Deltona City Commission Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Deltona City Commission met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Deltona Commission Chambers. Vice Mayor Heriot presided due to the absence of Mayor Avila. The meeting included presentations, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on three ordinances, appointments to the Ordinance Review Committee, election of a Vice Mayor, and discussions on automated school zone speed detection, ambulance transport services, and a suspended parking ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0): All items A through H on the consent agenda, including: approval of minutes from November 3, 2025; Resolution 2025-93 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Bright Community Trust to administer the Community Land Trust program; Resolution 2025-154 for the Final Year-End Budget Amendment for FY 2024-2025; Resolution 2025-158 for the Third Amendment to Site Agreement with Verizon Communications (including a one-time payment of $27,500 to the City and options for lease renewal and premises expansion); Resolution 2025-167 awarding janitorial services bid to Clean Space, LLC for $37,156.20 per year (3-year contract with two optional 1-year renewals); Resolution 2025-162 to transmit the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 2025 Incentive Review and Recommendation Report to the Florida Housing Corporation; approval of a future presentation on the Wig Out Cancer Event; and a Proclamation for Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Add-On Item

• Resolution 2025-168 (added after consent agenda): Approved unanimously (6-0) to settle all claims from former Deputy City Manager Stacey Kifolo’s whistleblower lawsuit for $125,000, with the City responsible for a $5,000 deductible and its insurance carrier covering the remaining $120,000. The settlement extinguishes all known and unknown claims.

Discussion Items

• Operation Deltona Cares Update: Fire Chief Robert Donaldson presented the program’s growth from 20 families in 2019 to 108 applications received as of the meeting, serving 140 children. He highlighted partnerships with Walmart and local businesses, and noted the program provides Christmas gifts, food, and support for families. All commissioners pledged $1,000 from their discretionary funds to support the initiative.
• Automated School Zone Speed Detection: Commissioner Howington requested placing an item on the next agenda to research automated speed detection systems in school zones, citing a resident’s request and alignment with state statute. The Commission concurred by voice vote to add the item to the next meeting.
• Transport/Ambulance Services (during Commissioner Comments): Commissioner Nabicht argued strongly for a fourth ambulance transport unit for Deltona, citing a 44% increase in call volume over 14 years, extended wait times for definitive care, and the County’s refusal despite the City offering to provide equipment, personnel, and a 7.5% revenue share. Commissioner Santiago reported that the County Councilman would bring the issue to the County Council for a joint meeting. Commissioner Howington noted the County Manager is open to discussing transport times. Several commissioners shared experiences of delayed ambulance response at a recent Celtic Festival.
• Parking Ordinance Suspension (during Commissioner Comments): Commissioner Colwell raised concerns that the recent suspension of enforcement of Sections 66-16 (parking on right-of-ways) and 66-18 (restrictions on trucks and other vehicles) had led to semi-trucks parking in yards and on streets. After discussion, the Commission agreed to keep the two sections suspended pending a workshop with a traffic engineer and directed the City Manager to bring back a revised ordinance within 90 days. The City Attorney recommended against piecemeal changes and advised maintaining the suspension until a comprehensive solution is developed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Resolution 2025-168 (Kifolo settlement): Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance 32-2025 (Rezone 7.93 acres at 930 Howland Blvd from C-1 to MPUD): Approved at second and final reading (6-0). The applicant agreed to prohibit all residential uses. Cross-access will be reviewed during site plan/engineering.
• Ordinance 33-2025 (Amendment to Chapter 82 – Communication Antennas and Towers): Approved at second and final reading (6-0).
• Ordinance 30-2025 (Amendment to Chapter 74 – Administration, including Urban Infill Redevelopment Program and expanded citizen participation notifications): Approved at second and final reading (5-1), with Commissioner Howington voting against.
• Ordinance Review Committee Appointments: The Commission appointed six members (Ronald Coffman, Randy Knighten, Matthew Borgens, Timothy Blodgett, Kathy Bryan, Summer Soukup) each by separate 6-0 votes. The Mayor’s appointment was deferred to the next meeting.
• Vice Mayor Election: Commissioner Maritza Avila-Vazquez was elected Vice Mayor for the next year by a 6-0 vote.
• Next Steps: The automated school zone speed detection discussion will be placed on the next agenda. The City Manager and staff will work with the Commission to draft a revised commercial parking ordinance within 90 days, and a traffic engineer workshop will be scheduled. Transport issues will be addressed in a joint meeting with the County Council.