Kissimmee City Commission 1st Budget Hearing and CRA Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Kissimmee City Commission convened on September 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM for the first budget hearing of fiscal year 2026-2027. The meeting included proclamations, public hearings, a consent agenda, and discussion items as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board. Key actions included adopting a tentative $321.9 million budget, approving the renaming of Ruby Plaza to Bill Hansen Plaza, and denying a proposed change to conditional use approvals. Mayor Jackie Espinosa departed at 6:45 PM due to an emergency, and Vice Mayor Angela Eady presided thereafter. Commissioner Carlos Alvarez III was absent.

Proclamations & Special Presentations

• Florida Redevelopment Week (September 14–18, 2026): A proclamation was presented to Economic Development and CRA staff.
• Brazilian Day (September 7, 2026): A proclamation was presented to Luca Martins, who thanked the City for its support.
• Employee of the Month – September: Minerva Vazquez, Executive Assistant in the City Manager’s Office, was recognized for her 12½ years of service and professionalism. It was noted that the award is selected by a peer committee.
• Annual Red Light Camera Report: Lieutenant Suarez presented the required annual report covering July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Statistics included 31,243 notice of violations (NOVs) issued, 19,950 paid, 52 upheld, 23 dismissed, and 9,409 uniform traffic citations. Total revenue was $2,306,250; expenses totaled $1,060,328.63; net proceeds of $1,245,921.36 are allocated to roadway improvements. The presentation allowed for public comment, with none offered.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lance Spencer (resident): Opposed the renaming of Ruby Plaza to Bill Hansen Plaza, advocating instead to rename the nearby stage/band shell in honor of Mr. Hansen. He noted that Ruby Plaza’s name derived from the historic Ruby Avenue and argued the City could honor both legacies.
• State Representative Jose Alvarez: Supported the full renaming of Ruby Plaza to Bill Hansen Plaza, emphasizing Mr. Hansen’s monumental contributions to the community.
• Janine Hansen (daughter) and family: Expressed gratitude and support for the plaza renaming, describing Mr. Hansen’s deep love for Kissimmee’s downtown and his legacy of founding El Osceola Star (the first bilingual newspaper), Viva Osceola, and the Hispanic Business Council.

Public Hearings – First Readings

• Ordinance 26-20 (Sign Code Amendments): Passed first reading 4-0. The ordinance reduces the time for bringing abandoned signs into compliance from 60 to 15 days (with discretion for extensions), allows more wall signage opportunities for non-residential buildings, and permits unlimited yard signs 90 days before an election period. The Planning Advisory Board (PAB) had recommended approval (5-0).
• Ordinance 26-21 (Conditional Use Approval Process): Denied first reading 4-0. The proposed ordinance would have shifted final approval authority for conditional uses from the PAB to the City Commission, adding at least three weeks to the timeline. The PAB had voted against the change (1-4). Commissioner Martinez successfully moved to deny, stating the PAB is competent to make final decisions.

Public Hearings – Other

• Renaming of Ruby Plaza to Bill Hansen Plaza: Approved 4-0. The Commission approved the renaming, which carries an estimated cost of $3,500 for new interpretive signage and landscaping. City Manager Steigerwald noted that the name “Ruby Plaza” was not historically significant (it derived from the former Ruby Avenue street alignment) and that the lakefront stage/band shell is currently unnamed. Commissioner Martinez suggested possibly naming the stage “Ruby Stage” to preserve the historical name.
• Tentative Millage Levy and Budget for FY 2026‑2027: Approved by resolution (3-0 after Mayor’s departure). The tentative budget is $321,922,102 with 930 full- and part-time positions (no new positions, hiring freeze continued). The millage rate remains 4.6253 mills for the 18th consecutive year. The budget defers vehicle/equipment replacements and capital projects that would require additional operating costs. City Manager Steigerwald explained that the budget retains 31% general fund reserves to cover potential emergencies, and that the City must prepare for the potential passage of Amendment 3. No public comments were offered.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved en bloc (3-0). Items included:

