City of Deltona Commission Workshop – July 28, 2025

The Deltona City Commission held a workshop on July 28, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:29 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting focused on two discussion items: an update on the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program and revisions to the Commission Travel Policy. Public comments were heard on both topics.

Public Comments & Testimony

• TNR Program:
  • Laurie Warnicke expressed support for the current program, stating that it has saved hundreds of cats and reduced dumping, and urged that it remain unchanged.
  • Taylor Benning (board member, Not Their Fault Feline Foundation) praised existing cooperation and funding, but noted that small nonprofits lack resources; she called for continued collaboration.
  • Patricia Stevenson (eight years of TNR experience) supported creating clear procedures but raised concerns about minimum cat counts (effective TNR requires 70% sterilization) and the impracticality of restricting colony locations, as colonies form naturally.
  • Teresa Greeley shared a personal success story of colony stabilization through TNR and expressed fear the program would be lost.
  • Heidi Herzberg questioned the proposed 130-cat quarterly minimum (noting 216 appointment slots) and the feasibility of coordinating multiple nonprofits; she also highlighted the city’s failed feeding ban and the problem of rogue feeders.
  • Robin McClintick (project manager, Not Their Fault Feline Foundation) criticized the city’s current program as a “poop show” and urged adopting best practices from other cities like DeBerry; she emphasized that TNR is the only effective population control.
  • Jody Taylor thanked the city for the program but stressed that homeowners who dump cats are the real problem.
  • Cheryl Francissi (president of Deltona rescue) highlighted the value of volunteer foster care and urged the commission to see firsthand the program’s impact.
  • Mr. Blodgett Wood City supported the program and suggested increasing startup funds by $30,000–$50,000; he noted that controlling colonies reduces rabies risk and coyote attraction.
  • Kathy Bryan asked about liability during surgeries, emphasized education on feeding, and noted that colonies will naturally seek food sources.
  • Courtney Cross Burgos supported working with existing local volunteers rather than outside organizations.
• Travel Policy:
  • Matthew Borgins critiqued the current 2013 policy as outdated (e.g., mentions fax machines) and recommended following Florida Statute and simplifying the policy.
  • Kathy Bryan stressed that out-of-state travel should require commission approval, that per diem should follow GSA rates, and that reports on travel benefits should be required.

Discussion Items

A. Brief Update on Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program Code Compliance Supervisor Danny Ron presented proposed contract notes for an RFP to hire a third-party organization to manage TNR. Key elements discussed:

• Minimum of 130 cats spayed/neutered per quarter (average 10 per week).
• Annual budget of $60,000, paid quarterly; bonuses after a six-month probationary period.
• Contract term: 3 years with two 1-year renewal options.
• Provider must have a dedicated phone/email, respond within 2 business days, submit monthly reports to staff and quarterly presentations to the commission.
• Colonies must be identified within 30 days; unauthorized colonies subject to enforcement; no new colonies in city-home neighborhoods or near restaurants.
• The city may award multiple vendors. Commissioners raised concerns about the lack of a current ordinance (only a pilot program paragraph), the need for measurable objectives, and enforcement of rogue feeders. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez noted that earlier reports and volunteer lists were lost. Commissioner Lulli pushed for a proper ordinance with clear policy. Commissioner Howington called for aggressive action and education. Vice Mayor Heriot supported no new colonies, higher compensation (incentive per cat), and a monitoring component. Commissioner Colwell emphasized registration of feeders and enforcement. The city attorney suggested authorizing the program via ordinance and setting measurable policies by resolution for flexibility. City Manager Dougherty noted the goal is to let the contractor do heavy lifting while code enforcement focuses on other violations.

B. Discussion regarding the Commission Travel Policy City Manager Doc Dougherty presented the current policy from July 2013 for revision. Discussion points:

• Per diem: consensus to align with GSA rates, currently $68–$80 per day for Florida.
• Budget cap: agreed to reduce the annual travel allocation from $6,000 to $4,000 per commissioner.
• Out-of-state travel: No pre-approval needed if within the $4,000 budget, but commissioners must send a courtesy email to the executive assistant before travel and provide a report after the conference.
• Sections to be removed: Section B (long-distance phone calls) and Section D (fax machines, postage, supplies).
• Membership fees and League of Cities dinners to be handled separately from the travel policy.
• Revisiting the policy every three years and training newly elected commissioners were suggested.
• Commissioner Colwell expressed concern about out-of-state travel without commission input, but others argued that the $4,000 cap provides self-policing and that the value of national conferences (e.g., US Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities) justifies travel.

Key Outcomes

• TNR Program: The commission directed staff to proceed with drafting a revised ordinance authorizing the TNR program, develop a resolution with measurable policies, and issue an RFP for a third-party provider. The RFP will incorporate feedback from the workshop, including minimum cat counts, feeder registration, colony monitoring, reporting requirements, and enforcement against rogue feeders.
• Travel Policy: The commission reached consensus to amend the travel policy as follows:
  • Lower the annual travel budget to $4,000 per commissioner.
  • Remove Sections B and D.
  • Set per diem to GSA rates.
  • No pre-approval needed for out-of-state travel as long as it stays within the budget; a courtesy email notification by the executive assistant before travel and a report after travel are required.
  • Separate membership fees and League of Cities dinners from the travel reimbursement policy.
  • Revisit the policy every three years. Staff will draft the revised policy for formal adoption at a future commission meeting.