Kissimmee City Commission Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Kissimmee City Commission met in regular session at City Hall Commission Chambers (101 Church Street, Kissimmee, Florida) on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Mayor Jackie Espinosa called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM; the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM. All five commissioners were present: Mayor Espinosa, Vice Mayor Angela Eady, and Commissioners Noel Ortiz, Carlos Alvarez III, and Janette Martinez. The agenda included two proclamations, two public hearings on ordinances, a consent agenda of eight routine items, the interim city attorney employment contract, and Commission action on two sworn ethics complaints against sitting commissioners.

Proclamations & Special Presentations

• City Manager Mike Steigerwald read a proclamation designating Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as Denim Day in Kissimmee, presented to Lui Damiani, Executive Director of the Victim Service Center of Central Florida. Damiani reported the center — the only rape crisis center serving Central Florida — responded to a victim in crisis 352 times last year alone, answered 1,700 calls on its helpline, and offered more than 3,400 individual therapy sessions, all free of charge.
• A proclamation honoring the 75th National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2026, was presented to Randi Law, President of Osceola County National Day of Prayer, Inc. Law invited the community to events at the Osceola County Courthouse (12–1 PM), St. Cloud Lakefront Pavilion (11 AM–1 PM), and a community event at the sheriff's offices (6:30–8 PM).

Public Hearings – First and Second Readings

• Ordinance #26-13 (Second and Final Reading) – Firefighters Retirement Plan DROP Amendment: The ordinance amends Section 30-167 of the City Code so that Firefighters Retirement Plan members may enter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) at any time after qualifying for normal retirement benefits, consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 4208 (dated August 7, 2025; effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2027). The plan actuary issued a letter of no actuarial impact, and the City Attorney reviewed the ordinance. No public comment was offered. Adopted as Ordinance #3136 by a unanimous 5–0 vote.
• Ordinance #26-14 (First Reading) – Charter Amendment: Compensation of Commissioners: The proposed ordinance would delete the Charter's existing population-based compensation formula (including mayor and vice mayor stipends and the voter-referendum requirement in subsection E) and instead authorize commissioner compensation to be established in the City Code of Ordinances, with the change submitted to voters in an August 2026 referendum. Public speaker Alex Alemi (424 Lakeshore Boulevard) opposed the change, arguing it deletes the entire existing compensation formula and asks voters to approve a "blank check" with no pay schedule in the code; a second speaker (1715 Sunny Street) agreed. Commissioner Eady stated her opposition, saying the Charter should be maintained to preserve integrity and transparency when it comes to voters having a say in commissioner pay, and encouraged voters to likewise vote no. The First Reading was approved 3–2 (Commissioners Alvarez and Ortiz and Mayor Espinosa in favor; Commissioners Eady and Martinez opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reenie McHarg and Lillian Evans raised concerns about the Business Boost 2.0 grant initiative, urging commissioners to uphold their oaths of office, provide residents the full facts, and be held to a higher standard. Stephanie Nelson called for accountability, fairness, transparency, and trust, stating "no one is above accountability." Evans described personal harm from actions by people in positions of power, citing Florida Statutes to argue that public office is a public trust and that broken trust must have consequences.
• Ray Parsons expressed concern about the condition of the Amtrak station, reporting that the Florida Department of Transportation has indicated Amtrak may remove Kissimmee as a destination due to the station's condition, and noted a homeless encampment at the SunRail station ramp. City Manager Steigerwald responded that staff met with Amtrak representatives the previous week, that the city is evaluating budget opportunities, and that the platforms must meet handicap accessibility standards by 2029, with a total estimated project cost of approximately $6 million.

Consent Calendar

Commissioner Eady moved and Commissioner Alvarez seconded approval of the entire Consent Agenda; it passed unanimously 5–0. Items approved included:

