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Record of Proceedings

Kissimmee City Commission Meeting Summary – August 4, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyKissimmee, Florida
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 44:51

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

4:06

Good evening, everyone.

4:07

Welcome to the bi weekly city commission meeting here at City Hall.

4:11

It is now six o'clock, August Fourth.

4:15

Can we please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, which would be led by Commissioner Carlos Alvarez?

4:50

If you have any electronic devices, will you please silence them at this time?

Unassigned speaker

5:00

And we will start with our proclamations and special presentations, the swearing in of new firefighters.

Unassigned speaker

5:09

Thank

Speaker 2

5:09

you, Vice Mayor Eady and City Commissioners.

5:11

It's indeed my honor and privilege to come before you and uh introduce you to our newest firefighters.

5:16

We have eight of them here today.

5:18

This will leave us two short, so we're going through the process of trying to get two more, but we're that much closer.

5:23

So thank you very much for your support over this last year getting us to this point.

Unassigned speaker

5:28

Uh

Speaker 2

5:28

these firefighters have been selected carefully and are well trained.

5:31

They have completed extensive orientation with our fire department.

5:35

They are ready to serve proudly and capable of being among the city's first responders at any time during any emergency.

5:41

They know our motto in the finest tradition, courage, compassion, and community.

Unassigned speaker

5:46

So

Speaker 2

5:46

at this time, I'll ask our firefighter and their sponsors to come forward.

Unassigned speaker

5:50

Uh

Speaker 2

5:50

first we have Matthew Calderon.

5:52

If you and your sponsor will come forward.

5:55

Juan Malon.

5:59

Craig Cook.

6:05

Ian Molero.

6:10

Valiant Walsh.

6:14

Zachary Evans.

6:19

Caleb Porch.

6:22

And Chase Gray.

Unassigned speaker

6:40

All right,

Speaker 2

6:40

if you'll turn and face your sponsor, place your left hand on the Bible, raise your right hand and repeat after

Unassigned speaker

6:45

me.

Speaker 2

6:47

I state your name.

Unassigned speaker

6:48

Hi,

Speaker 3

6:48

Matthew, but I cracked up.

6:52

I'm glad.

6:53

I'm involved.

6:54

Hi, Zachary Adams.

6:56

I can report.

Speaker 2

6:58

Have you been appointed to the position of firefighter?

7:01

Having

Speaker 3

7:01

been appointed to the position of firefighter.

Speaker 2

7:03

You're here by solemnly swear and affirm.

7:07

That I will support, defend, and obey.

7:11

The Constitution of the United States of America.

7:16

The Constitution of the State of Florida.

7:20

The laws and ordinances of the city of Kissimmee.

7:22

Laws

Speaker 3

7:23

and ordinances of the

Speaker 2

7:24

city of the city.

7:24

And the rules and regulations of the Cassimmee Fire Department.

7:30

To the best of my ability.

7:32

So help me guide it.

7:34

Congratulations, you made

Speaker 3

8:01

to squeeze in.

8:12

Wonderful.

8:14

Awesome.

8:15

All right.

8:15

I've been looking right at the camera.

8:19

Three, two, more.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Pending Litigation██████████████████████████████████34%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Land Use Planning████████████12%
Economic Development███████████11%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Kissimmee City Commission Meeting Summary – August 4, 2026

The Kissimmee City Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 6:41 PM. Vice Mayor Angela Eady presided, joined by Commissioners Carlos Alvarez III and Janette Martinez. Mayor Jackie Espinosa and Commissioner Noel Ortiz were absent. The meeting included the swearing-in of new firefighters, first readings of two ordinances, extensive public comment on the city's political climate, and unanimous approval of the consent agenda.

Proclamations and Special Presentations

  • Swearing In of New Firefighters: Fire Chief James Walls administered the Oath of Office to eight new firefighters: Matthew Calderon, Juan J. Millan, Craig W. Cook, Ian Mulero, Valient G. Walsh, Zachary D. Evans, Caleb Porch, and Chayse Gray. Following the ceremony, Commissioner Alvarez addressed the new recruits, stating he would not compromise public safety.
  • Employee of the Month: Erika Allen, Lead Engineering Technician in the Public Works Department, was recognized as Employee of the Month for August. City Manager Mike Steigerwald noted the award is peer-nominated by a committee representing all city departments. Ms. Allen expressed her gratitude.

