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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Deltona City Commission Meeting: June 16, 2025

City Commission & Boards — Monday, June 16, 2025
BodyDeltona, Florida
SessionCity Commission & Boards
DateMonday, June 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:28:06

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

7:28

If I can please have the city clerk call the roll.

Speaker 2

7:31

Commissioner Villa Vasquez.

7:34

Commissioner Colwell?

Speaker 3

7:35

Here.

Speaker 2

7:36

Commissioner Howington?

7:37

Here.

7:38

Commissioner Lulley?

7:39

Here.

7:39

Commissioner Santiago?

7:40

Here.

Speaker 1

7:41

Here.

7:41

Mayor

Speaker 2

7:42

Abila?

Speaker 1

7:42

Here.

7:43

This time I will invite uh Commissioner of District Five Commissioner Calwell to do the invocation and the pledge.

Speaker 4

8:12

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

8:15

And to the republic for which it stands.

8:18

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice

Speaker 5

8:22

for all.

Speaker 1

8:58

Okay.

9:00

No.

9:01

We unless you call for an addition or a deletion, we usually move forward.

9:04

What is your addition or your deletion?

Speaker 6

9:08

We can't hear you as your mic on like two agenda items.

9:13

After section eight and before the city attorney comments.

9:29

Oh, anything over twenty-five thousand dollars?

9:32

Any city department would like to come to the commission?

9:36

I'd also look to have a vote in no confidence.

Speaker 1

9:43

So you want eight G to be um you want to add

Speaker 6

9:51

twenty-five I'm sorry, it was really hard to hear you.

9:57

Okay, back to city commission.

Unassigned speaker

9:59

Is this on city manager spending?

Speaker 6

10:00

City on all departments.

Speaker 1

10:03

Okay.

10:04

Let's

Speaker 4

10:04

uh let's

Speaker 1

10:05

vote on that one first.

Speaker 4

10:06

For uh do you want to after you said after eight before city attorney?

Unassigned speaker

10:11

So do we want to do that?

Speaker 1

10:11

It would be it'll be section G.

10:13

We'll have to make it into section G on it's right before the it'll be in uh section nine, it'll turn into G.

Speaker 7

10:24

Is A G currently lobbying?

10:27

Yes.

Speaker 1

10:28

No, we're we're at 9G.

10:29

He wants it right before attorney.

10:33

Right before it's running comments.

Unassigned speaker

10:45

All right,

Speaker 1

10:45

let's do that one first.

10:47

Commissioner Calwell wants to do an addition, which we will title nine G is and go for anything over $25,000 from any department and come back to the commission.

10:58

That is his motion.

11:01

Sir, a second.

Speaker 8

11:02

Second,

Speaker 1

11:02

second by Commissioner Howington.

Unassigned speaker

11:07

Did

Speaker 1

11:07

the

Speaker 9

11:07

city attorneys have any questions before?

11:10

Um just to clarify this is to be as an action item or as an item for discussion for tonight.

Speaker 1

11:15

Did you want to do a discussion item?

Unassigned speaker

11:18

Oh no,

Speaker 1

11:19

said are we good with adding it?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Cannabis Regulation███████7%
Community Engagement████4%
Economic Development████4%
Stormwater Management████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Pending Litigation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Deltona City Commission Meeting: June 16, 2025

The Deltona City Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, starting at 6:30 PM and adjourning at 11:20 PM. The meeting featured a quasi-judicial hearing on a major mixed-use development, public hearings on medical marijuana, noise, parks, and solicitation ordinances, and lengthy discussions on a proposed building moratorium. Several action items were added to the agenda at the start of the meeting, including a vote of no confidence for the city manager and a forensic audit request.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of May 19, 2025.
  • Approved Resolution 2025-62 for a vulnerability assessment (fully funded $265,000 grant), pulled from consent and voted separately (7-0).
  • Approved Resolution 2025-60 for legal representation in potential claim.
  • Approved in-kind donation of The Center at Deltona for Deltona Magazine gala.
  • Approved June recognitions: Chris Riha and Juneteenth proclamation.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Halifax Crossings MPUD: Multiple residents spoke. Emily Helmberger supported Option B, citing reduced residential units and increased commercial tax revenue. Kathy Bryan expressed concern about lack of age-restricted housing and potential for fast-food proliferation. Joseph Cerrato requested better buffering and emergency-only rear access. JodyLee and Albert Bryan criticized the shift away from senior housing, with Albert Bryan accusing the commission of prioritizing money over community. Courtney Cross-Burgos and Christian Waugh (attorney for Dutch Bros) urged approval, noting Dutch Bros would bring 45 jobs and tax revenue. Barry Walker, on behalf of the developer, agreed to several concessions (one-acre lots, 275 multifamily + 300 age-restricted, striking Option A).
  • Medical Marijuana Ban: Numerous speakers opposed the ban. Emily Helmberger, Dana McCool, Kathy Bryan, and table logic argued that the ban restricts access for patients, forces travel to neighboring cities, and disregards medical necessity. They noted the dispensaries are regulated and not accessible to children. Dana McCool shared personal experience with stage IV bone cancer, stating that delivery is not a reliable alternative. Some speakers acknowledged the state restrictions but urged the commission to consider compassion.
  • Building Moratorium: Speakers largely opposed a blanket moratorium. Emily Helmberger urged creativity and trust in staff. Alison and Dustin Robson expressed concern that it would affect individual homeowners trying to build. David Sosa supported a limited, six-month moratorium on large residential projects only, but opposed including infill or mixed-use. JodyLee supported the moratorium, citing flooding issues in her district. Albert Bryan criticized the commission's dysfunction, noting that previous moratoriums achieved nothing.

