Kissimmee City Commission Meeting – May 19, 2026

The City Commission of Kissimmee, Florida, met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 101 Church Street. The meeting included a public hearing, public comments, a consent agenda, discussion items, and votes on ethics complaints, procurement appeals, and a city attorney employment agreement. All members were present: Mayor Jackie Espinosa, Commissioners Noel Ortiz, Angela Eady, Carlos Alvarez III, and Janette Martinez.

Public Hearing – Temporary Suspension of Ethics Code Section 30-25

• The Commission held a public hearing on Resolution #13-2026 to temporarily suspend Section 30-25 of the City Code of Ethics (procedure when a complaint is filed) for up to six months or until the section is amended. City Manager Mike Steigerwald explained the suspension would allow the city attorney to draft revised procedures consistent with state law and would not affect two complaints already transmitted to a special prosecutor. One resident spoke in opposition, arguing the suspension appeared to protect elected officials from accountability.
• After discussion, the Commission voted 3–2 to adopt the resolution (Commissioners Alvarez, Espinosa, and Ortiz in favor; Commissioners Eady and Martinez opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several residents spoke on safety concerns, including a business owner who reported an armed individual intimidating customers and a lack of police response; the matter was referred to the police chief. Another speaker requested a review of code enforcement actions against artisan tents. A resident expressed appreciation for the lowered downtown speed limit. Another urged stronger noise ordinance enforcement.
• Multiple speakers opposed the food truck permit at 1985 S. John Young Parkway, citing safety on John Young Parkway and presenting a petition with approximately 300 signatures. The permit holder and several supporters argued the business had followed all conditions and was being unfairly targeted, asserting no business partnership with Commissioner Martinez.
• Several residents opposed the proposed charter amendments (extending term limits and requiring criminal background checks) on the consent agenda, arguing they should not be rushed through without public workshops. Others supported moving forward with sworn ethics complaints against Commissioner Martinez and Mayor Espinosa.
• One resident filed a new sworn complaint against the mayor but was informed it missed the agenda deadline and would appear on the June 2 agenda.

Consent Agenda

• The Consent Agenda (items 7.A through 7.P) was approved 4–1, with Commissioner Martinez voting against only item 7.C (Resolution to notice a City Charter Referendum on August 18, 2026, for term limits and criminal background checks). The approved routine items included purchase of solid waste trucks ($1,435,686), a crash attenuator truck ($151,239), airport marketing extension ($48,000), a new construction agreement for 219 N Randolph ($239,524.09), FDOT lighting renewal ($103,199.04), negotiations for Columbia Avenue Complete Streets design services, architectural services for Lakeside Fire Station #5 ($299,781), bridge repairs ($328,824.38), disaster response contract renewals, SHIP annual reports, grant applications, and asset disposals.

Discussion Items

8.A – Blue Line Solutions Appeal of RFP Cancellation for School Speed Detection Cameras

• City Manager Steigerwald explained that RFP2026001 was canceled after challenges from two unsuccessful vendors regarding procedural deviations. He noted the city’s purchasing policy allows cancellation with or without cause, and pending litigation on the constitutionality of red-light cameras (related statutory section) supports delaying re-issuance. The Commission voted 5–0 to uphold the City Manager’s decision to cancel the RFP.

8.B – Appeal of DRC Renewal of Food Truck Conditional Use Permit at 1985 S. John Young Parkway

• The Development Review Committee (DRC) had renewed a 90-day conditional use permit for up to six food trucks. The City Manager brought the appeal after a workshop indicated Commission interest. Public comment was divided. Commissioner Martinez announced an abstention for consistency (no financial conflict). A motion to approve the appeal (which would have reversed the DRC) failed 2–2–1 (Commissioners Ortiz and Espinosa in favor; Commissioners Alvarez and Eady opposed; Martinez abstained). The DRC renewal stands, and the permit remains valid until July 10, 2026.

8.C – Sworn Complaint Against Commissioner Janette Martinez

• A sworn complaint was received on April 23, 2026. Staff sought direction on whether to transmit it to the Ninth Judicial Circuit for appointment of a special prosecutor or hold it pending amendment of Section 30-25. The first motion (to accept and hold) died due to lack of a second. A second motion (to accept and transmit) failed 2–2–1 (Alvarez and Eady for; Espinosa and Ortiz against; Martinez abstained). City Attorney Oded clarified that the motion failed, so no action was taken. The complaint does not proceed.

8.D – Sworn Complaint Against Mayor Jackie Espinosa

• A sworn complaint was received on April 30, 2026. After similar discussion, a motion to accept and hold died without a second. A second motion to accept and transmit failed 2–2–1 (Eady and Martinez for; Alvarez and Ortiz against; Espinosa abstained). Again, no action was taken. An attorney in the audience argued that the proper venue is the Florida Commission on Ethics, and that a pending appeal before the Sixth District Court of Appeal should be resolved first.

8.E – City Attorney Employment Agreement

• The Commission considered an employment agreement for Kalanit Oded as City Attorney. Discussion included salary, termination notice, severance, pension compliance, annual performance review, and out-of-office communication. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract with the following revisions:
  • Annual performance review.
  • Starting salary of $236,000 (reduced from $248,000).
  • Termination by majority vote of the entire Commission (3–2).
  • Amendments requested by pension and labor attorneys regarding severance and termination for misconduct.
  • 15-day termination notice period (compromise from 30 days).
  • Out-of-office communication plan.
• The motion carried 5–0.

Hear City Officials

• City Manager: Announced Pride Fest Kissimmee on May 30 from 2–7 p.m. at Lakefront Park.
• City Attorney: Expressed gratitude and said she is “bullish about the city of Kissimmee.”
• City Commission: Commissioner Martinez raised concerns about the travel policy, noting that some trips (e.g., a South Korea economic development trip) were not authorized by the full board. She made a motion to revert the policy to require full Commission approval for any travel not related to scheduled training or board membership. A second was offered, but after discussion, Commissioner Martinez withdrew the motion and the Commission reached consensus to hold a workshop on potential changes to the travel policy, pausing all commission travel until then.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution #13-2026: Temporarily suspended Section 30-25 of the ethics code for up to six months (3–2 vote).
• Consent Agenda approved (4–1).
• Upheld cancellation of RFP2026001 for school speed detection cameras (5–0).
• DRC food truck permit renewal upheld; appeal motion failed (2–2–1). Permit continues to July 10, 2026.
• No action on sworn complaints against Commissioner Martinez and Mayor Espinosa; both motions to transmit failed (2–2–1 each). Complaints will not proceed unless refiled under a revised ordinance.
• Approved City Attorney Employment Agreement with revised terms (5–0).
• Consensus to hold a workshop on Commission travel policy and pause travel until then.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.