• Approval of the April 7, 2026, commission meeting minutes and April 14, 2026, workshop minutes
• Amendment No. 1 to Task Order No. 3 with AVCON, Inc. for the Taxiway Delta Extension Project Environmental Assessment in the amount of $158,180 (FDOT participation of $126,544 or 80% and a local Airport match of $31,636 or 20%), required because an updated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species list for the refined action area necessitates additional species evaluations and field surveys
• Resolution #11-2026 amending the city's qualification procedures, clarifying the Supervisor of Elections' role as Financial Filing Officer and the City Clerk as ministerial Qualifying Officer, and adding a candidate affidavit affirming receipt of qualifying materials under oath
• Resolution #12-2026 accepting FDOT Public Transportation Grant Agreement Amendment No. 1 of $126,544 for the Taxiway Delta Environmental Assessment
• Acceptance of the Florida Digital Services Technology Grant (#CyberSec26), authorizing the City Manager to execute grant documents
• Purchase and installation of pour-in-place rubber playground safety surfacing from Playpower Inc. for the Kissimmee Lakefront Park Veterans Lawn playground under Sourcewell contract #101625-PLP at a cost of $120,000, funded from the Land & Water Conservation Fund grant balance (project LWCF756), the final phase of that grant
• Disposal of city assets as detailed in the April 2026 asset disposal report, with Information Technology items to be auctioned through A-1 Assets
• Emergency ADA repairs award to Docks of Orlando, Inc. (Contract #20260198) for the Ruby Plaza floating dock and two Mill Slough Park pedestrian bridges, not to exceed $160,977 ($135,977 base estimate plus $25,000 contingency), funded from ADA-designated accounts; the bridges were confirmed structurally sound but require decking and minor structural repairs to maintain ADA compliance and safe use by pedestrians including students

Discussion Items

8.A – Interim City Attorney Employment Contract: Staff sought approval of an employment agreement appointing Deputy City Attorney Kalanit Oded as Interim City Attorney effective immediately through April 1, 2027, with the same leave, pension, and benefits as general employees, and a termination-for-convenience clause allowing Oded to revert to her Deputy City Attorney position if the Commission hired a successor. Public speaker Jeremy Fetzer (120 Broadway, Suite 304) raised fiscal and governance concerns: approximately $300,000 in unaccounted for or unjustified carry-forward funds in the city attorney's budget; a proposal to spend approximately $50,000–$100,000 on a special prosecutor that he argued duplicates an active Florida Ethics Commission investigation; an alleged 25% pay increase exceeding a 20% charter threshold; and a car allowance. Oded responded that the 25% figure is not referenced in Florida statutes or the City Charter, that the increase from 20% to 25% was suggested by Commissioner Ortiz, and that the approximately $6,000 vehicle allowance matches what she received as Deputy City Attorney. City Manager Steigerwald outlined the search process: two firms submitted proposals, the base search cost is approximately $29,000 (up to $35,000 with finalist travel), no contract has been signed, and a search would take about four months. Commissioner Martinez moved to appoint Oded as the permanent City Attorney and to discontinue the search; Commissioner Eady seconded. The motion carried 3–2 (Commissioners Eady, Alvarez, and Martinez in favor; Commissioner Ortiz and Mayor Espinosa opposed).

8.B – Sworn Complaint Against Mayor Jackie Espinosa: Mayor Espinosa handed the gavel to Vice Mayor Eady, who read Chapter 30, Article II (Code of Ethics) into the record and stated the vote was limited to whether the sworn complaint (received by the City Clerk on March 17, 2026) was properly filed and should be transmitted to the Chief Circuit Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for appointment of a special prosecutor — not a vote on the merits or validity of the complaint. Public speakers included complaint filer Alex Alemi, who said the complaint is documented rather than anonymous or political, that the vote before the Commission is procedural, and that he personally accepts liability for defense costs and attorney's fees if the complaint is found to have been filed in bad faith; Jeremy Fetzer, who called statements in the complaint about him and his businesses false and urged the Commission not to duplicate the existing Florida Ethics Commission investigation; Jose Barrero and Olga Cariño, who asked the Commission to send the matter to an independent authority; Jorge Figueroa, who expressed support for Mayor Espinosa's leadership; and Lillian Evans, who supported transmitting the complaint. City Attorney Oded reminded the Commission the sole question was whether the complaint was properly filed. Commissioner Martinez moved to accept the complaint and transmit it; Commissioner Alvarez seconded. The motion carried 3–1–1 (Commissioners Alvarez, Eady, and Martinez in favor; Commissioner Ortiz opposed; Mayor Espinosa abstained).