Discussion Items

  • Halifax Crossings MPUD Amendment (Ordinance 14-2025): After extensive discussion and negotiation, the applicant agreed to modify Option B: strike Option A, minimum commercial lot size of one acre (not half-acre), unit mix of 275 multifamily and 300 age-restricted units. The commission discussed buffers, access, and building setbacks. A motion to approve these modifications passed 4-3 (Avila, Heriot, Avila-Vazquez, Santiago in favor; Colwell, Howington, Lulli against).
  • Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ban (Ordinance 21-2025): At first reading. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez shared a story about a patient benefiting from medical cannabis, urging compassion. Vice Mayor Heriot expressed concern about state-imposed distance restrictions, but noted that neighboring cities provide access. The motion to approve failed 1-6.
  • Lobbyist Registration Ordinance (28-2025): Commissioner Howington moved to table to a workshop, citing lack of preparation and need for discussion. Motion to table passed 5-2.
  • American Legion Post 255 Lease: Discussion item. The city attorney noted a 100-year lease is not possible; a 49-year lease with extensions was suggested. Commissioners expressed support but requested a full title search, deed restriction review, and a presentation on development plans. Former Commissioner King and Commander Pagan outlined their vision for a veteran and community center. The city attorney received direction to proceed with a 49-year lease term.
  • Temporary Building Moratorium: Staff presented legal considerations for drafting a moratorium ordinance. Commissioners Howington and Lulli supported including stormwater and public safety bases, and exempting projects with site plans. Commissioner Santiago strongly opposed, warning of legal costs ($200K-$600K to sue the state), damage to relationships with state officials, and loss of $2.5 million in state funding. Vice Mayor Heriot echoed concerns, noting staff is already working on impact fees and stormwater code updates. The discussion became contentious, with Commissioner Howington feeling that her concerns were being ignored. No final action was taken on the moratorium itself; instead, the four added agenda items (9G-J) were moved to the June 23 special meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Additions to Agenda: Item 9G (reduce spending to $25,000) passed 4-3; 9H (vote of no confidence) passed 4-3; 9I (forensic audit) passed 5-2; 9J (4th of July inclusion of political parties) passed 4-3. These items were later moved to June 23 special meeting.
  • Halifax Crossings MPUD: Ordinance 14-2025 approved at first reading with amendments (4-3).
  • Planning & Zoning Bylaws: Resolution 2025-55 approved (7-0).
  • Medical Marijuana Ban: Failed (1-6).
  • General Penalty/Noise Ordinance: Ordinance 25-2025 adopted at second reading (7-0).
  • Parks and Facilities Ordinance: Ordinance 26-2025 adopted at second reading (7-0).
  • Solicitation Ordinance: Ordinance 27-2025 approved at first reading (7-0).
  • Lobbyist Registration Ordinance: Tabled to next available workshop (5-2).
  • Stormwater Zoning Extension: Resolution 2025-63 approved for 120-day extension (7-0).
  • Blackburn Ave FEMA Grant: Resolution 2025-65 approved (6-1); Resolution 2025-64 for grant management services approved (6-1).
  • Rehearing for Normandy Blvd Rezoning: Motion for rehearing granted (5-2).
  • American Legion Lease: Direction given to staff for 49-year lease with extensions, pending title search and further negotiations.
  • Building Moratorium: No final action; direction given for scope including stormwater and public safety, but further discussion deferred. The four added items were moved to June 23 special meeting.

Meeting Transcript

If I can please have the city clerk call the roll. Commissioner Villa Vasquez. Commissioner Colwell? Here. Commissioner Howington? Here. Commissioner Lulley? Here. Commissioner Santiago? Here. Here. Mayor Abila? Here. This time I will invite uh Commissioner of District Five Commissioner Calwell to do the invocation and the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. No. We unless you call for an addition or a deletion, we usually move forward. What is your addition or your deletion? We can't hear you as your mic on like two agenda items. After section eight and before the city attorney comments. Oh, anything over twenty-five thousand dollars? Any city department would like to come to the commission? I'd also look to have a vote in no confidence. So you want eight G to be um you want to add twenty-five I'm sorry, it was really hard to hear you. Okay, back to city commission. Is this on city manager spending? City on all departments. Okay. Let's uh let's vote on that one first. For uh do you want to after you said after eight before city attorney? So do we want to do that? It would be it'll be section G. We'll have to make it into section G on it's right before the it'll be in uh section nine, it'll turn into G. Is A G currently lobbying? Yes. No, we're we're at 9G. He wants it right before attorney. Right before it's running comments. All right, let's do that one first. Commissioner Calwell wants to do an addition, which we will title nine G is and go for anything over $25,000 from any department and come back to the commission. That is his motion.

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