Deltona City Commission Regular Meeting - May 5, 2025

The Deltona City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Deltona Commission Chambers. The meeting included a public forum, presentations, consent agenda, public hearings, and action items. Commissioners voted on several resolutions and ordinances, deferred two items, and discussed pedestrian safety, roadway elevation grants, budget amendments, and development policies.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the Special Commission Meeting on March 29, 2025, and Regular Commission Meeting on April 21, 2025 (Item 7-A).
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-56 authorizing the City Manager to sign a Federally Funded Subaward and Grant Agreement for elevation of a portion of Catalina Boulevard (Item 7-B).
• Approved Resolution No. 2025-56 awarding ITB #25006 for Landscape and Irrigation Services to Rotolo Consultants, Inc. (Item 7-E).
• Approved proclamations for Emergency Medical Services Week (May 18-24) and National Public Works Week (May 18-24) and other May recognitions (Item 7-F).
• Approved a request for presentation before the Commission by The Deltona Magazine regarding the Red Carpet Gala (Item 7-G).

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Public Forum (6:00-6:30 PM): Kathy Bryan, Former Commissioner Dana McCool, Elbert Bryan, Lori Warnicke, Courtney Cross-Burgos, Terri Ellis, Lydia Lambert, Former Commissioner JodyLee, Michael Castaldi, and Jean Armstrong addressed the Commission on various topics.
• During Consent Agenda: David Sosa commented on the Catalina Boulevard grant, questioning the cost share and potential flooding impacts from raising the road.
• During Elkcam Boulevard discussion: Elbert Bryan expressed concern about the lack of proven engineering and urged multiple design options. Former Commissioner JodyLee urged fixing the road, advocated for a bridge, criticized spending on renovations instead of infrastructure, and noted ongoing flooding issues.
• During budget amendment discussion: Former Commissioner JodyLee criticized the City Manager for transferring funds without Commission knowledge and questioned the necessity of a $350,000 renovation. Kathy Bryan questioned why workshop topics not on the agenda were discussed.
• During ordinances: No public comments on Ordinance 06-2025 or Ordinance 17-2025.

Presentations

• Bike/Walk Central Florida – Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program: Emily Bush, Executive Director, presented data showing Deltona is tied for fifth most dangerous in Florida for pedestrians. She described the 3E approach (education, enforcement, engineering) and highlighted low-cost improvements that increased driver yield rates by up to 38%. The program costs include $35,000–$50,000 annually for data collection and enforcement support. The Commission agreed to add an agenda item to discuss participation.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-C: Elkcam Boulevard Elevation Grant: The Commission debated the resolution for a $9 million HMGP grant (Phase I: design/engineering) for elevating a portion of Elkcam Boulevard. Discussion focused on whether to consider a bridge instead of culverts, cost-benefit analysis, hydrology, and the risk of losing federal funds if design delays occur. David Hamstra of Pegasus Engineering explained that the road acts as an equalizer between lakes and that elevating it at least two feet above the 100-year flood elevation is the current plan. Commissioners expressed concerns about upstream flooding and long-term effectiveness. The motion passed 6-1, with Commissioner Colwell against.
• Item 7-D: Mid-Year Budget Amendment: The Finance Director summarized a $11.4 million increase to the amended budget ($237.9 million total), covering insurance proceeds, rate studies, energy grants, hurricane reimbursements, opioid settlements, building reserves, and $350,000 for customer service building renovations. Commissioner Colwell questioned the source of renovation funds (building department and water/wastewater funds). The motion passed 4-3, with Commissioners Avila-Vazquez, Colwell, and Howington against.
• Ordinance 06-2025 (Second Reading): Updated zoning code for home-based businesses to comply with Florida Statutes. Approved unanimously 7-0.
• Ordinance 17-2025 (Second Reading): Amended solid waste and stormwater utility annual assessment processes to conform with state law. Approved unanimously 7-0.
• Additions and Deletions: The Commission deferred Item 8-B (Rental Properties Ordinance) to May 19, 2025, and deferred Item 8-C (Halifax Crossings MPUD amendment) due to pending litigation in a 5-2 vote (Mayor Avila and Commissioner Santiago opposing). Item 9-A (Discussion of Draft Ordinance Modifying Voting for Charter Violations) was deferred pending an Attorney General opinion and Commission on Ethics guidance in a 5-2 vote (same opposition). Resolution 2025-57 for legal representation in Howland Holdings case was added and approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Deferrals:
  • Consent Agenda A, B, E, F, G approved 7-0.
  • Elkcam Boulevard grant (7-C) approved 6-1 (Colwell against).
  • Mid-Year Budget Amendment (7-D) approved 4-3 (Avila-Vazquez, Colwell, Howington against).
  • Ordinance 06-2025 approved 7-0.
  • Ordinance 17-2025 approved 7-0.
  • Resolution 2025-57 approved 7-0.
  • Deferral of Item 8-B to May 19, 2025 approved 7-0.
  • Deferral of Item 8-C (Halifax MPUD) approved 5-2.
  • Deferral of Item 9-A (charter violation voting) approved 5-2.
• Consensus Actions:
  • By 4-3 vote, the Commission agreed (with Commissioners Lulli, Colwell, Howington, Avila-Vazquez in favor) to discuss bringing any renovation or project over $50,000 on city properties back for Commission approval (to be formalized via agenda item).
  • By majority (Commissioner Santiago dissenting), the Commission agreed to add an agenda item to discuss a moratorium on development, pending the impact fee study due in 6-9 months.
  • Unanimous consensus to add an agenda item to discuss participation in the Bike/Walk Central Florida program.
• City Manager Comments: Clarified that the Golden Book mailing inadvertently included some addresses outside Deltona due to overlapping zip codes; actual cost was $28,000 (budgeted $60,000). 40,000 copies were printed.
• City Attorney Comments: Announced plans to bring a noise ordinance to first reading on May 19, 2025. Directed to work with lobbyists to provide a legislative update on home rule issues, possibly via a town hall.
• Commission Requests: Commissioner Colwell requested a policy change for projects over $50,000; Commissioner Howington requested moratorium discussion; Vice Mayor Heriot requested fertilizer ordinance research and community garden expansion at Harris Saxton Park.