8.C – Sworn Complaint Against Commissioner Janette Martinez: Vice Mayor Eady presided. Public comment included complaint filer Jeremy Fetzer, who alleged that the conditional use permit process for a food truck park connected to Commissioner Martinez deviated from the PUD process used for the Mill Creek Mall food truck park, claimed staff created the one-of-a-kind permit idea (contradicting statements made at the April 14 workshop), and alleged the Commissioner was involved in the process despite denials. Lisandra Roman called the complaint politically motivated, said she provided contact information to verify a list of names used against Martinez, and noted that a person cited in the matter is a business owner rather than a city resident. Supporters testifying to Commissioner Martinez's character and community work included small business owner Jenny Mello, Robert Sherman, Jamela Ruiz (a 23-year U.S. Army veteran), Olga Cariño, and two of Martinez's daughters, one of whom noted her mother suffered a stroke on October 15, 2024, amid political attacks and called the impeachment effort "fake" and "bogus" while asking that the matter move forward so her mother can clear her name. One speaker described the proceedings as divisive "high school drama," and Lillian Evans expressed distrust of the Commission but praised Martinez for standing up. (The minutes and transcript differ on one speaker's name during this item: the minutes list "Stephanie Nelson" among speakers without comment cards, while the transcript identifies a similar speaker as "Stephanie Wilson.") Commissioner Ortiz moved to accept the complaint and transmit it; Commissioner Alvarez seconded. The motion carried 4–0–1 (Commissioners Alvarez, Eady, and Ortiz and Mayor Espinosa in favor; Commissioner Martinez abstained).

Hear City Officials

• City Manager: Announced the Earth Day cleanup at Oak Street Park on April 22 (9 AM–12 PM) and Caribbean Fusion at Lakefront Park on Sunday, April 26 (12–7 PM).
• City Attorney: Reported that the office has significantly slashed its operating budget, hired two outside counsels — one for elections work following an unexpected development with the Supervisor of Elections, and one for labor law and union negotiations to avoid a conflict of interest with staff — and stated the office is supplementing its expertise in these areas.
• City Commission: Commissioner Martinez clarified that the recent Food Truck Workshop made no ordinance changes; food truck and food park requests still require a conditional use application, fees, and case-by-case independent review, and she pushed back on a social media post suggesting unlimited food truck parks were approved. Commissioner Eady reflected on serving during unprecedented times over her years in office and reaffirmed her oath to protect, defend, and obey. Mayor Espinosa recognized the swearing-in of 33 firefighters under the new four-shift schedule beginning Saturday, congratulated KPD Captain Schad on his graduation from the FBI Academy, and reported that intergovernmental surplus equipment sales to Puerto Rico municipalities generated $59,000 deposited to KUA, with two additional invoices expected to be deposited to the City; she stated these trips build partnerships and avoid auction fees. The Commission reached consensus to proceed with ADA-accessible swing sets at Lakefront Park after the parks director confirmed quotes were received and the installation is within budget. The Commission also directed the City Manager to follow up with State Representative Jose Alvarez on his request to study allowing chickens on residential properties; City Manager Steigerwald noted the current code limits chickens to residential lots of approximately one acre.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance #3136 adopted 5–0: Second and final reading of Ordinance #26-13 amending the Firefighters Retirement Plan DROP entry provisions.
• Ordinance #26-14 approved on First Reading 3–2: Charter amendment to move commissioner compensation from the Charter to the City Code; if ultimately adopted, it will be submitted to the electors in August 2026.
• Consent Agenda approved 5–0: All eight routine items — minutes, AVCON task order amendment, qualification procedures resolution, FDOT grant resolution, technology grant, playground surfacing, asset disposal, and emergency ADA repairs — were approved as a block.
• Kalanit Oded appointed permanent City Attorney 3–2: The motion appointed Oded as the permanent City Attorney and discontinued the external search for a successor; Commissioner Ortiz and Mayor Espinosa voted no.
• Complaint against Mayor Espinosa transmitted 3–1–1: The Commission accepted the sworn complaint as properly filed and transmitted it to the Chief Circuit Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for assignment of a special prosecutor; Mayor Espinosa abstained and Commissioner Ortiz voted no.
• Complaint against Commissioner Martinez transmitted 4–0–1: The Commission accepted the sworn complaint as properly filed and transmitted it to the Chief Circuit Judge for assignment of a special prosecutor; Commissioner Martinez abstained.
• Commission consensus: Proceed with ADA-accessible swing sets at Lakefront Park; City Manager to follow up with State Representative Jose Alvarez regarding chickens on residential properties.
• The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM.