Casselberry City Commission Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Casselberry City Commission met on Monday, January 26, 2026, beginning at 5:30 PM in the City Commission Chambers at Casselberry City Hall, 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, Florida. Mayor Dave Henson was absent, attending to community advocacy in Tallahassee, so Vice Mayor Aramendia presided. The Commission approved consent items and three first-reading ordinances, reappointed and appointed volunteer board members, and ratified a pension board appointment; all votes were 4-0.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the January 12, 2026 regular meeting minutes as presented.
• Approved legal services invoices: Fishback Dominick LLP invoice No. 125682 for $28.50 and Office of the State Attorney invoice No. CA010526 for $100.00.
• Approved Resolution 26-3558, adopting FY26 first quarter budget amendments and budget transfers.
• Approved the purchase of water tower cleaning and painting services from In Depth, Inc. for the Melody and Casselton water towers in the amount of $270,396.00, along with related budget amendment BA #26-016.

Presentations and Commendations

• Vice Mayor Aramendia, reading on behalf of Mayor Henson, presented a proclamation to Dr. Deborah Bauer, Chair of the Seminole County Semiquincentennial (250) Planning Subcommittee, designating 2026 as a year of celebration in honor of the United States Semiquincentennial. The proclamation encourages residents, schools, businesses, civic organizations, and cultural institutions to participate in celebration activities.

First Reading of Ordinances

Ordinance 26-1630 - Firefighters' Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)

• The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 62 of the City Code to extend the firefighters' DROP participation period from 60 months to 96 months.
• Assistant City Manager Lori Martins Black reported that the pension board unanimously voted in August to approve and recommend the draft ordinance, and the attached actuarial impact statement shows no cost associated with the amendment.
• A commissioner noted that police officers do not currently have a DROP program, but one is being developed with the pension board and may come before the Commission in the next month or two.
• The Commission approved Ordinance 26-1630 on first reading, 4-0.

Ordinance 26-1631 - Oxford PUD Agreement and Concept Plan Amendment at 201 and 205 S.R. 436

• Planner Hunter McFarland presented the request to amend the Oxford PUD agreement and concept plan for approximately 4.48 acres at the southeast corner of Oxford Road and State Road 436.
• The amended concept plan replaces the originally planned grocery store with three quick-service restaurants and a bank. The PUD process is required for the PMX Mid zoning request, and the property is in the Oxford Park Overlay District.
• Staff noted the concept plan was reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director in November 2025; public notice was published in the Sentinel in December 2025, and property owners within 500 feet were notified.
• Staff analysis found consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, no expected adverse environmental or economic impact, and tax revenue generation. Police service will come from the city, fire service from Seminole County, and utilities from Seminole County; no school impact analysis was required because the project is not residential.
• During discussion, Commissioner Kirk confirmed the site would not be connected to city water or sewer, similar to the city's police station.
• The Commission approved Ordinance 26-1631 on first reading, 4-0.

Ordinance 26-1632 - Future Land Use Map Amendment at 1775 Seminola Boulevard

• Planner McFarland also presented the request to change the Future Land Use Map designation from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Low Intensity Nonresidential (LINR) for five parcels located south of The Geneva School campus at 1775 Seminola Boulevard.
• The change is intended to make the parcels consistent with the rest of the school campus. The Geneva School purchased the property in 2023, and only one of the five parcels is currently developed.
• A separate zoning map amendment will be brought back later.
• The Commission approved Ordinance 26-1632 on first reading, 4-0.

Volunteer Board Appointments

Planning and Zoning Commission

• Reappointed Kyle Curran and Tim Beigel to regular-member terms effective through January 31, 2028.
• Appointed Lordis Crosby Garcia and Barrett Chase to two vacancies, also through January 31, 2028. The vacancies were created by Mike Lucas and Carolyn Stanley choosing not to seek reappointment. Other applicants included Antoine Blake, Alexander Fortis, and James Witherspoon. During discussion, commissioners cited Chase's planning experience and Crosby Garcia's lengthy resume.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

• Reappointed Buffy Worrell, eligible for her third and final term, and Sarah Wilson, eligible for her second full term, through January 31, 2028.
• Appointed Robert Sparrow to one vacancy, through January 31, 2028, created by Leanne Nash being termed out. Applicants included Andrea Bourjon, Kimberly Crow, Alexander Fortis, Karen Nolan, and Robert Sparrow. Commissioners discussed Sparrow's long-standing interest in serving on a board and Fortis's local property and business ownership; Karen Nolan was also nominated but not selected.

Pension Board Ratification

• The Commission ratified James Goodman's reappointment as the fifth member of the Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Board.
• City Clerk staff noted that firefighter member Matthew Hettler ran unopposed and continues on the board, and Matthew Fields replaced Ronald Phillips as the police officer member after Phillips resigned in September.
• The transcript states Goodman's term is through December 31, 2025, though the ratification occurred at the January 26, 2026 meeting.

City Manager's Report

• City Manager presented the December 1-31, 2025 Procurement Information Report for review.
• He announced a public community meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Casselberry Aquatic Center, 138 Mark David Boulevard, to discuss the proposed Winter Park Drive complete street improvements project between Seminola and Marigold. Staff will report community feedback to the Commission at a future meeting.
• He reported that the Florida Department of Transportation had requested a letter of support for a railroad crossing improvement grant application affecting two crossings near the city, at Plumosa and Ronald Reagan. The city would not be asked for funds, and the City Manager indicated he would sign the letter if there was no objection; no commissioner objected.

City Clerk's Report

• City Clerk Gardner reiterated the details of the January 29, 2026 public meeting at the Casselberry Aquatic Center.

Commissioner Reports and Comments

• Commissioner Kirk reported that the city's bike park and skate park remain active in winter and that the new solar lights look good.
• Commissioners commented positively on the 436 corridor project, the city manager's WESH interview, and several community events.
• Casselberry won first place for its community vehicle at the Cop Cars for Kids event at the Oviedo Mall; the vehicle was a promotional McLaren owned by someone else and no city funds were spent.
• Other reminders included the Casselberry Police Foundation bowling tournament on February 6-7, 2026, at Aloma Lanes, a Council of Local Governments meeting hosted by the city on February 4, 2026, and Taste of the Arts on September 7.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed by 4-0 votes, with no recorded dissent.
• Consent agenda approved in one motion.
• All three ordinances (26-1630, 26-1631, 26-1632) were approved on first reading and will return for further consideration.
• Volunteer board appointments: Planning and Zoning Commission reappointments (Curran, Beigel) and new appointments (Crosby Garcia, Chase); Parks and Recreation reappointments (Worrell, Wilson) and new appointment (Sparrow).
• James Goodman's pension board appointment was ratified.