Kissimmee City Commission Meeting Summary - August 18, 2026

The Kissimmee City Commission met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:01 PM in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Jackie Espinosa presided over the meeting, which featured the swearing-in of nine new police officers, a retirement recognition, five public hearings on land use and zoning amendments, a period for public comment, and the approval of a consent agenda. All ordinances and the consent agenda were approved by unanimous 5-0 votes. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM.

Proclamations and Special Presentations

• Swearing-in of Nine New Police Officers: Police Chief Charles Broadway administered the Oath of Office. The new officers are Ray Rivera, Julius Rivera, Joshua Rivera, Amardeep Singh, Benjamin Ward, Elijah Miller, Miguel Urdaneta, Geykel Gomez, and Gabriel Rodriguez.
• Retirement Watch for John Rooney: City Manager Mike Steigerwald and Mayor Espinosa honored John Rooney, Accreditation & Public Education Manager, with a retirement watch for his 20 years of service. Mr. Rooney remarked that he has spent over 50 years in the fire service. Steigerwald praised Rooney's role in achieving international accreditation for the fire department and his positive impact on the community.

Public Hearings (First and Second Readings)

• 4.A Hoagland Rd. Future Land Use Map Amendment (Ordinance #26-08): Approved 5-0. The designation for approximately 157.31 acres was changed from Single-Family Low Density Residential (SF-LDR) to Conservation (CONS) to preserve wetlands and natural resources along Shingle Creek. The Florida Department of Commerce approved the expedited state review with no comments on July 13, 2026.
• 4.B Hoagland Rd. Zoning Map Amendment (Ordinance #26-09): Approved 5-0. A companion zoning change of approximately 79.51 acres from Short-Term Rental and Mixed-Use PUDs to Agricultural Conservation (AC) to prevent development and protect wetland resources.
• 4.C Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts (Ordinance #26-12): Approved 5-0. The ordinance updates the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for commercial vehicles in residential zones from 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. Public speaker Claudia Zuka spoke in opposition, stating the weight increase would burden the roads, decrease property values, and block sidewalks.
• 4.D Fortune Rd. Residential PUD (Ordinance #26-16): Approved 5-0. A zoning change for 52.59 acres to a Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD). The RPUD caps housing units at 948 (down from the currently allowed 1,051) to provide development flexibility and preserve the Bass Slough corridor.
• 4.E Repeal of Pain Management Establishments and Pharmacies Ordinance (Ordinance #26-19): Approved 5-0. The ordinance was repealed as state-level reporting databases have made the local regulations duplicative and obsolete.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephanie Nielsen: Urged the Commission to accept the Articles of Impeachment to allow a public process, arguing it ensures accountability and that no official is above the law.
• Lillian Evans: Criticized the Commission's handling of the impeachment process, stating it makes a "mockery of accountability," and expressed intent to contact the Governor.
• Ruben Anderson: Expressed disappointment over the removal of an iconic cowboy mural and advocated for preserving Kissimmee's historic buildings and sites.
• Claudia Zuka: Criticized the Commission for a "lack of transparency" and a "culture of cover-up," making specific allegations regarding the Mayor's business activities.

Consent Calendar (Approved Unanimously 5-0)

• 7.A Approval of the August 4, 2026, meeting minutes.
• 7.B Ministerial approval of Ian Downing to the Police Pension Board of Trustees.
• 7.C Space Use Permit for Aero Engineering Support Group, Inc. for aircraft component storage.
• 7.D Memorandum of Agreement with Velocity FBO Network for a conceptual proposal for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection User Fee Facility at the airport.
• 7.E Two Space Use Permit extensions for Jr. Davis Construction Company, Inc. for construction material storage.
• 7.F Acceptance of a $211,690.93 FDEM Hazard Mitigation Grant for a Watershed Master Plan (total project cost $282,254.58, requiring a $70,563.65 city match). Resolution #19-2026 adopted.
• 7.G Approval to dispose of surplus city assets via auction.
• 7.H Drainage Easement Agreement with West Carroll Property Owner LLC.
• 7.I Approval of a contract to switch the police off-duty management system to Power Details, reducing the vendor fee from 10% to 6.5%.
• 7.J Acceptance of FAA grants totaling $12,190,802 for a new Air Traffic Control Tower at Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• All five ordinances (4.A through 4.E) and the consent agenda were adopted by unanimous 5-0 votes.
• City Manager Steigerwald announced a Parks and Recreation open house on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM at Oak Street Park Community Center.
• Commissioner Martinez acknowledged that she heard the public's voices regarding the impeachment process. Mayor Espinosa thanked her family and legal counsel and encouraged residents to vote in the election.
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 PM.