Casselberry City Commission Meeting – November 17, 2025

The City Commission of Casselberry, Florida, met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall. Mayor Hansen presided, with Commissioners Amendia, DeVita, Kirk, and Vice Mayor Bush present. The meeting unanimously approved the consent agenda, adopted a federal grant agreement, passed multiple ordinances, awarded a water main replacement contract, and accepted the city manager's performance evaluation. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved three legal services invoices totaling $23,194.90 (Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta & Salzman, P.A. $22,418.90; Fishback Dominick LLP $623.50; Fisher & Phillips LLP $152.50).
• Approved Resolution 25-3547 authorizing a Utility Easement Agreement with the City of Maitland for utilities in Community Maitland Park.
• Approved Resolution 25-3548 accepting $7,833 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Direct Program FY24, along with Budget Amendment 26-006.
• Approved Budget Amendment 25-048 for FY 2025 budget adjustments.
• Approved Resolution 25-3549 adopting fourth quarter FY 2025 budget amendments and transfers.
• Approved piggyback agreements with InDepth, Inc. for ground storage tank cleaning (not to exceed $500,000 through May 5, 2026) and with Flotech Environmental, LLC for storm sewer rehabilitation (not to exceed $1,000,000).
• Approved Amendment No. 3 with Quality Lawn Services Unlimited, Inc., extending the term to November 15, 2026, and increasing the cumulative limit by $85,425 to $435,425.
• Approved a purchase of services from Inliner Solutions, LLC for stormwater pipe lining for $396,154.
• Approved a $1,500 donation from State Law Enforcement Trust Funds to the Central Florida Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, along with Budget Amendment 26-005.
• Authorized submission of a Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the public hearing for Ordinance 25-1626 (communications rights-of-way), Kate Wallace, Director of State Government Affairs at Charter Communications (Spectrum), spoke. She expressed appreciation for the city's business-friendly revisions, particularly reducing the letter-of-credit requirement from $250,000 to $150,000. She suggested that a single incident causing significant monetary damage should be sufficient to trigger additional requirements, rather than relying on a threshold of three incidents. She reaffirmed Spectrum's commitment to partnering with the city. No other public comments were made on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Future Agenda Items: No items were raised for discussion.
• Resolution 25-3550 – Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant: Special Projects Manager Kina Henry presented the grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The grant totals $1,500,000 ($1,200,000 federal, $300,000 local match from sales tax). Funding will cover a Mobility Access Plan, preliminary design of quick-build improvements, protected bike facilities, trail crossings at SR 436 and Wilshire Boulevard, and pre- and post-evaluation of temporary safety improvements. The project is phased: design solicitation early 2026, construction fall 2027 to 2028, grant end March 2029. Staff noted temporary materials (paint, delineators) keep construction costs low. Commissioners questioned cost containment; staff expects the budget to be sufficient. Resolution 25-3550 and Budget Amendment 26-003 were approved.
• First Reading of Ordinance 25-1627 – CRA Termination: Community Development Director Chris Smith explained the sunsetting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on December 11, 2025, transferring assets and liabilities to the city and creating a Central City Reinvestment Fund from remaining trust funds. The ordinance passed first reading.
• Second Reading of Ordinance 25-1625 – Disband Development Review Committee (DRC): Planner 1 Mr. Macklander presented that the DRC has become redundant after transitioning to an online permitting system. The ordinance eliminates the DRC and authorizes an administrative official (appointed by the city manager) to approve reviews. Approved on second and final reading.
• Second Reading of Ordinance 25-1626 – Communications Rights-of-Way: Assistant City Manager Lori Martins Black outlined amendments made after first reading: the letter-of-credit and escrow requirement was reduced from $250,000 to $150,000 (cash escrow no longer required). Other provisions remain, including project authorization for up to 5,000 linear feet per permit, notification of damage to city utilities, and potential third-party locate agreements. The ordinance was approved on second and final reading.
• Other Item – Northgate Phase 2 Water Main Replacement: Utility Director Chad Lambert reported that eight bids were received; the low bidder was Accurate Drilling Systems, Inc. at $2,317,900, well under the $3.3 million engineer's estimate and the $3.5 million budget. The project includes 9,000 feet of replacement for galvanized and asbestos-cement pipe using horizontal directional drilling and open cuts, plus new fire hydrants. Staff requested a 10% contingency ($2,549,690 total), and authorization for the city manager to approve change orders up to 5% of the base amount. Approximately $1,035,000 will revert to fund balance for future projects in the area (e.g., English Estates phases). The award, contingency, and Budget Amendment 26-009 were approved.
• City Manager Performance Evaluation: Administrative Services Director presented a summary of evaluations completed by each commissioner. Average scores by commissioner ranged from a low of 4.6 (above standard) to a high of 5.0 (excellent). Average scores by category ranged from 4.6 to 4.9 (all above standard). The commission voted to accept the evaluation summary.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda: approved unanimously.
• Resolution 25-3550 (SS4A Grant) and Budget Amendment 26-003: approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-1627 (CRA termination): passed first reading unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-1625 (Disband DRC): passed second and final reading unanimously.
• Ordinance 25-1626 (Communications rights-of-way): passed second and final reading unanimously.
• Award of Northgate Phase 2 Water Main Replacement to Accurate Drilling Systems, Inc. ($2,317,900 base + 10% contingency) and Budget Amendment 26-009: approved unanimously. City manager authorized to approve change orders up to 5%.
• City Manager performance evaluation summary: accepted unanimously.

City Manager's Report

• The city manager noted the October 2025 Procurement Information Report (provided for review) and thanked the commission for the positive performance evaluation feedback.

Commissioner Reports/Announcements

• Vice Mayor Bush announced upcoming events: Seniors Holiday Luncheon (Nov 21, 11 AM at Recreation Center), Florida Amateur Skateboard League State Championships (Nov 22 at Wheel Park West), Joanna Warren concert (Nov 23 at Casselberry Arts Center, tickets $20), Thanksgiving closures (Nov 27, no trash/recycling), Homes for the Holidays tour (Nov 27-30, 6-8:30 PM nightly, live updates on Facebook), and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 6, 5-8 PM at Lake Concord Park).
• Other commissioners reported attending the Craft Beer & Blues concert, the sculpture unveiling at the arts center, a Seminole County Chamber event, a county-wide meeting discussing Winter Springs' charter situation as a cautionary tale for municipal home rule, and a Veterans Day trip to Arlington Cemetery.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned without further business.