648.87). - Permanent right-of-way easement with TRJ 4030 Kissimmee LLC for streetscape on Hoagland Boulevard. - Authorization to apply for the 2025 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program. - Consent to sub-lease between Signature Flight Support, LLC and Fly Smart, LLC at the airport. - Approval of the 2026 Event and Festival Series Calendar (9 city-produced events, 4 signature events, 1 veterans parade). - Carry-forward of projects to FY 2025-2026 budget. - Acceptance of sidewalk easements for Osceola Village Center and 420 S. Clyde Avenue. - Easement and maintenance agreement for Pinnacle at the Wesleyan (The Cove). - Approval of fire equipment agreements with Municipal Equipment Company, LLC, Ten-8 Fire & Safety, LLC, and Bennett Fire Products Company, LLC. - Acceptance of subdivision improvements for Knightsbridge Phase 2C & 2D, with conditions. - Acceptance of $110,000 in Tourism Enhancement Grants for seven events. Public Comments & Testimony Kurt Jensen, a local business owner, expressed opposition to the number of smoke shops on Route 192, noting 86 such businesses. He questioned why permits are not limited. Mayor Espinosa and City Manager Steigerwald explained legal constraints under equal protection clauses, noting that zoning cannot easily restrict specific business types without a demonstrated nexus. The City Attorney confirmed that the city would need data to defend restrictions. The Mayor noted that the city limits cover about half of 192 and that redevelopment may attract different businesses. Discussion Items Memorandum of Understanding with Kissimmee Airport Development Company, LLC (KADC): Aviation Director Shaun Germolus introduced Hector Lizasuain, CEO of KADC, who presented plans to develop approximately 119.9 acres of the former golf course on the airport's southeast border. The MOU provides for a due diligence period (surveying, environmental, conceptual design) at no cost to the city, with key decisions expected in March 2026. Discussion covered KADC's experience, the timeline, incorporation date, and interest in a public-private partnership. The Commission approved the MOU unanimously (motion by Mayor Espinosa, second by Commissioner Martinez, vote 5-0). City Manager and Commission Reports - City Manager Updates: Mike Steigerwald announced upcoming events: Veterans Parade (Nov. 8), Dinner with a Veteran, Orlando Japan Festival (Nov. 9), and the Business Resource Showcase (Nov. 13). - Commission Comments: Commissioner Alvarez thanked Public Works for work on Columbia Avenue. Commissioner Ortiz thanked veterans for their service. Vice Mayor Eady asked commissioners and city staff to join a team for the upcoming Lip Sync Battle, which drew interest. Mayor Espinosa requested follow-up on a Menorah Lighting ceremony, highlighted the Boo on Broadway event (just under 8,000 attendees), and reported on a conference in Puerto Rico, a visit from the Mayor of Yabucoa, and a Good Day Orlando segment honoring community members. Key Outcomes - The Consent Agenda (Items 7.A–7.M) was approved unanimously (5-0). - The MOU with KADC (Item 8.A) was approved unanimously (5-0). - The City Manager was directed to coordinate with Kissimmee Main Street for the Menorah Lighting event.

The Kissimmee City Commission held a workshop on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM in City Hall Commission Chambers. The meeting focused on two main agenda items: a development review fee study and a thematic tourism and city branding proposal. Mayor Jackie Espinosa presided, with Commissioners Noel Ortiz, Carlos Alvarez III, and Janette Martinez (via Microsoft Teams) present. Commissioner Angela Eady was absent. The meeting adjourned at 3:28 PM. Development Review Fees Development Services Director Craig Holland and Assistant Director Doug Etheredge presented findings from a study by Matrix Consulting Group, which recommended updating the city’s development review fees. Key points included: - The city currently recovers only 30% of actual costs from applicants, leaving taxpayers to cover the remaining 70%. - The study proposed four essential changes: adjusting fees to match actual costs, properly applying the fee structure, introducing refund options, and rounding flat-rate charges to the nearest dollar. - New fee categories were suggested, such as inspection fees, notice fees, and insufficient payment charges, while consolidating redundant application names. - Fees would be scaled by project complexity (e.g., single-day vs. multi-day special events, administrative waivers vs. variances). - Staff recommended annual CPI-based adjustments to avoid large periodic increases. - Fee comparisons with St. Cloud and Osceola County showed similarities for prominent project types. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about fee increases, the difference between single-day and multi-day permits, and annual CPI adjustments. Commissioner Alvarez requested more family-oriented elements in the branding. Mayor Espinosa motioned to approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Alvarez seconded. The motion passed 3-0, with the item to return as a resolution at a future meeting. Thematic Tourism and City Branding Presentation Jacobo Cabrera, President of Art with a Cause, presented a concept to rebrand Kissimmee as “The City of Love” by leveraging the phonetic similarity of “Kissimmee” to “Kiss Me.” The proposal included: - A video highlighting the idea, with projected economic impact of $500 million in additional annual tourism revenue within five years, based on an algorithm using Orlando airport arrivals and current visitor spending. - Five “routes of love” (Valentine’s Day, weddings, culture, nightlife, nature) with designated “kiss spots” for viral marketing. - A visual identity using lips, hearts, and the slogan “Kiss Me and Kissimmee,” with colors red, black, and white. - A proprietary platform for businesses to market themselves and direct visitor spending into the city. Commissioners raised several points: - Commissioner Alvarez asked about making the concept more family-inclusive (e.g., graduations, quinceañeras). Cabrera confirmed it could be broadened. - Commissioner Martinez, joining virtually, echoed interest in the source of the financial projections. - Mayor Espinosa clarified that the proposal is a concept and distinguished it from the existing “Experience Kissimmee” brand, noting there is no “Visit Kissimmee” website. - City Manager Mike Steigerwald suggested coordinating with Experience Kissimmee, which handles tourism marketing and could provide funding through the Tourist Development Tax (TDT). - Economic Development Director David Rodriguez recommended verifying the ROI calculation and aligning with Experience Kissimmee’s strategy. - Legal and procurement issues were noted regarding the proprietary platform, as city ownership of copyrighted material may be limited. - Mayor Espinosa recommended issuing a proclamation on February 14, 2026, to support the “City of Love” mission. No formal action was taken on the branding proposal. The next step is to develop a detailed business plan and meet with Experience Kissimmee leadership. Key Outcomes - Development Review Fees: Motion to approve the staff recommendation passed 3-0. A formal resolution will be brought to a future commission meeting. - City Branding Concept: No vote taken. The city manager was directed to explore the concept further, including a meeting with Experience Kissimmee and legal review of the proprietary platform. A proclamation for February 14, 2026, was suggested.