• Approval of minutes from August 18 and August 25, 2026 meetings.
• Acceptance of Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant ($50,000, no match) and Hurricane Ian Recovery Grant ($37,500, with $12,500 match).
• Purchase and installation of playgrounds and pour-in-place surfacing at Rainbow Park ($249,895.87).
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Grant ($60,310) from Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
• Purchase of a FARO 3-D mapping camera system and associated software, warranty, and training ($77,890.18).
• Acceptance of 2026–2027 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant ($56,001).
• Acceptance of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Cyber Task Force Grant ($12,500).
• Application and acceptance of FY2026 and FY2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants ($63,886 and $31,825).
• Resolution adopting Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information (PPI) for FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) credit, supporting the City’s improvement to CRS Class 5 (providing up to 25% flood insurance premium discounts to eligible residents).
• Authorization to negotiate Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services with CDM Smith Inc. for the Connect Kissimmee Complete Streets Phase 1 project.
• Change Order No. 3 for the Woodside Drainage & Utilities Phase 2 project ($116,244) for unforeseen drainage and stabilization work.
• Purchase of a TranTex TT1500DH Dual Pre-Melter Thermoplastic Burner System ($82,400) for pavement marking.
• First one-year extension of the Stormwater Monitoring Data Host Agreement with Woolpert, Inc. (through September 26, 2027).
• Budget transfer of $45,000 from Medium Duty Stationary Lift project to Heavy Truck Mobile Lift project for purchase of eight mobile lifts ($130,897 total).
• Disposal of various City assets (to be auctioned or sold).
• Ministerial appointment of Janin Butler to the General Pension Board (term through September 30, 2028).
• Reappointment of Henry Thacker to the Toho Water Authority Board (third term, October 1, 2026–September 30, 2029).
• Reappointment of Kristen Camero to the Police Pension Board (two-year term).
• Acceptance of HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee ($4,000,000) for the Haven on Vine rehabilitation project, authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute related documents.

Discussion Items (CRA Board)

The City Commission recessed and reconvened as the Community Redevelopment Agency Board (with Vice Mayor Eady presiding after Mayor Espinosa’s departure).

• Vine Street CRA 2026 Redevelopment Plan Amendment: Approved 3-0. GAI Consultants presented a comprehensive update to the 10-year plan. The plan includes six “forward moves”: Prepare for Redevelopment, Leverage Partnerships, Ensure Comfort and Safety, Attract and Retain Businesses, Support Connectivity, and Invest in Housing. A draft TIF projection estimates incremental revenue of $60 million by 2030, $93 million by 2035, and $101 million by 2040. The plan will be forwarded to the Planning Advisory Board (as the Local Planning Agency) for consistency review with the Comprehensive Plan. Public comment was invited; none was offered.
• Azure Hotel International, Inc. Pioneer Project Incentive Program (PPIP) Agreement: Approved 3-0. The agreement grants a $1,500,000 incentive (repayable over five years post-completion) for a $147 million luxury hotel and convention center project in downtown Kissimmee (309 rooms, 220,000 sq ft hotel; 45,000 sq ft convention center). Developer Ramon Gomez confirmed that Phase III environmental analysis is underway and that demolition is expected in December 2026. Parking will remain available for the November election. The incentive is limited to 10% of eligible hard costs (capped at $1,500,000).

Key Outcomes

• Tentative FY 2026–2027 budget of $321,922,102 adopted; millage rate unchanged at 4.6253 mills (18th year).
• Ordinance 26-20 (Sign Code amendments) advanced to second reading; Ordinance 26-21 (Conditional use process) denied.
• Renaming of Ruby Plaza to Bill Hansen Plaza approved.
• All consent agenda items approved, including major grants, contracts, and the HUD Section 108 loan for Haven on Vine.
• Vine Street CRA 10-year plan update approved and forwarded to PAB/LPA.
• $1.5 million PPIP incentive approved for Azure Hotel International project.
• The second and final budget hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2026.