Deltona City Commission Meeting – November 3, 2025

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Mayor Avila with all seven commissioners present. Major actions included approval of an ambulance purchase using CDBG-CARES funds, deferral of a recovery residence ordinance to a workshop, adoption of updated communication tower regulations, approval of a City Hall customer service remodel, appointment of seven members to the William S. Harvey Deltona Scholarship Advisory Board, and a decision to keep the Christmas parade on Deltona Boulevard. The City Manager announced a Fitch bond rating upgrade from A+ to AA-.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution No. 2025-156 (Halifax Humane Society agreement for FY 25-26) and the 2026 holiday, meeting, and invocation calendars, November proclamations, and meeting minutes of October 20, 2025, all by consent (7-0). Item 7-B was pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tim Blodget – Spoke in support of expanding Deltona’s fire and ambulance services to surrounding cities, citing capacity and funding opportunities.
• Gail Barr – Questioned why only one meeting was listed for March 2026 on the proposed calendar, noting St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday.
• Courtney Crossberg – Asked about the Halifax Humane Society agreement, requesting more information before a vote.
• Matthew Borgins (on Item 9-A) – Urged a security assessment and IT audit for the City Hall remodel, noting the need for active shooter considerations.
• Ms. Burgos (on Item 9-D) – Opposed moving the Christmas parade to Providence Boulevard, citing lack of parking and a residential feel, and suggested keeping the route on Deltona Boulevard.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-B – CDBG-CARES Ambulance Purchase – Commissioner Howington asked whether this ambulance was the one denied by the county. The Finance Director clarified it is a replacement unit already approved and ordered under the 2024-2025 budget; the $318,941 in CDBG-CARES funds will reimburse the general fund. The unit has a clean-air patient compartment qualifying under HUD rules. Approved 7-0.
• Item 8-A – Recovery Residence Ordinance (First Reading) – Commissioner Nabicht moved to table the ordinance, citing complexity and the need for a workshop on staff training, legal questions (e.g., distance from schools under House Bill 180), and property value impacts. The City Attorney confirmed a January 2026 compliance deadline but noted a workshop could be scheduled. Motion to table carried 6-1 (Commissioner Howington opposed).
• Item 8-B – Communication Antennas and Towers Ordinance (First Reading) – The Community Development Services Director presented updates to Chapter 82, including removing outdated tower maps, aligning with the current zoning code, and adding osprey nesting platform design standards. Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval 7-0. Approved 6-1 (Vice Mayor Heriot opposed).
• Item 9-A – City Hall Customer Service Remodel – The Finance Director described a $350,000 project to reconfigure the lobby, replace 20-year-old furniture, improve privacy for utility billing, and add secure access. Commissioners discussed weekend work premiums, penalty clauses, fire alarm/sprinkler requirements, and performance bonds. A public comment raised security audit concerns. Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Howington opposed).
• Item 9-B – Scholarship Advisory Board Appointments – The commission reappointed three existing members (Walter Dawson, Ruben Medina, Harry Meeks) 5-2 (Vice Mayor Heriot and Commissioner Howington opposed). Then approved four new members: Barbara Turno (Dist. 3), Darlene Oquendo (Dist. 2), Kimberly Eddins (Dist. 5), and Brandy Reyes (Dist. 4), each by 7-0. Public comment by Tim Blodget urged sunsetting the board, calling it a “boondoggle.”
• Item 9-D – Christmas Parade Route – Commissioner Nabicht reported public concern over moving the parade from Deltona Boulevard to Providence Boulevard, citing traffic, parking, and safety issues. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez opposed the change, noting business impacts and past disaster. Commissioner Santiago supported the move based on positive past experience. Vice Mayor Heriot suggested finding a more central location in the future. Motion by Commissioner Colwell to keep the parade on Deltona Boulevard carried 4-3 (Commissioners Avila-Vazquez, Colwell, Howington, Nabicht in favor; Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Heriot, Commissioner Santiago opposed). The City Manager confirmed staff would comply.
• Executive Sessions Request – The City Attorney requested three 20-minute executive sessions before the November 17 meeting for litigation: Damian Anson et al. v. City of Deltona (federal), Stacey Kifolo v. City of Deltona (state), and John Peters v. City of Deltona (state). Scheduled to start at 5:00 PM with 10-15 minute gaps before public forum.

Key Outcomes

• Ambulance Purchase – Resolution 2025-161 approved 7-0.
• Recovery Residence Ordinance – Tabled 6-1; workshop to be scheduled before January 2026.
• Tower Ordinance – Approved at first reading 6-1.
• City Hall Remodel – Resolution 2025-157 approved 6-1.
• Scholarship Board Appointments – Three reappointed (5-2); four new members appointed (each 7-0).
• Parade Route – Motion to keep on Deltona Boulevard carried 4-3.
• Vice Mayor Selection – Deferred to November 17, 2025 meeting.
• Bond Rating – City utility revenue bond rating upgraded from A+ to AA- by Fitch.
• Enforcement Pause – Consensus (6-1) to suspend enforcement of commercial vehicle regulations (Ch. 66-18) until a traffic engineer review; Commissioner Colwell dissented.
• Workshop on Scholarship – Consensus (6-1) to hold a workshop; Commissioner Howington opposed, preferring a regular meeting discussion.