Public Hearings – First Readings

  • Ordinance #26-12 (Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts): The commission conducted a first reading on a proposal to update criteria for commercial vehicles, increasing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) from 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. Assistant Development Services Director Doug Etheredge presented the change. One audience member, John Cortez, expressed support and inquired about RVs. The motion to approve the first reading passed unanimously (3–0).
  • Ordinance #26-19 (Repeal of Pain Management Establishments Ordinance): The commission held a first reading to repeal the city code governing pain management establishments and pharmacies. Captain Tilton of the Kissimmee Police Department explained that state law had rendered the city ordinance obsolete. No public comment was heard. The motion passed unanimously (3–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Seven members of the public addressed the commission. Key topics included the city's budget, the city's partnership with Waste Management, and the political situation surrounding Mayor Jackie Espinosa.

  • Jose Boskin (Waste Management) thanked the commission for the partnership and highlighted the company's use of compressed natural gas trucks.
  • Ray Parsons critiqued the recent budget workshop, urging the city to focus on attracting high-margin businesses to increase revenue. City Manager Steigerwald responded that the city is pursuing a long-term economic development strategy.
  • Jimmy Torres (Boricua) defended Mayor Espinosa, stating he found no violation in her actions and urging the commission to avoid impeachment and respect the voters' decision.
  • Stephanie Nelson countered that holding elected officials accountable is a constitutional duty of citizenship, denying that the criticism is racially motivated.
  • Lillian Evans called for the Mayor to step down, describing her own year-long efforts to document issues and urging voters to carefully research candidates.
  • Josie Castro characterized the Mayor's actions as immoral, demanded her resignation, and challenged commissioners to publicly state their positions.
  • Susanna Sanchez expressed deep disappointment in the political turmoil, argued that the Mayor followed proper grant procedures, and urged continued support for the Mayor.

Consent Calendar

The commission approved the Consent Agenda in a single unanimous vote (3–0), which included:

  • Approval of the July 21, 2026, special and regular commission meeting minutes, and the July 28, 2026, Budget Workshop minutes.
  • Approval of a piggyback contract with JCO Corporation for emergency vehicle upfitting services, utilizing the City of Orlando's master agreement.

Discussion and Reports from City Officials

  • City Manager Mike Steigerwald relayed that Mayor Espinosa was absent due to a pre-planned vacation and discussed potential city support for the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church's 146th anniversary.
  • Commissioner Janette Martinez addressed the political climate, stating the commission must follow a specific legal process regarding the Mayor, to be addressed at a special meeting on August 18, 2026.
  • Commissioner Carlos Alvarez III reminded residents to be cautious with e-bikes and scooters as schools opened and encouraged voter participation in the upcoming election.

Key Outcomes

  • The commission approved a first reading of Ordinance #26-12, updating commercial vehicle weight limits (passed 3–0).
  • The commission approved a first reading of Ordinance #26-19, repealing the obsolete Pain Management Establishments ordinance (passed 3–0).
  • A special meeting was announced for August 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM to address the matter concerning Mayor Espinosa.
  • The meeting was adjourned at 6:41 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the bi weekly city commission meeting here at City Hall. It is now six o'clock, August Fourth. Can we please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, which would be led by Commissioner Carlos Alvarez? If you have any electronic devices, will you please silence them at this time? And we will start with our proclamations and special presentations, the swearing in of new firefighters. Thank you, Vice Mayor Eady and City Commissioners. It's indeed my honor and privilege to come before you and uh introduce you to our newest firefighters. We have eight of them here today. This will leave us two short, so we're going through the process of trying to get two more, but we're that much closer. So thank you very much for your support over this last year getting us to this point. Uh these firefighters have been selected carefully and are well trained. They have completed extensive orientation with our fire department. They are ready to serve proudly and capable of being among the city's first responders at any time during any emergency. They know our motto in the finest tradition, courage, compassion, and community. So at this time, I'll ask our firefighter and their sponsors to come forward. Uh first we have Matthew Calderon. If you and your sponsor will come forward. Juan Malon. Craig Cook. Ian Molero. Valiant Walsh. Zachary Evans. Caleb Porch. And Chase Gray. All right, if you'll turn and face your sponsor, place your left hand on the Bible, raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. Hi, Matthew, but I cracked up. I'm glad. I'm involved. Hi, Zachary Adams. I can report. Have you been appointed to the position of firefighter? Having been appointed to the position of firefighter. You're here by solemnly swear and affirm. That I will support, defend, and obey. The Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution of the State of Florida. The laws and ordinances of the city of Kissimmee. Laws and ordinances of the city of the city.

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